Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	good_a	grace_n	work_n	6,662	5	5.6625	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42773	The ark of the covenant opened, or, A treatise of the covenant of redemption between God and Christ, as the foundation of the covenant of grace the second part, wherein is proved, that there is such a covenant, the necessity of it, the nature, properties, parties thereof, the tenor, articles, subject-matter of redemption, the commands, conditions, and promises annexed, the harmony of the covenant of reconciliation made with sinners, wherein they agree, wherein they differ, grounds of comfort from the covenant of suretiship / written by a minister of the New Testament.	Gillespie, Patrick, 1617-1675.	1677 (1677)	Wing G766; ESTC R3490	407,671	492

is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference 5. There is not only a commutation but a community of Writs betwixt Christ and the Believer for one Writ and Promise-wreats God the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the God and Father of the Believer this Covenant-relation to him and us is by the great promises of the Covenant Heb. 1.5 I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son Psal 89.26 29 He shall cry unto me Thou art my Father my God and the rock of my salvation His seed also will I make to endure for ever One Writ makes Christ the first Heir and Son of the promise and the Believer a younger Brother coming in under Christ the first Heir Psal 89.27 Also I will make him my first-born Gal. 3.26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.17 And if children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ One Writ and letter of acquittance dischargeth both Christ and the Believer from the curse and condemnation of the Law Rom. 8.3 4 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin the flesh That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit O how comfortable and strengthening is this that Christ and we are in one Writ that our Covenant interests and relations to God and all his and our concernments are thus bound up in one Writ if his title to God to Heaven to promises be good and valid ours is so too if he acquit and defend his own Charters he doth the same for ours blessed are they who are united to him in this New Covenant-relation 6. By the Covenant of Suretiship Christ is constituted the grand Instrument and Actor of all things that appertain to his peoples Redemption and Salvation and that not only of eternal Salvation and Redemption which he alone brought unto his people Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament they who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Luk. 1.68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people And of such part of that Redemption as is wrought within time Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him But of whatsoever Salvation and other administrations are good for them in this life And therefore we find that Christ was the grand Instrument and had an active hand in the deliverance of his people from all afflictions and oppressions in all ages Isa 63.5 9 And I looked and there was none to help and I wondred that there was none to uphold therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me and my fury it upheld me In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them and in his love and in his pity he redeemed them and he bare them and carried them all the days of old It was Christ the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 who delivered Jacob from all evil Gen. 48.16 It was he who brought the people out of Egypt and said to Moses And now come I mill send thee unto Egypt He it was who appeared unto Moses in the Bush and made him a ruler and a deliverer Act. 7.32 34 35. It was he that brought the people out of Babylon and built the temple Zech. 6.12 13 Behold the man whose Name is the Branch and he shall grow up out of his place and he shall build the temple of the Lord. Even he shall build the temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory c. If the temporal Salvation of the Church and people of God lay upon men how cold a comfort were that Isa 59.16 And he saw that there was no man and wondred that there was no intercessor Psal 142.4 I looked on my right hand and beheld and there was no man that would know me refuge failed me and there was no man cared for my soul And if the working of that part of our Salvation which the Lord hath made the Believers Duty and hath commanded him to do for his own Soul if that lay upon us alone how heavy would it prove Phil. 2.12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling But O how warm how comfortable is it what a support to faith that Christ is by his Suretiship engaged to work all manner of Salvation for his people and to become the grand instrument and chief actor thereof Isa 63.13 I that speak in righteousness mighty to save I have trodden the wine-press alone and of the people there was none with me Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith 8. By the Covenant of Suretiship all the hard conditions lay upon Christ all that the Law requires of Man condition-ways he was made under the law Gal. 4.4 that we might not be under the law but under grace Rom. 6.14 O how sweet and comfortable is it to the poor weak Believer who finds himself so very insignificant a creature at all Covenant-conditions to know that by Christs Suretiship 1. He did take upon him all conditions which the law requires of man to abide in every thing that it requires the Believer is yet under the commands of the Law but I say not under the conditions thereof for it is not to him a Covenant Christ also did bear the curse of the Law but that which the Believer suffers even of the things that were sometimes written in the book of the Law are now written in the book of covenant-Covenant-mercies 2. Christ did take upon him all the conditions that are works and nothing rests to the believer condition-wise but that which is grace Rom. 4.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace It s true the Believer yet worketh and is created unto good works Phil. 2.10 But all working condition-ways was upon Christ by his Suretiship 3. The principal and most significant condition of Redemption Salvation and all Covenant-blessings and priviledges promised to us is Christs doing his part of the Covenant of Suretiship his laying down his life this was not only a condition of the reward that was to be given to Christ personal but even of all the promises that were made to him concerning his redeemed seed Isa 53.10 11 And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledg shall my righteous servant

