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A79435 Yahweh Tsidkenu or The plain doctrin of the justification of a sinner in the sight of God; justified by the God of truth in his holy word, and the cloud of witnesses in all ages. Wherein are handled the causes of the sinners justification. Explained and applied in six and twenty sermons, in a plain, doctrinal and familiar way, for the capacity, and understanding of the weak and ignorant. By Charles Chauncy president of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge in New-England. Chauncy, Charles, 1592-1672. 1659 (1659) Wing C3739; Thomason E979_11; ESTC R222074 232,660 312

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the following transactions to 1658. Justified partly by divers Ancient Manuscripts written many hundred years before Calvin or Luther By Samuel Morland Esq Fol. Divine Characters in two parts acutely distinguishing the more secret and undiscerned differences between the Hypocrite in his best dress of seeming vertues and formal duties and the true Christian in his real graces and sincere obedience By Mr. Samuel Crook Fol. An Exposition upon Ezekiel by Mr. William Grenhill Fol. 4º The humble Sinner resolved what hee should do to be saved or faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the only way of salvation By Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick Fol. 4º The riches of Grace displayed in the offer and tender of salvation to poor sinners By the same Author Fol. 12º The Fountain opened and the water of life flowing forth for the refreshing of thirsty sinners By the same Author Fol. 4º The Gospels glory without prejudice to the Law shining forth in the glory of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost for the salvation of sinners By Mr. Richard Byfield Fol. 8º A Declaration of the Faith and Order owned and practised in the Congregational Churches in England agreed upon and consented unto by their Elders and Messengers in their meeting at the Savoy Fol. 4º A short Catechism By Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick Hidden Manna By Mr. Fenner Fol. 12º Safe Conduct or the Saints guidance to Glory By Mr. Ralph Robinson Fol. 4º The Saints longing after their heavenly Country By the same Author Fol. 4º A Sermon at a Fast By Nathaniel Ward Fol. 4º Moses his Death a Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Edward Bright Minister By Mr. Samuel Jacomb Fol. 4º A short and plain Catechism instructing a learner of Christian Religion what hee is to beleeve and what hee is to practice By the same Author The Hypocritical Nation described with an Epistle prefixed by Mr. Samuel Jacomb Fol. 4º A Sermon of the baptizing of Infants By Mr. Stephen Marshall Fol. 4º The unity of the Saints with Christ the head By the same Author Fol. 4º God only justifieth a Sinner THE FIRST SERMON ON Romans 3.24 25. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his bloud to declare his righteousnesse for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God AS touching the Context the Apostle had proved vers 23. That all Mankind lies under the guilt of Sin and therefore stand in need of Justification that they may be saved which Justification hee also shewed could not bee had either from any Creature or from the Law to vers 20. from whence he concludes that justification must necessarily bee sought in that Gospel Mystery propounded in the Lord Jesus Christ The whole dispute of the Apostle may be reduced to this Reason Men are justified either by Nature or by the Law or by the Gospel But they cannot bee justified either by Nature or by the Law therefore they must be justified by the Gospel The Proposition is pre-supposed and understood as manifest by it self The Assumption was demonstrated in the former part of this Epistle to vers 21. of this Chapter The Conclusion is expounded and illustrated to the end of this Chapter and so forward As touching the Text the words of it contain the Epitome of Evangelical Justification which is described 1 By the efficient principal and highest cause which is God vers 25. 2 By the inward impulsive cause the grace of God these signifying 1 Exclusively and that two-fold 1 Excluding Commutative justice or rendring like for like or so much for so much 2 Excluding Distributive justice proportionately respecting the dignity of men 2 Inclusively respecting the meer and pure grace of God observable in that Emphatical ingemination freely or gratis and by his grace 3 By the Meritorious cause which may also in some sort be called the Formal cause of our justification that is the Redemption made by Jesus Christ 4 By the Instrumental cause apprehending the object that is faith in his bloud 5 The Final cause 1 In respect of Us our Salvation and remission of Sins 2 In respect of God the manifestation of his Justice and Mercy that he might be just c. Doct. God the Father is the Fountain of justification As God the Father is the Fountain of all Happiness so is he of the justification of a sinner This is grounded upon vers 25. Whom God set forth And this is the rule of Divines generally received That wheresoever the Name of God is put