every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day Joh. 14.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also 2. But if ye enquire after the formal condition of the Covenant of Suretiship I say it was his whole obedience active and passive even unto death Phil. 2.8 and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross though the special principal eminent condition of this Covenant may be referred to the principal eminent last act of his obedience to that signal special command of laying down his life for the elect Joh. 10.18 No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again this commandment have I received of my Father For 1. This Covenant being a bargain betwixt Jehovah and Christ of buying a people to God then the whole price and ransom told down and payed for them must be the formal condition of that Covenant whereby we are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Pet. 1.18 19 For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your Fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without spot and without blemish 2. Christ was under a special explicite command for the performance of this condition of laying down his life as is clear from Joh. 10.18 and Christ was under a special act to obey this command as himself acknowledges Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O my God and therefore we may well call it the special condition of the Covenant of Suretiship 3. This solemn act of obedience in offering himself a Sacrifice to death for our sins is the condition of his bond of Suretiship that is most notised by the Holy Ghost and frequently referred unto as may be gathered from Heb. 9.14 15 26 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of death for the Redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Rom. 8.3 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh And therefore when we speak of the condition of the Covenant of Suretiship this is to be held the special eminent condition thereof 4. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ states the condition of this Covenant upon this eminent solemn act of his obedience even his making his soul an offering for sin c. for-vent which he makes the great promises of his glorious reward Isa 53. throughout 5. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself does own this as the special condition of his Coovenant of Suretiship and that both at his entring into the world Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God And about or at the time of his leaving the world when he had fulfilled or was about to fulfil all his undertaking and conditions to his Father Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do With 19.30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar he said it is finished and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost These being the sum of the conditions required from Christ See Mr. Rutherf Treat of the Covenant p. 2. ch 11. And Mr. Robert's Medul Bibl. b. 2. c. 2. and undertaken by him let us enquire also after the promises made to Christ and the encouraging-conditions that were made to him by Jehovah for undertaking so hard a work as was the redemption and recovery of lost man These were of eight sorts The first kind of promises made to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption were such as relate to the offices authorities trusts and powers that were covenanted to him for the doing of this work 1. I say Jehovah promiseth to invest Christ with offices sutable to that great work of Redemption to make him Lord Mediator of the new Covenant to make him great Lord Ambassador that he might go and travel in that business of our Redemption to make him a King a Priest and a Prophet for effecting this business Psal 110. throughout The Lord said to my Lord sit thou at my right hand he shall judge among the heathen the Lord hath sworn and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever Isa 49.6 And 42.6 7 I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my Salvation unto the ends of the earth to open the blind eyes c. Psal 2.6 7 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion I will declare the decree the Lord said unto me c. 2. God did not only promise to invest Christ with offices and trusts but with authorities and powers also with headship and power of Judgment over Men and Angels that shall make them all bow to him Rom. 14.10.11 We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ for it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God He was not a titular King or Priest nor a scenick one a King upon a stage but a King upon a throne Luk. 1.32 33 And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall be no end A King that had power to bow the hearts of his Subjects and to crush the greatest Heads and Rulers in the world that oppose him Psal 110.3.5 6 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath He shall judg among the heathen he shall fill the places with the dead bodies he shall wound the heads over many countries And 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel And 45.3 4 5 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most mighty with thy glory and thy majesty And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness and thy right hand
mouth and in his carrying as Mediator there were many bright discoveries of this great mystery as we may read Mat. 3.16 17 And Jesus when he was baptized went up straight-way out of the waters and lo the heavens were opened unto him and he saw the spirit of God descending like'd dove and lighting upon him And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Chap. 28. v. 28 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy-Ghost Joh. 14.16 26 And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you for ever But the comforter which is the holy-Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name c. And many like testimonies were from him manifesting this glorious mystery 3. The distinct Offices of the three Persons or their ordered administration and working and the various and distinct acts of the Trinity in the work of redemption are brightly discovered in and by Jesus Christ the Mediator 2 Tim. 1.9 10 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel But because these may be gathered from what hath been spoken of the Covenant of Suretiship or Redemption I shall only touch upon them in this place And 1. The Acts of the Father plotting and making the Covenant with Christ Mediator 1. He had a purpose to raise man through a Mediator Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 2. He chose the Son for the doing this work and us in him Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty 3. He makes a Covenant with the Son Psal 89.3 I have made a Covenant with my chosen and promises were given to Christ and grace given to us in him before the world began Tit. 1.2 2 Tim. 19. 4. God the Father appoints who shall be saved and gives them to the Son that all that were written in Gods book may also be written in the lambs book of life Joh. 17.9 Them that thou hast given me for they are thine Rev. 20.12 15. Chap. 21. v. 27. 5. He appoints what measure of grace and glory every one of them shall have Eph. 4.7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Mat. 20.23 But to fit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father 6. He commits all Government to the Son for the Elects sake that he may do according to this appointment Isa 9.6 And the government shall be upon his shoulder Joh. 5.22 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son 2. The Acts of Jesus Christ undertaking 1. He consents to the Covenant Psal 40.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me 2. He engageth himself to take the Creature into union with his Person Heb. 10.5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me And to lay down his life according to his Fathers command Joh. 10.18 This commandment have I received of my Father 3. He undertakes to receive and keep and raise up at the last day all those given him by the Father 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 Chap. 17. throughout 4. He undertakes the Government of the world and to Judg it at the last day Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Mat. 11.27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father Joh. 3.35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand 3. The Acts of the Spirit 1. He undertakes to unite the humane nature to Christ by a miraculous conception Luk. 1.35 The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee 2. To joyn us with God in one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 But he that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit 3. To be a Spirit of Unction first to Christ and then to us through him Joh. 3 34 For God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek 4. To act all our graces to blow upon them and to help our infirmities Song 4. last Awake O north-wind and come thou south blow upon my garden that the spices thereof may flow out Rom. 8.26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered 5. To shed abroad the love of God in our hearts Rom. 5.5 Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy-Ghost which is given unto us 6. To set a Seal upon our hearts and to bear witness of all the work of God in us Eph. 1.13 In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise Rom. 8.16 The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God Now all these things are discovered and manifested to us in Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new Covenant CHAP. X. Of Christs Calling to the Office of Mediatorship THis being the Person who is Mediator of the new Covenant We come in the next place to speak of the Office And 1. Of Christs Calling to it 2. Of his qualification for it 3. Of his carriage in it And first we shall enquire after Christs Calling to the office of Mediatorship which we shall shortly dispatch by answering of these three Questions Q. 1. How came Christ to undertake this work A. He was called to it he did not intrude himself in the Mediators Office but was sent and employed in the work these things clear his calling to the work 1. Several of his Names import it Mal. 3.1 He is called the Angel or Messenger of the Covenant Because of his mission and Gods sending of him to do this work c. Isa 42.1 My servant and mine elect Because of his being called and employed by his Father he was called a Servant or chosen Officer formed for a special
God said to Christ and the publishing or promulgation thereof Psal 2.7 I will declare the decree Dr. Hammond in locum or as as a late learned Annotator reads it I will tell of a decree or Covenant that is I will publish and manifest that which was sometime a great secret kept betwixt God and Christ but now is declared and opened up Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Col. 1.26 Even the mysterie which hath been hidden from ages and generations but now is made manifest to his Saints And what is the secret that is now declared plainly even that which follows The Lord said unto me thou art my Son ask of me c. i. e. God said to Christ or made this Proposal to him thou art the only fit petson for undertaking this work of Man's Redemption and I destinate and appoint thee for it Now therefore ask and have the noblest rewards that can be devised only do the work I say then here is but a declaration of that which was said and done concluded and transacted by Proposals 'twixt God and Christ in his Decrees and the Counsel of his Will 4. 'T is observable that the Hebrew word here used and translated Decree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chok Vid. Paquin Thessarum in Rad. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chakak Conrad Kircher Concord in voce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chok cometh from a root that signifies originally scribere describere statuere to write engrave ordain appoint c. and so proportionably is the Noun signifying many things not only a Law Statute and Ordinance but also a Pact or Covenant a writing subscribed with the parties hands Vid. Bibl. Polyglot in locum c. And in this place it 's rendered a Covenant by the Chaldee Paraphrast Recitabo Pactum the LXX here render it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Order and Agreement and so most of the ancient Interpreters following the Targum render it God's Statute Buxtorf Lexic Rab. Talmud p. 818. his Pact or Covenant and 't is observed by a great Hebrean that this word among the Talmudists is often put for the quality condition or nature of any thing and if so here 't is the nature quality and condition of God's decretal Covenant with Christ But further besides the affinity that is among these notions of Statute Decree Agreement Pact Covenant c. the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is here used is in the Scripture sometimes promiscuously or synonimously used with the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is usually rendered Covenant Compare Jer. 31.35 36. with Jer. 33.20 c. In both which places God's Ordinance and Covenant with the day and night is spoken of to illustrate the stability of his Covenant with his people in Christ and there you will find the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Statute or Ordinance and Covenant promiscuously used and the same thing which is called God's Ordinance of the day and night or of the Sun and Moon Jer. 31.35 36. is called his Covenant with the day and his Covenant with the night Jer. 33.20 the meaning of both we are to gather from Gen. 1.16 Vid. Bibl. Polyglot in locum 8.22 9.11 12 13. the Chaldee Paraph. in both these places renders the different Hebrew words Pactum Pacta Paction or Covenant and the Syriack renders both the words administrationes a word comprehensive of both these notions of God's Oeconomy and dispensations Besides the Scriptures before-mentioned we read also of God's Proposals to Christ concerning the work of man's Redemption Isa 42.6 7 I the Lord have called thee in Righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles To open the eyes of the blind to bring out the prisoners from the prison and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house And 49.5 6 And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob again to him though Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength And he said it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my salvation to the ends of the earth c. which things no man can reasonably doubt to be spoken by Jehovah to Christ and to contain Proposals concerning the Redemption and Salvation of his elect people 2. Let us in the next place consider where we find Scripture proof for Christ's consent unto these Proposals made by Jehovah to him which amounteth to a Covenant We find Christ's consent and agreement and that before the beginning of the world unto the Proposals made to him by Jehovah concerning this work of Redemption and the office which he was called unto for that effect clearly insinuated Prov. 8.22 23 24 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old I was set up from everlasting from the beginning before ever the earth was When there were no depths I was brought forth when there were no fountains abounding with water 30.31 Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth and my delights were with the Sons of men Where we find the substantial eternal wisdom of God Jesus Christ declaring such a plenary voluntary chearful consent to undertake the work of our Redemption that when he was in the Counsel of God set up and designed unto the office and glory of the Lord Mediator and Redeemer he took pleasure and satisfaction before-hand not only in his people not yet created above all the works of his hand who were to be the satisfying sight that should be given him for the travel of his Soul as the Lord saith Isa 53.11 but he took pleasure also in these parts which they were to inhabit in every bit of ground that was to be the bounds of their habitation in the times appointed Act. 17.26 But yet more explicitely read his consent to the Proposals made by Jehovah to his Son Christ Psal 40.6 7 8 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me I delight to do thy will O my God yea thy law is within my heart With Heb. 10.5 6 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said I lo I come
in the volume of the boook it is written of me to do thy will O God Concerning these Scriptures let us observe some things for clearing the point in hand to wit Christ's consent and agreement unto Proposals made to him by Jehovah And 1. It is manifest that the words are Christ's words for the Apostle makes Christ not David to be the speaker here Heb. 10.5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith i. e. Christ saith for it is of Christ's sacrifice and his offering himself that the Apostle hath been speaking 2. 'T is as manifest that Christ speaketh these words to God to Jehovah therefore he saith Psal 40.8 and Heb. 10.7.9 O God and O my God 3. The words presuppose something spoken and propounded by God to Christ unto which these words are an answer there are four words in the Text which carry this plainly that there was something that he i. e. Jehovah desired and required as a pleasing satisfaction to him above all typical Sacrifices something which Christ calls his fathers will and his command thy will O God thy law O God to which he gave an answer then I said c. 4. That the thing concerning which he makes answer to God here was upon the matter 1. Some Proposal for the performance whereof God had prepared and fitted him by his Incarnation and assuming our nature A body thou hast prepared me or fitted me and by his taking on a will that might bow to the will of God Mine ears thou hast opened 2. 'T is an answer to the Proposal of a business unto which Christ was called which was the fathers will and command to him to do thy will and thy law O God 3. 'T is an answer and return to God concerning something that was concluded and agreed betwixt God and Christ before-hand and therefore is said to be written in the volume of thy book 4. 'T is something which however it was contracted and recorded before yet was not to be fulfilled until the due time when he cometh into the world not till the time of his Incarnation 5. 'T is something that divine Justice required for a satisfaction and which no Sacrifices could amount unto which is held forth in the opposition of this command to the negation of all satisfaction by other Sacrifices Sacrifice thou hast not required but c. and this was no other but the obedience of his own Son and the giving his Soul an offering and Sacrifice for sin to satisfie the Justice of God Isa 53.10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands 5. Consider the answer that Christ gives here how it amounts unto a plenary consent and agreement unto the will and proposal of his father unto him which is a Covenant of Redemption or Suretiship i. e. that he will undertake and do the work of our Redemption according to his fathers will 1. I say Christ's answer bears a consent a willing consent Lo I come Christ sists himself before God in readiness to do his Father's will to be our Surety and Saviour 't is an expression not unlike these of Isaiah and Samuel whereby they expressed their free consent and readiness to obey the call of God Isa 6.8 Then said I here am I send me in the Original it is behold me or lo me which is equivolent to Lo I come or I sist my self ready to obey thy command to do thy will to run thy errand 1 Sam. 3.10 Speak Lord for thy servant heareth i. e. doth sist himself ready to obey 2. Christ's answer bears a submissive humble consent Mine ear hast thou opened or bored there seems to be an allusion to a Ceremony that was used toward the Servant that would not have his liberty but loved his Master so that he would not go out free from his Service when he might according to Law in the seventh year whereof see Deut. 15.12 to 17. Exod. 21.6 So the opening or boring of the ear is not only a sign of hearkening and obedience as the Phrase is used concerning Christ Isa 50.5 The Lord God hath opened mine ear and I was not rebellious neither turned away back But it notes also his taking on the form of a Servant such as had their ears bored in token of their submission to serve when they might have been free In place of this Phrase the Apostle says A body thou hast prepared me giving a perspicuous interpretation of the opening of the ear that it related to Christ's Incarnation and the principal end thereof which was that he might be found in the form of a Servant to obey and do the will of his father as one who by his own consent was nailed and pinned to his Service in the work of Redemption Phil. 2.7 8 But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross 3. Christ's answer bears a consent given in contemplation of a satisfaction to divine Justice and therefore he mentions the Law of God and the things that God required and offers himself to undergo these for this he did propose to himself that offended divine Justice might have an honourable satisfaction and that the Law might have obedience in him 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 Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us 4. Christ's answer bears a compleat and plenary consent which is every way apted unto the Proposals made to him for he offers himself to fulfil the Law to which he voluntarily subjected himself in the exact rigour thereof in every thing that is written in the bookk of the law Gal. 3.10 he offers himself to perform the utmost degree of obedience to the Will of God to do thy will O God yea to do not only according to what is written in the book of the Law but according to the indenture and contract betwixt God and him to which I understand the volume of the book here mentioned chiefly to relate supposing the agreement betwixt God and Christ about the work of man's Redemption and all his undertakings to be written as it were in a Book or Roll in that sense that the Scripture speaks of a book of life and the Lambs book of life and the writings therein Rev. 13.8 15.8 21.27 5.
