light and motion of his Spirit in and according to the meanes vouch safed whether in the Book of Creatures onely or the Book of Scriptures also For calling All men Prov. 8.4 5. Isa 45.22 And willing them and striving with them at one time or other 1 Pet. 2.12 Gen. 6.3 And so Christ is the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1.9 And so in the workes of Creation It is said Rom. 1.19 That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it to them And of the preaching of the Gospel it is said 2 Cor. 2.14 God maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge c. And such as resist the light and motion in either of these meanes resist the holy Spirit Prov. 1.23 24. Act. 7.51 The liberty of giving life to all that believe on him 17. Iohn 2. And all these come through the efficacy and prevalencie of the Blood and Sacrifice of Christ presented unto God and accepted of him In which respect The Gospel where it comes sets him forth as indeed he is The propitiation for our sins and the Sinnes of the whole world Rom. 3.25 1 Iohn 2.2 The upholder of the world made by him Heb. 1 2 3. The laver of regeneration or new birth Iohn 3.5.15 Tit. 3.4 5. I he Fountain of leansing and purificatioons for defilements 1 Iob 1.7 Zach. 13.1 The Fountain of life Psal 36.9 He in whom God hath given us eternall life so as he that hath him hath life 1 Iohn 5.10 10 11 12. and as page 5. under this figure 3. 5 Sometimes together with all these four former sences by the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ so presented to and prevailing with God is also farther meant the spirituall Discovery and Application of it to and prevailing efficacy in the hearts and consciences of such as through the appearance of grace are brought to believe Heb. 12.24 To the bloud of sprinkling 1 Pet. 1.2 Unto obedience and sprinkling of the bloud of Jesus Christ vers 19. The pretious blood of Christ which indeed prevaileth with and and in those who in spirituall Discoveries are sprinkled and washed therewith in and with whom it is so powerful and effectuall That it verily pierceth and melteth the heart for all its sinfulnesse and follies against him and all its hard thoughts and oppositions wherewith it hath pierced him Zach. 12.10 Acts 2.37 Reconcileth the heart and powers in their inclination to God 2 Cor. 5.18 20. Giveth an escape from the intangling pollutions that are in the world and holding from God through lusts 2 Peter 1.4 and 2.20 Rev. 5.9 Speaketh peace to the Conscience so as the Believer receiveth justification and peace with God thereby Heb. 12.24 Rom. 4 25. and 5.1.2 Purgeth the Conscience Heb. 9.13.14 from the accusations of sinne and charges of the Law putting in feare Rom. 7.4.6 and 8.2.3 34. from its former corrupt way of dictating to seek peace and righteousnesse with God by frames and performances of its own according to Law And also from speaking peace from such attainments Gal. 2.21 Phil. 3 3 7 8 9. Iob. 9.15.32 Purifieth the heart to a child-like love of God and Christ and his Government Heb. 9.14 Gal. 2.20 21. And so reneweth it with spring of ove ce brethren 1 Pet. 1.19 21 22. And omen 2 Cor. 5.14 And inclinations to serve the living God Tit 3 4.5 Conforming to Christ 2 Cor. 3.3 18. Washeth and cleanseth from such pollutions as befall Believers 1 John 2.7 Sealeth to the Day of redemption Exod. 12.13 with Ephes 1.13 and 4 30. And giveth boldnesse and courage in accesse to God Rom 5.2 Ephes 2.16 18 Heb. 4 16. All which are the efficacies of the pretious bloud of Christ spiritually applied to and sprinkled on the heart And meant when the Bloud is spoken of as Believers are said to be sprinkled redeemed from the world or vain conversation and washed with it Heb. 12.24 1 Pec. 1.19 Acts 20.28 Rev. 5.9 and 1.5 6 Sometimes by these tearms the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ is signified encluded and meant The immense rich and free mercy love or grace of God in finding out a ransome and giving his Son That he might shew forth love Job 33.24 John 3.15 16 17. Ephes 2 4 5 6 7. And so this love made known in the gift of his Sonne and testified in the application of the vertue of his blood Rev. 1.5 and 5 9. In forgivenesse of sinnes Ephes 1.6.7 And there-through shedding abroad his love in the heart by the holy Ghost begetting love and confidence Rom 5 5 10. Vniting to comforting in and conforming to Christ writing his mind in the heart 1 Pet. 8.21 22. 2 Cor. 3.3.18 And herein is love That he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins 1 John 4.10 and 3 16 And herein is love communicated That he hath washed us from our sins in his blood Rev. 1.5 And so when we speak or in the Scripture read of the Sufferings Bloud Death and Sacrifice of Christ and the love of God to manward and the hope and benefit set forth to all men thereby wee are to understand it as of the bloud of Christ 1 That shed it and dyed for our sins 2 That overcame Death and rose for our Justification 3 That by and with the vertue of this bloud did through the eternall Spirit effer up himself without spot to God and hath thereby obtained eternall redemption And 4 that thereby procureth favour and meanes for the Sons of men That they might believe and in believing be saved And when the Scripture speaketh of so much and no more in any Proposition for Faith it speaketh of it as for the world John 1.29 Mer 1 Tim 2.6 Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 And such like generall tearms it useth 2 Cor. 5.19 But when we speake or in the Scripture reade of the Sufferings Bloud Death and sacrifice of Christ as the vertue and efficacy thereof is found in any And the peculiar love and choice priviledges thereof affirmed of Then wee are to understand it farther 5 Of the vertue of that pretious Bloud applyed to and working in the heart And 6 of the rich and free love of God testified to and shed abroad in the heart thereby And then and so we are to understand it not only in the foure former sences but both in them and these two latter also And so it is never spoke of in generall for all men but for the Church Act 20.28 Ephes 5.25.26 27 Believers 1 John 1.7 His called and chosen ones Heb. 9.14 Revel 1.5 and 5.9 And so the same vertue and grace of Christ by Spirit given and made effectuall 1 In respect of Christ his dying for our sinnes and in respect of his entring into Heaven by his own bloud And in respect of his Application of it to the conscience And in respect of the first effects of
