every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day Joh. 14.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also 2. But if ye enquire after the formal condition of the Covenant of Suretiship I say it was his whole obedience active and passive even unto death Phil. 2.8 and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross though the special principal eminent condition of this Covenant may be referred to the principal eminent last act of his obedience to that signal special command of laying down his life for the elect Joh. 10.18 No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again this commandment have I received of my Father For 1. This Covenant being a bargain betwixt Jehovah and Christ of buying a people to God then the whole price and ransom told down and payed for them must be the formal condition of that Covenant whereby we are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Pet. 1.18 19 For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your Fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without spot and without blemish 2. Christ was under a special explicite command for the performance of this condition of laying down his life as is clear from Joh. 10.18 and Christ was under a special act to obey this command as himself acknowledges Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O my God and therefore we may well call it the special condition of the Covenant of Suretiship 3. This solemn act of obedience in offering himself a Sacrifice to death for our sins is the condition of his bond of Suretiship that is most notised by the Holy Ghost and frequently referred unto as may be gathered from Heb. 9.14 15 26 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of death for the Redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Rom. 8.3 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh And therefore when we speak of the condition of the Covenant of Suretiship this is to be held the special eminent condition thereof 4. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ states the condition of this Covenant upon this eminent solemn act of his obedience even his making his soul an offering for sin c. for-vent which he makes the great promises of his glorious reward Isa 53. throughout 5. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself does own this as the special condition of his Coovenant of Suretiship and that both at his entring into the world Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God And about or at the time of his leaving the world when he had fulfilled or was about to fulfil all his undertaking and conditions to his Father Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do With 19.30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar he said it is finished and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost These being the sum of the conditions required from Christ See Mr. Rutherf Treat of the Covenant p. 2. ch 11. And Mr. Robert's Medul Bibl. b. 2. c. 2. and undertaken by him let us enquire also after the promises made to Christ and the encouraging-conditions that were made to him by Jehovah for undertaking so hard a work as was the redemption and recovery of lost man These were of eight sorts The first kind of promises made to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption were such as relate to the offices authorities trusts and powers that were covenanted to him for the doing of this work 1. I say Jehovah promiseth to invest Christ with offices sutable to that great work of Redemption to make him Lord Mediator of the new Covenant to make him great Lord Ambassador that he might go and travel in that business of our Redemption to make him a King a Priest and a Prophet for effecting this business Psal 110. throughout The Lord said to my Lord sit thou at my right hand he shall judge among the heathen the Lord hath sworn and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever Isa 49.6 And 42.6 7 I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my Salvation unto the ends of the earth to open the blind eyes c. Psal 2.6 7 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion I will declare the decree the Lord said unto me c. 2. God did not only promise to invest Christ with offices and trusts but with authorities and powers also with headship and power of Judgment over Men and Angels that shall make them all bow to him Rom. 14.10.11 We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ for it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God He was not a titular King or Priest nor a scenick one a King upon a stage but a King upon a throne Luk. 1.32 33 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 A King that had power to bow the hearts of his Subjects and to crush the greatest Heads and Rulers in the world that oppose him Psal 110.3.5 6 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath He shall judg among the heathen he shall fill the places with the dead bodies he shall wound the heads over many countries And 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel And 45.3 4 5 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most mighty with thy glory and thy majesty And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness and thy right hand
there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him Rev. 17.14 He is lord of lords and king of kings Over the Reprobate as well as the Elect Psalm 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool Over all ages and generations of men Dan. 7.14 his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Although it be more special and he be a King more peculiarly to the Church and the elect World Psalm 2.6 8 9 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel And that both outwardly by appointing them Laws Ordinances and Officers Psalm 9.6 7 For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace of the encrease of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with justice and with judgment from henceforth and for ever And inwardly by ruling in their hearts Luke 17.21 Neither shall they say lo here or lo there 〈◊〉 behold the kingdom of God is within you Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye stall keep my judgments and do them Jer. 31.33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their bearts And his Kingdom is over other creatures but for the cause and behoof of the Elect Eph. 1 22 And gave him to be the head over all things to the Church 3. It is Spiritual over the souls and consciences of men to awe and over-rule the hearts of men to captivate their affections Rom. 14.17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Joh. 18.36 Jesus answered and said My kingdom is not of this world Chap. 6.15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a King he departed again into a mountain himself alone To break in pieces his enemies with an iron Rod to rule and slay them with the words of his mouth Psalm 110.2 Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies Isa 11.4 But with righteousness shall he judg the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked 4. It is everlasting Dan. 2.44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Chap. 7.14 His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Heb. 1.8 But unto the Son he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever and although it be said 1 Cor. 15.24 he shall give the kingdom to his Father yet his Kingdom shall not then cease for I take that to be in regard of the manner of administration of it by Ordinances Officers c. for then all his Saints shall be perfected and all his enemies subdued whereof something hath been already spoken 5. In the kingdom of Christ Mediator he doth all things with authority and power and yet it is wholly ruled by his Word and Spirit He doth all things in his Kingdom not by outward secular force but by his influences upon the spirits of men and determining them in a secret way whether providentially or by saving and sanctifying influences Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord of Hosts Psalm 110.1 2 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies 2 Thess 2.8 And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming 6. The great work of his Kingly Power is to imploy it for saving of his people and subduing his and their enemies to bring to pass his purpose of the one and the other either without or against all-contradiction Psalm 110 throughout Psalm 2 throughout Phil. 2.9 10 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth 7. The great and special end of Christs Kingly Office is to make his other Offices effectual for the saving of his Elect to support his Priesthood and Prophecy and to give vigour and efficacy to them for except Christ had been a Prince that had power over his friends and foes his other Offices could never have been made effectual to the Elect nor he a Captain of Salvation to them Heb. 2.10 Therefore also he is set forth as a Priest upon a Throne who carrieth all things as a King with power Heb. 1.3 When he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high It is his Kingdom which effects that Reconciliation which is the end of a Mediator that which his Prophecy teacheth and his Priesthood and Sacrifice hath purchased he sits as a King and conveys the power of it into the soul 2 Cor. 10.4 5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds and casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 3. The Harmony and Consent of these three Offices in our Mediator and how they do concurr for the end of his Mediatorship to wit the triesting of the difference betwixt God and man by making a reconciliation and binding up friendship by a new Covenant Here observe the sweet concurrence of the three Offices in the Mediator Christ 1. All these Offices level at one end to wit Reconciliation and Salvation which is the great business wherefore a Mediator was appointed 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself but with
sins 1 Joh. 2.27 And ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lye 2. How to apply Christs Priesthood at first for justification and how to apply it daily and continually for repeated pardon and forgiveness and how to improve it as our daily sacrifice 1 John 1.9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness And 2.1 2. My little children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous c. 3. How to live by faith to depend upon Christ and to be guided continually by him as the ruler of his people Heb. 10.38 Now the just shall live by faith Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory 2. By removing mistakes and prejudices which are so rooted in our hearts that there can be no agreement till these prejudices be taken off and a good understanding be gotten betwixt the parties Thus Christ played the Prophet to the woman of Samaria by instructing her till he had removed her mistakes and prejudices and informed her judgment right and then he had access to deal further with her Joh. 4.3 By convincing of the need of his Priesthood and Sacrifice and of his Kingdom he doth teach his people as a Prophet till they know they need a Sacrifice and till he shew them where it is and till they know they need a King and the arm of Omnipotency for effecting a change of the Covenant-state John 16.8 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin of righteousness and of judgment Job 33.23 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one among a thousand to shew unto man his uprightness Consider 2. How the Priesthood of Christ concurreth with his Prophesie and Kingdom and is aiding to them 1. His Priesthood is aiding to his Prophesie 1. By making God accessible through the new and living way of Reconciliation taught by his Prophesie God having now accepted a sacrifice and we having a Priest by whom we may come to him Heb. 10.19 20 Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say the flesh and an Advocate and Intercessor to pray for us 1 John 2.1 2 We have an Advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins 2. By making that great Prophet more affable and condescending to us by how much he is come near to us in our nature and hath taken his Sacrifice from among his brethren I mean his flesh and body Heb. 2.17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren Chap. 5.1 For every High-priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that they may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins Chap. 10. v. 5 Whererefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me 2. His Priesthood is aiding to his Kingdom and that in both the parts of it 1. In his sacrifice and satisfaction he hath doubled his right and title to his people and worketh their salvation by price which as a King he doth by power and conquest Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 1 Pet. 1.18 19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things but with the precious blood of Christ 2. In his Intercession he carrieth the same business of our Salvation by favour and entreaty which he hath also carried by Command as a King Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them With 1.3 When he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high John 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am 3. Consider how his Kingdom doth support his Priesthood and Prophesie and give vigour and efficacy to them both And 1. His Kingdom doth assist his Prophesie 1. By sustaining and keeping up the means of Salvation and Teaching by his Gospel and Ordinances against all the enemies that have risen up and bestirred themselves against the same ever since the beginning of the world Thus he keepeth these pillars of his Throne from ruine Psalm 110.2 5 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath 2. By making his Gospel and Ordinances have their full effectualness in the hearts of his people to convince and convert them and to pierce and condemn those that despise them John 9.39 And Jesus said For Judgment I am come into this world that they which see not might see a and that they which see might be made blind Isa 55.11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it 2. His Kingdom doth assist his Priesthood 1. By giving efficacy to his satisfaction to reconcile the persons of the Elect to God and to obtain forgiveness of their sins for it is his Kingdom that doth convey the power of his Priesthood into the soul 2. By giving Efficacy unto his Intercession for keeping all those that are given to him by his Father continually in a state of grace and favour John 17.11 24 Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am 3. By making his Death and Resurrection effectual to subdue our lusts and to set up his Kingdom within us Eph. 1.19 20 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places Rom. 6.4 5 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father even so we also should walk in newness of life For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection Vse 1.
