Sin but that we could not be were it not that an Atonement is made for us first by the Blood of Christ our Saviour This is true for they that are quickned by the Holy Ghost are quickned by it through the Word of the Gospel which offereth Justification to Sinners through Faith in his Blood yea we are said to be quickned together with him dead and risen with him yet so as by the Spirit of God 2. We are not only quickned by the Holy Ghost but possessed therewith it is given to dwell in our Hearts Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts Gal. 4. 4 5 6. which Spirit is also our earnest for Heaven until the Redemption of the purchased Possession that is until our Body which is the purchased Possession be redeemed also out of the Grave by the Power of the same mighty Spirit of God Ephes. 1. 13 14. 3. By this Holy Spirit we are made to believe Rom. 15. 13. 4. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to pray and call God Father 5. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to understand and apply the Promises 6. By this Holy Spirit the Joy of Heaven and the Love of God is shed abroad in the Heart of the Saved 7. By this Holy Spirit we are made to wait for the hope of Righteousness by Faith that is to stand fast through our Lord Jesus in the day when he shall judg the World And all this is the Fruit of Redemption by Blood of Redemption by the Blood of Christ. This is yet further evident 1. Because the Work of the Spirit is to lead us into the sayings of Christ which as to our Redemption from death are such as these I lay down my Life that you may have Life I give my Life a Ransom for many And the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 2. Because IF the Spirit in the Wisdom of Heaven is not counted a sufficient Testimony on Earth but as joyned with the Blood of Christ. There are three that bear witness on Earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood These are the Witness of God The Spirit because it quickneth the Blood because it hath merited and the Watter to wit the Word because by that we are clean as to life and conversation 1 John 5. 8. Ephes. 5. 26. Rom. 8. 16. Psal. 119. 9. 3. Because as by the Spirit so we are sanctified by Faith in the Blood of Jesus Heb. 13. 12. 4. Because when most full of the Spirit when that doth work most mightly in us we are then most in the belief and admiring apprehensions of our deliverance from death by the Blood of Jesus Revel 15. Chap. 5. 9. 5. The Holy Ghost breaheth no-where so as in the Ministry of this Doctrine this Doctrine is sent WITH the Holy Ghost from Heaven yea as I have hinted one of the Great Works of the Holy Ghost under the Old-Testament was to testifie of the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. Put all these things together and see if Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath not paid full price to God for Sinners if he hath not obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Fourth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident if you consider how the preaching thereof hath been from that time to this a mighty Conquerer over all kind of Sinners What Nation what People what kind of Sinners have not been subdued by the preaching of a Crucified Christ. He upon the White Horse with his Bow and his Crown hath conquered doth conquer and goeth forth yet conquering and to conquer Revel 6. 2. And I saith he if I be lifted up from the Earth will draw all men unto me but what was it to be lifted up from the Earth Why it may be expounded by that saying As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 12. 32. Chap. 3. 14 15. He was then lifted up when he was hanged upon a Tree between the Heavens and the Earth as the Accursed of God for us The Revelation of this it conquers all Nations Tongues and People And they sang a new Song saying thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Revel 5. 9. Hence the Apostle Paul chose above all Doctrines to preach up a Crucified Christ and resolved so to do For I determined saith he not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. 1. The Doctrine of Forgiveness of Sin conquered his very Murderers They could not withstand the Grace them bloody ones that would kill him what-ever it cost them could stand no longer but received his Doctrine fell into his Bosom and obtained the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus They shall look upon him whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourneth for his only Son they shall be in bitterness for him as one is in bitterness for his first-born Zech. 12. 10. Now was this Scripture eminently fulfilled when the Kindness of a Crucified Christ broke to pieces the Hearts of them that had before been his Betrayers and Murderers Now was there a great mourning in Jerusalem now was there wailing and lamentation mixed with joy and rejoycing 2. Though Paul was mad exceeding mad against Jesus Christ of Nazareth yea though he was his avowed Enemy seeking to put out his Name from under Heaven yet the Voice from Heaven I am Jesus c. I am the Saviour how did it conquer him make him throw down his Arms fall down at his Feet and accept of the forgiveness of Sins freely by grace through Redemption by Faith in his Blood 3. They at Samaria though before Philip preached to them worshipped and admired the Devil in Magus yet when they believed Philip's preaching of Christ unto them and forgiveness of sins through Faith in his Name great joy was amongst them and they were baptized both Men and Women Act. 8. He preached saith the Text the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ that is all the Blessings of Life through the Name of Jesus Christ for he is the Mediator and without his Blood come no spiritual blessings to men 4. How was the sturdy Jailer overcome by a Promise of forgiveness of sins by Faith in Jesus Christ. It stopt his Hand of self-murder it eased him of the gnawings of a guilty Conscience and fears of Hell-Fire and filled his Soul with rejoicing in God Act. 16. 30 31 32 33. 5. How
