when a Sacrifice was offered he bid him to put up his Sword 1 Chron. 21.27 So in the times of the Law God did but as it were stay his Hand Sins were said to be passed by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the forbearance of God that Time is called a Time of Forbearance and God staid his Hand from punishing those that did look to Christ to come But now the great Sacrifice is offered up God's Sword is sheathed and he can magnify Grace through the sacrifice and satisfaction of Christ it may reign through the Righteousness of Jesus Christ Rom. 5.20.21 Jesus Christ being lifted upon the Cross will draw all to him John 12.32 All that is very many compared with the few that were drawn before a Dying Saviour 3dly Christ hath now paid a Ransom Matth. 20.28 and purchased a Church by his own Blood Acts 20.28 And therefore Christ hath now just ground to come to the Prison Door of Sinners and to call them forth Isa 49.9 That thou maist say to the Prisoners go forth and to them that are in darkness shew your selves Come with boldness into the presence of God appear and shew your selves with confidence in the Heavenly Sanctuary He that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Redeemer hath just Ground to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Deliverer Rom. 11.26 shall he Ransom and not Rescue shall he buy and not possess hath not Christ a just claim to what he hath purchased to take possession of it 4thly Christ hath now sealed confirmed and established his Testament by means of Death Heb. 9.15 He that might have given a Sanction to to the Threatning by our Blood and have executed the Curse in our Death hath ratified the Promises and confirmed his Testament by his own Death Christ hath given Vigour and Strength to the Promises by his being Crucified through weakness 2 Cor. 13.4 and hath given Life to his Testament by his own Death and he is rising again to be his own Executor Now he can fulfil the Promises of the New Covenant and bestow the Legacies of his new Testament and that especially because Christ is such a Testator as by his death doth purchase of God all the Legacies he bequeaths in his Testament which no other Testator doth All the Mercies of the Everlasting Covenant are the sure Mercies of this Spiritual David Isa 55.3 they are sure because Jesus Christ is risen from the Dead to bestow them Acts 13.34 And certainly Christ may freely and lawfully give forth his own 5hty Now Christ is saved and therefore in a full capacity to save others Zech. 1.9 Thy King cometh to thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Salvatus ipsemet ut de brevi transitu in locum Saved Christ had many Adversaries and did encounter with mighty Enemies they endeavoured totally to crush Christ and wholly to swallow him up it was of great concernment to the whole Church of God that Christ should be saved The Holy Ghost therefore dictated that Prayer to the Saints to be put up for Christ Psal 118.25 Save now we beseech thee we heseech thee now send Prosperity now was the time of War and utter Destruction there were many associated and united against Jesus Christ Acts 4.25 26 27. He is stiled Child Jesus Enemies thought easily to destroy him Herod Pontius Pilate the Jews and the Gentiles Many Dogs were hunting down this Morning Hart Psal 22. and the Title of Psal 16. And it was that which the Church desired and Christ himself also pray'd for that he might be delivered from their cruel and devouring Mouths Psal 69.29 I am Poor and Needy let thy Salvation set me up on high And Christ was heard in what he pray'd for He was taken from Prison and Judgment Isa 53.8 From Man's Prison Tribunal and Judgment and God did set him up on high even in a glorious Throne far above the reach and rage of all his Enemies that Christ that is so perfectly saved himself can fully save us He that did wrest himself out of the Hands of his Foes can also rescue us from the Power of all our Enemies the day of Christ's Weakness is past 2 Cor. 13.4 and the day of his Power is now come Psal 110.3 6thly Christ is now Perfected and being made Perfect he is fit to become the Author of Eternal Salvation to those that obey him Heb. 5.9 The Captain of our Salvation is made perfect through Sufferings and can lead to Glory Heb. 2.10 All the Rounds or Rongs of the Spiritual Ladder that reacheth from Earth to Heaven are compleat Gen. 28.12 13 14. with Rom. 5.33 34. Christ hath cloathed himself with our Flesh he hath died is risen again is ascended to Heaven is at the Right Hand of God to make Intercession for us His Priestly Garments are sprinkled with his own Blood and so he is fitted to enter into the Heavenly Sanctuary and to appear in the Presence of God the Sons of Aaron were to have their Priestly Garments sprinkled with the Blood of a Sacrifice before they could officiate in the Sanctuary Exod. 20.21 Christ's own Death did consecrate him as a Priest for ever and perfect him for the great work of Intercession Heb. 7. last 7thly Christ is now Victorious over all his and our Enemies he hath overcome the World John 16. last he hath made Reconciliation for Iniquity yea made an end of sin Dan. 9.24 he hath abolished Death 2 Tim. 1.10 by tasting it for a few Hours he hath swallowed it up for ever By Death he hath destroy'd him that hath the power of Death even the Devil Heb. 2.15 As a Goaler hath the power of the Law to keep a Malefactor in Prison and the Executioner hath the power of the Law to put him to Death so Sinners hath broken the Law and incurred the Penalty Satan hath the power of the Curse to cut off and destroy Sinners But Christ hath spoiled Principalities and Powers turned Satan out of his Office stript him of his Power as to those that believe The Curse is the Armour that this Strong Man trusts in Luke 11.22 And Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law by being made a Curse himself Gal. 3.13 And Christ hath now the Key of Hell and Death the Key of Hell to shut it that the Souls of his People may not enter into it and the Key of Death to rescue and bring forth the Bodies of his People out of the Grave He hath led Captivity Captive Psal 68.18 and triumphed over the Enemies of our Salvation the Captain of our Salvation is entred in triumph into his Royal City above as he hath overcome in his own Person so now he can overcome in us His strength is perfected in our weakness It is discovered to be most perfect when we are most weak and low when we seem as Christ's Soldiers to lye in the open Field and to be exposed to manifold Inconveniences and Sufferings from the rage and fury
but as likely to be pernicious and fatal to him as they would be to him instead of Christ and so rob him of an Interest in him which would be a Ruining and utterly undoing loss to him Paul saith farther Yea doubtless I account all things but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord Phil. 3.8 The Apostle seems to me to refer to that Scripture Isa 53.11 By his knowledge shall my Righteous Servant justifie many When Paul knew that excellent Righteousness that Christ had provided for the Justification of the Ungodly this made him to Contemn Loath and Cast away his own Rigteousness as a Man that flotes on a broken Plank or a piece of a Shipwreck will cast it away when he meets with a whole Ship that will take him in and carry him safe to the Shore 6. We are shadowed from the Scorching Wrath of God and secured from the Storm of Divine Vengeance not by our own Righteousness but by the Obedience and Righteousness of Christ The Church saith she sate down under the Shadow of Christ with Great Delight Cant. 2.3 Mr. Terry in the History of his Travels in the East Indies observes That where the Heat is exceeding great as it is in the East Indies there the Trees do bear far larger and longer Leaves than in these parts of the World and that thereby they afford a stronger shadow against the vehement heat of the Sun Since the Fall we need a strong shadow against the Scorching Wrath of God and it is our Lord Jesus Christ the Tree of Life that hath such broad and long Leaves as to afford a most sweet Cooling and Reviving Shadow When the Israeites Travelled through the Black