man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name There is a reciprocation of Covenant-performances 5. There is betwixt Jehovah and Christ asking and giving the Father asketh a satisfaction to his Justice for the sins of all the Elect Isa 53.10 It pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief and the satisfaction which his Father asked was that he should make his soul an offering for sin and Christ yieldeth and giveth the satisfaction which was asked Psal 40.6 Lo I come saith he to do thy will Isa 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions and he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed Again Christ asketh of his Father a reward and satisfaction for the travel of his Soul in that great work of our Redemption and Salvation And his Father gives it him according to the encouraging-Proposals whereby he had invited him to the undertaking so great a work Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Joh. 17.4 5 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now O father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was This kind of asking and giving on both sides amounteth to a formal explicite Covenant here is emptio venditio which is a Covenant strictly so called 6. There is betwixt Jehovah and Christ work and wages there is working propounded upon the one part and undertaken upon the other and a reward promised upon the one part and expected upon the other craved upon the one part and payed upon the other and this is a formal Covenant strictly so taken Ad similitudinem contractus inter operarium locatorem operis inter herum servum not unlike the manner of Covenants betwixt the work-man and work-master betwixt the Servant and his Lord. Here is indeed do ut faoias facio ut des I give this upon condition you do that and I do this upon condition you give that I fay there was working and rewarding 'twixt God and Christ and that by no necessity of nature but by a voluntary compact his work and reward are both propounded to him Isa 53.11 12 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquity Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressours and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressours And 49.3 6 And said unto me Thou art my servant O Israel in whom I will be glorified And he said it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou maist be my salvation unto the end of the earth And agreed unto by him Joh. 10.17 Therefore doth my father love me because I lay down my life that I might take it again Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Therefore we find upon the one part and the other God promising a reward and Christ expecting it Isa 53.12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great with Isa 49.4 Surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God Again we find God proposing the reward for Christ's encouragement in so hard a work and Christ eying the reward under all discouragements Psal 110.7 He shall drink of the brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the head with Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God We find also Christ craving his reward and challenging it as due to him Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And his Father paying the promised reward Phil. 2.8 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him c. The fourth Proof of a Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Christ I take from the Offices Imployments Trusts Powers Authorities and Relations which Christ did bear and wherewith he was vested for doing the work of his peoples Redemption All and every of these prove strongly an eternal Covenant and Compact betwixt Jehovah and Christ I put these together that the proofs may be more ponderous than numerous I shall therefore 1. Reckon up some particulars that fall under this head each whereof might afford a particular proof and then draw an argument from them 1. His Offices and Employments Christ is Lord Mediator of the New Covenant Heb. 8.6 9.15 He is Lord Ambassador and Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 He is the Lord's Shepherd and his Servant in the work of Redemption Zech. 13.7 Isa 42.1 Not by nature but by condescension and agreement to be in these employments Christ Mediator is a King not by nature but by Covenant and Agreement he receives a dispensatory Kingdom Psal 2.6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill Zion Act. 2.36 God hath made the same Jesus both Lord and Christ Heb. 1.2 whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the worlds Psal 89.27 Also I will make him my first born higher than the kings of the earth Christ is a Prophet and a Teacher of his people not by nature but by appointment Act. 3.22 For Moses truly said unto the Fathers a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you Isa 55.4 Behold I have given him for a witness to the people Christ is a Priest not by nature but by divine appointment and that in the way of agreement and consent Heb. 5.4 5 6 And no man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest but he that said unto him Thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee As he saith also in another place Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec And 7.21 The Lord sware and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec 2. The like I say of the
Christ's answer bears a chearful consent to the Proposals made by God to him I delight to do thy will O God and thy law is within my heart because his heart was to the business and a design of love acted him all along his undertaking and performing the work of our Redemption Joh. 13.1 having loved his own therefore he took pleasure in the work therefore it was his delight Prov. 8.31 Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth and my delights were with the sons of men Luk. 22.15 And he said unto them with desire I have desired to eat this passeover with you before I suffer I conclude then that this consent upon Christ's part to his Father's Proposals makes a Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Christ 3. Beside the former two which according to the opinion of Jurists amount to a Paction and a Contract or virtual Covenant and I think also to a formal explicite Covenant there is also vestiges to be found betwixt God and Christ of all things required unto explicite formal Covenanting Let us therefore enquire a little 1. What are the requisites of formal explicite Covenanting 2. What vestiges of these are to be found betwixt Jehovah and Christ 1. The peculiar propriety of formal explicite Covenanting stands in stipulation and restipulation in Conditional Proposals commands tenders or promises upon the one part and the accepting consenting or performing of conditions required upon the other part When the Proposals of whatsoever quality and kind they be are expresly conditional and the conditions propounded and required are expresly accepted and agreed unto there is a formal explicite Covenant even in the most strict and rigorous acceptation of the word Covenant Hence the Jurists confine mutual contracts and explicite Covenants within the compass of these few words Do ut des Soto de justitia Jure lib. 6. Quest 2. Art 1. Jo. Cal. lex Jurad in voce pactum facio ut facias do ut facias facio ut des 2. That there be clear footsteps of such dealing and Transactions betwixt Jehovah and Christ may appear from these instances all which evince stipulation and restipulation Conditions upon the one part and upon the other Conditions given and taken 1. Betwixt Jehovah and Christ there are Commands with Promises holding forth what was the Will of God to Christ in the matter of man's Redemption and what he should expect from his Father for doing that work and obeying his Will Joh. 6.39 40 This is the fathers will and this is the will of him that sent me 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 and the counsel of peace shall be between them both Mich. 5.4 5 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God and they shall abide for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our land Isa 42 1 2 3 4. He shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles He shall not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the street A bruised reed shall he not break and the smoaking flax shall he not quench he shall bring forth Judgment unto truth And if a command with a threatning annexed which had a promise in it implicitely did amount to a Covenant in God's dealing with man in his integrity by a Covenant of works as is acknowledged by all Civines Gen. 2.17 But of the tree of the knowledg of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die Sure commands with explicite promises such as are betwixt God and Christ do amount to a Covenant 2. Betwixt Jehovah and Christ there are Promises with Conditions I say Promises with Conditions not absolute promises read Isa 53.10 11 12 When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied By his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors Now Promises with Conditions are promises with re-promissions or conditions upon the one part and upon the other this is a declaration of what God will do and what he doth require which is a formal Covenant and is plainly reducible to that which the Jurists call Do ut facias facio ut des c. 3. There is betwixt Jehovah and Christ not only Commands with Promises annexed and Promises with Conditions annexed but which is yet more Conditions with consent a formal consent and voluntary yielding unto the Proposals which were made unto him by Jehovah and this is without question a formal explicite Covenant consisting of stipulation and restipulation propounding and answering or accepting demanding and yielding or consenting he receives a command from his Father to lay down his life and he willingly consents Joh. 10.18 No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again This commandment have I received of my father His Father propounds his Will to him and makes offer of fair conditions and he accepts Isa 53.10 When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Here is a formal explicite Covenant 4. There is betwixt Jehovah and Christ Consenting with Performing not only a mutual agreement upon the things to be done by Christ and to be done to Christ but a real performance of the mutual conditions agreed upon betwixt them and this is more than a consummate Covenant this is the fulfilling of an explicite Covenant and the acknowledgment of both parties that it was mutually covenanted and that the conditions were observed and were performed on both sides Joh. 17.4 I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do saith Christ and his Father saith Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my spirit upon him and he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentilss Phil. 2.8 9 And being found in fashion as a
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
pleased him since he was no more tyed to Men than to Angels to whom he sent no Saviour when they fell nor hath designed any of the fallen Angels unto Redemption 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto the day of Judgment Heb. 2.16 For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took upon him the seed of Abraham It remains therefore that the Covenant of Redemption is an act of soveraignty and freedom upon God's part who designed a Redeemer and upon Christ's part who consented unto the designation 4. This Property of the Covenant of Redemption is further confirmed by the negation and removal of all things contrary to soveraign freedom 1. There was nothing from himself abstracting from his own decrees and love-designs that could trench upon the freedom of this eternal act of his will for there was no necessity of nature upon Jehovah nor upon the Son of God that did determine God to enter in this Covenant as is already cleared 2. There was nothing from without that could trench upon the freedom of this eternal act as nothing could necessarily determine so neither compel nor constrain God to lay such a service upon his own Son Christ nor him to undertake it For 1. This transaction having been from eternity it was a concluded bargain before the creatures had a being Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was 2. Put case they had then had a being what could the being of Men and Angels and all the works of his hands have trenched upon the soveraign freedom of their Makers will and actings for who hath resisted his will hath not the potter power over the clay Rom. 9.19 21. 3. The Father and the Son were not only free from all natural necessity and outward compulsion but also from all hire allurement or motive from any thing without their own will there was nothing in man no not foreseen that could allure or move far less hire the Father to give Christ to engage him in this work nor Christ to engage his name in our bond since he well foresaw what it would cost him It 's true he values his seed as a satisfying return of his travel Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied but beside that there is no proportion betwixt his work and this poor wages was man a price for the Lord of glory to work for or was he a reward for him to wrestle for could he be hired for so low a wager if the soveraign freedom of his own will had not acted him Consider I say who gave this price to the Lord did man give himself to the Lord or did the Lord give his elect people to Christ from eternity and afterward he is the first giver also Now there can be no hire given by man to the Lord unless he were the first giver Rom. 11.35 For who hath first given to him and it shall be recompenced to him again 1 Chr. 29.14 Of thine own have we given thee Jer. 30.21 And I will cause him to draw neer and he shall approach unto me for who is he that engageth his heart to approach unto me saith the Lord 2. Another Property of this Covenant is Graciousness it is not only the Covenant transacted with us the Gospel-Covenant that is pure Grace but this also that was transacted betwixt Jehovah and Christ even while it was yet in his purpose and as it was the eternal act of his will is frequently called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grace and his good pleasure or gracious pleasure Eph. 1.5 6 9. 2 Tim. 1.9 his purpose and grace Now Graciousness is attributed to the Covenant of Redemption in a far other sense than 't is attributed to the Covenant of reconciliation For 1. Graciousness is attributed to the Covenant of Redemption in regard of both Parties transacting it was pure Grace that determined both the Parties and engaged them both the Father to send and the Son to come and this Grace was equally in both the Parties and did shine equally and by way of efficiency in them both Zech. 6.13 The counsel of peace was between them both But graciousness is attributed to the Covenant of reconciliation because of the shining glory and activity of the Grace of God through Jesus Christ that is therein manifested which Grace is in us subjectively and though the acts thereof be ours in a vital formal manner yet it is from God by way of efficiency and it is his Grace not ours from which the Covenant hath its name of Grace Tit. 2.11 1 Tim. 1.14 Eph. 1.6 7. And 2.5 7 8. 1 Cor. 15.10 2. Graciousness is attributed to the Covenant of Reconciliation not only in regard of God's making such a Covenant with us but also in regard of the tenor of that Covenant and whole dispensation the promises conditions and reward therein is all pure Grace as the same is opposed unto and contra-distinguished from works which signifie nothing in that Covenant as it is a Court of Righteousness and Life Eph. 2.8 9 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Not of works lest any man should boast But of this Covenant of Redemption Graciousness is a property thereof mainly because of the reasons following but not because the whole tenor thereof as well the conditions as promises were pure Grace considered as such and contra-distinguished from works For though pure Grace made this Covenant of Redemption yet the condition thereof upon both sides were works 1. Christ is a doer and fulfiller of the Covenant of works most exactly in all points both the command and the curse and penalty of the Covenant is satisfied by him this is works and this was the condition required upon his part Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us 2. Christ as a doer and obedient fulfiller of the Law hath a reward in Justice by the promise of this Covenant For I humbly conceive he had his reward of debt and merit having payed a condign price to the Justice of God therefore his reward is due to him by commutative Justice Phil. 2.7 8 But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and is craved by him Joh. 17.4 5 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now O
