The following are extracts of David Dickson’s (1583–1663) Therapeutica Sacra, Book 1, Chapter 4, “The Divine Covenants about the Eternal Salvation of Men; and in Special, Of the Covenant of Redemption,” etc. This chapter is both a high-water mark of Scottish federal theology and at the same time a tremendous glimpse into the high mystery of the psychological ordeal through which our Lord’s sinless soul had to pass. Behold, was there any sorrow like unto his sorrow? And truly, those vexed in their minds and even the psychologically tormented may take solace with the lengths to which God came down to “taste death for every man.”
I have also recorded the chapter here. Read or listen; then prostrate yourself before the “man of sorrows.”
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Objection. But did not this astonishing amazement of Christ’s soul, speak some imperfection of the human nature? Answer. It did no ways argue any imperfection, or lack of sanctity in him; but only a sinless and kindly infirmity, in regard of natural strength, in the days of his flesh. For the mind of a man, by any sudden and vehement commotion arising from a terrible object, may, without sinning, be so taken up, that the swift progress of his mind in discourse may for a while be stopped, and the act of reasoning suspended a while ; all the cogitations of the mind fleeing together to consult, and not being able to extricate themselves in an instant, may stand amazed, and sit down awhile, like Job’s friends astonished. Now our Lord, taking on our nature and our common sinless infirmities, became like unto us in all things except sin. Daniel’s infirmity at the sight of an angel, was not sin, (Dan. x).
Objection. But doth not this astonishing admiration, suddenly lighting upon Christ’s soul, prove that something unforeseen of him did befall him? Not at all; for he knew all things that should befall him, and told his disciples thereof, and \ras at a point, and resolved in every thing which was to come, before it came. But this astonishing amazement did only shew forth the natural difference between things preconceived in the mind, and these same things presented to sense: for there is in the mind a different impression of the preconceived heat of a burning iron, before it do touch the skin, from that powerful impression which a hot iron thrust into the flesh doth put upon the sense. In regard of which natural difference between foresight and feeling, between resolution and experience, this astonishment befell our Lord ; and in this regard, Christ is said to learn experimental obedience by these things which he suffered, (Heb. v. 8). . . .
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West Port Experiment 