â—0 10 For then with not leave my Soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption Luk. 23.43 Verily I say unto thee to day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Joh. 13.1 3. 14.2 Luk. 16.23 24 25. Heb. 12.23 24. 2 Thes 1.9 Rev. 21. 2â— 5. It 's a controversie to the world whether there be a God or a Providence that ruleth the world Psal 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Isa 29.15 And they say who seeth us and who knoweth us The Witness of the Covenant hath decided this controversie Joh. 20.17 I ascend unto my father and 〈◊〉 father and to my God and your God Joh. 6.57 As thâ—◠〈◊〉 father hath sent me and I live by the father so he that â—ateth me even he shall live by me Dan. 5.21 23 Till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men and that he hath appointed over it whomsoever he will And the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways hast thou not glorified Rev. 15.3 4 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou king of saints Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest 6. It 's a controversie with the world yea and sometimes also with the saints whether the people of God or the wicked of the world have the better lot Psal 73.3 12 For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked Behold these are the ungodly who prosper in the world they increase in riches But this also is decided by the Witness of the Covenant Psal 49.18 19 Though whiles he lived he blessed his Soul and men will praise thee when thou doest well to thy self He shall go to the generation of his fathers they shall never see light Joh. 3.18 36 He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Isa 3.10 11 Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with hem for they shall eat the fruit of their doings Wo unto the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him Rev. 21.4 And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no mor death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for theâ—â—former things are passed away Again it is a controversie to doubting believers whether God hath chosen them and loved them with an everlasting love Psal 88.4 14 I am counted with them that go down to the pit Lord why castest thou off my Soul This controversie is decided by the Witness of the Covenant who giveth that double certainty of all these things whereby they are not only made sure in themselves because he 〈◊〉 â—â—ified them but are also made sure unto us Jer. 31.3 〈◊〉 Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee Heb. 8.10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after these days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Where the sayings of Jeremy are applied to Christ who made the Covenant Joh. 15.13 16 19 Greater love hath no man then this that a man lay down his life for his friends Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain But because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Joh. 6.69 And we believe and are sure than thou art that Christ the Son of the living God 2. It is a controversie to doubting believers whether they be the Children of God and whether they be effectually called by the Grace of Christ Psal 22.6 But I am a worm and no man a reproach of men and despised of the people Christ decides the controversie by interposing his Testimony Joh. 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Rom. 8.16 The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits that we are children of God Isa 43.1 Fear not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine 3. It is a controversie to doubting-believers whether they shall ever see Christ and meet with him again when he doth but a little withdraw out of their sight Isa 49.14 But Sion said the Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Whether they shall at any time again be comforted with his presence but he decides the controversie and witnesseth clearly that he and they shall meet again Joh. 16.22 And ye now therefore have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you Joh. 14.18 I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Isa 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a momeni but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy redeemer Isa 49.15 Can a woman forget her sucking-child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee 4. It 's a controversie to the doubting-believer whether there be any reality in his presence and in the fellowship of his company both when they enjoy it and when they want it Luk. 24.21 37 41 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel and beside all this to day is the third day since these things were done But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that they had seen a spirit And while they yet believed not for joy and wondred 2 Chron. 6.18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth But by his Witness he decides that controversie Luk. 24.38 39 40 42 And he said unto them why are ye troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my self handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have And when he had thus spoken he shewed them his hands and his feet And they gave him a piece of a broyled fish and of an hony-comb Joh. 6.20 But he saith unto them it is I
there were but two tribes that clave to him and being nearer in kindred would not be beaten from him 1 Kings 12.16 17. Some talk-lustily and bear themselves boldly upon Christ in words others are near of kin to him and will not be beaten from him CHAP. XIII Of the Mediators Vnction as it relateth to the separating of him for his Offices THE second part of Christs qualification for the Office of Mediatorship is his Vnction this was consequent unto his personal union so that as we called the union of the two natures in Christ Person the principal and chief qualification of him for this Office so we are to look upon his Unction as carrying in it divers qualifications which result from the former The Unction of Christ comprehends two things 1. The separating of him unto these excellent Offices of being Prophet Priest and King of his Church 2. The endowing him with the Spirit above measure with gifts and graces of the Spirit and assistances meet to enable him for the Work The first Part of Christs Unction is that whereby he is anointed to these Offices Christ Mediator is anointed to be Prophet Priest and King of his Church Concerning which we shall speak 1. Of the anointing 2. Of the Offices And first by this Unction as it relateth to his Offices for of his Unction as it comprehends his Furniture we are not now speaking but shall in the next place we may understand according to the various use of anointing among men and the Scripture purport of the Word 1. His Designation for these Offices in the Counsel of God Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth So the word is used 1 Sam. 16.13 of Davids first Designation to succed in the Kingdom to Saul long before he came to the Government 2. The declaration of his being designed unto these Offices Psal 2.7 I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee So anointing is taken in the case of Gods declaring Jehu successor in the Kingdom 1 Kings 19.16 with 2 Kings 9.1 3. The separating of him or setting him apart for these Offices Psal 89.20 I have found David my servant with my holy oyl have I anointed him So the word is used 1 Chron. 29.22 1 Sam. 15.17 with Psal 105.15 4. The publick solemn investing him in these Offices with power and authority to exercise them Act. 10.38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy-Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him Luk. 1.32 And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David And it s from his anointing that Christ hath his name Joh. 1.41 We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ Luk. 9.20 The Christ of God 2. Concerning these three Offices of Christ we shall briefly touch upon 1. The necessity of them in our Mediators Person 2. The nature and use of them 3. The harmony and consent of these Offices in Christs person and in his execution of them And 1. The necessity of these Offices in our Mediator appeareth 1. From the evils under which we were lying man being under 1. Ignorance of God 2. Alienation from God Eph. 4.18 Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts 3. Impotency to come unto him Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which sent me draw him Necessary it was that our Mediator be a person that carrieth Offices which may reach these evils His prophecy and teaching meets with our ignorance of God for he is a teacher come from God Joh. 3.7 A Prophet by whom all his people are taught of God Jer. 31.33 Isa 54.13 His Priesthood and Sacrifice meets with our alienation and estrangement from God for thereby the distance is removed and a friendship bound up with God Eph. 2.13 14 18 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one For through him we both have an access by one spirit unto the Father And his Kingdom meets with our impotency for thereby we are mightily wrought upon and determined so as our impotency proves no over-powering lett in the way of his grace Jer. 31.33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people 2. It appears from the work which he came to do which required this conjunction of Offices in his Person 1. He came to reveal a new way of happiness and therefore behoved to be a Prophet Act. 7.37 A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall you hear Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord 2. He came to purchase and acquire this new blessedness and therefore behoved to be a Priest to offer Sacrifice for it Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions of the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 3. He came to make application of his purchase and therefore behoved also to be a King Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation untâ— all them that they him 2. The nature and use of these three Offices in our Mediator we find in some measure let out in the promises of the Covenant at least a chief and material hint at something of all the three Jer. 31.33 34 with Heb. 8. and 10. 1. Christ Mediator as a Prophet travelleth in begetting a right understanding betwixt the two parties that are at variance betwixt God and man and to this effect being intimately acquainted with all his Fathers secrets 1. He publisheth and declareth all the mind of God to his people especially in revealing the gracious purpose of God concerning the way and means of reconciliation Mat. 11.27 Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh 2. He worketh the effectual knowledg of God and of his will in his peoples heart See 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who caused the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Luk. 1.77 79 To give knowledg of Salvation unto his people by the
remission of their sins To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet in the way of peace 3. He removeth the mistakes and prejudices whereby the alienation betwixt God and man is hightned and continued and this by imparting the true mind of the parties to each other Eph. 4.21 If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus This is the nature and use of his prophetical Office which he executeth by his word and spirit causing light first to appear and then to shine into the hearts of his people The end of this Office and his exercising it after this manner is to promote his great design of reconciliation which is the end of his Mediation and this he doth by declaring the mind of the parties to each other removing mistakes which encrease alienation begetting a good understanding and thereby working a compliance betwixt the parties and in respect of this Office mainly he is called a Prophet Deut. 18.15 Acts 3.22 and by way of eminency the Prophet and that Prophet Joh. 6.14 and 7.40 and the Angel or Messenger of the Covenant who published and revealed it Mal. 3.1 and the Word John 1.14 Rev. 19.3 who revealeth the will of God whereof I have already spoken and a Witness or teacher and testifier of the will of God Isa 55.4 Rev. 3.14 and the Apostle of our profession Heb. 3.1 and the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1.24 Col. 2.3 2. Christ Mediator in his Priesthood travelleth 1. About Satisfaction 2. Intercession Isa 53.12 Because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressor And about both these in order to Reconciliation which is the great business belonging to the Mediators Office 1. I say the nature and use of that Office relates to satisfaction for sin because by virtue of that Office principally he performs the great work of satisfaction for our sins by offering up himself a sacrifice to death after he had given perfect obedience to the Law Heb. 9.26 But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself And this he did as our Surety he stood in the Elects room and Justice did strike him in their stead Isa 53.5 He was oppressed c. or rather according to the original he was exacted and answered that is God the Father required satisfaction for our sins and his Son as our Surety answered for us 2. Unto this Office belongeth his Intercession which is performed in the virtue of the satisfaction given by him to Divine Justice and the Sacrifice once offered up by him Isa 53.12 He poured out his soul unto death and made intercession for the transgressors Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us And this according to the two parts of the High-Priests Office which were 1. The offering of sacrifice 2. The presenting of it in the Holy of Holies with prayer and intercession See Goodâ— Christ set forth p. 12â— 123. Rog. Cat. p. 2. p. 39. Gomar ad Heb. c. 3. that God would accept it for the sins of the people see Levit. 16. The excellency of this Priesthood of our Mediator was typified by Aarons Priesthood in these two parts of it and more eminently and excellently in Melchisedecks Priesthood which shewed also the continuance of Christs Priesthood for ever and the excellency of it above Aarons Psal 110. Heb. 5 and 7 chap. Concerning the nature and parts of this Office we shall only observe these three things 1. That Christ Mediator did and doth both the parts of this Office on earth and in Heaven but with this difference 1. On earth he eminently sacrificed and offered up himself Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Yet he interceded also Heb. 5.7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and suppl cations with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he seared 2. In Heaven he eminently intercedes Heb. 7 25 Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Chap. 9.24 But into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us but he offereth up himself also by presenting the sacrifice and offering of himself which was once made Heb. 12.24 We are come saith the Apostle to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel 2. That all Christ's satisfaction and Priesthood would be ineffectual for our good if he did not continue in the exercise of it by his intercession in Heaven whereby he becometh the applying cause of salvation to us Heb. 5.10 11 Called of God an High-priest after the order of Melchisedec of whom we have many things to say and hard to be uttered seeing ye are dull of hearing Rom. 5.10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life 3. That the design carried on by this Office is the same as in the former to wit Reconciliation which is promoted through this Office 1. By his giving satisfaction to Justice 2. By his application of that satisfaction and making Attonement for the sins of his people The nature and use of Christs Kingdom I lay down in these Assertions 1. That it is Dispensatory Christ Mediator is a King appointed a Viceroy and Deputy-governour in subordination to his Father Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion John 5.23 That all men should honour the son even as they honour the father he that honoureth not the son honoureth not the father that sent him a Kingdom which is to be rendered up again to him who gave it to him 1 Cor. 15.24 Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the father when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power His Kingdom as Mediator is not regnum naturale which he hath as God co-essential with his Father but regnum oeconomicum which he hath by donation and unction from his Father 2. That it is very large yea universal for it is all power in heaven and earth Matth. 28.18 and it reacheth to the upholding all things by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 It is over all the creatures Eph. 1.22 And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Over all Mankind Dan. 7.14 And
faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me 3. His Service of love is commended from the lowness of the wager and price which he is to have for his Service and love Was man a crown and wager for Christ to work and to run for that he might win it how great a disproportion is there betwixt the Service and the Wages Can poor polluted nothings such as we are be a price for such Love for such Service for such transcendent infinite Love and yet such was the wager for which he served Joh. 13.1 Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end Joh. 17.19 And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the truth 4. His Service is commended from the largeness of his design of Love through which he did drive the serving of this Service that God the Son of God did drive this piece of Service through so deep and broad and long a design of transcendent love from everlasting to everlasting through so many decrees which at last could produce nothing in the result but this price To have his poor people engaged to him by a Covenant whereas we might think a lower design might compass sinners and a less price might buy poor man Jer. 31.3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Eph. 3.18 19 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledg that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God 5. His Service is commended for his performing of it and doing his work so long before he was to reap that low price of all the travel of his Soul to wit the enjoyment of his people Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied He served long ago for that wager which is not not yet payed to him and he knew when he served that Service that he should lie so long out of a great part of his satisfaction Joh. 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word Vse 2. This Covenant-relation speaks sad things to them who will not serve Christ 1. Wo to them that will not serve him who refuse a consent of their Service to him who made himself a Servant for our sake Luk. 19.14 But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him saying We will not have this man to reign over us Psal 2.3 Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us We love to be Lords over our own liberty and wills and to break his bands 2. Wo to them that think shame to serve him there is a generation that think it is below them to serve Christ they judg his Service is not honourable though he was not ashamed to serve us Luk. 22.27 For whether is greater he that sitteth at meat or he that serveth is not he that sitteth at meat but I am among you as he that serveth Heb. 2.11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren And though it be no shame but honourable to serve him Psal 116.16 O Lord truly I am thy servant I am thy servant and the Son of thine hand-maid thou hast loosed my bonds Psal 84.10 For a day in thy courts is better then a thousand I had rather be a dore-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the-tents of wickedness Ifa 58.13 And call the sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words 3. Wo to them that pretend to serve him and do nothing but Eye-service in his work though he was real and cordial in serving our Interest for his Soul travelled in the business but the spirits of such act nothing in his Service Eph. 6.6 Not with Eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Isa 29.13 Wherefore the Lord said Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth and with their lips do honour me but hath removed their heart from me and their fear toward me is taught by the precepts of men c. O Consider with your selves 1. What pride there is in refusing to serve him whose Service is so honourable an employment that it is not below the Kings of the Earth to bring their Glory unto Christ and to bow before him Psal 2.10 11 12 Be wise now therefore O ye kings be instructed ye judges of the earth Servo the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little Psal 54. throughout Who would not bow to him who shall break them all that will not bow unto him Isa 60.12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted Psal 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel Psal 110.5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath 2. Consider what huge and monstrous ingratitude and unkindness it is not to serve him who hath voluntarily humbled himself to serve us who though he was our maker Heb. 1.2 3 yet made himself of no reputation for our advancement Phil. 2.7 Consider how he hath commended his Service unto us and be ashamed not to be found among his servants and followers See more of this Chap. 18. Vse 3. Exhortation 1. Consider and know what he hath done in this Covenant-relation after he hath served this Service and done all that was incumbent to him in this relation he may put the question to us which sometimes he put to his Disciples Joh. 13.12 Know ye what I have done to you 't is a pity that his Service is so little known and taken notice of among his own people for whom he hath done this Service 't is a pity that it should be met with doubtings whether he hath done Service for us or denials of our interest in it which occasion diminutive thoughts and expressions of it 2. Consider how ill Christ was used in this relation that you may be broken for it he was smitten by both the parties It pleased the Lord to bruise him Isa 53.10 Rom. 8.32 He spared not his own Son Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that
God said and propounded it unto Christ long before his coming in the flesh and therefore it must needs relate to such transactions as were betwixt God and Christ in the counsel of his Will from all eternity 2. Though the accomplishment of these things be applyed by the Holy Ghost unto the resurrection of Christ Act. 13.33 and to the exaltation of him in his humane nature Heb. 1.5 that doth not make against the transacting of them by an eternal Covenant where first these Proposals were made but on the contrary it doth streng then what is here asserted because the accomplishment of these things is declared to be that which God had revealed in the old Testament to have been said long before by him to Christ Therefore also the same Scripture is brought as an evidence of Christ's being consecrated by his Father unto the offices which he did bear for the worâ— of our Redemption Heb. 5.5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high Priest but he that said unto him thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee c. So that the declaration of the Sonship of Christ this day I have begotten thee is not to be understood of an hodie aternitatis a day of eternity and of the counal generation of the Son of God as many of the Ancients and of the Schoolmen understand it and indeed if it should be vielded to be spoken of an eternal Sonship I should understand it of that eternal adoption and designation of Christ by his own consent in the counsel of God's Will to a new Sonship for the work of Redemption whereby he voluntarily became the first born of many brethren and an obe ient Son even unto death Phil. 2.8 and whereby he consented to take a new Covenant-â—ight unto God as his Father and his Gâ—â— by Covenant Heb. 1.5 I will be to him a father 〈◊〉 be shall be to me a son And we know it is not unusual in Scripture to stile adoption unto a succession in office by a Sonship and a begetting therefore Salathiel is said to be begotten by Jethoniah Mat. 1.12 because he succeeded him in the Kingdom But since the Holy Ghost applies it distinctly to Christ's resurrection Act. 13.33 and to the exaltation of him in his humane Nature when he had humbled himself as an obedient Son unto the death of the Cross and having by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1.3 4 5. 't is safest for us to hold close to that meaning of the words This day have I begotten thee which was the accomplishment of that which God had said to Christ long before in the transaction of the Covenant of Redemption when Christ was set up from everlasting before his works of old c. Prov. 8.22 23. and when the Decree was passed which was not declared till long after Ps 2.7 Now this day of Christ's exaltation in his humane Nature at his resurrection which was the fulfilling of what God said to him when he was by eternal destination and decree called and set a part unto the work of Redemption and unto the offices which as Lord Mediator he did bear is fitly called the day wherein he was begotten upon several accounts 1. Because in this day he was declared to be the Son of God Rom. 1.4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Syriack reads it Qui cognitus est the word signifies demonstrated Chrysost Hom. in Rom. Esthi in locum Eras Beza c. manifested or defined to be the Son of God as most Learned men render it Though Bellarmine's rendering of the word with the vulgar Latine for which he contends would also fit our purpose who was predestinated to be the Son of God which must be meant of such a Sonship as he took upon him in time or rather of the execution of God's Decree containing his being manifested in the flesh by the terms of the Covenant of Suretiship if we read it predestinated and not of his eternal generation because as Esthius says upon the place Predestination does not relate unto that which was from eternity but to future things only 2. Because on this day of his resurrection there was in respect of Christ's humane nature a second entrance into life the Grave being a second womb See Dr. Haâ—â—mond Annot. on Ps 2. from which he came forth unto life as his Mothers womb was the first from which he came forth unto life in respect of his humane nature so he was begotten or brought forth in this day by a new birth out of the womb of the grave hence the resurrection is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 renascentia a new or second birth See Gerhard Hâ—rm in locum Matth 19.28 3. Because the day of Christ's resurrection was the day of vesting inaugurating and installing him in his Regal Office and Authority in our nature this is the day whereof it 's said Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee because this was a Coronation-day a day of exaltation of him in his humane nature and of constituting him and setling him in his offices in a most glorious manner against all opposition as the context of that Psalm bears v. 6 7 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion I will declare the decree And Heb. 1.3 4 5 When he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Being made so much better than the Angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they For unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee It was a custom among the Romans that the Emperors had two Natales or birth-days kept the one was Natalis Imperatoris the birth-day of the Emperor to commemorate his coming into the world The other was Natalis Imperii the birth-day of the Empire to commemorate his advancement to the Imperial Dignity The feast of commemorating the building of Rome was called Palilia and this title was by decree given of Caius the Emperor Sueton in Calig c. 26. his advancement to the Empire Decretum est ut dies quo cepisset imperium Palilia vocaretur There is also mention made of anothers Spartianus in Adriano Natalis adoptionis the day of his adoption i. e. his civil birth-day V. id Aug. and then of Natalis Imperii the birth-day of his Empire III. id Aug. And of Vespasian 't is recorded Tacitus Hist lib. 2. that Primus principatus dies in posterum celebratus the first day of his Empire was celebrated afterwards 3. 'T is to be observed concerning the Proposals before-mentioned which I said are made by Jehovah to Christ that the Scriptures cited do distinguish betwixt the propounding of these things which