for them sure he knew for whom he did undertake he knew their number and names how many was in that company and who they were Joh. 17.6 12 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost 2 Tim. 2.19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his And if the matter of our Salvation stand upon Gods giving to Christ and his undertaking then sure there were none given by the father to the Son from eternity upon respect of faith or holiness for that should destroy Christs Suretiship and undertaking and lay the weight of that which is principal in the issue upon the creatures will that should make the creature a Surety for himself Rom. 9.11 16 For the children being yet not born neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand not of works but of him that calleth c. So then it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy 2. Christs Suretiship is a confirmation of the dominion and Soveraignty of his grace and of the reality efficacy and irresistableness of the working of his spirit and the physical influences thereof for if Christ had not the power and dominion of our wills how could he undertake for us and if Salvation were not taken off the slippery yea and nay of free will how could our Lord be Surety for his people were it possible that he should undertake and discharge his undertaking for those over whose hearts and wills he hath not an absolute power and dominion Joh. 6.37 All that the father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Jer. 30.21 And their nobles shall be of themselves and their governour shall proceed from the midst of them and I will cause him to draw near and he shall approach unto me for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me saith the Lord Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them 3. Christs Suretiship is a confirmation of the perseverance of the saints and of the certainty of the the Salvation of all the Elect for if their perseverance and believing to the end be undertaken for by him how can it be uncertain if our heaven and happiness be in a surer hand than our own even in the keeping of Christ how can it be but well kept 1 Pet. 1.4 5 ●o an inheritance incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time Jer. 32.39 40 And I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the good of them and of their children after them And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me Luk. 22 32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not It is the Suretiship of Christ which holds the Covenant fast with us and makes firm our Covenant-state that upon no breaches on our part it can be disannulled Psal 89.30 34 35 If his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments my covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David Jer. 31.37 Thus saith the Lord if heaven above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done saith the Lord. Vse 5. The Doctrine of Christ Suretiship serves to answer all tentations discouragements and doubtings that arise in the hearts of believers concerning their Covenant-interests If there be any doubt with you about the performance of the precious promises Christs Suretiship answers it and assureth that there shall be a performance of all these things which are spoken by the Lord Luk. 1.45 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us If there be any thing too hard for you among all the commands and conditions of the new Covenant his Suretiship answers that Rom. 10.6 7 8. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise say not in thine heart who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead But what saith it the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me If your standing be doubtful since Adam and the Angels have fallen Christs Suretiship answers that he was never an undertaker for them but he is engaged for every believers standing Joh. 17.12 Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition Luk. 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Heb. 7.22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better Testament If you fear your our own frailty and sinfulness lest it should make void the Covenant with you his Suretiship answers that it must stand with him and if with him then with you also Psal 89.30 33 35 If his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David Jer. 31.37 Thus saith the Lord If Heaven above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath I will also cast off the seed of Israel for all that they have done saith the Lord. If you fear your own backsliding some decay and withering of grace in you his Suretiship answers that for he is engaged for influences to you Isa 44.3 4 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry grouud I will pour my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine off-spring and they shall spring up as among the grass as willows by the water-courses Isa 27.3 I the Lord do keep it I will water it every moment lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day If your strength fail and decay his Suretiship shall renew strength unto you Isa 40.31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run and not be weary and they

