believe and conclude that now he is ascended to the Father and is in the work of mediation he is much more exercised in that work of mediating by praying for them Reason 2. From the nearness of relation and that both to the Father and the Saints the onely Son of the Father and elder brother to the Saints John 20. 17. Go tell my brethren I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and your God Now may we suppose that this onely son of God so near to Saints hath nothing to say to the Father in behalf of his poor people now he is in heaven with him that had so much to say for them when here on earth 3. This appears from the various titles given to the work of Christ in heaven as an Advocate that is one to plead for us an intercessor 1 John 2. 2. Heb. 7. 25. Which clearly demonstrates the truth that Christ mediates in way of praying for the Saints and on these grounds I do believe it in a measure with joy 3. He is a tender and faithfull Mediator one that the Saints may confide in and trust with their cause Men here on earth may and often do choose such Mediators or Umpires that they are much in doubt of their tenderness and faithfulness in the cause but Jesus Christ is both tender and faithfull to both parties in his mediation he will not he cannot be unfaithfull to either 1. The one is his dear and Almighty Father 2. The other are his Brethren his children flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone c. See both these to wit his tenderness and faithfulness stated in one Scripture Heb. 2. 17 Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a mercifull and faithfull high priest in things pertaining to God c. and cbap 3. 2. Who is faithfull to him that appointed him 4. He is a powerfull and prevailing Mediator he accomplishes what he mediates for he was never denied by the Father of what he asked nor fails in a title of all the good he undertakes to ask for his people Hence it is Christ saith John 11. 41. 42. Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me and I know that thou hearest me alwaies He is called a great high-priest Heb. 4. 14. Great in power able to give what he pleads for and therefore doubtless he will do it All power in heaven and earth is given to me saith Christ Matth. 28. 18. and John 3. 35. The Father loveth the son and hath given all things into his hand He is great in favor with God the onely beloved son of his bosom and therefore must needs be a powerfull prevailing Mediator He mediates by vertue of all his offices King Priest and prophet and therefore must needs obtain what he mediates for 5. He mediates particularly and distinctly for all Saints for all wants 1. For all his people he is no respecter of persons he respects not the rich more then the poor The poorest Saints are as near and dear to him as the richest He bears them all upon his heart before his Father A blessed word of comfort it is for poor Christians whether outwardly poor or spiritually poor Blessed are ye poor for yours is the kingdom of heaven Luke 6. 20. and Jam. 2. 5. Hearken my beloved brethren hath not God chosen the poor in this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom 2 For the particular wants of his people He mediates knowingly he knows the wants of all the Saints and all their various temptations He knows it first as it is their case distinctly and he knows it secondly by experience and therefore mediates sutable to their wants Heb. 4. 15. 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 6. He is a constant Mediator with the Father for his people he doth not mediate for a time and then have done but he waits upon the work continually it is his office he is thereunto appointed by the Father Heb. 3. 2. He is gone into heaven for that very end now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. 24. My friends Jesus Christ is not like unto a bad Lawyer that will plead suitable to his fee and it may be when it is most need be away about another business or forget his client no no beloved friends although he hath undertaken the cause of all the Saints in the world yet he will not forget one nor be away while any business is past for he waits on that very work but to proceed 6 The sixth particular is the Priviledges and advantages that comes to the Saints by the mediatorship of Christ and that is 1 Acceptance and through it boldness with the Father Oh my friends believers may come with boldness to the throne of grace Heb. 4. 15 16. Having such a high Priest let us come with boldness c. God hath given by Jesus Christ a liberty for a humble holy boldness to his people Therefore let them improve it 2 An assured care taken for the well being of Saints The Father hath taken care in appointing his Son to such a work Jesus Christ taketh care in the performance thereof See both these in Job 6. 39. This is the Fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should loose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day Chap. 10. 27 28. My sleep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish c. and this is accomplished by the mediatorship of Christ 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 Note we shall be saved by his life that is by his mediatorship for he ever lives to make intercession and his ability to save is stated upon his ever living to make intercession Heb. 7. 25. 3 Every thing that is good and best for them they shall have Know Christians that your Father yâ—â—r Mediator knows what is best for you and that you shall have assuredly Oh that Saints did all believe this how would it tend to quiet and comfort their hearts in all estates how would they learn that lesson in all estates wherewith to be contented Phil. 4 11. It is with the Lords people many times as it is with children they would fain have their own wills when it may be sometimes it would be to their hurt but their Father knows best what is good for them and therefore denies their will and gives what he will So doth the Lord the Mediator of the new Covenant mediate for and give that which is best to his people though it may be they murmur at it through
