Sin but that we could not be were it not that an Atonement is made for us first by the Blood of Christ our Saviour This is true for they that are quickned by the Holy Ghost are quickned by it through the Word of the Gospel which offereth Justification to Sinners through Faith in his Blood yea we are said to be quickned together with him dead and risen with him yet so as by the Spirit of God 2. We are not only quickned by the Holy Ghost but possessed therewith it is given to dwell in our Hearts Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts Gal. 4. 4 5 6. which Spirit is also our earnest for Heaven until the Redemption of the purchased Possession that is until our Body which is the purchased Possession be redeemed also out of the Grave by the Power of the same mighty Spirit of God Ephes. 1. 13 14. 3. By this Holy Spirit we are made to believe Rom. 15. 13. 4. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to pray and call God Father 5. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to understand and apply the Promises 6. By this Holy Spirit the Joy of Heaven and the Love of God is shed abroad in the Heart of the Saved 7. By this Holy Spirit we are made to wait for the hope of Righteousness by Faith that is to stand fast through our Lord Jesus in the day when he shall judg the World And all this is the Fruit of Redemption by Blood of Redemption by the Blood of Christ. This is yet further evident 1. Because the Work of the Spirit is to lead us into the sayings of Christ which as to our Redemption from death are such as these I lay down my Life that you may have Life I give my Life a Ransom for many And the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 2. Because IF the Spirit in the Wisdom of Heaven is not counted a sufficient Testimony on Earth but as joyned with the Blood of Christ. There are three that bear witness on Earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood These are the Witness of God The Spirit because it quickneth the Blood because it hath merited and the Watter to wit the Word because by that we are clean as to life and conversation 1 John 5. 8. Ephes. 5. 26. Rom. 8. 16. Psal. 119. 9. 3. Because as by the Spirit so we are sanctified by Faith in the Blood of Jesus Heb. 13. 12. 4. Because when most full of the Spirit when that doth work most mightly in us we are then most in the belief and admiring apprehensions of our deliverance from death by the Blood of Jesus Revel 15. Chap. 5. 9. 5. The Holy Ghost breaheth no-where so as in the Ministry of this Doctrine this Doctrine is sent WITH the Holy Ghost from Heaven yea as I have hinted one of the Great Works of the Holy Ghost under the Old-Testament was to testifie of the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. Put all these things together and see if Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath not paid full price to God for Sinners if he hath not obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Fourth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident if you consider how the preaching thereof hath been from that time to this a mighty Conquerer over all kind of Sinners What Nation what People what kind of Sinners have not been subdued by the preaching of a Crucified Christ. He upon the White Horse with his Bow and his Crown hath conquered doth conquer and goeth forth yet conquering and to conquer Revel 6. 2. And I saith he if I be lifted up from the Earth will draw all men unto me but what was it to be lifted up from the Earth Why it may be expounded by that saying As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 12. 32. Chap. 3. 14 15. He was then lifted up when he was hanged upon a Tree between the Heavens and the Earth as the Accursed of God for us The Revelation of this it conquers all Nations Tongues and People 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 Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Revel 5. 9. Hence the Apostle Paul chose above all Doctrines to preach up a Crucified Christ and resolved so to do For I determined saith he not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. 1. The Doctrine of Forgiveness of Sin conquered his very Murderers They could not withstand the Grace them bloody ones that would kill him what-ever it cost them could stand no longer but received his Doctrine fell into his Bosom and obtained the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus They shall look upon him whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourneth for his only Son they shall be in bitterness for him as one is in bitterness for his first-born Zech. 12. 10. Now was this Scripture eminently fulfilled when the Kindness of a Crucified Christ broke to pieces the Hearts of them that had before been his Betrayers and Murderers Now was there a great mourning in Jerusalem now was there wailing and lamentation mixed with joy and rejoycing 2. Though Paul was mad exceeding mad against Jesus Christ of Nazareth yea though he was his avowed Enemy seeking to put out his Name from under Heaven yet the Voice from Heaven I am Jesus c. I am the Saviour how did it conquer him make him throw down his Arms fall down at his Feet and accept of the forgiveness of Sins freely by grace through Redemption by Faith in his Blood 3. They at Samaria though before Philip preached to them worshipped and admired the Devil in Magus yet when they believed Philip's preaching of Christ unto them and forgiveness of sins through Faith in his Name great joy was amongst them and they were baptized both Men and Women Act. 8. He preached saith the Text the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ that is all the Blessings of Life through the Name of Jesus Christ for he is the Mediator and without his Blood come no spiritual blessings to men 4. How was the sturdy Jailer overcome by a Promise of forgiveness of sins by Faith in Jesus Christ. It stopt his Hand of self-murder it eased him of the gnawings of a guilty Conscience and fears of Hell-Fire and filled his Soul with rejoicing in God Act. 16. 30 31 32 33. 5. How
of Jesse and a Branch shall grow out of his Roots and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him This answereth the Text David was the Son of Jesse and Christ the Son of David Isa. 11. 1 2. 4. He is promised under the Title of a King Behold a King shall rule in righteousness and a Man shall be for a hiding-place from the Wind and a covert from the Tempest as Rivers of Waters in a dry place as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land Isa. 32. 1 2. 5. He was promised under the name of an Elect Servant Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles he shall not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the Streets a bruised Reed shall he not break and smoking Flax shall he not quench Isa. 42. 1 2 3. Matt. 12. 18. 6. He was promised to Jeremiah under the name of the Lord our Righteousness Behold the days come saith the Lord that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch and a King shall reign and prosper he shall execute Judgment in the Earth in his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is the name wherewith he shall be called The Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23. 5 6. 7. He was promised by the Prophet Ezekiel under the name of David a Shepherd And I will set one Shepherd over them and he shall feed them even my Servant David he shall feed them and he shall be their Shepherd and I the Lord will be their God and my Servant David a Prince among them I the Lord have spoken it Ezek. 34. 24. Joh. 10. 1 2 3. 8. He was promised by the Prophet Daniel under the name of Messias or Christ the most Holy And after threescore and two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off but not for himself Dan. 9. 26. 9. He was promised by the Prophet Micha under the name of the Ruler of Israel But thou Bethlehem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall be come that is to be Ruler in Israel Mic. 5. 2. Matt. 2. 6. 10. He was promised to Haggai as the desire of all Nations I will shake all Nations and the desire of all Nations shall come and I will fill this house with Glory saith the Lord of Hosts Hag. 2. 7. 11. He was promised by Zechariah under the name of Servant and Branch For behold I will bring forth my Servant the Branch and again Behold the Man whose name is the Branch he shall grow up out of his place and he shall build the Temple of the Lord and he shall bear the Glory Zech. 3. 8. 12. He was promised by Malachi under the name of the Lord and the Messenger of the Covenant Behold I send my Messenger and he shall prepare the way before thee and the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple even the Messenger of the Covenant whom ye delight in behold he shall come saith the Lord of Hosts Malachi 3. 