man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name There is a reciprocation of Covenant-performances 5. There is betwixt Jehovah and Christ asking and giving the Father asketh a satisfaction to his Justice for the sins of all the Elect Isa 53.10 It pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief and the satisfaction which his Father asked was that he should make his soul an offering for sin and Christ yieldeth and giveth the satisfaction which was asked Psal 40.6 Lo I come saith he to do thy will Isa 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions and he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed Again Christ asketh of his Father a reward and satisfaction for the travel of his Soul in that great work of our Redemption and Salvation And his Father gives it him according to the encouraging-Proposals whereby he had invited him to the undertaking so great a work Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Joh. 17.4 5 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now O father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was This kind of asking and giving on both sides amounteth to a formal explicite Covenant here is emptio venditio which is a Covenant strictly so called 6. There is betwixt Jehovah and Christ work and wages there is working propounded upon the one part and undertaken upon the other and a reward promised upon the one part and expected upon the other craved upon the one part and payed upon the other and this is a formal Covenant strictly so taken Ad similitudinem contractus inter operarium locatorem operis inter herum servum not unlike the manner of Covenants betwixt the work-man and work-master betwixt the Servant and his Lord. Here is indeed do ut faoias facio ut des I give this upon condition you do that and I do this upon condition you give that I fay there was working and rewarding 'twixt God and Christ and that by no necessity of nature but by a voluntary compact his work and reward are both propounded to him Isa 53.11 12 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquity Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressours and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressours And 49.3 6 And said unto me Thou art my servant O Israel in whom I will be glorified And he said it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou maist be my salvation unto the end of the earth And agreed unto by him Joh. 10.17 Therefore doth my father love me because I lay down my life that I might take it again Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Therefore we find upon the one part and the other God promising a reward and Christ expecting it Isa 53.12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great with Isa 49.4 Surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God Again we find God proposing the reward for Christ's encouragement in so hard a work and Christ eying the reward under all discouragements Psal 110.7 He shall drink of the brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the head with Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God We find also Christ craving his reward and challenging it as due to him Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And his Father paying the promised reward Phil. 2.8 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him c. The fourth Proof of a Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Christ I take from the Offices Imployments Trusts Powers Authorities and Relations which Christ did bear and wherewith he was vested for doing the work of his peoples Redemption All and every of these prove strongly an eternal Covenant and Compact betwixt Jehovah and Christ I put these together that the proofs may be more ponderous than numerous I shall therefore 1. Reckon up some particulars that fall under this head each whereof might afford a particular proof and then draw an argument from them 1. His Offices and Employments Christ is Lord Mediator of the New Covenant Heb. 8.6 9.15 He is Lord Ambassador and Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 He is the Lord's Shepherd and his Servant in the work of Redemption Zech. 13.7 Isa 42.1 Not by nature but by condescension and agreement to be in these employments Christ Mediator is a King not by nature but by Covenant and Agreement he receives a dispensatory Kingdom Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill Zion Act. 2.36 God hath made the same Jesus both Lord and Christ Heb. 1.2 whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the worlds Psal 89.27 Also I will make him my first born higher than the kings of the earth Christ is a Prophet and a Teacher of his people not by nature but by appointment Act. 3.22 For Moses truly said unto the Fathers a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you Isa 55.4 Behold I have given him for a witness to the people Christ is a Priest not by nature but by divine appointment and that in the way of agreement and consent Heb. 5.4 5 6 And no man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee As he saith also in another place Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec And 7.21 The Lord sware and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec 2. The like I say of the
of our Lord Jesus Christ and whereby he hath a new Sonship 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Even this shall stand eternally therefore Christ speaking of the promised glorious state of his people in heaven doth four times own that Covenant-relation to his Father even with respect to his and their being together in his Kingdom Rev. 3.12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God which is new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God and I will write upon him my new name And if our Covenant-relation to God which did spring out of his shall stand and not cease in our glorified state in heaven much more his Rev. 5.10 And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth There the redeemed Musicians that have the new Song in their mouths own their Covenant-relation to God and the Covenant-compellation our God is a note in their new Song 4. The offices which Christ did take on by this Covenant are eternal offices such as shall never cease and whereof he shall never be divested that his Mediatory-office his Kingdom and Priesthood are partakers of the eternity of this Covenant is plain Scripture Luk. 1.33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall be no end Heb. 1.8 But unto the Son he saith thy throne O God is for ever and ever a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom And 5.6 Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec And 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them The only question is whether or not this Covenant shall then cease and Christ's Mediatory-office shall then cease when Christ shall render up the Kingdom to the Father 1 Cor. 15.24 to 29. Concerning the full answer whereof Rutherf Treat of the Covenant p. 2. c. 12. p. 363. I refer the Reader to what is written by Mr. Rutherford upon that question For my part it satisfies me that I see vestiges in the Scripture 1. That after the last Judgment there shall be no use of such exercise and acts of Christ's Mediatory offices as King Priest and Prophet to his Church as we are now under in this last Oeconomy and dispensation of the Covenant of Grace because there shall be no sin then nor any enemy unsubdued Christ having perfected his people and presented them without spot to God Eph. 5.27 and having subdued all his foes and broken all opposition to his Kingdom and the elect people being brought out of danger so as they need no Temple or Ordinances Rev. 21.4.22 1 Cor. 15.25 2. That Christ Mediator shall unquestionably cease from and leave off such acts and exercise of his Mediatory-office as his body the Church hath no need of he shall be no Mediator of Reconciliation then because there shall be no sin then no Mediator to apply his death or to interceed for sinners for there shall be no sinners he shall be no Mediatory King then to beat down his foes and opposers of his offices for there shall be none when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power 1 Cor. 15.24 that is all Magistracy and Government that now is either in Church or State 3. It is manifest that after the last Judgment there shall be a change of the Oeconomick government and that Christ shall render the kingdom Oeconomick or dispensatory to his father but after what manner this change of government shall be I do not so clearly understand whether it shall be only by Christ's rendering an account to his Father of his deputed and delegated charge having now saved all the elect and subdued all the rebels or if it shall be by laying down his Commission no more to rule in the former way of government or whether the government shall be so changed as the Father Son and Spirit shall immediately govern the glorious Church which seems to be insinuated Rev. 21.22 23 And I saw no temple therein for the Lord God almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof 1 Cor. 15.28 that God may be all in all 4. That Christ shall not then leave off to reign as Mediator even when the fore-mentioned change is made yet he remains the substantial glorified head of his mystical glorified body for ever who shall appear eternally for us as a pledg of the satisfaction once given whose presence is a speaking token of the standing Confederacy and Peace betwixt God and us in whose righteousness we stand cloathed before God in whose transactions and acting in the work of Redemption God is eternally well-pleased and by whose Covenant we stand and reign with him eternally and indefectibly in a confirmed glorified state else 1. To what end shall Christ stand glorified in our nature in heaven for ever 2. Why is the Lambs throne in heaven eternal Rev. 22.3 3. Else what means the Lambs servants in heaven for ever Rev. 22.3 and the new Song that is to the Lamb in heaven for ever Rev. 5.12 and 7.10 4. Else what meaneth the Lambs being in the midst of the glorified company his leading them being a temple and a light unto them Rev. 7.17 and 21.22 23. Sure the Lord Mediator as a glorified head of his glorious body in heaven acteth as Mediator though not as he acteth now and though we cannot well determine what fort of leading and what dispensation of influences from him are there and no wonder if his union with us and headship over us even here be a mysterie the knowledg whereof is referred to his coming again Joh. 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my father and you in me and I in you yet the Lambs throne there and his leading the redeemed and being a light and temple to them proves his peculiar headship to them â— The blessings purchased by this Covenant of Suretiship are partakers of eternity they are eternal blessings the Redemption obtained by the Mediator is eternal Redemption Heb. 9.12 and eternal â—â—beritance Heb. 9.15 and eternal life Tit. 1.2 eternal Salvation Heiv 5.9 eternal Glory 1 Pet. 5.20 You see then that eternigy 〈…〉 of the Covenant of Redemption and that many things belonging to it are partakers of eternityâ— In 〈◊〉 it is a Covenant which was transacted from eternity before the foundation of the world was laid it is as old as the Ancient of days so that we cannot reckon the beginning thereof Prov. 8.23 I was set up from
shall be satisfied c. but more particularly his reward and wages which was all his own asking comprised these three things which speaks these particulars to have been much upon his heart and in his design 1. That he should have a seed and a people that for all his labour he might have a redeemed people when he had his reward and satisfaction at his own asking he made the redeemed ones his end his asking his satisfaction this was the result of his transcendent love that he might be Immunuel God with us that he might enjoy his poor worthless people Isa 53.10 11 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his Soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord-shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied 2. That he might have a Crown to himself I mean a peculiar glory of being Lord Mediator and Redeemer and of working this great work and this he had in Heaven before the foundation of the world even since the eternal designation and destination of him unto this work for thenceforward he was the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 And was set up from everlasting Prov. 8.23 and was glorified with the Father not only with the essential glory that is common to all the three persons which was obscured in his humiliation for the work of Redemption but also with a peculiar glory as Lord Mediator which he had with him before the world began Joh. 17.5 and this glory he shall have in Heaven throughout eternity even after the last Judgment there shall be in Heaven a peculiar throne and glory following and a peculiar song to the Lamb whereof read Rev. 22.3 and 7.10 17. and 5.9 3. That he might have a crown and throne for each of these redeemed ones whom he took for a satisfaction to his Soul their crown and throne and robes was part of the reward and wages that he wrought for and asked of his Father Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me And 14.3 I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Rev. 3.21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit in my throne with me even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne 7. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt the parties what should be the mutual assurances given betwixt the parties for the performance of the Articles agreed upon There needed no Solemnities betwixt parties who knew one another and trusted one another so perfectly but for our sakes that we might be helped to conceive of this eternal inviolable transaction Therefore upon the one part 1. Jehovah giveth his word and faithful promise unto Christ Psal 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord and not his faithful promise only but his oath also Psal 89.35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David Heb. 7.21 For those priests were made without an oath but this with an oath by him that said unto him The Lord swore and will not repent Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedee 2. Upon the other part Christ does not only give his word of promise and consent to do this work Psal 40.6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offering and sin-offering hast thou not required c. But he also comes under a Judicial and Law-act of Suretiship whereby he did from eternity act himself in the volume of the book of God's eternal Records that he would fulfil all his undertaking Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God And under this act of Suretiship I comprehend 1. His eternal consent to take our Nature and Law-condition upon him 2. His plighting of his faith and truth to act our part and to answer the Law and Demands of Justice in our Law-place and condition 3. His eternal agreement that by his own consent a Judicial act should be put upon him and stand in record for ever in Heaven and in the volume of books that are there that this person had voluntarily undertaken and promised by striking hands with Jehovah to answer all demands of Law and Justice against his elect people Having offered the before-mentioned sum of the Articles concluded and agreed upon the Covenant of Redemption betwixt Jehovah and Christ I come in the next place to distribute and divide that sum and the things comprised under it into the reciprocal and mutual engagements of the parties covenanting to wit 1. What were the commands and conditions laid upon Christ and voluntarily yielded unto by him in the Covenant of Redemption 2. What the promises and engagements that were given to Christ by the same Covenant And 1. Concerning the commands conditions and engagements which were required of Christ Mediator by the Covenant of Suretiship I shall in these eight Assertions open the nature of them and what they were Assert 1. All the commands of the Covenant of Redemption are conditions and are to be considered as such when they are laid upon Christ who came not under commands but upon terms and conditions It is not so in God's Covenant-dealings with us all the commands of the Gospel are not to us conditions of righteousness and life unless we understand conditions in a very large and improper sense neither is it of the essence of commands laid upon us to be conditions for God oweth nothing to our obedience nor is he obliged to make any promises to it but the commands of the Covenant of Redemption are all of them conditions of that same Covenant For 1. They are commands to the obedience whereof promises are made Isa 53.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors 2. They are commands unto which Christ yielded upon terms Phil. 2.7 8 But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross therefore God hath highly exalted him Assert 2. All the conditions of the Covenant of Redemption both these more general of obeying the Law and fulfilling all righteousness Mat. 3.15 For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteausness
morning by morning he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned The promise of help strength support and assistance which are the immediate effects of actual influences and in which the heavenly influences of the Spirit have a proper efficiency and causality there is a divine furniture of strength and assistance promised to him in the discharge of his office in every act of his obedience Isa 42.6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee Psal 89.21 With whom my hand shall be established mine arm also shall strengthen him The promise of confirming Grace the man Christ had the promise of the same confirming Grace in his obedience and office and covenant state of favour which is now given to the elect Angels in Christ their head Isa 49.1 2 3 Listen O Isles unto me and hearken ye people from far the Lord hath called me from the womb from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me and made me a polished shaft in his quiver hath he hid me And said unto me thou art my servant O Israel in whom I will be glorified And 42.4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth To him is the promise made that he shall never be bowed nor broken he shall not be turned off his work nor his way by any thing that he can meet with And this kind of Promises is made to Christ-man to encourage him as Mr. Roberts observes Medul Bibl. b. 2. c. 2. 1. Against the utmost extremity of his sufferings when he should make his Soul an offering for sin when the wakened up sword of divine Justice should smite him Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd c. and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts Though he was forsaken for a time and wanted influences of consolation and felt-fruition of the presence of God Psal 22.1 Mat. 27.45 yet these promises were verified to him and God stood by him with influence of strength support assistance and preservation in all this Mediatory-administrations till he said the work is finished Joh. 19.30 Psal 22.9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb thou didst make me to hope when I was upon my mothers breasts 2. Against all oppositions and enemies There was much opposition made to Christ and many were against him but against all the rage plots combinations of Jews and Gentiles the Lord stood by him and set up his Kingdom Psal 2.2 6 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Sion Act. 4.27 28 For of a truth against the holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done 3. Against the deepest discouragements that he should meet with in the discharge of his office He is supported by these promises made to him and accordingly he encourageth himself Isa 49.4 5 6 Then said I I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for naught and in vain yet surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work wiith my God And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob again to him Though Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength And he said it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel I will also give thee for a light of the Gentiles that thou mayst be my salvation unto the end of the earth The fourth kind of Promises made by Jehovah unto Christ in the Covenant of Redemption were such as relate to the successfulness and prospering of the work of Redemption in his hand And unto this head I refer 1. The promise of God's making Christ the man of his right hand and that not only in respect of special love and honour but especially in respect of instrumentality whereby God promises to make him the main Instrument of action that should be made serviceable to his ends in the work of Redemption Psal 80.17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand upon the Son of man whom thou madest strong for thy self 2. The promise of a successful issue of his undertakings the Lord covenanteth to Christ and giveth to him assurances that he shall effect the work which he undertaketh as if Jehovah had been Surety for this he strikes hands with him that he shall go and prosper Isa 53.10 The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his soul by his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many Isa 49.6 7 8 And he said it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my salvation unto the end of the earth Thus saith the Lord the Redeemer of Israel and his holy One to him whom man despiseth to him whom the nation abhorreth to a servant of rulers Kings shall see and arise Princes also shall worship because of the Lord that is faithful and the holy One of Israel and he shall chuse thee Thus saith the Lord in an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee and I will preserve thee and give thee for a Covenant of the people to establish the earth to cause to inherit the desolate heritages 3. The promises of victory over all his enemies the Lord covenanteth with Christ that whosoever maketh opposition to him in any of his offices in any part of his work of working Redemption and Salvation for his elect people shall be trodden down and shall fall before him Psal 110.1 5 6 Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath He shall judg among the heathen he shall fill the places with the dead bodies he shall wound the heads over many countreys Psal 89.23 Aed I will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him 4. The promises of triumph God covenanteth with him not only to give him the victory but a most glorious publick triumph over Principalities and Powers and all oppositions and enemies to his undertakings Isa 53.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong Eph. 4.8
thing or to pay any debt or to become baile for any person when it is thereafter also recorded of him that he satisfied and performed his undertaking And thus we find that his undertaking and suretiship that was recorded ere he came into the world Psal 40.6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required c. Is also recorded of him to have been satisfied by him when he came into the world Heb. 10.5 6 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said I to I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God 7. He is justified because he is openly relaxed and dismissed the Prison after that he had entered his person for payment of the broken man's debt the Debtor being under lash and execution of Law at the Creditor's pursuit and let go again is justified and acquitted And thus was Christ judicially and by authority of God loosed from death from the Prison and Fetters because the Prison could not hold him nor the gripes and fetters of death detain him Prisoner when the Sentence of the Law was satisfied and the Judg declared him free Act. 2.24 Whom God hath raised up having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it 't is a Phrase like to that Psal 105.20 The king sent and loosed him even the ruler of the people and let him go free Rom. 6.9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him The sixth kind of Promises made by Jehovah unto Christ were these that relate to the reward that should be given to him for this great work and service in our Redemption And such were 1. The promise of exaltation after the debasement and ignominy that he should humble himself unto in the execution of his Suretiship Jehovah covenanteth with him to advance him to the greatest height of dignity and honour that is in earth or heaven Psal 89.27 Also I will make him my first born higher than the kings of the earth And 110.7 He shall drink of the brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the head Isa 53.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the stoong which was performed unto him Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross therefore God hath highly exalted him c. Heb. 1.3 When he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Which promises and performances have a peculiar respect to the exaltation of Christ in his resurrection from the dead ascension unto heaven and session at the right hand of God whereof read Psal 16.8 9 10 11 compared with Act. 2.25 to 32. And 13.32 33. and Psal 110. 1. compared with Act. 2.34 35. 2. The promise of satisfaction a reward that should satisfie him a reward that should be according to his own heart and at his own asking and craving Isa 53.11 He shall be satisfied Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I shall give 3. The promise of a seed Since a redeemed seed was one of Christ's ends for which he served he endured hard labour he suffered he died which next unto the honour of God was upon his heart The Lord by Covenant with him promiseth that he shall not want off-spring he shall neither want children nor heirs he shall have the satisfaction which he desired Isa 53.10 11 When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me Eph. 5.25 26 27 Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish and if this was one of Christ's ends for which he wrought and a part of his reward which his Father promised to him then 1. Sure he is Lord and Master of the will of man and hath a forcible soveraignty and dominion over man's free well See Mr. Rutherf Treat of the Covenant p. 2. c. 9. p. 327 c. to bow and determine it which Arminians and Socinians deny else how can he promise a seed to Christ and undeclinably and insuperably make that promise good and cause them believe and persevere unto the end whereby they come and abide his seed Then 2. There is no more desirable sight to the eye of Christ than to see all his Redeemed seed about him in his Father's house fairly landed and without the reach of all possible danger of perishing Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me Then 3. There can be nothing more certain than the faith perseverance and salvation of Christ's elect and redeemed seed in regard it is both undertaken by Christ in his part of the Covenant of Suretiship and promised to Christ by his Father and so undertaken by Jehovah also in the articles of the Covenant of Redemption 4. The promise of a large Dominion and Kingdom the Lord promiseth to Christ that a large and flourishing Kingdom shall be given him over many countreys and that he shall have many subjects and these conquering too who shall stand last in the fields and have a prosperous war until the day of their Redemption Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen then for thy inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession And 72.8 9 11 He shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him and his enemies shall lick the dust yea all Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him And 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning Mal. 1.11 For from the rising of the Sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place incense shall be burned unto my name and a pure offering for my name shall be great among the heathen saith the Lord of hosts Zech. 9.10 His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river even to the ends of the earth Dan. 7.14 And there was given him dominion
and glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed 5. The promise of glory a peculiar glory in heaven throughout eternity to the Lord Mediator and Redeemer to the Lamb that was slain who wrought this great and glorious work of our Redemption this glory he craveth as his wages Joh. 17.4 5 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self This glory he eyed when he was at hard labour about the work Isa 49.4 5 Surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God Though Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength Heb. 12.2 Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross This glory was promised to him Zech. 6.13 He shall build the temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory Isa 22.24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his Father's house this glory is actually payed to him in heaven where the Lamb has a throne Rev. 22.3 But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it And 7.17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them where there is a new Song sung unto the Lamb Rev. 5.9 10 And they sung a new Song saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth Yea and a crown and glory for his redeemed seed was part of the reward promised to him and for which he wrought Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom 2 Pet. 5.4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory The seventh kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ were these that relate to interest I mean the new contracted interests Covenant-interests that were promised to him as part of this agreement betwixt Jehovah and Christ Mediator out of which did spring all the new Covenant-interests and relations that we have to God And such were 1. The interest in God as his God by Covenant for to him was the great Mother promise of the Covenant made I will be his God Psal 80.26 He shall cry to me thou art my God This interest is bound up with him in the Covenant of Suretiship 2. The interest in God as his Father by Covenant to Christ was promised and with him was bound up a new Sonship and Covenant-title to God as his Covenanted Father Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me thou art my Father Heb. 1.5 I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son and these Covenant-relations and interests and the compellations arising from them we find Christ own and acknowledg Joh. 20.17 I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and to your God Hence he calleth us brethren children of the same Father who have one Covenant-relation with him to the same God Hell 2.12 I will declare thy name unto my brethren hence God is called the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 3. The interest of Saviourship for to the man Christ 't is promissed that Jehovah shall be the rock of his Salvation Psal 89.26 he shall cry to me Thou art my God and the rock of my Salvation hence he cryed Father save me from this hour Joh. 12.27 Jehovah was a Saviour to the man Christ from the things that he suffered as our surety he saveth the head and body therefore it is said Heb. 5.7 that he cryed to him that was able to save him from death 4. The interest of headship when Christ was given to be head of his body the Church he took upon him the man Christ the Mediator took upon him a new relation to God as his head which is founded and bound up in the Covevenant of Suretiship by which this comely order was established that Christ should be a head to his Church and God should be a head to the man Christ In this respect it is said that Christ is God's 1 Cor. 3.23 and how As ye are Christs and all things are yours that is in a subordination to do service 1 Cor. 11.3 and the head of Christ is God the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ must be the head of Christ a head by union to which Christ is united by bonds of union not natural only but foederal Joh. 10.30 I and my father are one Joh. 1.1 And the word was with God a head by influence of Spirit and Grace to the man Christ who liveth by the Father Joh. 6.57 As the living father hath sent me and I live by the father a head by way of order who is over Christ Mediator and to whom the man Christ is subject 1 Cor. 15.28 Then shall the Son also himself be subject to him that put all things under him 5. The interest of hearing Prayer Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me this is bound up among the Covenant-interests which he took upon him by his Suretiship and by this relation when Christ should humble himself to pray Jehovah promiseth to hear him and he hath hearing by Covenant as his seed also have it Isa 49.8 In an acceptable time have I heard thee Joh. 11.41 42 Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me And I knew that thou hearest me always Heb. 5.7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared These and the like interests and relations were covenanted to Christ and out of these Covenant-interests engaged unto him did our Covenant-relations spring The last kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ were these which relate to the whole design and intent of his Suretiship And the great and publick effects which it should produce in the whole frame of the creation for the elect redeemed peoples sake And such were 1. The promise of delivery of the whole creation from bondage and vanity unto which it was made subject for man's Sin and whereof the whole world is sick like a woman travelling in birth Rom. 8.20 21 22 For the creature was made subject unto vanity not willingly but by reason of him that hath subjected the same in hope Because the creature it self also shall be delivered from
justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities 4. By this Suretiship beside all that he hath fulfilled and done in his own person he is under a Covenant to work in his people what God requireth condition-ways of them Joh. 6.37 All that the father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out O how comfortable is it that Christ is under a Covenant to enjoy his Elect people not for any thing they can do for themselves but for the work that he hath wrought and the conditions that he hath fulfilled in his own person and is obliged to fulfil and work in them And indeed the promises are fulfilled to us not because we fulfil the condition but for Christ in whom they are made to us and who by his Suretiship did perform all conditions that the law doth require 9. That in the Covenant of Suretiship the Believer is undertaken for by both the parties 1. Jehovah undertakes forasmuch as he promises a redeemed seed to Christ and engages that he shall see them Isa 53.10 He shall see his seed Now he who undertakes for this must needs undertake that they shall be born again so that the Lord is undertaker for our believing Justification Perseverance and Salvation then Jehovah is engaged by Covenant with Christ to make sure our believing and Salvation as he will be true to his Son to whom he gave this promise and to himself and his holy nature for he cannot deny himself 2. Christ hath undertaken for us also He is made surety Heb. 7.22 He hath given Bond for our believing and Salvation he hath by an eternal act of cautionry acted himself for all them who shall believe on him body for body life for life soul for soul that his life shall go for theirs that his soul shall be in their souls stead Isa 53.10 When thou shall make his soul an offering for sin And by the Mediatory office that he took upon him he hath laid Bonds upon himself and made a necessary duty of his office to save his people to become a Captain of Salvation to them to bring many sons to glory Heb. 2.10 And that he will be faithful in this office he hath taken Bonds upon him that by vertue of his office and place he must do whatsoever is for his peoples welfare See Heb. 3.1 2 Consider the Apostle and High-priest of our profession Christ Jesus who was faithful to him that appointed him Chap. 2. v. 17 Wherefore in all thingsit behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in all things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people How comfortable is this to the weak Believer and how strengthening to Faith to consider that Jehovah gave Bond from eternity to Christ and stands engaged to him for the bowing of our rebellious wills and for such a frame of heart to us as our Redemption and Salvation necessarily requires And that Christ stands engaged to be to all his own a merciful and faithful High-priest and that by the Bonds he hath laid upon himself it behoved him to be so Heb. 2.17 O consider he can no more be unconcerned with our concernments he can no more be untouched with and want a feeling of our infirmities than he can cease to be a merciful and faithful High-priest which qualifications he behoved to take upon him by taking on that office Heb. 5.2 3. Chap. 2. v. 17. Chap. 4. v. 15. Christ can no more fail in any thing pertaining to our peace with God and our Salvation than he can break his faith of Suretiship and fail in Covenant-faithfulness and the Bonds that he hath given to Jehovah 10. By the Covenant of Suretiship passed betwixt Jehovah and Christ the believer is in a sure confirmed state he is not in a tottering slippery mutable condition as were the Angels that fell and like to Adams first Covenant-state but the believer is in a sure confirmed state as sure as the Elect Angels who never fell 1. By the Covenant of Suretiship the believers help is laid upon one that is mighty Psal 89.19 A potent person is his helper for their Redeemer is strong Deut. 33.27 The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms Isa 40.28 29 Hast thou not known hast thou not heard that the everlasting God the Lord the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength 2. By this Covenant there is a great juncture of undertakings for the believers standing to wit by both the parties of that Covenant 3. By this Covenant the believers standing and perseverance is taken off the creatures mutable will and is now upon the gracious immutable counsel of Gods will Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel c. Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom 4. By this Covenant-salvation the weight of Salvation is taken off the creatures acting and laid upon Christs Isa 49.6 That thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 5. The same confirming-grace that is given to the Elect Angels is by Christs Covenant of Suretiship ensured yea given in Christ to the believer in whom ye are compleat Col. 2.10 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 6. The honour of Christ Mediator by this Suretiship of his lies at the stake for the weak believers standing Joh. 17.10 All mine are thine and thine are mine I am glorified in them How should this comfort the believers heart and support his saith that though he be not yet without the reach of dangers yet by Christs Suretiship he is in a confirmed state that he can no more fall quite away from his state of Grace and Faith than Jehovah can break to Christ or Christ break to his Father which is impossible Psal 89.35 36 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David His seed shall endure for ever Rev. 1.5 And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness That the faith of the least of them that believe on Christ can no more fail than Christ can want his reward which is impossible Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Christ cannot be left unsatisfied which he should be if the saith of any of his should fail in regard of Christs Suretiship the weak believers legs can
this difference his Prophecy teaches the way of Reconciliation Acts 3.22 Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you His Priesthood opened the way and purchased the peace Heb. 9.14 15 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the Transgressors that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance His Kingdom doth effect and do the business John 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me Col. 1.20 21 And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled But yet we must not conceive the actings of these Offices in Christ separately nor appropriate to any of them solely the effecting Reconciliation or Salvation but understand it by way of eminency and so of the following particulars 2. These three Offices in our Mediator concur to do the same work but in divers ways that our Reconciliation and Salvation might be the more compleat and sure he would have us saved Heb. 7.25 to the utmost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Camer in Myr. F. Goodwin Christ set forth Corn. Schrevel Lexic or as the word is rendred by some over and above all manner of ways for the word as some observe signifies Omni modum persecutionem omnem adeptus finem and absolute perfection in all manner of ways whereunto these three Offices in our Mediator concur 1. Christ as Priest through his death reconcileth us to God and saveth us as captives are redeemed by Ransom and Price Heb. 10.12 But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God Col. 1.1 20 And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Rom. 5.10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son c. 2. Christ as King by his Resurrection and Ascension effectuates our Salvation by power and conquest Heb. 2.14 That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil Eph. 4.8 Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men 3. Christ as Prophet effectuates our reconciliation with God and Salvation by our own consent informing our judgments begetting a good understanding betwixt God and us removing mistakes and making us willing to be reconciled unto him and saved by him Psal 110.2 3 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth This he effects by Treaty till he hath concluded favour and friendship betwixt the parties by voluntary consent in a Covenant Rev. 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come 3. These Offices in our Mediator sweetly concur together to meet with three great Evils in our natural condition which are comprehensive of all our misery and to deal in taking them away 1. Christ as a Prophet dealeth with our Ignorance of God and blindness and removeth that by applying himself to us in the exercise of that teaching-Office Eph. 4.18 21 Having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart If so be that ye have heard him and been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus 2. Christ as Priest with his Atonement and Satisfaction dealeth with our alienation and estrangement from God and our enmity against him which is the fruit of our Ignorance of him and by making a satisfaction to of fended Justice he takes away the enmity Eph. 4.18 Being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them See Rom. 5.10 When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son Col. 1.21 And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled 3. Christ as a King dealeth with our Impotency and Rebellion which is the third great evil in our unnatural condition which he sweetly subdueth by the power and dominion of his grace Psalm 45.5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the kings enemies whereby the people fall under thee Rev. 6.2 And he went forth conquering and to conquer Or the harmony of these Offices may be conceived thus 1. That Christ as a Prophet dealeth eminently with the understandings of men to perswade and convince them by his teaching 2 Cor. 4.4 6 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine in them for God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2. Christ as a Priest as a merciful loving condescending man who hath laid down his life for us useth entreaties and dealeth with the affections mainly when the judgment is informed by his prophesie and teaching 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God 3. Christ as King dealeth with the wills of men the proudest and highest enemy that Christ hath in our nature which he subdues and overpowers by determinating grace Psal 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power 4. These three Offices in our Mediator do most pleasantly conspire in aiding and supporting one another that each Office may be vigorous and effectual for the end of his Mediation And here consider 1. How the prophecy of Christ is aiding to his Priesthood and Kingdom 1. By teaching what the Priesthood and Kingdom of Christ are and the way how reconciliation and peace is to be made His prophecy teaches those mysteries of the Kingdom and our salvation which otherways we could not know Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him It sheweth 1. Where a Sacrifice is to be had and a power to make out our peace which upon the matter is the Priesthood and Kingdom of Christ Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of
who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption There be who divide his Offices who would be saved by his Priesthood but will neither be taught by his Prophecy nor ruled by his Kingdom 2. Others who would be both saved and taught but not commanded by him Again There be who would divide the things belonging to his Offices As 1. who would submit to his teaching by outward Ordinances but will not submit themselves to the inward teaching of his Spirit 2. Who will be content to take his satisfaction and merit of his death but think they need not his intercession 3. Who would take the protection of his Kingdom but will not have the Laws and Government thereof 4. Who would be made happy by his means but will not be made holy 6. Let us labour to seek within us the experiment of the virtue of each of his Offices and of the several parts thereof and things pertaining to the same And 1. of his Prophecy and that not only of his doing the part of a Prophet in shewing to us things more pleasant but things more bitter also even our sin and his reproofs Joh. 16.8 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment Psal 50.21 But I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes 2. Let us study to experience the power and efficacy of his Priesthood in both parts thereof of his Satisfaction and of his Intercession of the death and life of our Priest and that to all the intents of these parts of that Office for Reconciliation for access to God for bringing you in favour for keeping you in favour for perseverance for righteousness for holiness and for salvation Rom. 5.9 10 Much more then being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him 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 Heb. 4.14 Seeing then that we have a great High-Priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus the Son of God let us hold fast our profession And 10.22 Let us draw near in the full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness sanctification and redemption Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 3. Let it he our endeavour also to feel within us the virtue of his Kingdom by taking on his yoke submitting to his commands Mat. 11.29 Take my yoke upon you Admitting him as a King upon a throne to rule within us Luke 17.21 Behold the kingdom of God is within you Yielding him service Psal 2.11 12 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling Kiss the son lest he be angry Subduing your lusts 2 Cor. 10.4 5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ Committing your selves to his protection and making it your refuge 2 Tim. 1.12 For I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day Vse 5. Try your improving of Christs Offices and whether he carrieth them in vain as to your reaping profit by them 1. In general 1. By your delight in the wise conjunction of them insomuch that if it were at your disposing ye could not be content that any of them were wanting in him 2. By your unsatisfiedness with your selves until you have had some good and found some effect of each of them upon you 2. More particularly 1. If you have