singly upon the account of believing because the covenant was not onely in Gods purpose but brought forth and made manifest in promise and oath long before the most of believers were either of Jew or Gentile Therefore Thirdly the truth lyeth here by the house of Israel we are to understand the elect and chosen of God in Christ before the world was according to the Scripture whether Jew or Gentile 1 Of the Jew consider and compare the Scripture and it will appear that although God hath made many promises unto the natural seed of Abraham to do them good and they are all branches of this covenant yet they are to them not as natural but spiritual even the elect of God Therefore not general to all the seed but to a remnant whom the Lord shall call Joel 2. 32. in Rom. 9. 27. a Remnant shall be saved and explains this remnant Chap. 11. 5. So then there is a remnant at this present time according to the election of grace ver 7. the election obtained it and the rest were blinded So that as there was a remnant at that time even so there shall be a remnant in a time yet to come that God will bring in of that people but not by their Covenant viz. as a nation from mount Sinai but by the covenant of grace where the elect obtains it according to the word of the Lord. Object It is said Rom. 11. 26. That all Israel shall be saved c. Answ That is all Israel the elect out of all the tribes which are the Remnant whom the Lord will call It can be no other For 1 It is so minded in relation to the Remnant then called of the two tribes but there is a time yet to come that God will gather in out of all the tribes And 2 We must so understand this as concording with other Scriptures which saith it shall be but a Remnant even a tenth the holy feed the substance thereof Isay 6. 13. And so among the Gentiles great are the Promises to the Gentiles and the grace revealed yet the elect obtains it and the sheep in Gods councel and Christs knowledge must be brought in Rom. 9. 23 24. Joh. 10. 16. So that in a word the covenant is made to the elect in Christ and effected in and with believers whether Jew or Gentile which is the Fourth particular with whom the covenant is established and that is with Jesus Christ and in him with all the elect and by him established for the elect and accomplished in and with them in his times 1 It is with Jesus Christ as the head he being the foundation of Gods election and choice Isay 42. 1. The first born among many brethren Rom. 8. 29. That in all things he might have the preheminence That this covenant was first made with Christ is clear from the Scripture If we take it as given to Abraham the covenant was with his seed personally that is Christ as hath been before proved Gal. 3 16. The promise was made to Abraham and his seed he saith not seeds as of many but as of one to thy seed which is Christ so that the covenant is clearly stated to and with Jesus Christ and is with and in him hence it is that the Apostle saith that all the promises are in him yea and amen c. 2 Cor. 1. 20. now all the promises are branches of the covenant and the covenant being with and in him all the promises must be in him and in him sure yea and Amen to the praise and glory of God And farther if we consider David as personating Christ the covenant was with him God hath sworn by his holiness he will not lye to David viz. to Christ but his covenant shall stand fast for ever So that Christ stands head in this Covenant to his body the Church And as this covenant is made with Christ it is in behalf of all the elect Christ hath covenanted here in behalf of all the elect note this And that 1 For bringing in 2 For Preservation 3 For giving the kingdom and the glory 1 For bringing in Joh. 6. 37. All that the Father hath given me shall come to me c. Note here is a giving before coming which occasions coming they shall come a giving before believing And it is a giving by covenant as is clearly exprest ver 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 which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing Here is the fathers will and Christ came to do it so that here is Christs will and the covenant and agreement between the father and the son and that before Christ came down from heaven For I came down from heaven saith Christ to do the wil of him that sent me The father purposeth the work and the termes on which it must be undertaken Christ accepts it and undertakes it The first part of it is to bring in all that the Father hath given him they shall come to me saith Christ Object All are given to Christ Answ It s true all are given to him but to differing ends See Psal 2. 8 9. Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession But the gift we are speaking of is a gift by covenant in a way of grace so a remnant are given to Christ and shall come to him Joh. 10. 16. Other sheep I have that are not of this fold them also I must bring in c. That is his elect among the Gentiles yea all that Christ was to bring to God from among the Gentiles are here included and they were his sheep before they were born and before conversion How his but by gift in way of covenant and Christ must bring them in and why to answer the will the covenant on this behalf 2 For preservation Joh. 10. 28 29. They shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of mine hand My father which gave them me is greater then all and no man is able to pluck them out of my fathers hand They are in the sons hand by way of gift and covenant in the fathers hand in way of power the power of the father and the son being one and the same in working therefore the father worketh and the son worketh Christ holdeth them fast and the father holdeth them fast who is greater then all and his greatness is manifest in the son Joh. 6. 39. It is the fathers will that Christ should lose nothing of all that he had given him but that he raise it up and make it good at the last day and this is Christs will too this is the covenant 3 For the donation and giving of the kingdom and the glory this Christ hath undertaken Joh. 10. 28. and I give them eternal life and
