after Gods will Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Psal 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power And how sweet and comfortable is it that Salvation is by the Covenant of Suretiship taken off the mutable will of man the slippery yea and nay of mans free-will and laid upon the immutability of his counsel Heb. 6.17 and will with whom there is no variableness Rom. 9.15 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion Jam. 1.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth 4. That by the Covenant of Suretiship the fountain and well-spring of Life and Salvation and of all the influences that must needs act us toward it lay out of our selves and are placed in Christ Psal 8.7 All my springs are in thee Col. 3.3 Your life is hid with Christ in God The Well-head of Life to Adam was in himself and that which was placed in himself went dry he had no other Fountain whence he had assurance to draw and fetch any more but by Christs Suretiship the spring of Life and Salvation to us is placed in him which makes it indefectible to us and O how sweet is that to the believer that his Salvation is fountained in Christ thus when his water fails within he needs do no more but turn the water cock of Faith that is in his own heart and take in fresh supplies from Jesus the resurrection and the life Joh. 11.25 Isa 27.3 Lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day I will water it every moment Joh. 4.14 The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life Joh. 14.19 Because I live ye shall live also 5. By the Covenant of Suretiship our Rights and Charters I mean the promises not of Heaven and Salvation only but of all our concernments are in a surer hand than our own and under better keeping for now by that Covenant they are in Christs keeping to whom the promises are made Gal. 3.16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made he saith not and to seeds as of many but as of one and to thy seed which is Christ He is the first heir of all things Heb. 1.2 to whom the first title and right to the promises which are our Charters doth belong they were first his before they were ours yea and he was the first possessor too upon Christ did all the acts of Gods Covenant-love to us fall first Act. 13.34 I give you the sure mercies of David Most of the promises were made formally to Christ even those which directly relate to our Calling Justification Salvation Isa 53.10 11 And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied By his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities And these that were not made formally to him such as the promise of a new heart a new spirit remission of sins yet these were made to him eminenter they were laid down in him and consigned in his hand for Christ is not only the fountain and original cause of all the promises who merited by his Blood Remission Righteousness and Life which the Lord makes ours by free promise but he is also the first subject of the promises Christ receiveth all the Covenant-promises which are our Rights and Charters and he keepeth them and manageth them for our use as may most tend to our good Christ is made by his Suretiship that excellent Ark which keepeth the tables of the Covenant and the book of the Law and Covenant Deut. 31.26 1 Kings 8.9 How sweet and satisfying is it that our Rights of Heaven is in such a Charter-chest and in the hands of such a keeper even under Christs custody who shall give a good account to his Father of all that is committed to him Joh. 17.12 Those whom thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost and whose keeping is in high account with all those who know him 2 Tim. 1.12 For I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day 6. By the Covenant of Suretiship Christ and the believer are in a manner in one Writ for notwithstanding that there be differences between the Covenant made with him and that which is made with us as is before shewed yet it may be said that Christ and the believer are some way in one Writ 1. Because these two Covenants are all of a piece they are to be distinguished but not divided it is the same design of Grace the same business of redeeming and saving lost Man that is carried on in both 2. Although Christ and the believer be not formally and as parties in this Writ of Christs Sureti-covenant to God yet they are virtually and as to their interests and concernments It is Christs business and concernment and the believers too even all his eternal concernments that are in that Covenant and ours these meet together and are transacted in one Writ and thus even among men a person may be said to be in a Writ where his concernments are handled 3. Because of the contexture and interweaving not only of Christ and the believers interests but also of their Names in the same Writ For in the Covenant where his Name is put alone as undertaker and which is his single bond to wit the Covenant of Suretiship even there is the believers Name put as being the person for which he payed a price and for whom he undertook and who were promised to him for a seed as a satisfying-sight for the travel of his Soul And again in the Writ given to us we stand not alone in Covenant-dealings with God but in the same Writs of the promises made to the believer Christs name stands as principal party Covenanting for us and receiving the promises as is manifest from what is already said 4. There is not only a contexture but a commutation with Christ and the believers Name in the Covenant-writs for his Name is put in our Bond for he wrote himself the sinner legally and in the sinners place under the Law accursed and our Name is put in the Writ of Justification given to him and the new Law of Faith writes the believer righteous and blessed 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Gal. 3.13 14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentles through faith Rom. 3.22 Even the righteousness of God which
things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness 2 Cor. 1.20 For in him all the promises of God are Yea and in him they are Amen I say he is the Witness who hath established the Covenant by his testimony and that in two respects 1. He hath set his Seal to the Covenant and attested all that is in it Rev. 21.5 And he said unto me write for these words aro true and faithful Rev. 22.6 And he said unto me these sayings are faithful and true 2. He saith and sweareth that all things contained in the Covenant are true the true and faithful Witness of the Covenant testifieth these things and saith Amen to them all All that is contained in the Covenant may be summed up in Commands Promises Conditions Threatnings Predictions and Exceptions the truth of all which the witness of the Covenant hath testified and sworn 1. Commands this is the great command of the new Covenant That ye believe on the son of God 1 Joh. 3.23 Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth that that is the revealed will of God he hath said it and sworn that it is true nothing would please his father better Joh. 6.40 And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day The new Covenant commandeth that we be holy and that we love God and live to him who hath loved us and love one another c. 1 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy for I am holy 2 Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Psal 31.23 O love the Lord all ye his Saints for the Lord preserveth the faithful Gal. 5.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self And the Witness of the Covenant Christ testifieth that it is true indeed these things are the Will of God Mark 12.30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength this is the first commandment Joh. 13.34 A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another Mat. 5.48 Be ye therefore perfect even as your father which is in Heaven is perfect 2. Promises and Proposals of mercy and good things The Covenant proposeth and promiseth life to sinners through the death of Christ Rom. 4.15 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification Rom. 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God Rom. 5.8 9 In that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us much more then being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him And Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth these things and saith that they are the true and faithful sayings of God Rev. 1.18 I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen and have the keys of Hell and of Death 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief Luk. 19.10 For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost The Covenant propoposeth and promiseth peace with God upon easie terms free-gifted righteousness perfect Holiness compleat Victory over all the adversaries of our happiness 2 Cor. 5.19 21. Rom. 3.21 to the 27. and 5.15 to 20. Ezek. 36.25 c. Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth these things he establisheth them all 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are Yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us He saith Amen to them all and sweareth that they are true Rev. 21.5 And he said unto me write for these words are true and faithful Rev. 22.6 And he said unto me these sayings are faithful and true Where the Witness of the Covenant setteth his Seal of Confirmation unto all that is promised in the Gospel-Covenant 3. These things which the new Covenant promiseth it promiseth upon Condition of Faith it promiseth them only to the believer Rom. 10.9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 3.22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth that that is true if ye believe not ye shall never be the better of any thing proposed by the new Covenant and if ye believe ye shall Joh. 3.18.36 He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God He that believeth on the son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 11.40 Jesus saith unto her said I not unto thee that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God 4. There are also Threatnings annexed unto the Covenant denouncing wrath and the vengeance of the Gospel upon all unbelievers and wilful rejecters of the new Covenant 2 Thes 1.8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Chirst let him be Anathema Maranatha And denouncing woes and evil to the Hypocrite in heart to the backslider to the careless seeker of God to the barren fruitless professor Mat. 23.13 But wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites Rev. 2.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works or else I will come unto the quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent Rev. 3.16 So then because thou art luke-warm and neither cold nor hot I will spew thee out of my mouth Heb. 6.8 But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected and is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth these things and affirmeth they are the true sayings of God as well as his promises Rev. 3.14 Write these things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness Joh. 3.18 But he that believeth not is condemned already Joh. 8.24 I said therefore unto you that ye shall die in your sins for
discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth and the Isles shall wait for his law I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles And so Jesus saith of himself Heb. 10.5 A body hast thou prepared or fitted me to the same purpose also the Apostle tells us Gal. 4.4 That he was not only made of a woman but made under the law i. e. ordained and fitted for taking on our condition in Law or our Law-place and room as well as our nature 3. The investing of him in this relation he was maâ—e the Surety i. e. He was invested constitute and set ind that Covenant-relation unto which he was ordained and for which he was fitted therefore he was made with an oath And the Lord sware unto him Heb. 7.21 and Joh. 6.27 Him hath the father sealed i. e. invested him and constituted him under his commission and seal 2. This imports some things upon Christs part He was made Surety God made him Surety his father made him and he made himself the Surety he was willingly made Surety by his own free consent and Covenant the Scriptures speak frequently of his consent and of the making of himself whatsoever his father made him Phil. 2.7 8 He made himself of no reputation c. and he humbled himself Joh. 10.18 No man taketh my life from me but I lay it down my self I say on Christs part this doth import 1. His eternal condeseending to empty himself and to take on him our nature and our room and place under the Law he was made Surety he condescended and agreed to take upon him both our nature and our condition Heb. 2.14 16 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Phil. 2.6 7 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 2. His engaging and plighting his faith and truth to perform whatsoever he did condesceud and agree unto by his act of Suretiship so that whatsoever the law could exact of us he plighted his faith to fulfil that he was made Surety i.e. He did promise and strike hands to satisfie all that the Law could demand of his people for so the word Surety signifieth as I have already shewed you Prov. 22.26 to make satisfaction for the sins done against or under the first Covenant and Testament Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Rom. 3.25 Whom God had set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it written of me to do thy will O God 3. His performance of all these things unto which he did agree and for which he plighted his faith by his act of Suretiship he was made the Surety i. e. He payed the debt he satisfied the Law he stood in the place of the broken men till Justice said It is enough and till he himself said It is finished Isa 53 throughout 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Thus did Jesus the Surety of the better Testament 1. By an eternal transaction agree and condescend to put his name in the bond and writ of the Law that stood over our head Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 2. Thus did he engage for us and act himself to answer at the demands of Law and Justice Heb. 10.7 Gal. 4.4 3. Thus did Jesus in due time discharge and perform and actually was made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 From this voluntary relation of Christs Suretiship for his people ariseth a fourfold relation which is founded on this which relations betwixt Christ and his people import a nearness of conjunction and union with them and do contribute to the clearing the justice of God in smiting Christ for our sin and in our place and room 1. From Christs Suretiship ariseth a natural relation betwixt him and us that he is our kinsman and our brother of the same nature of the same flesh and blood with us this resulteth from his Suretiship whereby he condescended and agreed to take our nature upon him for otherwise he and we had never been of the same lump Heb. 2.11 14 16 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 2. From his Suretiship flows a Legal relation betwixt Christ and us that he and we are one party in the Law that his satisfaction and payment is ours and that our debt is his that what he did and suffered we did it Legally in him this proceeds from his Suretiship because when he was made Surety of the Covenant he put himself in the bond and writ of the Law and put in our names in the 〈◊〉 writ Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ Nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Rom. 6.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we â—â—all be also in the likeness of his resurrection 3. From Christs Suretiship proceeds a foedenal relation betwixt him and his people whereby they are his and he is theirs by Covenant whereby he and his people have one God and Father by Covenant Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me thou art my father my God and the rock of my Salvation Joh. 20.17 But go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my father and your father and to my God and your God Heb. 1.5 For unto which of the Angels said be at any time Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee and again I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son This also floweth from his
a Testator Joh. 14.27 Peace I leave with you to wit by Legacy 2. He sustained this relat on to declare the absolute freeness of his grace in the conveyance of Covenant-blessings which howsoever covenanted and promised to us condition-ways yet are purely deeds of Grace and of the pleasure and will of God as all testamentary deeds are which are the sole will and meer pleasure of the Testator Joh. 17.24 Father I will and Luk. 22.29 I appoint unto you a kingdom 3. He sustained this relation for the ratification of that title and interest which believers have unto Covenant-blessings for their holding being by a deed of will and pleasure so long as he who disposeth of his estate and goods is alive his will is ambulatory and alterable therefore he is a Testator which takes in the death of Christ that his will of grace to his people declared in his Testament might be irrevocable so the Apostle argues Gal. 3.15 Though it be but a mans testament yet if it be confirmed to wit by his death no man disannulleth or addeth thereunto Heb. 9.16 17 For where a testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator For a testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilst the testator liveth 4. Christ sustained the relation of a Testator in the new Covenant to make way for a possession of these Covenant-blessings unto which his people have a right he makes his Testament and dies that his will in his Testament might be executed which could have no execution till by his death typical or real and contemplation thereof he declared a cession of his possession that this was his very design the Apostle-proves Heb. 9.15 That by means of death they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Joh. 16.17 If I go not away the comforter will not come but if I depart I will send him unto you 3. Let us consider how this design hath its accomplishment in Christs sustaining the relation of Testator in the Covenant of Grace And 1. 'T is unquestionable that by this relation Believers have a new active title to the Covenant-blessings to wit a testamentary title they are his friends and legators and do hold their mercies as Legacies left to them by the latter will of Christ the Testator his will of favour and grace is their title so he often taught his Disciples to remember their testamentary title to their mercies Mat. 26.28 and 1 Cor. 11.25 This is my blood of the new testament shed for many for the remission of sins c. Joh. 5.21 The Son quickeneth whom he will Jam. 1.18 Of his own will begat he us Here is that title of will acknowledged and the design of absolute free-grace in the Testator accomplished 2. The design of God in Christs sustaining the relation of a Testator in the Covenant of Grace is accemplished in so far as a ratification and confirmation of the testamentary Covenant is thereby intended because by Christs death the right that believers have by this Testament receives a threefold confirmation 1. A confirmation of the verity and reality of it that it is a true and real deed which by the strictest tryal for probat of Wills cannot be rejected for 't is confirmed says the Apostle Gal. 3.15 to wit to be an authentick instrument and evidence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 authenticatum confirmatum ratum habitum Act. 3.15 And killed the prince of life whom God hath raised from the dead whereof we are witnesses Luk. 24.48 And ye are witnesses of these things 2. A confirmation of validity it is made unalterable so that it cannot be disannulled or abrogated thereafter so that no man can make it void or put any alteration upon it as the Apostle proves Gal. 3.15 No man disannulleth or addeth thereunto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nemo abrogat eodem sensu quo leges dicuntur abrogari cum vim suam amittunt as Heb. 7 18 Christs Testament cannot be made void and of none effect for 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 testamentum ratum Heb. 9.17 Firm and setled as a pillar on its base 3. A confirmation of efficacy it is made available to our use as our evidence in judgment it is of strength says the Apostle Heb. 9.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 valet But the next and third accomplishment of the design of God in this Covenant-relation will clear this further to wit the executing of Christs Testament by his ceeding the possession Let us therefore consider how Christs being Testator doth make way for those that are called to receive the inhenitance Heb. 9.15 1. Christ the Testator is vested with the right and possession of all the Covenant-blessings for he is the first begotten of many brethren Heb. 1.6 And God gave him to be head over all things to the Church Col. 1.15 17 18 Who is the image of the invisible God the first born of every creature And he is before all things and by him all things consist And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the preheminence 2. The Testator by his Will and Testament bequeaths disposes and leaves in legacy the very same mercies and Covenant-blessings that were his at the first-hand and all treasured up in the Mediator and Testator as in a store-house Lo says he I give you the sure mercies of David Act. 13.34 with Isa 35.3 3. The Testator dies when Christ hath made his Will he laid down his life and by his death he opens a way and gives Legal access to his people to have his Testament executed and his will therein actually fulfilled 1. He renders up the possession and by a cession yields it unto his people Heb. 9.15 The Mediator and Testator dies that by means of death they which are called might receive eternal inheritance and Joh. 16.7 If I do not go the comforter will not come unto you c. If the Testator had not died there had never been room nor access for them who are called to receive the inheritance though in this there be something singular and different from humane conveyances because Christ does so give up the possession for his peoples access to it that he also keeps it for the same end that he and they after ratifying his Testament by his death may live and possess the inheritance together as joint heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 Joh. 14.2 3. But in humane possâ—ssions there is no room for two to possess the same thing by a compleat intire title to it nor for a person that yields the possession or inheritance to another to return to it without divesting that person to whom it was resigned 2. The Testator himself pleads his Testament and his making way through his death for his peoples coming at the inheritance and the possession of his goods I say he pleads