53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed 3. You are in his Debt for the fair acquittance and discharge which he hath obtained and received for you when he was justified in the spirit 1 Tim. 3.16 Rom. 4.25 And for his reporting of that unto you Luk. 7.48 And he said unto her Thy sins are forgiven And giving you an extract of it in your bosome to bear about with you and helping you to read it Eph. 1.13 In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise Isa 50.8 He is near that justifieth me who will contend with me let us stand together who is mine adversary let him come near to me Rom. 8.33 34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us 4. You are in his Debt for all that he hath wrought in you from the time that first he bowed your will to believe unto this day for every piece of your obedience for all you fruit for every duty performed by you for all the influences of his spirit upon you c. you owed all these to Christs Suretiship Phil. 2.13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Rom. 9.16 So then it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy Hos 14.8 I am like a green fir-tree from me is thy fruit found Phil. 1.11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Christ Jesus unto the glory and praise of God Joh. 15.4 5 Abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the vine no more can ye except ye abide in me I am the vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing 1 Cor. 15.10 But by the grace of God I am what I am and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain but I laboured more abundantly then they all yet not I but the grace of God which was with me Jer. 30.21 And I will cause him to draw near and he shall approach unto me for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me saith the Lord 3. Believers learn to deal with God in all things pertaining to his Covenant as having a cautioner whether you be under any doubtsulness about the promises or in any difficulty and perplexity about the commands and duties of the Covenant Let your dealing in these things declare that there is a Surety and this doth call for 1. More confidence and boldness 1. In your dealings with God and applications to him you need not flee from his face and presence as from a hard master since there is a Surety in the Covenant and he is content to take of his hand what you cannot afford when you are ashamed to be seen in his presence and cannot be seen where God is do but present Christ in your place and room present a Surety and he is satisfied Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Present him to God and come to God through him and command him in a manner ask and have all your will Isa 45.11 Thus saith the Lord the holy one of Israel and his maker Ask me of things to come concerning my sons and concerning the work of my hands command ye me 2. In your dealings with Christ come unto him as unto a person already engaged for you as unto a Surety who hath already come under an act of cautionry for his people and consequently as unto one whose honour lieth at the stake for a performance of all things whatsoever are contained in the Covenant and do not come unto him and make use of him with doubtsulness whether he will do for you and work in you these things for which he stands already engaged by his Suretiship Heb. 10.19 22 Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water Heb. 4.14 16 Seeing then that we have a great High-priest that is passed into the heavens let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need 3. In your dealings with your duty and with the Law which commandeth it you are not to flee the command as the divour Debtor fleeth the face of his Creditor as these which are not Law-biding but you are now through the Suretiship of Christ to welcom every command and charge of the Law as being in some near capacity to speak with it and to give it some satisfying answer Psal 119.97 O how love I thy law Isa 60.17 I will also make thine officers peace and thine exactors righteousness 2. This doth also call for more quietness of mind in you you are often disquietted anxiously that you do not reap the fruit of Covenant-promises and that Gospel-commands do not find that obedience in you which is acknowledged to be due unto them you have covenanted obedience to the Gospel and you are as an unjust Debtor through the non-performance of your Covenant and promises and this is your affliction and makes you walk in heaviness every day I say that Christs Suretiship doth call for quieting your minds and to lay more weight upon his free undertakings and less upon your own slippery performances be it spoken without giving any colour to slack your hand in the best and utmost endeavours after duty 1. Because what obedience the Gospel hath not yet had in you it shall have since he is engaged for it Psal 138. last The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me thy mercy O Lord endureth for ever forsake not the works of thine own hands Isa 26.12 Lord thou wilt ordain peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works in us 2. What the Law and Gospel cannot find in you they shall have in him and 't is enough if it be sound either in the Surety or the Debtor Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth Rom. 8.3 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 Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time

glory and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created Whereas natural necessity excludes freedom both in the principle of action and the act it self Having now shewed what kind of necessity there was for the being of the Covenant of Redemption betwixt God and Christ and that the necessity does mainly respect the final cause and ends which God had purposed in himself Let us in the next place consider particularly to what intents and purposes it was necessary that God should enter into a Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption with his own Son Christ These intents and purposes may be reduced to two chief heads supposing that God had purposed in himself to glorifie his mercy and Justice in procuring our Salvation the Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption was necessary for both these ends and purposes 1. For the honour of God 2. For the salvation and good of his chosen people both which were attained through the Covenant made betwixt God and Christ 1. For the honour and glory of God I mean the declarative glory of God that shines ad extra or the manifestation of his glory as the same is shewed forth and manifested in his dealings with the Creatures whereof see Psal 19.1 The heavens declare the glory of God Exod. 15.11 Who is like unto thee O Lord amongst the Gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders Not his essential glory that shines ad intra whereby he was infinitely and eternally glorious before any the works of Creation and Providence and should have been glorious eternally though these had never been Prov. 8.22 30 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him I say the being of this Covenant of Redemption was necessary for the declarative glory of God whether we consider God essentially or personally 1. For the glory of God considered essentially or in regard of his glorious nature and essence or his natural essential attributes I mean his wisdom