particular proposed namely 2. To prove that Jesus Christ is the middle person between God and man or the Mediator of the new covenant for proof see not onely the text which is full and clear but likewise chap. 8. 6. he is said to be the Mediator of a better Covenant that is of the new covenant which is established upon better promises c. and chap. 9. 15. And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament c. and 1 Tim. 2. 5. There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus Thus you see the truth lieth clear That Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the new covenant a truth of very great and special concernment for the Lords people to be acquainted with and established in it being the enemies design and great endeavour to ruine faith in this truth and hath gon very far in the work with many at this day 3. The persons for whom he is a Mediator and the matter for what and that not onely 1. Generally for men There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. But secondly and more particularly and especially he is a Mediator of the new covenant so that then he is a Mediator for those included in the covenant between the Father and Christ I have before shewed that the covenant is made with Christ and in him with and for all the elect and chosen of the Father so that he mediates 1. For and in behalf of those given to him by the Father in order to the work of conversion and coming in to own the grace of the covenant My beloved friends I do believe that there is never a sinner converted from the evil of his way but it is by vertue of the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ at the right hand of God John 3. 3. Christ saith Except a man be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God So the word in the Greek from above and Jam. 1. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights And truly the work of conversion and faith in Jesus is a good work Therefore it s added ver 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth It is such a gift as he that hath it not must be damned it is a fruit of the spirit that is the earnest of our iâ—â—eritance the evidence of things not seen I suppose that none of knowledge and conscience dare deny but that all good is by vertue of Christ God gives it by him and that in way of Mediatorship It s true some there are who are so bold as to deny faith and conversion to be the gift of God that they would have to be beaten out of their own brains But as it is a gift from â—eaven so it is by vertue of Christs being there To deny this is to deny salvation by Jesus Christ for if saith and salvation be not by vertue of Christ his Mediatorship with the Father then salvation may be obtained without a Mediator and this absolutely destroys the Gospel and salvation by Jesus Christ But the new birth is a heavenly birth that is a birth from above Hence it is the Apostle saith Gal. 4. 26. Jerusalem which is above is free which is the Mother of us all and Psalm 87. speaking prophetically of the new covenant and of Jerusalem that City which is above and the flowing in of the Gentiles saith ver 4. 5. Of Zion it shall be said This and that man was born in her that is Jerusalem which is above from thence is the work wrought thence is the spirit given If I go away saith Christ I will send the spirit and he wil convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgement John 16. 7 8. It s the spirits work to convince of sin c. that is to effect by the doctrine of the Gospel the whole work of conversion And the sending of the spirit is a fruit of Christs Mediatorship If I go not away the comforter will not come but if I go away I will send him and I will pray the Father and he will send you another comforter c. The Mediatorship of Christ and the doctrine of the Gospel concurs together and the spirit that is a fruit of Christs Mediatorship as well as the doctrine of salvation and is given to conversion in the preaching of the doctrine of the Gospel This I would learn of you received ye the spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith Gal. 3. 2. So that it is evident that Jesus Christ is a Mediator of the new covenant in behalf of unconverted ones for their conversion and work of faith that they might come to know the grace given to them in Christ and so come to receive the grace prepared for them Luke 23. 34. Then said Jesus Father forgive them they know not what they do 2 He is a Mediator for all his people believers to whom the covenant is revealed or made known he is with the Father for them He is between God and man viz. His people That is it the Apostle saith 1 John 2. 1. If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous c. Heb. 9. 24. He is now in the presence of God for us that is for his people believers if they sin he is their Mediator and Advocate Quest But what doth he mediate for for his people Answ In brief he is all to his Father for his people and brings down all good from the Father to his people he makes both the persons and services of his people acceptable with the Father and makes the Fathers goodness and will acceptable to and with his people This is the sum of all from whence every branch flows But more particularly as he mediates to the Father for his people so 1. He presents their persons and makes them accepted though they are poor and wretched in themselves yet to the Father they are lovely in his son a word of singular consolation for poor Saints who live in the sight and sence of their own poverty Matth. 3. 17. And lo a voyce from heaven saying This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased God is not onely well pleased with Christ but he is well pleased in him with all his poor people and that is it Christ saith Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matth. 5. 3. Jesus Christ is a Mediator for such and they are made accepted in the beloved Ephes 1. 6. Thus through the Mediatorship of Christ the persons of his people are accepted of the Father and so they stand in an acceptable justified state with God 2 Their services are by virtue of the Mediatorship of Christ accepted with God he is not onely well pleased with their persons but he is likewise