been under the efficacy of Christs Prophesie no outward teaching will satisfie you till you feel the power of his Spirit teaching you inwardly 2. If you have been under the efficacy of his Priesthood no sacrifice nor service nor prayers of your own will be rested on but his Sacrifice and Intercession only 3. If you have felt the efficacy of his Kingdom no externals of a well-ordered and ruled walk will content you without his Kingdom within you CHAP. XIV Of the Mediator's Vnction as it relateth to the endowing of him with all requisite Qualifications for that Work THE Second Part of Christ's Unction which is also consequent to his personal union is the furnishing and fitting of him with special Requisites and Furniture for the work of Mediation and particularly he is anointed with requisite qualifications for the discharge of these three high Offices unto which he was designed to be a King a Priest and a Prophet to his Church And this also is comprehended in the Anointing from which our Mediator has his name Messiah or Christ Joh. 1.41 Luke 9.20 Of this part of his Unction we shall speak 1. More generally laying open what it is and the comprehensive phrases of Scripture which speak of it 2. More particularly pointing at the special graces which were required and were found eminently in our Mediator And 1. of his Unction in general whereby the Godhead made the Manhead full of himself and of all the communicable graces and gifts of the Spirit to fit him for the work of a Mediator The Scripture-phrases concerning this unction or fitness and furniture of Christ for his Mediatorship are exceeding large and comprehensive Psal 45.2 7 Thou art fairer than the children of men grace is poured into thy lips thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows There his unction with the Holy Ghost and graces of the Spirit compared to oyl which in regard of its nature refresheth and maketh fit for use and in regard of its use was imployed for figuring and signifying mens fitness for the calling is extolled comparatively comparing it with the unction of believers a large effusion of the Spirit was upon him after an extraordinary measure and manner John 3.34 For God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him how then without measure i.e. most abundantly the like phrase see Ezra 7.22 And salt without prescribing how much Christ did receive the gifts of the Spirit in such abundant measure that he might have an overflowing measure in him that should run over and fill all his members Joh. 1.14 16 full of grace and truth And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace
Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath Eph. 1.9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himself 4. Whose Messenger is Christ in this Covenant-relation whether of one of the parties or of both Answ 1. In some respects he is only the Messenger of one of the parties I mean as the name doth import a Mission Delegation and Subordination so he is only Gods Messenger because Christ Mediator the Angel of the Covenant had his commission only from God and is to give an account of that honourable trust and employment to him only Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth Joh. 5.22 For as the father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son c. 1 Cor. 15.24 Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the father Yea even in these things which he acteth upward toward his father as Messenger of the Covenant put case his negotiating with God for his people he hath his Mission and Delegation from God for that special effect Joh. 1.2 24 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me 2. In some respects he is the Messenger of both the parties as namely 1. In respect of the business about which he is employed his Message is about matters of huge concernment to both the parties of the Covenant for his fathers honour and his peoples happiness lay equally in the business about which he is employed Joh. 17.2 4 That he should give eternal life to as many as thou bast given him I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do 2. In respect of the travels of his soul in that business and Message he did it cordially and condescendingly did he run the Errants of both the parties he came his fathers Errant to us and he went our Errant to his father Joh. 13.3 Jesus knowing that the father had given all things into his hands and that he was come from God and went to God Joh. 14.2 12 I go to prepare a place for you because I go unto my father Joh. 16.5 28 But now I go my way to him that sent me and none of you asketh me whither goest thou I came forth from the father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the father 3. In respect of his Ambassage and Agency he was an Ambassador and Agent on Gods part while he was here upon the earth he was his Messenger who came to declare and to confirm the Covenant 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ recanciling the world unto himself Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons And he is now our Agent he is Messenger and Lieger in Heaven on our part in regard of his constant residence there for our business Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Act. 3.21 Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things 4. In respect of his correspondency with both parties he is correspondent with God for his people Joh. 17.8 25 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me And these have known that thou hast sent me And he is correspondent with us for God Joh. 6.38 39 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me And this is the fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom He is correspondent betwixt the confederate parties 5. About what busmess is he Messenger and what is the special subject matter of his employment Answ His Name and Covenant-relations do declare the business he is Messenger of the Covenant Legatus faederis Mal. 3.1 His Message is as large and broad as all things pertaining to the Covenant Heb. 2.17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people So that there is nothing which doth any way relate to the Covenant betwixt God and believers which falleth not under this Covenant-relation a sum whereof may be comprehended under these three heads 1. Whatsoever appertaineth to the making of the Covenant he is Messenger betwixt God and his people for that effect whether it be any thing which belongeth to the courting and wooing of his peoples hearts by commending his father and making offers of himself and of his love unto them Joh. 14.2 In my fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you Joh. 15.1 I am the true Vine Joh. 16.27 For the father himself loveth you Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son Joh. 10.14 29 I am the good shepherd my father which gave them me is greater then all Wisdom cryeth who will have Christ Prov. 9.1 Wisdom hath builded her house she hath hewn out her seven Pillars c. Joh. 7.37 38 In that last day that great day of the feast Jesus stood and cried saying if any man thirst let him come unto me and drink He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Hos 2.14 Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably unto her Song 2.1 I am the rose of Sharon and the lillie of the vallies Or whether it be any thing which belongeth to the engaging the hearts of his people in determining them by his grace and acting the Covenant upon their hearts he is Messenger also for that to command Souls to engage with him and to arise and go after him and to forsake all for him Ezek. 20.37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod and I will
sin but now they have no cloak for their sin 3. Because that usage that is given to the Messenger of the Covenant is hugely resented whether it be good or evil Joh. 1.11 12 He came unto his own and his own received him not But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name Mat. 10.41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophets reward 4. Because no sin hath been more speedily and severely revenged than the ill usage of this Messenger Mat. 21.41 They say unto him he will miserably destroy those wicked men and will let out his vineyard unto other Husbandmen which shall render him the fruits in their seasons Mat. 22.6 7 And the remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully and slew them But when the king heard thereof he was wroth and he sent forth his armies and destroyed those murderers and burnt up their city Luk. 19.14 27 But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him saying We will not have this man to reign over us But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring hither and slay them before me But beside these things relating to the danger of slighting the Messenger of the Covenant Consider further 1. It is your own business about which the Messenger of the Covenant is travelling with you Luk. 19.10 42 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost Saying if thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes Joh. 5.40 And ye will not come to me that ye might have life The honour of his Message and travels shall be his own and his fathers yet the profit and advantage of it shall be yours Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief 2. Consider there is a limited set-time for the Message which he carrieth Mark 14.7 But me ye have not always I mean there is not only a time set unto Christ by his father at which his travelling as Messenger of the Covenant shall expire Joh 13.1 Then Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the father 1 Cor. 15.24 25 Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the father when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power For he must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet But the Messenger of the Covenant hath also set a time to you all until which he will tarry for your answer whether ye will take hold of the Covenant or not and after which he will tarry no longer for it Joh. 12.35.36 Then Jesus said unto them Yet a little while is the light with you walk while ye have this light lest darkness come upon you for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth While ye have the light believe in the light that ye may be the children of light Luk. 13.7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard Behold these three days I come seeking fruit on this Fig-tree and find none cut it down why cumbreth it the ground We have not this Message setled upon us by inheritance nor by Life-rent-taxes 3. Consider that the Messenger of the Covenant maketh shortest stay and abode where his Message the offer of the Covenant is slighted and gets not an answer Act. 13.46 But seeing ye put it from you and judg your selves unworthy of everlasting life Lo we turn to the Gentiles Mat. 21.41 They say unto him he will miserably destroy those wicked men and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen which shall render him the fruits in their seasons Mat. 10.13 And if the house be worthy let your peace come upon it but if it be unworthy let your peace return to you Rev. 2.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent Song 5.5 6 I rose up to open to my beloved and my hands dropped with myrrh and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh upon the handles of the lock I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone 4. Consider that there is a time coming when the Messenger of the Covenant and his Message cannot avail you if you let go the season and opportunity of Grace 2 Cor. 6.2 For he saith I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation I have succoured thee Behold now is the accepted time Behold now is the day of salvation Heb. 4.7 Again he limiteth a certain day saying in David To day after so long a time as it is said To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts Heb. 12.17 For ye know how that afterward when he would have inherited the blessing he was rejected for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears Luk. 13.25 26 When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the dore and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the dore saying Lord Lord open unto us and he shall answer and say unto you I know you not whence you are Then shall ye begin to say we have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets 5. Consider that the Messenger is to make re-report to him who sent him what success he had for his travel and who did receive his Message Joh. 17.6 7 8 25 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me O righteous father the world hath not known thee but have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me O bethink your selves in time what shall be reported of your entertaining the Messenger of the Covenant and the things which he proposed unto you shall that be told of you in Heaven which hath been told of many Joh. 1.11 He came unto his own and his own received him not Joh. 5.40 And ye will not come to me that ye might have life Joh. 12.37 But though he had done so many
neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Joh. â— 1 2 Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Yet let us glance at it by that dim light which we have of the Scriptures It is in general called by himself the work which his father gave him to do Joh. 17.4 By which we understand all that Christ had in commission to do in our nature from the time of his receiving a commission to be the Mediator of the Covenant unto the time of his delivering up the Kingdom to his father more particularly this Service which Christ did in the business of the Covenant it 's called the restitution of all things Act. 3.21 When Christ shall bring all things out of that disordered and ruined condition whereunto they were brought by the fall of man and shall restore them to the Primitive integrity when he shall restore fore-faulted man into his first estate of innocency and happiness by taking of the fore-saulture and bringing him out of his excommunicated exiled condition into the presence and fellowship of God Eph. 2.12 13 That at that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of promise having no hope and without God in the world But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ And when the creatures shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 This Service is called the bearing the transgressions of many the making his soul an offering for sin Isa 53.10 12. It was the putting his Soul in our Souls stead that the law might overtake him that justice might smite him for us and might take satisfaction from him for the broken Covenant it was the offering up of himself in a Sacrifice the putting of his Soul in the flame of hot burning wrath for us that the furbushed and wakened-up sword of Divine Justice might be bathed in his blood until it was full of blood and satisfied Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd c. It 's called the reconciling of the world to God 2 Cor. 5.19 By which we understand all the travel of his Soul in the propounding treating and concluding of a peace 'twixt God and sinners for all that Service was laid upon him and was performed by him for he maketh the proposition of peace he carryeth on the treaty until his own hand lead our hand to sign the articles of peace propounded in the Gospel Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh 2 Cor. 5.19 20 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 9.13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ This Service is called the saving of the lost world Luk. 19.10 And the bringing many Sons to glory Heb. 2.10 That was a great Service indeed to have the weight of the lost world upon his shouldiers to have the keeping and leading yea the bearing in his arms of all that numberless number of the ransomed and redeemed ones whom God had appointed unto Glory Joh. 17.12 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost Isa 40.11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosome and shall gently lead those that are with young In a word the Service which Christ did in the business of the Covenant was the the transacting of the Covenant he did all that business from beginning to end and without him was nothing done of all things pertaining to God and a new Covenant betwixt him and us whereof see more particularly what we have spoken of the Mediator of the Covenant Chap. 4. Vse 1. Think with your selves and consider the love that made him come under this Covenant-relation that made him a common Servant to both the parties for though he had wages and a reward propounded to him yet it was love that acted Christ in performing this great piece of Service His Service of love is much commended 1. From the infinite condescension that was in it O what condescension was it for a Son to become a Servant Heb. 5.8 Though he were a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered for the Son the only begotten Son and Heir to become a Servant Mat. 21.37 38 But last of all he sent unto them his Son saying they will reverence my Son But when the husbandmen saw the Son they said among themselves this is the heir come let us kill him and let us seize on his inheritance For the Son of God to become a Servant to the sons of men Phil. 2.6 7 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation And took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 2. From the voluntariness of his coming under this Covenant-relation when he was not a Servant by any necessity of nature that he made himself one that when nothing else was to do it his grace his love determined him to go and serve his enemies and make himself of no reputation Phil. 2.7 Rom. 5.8 But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Heb. 10.9 Then said he Lo I come to do thy will O God O what strange love was that which made Christ so willingly leave the Throne and come down to the foot-stool and stand and serve Mat. 20.28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many Joh. 13.4 5 He riseth from supper and laid aside his garments and took a towel and girded himself After that he poureth water into a bason and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded Gal. 2.20 And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
a Testator Joh. 14.27 Peace I leave with you to wit by Legacy 2. He sustained this relat on to declare the absolute freeness of his grace in the conveyance of Covenant-blessings which howsoever covenanted and promised to us condition-ways yet are purely deeds of Grace and of the pleasure and will of God as all testamentary deeds are which are the sole will and meer pleasure of the Testator Joh. 17.24 Father I will and Luk. 22.29 I appoint unto you a kingdom 3. He sustained this relation for the ratification of that title and interest which believers have unto Covenant-blessings for their holding being by a deed of will and pleasure so long as he who disposeth of his estate and goods is alive his will is ambulatory and alterable therefore he is a Testator which takes in the death of Christ that his will of grace to his people declared in his Testament might be irrevocable so the Apostle argues Gal. 3.15 Though it be but a mans testament yet if it be confirmed to wit by his death no man disannulleth or addeth thereunto Heb. 9.16 17 For where a testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator For a testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilst the testator liveth 4. Christ sustained the relation of a Testator in the new Covenant to make way for a possession of these Covenant-blessings unto which his people have a right he makes his Testament and dies that his will in his Testament might be executed which could have no execution till by his death typical or real and contemplation thereof he declared a cession of his possession that this was his very design the Apostle-proves Heb. 9.15 That by means of death they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Joh. 16.17 If I go not away the comforter will not come but if I depart I will send him unto you 3. Let us consider how this design hath its accomplishment in Christs sustaining the relation of Testator in the Covenant of Grace And 1. 'T is unquestionable that by this relation Believers have a new active title to the Covenant-blessings to wit a testamentary title they are his friends and legators and do hold their mercies as Legacies left to them by the latter will of Christ the Testator his will of favour and grace is their title so he often taught his Disciples to remember their testamentary title to their mercies Mat. 26.28 and 1 Cor. 11.25 This is my blood of the new testament shed for many for the remission of sins c. Joh. 5.21 The Son quickeneth whom he will Jam. 1.18 Of his own will begat he us Here is that title of will acknowledged and the design of absolute free-grace in the Testator accomplished 2. The design of God in Christs sustaining the relation of a Testator in the Covenant of Grace is accemplished in so far as a ratification and confirmation of the testamentary Covenant is thereby intended because by Christs death the right that believers have by this Testament receives a threefold confirmation 1. A confirmation of the verity and reality of it that it is a true and real deed which by the strictest tryal for probat of Wills cannot be rejected for 't is confirmed says the Apostle Gal. 3.15 to wit to be an authentick instrument and evidence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 authenticatum confirmatum ratum habitum Act. 3.15 And killed the prince of life whom God hath raised from the dead whereof we are witnesses Luk. 24.48 And ye are witnesses of these things 2. A confirmation of validity it is made unalterable so that it cannot be disannulled or abrogated thereafter so that no man can make it void or put any alteration upon it as the Apostle proves Gal. 3.15 No man disannulleth or addeth thereunto 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nemo abrogat eodem sensu quo leges dicuntur abrogari cum vim suam amittunt as Heb. 7 18 Christs Testament cannot be made void and of none effect for 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 testamentum ratum Heb. 9.17 Firm and setled as a pillar on its base 3. A confirmation of efficacy it is made available to our use as our evidence in judgment it is of strength says the Apostle Heb. 9.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 valet But the next and third accomplishment of the design of God in this Covenant-relation will clear this further to wit the executing of Christs Testament by his ceeding the possession Let us therefore consider how Christs being Testator doth make way for those that are called to receive the inhenitance Heb. 9.15 1. Christ the Testator is vested with the right and possession of all the Covenant-blessings for he is the first begotten of many brethren Heb. 1.6 And God gave him to be head over all things to the Church Col. 1.15 17 18 Who is the image of the invisible God the first born of every creature And he is before all things and by him all things consist And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the preheminence 2. The Testator by his Will and Testament bequeaths disposes and leaves in legacy the very same mercies and Covenant-blessings that were his at the first-hand and all treasured up in the Mediator and Testator as in a store-house Lo says he I give you the sure mercies of David Act. 13.34 with Isa 35.3 3. The Testator dies when Christ hath made his Will he laid down his life and by his death he opens a way and gives Legal access to his people to have his Testament executed and his will therein actually fulfilled 1. He renders up the possession and by a cession yields it unto his people Heb. 9.15 The Mediator and Testator dies that by means of death they which are called might receive eternal inheritance and Joh. 16.7 If I do not go the comforter will not come unto you c. If the Testator had not died there had never been room nor access for them who are called to receive the inheritance though in this there be something singular and different from humane conveyances because Christ does so give up the possession for his peoples access to it that he also keeps it for the same end that he and they after ratifying his Testament by his death may live and possess the inheritance together as joint heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 Joh. 14.2 3. But in humane possâ—ssions there is no room for two to possess the same thing by a compleat intire title to it nor for a person that yields the possession or inheritance to another to return to it without divesting that person to whom it was resigned 2. The Testator himself pleads his Testament and his making way through his death for his peoples coming at the inheritance and the possession of his goods I say he pleads
the Covenant as a nail in a sure place and as a foundation and corner-stone which cannot be removed therefore stability and firmness is in the Covenant Isa 22.23 Because the Covenant made with him is sure therefore the Covenant made with us is sure Psal 89.33 34. And because Christ is given for a Covenant of the people therefore stability is given to that Covenant as an essential property thereof 5. The perfection of the Covenant of Grace is comprised in Christ it is a perfect Covenant and he is a perfect and compleat Christ a Saviour made perfect to be the author of a compleat Salvation to his people Heb. 5.9 and to save to the utmost Heb. 7.25 Yea the Covenant is a perfect Covenant because Christ is in it in whom we are compleat Col. 2.9 10. And in whom dwelleth perfect fulness and all desirable perfections If Christ had not been in it perfection had not been in it nor should that Covenant have been able to perfect us for ever but it had left us as the first Covenant did But because God gave Christ for a Covenant of the people therefore perfection is in it and came to us by it 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption 6. The satisfactoriness of the Covenant of grace is comprised in Christ it is a Soul-satisfying Covenant and he is a Soul-satisfying Christ 2 Sam. 23.5 For this is all my salvation and all my desire although he make it not to grow Song 5.16 His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely This is my beloved and this is my friend O Daughters of Jerusalem Psal 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee Yea Christ is the foundation of that satisfaction which the souls of the saints find by being within the Covenant of grace he is the desire of all nations Hag. 2.7 It is in and for him that it is satisfying if Christ were not in the Covenant the soul of a Saint could nevery say of it This is all my desire but because he is in it therefore the spirits of men by imbracing it find a satisfaction Psal 16.2 5 6 O my soul thou hast said unto the Lord thou art my Lord the Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup thou maintainest my lot The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places yea I have a goodly heritage And because Christ is given for a Covenant of the people therefore satisfaction is in it 6. Christ is the sum of all Covenant-blessings they are all abridged in him Col. 3.11 But Christ is all and in all 1. Eminently because he is the chief blessing of the Covenant he is the marrow and fatness of the whole bargain Joh. 4.10 14 Jesus answered and said unto her If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee Give me to drink thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given thee living water But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son 2. Comprehensively because in him as in a store house all Covenant-blessings are treasured up Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God-head bodily Joh. 1.14 16 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace 3. Vltimately because he is that Covenant-blessing for which the whole bargain is sought after and all other things are but sought for him Mat. 13.44 45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field the which when a man hath found he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls c. 4. Virtually because when God giveth Christ the whole Covenant is reckoned to be performed Luk. 1.72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant 5. Consequentially because all other Covenant-blessings follow him as accessories follow any principal thing Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him freely give us all things Prov. 8.35 For whosoever findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Vse 1. If Christ be all the Covenant or the sum and marrow of all which God hath given to his people by the Covenant of grace this speaketh sad reproof 1. To those who seek something else the strength of whose indeavours is laid forth upon something inferiour something beside the chief good Isa 55.2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread and your labour for that which satisfieth not hearken deligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight itself in fatness To such belongs that warning Isa 50.11 Behold all ye that kindle a fire that compass your selves about with sparks walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks that ye have kindled This shall ye have of mine hand ye shall lie down in sorrow 2. To such as seek and follow after some thing more than Christ who is all the Covenant sure there are not a few who think they have not a full blessing in Christ Christ alone without other things of this world cannot content them Gen. 30.1 This evil under the sun hath reached some of those who have been within the Covenant of Grace Gen. 15.1 2 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision saying Fear not Abram I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward And Abram said Lord God what wilt thou give me seeing I go childless and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus To such belongs that warning Jer. 45.5 And seekest thou great things for thy self seek them not for behold I will bring evil upon all flesh saith the Lord but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest 3. It speaks reproof to those who seek something less than Christ there being among those who are not of the worst sort of people whom life and salvation could satisfie a creaated heaven without Christ could answer their desires after happiness Mat. 19.16 And behold one came and said unto him Good master what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life Something of this also may overtake the children of Grace among their fevers and fits of distempers Mark 9.5 6 And Peter answered and said to