12. Indeed the Scriptures of the Old-Testament are filled with Promises of the Messias to come Prophetical Promises Typical Promises For all the Types and shadows of the Saviour are virtually so many Promises Having therefore touched upon the Prophetical I will briefly touch the Typical Promises also for as God spake at sundry times to the Fathers so also in divers manners Prophetically Providentially Typically and all of the Messias Heb. 1. 1. The Types of the Saviour were various 1. Sometimes he was typed out by Men. 2. Sometimes by Beasts 3. Sometimes by Insensible Creatures First He was typed forth sometimes by Men. 1. Adam was his Type in many things especially as he was the Head and Father of the first World He was the Figure of him that was to come Rom. 5. 14. 2. Moses was his Type as Mediator and as Builder of the Tabernacle Heb. 3. 2 3. Aaron was his Type as he was High-Priest and so was Melchisedec before him Heb. 5. 4 5. Chap. 7. 1 21. 4. Sampson was his Type in the effects of his death for as Sampson gave his life for the deliverance of Israel from the Philistins Christ gave his Life to deliver us from Sin and Devils 5. Joshuah was his Type in giving the Land of Canaan to Israel as Jesus will give the Kingdom of Heaven to the Elect Heb. 4. 8. 6. David was his Type in many things especially in his subduing of Israels Enemies and feeding them hence he is sometimes called David their King and David their Shepherd Ezek. 34. 23 24. 7. Solomon was his Type in his building the Temple and in his Peaceable Kingdom Hence it is said he shall build the Temple of the Lord and again Of his Government and Peace there shall be no end Beasts were his Types To instance some First The Paschal-Lamb was his Type Exod. 12. 1. In its Spotlesness Christ was a Lamb without blemish and without spot 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. 2. In its being Roasted It was a Figure of the cursed Death of Christ for to be Roasted bespake one accursed Jer. 29. 22. Gal. 3. 13. 3. In that it was to be eaten He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood saith Christ hath Eternal Life John 6. 57. 4. In that its Blood was to be sprinkled upon the doors of their houses for the destroying Angel to look on The Blood of Christ is sprinkled upon the Elect for the Justice of God to look on Heb. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 1 2. 5. By eating the Paschal-Lamb the People went out of Egypt by feeding upon Christ by Faith we come from under the Egyptian Darkness Tyranny of Satan c. Secondly The Red Cow was his Type Numb 19. 2 c. 1. In that she was to be without blemish 2. In that she was to be slain without the Camp Jesus also that he might sanctifie the People with his own Blood suffered without the Gate Heb. 13. 12. 3. In that her Flesh was to be burnt a Type of the grievous Death of Christ. 4. Her Ashes was to be carried into a clean place without the Camp a Type of the clean Sepulcher where the Body of Jesus was laid John 19. 38 39 40 41. There was also divers other Sacrifices as Bulls Goats and Birds which were Types of him which I here omit Thirdly Insensible Creatures were his Types As first The Mannah in the Wilderness Ex. 16. and that 1. As it came down from Heaven for so did Christ I came down from Heaven saith he and again I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven John 6. 51. 2. The Mannah was to be eaten so is Christ by Faith If any man eat of this Bread he shall live for ever and the Bread that I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the life of the World John 6.
Testimonies that this Coming of Jesus is his Coming to Save us 1. SImeon the Just gives Testimony of him And the Holy Ghost was upon him and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see Death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the Temple and when the Parents brought in the Child Jesus to do for him after the Custom of the Law then took he him up in his Arms and blessed God and said Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation Luk. 2. 25 26 27 32. The Testimony of Anna. 2. Anna a Prophetess one of a great Age which departed not from the Temple but served God with fasting and prayer night and day And she coming in at the same instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spake of him to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem Luk. 2. 26 27 28. The Testimony of John Baptist. 3. John Baptist as he fulfilled his Ministry he cried concerning this Jesus Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World And he saith John that sent me to baptize with Water the same said unto me Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and abiding or remaining the same is he which shall baptize with the Holy Ghost And I saw and bear record that this is the Son of God Joh. 1. 29 30 31 32 33 34. The Testimony of the Star and Wise-Men 4. The Star that appeared at his Birth in the East and that coasted through the Heavens till it came over the Place where the young Child Jesus was that Star gave Testimony that he was the Saviour This Star alarmed many especially the Wise-Men of the East who were brought by it from afar to worship him And lo the Star which they saw in the East went before them till it came and stood over where the young Child was And when they saw the Star they rejoiced with exceeding joy And when they were come into the House they saw the young Child with Mary his Mother and fell down and worshipped him and when they had opened their Treasures they presented unto him Gifts Gold and Frankincense and Myrrhe The Testimony of the Angels 1. To Mary herself And in the sixth Month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a City of Galilee named Nazareth to a Virgin espoused to a Man whose Mame was Joseph and the Virgin 's Name was Mary and the Angel came in unto her and said Hail thou that art highly favoured And the Angels aid unto her Fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God And behold thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest 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 Luk. 2. 26 35. 2. The Angels Testimony to the Shepherds as they were feeding their Flocks in the Fields by Night And lo the Angel of the Lord came upon them and the Glory of the Lord shined round about them and they were sore afraid and the Angel said unto them Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Luk. 2. 8 9 10. 3. How the Angels Solemnized his Birth among themselves And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth Peace good-will towards Men Luk. 2. 13 14. The Testimony of God the Father 1. When he was Baptized And Jesus when he was Baptized went up straightway out of the Water and lo the Heavens were opened unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him and lo a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3. 16 17. 2. The Fathers Testimony of him at his Transfiguration And he took Peter and James and John and went up into a Mountain to pray and as be prayed the fashion of his Countenance was altered and his Raiment was white and glittering c. And there appeared Moses and Liias talking with him and a Cloud from Heaven overshadowed them at which the three Disciples began to be afraid Then there came a voice out of the Cloud saying This is my beloved Son hear him Luk. 9. 28 29 30 35. This is that Testimony of God which Peter speaks of saying We have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made known unto you the Power and Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eye-witnesses of his Majesty for he received from God the Father Honour and Glory when there came such a voice to him from the Excellent Glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased And this voice which came from Heaven we heard when we were with him in the Holy Mount 2 Pet. 1. 26 27 28. 3. God gave Testimony of him by Signs and Wonders Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me The words that I speak unto you I speak not of my self but the Father that dwelleth in me he doth the Works God also bearing them witness that preached Salvation by Jesus both with Signs and Wonders and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own Will Joh. 14. 10. Heb. 2. 4. Concerning Jesus how he put himself upon the Test among his Adversaries THe Lord Jesus also putteth himself upon the Test among his Adversaries divers ways First he urgeth the time of the appearing of the Messias to be come The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand repent ye and believe the Gospel Mar. 1. 15. For this he had a three-fold proof 1. The Heathens had invaded and taken the Land according to that of Daniel Dan. 9. 25 26. 2. The Scepter was departed from Judah according to that of Jacob Gen. 49. 10. to which also suited that Prophecy Before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and chuse the good the Land which thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her Kings 3. The Roman Emperor had not only subdued the Nation and put down the Kingly Race of the Jews but had set up and established his own Power over them In the fifteenth year of the Reign of Tiberius Cesar Pontius Pilat was Governor of Judea Herod was Tetrarch of Galilee Philip Tetrarch of Iturea and Lysanias Tetrarch of Abilene all Heathens and of Tyberius his making Besides The Kingly Race of Judah was at this time become so low by reason of the Roman oppression that the chief of them were put to get their living by their own