ends which God hath before him in the work of our Redemption The glory of God the glory of Christ and the good of his people 1. Some Reasons there are which most directly respect God himself and his glory 2. Others respect Christ and his honour as Mediator in this employment The third sort respect the Creatures good and happiness And 1. The Reasons of establishing this Covenant in the hands of a Mediator which respect God himself and his glory may be 1. For the glory of his Greatness and Majesty it is his glory to be dealt with like himself throughout the whole business of our Salvation 1. It was for his honour that he should carry like a Superiour wronged it became the Majesty of the Lord to keep at a distance with sinners and not to be dealt with immediately by the parties who had done him the wrong but by the Mediation and Intercession of another great Person Mal. 1.14 For I am a great king saith the Lord. Heb. 7.25 Men must therefore come to God by him by a Mediator 2. It became the Majesty and Honour of God to be dealt with only by his own Son he being the greatest Courtier in Heaven and who knew most of his fathers mind Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the father he hath declared him 2. For the glory of his Wisdom This was a plot becoming the wisdom of God and much for the honour of it to find out this way of making up an union betwixt God and man Again by bringing down God to man and bringing up man to God and treisting both to meet in a Mediator wonderful did the wisdom of God appear in the Reconciling Justice and Mercy and making them meet together in this business in punishing sin and setting the sinner free in making a Covenant with us through a Mediator when there could be none without a Mediator Eph. 3.10 11 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 3. It was for the glory of Gods Goodness and Free-grace that grace may be acknowledged and dealt with like Free-grace therefore there must be a Mediator who throughout the accomplishment of our Salvation shall deal with grace by way of entreaty and requests and shall obtain our Salvation as freely by requests as if there had been no purchase made of it through satisfaction to Justice Heb. 5.17 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared Chap. 7. v. 25 Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them 4. It was for the glory of his Justice which must be dealt with in a way of satisfaction grace will be dealt with by requests salva justitia which must be dealt with by a satisfaction therefore the Covenant is established in the hands of a Mediator who may tell down a price to Justice 1 Tim. 2.6 Who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time These two the Apostle joyns Rom. 3.24 25 26 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus The highest Justice and the freest grace met together in the Mediator to save us by paying a price as fully as if there had been no grace and entreating of favour in the matter of our Salvation and yet as much entreaty and request is made to grace as if Justice had received no satisfaction Secondly Other Reasons respect Christ the Covenant is established in the hands of a Mediator for the glory of the Mediator in this employment whose honour and glory God had in his eyes as well as his own Joh. 5.23 That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father And 16.14 He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you Now the constituting and appointing Christ Mediator of the new Covenant is for his honour 1. In respect of the honourable offices which are laid upon him as Mediator for it is as Mediator that he is constituted a King a Priest and a Prophet to his people Heb. 1 and 7 Chap. throughout which are honourable offices Heb. 5.4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron Joh. 5.22 23 But hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father 2. In respect of the exceeding great power which is put in his hand as Mediator no less than the administration of the whole affairs in Heaven and Earth and that every knee should bow to him Phil. 2.10 And the government shall be upon his shoulder Isa 9.6 Mat. 28.18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Rev. 3.7 He that hath the key of David he that openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth 3. In respect of the great dependance that shall be upon Christ Mediator by many supplicants resorting to him and waiting on him for the representing and offering of their requests Joh. 15.16 Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name he shall give it you Zeph. 3.10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my supplicants even the daughter of my dispersed shall bring mine offering 4. In respect of his sole and absolute working of the whole business of our Salvation from beginning to end every part of it being immediately from him as the Fountain and store-house and Great Lord Treasurer of all the blessings of the Covenant Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Act. 2.33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the holy Ghost he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear The third sort of Reasons respecting the creatures good and happiness may be holden forth 1. Negatively 2. Affirmatively 1. Without Christ the Mediator we should have had no knowledg of God which is saving for since the fall God dealeth not with man immediately nor can man see him or hear him speak without a Mediator This was typified Exod. 20.19 And they said unto Moses Speak thou with us and we will hear but let not God speak with us lest we
betwixt the parties through the Messenger and by his means and travel 2 Sam. 11.22 23 25 So the messenger went and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for And the Messenger said unto David surely the men prevailed against us Then David said unto the messenger thus shalt thou say unto Joab let not this thing displease thee c. Joh. 17.6 8 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world and they have believed that thou didst send me Joh. 13.3 And that he was come from God and went to God 2. Consider next in what respects the name Messenger is applicable to Christ with relation to the Covenant 1. In regard of the power and trust committed unto him in the matters of the Covenant he is the Messenger of the Covenant that is the great Lord Ambassadour extraordinary and Trustee of Heaven who represented his father and who was Plenipotentiary being perfectly instructed and fully impowred to propound treat and conclude in all matters pertaining to the Covenant and the settlement of peace 'twixt God and man and in this sense the word is used 1 Kings 16.7 and 17.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 malakim Messengers i. e. Ambassadours and Isa 33.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 melache the Ambassadors of peace thus Christ is the Messenger of the Covenant this power and trust is committed unto him to represent his father 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Heb. 1.1 3 God hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son And to treat and conclude with us a Covenant in his name Joh. 5.22 For the father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power oven all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him Mat. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and earth 2. This-name of Messenger of the Covenant is applicable to him in regard of his pains and travel in the matters of the Covenant I mean in regard of his work as well as his trust and thus in regard of several pieces of his work and travel he may be called the Messenger of the Covenant 1. He is the Messenger who carried the Message of a new Covenant who travelled from Heaven to Earth with this Message to make a Covenant betwixt God and sinners he came expresly for this one errant Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of Sons 1 Joh. 5.6 This is he that came by water and blood even Jesus Christ not by water only but by water and blood 1 Joh. 1.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all And in this sense the word is frequently used for an Express or one sent for a particular Errant and purpose Joh. 1.6 7 There was a man sent from God whose name was John The same came for a witness to bear witness of the light that all men through him might believe Mat. 11.10 For 〈◊〉 is he of whom it is written Behold I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee 2. He is the Messenger who did publish and intimate the new Covenant and Gods gracious purpose in it as that thing which was his errant in the World he did it Authoritatively others only Ministerially 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead he ye reconciled to God He is the chief Minister of the new Testament others only by commission from him Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord God as upon me because the Lord hath annointed me to preach good ridings unto the meek Heb. 8.2 6 10 A minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the mediator of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord c. Eph. 4.9.11 Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Luk. 19.10 Eph. 2.17 Pov. 9.1 3. So the word is taken for one that intimateth or bringeth word and giveth notice of any thing Joh 1.14 3. He is the Messenger who doth interpret and declare the Message of the new Covenant who travelleth to be an Interpreter of the mind of God in that matter Mat. 11.27 All things are delivered unto me of my father and no man knoweth the Son but the father neither knoweth any man the father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the besome of the father he hath declared him Rom. 3.25 26. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him 〈◊〉 hith believeth in Jesus Luk. 24.17 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all 〈◊〉 Scriptures the things concerning himself Hence he is called a Prophet Act. 3.22 And thâ—â— Prophet Joh. 6.14 and 7.40 And in this sense this word is taken Job 33.23 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one among a thousand to shew unto man his uprightness 4. He is the messenger which acteth the Covenant upon the hearts of his people effective physice I mean the Messenger which attacheth the hearts of his people as a Serjeant at Arms that layeth hands upon a man and bringeth them into the bond of the Covenant the Messenger that never leaveth pursuit until he hath apprehended Ezek. 20.37 And I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant Heb. 8.10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Hos 2.19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and in judgment and in loving-kindness and in mercies Ezek. 36 27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments
should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will I say then his suppositis these and such like things being supposed God enters in a Covenant with Christ Quest 2. But supposing that it is decreed that divine justice shall be satisfied and that the truth of the threatning of the Covenant of works should be verified upon man offending or upon a sufficient surety supposing also that Christ is designed in the counsel of God unto this work of redeeming lost man by performing a satisfaction to the justice of God It is yet a question What needed the Covenant of Redemption or Suretiship betwixt God and Christ Might not the work have been done without any Compact Covenant or Agreement betwixt the Father and the Son Answ I shall only here give a short answer referring the more full and particular satisfaction of this question unto the latter part of this Chapter wherein I have purposed the handling of the particular ends and intents for which the Covenant of Redemption is necessary For present I say 1. It might suffice that God decreed and plainly revealed that the satisfaction which his justice will have for sin and which Christ has given was agreed betwixt them by a Covenant and so in respect of infinite wisdom which worketh by deep counsel and doth nothing without a reason it was necessary because God thought fit that it should be so he pitched upon this way But beside this 2. Whatsoever necessity was in regard of infinite wisdom that lost man should be redeemed sin should not be pardoned without a satisfaction that Christ should be our Redeemer and should come and give that satisfaction the same necessity also requires a Covenant betwixt God and Christ for carrying on that work in the way of Agreement so that if a Mediator a Saviour and Redeemer a Surety a ransom were necessary in regard of infinite wisdom which found out this Gospel-dispensation and new way of life then was a Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption necessary also in the same respect 3. The work of Redemption performed by Christ was such as could not be undertaken and performed without a Covenant for it required commanding and obeying sending and going asking and receiving working and rewarding all which import and suppose superiority and inferiority or subordination which could not be betwixt the Father and the Son who is equal with God Phil. 2.6 unless that by Agreement Compact Consent and Covenant the Son of God had humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Phil. 2.8 The work of Redemption unto which Christ was designed in the counsel of God required several offices employments trusts and relations to be sustained by him whereof I hinted something in the foregoing Chapter which not being essential to the Son of God nor belonging to him by any natural absolute or immutable necessity upon supposal of the decree of God that the Son should do the work of Redemption there was a necessity of Consequence that there should be a Covenant of Redemption and Suretiship that by the Father's calling and command and by the Sons consent and agreement making up a voluntary Compact the Son of God might bear these offices and trusts and relations which otherwise he should not have born Isa 42.1.6 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand Psal 2.7 I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Heb. 5.5 6 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee As he saith also in another place Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeo Quest 3. Whether did this Hypothetical necessity of God's entering in Covenant with Christ to pay a ransom or as others speak this necessity of consequence flow only from a finall cause to wit God's ends which he purposed in himself or from the efficient cause also to wit from justice in God that could not remit sin without satisfaction Answ 1. Concerning the necessity of God's covenanting with Christ in respect of the ends which he purposed in himself there is no question Which were 1. The supream end to glorifie his mercy and justice I mean his declarative glory that shines ad extra not the essential glory of God whereby he was infinitely glorious from eternity and should eternally be essentially glorious though neither Man nor Angel nor any other object of his glory had been created This is the glory spoken of in these Scriptures Prov. 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil Eph. 1.6 To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved 2. The subordinate end which also is a medium or means for advancing the supream end the Redemption and Salvation of his elect people to be brought about in such manner as might manifest and declare the glory of justice and mercy both in saving some not all and passing by others upon whom he had purposed to declare his justice and in saving these whom he purposed to redeem in such a way as justice might be satisfied and mercy also entreated Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ Eph. 1.7 In whom we have Redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace It is manifest I say that in regard of these great ends the Covenant of Redemption made with Christ was necessary God having purposed in procuring our Salvation to glorifie his mercy and justice a Mediator and Surety behoved to be engaged and there being in regard of infinite wisdom which determined it none so fit as the Son of God he must needs be engaged by his own consent and by a Covenant-agreement with Jehovah Q. But here is the question about the necessity of the Covenant of Suretiship in regard of the efficient cause to wit whether or not there was any necessity of nature or natural essential justice in God which required this way of Suretiship and Redemption necessarily in regard that he could not pardon sin without a satisfaction A. Concerning this question two reasons mainly prevail with me to be sparing in the agitation of it Pisc amica col cum vorst Lubbert 99. Error Vorst Par. in c. 2. Gen. 9. Ad Rom. dub 12. Brotb animed in Vorst Martin de Pers Christi Steg Photin p. 506 507. 1. The great difference of Judgment that is among the Orthodox in this point Several Learned men holding God's Justice in punishing and correcting sin to be so natural that he cannot but punish it