the first Testament or the Law A Perfect image made by a curing limmer may clearly present the visage complexion of him whose Image it is though it have no life and so neither see nor breathe c. But a shadow or the first rude draught will not doe so much onely may discover that it is to be of a man or a woman and not of a beast but whether man or woman or whom it sheweth not as the Image finisht in which the shadow passeth doth Now the law had the shadow of good things to come but not the very image of the things they were paterns and figures of heavenly things for the time present but not a full demonstration of them Heb. 10.1 9.9.23 Now then if we call to mind 1. The offering for sin to make Atonement was first slain and after that the blood sprinkled at the Altar and on the Atonement-day before the Mercy-seat and the people afflicted in themselves and blessed by the Priest Lev. 9. 15.22 16. per totum shadowed Jesus delivered to death for our sinnes and presenting himselfe with the vertue of his blood to the Father to make the Atonement obtain redemption for us and his blessing us in sprinkling his blood on our hearts melting and purging the conscience Heb. 1.3 9.12.14.24 10.1 19. The Passover a Lamb without blemish slain and then the blood wth a bunch of hyssop dipt therin sprinkled on the two side-Posts and the upper doore Posts that the striking Angel might passover Exod. 12. And then the flesh roasted with fire eaten Shadowed Jesus Christ the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world John 1.29 Heb. 9.26 His dying for our sins 1 Cor. 15.3.4 And by his Spirit sprinkling the vertue of his blood on the beleeving heart without which no safety Heb 12.24 and our feeding on him by faith without which no eternall life John 6.35.36 so that bloodshed presented to the Lord and applied to such as come to the Sacrifices are all held forth distinctly as distinct and divers works 3. For the people that came to these Sacrifices for whom blood was not onely shed but presented to God and who had the atonement and such reconciliation as was thereby affoorded there was yet provided a water of Purification to cleanse them from defilements when they befell them and the defiled person not cleansed with it might not approach to the holy things without danger of death now it was not enough There was for them a water of purification and it was right nor that it was put in a vessell and running water put thereto unlesse a clean person dip with a branch of Hissop and sprinkle him that is uncleane hee remains unclean and must die by Sprinkling is Cleansing And doth not this shadow out Jesus Christ the fountain of cleansing and Laver of regeneration and purification right with with God yet cleasing none in their own hearts c. without application and spirituall sprinkling Heb 9.13 14. 12 24. Zach. 13.1 Tit. 3.4 5. Ezek. 36.25 Consider and compare the Scriptures and say 1 Did not the red Hyfer slain without the Camp and her flesh burnt Numb 19.2.3.5 Numb 19.2 3 5. shadow out Jesus that knew no sin made sin for us and suffering without the gate and after in the power of the Spirit and fire of his love offering up his whole selfe a Sacrifice to God for us 2 Cor. 5.21 Heb 9.14 10.12 13.12 2. Vers 9. Did not the remainders or ashes of the Heyfer shadow forth the remaining Records Testimonies and vertues of the death and sacrifice of Jesus who died for our sinnes and rose for our justification Vers 4. and presented his sacrifice to God and applieth it to us as was shadowed by the blood sprinkled before the Tabernacle 1 Corinth 15 1-4 Heb 9.12.13.14 And is not this the water of Separation or Purification from uncleannesse Ezek. 36.25 Rev. 1.5 3. Vers 9. Did not the clean Place without the Camp where these ashes were kept for a purification for sin shadow forth the Gospel of Christ or word of grace which J. Christ by his Spirit hath breathed and caused to be written and therein declared and testified and kept as in record the truth and vertue of the blood-shed death and sacrifice of Christ and the offering it to the Father and its prevalency with him and for whom and his tender and application of it and the vertue thereof and in whom Are not all the sayings hereabout plain 1 Cor. 15.1 4. 2 Cor. 3.12.13 1.2 Faithfull 1 Tim. 1.15 True 2 Pet. 1.16 19. And in righteousnesse nothing froward perverse equivocall or wreathed in them Prov. 8.6 7 8 9. 22.20 21. Eccles 12.10 That we may rather take those sayings as they expresse the matter then any other sayings or glosses they are very righteous and faithfull his word is very pute Psal 119.138 The inspiration of the Spirit of truth 2 Tim. 3.16 4. Did not the ashes of the burnt Heyfer of Purification for sinne and running water put thereto in a vessell shadow forth the Word of Grace setting forth the vertue of the death and sacrifice of Christ inspired and put in the hearts of the servants of God 2 Cor. 5.18.19 and his free and rich grace and love appearing therein shed abroad thereby by the holy Ghost in the heart of those whom he hath brought to beleeve in Christ and so united them to him 1 Cor. 1.30 and so filled them with his love that it springs up like love in them that constrains them to declare this grace and beseech others to accept it 2 Cor. 5.14 15.19 1 Pet. 1.21 22. for which cause they are called Stewards and Ministers of this grace 1 Cor. 3.1 2 Cor. 3.3 and said to have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may appeare to be of God and not of them 2 Cor. 4.7 and so are called chosen vessels unto God to beare his name Act. 9.15 5 Did not the clean person taking Hissop dipping it in the water sprinkling the unclean shadow forth Iesus Christ the just who by his own Spirit stirreth this grace in the hearts of his servants and giveth them what to speak 2 Cor. 4.6 5.14 1 Cor 2.12.13 and giveth proof of his own speaking in their ministration 2 Cor. 13.3 Making manifest the savour of his knowledge by them 2 Cor. 2.14 and himselfe by his Spirit turning the heart of men to God Acts 11 21. and weighing his mind in the heart of these so turned to beleeve in him 2 Cor. 3.3 further minding and teaching them that they have heard John 14.26 and taking off the things of Christ and shewing to them John 16.14 and so sprinkling and washing them with this water of purification the vertue of the pretious blood of Christ and his infinite love streaming there-through melting cleansing comforting renewing c Heb.
