Reverend Author hath Asserted in this case That Scripture Isa 53.10 11 12. Is saith he a place wherein this Covenant is clearly described between the Father and the Son and it holds forth the Covenant of Grace fully clearly yea the promise of all Grace and Benefits that are contained in the said Covenant of Grace And the Apostle tells us expresly that this Covenant agreement was the Will by which Will we are Sanctified thro the Offering the Body of Jesus once for all He further argues 2. That Covenant that contains in it the whole matter and form in Conditions and Promises of the Covenant of Grace doth not Essentially differ from it but the Covenant of Redemption doth contain in it the Conditions and Promises of Grace yea all things that pertain to Life and Godliness And it contains in it all conditions upon which we may be partakers of any Promimises i. e. Christ's Person Offices Sacrifice Righteousness active and passive there 's no Covenant condition of Atonement Propitiation or Satisfaction unto the Justice of God But it is here Christ is the great fulfiller of the Law and satisfier of it and he is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth 3. From the vailed dispensation of the Covenant of Grace saith he before the coming of Christ their Sacrifices and Ceremonial Administration held forth in a Figure that it was made with Christ and confirmed in him as the great Offering and Atonement Christ is there exemplified and set forth as the fulness of the Covenant of Grace both in respect of Promises and Conditions 4. When we plead saith he for any thing of the Covenant of Grace it is the Promises of Life made to us in Christ as Yea and Amen and to us in him in respect of obtaining and performing to us 5. Our Justifying acts of Faith is fixed on Christ as the Sum of the Covenant of Grace as satisfying for our Sins and as to whom the Promises were made and the great things promised as the Fountain and Meritorious cause of all Blessings He is given to us as the Covenant 6 There is saith he all Grace to be had in this Covenant Frustra sit per plura quod fieri potest per pauciora There is no Grace but is given forth and received by us by the Covenant between the Father and the Son the gift of the Spirit the Grace of Faith Justification by his Blood by him came all Grace yea all other supposed Grace that came not from the Father and through Christ is no Grace and will not profit us 7. Where the Covenanters Conditions and Promises are all from Free Grace and Love to us there 's a Covenant of Grace but in that Covenant they call a distinct Covenant of Redemption the Covenanters the Conditions and Promises are all of Free grace and Love to us God the Father from his Free grace and Love to us called his Son to this Undertaking and Covenanting with him God the Son in our Persons or in our behalf from his Love and Free grace Covenanted with the Father he came and freely offered himself to perform the Covenant Conditions the condition of this Covenant in all mediatorial perfections and performances is freely promised and bestowed upon us the promise of Eternal life All Grace and Glory are promised and given in this Covenant that is a Covenant of Grace wherein God is to us a God of all Grace 8. If the Covenant of Redemption be not the Covenant of Grace then there is more Covenants than the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace for Life and Salvation but there is no more Covenants for Life and Salvation but that of Works and that of Grace the Minor I think hardly any will deny If Church Covenants be alledged they add nothing to this Grand Covenant but are the accomplishments of the promises thereof to whom it doth belong it being promised that they shall be Gods People in this Covenant Christ stipulates and we in him as we did in the first Adam then And when we stipulate being moved thereunto from the grace of the Promise and enter personally into this Covenant embracing that Covenant which was made for us in Christ 't is called a laying hold of it it is solemnly also own'd professed and restipulated to when we enter into Church Fellowship the repeating and restipulating and renewings of the same Covenant may be without changing the Covenant For we find God often repeating this Covenant and renewing it with his people in Revelation and Establishment as with Adam Noah Abraham Isaac and Jacob c. yet it was was the same Covenant So are Gods Children excited and encouraged thereunto from the Free-grace of the said Covenant Thus this Author 1. Now let me add one or two arguments more to what this worthy Author hath said viz. If the Covenant of Redemption be not the Covenant of Grace or Covenant of Peace and Reconciliation which God calls his Covenant The Covenant of my Peace shall not be removed