by my holiness that I will not lye unto David His seed shall endure for ever and his throne as the Sun before me Isa 55.3 4 I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Behold I have given him for a witness to the people a leader and commander to the people 5. This Covenant is above the possible reach of all causes of occasions whatsoever that render Covenants unstable and uncertain for here 1. There can be no place in either of the parties for unskilfulness nor rashnese in contriving or entering this eternal Compact being the deed of parties whose understanding cannot be searched out Isa 40.28 the depths whereof are to be admired Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledg of God whose foolishness is wiser than men 1 Cor. 1.25 who doth all his matters by counsel and eternal deliberation Eph. 1.11 who worketh all things after the counsel of his will Nor 2. Is there place in either of the parties for unrighteousness Rom. 3.5 6 Is god unrighteous God forbid nor for inconstancy or unfaithfulness as is already proved or any other thing that is contrary to Covenant-keeping 3. Nor is there any weakness or wearying in either of the parties to perform their undertaking against discouragement and opposition that stands in the way of performing what is mutually engaged no such thing is incident to Jehovah Luk. 1.37 For with God nothing shall be impossible Isa 40.28 The creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not neither is weary Nor can Christ Mediator be impeached of such things Isa 42.4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment on the earth and the Isle◠shall wait for his Law And 63.1 travelling in the greatness of his strength I that speak in righteousness mighty to save The Parties in this eternal transaction about the work of Redemption were Jehovah on the one part and the only Son of God on the other part That these were the parties and these only is generally acknowledged and it is plain Scripture Psal 89.3 I have made a covenant with my chosen Heb. 1.5 For unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee And again I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son And 5.5 6 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest but he that said unto him thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee As he saith also in another place thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec And 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh unto the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will The only difficulty lyeth in the right understanding how these parties are to be considered for clearing whereof I shall lay down four Assertions Assert 1. Although God be on both sides of this Covenant yet God is not to be the same way considered upon both parts of the Covenant for upon the one part God is to be considered essentially and it is opus essentiale an act common to all the three Persons of the Godhead The one party covenanting is Jehovah God is common to all the three upon the other part the Son of God is to be considered personally an act peculiar to the Son of God the second Person else there could be no distinction of parties no distinction of consents and consequently no Covenant of Redemption no compact about that work and according to this distinction we are to understand the Scriptures before-mentioned Assert 2. The Covenant of Redemption is transacted with Christ personal not with Christ mystical not with the elect Company but singly with the Captain of Salvation not with the head and body the Church but with the chosen head unto whom God promised and had appointed a numerous seed that should become a body to him It was made with Christ not as a publick person representing many but as an eminent chosen person chosen out among his brethren Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people Heb. 5.1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sin for though the mystical body of Christ were to reap the benefit of this transaction yet they were not parties in the transacting their own Redemption The Covenant of peace kindness reconciliation and life was indeed made with Christ mystical head and members with him as a publick person representing all his seed and heirs that were chosen in him but the Covenant of Redemption was not so These things confirm this Assertion 1. The work and business transacted by this Covenant was peculiar to Christ's person the satisfying divine Justice by paying a price the act of Suretiship and taking the broken-man's Law-place c. Sure this was peculiar to Christ personal 2. It was he to whom a seed of his own begetting comprehending all the elect was promised to whom a bride and a body whereof he should be head and husband with whom this Covenant was transacted Now this was Christs personal for it could not be that God promised this seed to the seed he did not promise a people to themselves but to Christ their chosen head 3. By this Covenant God did promise and give the headship to Christ over that body and did vest him with powers and authorities sutable even with all power in Heaven and Earth Now the headship and these great Authorities were neither promised nor given to the head and body to Christ mystical but to Christ personal 4. Christ plainly claims the work of this Covenant to himself singly and personally considered and leaving out all others even his own body as having no accession to this that he was singly engaged in Heb. 2.10 For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons to glory to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through suffering And 5.9 And being made perfect he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Isa 63.3 I have trodden the wine press alone and of the people there was none with me Assert 3. The Covenant of Redemption which was transacted with Christ personally considered even with the only Son of God the second person was not made with Christ God but with Christ God-man the person transacting with Jehovah was not the Son of God considered as God as the natural Son of God but considered as God-man as Mediator this Covenant was stricken with Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And 1. That it was not made with Christ God or considered as the natural only Son of God is manifest For 1. Christ God could not be under the Law 2. Nor represent man and take his Law-place 3. Nor can Christ God suffer and pay a price of blood 4. Nor could Christ God receive a Mission and Mandates he could not be a Messenger nor be sent if we speak properly 5. Nor to Christ God could there be promises made or any reward given c. These and many such instances may serve for establishing the negative part of this Assertion to wit that the Covenant of Redemption was not made with Christ God beside that this will receive further confirmation by establishing the affirmative part of the Assertion 2. The Covenant of Redemption was made with Christ God-man For 1. In this respect only Christ could make a party distinct from the other party covenanting to wit Jehovah it could not have been a Covenant except there had been two parties agreeing together Now Christ God the second person could not constitute a party covenanting distinct from God considered essentially as common to all the three Father Son and Spirit Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one It was therefore Christ God-man that made the Covenant of Redemption 2. Christ had a will distinct from Jehovah's will only as he was God-man for as God his will is one and the same with his Father's will and undistinguished from it Joh. 1.13 Not of the will of man but of God Now where there is a Conant betwixt two there must be two wills else how can there be any agreement or consent of two for consent is an act of the will It follows therefore that the Covenant was made with Christ God-man since in this respect only there are two wills meeting consenting and agreeing on the same thing 3. In what respect only Christ had a will capable of howing yielding and obeying in that respect he is to be considered in the Covenant of Redemption whereby he voluntarily yielded to do these things which no natural necessity obliged him to Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Now it is evident that Christ only as he was God man had a will capable of howing and yielding Mat. 26.30 Nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt for the will of Christ as God was not capable of bowing and yielding for who hath resisted his will Rom. 9.19 the Govenant therefore was made with Christ God-man 4. In what respect Christ was inferiour to God or subordinate to him and did receive offices trust mission commands c. and did obey In that respect only was the Covenant of Redemption stricken with him for by the tenor of that Covenant he did all these things Joh. 10.18 This commandment have I received of my Father And 6.38 39 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me And this is the fathers will that hath sent me And it is manifest that in this respect only Christ as God-man is inferior to God Joh. 14.28 My Father is greater then I for Christ God is equal with his Father Psal 2.6 It follows therefore necessarily that the Covenant of Redemption was made with Christ God-man 5. In this consideration only as Christ is God-man the conditions and satisfaction performed by him are performed by one party and accepted by another in this respect only there is sending and coming asking and receiving commanding and obeying giving satisfaction and receiving it for if Christ be considered as God then there could be no performing and accepting of satisfaction for so the party giving and receiving sending and going working and rewarding being the same all satisfaction is taken away for the party the same every way cannot be the giver and receiver of the satisfaction so all distinction of parties is taken away and consequently all Covenant-dealings enervated 6. The Covenant of Redemption must be with Christ God-man in regard that the satisfaction required upon God's part to be performed by Christ and undertaken by him was such as might stand in Law for our sin Now it is not imaginable how the satisfaction of Christ God could meet with the curse of the Law of works that had gone forth against man Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of 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 It rests therefore that it was a satisfaction undertaken by God-man in the Covenant of Redemption 7. In that consideration that Christ was Surety for his people and Mediator betwixt God and man in the same consideration was the Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption made with him for he could not he a Surety in one respect and act himself unto it in another but it is plain Scripture that it was not Christ God that was Mediator and Surety but Christ God-man 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus Heb. 7.22 By so much was Jesus made surety of a better testament 8. In what consideration Christ did perform the Covenant of Redemption in the same respect he is to be considered as a party undertaker for no man can probably think that one party undertook and another performed but it is above question that Christ God-man did perform this Covenant and fulfil the conditions therein required 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the mysterie of Godliness God was manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels weached unto the gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory Gal. 4.4 But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the draw 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 I conclude therefore that with Christ God man was the Covenant of Redemption made Besides these arguments many more might be framed from the particular commands conditions and promises of the Covenant of Redemption which are competent only to Christ God-man and no ways to Christ God From this which hath been said of Christ considered as God and as God-man we may answer the question How the Justice of God can have a satisfaction from and by a person or party who is God Ans 1. If Christ God had been the party with whom the Covenant of Redemption had been transacted then indeed the party giving and the party receiving the satisfaction had been the same But the Covenant being made with Christ God-man a person different from offended God essentially considered so it is another party that makes the satisfaction than the party
which was offended and doth receive the satisfaction 2. Christ God-man in one person having man's nature that offended united into a personal union with the Godhead was thereby fitted so to stand in our place and upon our side as a party different from God that he might therein satisfie wrath and therein merit by making a full and real compensation to offended Justice 3. Christ God-man who makes the satisfaction as he is God being one with the Father while he satisfies the Father's Justice he satisfies his own but as he is God-man being a party different from the Father he is by the Soveraignty of free Grace given to be a Surety and the satisfaction which he makes in our Nature as our Surety is accepted by his Father as by another party Assert 4. Christ was chosen and predestinated Lord Mediator and we are chosen in him before he is a party covenanting with Jehovah about the work of our Redemption I say 1. He is first in order in the eternal purpose of God designed and set apart to do this work before he gave an actual consent unto the Covenant of Suretiship This followeth necessarily upon the former Assertion for if the Covenant be made with Christ God-man with Christ Mediator betwixt God and man then he must needs be Mediator by some eternal act of the counsel of God antecedent in order of nature to this Covenant with him which is made with him considered as God to be made manifest in the flesh 2. I say not only Christ is chosen but we also are chosen in him unto the fruit of that great labour and service which he was designed to undergo for a Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption does not only suppose a Redeemer and Surety predestinated to be undertaker for a lost people but also a people designed to be partakers of the Redemption which he was to work So that I say this Covenant that was made with Christ God-man does suppose Christ's headship and our membership by eternal predestination and by a co-ordination which may be express'd in this order first the chosen head and then the body God did not not first chuse a body and then had a head to seek for them nor did he chuse a head to be without a body or as one that knew not of a body for that head but Election which was the first act of God's love in eternity fell first upon Christ whom God did chuâ—â— to be the head of his body the Church and the Captain of Salvation to all the chosen company and having chosen him he chused us in him as our head and as the first-born of the elect house and family Rom. 8.29 For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he might be the first born among many brethren Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love CHAP. IV. Of the Tenor Articles and Subject-matter of the Covenant of Redemption or of the Commands Conditions and Promises thereof THE Subject-matter and Articles of the Covenant of Suretiship which were agreed and concluded betwixt Jehovah and Christ by an eternal Compact which also may be divided into commands conditions and promises of that Covenant were mainly these seven Who should be the Redeemed Who the Redeemer What his work When to be done How to be applied What his reward And what assurance given betwixt the parties for mutual performance Now because some of these Articles may seem to be the same upon the matter which I have before asserted to be supposed as antecedent in order of nature to the Covenant of Redemption Let it be remembred that they may well be supposed in our manner of conceiving thereof as antecedent in God's purpose and yet be Articles of this Covenant and fall under Christ's actual consent which makes a closed Covenant about them for it is not repugnant that the same thing be concluded in the eternal purpose of God's Will and in his eternal agreement with Christ 1. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ God-man who should be the Redeemed people there was a definite certain number of Redeemed ones agreed upon for whom Christ should pay a price he was not Surety and undertaker for all Mankind nor for all the visible Church to whom the Gospel shall be preached for his undertaking is no wider nor larger than his dying purchasing Redemption bearing Iniquity Praying c. these being of equal extent and efficacy for whom Christ was undertaker to his Father for them he dyed and purchased Redemption by his death for them he did pray and make intercession c. Now 't is manifest that he did not purchase Redemption and make intercession for all Mankind but for a chosen people 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 Joh. 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me for they are thine Neither was Christ undertaker for a people under any general notions or qualifications such as them that should believe in him or the like not knowing definitely who the persons were but he was Surety and undertaker only for the elect and for a definite number of people who were by number and name given to him by his Father and received by him to be redeemed by his blood which doth plainly appear by the description of the Redeemed people who are ordinarily called those whom the Father gave unto Christ Joh. 17.3 6 9 11. 6.37 39. and who were chosen in him Eph. 1.4 and whose names are written in the book of life and in the Lambs book of life as if the Father who gave them to Christ had kept one record of their number and names and the Lord Mediator who undertook for them had kept another Rev. 20.12 and 21.27 2. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ who should be the Redeemer I say it was agreed who should be the person to undertake this great work of Redemption and Salvation for these elect people for although we may conceive that Christ was predestinated unto this work before his actual consent yet we must conceive the agreement is by his own actual consent and compact with God See the agreement and consent of both the parties that Christ shall be the Lord Jehovah his servant in this work Isa 49.5 6 And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob again to him though Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength And he said it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my
servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my salvation unto the end of the earth And under this part of the agreement I comprehend 1. The designation of the person who shall be the redeemer that it shall be the second person the Son of God only not the Father nor the Spirit Isa 59.20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob saith the Lord. Act. 3.26 Vnto you first God having raised up his Son sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities 1 Joh. 4.9 God sent his only begotten Son unto the world that we might live through him 2. The constituting of that Person Surety and Mediator to take that place upon him which the work of our Redemption did require Heb. 7.22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament 3. The consent and agreement of Christ to both these to be the person that shall work this work and to be substitute in this place for doing the work Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God thus did the Creditor and the Cautioner strike hands together 3. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ What should be the Redeemer's work or what should be the price that he should pay and the satisfaction that he should make to divine Justice for the sins of the elect that were given to him under this I take in 1. The concluding betwixt the parties that Christ shall take upon him our Law-place and room and in order to that his taking our nature upon him that Justice might reach him in our stead and place Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law 2. That Christ as our Surety should dye and lay down his life for us that he should pay for us the whole sum that was owing even all that the Law and Justice could exact of the broken man Joh. 10.18 No man taketh is from me but I lay it down of my self Rom. 8.3 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us this is at length held forth Isa 53.5 6 7 10 12. 3. That the payment and satisfaction that should be made to Justice by our Surety in our nature and in our room should be accepted as our payment and as a condign price for our right to Heaven Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 4. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ what should be the term of paying this price and making this satisfaction to Justice A time and term-day is condescended upon such as seemed fit to infinite wisdom to appoint Gal. 4.2 4 until the time appointed of the Father but when the fulness of the time was come Heb. 9.10 11 until the time of reformation But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come Dan. 9.26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off but not for himself I say though the price was agreed upon from eternity yet God in his wisdom thought fit to put off the time of actual paying this price till the Redeemer that should come out of Zion should be long waited for Luk. 2.38 and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem but though the payment was suspended till the fulness of time yet neither Christ's acting as Mediator nor the force of the blood of this Covenant but in contemplation of the price to be payed at the time appointed by the Father he was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 5. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ how the Redemption wrought by him should be applyed to his elect people And under this I comprehend 1. The eternal appointment of the Gospel-Ordinances especially the Covenant of Grace and Reconciliation as means by divine appointment fitted to give the knowledge of the Redeemer and of the Redemption and Salvation wrought by him Luk 1.77 78 79 To give knowledg of Salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins Through the tender mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from an high hath visited us To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet in the way of peace 2. The conclusion that the Gospel should be preached to all Nations that for the Elect's sake it might come unto all the Societies of men in the world among whom there are any of the redeemed ones Psal 110.2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies 3. The appointment of the times and seasons and of the particular Instruments that should carry the Gospel to the bounds of each elect Soul's habitation that it might meet with them Act. 17.26 27 And hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation That they should seek the Lord if haply they might feel after him and find him though he be not far from every one of us According as we see it brought to pass in the execution so it was concluded from eternity Act. 8.29 and 2.6 17. and 9.15 and 18.9 10. 4. The pouring out of the Spirit to make the Gospel-ordinances and means of Salvation effectual to the Redeemed people this also was comprehended under this Article of the agreement that this should be procured by him for his elect people Joh. 16.7 8 Nevertheless I tell you the truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you And when he is come he will reprove the world of fin and of righteousness and of judgment Psal 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning 6. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ what should be the reward and wages that he should have for this great Service for working the work of our Redemption his reward and wages in the general Notation thereof was ask and have it was a grant of whatsoever he would ask of God for so great a work and service his recompence was at his own asking Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I shall give thee c. and according to his own heart full content and satisfaction Isa 53.11 He
shall be satisfied c. but more particularly his reward and wages which was all his own asking comprised these three things which speaks these particulars to have been much upon his heart and in his design 1. That he should have a seed and a people that for all his labour he might have a redeemed people when he had his reward and satisfaction at his own asking he made the redeemed ones his end his asking his satisfaction this was the result of his transcendent love that he might be Immunuel God with us that he might enjoy his poor worthless people Isa 53.10 11 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his Soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord-shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied 2. That he might have a Crown to himself I mean a peculiar glory of being Lord Mediator and Redeemer and of working this great work and this he had in Heaven before the foundation of the world even since the eternal designation and destination of him unto this work for thenceforward he was the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 And was set up from everlasting Prov. 8.23 and was glorified with the Father not only with the essential glory that is common to all the three persons which was obscured in his humiliation for the work of Redemption but also with a peculiar glory as Lord Mediator which he had with him before the world began Joh. 17.5 and this glory he shall have in Heaven throughout eternity even after the last Judgment there shall be in Heaven a peculiar throne and glory following and a peculiar song to the Lamb whereof read Rev. 22.3 and 7.10 17. and 5.9 3. That he might have a crown and throne for each of these redeemed ones whom he took for a satisfaction to his Soul their crown and throne and robes was part of the reward and wages that he wrought for and asked of his Father Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me And 14.3 I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Rev. 3.21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit in my throne with me even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne 7. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt the parties what should be the mutual assurances given betwixt the parties for the performance of the Articles agreed upon There needed no Solemnities betwixt parties who knew one another and trusted one another so perfectly but for our sakes that we might be helped to conceive of this eternal inviolable transaction Therefore upon the one part 1. Jehovah giveth his word and faithful promise unto Christ Psal 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord and not his faithful promise only but his oath also Psal 89.35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David Heb. 7.21 For those priests were made without an oath but this with an oath by him that said unto him The Lord swore and will not repent Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedee 2. Upon the other part Christ does not only give his word of promise and consent to do this work Psal 40.6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offering and sin-offering hast thou not required c. But he also comes under a Judicial and Law-act of Suretiship whereby he did from eternity act himself in the volume of the book of God's eternal Records that he would fulfil all his undertaking Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God And under this act of Suretiship I comprehend 1. His eternal consent to take our Nature and Law-condition upon him 2. His plighting of his faith and truth to act our part and to answer the Law and Demands of Justice in our Law-place and condition 3. His eternal agreement that by his own consent a Judicial act should be put upon him and stand in record for ever in Heaven and in the volume of books that are there that this person had voluntarily undertaken and promised by striking hands with Jehovah to answer all demands of Law and Justice against his elect people Having offered the before-mentioned sum of the Articles concluded and agreed upon the Covenant of Redemption betwixt Jehovah and Christ I come in the next place to distribute and divide that sum and the things comprised under it into the reciprocal and mutual engagements of the parties covenanting to wit 1. What were the commands and conditions laid upon Christ and voluntarily yielded unto by him in the Covenant of Redemption 2. What the promises and engagements that were given to Christ by the same Covenant And 1. Concerning the commands conditions and engagements which were required of Christ Mediator by the Covenant of Suretiship I shall in these eight Assertions open the nature of them and what they were Assert 1. All the commands of the Covenant of Redemption are conditions and are to be considered as such when they are laid upon Christ who came not under commands but upon terms and conditions It is not so in God's Covenant-dealings with us all the commands of the Gospel are not to us conditions of righteousness and life unless we understand conditions in a very large and improper sense neither is it of the essence of commands laid upon us to be conditions for God oweth nothing to our obedience nor is he obliged to make any promises to it but the commands of the Covenant of Redemption are all of them conditions of that same Covenant For 1. They are commands to the obedience whereof promises are made Isa 53.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors 2. They are commands unto which Christ yielded upon terms Phil. 2.7 8 But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross therefore God hath highly exalted him Assert 2. All the conditions of the Covenant of Redemption both these more general of obeying the Law and fulfilling all righteousness Mat. 3.15 For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteausness
Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men Col. 2.15 And having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it It was in the faith of these Promises made to Christ concerning his Father's standing by him in this work and crowning it with success in his hand that he put on that holy hardness against all opposition and walked as unconcerned who stood in his way since his Father was with him engaged by so solemn an act of promise and covenant made with him Isa 50.6 7 8 9 I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair I hid not my face from shame and spitting For the Lord God will help me therefore shall I not be confounded therefore have I set my face like a flint and I know that I shall not be ashamed He is neer that justifieth me who will contend with me let us stand together who is mine adversary let him come neer to me Behold the Lord God will help me who is he that shall condemn me lo they all shall wax old as a garment the moth shall eat them up The fifth kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption were those that relate unto his Fathers acceptance of the travel of his Soul in this work of our Redemption And under this I comprehend 1. Whatsoever was spoken to him of his Father's delectation and taking pleasure in the person of Christ God-man and in his Mediatory-transactions all delight ariseth from sutableness and this from Christ's sutableness unto the Lords ends and the service unto which he was chosen and his sutable actings unto these ends Luk. 3.21 22 Now when all the people were baptized it came to past that Jesus also being baptized and praying the heaven was opened And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him and a voice came from heaven which said then art my beloved Son in thee I am well-pleased Prov. 8.30 Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mune elect in whom my soul delighteth 2. The promise of gracious acceptance to whatsoever he should act or request on the behalf of his Redeemed ones within the time of Grace Isa 49.8 Thus saith the Lord in an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee Joh. 11.41 42 Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me And I knew that thou hearest me always Heb. 5.7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared 3. The Promises of Justification there was some sort of Justification covenanted to him which he eyeth and wherewith he encouraged himself under hard and reproachful usage Isa 50.8 He is near that iustifieth me who will contend with me and accordingly it is said of him 1 Tim. 3.16 he was justified in the spirit and though he was not capable of remission of sin and justification from intrinsecal guilt for he had none being holy harmless undefiled and separate from sinners Heb. 7.26 because he had done no violence neither was there any deceit in his mouth Isa 53.7 Yet justification is promised to him and he is said to be justified 1. Because he was a perfect doer and obeyer of the Law 1 Joh. 1.7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin Christ did in all things give consummate and perfect obedience to the Law and this is to be justified by a Law-justification and title to life which Adam should have had if he had