Burning Sands of Arabia where in some places there grew no Trees to shadow them God did by a continual Miracle of his Grace for Forty years spread a continual Cloud over them Psal 105.39 and this was designe for a Covering to secure them from the fiery burning heat of the Sun that they might not Faint under it and be killed by it Lithgow that did Travel through Arabia doth inform us that the Heat is so great by the Reflexion of the Sun-beams on those Sands that he saw two Germans that were of their Company and in their Caravan to drop down dead being overcome by the Heat of the Sun This History instructs us how absolutely necessary God's Cloud was which he spread over them It was not the Tents of the Israelites that were sufficient to keep off the Burning Heat else God would not have provided this Miraculous Cloud so it is not the Tents of our Works or Righteousness that can keep off the Scorching Wrath of God but it must be the Righteousness that the Clouded Son of God wrought out in the state of his Humiliation and Abasement As those that went from under the Shadow of this Cloud were presently Scorched by the Sun so those that wave and decline Christ's Righteousness must needs sooner or later feel the Burning Wrath of God That Cloud that Skreen'd the Israelites from the Beames of the Sun was it self still exposed to the burning Heat but the Cloud did not feel it But our Lord Jesus Christ that is our Shadowing Cloud had a tender Sense a sharp feeling of the Wrath of God for a time that he might be a lasting and perpetual Cloud to protect and secure us from it As the Israelites continually for near Forty years Travelled under the Shadow of this Cloud so we must all our days Journey under the Shadow of Christ and his Righteousness I have Read in Varenius his Geography of this Great Wonder of Providence and Mercy of God to the People in the East Indies that they have their Winter when the Sun is over their heads and their Summer when the Sun is most remote from them Then the Sky is continually clear and the Sun shines so hot that in some places they keep their Fairs and Markets and do their Business in the Night and sleep in the Day But when the Sun is in the Zenith and just over their heads then they have perpetual Clouds and much Rain and that if it were not for this the Country could not be tolerably inhabited by reason of the Great Excessive Heat So were not the Lord Jesus the Mediator as a perpetual Cloud over us to shadow us by his Righteousness the most Holy Souls could not possess and inhabit a cool and comfortable place in the Church It is Christ and his Satisfactory Sufferings that is the Tilt and Covering of the Chariot in which we Ride with Christ to Heaven King Solomon that is Christ made himself a Chariot and the Covering of it was Purple A Chariot must have something over it to keep off the Wind Rain and Scorching Sun The Covering of this Chariot was Purple that is Cloth of a Purple Colour and this signified the Obedience of Christ which was signally expressed in the shedding of his Blood His Righteousness was as Cloth died in Purple Blood as Christ paved his Chariot with Love a soft Seat for Doubting Trembling Souls to sit on so he Tilted it over with Righteousness Died in Blood that Believers might be safe and have a sure Covering that would keep off the Scorching Heat of God's Wrath. We cannot move towards Heaven till we get up into Christ's Chariot so we cannot Travel safely but under its Purple Covering this must be our Protection all our days Though the Church be a Garden open towards Heaven to receive Influences of Grace from thence yet it Rides in a Chariot that is Covered and guarded from scorching Beams and dreadful storms from Heaven 7. We are not secured from Revenging and Destroying Justice by any Good or Righteousness that dwells in us but by the Blood of Christ Sprinkled from without and applied to our Consciences Exod. 12.22 23. The Destroying Angel did not pass over the Houses of the Israelites and spare their First-born because of the Righteousness of the Persons within but because of the Blood sprinkled from without The Israelites were Idolaters in Egypt Ezek. 23.2 and therefore were not worthy to be delivered from thence but fitted to be destroyed there It was therefore the Blood of the Paschal Lamb an eminent Type of Christ that was their Security from Destruction Judicious Calvin thinks that God alludes to this in Isa 66.19 God saith I will set a Sign among them that is on those Jews that should escape the Wrath of God and Destruction by it And what is this Sign but the Blood of Christ applied to the Soul for we are said to be Justified by his Blood and so to be saved from the Wrath to come Rom. 5.9 it is not our Inherent Righteousness that will protect us from Revenging Justice The Spirit that dwelleth in us even in us Saints James saith lusteth unto Envy James 4.5 In me even in this flesh of mine dwelleth nothing at all that is good saith Paul
is Ascended to Heaven sits at the Right Hand of God to make Intercession for us that we may see and share with him in his Glory and be with him for ever John 17.24 The Apostle Paul hath as it were pointed at all the Rongs of this Spiritual Ladder and shews us it is compleat Rom. 8.33 34. Though Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us for our Sins as he did Joshua for his Filthy Garments Zech. 3.3 yet Jesus Christ is at God's Right Hand to Plead and Interceed for us Our Sins Cry and Satan Accuses but the Blood of Jesus the Mediator Speaks for us Heb. 12.24 God that is infinitely Wise Holy and Just saw our need of this Ladder else he would not have provided it by the wonderful abasement and grievous Sufferings of his Son we cannot get up to Heaven by our own Righteousness Many of the Elect continue several years in an Unconverted Estate all these years are lost and so the Ladder is too short to reach Heaven their Righteousness doth not begin soon and early enough when they are Converted there are many stops and Interruptions of their Obedience The Ladder when it is begun it is much broken many Rongs or Rounds of the Ladder are wanting Who can possibly climb or ascend up to a high place where there are many Rongs or Rounds of a Ladder broken This will put a stop to them much more are we then unable to Ascend to a Heavenly Habitation and Glory by the Ladder of a broken Righteousness and by Duties or Works so interrupted blemished and Defective 10. We do not purchase a Heavenly Kingdom or Inheritance by our Works of Righteousness but we as Heires possess it by the Testament and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ Heb. 9.15 We are Heires not by our Doing but by Christ's Dying Job complaines that God made him to possess the Iniquites of his Youth Broughton Renders the Hebrew word Thou makest me to Heir the Iniquities of my Youth Job puts this Construction on all his Afflictions and Sufferings that God made him in them to Heir the fruits of all his youthful sins If God should deal with us according to our deservings by bitter and sharp Afflictions we might Heir the Sins of Youth and riper years and not only Heir them in Temporal Evils but in Eternal Punishments How much therefore do we need to be made Heires of Glory by Christ's Testament This is very observable that Isaac the Son of the Free-woman a Type of the Children of the Covenant of Grace is declared Heir while he was but an Infant and had done no Works of Obedience or Service to oblige Abraham his Father Gen. 21.8.10 Sarah speakes of Isaac as the Heir yea the Sole Heir of Abraham while he was but an Infant and Hagar and Ismael after many years service were turned out and cast off and that with a very poor pittance a little Bread and a Bottle of Water Gen. 21.10 14. Hagar and Ismael were utterly cut off from any hope of Enjoying Abraham's Rich Estate So many that do live Civilly Morally and add some Tincture and Sprinkling of Religion will yet come short of Heaven for as many as are of the Works of the Law are under the Curse Gal. 3.10 That is those that mainly cleave to and Build on the Works of the Law for Justification are under the Curse by reason of the defects that are in their Works Rom. 