occasion their submission to Christ and so their high prizeing of the grace and righteousnesse and lyfe in him that they may fall downe before him and be quickned and made alive by him Rom. 5.20 Gal. 2.19 who by sprinkling his blood and giving in his grace by his spirit enliveneth them Heb. 9.14 Tit. 3.4.5 And so Rom. 10.3 Christ is the end of the law for righteousnesse to every one that believeth Gal. 2.20 3.22.24 which also sheweth the necessity of the pretious Blood of Christ which he shead and presented to his Father for men to be by his spirit applyed to men without which they can have no true peace and freedome with God Iohn 13.8 and 8 32-36 3 The power this law hath in the consciences of men in this lyfe till they know and believe in Christ and be set free by him Iohn 8 34-36 this holy spirituall and righteous law in respect of the spirituall affections and services therein required was once in the heart of mankind when God made man in his own Image And made him and all men in him as in the first publike person righteous then was it the naturall bent of man to love God and his neighbour and to walke in that love uprightly Gen. 1.26 27 28. and 2.7 Ecles 7.29 And then while these righteous affections and services were naturally springing and streaming in men man was not under the power of the Commandements thereof with the promises and threats But when man sinned and fell He lost these righteous affections and services out of his heart and inward and naturall bent And became corrupt averse and full of enmity against God Gen. 3 10-13 Eccles 7.29 Rom. 5.12.18.19 And then fell under the power of this law with its Commands Threats and Promises And the effect of this law as a spirit of Bondage entred into him for such the power of the work of God in his grace both shewn in the creation and procured for men by the Redemption and extended to men for the redeemers sake that it still proclaimeth to men and testifieth that it is mans duty and that he is hereby bound to love God with all his heart soule and strength and his neighbour as himselfe and to walke in that love And the least short coming hereof is sinn Ioh. 35.10.11 and 37.24 Deut. 5.6.7 1 Iohn 3.4 For though man by sinn lost his interest in God yet God lost not his right and Authority over man But when man by sinn lost the inward and living principle of the law out of his heart Then through the Authority of God over man and the power of God in his works man fell under the power of the law And the effect of the law as a spirit of bondage entred into his heart and that with such force that according to the knowledge given him whether by the works of God in creation and providence or the law declared and written that it bindeth downe and embondageth a man that he can no otherwise have hope or looke to God for acceptance and life then as he conceives himselfe to keepe this law nor avoyd the feares of wrath and Death as he discernes himselfe a transgressor of it and as their conscience witnesse so doe their thoughts accuse or excuse one another Rom. 2.15 And so from the law sin takes occasion to become oft more violent in its motions to sin Rom. 7.5.8 And from the law sinn hath its strength to accuse and terifie Rom. 7.11 1 Cor. 15.56 And in desires of avoiding danger this spirit of bondage so laden with sinn pollutes the conscience to be dictating to seeke peace in workes of the law and to be speaking peace there from Rom. 9.32 and 10.3 which still genders to bondage and leaves under the curse Gal. 4.21.30 and 5.4 and 3.10 And this power hath law with its effect in the consciences of men in this lyfe till they be set free by Christ for the law can justifie none that have at all sinned nor gives any hope for any repentance after sinning nor any power or freedome for coming in to God againe this is the work of Jesus Christ the Sonne of God to justifie from sinn and give repentance and freedome to come in to God Iohn 8 34-36 Act. 5.31 So that onely by Christ by his spirit applying his preâ—ious blood to the heart and streaming in his rich grace there through the conscience is purged from the accusation of sinn and from speaking or seeking peace by dead works And gives in an inward living principle to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 And so washeth from sinn Reu. 1.5 Reneweth Tit. 3.4 And setteth them at Liberty for the things of the Kingdom Gal. 5.1 enduing them with the Spirit of adoption of love power and a sound minde Rom. 8.15 2 Tim. 1.7 And thus the law rightly understood in it selfe and the ends of giving it And the power it hath in the naturall conscience shews the necessity of the Pretious Blood of Christ to be by his spirit applyed to and sprinkled on the conscience CHAPTER VII Of the Excellency and dignity of this Precious Blood of Christ that is presented to the Father and his Sacrifice being also presented to the heart FOR the Excellency Dignity and worth of the Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ presented and offered to God for men and presented tendered and applyed to men It is beyond comparison or expression yet we may understand a little thereof if we view and consider it in fowre respects 1. In respect of the Sacrifice it selfe 2. In respect of the appearance and Declaration thereof 3. In respect of the glorious and abundance of love herethrough appearing 4. In respect of the unvaluable and inexpressible hope it giveth to all that receive it besides the operation to be after spoke of 1 In respect of the Presentation and Sacrifice it selfe it appeareth to be of most excellent Dignitye and worth in many notable respects as to say 1 In respect of the Priest that offered this Sacrifice who was immediately called of God as Aron was Heb. 5.4.5 And infinitely above and greater then Aron and all the Priests of his Order for they had sinns of their own also first to offer for before they offered for the sins of the people But this our high Priest had no sinn of his own to satisfie for but his offering was wholly and altogether for us Heb. 7.26.27 And their High-Priests were men that had infirmities and so dyed But this High-Priest though the very man that dyed for us yet risen from the Dead and alive for ever-more to interceide for us Heb. 7 23-25 and 5.5.6 Yea they were made Priests according to the law of a carnall Commandement But this High-Priest after the power of an endlesse life Heb. 7.16.17 They without an Oath this with an Oath Heb. 7.21 They the Sonnes of men But this High-Priest is the Sonne of God even God-man Heb. 7.28 and 1 4-8 They went and presented
