This Act of Ascending answereth to the High-Priest under the Law who after they had killed the Sacrifice he was to bring the Blood into the most Holy Place to wit the inner-Temple the Way to which was ascending or going up 2 Chron. 9. Now consider the Circumstances that attended his Ascending when he went to carry his Blood to present it before the Mercy-Seat and you will find they all say amends is made to God for us 1. At this He is again attended and accompanied with Angels Act. 1. 10 11. 2. He ascendeth with a shout with the sound of a Trumpet with sing Praises sing Praises sing Praises Psal. 47. 5 6. 3. The Enemies of mans Salvation are now tied to his Chariot-wheels When he ascended on High he led captivity captive Ephes. 4. that is he led Death Devils and Hell and the Grave and the Curse captive for these things were our Captivity And thus did Deborah prophecy of him when she cried Arise Barak and lead thy Captivity captive thou Son of Abinoam This David also fore-saw when he said Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led Captivity captive Judges 5. 12. Psal. 68. 18. 4. The Apostles must be the Beholders of his going up and must see the Cloud receive him out of their Sight Act. 1. 11 12. The Consideration of these things strongly inforceth this Conclusion That he hath spoiled what would have spoiled us had he not by his Bloodshed taken them away And I say for God to adorn him with all this Glory in his Ascension THUS to make him ride Conqueror up into the Clouds THUS to go up with found of Trumpet with shout of Angels and with Songs of Praises and let me add to be accompanied also with those that rose from the Dead after his Resurrection who were the very Price of his Blood This doth greatly demonstrate That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for the Souls of Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them he had not else rid thus in Triumph to Heaven 2. I come now to his being Received He was received up into Heaven The High-Priest under the Law when he ascended into the Holiest he was there to offer the Blood which Holiest was the Type of Heaven Exod. 19. 10 11. Heb. 9. 24. But because the Sacrifices under the Law could not make them that did the Service perfect as pertaining to the Conscience therefore they were to stand not sit to come out again not tarry there For it is not possible that the Blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sin wherefore when he cometh into the World he saith Sacrifice and Offerings thou wouldest not but a Body hast thou prepared me In Burnt-Offerings and Sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said he lo I come in the Volume of thy Book it is written of me to do thy will O God Heb. 10. 4 5 6. Christ therefore in his entering into Heaven did it as High-Priest of the Church of God Therefore neither did he go in without Blood Wherefore when he came to be an High-Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this Building neither by the Blood of Bulls and Goats but by his own Blood he entered in once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us Heb. 9. 12 13 14. He entered in having obtained or because he obtained Eternal Redemption for us but to pass that Consider ye now also those Glorious Circumstances that accompany his Approach to the Gates of the Everlasting Habitation 1. The Everlasting Gates are set yea bid stand open Be ye open ye Everlasting Doors and the King of Glory shall come in This King of Glory is Jesus Christ and the Words are a Prophecy of his Glorious Ascending into the Heavens when he went up as the High-Priest of the Church to carry the Price of his Blood into the Holiest of all Lift up your Heads O ye Gates even lift them up ye Everlasting Doors and the King of Glory shall come in Psalm 24. 7 9. 2dly At his Enterance he was received and the Price accepted which he paid for our Souls Hence it is said He entered in by his Blood that is by the Merit of it To Receive is an Act of Complacency and Delight and includeth Well-pleasedness in the Person Receiving who is God the Father And considering that this Jesus now received is to be received upon our account or as undertaking the Salvation of Sinners for he entered into the Heavens for us it is apparent that he entered thither by vertue of his Infinite Righteousness which he accomplished for us upon the Earth 3dly At his Reception he received Glory and that also for our Encouragement God raised him up and gave him Glory that our Faith and Hope might be in him 1 Pet. 1. 19 20 21. He gave him Glory as a Testimony that his undertaking the Work of our Redemption was accepted of him 1. He gave Glory first to his Person in granting him to sit at his own Right Hand and this he had I say for or upon the account of the Work he accomplished for us in the World When he had offered up one Sacrifice for Sins for ever he sat down on the Right Hand of God Heb. 10. 12 13. and this by God's appointment Sit thou at my Right Hand This Glory is the Highest it is above all Kings Princes and Potentates in this World it is above all Angels Principalities and Powers in Heaven He is gone into Heaven and is on the Right Hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made Subject unto him 1 Pet. 3. 22. 2. He gave Glory to his Name to his Name JESUS that Name being exalted above every Name He hath given him a Name above every Name that at the Name of Jesus every Knee should bow of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earth and that every Tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father Phil. 2. This Name is said in another place to be a Name above every Name that is Named not only in this World but in that also which is to come Ephes. 1. 21. But should JESUS have been such a Name since he undertook for Sinners had this Undertaker failed in his Work if his Work had not been accepted with God even the Work of our Redemption by his Blood No verily it would have stunk in both the Nostrils of God and Man it would have been the most abhorred Name but JESUS is the Name JESUS he was called in order to his Work His Name shall be called JESUS for he shall save He was so named of the Angels before he was conceived in the Womb and he goeth by that Name now he is in Heaven By the Name Jesus Jesus of Nazareth because he once dwelt there This Name I say
forth of the Heart against him now sin and great confusion puts forth it self in all yea the more the Sinner desireth to do a duty sincerely the further off it always finds it self For by how much the Soul struggleth under these distresses by so much the more doth Satan put forth himself to resist still infusing more poison that if possible it might never struggle more for strugglings are also us poison to Satan The Fly in the Spider's Webb is an emblem of the Soul in such a condition the Fly is entangled in the Webb at this the Spider shews himself if the Fly stir again down comes the Spider to her and claps a Foot upon her if yet the Fly makes a noise then with poisoned Mouth the Spider lays hold upon her if the Fly struggle still then he poisons her more and more what shall the Fly do now why she dies if some-body does not quickly release her This is the case of the Tempted they are entangled in the Webb their Feet and Wings are entangled now Satan shews himself if the Soul now struggleth Satan laboureth to hold it down if it now shall make a noise then be bites with blasphemous Mouth more poisonous than the Gall of a Serpent If it struggle again then he poisoneth more and more infomuch that it needs at last must die in the Net if the Man the Lord Jesus helps not out The afflicted Couscience understands my words Further though the Fly in the Webb is altogether uncapable of looking for relief yet this awakened tempted Christian is not what must he do therefore how should he contain hopes of life If he looks to his Heart there is Blasphemy if he looks to his duties there is Sin if he strives to mourn and lament perhaps he cannot unbelief and hardness hinder shall this Man lie down in despair No shall he trust to his duties No shall he stay from Christ till his Heart is better No What then Let him NOW look to Jesus Christ Crucified then shall he see his Sins answered for then shall he see Death a-dying then shall he see Guilt born by another and there shall he see the Devil overcome This sight destroys the Power of the first Temptation purifies the Heart and inclines the Mind to all good things And to encourage thee tempted Creature to this most Gospel-Duty Consider that when Jesus Christ read his Commission upon the entering into his Ministry he proclaimed The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor he hath sent me to heal the broken-Hearted to preach deliverance to the Captives and recovering of sight to the Blind to set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable Year of the Lord Luk. 4. 18 19. These things therefore should the Tempted believe but believing is now sweating-work for Satan will hold as long as possible and only stedfast Faith can make him fly But O! the Toyl of a truly gracious Heart in this Combate if Faith be weak he can scarce get higher than his Knees Lord help Lord save and then down again till an Arm from Heaven takes him up until Jesus Christ be evidently set forth Crucified for him and Cursed for his Sin for then and not till then the Temptation rightly ceaseth at leastwise for a Season Now the Soul can tend to look about it and thus consider with it self If Christ hath bora my Sin and Curse then 't is taken away from me and seeing thus to take away sin was the Contrivance of the God of Heaven I will bless his Name hope in his Mercy and look upon Death and Hell with Comfort Thine Heart shall meditate terrour thou shalt see the Land that is very far off Isa. 33. 16 17 18. The fifth use Fifthly This Doctrine makes Christ precious to the Believers Unto you therefore which believe he is precious 1 Pet. 2. 