goodness justice mercy faithfulness c. And that 1. For glorifying these universally even all and every one of his attributes all which received a new and glorious lustre through the Covenant of Redemption and God's sending of Christ to do that work which should never have been known nor manifested on Earth nor in Heaven but in the face of Jesus Christ and by virtue of God's Covenant-dealings with him about our Redemption therefore saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Therefore also Christ is called the brightness of his glory Heb. 1.3 Christ Mediator is the brightness of the glory of God in and through whom his glorious attributes and nature was made conspicuous and the declarative glory thereof had a more glorious lustre than by all the works of Creation and Providence beside upon the same account also Christ is called the Image of the invisible God Col. 1.15 because the glorious excellencies of God otherwise invisible are gloriously revealed by him and to be seen in him I pass this here in a word referring a more particular consideration thereof to that part of this subject-matter that concerns the Mediator's person and office 2. For the glorifying of these harmoniously that the harmony of attributes in God might be manifested in this transaction to wit how sweetly mercy justice did meet when peace and righteousness Law-demands and Gospel-condescentions Law-severity and Gospel-lenity did meet together and were made friends by this Covenant Psal 85.10.11 Mercy and truth are met together righteousness and peace have kissed each other c. For by this means God brought forth to heaven and earth and all the Creatures the glorious harmony of Justice Truth Mercy Power Wisdom Grace Rev. 5.12 13 Saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and wisdom and riches and strength and honour and glory and blessing And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying Blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb for ever and ever 2. This Covenant of Redemption was necessary for the glory of God considered personally and that 1. In regard of the distinct subsistences and glorious persons of the blessed Trinity 2. In regard of the distinct offices of the three persons all which were gloriously manifested in God's Covenant-dealings with Christ I say the greatest declarative glory and clearest manifestation of the distinct subsistences and Persons of the Godhead and of the distinct offices of these Persons in the ever-glorious and blessed Trinity that ever the world saw or heard of was in God's Covenant-dealings with Christ about the work of our Redemption for where are there any such clear discoveries of these great mysteries to be found as in God's foederal dealings with Christ and the Scriptures which reveal the same God was but darkly known in the distinct subsistences and offices of the Persons of the Trinity till this light of his Covenant with Christ did break forth but in Gods sending his Son and the Son 's undertaking and offering himself willingly to his Father to do this work and the Holy Ghost's exercising the power of the Godhead fitting and enabling him the man Christ Jesus to do the work there was a glorious manifestation of the distinction of Persons in the Godhead and of the offices of these Persons whereof also more particularly afterward See Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God And 10.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Psal 2.7 8 I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Joh. 14.26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Mal. 3.16 17 And he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased and such like

bring you into the bond of the Covenant Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them Heb. 8.10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Psal 45.10 Hearken O daughter and consider and encline thine ear forget also thine own people and thy fathers house Gen. 12.1.4 Now the Lord had said unto Abraham Get thee out of thy countrey and from thy kindred and from thy fathers house unto a Land that I will shew thee So Abraham departed as the Lord had spoken unto him Mat. 4.19 20 And he saith unto them follow me and I will make you fishers of men And they streight-way left their nets and followed him 2. Whatsoever appertaineth to the maintaining and preserving of the Covenant and confederacy betwixt God and his people Christ is Messenger for that and herein he doth the part of the Messenger of the Covenant 1. By travelling betwixt the parties for keeping up free access betwixt them and liberty to speak with one another for it is by him that God hath access to speak to our hearts and that we have access to him by frequent mutual Messages the Messenger being a Courtier and Favourite with both the parties Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have access by one spirit unto the father Eph. 3.12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him Heb. 1.1 2 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son 2. By travelling betwixt the parties for correspondence and entercourse to maintain communion and a good understanding betwixt them to the end that none of the parties engaged in the Covenant of kindness become strangers to one another through the want of converse and corresponding Christ is a Messenger betwixt them to maintain the peace and friendship Joh. 16.16 A little while and ye shall not see me and again a little while and ye shall see me because I go to the father Joh. 14.18 19 I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more but ye see me because I live ye shall live also 3. He is a Messenger to maintain the Covenant betwixt God and his people by travelling betwixt the parties with good reports Heb. 12.24 25 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel See that ye refuse not him that speaketh c. Commending God to his people and his love and speaking good of all his way with them Joh. 10.29 My father which gave them me is greater then all Joh. 16.27 For the father himself loveth you because ye have loved me Psal 25.10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies And commending believers unto his father and speaking good of them and for them frequently behind their back when they do not hear him Joh. 17.6 8 25 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me O righteous father the world hath not known thee but I