god SO to love the World as to send his Son For God SO to commend his love to the World as to send it to them in the Blood of his Son Amazing Love John 3. 16. Rom. 5. 8. 3dly It is the greatest discovery of the Condescention of Christ that ever the World had 1. That he should not come to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his Life a Ransom for many Mat. 20. 28. 2. That he should be manifest for this purpose that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3. 8. 3. That he should come that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly John 10. 10. 4. That the Son of God should come to seek and to save that which was lost Luk. 19. 10. 5. That he should not come to judg the World to but to save the World John 12. 47. 6. That Christ Jesus should come into the World save Sinners of whom I am chief 1. Tim. 1. 15. 7. That he should love us and wash us from our Sins in his own Blood Revel 1. 5. What amazing Condescention and Humility is this Phil. 2. 6 7 8 9. How Jesus Christ addressed himself to the Work of our Redemption I Come then in the next place to shew you HOW Jesus Christ addressed himself to the Work of mans Redemption The Scripture saith he became poor That he made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant that he humbled himself unto death even the Death of the Cross. But particularly 1. He took upon him our Flesh. 2. He was made under the Law 3. He took upon him our Sins 4. He bore the Curse due to our Sins First He took upon him our Flesh. I shewed you before that he came in our Flesh and now I must shew you the Reason of it namely Because That was the way to address himself to the Work of our Redemption Wherefore when the Apostle treated of the Incarnation of Christ he addeth withal the reason to wit That he might be capable to work out the Redemption of men There are three things to be considered in this 1st Head 1. that he took our Flesh for this Reason That he might be a Saviour 2. How he took flesh that he might be our Saviour 2. That it was necessary that he should take our Flesh if indeed he will be our Saviour For the First That he took our Flesh for this Reason That he might be a Saviour 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 Rom. 8. 3 4. The Sum of the Words is forasmuch as the Law could do us no good by reason of the inability that is in our flesh to do it for the Law can do us no good until it be fulfilled and because God had a desire that good should come to us therefore did he send his Son in our likeness clothed with flesh to destroy by his doing the Law the tendency of the Sin that dwells in our flesh He therefore took our flesh that our Sin with its effects might by him be condemned and overcome The Reason therefore why he took flesh is Because he would be our Saviour For asmuch then as the Children are Partakers of Flesh and blood he also likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage Heb. 2. 14 15. In these words it is asserted that he took our flesh for certain Reasons 1. Because the Children the Heirs of Heaven are Partakers of Flesh and Blood For asmuch then as the Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood he also himself took part of the same Had the Children the Heirs been without flesh he himself had not taken it upon him had the Children been Angels he had taken upon him the Nature of Angels but because the Children were Partakers of Flesh therefore leaving Angels or refusing to take hold of Angels he took Flesh and Blood the Nature of the Children that he might put himself into a capacity to save and deliver the Children Therefore it follows That through death he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil This therefore was another Reason that he might destroy the Devil The Devil had bent himself against the Children he is their Adversary and goeth forth to make war with them The Devil your Adversary And he went to make war with the Remnant of her Seed 1 Pet. 5. 8. Revel 12. Now the Children could not destroy him because he had already cast them into sin defiled their Nature and laid them under the Wrath of God Therefore Christ puts himself among the Children and into the Nature of the Children that he might by means of his Dying in their Flesh destroy the Devil that is take away Sin his Work that he might destroy the Works of the Devil for sin is the great Engine of Hell by which he overthroweth all that perish Now this did Christ destroy by taking on him the similitude of Sinful Flesh of which more anon That he might destroy him that had the Power of Death that is the Devil and deliver them This was the thing in chief intended that he might deliver the Children that he might deliver them from death the Fruit of their Sin and from Sin the Sting of that Death That he might deliver them who through the Fear of Death were all their Life-time subject to bondage He took flesh therefore because the Children had it he took it that he might die for the Children he took it that he might deliver the Children from the Works of the Devil that he might deliver them No Deliverance had come to the Children if the Son of God had not taken their Flesh and Blood Therefore he took our Flesh that he might be our Saviour Again In a Saviour there must be not only Merit but Compassion and Sympathy because the Children are yet to live by Faith are not yet come to the Inheritance It behoved him therefore in all things to be made like unto his Brethren that he might be a Merciful and Faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make Reconciliation for the Sins of the People Heb. 2. 17 18. Two Reasons are rendred in this Text why he must take Flesh namely that he might be their Priest to offer Sacrifice to wit his Body and Blood for them and that he might be merciful and faithful to pitty and preserve them unto the Kingdom appointed for them Mark you therefore how the Apostle when he asserteth that the Lord Jesus took our Flesh urgeth the reason why he took our Flesh. THAT he might destroy the Devil and Death THAT he might deliver them It behoved him to be made
like unto his Brethren THAT he might be merciful and faithful THAT he might make Reconciliation for the Sins of the People The Reason therefore why he took our Flesh is declared to wit That he might be our Saviour And hence you find it so often recorded He hath abolished in his Flesh the Enmity He hath slain the Enmity by his Flesh and you who were sometimes Aliens and Enemies in your Minds by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable in his Sight Ephes. 2. 15 16. Col. 1. 21 22. How he took Flesh. I Come now to the Second Question to wit How he took our Flesh. This must be inquired into for his taking Flesh was not after the common way never any took man's Flesh upon him as he since the Foundation of the World 1. He took not our flesh like Adam who was formed out of the Ground Who was made of the Dust of the Ground Gen. 2. 7. Chap. 3. 19. 2. He took not our flesh as we do by Carnal Generation Joseph knew not his Wife neither did Mary know any Man till she had brought forth her First-horn Son Luk. 1. 34. Mat. 1. 25. 3. He took flesh then by the immediate working and over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost And hence it is said expresly She was found with Child of the Holy Ghost Now the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise When-as his Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1. 18. And hence again When Joseph doubted of her Honesty for he perceived she was with Child and knew he had not touched her the Angel of God himself comes down to resolve his doubt and said Joseph thou Son of David Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy Wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1. 20. But again Though the Holy Ghost was that by which the Child Jesus was formed in the Womb so as to be without Carnal Generation yet was he not formed in her without but by her Conception Behold thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus Luk. 1. 31. Wherefore he took flesh not only IN but OF the Virgin Hence he is called HER Son the SEED of the Woman And hence it is also that he is called the Seed OF Abraham the Seed OF David THEIR Seed according to the Flesh Luk. 2. 7. Gen. 13. 15. Chap. 12. Chap. 22. Gal. 3. 16. Chap. 4. 4. Rom. 1. 3. Luk. 1. 32. Rom. 9. 