Christian Reader Having fore-written about the extent of the death and sacrifice of Christ That it might be more usefully understood I have here presented to thy view this following Tract desiring that is good may be received And what swarveth from Truth that I may be lovingly informed thereof which I spall heartily accept at the hands of any or if evident truth be faulted shall with meeknesse give answer if I may be permitted And that God may graciously discover to us and leade us into all truth Is the desire of the least of his mercies and servants Tho Moore A DISCOVRSE ABOUT THE PRETIOVS BLOOD AND SACRIFICE OF IESVS CHRIST CHAP. I. The Preface COnsidering how our Saviour when he was about to leave his Disciples whom he so dearly loved left with them by his institution His Supper in which they might spiritually enjoy his presence And then said to them Do this in remembrance of mee Luk. 22.19 And that the Apostle saith That in so doing we shew forth the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 11.25.26 And likewise That the Apostle affirmeth that as many as are baptized into Christ were baptized into his death Rom. 6.3 so that to be taught and subdued to the acknowledgement and brought into the faith of Christ and unto conformity with him Is to be taught and subdued to the acknowledgement and brought into the faith of the death of Christ and conformed to him in fellowship of his death as that wherein the vertue of his Resurrection is met with Rom. 6.4.8 Gal. 2.20 Phil. 3.2.7.8.9 2 Cor. 4.10.11.12 2 Tim. 2.11 And the Scripture affirmeth of all the Priesthood Sacrifices Atonement and Purifications under the Law That they were but figures types and shadowes of that to be found in Christ He being the body Col. 2.17 And the truth of all typed in the shadowes found in him Heb. 9.9.23 Chap. 10.1 And so that there was more vertue Power and Prevalency with God in Christ his offering himselfe and presenting the vertue of his blood before his Father than in all the offerings of the other Priests Heb. Chap. 10.14 And that there is more Power vertue and prevalency with and in men for purgeing the conscience in the spirituall sprinkling of the vertue of the blood and sacrifice of Christ therein than was in all those shadowing purifications and sprinklings to purifie the flesh Heb 9.12.13.14 Yea those who in being taught of God have experimented the truth hereof call the blood of Christ pretious 1 Pet. 1.19 And have professed in their Preachings not to determine to know any thing among their hearers save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2.2 And not to glory and rejoyce save in the Crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 6.14 It gives me to conceive that a sober reader will be perswaded that there is somthing in the blood death and sacrifice of Christ of infinite vallue and worthy our hartiest and deepest consideration most wiste view best remembrance and choyse acceptation and so I am encouraged to present the same to consideration and for more orderly proceeding to consider 1. What is comprehended in these termes the sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ 2. The manifold ends of his suffering Blood Death and Sacrifice as the Scripture distinctly sets them forth 3. The necessity of the sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ 4. The Excellency Dignity and worth of this blood and sacrifice 5. The vertue operation and prevalency thereof presented and applyed 6. The usefulnesse of the same knowne and believingly remembred CHAP. II. What is comprehended in these tearmes The Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ IN these together and every of these tearmes in Scripture is ment Somtime fully and almost onely and alwayes inclusively The very suffering of Christ it selfe The shedding of his blood and his death Esa 53.4.5 Surely he hath borne our griefes and carryed our sorrowes He was wounded for our transgressions the chastisement of our peace was upon him Rom. 4.25 He was delivered for our offences 1 Cor. 15.3 Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scripture Gal. 3.13 Being made a curse for us 1 Pet. 3.18 Christ hath once suffered for our sins the just for the unjust 2 Cor. 5.14.15 He dyed for All Heb. 2.9 By the grace of God he tasted death for every man 2. Somtimes together with this former sence of the sufferings the Blood-shed and Death of Christ it selfe is ment Also in the same tearmes of suffering Blood and Death of Christ the vertue and efficacy of this suffering Blood-shed and death of Christ as he is risen from the Dead free and just from all our sins imputed to him and a victor over all our curse and death imposed on him As namely 1. The fulfilling the truth of God in the death of the sinner for so we judge if one dyed for all then are all dead and he dyed for all that they which live should live to him c. 2 Cor. 5.14.15 Gen. 2.17 2. The satisfying Divine Justice in that all have suffered the curse in one publike man being made a curse and having overcome it for them Gal. 3 10-13 with Esa 53.5 and 2 Cor. 5.19.21 3. The satisfying and fulfilling the Law accomplishing a righteousnesse for us that Way may be made for the righteousnesse of the law to be fulfilled in us Gal. 1.4 Rom. 8.3.4 4. The overcoming death and him that had the power of death And so takeing out of the way that which was in the way between God and us contrary to us 2 Tim. 1.10 Heb. 2.14 Col. 2.14 So as in him mercy and truth are met righteousnesse and peace have kissed Psal 85.10 such the vertue of the sufferings blood and death of Jesus Christ being risen from the dead And thus he is said to be risen for our Justification Rom. 4.25 And so is he justified in the roome of all mankind that they are all in him as in the publike person justified Rom. 3.23.24 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Rom. 5.18 As by the offence of one unto all men to Codemnation even so by the righteousnesse of one to all men to justification of life And he by himselfe purged or made purgation for our sinns and then sate downe c. Heb. 1.3 And so hath taken away our sins by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.26 Iohn 1.29 1 Iohn 3.5 And through death destroyed him that had the power of death Heb. 2.14 And all this the vertue and efficacy of the death and resurrection of him that is risen from the dead 1 Cor. 15. tot 3. Somtimes together with both the former sences by the suffering blood death and sacrifice of Christ is ment His offering and presenting himselfe in heaven before his Father by and with the vertue of this his suffering blood and death as the price the Ransome