justifying sanctifying preserving comforting and glorifying grace Grace and glory and no good thing will be withheld from his People 4 I come now to the fourth particular proposed to wit the place where Jesus Christ mediates for his people and that is in heaven whither he ascended when he was taken up Act. 1. 10 11. A truth of special concernment for Saints to be established in for lose the place and lose the person and work and all at once A great cheat of the adversary at this day that perswades poor People of such a heaven and Christ within them as to deny and gain-say Christ and heaven above and pretend a supposition that if Christ be personally in heaven and by his Spirit in his people it must necessarily make two Christs But this is a truth and it concerns all true believers that expect salvation by Jesus Christ to believe and know That according to the Scriptures Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the work of mediatorship Angels and Principalities and Powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. â—2 Heb. 4. 14. Seeing then that we have a great high Priest who is passed into the beavens Jesus the Son of God c. chap. 9. 24. Christ is entred into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Rom. 8. 33 34. It is God that justifieth c. It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Thus you see its clear from the word of truth which I believe above all the fancies of men on earth That Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the great work of mediatorship He is said to be ascended up far above all heavens Ephes 4. 10. that is above all the known heavens that are seen with the eye or understood in their motions by skill and Art of natural wise men called therefore the third heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2. but I shall conclude this with Heb. 8. 1. We have such an high Priest who is sate on the right hand of the Throne of the majesty in the heavens And there it is he mediates and thither let the Saints look and there let their hearts and affections be Col. 3. 1. 2. 5 I shall pass to the fifth particular proposed viz. the manner how Jesus Christ performs this work of mediatorship and that is 1 By his bloud as he was a sacrifice 2 Vocally by word as he is a Priest and Son 3 Faithfully and tenderly 4 Powerfully and prevailingly 5 Particularly and distinctly for all Saints for all wants 6 Constantly to the end 1 Christ mediates with his bloud as he was a sacrifice for when he was on earth he offered up himself a sacrifice for the sin of sinners He then performed the Priestly work in offering himself but having offered up himself a sacrifice he is gone into heaven and makes good that sacrifice there The high Priest was a type of this in entring into the holy place and that not without bloud Christ is entred with his own bloud into heaven it self there to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. 23. 24. And by his blood he mediates that is clear by the words immediately following my Text. Heb. 12. 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel The blood of Christ pleads for the Lords people it was shed for them and therefore it pleads for them better things then that of Abel Abels blood cried for venvengeance but the blood of Christ crieth for mercy for poor sinners for the giving down the good things of the Covenant for which it was shed 2. He mediates vocally in behalf of his people He prayes for them as a son as a high priest that is the son of God consecrated for evermore And that Christ doth so will appear 1. From scripture 2. From reasons grounded upon Scripture 1. From Scripture the words of Christ are full and plain in this matter John 14. 16. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter c. Here is Christs promise at his departure that he will pray c. And this is further clear chap. 16. 7. If I go not away the comforter will not come but if I go I will send him c. that is I will pray the Father and he shall send him Obj. Christ saith chap. 16. 26. And I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you c. by this it seems that Christ will not pray vocally for his people in heaven Answ This being rightly understood no whit derogates from the truth in hand or the former promise of Christ that he would pray the Father for his people when he came to heaven but rather confirms the truth thereof it being usual in the holy Scriptures that when any thing of special concernment follows that which goes before is exprest with a not not to deny the thing but to confirm the truth and excellency of that which in that saying is most especially intended and yet that which is brought in with a not is as fully true as the other Instances are John 6. 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that meat which endureth to eternal life Doth Christ in this place forbid labour for the meat which perisheth no doubtless for it was given as a law afterwards that such as would not work should not eat and idleness is forbidden in all therefore that we are to understand is Labor not onely or chiefly for the meat which perisheth So 1 Cor. 1. 17. Paul saith I was not sent to baptize but to preach the Gospel that is not onely or chiefâ—ly sent to baptize 1 Tim. 2. 14. Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression Was not Adam deceived yea doubtless and in other places it is laid all upon him death came in by him but Adam sinned not alone nor was first in the transgression now the Apostle speaks of women and applieth the womans sin to women and saith Adam was not deceived Women should know that not onely Adam sinned but the woman sinned and was first in the transgression too so that these instances may serve to clear up our understanding of the words of Christ I say not that I will pray for you that is I say not onely that I will pray for you but as a farther ground of strong consolation The Father himself loveth you by which I am sure to prevail in what I pray for and this is evident for he had promised it before 2. I shall prove this from reasons grounded on the Scriptures Reason 1. From his praying for them when he was in this world in some sence more remote from the Father and less exercised in the work of mediation gives us strong and undoubted grounds to
