A Gift For You, a Gift For Me?

I ran across this quote in R. Kent Hughes commentary on Hebrews.  It is from Lewis Bayly’s Practice of Piety, a book which I found out greatly influenced John Bunyan and was the book to have along with Pilgrims Progress and Foxes Book of Martyrs.  Unfortunately the book is no longer in print…but there is one used copy on sale at Amazon for just over $400 just in case you wanted to buy it for me!

Soule. Lord, why, wouldest Thou be taken, when Thou mightest have escaped Thine enemies?

Christ. That thy spiritual enemies should not take thee, and cast thee into the prison of utter darkness.

Soule. Lord, wherefore wouldest Thou be bound?

Christ. That I might loose the cordes of thine iniquities.

Soule. Lord, wherefore wouldest Thou be lift up upon a Crosse?

Christ. That I might lift thee up with Me to heaven.

Soule. Lord, wherefore were Thy hands and feet nayled to the Crosse?

Christ. To enlarge thy hands to doe the works of righteousness and to set thy feete at libertie, to walke in the wayes of peace.

Soule. Lord, why wouldest Thou have Thine arms nayled abroad?

Christ. That I might embrace thee more lovingly, My sweet soule.

Soule.Lord, wherefore was Thy side opened with a speare?

Christ.That thou mightest have a way to come near to My heart.