9.30 31 32. Israel that followed after the Law of Righteousness hath not attained to the Law of Righteousness Wherefore Because they sought it not by Faith but as it were by the Works of the Law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is 1. They sought it by Works that had but the shadow shew and appearance of Works but were not Solid and Substantial Isa 1.13 Bring no more vain oblations or empty Sacrifices that had only bodily service but there was no Spiritual Worship in them no Faith in the Messiah to come no Mortification of the Old Man did attend them Revel 3.1.3 Thou hast a name to live but I have not found thy Works perfect before God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were not filled up with Spiritual Worship and gracious acts of the Soul they were Specious and Glorious before Men but vile and Contemptible before God they might be Pretious as to the Matter of them but were vile and base as to the Form of them as the Present and Offering that the Philistines made to the God of Israel even Golden Mice They were Pretious as to the Matter of them being of Gold but contemptible as to the Form of them for they were but Mice Sam. 1.6.4 So the acts of Natural men may be good as to the matter of them as Praying doing Justly with all yet may be vile as to the Form of them because all doth flow from a Mercenary Spirit and is designed for their own Honour and applause or 2. Men may be said as the Jews to seek Justification as it were by the Works of the Law because though they may Complement God and pretend they are beholding to God's Grace for what they are and do as the Pharisee said God I thank thee that I am not as other men Luke 18.11 yet they put the greatest weight and stress upon their own Works and Righteousness for their Justification before God So the Pharisee did make an Inventory of his Spiritual Riches and drew up a Catalogue of his Good Works I am no Extortioner not Unjust or an Adulterer or as this Publican I Fast twice a week I give Tithes of all that I Possess This was the Foundation that he did build upon for his acceptance before God this was his plea at his Bar and Tribunal so that indeed they seek Justification as it were by the Works of the Law they give little to Grace and most to Works these are the Foundation of their Confidence and carry the main stroke with them but Christ Teacheth us other things he tells us that when we have done all that is commanded us we should say we are unprofitable servants Luke 17.10 There is a double sense that may be given of this Phrase 1. We are unprofitable servants that is to our selves we have laid no obligation on God we have earned no wages no reward from him 2. We are unprofitable servants that is if God would deal with us according to the defects and Sin that cleaves to our best services he might deal with us as with unprofitable servants Math. 25.30 Cast ye the unprofitable servant into utter darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Therefore Men must not trust to their own best Works for the obtaining of the Heavenly Inheritance God doth freely give the Kingdom to his Children Fear not little Flock it is your Father's pleasure to give you the Kingdom Luke 12.32 And Jesus Christ doth freely bequeath it Luke 22.28 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I bequeath to you a
found Heb. 9.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ hath found that and brought that which is the great Foundation of our Faith and Hope 1. Jesus Christ hath brought this Righteousness near to us Isa 46.13 I bring near my Righteousness it shall not be far off The Saints of the Old Testament saw the Promises a-far off Heb. 11.13 But we see Eye to Eye Isa 52.8 The Manna came down from Heaven and lay about the Camp of Israel Ezod 16.14 It was near to them and prepared Food for them and easy to be gathered by them So Christ Typified by it saith I am the Bread that came down from Heaven that a Man may eat and not dye As this Bread was in Heaven it was high above-us and far off from us but now it is come down from Heaven it is near to us it is easie to come at So the Rock is smitten and the Spiritual Water flows out follows us is near to us 1 Cor. 10.3 4. As God clave the Rocks and gave Israel drink as out of the Great Depths Psal 78.15 The Water was deep in the Earth but it bubbl'd up and gushed out of the Rock plentifully as if a great deep Sea or the deep Waters that did lye low in the Earth did now rise and spring up and break out at the clefts of this Rock The Israelites could not come at those deep Waters that lay in the Bowels of the Earth till God did cause them to ascend and made a vent for them So the saving Mercies of God were a great Deep we had neither Bucket nor Rope to reach them or to come at them they were far off from us But Christ now being smitten this Rock now being cleft deep Mercies ascend flow forth follow us come near to us Christ's Righteousness is brought so near to us that we may easily come at it and enjoy it as the Manna was prepared Bread some derive the Word from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manah he hath prepared this was Bread that God provided without their labour they did not Plow or Sow for it So Christ is God's Salvation that he hath prepared Luk. 2.29 30 31. As the Manna was Rained down near to the Israelites Camp so Christ's Righteousness is brought near to us we may gather receive it take it to our selves by Faith It is not difficult to obtain Look unto me all ye ends of the earth and be saved Isa 45.22 Is not that easie to be had that may be obtained by a look the word of Faith is nigh to us Rom. 10.8 Christ's Righteousness is not remote or a-far off but brought very near to us and easie to come at And is not our Spiritual Drink near and easie to be had The Rock in Exod. 17.6 was to be smitten but the Rock mentioned Numb 20.8 was only to be spoken to and it should give out Water Jesus Christ Typified by these Rocks was to be Smitten but once to Die but once That which now remains to be done is not to Smite but to speak to the Rock by the Prayer of Faith and it will give forth Spiritual Drink to us Rom. 10.12 The Lord is rich to all that call upon him that is he is not only rich in the Possession but also rich in the Distribution and Communication of Grace he is not only Rich for himself but for us and those that call on him that speak to this Rock do receive abundance of Grace and of the Gift of Righteousness Rom. 5.17 They that call on the name of the Lord shall be saved Joel 2. last 2. This Righteousness is brought near to God The Blood of the Typical Sacrifices was not carried into Heaven it was too mean and vile to be brought thither But the Blood of Jesus Christ is carried into Heaven it self Heb. 9.23 24. Our High-Priest is entred thither and hath carried his Blood into Heaven to present it to and plead it before God The very Throne of God as the Mercy-seat of old the Type of it was sprinkled with the Blood of the Typical Sacrifice Levit. 