Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	great_a	let_v	sinner_n	1,997	5	7.5506	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80141	A discourse of the true gospel blessedness in the New Covenant, or The distinction of the two Covenants, new and old, first and second. With the doing away of the first, and the establishment of the second, and likewise the mediatorship of Christ in the New Covenant, with some principles, duties, promises, and priviledges of the New Covenant. A useful companion for all saints at all times. / Written by Tho. Collier.	Collier, Thomas, fl. 1691.	1659 (1659)	Wing C5277; Thomason E1801_2; ESTC R35633	88,221	142

we need remission and in the new covenant it is administred to us according to the tenour therein exprest Heb. 8. 12. 1 Epist John 2. 12. and chap. 1. 9. In all which this blessing or blessed gift is clearly stated see Rom. 4. 6 7. Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven and whose sin is covered Secondly Peace and reconciliation with himself is another blessing of the new covenant which the Lord gives to all his people and this peace is likewise first preached in the doctrine of the Gospel Hence it is that God saith Isa 57. 19. I create the fruit of the lips Peace Peace to him that is far off and to him that is near saith the Lord. And Christ sent his Disciples with the message of peace Luke 10 5. and the Apostles came preaching peace by Jesus Christ who is Lord of all Acts 10. 36. and this peace and reconciliation is applied and injoyed by faith Ephes 2. 13 14. Ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ for he is our peace Rom. 5. 1. Being justified by faith we have peace with God c. Thirdly The blessing of the Spirit is another blessing of the new covenant and truly included in that blessing promised to Abraham for there is nothing that tends to make the Saints truly and eternally blessed but it must be included in that blessing promised to Abraham without which persons could not be blessed therefore this of the spirit is reckoned as one of the blessings promised to Abraham and not the least neither Gal. 3. 14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith This is the great Gospel blessing and promise of Christ when he was to leave this world and go to the Father that he would send the holy spirit the comforter which promise believers now have a share in Isa 59. 21. As for me this is my covenant c. The refore let the Saints be encouraged to expect such a portion of his promised Spirit as may concur to the effecting of Gods covenant 4. The adoption of sons by the same spirit is another blessing of the new covenant for out of Christ men are strangers enemies but in Christ friends Sons and daughters to the Lord God Almighty Oh friends here is a blessing and a blessed priviledge the Lord hath given to his people in this new covenant John 1. 12. To as many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God even to as many as believe in his name 1 John 3. 1. Behold what manner of love is this which the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God and if Sons then Heirs Heirs of God and Joynt-Heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Oh learn to improve this priviledge and this interest in and relation to the Lord. 5. An interest in great and precious promises both of grace and glory This the Lord gives in this covenant to all his people 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises c. Oh the great and precious promises relating both to grace and glory that God hath interested his people in in this covenant every New Testament Promise is a branch of the Covenant and must be performed Promises of pardoning and purging and supporting and preserving grace Promises of the kingdom and the glory that is yet to come this hath God promised in the new Covenant and given his people an interest in the godly have the promises of this life and of that which is to come Oh Therefore let them learn to acquaint themselves more with the promises and more to prize them and to live by faith in the expectation of Gods faithfulness in performing of them for they are his peoples portion till they come to enjoy the Promised possession 6. Free access to the throne of grace as Sons and Daughters in the name of Christ a great and precious favour too little prized and improved by the Lords people God delights to have his children come to him and call upon him in the spirit and faith of sons this is the Lords gift and it is marvellous that he should admit such worthless worms to come to him with acceptance Oh let us learn to prize it and improve it it s a new Covenant mercy that which none can claim a right in but believers It s their priviledge it s their duty let them therefore know it and be incouraged to come with boldness to the throne of grace Never a carnal man in the World can claim a right to this as a new Covenant mercy Psalm 50. 16. To the wicked God said What hast thou to do to take my covenant into thy mouth c. Let not the Lords people be found negligent in this work nor undervaluing it as a low and legal thing but know it is a high and precious priviledge be ye therefore faithful in the improving of it 7 Outward comforts of this life are given in as new covenant mercies although the great promises on which the covenant is established are spiritual and eternal and not such on which the old covenant was established yet the new covenant is not altogether without the promises of this life Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come See Matth. 6. 33. and Luke 12. 31. your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of these things and all these things shall be added viz. added in with and to the kingdom It s true our Lord hath not promised great things in this life to his people but food and cloathing Therefore having that which God hath promised let us be therewith content for we brought nothing with us into this world and it is certain we shall carry nothing out And let us learn to enjoy all our mercies as handed to us in the new covenant upon the account of Christ and improve all for God not bestow it upon our Iusts but be faithfull in answering Gods precious ends in imbracing such worthless worms in such an inriching covenant as this is in which both grace and glory are included 3 I shall come to shew you the nature of this new covenant which is thus established by Christ 1 It is a free covenant Oh the freeness of Gods love in this covenant this covenant is free 1 Either as relating to God the Author or 2 Relating to man the receiver First relating to God it was free his own councel and purpose of grace freely conceived it in himself and brought forth by and of himself Such was the freeness of the love of God in this covenant that nothing could put a stop to him notwithstanding he foresaw what man would be and do yet this put no stop to the free coming forth of this covenant all the parts of it are free His doing for working