own particular persons they can never over-come and without suffering they can have no remission Heb. 9 22. Now to remedy this misery and take away this enmity in the state and condition of mankind Jesus Christ by the will of God even the will of his Father and his own free-will it being one and the same with the will of his Father hath taken the nature of mankind subjected to infirmities and the cause of mankind upon him and in their stead being made under the Law under which they were fallen hath borne all their sins and suffered all their curse and so dyed for All That all were dead and hath risen again just and free from all their sins imputed to him And a victâ—rer over all their curse and death imposed on him and so ascended and offered up himself to God a spotlesse sacrifice and a ransome to God for all men and God hath accepted it so that for mankind in him mercy and truth are met righteousnesse and peace have kified Psul 85 10. And he is become the propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Iohn 2.2 having slaine the enmity Ephes 2.10 Having taken out of the way All that was onely between God and us and so was contrary to us Col 2.14 And so hath given himself aransome for All to God and bought all men of God 1 Tim â— 6. 2 Pet. 2.1 And here is the infinite wisedome and great love of God in finding out this remedy for mankind which from the beginning was in himself hidden in his own Bosome And this he brought to passe so putting all to death in the death of his Son and setting them in heavenly places in him That he might shew forth the riches of his grace Ephes 2.5 6 7. And so war God in Christ reconciling the World to himself not imputing their trespasses to them 2 Cor. 5.14 19. And so hath made a way for himself to shew mercy to whom hee will And opened the doore to life and immortality for mankind 2 Tim. 1.10 And thus hath Iesus Christ by shedding his blood and presenting it to his Father redeemed all men of God and taken the enmity out of their stateand condition and is become their Lord Having wrought redemption and salvation in his own body for them even for all men 1 Tim. 2. 5. Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Vngodly and his enemies And that while they were such Roan 5.6 That he might bring them to God 1 Pet. 2.24 and 3.18 And yet unlesse he proceed to do more for men then all this none of them will come into God Iohn 6.44 45. For 2 There is a misery and enmity in the nature of mankind through which he is so averse to God That though the enmity in the state and condition be slain And all that which was between God and Mankind contrary to them taken out of the way Ephes 2.16 Col. 2.14 yet will not mankind come into God but remain sinners and ungodly still foolish disobedient and deceived living to themselves and after their own lusts and so in enmity against God Rom. 3.10 19. Ephes 2.1 2 3. Tit. 3 2 3. And such however ransomed by Christ neither can nor shall enter his Kingdom nor have any inheritance with Christ 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Gal. 15.19 20 21. But if not brought out of this enmity which is as impossible to them to do of themselves as to have ransomed themselves their condemnation will bee more fearfull 2 Thes 1.8 Now to remedy this misery and take this enmity out of the nature of man Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and with the vertue of that bloud he shed for mankind having offered up himself a spotlesse Sacrifice to God and obtained eternall redemption and received all fulnesse of Power Authority and Spirit as the publike person in the humane nature glorified Act. 2.31.32 Psalm 68.18 Doth send forth of that Spirit in the meanes he useth at one time or other to enlighten and move at the hearts of men Iohn 1.9 To reprove and convince them of the sinfulnesse in themselves the vanity of all their Idols and all righteousnesse of their own working and of the fulnesse of that righteousnesse and life in him Iohn 16.8 9 10. And so calleth them Prov. 8.4.5 6. Isa 45.22 and 55.1 2. That in their turning at his reproofe he may power out his Spirit and make known his words to them Prov. 1.23 That so through him they might believe and be saved Iohn 1.5 7. and 3.7 And though all resist and go out of the way Rom. 3.10 19. And that this is the great condemnation when light comes to love or chuse darknesse rather Iohn 3.19 And he might justly give them all up and be righteous Rom 3.5 6. yet for a time he useth patience and striveth with them Gen. 6.3 That they might repent Rom 2.4 And to some he giveth more abundance of his grace and overcomes them as Bullocks unaccustomed to the yoke Ier. 31.18 20. Isa 30.18 And brings them in to believe Ephes 2.7 8 9 10. Phil 1.29 And these he redeemeth with his precious blood by presenting and applying it close to their heart sprinkling it thereon and discovering such free and infinite riches of grace therethrough that all things else though never so fore-thought of as gainfull appeares to them as losse in comparison of this grace allureing to win Christ and be found in him And soe as we by of our Children from their vanities to their bookes Phil. 3.7 8 9. c. with gifts he buyeth and purchaseth us with his blood from our vaine lusts hopes and conversations and from among men unto God 1 Pet. 1.18.19 Reu. 5.9 And then by the spirituall application of the vertue of his blood purgeth the conscience from dead workes to serve the living God Heb. 9.14 And so in his love washeth us from our sins in his own blood Reu. 1.5 And those whom he hath not onely bought of God as he hath done all men 1 Tim. 2.6 but also purchased them unto God from among men and washed them in his love from their sinns 2 Pet. 2.1 Reu. 5.9 and 1.5 Iohn 13.8 These and these onely are his Church and pecular people Act. 20.28 Ephes 5.27 In whose soule and body he worketh salvation through the application of that salvation which the hath wrought in his own body And in this consideration of the double enmity to God into which man fell and the reâ—â—â—cy in Christ appeares three ends of the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ namely two ends of the presentation and offering it to God one to take away the enmity that was in the State and condition of mankinde Ephes 2.16 The other to receive spirit to send forth in the declaration of this grace to reconcile men to God that the enmity in there nature might be removed Ephes 2.7 2 Cor. 5.20 and one end of the spirituall presentation and applycation of it to the heart and conscience