16.14 is sprinkled with the Blood of Christ As Christ brought his Righteousness into the Church as a Cordial to Revive us so he brought it into Heaven as a Plea before God As it is said The Burnt-offerings should be continually before God Psal 50.8 and did burn day and night on the Altar it was never without a Fire and a Sacrifice burning on it So Christ's Sacrifice is now always before the Lord Jesus Christ still represents it to and pleads it before God It is dreadful for our Sins to be continually before the Lord Psal 109.14 15. but it is sweet for Christ's Sacrifice to be always before the Lord by virtue of this our Prayers may be nigh to God day and night 1 Kings 8.59 till he Answer and Fulfil them 3. This Righteousness of Christ is established to continue for ever Heb. 10.9 God takes away the first even the Sacrifices of the Law to establish the second even the Sacrifice of Christ This Sacrifice is fixed as the one and only atoning Sacrifice it is never to be removed or to give place to any other God hath Sworn Christ to be a Priest Psal 110.4 God will never repent or change He will never put Christ out of Office or substitute any other in his place It is the higest pride to clash with God and for any to go about to establish their own Righteousness as the Jews did Rom. 10.3 and so to oppose God's Establishment And as this is Pride so it is pernicious Folly because nothing can establish the Heart or Conscience but the Grace of God through the Atoneing Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Heb. 13.9 It is good for the heart to be established by Grace 4. This Righteousness is now openly revealed to us Jesus Christ is evidently set forth as Crucified before our eyes Gal. 3.1 God's Salvation is prepared before the Face of all People Luke 2.31 This is the Glory of the Gospel that the Righteousness of God is revealed in it Rom. 1.17 And the Righteousness of God is now manifested without the Law Rom. 3.21 We have now received the Atonement Rom. 5.11 God hath now reconciled us Col. 3.2 there is a great Emphasis in the word now The Righteousness of God is now manifested we have now received the Atonement God hath now reconciled us It intimates that this Righteousness is now wrought out manifested and exhibited that God should be Righteous in Justifying us without the Works of the Law performed by us and without the Curse of the Law executed on us is a deep Mystery and a great Secret But Christ hath not hid this Righteousness of God in his heart but he hath declared and preached it Psal 40.9 10. This is such a Mystery that we should never have known if Christ had not declared it Surely it is most wonderful that God in the nature of a creature should be subject and obey that
he that Instructs us should learn obedience himself Heb. 5.8 The Father that laid Sins inflicted Punishment executed the Curse on Christ was as the Master and the Son that endured all things was as the Scholar He learned by experience what a hard and difficult thing Obedience was how costly and painful it was to subject himself to the Father loading him with Sins and sorrows chastising him for our Iniquities bruising him for our Transgressions that such an Obedience should be rendered by the Son is a deep Mystery and we should never have known it if Jesus Christ had hid it in his heart As the Israelites did not know Manna Dent. 8.3 he fed thee with Manna which thou knewest not neither did thy Fathers know when they found it and saw it first on the ground they wondered and cried out What is this Exod. 16.4 So the Margin renders the word very properly and this is most suitable to the following words for they wist not what it was To say they called it Manna for they wist not what it was is not so good and fit a sense Some have conceived that the phrase hidden Manna was borrowed from the Israelites Question and Ignorance of Manna indeed the Jews were and all Natural Men are ignorant of the Righteousness of God Rom. 10.3 The Wrath of God is indeed revealed from Heaven to all Men by Afflicting Providences Desolating Destroying Judgments as War Famin Pestilence Inundations and Earthquakes but the Righteousness of God is only revealed in the Gospel God might have stopt in the Revelation of his Wrath and have gone no farther but he hath proceeded to reveal his Righteousness in the Gospel that he is Just and the Justifier of them that believe in Jesus Rom. 3.25 26. The Fountain is now opened in which we must wash the Ransom is now paid for which we must be Released the Obedience is now performed by which we must be Justified The Sun of Righteousness is now risen with Healing under his Wings Mal. 4.2 The glorious beams of this Sun of Righteousness dispels not only the thinner Mists of lesser Sins but the thickest Clouds of Heinous Iniquities that not only hide the Light of God's Countenance from us but would pour down a storm of Vengeance upon us 5. The Gospel is the Ministration of Righteousness 2 Cor. 3.9 and the Ministry of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.18 Christ in sprinkling Nations with the dew of the Gospel Isa 52. last he doth also sprinkle them with the drops of his Blood Jesus Christ is Justified himself Isa 50.8 and so in a full capacity to Justifie us and that because he hath born our Iniquities Isa 53.11 He that hath loosed his own pains of Death Act. 2.24 can loose our bonds of Iniquity There is an exhibiting and Communication of Righteousness for Justification in the Dispensation of the Gospel 3. Consider the Excellency of this Righteousness it is clean water to wash us Ezek. 36.25 It is clean Linen to adorn us Revel 19.8 Saints are but a Candle or Lamp of Righteousness but this is a Glorious Sun Mal. 4.2 It is a during lasting Righteousness it is styled Everlasting Righteousness Dan. 9.24 This garment never wears or decays It hath been of price and virtue in all Former Ages and it will last till the end of the World yea we may consider whether Saints shall not call Christ by this Glorious Name The Lord our Righteousness to Eternity A Candle wastes and consumes but so doth not the Sun So this Sun of Righteousness will never decay or lose his light and glory The Blood of Christ is still fresh he appeares even now as if he had been but a Lamb lately slain Revel 5.6 And because his Blood is still so fresh and the virtue of it so lasting therefore the Redemption that flows from it is Eternal Heb. 9.12 But more particularly I shall set forth the excellency of Christ's Righteousness and the pretiousness of his Sacrifice in these Following propositions 1. Jesus Christ's Obedience and Righteousness was one whole entire piece it was a continual Series of Holy acts without any interuption our Righteousness is made up of patches and pieces there are interuptions in our obedience but Christ obey'd during his whole Life and at last became obedient to the Death of the Cross Phil. 2.8 As Oxen of old did draw in the Yoke and at last were Offered in Sacrifice 2. Christ did neither stop or pause in his Work or stray at all from his way John 8.29 2. Jesus Christ did not pay our debt by halves but discharged it at once in an intire sum The Damned are always Suffering and yet never satisfie God But Jesus Christ offered one Sacrifice the vertue of which lasts for ever and by this one Sacrifice he perfected us for ever Heb. 10.12.14 Christ hath by this one Sacrifice put an end to all Offerings for Sin Heb. 10.18 Bloody Sacraments do cease in the Church and Bloody Sacrifices are much abolished now out of the World 3. Jesus Christ by his Sacrifice hath taken down the Vail and opened a way to the Heavenly Sanctuary This shewed that the Sacrifices of the Law were weak and defective that though they were still offered yet the Vail still stood and the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest those Sacrifices could not give access to God and entrance into Heaven But this discovered the excellency and efficacy of Christ's Sacrifice that when he Died Matth. 27.50 51. The Vail of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom To intimate that now a way to Heaven was made by the renting the Vail of Christ's Flesh and by separating of his Soul from his Body Heb. 10.19 Christ by travelling to Heaven hath made a way by entring into it he hath made a door by landing on the Shores of a Blessed Eternity he hath made a Harbour this is a way still new a living way This way is never stale dead or out of date the High-Priest of old did kill a Sacrifice and with the Blood of it he entred into the Typical Holy of Holies Levit. 16.11.14 But the virtue of that Sacrifice was exhausted and the way made by it was dead so that he could not enter again a Second year without killing of a new Sacrifice But Christ's Sacrifice is of such virtue that it makes a way always new a living lasting way into the Heavenly Sanctuary that Believers in all ages may make use of 4. Jesus Christ hath carried his Blood into Heaven and Sprinkled the Throne of God with it The Mercy-Seat was sprinkled with the Blood of the Sacrifice Levit. 16.14 and this did figure and teach that the Throne of God must be sprinkled with the Blood of Christ and how admirable a change doth it make by turning a terrible Tribunal of Justice into a sweet and amiable Throne of Grace Heb. 4. last Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace Dan. 7.9 10.