5. And this the Work he undertook required 1. It required that he should take our Flesh. 2. It required that he should take our Flesh without sin which could not be had he taken it by reason of a Carnal Generation for so all Children are conceived in and polluted with sin Psal. 51. And the least pollution either of flesh or spirit had utterly disabled him for the Work which to do he came down from Heaven Therefore Such an High-Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher than the Heavens Heb. 7. 26. This Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God was thus compleated I say That he might be in all points like as we are yet without sin for sin in the Fesh disableth and maketh incapable to do the Commandment Therefore was he thus made thus made of a Woman And this the Angel assigneth as the Reason of this his Marvelous Incarnation The Holy Ghost saith he shall come upon thee and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that Holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luk. 2. 35. The Overshadowing of the Holy Ghost and the Power of the Highest the Father and the Holy Ghost brought this Wonderful thing to pass for Jesus is a Wonderful One in his Conception and Birth This Mystery is that next to the Mystery of three Persons in one God It is a great Mystery Great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifested in the Flesh. The Conclusion is That Jesus Christ took our Flesh that he might be our Saviour and that he might be our Saviour indeed he THUS took our Flesh. That it was necessary that he should take our Flesh if he will be our Saviour I Come now to the Third Thing namely That it was necessary that he should take our Flesh if he will be our Saviour And that first from the Nature of the Work his Work was to save to save man sinking man man that was going down to the Pit Job 34. 24. Now he that will save him that is sinking must take hold on him And since he was not to save a Man but Men therefore it was necessary that he should take hold not of one Person but of the Common Nature clothing himself with part of the same He took not hold of Angels but took on him the Seed of Abraham For THAT Flesh was the same with the whole Lump of the Children to whom the Promise was made and comprehended in it the Body of them that shall be saved even as in Adam was comprehended the whole World at first Rom. 5. Hence we are said to be chosen in him to be gathered being in him to be dead by him to be risen with him and to be set with him or in him in Heavenly Places already I phes 1. 4 10. Rom. 7. 4. Col. 3. 1 2 3. Chap. 2. 12 13. This then was the Wisdom of the great God that the Eternal Son of his Love should take hold of and so secure the sinking Souls of perishing Sinners by assuming their Flesh. Secondly The Manner of his doing the Work of a Saviour did call for his taking of our Flesh. He must do the Work by dying Ought not Christ to have suffered Christ must needs have suffered Luk. 24. 26. Acts 17. 3. or else no glory follows The Prophets testified before-hand the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11. Yea they did it by the Spirit even by the Spirit of Christ himself This Spirit then did bid them tell the World yea testify that Christ must suffer or no man be blest with Glory For the threatning of death and the Curse of the Law lay in the Way between Heaven-Gates and the Souls of the Children for their Sins wherefore he that will save them must answer Divine Justice or God must lye in saving them without inflicting the Punishment threatned Christ then must needs have suffered the Manner of the Work laid a necessity upon him to take our Flesh upon him he must die he must die for us he must die for our Sins And this was effectually foretold by all the Bloody Sacrifices that were offered under the Law The Blood of Bulls the Blood of Lambs the Blood of Rams the Blood of Calves
and the Blood of Goats and Birds These Bloody Sacrifices what did they signifie what were they figures of but of the bloody Sacrifice of the Body of Jesus Christ their Blood being a Shadow of his Blood and their Flesh being a Shadow of his Flesh Therefore when God declared that he took no pleasure in them because they could not make the Worshippers perfect as pertaining to the Conscience then comes Jesus Christ to offer his Sinless Body and Soul for the Sin of the People For it is not possible that the Blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sin wherefore when he cometh into the World he saith Sacrifices and Offerings thou wouldest 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 thy Book it is written of me to do thy good Will Since Burnt-Offerings cannot do thy Will my Body shall since the Blood of Bulls and Goats cannot do thy Will my Blood shall Then follows By the Will of God we are Sanctified through the offering up of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all Heb. 10. 8 9 10. Thirdly The End of the Work required That Christ if he will be our Saviour should take upon him our Flesh. The End of our Salvation is That we might enjoy God and that he by us might be glorified for ever and ever 1. That we might enjoy God I will dwell in them and they shall be my People and I will be their God This Indwelling of God and consequently our Enjoyment of him begins first in its Eminency by his Possessing our Flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ. Hence his Name is called Emmanuel God with us and the Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us The Flesh of Christ is the Tabernacle which the Lord pitched according to that saying The Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his People and God himself shall be with them and be their God Revel 21. 3. Here God beginneth to discover his Glory and to be desirable to the Sons of Men. God could not communicate himself to us nor take us into the Enjoyment of himself but with respect to that Flesh which his Son took of the Virgin because sin stood betwixt Now this Flesh only was the Holy Lump in this Flesh God could dwell and forasmuch as this Flesh is the same with ours and was taken up with intent that what was done in and by that should be communicated to all the Children therefore through that doth God communicate of himself unto his People God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself And I am the Way saith Christ no man cometh to the Father but by me 2 Cor. 5. Joh. 14. 6. That Passage to the Hebrews is greatly to our purpose We have boldness Brethren to enter into the Holiest the place where God is by the Blood of Jesus by a new and living Way which he hath Consecrated for us through the Vail that is to say his Flesh Heb. 10. 19 20. Wherefore by the Flesh and Blood of Christ we enter into the Holiest through the Vail saith he that is to say his Flesh. 2. As the End of our Salvation is That we might enjoy God so also it is that he by us might be Glorified for ever That God in all things might be Glorified through Jesus Christ our Lord. Here indeed will the Mistery of his Grace Wisdom Justice Power Holiness and Glory inhabit Eternal praise while we that are counted worthy of the Kingdom of God shall admire at the Mistery and see our selves without our selves even by the Flesh and Blood of Christ through Faith therein effectually and Eternally saved O! This will be the burden of our Eternal Joy God loved us and gave his Son for us Christ loved us and gave his Flesh for our Life and his Blood for our Eternal Redemption and Salvation That Christ was made under the Law BUt Secondly Christ was made under the Law When the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law Gal. 4. 4. Of right being found in flesh he must needs be under the Law for that there is not any Creature above or without Law to God but this is not to the point in hand Christ was not therefore under the Law because he was found in flesh but he took flesh and designedly put himself or was made under the Law wherefore 't is added he was made under the Law to Redeem to redeem them that were under the Law Wherefore here is a design an Heavenly contrivance and device on foot Christ is made that is by design subjected under the Law for the sake and upon the account of others To redeem them that were under the Law Made under the Law that is put himself into the Room of Sinners into the Condition of Sinners made himself subject to the same pains and penalties we were obnoxious to We were under the Law and it had dominion over us bound us upon pain of Eternal Damnation to do compleatly all things written in the Law This Condition Christ put himself into that he might redeem for assuredly we had else perished The Law had dominion over us and since we had sinned of right it pronounced the Curse and made all men subject to the Wrath of God Christ therefore did not only come into our Flesh but also into our Condition into the Valley and Shadow of Death where we were and where we are as we are Sinners He that is under the Law is under the Edge of the Axe When David was to go visit his Brethren and to save them from the Hand of Goliah he was to look how his Brethren fared and to take their Pledg 1. Sam. 17. 18. This is true of Jesus Christ when he came to save us from the Hand of Death and the Law he looked how his Brethren fared took to heart their deplorable Condition and put himself into the same Plight to wit under the Law that he might redeem them that were under the Law I told you before that he came sinless into the World that he had a miraculous Conception and wonderful Birth And here you see a Reason for it he was to be put or made under the Law to redeem He that will be made under the Law to redeem had need be sinless and spotless himself for the Law findeth fault with the least and condemneth man for the first beginning of Sin Without this then there could not have been Redemption nor any the Sons of God by Adoption no Redemption because the Sentence of Death had already past upon all no Sons by Adoption because that 's the Effect of Redemption 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 Christ then