obeyed the Law and Covenant of works 2. When his cause is justified he himself is formally justified in respect of these sins for which he undertook to satisfie the cause that he stood for in the Covenant of Redemption the action is win in Law that he stood for and that was his elect peoples cause for whom he stood when Justice smote him he is justified and acquitted from our sins though he had none of his own Rom. 6.9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him 3. He is justified as a publick person though in no private capacity as head of the party whom he represented and whose Law place he took upon him as one who personated and acted the part of another by allowance and warrant of Law Heb. 2.10.13 For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings And again I will put â—â—y trust in him and again Behold I and the children which God hath given me 4. He is justified declaratively in regard that he was declared by a Law act and Judicial-declaration to he Jesus the righteous 1. Joh. 2.1 who had fatisfied the Law Rom. 1.4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead he was declared justified by his resurrection even as he was declared condemned by his death 5. He is justified by cancelling his bond of Suretiship which he gave to Jehovah and now having compleatly satisfied for our debts which was the intent of that bond of Suretiship the right is cancelled according to the manner of the Creditor's delivering back the bond to the Debtor when it is satisfied And thus we are to conceive when he blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us Col. 2.14 that he had then a discharge of his bond of Suretiship for our debt for his bond could not lye for our debt when ours was cancelled And though the precise scope of that Scripture and Context lead us to understand the cancelling there mentioned as firstly relative to the Ceremonial-Law yet I know no reason why we should restrict it to that only but we may extend it to the sins against and threatnings of the Moral Law also in so far as that is a writing against us especially since the words immediately before speak of Justification and remission of all sins as a fruit of Christ's death and the words following declare the extent of his death in this glorious conquest and triumph over all his peoples enemies 6. He is justified because it is acted and recorded in the volume of the book of the written word that he hath fulfilled what was written of his undertaking in the book of God's eternal Decrees and in this sense a person may be said to be justified who being acted in the record of a book to perform any
thing or to pay any debt or to become baile for any person when it is thereafter also recorded of him that he satisfied and performed his undertaking And thus we find that his undertaking and suretiship that was recorded ere he came into the world Psal 40.6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required c. Is also recorded of him to have been satisfied by him when he came into the world Heb. 10.5 6 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said I to I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God 7. He is justified because he is openly relaxed and dismissed the Prison after that he had entered his person for payment of the broken man's debt the Debtor being under lash and execution of Law at the Creditor's pursuit and let go again is justified and acquitted And thus was Christ judicially and by authority of God loosed from death from the Prison and Fetters because the Prison could not hold him nor the gripes and fetters of death detain him Prisoner when the Sentence of the Law was satisfied and the Judg declared him free Act. 2.24 Whom God hath raised up having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it 't is a Phrase like to that Psal 105.20 The king sent and loosed him even the ruler of the people and let him go free Rom. 6.9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him The sixth kind of Promises made by Jehovah unto Christ were these that relate to the reward that should be given to him for this great work and service in our Redemption And such were 1. The promise of exaltation after the debasement and ignominy that he should humble himself unto in the execution of his Suretiship Jehovah covenanteth with him to advance him to the greatest height of dignity and honour that is in earth or heaven Psal 89.27 Also I will make him my first born higher than the kings of the earth And 110.7 He shall drink of the brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the head Isa 53.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the stoong which was performed unto him Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross therefore God hath highly exalted him c. Heb. 1.3 When he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Which promises and performances have a peculiar respect to the exaltation of Christ in his resurrection from the dead ascension unto heaven and session at the right hand of God whereof read Psal 16.8 9 10 11 compared with Act. 2.25 to 32. And 13.32 33. and Psal 110. 1. compared with Act. 2.34 35. 2. The promise of satisfaction a reward that should satisfie him a reward that should be according to his own heart and at his own asking and craving Isa 53.11 He shall be satisfied Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I shall give 3. The promise of a seed Since a redeemed seed was one of Christ's ends for which he served he endured hard labour he suffered he died which next unto the honour of God was upon his heart The Lord by Covenant with him promiseth that he shall not want off-spring he shall neither want children nor heirs he shall have the satisfaction which he desired Isa 53.10 11 When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me Eph. 5.25 26 27 Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish and if this was one of Christ's ends for which he wrought and a part of his reward which his Father promised to him then 1. Sure he is Lord and Master of the will of man and hath a forcible soveraignty and dominion over man's free well See Mr. Rutherf Treat of the Covenant p. 2. c. 9. p. 327 c. to bow and determine it which Arminians and Socinians deny else how can he promise a seed to Christ and undeclinably and insuperably make that promise good and cause them believe and persevere unto the end whereby they come and abide his seed Then 2. There is no more desirable sight to the eye of Christ than to see all his Redeemed seed about him in his Father's house fairly landed and without the reach of all possible danger of perishing Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me Then 3. There can be nothing more certain than the faith perseverance and salvation of Christ's elect and redeemed seed in regard it is both undertaken by Christ in his part of the Covenant of Suretiship and promised to Christ by his Father and so undertaken by Jehovah also in the articles of the Covenant of Redemption 4. The promise of a large Dominion and Kingdom the Lord promiseth to Christ that a large and flourishing Kingdom shall be given him over many countreys and that he shall have many subjects and these conquering too who shall stand last in the fields and have a prosperous war until the day of their Redemption Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen then for thy inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession And 72.8 9 11 He shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him and his enemies shall lick the dust yea all Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him And 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning Mal. 1.11 For from the rising of the Sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place incense shall be burned unto my name and a pure offering for my name shall be great among the heathen saith the Lord of hosts Zech. 9.10 His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river even to the ends of the earth Dan. 7.14 And there was given him dominion
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-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
parts of that Office not being yet the Man Christ 1 Tim. 2.5 but after his Incarnation he was a Compleat Mediator Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not but a body hast thou prepared me Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the Book it is written of me to do thy will O God 3. Before his Incarnation he was secretly and invisibly a Mediator in Heaven after his Incarnation he did visibly act that part upon Earth and then went into the holiest to continue in the exercise of this Office Heb. 9.24 Now to appear in the presence of God for us Vse This also should contribute to establish our faith while ur Mediator is absent from us or rather while we are absent from him and he is out of our sight If this Office was effectual for the good of believers before he actually offered sacrifice or interceded how much more when he hath actually done both these Have we any better support of Faith if his Mediation was effectual before he was a compleat Mediator and had not yet taken our nature upon him shall we not believe now the efficacy thereof after he is the Man Christ If his Mediation was effectual while he had not yet come down from Heaven to act visibly here on Earth how much more when he hath finished the work and is now returned and gotten his Fathers welcome Believe it he is at Court though he be out of our sight Conclusion 3. That Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant executeth this Office as well in the state of his Exaltation as Humiliation Heb. 7.24 25 But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood Wherefore he is able also to save them to the utmost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them But with some observable difference which is to be seen 1. In his exercising the three Offices which were parts of his Mediatorship And 2. In the distinct parts of these Offices 1. It was mainly his Priestly Office which the Mediator discharged here on Earth in his state of Humiliation his entry upon his Kingly Administration being eminently reserved to the state of Exaltation Heb. 1.3 When he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high And 8.1 We have an High-priest who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Phil. 2.8 9 And being found in fashion he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him Mat. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth But his Prophetical Office was excercised by him in both these states of his Humiliation and Exaltation Luke 24.47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Heb. 12.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on Earth much more shall we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven 2. His Priesthood which he dischargeth in both parts thereof as well in his Exaltation as Humiliation Yet eminently he sacrificed here and eminently he intercedeth in Heaven Heb. 9.24 26 Now to appear in the presence of God for us Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself His Kingdom which was reserved for his Exaltation understand it by way of eminency also Matth. 28.18 And Jesus came and spoke unto them saying All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Rev. 5.6 And I beheld and lo in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb For he was a King when he was here on Earth and carried matters in a Princely way although his glory was over-clouded by his leaving the Throne for a time that he might sit down in it afterward in greater honour Phil. 2.6 8 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name His Prophetical Office which was exercised in both states yet was in his Humiliation visible and in his own person Joh. 1.10 He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not Heb. 1.1 2 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in the time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son Luke 24.27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things that concerned himself But in his Exaltation it is done by his Messengers or more secretly by his Word and Spirit Eph. 4.11 12 And gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying the Body of Christ. 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 1 Joh. 2.27 But the anointing which you have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you all things and is truth and is no lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him Vse Believers think not that Christ is out of his Office when he is out of your sight or that the height of honour unto which he is now exalted at the right hand of God doth abate any thing from his carefulness and condescendency for sinners behoof but be you rather comforted from this As high as the Mediator is now upon his Throne he yet carrieth that Office and is made high for your advantage and consolation Heb. 4.14 16 Seeing then that we have an High-priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God Let us hold fast our profession Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need And 10.21 22 And having an High-priest over the House of God 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 You may come as familiarly and boldly to him now as when he was in his humbled condition conversant among men seeing he is about the same work and exercising the same Office now as then Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever It is a Question not unfitly moved Quest Whether the Angels have any share in Christs Mediation Answ Two Scriptures seem to appropriate the benefit of Christs Mediation to Mankind Yet I conceive they may admit one native interpretation without straining the word which doth not shut out the
to be such as did well stand with the heart of a Son yea with the heighth of that transcendent love which was the love of God And in regard of this he is said to be made under the law Gal. 4.4 When he put his name in our bond he took on our sevile condition and subjected himself to threatnings and terrors of the law and hence it is that he is said to fear Heb. 5.7 and to be troubled in spirit Joh. 12.27 and 13.21 2. But what engaged him and brought Christ under this Covenant-relation to become a Servant Answ Sure it was by no necessity of nature that Christ was engaged in this Service for he was not engaged because he could not chuse but he must be a Servant But rather I judg these four things did engage him 1. The Lords choice and call the Lord did freely and of meer Grace make choice of Christ and send him in this Service Isa 42.1 6 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek he hath sent me to bind the broken hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound Isa 49.7 9 Thus saith the Lord the redeemer of Israel and his holy one to him whom man despiseth to him whom the nation abhorreth to a servant of rulers kings shall see and arise princes also shall worship because of the Lord that is faithful and the holy one of Israel and he shall chuse thee that thou mayest say to the prisoners go forth to them that are in darkness shew your selves 2. His own love engaged him there was always in the heart of Christ a design and aim of love to the elect world and this engaged him in the Service of a Covenant by which he might enjoy them and they him Joh. 13 1 3 4 Now before the feast of the passeover when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the father having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end And that he was come from God and went to God And he took a towel and girded himself c. 3. His own free consent who was as willing to undertake this service as the Lord was to send him this engaged him Joh. 10.17 18 Therefore doth my father love me because I lay down my life that I might take it again No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again this commandment have I received of my father Heb. 10 7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God His free consent and agreement to be a Servant by voluntary condescension this engaged him and made him a Servant Phil. 2.6 7 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 4. His compact and Covenant engaged him for he not only consented to serve in this business of the Covenant but he graciously condescended to be hired to perform such a Service and undertook for it Isa 53.10 11 12 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors These and nothing but these did conclude and determine Christ under this Covenant-relation to serve this great Service of saving the lost world 3. Whose Servant was Christ in the business of the Covenant whether of one of the parties or of both was he his fathers Servant only or ours also Answ He was a common Servant to both parties God's Servant and our Servant I shall clear it by the following particulars 1. He was God's Servant for so his father frequently styles him Isa 42.1 Behold my servant Isa 53.11 My righteous servant Zech. 3.8 My servant the branch So he acknowledged himself to be Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Heb. 10.9 Then said he Lo I come to do thy will O God Joh. 6.38 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me 2. He was our Servant also for so he confesseth himself Mat. 20.28 Even as the son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many Luk. 22.27 And so he behaved himself and in his carriage while he was on earth he gave proof of it Joh. 13.4 5 14 15 He riseth from supper and laid aside his garments and took a towel and girded himself After that he poureth water into a bason and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded And said if I then your lord and master have washed your feet ye also ought to wash one anothers feet For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you 3. He was Servant to both parties but with this observable difference which is to be understood and cautioned 1. Christ was Servant to God in the Covenant and work of Redemption by choice and election not so to us God made choice of him for this work but we did not make choice of him he made choice of us Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth Joh. 15.16 Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain 2. He was God's Servant not by condescension only but by Covenant and compact with God he is our Servant by condescension but by no compact with us In all Covenant-relations betwixt him and us he is our Lord and Master he is our Head and Husband Psal 45.11 For he is the Lord and worship thou him Psal 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool And what further stooping is upon his