to offer Heb. 8. 3. which Offering and Sacrifice of his being able to perfect for ever them that are sanctified and set apart for Eternal Life Therefore the name of the Person that offered even Jesus made of God an High-Priest is acceptable with God yea therefore is he made for ever by his doing for us the Appeaser of the Justice of God and the Reconciler of Sinners to him Hence it is that HIS Name is that which it behoveth us to mention when we come before God for what God hath determined in his Counsels of Grace to bestow upon Sinners because for his Name sake he forgiveth them I write to you little Children because your Sins are forgiven you for his Name sake To him give all the Prephets witness that through his Name whosoever believeth in him shall receive Remission of Sins 1. Joh. 2. 14. Act. 10. 43. They therefore that would obtain the forgiveness of Sins must ask it of God through the Name of Jesus and he that shall sensibly and unteignedly do it he shall receive the forgiveness of them Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Hence it is evident that he hath not only paid full price to God for them but also obtained Eternal Redemption for them And it is observable the Lord Jesus would have his Disciples make a Proof of this and promiseth that if they do they shall experimentally find it so Hitherto saith he ye have asked nothing in my NAME ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full Joh. 16. 24. As who should say O my Disciples you have heard what I have promised to you even that my Father shall do for you whatsoever ye shall ask him in my Name Ask now therefore and prove me if I shall not make my Words good Ask I say what you need and see if you do not receive it to the Joying of your Hearts At that day ye shall ask in my Name and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you I do not bid you ask in my Name as if the Father was yet hard to be reconciled or unwilling to accept you to mercy my Coming into the World was the Design of my Father and the Effect of his Love to Sinners but there is sin in you and justice in God therefore that you to him might be reconciled I am made of my Father Mediator wherefore ask in my Name for there is none other name given under the Heavens among Men whereby they must be saved Act. 4. 12. Ask in my Name love is let out to you through me it is let out to you by me in a way of Justice which is the only secure way for you Ask in my Name and my Father will love you The Father himself loveth you because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God Joh. 16. 27. My Fathers Love is set first upon me for my Name is chief in his Heart and all that love me are beloved of my Father and shall have what they need if ye ask in my Name But I say what cause would there be to ask in his Name more than in the Name of some other since justice was provoked by our Sin if he had not undertook to make up the difference that by Sin was made betwixt justice and us For though there be in this Jesus infinite worth infinite righteousness infinite merit yet if he make not with these interest for us we get no more benefit thereby than if there were no Mediator But this Worth and Merit is in him for us for he undertook to reconcile us to God it is therefore that his Name is with God so prevailing for us poor Sinners and therefore that we ought to go to God in his Name Hence therefore it is evident that Jesus Christ hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Seventh Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners c. is evident because we are commanded also to give God thanks in his Name By him therefore let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise continually that is the Fruit of our Lips giving thanks in his Name Heb. 13. 15. By him therefore wherefore because he also that he might sanctifie us with his own Blood suffered without the Gate ver 12. He sanctified us with his Blood but why should the Father have thanks for this even because the Father gave him for us that he might die to sanctifie us with his Blood Giving thanks to the Father which hath made us meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light who hath delivered us from the Power of Darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son in whom we have redemption through his Blood even the forgiveness of Sins Col. 1. 12 13 14. The Father is to be thanked for the contrivance was also his but the Blood the Righteousness or that worthiness for the Sake of which we are accepted of God is the Worthiness of his own dear Son as it is meet therefore that God should have thanks so it is necessary that he have it in his Name for whose sake we indeed are accepted of him Let us therefore by him offer Praise First For the Gift of his Son and for that we stand quit through him in his Sight and that in despite of all inward weakness and that in despite of all outward enemies When the Apostle had taken such a view of himself as to put himself into a maze with an out-cry also who shall deliver me he quiets himself with this sweet conclusion I thank God through Jesus Christ Rom. 7. 