weakness and ignorance it may be they desire health and he gives sickness they desire riches and he gives Poverty c. why your Lord your Mediator knows sickness to be best and poverty to be best Therefore be content man with what the Lord gives down Paul prayes thrice that the thorne in the flesh might be taken away or depart from him c. God answers him in that which was best for him gives him another thing for the present and that is strength of grace to encounter with it resist and bear it till it should be removed My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12. 8 9. And that was as good or better then the sudden removal of the tentation c. 4 Advantage is the preparation of the kingdom and the glory for them Christ is with his Father in heaven not onely mediating for present supplies and supports and giving a present acceptation to the persons and prayers of the Saints but he is preparing the kingdom for them that the Father giveth to them Joh. 14. 2. I go to prepare a place for you Hark you friends Jesus Christ is gone to prepare a Place for you a heavenly a glorious Place an inheritance that is incorruptible and uâ—â—efiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you 1 Pet. 1. 4. An house not made with hands but eternal in the heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1. and this is done by virtue of the mediatorship of Christ it s purchased by virtue of his death Hence it s called the purchased Possession Ephes 1. 14. But it shall be prepared and given to them by virtue of the mediatorship of Christ 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 c. 7 I come to the Reasons why the New Covenant which is free and absolute and all glorious must have Christ to be the Mediator of it The reasons are 1 Why it must be so 2 Why it is so 1 Why it must be so First because it was the Fathers eternal councel and will that although the fountain of love and all good was and is in God from all eternity yet he never intended to bring it forth to the sons of men any other way but by the death and mediatorship of Jesus Hence the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 1. 20. He was verily foreordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you who do by him believe in God c. 2 It being so there is a necessity that Christ should be the Mediator of this covenant without which it is impossible that his people should have the grace of the Covenant This being the way ordained by the Father for the conveyance of grace and glory to his people and the way for his people to come up to him Joh. 14. 6. Heb. 10. 19 20. So that here is a necessity for Christ to be the Mediator of the New Covenant 3 There was and is a necessity in respect of the fallen miserable state of man by nature and the weak poor state of believers through the remainders of the corruption of nature that without it there was no way of redemption from wrath nor of standing and persevering nor boldness to come to God but alone by and through the Mediator of the New Covenant So that it appears here was a necessity for Christ to be the Mediator of the New Covenant to wit for and in behalf of his people interested in the covenant for the giving forth of the good things of the covenant unto them 2 Why it is so First because he was thereunto appointed of God and it is his office and his work to be mediating in behalf of his People and therefore in it Christ answers the Fathers will and performs his office he is appointed unto And secondly it is so 1 because Christ hath accepted of and taken the office upon him and undertaken too for and in the behalf of all his poor people Loe I come to do thy will O God Christ came to undertake the office and to do the work for those that could not do it themselves 2 Christ was appointed by the Father and accepted of the office and work of Mediator That so salvation might be sure to all the seed this is the way of assurance that God hath given to his people that Christ hath undertaken he work for them and takes the care of them He is become their Good shepherd and Bishop to wit overseer of their souls He hath undertaken according to the Fathers will to take the care of all the sheep and to see that they do not perish and he is enabled to it by the very power of the Father that he might be able to accomplish it it is that salvation might be sure sure mercy Isay 55. 3. Sure support and preservation from enemies that they might be surely and safely kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation Quest If Christ hath undertaken the work of Mediatorship that is the bringing forth to his people and accomplishing all the blessings of the New Covenant why then do the Saints pray for it and endeavour after it as if it was their work to get every blessing c. Answ I must in my answer to this Question say as I have said before touching the Covenant it self viz. That although the Covenant be absolute yet there is the duty of the Covenant So I say although Jesus Christ be the Mediator of the New Covenant yet it is the duty of the Lords people to seek after every good thing they stand in need of what ever Christ hath undertaken to mediate for as far as they are enlightned in it they are to seek after it And indeed it is by virtue of the mediatorship of Christ that they have that liberty and priviledge and may have that boldness So that Christ is a Mediator to procure for the Saints whatever they pray for in faith according to the will of God to right ends and to procure all good for them even what they through ignorance pray not for The Saints prayers cannot be available but as in Christ their Mediator for out of him God is a consuming fire but in him and in him alone is he full of love and grace a God pardoning iniquity transgression and sinne Before I come to application I shall speak something briefly unto the two other Parts or Branches of the doctrine The second Part of which is That believers are come to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and this is a happy state indeed to come to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant Quest What are we to understand by coming or being come to Jesus Answ 1. To come to Jesus is to believe in him He that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. To come to Christ by faith and to own him in all his offices to look