53. Not for that he hated him considering him in his own harmless innocent and blessed Person for he was daily hid Delight but by an act of grace to usward were our Iniquities laid upon him and he in our stead bruised and chastised for them God loved us and made him a Curse for us He was made a Curse for us That the Blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Faith in Jesus Christ Gal. 3. 13 14 15. Further Demonstration of this Truth BEfore I pass this Truth I will present thee Courteous Reader with two or three Demonstrations for its further confirmation First That Christ did bear our Sin and Curse is clear because he died and that without a Mediator 1. He died Death is the Wages of Sin Rom. 6. 23. Now if death be the Wages of sin and that be true that Christ did die and not sin either the Course of Justice is perverted or else he died for our Sins there was no cause of death in him yet he died Act. 13. 28. He did no Evil Guile was not found in his Mouth yet he received the Wages of Sin Sin therefore though not of his own was found upon him and laid to his Charge because he died Christ died for our Sins Christ gave himself for our Sins 1 Cor. 15. 1 2 3. Gal. 1. 4. 1 Pet. 2. 22. He then that will conclude that Christ did not bear our Sin chargeth God foolishly for delivering him up to death for laying on him the Wages when in no sence he deserved the same Yea he overthroweth the whole Gospel for that hangeth on THIS hinge Christ died for our Sins Object But all that die do not bear the Curse of God for Sin Ans. But all that die without a Mediator do Angels died the Cursed Death because Christ took not hold of them and they for whom Christ never prayeth they die the Cursed Death for they perish everlastingly in the unutterable Torments of Hell Christ too died that Death which is the Proper Wages of Sin for he had none to stand for him I looked saith he and there was none to help and I wondred that there was none to uphold therefore mine own Arm brought Salvation unto me And he saw that there was no man and he wondered that there was no Intercessor therefore his Arm brought Salvation unto him and his Righteousness sustained him Isa. 63. 5. Isa. 59. 16. Christ then died or endured the Wages of Sin and that without an Intercessor without one between God and he He grappled immediatly with the Eternal Justice of God who inflicted on him Death the Wages of Sin there was no man to hold off the Hand of God Justice had his full blow at him and made him a Curse for Sin He died for sin without a Mediator he died the Cursed Death Secondly A Second thing that Demonstrateth that Christ died the Cursed Death for Sin It is the Frame of Spirit that he was in at the time that he was to be taken Never was poor mortal so beset with the apprehensions of approaching death as was this Lord Jesus Christ Amazement beyond measuâ—e Sorrow that exceeded seized upon his Soul My Soul saith he is exceeding sorrowful even unto Death And he began saith Mark to be sore amazed and to be very heavy Mat. 26. 38. Mar. 14. 33. Add to this That Jesus Christ was better able to grapple with death even better able to do it alone than the whole World joyn'd altogether 1. He was anointed with the Spirit without Measure Joh. 3. 34. 2. He had all Grace perfect in him John 1. 16. 3. Never none so soaked in the Bosom of his Fathers Love as himself Prov. 8. 23 30. 4. Never none so harmless and without sin as he and consequently never man had so good a Conscience as he Heb. 7. 26. 5. Never none prepared such a stock of good Works to bear him company at the Hour of Death as he 6. Never none had greater assurance of being with the Father Eternally in the Heavens than he And yet behold when HE comes to die how weak is he how amazed at death how heavy how exceeding sorrowful and I say no cause assigned but the Approach of Death Alas How often is it seen that we Poor Sinners can laugh at destruction when it cometh yea and rejoice exceedingly when we find the Grave Job 3. 22. looking upon death as a part of our Portion yea as that which will be a means of our present relief and help 1 Cor. 3. 22. This Jesus Christ couldnot do considered as dying for our Sin but the nearer death the more heavy oppressed with the thoughts of the Revenging Hand of God Wherefore he falls into an Agony and Sweats not after the common rate as we do when death is severing Body and Soul His Sweat was as it were great drops Clodders of Blood falling down to the Ground Luk. 22. 44. What I say should be the Reason but that death assaulted him with his Sting If Jesus Christ had been to die for his Vertues only doubtless he would have born it lightly and so he did as he died bearing witness to the Truth He endured the Cross and despised the Shame Heb. 12. 1 2 How have the Martyrs despised death and as it were not been careful of that having peace with God by Jesus Christ scorning the most Cruel Torments that Hell and Men could devise and invent but Jesus Christ could not do so as he was a Sacrifice for sin he died for sin he was made a Curse for us O my Brethren Christ died many deaths at once he made his Grave with the Wicked and with the Rich in his Deaths Look how many thousands shall be saved so many deaths did Jesus die yet it was but once he died He died thy death and my death and so many deaths as all our Sins deserved who shall be saved from the Wrath to come Now to feign that these Sorrows and this Bloody Agony was not real but in shew only What greater Condemnation can be passed upon Jesus Christ who loved to do all things in the most feigned Simplicity It was therefore because of sin the Sin that was put into the Death he died and the Curse of God that was due to Sin That That made death so bitter to Jesus Christ 't is Christ that died The Apostle speaks as if never any died but Christ nor indeed did there so wonderful a Death as he Rom. 8. Death considered simply as it is a deprivation of natural life could not have these Effects in a Person personally more Righteous than an Angel Yea even Carnal Wicked Men not awakened in their Conscience how securely can they die It must therefore also be concluded that the Sorrows and Agony of Jesus Christ came from a higher cause even from the Guilt of sin and from the Curse of God that was now approaching for that Sin It cannot be attributed to the Fear of
Men their Terrour could not make him afraid that was contrary to his Doctrine and did not become the Dignity of his Person it was sin sin sin and the Curse due to sin Thirdly It is evident that Christ did bear and die the Cursed Death for sin from the Carriage and Dispensation of God towards him First from the Carriage of God God now becomes as an Enemy to him 1. He forsakes him My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Yea the Sence of the Loss of God's comfortable Presence abode with him even till he gave up the Ghost 2. He dealeth with him as with one that hath sinned he chastiseth him he bruiseth him he striketh and smiteth him Isa. 53. and was pleased that is his Justice was satisfied in so doing It pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief These things could not he had he only considered him in his own Personal standing where was the Righteous forsaken Without the Consideration of Sin he doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the Children of Men that is not out of pleasure or without sufficient cause Jesus Christ then since he is under this withdrawing chastising bruising and afflicting Displeasure of God he is all that time under sin under our sins and therefore thus accursed of God his God Secondly Not only the Carriage of God but his Dispensations his visible Dispensations plainly declare that he stood before God in our Sins Vengeance suffered him not to live Wherefore God delivered him up He spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all Rom. 8. 