24. He found more in the Blood of Christ to save him than he found in his own Corruptions to damn him but that could not be had he not paid full price for him had he not obtained Eternal Redemption for him And can an Holy and Just God require that we give thanks to him in his Name if it was not effectually done for us by him Further when the Apostle looks upon Death and the Grave and strengtheneth them by adding to them Sin and the Law saying The Sting of Death is sin and the Strength of Sin is the Law he presently addeth but thanks be to God which giveth us the Victory through Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. The Victory over Sin Death and the Law the Victory over these through our Lord Jesus Christ but God hath given us the Victory but it is through our Lord Jesus Christ through his fulfilling the Law through his destroying Death and through his bringing in Everlasting Righteousness Elisha said to the King of Israel that had it not been that he regarded the Person of Jehoshaphat he would not look to him nor regard him 2 Kin. 3. 14. nor would God at all have looked to or regarded thee but that he respected
for he before did put them away by the Sacrifice of himself Now then let the Saints look for him not to die for the purchasing of their persons by Blood but to bring to THEM and to bring them also to that Salvation that before when he died he obtained of God for them by his Death These things are to be expected therefore by them that believe in and love Jesus Christ and that from faith and love serve him in this world they are to be expected by them being obtained for them by Jesus Christ And he shall give the Crown saith Paul not only to me but to them that love his Appearing 2 Tim. 4. 8 9. Now forasmuch as this Inheritance in the Heavens is the Price Purchase and Reward of his Blood how evidently doth it appear that he hath paid full price to God for Sinners Would God else have given him the Heaven to dispose of to us that believe and would he else have told us so Yea and what comfort could we have to look for his Coming and Kingdom and Glory as the Fruits of his Death if his Death had not for that purpose been sufficiently efficacious O! the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that shall follow 1 Pet. 1. 11. The Ninth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for Sinners is evident Because of the Threatnings wherewith God hath threatned and the Punishments wherewith he punished those that shall refuse to be saved by Christ or seek to make insignificant the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith in him This Demonstration consisteth of three parts 1. It suggesteth that some refuse to be justified or saved by Christ and also seek to make insignificant the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith in him 2. That God doth threaten these 3. That God will punish these That some refuse to be saved by Christ is evident from many Texts He is the Stone which the Builders have rejected He is also disallowed of Men The Jews stumble at him and to the Greeks he is foolishness both saying this Man shall not rule over us or how can this man save us Psal. 118. 22. Mat. 24. 42. 1 Pet. 2. 4. 1 Cor. 1. 23. Luk. 19. 14. The Causes of mens refusing Christ are many 1. Their Love to sin 2. Their Ignorance of his Excellency 3. Their Unbelief 4. Their Deferring to come to him in the acceptable Time 5. Their leaning to their own Righteousness 6. Their entertaining Damnable Doctrines 7. Their loving the praise of Men. 8. The meanness of his Ways his People c. 9. The just Judgment of God upon them 10. The Kingdom is given to others Now these as they all refuse him so they seek more or less some practically others in practice and judgment also to make insignificant the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith in him 1. One does it by preferring his Sins before him 2. Another does it by preferring his Righteousness before him 3. Another does it by preferring his Delusions before him 4. Another does it by preferring the World before him Now these God threatneth these God punisheth First God threatneth them Whosoever shall not receive that Prophet shall be cut off from amongst his People Acts 3. 23. The Prophet is Jesus Christ the Doctrine that he preached was that he would lay down his Life for us that he would give us his Flesh to eat and his Blood to drink by Faith and promised that if we did eat his Flesh and drink his Blood we should have Eternal Life He therefore that seeth not or that is afraid to venture his Soul for Salvation on the Flesh and Blood of Christ by Faith he refuseth this Prophet he heareth not this Prophet and him God hath purposed to cut off But would God thus have threatned if Christ by his Blood and the Merits of the same had not paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them Secondly Sit thou on my Right Hand until I make thine Enemies thy Foot-stool Psal. 110. 1. Mat. 22. 44. Heb. 1. 13. The Honour of sitting at God's Right Hand was given him because he died and offered his Body once for all This Man when he had offered up one Sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the Right Hand of God from henceforth expecting till his Enemies be made his Foot-stool Heb. 10. 