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
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
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
were those that used curious arts that were next to if not Witches indeed I say how were they prevailed upon and overcome by the Word of God which is the Gospel of good Tidings through Faith in the Blood of Christ Act. 19. 17 18. 6. How were the Ephesians who sometimes were far from God how I say were they made nigh by the Blood of Christ Ephes. 2. 13. 7. The Colossians though sometimes dead in their Sins yet how were they quickned by God through the Forgiveness of all their Trespasses and they had that through his Blood Col. 2. 13. Chap. 1. 14. What shall I say no man could as yet stand before and not fall under the Revelation of the Forgiveness of Sins through a Crucified Christ as hanged as dying as accursed for Sinners he draws all men unto him men of all sorts of all degrees Shall I add how have men broken through the Pricks to Jesus when he hath been discovered to them neither Lyons nor Fires nor Sword nor Famine nor Nakedness nor Peril neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 35 36 37 38 39. The Fifth 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 by the Peace and Holiness that by that Doctrine possesseth mens Souls The Souls of Men awakned and that continue so By awakened men I mean such as through the Revelation of their Sin and Misery groan under the want of Jesus to save them and that continue sensible that they needs must perish if his benefits be not bestowed upon them For otherwise the Gospel ministreth neither Peace nor Holiness to any of the Souls of the Sons of Men that is to say not Saving Peace and Holiness ☞ The Gospel of Grace and Salvation is above all Doctrines the most dangerous if in word only it be received by graceless men if it be not attended with a Revelation of Men's need of a Saviour if it be not accompanied in the Soul by the Power of the Holy Ghost For such Men as have only the notions of it are of all Men liable to the greatest Sins because there wanteth in their notions the Power of Love which alone can constrain them to love Jesus Christ. And this is the Reason of these Scriptures They turn the Grace of God into wantonness They turn the Grace of our God into lasciviousness Jude 4. For some when they hear of the Riches of Grace through Christ that hearing not being attended with the Faith Love which is in Christ Jesus those Men receive the notions of this good Doctrine only to cloak their wickedness and to harden themselves in their Villanies Others when they hear being leavened before with the Leaven of some other Doctrine some Doctrine of the Righteousness of the World or Doctrine of Devils forthwith make head against and speak evil of the blessed Doctrine and because some that profess it are not cleansed from their filthiness of flesh and spirit and do not perfect Holiness in the Fear of God therefore others conclude that all that profess it are such and that the Doctrine it self tendeth to encourage or at least to tolerate licentiousness as they imagined and affirmed of Paul that he should say Let us do evil that good may come Rom. 3. 8 9. The ground of that wicked Conclusion of theirs was because he by the Allowance of God affirmed That as sin had reigned unto death so grace reigned unto life in a way of Righteousness by Jesus Christ our Lord. Nay then says the Adversary we may be as unholy as we will and that by the Doctrine you preach for if where sin abounds grace abounds more the consequence of a wicked life is but the hightening advancing and magnifying of Grace But what saith the Apostle my conclusions are true That grace doth reign above sin but to say let us therefore sin that Man's Damnation is just because such an one abuseth and maketh the most devilish use of the Blessedest Doctrine that ever was heard of in the World amongst Men. Besides 't is evident that such know not the Power thereof nor have felt or savored its blessedness for where this Gospel cometh in truth it naturally produceth Peace and Holiness 1. Peace He is our Peace he is the Prince of Peace he giveth peace in his High Places This word Peace hath in it a double respect 1. It respecteth God He hath made peace by the Blood of his Cross that is he hath made peace for us with God having appeased the rigor of his Law and satisfied justice for us Hence it is said The Peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus Col. 1. 20. Phil. 4. 7. The Peace of God that is the Doctrine of Reconciliation by Christ's being made to be sin for us THAT shall keep the Heart that is from despair or fainting under apprehensions of weakness and justice But yet this Peace of God cannot be apprehended nor be of any comfort to the Heart but as the Man looks for it through Christ Jesus Therefore that clause is added through Christ Jesus for he is Peace-maker 't is he that reconcileth us to God in the Body of his Flesh through death for by his doing and suffering he presented God with Everlasting Righteousness with Everlasting Righteousness for Sinners Upon this we have Peace with God Hence Christ is called King of Righteousness FIRST first being by interpretation King of Righteousness and after that also King of Salem which is King of Peace Heb. 7. 