5. This Head might be greatly enlarged upon and branched out into a Thousand particulars each one full of weight and glory 1. By considering what Sin is 2. By considering what Hell is 3. By considering what Wrath is 4. By considering what Eternity is 5. By considering what the loss of a Soul is 6. What the loss of God is 7. What the loss of Heaven is 8. And what it is to be in utter Darkness with Devils and damned Souls for ever and ever And after all to conclude from all these Miserie 's the Lord Jesus delivered me Further This makes Christ precious if I consider in the next place 1. How he did deliver me 't was with his Life his Blood it cost him Tears Groans Agony Separation from God to do it he endured his Fathers Wrath bare his Fathers Curse and died thousands of deaths at once 2. He did this while I was his Enemy without my desires without my knowledg without my deserts he did it unawares to me 3. He did it freely cheerfully yea he longed to die for me yea Heaven would not hold him for the Love he had to my Salvation which also he hath effectually accomplished for me at Jerusalem Honourable Jesus precious Jesus loving Jesus Jonathan's Kindness captivated David and made him precious in his Eyes for ever I am distressed for thee my Brother Jonathan said he very pleasant hast thou been to me thy Love to me was wonderful passing the Love of Women 2 Sam. 1. 26. Why what had Jonathan done O! He had delivered David from the Wrath of Saul But how much more should he be precious to me who hath saved me from Death and Hell who hath delivered me from the Wrath of God! The Love of Christ constraineth us Nothing will so edge the Spirit of a Christian as Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood This makes the Heavens themselves ring with joy and shouting Mark the Words Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God with thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation and and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the Earth What follows now And I beheld and heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the Beasts and the Elders and the Number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands 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 and every Creature which is in Heaven and on the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are therein heard I saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the LAMB for ever and and ever Revel 5. 9 10 11 12 13. Thus also is the Song that New-Song that is said to be sung by the Hundred fourty and four thousand which stand with the LAMB upon Mount Sion with his Fathers Name written in their Fore-heads These are also called Harpers Harping with their Harps And they sang as it were a new Song before the Throne and before the four Beasts and the Elders and none could learn that Song but the Hundred and fourty and four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth Revel 14. 1 2 3. But why could they not learn that Song Because they were not redeemed none can sing of this Song but the Redeemed they can give Glory to the Lamb the Lamb that was slain and that redeemed them to God by his Blood 'T is Faith in his Blood on Earth that will make us sing this Song in Heaven These Shoutings and Heavenly Songs must needs come from Love put into a Flame by the Sufferings of Christ. The last Use. If all these things be true what follows but a Demonstration of the Accursed Condition of those among the Religious in these Nations whose notions put them far off from Jesus and from venturing their Souls upon his Bloody Death I have observed such a Spirit as this in the World that careth not for knowing of Jesus the Possessed therewith do think that it is not material to Salvation to venture upon a Crucified Christ neither do they trouble their Heads or Hearts with inquiring whether Christ Jesus be risen and ascended into Heaven or whether they see him again or no but rather are for concluding that there will be no such thing These Men speak not by the Holy Ghost for in the Sum they call Jesus Accursed but I doubt not to say that many of them are Anathematised of God and shall stand so till the Coming of the Lord Jesus to whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen THE END Books writ by Mr. Bunyan and printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil 1. SIghs from Hell or the Groans of a Damned Soul discovering the Lamentable Estate of the Damned 2. Resurrection from the Dead and Eternal Judgment asserted and with what Bodies the Dead arise 3. A Discourse of Prayer and what it is to pray with the Spirit and with Understanding 4. The Holy City or the New-Jerusalem or the Glorious State of Believers after this Life asserted 5. Christian Behaviour teaching Husbands Wives Parents Children Masters Servants to walk so as to please God 6. Grace abounding to the chief of Sinners discovering the woful Estate of the Impenitent and the Greatness of Gods Mercy 7. A Map shewing the Order and Causes of Salvation and Damnation c. 8. Serious Meditations on the four last things viz. Death Judgment Heaven and Hell 9. A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ. 10. A Confession of the Author's Faith and a Reason of his Practice in Matters of Worship
hands even Joseph the supposed Father of Jesus was then become a Carpenter Poor man when Jesus was born he was fain to thrust into a Stable for there was in the Inn no room for such Guests as they The Offering also which was brought unto God the time when Jesus was presented unto the Lord was two Turtle-Doves or two young Pigeons a Sacrifice allowed only for them that were Poor and could provide no bigger And if she be not able to bring a Lamb then she shall bring two Turtle-Doves or two young Pigeons the one for a Burnt-Offring the other for a Sin-Offering Levit. 12. 8. Besides Jesus himself saith Foxes have Holes and the Birds of the Air have Nests but the Son of Man hath not whereon to lay his Head Now I say all these things were so apparent to the Jews that they could not object they felt the Romans were come they knew the Scepter was gone they smarted under the Roman Tyranny and knew the Kingly Race of Judea was over-thrown How then could they object that the time was not come for Christ to be born Further The People was generally convinced that the time was come and therefore saith the Text They were in expectation And as all the People were in expectation and all men mused in their Hearts of John whether he was the Christ or not Luk. 3. 15. The unbiassed People observing the face of things could do no other but look for the Messias And hence it is that the Lord Jesus gives the Pharisees those mortal E nemies of his such sore rebukes saying O ye Hypocrites ye can discern the Face of the Skie but can you not discern the Signs of the Times The Kingdom is lost the Heathens are come and the Scepter is departed from Judea Ye Hypocrites ye can discern the Face of the Skie and of the Earth but how is it that ye do not discern this Time Mat. 16. 3. Luk. 12. 56. Secondly He yet again puts himself upon the Test by the Miracles which he wrought before them Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me or else believe me for the very works sake John 14. 11. For the Works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me that the Father hath sent me John 5. 36. This Proof they could not withstand but granted that he did many Miracles while they did nothing Then gathered the Chief-Priests and Pharisees a Counsel and said what do we for this Man doth many Miracles if we let him alone all men will believe on him and the Romans shall come and take away both our Place and Nation John 11. 47 48. Yea so did Jesus confound them that by their own Records and Laws by which they were to prove persons clean or unclean they in reading their Lectures did justifie him and overthrow themselves For instance it was written in their Law If he that hath an Issue spit upon him that is clean that Spittle should make him unclean Levit. 15. 8. Now Jesus whom they counted most unclean because he said he was the Son of God as they thought speaking Blasphemy he spits upon people and makes them whole he spat and made clay with the Spittle and with that clay made a Blind Man see Joh. 9. 6. Also he spit on the Eyes of another and made him see Mar. 8. 23 24 25. Again he spit and with his Spittle touched the Tongue of one that was Dumb and made him speak immediatly Mar. 7. 33 34 35. Thus he proved himself clear of their Accusations and maintained before them that by their Law he was guiltless and the Son of God for the Miracles which he wrought were to prove him so to be Again In their Law it was written that whoso touched the Altar of Incense should be Holy Exod. 29. 37. A Woman with a Bloody Issue toucheth him and is whole of her Plague Yea they brought to him many diseased Persons and besought him that they might only touch the Hem of his Garment and as many as touched were made perfectly whole Mar. 5. 28 29. Mat. 14. 35 36. Thus was he justified before them out of their own Law and had his Glory manifest before their Faces to their everlasting confusion and contempt Indeed the Jews did make one Objection against Jesus Christ that seemed to them to have weight in it and that was because he first began to appear and manifest his Glory in Canaan of Galilee At this I say they stumbled it was their sore temptation for still as some affirmed him to be the Christ others as fast objected shall Christ come out of Galilee art thou also of Galilee search and look for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet John 2. 1 11. Chap. 7. 40 41 42. But this their stumble might arise either 1. From the cruelty of Herod Or 2. From their own not observing and keeping in mind the Alarum that God gave them at his Birth 1. It might arise or be occasioned through the Cruelty of Herod for Jesus was born in Bethlehem the City where David dwelt But when Herod sent out to kill him and for his sake killed all the young Children in Bethlehem then was Joseph warned by an Angel of God to take the young Child and his Mother and fly into Egypt and so he did and was there till the Death of Herod Mat. 2. 1 13 16 19 20. After this the Angel comes to them in Egypt and bids them take the young Child and return into the Land of Israel wherefore they arose and went but hearing that Herod's Son that Tyrant ruled in the room of his Father they were afraid to go to Bethlehem but turned aside into the Parts of Galilee where they remained till the time of his shewing to Israel 2. This stumble of theirs might arise from their not observing and keeping in mind the Alarum that God gave them of his Birth 1. God began to give them the Alarum at the Birth of John the Baptist where was asserted that he was to go before the Face of the Lord Jesus and to prepare his Ways And fear came upon all that dwelt round about them and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill-Countries of Judea Luk. 1. 65. 2. Again What a continuation of this Alarum was there also at the Birth of Jesus which was about three months after John Baptist was born Now come the Angels from Heaven now comes a strange Star over the Countrey to lead the Men of the East to the Stable where Jesus was born now was Herod the Priests the Scribes and also the City Jerusalem awakened and sore troubled for it was noised by the Wise-Men that Christ the King and Saviour was born Besides The Shepherds Simon and Anna gave notice of him to the People they should therefore have retained the Memory of these things and have followed God in all his dark Providences until his Son of