in contra distinction to Christ Jesus it must not be taken essentially but personally for God the Father so here God set forth Christ to be a Propitiation i. e. God the Father For the better understanding whereof we are to know That where we say God the Father is the Fountain of our Justification it may be conceived in two respects 1 In way of opposition to the other persons of the holy and undivided Trinity 2 In opposition to the Creatures Object 1. In opposition to the Son and Spirit which will be cleared in answering this objection All the works of the Trinity that are without the God-head are undivided but Creation Redemption Justification and Sanctification are works without the Trinity or are acted and terminated on the Creature as their object and all the Persons in the blessed Trinity do work together in the effecting of them so that one and the same work is sometimes attributed to the Father sometimes to the Son and sometimes to the Holy Ghost yea what things the one doth the other is said to doe also Joh. 5.17 My Father worketh hitherto and I work and vers 19. Whatsoever things the Father doth these also doth the Son likewise how then can the Father be the Fountain in Justification Answ The Father is the Fountain of Justification not excluding the Son and Holy Ghost from being causes in it for it is said 1 Cor. 6.11 Yee are sanctified yee are justified in the name of our Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God but shewing that the Father is the original in the action of Justification Or that the Father is the first in order of working So Joh. 5.19 The Son can doe nothing of himself c. So Joh. 16.13 14. The Spirit shall not speak of himself c. so the Father justifieth through the Son by the Holy Ghost the Holy Ghost justifieth by himself from the Father and the Son the Son justifieth from the Father by the Holy Ghost and that upon two grounds 1 Because the Father is the Fountain of the Trinity and as the Persons are in order of subsisting so they are in order of working but the Father is first in order of subsisting Matth. 28.19 so also he is in working 2 The Father was the Person that most properly and directly was offended by sin hence it is said that Christ is an Advocate to the Father
and say with him 1 Tim. 1.13 I have been thus and thus vile but I obtained mercy and the grace of God was exceeding abundant c. Now to the King immortal c. v. 17. Secondly remember that Luk. 7.41 42. there was a certain Creditor that had two Debtors the one ought him five hundred pence the other fifty and when they had nothing to pay hee frankly forgave them all tell mee which of them will love him most So hath the Lord truely freely and frankly forgiven thee and that much more than many others Oh love the Lord so much the more count it a shame to bee sparing or nigardly in thy love or the expressions of it in thy duty and obedience towards him as vers 47. Her sins which are many are forgiven her for shee loved much Where for is taken not for a Cause of forgiveness but for a sign as thus surely such a Bankrupt hath a great debt forgiven him for see how loving and serviceable hee is to his Creditor 3 Freely you have received freely give Matth. 10.8 and freely forgive Redemption by Christ sufficient THE THIRD SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Justified through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ HAving spoken before of the Efficient Cause of the justification of a Sinner as also of the inward impulsive Cause that is the free grace of God Come we now to the meritorious cause of Justification through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ which redemption hath the nature of the Meritorious or impetrating cause or Procatarctical Cause of a sinners justification 1 Because it was the means which Gods justice did require before grace could actually justify 2 It hath the nature of the formal cause so far forth as it is accepted for us that it being imputed and applyed to us God pronounces the sentence of our absolution Now to open the words first inquire Quest 1 What is meant by Redemption here Answ 1 Redemption is taken in Scripture two waies first improperly and generally and so it signifies any deliverance from evil or danger or enemies as it is used Exod. 15.13 Thou in thy mercy hast lead forth thy people whom thou hast redeemed The deliverance out of Egypt is called a Redemption There were of old three waies of redemption first by Manumission when a King doth let his vassal voluntarily go out free thus we could not be redeemed for the devil never meant to let us go free and especially it could not stand with Gods blessed nature Holiness Justice Truth Hatred of sin thus to set us at liberty Secondly by Permutation thus we could not be redeemed for recompence could not be made to God by exchange of any creature for that infinite wrong done to him by mans sin Matth. 