in and giving to are all free Christ a free gift so is the work of faith Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth Jam. 1. 18. So is the kingdom and the glory Luke 12. 32. It is your fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom 2 It is free in relation to man there being nothing in us to procure it neither of desert or desire after it which puts a very great lustre and beauty in the grace of the covenant that is extended to such worthless creatures and not desiring their own good but would rather have chosen the way of sin and death then the way of righteousness and life if mercy had not prevented The Lord meets with poor souls in a way of mercy when they are posting headlong to hell and destruction 2 It is a powerful covenant it effecteth what it requireth in point of power it requireth faith and gives power to believe it requireth obedience and gives power to obey viz. God in it and by it doth effect it for God is the power of this covenant as the grace of making so the power of effecting belongs to God Hence it is that the language of God is as hath been ●lready minded when he speaks of the work of conversion I will take away the stony heart and give them a heart of flesh and will put my spirit in them c. and the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God and live c. and when he speaks of the state of Saints in the covenant I will keep them that none shall pluck them out of my hands none shall be able to pluck them out of my fathers hands and I will put my fear in them that they shall not depart away from me Thus it appears that the covenant of grace is a powerful covenant Oh let the Saints learn to live by faith more in the Gospel power and strength which is able to keep them unto that day See Isay 40. 29 30. 3 It s an holy covenant Luke 1. 72. To remember his holy covenant And that not onely in the matter of it so was the old a holy covenant The commandement is holy just and good but this is holy as it effects and works holiness in those who are gathered into it and this the other did not But this is an holy covenant It makes holy as well as it requires to be holy 1 Thes 5. 23. Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout c. the God of peace sanctifieth in this covenant 4 It is a gracious covenant a covenant of mercy and a covenant of Peace hence it is that we call it a Covenant of Grace because its free and effecteth what it requireth and pardoneth the defects of those that are in it Hence it is that God hath made known himself to be a God of mercy indeed a God pardoning iniquity transgression and sin Oh my beloved friends in whose hearts God hath written this covenant look up and be comforted It is a covenant of grace mercy and preace from God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ 5 It is a rich covenant Oh the riches of this covenant It s filled full of Precious Pearls So that it greatly inricheth those that are in it Prov. 8. 18 19. Riches and honour are with me yea durable Riches an● Righteousness My fruit is better then gold yea the fine gold and my revenue then choice silver I lead in 〈◊〉 way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of judgement that I may cause them that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures Oh my beloved friends here is a rich covenant filled with riches and honour better then gold and silver that is not to be compared with it but its spiritual riches not outward worldly riches but it s so much the better for that is it indeed that it so much exceeds gold and silver c. because it is spiritual and eternal above and beyond the sight of carnal men Oh the blessed state of those that are in this covenant they are greatly inriched in all spiritual wisdom and knowledge they are interessed in a covenant filled with great and precious promises of grace and glory an inheritance a kingdom an everlasting kingdome that shall never be taken from them Here is riches indeed riches of substance that will fill all the Saints treasures remember this it is a rich covenant Hearken my beloved brethren God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom Jam. 2. 5. This covenant gives an interest in God and Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2 3. Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither hath the heart of man conceived what riches God hath prepared and will bestow upon those that love him 6 It is an everlasting covenant in the councel of God it was from everlasting and in the execution of it it shall be to everlasting Isay 55. 3. Incline thine ear and come to me and I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Jer. 32. 40. I will make an everlasting covenant with them c. It is a covenant that shall never fail Object The old covenant is said to be everlasting Answ It is so but that relates to the time of that ministration for so is the priesthood said to be everlasting yet that is ended as all who know and acknowledge the Gospel will confess But this is said to be everlasting because it shall endure for ever in heaven it shall stand to eternity For if we might suppose any time when this covenant might be broken we might suppose a possibility of falling from God even from the state of glory But the ground of assurance for the Saints eternal standing and not falling after they come to the perfect glory as the Angels fell is in this everlasting covenant where the eternal blessedness is contained and promised to the Saints God hath promised and sworn that he will not lye to David viz. to Christ in this covenant Object This covenant is said to be made with the house of Israel viz. with believers after they believe and not before believing Therefore it doth not so clearly appear that God doth work all in and for the Saints by virtue of the covenant but they are first to believe and then God enters into covenant with them Answ It s true on one account it is so but not on the account supposed for the house of Israel must be considered either 1 As the natural Israel or 2 As believers or 3 The elect in Christ considered in Gods councell and purpose to whom the Promise and Covenant did indeed belong The first viz. natural Israel as natural to wit all the seed of Abraham cannot be understood because the covenant is to the spiritual seed The second viz. all believers of Jew and Gentile cannot be properly understood