11 12 13. Expecting since God accepted his Offering that those that refused him should be trodden under foot that is sunk by him into and under endless unsupportable vengeance But would God have given the World such an account of his Sufferings that by one Offering he did perfect for ever them that are sanctified yea and would he have threatned to make those foes his Foot stool that shall refuse to venture themselves upon his Offering for they are indeed his Foes had not his Eternal Majesty been well pleased with the Price he paid to God for Sinners had he not obtained Eternal Redemption for them Thirdly He shall come from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming-fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes. 1. 7 8. Here he expresly telleth us wherefore they shall be punished Because they know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ where also is notably intimated that he that obeyeth not the Gospel of Christ knoweth not God neither in his Justice or Mercy But what is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ but good tidings of good things to wit Forgiveness of Sins by Faith in his Blood an Inheritance in Heaven by Faith in his Blood as the whole of all the foregoing discourse hath manifested Now I say can it be imagined that God would threaten to come upon the World with this Flaming-Fiery-Vengeance to punish them for their Non-subjection to his Sons Gospel if there had not been by himself paid to God full price for the Souls of Sinners if he had not obtained Eternal Redemption by his Blood for Sinners Fourthly And Enoch the seventh from Adam also prophesied of these saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints to execute judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly Deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard Speeches which ungodly Sinners have spoken against him Jude 14. 15. The LORD that is here said to come with ten thousands of his Saints is Jesus Christ himself and they that come with him are called his Saints because given to him by the Father for the Sake of the shedding of his Blood Now in that he is said to come to execute judgment upon all and especially those that speak hard Speches against him 't is evident that the Father tendereth his Name which is Jesus a Saviour and his undertaking for our Redemption and as evident that the hard
all which as naturally purifie the Heart from wickedness as Sope or Niter cleanseth the Cloath He purified their Hearts by Faith by Faith in Christ's Blood And everyone that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure And also Love you shall see what that doth if you look into the Text Act. 15. 9. 1 Joh. 3. 3 4. 1 Cor. 13. Now I say this Faith groundeth it self in the Blood of Christ Hope waiteth for the full enjoyments of the Purchase of it in another world and love is begot and worketh by the Love that Christ hath expressed by his Death and by the Kindness he presenteth us with in his Heart-Blood Rom. 3. 24. 1 Cor. 15. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 14. Besides what arguments so prevailing as such as are purely Gospel To instance a few 1. What stronger than a free forgiveness of Sins A certain Man had two Debtors the one owed him five Hundred Pence and the other Fifty and when they had nothing to pay he frankly forgave them both tell me therefore which of them will love him most Luk. 7. 41 42 47. 2. What stronger argument to holiness than to see that though forgiveness comes free to us yet it cost Christ Jesus Heart-Blood to obtain it for us Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins And this Love of God in giving his Christ and of Christ in dying for us there is no argument stronger to prevail with a sensible and awakened Sinner to judg he should live to him that died for him and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14. 3. What stronger argument to holiness than this If any man sins we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Unsanctified and graceless wretches know not how to use these Words of God the Hypocrites also fly in our faces because we thus urge them but a Heart that is possessed with Gospel-ingenuity or to speak more properly that is possessed with Gospel-Grace and with Divine Considerations cries if it be thus O let me never sin against God! for the Love of Christ constrains me 2 Cor. 5. 14. 4. What greater argument to holiness than to see the Holy Scriptures so furnished with promises of Grace and Salvation by Christ that a Man can hardly cast his Eye into the Bible but he espieth one or another of them who would not live in such an House or be servant to such a Prince who besides his exceeding in good Conditions hath Gold and Silver as common in his Palace as stones are by the High-way side Having therefore these Promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the Fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. 5. What greater argument to holiness than to have our Performances though weak and infirm from us yet accepted of God in Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 6. 6. What greater argument to holiness than to have our Soul our Body our Life hid and secured with Christ in God Mortifie therefore your Members that are upon the Earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousness which is idolatry Col. 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6. What greater argument to holiness than to be made the Members of the Body of the Flesh and of the Bones of Jesus Christ Shall I take the Members of Christ and make them the Members of an harlot God forbid Ephes. 5. 30. 1 Cor. 6. 