Scriptures Yea so much was the Covenant betwixt God and Christ about our Redemption for the glory of God even considered personally that thereby beside the glory that was common to all the three Persons there did accrue a peculiar glory to the distinct Persons of the Godhead in regard of their distinct offices and working in this business of Redemption a peculiar glory to the Father who gave Christ and who sent him upon this business and blessed us in him even a peculiar honour to the Father from the Lord Mediator and Redeemer Joh. 8.49 But I honour my Father saith Christ and a peculiar honour to the Father from the ransomed and redeemed People 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead A peculiar honour to the Son to Christ the Lord Mediator and that both upon earth and in heaven a peculiar glory to the Lamb that wrought the Redemption unto which his Father appointed him Joh. 5.22 23 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father which the Son claimeth Joh. 17.1 4 These words spoke Jesus and lift up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son also may glorifie thee I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And which is payed to him in heaven Rev. 7.10 Saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb. And 5.9 And they sing a new song saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation A peculiar glory unto the eternal Spirit by whom the Son of God offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.14 and to whom the effectual application of the purchased Redemption by peculiar office belongs 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Joh. 6.63 It is the spirit that quickeneth Gal. 4.6 And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba father 2. The good of the ransomed and redeemed people required that their Redemption should be transacted in a Covenant betwixt God and Christ and to this intent and for this end it was necessary 1. To introduce and usher in the new way of life thorow the Gospel-dispensation which could never have come to light nor have appeared upon the stage to act any thing if God had not by his eternal transactions with Christ in whom he found a ransome made way for the taking down the transient-time-dispensation of Law and Works which was only to continue and stand a Court of righteousness for a short space and so opened a door for free Grace to take the Theatre and to act its part more nobly than the Law-dispensation that was first upon the stage And this I say was ushered in and it was necessary that way should be made for it by God's Covenant-dealings with Christ in whom his Justice had a satisfaction else the Law-dispensation of Works and Nature had kept the Stage for ever and there had been no Court wherein Grace sits upon the throne and wherein Sinners might plead righteousness and life on Gospel-terms Christ's saying from eternity Lo I come to do thy will O God Psal 40.6 And deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom Job 33.24 Which words are upon the matter and originally true of Christ's dealings with his Father Jo. Cocc Dâ— foed c. 5. Sect. 88. and by some Expositors applyed to him This I say ushered in and made way for the Gospel-dispensation of a Covenant of free Grace Hence it is that the Apostle states the rise of life and immortality that is brought to light by the Gospel upon the eternal foederal dealings that were betwixt God and Christ 2 Tim. 1.9 10 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Rom. 8.3 4 For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh 2. The Covenant of Redemption betwixt God and Christ was necessary for our good that the Covenant of life and righteousness to us in the way of this Gospel-dispensation might be pure soveraign Grace Now the more of Grace and God's gracious will and heart is in the business and the less of the Creatures will and acting the better for us the sweeter and the surer is the Covenant But here all is of the Lord and of his gracious will all is transacted betwixt God and Christ and man is not so much is present at the first transaction of the Covenant as he was at the Covenant of works here he is neither at the beginning nor end of it I mean that end which it had in God's foederal dealings with Christ where the Redemption and Salvation of the elect was a concluded business and the conclusion tarried not nor was suspended for man's consent sure this was pure Grace this was all Grace eminent Grace when there was nothing of the Creature no not so much as acting in a vital formal manner as now we act under the application of this Covenant by these gracious acts which are efficiently from God but there all was the gracious free will of God without any thing of the Creatures will surely that was eminent signal Grace and the better for us 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Eph. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 1.4 5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 3. A Covenant betwixt God and Christ about our Salvation and Redemption was necessary that the business of our Salvation might be far advanced ere it come to our working at it with fear
and trembling and if our working out that which is left to be done by us for our own Salvation be with fear and trembling when by this Covenant of Suretiship we are set beyond the possible reach of actual perishing O what should our working for Salvation have been without this Covenant of Suretiship but endless fruitless toiling with desparation but by the Covenant of Redemption our Salvation is far advanced before our little finger be at the work nay it is in some respect finished all the hard labour is over Justice is satisfied the strength of opposition is broken and we have only broken forces and a beaten adversary to deal with we have little more to do but to stand and see him work Salvation for us and apply his purchased Redemption and yet we have work enough to keep us in continual exercise about the duties of holiness and faith Psal 2.12 2 Cor. 7.1 2 Pet. 1.5 10. Joh. 17.4 I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And 16.11 of judgment because the Prince of this world is judged Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith 4. A Covenant betwixt God and Christ about our Salvation was necessary that the spring and fountain of the life of Salvation to us might lie out of our selves by the Covenant of works the spring of life and blessedness to man lay in himself all his treasure and store was in his stock of habitual Grace but now by this Covenant of Suretiship the water-cock is indeed within our own hearts I mean Faith by which we draw life and vertue out of Christ and through which he conveys it unto us but the fountain and well-head lyes on high for by the Covenant of Redemption God was carrying on a design of love to his elect people and this was part of the contrivance that our Covenant-state through Christ's Suretiship might be Fountain-Love and Grace a state of favour setled and bottomed in the fountain of life and grace Christ Whereas Adam's first Covenant-state was but Cistern-Grace that did not run continually with a spring of live waters to afford fresh supplies the stock of habitual Grace was to him like water in the Pitcher or Cistern but by Christ's Covenant of Suretiship Grace is to us as water in the Fountain that can never run dry Joh. 1.16 And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace And 4.14 But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life And 14.19 because I live ye shall live also 2 Cor. 9.8 And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that ye always having alsufficiency in all things may abound to every good work 5. This Covenant of Suretiship was necessary for our establishment under this new dispensation that our Rights might be in a surer hand than our own Man is a mutable thing and free-will is a tottering uncertain thing as experience hath taught but Christ is a sure foundation and holding of him or rather in him is a sure renure the Rights and Charters that are under his custody are well kept And therefore God who instituted this dispensation did for the better securing of the believers interests enter into Covenant with a mighty responsal person even Christ and consolidates our Covenant-right in Christ our head and did trust to his keeping and answering all the intents of the Magna Charta the great Charter of the Gospel-covenant hence it is that the Covenant of peace made with us is a sure Covenant because 't is thus ordered Christ acted that business in the Covenant of Redemption there were mutual assurances given between the Father and the Son which makes all Covenant-dealing with us sure and holds all fast Psal 89.34 35 My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David Hence 't is that the blessings and mercies of the Gospel-covenant are sure mercies because there was concluded-Articles about them in this Covenant of Suretiship when Christ treated for his heirs and children not yet born nor created Isa 55.3 4 And I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Behold I have given him for a witness to the people a leader and commander to the people Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me Joh. 6.39 40 And this is the fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day O what strong and everlasting consolation hath God allowed upon his people from these immutable and everlasting grounds Heb. 6.17 18 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us 2 Thess 2.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our father which hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace c. 6. This Covenant with Christ was necessary not only for the enfuring our blessedness by this new Gospel-dispensation but for the bettering of that blessedness and glorious state unto which we are advanced by this Covenant I say the blessedness the glory the heaven of the redeemed people of the many Sons who are by the force of this Covenant brought to glory Heb. 2.10 is better than the reward and crown of blessedness which man should have enjoyed by the tenor of the Covenant of works and this bettering it hath from Christ's Covenant of Suretiship with God which was the chief cause why this Gospel-dispensation is a better Covenant than that of the Law of works and the promises thereof are better promises and the crown and heaven thereof a better crown even because Christ is in this Covenant and the foundation of it was laid in his Suretiship by this means the blessedness and heaven of this Covenant is bettered For 1. It is the glory of new heavens created of purpose for the residence of the redeemed in the company of him that redeemed them by his own blood 2 Pet. 3.13 Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness Rev. 21.1 5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea And he that sate upon the throne said Behold I make all things new Jh. 14.2 3 In my Father's house are many
mansions c. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Mr. Ball Treat of the Covenant c. 2. p. 10. Camer de tripl foed Thes 9. Mr. Baxt. Aphorism p. 5. Whereas the blessedness and glory of man by the Law-Covenant if it was any thing beyond an immortality of blessedness and enjoyment of God in an earthly Paradise which is questioned by some should yet have been in this old or first heavens not in these new ones 2. It is the glory of a Paradise wherein is the tree of life and the river of the water of life which were not Ingredients of the Law-glory neither were placed in the first Paradise Rev. 2.7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God And 7.17 and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters And 22.1 2 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life clear as cristal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it and of either side of the river was there the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the Nations 3. It is a heaven and glory where the new Song is sung and where the Musitians are all redeemed and where the meeting of these redeemed ones to sing together is the sweeter that they once were all lost and that they came out of tribulation and a Land of sighing Isa 35.10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away Rev. 5.9 And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation But there should not have been any new Song nor redeemed Musicians in the glory and heaven of Law-dispensation 4. It is a heaven and glory wherein all the Inhabitants wear crowns for Christ hath made them kings unto God and to his Father Rev. 1.6 And 2.10 Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life but there should have been no crowns worn in the first Paradise nor should the happiness thereof have amounted so high as a crown and a throne there being no occasion for it nor any promise to that effects 5. It is a heaven and glory where the Inhabitants are all conquerors each hath a palm in his hand in sign of his victory Rev. 7.9 cloathed with white robes and palms in their hands this Garland should not have been in the first Covenant-glory where there was no fighting there could be no victory at least over the world and sin and death 6. It is a heaven and glory where all the Inhabitants are cloathed with long white robes and with fine linnen clean and white Rev. 7.13 What are these which are arrayed in white robes and whence came they And 19.8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white for the linnen is the righteousness of Saints but there should have been no such robes in the Law-heaven whatsoever shining-beauty and whiteness should have been on Adam's skin yet there should have been there no garments of glory no righteousness should have been worn there but that which should have been of our own working 7. It is a heaven wherein there is a throne for the Lamb where the man Christ in our nature is upon the throne where the greatest beauty of all the Kingdom and the most highly exalted person is the man Christ where the Lord Mediator is the glorious light of all the Land Rev. 3.7 he that openeth and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth And 21.22 23 And I saw no temple therein for the Lord God almighty and the lamb are the temple of it And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the lamb is the light thereof And 5.12 Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and glory and honour and blessing there was no such glory in the first Covenant nor in the heaven thereof which no doubt should have made it less glorious and speaks forth the greater glory of this latter Covenant-happiness 8. It is a heaven that was purchased at a dear rate that was the price of blood for which Christ payed a condign price 1 Pet. 1.18 19 For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed will corruptible things but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot but the Law-heaven and glory should have been obtained at an easier rate working without the price of blood should have done that business the different price shews the different value 9. It is a heaven wherein is a lovely and numerous assembly a fair mystical body whereof Christ is the head and whereof each redeemed Soul is a member O so lovely a Company with the Captain of their Salvation so glorious a body with their glorious head so beautiful a bride with so fair a husband such a lovely couple such a body corporate such a compleat society when Christ mystical is perfected and all the members compacted together and joyned unto their glorious and blessed head Eph. 4.13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ And 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Heb. 12.23 To the general assembly and church of the first born which are written in heaven and to God the Judg of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant Rev. 19.7 Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made her self ready But there should have been no such body-corporate in the Law-heaven no such mystical body of Christ no marriage of the Lamb nor any melodious rejoycing at that solemnity I conclude therefore that the glory and crown and heaven of the Covenant of Redemption is better and far more glorious than should have been the lot of man by Law-righteousness and works without Christ's Suretiship 7. This Covenant was necessary for having in readiness a Physitian before we should be sick God foresaw and had decreed man's fall and his rising again and
everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was and which shall endure throughout eternity for the righteousness of this Covenant even the Surety-righteousness of Christ the Redeemer shall be worn in glory for evermore by all the redeemed people and through the force and vertue of the blood thereof shall the glorious Church stand and reign for ever Rev. 19.8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white for the fine linnen is the righteousness of Saints And 5.9 And they sung a new song saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation 4. Another Property of the Covenant of Redemption is equality They who distinguish Covenants into equal and unequal Covenants by equal Covenants they understand such wherein there is equality in the parties or conditions when the parties stand in equal terms and do agree upon equal or like conditions No Covenant betwixt God and meer Man ean properly and strictly be called an equal Covenant neither the Covenant of works made with man in his integrity nor the Covenant of Grace made with fallen man for beside the infinite distance and inequality of the parties there is no proportion betwixt the terms and conditions given and required in these Covenants And upon strict examination there are but few equal Covenants betwixt man and man for it is rare to find the condition and affairs of Parties entering in Covenant in such an equal poise as that the inequality of their condition and the moment and exigent of their affairs does not influence the terms and conditions of their Covenants so as to render them unequal But sure the Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Christ is an equal Covenant 1. This Covenant was betwixt parties equal I do not say that the Man Christ or Christ Mediator was equal with God for in this respect there was an inferiority and subordination unto which Christ humbled himself by giving his actual consent in this Covenant unto the designation of him to be the Person that should do the work of our Redemption but considering Christ as the eternal Son of God and antecedently to his actual consent to humble himself yea and after that consent too considering Christ the second Person as the natural Son of God the parties transacting this Covenant though not quatenus as they were considered in this Covenant-transaction were equal in Power Greatness Wisdom Honour c. as hath been before shewed from Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God Joh. 10.29 30 My Father which gave them me is greater than all I and my Father are one 2. This Covenant was betwixt equal parties when they stood in equal terms and were at a perfect freedom to chuse or refuse to give consent to this Covenant or refuse it as pleased either party there may be sometimes equality betwixt parties covenanting yet the inequality of the condition and freedom at the time of transacting may render the Covenant betwixt them unequal as when the one party is not at freedom is concluded by some pressure or necessity that is not upon the other party hence often the terms are unequal but in the Covenant of Suretiship whatsoever inequality and subordination was subsequent by the tenor of this Covenant at the time when it was transacted from eternity the parties stood both on equal terms and were at perfect freedom to transact or not as pleased either as I have already proved there was nothing in the condition of either party abstracting from the purpose of the parties own will and the design that acted them which was common to both that could conclude either party to enter into such a Covenant If I may call a transaction that had no beginning by the name of entering a Covenant in regard of our manner of conceiving thereof for this Covenant was not only consented to by Christ a person equal with God but by him being in the form of God Phil. 2.6 7 that is while he stood in equal terms with God and was under no necessity to be found in the form of a servant till he humbled himself and made himself of no reputation c. 3. The design that acted both parties in this transaction was equal for it was one and the same a design of love acted both the Father and the Son the carrying on a purpose of Grace and design of love which God had laid upon his elect people acted Jehovah in sending Christ to do this work of Redemption and in making him Surety for his people and the same design also acted Christ in his consenting to take our Law-place and in his coming accordingly to act our part Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life With Gal. 2.20 I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Even this Love-design which took up the delight and the thoughts of both the patties equally and wherewith both parties were solacing themselves in the works without themselves when as yet there was no world nor Inhabitants thereof created Prov. 8.31 Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth and my delights were with the sons of men 4. This Covenant of Suretiship was made upon equal or like conditions and terms there was an equality betwixt the stipulation and restipulation the conditions promised to Christ and these required from him by this Covenant not that worthless man was a wager for God to work for for he was far below the price that love put upon him But understand it thus 1. There was an equality of Justice betwixt the conditions on the one part and the other punitive Justice could exact no more of man by the curse of the broken Covenant than that which Christ suffered as his Surety Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us and remunerative Justice could give no less to his perfect obedience unto the Law of works than the righteousness and life which he purchased Rom. 8.4 That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us 2. There was an equality of proportion or merit betwixt the conditions required from and performed by Christ by vertue of this Covenant and the conditions promised and performed unto Christ by this Covenant Not a merit and satisfaction upon Christ's part de congruo as the Schoolmen speak whereby the friendship and love of the party injured doth accept of that which is not equivalent to the offence Durand lib. 3. dist 21. quest 2. which Vorstius calleth God's Divine acceptilation which properly had no place here though the friendship and love betwixt God and Christ be such as renders any thing done by him
