by John Flavel
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
The manner in which Christ died has already been opened in the solitude and patience in which he died. The third, to wit, the instructiveness of his death, now follows, in these seven excellent and weighty sayings, which dropped from his blessed lips upon the tree, while his sacred blood dropped on the earth from his wounded hands and feet; so that on the cross he exercised both his priestly and Prophetic office together, redeeming us by his blood, and instructing us by his words.
These seven words of Christ upon the cross are his last words, with which he breathed out his soul. The last words of a dying man are remarkable; the scripture puts a remark upon them, 2 Sam. 23:1. "Now these be the last words of David." How remarkable are the last words of Christ.
These words are seven in number; three directed to his Father, and four more to those about him. Of the former sort this is one, Father, forgive them, etc. In which we have, First, The mercy desired by Christ, and that is forgiveness. Secondly, The persons for whom it is desired, [Them,] that is, those cruel and wicked persons that were now imbruing their hands in his blood. And, Thirdly, The motive or argument urged to procure that mercy from his Father, for they know not what they do.
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Table of Contents
The First of Christ's Seven Words on the Cross here Illustrated
The Second Excellent Word of Christ Upon the Cross
The Third of Christ's last Words Upon the Cross
The Fourth Excellent Saying of Christ upon the Cross
The Fifth Excellent Saying of Christ Upon the Cross
The Sixth Excellent Saying of Christ Upon the Cross
The Seventh and Last Word with Which Christ Breathed Uut His Soul