his disciples and said Behold my mother and my brethren for whosoever shall do the will of my father which is in heaven the same is my brother and sister and mother So he himself argueth Joh. 13.14 15 If I then your Lord and master have washed your feet ye also ought to wash one anothers feet For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you 3. To serve him in that Covenant-relation in such manner as he served us or rather our interests and that was 1. Willingly and chearfully For so did he undertake and undergo that Service Heb. 10.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Luk. 22.15 And he said unto them With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer Let our Service to him be such Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling Deut. 28.47 48 Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee in hunger and in thirst and in nakedness and in the wane of all things 2. He served cordially his Soul travelled in the business Joh. 12.27 Now is my soul troubled and what shall I say father save me from this hour but for this cause I came unto this hour Mat. 26.38 Then saith he unto them My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death tarry ye here and watch with me Let your Service to him be such that your hearts may be yoaked and your Spirits may act something in serving him Deut. 10.12 And now Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul Rom. 1.9 For God is my witness whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son Phil. 3.3 For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus 3. He served with much submission of his will to his sathers in all things Heb. 5.8 Though he were a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered Mat. 26.39 42 And he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed saying O my father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt He went out again the second time and prayed saying O my father if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it thy will be done Joh. 4.34 Jesus saith unto them My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work Let us do Service to him with like submission of Spirit 2 Sam. 15.26 But if he thus say I have no delight in thee behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him Act. 20.22 24 And now behold I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem not knowing the things that shall befall me there but none of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto my self so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God 4. He served faithfully for in all questions and debates that occured while he was here in the form of a Servant he was always for his father true to his interest Heb. 3.2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him Joh 8.28 38 Then said Jesus unto them When ye have lift up the Son of man then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of my self but as my father hath taught me I speak these things I speak that which I have seen with my father and ye do that which ye have seen with your father Let us be sure to serve him so in all questions and sides in these days to be ever for him and his interests and upon his side 1 Kings 22.14 And Micajah said As the Lord liveth what the Lord saith unto me that will I speak Heb. 3.2 As also Moses was faithful in all his house Act. 13.36 For David after he had served his own generation by the will of God fell asleep and was laid unto his fathers and saw corruption 5. He performed his Service prudently Isa 52.13 Behold my servant shall deal prudently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high He did all things for promoting the business that was committed unto him with admirable wisdom and discretion so is there also a wisdom with fidelity to be studied in serving his interests that we do not mar the end of our Service Mat. 24.45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season Mat. 10.16 Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves Mark 9. last Have salt in your selves and have peace one with another CHAP. XX. Christ the Surety of the Covenant THE sixth relation which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of Grace Beza in locum is He is Surety of the Covenant so he is expresly called Heb. 7.22 Jesus was made surety of a better testament or rather Covenant as Beza reads it because a Surety is not used in Testaments neither is Christ properly to be considered as Surety in his Testament but as Testator For the opening of this relation I shall 1. Enquire a little into the name and thing that the nature of this relation may be the better known especially what it imports as it is applied to Christ 2. I shall lay down some assertions for the better understanding of Christs Suretiship in the Covenant 3. How Christ came under this relation to be an undertaker for some of the sons of men 4. For whom did he become Surety and undertaker 5. For what is he engaged by this relation 6. What doth commend his Suretiship that the excellency of it may appear 7. Wherein his Suretiship doth differ from undertakings of that nature among men 8. What are the advantages that the Lords people have by Christs Suretiship And in the last place I shall shew you what use is to be made of this relation or of Christ considered as Surety of the Covenant The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ghnarab Vide Mercer and Buxtor in voce to which the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth answer is of very large signification as any word in that language I will touch but a few of many because they are apposite to express the nature of Suretiship The first and native signification of the word is to mix and to mingle see Psal 106.35 But were mingled among the heathen and learned their works
Goal our kinsman Job 19.25 our nearest of kindred who had the right to redeem us Lev. 25.25 Ruth 3.9 The Latin word sponsor according to the opinion of Divines Jurists and Humanists signifieth one who engageth for another Sponsor proprie est qui pro alio satisfactionem spondet vel de ea caver Pareus Commen in Heb. 8.6 Again sponsor est qui sponte pro alio promittit sponsores sunt quicunque spondent maxime pro aliis sive rogati sive non rogati sive solemâ—i stipulatione sive nuda receptione intercedant quibus spondentibus pecuniae cuipiam creduntur aut aliquid denique promittitur Calv. Lexic Jurid in voce sponsor Cicer. ad attic Lib. 1. And it cometh from spondere quasi sponte dicere dare ac promittere therefore also he is called ad-promissor Fide jussor dicitur qui pro alio fidem suam obligat et fide sua id est periculo suo esse Jubet quod alius debet Calv. Lex Jurid in voce fide jussor Again fide jussor est autor credendi alium aliquid daturum facturumve sua fide suoque periculo promittens Ulpian in tract de fide jussore And in this sense Christ is Surety of the Covenant that is he who willingly engaged and undertook for the parties especially for us he that put in his faith and obligation for ours and had God trust us on his Credit and reckon our Debt upon his account and wherein we fail let it be on his peril But that we may a little more particularly consider the nature of this relation and Suretiship of Christ 1. The end and use of Suretiship among men was no doubt the establishment of a firm security to be ground of faith and trust as the Jurists tell us dum curant homines ut diligentius sibi cautum sit Justiniaâ— instit tit de fide jussor And it is not to be doubted but in the purpose of God the Suretiship of Christ was intended as a ground of trust confidence and security betwixt himself and the people for whom Christ did undertake that sinners might be induced to give him credit and that he might have a responsal party to deal with man being a broken unbelieving creature who could neither trust God nor was to be trusted by him See Heb. 6.17 18 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an outh that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us Psal 89.19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one and saidst I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people And so the Surety of the Covenant is that person upon whose account trust and confidence is betwixt the parties Covenanting and in whom it standeth fast 2. If we consider the Suretiship 1. It imports an obligement for another and is to be reckoned among Contracts and Covenants and therefore the Lawyers say Fustinian ib. Calv. lex jurid fide jussor non fit nisi per stipulationem and they reckon it among contracts and stipulations Prov. 22.26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands or of them that are sureties for debts And indeed Christs Suretiship is relative to a Covenant betwixt him and the Creditor whereby he came under this relation whereof we have spoken elsewhere on this subject Chap. And shall hint something further ere we pass it over 2. It imports a voluntary obligation as I have shewed in expounding the word The law cannot force and compel any man to be Surety for another though it may constrain him for his own Debt Christs Suretiship was a most free voluntary act on his part for he was not under any obligation of law nor under any necessity of nature to put his name in our bond or to satisfie for our Debt Joh. 10.18 No man taketh it my life from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again this commandment have I received of my father Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Phil. 2.7 But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 3. It imports not only a voluntary obligation for another person but also union of parties and assumption of the condition of that person in the laws sense so that the Surety and the Debtor are â—ut one party in the law Therefore â—ay the Jurists fide jussor proprie diâ—itur debitor Christ by his Suretiship he did not only take our nature upon him but he took our condition upon him it 's said of him that he was made under the law Gal. 4.4 He put his name in our bond that the law might reach him for our Debt 4. It imports a communion betwixt the Debtor and the Cautioner whereby as the Debt of the principal Debtor becometh the Debt of the Surety and affecteth him so also the satisfaction and payment of the Surety and his discharge and relief becometh the satisfaction discharge and relief of the principal Debtor Christs Suretiship imports not only an union of parties and conjunction of interests and condition with his people but also a communion with debtful broken man resulting from his bond of Suretiship whereby as upon the one part our Debt became his intirely as the Jurists say of all Sureties Singuli in solidum tenentur so upon the other part his satisfaction and discharge becomes ours 2 Cor. 5. last For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hungeth on a tree 5. It imports a commutation surrogation or substituting of one in the room of another and so Christ was substitute in our stead and room as Judah was in Benjamines 1 Pet. 2.21 Because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps Rom. 4. last Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification Rom. 5.8 But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Gen. 44.33 Now therefore I pray thee Let thy servant abide in stead of the lad a bond-man to my Lord and let the lad go up with his brethren 6. It imports a conjunct obligation both of the Surety and of the Debtor to the Creditor Nam fide jussorum obligatio est
accessio principalis obligationis Justinian ubi supra So Christs Suretiship is not a binding of himself and loosing of his people from all obligation but still the Debt lieth on the sinner till Christ make actual satisfaction for it and till he apply the satisfaction and report a relief to the poor creatureâ— And in other parts of the obligement Christ and the believer stand both under a conjunct obligation for the believers duty that the broken man who was bought from the hands of Justice shall serve for love all his days Rom. â— 31 Do we then make void the law through faith God forbid yea we establish the law Luk. 1.74 That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our â—â—emâ—â—â— â—ight seâ—â—e him without fearâ— 7. Suretiship in the nature of it imports either irresponsalness in the Debtor or distrustfulness betwixt the Creditor and Debtor or it imports both Sure however it be in other cases there is in this case where Christs Suretiship intervenes both an irresponsalness on the one part broken man not being solvendâ— able to pay his Debtâ— and there is a distrustfulness betwixt the parties God deservedly distrusting impotent perfidious man 〈…〉 creature who had deboshed his stock and 〈◊〉 his Covenant And man causlesly distrusting God till Christs Suretiship intervened to take away both these evils which kept the parties at distance Heb. 8.7 For if that first covenant had been faultless then should no placeâ— have been sought for the second Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen ouâ— of the people 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yeaâ— and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us 3. It is to be remembred that Suretiship among men is of divers kinds all which can be but an imperfect resemblance of Christs Suretiship 1. Suretiship is 〈◊〉 according to the time of the Sureties intervening and it is either before or after the obligation of the principal Debtor Fide jussor pracedire obligationeâ— sequi potâ—st Justinian ib. There is something of both these in Christâ— Suretiship for his Suretiship being a deed 〈◊〉 grace concluded in the counsel of God before the beginning of the world in that respect it was before our obligation yeaâ— and before our beingâ— 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us 〈…〉 us with an â—oâ—y â—alling not according to our works buâ— according to his own purpose and grace which was given 〈◊〉 in Christ Jâ—sâ—â— before the world began Prov. 8 2â— I 〈◊〉 set up from 〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉 or ever the 〈…〉 But in another respect he being Surety of this never and 〈◊〉 Covenantâ— and so man being considered in this Covenant as a broken irresponsal creature who could not fulfil his obligation to God in this respect Christs Suretiship may be considered as subsequent to mans obligation understand it in order of nature not of time for his Suretiship and the Covenant wherein he was made Surety presupposeth the first Covenant broken and man thereby became a bankrupt creature Heb. 8.9 10 Because they continued not in my covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord. 2. Suretiship is distinguished according to its extent and here is a double distinction of Suretiship 1. A Surety is either more particular when he doth not undertake for all that may follow upon the obligation of the principal Debtor but hath his Suretiship restricted it may be to a particular bond and not to all the persons Debt or to the principal sum and not to all the penalties and interests thereof or he is a more universal Surety Calv. ubi supra called by the Jurists Fide jussor in omnem causam qui in id omne quod ex ea obligatione cui accedit nâ—stri pâ—test sâ— obligat And this kind of Suretiship extends as far as the obligation of the principal Debtor Our Lord Jesus was a Surety both for a particular debt and obligation to satisfie the violated Law and Covenant of works Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth Such a particular Surety was Judah Gen. 43.9 and 44.32 Christ was also such a Surety as this last sort who took upon him the Debt and all that could follow upon the broken mans obligation who said unto God that he did become good for his people for all the Debt which they owed and for all the penalties which they had incurred let all that might follow them by vertue of their obligation be upon him Heb. 10.5 10. 