is the Highest Name the Everlasting Name the Name that he is to go by to be known by to be worshipped by and to be glorified by yea the Name by which also most Glory shall redound to God the Father Now what is the Signification of this Name but SAVIOUR This Name he hath therefore for his Works Sake and because God delighted in his Undertaking and was pleased with the Price he had paid for us therefore the Divine Majesty hath given him it hath made it High and hath commanded all Angels to bow unto it Yea it is the Name in which he resteth and by which he hath magnified all his Attributes 1. This is the Name by which Sinners should go to God the Father 2. This is the Name through which they obtain forgiveness of Sins and ANY thing If you ask anything in my Name I will do it John 14. 3. This is the Name through which our spiritual Services and Sacrifices are accepted and by which an Answer of Peace is returned into our Bosoms 1 Pet. 2. But more of this anon 3. At this Name Devils tremble at THIS Name Angels bow the Head at THIS Name God's Heart openeth at THIS Name the Godly Man's Heart is comforted THIS Name none but Devils hate it and none but those that must be damned despise it No man speaking by the Holy Ghost calls Jesus accursed or accounteth him still dead and his Blood ineffectual to save the World 3dly He hath also given him the Glory of Office 1. He is there a Priest for ever intercepting betwixt the Divine Presence and all that hate us by his Blood Sin Satan Death Hell the Law the Grave or the like cannot be heard if his Blood be presented to God as the Atonement for us This is called the Blood of Sprinkling which speaks better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12. 24. By this Blood he entered into Heaven by this Blood he secureth from wrath all that come unto God by him but should his Blood have had a Voice in Heaven to save withal had it not merited first even in the Shedding of it the Ransom and Redemption of Souls 'T is true a Man whose Blood cannot save may with Abels cry out for Vengeance and Wrath on the Head of him that shed it but THIS Blood speaks for better things this Blood speaks for Souls for Sinners for Pardon Having obtained Eternal Redemption for us 2. He is there a Fore-runner for us Whither the Fore-runner is for us entered even Jesus Heb. 6. 20. This Office of Harbinger is distinct from though it comes by vertue of his Priestly Office therefore they are both mentioned in the Text Whither the Fore-runner is for us entered even Jesus made an High-Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec He is therefore our Fore-runner by vertue of his Priesthood his Blood giving worth to all he does In this Office of Harbinger or Fore-runner he prepareth for Believers their dwelling-Places in the Heavens their dwelling-Places according to their Place State Calling Service or Work in his Body the Church In my Fathers House saith he are many Mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepare a Place for you Joh. 14. This is that is mentioned in the 47th Psalm He shall chuse our Inheritance for us the Excellency of Jacob whom he loved But should he have had Power to chuse our Inheritance for us to prepare for us our dwelling-Places should he have Power to give even Heaven itself to a Company of Poor Men had he not in the first Place obtained by his Blood the Deliverance of our Soul from Death 3. He is there a Prophet for us by which Office of his he hath received to communicate the whole Will of the Eternal God so far as is fit for us to know in this World or in that which is to come Hence he is called the Prophet of the Church The Lord shall raise you up a Prophet and this is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the World But this Office he hath also now in Heaven by vertue of the Blood he shed for us upon Earth Hence the New-Testament is called The New-Testament in his Blood and his Blood is said to be The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant or Testament Yea such vertue doth his Blood give to the New-Testament or Covenant of Grace as that severed from that it is nothing worth for a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all while the Testator liveth Heb. 9. 16 17. So that every Word of God which he hath by Christ given to us for our Everlasting Consolation is dipt in blood is founded in blood and stands good to Sinners purely I mean with respect to merit upon the account of Blood or because his Blood that was shed for us on the Cross prevailed for us for the Remission of our Sins Let no man think to receive any benefit by Christs Prophetical Office by any of the good Words of Grace and forgiveness of Sins that are sprinkled up and down in the New-Testament That looketh not for that good to come to him for the Sake of that Blood by which this Testament is established For neither was the First Testament dedicated without Blood for when Moses had spoken every Precept to all the People according to the Law He took the Blood of Calves and of Goats with Water and scarlet Wool and Hissop and sprinkled both the Book and all the People saying This is the Blood of the Testament which God hath injoyned unto you Heb. 9. 18 19 20. The Prophetical Office of Christ standeth of two parts First in Promises of Grace Secondly in Directions of Worship but neither is this last to wit the Doctrine of Worship or our subjection to that Worship of any value any further than as sprinkled also with his Blood For as in the first Testament the Tabernacle and all the Vessels of the Ministry were sprinkled with Blood and it was necessary that so it should be so the Heavenly Things themselves must be also purified with Sacrifices but yet with better Sacrifice than these for now not Moses but Christ doth sprinkle not with Blood of Calves but with his own Blood neither as entered into places made with Hands but from Heaven doth Jesus sprinkle all that Doctrine of Worship subjection of his Saints thereto which is of his own instituting and commanding Heb. 9. 23 24 25 26. 4. He hath received there the Office of a King by which he ruleth in the Church and over all things for her sake The Government is laid upon his Shoulders the Lord God hath given him the Throne of his Father David Hence it is that he saith All Power is given me in Heaven and Earth but now this Kingly Office he hath it by his Blood because he humbled himself to death therefore God hath highly exalted him and given him the Highest
Sin but that we could not be were it not that an Atonement is made for us first by the Blood of Christ our Saviour This is true for they that are quickned by the Holy Ghost are quickned by it through the Word of the Gospel which offereth Justification to Sinners through Faith in his Blood yea we are said to be quickned together with him dead and risen with him yet so as by the Spirit of God 2. We are not only quickned by the Holy Ghost but possessed therewith it is given to dwell in our Hearts Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts Gal. 4. 4 5 6. which Spirit is also our earnest for Heaven until the Redemption of the purchased Possession that is until our Body which is the purchased Possession be redeemed also out of the Grave by the Power of the same mighty Spirit of God Ephes. 1. 13 14. 3. By this Holy Spirit we are made to believe Rom. 15. 13. 4. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to pray and call God Father 5. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to understand and apply the Promises 6. By this Holy Spirit the Joy of Heaven and the Love of God is shed abroad in the Heart of the Saved 7. By this Holy Spirit we are made to wait for the hope of Righteousness by Faith that is to stand fast through our Lord Jesus in the day when he shall judg the World And all this is the Fruit of Redemption by Blood of Redemption by the Blood of Christ. This is yet further evident 1. Because the Work of the Spirit is to lead us into the sayings of Christ which as to our Redemption from death are such as these I lay down my Life that you may have Life I give my Life a Ransom for many And the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 2. Because IF the Spirit in the Wisdom of Heaven is not counted a sufficient Testimony on Earth but as joyned with the Blood of Christ. There are three that bear witness on Earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood These are the Witness of God The Spirit because it quickneth the Blood because it hath merited and the Watter to wit the Word because by that we are clean as to life and conversation 1 John 5. 8. Ephes. 5. 26. Rom. 8. 16. Psal. 119. 9. 3. Because as by the Spirit so we are sanctified by Faith in the Blood of Jesus Heb. 13. 12. 4. Because when most full of the Spirit when that doth work most mightly in us we are then most in the belief and admiring apprehensions of our deliverance from death by the Blood of Jesus Revel 15. Chap. 5. 9. 5. The Holy Ghost breaheth no-where so as in the Ministry of this Doctrine this Doctrine is sent WITH the Holy Ghost from Heaven yea as I have hinted one of the Great Works of the Holy Ghost under the Old-Testament was to testifie of the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. Put all these things together and see if Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath not paid full price to God for Sinners if he hath not obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Fourth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident if you consider how the preaching thereof hath been from that time to this a mighty Conquerer over all kind of Sinners What Nation what People what kind of Sinners have not been subdued by the preaching of a Crucified Christ. He upon the White Horse with his Bow and his Crown hath conquered doth conquer and goeth forth yet conquering and to conquer Revel 6. 2. And I saith he if I be lifted up from the Earth will draw all men unto me but what was it to be lifted up from the Earth Why it may be expounded by that saying As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 12. 