32. 1. He delivered him into the Hands of Men Mar 9. 31. 2. He was delivered into the Hands of Sinners Luk. 24. 7. 3. He was delivered unto Death Rom. 4. 25. 4. Yea so delivered up as that they both had him to put him to death and God left him for that purpose in their Hands yea was so far off from delivering him that he gave way to all things that had a tendency to take his Life from the Earth Now may men do what they will with him he was delivered to their Will 1. Judas may sell him 2. Peter may deny him 3. All his Disciples forsake him 4. The Enemy apprehends him binds him they have him away like a Thief to Caiaphas the High-Priest in whose House he is mocked spit upon his Beard is twitched from his Cheeks now they buffet him and scornfully bow the Knee before him Yea his Visage is so marred more than any mans and his Form more than the Sons of Men Isa. 52. 13 14 15. Now he is sent to the Governor defaced with Blows and Blood who delivereth him into the Hand of his Souldiers they Whip him Crown him with Thorns and stick the Points of the Thorns fast in his Temples by a Blow with a Staff in their Hand Now is he made a Spectacle to the People and then sent away to Herod who with his Men of War set him at naught no God appearing for his Help In fine they at last condemn him to Death even to the Death of the Cross where they hang him up by Wounds made through his Hands and his Feet between the Earth and the Heavens where he hanged for the space of Six Hours to wit from Nine in the Morning till Three in the Afternoon No God yet appears for his help while he hangs there some rail at him others wagg their Heads others tauntingly say He saved others himself he cannot save some divide his Raiment casting lots for his Garments before his Face others mockingly bid him come down from the Cross and when he desireth succour they give him Vinegar to drink No God yet appears for his help Now the Earth quakes the Rocks are rent the Sun becomes black and Jesus still cries out that he was forsaken of God and presently boweth his Head and dies read Mat. 26. Chap. 27. Mar. 14. Chap. 15. and Luk. 22. Chap. 23. John 18. Chap. 19. And for all this there is no cause assigned from God but Sin He was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our Iniquities and the chastisement of our Peace was upon him and by his Stripes we are healed Isa. 53. The Sum then is That Jesus Christ the Lord by taking part of our Flesh became a Publick Person not doing nor dying in a private Capacity but in the room and stead of Sinners whose Sin deserved Death and the Curse of God all which Jesus Christ bare in his own Body upon the Tree I conclude then that my Sin is already crucified and accursed in the Death and Curse Christ under-went I come now to some Objections Objection First CHrist never was a Sinner God never supposed him to be a Sinner neither did our Sins become really his God never reputed him so to have been therefore hate or punish him as a Sinner he could not for no false judgment can belong to the Lord. 1. Ans. That Christ was not a Sinner Personally by acts or doings of his own is granted and in this sense 't is true that God did never suppose him to be a Sinner nor punished him as such a Sinner nor did he really if by really you understand naturally become our Sin nor did God ever repute him so 2. But that Christ stood before God in our Sins and that God did not only suppose him so to stand but set him in them put them upon him and count them as his own is so true that he cannot at present be a Christian that denies it The Lord hath laid upon him the Iniquities of us all Isa. 53. 1 Pet. 2. 22. 3. So then though God did not punish him for sin of his own committing yet he punished him for sin of our committing The Just suffered for the unjust 1 Pet. 3. 18. 4. Therefore it is true That though Christ did never really become sin of his own he did really become our Sin did really become our Curse for sin If this be denyed it follows that he became our Sin but feignedly that he was made our Curse or a Curse for us but in appearance shew or in dissimulation but no such action or work can proceed of the Lord. He did then really lay our Sin and his Curse upon him for our Sin 2. Object But if Christ indeed hath suffered for our Sins and endured for them that Curse that of justice is due thereto then hath he also endured for us the proper torments of Hell for they are the Wages of our Sins Ans. Many things might be said in answer to this Objection But briefly 1. What God chargeth upon the Soul for sin is one thing and what followeth upon that Charge is another 2. A difference in the Person suffering may make a difference in the Consequences that follow upon the Charge Let us then consider of both these things 1. The Charge is Sin God charged him with our Sins 2. the Person then stands guilty before the Judgment of
were those that used curious arts that were next to if not Witches indeed I say how were they prevailed upon and overcome by the Word of God which is the Gospel of good Tidings through Faith in the Blood of Christ Act. 19. 17 18. 6. How were the Ephesians who sometimes were far from God how I say were they made nigh by the Blood of Christ Ephes. 2. 13. 7. The Colossians though sometimes dead in their Sins yet how were they quickned by God through the Forgiveness of all their Trespasses and they had that through his Blood Col. 2. 13. Chap. 1. 14. What shall I say no man could as yet stand before and not fall under the Revelation of the Forgiveness of Sins through a Crucified Christ as hanged as dying as accursed for Sinners he draws all men unto him men of all sorts of all degrees Shall I add how have men broken through the Pricks to Jesus when he hath been discovered to them neither Lyons nor Fires nor Sword nor Famine nor Nakedness nor Peril neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 35 36 37 38 39. The Fifth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident by the Peace and Holiness that by that Doctrine possesseth mens Souls The Souls of Men awakned and that continue so By awakened men I mean such as through the Revelation of their Sin and Misery groan under the want of Jesus to save them and that continue sensible that they needs must perish if his benefits be not bestowed upon them For otherwise the Gospel ministreth neither Peace nor Holiness to any of the Souls of the Sons of Men that is to say not Saving Peace and Holiness ☞ The Gospel of Grace and Salvation is above all Doctrines the most dangerous if in word only it be received by graceless men if it be not attended with a Revelation of Men's need of a Saviour if it be not accompanied in the Soul by the Power of the Holy Ghost For such Men as have only the notions of it are of all Men liable to the greatest Sins because there wanteth in their notions the Power of Love which alone can constrain them to love Jesus Christ. And this is the Reason of these Scriptures They turn the Grace of God into wantonness They turn the Grace of our God into lasciviousness Jude 4. For some when they hear of the Riches of Grace through Christ that hearing not being attended with the Faith Love which is in Christ Jesus those Men receive the notions of this good Doctrine only to cloak their wickedness and to harden themselves in their Villanies Others when they hear being leavened before with the Leaven of some other Doctrine some Doctrine of the Righteousness of the World or Doctrine of Devils forthwith make head against and speak evil of the blessed Doctrine and because some that profess it are not cleansed from their filthiness of flesh and spirit and do not perfect Holiness in the Fear of God therefore others conclude that all that profess it are such and that the Doctrine it self tendeth to encourage or at least to tolerate licentiousness as they imagined and affirmed of Paul that he should say Let us do evil that good may come Rom. 3. 8 9. The ground of that wicked Conclusion of theirs was because he by the Allowance of God affirmed That as sin had reigned unto death so grace reigned unto life in a way of Righteousness by Jesus Christ our Lord. Nay then says the Adversary we may be as unholy as we will and that by the Doctrine you preach for if where sin abounds grace abounds more the consequence of a wicked life is but the hightening advancing and magnifying of Grace But what saith the Apostle my conclusions are true That grace doth reign above sin but to say let us therefore sin that Man's Damnation is just because such an one abuseth and maketh the most devilish use of the Blessedest Doctrine that ever was heard of in the World amongst Men. Besides 't is evident that such know not the Power thereof nor have felt or savored its blessedness for where this Gospel cometh in truth it naturally produceth Peace and Holiness 1. Peace He is our Peace he is the Prince of Peace he giveth peace in his High Places This word Peace hath in it a double respect 1. It respecteth God He hath made peace by the Blood of his Cross that is he hath made peace for us with God having appeased the rigor of his Law and satisfied justice for us Hence it is said The Peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus Col. 1. 