1 2. For he could not make peace with God 'twixt us and him but by being first the Lord of Righteousness the Lord our Righteousness but having first compleated Righteousness he then came and preached Peace and commanded his Ambassadors to make Proclamation of it to the World 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. For 't was want of Righteousness that caused want of Peace now then righteousness being brought in it followeth that he hath made peace For he is our Peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle-Wall of Partition between us Having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances for to make in himself of twain one new Man so making Peace and that he might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the Cross having slain the Enmity thereby and came and preached Peace to you that were afar off and to them that were nigh for through him we both have access by one spirit unto the Father Ephes. 2. 14 15 16 17 18. 2dly This word Peace respecteth our inward quietness of heart which we obtain by beholding this Reconciliation made by Christ with God for
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
forth of the Heart against him now sin and great confusion puts forth it self in all yea the more the Sinner desireth to do a duty sincerely the further off it always finds it self For by how much the Soul struggleth under these distresses by so much the more doth Satan put forth himself to resist still infusing more poison that if possible it might never struggle more for strugglings are also us poison to Satan The Fly in the Spider's Webb is an emblem of the Soul in such a condition the Fly is entangled in the Webb at this the Spider shews himself if the Fly stir again down comes the Spider to her and claps a Foot upon her if yet the Fly makes a noise then with poisoned Mouth the Spider lays hold upon her if the Fly struggle still then he poisons her more and more what shall the Fly do now why she dies if some-body does not quickly release her This is the case of the Tempted they are entangled in the Webb their Feet and Wings are entangled now Satan shews himself if the Soul now struggleth Satan laboureth to hold it down if it now shall make a noise then be bites with blasphemous Mouth more poisonous than the Gall of a Serpent If it struggle again then he poisoneth more and more infomuch that it needs at last must die in the Net if the Man the Lord Jesus helps not out The afflicted Couscience understands my words Further though the Fly in the Webb is altogether uncapable of looking for relief yet this awakened tempted Christian is not what must he do therefore how should he contain hopes of life If he looks to his Heart there is Blasphemy if he looks to his duties there is Sin if he strives to mourn and lament perhaps he cannot unbelief and hardness hinder shall this Man lie down in despair No shall he trust to his duties No shall he stay from Christ till his Heart is better No What then Let him NOW look to Jesus Christ Crucified then shall he see his Sins answered for then shall he see Death a-dying then shall he see Guilt born by another and there shall he see the Devil overcome This sight destroys the Power of the first Temptation purifies the Heart and inclines the Mind to all good things And to encourage thee tempted Creature to this most Gospel-Duty Consider that when Jesus Christ read his Commission upon the entering into his Ministry he proclaimed The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor he hath sent me to heal the broken-Hearted to preach deliverance to the Captives and recovering of sight to the Blind to set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable Year of the Lord Luk. 4. 18 19. These things therefore should the Tempted believe but believing is now sweating-work for Satan will hold as long as possible and only stedfast Faith can make him fly But O! the Toyl of a truly gracious Heart in this Combate if Faith be weak he can scarce get higher than his Knees Lord help Lord save and then down again till an Arm from Heaven takes him up until Jesus Christ be evidently set forth Crucified for him and Cursed for his Sin for then and not till then the Temptation rightly ceaseth at leastwise for a Season Now the Soul can tend to look about it and thus consider with it self If Christ hath bora my Sin and Curse then 't is taken away from me and seeing thus to take away sin was the Contrivance of the God of Heaven I will bless his Name hope in his Mercy and look upon Death and Hell with Comfort Thine Heart shall meditate terrour thou shalt see the Land that is very far off Isa. 33. 16 17 18. The fifth use Fifthly This Doctrine makes Christ precious to the Believers Unto you therefore which believe he is precious 1 Pet. 2. 5. This Head might be greatly enlarged upon and branched out into a Thousand particulars each one full of weight and glory 1. By considering what Sin is 2. By considering what Hell is 3. By considering what Wrath is 4. By considering what Eternity is 5. By considering what the loss of a Soul is 6. What the loss of God is 7. What the loss of Heaven is 8. And what it is to be in utter Darkness with Devils and damned Souls for ever and ever And after all to conclude from all these Miserie 's the Lord Jesus delivered me Further This makes Christ precious if I consider in the next place 1. How he did deliver me 't was with his Life his Blood it cost him Tears Groans Agony Separation from God to do it he endured his Fathers Wrath bare his Fathers Curse and died thousands of deaths at once 2. He did this while I was his Enemy without my desires without my knowledg without my deserts he did it unawares to me 3. He did it freely cheerfully yea he longed to die for me yea Heaven would not hold him for the Love he had to my Salvation which also he hath effectually accomplished for me at Jerusalem Honourable Jesus precious Jesus loving Jesus Jonathan's Kindness captivated David and made him precious in his Eyes for ever I am distressed for thee my Brother Jonathan said he very pleasant hast thou been to me thy Love to me was wonderful passing the Love of Women 2 Sam. 1. 