32. Chap. 3. 14 15. He was then lifted up when he was hanged upon a Tree between the Heavens and the Earth as the Accursed of God for us The Revelation of this it conquers all Nations Tongues and People 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 Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Revel 5. 9. Hence the Apostle Paul chose above all Doctrines to preach up a Crucified Christ and resolved so to do For I determined saith he not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. 1. The Doctrine of Forgiveness of Sin conquered his very Murderers They could not withstand the Grace them bloody ones that would kill him what-ever it cost them could stand no longer but received his Doctrine fell into his Bosom and obtained the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus They shall look upon him whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourneth for his only Son they shall be in bitterness for him as one is in bitterness for his first-born Zech. 12. 10. Now was this Scripture eminently fulfilled when the Kindness of a Crucified Christ broke to pieces the Hearts of them that had before been his Betrayers and Murderers Now was there a great mourning in Jerusalem now was there wailing and lamentation mixed with joy and rejoycing 2. Though Paul was mad exceeding mad against Jesus Christ of Nazareth yea though he was his avowed Enemy seeking to put out his Name from under Heaven yet the Voice from Heaven I am Jesus c. I am the Saviour how did it conquer him make him throw down his Arms fall down at his Feet and accept of the forgiveness of Sins freely by grace through Redemption by Faith in his Blood 3. They at Samaria though before Philip preached to them worshipped and admired the Devil in Magus yet when they believed Philip's preaching of Christ unto them and forgiveness of sins through Faith in his Name great joy was amongst them and they were baptized both Men and Women Act. 8. He preached saith the Text the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ that is all the Blessings of Life through the Name of Jesus Christ for he is the Mediator and without his Blood come no spiritual blessings to men 4. How was the sturdy Jailer overcome by a Promise of forgiveness of sins by Faith in Jesus Christ. It stopt his Hand of self-murder it eased him of the gnawings of a guilty Conscience and fears of Hell-Fire and filled his Soul with rejoicing in God Act. 16. 30 31 32 33. 5. How
all which as naturally purifie the Heart from wickedness as Sope or Niter cleanseth the Cloath He purified their Hearts by Faith by Faith in Christ's Blood And everyone that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure And also Love you shall see what that doth if you look into the Text Act. 15. 9. 1 Joh. 3. 3 4. 1 Cor. 13. Now I say this Faith groundeth it self in the Blood of Christ Hope waiteth for the full enjoyments of the Purchase of it in another world and love is begot and worketh by the Love that Christ hath expressed by his Death and by the Kindness he presenteth us with in his Heart-Blood Rom. 3. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 14. Besides what arguments so prevailing as such as are purely Gospel To instance a few 1. What stronger than a free forgiveness of Sins A certain Man had two Debtors the one owed him five Hundred Pence and the other Fifty and when they had nothing to pay he frankly forgave them both tell me therefore which of them will love him most Luk. 7. 41 42 47. 2. What stronger argument to holiness than to see that though forgiveness comes free to us yet it cost Christ Jesus Heart-Blood to obtain it for us Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins And this Love of God in giving his Christ and of Christ in dying for us there is no argument stronger to prevail with a sensible and awakened Sinner to judg he should live to him that died for him and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14. 3. What stronger argument to holiness than this If any man sins we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Unsanctified and graceless wretches know not how to use these Words of God the Hypocrites also fly in our faces because we thus urge them but a Heart that is possessed with Gospel-ingenuity or to speak more properly that is possessed with Gospel-Grace and with Divine Considerations cries if it be thus O let me never sin against God! for the Love of Christ constrains me 2 Cor. 5. 14. 4. What greater argument to holiness than to see the Holy Scriptures so furnished with promises of Grace and Salvation by Christ that a Man can hardly cast his Eye into the Bible but he espieth one or another of them who would not live in such an House or be servant to such a Prince who besides his exceeding in good Conditions hath Gold and Silver as common in his Palace as stones are by the High-way side Having therefore these Promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the Fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. 5. What greater argument to holiness than to have our Performances though weak and infirm from us yet accepted of God in Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 6. 6. What greater argument to holiness than to have our Soul our Body our Life hid and secured with Christ in God Mortifie therefore your Members that are upon the Earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousness which is idolatry Col. 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6. What greater argument to holiness than to be made the Members of the Body of the Flesh and of the Bones of Jesus Christ Shall I take the Members of Christ and make them the Members of an harlot God forbid Ephes. 5. 30. 1 Cor. 6. 15. Now all these and five times as many more having their foundation in the Love Blood and Righteousness of Christ and operating in the Soul by Faith are the great Argument unto that Holiness to which is annexed eternal Life 'T is worth our observing that in Act. 26 at the 18. The Inheritance belongs to them that are sanctified by Faith in Jesus Christ For all other pretences to holiness they are but a stollen semblance of that which is true and acceptable though 't is common for even that which is counterfeit to be called by the deluded the True and to be reckoned to be in them that are utter strangers to Faith and the Holiness that comes by Faith But whosoever compoundeth any like it or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger shall even be cut off from his People Exod. 30. 33. God knoweth which is holiness that comes by Faith in forgiveness of Sins and acceptance with God through Christ and God knows which is only such feignedly and accordingly will he deal with Sinners in that great Day of God Almighty The Sixth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident because Prayers are accepted of God only upon the account and for the sake of the Name of Jesus Christ Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Joh. 16. 23. In my Name in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth in the Name of him that came into the World to save Sinners by dying for them a grievous bloody Death in his Name that hath by himself put away sin and brought unto God acceptable Righteousness for Sinners in his Name why in his Name if he be not accepted of God why in his Name if his undertakings for us are not well-pleasing to God But by these Words in my Name are insinuated that his Person and performances as our undertaker is accepted by the Father of Spirits We may not go in our own names because we are Sinners not in the Name of one another because all are Sinners but why not in the Name of an Angel Because they are not those that did undertake for us or had they they could not have done our work for us He putteth no trust in his Saints yea the Heavens are not clean in his Sight Job 4. 18. Chap. 15. 15. It may further be objected Since Jesus Christ is God equal with the Father and so hath naturally the same Power to give as the Father why should the Father rather than the Son be the great Giver to the Sinners of the World and why may we not go to Christ in the Name of the Father as well as to the Father in the Name of Christ I say how can these things be salved but by considering that sin and justice put a NECESSITY upon it that thus must our Salvation be obtained Sin and Justice could not reconcile nor could a means be found out to bring the Sinner and an Holy God together but by the Intercepting of the Son who must take upon him to answer Justice and that by taking our Sins from before the Face of God by bloody Sacrifice not by Blood of others as the High-Priests under the Law For as every High-Priest is ordained to offer Gifts and Sacrifices it is of necessity that this Man have somewhat also
the Doctrine I come now to make some use of and to apply this Blessed Doctrine of the Undertaking of Jesus Christ and of his paying full Price to God for Sinners and of his obtaining Eternal Redemption for them The first Use. BY this Doctrine we come to understand many things which otherwise abide obscure and utterly unknown because this Doctrine is accompanied with the Holy Ghost that Revealer of secrets and Searcher of the deep things of God 1 Pet. 1. 2. Ephes. 1. 17. 1 Cor. 2. The Holy Ghost comes down with this Doctrine as that in which it alone delighteth therefore is it called The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledg of Jesus Christ. He giveth also the Light of the Knowledg of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. Little of God is known in the World where the Gospel is rejected the Religious Jew and the Wise Gentile may see more of God in a Crucified Christ than in Heaven and Earth besides For in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and knowledg not only in his Person as God but also in his Undertakings as Mediator Hence Paul telleth us That he determined not to know any thing among the Corinthians but Jesus Christ and him Crucified Col. 2. 2 3. 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. I say more of God is revealed in this Doctrine to us than we can see of him in Heaven and Earth without it First Here is more of his WISDOM seen than in his making and upholding all the Creatures His Wisdom I say in devising means to reconcile Sinners to an Holy and Infinite Majesty to be a Just God and YET a Saviour to be just to his Law just to his Threatning just to himself and yet save Sinners can no-way be understood till thou understandest why Jesus Christ did hang on the Tree for here only is the Riddle unfolded Christ died for our Sins and therefore can God in justice save us Isa. 45. 