and the more special condition of laying down his life were voluntary free acts of Christ's will and infinite love wherein he was acted by no necessity without his own free consent Joh. 10.18 No man taketh my life from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again this commandment have I received of my Father Assert 3. All the conditions required of Christ and undertaken by him in the Covenant of Redemption were ensured and certain conditions there was no hazard of failing nor coming short upon his part in any the commands or conditions of that Covenant therefore it was said of him Isa 42.4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth Three things evidence this 1. The personal union of the two Natures exempted the man Christ from all hazard and possibility of sinning or coming short in the obedience of any command or condition required of him 2. Christ as man had the Spirit above measure and the confirming Grace which is given to elect Angels in their head Christ he had not only the promise of the Spirit and heavenly influences to all duties and conditions required of him but he had these actually even from his Mothers womb Isa 42.1 I will put my spirit upon him Isa 11.2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him 3. There were no threatnings in the Covenant of Redemption though there were promises because there was no hazard of Christ's failing in the conditions thereof nor possibility of his falling short of the promised reward Assert 4. Although it was eminent pure Grace that made the Covenant of Redemption yet the conditions thereof required from Christ were works it was doing not believing that was required of him Rom. 5.19 By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Joh. 9.4 I must work the works of him that sent me I acknowledg there was a kind of faith required of Christ-man which cannot be excluded the conditions of this Covenant understanding conditions in that large sense as comprehending all these tyes obligations and duties which the man Christ took upon him by taking on our Nature and our Law-place whereof he maketh profession Isa 50.7 For the Lord God will help me therefore shall I not be confounded therefore have I set my face like a flint and I know that I shall not be ashamed And Psal 16.8 I have set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved c. compared with Act. 2.25 for David speaketh concerning him I foresaw the Lord always before my face for he is on my right hand that I should not be moved And Heb. 2.13 I will put my trust in him But 1. This faith professed by Christ was faith of another kind than that faith which is the condition of the Gospel-covenant to us it was the faith of dependance and relying on God for assistance and acceptance in doing the work which was the eminent condition of the Covenant of Suretiship but not a faith whereby he went out of himself to rely on another for righteousness it was works not Grace not the Evangelical Instrument but the act and work of faith 2. This faith professed by Christ was upon another account and for another use it was a debt which the holy humane nature of Christ being a creature owed unto God a debt I say such as did not exclude that from being meritorious and part of his satisfaction since it was part of his obedience taken on by voluntary compact no more than his being made under the Law whereby he was debtor to satisfie the penalty thereof did exclude his suffering from being satisfactory yet he was not by this kind of believing justified and constituted righteous by any righteousness received by his faith or imputed to him as we are justified by faith 3. This faith professed by Christ was neither the whole condition of the Covenant of Suretiship nor the chief and eminent part of it as shall be made to appear but at most it could amount to no more of the condition of his Suretiship than such a faith of dependency in Adam before his fall should have been in the conditional part of the Covenant of works that was made with him and that was but one single act and work of righteousness which was a small part of the condition of that Covenant Assert 5. The conditions of the Covenant of Suretiship made with Christ did fully and perfectly answer the intent of the Covenant of works and that in both the parts of it copulatively which did but alternatively oblige man for the Law does not oblige man in an absolute sense both to perfect doing and suffering but to one of them for if we keepthe Law we are not obliged to suffer Gen. 2.17 But of the tree of the knowledg of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die But Christ by the conditions of the Covenant of Redemption 1. He is a full doer and obedient fulfiller of the commands thereof in all points Mat. 3.15 For thus it behoveth us to fulfil all righteousness 2. He fully suffers the penalty of that Covenant and satisfies for the broken commands thereof Isa 53.5 6 He was wounded for our transgressions The Lord laid upon him the iniquity of us all Hence 3. By the conditions of this Covenant which he performed he had right to Law-justification and life eternal even by the Law of works for the righteousness which he wrought was perfect Law-righteousness though the imputation of it to us be an act of Grace and our receiving it by faith make it Gospel-righteousness to us 1 Joh. 1.7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin Compared with Rom. 4.5 But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Assert 6. Neither Christ's active nor passive obedience are to be excluded from making up the adequate condition of the Covenant of Suretiship For 1. The man Christ his passive obedience could not have amounted unto a satisfaction for us if by his active obedience his habitual and actual conformity unto the holy Law of God he had not been such a high priest as became us as is holy harmless c. Heb. 7.26 2. Although Christ as man was obliged to obey the Moral Law yet considering that he voluntarily took that obligation upon himself and being Lord and Law giver he made himself under the Law by this Covenant of Suretiship I do not see how his obedience to the Law can be excluded from among the conditions of this Covenant 3. The whole course of Christ's obedience from his Birth to his Grave by doing and suffering is to be considered as
Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men Col. 2.15 And having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it It was in the faith of these Promises made to Christ concerning his Father's standing by him in this work and crowning it with success in his hand that he put on that holy hardness against all opposition and walked as unconcerned who stood in his way since his Father was with him engaged by so solemn an act of promise and covenant made with him Isa 50.6 7 8 9 I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair I hid not my face from shame and spitting For the Lord God will help me therefore shall I not be confounded therefore have I set my face like a flint and I know that I shall not be ashamed He is neer that justifieth me who will contend with me let us stand together who is mine adversary let him come neer to me Behold the Lord God will help me who is he that shall condemn me lo they all shall wax old as a garment the moth shall eat them up The fifth kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption were those that relate unto his Fathers acceptance of the travel of his Soul in this work of our Redemption And under this I comprehend 1. Whatsoever was spoken to him of his Father's delectation and taking pleasure in the person of Christ God-man and in his Mediatory-transactions all delight ariseth from sutableness and this from Christ's sutableness unto the Lords ends and the service unto which he was chosen and his sutable actings unto these ends Luk. 3.21 22 Now when all the people were baptized it came to past that Jesus also being baptized and praying the heaven was opened And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him and a voice came from heaven which said then art my beloved Son in thee I am well-pleased Prov. 8.30 Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mune elect in whom my soul delighteth 2. The promise of gracious acceptance to whatsoever he should act or request on the behalf of his Redeemed ones within the time of Grace Isa 49.8 Thus saith the Lord in an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee Joh. 11.41 42 Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me And I knew that thou hearest me always Heb. 5.7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared 3. The Promises of Justification there was some sort of Justification covenanted to him which he eyeth and wherewith he encouraged himself under hard and reproachful usage Isa 50.8 He is near that iustifieth me who will contend with me and accordingly it is said of him 1 Tim. 3.16 he was justified in the spirit and though he was not capable of remission of sin and justification from intrinsecal guilt for he had none being holy harmless undefiled and separate from sinners Heb. 7.26 because he had done no violence neither was there any deceit in his mouth Isa 53.7 Yet justification is promised to him and he is said to be justified 1. Because he was a perfect doer and obeyer of the Law 1 Joh. 1.7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin Christ did in all things give consummate and perfect obedience to the Law and this is to be justified by a Law-justification and title to life which Adam should have had if he had obeyed the Law and Covenant of works 2. When his cause is justified he himself is formally justified in respect of these sins for which he undertook to satisfie the cause that he stood for in the Covenant of Redemption the action is win in Law that he stood for and that was his elect peoples cause for whom he stood when Justice smote him he is justified and acquitted from our sins though he had none of his own Rom. 6.9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him 3. He is justified as a publick person though in no private capacity as head of the party whom he represented and whose Law place he took upon him as one who personated and acted the part of another by allowance and warrant of Law Heb. 2.10.13 For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings And again I will put â—â—y trust in him and again Behold I and the children which God hath given me 4. He is justified declaratively in regard that he was declared by a Law act and Judicial-declaration to he Jesus the righteous 1. Joh. 2.1 who had fatisfied the Law Rom. 1.4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead he was declared justified by his resurrection even as he was declared condemned by his death 5. He is justified by cancelling his bond of Suretiship which he gave to Jehovah and now having compleatly satisfied for our debts which was the intent of that bond of Suretiship the right is cancelled according to the manner of the Creditor's delivering back the bond to the Debtor when it is satisfied And thus we are to conceive when he blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us Col. 2.14 that he had then a discharge of his bond of Suretiship for our debt for his bond could not lye for our debt when ours was cancelled And though the precise scope of that Scripture and Context lead us to understand the cancelling there mentioned as firstly relative to the Ceremonial-Law yet I know no reason why we should restrict it to that only but we may extend it to the sins against and threatnings of the Moral Law also in so far as that is a writing against us especially since the words immediately before speak of Justification and remission of all sins as a fruit of Christ's death and the words following declare the extent of his death in this glorious conquest and triumph over all his peoples enemies 6. He is justified because it is acted and recorded in the volume of the book of the written word that he hath fulfilled what was written of his undertaking in the book of God's eternal Decrees and in this sense a person may be said to be justified who being acted in the record of a book to perform any
and glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed 5. The promise of glory a peculiar glory in heaven throughout eternity to the Lord Mediator and Redeemer to the Lamb that was slain who wrought this great and glorious work of our Redemption this glory he craveth as his wages Joh. 17.4 5 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self This glory he eyed when he was at hard labour about the work Isa 49.4 5 Surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God Though Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength Heb. 12.2 Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross This glory was promised to him Zech. 6.13 He shall build the temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory Isa 22.24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his Father's house this glory is actually payed to him in heaven where the Lamb has a throne Rev. 22.3 But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it And 7.17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them where there is a new Song sung unto the Lamb Rev. 5.9 10 And they sung a new Song saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth Yea and a crown and glory for his redeemed seed was part of the reward promised to him and for which he wrought Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom 2 Pet. 5.4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory The seventh kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ were these that relate to interest I mean the new contracted interests Covenant-interests that were promised to him as part of this agreement betwixt Jehovah and Christ Mediator out of which did spring all the new Covenant-interests and relations that we have to God And such were 1. The interest in God as his God by Covenant for to him was the great Mother promise of the Covenant made I will be his God Psal 80.26 He shall cry to me thou art my God This interest is bound up with him in the Covenant of Suretiship 2. The interest in God as his Father by Covenant to Christ was promised and with him was bound up a new Sonship and Covenant-title to God as his Covenanted Father Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me thou art my Father Heb. 1.5 I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son and these Covenant-relations and interests and the compellations arising from them we find Christ own and acknowledg Joh. 20.17 I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and to your God Hence he calleth us brethren children of the same Father who have one Covenant-relation with him to the same God Hell 2.12 I will declare thy name unto my brethren hence God is called the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 3. The interest of Saviourship for to the man Christ 't is promissed that Jehovah shall be the rock of his Salvation Psal 89.26 he shall cry to me Thou art my God and the rock of my Salvation hence he cryed Father save me from this hour Joh. 12.27 Jehovah was a Saviour to the man Christ from the things that he suffered as our surety he saveth the head and body therefore it is said Heb. 5.7 that he cryed to him that was able to save him from death 4. The interest of headship when Christ was given to be head of his body the Church he took upon him the man Christ the Mediator took upon him a new relation to God as his head which is founded and bound up in the Covevenant of Suretiship by which this comely order was established that Christ should be a head to his Church and God should be a head to the man Christ In this respect it is said that Christ is God's 1 Cor. 3.23 and how As ye are Christs and all things are yours that is in a subordination to do service 1 Cor. 11.3 and the head of Christ is God the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ must be the head of Christ a head by union to which Christ is united by bonds of union not natural only but foederal Joh. 10.30 I and my father are one Joh. 1.1 And the word was with God a head by influence of Spirit and Grace to the man Christ who liveth by the Father Joh. 6.57 As the living father hath sent me and I live by the father a head by way of order who is over Christ Mediator and to whom the man Christ is subject 1 Cor. 15.28 Then shall the Son also himself be subject to him that put all things under him 5. The interest of hearing Prayer Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me this is bound up among the Covenant-interests which he took upon him by his Suretiship and by this relation when Christ should humble himself to pray Jehovah promiseth to hear him and he hath hearing by Covenant as his seed also have it Isa 49.8 In an acceptable time have I heard thee Joh. 11.41 42 Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me And I knew that thou hearest me always Heb. 5.7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared These and the like interests and relations were covenanted to Christ and out of these Covenant-interests engaged unto him did our Covenant-relations spring The last kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ were these which relate to the whole design and intent of his Suretiship And the great and publick effects which it should produce in the whole frame of the creation for the elect redeemed peoples sake And such were 1. The promise of delivery of the whole creation from bondage and vanity unto which it was made subject for man's Sin and whereof the whole world is sick like a woman travelling in birth Rom. 8.20 21 22 For the creature was made subject unto vanity not willingly but by reason of him that hath subjected the same in hope Because the creature it self also shall be delivered from