26. Why what had Jonathan done O! He had delivered David from the Wrath of Saul But how much more should he be precious to me who hath saved me from Death and Hell who hath delivered me from the Wrath of God! The Love of Christ constraineth us Nothing will so edge the Spirit of a Christian as Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood This makes the Heavens themselves ring with joy and shouting Mark the Words Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God with thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation and and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the Earth What follows now And I beheld and heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the Beasts and the Elders and the Number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud Voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power and Riches and Wisdom and Strength and Honour and Glory and Blessing and every Creature which is in Heaven and on the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are therein heard I saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the LAMB for ever and and ever Revel 5. 9 10 11 12 13. Thus also is the Song that New-Song that is said to be sung by the Hundred fourty and four thousand which stand with the LAMB upon Mount Sion with his Fathers Name written in their Fore-heads These are also called Harpers Harping with their Harps And they sang as it were a new Song before the Throne and before the four Beasts and the Elders and none could learn that Song but the Hundred and fourty and four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth Revel 14. 1 2 3. But why could they not learn that Song Because they were not redeemed none can sing of this Song but the Redeemed they can give Glory to the Lamb the Lamb that was slain and that redeemed them to God by his Blood 'T is Faith in his Blood on Earth that will make us sing this Song in Heaven These Shoutings and Heavenly Songs must needs come from Love put into a Flame by the Sufferings of Christ. The last Use. If all these things be true what follows but a Demonstration of the Accursed Condition of those among the Religious in these Nations whose notions put them far off from Jesus and from venturing their Souls upon his Bloody Death I have observed such a Spirit as this in the World that careth not for knowing of Jesus the Possessed therewith do think that it is not material to Salvation to venture upon a Crucified Christ neither do they trouble their Heads or Hearts with inquiring whether Christ Jesus be risen and ascended into Heaven or whether they see him again or no but rather are for concluding that there will be no such thing These Men speak not by the Holy Ghost for in the Sum they call Jesus Accursed but I doubt not to say that many of them are Anathematised of God and shall stand so till the Coming of the Lord Jesus to whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen THE END Books writ by Mr. Bunyan and printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil 1. SIghs from Hell or the Groans of a Damned Soul discovering the Lamentable Estate of the Damned 2. Resurrection from the Dead and Eternal Judgment asserted and with what Bodies the Dead arise 3. A Discourse of Prayer and what it is to pray with the Spirit and with Understanding 4. The Holy City or the New-Jerusalem or the Glorious State of Believers after this Life asserted 5. Christian Behaviour teaching Husbands Wives Parents Children Masters Servants to walk so as to please God 6. Grace abounding to the chief of Sinners discovering the woful Estate of the Impenitent and the Greatness of Gods Mercy 7. A Map shewing the Order and Causes of Salvation and Damnation c. 8. Serious Meditations on the four last things viz. Death Judgment Heaven and Hell 9. A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ. 10. A Confession of the Author's Faith and a Reason of his Practice in Matters of Worship
Righteousness should arise among them with healing under his Wings 3. I may add another cause of their stumble They did not understand the Prophecies that went before of him 1. He was to come to them out of Egypt Out of Egypt have I called my Son Mat. 2. 15. 2. He turned aside into Cana of Galilee and dwelt in the City of Nazareth That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets he shall be called a Nazaren Mat. 2. 23. 3. That saying also was to be fulfilled The Land of Zebulon and the Land of Nepthaly by the way of the Sea beyond Jordan Galilee of the Gentiles the People that sat in Darkness saw a great Light and to them that sat in the region and shadow of Death Light is sprung up Mat. 4. 12 13 14 15 16 17. At these things then they stumbled and 't was a great Judgment of God upon them Besides There seemed to be a Contradiction in the Prophecies of the Scriptures concerning his Coming He was to be born in Bethlehem and yet to come out of Egypt How should he be the Christ and yet come out of Galilee out of which ariseth no Prophet Thus they stumbled Hence note That though the Prophecies and Promises be full and plain as these were that he should be born in Bethlehem yet men's Sins may cause them to be fulfilled in such obscurity that instead of having benefit thereby they may stumble and split their Souls thereat Take heed then hunt not Christ from plain Promises with Herod hunt him not from Bethlehem lest he appear to your amazement and destruction from Egypt or in the Land of Zebulon But thus much to the Second Question to wit What it was for Jesus to come into the World I come now to the Third Question Quest. 