saith the Lord Then it will follow that our Peace is made with God or God is reconciled to us by a Covenant of Grace which we enter into with him which Covenant Christ Merited for us in his performing the Covenant of Redemption and if it be so how is it Paul saith God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself Indeed as far as I can see this notion of two distinct Covenants of Redemption and of Grace seems to be defended of late on purpose to favour the grand Errors of our new Methodists viz. In the Covenant of Redemption say they Christ made God amends for our breach of the Law of perfect obedience by himself alone and for himself only that so he might be a fit Mediator and Merit a new Law of Faith and sincere Obedience for their Covenant of Grace is a Law of Obedience which Law or Covenant he Confirmed by his Death So that now God say they enters into a Covenant with mankind and if they perform the Conditions of it or so far as they do so far they shall be justifyed and shall have Eternal life provided they continue unto the end and thus as before I have hinted Christ is our legal righteousness in the Covenant of Redemption he fulfiled the Law of Works or the strict Law of perfect Obedience by giving God a satisfying recompence And so he hath abolished the Law of perfect obedience but our Faith Inherent-righteousness Gospel-holiness and Sincere obedience is our Evangelical Righteousness or that which justifies us at Gods Bar or in his sight Now this dangerous Error I say seems to follow the allowing of two distinct Covenants 2. There is no distinction between the Covenant of Redemption and the Covenant of Grace because Redemption presupposeth Peace and Reconciliation and not only Gods Reconciliation to us but our reconciliation to him for Redemption is not from the Curse of the Law
Justification by Works springing from Faith is Justification by Faith in this Sense Again they say That we are made Partakers of the Benefits of Christ he having purchased this Grant or Law i. e. That they that do obey him to the end shall be saved that is Our Obedience doth both Justifie us and Save us Answ. The Vanity of which and how erroneous it is we have shewed some time since * 3. They say Christ hath merited a New Law or easier Terms and Conditions that our Faith Obedience and Good Works may Justifie and Save us but what saith Paul All boasting is excluded not legal boasting only but all boasting and cause of boasting but by their New Law boasting is let in Moreover he says If it be of Grace it is not of Works and if it be of Works it is not of Grace or else Grace is no more Grace and Works no more Works Brethren Works cannot mix with Free Grace they are directly contrary to each other in their Nature besides these Men forget that we are Justified alone by the Obedience and Righteousness of one even as we were made Sinners by the Disobedience of one and that is by the Righteousness of Christ imputed to us for it was by the Disobedience of Adam as imputed to us that we became Sinners In a word Christ hath wrought out a Righteousness for us which is put upon us or accounted or imputed to us and not that Christ merited a Law that a Justifying Righteousness might be wrought out in us or by us in conforming to that New Law Who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Not only that his Righteousness is the Meritorious Cause of our Justification as Mr. Clark affirms p. 104. but the Material Cause thereof or that by which we are Justified no other Righteousness but his which is perfect being pleadable at God's Bar. 4. We say That Justification of a Sinner is the acceptance of his Person or the pronouncing him Just and Righteous in God's Sight through the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ whereby he hath a full Right and Title to Eternal Life They say That Justification is nothing else but the pardon of Sin i. e. the not executing the Punishment of Sin due by the Law of Works and an acceptance of a Man so long as he performeth the New Condition of Sincere Obedience For the Lord's sake and for your Souls sake beware of those Men and their new and strange Doctrine for it appears Salvation must be a Debt and not wholly of Grace if what they say were true because it is granted upon our fulfilling of the Conditions required which are indeed not light but weighty and difficult Conditions as Faith Regeneration and Perseverance even Mr. Dan. William's Baptismal Covenant which all they who do not fulfil it he says shall be damned the Violating of that Covenant being as he affirms the Damning Sin And this so far as I can see is that which is their Covenant of Grace not that Christ ingaged for us to the Father to do all for us and in us in the Covenant of Redemption even to reconcile God to us and