21. And hence is Christ called The Wisdom of God not only because he is so essentially but because by him is the greatest Revelation of his Wisdom towards man In Redemption therefore by the Blood of Christ God is said to abound towards us in all wisdom Ephes. 1. 7 8. Here we see the highest Contradictions reconciled here Justice kisseth the Sinner here a Man stands just in the Sight of God while confounded at his own Pollutions and here he that hath done no good hath yet a sufficient Righteousness even the Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ. Secondly The JUSTICE of God is here more seen than in punishing all the Damned He spared not his own Son is a Sentence which more revealeth the Nature of the Justice of God than if it had said he spared not all the World True he cast Angels from Heaven and drowned the Old World he turned Sodom and Gomorrah into Ashes with many more of like nature but what were all these to the Cursing of his Son yea what were ten thousand such manifestations of his Ireful Indignation against Sin to that of striking afflicting chastising and making the darling of his Bosom the Object of his Wrath and Judgment Here it is seen he respecteth not persons but judgeth sin and condemneth him on whom it is found yea although on Jesus Christ his well-Beloved Rom. 8. 32. Gal. 3. 13. Thirdly The Mystery of God's WILL is here more seen than in hanging the Earth upon nothing while he condemneth Christ though Righteous and justifieth us though Sinners while he maketh him to be sin for us and us the Righteousness of God in him 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Fourthly The POWER of God is here more seen than in making of Heaven and Earth for for one to bear and get the Victory over Sin when charged by the Justice of an Infinite Majesty in so doing he sheweth the Height of the Highest Power For where sin by the Law is charged and that by God immediatly there an Infinite Majesty opposeth and that with the whole of his Justice Holiness and Power So then he that is thus charged and engaged for the Sin of the World must not only be equal with God but shew it by over-coming that Curse and Judgment that by Infinite Justice is charged upon him for Sin When Angels and Men had sinned how did they fall and crumble before the Anger of God! they had not power to withstand the terrour nor could there be worth found in their Persons or Doings to appease displeased Justice But behold here stands the Son of God before him in the Sin of the World his Father finding him there curseth and condemns him to death but he by the Power of his God-head and the Worthiness of his Person and Doings vanquisheth sin satisfieth God's Justice and so becomes the Saviour of the World Here then is Power seen Sin is a Mighty thing it crusheth all in pieces save him whose Spirit is Eternal Heb. 9. 14. Set Christ and his Sufferings aside and you neither see the Evil of Sin nor the Displeasure of God against it you see them not in their utmost Had'st thou a view of all the Legions that are now in the pains of Hell yea couldest thou hear their shreeks and groans together at once and feel the whole of all their burden much of the evil of Sin and of the Justice of God against it would be yet unknown by thee for thou wouldest want power to feel and bear the utmost A Giant shews not his Power by killing of a little Child nor yet is his might seen by the resistance that such a little one makes but then he sheweth his power when he dealeth with one like himself yea and the Power also of the other is then made manifest in saving himself from being swallowed up with his Wrath. Jesus Christ also made manifest his Eternal Power and God-head more by bearing and over-coming our Sins than in making or upholding the whole World Hence Christ Crucified is called the Power of God 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. Fifthly The LOVE and MERCY of God is more seen in and by this Doctrine than any other way Mercy and Love are seen in that God gives us Rain and fruitful Seasons and in that he filleth our Hearts with food and gladness from that bounty he bestoweth upon us as men as his Creatures Oh! but herein is Love made manifest in that Christ laid down his Life for us And God commended his Love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. Chap. 4. 10 Rom. 5. 8. Never Love like this nor did God ever give such discovery of his Love from the beginning to this Day Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins Here is Love that God sent his Son his Darling his Son that never offended his Son that was
1. 24. Luk. 4. 34. He was called Jesus of Nazareth because he dwelt there with his Mother Mary and her Husband Nazareth was his City where he had been brought up whither for shelter Joseph carried him when he came up out of Egypt with him in Nazareth was his common Abode until the time that John was cast into Prison Luk. 4. 16. Mat. 2. 23. Chap. 4. 12 13. Wherefore he might well say I am Jesus of Nazareth Yea though he was now in Heaven for Heaven shall not make us forget what Country-men we were when we lived in the World Jesus you see here though Glorified in Heaven yet forgets not what Countrey-Man he was when he dwelt in the World I am Jesus of Nazareth saith he I am the Jesus that thou hatest and that thou mayest know I am he I tell thee I dwelt once in the City Nazareth in Galilee Joseph and my Mother Mary brought me up there and there I dwelt with them many years I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest Quest. 2. Secondly What was it for Jesus to come into the World Ans. 1. Not his coming in or by his Spirit in his People for so he was never out of the World 2. Neither is it his Appearance in his Ordinances 3. Nor that coming of his by which he destroyeth Antichrist 4. Nor his Appearing in his dreadful Providences or Judgments But by the coming of Jesus according to the Text we are to understand that or such a Coming whereby he was manifest to be God-Man in one Person God in our Flesh without us or distinct in his own Person by himself Such a Coming by which he was manifested to be in all points like as men are Sin only excepted Such a Coming wherein or by which the Son of God became also the Son of Man For the further clearing of this you find it expresly said he was born into the World Mary of whom was born Jesus Now when Jesus was born it 's said Where is he that is born King of the Jews Herod demanded of them where Christ should be born Mat. 1. 16. Chap. 2. 1 2 4. Luk. 1. 35. Chap. 2. 11. Now that this was fulfilled according to the very word of the Text without any juggle evasion or cunningly-devised Fable consider 1. He is called the First-Born of this Woman The Male Child that opened her Womb Luk. 2. 7 23. 2. He was not born till nourished in her Womb the full time according to the time of Life And so it was that while they were at Bethlehem the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her First-born Son and wrapt him in swadling Clothes and laid him in a Manger Luk. 2. 4 5 6 7. 3. She also continued in her Separation at the Birth of Jesus as other women at the Birth of their Children until the days of her Purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished Luk. 2. 22. 4. Himself also as other Hebrew Children was brought to Jerusalem to present him unto the Lord As it is written in the Law of Moses every Male that openeth the Womb shall be called Holy unto the Lord Luk. 2. 23 24. 5. Thus Jesus also as other Hebrew-Children when the set Day was come was Circumcised And when eight days were accomplished for the Circumcising of the Child his Name was called Jesus which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the Womb Luk. 2. 21. 6. After this he is often called the Young-Child the Child Jesus and further it is said of him that he grew that he increased in Wisdom and Stature Mat. 2. 20 21. Luk. 2. 40 52. Behold with what diligence even to a Circumstance the Holy Ghost sets forth the Birth of the Lord Jesus and all to convince the incredulous World of the true Manner of the coming of the Saviour into the World Secondly The Reality of the Manhood of this Lord Jesus is yet further manifest and that First By those natural Infirmities that attend Human Flesh. Secondly By the Names the Prophets gave him in the Days of the Old-Testament and the New First By those natural Infirmities that attend Human Flesh. As 1. At his Birth he could not go but as carried by his Parents 2. He was sensible of Hunger Luk. 4. 2. 3. He was sensible of Thirst John 19. 28. 4. He was sensible of Weariness Joh. 4. 6. 5. He was nourished by Sleep Mar. 4. 34. 6. He was subject to Grief Mar. 3. 5. 7. He was subject to Anger Mar. 3. 5. 8. He was subject to Weep Joh. 11. 35. Luk. 19 41 9. He had Joy as a Man and rejoyced Mat. 11. 27. Luk. 10. 21. These things I say Jesus was subject to as a Man as the Son of the Virgin Secondly The Reality of his Manhood is yet made manifest by the Names the Prophets gave him both in the Old-Testament and in the New As 1. He is called the Seed The Seed of the Woman the Seed of Abraham the Seed of David by which is meant he was to come of their Children Gen. 3. 15. Chap. 12. Chap. 22. Gal. 3. 16 17. Rom. 1. 4. 2. Therefore it is added where mention is made of the Fathers of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came He was made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh And hence again he calleth himself the Off-spring of David therefore I say he is said to be of their Flesh their Loins and is called their Son Rom. 1. 4. Chap. 9. 5. Acts 2. 30. Revel 22. 16. 3. He therefore is frequently called a Man and the Son of Man Then shall you see the Son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven When the Son of man shall come in his Glory and all the Holy Angels with him This Man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood It is therefore necessary that this Man have somewhat also to offer Mat. 26. 63. Chap. 25. 30 31. Heb. 7. 24. Chap. 8. 3. Chap. 10. 12. 4. What shall I say Himself gave undeniable Demonstration of all this when he said he was dead when he called to Thomas to put his Finger to and behold his Hands to reach to him his Hand and thrust it into his Side and bid him he should not be faithless but believing At another time when he stood in the midst of the Eleven as they were troubled with the thoughts of Unbelief he said Behold my Hands and my Feet that it is I my self handle me and see for a Spirit bath not Flesh and Bones as ye see me have Joh. 20. 27. Luk. 24. 39. Thus have I shewed you what it was for Jesus to come into the World namely To be born of a Woman to take flesh and to become God-man in one Person I come now to the third Question but before I speak particularly to that I will produce further Testimony that we find upon record concerning the Truth of all this Particular