God's Throne was like the fiery flame and his wheeles as burning fire God's Throne hath wheels to pursue Guilty Creatures a fiery stream issued and came forth from before him This is a dreadful description of God's Throne as a Tribunal of Justice But now as it is sprinkled with the Blood of Christ we have a most sweet discovery of it Revel 22.1 There is a pure River of Water of Life clear as Chrystal proceeding out of the Throne of God and the Lamb and there is a Rain-bow round about the Throne Revel 4.3 signifying the flood of God's Wrath is abated and that Christ is near the Throne to prevent a condemning Sentence issuing out of it and a storm of Vengance falling from it 5. Jesus Christ's Blood is still speaking in Heaven and never silent Heb. 12.24 And this speaking Blood drowns the voice of the accuser and the cry of our Iniquities Christ's representing and pleading his Sacrifice in Heaven is his burning Incense before the throne Revel 8.3 to take away the stink of our Sins from the Nostrils of God 6. Christ by his death hath dedicated consecrated and confirmed a new Testament Heb. 9.15 16. The threatnings were in force before for our destruction but the promises could not be in force for our Salvation but by the death of Christ God might have confirmed his threatnings by our death but he hath confirmed his promises by the death of Christ How different is the Language of the Law and of the Gospel The Law saith where there is an Offence there must be of Necessity the death of the Offender But the Gospel speakes thus where there is a Testament there must of Necessity be the death of the Testator Though Christ seemed to die as a Malefactor in the eye of the World yet he died as a Testator in the eye of God and Believers Though he was emptied and impoverished stript of all of his Liberty Garments good Name and Life by his Enemies yet even then he did Bequeath all good things and died as a Testator to enrich others O! that Jesus Christ should as it were put himself out of Possession of all to put us into Possession of all good things Heb. 9.11 A Covenant could not be made between God and Sinners but by Blood Heb. 13.20 Those words may be rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Shepherd of the Sheep great through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant That Shepherd was indeed great that by his blood could Establish an Everlasting Covenant Covenants used to be made by killing Sacrifices and cutting them in twain and the Covenanting persons passed between the pieces of the Sacrifices Gen. 15.9 10.17 18. Jer. 34.14 Now Christ the great Sacrifice was cut in twain his Soul and Body were Separated from each other and by our passing through the parts of his Sacrifice by Faith we pass as the Hebrew phrase is into Covenant with God Deut. 29.12 God might have torn us in pieces for our Covenant breaking Psal 50.22 But O! what Grace is this that Jesus Christ should be cut in twain for the Renewing of the Covenant between God and us Christ's Blood is of such efficacy that it makes the Covenant Everlasting always new It is styled a New Covenant Heb. 8.8 that which will never be Antiquated or Abrogated God hath now put his Covenant into the best and most Excellent form It was first a promise then a Covenant but now it is stiled a Testament God hath finished his Covenant-Dispensations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will finish or perfect a New Covenant It is so finished that there is never to be any other Edition of the Covenant Heb. 8.8 it hath its last and final Sanction it hath the strongest Confirmation by the Blood and Death of Jesus Christ God hath spoken in these last days by his Son Heb. 1.12 and there is nothing beyond this but seeing Face to Face Jesus Christ by his Righteousness hath Merited the application of his Blood and the bestowing of all good things on us this seems the fairest sence of those words in 2 Pet. 17. as they ly in our Translation Simon Peter to those that have obtained like precious Faith with us through the Righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ that is through the Mighty Merit of Christ's Righteousness the Elect obtain Faith it self the Spirit or Sanctification the New Heart these are the good things that our High-Priest brings Heb. 9.11 Christ having fulfilled to the Father his Promise in the Covenant of Suretyship and Redemption he gives to the Elect a right to all the Promises of the Covenant of Grace 8. This Righteousness of Christ gives us a Title and Right to the Heavenly Inheritance it is called Justification of Life Rom. 5.18 The Righteousness of God and his Kingdom are joyned together Matth. 6.33 God's Righteousness gives us a title to and a fitness for God's Kingdom Glory it self seems to be styled The Hope of Righteousness Galat. 5.5 This Righteousness of God gives us ground to hope for Heaven and the possession of it is Executive Justification in the fullness of it Ainsworth understands those words of the Psalmist as meant of imputed Righteousness Psal 17. last In Righteousness I will behold thy face This Righteousness of Christ assures us we shall see God's Face we must first come to the Fountain set open for sin and uncleaness that we may arrive at the Fountain of Life We must touch at the Purifying Fountain that we may have access to the quickening Fountain Psal 36.9 We must first draw Waters at the Wells of Salvation Isa 12.3 and then the Lamb will lead us to Living Fountains of Water and God will wipe all Tears from our eyes Rev. 7. last 4. Consider the great benefits that they obtain who have the Lord to be their Righteousness 1. They are not only Pardoned but Justified Pardon may be given by a Prince's Prerogative where there is no Compensation made for a wrong but Justification is properly by an Obedience given and satisfaction made to the Law Our Pardon is not only a Fruit of Mercy but an Act of Justice God is Just in Justifying Rom. 3.25 26. Blood is sprinkled on the Mercy-Seat Levit. 16.14 to intimate that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5.19 God did not in a way of Sovereign Prerogative reconcile the World to himself He did it not alone by himself or by a meer act of his own Will but he was in Christ reconciling the World to himself Grace reigns but it is through Righteousness Rom. 5. last God is highly pleased by Christ he honoured God's Holiness by Obedience to the Commands of the Law and Glorified God's Justice by his enduring the Curse Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to them that believe Rom. 10.4 All that the Law could aim at or require is fulfilled in Christ he obeyed the Precept and felt the edge of the Threatning because Believers are
Justified in such a Righteous way therefore they may Glory Isa 45. last against all Accusations and Accusers against all Dangers and Threatnings 2. The Justified are Redeemed from the Curse and delivered from the wrath to come 1. They are Redeemed from the Curse by Christ's being made a Curse Gal. 3.13 The Apostle used the Abstract taking it from Deut. 21. last 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He that is Hanged is the Curse of God God did take order for the Burying of him the same day that he was Hanged Deut. 21.22 23. Cocceius doth think that this very Law pointed at Christ and doth Teach us that Jesus Christ by bearing the Curse so abolished it that it was Buried with him the same day in his Grave As sin is covered and hid Psal 32.1 so the Curse also must be Buried out of God's sight 2. They are delivered from Wrath and that because Jesus Christ was delivered up to Sufferings and Death God delivered up Christ to Death Rom. 8.32 and therefore Jesus Christ can deliver us from Wrath 2 Thess 1. last The sins of the Elect met with Christ and fell on him with great violence the Reproaches of them that reproached God fell on him Rom. 15.3 The Ark was sitted to save Noah from the Flood that drowned others it was Pitched within and without Gen. 6.11 14. so that no water could come in So Christ was pitched within with a perfect sinless Righteousness and without with a spotless Obedience and so is able to protect us from the Deluge of God's Wrath. 