is the onely son the beloved son and you know how far an onely beloved son may prevail with his Father and not onely so but he is our Father likewise my Father and your Father saith Christ and the Father himself loveth you and therefore there is no question of prevailing for every good thing 2. There is assured application of the pardon of sin Christs sacrifice did purchase pardon but as he liveth in heaven a Mediator he applieth pardon by the purchase I saith Christ have given my life and blood for this poor sinner and therefore oh Father let him have pardon he shall have remission of all his sins 1 John 1. 9. and 2. 12. Therefore let it be your work beloved friends whose hearts are approaching to him to be by faith applying pardon and remission to your selves dayly for I know that you dayly need it and what ever is good for you believe it shall be done for the Father loves you and is as willing to do for you as your Advocate is to ask nay as you your selves can be to receive therefore no doubt of receiving what is good for you Onely here lieth the case your Father and mediator sees that to be good sometimes which you cannot see to be so and that makes you to dislike and it may be sees that would hurt you which you are willing to have and so denies you of it 1 In a word for the improving of the consolation of this doctrine call to minde the former truths viz. 1 The persons for whom he mediates 2 For what he mediates 3 The advantages that come thereby And make application to your souls and see if it fill not your hearts with all joy and peace in believing c. 2 Remember that it is a high and glorious state you are come unto above that under the law above all hypocrites formalists or notionists that trample underfoot this precious state In a word above all people in the world there is no higher estate attainable in this world then to come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant and therefore Rejoyce in the Lord and again I say rejoyce and bless his name that hath brought you hither you are come to God to Christ to Angels to Saints to grace and shall come to glory 3 Improve this precious priviledge to the utmost come to God in the name of Jesus come with boldness to the throne of grace c. Let not thy imperfections and unworthiness keep thee back remember in all thy approches to God that Jesus the mediator is with him for thee and be even liveth to make intercession for thee be encouraged therefore to improve thy interest in this Mediator who will never fail thee nor forsake thee Object Oh! But may some poor souls say I am a sinner and am affraid and oft times to look up and am much discouraged by reason of the sinfull nature and the evil that doth attend me what may I do in this case Answ So much the more need man of a Mediator and so much the more need to be looking up and improving thy interest in heaven and know he is a Mediator for those that are sinners burthened with sin therefore let not that discourage thee from looking up to Jesus but rather look the more to him Object I know not oft times how to pray nor what to pray for as I ought Answ He knows what thy wants are and will pray for thee he is thy Mediator and he gives his spirit to intercede for thee with sighs and groans which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. Therefore go to God in the name of Jesus be not discouraged but seek there and what ever you pray for let it be in the name of your Mediator In truth I do believe that the Lords people have failed much in this matter and to be much looking to God in our Mediator would be the way to prevail much with God John 16. 23. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name he will give it you And above all take heed that ye be not ensnared by the adversary to turn your back upon this blessed Mediator that is in heaven for his people This I may say is the last and the great snare of the devil at this day to destroy faith in this great truth of the Gospel and to prevail on poor creatures to turn their back on Christ Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant Tremble at this abomination be it under never so glorious a pretence And lastly let this be a word to invite and engage poor sinners to come in to Jesus to this Mediator to this covenant a high and glorious estate Oh let not any poor souls content themselves in any estate short of this short of Jesus the Mediator is nothing but death Consider what your souls need is and that he invites all burdened and heavy laden sinners to come to him Oh therefore away to Jesus there is love there is life there is pardon there is peace and in a word the perfection of all good but short of him there is nothing but wo and misery and death indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish on every soul that doth evil New Covenant Principles OF Gospel or New Covenant principles of Truth necessary to be known and believed by all the Saints for their being established and standing stable and sound in the Faith 1 Concerning God THat God is in his being Heb. 11. 6. Psal 46. 10. Isay 43. 12. And that there is but one God who is the Father of all 1 Cor. 8 4. Ephes 4. 6. Deut. 6. 4. That this one God is a Spirit John 4. 24. Who made all things by Jesus Christ Joh. 1. 2 3. Heb. 1. 2. Ephes 3. 9. Col. 1. 15 16. and that he is infinite in power wisdom grace and glory Gen. 17. 1. Psal 147. 5. Exod. 34. 6. Holy just eternal by his Spirit present in all places John 24. 19. Isa 5. 16. Lev. 19. 2. 20. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. Isa 45. 21. Heb. 3. 5. Isa 40. 28. Deut. 33. 27. Rom. 1. 20. Psal 139. 7 8 9. That his glorious majesty is in heaven 1 Kings 8. 30. Psal 11. 4. Eccles 5. 2. Dan. 2. 28. Matth. 5. 16. 45. 48. 6. 1 9. 7. 11 21. 10. 32 33. 12. 50. 16 17. 18. 10 19. Mark 11. 25 26. John 20. 17. Heb. 9. 24. 1. 3. 8. 1. And this one God is distinguished into Father Word and holy Spirit which three the word being understood the divine nature the fulness of the God head that dwelt in Christ is this one eternal infinite God Job 1. 1. Joh. 15. 26. 1 Job 5. 7. 2 Concerning Jesus Christ That Jesus Christ is truly God Is 9. 6. Rom. 9. 5. 1 Jo. 3. 16. and that from eternity with God Joh. 1. 1. filled with the divine fulness Col. 1. 19. 2. 9. the eternal Word and Son by whom all things were made