16.26 Thirdly By violent oblation or conquest as Abraham redeemed Lot by rescuing him but mankind might not bee redeemed by this alone for though Christ might justly spoil Satan of his prey which hee by subtile wiles methods and falshoods had gotten yet mankind being guilty of high treason against God and therefore locked up under his wrath and curse no power was strong enough to redeem us out of his hands but these are all improper waies of redemption and too low to reach the thraldome mankind was faln into 2 Properly in a more speciall way of Redemption by giving a price or ransome for a poor Captive or Slave this is plainly signified by the word used in the Text which hints redemption by way of Ransome there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in it 1 Tim. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2.6 Christ gave his life a Ransome for all The ordinary word used for redemption is the buying of any thing again by paying a Price Object Some Hereticks object Sin and Satan to whom sinners are Captive receive no price for Ransome Sol. Wee are primarily Gods Captives who is the Judge against whom wee have sinned to whose Wrath Curse judgement and vengeance wee are in bondage the ransome therefore is paid to God as the Judge Satan is but the Goaler sin the bonds and chains the World and Death as the Prison and Torments Wee are indeed when the ransome is paid to the justice of God set at liberty from those other in a way of power and lawful conquest So Christ is said to lead Captivity Captive Eph. 4.8 that is all those enemies that had lead us Captive but the price is paid to God himself to whom wee do therefore pray for the forgiveness of our sins and that in regard of the ransome paid by Jesus Christ Heb. 2.14 Luke 11.21 Christ may bee in some sort called the strong man armed that is stronger than Satan and spoils him of his goods c. Quest 2 What is meant by the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Answ Christ is prefixt with three several Prepositions in the Scripture phrase 1 For Christ Phil. 1.29 To you it is given for Christ not only to beleeve but also to suffer 2 In Christ Eph. 1.3 Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ 3 Through Christ Rom. 7.24 Blessed bee God who hath given us victory through Christ The reason of them is 1 Wee have redemption in Christ because in Christ as a common store-house every blessing is first laid up and then imparted to his members As our death and condemnation was in the first Adam before it was applyed or actually received by us 2 Wee have redemption through Christ because Christ doth by his obedience purchase it which in due time is communited to us as from the first Adams desert came condemnation 3 For Christ seems to bee used in regard Christ is as well the Mediatour of application as impetration obtaining grace for us and working grace in us Hence Faith and Patience are said to bee wrought in the Elect. The words thus opened afford two points 1 That the justification of every sinner is through the redemption and satisfaction wrought by Christ 2 That there is a singular and plentiful redemption wrought by Christ sufficient to make satisfaction to God for the vilest sinners Of which in the first place Doct. 1 That there is a singular and plentiful redemption Redemption by Christ sufficient for the vilest sinners wrought by Christ sufficient to make satisfaction to God for the vilest Sinners The Text is emphatical it is That redemption that is in Jesus Christ such as was never heard of before nor matched in the worlds voluminous Histories or Records T is described Matth. 20.28 Christ came to give his life a Ransome for many that must needs bee a plentiful redemption that was wrought by the death of the Son of God So 1 Tim. 2.6 Hee gave his life a ransome for all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a ransom paid for Captives and Christ himself must needs bee a great Price and for the sufficiency of it 1 It is spiritual of the soul as well as body Psal 49.15 God will redeem my
and pliably and plead all this word and work of propitiation before the Lord continually Ezek. 16. ult 2 Cor. 5.19 Job 22.21 22. Isa 12.1 2. Exhor 2 To the members of Christ 2. Seeing Gods anger is pacified towards you see that yee walk answerable to so great a priviledge 1 Blesse God for this propitiation Luk. 1.64 what had our condition been without this Psal 44.3 2 Take heed of kindling it again by relapses into your former courses Psal 85.8 He will speak peace unto his people but let them not return again to folly It is the first use the Spirit makes of this grace of Christ 1 Joh. 2.1 These things I write that you sin not So 2 Cor. 7.1.5.11 But if you shall bee bold to sin know that though God doth love your persons yet hee will bee displeased with your actions as 2 Sam. 11. ult and take vengeance on your inventions 3 Learn to make use of this propitation of Christ continually as 1 Joh. 2.1 2. Not onely before conversion but after the same it s ever to bee used more necessary than fire and water meat and drink Quest When should wee more especially make use of Christs Propitiation Answ 1 In our daily relapses into sin which make new defilements and therefore wee must have fresh recourse to the fountain Heb. 13.8 thus the daily Sacrifice prefigured the daily use of Christs sacrifice for attonement That 22 Psalm setting forth his passion was daily sung each morning with the offering up of the Sacrifice as is judged from its title 2 In all our duties and services whereof the most holy have iniquity in them and therefore stand in need of Christ that they may finde acceptance as was typified Exod. 28.38 and their sacrifices were given into the hand of the Priest and offered by him so our spiritual services by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 3 In daies of humiliation and attonement as Levit. 