3. Those that are Justified have peace with God and may dwell safe from the fear of evil Prov. 1. last As in the Text it is said Israel shall dwell safely The chastisement of our peace was laid on Christ We may put away our sins because God laid them on Christ It is a great thing to have Conscience purged from dead works Heb. 9.14 and to be purified from an evil Conscience Heb. 10.22 not to have Conscience as a continual accuser and tormentor Augustin in his Confessions saith He could remember his old sins without horrour A Man doth not fear a Cancelled Bond. The Israelites did not dread the drowned Egyptians when they saw them dead on the Sea-shore Exod. 14.30 The smart the anguish the burden of an accusing Conscience is not to be expressed I have Read of one Pausanias a Lacedemonian Captain that killed a Virgin that was brought to him but would not be exposed to his Lust After this Cruel Fact he was seized with such Horrour that though he being a Heathen himself had tried all the ways of Purification in use among them yet he could not recover any Peace but was a continual Terrour to himself Pausanias a Grecian Writer hath this History in his Laconica Varenius in his History of Japan cap. 5. tells us of one Angarus a Native of Japan that Murder'd a Man and was seized with such Terror and Anguish of Mind that he could not shake off or get rid of But hearing of a New Religion Taught in China and in the East Indies he took a Voyage and Sailed to meet with Francis Xavioeur that by his Instructions he might get some Healing of his wounded Conscience and was the first Instrument to bring the Christian Religion into Japan O! what an excellent Fruit is this of Christ's Blood to be delivered from the beginnings of Hell in Soul Torments and to have the First-fruits of Heaven in Spiritual Peace and Joy 4. Those that are clothed with Christ's Righteousness have a sure and permanent state of Justification so that new Acts of Guilt shall not subvert and destroy it or lay their Persons under the Sentence of Eternal Death There is a simple hatred and guilt and there is a hatred and guilt redounding on the persons of Offenders Believers by and for new acts of Sin deserve to be hated of and condemned by God but guilt and hatred do not redound on their Persons but fall on their Sins It is very observable that though Simeon and Levi had been guilty of heinous crimes in killing the Shechemites yet they being probably Good Men in the Main Jacob doth not Curse their Persons but Curses their Anger and their Wrath Gen. 49.7 this was so cruel that it might have brought a Curse on them but Jacob that was guided by the Holy Ghost layes the Curse on their evil and extravagant Passions but not on their Persons It is expresly said There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 Jesus Christ can have no Accursed or Condemned Members such are passed from death to life and shall never come into Condemnation John 5.24 Jesus Christ hath Merited for Believers the Pardon of all their Sins and Christ still appears in the Presence of God to Answer Accusers and to prevent Condemnation Heb. 9.23 24. It would be very hard for any to assert that New Acts of Sin do stop or obstruct the Intercession of Christ for Believers If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 John 2.12 His Righteousness doth render his Intercession powerful and prevalent for their pardon the Lamb of God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taking away the sin of the World John 1.29 The Blood of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth cleanse away sin It is God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 8.33 that is Justifying or that Justifieth These three expressions do note a continued act of God and Christ that Christ is still taking away sin cleansing from it to distill Justifying Believers from their Iniquities The Israelites that were the Church of God had an Atoning Sacrifice day and dight Burning on the Altar Numb 16.9 Psal 50.8 which did not only signifie their continual need of Pardon that sin might not fix and settle on them but did also import the perpetual influence and efficacy of the Blood of Christ for the keeping of Believers in a Justified State and acceptance with God If by reason of wrong steps taken God ceaseth to Justifie and the Blood of Christ to speak on the behalf of offending Believers they must certainly be Condemned If the guilt of one sin redounds on the person and sticks on the Soul a state of Justification is destroyed For how can a Man be Justified and Condemned at the same time if every new sin redounds on the Person and shuts it up under Guilt Then how can there be any such thing as a state of Justification continuing one hour But it is said ordinary Infirmities are pardoned without explicit or particular acts of Repentance but it is not so with greater sins But should not persons do well to consider whether God hath two ways to pardon whether a General Repentance will serve to remove some Sins but a more particular Repentance is requisite that God may pardon more heinous and grievous sins if these affect the person and lay him under Condemnation till deeper Repentance and more
to resist and contradict the Law of God This was very strange and surprizing to Paul he was decived in this he thought the Law would have repressed beaten down and mortified Sin but it rather fortified it As a Man that doth not know the Nature of Burning Lime thinks by pouring a little water on it to quench it but when he seeth that this water makes it to burn more vehemently and fiercely How would he as amazed cry out How am I deceived that the water should increase the Fire that I thought would extinguish it So the Law doth not weaken Sin but rather strengthen it and render it more violent 4. The Law punishes every Sin with Death Every Lust is mortal every wrong step is fatal and corrupt Fruit is pernitious and destructive Though Ismael might be guilty of many other offences yet for a weighty reason Moses mentions but one and that was his mocking at Isaac and for this he was cast out and cast off Gen. 21.8 9 10 11. Ismael was Hagar's Child and so a Type of them that cleave to the Covenant of Works The Law Curses for every act of Disobedience Deut. 27. last One offence according to the Covenant of Works is enough to undo and Ruin a Man to Eternity 5. There is no access to God by the Covenant of Works When the Law was given Bounds were set about Mount Sinai to keep off the people of Israel they were charged not to break through Death was denounced as the Punishment of those that touched the Mountain Exod. 19.12.13.21 The people therefore removed and stood a-far off Exod. 20.18 None of the other Priests or Worshiping Israelites might enter into the Tabernacle till Atonement was made for their Sins by Aaron the High-Priest Levit. 16 17. But after that Sacrifices were Slain Offered and their Blood Sprinkled on the Altar and the People then Moses Aaron and Seventy of the Elders of Israel ascended Mount Sinai and saw the Glory of the God of Israel Exod. 24.4 5 6 7 8 9 10. These Sacrifices were but Types of Christ's Death he died the Just for the Unjust to bring us to God 1 Pet. 3.18 else we are shut out of the Glorious Presence of God and cut off from all Gracious and Blessed Communion with him God is not accessible by the Covenant of Works guilty Creatures are kept off from him 6. The Law genders to Bondage Galat. 