justifying sanctifying preserving comforting and glorifying grace Grace and glory and no good thing will be withheld from his People 4 I come now to the fourth particular proposed to wit the place where Jesus Christ mediates for his people and that is in heaven whither he ascended when he was taken up Act. 1. 10 11. A truth of special concernment for Saints to be established in for lose the place and lose the person and work and all at once A great cheat of the adversary at this day that perswades poor People of such a heaven and Christ within them as to deny and gain-say Christ and heaven above and pretend a supposition that if Christ be personally in heaven and by his Spirit in his people it must necessarily make two Christs But this is a truth and it concerns all true believers that expect salvation by Jesus Christ to believe and know That according to the Scriptures Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the work of mediatorship Angels and Principalities and Powers being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. ●2 Heb. 4. 14. Seeing then that we have a great high Priest who is passed into the beavens Jesus the Son of God c. chap. 9. 24. Christ is entred into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Rom. 8. 33 34. It is God that justifieth c. It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Thus you see its clear from the word of truth which I believe above all the fancies of men on earth That Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God in the great work of mediatorship He is said to be ascended up far above all heavens Ephes 4. 10. that is above all the known heavens that are seen with the eye or understood in their motions by skill and Art of natural wise men called therefore the third heaven 2 Cor. 12. 2. but I shall conclude this with Heb. 8. 1. We have such an high Priest who is sate on the right hand of the Throne of the majesty in the heavens And there it is he mediates and thither let the Saints look and there let their hearts and affections be Col. 3. 1. 2. 5 I shall pass to the fifth particular proposed viz. the manner how Jesus Christ performs this work of mediatorship and that is 1 By his bloud as he was a sacrifice 2 Vocally by word as he is a Priest and Son 3 Faithfully and tenderly 4 Powerfully and prevailingly 5 Particularly and distinctly for all Saints for all wants 6 Constantly to the end 1 Christ mediates with his bloud as he was a sacrifice for when he was on earth he offered up himself a sacrifice for the sin of sinners He then performed the Priestly work in offering himself but having offered up himself a sacrifice he is gone into heaven and makes good that sacrifice there The high Priest was a type of this in entring into the holy place and that not without bloud Christ is entred with his own bloud into heaven it self there to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. 23. 24. And by his blood he mediates that is clear by the words immediately following my Text. Heb. 12. 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel The blood of Christ pleads for the Lords people it was shed for them and therefore it pleads for them better things then that of Abel Abels blood cried for venvengeance but the blood of Christ crieth for mercy for poor sinners for the giving down the good things of the Covenant for which it was shed 2. He mediates vocally in behalf of his people He prayes for them as a son as a high priest that is the son of God consecrated for evermore And that Christ doth so will appear 1. From scripture 2. From reasons grounded upon Scripture 1. From Scripture the words of Christ are full and plain in this matter John 14. 16. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter c. Here is Christs promise at his departure that he will pray c. And this is further clear chap. 16. 7. If I go not away the comforter will not come but if I go I will send him c. that is I will pray the Father and he shall send him Obj. Christ saith chap. 16. 26. And I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you c. by this it seems that Christ will not pray vocally for his people in heaven Answ This being rightly understood no whit derogates from the truth in hand or the former promise of Christ that he would pray the Father for his people when he came to heaven but rather confirms the truth thereof it being usual in the holy Scriptures that when any thing of special concernment follows that which goes before is exprest with a not not to deny the thing but to confirm the truth and excellency of that which in that saying is most especially intended and yet that which is brought in with a not is as fully true as the other Instances are John 6. 27. Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that meat which endureth to eternal life Doth Christ in this place forbid labour for the meat which perisheth no doubtless for it was given as a law afterwards that such as would not work should not eat and idleness is forbidden in all therefore that we are to understand is Labor not onely or chiefly for the meat which perisheth So 1 Cor. 1. 17. Paul saith I was not sent to baptize but to preach the Gospel that is not onely or chief●ly sent to baptize 1 Tim. 2. 14. Adam was not deceived but the woman being deceived was in the transgression Was not Adam deceived yea doubtless and in other places it is laid all upon him death came in by him but Adam sinned not alone nor was first in the transgression now the Apostle speaks of women and applieth the womans sin to women and saith Adam was not deceived Women should know that not onely Adam sinned but the woman sinned and was first in the transgression too so that these instances may serve to clear up our understanding of the words of Christ I say not that I will pray for you that is I say not onely that I will pray for you but as a farther ground of strong consolation The Father himself loveth you by which I am sure to prevail in what I pray for and this is evident for he had promised it before 2. I shall prove this from reasons grounded on the Scriptures Reason 1. From his praying for them when he was in this world in some sence more remote from the Father and less exercised in the work of mediation gives us strong and undoubted grounds to