and didst set him over the works of thy hands Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet for in that he put all in subjection under him he left nothing that is not put under him But now we see not yet all things put under him 7. The promises of the service of all the world and of all the creatures God promiseth and will have the services of all the creatures brought about first to Christ and then to him by Christ he hath the service of all the world promised him and indeed he payed for it for he bought it with a price the service of some as Sons to live with him and enjoy him for ever Psal 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning and the service of others as slaves Psal 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel And 72.9 11 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him and his enemies shall lick the dust Yea all kings shall fall before him and all nations shall serve him The whole vessels of this great house the world whether they are vessels of honour or dishonour Men or Angels elect Men or Reprobate elect Angels or Devils yet all must be for the Master's use 2 Tim. 2.20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honour and some to dishonour Prov. 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil CHAP. V. Of the Harmony of the Covenant of Suretiship made with Christ and the Covenant of Reconciliation and Grace made with Sinners 1. Wherein they agree 2. Wherein they differ 3. What Conjunction and Connexion is betwixt these Covenants THere is a great affinity between the Covenant of Redemption made with Christ and the Covenant of Reconciliation made with Sinners but it is not the same Covenant that is made with Christ which is made with us We are therefore to take heed to two extreams That we neither confound nor divide these two Covenants There is a likeness betwixt them but not a sameness there is an union here but not an evenness there is here a distinction but not a division a conjunction but not a confusion Let us therefore look upon these two Covenants 1. As agreeing in many things yet not being the same but still to be distinguished 2. Differing in many things yet not to be divided nor separated 3. Connected and conjoyned many ways yet not to be confounded 1. The Covenants of Redemption and Reconciliation agree together beside these things that are essential and so common to all Covenants which I do not here mention in the first rise of both pure soveraign free Grace was the fountain of both hence did both these Covenants spring There was no cause reason motive nor allurement from without nor any necessity of nature within that made Jehovah upon the one part nor Christ upon the other enter into this agreement of Suretiship it was his meer good and gracious pleasure as is already proved See Eph. 1.9 Having made known unto us the mysterie of his will according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began And the same is the fountain-cause the first spring and rise of God's Covenant of Reconciliation with us it is not from any reason cause or motive in us nor from any necessity upon God but meerly his gracious pleasure Eph. 1.7 In whom we have Redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace Deut. 7.7 8 The Lord did not set his love upon you nor chuse you because ye were more in number than any people But because the Lord loved you and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers Mat. 11.25 I thank thee O father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so father for so it seemed good in thy sight 2. These two Covenants agree in this That it is the same design and business that is carried on in both The Redemption of a lost or lapsed elect people or as the Apostle calls it Heb. 2.10 The bringing many sons to glory This was the business that Christ did undertake by the Covenant of Suretiship and which he doth prosecute and perfect by the Covenant of Reconciliation This was the thing that was treated and agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ and is now over again treated and agreed betwixt Christ and us Tit. 1.2 In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lye promised before the world began 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed to us the word of Reconciliation Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do 3. These two Covenants agree in this That the grand Instrumentality of doing the work in both these Covenants is upon Christ he was to be the main Instrument of action in the work of these two Covenants and is therefore as for other reasons so also upon this account called the man of God's right hand Psal 80.17 whose instrumentality and service God did use from beginning to end in all this business both of Redemption and Reconciliation Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself 4. They agree in this that both these Covenants are commensurable with Gods election of the parties with whom he made the Covenants He first chused Christ and by an eternal destination elected him to be the only person that should work the great work of Redemption and be the Captain of Salvation to his people and with him only he makes the Covenant of Redemption Psal 89.19 I have exalted one chosen out of the people Again he makes choice of an elect Company to follow this Captain to be a people saved by the Lord and with this elect company only chosen in Christ he makes a Covenant of peace and reconciliation in him Luk. 1.68 69 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people And hath raised up an horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David In both I say the Covenant is commensurate to God's election the parties with whom God made both these Covenants were first chosen he first chuseth and then covenanteth with the elect head and with the elect body and members
no more fail in regard of Christs Suretiship than his arms can fail Psal 40.11 He shall gather the lambs with his arms 11. Whatsoever Christ acted by the Covenant of Suretiship he did it for us and we did that in him For 1. Whatsoever he acted by vertue of the Covenant of Suretiship he acted as a Surety Now a Surety is one that undertakes and does for another and whose deed by the allowance of the Law stands for the deed of that person for whom he was undertaker a person who puts himself in the stead of another such a person was Judah for Benjamin Gen. 43.9 Chap. 44.32 2. Whatsoever he acted by vertue of this Covenant he acted as a publick person I do not say that in the transacting of the Covenant of Suretiship Christ acted as a publick person for then fallen man should be an undertaker to satisfie justice and to pay a price of blood to God for his own sin because a person who represented him did undertake this but I say after Christ personally considered had by the Covenant of Suretiship taken upon him-this publick capacity and place whatsoever he acted by doing or suffering he acted still as a publick person Now a publick person is one who personates represents and acts the part of another so that what he doth as such that other person whom he represents is reckoned by the Law to do such publick persons were Adam and Christ the first man and the second the heads of two families who represented all that came of them their seed and heirs Rom. 5.12 c. 1 Cor. 15.21 22. Consider how comfortable this is to the believer and what support it affords to his faith look over his state his condition his actings all that he was made all that he did all that was done to him he was made and did and suffered all that for the believer and his Elect people were made and did and suffered and received all that in him when he died God reckoned us dying then and would have us reckon so also Rom. 6.10 11 For in that he died he died unto sin but in that he liveth he liveth unto God Likewise reckon ye also your selves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. When he suffered and satisfied the Law God reckoned that we did so also Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us When he was acquitted and discharged of the Debt when he rose again and was released from the Prison and Bonds of the Law we did so also Rom. 4.25 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification 1 Cor. 15.20 21 But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept For since by man came death by man also came the resurrection of the dead When he entered into Heaven and had reception and a welcome of Covenant-favour there we did so also and had the same welcome Eph. 2.6 And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus For he acted all these things in our stead and all these things were done to him as a person representing us 12. By the Covenant of Suretiship beside all other Attributes in God Justice it self that is most terrible to the believer and was sometimes a dreadful Attribute and speaking nothing less than Damnation to fallen man is now turned to be as much for the believers Salvation as any other attribute in God and upon that account is and may be comfortably looked upon 1 Joh. 1.9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness If you ask How can that be that Justice should be for the forgiveness of our sins if we do but confess them though we can make no satisfaction to justice for them Christ by his Suretiship hath brought about the business and handled the matter of Salvation so that Justice and Righteousness is as forward as much engaged to save the believer as any other Attribute in God 1 Joh. 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole world For 1. Christ hath satisfied Justice by a condign-price the price of the blood of a person who is God he hath payed the believers Debt to the least farthing 2. He pleads this satisfaction and his own righteousness for the people whose Debt he took upon him to pay and thus he carried his matter by righteousness and Justice Now Justice when 't is satisfied and made for a person is as comfortable as 't is terrible when it is unsatisfied and against a person How sweet and comfortable is this to the believer that by the Suretiship of Christ not only favour and grace is for him but Justice also that satisfied Justice is the sinful believers friend stands on his side and if God be righteous and just he will he must he cannot but forgive the confessing-believer and save him upon Christs account who suffered and satisfied punitive Justice and merited by a condign-price holding proportion with the thing which he bought that communitative and remunerative-Justice should give this reward for his work Learn hence 1. From the Covenant of Suretiship to frame an answer to all temptations from our own frailty mutability inconstancy mixture of unbelief with faith of corruption with grace c. and the like the weak believer thinks Adam and the Angels fell who had no sin in them who had habitual grace in perfection and how can I stand The Covenant of Suretiship answers these and the like assaults of the weak believers faith 1. Thou standest by faith which excludeth boasting and if thou be not high minded but fear Rom. 11.20 thou shalt stand by faith but they stood by the Law of works which doth not exclude boasting Rom. 3.27 And therefore they feared not but were lifted up and fell 2. That same low despised thing the little weak faith that is in thee as it is of another kind than any faith which was in them which was not faith in Christ Mediator so it is given to thee for another end even that thou mayest by going out of thy self stand by faith and cometh fâ—om another spring which makes it indefectible Luk. 22.32 But I prayed for thee that thy faith fail not this is his seed that remaineth in him that is born of God 1 Joh. 3.9 3. Although Adam and the Angels that fell had habitual grace in perfection without mixture of corruption yet they had no promise nor assurance of the spirit and actual influences which the weakest believer hath setled upon him by promise Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them 4. Neither had these grace in the
a fit person to mediate betwixt God and man until Heaven and Earth God and man be joyned in one person to make a fit Mediator a person equally distant from and equally near unto both parties A person who is Gods fellow Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow And who is our fellow made himself our companion and like unto his brethren Heb. 2.14 17. A person who is Gods Son and our brother Joh. 20.17 I ascend unto my father and your father and to my God and your God our Goel Job 10.25 For I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth Our kinsman who had the right of Redemption 4. He is called Mediator the midling person not only in regard of his fitness but upon the account of his actual interposing and stepping in betwixt the disagreeing parties because he acted and executed the Mediators Office which he took upon him and for which he was fitted he acted the day-mans part in the treaty of peace he through whom the whole Covenant of peace from beginning to end was transacted who stood in every passage of it as a middle person through whom God dealt with us and we with him 1. Through him was the Covenant with us first motioned and by him was the motion and overture entertained on our behalf there had never been a Covenant betwixt God and fallen men had not Christ stept in to overture the reconciliation of Justice and Mercy Prov. 8.30 31 Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth and my delights were with the sons of men He is Mediator Propositionis or rather proponendo the person through whom the first motion of it was made and entertained 2. Through him was the business done and ended in the Counsel of God he entertained the motion of a Covenant and agented it till it was a closed bargain in an eternal plot betwixt his Father and himself Psal 89.3 I have made my Covenant with a chosen I have sworn unto David my servant Chap. 40. v. 7 Then said I Lo I come He is Mediator Impetrationis who obtained and procured that the proposal of free Redemption should be a conncluded Agreement 3. Through him were we represented in Christs transaction with his Father he interposed and did the business by way of representation as the Head of the Church in the name and on the behalf of many Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us 〈◊〉 Christ Jesus before the world began He is Mediator representationis the person that stood and represented many When God spoke with us in him as the Angels did with Israel in Jacobs loins for there he spake with us Hos 12.4 4. Through him did God strike hands with us the stipulation on our part was made by him whom God took as a responsal person and in our room to bargain with Heb. 7.22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better Testament Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people He is Mediator fidei-jussionis the person who put his name in our Bond and stept in as a Sponsor and Surety for the broken man 5. Through him is the whole Covenant fulfilled and every word of it hath a being ex parte dei he fulfilleth all that is promised on Gods part 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him are Amen And ex parte hominis he worketh in us and for us whatsoever is required of us Phil. 1.21 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith He is Mediator impletionis the person in whom the whole Covenant is fulfilled and accomplished 6. Through him came the news of this second Covenant he proclaimed and published the glad tydings Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath annointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which are afar off and to them that were nigh Psal 40.9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation He is Mediator promulgationis the chief herauld and messenger the person by whom and by his appointed servants the Covenant was and is preached 7. Through him is the mystery made manifest in the hearts of his people he shines upon the mystery of the Covenant and makes it to be understood and this second discovery of God in Christ can never be revealed but by the Mediator himself Joh. 27.6 I have manifested thy name 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him He is Mediator illuminationis or the very medium of this new-Light the person by whom the Covenant is revealed 8. By him was a price told down to Justice on our behalf he interposed to satisfie Justice on the terms it stood upon and entered his person in prison for us till he payed the Debt by the price of his blood after which he was set at liberty Heb. 9.12 15 But by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained redemption for us And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death c. Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ He is Mediator redemptionis seu satisfactionis the person that made the satisfaction and payed the price to Justice to the full by his obedience to death 9. Through him is the difference actually composed and the peace made the disagreeing parties are brought together in him as a middle person and fit resting-place Eph. 2.13 14 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one Heb. 2.17 To make reconciliation for the sins of his people He is Mediator reconciliationis the person that made the peace and in whom the difference is composed 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 10. Through him are all the blessings of the Covenant applied to us and the fruit of his purchase is drawn forth by his intercession as a Priest for ever which he doth as a Mediator Heb. 7.25
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them He is Mediator applicationis seu intercessionis the person that still mediates and officiates before God on our behalf for fresh applications of all his purchase 11. Through him we receive all the blessings of the Covenant he receives them for us and Christ Mediator is constitute great Lord Dispensator and Theasaurer the head of the Church who receiveth blessings for the whole body and every member thereof 2 Tim. 1.9 According to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Psal 68.18 Thou hast received gifts for men He is Mediator receptionis the person who receiveth all the blessings of the Covenant at the first hand who is the store-house and fountain the person on whom all the acts of Gods love are first put forth Joh. 1.14 16 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace 12. Through him was the Covenant with us confirmed he sealed the new Testament with his own blood and interposed by his death to make the Covenant Gods irrevocable will of grace to us-ward Gal. 3.15 17 Though it be but a mans covenant yet if it be confirmed no man disannulleth or addeth thereunto And this I say That the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ the law which was four hundred and thirty years after cannot disannul that it should make the promises of none effect Heb. 6.17 18 Wherein God willing more abundantly to manifest unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath that by two immutable things wherein it was impossible for God to lye we might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us He is Mediator confirmationis the person in whom and by whom the Covenant was confirmed 13. Through him is the Covenant a closed bargain as to the addition of our consent to it through him are our hearts ingaged to the bargain he travelleth with us to get our consent to it 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Ezek. 20.37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant Rev. 22.17 And the spirit and the bride say Come He is Mediator adstipulationis seu consensus nostri the person who interposeth for the subjection of our consent and to get our heart to say Amen to the Covenant and is therefore called the Apostle and High-priest of our profession or adstipulation Heb. 3.1 14. Through him is the Covenant held fast with all those who are once really engaged in it that it crumble not away as the first Covenant did but may stand firm and stable Psal 89.34 35 My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David Joh. 17.12 Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost He is Mediator conservationis the person who conserveth and keepeth the peace betwixt the covenanted parties and makes the Covenant sure 1 Joh. 2.1 2 And if any man sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous And he is the propitiation for our sins From this that Christ is Mediator of the new Covenant Vse 1. This sheweth the misery of all those who are under the Covenant of works which is the state of all natural men Christ is not Mediator of that Covenant under which you stand you must either do for your selves or think of changing your Covenant state for Christs mediation doth not reach you so as you continuing in that condition can have any actual benefit by it Joh. 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me for they are thine Vse 2. This sheweth also the blessed state of believers who are in the Covenant of grace you are not come to the Mountain that can not be touched you may with boldness approach to God with your services and for obtaining blessings and directions from him you have a Mediator to deal for you if he be angry at any time you have one to put between you and his anger to speak for you when you dare not speak for your selves to procure blessings for you when you deserve none 1 Joh. 1.2 If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have an access by one spirit unto the Father Chap. 3. v. 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him Vse 3. Since Jesus Christ is Mediator of the new Covenant then he must be imployed and acknowledged in all things pertaining to the Covenant Heb. 2.17 And in all things pertaining to God for if it be a business betwixt God and a man who is within this Covenant that falls within his office 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus In all things he must be employed as Mediator and acknowledged and honoured as Mediator Joh. 5.23 That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father CHAP. VIII Of the Necessity of a Mediator and Reasons why this Covenant is established in the hands of a Mediator COncerning the necessity of a Mediator in the Covenant of Grace it is to be remembred Aquin. sum 1 part Q. 19. art 3. Estius in sent lib. 1. dist 33. Sect. 7. that we speak not of an absolute necessity of that which God could have done by his absolute power whether he could have restored man without a Mediator and have pardoned sin without a satisfaction nor of a natural necessity but we speak of an hypothetical respective necessity upon connexion of one thing with another In regard of the decree of God who having purposed not to suffer sin to pass utterly unrevenged neither yet to destroy all mankind in the punishing of sin and satisfying of Justice but to glorifie himself in such manifestation of his grace as should have satisfaction to Justice carried along with it In this respect it was necessary that a Mediator should be found who might do the work in this manner The Reasons shewing the necessity of a Mediator or Gods ends in establishing the Covenant in the hand of a Mediator are of three sorts according to three great