2. In respect of the extent Suretiship is either for one of the parties Covenanting or for both which is a rare case among men yet Christs Suretiship was of this last sort for he was such a Surety as was Umpire and Mediator and is nearly related to both the parties and hath power with them both and therefore he is an undertaker for God to man 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 And for man to God Luk. 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith â—ail not Whereof more particularly when we come to speak of what he is engaged unto by this Covenant-relation Suretiship is distinguished according to the manner of assurance granted by the Surety or according to the way of his making faith for his undertaking He that interposeth and undertaketh for another is properly a Surety quocunque modo intercesserit which way soever he doth interpose for another whether it be by stipulation explicite by promise or by bond or if it be by a person acting himself in the books of any court for another person or if it be by giving any pledg pawn or hostage for the thing undertaken Our Lord Jesus had something of all these ways in his Suretiship for his people He acted himself in the court of Heaven and book of God Heb. 10.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God He did expresly give his promise and bond for his people unto all effects whereof afterward Ezek. 36.27 31 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 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways and your doings that were not good and shall loath your selves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations Which is ascribed to Christ Heb. 8. He did give himself his own blessed person to the prison and to justice as a pledg and hostage to God for the fulfilling of this Covenant a precious and worthy pledg to lie Surety for the Debt of all his broken people Isa 53.8 12 He was taken from prison
discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth and the Isles shall wait for his law I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles And so Jesus saith of himself Heb. 10.5 A body hast thou prepared or fitted me to the same purpose also the Apostle tells us Gal. 4.4 That he was not only made of a woman but made under the law i. e. ordained and fitted for taking on our condition in Law or our Law-place and room as well as our nature 3. The investing of him in this relation he was maâ—e the Surety i. e. He was invested constitute and set ind that Covenant-relation unto which he was ordained and for which he was fitted therefore he was made with an oath And the Lord sware unto him Heb. 7.21 and Joh. 6.27 Him hath the father sealed i. e. invested him and constituted him under his commission and seal 2. This imports some things upon Christs part He was made Surety God made him Surety his father made him and he made himself the Surety he was willingly made Surety by his own free consent and Covenant the Scriptures speak frequently of his consent and of the making of himself whatsoever his father made him Phil. 2.7 8 He made himself of no reputation c. and he humbled himself Joh. 10.18 No man taketh my life from me but I lay it down my self I say on Christs part this doth import 1. His eternal condeseending to empty himself and to take on him our nature and our room and place under the Law he was made Surety he condescended and agreed to take upon him both our nature and our condition Heb. 2.14 16 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Phil. 2.6 7 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 2. His engaging and plighting his faith and truth to perform whatsoever he did condesceud and agree unto by his act of Suretiship so that whatsoever the law could exact of us he plighted his faith to fulfil that he was made Surety i.e. He did promise and strike hands to satisfie all that the Law could demand of his people for so the word Surety signifieth as I have already shewed you Prov. 22.26 to make satisfaction for the sins done against or under the first Covenant and Testament Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Rom. 3.25 Whom God had 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 Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it written of me to do thy will O God 3. His performance of all these things unto which he did agree and for which he plighted his faith by his act of Suretiship he was made the Surety i. e. He payed the debt he satisfied the Law he stood in the place of the broken men till Justice said It is enough and till he himself said It is finished Isa 53 throughout 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Thus did Jesus the Surety of the better Testament 1. By an eternal transaction agree and condescend to put his name in the bond and writ of the Law that stood over our head Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 2. Thus did he engage for us and act himself to answer at the demands of Law and Justice Heb. 10.7 Gal. 4.4 3. Thus did Jesus in due time discharge and perform and actually was made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 From this voluntary relation of Christs Suretiship for his people ariseth a fourfold relation which is founded on this which relations betwixt Christ and his people import a nearness of conjunction and union with them and do contribute to the clearing the justice of God in smiting Christ for our sin and in our place and room 1. From Christs Suretiship ariseth a natural relation betwixt him and us that he is our kinsman and our brother of the same nature of the same flesh and blood with us this resulteth from his Suretiship whereby he condescended and agreed to take our nature upon him for otherwise he and we had never been of the same lump Heb. 2.11 14 16 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 2. From his Suretiship flows a Legal relation betwixt Christ and us that he and we are one party in the Law that his satisfaction and payment is ours and that our debt is his that what he did and suffered we did it Legally in him this proceeds from his Suretiship because when he was made Surety of the Covenant he put himself in the bond and writ of the Law and put in our names in the 〈◊〉 writ Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ Nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Rom. 6.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we â—â—all be also in the likeness of his resurrection 3. From Christs Suretiship proceeds a foedenal relation betwixt him and his people whereby they are his and he is theirs by Covenant whereby he and his people have one God and Father by Covenant Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me thou art my father my God and the rock of my Salvation Joh. 20.17 But go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my father and your father and to my God and your God Heb. 1.5 For unto which of the Angels said be at any time Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee and again I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son This also floweth from his
ascribed to his intercession which he is now performing in heaven and therefore he must intercede in Heaven as Surety of the better Testament Heb. 7.22 to 25. with Rom. 5.10 and Rom. 8.34 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 3. Consider that unless he were a Surety in Heaven and acted therein that Covenant-relation by his intercession all his other actings as Surety of the Covenant would be to little purpose for our behoof for it is this part of his Suretiship that maketh his satisfaction to the Law effectual for the good of the Elect this is it which putteth life in the death of him who died in our stead and room and without this the blood of the Surety had been shed in vain For this is the very application of it and sprinkling the blood of the Covenant upon us Heb. 9.19 20 24 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law he took the blood of Calves and Goats with water and scarlet wool and Hysop and sprinkled both the book and all the people saying this is the blood of the Teestament which God hath enjoined unto you 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 Heb. 7.22 25. By so much was Jesus made Surety of a better Testament Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them 1 Joh. 2.1 2 My little children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins 4. Consider that as his soul and his life was at the stake and was pawned for that part of his Suretiship that was to be performed on earth to wit the paying of a price to Justice so his honour lies yet at the stake and in pawn for that part of his engagement which is to be performed in heaven by his intercession so that as it behoved him to have lien in prison for ever and the soul to have been left in the grave unless he had payed his Debt and made satisfaction to Justice his Soul being in our souls stead as a Surety so his honour I say lieth still at the stake for all his peoples compleat Salvation insomuch that Heaven cannot hold him if he bring not them there he shall not have the glory of a perfected Saviour and Surety if he perform not his engagement to save them to the utmost yea he must quit heaven if he bring not his people thither for whom he undertook See Joh. 6.57 As the living father hath sent me and I live by the father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me Joh. 17.1 4 12 24 Glorifie thy son that thy son also may glorifie thee I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition that the scripture might be fulfilled Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world Heb. 2.10 For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings He speaks for his brethren as Judah did for little Benjamin Gen. 43.9 3. Christ is a Surety in our stead and in our behalf 1. I say in most things which Christ did as a Surety of the Covenant he did them in our stead and room he did them as a person representing us and we did them in him by vertue of that communion that is betwixt the Surety and the Debtor when he died he died in our stead and we died in him there we paid the Debt when he arose and ascended he rose in our stead and we rose and ascended in him there we had a discharge and liberation when he had it c. Rom. 6.6 8 Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive Eph. 2.5 6 Even when we were dead in sins he hath quickened us together with Christ by grace ye are saved and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus 2. Yet there are some things which Christ the Surety performed wholly for us indeed and on our behalf but he cannot be said to perform them in our stead or to act our part in them that is to act these things as that which we should have done such was his incarnation and taking of our nature upon him and the taking of our Law-place upon him which were acts of Christ the Surety of the Covenant and unto which he had voluntarily engaged himself by his Covenant of Suretiship with God See Mr. Tho. Goodwin Christ set forth Sect. 5. c. 4. pag. 149. Gal. 4.4 But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Yet he cannot be said properly to have done these things in our stead though he did them on our behalf and wholly for us for these were the very foundation of all that he acted in our stead and opened the way to his acting as our Surety in our stead by these acts he put himself in our stead that he might act our part being found in our nature state and condition 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 Phil. 2.6 7 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men Such also is his intercession in heaven for though he intercede as a Surety in Heaven and on our behalf yet he doth it
pardoned their disloyalty they shall never break forth in open rebellion again they shall never take up the arms again of enmity against God which once they laid down 2 Cor. 10.4 5 6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ and having in a readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled Psal 45.5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the kings enemies whereby the people fall under thee Christ is Surety for his peoples loyalty and keeping their peace treaties and Covenant with God inviolable Isa 54.9 10. 3. Christ is Surety for the appearing of his people before God that he shall present them all at the day appointed and not one of them shall be missing who shall not give his appearance at that day Eph. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory 4. Christ is Surety for compleating whatsoever concerns the Salvation of his people and their redemption from those evils which remain with them after that he hath fulfilled and satisfied the Law for them and hath also procured obedience to the Gospel in them 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption 5. Because there are many things remaining with them from which they need a delivery for compleating the discharge of his undertakings for them Rom. 7.24 25 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord so then with the mind I my self serve the law of our God but with the flesh the law of sin 1 Cor. 15.53 to 57. 6. We shall take a view of some things which do commend Christs Suretiship that the excellency thereof and the matchless love which shineth forth in it may the more appear 1. This commendeth Christs Suretiship that he rendred himself Surety and came under an act of cautionry for his people before they needed a cautioner that upon the fore-knowledg of this that it was to come to pass that man should become a broken creature and needing one to undertake for him he by an eternal transaction and agreement with his father did so early provide this remedy before man was broken and stood in need of a Surety Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 2. This commendeth Christs Suretiship that he came under this relation so freely unrequested and undesired according to his own heart he acted himself cautioner for us when there was none of the creatures once to hint such a motion that in the day when there was none found to help nor so much as to think of laying help on him then he freely offered himself and said Lo I come take me Surety for these poor broken men Heb. 10.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Isa 63.5 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 Isa 59.16 And he saw that there was no man and wondred that there was no intercessor therefore his arm brought salvation unto him and his righteousness it sustained him 3. The exceeding great reach and danger of his undertaking taking doth commend his Suretiship that he put his name in such a bond as he knew well should bring upon him the Debt of so many broken men and should oblige him to make satisfaction for the sins of all the Elect world Isa 53.5 6 11 12 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 All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all By his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities Because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors That he did knowingly put his soul in their souls stead that Justice might smite him and that the same eternal punishment of sin for kind that was due to us should be upon him Col. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts The same sword of Divine Justice that should have smitten us did smite him 4. This commendeth Christs Suretiship that he engaged for a party which deserved no pity for man who had willingly forfeited a fair inheritance when it was possible for him and in his power to have performed the commands and conditions of life laid upon him who would pity and undertake for such a person who being put into a fair and free inheritance with power to perform the conditions upon which he holds it should notwithstanding forfeit his good estate and run himself under debt irrecoverably yet in this condition Christ pitied us and undertook for us Rom. 5.6 7 8 For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly For scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet peradventure for a good man some will even dare to die But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us 5. This commendeth Christs Suretiship that he engaged for the debt of a people from whom he could expect no satisfaction nor relief of all the debt which he payed for them that so potent and responsal a party joined interests with such impotent and unresponsal broken creatures how wonderfully doth this commend his Suretiship that he came under an act of cautionry for such as we are knowing us to be what we are a people that shall never requite his kindness yea doing all this for us the rather that we shall be eternally in his debt and never able to recompence the satisfaction which he made for us Luk. 17.10 So likewise ye when ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we