of men namely to purge the conscience and wash them from their sins and renew them to God Heb. 9.14 Concerning the Church of God on earth in respect of the double need they stand in of the continuall helpfullnesse of Christ 1. The believers though made free in Christ and their conscience purged their heart renewed and spirit made alive for righteousnesse sake Iohn 8.36 Gal. 5.1 Heb. 9.14 Ezek. 36.25 Rom. 8.10 yet for the time of their warfare there is a remaining of the old Disposition although unthroned from the heart and weakned yet working in all the powers and faculties of the soule and parts and members of the body lusting against the spirit and to satisfie the affections and lusts of the flesh and attempting to leade Captive to the law of sin and death Gal. 5.17 Rom. 7.14 24. Besides the manifold temptations from the world by Customs Promises Threats Asurements Terrors 1 Iohn 2 16. And also from Satan takeing advantage from the flesh and the world and adding strength to the lusts and temptations thereof adding his own fiery and he lish suggestions c. 1 Pet. 5.8 whereby it falleth out that in many things we even Believers offend all Iames 3 1. 1 Iohn 1.8 10. Which remaining evill and off nees overtaken which doe defile and make unmeete to appeare before God and if they be not pardoned and purged away they will exclude from his presence and bring to death againe Psal 5.4 5 6. Now the Blood of Jesus and the grace therethrough extended is the onely thing that can purifie and cleanse from these defilements Heb. 9.14 Reu. 1.5 1 Iohn 1.9 So that here is still need of coming to Christ for his cleansing herewith Zach. 13.1 1 Iohn 1.9 2 The believers having so many great enemies fighting against them Ephes 6.12 so many and great sufferings to undergoe Act. 14.22 2 Tim. 3.12 And so many and great servises of love to goe forth in till they be wholly conformed to Christ Col. 2.6 and 3 12.-16 Phil. 2 1.-6 And they having no good thing dwelling in their flesh Rom. 7.18 nor ability in themselves for a good thought as of themselves 2 Cor. 5.5 so as unlesse he work all for and in them there will be no abiding peace Esa 26.12 Great need have they therefore of his continuall presence and sending forth supplyes of spirit to overcome their enemyes Mat. 10.19 20. Rom. 16.20 to support in sufferings Esa 43.1 1 Cor. 10.13 to sanctifie them throughout 1 Thes 5.23.24 And to comfort teach and lead into all truth and to the inheritance Esa 54 13.14 Iohn 15.26 and 16.13.14.15 And so to perfect all that concerneth them Psal 138.8 And for this cause is he by vertue of his precious Blood and Sacrifice an Advocate and great High-Priest and Mediatour of the new Testament at his Fathers right hand for believers that are his called and chosen ones 1 John 2.2 Heb. 3 1.-6 8. 9.15 And in this consideration of the Churches need of Christ and his way of supply we may see one end of his continual presenting the vertue of his Blood and Sacrifice before his Father and applying it to the hearts and consciences of his people both together to keep them cleane before his Father and to cleanse purifie and conform them to himselfe Rev. 1.5 And so in respect of both his presentation of his Sacrifice to his Father and his gracious and spirituall application of the same to believers It is said Ephes 5-25 26.27 Christ also loved the Church and gave himselfe for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that as he presents it in himselfe spotlesse before the Father Coloss 1.22 so he might present it to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish And in the right understanding of these things we may understand the ends of the Sufferings Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ First the ends of the sheeding his blood and so of his suffering and dying was 1. To satisfie for the sinne of the world and so to fulfill the truth of God and satisfie Diuine Justice and answer the Law and abolish death as is foreshewn page 2. 2. To confirm and ratifle the new Testament of pretious Promises for all that through the heavenly call beleeve on him as is shewn page 14. 3. To testifie obedience love and faithfulnesse in his Ministration and so to confirme his doctrine and give all his Disciples an example as is shewn p. 13. Secondly the ends of the vertue of this his pretious blood and death in offering himeelfe a spotlesse sacrifice to his Father Scripture sheweth to be 1. That he might be the Propitiation for the sins of the world as page 3.4.6.7 2. That he might obtain eternall redemption for mankind and procure some mercy means and patience to be used towards them as pages 5 6 13. 3. That he might be the Mediator between God and men as page 4.12 4. That he might be the great high Priest Prophet King and so the Advocate for and of his Church p. 15.16.12 5. That through him by his Spirit there might be a shewing declaration and tender of the grace of God to men to call them lesse clearly in his workes of creation and providence and more fully and clearly in the Gospel of salvation preached to men as p. 6.12.14 Thirdly the ends of his spirituall discovery tender and application of his pretious blood and sacrifice to men Scripture shews to be 1. To convince men of sinne and the vilenesse of sin in themselves and the vanity of all thier own wisdome and righteousnesse to help them and of the compleat righteousnesse that is in him thereby to empty them and pierce their hearts and submit them to himselfe Zach. 12.10 Gal. 2.21 Phil. 3.7 8. Joh. 16 8-10 Luke 2.34 2. To purchase and redeem these convinced from among men and from their Idols and vain conversation unto God Rev. 5.9 1 Pet. 1.18.19 Act. 20.28 26.18 3. To wash and cleanse these his so purchased in the discovery of the freenesse and abundance of his grace through his pretious blood enlightning enlivening comforting sanctifying and preserving them to the inheritance Eoh. 5.25 26.27 And these things considered distinctly as the Scripture sets them forth lead to the right understanding of the ends of Christs death and sacrifice when it is spoke of in respect of his dying and blood-shedding And when it is spoke of in respect of that and also his presenting himselfe with the vertue of that to his Father and when it is spoke of in both these former respects and also together therewith in respect of his spirituall discovery tender and application thereof to men in which is variety of the extent of the sense and signification CHAP. IV. A Digression shewing how these things were shadowed in the Sacrifices and Ordinances of