remission of their sins To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet in the way of peace 3. He removeth the mistakes and prejudices whereby the alienation betwixt God and man is hightned and continued and this by imparting the true mind of the parties to each other Eph. 4.21 If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus This is the nature and use of his prophetical Office which he executeth by his word and spirit causing light first to appear and then to shine into the hearts of his people The end of this Office and his exercising it after this manner is to promote his great design of reconciliation which is the end of his Mediation and this he doth by declaring the mind of the parties to each other removing mistakes which encrease alienation begetting a good understanding and thereby working a compliance betwixt the parties and in respect of this Office mainly he is called a Prophet Deut. 18.15 Acts 3.22 and by way of eminency the Prophet and that Prophet Joh. 6.14 and 7.40 and the Angel or Messenger of the Covenant who published and revealed it Mal. 3.1 and the Word John 1.14 Rev. 19.3 who revealeth the will of God whereof I have already spoken and a Witness or teacher and testifier of the will of God Isa 55.4 Rev. 3.14 and the Apostle of our profession Heb. 3.1 and the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1.24 Col. 2.3 2. Christ Mediator in his Priesthood travelleth 1. About Satisfaction 2. Intercession Isa 53.12 Because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressor And about both these in order to Reconciliation which is the great business belonging to the Mediators Office 1. I say the nature and use of that Office relates to satisfaction for sin because by virtue of that Office principally he performs the great work of satisfaction for our sins by offering up himself a sacrifice to death after he had given perfect obedience to the Law Heb. 9.26 But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself And this he did as our Surety he stood in the Elects room and Justice did strike him in their stead Isa 53.5 He was oppressed c. or rather according to the original he was exacted and answered that is God the Father required satisfaction for our sins and his Son as our Surety answered for us 2. Unto this Office belongeth his Intercession which is performed in the virtue of the satisfaction given by him to Divine Justice and the Sacrifice once offered up by him Isa 53.12 He poured out his soul unto death and made intercession for the transgressors Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us And this according to the two parts of the High-Priests Office which were 1. The offering of sacrifice 2. The presenting of it in the Holy of Holies with prayer and intercession See Goodâ— Christ set forth p. 12â— 123. Rog. Cat. p. 2. p. 39. Gomar ad Heb. c. 3. that God would accept it for the sins of the people see Levit. 16. The excellency of this Priesthood of our Mediator was typified by Aarons Priesthood in these two parts of it and more eminently and excellently in Melchisedecks Priesthood which shewed also the continuance of Christs Priesthood for ever and the excellency of it above Aarons Psal 110. Heb. 5 and 7 chap. Concerning the nature and parts of this Office we shall only observe these three things 1. That Christ Mediator did and doth both the parts of this Office on earth and in Heaven but with this difference 1. On earth he eminently sacrificed and offered up himself Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Yet he interceded also Heb. 5.7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and suppl cations with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he seared 2. In Heaven he eminently intercedes Heb. 7 25 Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Chap. 9.24 But into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us but he offereth up himself also by presenting the sacrifice and offering of himself which was once made Heb. 12.24 We are come saith the Apostle to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel 2. That all Christ's satisfaction and Priesthood would be ineffectual for our good if he did not continue in the exercise of it by his intercession in Heaven whereby he becometh the applying cause of salvation to us Heb. 5.10 11 Called of God an High-priest after the order of Melchisedec of whom we have many things to say and hard to be uttered seeing ye are dull of hearing Rom. 5.10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life 3. That the design carried on by this Office is the same as in the former to wit Reconciliation which is promoted through this Office 1. By his giving satisfaction to Justice 2. By his application of that satisfaction and making Attonement for the sins of his people The nature and use of Christs Kingdom I lay down in these Assertions 1. That it is Dispensatory Christ Mediator is a King appointed a Viceroy and Deputy-governour in subordination to his Father Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion John 5.23 That all men should honour the son even as they honour the father he that honoureth not the son honoureth not the father that sent him a Kingdom which is to be rendered up again to him who gave it to him 1 Cor. 15.24 Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the father when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power His Kingdom as Mediator is not regnum naturale which he hath as God co-essential with his Father but regnum oeconomicum which he hath by donation and unction from his Father 2. That it is very large yea universal for it is all power in heaven and earth Matth. 28.18 and it reacheth to the upholding all things by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 It is over all the creatures Eph. 1.22 And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Over all Mankind Dan. 7.14 And
sins 1 Joh. 2.27 And ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lye 2. How to apply Christs Priesthood at first for justification and how to apply it daily and continually for repeated pardon and forgiveness and how to improve it as our daily sacrifice 1 John 1.9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness And 2.1 2. My little children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous c. 3. How to live by faith to depend upon Christ and to be guided continually by him as the ruler of his people Heb. 10.38 Now the just shall live by faith Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory 2. By removing mistakes and prejudices which are so rooted in our hearts that there can be no agreement till these prejudices be taken off and a good understanding be gotten betwixt the parties Thus Christ played the Prophet to the woman of Samaria by instructing her till he had removed her mistakes and prejudices and informed her judgment right and then he had access to deal further with her Joh. 4.3 By convincing of the need of his Priesthood and Sacrifice and of his Kingdom he doth teach his people as a Prophet till they know they need a Sacrifice and till he shew them where it is and till they know they need a King and the arm of Omnipotency for effecting a change of the Covenant-state John 16.8 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment Job 33.23 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one among a thousand to shew unto man his uprightness Consider 2. How the Priesthood of Christ concurreth with his Prophesie and Kingdom and is aiding to them 1. His Priesthood is aiding to his Prophesie 1. By making God accessible through the new and living way of Reconciliation taught by his Prophesie God having now accepted a sacrifice and we having a Priest by whom we may come to him Heb. 10.19 20 Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say the flesh and an Advocate and Intercessor to pray for us 1 John 2.1 2 We have an Advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins 2. By making that great Prophet more affable and condescending to us by how much he is come near to us in our nature and hath taken his Sacrifice from among his brethren I mean his flesh and body Heb. 2.17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren Chap. 5.1 For every High-priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that they may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins Chap. 10. v. 5 Whererefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me 2. His Priesthood is aiding to his Kingdom and that in both the parts of it 1. In his sacrifice and satisfaction he hath doubled his right and title to his people and worketh their salvation by price which as a King he doth by power and conquest Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 1 Pet. 1.18 19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things but with the precious blood of Christ 2. In his Intercession he carrieth the same business of our Salvation by favour and entreaty which he hath also carried by Command as a King Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them With 1.3 When he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am 3. Consider how his Kingdom doth support his Priesthood and Prophesie and give vigour and efficacy to them both And 1. His Kingdom doth assist his Prophesie 1. By sustaining and keeping up the means of Salvation and Teaching by his Gospel and Ordinances against all the enemies that have risen up and bestirred themselves against the same ever since the beginning of the world Thus he keepeth these pillars of his Throne from ruine Psalm 110.2 5 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath 2. By making his Gospel and Ordinances have their full effectualness in the hearts of his people to convince and convert them and to pierce and condemn those that despise them John 9.39 And Jesus said For Judgment I am come into this world that they which see not might see a and that they which see might be made blind Isa 55.11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it 2. His Kingdom doth assist his Priesthood 1. By giving efficacy to his satisfaction to reconcile the persons of the Elect to God and to obtain forgiveness of their sins for it is his Kingdom that doth convey the power of his Priesthood into the soul 2. By giving Efficacy unto his Intercession for keeping all those that are given to him by his Father continually in a state of grace and favour John 17.11 24 Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am 3. By making his Death and Resurrection effectual to subdue our lusts and to set up his Kingdom within us Eph. 1.19 20 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places Rom. 6.4 5 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father even so we also should walk in newness of life For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection Vse 1.
hath Gods heart and a mans heart 1. Christ is an affable Mediator in respect of his Father the offended party and no wonder for he dwelleth in his bosom Joh. 1.18 He doth kindly entertain and receive his propositions John 6.38 39 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me And this is the fathers will that hath sent me c. 2. He is an affable Mediator in respect of the offending-party one who kindly and courteously receiveth and etertaineth the worst of sinners that ever employed him His carriage while he was here on earth did throughly bear witness of this before his death and after his resurrection whereby he gave a proof how he would carry to us when he should be in glory being then in the way and first step to it O how affable was he then Luke 24. John 20 and 21 Chapters And how affable is he still now when he is set down on the right hand of Majesty Joh. 16.25 26 27 The time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in Proverbs but I shall shew you plainly of the Father At that day ye shall ask in my name and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you for the Father himself loveth you Heb. 2.17 That he might be a merciful High-priest in things pertaining to God And 5.2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmities 2. He is affable to Justice and Mercy both these two Attributes in God which were to be eminently glorified in our Salvation 1. He is affable to Justice ready always to speak with Justice and to satisfie it with a Ransom and Price Heb. 12.24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel 2. He is affable to Mercy and Grace and ready always to satisfie Mercy by entreaties even for the thing which he hath bought Heb. 7.25 Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Yea he pleads in our name with both these Attributes in God by virtue of his satisfaction and intercession Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us 4. A Mediator must be meek and long-suffering for the Unions-sake to bear with both the parties although they should smite him and be angry with him Christ is such a Mediator Matth. 21.5 Tell the daughter of Zion behold thy king cometh unto thee meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt the foal of an ass And 11.29 I am meek and lowly in heart Moses in his Mediation was a type of him Numb 12.3 Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men that were upon the face of the earth O so meek a Mediator as Christ is 1. He endured his Fathers anger and wrath for our sake and was smitten by him Isa 53.10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all 2. He endured our anger also he was smitten by the other party by his own for whose sake he was content to be smitten of his Father Mat. 21.38 But when the husbandmen saw the Son they said among themselves This is the heir let us kill him and let us seize on his Inheritance Isa 53.3 He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not And when he was smitten by both parties at once and endured the wrath and displeasure of both at the same time yet he carried as a meek Mediator who did bear all for the Unions-sake that he might make peace Isa 53.7 He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth with 1 Pet 2.23 Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously He went through all the business with little clamour noise or complaint Matth. 12.17 18 19. 5. A Mediator must be merciful and tender-hearted one that hath bowels to pity the unreconciled state of the offender Christ is eminently such a Person 1. One who hath conjoyned in his person the heart of God and the heart of a man the infinite mercy of God and the kindly compassion of an experienced man who in his Humane nature hath felt our afflictions and temptations Heb. 2.17 18 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted And 5.2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity 2. A Person who in all his dealings hath shewed himself merciful and hath evidenced his compassionate disposition one that hath shewed mercy to all that ever came to God through him and upon all occasions that ever were given him to shew himself such John 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Matth. 15.22 And behold a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts and cryed unto him saying Have mercy on me O Lord thou Son of David my daughter is grievously vexed with a Devil And 9.27 And when Jesus departed thence two blind men followed him crying and saying Thou Son of David have mercy on us One who shewed mercy not only upon the matter but even in the way and manner of his dealings with his people Matth. 12.20 A bruised reed shall he not break and smoaking flax shall he not quench till he send forth judgment into victory And 9.17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles else the bottles break and the wine runneth out and the bottles perish but they put new wine into new bottles and both are preserved One who carryeth compassionately unto and is pitiful even of the wilful refusers of his mercy Luke 19.41 And when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it c. One who was not only pitiful in the days of his flesh but hath carryed also the same heart and bowels of a merciful and compassionate Mediator unto heaven with him Heb. 2.18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted And 4.15 For we have