16 29. Heb. 10.22 It is not fasting or weeping God looks to but a sacrifice c. 4 At each Sacrament there should bee a solemn remembrance of this propitiatory sacrifice Rom. 6.3 Wee are baptized into his death 1 Cor. 11.26 It s done in remembrance of Christ 5 In our ordinary Callings and the discharge of them Whatsoever ye do do it to the glory of God Col. 3.17 6 In afflictions desertions and temptations In desertions Christs blood brings us near in temptations hee gives us victory Col. 2.15 Dan. 9.17 Isa 53.5 6. 1 Sam 26.19 How shall wee make use of it Quest How shall wee make use of Christs Sacrifice in these times and cases Answ 1 Wee are to remember our daily back-slidings with humble acknowledgement and brokennesse of heart and to see the necessity of Christs propitiation Jer. 3.12 13. Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord I will not cause mine anger to pass upon thee nor keep it for ever onely acknowledge thine iniquity c. 2 Wee are to observe as wee are able the imperfections and defaults in our duties that wee may bee humbled thereat and see what great need wee have of Christs propitiation as Nehemiah chap. 13.22 when hee had done his best then hee praies Remember me O God concerning this and spare mee according to the greatness of thy Mercy 3 In regard of the remainder of corruptions that are too strong in us Wee are to look upon the Lord of glory crucified and meditate upon the Sacrifice of Christ Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ purge our Consciences c. 4 Wee are to apprehend and plead by faith and prayer the Promises of God as confirmed to us by the blood of Christ They are all made and performed by him They are branches of the Covenant of Grace and the blood of Christ is called the blood of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13.20 As the Priest sprinkled the people the book c. Heb. 9.19 20 23. So now ought Christians set faith on work to sprinkle all Ordinances and the word it self and our selves and all our works 5 When as Gods anger doth lye heavy upon the soul by desertion or temptation c. then wee are to cast our burden upon Christ in the free Covenant of grace and peace Psal 55.22 Isa 54.8 9. This shall bee to me as the waters of Noah c. Christ set forth to be a Propitiation THE TWELFTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation WEE have seen before of the efficient cause of a sinners justification 1 God the Father 2 The inward impulsive that 's the free grace and favour of God 3 The meritorious cause 4 The instrument apprehending the object that is faith in Christs blood 5 The end in respect of us that is our remission of sins and eternal salvation In respect of God the manifestation of his Justice and Mercy Now the Meritorious Cause is amplyfied 1 By the degree and measure and manner of it it was by blood 2 By the efficacy of it it was a propitiation 3 By the ground or manner of it in the word set forth of which next is this Quere Quest What is the meaning of setting forth Christ to bee a Propitiation Answ Christ was formerly set forth for a Propitiation in times of the Old Testament But very darkly under Types and shadows and very restrainedly in that 't was onely to the Jews or the Proselytes that were joyned to them But now in the New Testament Christ is clearly and openly set forth in the Ministry of the Gospel and without all restraint both to Jews and Gentiles 1 Joh. 2.2 a propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world Heb. 9.7 The Mercy Seat was shut up in the times of the Old Testament though the benefit was extended to the whole Church of the Jews yet to them onely and such as joyned to them and besides none but the High Priest might go into it and that not commonly but onely once a year But now in the times of the New Testament Christ our Mercy Seat is set forth in the Promises and Preaching of the Gospel to all sorts of sinners that they have free recourse to him for themselves and that at any time This I conceive was intended by the Translators in this place and it is pious and precious The word here used doth often signify the purpose and decree of God from all eternity Rom. 8.28 And of mens purposes to do any thing Rom. 1.13 But it s especially applyed unto the mystery of Christ Gods eternal purpose in gathering of sinners unto him in one head Eph. 1.9 And this signification doth marvellously suit here to shew unto us how it comes to pass that Christ is the Propitiatory or placatory sacrifice for sin Even because God the Father purposed and fore-appointed this way of reconciliation from all eternity In regard of the composition of the word it may signify hee proposed before or held forth in former times viz.