have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me Jer. 31.20 Is Ephraim my dear son is he a pleasant child for since I spake against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord. Jer. 12.7 I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies Christ maketh both a good report of his father to his people here on Earth and a good report of them to his father in Heaven he putteth good constructions not only upon his fathers way with his people which cannot reasonably bear an evil construction Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose But also upon his peoples way and walk and duties to God-ward a construction and report of them which they would stand in awe to give of themselves yea they are in hazzard to contradict this blessed Messengers report many a time Joh. 14.4 5 And whither I go ye known and the way ye know Thomas saith unto him Lord we know not whither thou goest and how can we know the way 3. Whatsoever appertaineth to the repairing of the Covenant or to the renewing and establishing thereof in the case of any breach betwixt the parties he is a Messenger for that he is the repairer of the breach and doth declare himself the Angel of the Covenant 1. By taking up emergent differences betwixt God and his people that they may not controvert about them but may rather have satisfaction in him Isa 53.12 And he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors Heb. 9 7 But into the second went the High-priest alone once every year not without blood which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people For as our High-priest he makes offering for the errors of the people for all the differences arising betwixt God and his people are taken away alone by his travels 2. By renewing the Covenant-kindness and love and engagements he travels as a Messenger and cannot rest after breaches and differences betwixt his father and his people or betwixt himself and them until the wonted kindness be renewed and till it be betwixt God and his people as it used to be 1 Joh. 2.1 2 And if any man sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins Jer. 2.2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem saying Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness in a land that was not sown Isa 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Ezek. 16.60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant 6. Let us a little consider the properties of the Messenger and Angel of the Covenant which do commend

betwixt the parties through the Messenger and by his means and travel 2 Sam. 11.22 23 25 So the messenger went and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for And the Messenger said unto David surely the men prevailed against us Then David said unto the messenger thus shalt thou say unto Joab let not this thing displease thee c. Joh. 17.6 8 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world and they have believed that thou didst send me Joh. 13.3 And that he was come from God and went to God 2. Consider next in what respects the name Messenger is applicable to Christ with relation to the Covenant 1. In regard of the power and trust committed unto him in the matters of the Covenant he is the Messenger of the Covenant that is the great Lord Ambassadour extraordinary and Trustee of Heaven who represented his father and who was Plenipotentiary being perfectly instructed and fully impowred to propound treat and conclude in all matters pertaining to the Covenant and the settlement of peace 'twixt God and man and in this sense the word is used 1 Kings 16.7 and 17.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 malakim Messengers i. e. Ambassadours and Isa 33.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 melache the Ambassadors of peace thus Christ is the Messenger of the Covenant this power and trust is committed unto him to represent his father 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Heb. 1.1 3 God hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son And to treat and conclude with us a Covenant in his name Joh. 5.22 For the father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power oven all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him Mat. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and earth 2. This-name of Messenger of the Covenant is applicable to him in regard of his pains and travel in the matters of the Covenant I mean in regard of his work as well as his trust and thus in regard of several pieces of his work and travel he may be called the Messenger of the Covenant 1. He is the Messenger who carried the Message of a new Covenant who travelled from Heaven to Earth with this Message to make a Covenant betwixt God and sinners he came expresly for this one errant Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of Sons 1 Joh. 5.6 This is he that came by water and blood even Jesus Christ not by water only but by water and blood 1 Joh. 1.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all And in this sense the word is frequently used for an Express or one sent for a particular Errant and purpose Joh. 1.6 7 There was a man sent from God whose name was John The same came for a witness to bear witness of the light that all men through him might believe Mat. 11.10 For 〈◊〉 is he of whom it is written Behold I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee 2. He is the Messenger who did publish and intimate the new Covenant and Gods gracious purpose in it as that thing which was his errant in the World he did it Authoritatively others only Ministerially 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead he ye reconciled to God He is the chief Minister of the new Testament others only by commission from him Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord God as upon me because the Lord hath annointed me to preach good ridings unto the meek Heb. 8.2 6 10 A minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the mediator of a better Covenant which was established upon better promises For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord c. Eph. 4.9.11 Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Luk. 19.10 Eph. 2.17 Pov. 9.1 3. So the word is taken for one that intimateth or bringeth word and giveth notice of any thing Joh 1.14 3. He is the Messenger who doth interpret and declare the Message of the new Covenant who travelleth to be an Interpreter of the mind of God in that matter Mat. 11.27 All things are delivered unto me of my father and no man knoweth the Son but the father neither knoweth any man the father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the besome of the father he hath declared him Rom. 3.25 26. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him 〈◊〉 hith believeth in Jesus Luk. 24.17 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all 〈◊〉 Scriptures the things concerning himself Hence he is called a Prophet Act. 3.22 And th●● Prophet Joh. 6.14 and 7.40 And in this sense this word is taken Job 33.23 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one among a thousand to shew unto man his uprightness 4. He is the messenger which acteth the Covenant upon the hearts of his people effective physice I mean the Messenger which attacheth the hearts of his people as a Serjeant at Arms that layeth hands upon a man and bringeth them into the bond of the Covenant the Messenger that never leaveth pursuit until he hath apprehended Ezek. 20.37 And I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant Heb. 8.10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Hos 2.19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and in judgment and in loving-kindness and in mercies Ezek. 36 27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments

and do them Joh. 6.29 37 Jesus answered and said unto them this is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent All that the father giveth me shall come to me So this word is used 1 Sam. 19.11 14 Saul also sent messengers unto Davids house to watch him and to slay him in the morning And when Saul sein messengers to David she said he is sick 5. He is the messenger which reporteth the Covenant and the transactions with every Soul that receiveth this Gospel where and with whom the treaty took effect and where and with whom the proposal of the Covenant halted Joh. 17.6 7 8 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me So the word is used Gen. 32.6 And the messengers returned to Jacob saying c. 3. Betwixt whom doth Christ travel as Messenger of the Covernant For a right understanding of this we are to make use of these two necessary distinctions 1. The Covenant may be considered either as it 's preached and offered generally to all who hear it Act. 13.46 47 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed hold and said it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken unto you but seeing ye put it from you and judg your selves unworthy of everlasting life Lo we turn to the Gentiles For so hath the Lord commanded us saying I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles that thou shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the earth Mark 16.15 And he said unto them go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel unto every creature Or it may be considered as it is acted and effectually fulfilled upon the hearts of the Elect Act. 13.48 And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed Heb. 8. with Jer. 31. 2. This different consideration of the Covenant affords a distinction of the parties in the Covenant the parties contracting in the Covenant preached are God and all within the visible Church Act. 3.25 Ye are the children of the Prophets and of the covenant which God made with our fathers saying unto Abraham And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed Act. 2.39 40 For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call But the parties contracting in the Covenant considered in that second respect as 't is acted upon hearts are only the elect people upon whose hearts the law is written and in whom God hath put his spirit Jer. 31.33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them These things premised for clearing the point in hand I lay down four Conclusions 1. Christ is in some respect a Messenger betwixt God and all the visible multitude to whom the Covenant is offered and the Gospel preached therefore it 's said of him That he is given for a light to the Gentiles and for a witness to the people even to nations Isa 49.6 55.4 5. Rom. 15.8 9 10 11 12. I said in some restect because he did procure the Gospel to be preached to all narions and doth carry the Message of the Covenant to multitudes Rom. 10.18 But I say have they not heard● yes verity their sound went into all the earth and their words into the ends of the world 2. Christ is in a more special respect Messenger betwixt God and his few chosen people because he hath a Message from God to act upon their hearts that which is only externally revealed commanded and offered unto others and he hath undertaken for them and for their receiving the Message which he carrieth unto them Joh. 6.37 39 All that the father giveth we shall come to me And this is the fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day Joh. 17.6 8 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me Act. 13.26 And whosoever among you feareth God to you is the word of this salvation sent 3. Christ is a Messenger of the Covenant to many Hypocrites and Reprobates unto whom he bringeth the offer and Message of the Covenant not for their sake and cause but for the Elects sake with whom they are mixed here in societies upon the earth 2 Cor. 4.15 For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God 2 Tim. 2.10 Therefore I endure all things for the elects sakes that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory So that the Message of the Covenant is preached to them by way of concomitancy in respect that they are in these societies unto which the Gospel is sent for salvation to the Elect Joh. 17.18 19 21 As thou hast sent me into the world even so also have I sent them into the world And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the truth That they all may be one as thou father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the world may believe that thou hast sent me 4. Christ is a Messenger to the multitudes unto whom the Gospel is prepared only for carrying unto them the commanding Will of God which revealeth unto them their duty and obligation to receive the Gospel and to take hold of the Covenant 2 Cor. 16.17 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you But Christ is a Messenger unto the Elect not only for carrying unto them Gods Will of command but also his Will of Counsel and Pleasure that is the things which he hath resolved to act upon their hearts and to work in them