15. Now all these and five times as many more having their foundation in the Love Blood and Righteousness of Christ and operating in the Soul by Faith are the great Argument unto that Holiness to which is annexed eternal Life 'T is worth our observing that in Act. 26 at the 18. The Inheritance belongs to them that are sanctified by Faith in Jesus Christ For all other pretences to holiness they are but a stollen semblance of that which is true and acceptable though 't is common for even that which is counterfeit to be called by the deluded the True and to be reckoned to be in them that are utter strangers to Faith and the Holiness that comes by Faith But whosoever compoundeth any like it or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger shall even be cut off from his People Exod. 30. 33. God knoweth which is holiness that comes by Faith in forgiveness of Sins and acceptance with God through Christ and God knows which is only such feignedly and accordingly will he deal with Sinners in that great Day of God Almighty The Sixth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident because Prayers are accepted of God only upon the account and for the sake of the Name of Jesus Christ Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Joh. 16. 23. In my Name in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth in the Name of him that came into the World to save Sinners by dying for them a grievous bloody Death in his Name that hath by himself put away sin and brought unto God acceptable Righteousness for Sinners in his Name why in his Name if he be not accepted of God why in his Name if his undertakings for us are not well-pleasing to God But by these Words in my Name are insinuated that his Person and performances as our undertaker is accepted by the Father of Spirits We may not go in our own names because we are Sinners not in the Name of one another because all are Sinners but why not in the Name of an Angel Because they are not those that did undertake for us or had they they could not have done our work for us He putteth no trust in his Saints yea the Heavens are not clean in his Sight Job 4. 18. Chap. 15. 15. It may further be objected Since Jesus Christ is God equal with the Father and so hath naturally the same Power to give as the Father why should the Father rather than the Son be the great Giver to the Sinners of the World and why may we not go to Christ in the Name of the Father as well as to the Father in the Name of Christ I say how can these things be salved but by considering that sin and justice put a NECESSITY upon it that thus must our Salvation be obtained Sin and Justice could not reconcile nor could a means be found out to bring the Sinner and an Holy God together but by the Intercepting of the Son who must take upon him to answer Justice and that by taking our Sins from before the Face of God by bloody Sacrifice not by Blood of others as the High-Priests under the Law For as every High-Priest is ordained to offer Gifts and Sacrifices it is of necessity that this Man have somewhat also
Speeches intended by the Text are such as vilify him as Saviour counting the Blood of the Covenant unholy and trampling him that is Prince of the Covenant under the Feet of their reproachful Language this is counted a putting of him to open shame and a despising the riches of his Goodness Heb. 10. Chap. 6. Rom. 2. Time would fail to give you a view of the revilings despiteful sayings and of the Ungodly Speeches which these abominable Children of Hell let fall in their Pamplets Doctrines and Discourses against this Lord the King But the threatning is He shall execute judgment upon them for all their ungodly Deeds and for all their hard Speeches that ungodly Sinners have spoken against him Fifthly Take heed therefore lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the Prophets Behold ye Despisers and wonder and perish for I work a Work in your days a Work which you shall in no wise believe though a Man declare it unto you Act. 13. 40 41. This Work is the same we have been all this while treating of to wit Redemption by the Blood of Christ for Sinners or that Christ hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them This is manifest from ver 23 to ver 29. of this Chapter Now observe there are and will be Despisers of this Doctrine and they are threatned with the Wrath of God Behold ye Despisers and wonder and perish But would God so carefully have cautioned Sinners to take heed of despising this Blessed Doctrine and have backed his Caution with a threatming that they shall perish if they persist had not himself received by the Blood of Christ full price for the Souls of Sinners Secondly As God threatneth so he punisheth those that refuse his Son or that seek to vilify or make insignificant the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith in him 1. He punisheth them with the abidings of his Wrath. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the Wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 3. 36. The Wrath of God for men for sin stands already condemned by the Law the Judgment is that they who refuse the Lord Jesus Christ shall have this Wrath of God for ever lie and abide upon them For they want a Sacrifice to pacific wrath for the Sin they have committed having resisted and refused the Sacrifice of the Body of Christ. Therefore it cannot be that they should get from under their present condition who have refused to accept of the undertaking of Christ for them Besides God to shew that he taketh it ill at the Hands of Sinners that they should refuse the Sacrifice of Christ hath resolved that there shall be no more Sacrifice for sin If therefore we sin wilfully after we have received the Knowledg of the Truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sin Heb. 10. 