have done that which was our duty to do 2 San. 7.18 Then went king David in and sate before the Lord and he said Who am I O Lord God and what is my house that thou hast brought me hitherto c 7. Let us consider wherein Christs Suretiship differeth from bonds and acts of cautionry usual among men whereby the excellency thereof may yet further appear 1. Mr. Tho. Good Christ set forth pag. 52. Among men usually Sureties and Debrors enter into one and the same bond with the Creditor as Mr. Goodwin hath well observed but here Christs single bond lyeth for all our bond being of no value Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty Here Christ our Surety hath changed bonds and obligations with us and putteth out our name and putteth in his own name in the bloody bond of the Law that the debt satisfaction and curse may be upon him alone Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Isa 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 He said of his people as Jacobs mother said to him Gen. 27.13 Vpon me be thy curse my son only obey my voice 2. Justin instit l. 3. tit 21. de side jussor librium est creditori a quo velit solidum petere Among men the Creditor hath it in his choice which of the two he will seize upon the Surety or the Debtor as he seeth it best for his fatisfaction but it is not so here for the Lord the Creditor hath declared that he will take him to Christ for all and hath determined that all the satisfaction shall be made by him and Christ the Surety is content that it shall be so and that the poor broken creature shall go free and no execution of the bloody bond of the Law shall pass against him he being a bankrupt creature who hath obtained a liberation as where there is cessio bonorum See Psal 89.19 I have layed help upon one that is mighty Heb. 10.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus Isa 53.6 And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all You see how the Lord doth astrict himself to the satisfaction of the Surety for all the debt 3. Among men usually the principal Debtor as we call him is first convened for the Debt before the Surety be pursued and it may seem just it should be so there were some ancient Laws among the Romans to this effect Justin ib. fide jussor non conveaitur aute quam reus c. Jo. Calv. Lexic Jurid p 361 362. Flde jussor non potest convenirl ante principalem Fide jussor sive intercessor non est conveniendus nisi prius debitore principali convento But it is not so here the curse of the Law and the execution of the bond thereof doth not first stick upon us and then afterward upon Christ to seek from him what it cannot find in us but the Lord the Creditor having astricted himself to the cautioner as I said before the Law strikes first upon him and can never come to strike against the believer unless it should not find compleat satisfaction in our Surety which is impossible Isa 53.8 He was taken from prison and from judgment and who shall declare his generation for he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of his people was he stricken Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree 4. Among men the Debtor is the principal Bondsman Justin ib. Fide jussoris obligatio accessio est principalis obligationes quo circa etiam dicitur ad promissor and his obligation and bond is the principal obligation and the Sureties obligation is but an accession to it for strengthening the Security but here the Surety is the principal Debtor and by his bond of Suretiship he hath changed the nature of the believers bond and obligation and put his own name in it so as he is become the principal Debtor his Suretiship hath swallowed up the Debtors obligation to satisfie Justice the Surety being the head and husband of the poor broken Debtor Rom. 7.4 Wherefore my brethren ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ that ye should be married to another even to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit unto God And having changed the bond of satisfaction and put out our name and put in his own whereby he hath tranferred the Debt upon himself as principal Debtor Heb. 10.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God 5. Justin ib. si is pro quo fide jussit solvendo non sit Si quis ex side jussoribus solvendo non sit li is contestatio tempora c. Among men there may be a misgiving of satisfaction to the Creditor and of relief to the Debtor through the contingent emergent possible unresponsalness of the Surety as the doctors of the Law do sometimes put the case and provide against it so it was in Judah his case when he became Surety for Benjamins return and could not perform it Gen. 43.9 But here it is impossible that there can be a misgiving in the satisfaction of the Creditor or in the relief of the poor Debtor the Surety being a potent person and exempted from all possibility of unresponsalness and incapacity to satisfie the Law and to answer the charge thereof to the utmost Being one who is mighty and able to save to the utmost Psal 89.19 Heb. 7.22 25 By so much was Jesus made Surety of a better Testament Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Col. 2.9 10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily And ye are compleat in him which is the head of all principality and power 6. Christus propriissime dicitur fide jussor in omnem causam qui in id omne quod exea obligatione cui accedit nasei potest se obligat Among men usually the Sureties bond and engagement is for Debt already contracted at or before the time of the Sureties giving bond and usually for particular sums specified but Christ became Surety for his peoples Debt before ever it was contracted and drawn on by them yea he gave bond to satisfie the Law for all the Debt that should be at any time of all their days contracted and drawn on by them so
I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Luk. 22.15 And he said unto them With desire have I desired to eat this passeover with you before I suffer Joh. 10.18 No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again this commandment have I received of my father He did voluntanly fulfil his act of cautionry and not through constraint of Law and Justice yea it was not accounted grievous to him but was rather his satisfaction and delight thus to make the glory of his grace conspicuous Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Psal 40.8 I delight to do thy will O my God yea thy law is within my heart In the last place let us consider the advantages which believers have by Christs Suretiship which are so many that they cannot be reckoned we shall instance upon some few 1. By Christs Suretiship we have our exemption and liberation from the Law and the hand of Justice our divorcement from the Law and Covenant of works as a husband in which respect it is now dead and extinct though it live for other ends and uses Rom. 7.4 Wherefore my brethren ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ that ye should be married to another even to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit unto God So that now the believer cannot be pursued at Law or if pursued cannot be made to undergo the sentence of the Law Justice being satisfied by a Surety Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Heb. 2.14 15 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 In a word we owe to Christs Suretiship our delivery from the sentence from the pursuit from the Covenant from the terror from the rigour from the irritation of the Law yea from the perfect obedience of the Law it will now accept less and from all obedience to it as a possible way of life 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 Heb. 12.18 22 24 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched and that burned with fire nor unto blackness and darkness and tempest But ye are come unto mount Sion and unto the city of the Living God the heavenly Jerusalem And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covevant 2. By his Suretiship we have this new and better Covenant-state wherein we stand we owe our being in Christ and in the Covenant of Grace unto his Suretiship who did undertake to bring about that bond of engagement betwixt God and us for if Christ had not acted himself to do this it had never been done Joh. 17.2 6 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 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 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 3. By Christs Suretiship we have our perseverance and stability in this Covenant-state I say not our being only but our continuing in this blessed state that we do not depart from God and utterly forsake him in a divorcement even when we go a whoring from him and that he doth not cast us off and discovenant us for all that we have done this advantage we have by Christs Suretiship that there can be no reversing annulling or repealing of Gods Covenant with his people and if it were not for that a divorce should follow upon the whorings and treacherous dealings of our hearts every day Psal 89.30 33 34 35 If his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments c. Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail 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 lie unto David Jer. 3.1 14 22 They say If a man put away his wife and she go from him and become another mans shall he return unto her again shall not that land be greatly polluted but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers yet return again to me saith the Lord. Turn O back-sliding children saith the Lord for I am married unto you and I will take you one of a city and two of a family and I will bring you to Zion Return ye backsliding children and I will heal your back-slidings behold we come unto thee for thou art the Lord our God 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. 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 in their hearts that they shall not depart from me 4. We owe to Christs Suretiship very much upon the head of the conditions of the new Covenant as namely 1. The possibility of Gospel-conditions and commands that they are not as unprofitable to us as the keeping of the whole Law Deut. 30.11 14 For this commandment which I command thee this day it is not hidden from thee neither is it far off But the word is very nigh unto thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that thou mayest do it Rom. 10.6 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 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 2. The certainty of a performance of these conditions that believers have any ground to expect that there shall not be a misgiving in them as was in the 〈◊〉 ands of the first Covenant Joh. 6.37 All that the father goveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out 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. The
shall walk and not faint If your legs fail and your warmness decay the undertakers arms and bosom shall supply that Isa 40.11 29 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Deut. 33.27 The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlastings arms If you want a ransom to present to offended Justice if you be anxious about a satisfaction to God at any time Christs Suretiship answers that for thereby a satisfaction was found and is performed Job 33.24 Then he is gracious unto him and saith Deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom 1 Joh. 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins If you want comfort or assurance his Suretiship is the ground of that you need not want it but through your own default Heb. 6.17 18 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us Vse 6. Believers for whom Christ hath become Surety let me exhort you 1. To admire the love which made Christ undertake for you and come under an act of cautionry for you in every piece of his Suretiship you may clearly read that which was read upon a lighter occasion Joh. 11.36 Behold how he loved him Read a demonstration of his love in every thing which he acted as your Surety in every state wherein he carried your condition and in every act wherein he acted your part in his humbling himself in his sufferings in his actings for you and in you Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me 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 It s strange that you who seek for demonstrations and proofs of his love should slight so great a proof of it and that you will not read it where he hath most legibly written it Joh. 15.13 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friend Consider more of the person who was made Surety and the parties for whom he became Surety and of the motive and principle that acted him in this undertaking and of the special respect which he carried toward each of his people in this and the sweet spirit which waited on his discharging of so great undertakings that your hearts may be raised to admiration consider the extent of his Suretiship how it reacheth unto the whole Covenant and to every condition and command in it to every promise in it take it in the largest sense to fulfil all the promises to us to pay all our Debt and to perform all our Duty to work all our work and to undergo all our punishment 2. Consider how you are in Christs Debt and for what because of his Suretiship Believers you are in Christs Debt beyond all reckening that can be made of it 1. You are infinitely in his Debt you shall not be able while you live in this world once to reckon your obligations it shall be work throughout eternity to cast up the sum of this Debt of Grace Psal 40.5 Many O Lord my God are thy wonderful works which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to us-ward they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee if I would declare and speak of them they are more than can be numbred 2 Sam. 7.18 to the end Eph. 3.18 19 That ye may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledg that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God Rev. 7.10 Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb 2. You are eternally in his Debt you shall never be able to requite him nay though it be your duty to study thankfulness yet it would not become you once to think of recompencing him Psal 116.12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Rev. 5.9 12 And they sang a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kinred and tongue and people and nation 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 You shall through all eternity remain his Debtors for his undertaking and engaging for you for his paying that which he undertook and for his discharging of the Debt to you yea and for reporting his fathers discharge of it all which come to us by Christs Suretiship 1. You are in Christs Debt for his undertaking that unrequested when there was none to sollicite him and when there was no necessity of nature upon him to answer for our Debt that then he did consent and agree to put his name in our bond and to subscribe a satisfaction to the violated Law 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 Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God 2. You are in his Debt for paying so great a sum for you so great a ransome as you can neither count the Debt which was payed nor the price which was told down in satisfaction of the penalty which we had incurred Psal 40.12 For innumerable evils hath compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up they are moe then the hairs of my head therefore my heart faileth me Luk. 7.47 Wherefore I say unto thee Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little 1 Pet. 1.18 19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot Isa