misery by having his being from Adam and partaking of his nature he may partake of justification and lyfe by having his being in Christ and partaking of his Divine nature without this new Birth he cannot enter the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.3.5.6 2 Cor. 5.17.20 2 Pet. 1 2 3 4. Tit. 3.3 4 5 6 7. And indeed till so borne from above men are Aliens from God and Christ and the lyfe of God in Christ Ephes 2.12 and 4.18 And however it be true that in Christ and that he hath done obtained and received God hath given us eternall lyfe and this life is in his Sonne yet this is also true that whoever of us hath not the Sonne the same hath not lyfe lyfe is received and enjoyed onely in the receite and enjoyment of the Sonne 1 Iohn 5.11.12 And that is when through his spirituall Discovery and sprinkling of his Pretious Blood and Dispensation of his grace there-through to the heart a man is brought to believe on him And so quickoned borne and renewed Ephes 2.5.10 Esa 55.1 9. And so such he gives the priviledges of the Sonnes of God who to receive him and are so borne Iohn 1.12.13 2 Thes 2.13.14 So that the truth is the necessity in respect of mens personall entrance into the Kingdome and being eternally saved to be spiritually sprinkled and washed with the Blood of Christ is so great as there can be no greater there being no other way to the enjoyment of remission of sins Humiliation for sinn Justification before God wisdome righteousnesse Sanctification and redemption nor any fruitfulnesse that God will accept But by this pretious Blood of Christ which he shed and with the vertue thereof offered himselfe to God by his spirit sprinkled on the conscience And his rich and abundant grace manifested through the same by the same spirit shed abroad in the heart and so leading to God in which respect Christ onely is the way for all accesse to the Father and without whom there is no coming to God nor doing any thing he will accept Iohn 14.6 Rom. 3 25. Ephes 1.7 1 Cor. 1.30 Iohn 15.4 1 Pet. 1.18.19 Ephes 2.17.18 Heb. 10.10 19. This necessity of Christ his sprinkling his Blood on the Conscience the whole Gospel and all the writings thereof and Testimonies and examples therein do shew and so doth the Law also rightly understand CHAPTER 6. A digression to shew how the Law shewes the necessity of this Blood-shedding Death and Sacrifice of Christ BEfore in Chapter 4. was shewn how the ends of the suffering Blood Death and Sacrifice of Christ was shaddowed in the leviticall law and types of old and the necessity of the acting presenting and applying the same now if we view the morall law even the law of workes the holy and righteous law of God It also will shew and urge the necessity of the Death and Sacrifice of Christ in all the respects aforesaid and that every way If we consider this holy law 1. In respect of it selfe 2 In respect of the ends of giving it and 3. In respect of the power it hath in this lyfe in the consciences of men till set free by Christ 1 The Law it selfe is holy spirituall and righteous Rom. 7.12 Mat. 22.38.39 1 Iohn 3.4 Rom. 7.7 Iam. 2.10 Mail. 1.6 It is a holy Law pointing us all to live to God the holy one and according to his Will and Commands enjoyning to love God with all our heart soule and strength and our neighbour as our selves and to walke in that love of God and our neighbour and so it forbiddeth every sinn and commandeth every Duty And it is a spirituall Law requiring the Inmost heart and Spirit And the utmost and perfect obedience of the whole man so as the least rising motion to any evill it forbiddeth and concludeth it sinn yea and the least want of the through spirituall and perfect performance of all or any one point it condemneth for sinn and for that sinn putteth under the guilt of the breach of the whole Law And it is a righteous law requiring of man noe more then is due from man to God and which shall be the righteousnesse of a man before God if he fulfill it so as the law find no fault in him Rom. 2.13 and 10.5 Gal. 3.10.12 Rom. 6. Deut. 27 15-26 and it promiseth life to the observers and will performe it that being the righteousnesse of the Law and it sentenceth to death and curse every one that sinneth against any point or cometh short of the least title it requireth so that this Law is holy spirituall and righteous in its Commandements of Duty In its Justifying the doers of it in its convincing the Transgressors and in its leaving Transgressors to the curse And indeed so holy spirituall and righteous is this law that in their own persons and performances noe one man since Adam fell but onely Jesus Christ our Lord hath fulfilled it to every Jota or can be Justified and have lyfe by it For. 1 Though a man had such knowledge of the Law that he could see all his Duty therein required And had also such a heart to keepe this Law that he had respect to every Commandement in it and did his utmost to avoid every sinn and to perform every duty and that constantly in all his conversation yet if he attaine not to the utmost the Law requireth but fayle of that if it were but once and but in one point the Law puts him under the guilt of sinn and danger of Curse and Death Rom. 6.23 the wages of sinn is Death and James 2.10 whosoever shall keepe the whole Law and yet offend in one poynt he is guilty of all and Gal. 3.10 Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the booke of this Law to do them and Rom. 5.12 all have sinned Iames 3.2 In many things we offend all so that by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified Rom. 3.20 2 A man having once sinned and fallen under the guilt of sinne and so into the desert of death and curse as all men have there is no after-righteousnesse of his performance that can take away that sinne which unlesse it be taken away he cannot be justified before God though in his after righteousnesse he could answer the whole Law but onely for that one offence whence those sayings Job 9.15.20.21.22 nor can any teares confessions or washing themselves with snow water take off this sinne that they may appeare righteous before God Job 9.30.31.32 Nor can any gifts or sacrifices of Bulls and Goats Heb. 10.4 nor of thousands of Rams or ten thousand Rivers of Oyle or the first borne of Beasts or of a mans body satisfie for and take away sin Mich. 6.6.7 3. Neither can there be any mangling impairing or abating much lesse abolishing of this holy and spirituall law that the Almighty will tolerate nor did Jesus Christ come to destroy