20. Phil. 4. 7. The Peace of God that is the Doctrine of Reconciliation by Christ's being made to be sin for us THAT shall keep the Heart that is from despair or fainting under apprehensions of weakness and justice But yet this Peace of God cannot be apprehended nor be of any comfort to the Heart but as the Man looks for it through Christ Jesus Therefore that clause is added through Christ Jesus for he is Peace-maker 't is he that reconcileth us to God in the Body of his Flesh through death for by his doing and suffering he presented God with Everlasting Righteousness with Everlasting Righteousness for Sinners Upon this we have Peace with God Hence Christ is called King of Righteousness FIRST first being by interpretation King of Righteousness and after that also King of Salem which is King of Peace Heb. 7. 1 2. For he could not make peace with God 'twixt us and him but by being first the Lord of Righteousness the Lord our Righteousness but having first compleated Righteousness he then came and preached Peace and commanded his Ambassadors to make Proclamation of it to the World 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. For 't was want of Righteousness that caused want of Peace now then righteousness being brought in it followeth that he hath made peace For he is our Peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle-Wall of Partition between us Having abolished in his Flesh the Enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances for to make in himself of twain one new Man so making Peace and that he might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the Cross having slain the Enmity thereby and came and preached Peace to you that were afar off and to them that were nigh for through him we both have access by one spirit unto the Father Ephes. 2. 14 15 16 17 18. 2dly This word Peace respecteth our inward quietness of heart which we obtain by beholding this Reconciliation made by Christ with God for
the Doctrine I come now to make some use of and to apply this Blessed Doctrine of the Undertaking of Jesus Christ and of his paying full Price to God for Sinners and of his obtaining Eternal Redemption for them The first Use. BY this Doctrine we come to understand many things which otherwise abide obscure and utterly unknown because this Doctrine is accompanied with the Holy Ghost that Revealer of secrets and Searcher of the deep things of God 1 Pet. 1. 2. Ephes. 1. 17. 1 Cor. 2. The Holy Ghost comes down with this Doctrine as that in which it alone delighteth therefore is it called The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledg of Jesus Christ. He giveth also the Light of the Knowledg of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. Little of God is known in the World where the Gospel is rejected the Religious Jew and the Wise Gentile may see more of God in a Crucified Christ than in Heaven and Earth besides For in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and knowledg not only in his Person as God but also in his Undertakings as Mediator Hence Paul telleth us That he determined not to know any thing among the Corinthians but Jesus Christ and him Crucified Col. 2. 2 3. 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. I say more of God is revealed in this Doctrine to us than we can see of him in Heaven and Earth without it First Here is more of his WISDOM seen than in his making and upholding all the Creatures His Wisdom I say in devising means to reconcile Sinners to an Holy and Infinite Majesty to be a Just God and YET a Saviour to be just to his Law just to his Threatning just to himself and yet save Sinners can no-way be understood till thou understandest why Jesus Christ did hang on the Tree for here only is the Riddle unfolded Christ died for our Sins and therefore can God in justice save us Isa. 45. 21. And hence is Christ called The Wisdom of God not only because he is so essentially but because by him is the greatest Revelation of his Wisdom towards man In Redemption therefore by the Blood of Christ God is said to abound towards us in all wisdom Ephes. 1. 7 8. Here we see the highest Contradictions reconciled here Justice kisseth the Sinner here a Man stands just in the Sight of God while confounded at his own Pollutions and here he that hath done no good hath yet a sufficient Righteousness even the Righteousness of God which is by Faith of Jesus Christ. Secondly The JUSTICE of God is here more seen than in punishing all the Damned He spared not his own Son is a Sentence which more revealeth the Nature of the Justice of God than if it had said he spared not all the World True he cast Angels from Heaven and drowned the Old World he turned Sodom and Gomorrah into Ashes with many more of like nature but what were all these to the Cursing of his Son yea what were ten thousand such manifestations of his Ireful Indignation against Sin to that of striking afflicting chastising and making the darling of his Bosom the Object of his Wrath and Judgment Here it is seen he respecteth not persons but judgeth sin and condemneth him on whom it is found yea although on Jesus Christ his well-Beloved Rom. 8. 32. Gal. 3. 13. Thirdly The Mystery of God's WILL is here more seen than in hanging the Earth upon nothing while he condemneth Christ though Righteous and justifieth us though Sinners while he maketh him to be sin for us and us the Righteousness of God in him 1 Pet. 3. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Fourthly The POWER of God is here more seen than in making of Heaven and Earth for for one to bear and get the Victory over Sin when charged by the Justice of an Infinite Majesty in so doing he sheweth the Height of the Highest Power For where sin by the Law is charged and that by God immediatly there an Infinite Majesty opposeth and that with the whole of his Justice Holiness and Power So then he that is thus charged and engaged for the Sin of the World must not only be equal with God but shew it by over-coming that Curse and Judgment that by Infinite Justice is charged upon him for Sin When Angels and Men had sinned how did they fall and crumble before the Anger of God! they had not power to withstand the terrour nor could there be worth found in their Persons or Doings to appease displeased Justice But behold here stands the Son of God before him in the Sin of the World his Father finding him there curseth and condemns him to death but he by the Power of his God-head and the Worthiness of his Person and Doings vanquisheth sin satisfieth God's Justice and so becomes the Saviour of the World Here then is Power seen Sin is a Mighty thing it crusheth all in pieces save him whose Spirit is Eternal Heb. 9. 14. Set Christ and his Sufferings aside and you neither see the Evil of Sin nor the Displeasure of God against it you see them not in their utmost Had'st thou a view of all the Legions that are now in the pains of Hell yea couldest thou hear their shreeks and groans together at once and feel the whole of all their burden much of the evil of Sin and of the Justice of God against it would be yet unknown by thee for thou wouldest want power to feel and bear the utmost A Giant shews not his Power by killing of a little Child nor yet is his might seen by the resistance that such a little one makes but then he sheweth his power when he dealeth with one like himself yea and the Power also of the other is then made manifest in saving himself from being swallowed up with his Wrath. Jesus Christ also made manifest his Eternal Power and God-head more by bearing and over-coming our Sins than in making or upholding the whole World Hence Christ Crucified is called the Power of God 1 Cor. 1. 23 24. Fifthly The LOVE and MERCY of God is more seen in and by this Doctrine than any other way Mercy and Love are seen in that God gives us Rain and fruitful Seasons and in that he filleth our Hearts with food and gladness from that bounty he bestoweth upon us as men as his Creatures Oh! but herein is Love made manifest in that Christ laid down his Life for us And God commended his Love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us 1 Joh. 3. 16. Chap. 4. 10 Rom. 5. 8. Never Love like this nor did God ever give such discovery of his Love from the beginning to this Day Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our Sins Here is Love that God sent his Son his Darling his Son that never offended his Son that was