Testimonies that this Coming of Jesus is his Coming to Save us 1. SImeon the Just gives Testimony of him And the Holy Ghost was upon him and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see Death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the Temple and when the Parents brought in the Child Jesus to do for him after the Custom of the Law then took he him up in his Arms and blessed God and said Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Luk. 2. 25 26 27 32. The Testimony of Anna. 2. Anna a Prophetess one of a great Age which departed not from the Temple but served God with fasting and prayer night and day And she coming in at the same instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem Luk. 2. 26 27 28. The Testimony of John Baptist. 3. John Baptist as he fulfilled his Ministry he cried concerning this Jesus Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World And he saith John that sent me to baptize with Water the same said unto me Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding or remaining the same is he which shall baptize with the Holy Ghost And I saw and bear record that this is the Son of God Joh. 1. 29 30 31 32 33 34. The Testimony of the Star and Wise-Men 4. The Star that appeared at his Birth in the East and that coasted through the Heavens till it came over the Place where the young Child Jesus was that Star gave Testimony that he was the Saviour This Star alarmed many especially the Wise-Men of the East who were brought by it from afar to worship him And lo the Star which they saw in the East went before them till it came and stood over where the young Child was And when they saw the Star they rejoiced with exceeding joy And when they were come into the House they saw the young Child with Mary his Mother and fell down and worshipped him and when they had opened their Treasures they presented unto him Gifts Gold and Frankincense and Myrrhe The Testimony of the Angels 1. To Mary herself And in the sixth Month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a City of Galilee named Nazareth to a Virgin espoused to a Man whose Mame was Joseph and the Virgin 's Name was Mary and the Angel came in unto her and said Hail thou that art highly favoured And the Angels aid unto her Fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God And behold thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest And the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David and he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luk. 2. 26 35. 2. The Angels Testimony to the Shepherds as they were feeding their Flocks in the Fields by Night And lo the Angel of the Lord came upon them and the Glory of the Lord shined round about them and they were sore afraid and the Angel said unto them Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Luk. 2. 8 9 10. 3. How the Angels Solemnized his Birth among themselves And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace good-will towards Men Luk. 2. 13 14. The Testimony of God the Father 1. When he was Baptized And Jesus when he was Baptized went up straightway out of the Water and lo the Heavens were opened unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him and lo a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3. 16 17. 2. The Fathers Testimony of him at his Transfiguration And he took Peter and James and John and went up into a Mountain to pray and as be prayed the fashion of his Countenance was altered and his Raiment was white and glittering c. And there appeared Moses and Liias talking with him and a Cloud from Heaven overshadowed them at which the three Disciples began to be afraid Then there came a voice out of the Cloud saying This is my beloved Son hear him Luk. 9. 28 29 30 35. This is that Testimony of God which Peter speaks of saying We have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made known unto you the Power and Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his Majesty for he received from God the Father Honour and Glory when there came such a voice to him from the Excellent Glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the Holy Mount 2 Pet. 1. 26 27 28. 3. God gave Testimony of him by Signs and Wonders Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me The words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self but the Father that dwelleth in me he doth the Works God also bearing them witness that preached Salvation by Jesus both with Signs and Wonders and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own Will Joh. 14. 10. Heb. 2. 4. Concerning Jesus how he put himself upon the Test among his Adversaries THe Lord Jesus also putteth himself upon the Test among his Adversaries divers ways First he urgeth the time of the appearing of the Messias to be come The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand repent ye and believe the Gospel Mar. 1. 15. For this he had a three-fold proof 1. The Heathens had invaded and taken the Land according to that of Daniel Dan. 9. 25 26. 2. The Scepter was departed from Judah according to that of Jacob Gen. 49. 10. to which also suited that Prophecy Before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and chuse the good the Land which thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her Kings 3. The Roman Emperor had not only subdued the Nation and put down the Kingly Race of the Jews but had set up and established his own Power over them In the fifteenth year of the Reign of Tiberius Cesar Pontius Pilat was Governor of Judea Herod was Tetrarch of Galilee Philip Tetrarch of Iturea and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilene all Heathens and of Tyberius his making Besides The Kingly Race of Judah was at this time become so low by reason of the Roman oppression that the chief of them were put to get their living by their own
Righteousness should arise among them with healing under his Wings 3. I may add another cause of their stumble They did not understand the Prophecies that went before of him 1. He was to come to them out of Egypt Out of Egypt have I called my Son Mat. 2. 15. 2. He turned aside into Cana of Galilee and dwelt in the City of Nazareth That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets he shall be called a Nazaren Mat. 2. 23. 3. That saying also was to be fulfilled The Land of Zebulon and the Land of Nepthaly by the way of the Sea beyond Jordan Galilee of the Gentiles the People that sat in Darkness saw a great Light and to them that sat in the region and shadow of Death Light is sprung up Mat. 4. 12 13 14 15 16 17. At these things then they stumbled and 't was a great Judgment of God upon them Besides There seemed to be a Contradiction in the Prophecies of the Scriptures concerning his Coming He was to be born in Bethlehem and yet to come out of Egypt How should he be the Christ and yet come out of Galilee out of which ariseth no Prophet Thus they stumbled Hence note That though the Prophecies and Promises be full and plain as these were that he should be born in Bethlehem yet men's Sins may cause them to be fulfilled in such obscurity that instead of having benefit thereby they may stumble and split their Souls thereat Take heed then hunt not Christ from plain Promises with Herod hunt him not from Bethlehem lest he appear to your amazement and destruction from Egypt or in the Land of Zebulon But thus much to the Second Question to wit What it was for Jesus to come into the World I come now to the Third Question Quest. 3. What it was for him to come to be a Saviour For the further handling of this Question I must shew 1. What it is to be a Saviour 2. What it is to come to be a Saviour 3. What it is for Jesus to come to be a Saviour To these three briefly First What it is to be a Saviour 1. A Saviour supposeth some in misery and himself one that is to deliver them 2. A Saviour is either such an one Ministerially or Meritoriously Ministerially is when one person engageth or is engaged by virtue of respect or command from Superiours to go and obtain by conquest or the Kings Redemption the Captives or Persons grieved by the Tyranny of an Enemy And thus was Moses and Joshuah and the Judges and Kings of Israel Saviours Thou deliveredst them into the Land of their Enemies who vexed them and in the time of their trouble when they cried unto thee thou heardest them from Heaven and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them Saviours who saved them out of the Hand of their Enemies Nehem. 9. 27. Thus was Jesus Christ a Saviour he was engaged by virtue of respect and command from God to obtain by conquest and redemption the Captives or Persons grieved God sent his Son to be the Saviour of the World John 4. 14. Meritoriously is when the Person engaging shall at his own proper cost and charge give a sufficient value or price for those he redeemeth Thus those under the Law were redeemed by the Mony called the Redemption-Mony And Moses gave the Mony of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his Sons Numb 3. 46 47 48 49 51 52. And thus was Jesus Christ a Saviour he paid full price to Divine Justice for Sinners even his own precious Blood Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed from your vain Conversation received by tradition from your Fathers with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with the precious Blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1 18 19. And forasmuch as in mans redemption the Undertaker must have respect not only to the paying of a price but also to the getting of a Victory for there is not only Jesus to satisfy but Death Devil Hell and the Grave to conquer therefore hath he also by himself gotten the Victory over these 1. He hath abolished Death 2 Tim. 1. 10. 2. He hath destroyed the Devil Heb. 2. 14 15. 3. He hath been the destruction of the Grave Hos. 13. 14. 4. He hath gotten the Keys of Hell Revel 1. 17 18 19. And this I say he did by himself at his own proper cost and charge when he triumphed over them upon his Cross Col. 2. 14 15. Quest. 