129. So, then, the Father gave the Son, and
the Son gave Himself. Love is preserved and due affection is not
wronged, for affection is not wronged where there is no distress in the
giving up. He gave one Who was willing, He gave One Who offered
Himself, the Father did not give the Son to punishment but to
grace. If you enquire into the merit of the deed, enquire into
the description of the affection. The vessel of election shows
plainly the unity of this divine love, because both the Father gave the
Son and the Son gave Himself. The Father gave, Who “spared
not His own Son, but gave Him up for us all.” Rom. viii. 32. And of the Son he also says:
“Who gave Himself for me.” Gal. ii. 20. “Gave Himself,” he
says. If it be of grace, what do I find fault with. If it
be that He suffered wrong, I owe the more.