〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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
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
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
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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
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
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
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
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
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
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