in all that he doth to us in mercy for his Sonns sake his love and goodnesse appeareth therein Psal 136. And his goodnesse is his glory Exod. 33.18.19 and so 1 His love mercy and goodnesse appeareth in this that by Christ and for his sake the earth and the Inhabitants thereof are upheld the Sunn to shine c. continued mercy shewn c. All witnessing his goodnesse and leading to repentance as is foreshewn and so it is said Psal 19. The heavens declare the glory of God c. And thus all his workes prayse him Psal 145.8.9.10 And thus for Christ his sake his love and glorious goodnesse appeares to all in his workes 2 Yet his love mercy and goodnesse did more specially appeare to Israel in giving them his Oracles his Covenant and Ordinances and though but in Promises Prophesies and Tipes of Christ as then yet to come yet his glory appeared therein and such speciall love as it might then be truly said he had not dealt so with any Nation Rom. 3.2 and 9.4 Psal 147.18 3 But now in this giving and setting forth his Sonn who hath come and dyed for our sins and with the vertue of his own Blood entred the heavens and offered himselfe a Sacrifice to God and received Spirit and sending him forth in the word of Salvation which himselfe wrought and first began to preach and so God speaking to him by his Sonn who is the brightnesse of his glory and the expresse Image of his Person Heb. 1.2.3 and 2.3 The wisdome of God and the power of God yea wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption to them that believe 1 Cor. 1-24 30 In which face of Christ the light of the Knowledge of the glory of God yea his face shineth and is beheld 2 Cor. 4 6. and 3.18 Oh the Infinitnesse of the Breadth Depth length and height of this love of God appearing herein Ephes 3.18.19 In which still the Excellency and Dignity of this Sacrifice appeareth 4 In respect of the great hope this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice giveth and engendereth in all that in believing receive the same as 1 Remission of sinns and acceptance into favour and peace Act. 10.43 Rom. 5.1.2 2 Purgation of Conscience and Sanctification of the whole man Heb. 9.14 3 Seasonable victorie over all enemies and Temptations 1 Iohn 5.4.6 Rom. 16.20 1 Thes 5.24 4 The Holy Spirit to teach guide and conforme to Christ and so bring to the Kingd ome and inheritance Iohn 14.26 and 16.13.14 1 Pet. 1.5 5 And to say all in one word eternall life 2 Pet. 1 23. 1 Iohn 2.25 All which shew forth the Excellency and Dignity of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ besides the vertue and power now to be spoke of CHAP. 8. Of the vertue operation and prevalency of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ And first As offered to God THE vertue operation and prevalency of the Blood and Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is very great so as that which was prophesied concerning him is and shall certainly be fulfilled Esa 53. When thou shalt make his Soule an offering for sinn He shall see his seed so great a Generation as none of us can declare He shall prolong his dayes live ever and cause his seede to live for ever with him And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands his workes and Judgements acceptable and prosperous He shall see the Travell of his Soule even be the Lord of all and be acknowledged Lord by all By his knowledge shall my righteous Servant justifie many even all that believe on him through his teaching And this is the ground for he shall beare their iniquity therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoyle with the strong he shall have the Kingdome and be the judge and give to each their portion and Doome Because he hath powred out his Soule unto Death c. All which is true in Christ who is the truth And in a measure true too and in all that believe on him and shall one day appeare true to all men 1 Iohn 2.8 Phil. 2 7-11 And that the Truth of the vertue Power and Prevalency of this Pretious Blood and Sacrifice of Christ may be rightly and profitably understood and believed by us let us consider what is said thereof by the Spirit of truth in the Scripture or word of Truth concerning the vertue power and Prevalency of this Pretious and Sacrifice of Christ 1. As it was presented and offered to God 2. As grace is therethrough shewn and tendered to men 3. As it is spiritually applied to and worketh in the hearts of those that through grace believe 4. And as he testifieth and exerciseth the power of it upon them that have persisted in obstinacy and refusing to believe In all which its power and prevalency doth appeare and shall by all men be one day confessed 1. As this pretious Blood and Sacrifice was presented offered to God it hath so verily and mightily prevailed with him that he hath obtained and received of the Father the first next and immediat end of his suffering and Sacrifice and also the Father hath filled and fitted him for the second ultimate and utmost end of his suffering and sacrifice In both which the prevalency and effectualnesse thereof with God for men is evident and manifest let be considered The first next and immediat end of the suffering and Sacrifice of Christ was to work a salvation for mankind with God And that himselfe might be the Lord the Saviour and the Judge John 3.17 Rom. 14.9 1 John 4.14 Psal 2 9. And this first end containeth and may be comprehended in these particulars 1. To put or take away sin even the sinne of the world that was in the way between God and mankind out of the way by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.26 Joh. 1.19 1 Joh. 3.5 as is fore-shewne That so he that was made sinne and a curse for all might himselfe in the room of all be justified as the publick man with such a full and fruitfull justification that all may be so farie justified in him that whosoever of them are by his grace and Spirit brought in believing to be one in and with him shall also in their own particular persons be justified in with and through him Ephes 2.4 10. Joh. 3.15.16 Acts 10.43 And hath not his Blood and Sacrifice offered to God prevailed with God for and effected all this doth not the Spirit in the Scripture affirm plainly and expresly 1 Joh. 3.5 In him is no sin Heb. 1.3 And that when he had by himselfe purged our sin he sat down on the right hand of c. with Heb 11.12 And doth not God affirm him to be the just 1 John 2.1 and the holy one vers 20 and his righteous servant that by his knowledge shall justifie many Isa 53.11 And saith not the Scripture expresly Rom. 3.23.24.25 All have