Joh. 1. 2 3. Ephes 3. 9. Col. 1. 15 16. Heb. 1. 2. That this word was made or manifest in flesh Joh. 1. 14. 1 Tim. 3. 16. And so was truly man of the seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1. 3. Act. 2. 30. Rom. 9. 5. The true Messiah promised in the Old Testament Gen. 3. 15. Gal. 4. 4. Joh. 1. 45. Gen. 12. 3. Gal. 3. 16. That he humbled himself and became obdient even to the death of the Cross for our sins Phil. 2. 7 8 9. 1 Cor. 15. 3. was raised from the dead Luke 24. 6 7. 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. and is ascended into heaven to the Father Joh. 20. 17. Acts 1. 10 11. and made Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. head over all to and for the Church Ephes 1. 20 21 22 23. 3 Concerning the holy Spirit That the holy Spirit is of God Gen. 1. 2. Isay 61. 1. 1 Cor. 2. 12. Numb 24. 2. 1 Sam. 10. 10. 11. 6. 19. 20 23. Job 27. 3. Matth. 3. 16. Proceeds from him Joh. 15. 26. And is eternal Heb. 9. 14. present in all places Psal 139. 7 8 9. and admits of no cessation from the Father and the Son though of distinction in which he is one of the Three which distinction is safe enough to be retained and all that are to be baptized are first to be taught the knowledge of and faith in Father Son and holy Spirit Matth. 28. 18 19. 4 Concerning man That God made man upright Gen. 1. 26 27. Ecles 7. 29. but he fell from that estate into an estate of sin and death Gen. 3. 6 7. Rom. 10. 12. 5 Concerning mans recovery That is by faith in Iesus Christ crucified raised and ascended and not by any fancy whatsoever Joh. 6. 39. Acts 13. 38 39. Rom. 3. 22 23 24 25 26. Ephes 1. 6 7. Col. 1. 21 22. Rev. 1. 5. 6 Concerning faith Faith is to believe the truth and faithfulness of God in his word Rom. 4. 3. 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. and that he is able and will perform it Joh. 10. 28 29. Rom. 4. 20 21. Ephes 3. 10. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Cor. 10. 13. 1 Thes 5. 24. 2 Thes 3. 3. 7 Of the object of justifying faith Jesus Christ crucified as the gift of God to and for sinners is the object of faith Joh. 3. 16 36. 6. 29 47. Acts 26. 18. Rom. 3. 24. 1 Joh. 3. 23. And in and by Christ the Father is likewise the object of faith Joh. 5. 24. 12. 44. Rom. 8. 33 34. 1 Pet. 1. 21. and not the light within or any other fancy whatsoever 8 Concerning the ground of faith The goodness power wisdom and will of God made manifest in Christ and declared in the Scriptures of truth is the ground of faith Exod. 34. 6. Psal 34. 8. 36. 7. Gen. 17. 1. 2 Chro. 20. 6. 14. 11. Dan. 3. 17. Rom. 4 20 21. Ephes 3. 20. 2 Tim. 1. 12. Joh. 20. 31. 14. 6. Heb. 10. 19 20 21. 9 Of hope That hope is an unseparable companion of faith 1 Cor. 13. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 21. and when faith believes the truth of God declared in his word and the life that is in Jesus then comes in hope hoping for an interest in that grace and glory Acts 24. 15. Rom. 8. 24. 15. 4. Col. 1. 5. 23. Tit. 3. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 13. This of hope is an acceptable grace Psal 33. 18. 149. 11. It is the applying part of faith Heb. 6. 11. 1 Thes 5. 8. 1 Tim. 1. 1. Tit. 2. 13. So that the justifying faith of the New Covenant is when a soul truly believes the truth of God in his word and the life that is in Iesus Christ crucified hopes for an interest in this grace and cleavs to and trusts in the Lord. 10 Concerning works That works do undoubtedly accompany faith and that true faith is of a working purifying nature and that faith which is without works is a dead faith Acts 15. 9. Gal. 5. 6. Ephes 2. 10. 4. 17. to 32. Tit. 3. 8. Jam. 2. 17. 22. and that those works should be according to the mind of God in Scripture and not mens own fancies which leads to the 11. 11 Concerning the Scriptures That the Scripture is the true and faithfull word of God and is so to be believed Psal 93. 5. 111. 7. 119. 138. Joh. 5. 39. 1 Cor. 14. 37. Rom. 1. 2. 2 Pet. 1. 19 20 21. And that all believers actions are or ought to be ordered according to the Scriptures Isay 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 14 15 16 17. 2 Pet. 1. 19. 12 Concerning the Mediatorship of Christ That Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the performance of his great office and work of mediatorship for and in behalf of all his people Rom. 8. 34. Ephes 1. 20. Col. 3. 1. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 1. 3. 7. 25. 8 1 6. 9. 15. 24. 10. 12. 12. 2 24. 1 Pet. 3. 22. 13. That Jesus Christ shall assuredly come again from heaven at the time appointed Acts 1. 11. 3. 20 21. and shall raise the dead and judge the quick and dead 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. Joh. 5. 28. 1 Thes 4. 16. 2 Tim. 4. 1. Matth. 24. 30. and take to himself his great power and reign Rev. 11. 17. 14. That the Saints shall live and reign with Christ in eternal life Matth. 19. 29. 25. 34 46. Luke 12. 32. Isay 35. 10. Rev. 20. 4. 21. 4. and the wicked shall live in eternal misery Matth. 25. 41. Rev. 6. 15 16 17. 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. 15. That the Covenant God made made with Abraham through faith in which he became the father of many nations viz. all belivers Gentiles as well as Jews was the Gospel Covenant Gen. 15. 5 6. 12. 3. 17. 4 5. 22. 18. 18. 18. Acts 3. 25. Rom. 4. 11 13 14 16 17 18. Gal. 3. 8 14 17 18. 16. That the Covenant by virtue of which infants in the Old Testament ministration had a right to be Church members or to ordinances was not this Covenant but that of circumcision which was one and the same with the law from mount Sinai the Covenant made with the children of Israel when God brought them by Moses out of Egypt and was a subservient Covenant added for that ministration till the seed was come to which the Gospel Covenant was made and is done away Gen. 17. 10. to 14. with Joh. 7. 22. Gal. 5. 2 3. 3. 19. Rom. 2. 25. 17. That who ever brings in Church members on the Old Testament membership makes null and void the Gospel covenant Rom. 4. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 16 17. Gal. 4. 21 to 31. 3. 19 29. 18. That Gods foreknowledge and choice in electing some men and women to salvation in Christ was before the beginning of the world Ephes 1. 4. Rom. 8. 29. 2 Tim. 1. 9.