4.22 a Spirit of Bondage to Fear attends it Rom. 8.15 as Hagar and Ismael had a slavish Fear of Abraham as a Master rather than a Conjugal Love to him as a Husband or a Filial Love to him as a Father Those under the Covenant of Works are still doubting of God's Favour questioning his Love dreading of his Wrath They do not know whither Death will carry them and where Judgment will fix them and therefore through the Fear of Death they are all their Life-time subject to Bondage Heb. 2.15 the fear of the evil that is future doth embitter to them all present Good The Law was given in such a Manner that it was designed to strike Fear and Terror into Sinners The Israelites were then alone with God in the Wilderness separated from all other Nations This might intimate that God and the Sinner shall be alone together and all pleasing Company and delightful Enjoyments shall be shut out The Thunder did roar in their Ears and the Lightning did flash and flame in their Eyes and the Earth did tremble under their Feet Exod. 19.16 18. Whither shall a Guilty Sinner betake himself when the Heavens do threaten Vengeance over his head and the Earth seems sinking under his feet The Mountain did burn with fire Exod. 19.16 18. with Deut. 5.23 this did represent the fiery Throne of God and his burning Wrath wherewith as a Judge he is Armed to punish and destroy those that trust in their Works and will have to do with God according to the Covenant of Works But though the Mountain did burn yet it was not consumed So guilty Creatures shall burn in the fire of God's Wrath yet never be consumed or cease to be There was Blackness Darkness and Tempest Heb. 12.18 These pointed at the perplexed state of a Sinner the horrour and consternation of the Soul when God the Judge doth shew his Justice and Wrath for the Violation of the Condition of the Covenant of Works O what black darkness will cover Sinners O what a Terrible Storm and Tempest will one day be raised in and fall upon their Souls The sound of the Trumpet that was exceeding loud Exod. 19.19 Heb. 12.19 did signifie that Sinners must be cited to and presented before the Tribunal of God neither can any decline or avoid appearing before God's Justice-Seat Yet the Apostle calls this Mount Sinai a Mountain that was in it self Tangible or might be touched that so it was an Earthly and Material Mountain because the Dispensation of the Law and Covenant of Works is but a low Dispensation A Natural Man may Touch and Reach this that God will inflict evil on those that rebel and do evil When as the Covenant of Grace is a Spiritual and Invisible Mountain far above the reach and comprehension above the sight and ken of a Natural Man And what did all this Terror in giving the Law tend to but to raise a Spirit of Bondage in sinners and by Fear to drive and force sinners to some External Obedience to the Letter of the Law which yet they perform with Regret and Reluctancy and not with Love and delight 7. There is no enjoyment of the Eternal Inheritance by the Law the Bond-woman and her Son were to be cast out Galat. 4.20 21. Gen. 21.8.10 Ismael was not admitted or allowed to be an Heir with Isaac He did not Inherit Abraham's Rich Estate Moses could not bring the Israelites into or give them possession of the Land of Canaan this Joshua the Type of Christ did Hagar and Ismael were turned out with a small pittance they had but a few Loaves and a Bottle of Water It may seem strange that Rich Abraham should provide no better for his Wife and Child but there was a Mystery in it it served to instruct us that those that are of the works of the Law cannot be Heirs of Heaven cannot possess any Spiritual Riches or an Eternal portion in Glory but are put off with Temporary Momentary Comforts and Enjoyments What are the best things that this World affords What are Earthly Riches Honours or Pleasures compared with an Eternal Happiness they are but as a few Loaves of Bread and a Bottle of Water When Hagar and Ismael were turned out they wandered in a Wilderness Gen. 21.14 O what a difference was there between the plenty and abundance of Abraham's Family and the wants of a Barren Wilderness The World it self is but a Wilderness compared with the Paradise of God Revel 2.7 A Legal state under the Covenant of Works What is it but a wretched
eaten by them Christ counts it an Honour to him when we come to feed at his Table and Feast on his Righteousness then his Name is Glorified in us 2 Thes 1.11 12. 6. What Grace is this that Jesus Christ should not only prepare and bring Righteousness but also apply it as Parents provide Clothes for their little Children and also put them on Christ is God's Righteous Servant that Justifieth many Isa 53.11 Christ's Righteousness Merits the very Faith that applyes it that sense seems to be offered by Peter's words as they ly in our Translation We obtain pretious faith through the Righteousness of God even our Saviour Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 this procures the Spirit to plant and work Faith Jesus Christ by his Spirit draws us to himself John 12.32 he not only opens the Fountain but also washes Souls in it Zech. 13.1 Revel 1.5 he not only provided the Medicine but also dresses the Wound and binds up the broken in heart Isa 61. Christ presents his Sacrifice and Sufferings continually before God which is his Burning Incense in the Heavenly Sanctuary Revel 8.3 his Blood speaks in Heaven Heb. 12.24 and by the Spirit as the Finger of our Great High-Priest Levit. 16.14 it is continually without intermission according to the Promises sprinkled on the Consciences of Believers on Earth Ezek. 36.25 7. O Bless God for the admirable effects the excellent fruits that are joyned with or do follow after Christ's being made Righteousness to us 1. That there is not only Peace but Good-will Luke 2.14 not only Enmity is quenched but Love burns Sin 's place and the Believing Sinner's too is changed Sin was before God's Face Hos 7.2 but is now cast behind his back Isa 25.17 and Reconciled persons are set before his Face Psal 41.12 This is matter of Praise that there are such admirable effects or consequences of Christ's being made the Lord our Righteousness 1. That though the Curse do fall on the Creatures for our sakes yet it falls not on those that are Justified When God made a Promise of Christ to Adam he does not say Cursed art thou but Cursed is the Ground for thy sake Gen. 3.15.17 God speaks to Cain a Reprobate in other Language Now thou art Cursed Gen. 4.11 God may Curse the Creatures for our Sin yet the Curse may not light on our persons and Souls 2. That we are not only pardoned for the present but secured for the future God did not only preserve Noah from being drowned by the Flood but doth assure him that his Sins and the World's should not provoke him to send a Second Flood on the World Gen. 8.10.21 Gen. 9.11 So here Christ stands in the breach to keep out an Inundation and Flood of Venegance and appears at the Bar to prevent the going forth of a Condemning Sentence As God doth see his Rainbow in the Clouds and looks on it and remembers his Covenant Gen. 9.13 14 15. So Christ is a Rain-bow round about the Throne to secure us from future storms and Floods of Evils That God doth not only hide his Face from our Sins but also blot out our Iniquities that they may not cannot be seen or read for the time to come Psal 51.9 3. That not only God pronounces a Justifying Sentence in the Court of Heaven but the Spirit also pronounces this Sentence in the Court of Conscience Causing the penitent Believer to hear the voice of Joy and Gladness Psal 51.8 and sheds abroad the Love of God in the Heart Rom. 5.5 and seals him unto the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 4. As Jesus did Engage his Heart to come nigh to God as a Surety and Priest Jer. 30.21 so he now came and doth bring us near to God as Freinds Supplicants and Worshippers 1 Pet. 3.18.5 That there is not only Peace but also Good-will Luke the 14. There is Grace to Establish our Hearts against the dread of Vengeance and the horrours of Eternal Death Heb. 13.9 It is sweet when no storm of Vengeance hovers and hangs over the Sinners Head no matter of Accusation springs up in his Heart to make him a burden to himself and a terrour to others O what sore Temptations are guilty Creatures in the anguish of their minds exposed to Sometimes they could wish there were no God or desire themselves rather to be annilalated then to see his frowning Face and feel his punishing Hand to Eternity But the Grace of God guards and Establishes the Heart against such dreadful wishes as these 2. That we are precious in God's eyes Isa 48.4 Though we are vile in our selves yet we are presented to God as Pretious Stones on the Shoulders and Brest-plate of our High-Priest Exod. 28.12 21 28 29. 