a spirit Then 1. Let all his enemies be afraid and pack them out of his way and stand not in the way to hinder the work which he hath undertaken for his people he is of an unsubdued spirit and cannot be laid by pack you or he will ride over you Psal 110.1 5 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through Kings in the day of his wrath Rev. 6.2 And I saw and beheld a white horse and he that sate on him had a bow and a crown was given unto him and be went forth conquering and to conquer Psal 45.3 4 5. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most Mighty with thy glory and thy majesty and in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the Kings enemies whereby the people fall under thee 2. Believers comfort your selves in Christs Heroick spirit he cannot be laid by nor turned from his purpose neither by the opposition made by the enemies of your happiness nor by the discouragements received from your selves 1 Joh. 4.4 c. Isa 42.4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged See an eminent example of this in his dealing with the woman of Samaria Joh. 4.10 c. 3. Let us make some use of the whole Properties and Qualifications of our Mediator taking in also those which are peculiar to him Hence a threefold Exhortation First Be exhorted to know what a Mediator Christ is A Mediator and such a Mediator the Apostle Paul hath many hints in his Epistle to the Hebrews which is written to set forth Christ in his Offices whereby he layeth a deal of weight upon the qualities of our Mediator being such a person such a High-priest c. as the like was never heard of ch 1.4 and 3.1 and 4.14 15. and 5.11 and 7.16 24 26. and 8.1 2. and 9.11 24. The ignorance of this or not considering these things is the cause why Christs Mediatorship is so little comfortable to Believers study to know this better that you may be comforted by it that you have such a Mediator one whose office interests relations engagements to you and qualities before enumerated may assure you that you have a Friend in Heaven one to whom you may come for pity and help in all your miseries and distresses 2. Be exhorted to more boldness in coming to the Throne of Grace Believers you dishonour your Mediator who having so great a Favourite at the Court of Heaven should not with greater confidence come to God yet this boldness ought to be humble and awful keeping in sight your own unworthiness and the awe of Gods Majesty but be confident of the prevalency of Christs Mediation Heb. 4.14 15 16 Seeing then that we have a great High-Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession for we have not an High-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without Sin let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need And 10.19 20 Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated through the vale that is to say his flesh Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with open mouth Lay not weight upon your liberty but let the confidence you have in your Mediator give you boldness which would beget and draw forth liberty in Prayer for your selves and for others 1 Tim. 2.1 5 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for there is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus 3. Be exhorted you who have the offer of so great salvation and of Christ Mediator to be a friend to you in Heaven to take heed that you slight it not Heb. 2.1 3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him And 12.25 29 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven For our God is a consuming fire And 10.26 29 39 For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledg of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despight unto the Spirit of Grace But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the Soul There is no sin nor judgment comparable to sins against the Mediator and judgment that follow these sins Joh. 15.22 If I had not come and spoken to them they had not had sin but now they have no cloak for their sin Matth. 11.21 Wo unto thee Corazin wo unto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented long ago in sackcloath and ashes CHAP. XVI Of Christs execution of the Office of Mediatorship IT remaineth now that something be spoken of Christs excution of the Office of Mediatorship into which he was called and for which he was fitted and furnished before I speak particularly how he carrieth on the work committed to him as Mediator I shall first lay down some general conclusions relating to his execution of the Office of Mediatorship Namely 1. That Christ executeth this Office of Mediatorship according to both natures 2. That he executed this Office from the beginning of the World before he came in the flesh 3. That he executeth this Office as well in the state of his exaltation as in the state of his humiliation And 1. Of that Question See Mr. Ball treat of the Covenant p. 266. And Mr. Brinsley of Christs Mediat p. 203. Aquin. 3. part quest 26. Act. 2. Bellarm. de Christ Mediat lib. 5. cap. 7. vid. etiam Bonavent Magistr sent August de Ovibus bom 12. Chamier de Mediat cap. 7. sect 2. Jun. contr l. 2. c. 5. not 29. paral l. 3. m. c. 9. ad Hebr. According to which Nature Christ is Mediator Whether according to his Divine Nature as God or according to his human Nature only as Man or according to both as God-man
they were created which was mutable More particularly The execution and work of Christs Mediatorship may be reduced to these Five heads 1. To bring the elect into a capacity of covenanting with God 2. To bring them within the bond of the Covenant after he hath thus prepared the way 3. To enable them whom he bringeth into this New-Covenant-state to perform the duties of the Covenant 4. To keep those whom he bringeth into this Covenant state from falling away from it or to enable them to continue in it 5. To bring those whom he hath brought up to the terms of a Covenant with God to that height of that Blessedness which is appointed for them and to Crown his work in them The first part of the Mediators work and execution of his Office is to prepare a way for mans covenanting with God to make the way of God accessible and to put man in a capacity to enter in terms with God For man by sin was made uncapable of covenanting with God until the Mediator cometh in to compose the difference and to restore the love and friendship that once had been betwixt God and man who to prepare a way for mans covenanting with God doth two things himself and worketh two things in us The first to make God accessible the other to make men capable of covenanting with God who is made accessible in Christs death 1. He taketh on mans nature that a Sacrifice might be among mankind who had sinned he putteth his name in our Obligation that the Law might reach him Gal. 4.4 5. God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the Adoption of Sons 2. In our nature he obeyeth the Law and suffereth he payeth a price for our Ransom 2 Cor. 5.21 He is made sin for us an offering for sin he stood in the sinners stead here he purchaseth a liberty to the elect and hath it in his just and legal power to set them free when he will Act. 20.28 being the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood 3. He convinceth men of their sin and of their bondage and impossibility to satisfy Justice and to this end he attacheth them before Divine Justice Joh. 16.8 And when he is come he will reprove the World of sin of righteousness and of judgment Rom. 7.9 For I was alive without the Law once but when the Commandment came sin revived and I died Gal. 3.24 Wherefore the Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by Faith 4. He worketh their Hearts to a yielding-frame listning and ready to welcom the news of delivery which have not yet been actually spoken to their hearts to be content to come out of their bondage and to enjoy freedom by him to be content to come in his will and to yield the weapons to him and to change the state and righteousness whereof sometimes they had no small content Act. 9.6 Lord What wilt thou have me to do Arise and go into the City and it shall be told thee what thou must do They pant after a Saviour as Paul did for compleat Redemption Rom. 7.29 O wretched man that I am Who shall deliver me from the body of this death And when all this is done Sinners are but in a capacity of covenanting with God till more be done by Christ in the work of his Mediatorship for man he is not yet in a covenant with God all this is to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1.17 For though Christ hath payed the price of the â—â—ects ransom and hath purchased their liberty on the Cross yea and hath also convinced a man of his need of this ransom and made him toward and tractable to listen to accept of it yet till a man come in by faith and manifest his acceptance or rather actually accept of Christs proposals he is not yet actually in a Covenant with God but concluded under wrath Joh. 3.36 And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him The second part of the Mediators work and execution of his Office is to bring the elect within the bond of the Covenant And for bringing about this 1. Christ makes an offer of a New Covenant state with all suitable allurements and encouragements which may invite the Souls of the elect to accept of it And for this end he hath appointed the Ministry of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 20 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God And 6.17 18 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty Isa 55.1 3 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your Soul shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David 2. He shapeth and frameth the hearts of his people for acceptation of his offer and bringeth them unto a liking and satisfaction with the Covenant and the terms of it 2 Sam. 23.5 For this is all my salvation and all my desire although he make it not to grow Psal 73. last But it is good for me to draw near to God I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works 3. He actually maketh them to embrace it and enter into it for after he hath shaped their hearts for acceptation he actually engageth them by consenting and agreeing on their part Hos 2.14 19 Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her unto the Wilderness and speak comfortably unto her And I will betroth thee unto me for ever Ezek. 20.37 And I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant Joh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me And this he doth 1. By making us receive and welcom the Gospel and subject our consent unto it by taking on the very bonds and rebukes of the Word and yielding our selves captives unto it 2 Cor. 9.13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ And 10.4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Rom. 6.17 But ye have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered unto you 2. By making us receive and embrace the Promises Heb. 11.13 and take hold of the Covenant Isa 56.4 6. And this is a further step of the Mediators work in
all Believers Rom. 5.1 2 Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ By whom also we have access by Faith unto this grace wherein we stand and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Eph. 2.14 For he is our peace who hath made both one 5. He keepeth intercourse and good correspondence betwixt his Father and his people that their trading with Heaven be not stopped Eph. 2.18 For by him we both have an access through one Spirit unto the Father And 3.12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of him 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word that signifies leading by the hand Heb. 10.19 Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus And 4.16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace 6. He taketh up emergent differences and removeth the incident breaches of Peace betwixt both parties Isa 53.12 And he was numbred with the transgressors and be bare the sin of many and made intercession for the Transgressors Heb. 9.7 Not without blood he which offered for himself and for the errors of the people 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifieth the infirmities to which the people of God are daily subject which would break the league of Peace were it not for the Mediators doing his Office to hold it firm And this he doth 1. As an Agent making his constant residence in Heaven that upon all occasions he may appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 2. As an Advocate pleading his peoples cause and shewing that satisfied Justice must be for them 1 Joh. 2.1 And if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous Heb. 12 24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the New-Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel 3. As an Intercessor praying for them Joh. 17 througout Rom. 8.34 Who is he that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us 4. As a Solicitor presenting and promoting the Prayers and desires of his people to his Father Rev. 8.3 And another Angel came and stood at the Altar having a golden Censor and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden Altar which was before the Throne The fifth part of the Mediators work in executing this Office is to bring all those whom he hath engaged by this Covenant to the height of that blessedness which he hath appointed for them that as a Captain of Salvation he might bring many Sons to glory Heb. 2.10 which standeth in perfect and glorious conformity with Christ and in perfect and glorious communion with God 1 Joh. 3.2 But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is For accomplishing whereof Christ in executing the Mediators Office 1. He prepareth that happiness for them and a fit place where they may enjoy it for ever 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath it entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Joh. 14.2 3 In my Fathers house are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also 2. He keepeth this happiness for them when they can contribute nothing to keep it all this while that it is hid it is sure and reserved for them in Heaven 1 Pet. 1.4 To an Inheritance incorruptible and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judg shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto them also that love his appearing 3. He keepeth them for it for we have as much need of keeping as our Crown and Inheritance as we cannot keep it so we cannot keep our selves 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time Luke 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not 4. Christ Mediator in executing his Office he goeth before his people and breaketh the opposition that is in their way to Glory so that he leaveth them no Adversary to fight with but broken forces such as he hath routed and conquered Psal 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them with Eph. 4.8 Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high c. Yea he went before his people to take possession for them and in their names Heb. 6.20 Whither the fore-runner is for us entred Joh. 14.2 I go to prepare a place for you 5. He maketh his people meet and fit for that glorious condition which is reserved for them for we need preparation being unpolished matter and unfit for such a house as Heaven is we must be made meet for it before we enjoy it Col. 1.12 Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light the Father doth this work by the Son it is the Mediators work immediately to make the Saints meet for their Inheritance Eph. 5.26 27 That he might sanctify and might cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word that he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Joh. 17.19 And for their sakes I also sanctify my self that they also might be sanctified through the truth he is the Author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 6. When all his people are fitted and ready to receive what he hath prepared for them he will not then send any Ambassador to bring them but he himself in his own person will come and bring them home to the place of immediate everlasting injoyments of God which he hath prepared and will crown and perfect his work in all his people Joh. 14.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in Glory Rev. 19.7 8 Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his Wife hath made her self ready And to her was granted that
the Children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself took part of the same Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Joh. 17.23 I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one 2. Our nearness to God through Christ the Mediator 2 Cor. 6.18 And I will be a father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord God Almighty c. 1 Cor. 6. ver 17 But he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit 4. In the Cause for which he Mediates Consider 1. The Righteousness thereof Christ having now satisfied Justice and his cause being justified he hath a strong plea in Law and Justice 1 Cor. 1.8 9 10 Who shall also confirm you unto the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord And 2.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him Crucified 2. The honourableness of it not to Christ only but to God his Mediation being contrived to exalt his Fathers Grace by Intercession even after Justice is satisfied by Sacrifice Heb. 9.26 But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself With 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them CHAP. XVII Of the several Relations which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of Grace and 1. Christ a witness to the People IT is not easie to find out and determine all Christs relations to the Covenant of Grace they are so many and so comprehensive that I know not whether to say that Christs relations seem to exhaust the total of the Covenant or that the compend and sum of the Covenant is comprized in his relations which he sustaineth in it I suppose there is a truth in both for whatsoever is necessarily related to the Covenant is in him whether it be Parties Articles Promises Conditions Confirmations Witness Mediator Messenger c. and in him is to be found the whole Covenant therefore he is called the Covenant it self Isa 42.6 49.8 Christ hath several relations to the Covenant See Mr. Rutherf trial c. Triumph of saith p. 1. c. 7. 1. He is a Party Covenanting 2. He is Mediator of the Covenant 3. He is the witness of the Covenant 4. He is the Messenger of the Covenant 5. He is a Servant in the Covenant 6. He is the Surety of the Covenant 7. He is the Testator 8. He is the Covenant it self I shall speak nothing here of the first two relations how Christ is a side or the one half of the Covenant nor how he standeth as a middle person between the disagreeing Parties But for these I refer to that I have said of the Parties covenanting and of the Mediator of the Covenant only before I proceed to speak of these other relations I shall premise these few things as being of common use for understanding of the whole relations First Whatsoever relations Christ beareth in the Covenant he was from Eternity chosen and designed unto those in the counsel of God and by an everlasting Decree Psal 2.7 I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me thou art my son this day have I begotten thee and Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth Secondly Whatsoever relations Christ sustaineth in the Covenant he doth it by voluntary dispensation and not by any natural necessity or compulsion that he is a Party contracting or that he is Mediator or that he is Messenger of the Covenant c. nothing could compel Christ to put his name in any of these relations it was all of consent Phil. 2.7 But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men Heb. 10.9 Then said he Lâ— I come to do thy will O God Thirdly All these relations which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant are all acts of Grace both upon Gods part who designed Christ unto these relations that he might act Grace in Christ as the first copy of Free-grace and that we might share with him and also upon Christs part who could not be hired to undertake these relations knowing what they would cost him but the Free-grace of his own heart engaged him in these relations 2. Sam. 7.21 According to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things Rom. 8.32 How shall he not with him also freely give us all things with Gal. 2.20 Who loved me and gave himself for me Fourthly Though in the Covenant of Grace Christ be dispensed in all his offices and and the efficacy and fruit of all these offices as appeareth from Isa 55.4 with Rom. 8.32 and Jer. 31.33 34 yet some of his relations which he sustaineth in the Covenant do more especially respect one of his offices and some another as also some of them directly respect all his offices Take for instances His relation as Mediator respecteth all his offices His relation as Party contracting respecteth all his offices wherein he was a publick person who did represent many His relation as Surety doth especially relate to his Kngly office in regard of which he was undertaker and made potent to help Psal 89.19 His relations as Witness Messenger and Servant doth respect especially his prophetical office His relation as Testator respecteth especially his Priestly office c. Fifthly Whatsoever relations Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of grace he beareath all these relations by Covenant and by explicite contract he hath undertaken them so that as we say of his offices he was a King a Priest and a Prophet by Covenant Psal 89.3 I have made a Covenant with my chosen I have sworn unto David my servant We say the same of all his relations in respect of the Covenant He is by Covenant and Compact with God by the Covenant of Suretiship whatsoever he is in Covenant-relations He is by Covenant Mediator of the Covenant He is by Covenant a Party in the Covenant representing others He is by a Covenant the Witness Messenger Servant Surety Testator of the Covenant Heb. 10.9 Isa 59.21 53.10 11 12. Heb. 2.10 12. Joh. 17.2 6 12 c. Sixthly For whomsoever he beareth any of these relations in the Covenant for them he beareth them all if he be for and unto any persons Mediator to God-ward he hath engaged as party contracting with God for such persons he is become Surety for such he hath and shall be Witness Messenger and Servant for promoting and manifesting the things of this Covenant unto such he hath tested in