26. God doth neither appoint another neither will he accept another who-ever brings it And here those sayings are of their own natural force How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation And again See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on Earth Moses How shall we escape if we turn away from him Christ that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 2. 3. Chap. 12. 25. This therefore is a mighty Demonstration that Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for the Souls of Sinners because God so severely threatneth and also punisheth them that refuse to be justified by his Blood he threatneth as you have heard and punisheth by leaving such men in their Sins under his heavy and unsupportable Vengeance here Secondly He that believeth not shall be damned Mar. 16. 16. damned in Hell-Fire He that believeth not but what should he believe Why 1. That Jesus is the Saviour If saith he ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your Sins 2. He that believeth not that he hath undertaken and compleatly perfected Righteousness for us shall die in his Sins shall be damned and perish in Hell-fire For such have no cloak for their Sin but must stand naked to the shew of their Shame before the Judgment of God that fearful Judgment Therefore after he had said there remains for such no more sacrifice for sin he adds But a certain fearful looking for of judgment there is for them left nothing but the Judgment of God and his fiery Indignation which shall devour the Adversaries He that despised Moses's Law died without mercy under two or three Witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an Unholy thing and done despite to the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10. 25 26. See here if fury comes not up now into the Face of God now is mention made of his fearful Judgment and fiery Indignation Now I say is mention made thereof when it is suggested that some have light thoughts of him count his Blood unholy and trample his Sacrificed Body under the Feet of their Reproaches Now is he a Consuming fire and will burn to the lowest Hell For we know him that hath said Vengeance belongeth unto me I will recompence saith the Lord. And again The Lord shall judg his People Heb. 10. 28 29 30. These words are urged by the Holy Ghost on purpose to beget in the Hearts of the Rebellious reverend thoughts and an high esteem of the Sacrifice which our Lord Jesus offered once for all upon Mount Calvary unto God the Father for our Sins for that is the very argument of the whole Epistle It is said to this purpose in one of Paul's Epistles to the Thessalonians That because men receive not the Love of the Truth that they might be saved For this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a ly and be damned 2 Thes. 2. The Truth mentioned in the Place is Jesus Christ. I am the Truth saith he Joh. 14. 6. The Love of the Truth is none else but the Love and Compassion of Jesus Christ in shedding his Blood for Mans Redemption Greater love than this hath no man that a Man lay down his Life for his Friends Joh. 15. 13. This then is the Love of the Truth of Jesus that he hath laid down his Life for us Now that the rejectors of this Love should by this their rejecting procure such wrath of God against them that rather than they shall miss of damnation himself will chuse their Delusions for them and also give them up to the effectual Working of these Delusions what doth this manifest but that God is displeased with them that accept not of Jesus Christ for Righteousness and will certainly order that their end shall be everlasting Damnation therefore Jesus Christ hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Use of
the Doctrine I come now to make some use of and to apply this Blessed Doctrine of the Undertaking of Jesus Christ and of his paying full Price to God for Sinners and of his obtaining Eternal Redemption for them The first Use. BY this Doctrine we come to understand many things which otherwise abide obscure and utterly unknown because this Doctrine is accompanied with the Holy Ghost that Revealer of secrets and Searcher of the deep things of God 1 Pet. 1. 2. Ephes. 1. 17. 1 Cor. 2. The Holy Ghost comes down with this Doctrine as that in which it alone delighteth therefore is it called The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledg of Jesus Christ. He giveth also the Light of the Knowledg of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. Little of God is known in the World where the Gospel is rejected the Religious Jew and the Wise Gentile may see more of God in a Crucified Christ than in Heaven and Earth besides For in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and knowledg not only in his Person as God but also in his Undertakings as Mediator Hence Paul telleth us That he determined not to know any thing among the Corinthians but Jesus Christ and him Crucified Col. 2. 2 3. 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. I say more of God is revealed in this Doctrine to us than we can see of him in Heaven and Earth without it First Here is more of his WISDOM seen than in his making and upholding all the Creatures His Wisdom I say in devising means to reconcile Sinners to an Holy and Infinite Majesty to be a Just God and YET a Saviour to be just to his Law just to his Threatning just to himself and yet save Sinners can no-way be understood till thou understandest why Jesus Christ did hang on the Tree for here only is the Riddle unfolded Christ died for our Sins and therefore can God in justice save us Isa. 45. 