2. Secondly What it is to come to be a Saviour 1. To come to be one supposeth one ordained and fore-prepared for that work Then said he lo I come a Body hast thou prepared me Heb. 10. 2. To come to be a Saviour supposeth one commissionated or authorized to that Work Thâ— Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me authorized me to preach the Gospel to the Poor He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the Captives and recovering of sight to the Blind and to set at liberty them that are bruised Luk. 4. 18. And upon this account it is that he is so often called CHRIST or the Anointed one the Anointed Jesus or Jesus the Anointed Saviour Thou art the Christ the Son of God that should come into the World This Jesus whom I preach unto you is Christ He testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ and he confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus proving by the Scriptures that this is the very Christ Joh. 11. 27. Acts 17. 3. Chap. 18. 5. Chap. 9. 22. The very Anointed of God or he whom God authorized and qualified to be the Saviour of the World 3. To come to be a Saviour supposeth a resolution to do that work before he goeth back I will ransom them from the power of the Grave I will redeem them from death O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes Hos. 13. 14. And as he resolved so he hath done 1. He hath purged our Sins Heb. 1. 2 3. 2. He hath perfected for ever by one Offering them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 14. 3. He hath obtained Eternal Redemption for them Heb. 9. 12. See further 2 Tim. 1. 10. Heb. 9. 26. Col. 2. 15. Heb. 6. 18 19 20. Quest. 3. I come now to the Third Question What it is for Jesus to come to be a Saviour 1. Ans. It is the greatest discovery of mans misery and inability to save himself therefrom that ever was made in the World Must the Son of God himself come down from Heaven or can there be no Salvation can not one Sinner save another cannot man by any means redeem his Brother nor give to God a Ransom for him cannot an Angel do it cannot all the Angels do it no Christ must come and die to do it 2dly It is the greatest discovery of the Love of God that ever the World had For
unless the Son of God will put his Shoulder to the Work but blessed be God he hath done it 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 are under the Law Christ took upon him our Sins BUt Thirdly Christ our Saviour takes upon him our Sins This is another step to the Work of our Redemption He hath made him to be sin for us Strange Doctrine a Fool would think it blasphemy but Truth hath said it Truth I say hath said not that he was made to be sin but that GOD made him to be sin He bath made him to be sin for us 1 Cor. 5. 21. This therefore sheweth us how effectually Christ Jesus undertook the Work of our Redemption He was made to be sin for us Sin is the great block and bar to our happiness sin is the Procurer of all miseries to men both here and for ever Take away sin and nothing can hurt us for death Temporal death Spiritual and death Eternal is the Wages of sin Rom. 6. 23. Sin then and man for Sin is the Object of the Wrath of God If the Object of the Wrath of God then is his Case most dreadful for who can bear who can grapple with the Wrath of God! Men cannot Angels cannot the whole World cannot All therefore must sink under sin but he who is made to be sin for us he only can bear sins he only can bear them away and therefore were they laid upon him The Lord laid upon him the Iniquities of us all Isa. 53. Mark therefore and you shall find that the Reason why God made him to be sin for us was That we might be made the Righteousness of God in him He took our Flesh he was made under the Law and was made to be sin for us that the Devil might be destroyed that the Captives might be redeemed and made the Righteousness of God in him And forasmuch as he saith that GOD hath made him to be sin it declareth that the Design of God and the Mistery of his Will and Grace was in it He hath made him to be sin God hath done it that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him there was no other way the Wisdom of Heaven could find no other way we could not by other means stand just before the Justice of God Now what remains but that we who are reconciled to God by Faith in his Blood are quit discharged and set free from the Law of Sin and Death Yea what encouragement to trust in him when we read That God made him to be sin for us Quest. But how was Jesus Christ made of God to be sin for us Ans. Even so as if himself had committed all our Sins that is they were as really charged upon him as if himself had been the Actor and Committer of them all He hath made him to be sin not only as a Sinner but as Sin it self He was as the Sin of the World that Day he stood before God in our steed Some indeed will not have Jesus Christ our Lord to be made sin for us their Wicked Reasons think this to be wrong Judgment in the Lord it seems supposing that because they cannot imagine how it should be therefore God if he does it must do it at his Peril and must be charged with doing wrong Judgment and so things that become not his Heavenly Majesty But against this Duncish Sophistry we set Paul and Isaiah the one telling us still The Lord laid on him the Iniquities of us all and the other That God made him to be sin for us But these Men as I suppose think it enough for Christ to die under that Notion only not knowing nor feeling the Burden of Sin and the Wrath of God due thereto These make him as senceless in his Dicing and as much without reason as a silly Sheep or Goat who also died for Sin but so as in name in shew and shadow only They felt not the proper Weight Guilt and Judgment of God for Sin But thou Sinner who art so in thine own Eyes and who feelest guilt in thine own Conscience Know then that Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God in flesh was made to be sin for thee or stood sensibly guilty of all thy Sins before God and bare them in his own Body upon the Cross. God charged our Sins upon Christ and that in their guilt and burden what remaineth but that the Charge was real or feigned if real then he hath either perished under them or carried them away from before God if they were charged but feignedly then did he but feignedly die for them then shall we have but feigned benefit by his Death and but a feigned Salvation at last not to say how this Cursed Doctrine chargeth God and Christ with Hypocrisy the one in saying He made Christ to be sin the other in saying He bare our sin when indeed and in truth our guilt and burden never was really upon him Quest. But might not Christ die for our Sins but he needs must bear their Guilt or Burden Ans. He that can sever sin and guilt sin and the Burden each from other laying sin and no guilt sin and no burden on the Person that dieth for Sin must do it only in his own imaginary Head No Scripture nor Reason nor Sense saith understandeth or feeleth sin when charged without its guilt and burden And here we must distinguish between sin charged and sin forgiven Sin forgiven may be seen without guilt or burden though I think not without shame in this World But sin charged and that by the Justice of God for so it was upon Christ This cannot be but guilt and the burthen as inseparable companions must unavoidably lye on that Person Poor Sinner be advised to take heed of such deluded Preachers who with their Tongues smoother than Oil would rob thee of that Excellent Doctrine God hath made him to be sin for us for such as I said do not only present thee with a feigned deliverance and forgiveness with a feigned Heaven and Happiness but charge God and the Lord Jesus as meer Impostors who while they tell us that Christ was made of God to be sin for us affirm that it was not so REALLY suggesting this Sophistical Reason no wrong Judgment comes from the Lord. I say again this Wicked Doctrine is the next way to turn the Gospel in thy thoughts to no more than a Cunningly-devised Fable 2 Pet. 1. and to make Jesus Christ in his dying for our Sins as brutish as the Paschal-Lamb in Moses's Law Wherefore distressed Sinner when thou findest it recorded in the Word of Truth that Christ died for our Sins and that God hath made him to be sin for us Then do thou consider of sin as it is a Transgression against the Law of God and that as such it procureth the Judgment of God torments and
the Person of Jesus Christ. Let the Peace of God therefore rule in your Hearts to the which also you are called in one body and be you thankful Col. 3. 15. The Peace of God of that we have spoken before but how should this rule in our Hearts he by the next words directs you Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly that is the Word that makes revelation of the Death and Blood of Christ and of the Peace that is made with God for you thereby Giving thanks always for all things unto God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephes. 5. 20. For all things for all things come to us through this Name Jesus Redemption Translation the Kingdom Salvation with all the good things wherewith we are blessed These are the Works of God he gave his Son and he brings us to him and puts us into his Kingdom that is his true Body which Jeremiah calleth a putting among the Children and a giving us a Godly heritage of the Host of Nations Joh. 6. Jer. 3. 19. 4. Now thanks be to God which causeth us always to triumph in Christ 2 Cor. 2. 13 14. See here our cause of triumph is through Christ Jesus and God causeth us through him to triumph First and chiefly because Christ Jesus hath done our work for us hath pleased God for our Sins hath spoiled the powers of Darkness God gave Jesus Christ to undertake our Redemption Christ did undertake it did engage our Enemies and spoiled them He spoiled principalities and powers and made a shew of them openly triumphing over them upon the Cross Col. 2. 14 15. Therefore it is evident that he paid full price to God for Sinners with his Blood because God commands us to give thanks to him in his Name through his Name And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks unto God and the Father by him Col. 3. 17. Take this Conclusion from the whole no thanks are accepted of God that come not to him in the Name of his Son his Son must have the Glory of conveying our thanks to God because he was he that by his Blood conveyeth his Grace to us The Eight Demonstration IN the next place That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident Because we are exhorted to wait for and to expect the full and glorious Enjoyment of that Eternal Redemption at the second Coming of the Lord from Heaven Let your loins be girded about and your Lights burning and you your selves like unto men that wait for their Lord that when he cometh and knocketh ye may open unto him immediately Luk. 12. 