forth of the Heart against him now sin and great confusion puts forth it self in all yea the more the Sinner desireth to do a duty sincerely the further off it always finds it self For by how much the Soul struggleth under these distresses by so much the more doth Satan put forth himself to resist still infusing more poison that if possible it might never struggle more for strugglings are also us poison to Satan The Fly in the Spider's Webb is an emblem of the Soul in such a condition the Fly is entangled in the Webb at this the Spider shews himself if the Fly stir again down comes the Spider to her and claps a Foot upon her if yet the Fly makes a noise then with poisoned Mouth the Spider lays hold upon her if the Fly struggle still then he poisons her more and more what shall the Fly do now why she dies if some-body does not quickly release her This is the case of the Tempted they are entangled in the Webb their Feet and Wings are entangled now Satan shews himself if the Soul now struggleth Satan laboureth to hold it down if it now shall make a noise then be bites with blasphemous Mouth more poisonous than the Gall of a Serpent If it struggle again then he poisoneth more and more infomuch that it needs at last must die in the Net if the Man the Lord Jesus helps not out The afflicted Couscience understands my words Further though the Fly in the Webb is altogether uncapable of looking for relief yet this awakened tempted Christian is not what must he do therefore how should he contain hopes of life If he looks to his Heart there is Blasphemy if he looks to his duties there is Sin if he strives to mourn and lament perhaps he cannot unbelief and hardness hinder shall this Man lie down in despair No shall he trust to his duties No shall he stay from Christ till his Heart is better No What then Let him NOW look to Jesus Christ Crucified then shall he see his Sins answered for then shall he see Death a-dying then shall he see Guilt born by another and there shall he see the Devil overcome This sight destroys the Power of the first Temptation purifies the Heart and inclines the Mind to all good things And to encourage thee tempted Creature to this most Gospel-Duty Consider that when Jesus Christ read his Commission upon the entering into his Ministry he proclaimed The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the Poor he hath sent me to heal the broken-Hearted to preach deliverance to the Captives and recovering of sight to the Blind to set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable Year of the Lord Luk. 4. 18 19. These things therefore should the Tempted believe but believing is now sweating-work for Satan will hold as long as possible and only stedfast Faith can make him fly But O! the Toyl of a truly gracious Heart in this Combate if Faith be weak he can scarce get higher than his Knees Lord help Lord save and then down again till an Arm from Heaven takes him up until Jesus Christ be evidently set forth Crucified for him and Cursed for his Sin for then and not till then the Temptation rightly ceaseth at leastwise for a Season Now the Soul can tend to look about it and thus consider with it self If Christ hath bora my Sin and Curse then 't is taken away from me and seeing thus to take away sin was the Contrivance of the God of Heaven I will bless his Name hope in his Mercy and look upon Death and Hell with Comfort Thine Heart shall meditate terrour thou shalt see the Land that is very far off Isa. 33. 16 17 18. The fifth use Fifthly This Doctrine makes Christ precious to the Believers Unto you therefore which believe he is precious 1 Pet. 2. 5. This Head might be greatly enlarged upon and branched out into a Thousand particulars each one full of weight and glory 1. By considering what Sin is 2. By considering what Hell is 3. By considering what Wrath is 4. By considering what Eternity is 5. By considering what the loss of a Soul is 6. What the loss of God is 7. What the loss of Heaven is 8. And what it is to be in utter Darkness with Devils and damned Souls for ever and ever And after all to conclude from all these Miserie 's the Lord Jesus delivered me Further This makes Christ precious if I consider in the next place 1. How he did deliver me 't was with his Life his Blood it cost him Tears Groans Agony Separation from God to do it he endured his Fathers Wrath bare his Fathers Curse and died thousands of deaths at once 2. He did this while I was his Enemy without my desires without my knowledg without my deserts he did it unawares to me 3. He did it freely cheerfully yea he longed to die for me yea Heaven would not hold him for the Love he had to my Salvation which also he hath effectually accomplished for me at Jerusalem Honourable Jesus precious Jesus loving Jesus Jonathan's Kindness captivated David and made him precious in his Eyes for ever I am distressed for thee my Brother Jonathan said he very pleasant hast thou been to me thy Love to me was wonderful passing the Love of Women 2 Sam. 1. 26. Why what had Jonathan done O! He had delivered David from the Wrath of Saul But how much more should he be precious to me who hath saved me from Death and Hell who hath delivered me from the Wrath of God! The Love of Christ constraineth us Nothing will so edge the Spirit of a Christian as Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood This makes the Heavens themselves ring with joy and shouting Mark the Words Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God with thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation and and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the Earth What follows now And I beheld and heard the Voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the Beasts and the Elders and the Number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands 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 and every Creature which is in Heaven and on the Earth and such as are in the Sea and all that are therein heard I saying Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and to the LAMB for ever and and ever Revel 5. 9 10 11 12 13. Thus also is the Song that New-Song that is said to be sung by the Hundred fourty and four thousand which stand with the LAMB upon Mount Sion with his Fathers Name written in their Fore-heads These are also called Harpers Harping with their Harps And they sang as it were a new Song before the Throne and before the four Beasts and the Elders and none could learn that Song but the Hundred and fourty and four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth Revel 14. 1 2 3. But why could they not learn that Song Because they were not redeemed none can sing of this Song but the Redeemed they can give Glory to the Lamb the Lamb that was slain and that redeemed them to God by his Blood 'T is Faith in his Blood on Earth that will make us sing this Song in Heaven These Shoutings and Heavenly Songs must needs come from Love put into a Flame by the Sufferings of Christ. The last Use. If all these things be true what follows but a Demonstration of the Accursed Condition of those among the Religious in these Nations whose notions put them far off from Jesus and from venturing their Souls upon his Bloody Death I have observed such a Spirit as this in the World that careth not for knowing of Jesus the Possessed therewith do think that it is not material to Salvation to venture upon a Crucified Christ neither do they trouble their Heads or Hearts with inquiring whether Christ Jesus be risen and ascended into Heaven or whether they see him again or no but rather are for concluding that there will be no such thing These Men speak not by the Holy Ghost for in the Sum they call Jesus Accursed but I doubt not to say that many of them are Anathematised of God and shall stand so till the Coming of the Lord Jesus to whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen THE END Books writ by Mr. Bunyan and printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil 1. SIghs from Hell or the Groans of a Damned Soul discovering the Lamentable Estate of the Damned 2. Resurrection from the Dead and Eternal Judgment asserted and with what Bodies the Dead arise 3. A Discourse of Prayer and what it is to pray with the Spirit and with Understanding 4. The Holy City or the New-Jerusalem or the Glorious State of Believers after this Life asserted 5. Christian Behaviour teaching Husbands Wives Parents Children Masters Servants to walk so as to please God 6. Grace abounding to the chief of Sinners discovering the woful Estate of the Impenitent and the Greatness of Gods Mercy 7. A Map shewing the Order and Causes of Salvation and Damnation c. 8. Serious Meditations on the four last things viz. Death Judgment Heaven and Hell 9. A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ. 10. A Confession of the Author's Faith and a Reason of his Practice in Matters of Worship