21. And hence is Christ called The Wisdom of God not only because he is so essentially but because by him is the greatest Revelation of his Wisdom towards man In Redemption therefore by the Blood of Christ God is said to abound towards us in all wisdom Ephes. 1. 7 8. Here we see the highest Contradictions reconciled here Justice kisseth the Sinner here a Man stands just in the Sight of God while confounded at his own Pollutions and here he that hath done no good hath yet a sufficient Righteousness even the Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ. Secondly The JUSTICE of God is here more seen than in punishing all the Damned He spared not his own Son is a Sentence which more revealeth the Nature of the Justice of God than if it had said he spared not all the World True he cast Angels from Heaven and drowned the Old World he turned Sodom and Gomorrah into Ashes with many more of like nature but what were all these to the Cursing of his Son yea what were ten thousand such manifestations of his Ireful Indignation against Sin to that of striking afflicting chastising and making the darling of his Bosom the Object of his Wrath and Judgment Here it is seen he respecteth not persons but judgeth sin and condemneth him on whom it is found yea although on Jesus Christ his well-Beloved Rom. 8. 32. Gal. 3. 13. Thirdly The Mystery of God's WILL is here more seen than in hanging the Earth upon nothing while he condemneth Christ though Righteous and justifieth us though Sinners while he maketh him to be sin for us and us the Righteousness of God in him 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Fourthly The POWER of God is here more seen than in making of Heaven and Earth for for one to bear and get the Victory over Sin when charged by the Justice of an Infinite Majesty in so doing he sheweth the Height of the Highest Power For where sin by the Law is charged and that by God immediatly there an Infinite Majesty opposeth and that with the whole of his Justice Holiness and Power So then he that is thus charged and engaged for the Sin of the World must not only be equal with God but shew it by over-coming that Curse and Judgment that by Infinite Justice is charged upon him for Sin When Angels and Men had sinned how did they fall and crumble before the Anger of God! they had not power to withstand the terrour nor could there be worth found in their Persons or Doings to appease displeased Justice But behold here stands the Son of God before him in the Sin of the World his Father finding him there curseth and condemns him to death but he by the Power of his God-head and the Worthiness of his Person and Doings vanquisheth sin satisfieth God's Justice and so becomes the Saviour of the World Here then is Power seen Sin is a Mighty thing it crusheth all in pieces save him whose Spirit is Eternal Heb. 9. 14. Set Christ and his Sufferings aside and you neither see the Evil of Sin nor the Displeasure of God against it you see them not in their utmost Had'st thou a view of all the Legions that are now in the pains of Hell yea couldest thou hear their shreeks and groans together at once and feel the whole of all their burden much of the evil of Sin and of the Justice of God against it would be yet unknown by thee for thou wouldest want power to feel and bear the utmost A Giant shews not his Power by killing of a little Child nor yet is his might seen by the resistance that such a little one makes but then he sheweth his power when he dealeth with one like himself yea and the Power also of the other is then made manifest in saving himself from being swallowed up with his Wrath. Jesus Christ also made manifest his Eternal Power and God-head more by bearing and over-coming our Sins than in making or upholding the whole World Hence Christ Crucified is called the Power of God 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. Fifthly The LOVE and MERCY of God is more seen in and by this Doctrine than any other way Mercy and Love are seen in that God gives us Rain and fruitful Seasons and in that he filleth our Hearts with food and gladness from that bounty he bestoweth upon us as men as his Creatures Oh! but herein is Love made manifest in that Christ laid down his Life for us And God commended his Love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. Chap. 4. 10 Rom. 5. 8. Never Love like this nor did God ever give such discovery of his Love from the beginning to this Day Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins Here is Love that God sent his Son his Darling his Son that never offended his Son that was