us to God no but that that was a distinct Covenant from the Covenant of Grace which was to make way for us to enter into a Conditional Covenant of Grace i. e. of Faith Good Works or Gospel-Obedience Which Error and Mistake I purpose God willing to refute before I leave my Text and prove the Covenant of Peace is but one intire Covenant with that of Redemption Comfort and Consolation if my Brethren it is as you have heard that Jesus Christ as a Mediator is equally interested in both Parties then what Comfort is here for Believers 1. We have no ground to suspect him of partiality he will not fail us because he is so dearly and nearly related to us and also considering what he hath done and suffered for us And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the Truth 2. Consider his Ability not only to reconcile us to God but to continue us in that reconciled State we may depend upon his Power For I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that Day 3. Considering his Love and Faithfulness towards us in the Exercise of his Work and Office Faithful is he that calleth you and also he will do it 4. With what boldness also may we come to God by him Seeing we have such a great High-Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus This I say may encourage us to make our humble Supplications to God with boldness since we have such a Mediator between God and us the Man Christ Jesus SERMON IV. Wherein the Suretiship of Christ is opened ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Doct. THAT there is a Covenant made or agreed on and stands firm in the behalf of all God's Elect. I am my Brethren a speaking concerning those Transactions betwixt God the Father and God the Son before the World began about the bringing in and establishing of the Covenant of our Peace in which Transactions I have shewed you the Son of God was chosen Mediator considered as God-man and as to that Office of his we have spoken distinctly but as he is Mediator so you have heard he is Surety of the Covenant of Peace and so more than a meer or simple Mediator And since the Covenant of Peace so much dependeth upon the Suretiship of Christ I shall here I. Shew what Surety doth import or open this Relation II. Shew why Christ came under this Relation III. Shew what Christ was to do and we were to receive as Christ's our Surety IV. Shew how his Suretiship differs from Suretiship among Men. V. Apply it 1. A Surety is one that undertakes for others wherein they are defective really or in Reputation in Latin Sponsor fide jussor a Surety is one that engages to make Satisfaction for one or more or ingageth for others Thus Ruben became Surety to his Father Jacob Gen. 43.9 to bring Benjamin again and Paul for Onesimus Philem. 18 19. If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee ought put that on mine Account I Paul have written it with my own Hand I will pay it In this Sense we take Christ to be a Surety 1. It signifies likewise to give a Pledge Isa. 36.8 2 Kings 18.23.3 2. Also to strike Hands Prov. 22.26 Thus Christ is our Surety i. e. he struck Hands with God for us in this Covenant I say a Surety is one that undertakes for one or more Persons whose Credit is gone or is not good one not to be
Ministers declare and preach the same thing and the Holy Ghost in Convictions represents the State of the Soul to be deplorable before effectual Calling There is it is evident a Relative Change passing on the Soul by the Spirit as well as a Real Change Consolation In the last place and to close with all I shall say What ground of Comfort and Consolation to Believers is here 1. Your Sins are fully and for ever expiated When he had by himself purged our Sins sate down on the Right Hand of the Majesty on high that is he hath removed the Guilt Stain and Punishment of Sin by his Satisfaction and Merits so as God may be Just as well as Gracious in Pardoning and Justifying of us that believe in Jesus 2. All Accusations of Sin the Law Satan and our own Consciences shall be silenced and answered by the Intercession of Christ He doth and will out-plead them all 3. All your Wants shall be richly supplied all your Graces strengthened and all your Enemies are and shall be Overcome Conquered and Vanquished for ever 4. You are brought to God and Reconciled to him in his own way in a sure way Comfort ye my People saith your God Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem And cry unto her that her Warfare is accomplished and her Iniquity is pardoned for she hath received of the Lord's Hands double for all her Sins War is for ever ceased betwixt God and you and as God has received by Christ double Satisfaction as it were For where Sin abounded Grace hath much more abounded So you have and shall receive hereby double at his Hands viz. not