Written by Dr. Benjamin Grosvenor
A pleasing recollection has been preserved of perhaps one of the most touching discourses ever composed, having been delivered by him [Dr. Benjamin Grosvenor] in this hall, "The Temper of Christ." In this discourse the Savior is introduced by way of illustrating his command that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem," as giving the apostles directions how they are to proceed in carrying out this requirement. Among other things, he is represented as saying to them:
Go into all nations and offer this salvation as you go. But lest the poor house of Israel should think themselves abandoned to despair, the seed of Abraham, mine ancient friend, as cruel and unkind as they have been, go, make them the first offer of grace; let those who struck the rock drink first of its refreshing streams, and those who drew my blood be welcome to its healing virtue. Tell them that as I was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, so, if they will be gathered, I will be their shepherd still. Though they despised my tears that I shed over them and imprecated my blood to be upon them, tell them 'twas for their sakes I shed both, that by my tears I might soften their hearts toward God and by my blood I might reconcile God to them...Tell them, you have seen the prints of the nails on my hands and feet and the wounds of the spear in my side, and that those marks of their cruelty are so far from giving me vindictive thoughts that if they will but repent, every wound they have given me speaks in their behalf, pleads with the Father for the remissions of their sins, and enables me to bestow it...Nay, if you meet that poor wretch who thrust the spear into my side, tell him there is another way, a better way, of coming at my heart. If he will repent and look on him whom he pierced and will mourn, I will cherish him in that very bosom he has wounded; he shall find the blood he shed an ample atonement for the sin of shedding it. And tell him from me, he will put me to more pain and displeasure by refusing this offer of my blood than when he first drew it forth.
- The Existence and Attributes of God – Volume 1 by Stephen Charnock pg. 17.
- Benjamin Grosvenor, The Temper of Jesus towards His Enemies; and, His Grace to the Chief of Sinners, in His Commanding the Gospel to Begin at Jerusalem (London: J. Clark, 1712).
Berean Crossroads 
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