them up in subjection Ephes 6. 4. 4. To corect them as need requireth for their good Prov. 22. 15. 23. 13. 5. Not to be bitter to them nor provoke them to wrath Ephes 6. 4. 6. To bring them up in the education of some lawful calling Gen. 3. 19. 2 Thes 3. 10 11 12. Duties of children to their parents 1. To honour them and to have a high and reverend esteem of them Ephes 6. 2. 2. To obey them and be subject to them in the Lord Ephes 6. 1. Col. 3. 20. 3. To be helpful unto them in what they may stand in need of 1 Tim. 5. 16. with Joh. 19. 26 27. Matth. 15. 5. Mark 7. 11 12. Duties of masters to their servants 1. To give unto them that which is just and equal for their services Col. 4. 1. 2. To do to them that which is just and right forbearing or moderating threatning Ephes 6. 9. 3. To know that they themselves have a master in heaven to whom they must give an account with whom there is no respect of persons Ephes 6. 9. Col. 4. 1. 4 To instruct them in the fear of God and pray for them Gen. 18. 19. Col. 4. 2. Duties of servants to their masters 1. To obey their masters and do them service with singleness of heart as to the Lord Ephes 6. 5. Col. 3. 22. 23. Tit. 2. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 18. 2. To be faithful in all things Ephes 6. 6 7. Gen. 24. 12 13 14. 27. 56. Tit. 2. 10. 3. To be profitable for their masters advantage Philem. 11. Mattb. 25. 30. 4. To be peaceable not answering again but to endeavour to please them in all things Tit. 2. 9. 5. To suffer from their masters with patience not onely for evil doing but for well doing 1 Pet. 2. 18 19 20. Several useful and precious Promises of the New Covenant sutable to the several wants and conditions of believers while they are in the mortal and imperfect state as also some promises of the work of conversion and change of the heart 2 PEt. 1. 4. Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust 2 Cor. 1. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God Rom. 4. 3. What saith the Scripture Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness Ver. 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in the faith giving glory to God Promises of the work of conversion and change of the heart Joh. 25. 6. 37. 10. 16. Isay 35. 5 6 7. Ezek. 11. 19. 36. 26. Promises of remission of sin to repenting believing souls Isay 55. 7. Jer. 31. 34. Micah 7. 18. 1 Joh. 1. 9. Prov. 28. 13. Acts 10. 43. Isay 33. 24. The bloud of Christ was shed for that end Matth. 26. 28. Promises of sanctifying and purifying of the heart and subduing of iniquity Mal. 3. 3. Heb. 9. 14. Isa 4. 3 4. 27. 9. Ezek. 36. 25. Micah 7. 19. Promises to the poor humble and meek in spirit Matth. 5. 3. Isay 66. 2. 57. 15. Psal 25. 9. 37. 11. 34. 18. 22. 26. 76. 9. Isay 29. 19. Psal 9. 18. Matth. 11. 29. Luke 18. 14. Zeph. 3. 12. 2. 3. Psal 76. 9 10. Promises to such as hunger and thirst after righteousness Mat. 20. 6. Luke 6. 21. Isay 65. 13. 41. 17 18. 44. 3. 55. 1 2. Job 6. 35. 37. Promises to those whose sins are a heavy burden to them of ease and healing in their coming to Christ Matth. 11. 28. Isay 45. 22 25. 53. 4 5 6. Isay 53. 5. Isay 57. 18 19. Promises to Saints that are poor in this world Jam. 2. 5. Luke 6. 20. Prov. 28. 6. 19. 1. Psal 132. 15. 34. 10. Matt. 6. 31 32 33. Promises to such as suffer reproach and persecution for the Son of mans sake or for any truth of his Mat. 5. 10 11 12. Luke 6. 22 23. Mat. 18. 19 22. 10. 19. Isay 43. 1 2. Psal 93. 3 4. Promises of power and strength against all enemies and temptations and of preserving sustaining and persevering grace Isay 40. 29. 31. 41. 10. 40. 11. 46. 3 4. Psal 29 11. 121. 3 4 5 6 7 8. 55. 22. Joh. 10. 28 29. hence the Apostle concludes Phil. 4. 13. Promises of deliverance Psal 100. 15. Isay 45. 17. Ezek. 34. 10. Psal 9. 17 18. 125. 3. Promises to Sions mourners Isay 61. 2 3. Mat. 5. 4. Luke 6. 21. Psal 126. 5 6. Isa 35. 10. 51. 11. Rev. 21. 4. Promises to such as in faith and love are pitiful and shew mercy in the distributing to the necessities of poor Saints for the sake of Christ Prov. 14. 21. Luke 14. 13 14. Heb. 6. 10. Prov. 28. 27. Ecles 11. 1. Prov. 19. 17. Psal 41. 1 2 3. Promises of the giving down of the holy Spirit Joh. 14. 16 17. 15. 26. 16. 7. Joel 2. 28. with Act. 2. 16 17. Isay 44. 3. 59. 21. Luke 11. 13. Act. 2. 38 39. Promises of and to such as fear God Jer. 32. 40. Eccles 8. 12. Psal 25. 14. 33. 18 19. 34. 7 9. 85. 9. 103. 13. 17. 111. 5. 145. 19. 115. 13. Promises to such as are not afraid nor ashamed to profess Christ and to follow him Matth. 16. 24 25. Mark 8. 34 35 36 37 38. Luke 9. 23 24. Joh. 12. 26. 8. 12. hence the Apostle concludes Rom. 1. 16. 2 Tim. 1. 12. and of such see Heb. 11. 16. 2. 11. Promises to believing Job 5. 24. 7. 38. 3. 15. 6. 35. 40. 11. 25 26. 14. 12. Mark 16. 16. Acts 10. 43. Rom. 9 33. Gal. 3. 22. 2 Thes 1. 10. 1 Pet. 2. 6. Promises to such as persevere in faith and good works to the end and overcome all enemies and oppositions Matth. 10. 22. 24. 13. Mark 13. 13. Heb. 3. 6. 14. Rev. 2. 7. 11. 17. 26. 3. 5. 12. 21. 17. 26. 3. 5. 12. 21. 21. 7. Promises to such as seek the kingdom of heaven first and above all trusting the Lord with their bodies as well as their souls that may take off believers from covetousness and the carking cares of this life Matth. 6. 33. Luke 12 31. Psal 37. 3. 1 Tim. 4. 8. Heb. 13. 50. Promises that the just shall live by faith as well as it is their duty so to do Hab. 2. 4. Rom. 1. 17. Gal. 3. 11. Heb. 10. 38. Promises of growth and increase in the Lords house Psal 92. 12. 14. Prov. 11. 28. Hosea 14. 5. 7. Mal. 4. 2. Promises of eternal life wherein the eternal state of Saints is stated and promised Joh. 10. 28. 6. 40. Rom. 6. 23. 1