only a Discharge from Sin and Wrath in Hell but also Eternal Life and Glory in Heaven 5. All your Afflictions and whatsoever else shall work together for your good 6. You stand firmer and more sure in â—his Covenant than Adam stood in Paradice â—â—â—ore he fell 1. Your Peace is increasing The Path of the Just is as a shining Light that shines more and more to the perfect Day And not only your Personal Peace or Peace of your Souls but the Peace of all God's Israel also O how great will that Peace be in the latter Days when God delivers his People from all their external Enemies and Troubles and also unites them altogether to serve him with one consent 2. You shall have Peace not only while you live but also when you die Mark the Perfect Man behold the Vpright the latter End of that Man is Peace He shall enter into Peace they shall rest in their Beds c. 3. You shall be found in Peace at the Great Day when the Lord Jesus shall appear Be diligent that ye may he found of him in Peace without spot and blameless That is give diligence to make it evident to your own Consciences that you are in Christ or are sincere Christians that so the Peace of God may rule in your Hearts by the Holy Ghost 4. Lastly None can deprive you of this Peace and Joy or take it away from you Peace I leave with you my Peace I give unto you not as the World giveth give I unto you Let not your Hearts be troubled neither let it be afraid Your Hearts shall rejoyce and your Joy no Man taketh from you Therefore be of good chear for tho you have many things that trouble you and Satan may greatly disquiet your Minds yet lift up your Heads and Hearts My Brethren I shall conclude all with the words of the Apostle The God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your Feet shortly The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you Amen FINIS The Occasion of the Preaching on this subject 2 Kings 9 18.22 Things look as if this may be the last Year in which the Turks may be a Plague to the Antichristian state Ezek. 2.27 Rev. 17.16 17. The Text opened Who makes this Promise To whom this Promise is made What is contained in this Promise The Rise or Spring of the Promise Isa. 54.9 The Doctrine raised Explanatory Propositions 2 Tim. 1.9 Pro. 8.23 The Nature of the breach betwixt God and Man opened Eccl. 7.29 Gen. 3.9 10. Rom. 8.7 Eph. 4.18 Col. 1.21 The fearful state of Man by Nature Acts 7.51 Joh. 15.24 Rom. 1.30 Zech. 11.8 Ps. 10.13 Ps. 34.16 10.3 Psal. 7.11 12 13. Gal. 3.10 Eph. 2.2 Joh. 3.36 Joh. 3.18 The cause of the great Breach betwixt God and Man Gen. 2.17 Petto Answ. Rom. 2.14 15. 3.19 20. 4.13 14 15. 7.13 Heb. 7.16 8.7 8. 9.13 Gal. 3.19 Rom. 5.20 3.19 8.3 Gal. 3.24 No meer Man nor Angel could make our Peace Concerning God's sovereignty in the display of his Grace Dan. 4.22 cap. 5.19 Exod. 4.11 Rom. 9.17 18. Mat. 11.25 26. 2 Cor. 2.16 Rom. 9.16 chap. 9.11 11.5 6. Titus 3.5 Tho I inlarged on this Proposition when I preached this Sermon yet I shall refer it to another Head now Joh. 5.16 John 3.16 Zaâ—h 6.13 2 Tim. 1.9 Ez. 16.4 5 Mal. 3.1 Heb. 2.3 c. 8.2 6 10 Joh. 33.23 Mat 11.27 1 Joh. 1.18 Psa. 89.28 Acts 2.23 Zech. 6.13 Joh. 6.40 Heb. 10.9 Isa. 50.5 6 Ps. 25.14 Ark of the Pag. p. 11. Buxt Rab. Tal. p. 818. The Covenant made with Believers is only a free promise not upon mutual stipulation 2 Tim. 1.9 Titus 1.2 3 Christ consented to the Fathers proposals in the Covenant of Peace Isa. 42.6 7 Psa. 40.6.7 8. Heb. 10.5 6 7. Jo. 17.4 5 The Covenant of peace was made from all Eternity Christ is the only Mediator of the Covenant of peace â— Tim. 2.5 Isa. 42.6 The necessity of a Mediator of the Covenant of Peace and that Christ is he Rom. 3.25 Joh. 14.6 Heb. 9.22 Act. 4.12 The Requisites in Christ as a Mediator Christ is every way qualified to be Mediator of the Covenant Why Christ must be God Psal. 3 4. Mark 14.33 34. Hos. 13.14 Joh. 2.19 Eph. 2.1 2. Christ must be Man Exod. 34.7 Rom. 5.18 19. Dr. Manton 4 Vol. p. 1084. Levit. 25.23 26. Ver. 47.48 * The Dr. saith Adam Joh. 1.16 Gen. 27.14 Ark of the Covenant p. 76. Joh. 10.30 Job 9.33 The Work of Christ as Mediator 1 Tim. 2.5 Heb. 9.15 Christ called or authorized to be a Mediator Psal. 89.3 Isa. 42.1 6 Christ comply'd with the Father's Demands Joh. 10.18 Eph. 2.14 16. Col. 1.20 Christ as Mediator has interest in both Parties Christ a Well-wisher to Peace Isa. 9.6 Phil. 2.6 7 Heb. 5.7 Gal. 3.13 Christ as Mediator of a yield-and condescending Spirit Heb. 5.8 Joh. 7â— 8. Christ as Mediator cloathed with power 1 Cor. 1.24 Ps. 80.17 Isa. 63.1 Isa. 61.1 Dan. 7.24 Joh. 16.33 Rev. 2.21 Luke 4.18 John 5.25 Eph. 2.1 Ps. 110.3 Rom. 8.7 Hos. 13 14 1 Cor. 15 55. Jude 1. Christ as Mediator is to reconcile both Parties one to the other See Mr. Dan. Williams's Book Christ a patient Mediator Rom. 8.32