John 15:13

That Christ may enforce this duty from his example, he doth commend his love to them (which they are to imitate) from several evidences thereof. Whereof the first (in this verse) is, his laying down of his life for them. Which being the greatest evidence of friendship among men, Rom. 5.7. doth set out the greatnesse of his love to them; And that so much the more, as though they were friends in his purpose when he died for them, and were to be reconciled and brought into friendship by his death, yet they were then in themselves enemies Rom. 5.8, 10. Whence learn, 1. Christ will let no opportunity slip, whereby he may unfold his heart, and manifest somewhat of his love to his people; Therefore, in pressing this duty of mutual love, he insists on such arguments as may not only presse it, but may also aggree with his principal drift in this Sermon, which is, to let out his tender heart unto them. 2. Such as would make right use of Christs love, ought to be much in the study thereof, and to know distinctly what it is; Therefore, doth he insist to commend his love, that the example may be more binding. 3. Christs love to beleevers is so large, that we cannot comprehend or take it up, but in resemblances and comparisons; Therefore must he set it out here by the shadow of the love of friends. 4. Christ did really lay down his life for, and in place of, his people; They standing guilty before the Tribunal of divine justice, He, as their surety by the covenant of Redemption, was surrogate in their roome, their sins being charged on him, and they set free; for, he laid down his life for his friends. See Isa. 53.5. 5. The benefit of Christs death is intended only for his friends, who are chosen of God, and given to him to be reconciled and made friends; for, he laid down his life for his friends, and them only. 6. Christs laying down his life for his people, is the clearest mirrour, wherein to read his love; for, he proveth that he had loved them, in that he laid down his life. 7. Christs love, in dying for his people, doth shine in this, that although they were enemies in themselves; Yet he had a friendly respect to them, and did follow them, till he drew them into a covenant of friendship; for, this doth commend his love, that he laid down his life for them as friends, though they were enemies. 8. Christs love to his people is the most matchlesse of loves, and essay whom we will, none will bid so much for us or our love, as he; Therefore doth he commend it as singular, greater love hath no man then this, that a man lay down his life for his friends, yet he had done this, and more also, in that he had done it before they were brought into actual friendship with him.