A Contrast of the Purchase and Application of Redemption

Redemption, thou eternal excellency, thou joy of many generations — return, return, that I may look upon thee! How my heart is amazed, is ravished, with the view of what my adored Jesus hath done for me in the purchase of redemption, and doth to me in the everlasting application of it to my soul, e 2

There, in the purchase, Jehovah found him out, and laid my help upon him who is mighty: here, in the application, he is found of me that sought him not. There, he struck out my name from my debt-bond, — the broken covenant, — sad charter to infinite woe! and inserts his own: here, he makes with me an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David. There, he made himself heir to my deserved threatenings of his Father’s indignation: here, he bequeaths — he gives to me his exceeding great and precious promises of eternal life. There, to be firmly connected with my guilt, my woe, he was made a priest with an oath: here, that I might have strong consolation, he swears that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and that surely blessing he will bless me.

There, in the purchase of redemption, he, who was in the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with God, emptied himself of his glory: here, in the application of it, he confers upon me an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. The Lord is my everlasting light, and my God my glory. There, he was found in fashion as a man, a Son of man: here, he makes me a son — an heir of God, and joint heir with Christ. There, he was sent forth in the likeness of sinful flesh: here, he makes me a partaker of the divine nature, and changes me into the divine image from glory to glory. There, he became a worm and no man: here, he renders me equal to the angels of God in heaven. There, he, the Son of the Father’s love, was an out-cast, an exile: here, I, a hateful, distant foe, am, through his blood, brought near unto God, even to his seat. There, he bare our infirmities — was weary and weak hearted: here, he hath a fellow-feeling of our infirmities — is afflicted in our afflictions, and perfects his strength in my weakness. There, he made himself of no reputation — was a reproach of men, and despised of the people: here, he gives me a new name, which the mouth of the Lord doth name — the ransomed of the Lord; the holy one; sought out, and not forsaken. There, he took upon him the yoke of the broken law; the yoke of my transgressions was wreathed about his neck: here, he brings me into the glorious liberty of the sons of God: puts on me his yoke, which is easy, and his burden, which is light. There, he bore the sins of many, he was made sin for us: here, he makes me righteous, the righteousness of God in him. There, he was condemned, was made a curse for us: here, he is made a prince and Saviour, exalted to give repentance and remission of sins; sent to bless me in turning me from mine iniquities; set up to be blessings for evermore. There, he was joined with thieves — was numbered with transgressors: here, he puts me among the children; joins me with thrones and dominions. And truly my fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

There, in the purchase of my redemption, he was oppressed with ignominious poverty; had not where to lay his head: here, in the application of it, through his poverty I become rich; he gives me his unsearch-LIFE ANtp REMAINS OF

able riches, the goodly heritage of the hosts of nations; fills me with all the fulness of God; gives me the Most High for my habitation, my dwelling place in all generations. There, for hunger and thirst his soul fainted in him: here, he satiates my soul with goodness; gives me his flesh, which is meat indeed, and his blood, which is drink indeed; gives me bread of life, living water, an overflowing cup of salvation. There, he hid not his face from shame and spitting; had his visage more marred than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: here, he makes me lift up my face without spot unto God; makes me shine as the sun in the kingdom of my Father. There, he was divinely deserted; his Father forsook him, and was far from the words of his roaring: here, he lifts on me the light of Jehovah’s countenance, and shall make me like him, by seeing him as he is; for so shall I be for ever with the Lord. There, he gave his back to the smiters, and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities: here, he is the Lord, my God, that healeth rne; that healeth all my diseases, and bindeth up my painful wounds; and by his stripes am I healed. There, from the cross, he would not come down and save himself: here, from the throne, he comes down to love me from the pit of corruption — draw me out of many waters — turn me from ungodliness, and save me from the lowest hell. There, he wore a crown of thorns: here, he gives me a crown of life; makes me a royal diadem in the hand of my God. There, he drank for me the baleful cup of infinite wrath: here, he gives me the fountain of life, rivers of pleasure, wine and milk, without money and without price; and makes me drink water out of the wells of salvation. There, he was amazed and very heavy, exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: here, he makes me obtain joy and gladness, go to God mine exceeding joy, and enter into the joy of my Lord. There, he poured out his soul unto death; travailed in pain till he knew not what to say: here, he is formed in my heart the hope of glory; sees in me the travail of his soul, and is satisfied. There, he shed his blood for me: here, he loves me, and washes me from my sins in his blood, and makes me a king and priest unto God, even the Father. There, he died for the ungodly: here, he hath quickened me, who was dead in trespasses and sins; because he lives, I shall live also; my life is hid with Christ in God; and when he appears I shall appear with him in glory. There, he was buried, descended unto the lower parts of the earth: here, raised up and alive for evermore, he raiseth me up together, and makes me sit together with him in heavenly places. ‘What melting views are these! How my heart heaves with joy, flames with love! — would burst in praise, if wonder would allow! A. B.