bring you into the bond of the Covenant Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them Heb. 8.10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Psal 45.10 Hearken O daughter and consider and encline thine ear forget also thine own people and thy fathers house Gen. 12.1.4 Now the Lord had said unto Abraham Get thee out of thy countrey and from thy kindred and from thy fathers house unto a Land that I will shew thee So Abraham departed as the Lord had spoken unto him Mat. 4.19 20 And he saith unto them follow me and I will make you fishers of men And they streight-way left their nets and followed him 2. Whatsoever appertaineth to the maintaining and preserving of the Covenant and confederacy betwixt God and his people Christ is Messenger for that and herein he doth the part of the Messenger of the Covenant 1. By travelling betwixt the parties for keeping up free access betwixt them and liberty to speak with one another for it is by him that God hath access to speak to our hearts and that we have access to him by frequent mutual Messages the Messenger being a Courtier and Favourite with both the parties Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have access by one spirit unto the father Eph. 3.12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him Heb. 1.1 2 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son 2. By travelling betwixt the parties for correspondence and entercourse to maintain communion and a good understanding betwixt them to the end that none of the parties engaged in the Covenant of kindness become strangers to one another through the want of converse and corresponding Christ is a Messenger betwixt them to maintain the peace and friendship Joh. 16.16 A little while and ye shall not see me and again a little while and ye shall see me because I go to the father Joh. 14.18 19 I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more but ye see me because I live ye shall live also 3. He is a Messenger to maintain the Covenant betwixt God and his people by travelling betwixt the parties with good reports Heb. 12.24 25 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel See that ye refuse not him that speaketh c. Commending God to his people and his love and speaking good of all his way with them Joh. 10.29 My father which gave them me is greater then all Joh. 16.27 For the father himself loveth you because ye have loved me Psal 25.10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies And commending believers unto his father and speaking good of them and for them frequently behind their back when they do not hear him Joh. 17.6 8 25 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me O righteous father the world hath not known thee but I have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me Jer. 31.20 Is Ephraim my dear son is he a pleasant child for since I spake against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord. Jer. 12.7 I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies Christ maketh both a good report of his father to his people here on Earth and a good report of them to his father in Heaven he putteth good constructions not only upon his fathers way with his people which cannot reasonably bear an evil construction Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose But also upon his peoples way and walk and duties to God-ward a construction and report of them which they would stand in awe to give of themselves yea they are in hazzard to contradict this blessed Messengers report many a time Joh. 14.4 5 And whither I go ye known and the way ye know Thomas saith unto him Lord we know not whither thou goest and how can we know the way 3. Whatsoever appertaineth to the repairing of the Covenant or to the renewing and establishing thereof in the case of any breach betwixt the parties he is a Messenger for that he is the repairer of the breach and doth declare himself the Angel of the Covenant 1. By taking up emergent differences betwixt God and his people that they may not controvert about them but may rather have satisfaction in him Isa 53.12 And he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors Heb. 9 7 But into the second went the High-priest alone once every year not without blood which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people For as our High-priest he makes offering for the errors of the people for all the differences arising betwixt God and his people are taken away alone by his travels 2. By renewing the Covenant-kindness and love and engagements he travels as a Messenger and cannot rest after breaches and differences betwixt his father and his people or betwixt himself and them until the wonted kindness be renewed and till it be betwixt God and his people as it used to be 1 Joh. 2.1 2 And if any man sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins Jer. 2.2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem saying Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness in a land that was not sown Isa 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Ezek. 16.60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant 6. Let us a little consider the properties of the Messenger and Angel of the Covenant which do commend
Marriage-love of a match proposed to your Souls Psal 45. Song 1 c. Come and hear Christ commend Christ come and hear the Messenger of the Covenant commend the bargain commend the Covenant commend God commend Heaven and the lot of Saints and it became him well to do so his praise is savoury even in his own mouth Joh. 6.48 and 8.14 23 24. and 10.11 29. and 14.2 and 15.1 Song 2.1 Prov. 9.1 c. with Song 3. last 5. Be perswaded to receive the Messenger himself if it were possible to receive his Message and not to receive himself that could not avail you consider with your selves 1. What huge unkindness it were not to receive such a Messenger who hath travelled so far and through so much hardship and for this one errant To make offer of his love to you Joh. 13.1 Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end Song 5.2 Saying open to me my sister my love my dove my undefiled for my head is filled with dew and my locks with the drops of the night 2. Consider how unexcusable before God this one act shall make you and how much it shall leave upon your selves and bind upon your selves your own blood and damnation Joh. 15.22 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloak for their sin Joh. 5.40 And ye will not come to me that ye might have life Joh. 3.19 And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men have loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evil 3. Consider what high and excellent priviledges the receiving of the Messenger of the Covenant bringeth with it See Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name Rev. 3.20 If any man hear my voice and open the dore I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me Joh. 14.23 Jesus answered and said unto him if any man love me he will keep my words and my father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Isa 56.7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people 4. Consider how near God hath brought Heaven and Salvation unto you by the Messenger of the Covenant it is even come down to meet you and brought to your dore to knock for entry Rev. 21.3 4 And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes Luk. 10.9 And say unto them the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you Isa 46.13 I bring near my righteousness it shall not be far off and my salvation shall not tarry and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory Rom. 13.11 And that knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer then when we believed 5. Consider that the Messenger of the Covenant is the jewel and precious stone of that ring he himself is the chief thing that is in the Covenant and much better than Salvation and Heaven Mat. 13.44 45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field the which when a man hath found he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls c. 1 Pet. 2.7 Vnto you therefore which believe he is precious 6. Consider that he desireth no more satisfaction for all the travel of his Soul in this Message but that he may see some fruit of his travel through his peoples receiving his Message and making the Messenger of the Covenant welcome and it is a pity to refuse him so reasonable a desire Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Luk. 19.41 42 And when he was come near he beheld the city and wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes 7. Consider that if you receive not the Messenger of the Covenant you miss the whole bargain for he is all the Covenant Isa 42.6 And I will give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles 6. By all means take heed how you entertain the Messenger of the Covenant 1 Cor. 10.9 Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents If you use him kindly he will indeed deal well with you and be easily entreated Exod. 23.20 22 Behold I send an angel before thee to keep thee in the way and to bring thee in the place which I have prepared But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice and do all that I speak Then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies and an adversary unto thine adversaries Rev. 3.20 Behold I stand at the dore and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me Joh. 14.23 Jesus answered and said unto him If any man love me he will keep my words and my father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him Luk. 24.29 But they constrained him saying Abide with us for it is towards evening and the day is far spent and he went in to tarry with them But if you provoke him and slight him O you had need to beware of him he will not bear with it Exod. 23.21 Isa 61.2 3. 1 Cor. 16.22 CHAP. XIX Christ a Servant in the Covenant THE fifth relation which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant is He is a Servant in the business of the Covenant Many Scriptures point at Christ under this Covenant-relation Isa 42.1 and 49.3 5 6. and 52.13 and 53.11 Ezek. 34.23 24. and 37.24 25. Zech. 3.8 Mat. 12.18 Luk. 22.27 Mark 10.45 Rom. 15.8 For the better understanding whereof let us a little enquire in these six Particulars 1. In what respects this name is given to Christ 2. How he came under this Covenant-relation 3. Whose Servant he is 4. What kind of Service this is which lyeth upon Christ by this Covenant-relation 5. What doth pertain to his office as Servant in the Covenant and what was the Service he did in the business of the Covenant 6. Some things in his Service which commend his acting in this Covenant-relation And 1. This Name which is a name not only of
neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Joh. â— 1 2 Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Yet let us glance at it by that dim light which we have of the Scriptures It is in general called by himself the work which his father gave him to do Joh. 17.4 By which we understand all that Christ had in commission to do in our nature from the time of his receiving a commission to be the Mediator of the Covenant unto the time of his delivering up the Kingdom to his father more particularly this Service which Christ did in the business of the Covenant it 's called the restitution of all things Act. 3.21 When Christ shall bring all things out of that disordered and ruined condition whereunto they were brought by the fall of man and shall restore them to the Primitive integrity when he shall restore fore-faulted man into his first estate of innocency and happiness by taking of the fore-saulture and bringing him out of his excommunicated exiled condition into the presence and fellowship of God Eph. 2.12 13 That at that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of promise having no hope and without God in the world But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ And when the creatures shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 This Service is called the bearing the transgressions of many the making his soul an offering for sin Isa 53.10 12. It was the putting his Soul in our Souls stead that the law might overtake him that justice might smite him for us and might take satisfaction from him for the broken Covenant it was the offering up of himself in a Sacrifice the putting of his Soul in the flame of hot burning wrath for us that the furbushed and wakened-up sword of Divine Justice might be bathed in his blood until it was full of blood and satisfied Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd c. It 's called the reconciling of the world to God 2 Cor. 5.19 By which we understand all the travel of his Soul in the propounding treating and concluding of a peace 'twixt God and sinners for all that Service was laid upon him and was performed by him for he maketh the proposition of peace he carryeth on the treaty until his own hand lead our hand to sign the articles of peace propounded in the Gospel Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh 2 Cor. 5.19 20 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 9.13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ This Service is called the saving of the lost world Luk. 19.10 And the bringing many Sons to glory Heb. 2.10 That was a great Service indeed to have the weight of the lost world upon his shouldiers to have the keeping and leading yea the bearing in his arms of all that numberless number of the ransomed and redeemed ones whom God had appointed unto Glory Joh. 17.12 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost Isa 40.11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosome and shall gently lead those that are with young In a word the Service which Christ did in the business of the Covenant was the the transacting of the Covenant he did all that business from beginning to end and without him was nothing done of all things pertaining to God and a new Covenant betwixt him and us whereof see more particularly what we have spoken of the Mediator of the Covenant Chap. 4. Vse 1. Think with your selves and consider the love that made him come under this Covenant-relation that made him a common Servant to both the parties for though he had wages and a reward propounded to him yet it was love that acted Christ in performing this great piece of Service His Service of love is much commended 1. From the infinite condescension that was in it O what condescension was it for a Son to become a Servant Heb. 5.8 Though he were a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered for the Son the only begotten Son and Heir to become a Servant Mat. 21.37 38 But last of all he sent unto them his Son saying they will reverence my Son But when the husbandmen saw the Son they said among themselves this is the heir come let us kill him and let us seize on his inheritance For the Son of God to become a Servant to the sons of men Phil. 2.6 7 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation And took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 2. From the voluntariness of his coming under this Covenant-relation when he was not a Servant by any necessity of nature that he made himself one that when nothing else was to do it his grace his love determined him to go and serve his enemies and make himself of no reputation Phil. 2.7 Rom. 5.8 But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Heb. 10.9 Then said he Lo I come to do thy will O God O what strange love was that which made Christ so willingly leave the Throne and come down to the foot-stool and stand and serve Mat. 20.28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many Joh. 13.4 5 He riseth from supper and laid aside his garments and took a towel and girded himself After that he poureth water into a bason and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded Gal. 2.20 And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
shall walk and not faint If your legs fail and your warmness decay the undertakers arms and bosom shall supply that Isa 40.11 29 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Deut. 33.27 The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlastings arms If you want a ransom to present to offended Justice if you be anxious about a satisfaction to God at any time Christs Suretiship answers that for thereby a satisfaction was found and is performed Job 33.24 Then he is gracious unto him and saith Deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom 1 Joh. 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins If you want comfort or assurance his Suretiship is the ground of that you need not want it but through your own default Heb. 6.17 18 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us Vse 6. Believers for whom Christ hath become Surety let me exhort you 1. To admire the love which made Christ undertake for you and come under an act of cautionry for you in every piece of his Suretiship you may clearly read that which was read upon a lighter occasion Joh. 11.36 Behold how he loved him Read a demonstration of his love in every thing which he acted as your Surety in every state wherein he carried your condition and in every act wherein he acted your part in his humbling himself in his sufferings in his actings for you and in you Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons It s strange that you who seek for demonstrations and proofs of his love should slight so great a proof of it and that you will not read it where he hath most legibly written it Joh. 15.13 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friend Consider more of the person who was made Surety and the parties for whom he became Surety and of the motive and principle that acted him in this undertaking and of the special respect which he carried toward each of his people in this and the sweet spirit which waited on his discharging of so great undertakings that your hearts may be raised to admiration consider the extent of his Suretiship how it reacheth unto the whole Covenant and to every condition and command in it to every promise in it take it in the largest sense to fulfil all the promises to us to pay all our Debt and to perform all our Duty to work all our work and to undergo all our punishment 2. Consider how you are in Christs Debt and for what because of his Suretiship Believers you are in Christs Debt beyond all reckening that can be made of it 1. You are infinitely in his Debt you shall not be able while you live in this world once to reckon your obligations it shall be work throughout eternity to cast up the sum of this Debt of Grace Psal 40.5 Many O Lord my God are thy wonderful works which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to us-ward they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee if I would declare and speak of them they are more than can be numbred 2 Sam. 7.18 to the end Eph. 3.18 19 That ye may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledg that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God Rev. 7.10 Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb 2. You are eternally in his Debt you shall never be able to requite him nay though it be your duty to study thankfulness yet it would not become you once to think of recompencing him Psal 116.12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Rev. 5.9 12 And they sang a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kinred and tongue and people and nation Saying with a loud voice Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing You shall through all eternity remain his Debtors for his undertaking and engaging for you for his paying that which he undertook and for his discharging of the Debt to you yea and for reporting his fathers discharge of it all which come to us by Christs Suretiship 1. You are in Christs Debt for his undertaking that unrequested when there was none to sollicite him and when there was no necessity of nature upon him to answer for our Debt that then he did consent and agree to put his name in our bond and to subscribe a satisfaction to the violated Law Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God 2. You are in his Debt for paying so great a sum for you so great a ransome as you can neither count the Debt which was payed nor the price which was told down in satisfaction of the penalty which we had incurred Psal 40.12 For innumerable evils hath compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up they are moe then the hairs of my head therefore my heart faileth me Luk. 7.47 Wherefore I say unto thee Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little 1 Pet. 1.18 19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot Isa