us Being justified by Faith we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The God of Peace fill you with all joy and peace in believing Rom. 5. 1 2. Chap. 15. 13. This Peace is expressed diversly 1. Sometimes it is called QUIETNESS for it calms the Soul from those troublous Fears of damning because of sin And the work of Righteousness shall be Peace and the Effect of Righteousness Quietness and Assurance for ever Isa. 32. 17. 2. Sometimes it is called BOLDNESS for by the Blood of Christ a Man hath encouragement to approach unto God Having 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 his Flesh Heb. 10. 19 20. 3. It is sometimes called CONFIDENCE because by Jesus Christ we have not only encouragement to come to God but confidence that if we ask any thing according to his Will he not only heareth but granteth the Request which we put up to him In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the Faith of Jesus Ephes. 3. 12. 1 John 5. 14 15. 4. Sometimes this Peace is expressed by REST because a Man having found a sufficient Fulness to answer all his Wants he sitteth down and looks no further for satisfaction Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Mat. 11. 28. 5. It is also expressed by SINGING because the Peace of God when it is received into the Soul by Faith putteth the Conscience into a Heavenly and Melodious Frame And the Ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with Songs and Everlasting Joy upon their Heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall fly away Isa. 35. 10. 6. Sometimes it is expressed or discovered by an Heavenly glorying and boasting in Jesus Christ because this Peace causeth the Soul to set its Face upon its Enemies with Faith of a Victory over them for ever by its Lord Jesus Let him that glorieth glory in the Lord and My Soul shall make her boasts in the Lord the Humble shall hear thereof and be glad Jer. 9. 23 24. Psalm 34. 2. 7. Sometimes it is expressed or discovered by Joy Joy unspeakable because the Soul having seen it self reconciled to God hath not only quietness but such apprehensions do now possess it of the unspeakable Benefits it receiveth by Christ with respect to the World to come that it is swallowed up with them Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 8. 8. Lastly It is expressed or discovered by the Triumph that ariseth sometimes in the Hearts of the Believers for they at times are able to see Death Sin the Devil and Hell and all Adversity conquered by and tied as Captives at the Chariot-Wheels of Jesus Christ Taken captive I say and overthrown for ever Thanks be to God who causeth us always to triumph in Christ. O clap your Hands O ye People sing unto God with the voice of Triumph 2 Cor. 2. 14. Psalm 47. 1. Now that all this should be a cheat is impossible that is it is impossible that Believers should thus have Peace with God through the Blood of his Cross he having not paid full price to God for them especially if you consider that the Authors of this Peace are all the three in the Godhead and that upon a double account 1. In that they have given us a Gospel of Peace Rom. 10. 15. or a New-Testament which propoundeth Peace with God through the Redemption that is in Christ. Now as this is called the Gospel of Peace so 1. It is called The Gospel of God 1 Thes. 2. 9. 2 Thes. 1. 8. 2. The Gospel of Christ Rom. 15. 19. 3. A Gospel indited by the Holy Ghost 1 Thes. 4. 8. I say therefore that Redemption and Salvation being that throw Christ and the Truth thereof proclaimed by the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost in the Word of the Truth of the Gospel it must needs be that we who believe shall be saved if we hold the confidence and the rejoicing firm unto the End 2. As the three in the God-head are the Authors of this Peace by inditing for us the Gospel of Peace or the good Tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ So they are the Authors of our Peace by working with that word of the Gospel in our Hearts And hence 1. the Father is called the God of Peace now the God of Peace be with you all And the very God of Peace sanctifie you Rom. 15. 33. 1 Thes. 5. 23. And because he is the God of Peace therefore he filleth those that believe in his Christ with joy and peace through believing Rom. 15. 13. 2. Again Christ is called the Prince of Peace therefore the Prayer is Grace be with you and Peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes. 1. 2. 3. The Holy Ghost also is the Author of this Peace this inward Peace Even righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Rom. 14. 17. And I say as I also have already said the procuring or meritorious Cause of this Peace is the doings and sufferings of Christ. Therefore by his Doings and Sufferings he paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them else God would never have indited a Proclamation of Peace for them and the Tenour of that Proclamation to be the Worthiness of the Lord Jesus yea he would never have wrought with that Word in the Heart of them that believe to create in them Peace Peace Secondly As peace with God is an Evidence the Blood of Christ being the Cause thereof that Christ hath by it paid full price to God for Sinners so Holiness in their Hearts taking its beginning from this Doctrine makes this fist Demonstration of double strength 1. That Holiness true gospel Holiness possesseth our hearts by this Doctrine 't is evident because the ground of Holiness which is the Spirit of God in us is ministred to us by this Doctrine When the Apostle had insinuated that the Galatians were bewitched because they had turned from the Doctrine of Christ Crucified he demands of them Whether they received the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Gal. 3. 1 2 3 4. That is whether the Spirit took possession of their Souls by their Obedience to the ten Commandments or by their giving credit to the Doctrine of the forgiveness of their Sins by Faith in this Crucified Christ strongly concluding not by the Law but by the hearing or preaching of Faith that is of the Lord Jesus as Crucified who is the Object of Faith 2. As this Doctrine conveyeth the ground or ground-Work which is the Spirit so also it worketh in the Heart those three Graces Faith Hope Love