35 36. Jesus Christ hath obtained by his Blood Eternal Redemption for us and hath taken it up now in the Heavens is as I have shewed preparing for us there Everlasting Mansions of rest and then he will come again for us This Coming is intended in this Text and this Coming we are exhorted to wait for and that I may more fully shew the Truth of this Demonstration observe these following Texts 1. It is said he shall chuse our Inheritance for us He shall chuse our inheritance for us the excellency of Jacob whom he loved Selah God is gone up with a Shout c. Psal. 47. 4 5. These latter words intend the Ascension of Jesus Christ His Ascension when he had upon the Cross made reconciliation for iniquity his Ascension into the Heavens to prepare our Mansions of Glory for us For our Inheritance is in the Heavens our House our Hope our Mansion-House and our incorruptible and undefiled Inheritance is in Heaven 2 Cor. 1. 2. Col. 1. 5 6. Joh. 14. 1 2. 1 Pet 1. 3 4 5. This is called the Eternal Inheritance of which we that are called have received the Promise already Heb. 9. 14 15. This Inheritance I say he is gone to chuse for us in the Heavens because by his Blood he obtained it for us Heb. 9. 12. and this we are commanded to wait for but how ridiculous yea how great a cheat would this be had he not by his Blood obtained it for us 2. We wait for his Son from Heaven whom he raised from the dead even Jesus Christ which delivered us from the Wrath to come 1 Thes. 1. 10. He delivered us by his Blood and obtained the Kingdom of Heaven for us and hath promised that he would go and prepare our places and come again and fetch us thither And if I go and prepare a Place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be also Joh. 14. 3. This then is the Cause that we wait for him we look for the reward of the Inheritance at his Coming who have served the Lord Christ in this World 3. For our conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Phil. 3. 20. We look for him to come yet as a Saviour a Saviour he was at his first Coming and a Saviour he will be at his second Coming At his first Coming he bought and paid for us at his Second Coming he will fetch us to himself At his first Coming he gave us promise of the Kingdom at his second Coming he will give us possession of the Kingdom At his first Coming he also shewed us how we should be by his own Transfiguration at his second Coming he will change our vile Body that it may be fashioned like unto his Glorious Body Phil. 3. 21. 4. Hence therefore it is that his Coming is called our blessed Hope Looking for the Blessed Hope and glorious Appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Tit. 2. 13. A Blessed Hope indeed if he hath bought our Persons with his Blood and an Eternal Inheritance for us in the Heavens A blessed Hope indeed if also at his Coming we be certainly carried thither No marvel then if Saints be bid to wait for it and if Saints themselves long for it But what a disappointment would these waiting Believers have should all their expectations be rewarded with a Fable and the result of their Blessed Hope can amount to no more if our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ either denieth to come or coming bringeth not with him the HOPE the blessed HOPE that is laid up for us in Heaven Whereof we have certainly been informed by the Word of the Truth of the Gospel Col. 1. 5 6. 5. For Christ was once offered to bear the Sin of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second Time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 9. 28. Here we have it promised that he shall come that he shall appear the second time but not with sin as he did before to wit with and in the Sin of his People when he bare them in his own Body but now without sin
for he before did put them away by the Sacrifice of himself Now then let the Saints look for him not to die for the purchasing of their persons by Blood but to bring to THEM and to bring them also to that Salvation that before when he died he obtained of God for them by his Death These things are to be expected therefore by them that believe in and love Jesus Christ and that from faith and love serve him in this world they are to be expected by them being obtained for them by Jesus Christ And he shall give the Crown saith Paul not only to me but to them that love his Appearing 2 Tim. 4. 8 9. Now forasmuch as this Inheritance in the Heavens is the Price Purchase and Reward of his Blood how evidently doth it appear that he hath paid full price to God for Sinners Would God else have given him the Heaven to dispose of to us that believe and would he else have told us so Yea and what comfort could we have to look for his Coming and Kingdom and Glory as the Fruits of his Death if his Death had not for that purpose been sufficiently efficacious O! the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that shall follow 1 Pet. 1. 11. The Ninth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for Sinners is evident Because of the Threatnings wherewith God hath threatned and the Punishments wherewith he punished those that shall refuse to be saved by Christ or seek to make insignificant the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith in him This Demonstration consisteth of three parts 1. It suggesteth that some refuse to be justified or saved by Christ and also seek to make insignificant the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith in him 2. That God doth threaten these 3. That God will punish these That some refuse to be saved by Christ is evident from many Texts He is the Stone which the Builders have rejected He is also disallowed of Men The Jews stumble at him and to the Greeks he is foolishness both saying this Man shall not rule over us or how can this man save us Psal. 118. 22. Mat. 24. 42. 1 Pet. 2. 4. 1 Cor. 1. 23. Luk. 19. 14. The Causes of mens refusing Christ are many 1. Their Love to sin 2. Their Ignorance of his Excellency 3. Their Unbelief 4. Their Deferring to come to him in the acceptable Time 5. Their leaning to their own Righteousness 6. Their entertaining Damnable Doctrines 7. Their loving the praise of Men. 8. The meanness of his Ways his People c. 9. The just Judgment of God upon them 10. The Kingdom is given to others Now these as they all refuse him so they seek more or less some practically others in practice and judgment also to make insignificant the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith in him 1. One does it by preferring his Sins before him 2. Another does it by preferring his Righteousness before him 3. Another does it by preferring his Delusions before him 4. Another does it by preferring the World before him Now these God threatneth these God punisheth First God threatneth them Whosoever shall not receive that Prophet shall be cut off from amongst his People Acts 3. 23. The Prophet is Jesus Christ the Doctrine that he preached was that he would lay down his Life for us that he would give us his Flesh to eat and his Blood to drink by Faith and promised that if we did eat his Flesh and drink his Blood we should have Eternal Life He therefore that seeth not or that is afraid to venture his Soul for Salvation on the Flesh and Blood of Christ by Faith he refuseth this Prophet he heareth not this Prophet and him God hath purposed to cut off But would God thus have threatned if Christ by his Blood and the Merits of the same had not paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them Secondly Sit thou on my Right Hand until I make thine Enemies thy Foot-stool Psal. 110. 1. Mat. 22. 44. Heb. 1. 13. The Honour of sitting at God's Right Hand was given him because he died and offered his Body once for all This Man when he had offered up one Sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the Right Hand of God from henceforth expecting till his Enemies be made his Foot-stool Heb. 10. 11 12 13. Expecting since God accepted his Offering that those that refused him should be trodden under foot that is sunk by him into and under endless unsupportable vengeance But would God have given the World such an account of his Sufferings that by one Offering he did perfect for ever them that are sanctified yea and would he have threatned to make those foes his Foot stool that shall refuse to venture themselves upon his Offering for they are indeed his Foes had not his Eternal Majesty been well pleased with the Price he paid to God for Sinners had he not obtained Eternal Redemption for them Thirdly He shall come from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming-fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes. 1. 7 8. Here he expresly telleth us wherefore they shall be punished Because they know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ where also is notably intimated that he that obeyeth not the Gospel of Christ knoweth not God neither in his Justice or Mercy But what is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ but good tidings of good things to wit Forgiveness of Sins by Faith in his Blood an Inheritance in Heaven by Faith in his Blood as the whole of all the foregoing discourse hath manifested Now I say can it be imagined that God would threaten to come upon the World with this Flaming-Fiery-Vengeance to punish them for their Non-subjection to his Sons Gospel if there had not been by himself paid to God full price for the Souls of Sinners if he had not obtained Eternal Redemption by his Blood for Sinners Fourthly And Enoch the seventh from Adam also prophesied of these saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly Deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard Speeches which ungodly Sinners have spoken against him Jude 14. 15. The LORD that is here said to come with ten thousands of his Saints is Jesus Christ himself and they that come with him are called his Saints because given to him by the Father for the Sake of the shedding of his Blood Now in that he is said to come to execute judgment upon all and especially those that speak hard Speches against him 't is evident that the Father tendereth his Name which is Jesus a Saviour and his undertaking for our Redemption and as evident that the hard