3. What it was for him to come to be a Saviour For the further handling of this Question I must shew 1. What it is to be a Saviour 2. What it is to come to be a Saviour 3. What it is for Jesus to come to be a Saviour To these three briefly First What it is to be a Saviour 1. A Saviour supposeth some in misery and himself one that is to deliver them 2. A Saviour is either such an one Ministerially or Meritoriously Ministerially is when one person engageth or is engaged by virtue of respect or command from Superiours to go and obtain by conquest or the Kings Redemption the Captives or Persons grieved by the Tyranny of an Enemy And thus was Moses and Joshuah and the Judges and Kings of Israel Saviours Thou deliveredst them into the Land of their Enemies who vexed them and in the time of their trouble when they cried unto thee thou heardest them from Heaven and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them Saviours who saved them out of the Hand of their Enemies Nehem. 9. 27. Thus was Jesus Christ a Saviour he was engaged by virtue of respect and command from God to obtain by conquest and redemption the Captives or Persons grieved God sent his Son to be the Saviour of the World John 4. 14. Meritoriously is when the Person engaging shall at his own proper cost and charge give a sufficient value or price for those he redeemeth Thus those under the Law were redeemed by the Mony called the Redemption-Mony And Moses gave the Mony of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his Sons Numb 3. 46 47 48 49 51 52. And thus was Jesus Christ a Saviour he paid full price to Divine Justice for Sinners even his own precious Blood Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed from your vain Conversation received by tradition from your Fathers with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with the precious Blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1 18 19. And forasmuch as in mans redemption the Undertaker must have respect not only to the paying of a price but also to the getting of a Victory for there is not only Jesus to satisfy but Death Devil Hell and the Grave to conquer therefore hath he also by himself gotten the Victory over these 1. He hath abolished Death 2 Tim. 1. 10. 2. He hath destroyed the Devil Heb. 2. 14 15. 3. He hath been the destruction of the Grave Hos. 13. 14. 4. He hath gotten the Keys of Hell Revel 1. 17 18 19. And this I say he did by himself at his own proper cost and charge when he triumphed over them upon his Cross Col. 2. 14 15. Quest. 2. Secondly What it is to come to be a Saviour 1. To come to be one supposeth one ordained and fore-prepared for that work Then said he lo I come a Body hast thou prepared me Heb. 10. 2. To come to be a Saviour supposeth one commissionated or authorized to that Work Thâ— Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me authorized me to preach the Gospel to the Poor He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the Captives and recovering of sight to the Blind and to set at liberty them that are bruised Luk. 4. 18. And upon this account it is that he is so often called CHRIST or the Anointed one the Anointed Jesus or Jesus the Anointed Saviour Thou art the Christ the Son of God that should come into the World This Jesus whom I preach unto you is Christ He testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ and he confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus proving by the Scriptures that this is the very Christ Joh. 11. 27. Acts 17. 3. Chap. 18. 5. Chap. 9. 22. The very Anointed of God or he whom God authorized and qualified to be the Saviour of the World 3. To come to be a Saviour supposeth a resolution to do that work before he goeth back I will ransom them from the power of the Grave I will redeem them from death O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine Eyes Hos. 13. 14. And as he resolved so he hath done 1. He hath purged our Sins Heb. 1. 2 3. 2. He hath perfected for ever by one Offering them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 14. 3. He hath obtained Eternal Redemption for them Heb. 9. 12. See further 2 Tim. 1. 10. Heb. 9. 26. Col. 2. 15. Heb. 6. 18 19 20. Quest. 3. I come now to the Third Question What it is for Jesus to come to be a Saviour 1. Ans. It is the greatest discovery of mans misery and inability to save himself therefrom that ever was made in the World Must the Son of God himself come down from Heaven or can there be no Salvation can not one Sinner save another cannot man by any means redeem his Brother nor give to God a Ransom for him cannot an Angel do it cannot all the Angels do it no Christ must come and die to do it 2dly It is the greatest discovery of the Love of God that ever the World had For