3. Though we are unclean in our selves yet by virtue of Christ's Righteousness we are undefiled The Church confesses her Infirmity and acknowledges her Sin yet Christ calls her Undefiled no spot or blemish did cleave to her because She had put on Christ for Righteousness Cant. 5.2 4. Jesus Christ gives an Inherent Righteousness as well as an Imputed Righteousness as God gives us for our Cloathing both Flax and Wooll to cover our Nakedness Hos 2.9 Flax is for inward and Wool for outward Garments Inherent Righteousness may be compared to Flax this is near to and dwells in the Soul Imputed Righteousness may be compared to Wool as it is a warm upper-Garment We need Christ's Righteousness as a Garment over all our Graces to cover the Imperfection and Defects that are in them Our own Righteousness is compared to a Breast-plate Ephes 6.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet above all over all or upon all we are bid to take the Shield of Faith Ephes 6.16 Faith that takes hold of Christ's Righteousness is compared to a Shield this is a Guard and Defence for all the other Pieces of Armour We are liable to many Accusations because of the weakness of and the defects that are in our Breast-plate of Righteousness This may be pierc't by Satan's Darts and our Souls be wounded with Trouble and Terrour but it is the Shield of Faith taking hold of the Righteousness of Christ that must Ward our Accusations and Guard us from Terrors Surely shall one say in the Lord I have Righteousness Isa 45.24 in the Hebrew it is I have Righteousnesses in the Plural Number We have a Robe of Righteousness Isa 61.10 this is Righteousness Imputed and we have a Breast-plate of Righteousness Ephes 6.14 and this is Righteousness Imparted When we call the Lord our Righteousness then we our selves are called Trees of Righteousness Isa 61.3 as we cannot stand alone but are carried on the Shoulders of Christ our High-Priest Exod. 28.12 and in the Arms of Christ our Shepherd Isa 40.11 so we do not grow alone by our selves but as Branches on Christ our Root and Vine John 15.1.5 5. 'T is a great Mercy that our Sins are blotted out Isa 43.25 and God will not enter into the City
read them over to Sinners for ever Yea Conscience also will repeat them over upbraid with them Condemn Lash and Scourge for them to Eternity This is the Worm that never dies Mark 49.46 48. Job saith That his Heart should never Reproach him Job 27.6 But the Hearts of Unpardoned Sinners shall ever Reproach them for their folly Ingratitude Perverseness and Obstinacy against God that they had a Heart of Stone that would not relent Ezek. 36.26 An Iron sinew that would not bow and yield Isa 48.4 I come now to the use of the Doctrine 1. Vse This may inform us of the great difference that is between Saints and the Wicked of the World David desires nothing more than that God would hide his Face from his Sins and that both in a way of Mercy and Righteousness they long to have somewhat offered to God's Eye that may indeed pacifie his displeasure and turn his angry Countenance away from their Sins and they know nothing can do this but the Obedience and Sacrifice of Christ Rom. 5.19 But the Wicked do harden themselves in Sin and quiet themselves under guilt quite another way He thus feeds his unbelief Psal 10.11 He hath said in his Heart God hath Forgotten He hideth his Face he will never see it verse 13. The Wicked contemn God he hath said in his Heart thou wilt not Require it They think God lyes on a Couch of ease not that he sits on a Throne of Majesty and a Tribunal of Justice they foolishly imagin that God will not call for an Account from Men or call for a Sword of Justice to awaken against them They think there is no danger from God's Frowning Face that no Storm is to be dreaded from his Angry Countenance they account that God is not concerned about their Transgressions that he dislikes them as little as they or forgets them as much as they Faith Cures the Wound in Saints but Unbelief Skins it over in the Wicked 2d Vse 1. I would Exhort you to make the same Petition to pursue the same Request with David That God would hide his face from your sins and blot out your Iniquities 2dly If God hath blotted out your Iniquities O! be Thankful for so great a Mercy 1. Consider the Evil that will follow if God hide not his Face from our Sins 1. Our Sins must and will be set in order before our Faces Psal 50.21 I will reprove thee and set the things thou hast done in order before thee As a skilfulful Lawyer that is to prosecute a Traytor he draws up the Charge opens the Evidence aggravates the Crime of him that is Impeached and Arraigned branches out all the particulars that may Black and Burden the Malefactor so God himself will be Plaintiff the Accuser the Witness and the Judge too Isa 3.13 14. Micah 1.2 3. Isa 3.22 God will search out the Iniquities of those he doth not pardon Psal 10.5 God will not omit or forget any of them Amos 8.7 The Lord hath Sworn Surely I will never forget any of their works Sinners must see their folly their deformity their ingratitude all their horrid Crimes committed against God and their eyes shall be fixed on this dismaying and terrible Object as they shall never look off from it or see any thing else to comfort them 2. Thou must be cast out of God's gratious presence The Jews that submitted not to the Righteousness of God Rom. 10.3 and so lay under Guilt are said to be cast away Rom. 2.15 God threatned Israel to drive them out of his House Hos 9.15 and to cast them away Hos 9. last The dreadful casting away is at last Matth. 13.48 the bad Fish to their eternal Infamy and Reproach are cast away This is an evil that David did most dread and deprecate Cast me not away from thy presence Psal 51.11 This was that which even Cain a Reprobate had some sence of as a bitter evil From thy Face shall I be hid Gen. 4.14 if our sins are and remain before God's Face we shall be banished out of his gracious Presence for ever 3. These must behold God's Angry Frowning Face It was terrible to Zedekiah to see the Face of the King of Babylon that he had highly provoked this Jeremiah threatens Jer. 32.4 Thy eyes shall see his eyes But how much more dreadful is it to see the Face of an Angry God David was not able to brook and bear this therefore he cries out Hide thy Face from my sins Every Frown of God was as an Arrow piercing his Heart as a Sword wounding his Soul If the displeased countenance of a Father be so terrible What will the Ireful Look of an Incensed and Inexorable Judge be Job 34.29 When he hideth his Face who can then behold him If God hide his Pleasing Countenance who can behold his Angry Face Psal 76.7 Who may stand in thy sight when once thou art Angry 4. If God hide not his Face from thy Sins thy eyes must see thy Destruction Job 21.20 Thou that wouldest not believe the Threatnings of Vengeance must see the Fury of God poured out on thee thou shalt see thy Judge come in the Clouds Revel 1.7 thou shalt be brought forth to Judgment Job 21.30 and then soon be hurried away and led forth to Execution Psal 125. last thou shalt be presented before the Face of God and then fall into his Punishing hand 2. Consider what Mercy will follow if God hides his Face from thy Sins 1. If God doth hide his Face from your sins he will no more hide his Face as an Enemy from your Soules Ezek. 39. last I will no more hide my Face from them For I have poured out my Spirit on the House of Israel God can never totally withdraw from those on whom he poures out his Spirit yea the Spirit holds and establishes their hearts that they can never finally depart from God Where the Blood of Christ is sprinkled on his Spirit is also put into the Soul Ezek. 36.25.27 if God hides his Angry Face he sheweth his Pleasing Countenance when he doth abscond helâ— from us then he manifests Heaven to us The Angry look of God on the Sins and Soules of Sinners is a Hell but the lifting up of the Light of his Countenance makes a Heaven 2. If God hide his Face from our sins he will not hide his Commandments from us Psal 119.19 but will teach us his Statutes Psal 119.102 Thou wilt guide me by thy Counsel and afterward receive me to Glory Psal 73.24 3. This will be the end of God's afflicting of us to hide Pride from us Job 33.17 to hide that from us which we are so prone to seek after he will hide the filthy Matter of and Temptations to Pride from us 4. Adversaries shall be defeated in their hopes and designs Jer. 50.20 The Iniquity of Israel shall be sought for and there shall be none and the sins of Judah and they shall not be found Who should