god SO to love the World as to send his Son For God SO to commend his love to the World as to send it to them in the Blood of his Son Amazing Love John 3. 16. Rom. 5. 8. 3dly It is the greatest discovery of the Condescention of Christ that ever the World had 1. That he should not come to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his Life a Ransom for many Mat. 20. 28. 2. That he should be manifest for this purpose that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. 3. That he should come that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly John 10. 10. 4. That the Son of God should come to seek and to save that which was lost Luk. 19. 10. 5. That he should not come to judg the World to but to save the World John 12. 47. 6. That Christ Jesus should come into the World save Sinners of whom I am chief 1. Tim. 1. 15. 7. That he should love us and wash us from our Sins in his own Blood Revel 1. 5. What amazing Condescention and Humility is this Phil. 2. 6 7 8 9. How Jesus Christ addressed himself to the Work of our Redemption I Come then in the next place to shew you HOW Jesus Christ addressed himself to the Work of mans Redemption The Scripture saith he became poor That he made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant that he humbled himself unto death even the Death of the Cross. But particularly 1. He took upon him our Flesh. 2. He was made under the Law 3. He took upon him our Sins 4. He bore the Curse due to our Sins First He took upon him our Flesh. I shewed you before that he came in our Flesh and now I must shew you the Reason of it namely Because That was the way to address himself to the Work of our Redemption Wherefore when the Apostle treated of the Incarnation of Christ he addeth withal the reason to wit That he might be capable to work out the Redemption of men There are three things to be considered in this 1st Head 1. that he took our Flesh for this Reason That he might be a Saviour 2. How he took flesh that he might be our Saviour 2. That it was necessary that he should take our Flesh if indeed he will be our Saviour For the First That he took our Flesh for this Reason That he might be a Saviour For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the Flesh Rom. 8. 3 4. The Sum of the Words is forasmuch as the Law could do us no good by reason of the inability that is in our flesh to do it for the Law can do us no good until it be fulfilled and because God had a desire that good should come to us therefore did he send his Son in our likeness clothed with flesh to destroy by his doing the Law the tendency of the Sin that dwells in our flesh He therefore took our flesh that our Sin with its effects might by him be condemned and overcome The Reason therefore why he took flesh is Because he would be our Saviour For asmuch then as the Children are Partakers of Flesh and blood he also likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage Heb. 2. 14 15. In these words it is asserted that he took our flesh for certain Reasons 1. Because the Children the Heirs of Heaven are Partakers of Flesh and Blood For asmuch then as the Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood he also himself took part of the same Had the Children the Heirs been without flesh he himself had not taken it upon him had the Children been Angels he had taken upon him the Nature of Angels but because the Children were Partakers of Flesh therefore leaving Angels or refusing to take hold of Angels he took Flesh and Blood the Nature of the Children that he might put himself into a capacity to save and deliver the Children Therefore it follows That through death he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil This therefore was another Reason that he might destroy the Devil The Devil had bent himself against the Children he is their Adversary and goeth forth to make war with them The Devil your Adversary And he went to make war with the Remnant of her Seed 1 Pet. 5. 8. Revel 12. Now the Children could not destroy him because he had already cast them into sin defiled their Nature and laid them under the Wrath of God Therefore Christ puts himself among the Children and into the Nature of the Children that he might by means of his Dying in their Flesh destroy the Devil that is take away Sin his Work that he might destroy the Works of the Devil for sin is the great Engine of Hell by which he overthroweth all that perish Now this did Christ destroy by taking on him the similitude of Sinful Flesh of which more anon That he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil and deliver them This was the thing in chief intended that he might deliver the Children that he might deliver them from death the Fruit of their Sin and from Sin the Sting of that Death That he might deliver them who through the Fear of Death were all their Life-time subject to bondage He took flesh therefore because the Children had it he took it that he might die for the Children he took it that he might deliver the Children from the Works of the Devil that he might deliver them No Deliverance had come to the Children if the Son of God had not taken their Flesh and Blood Therefore he took our Flesh that he might be our Saviour Again In a Saviour there must be not only Merit but Compassion and Sympathy because the Children are yet to live by Faith are not yet come to the Inheritance It behoved him therefore in all things 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 Heb. 2. 17 18. Two Reasons are rendred in this Text why he must take Flesh namely that he might be their Priest to offer Sacrifice to wit his Body and Blood for them and that he might be merciful and faithful to pitty and preserve them unto the Kingdom appointed for them Mark you therefore how the Apostle when he asserteth that the Lord Jesus took our Flesh urgeth the reason why he took our Flesh. THAT he might destroy the Devil and Death THAT he might deliver them It behoved him to be made