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A77515 Two treatises the one, handling the doctrine of Christ's mediatorship : wherein the great Gospel-mystery of reconciliation betwixt God and man is opened, vindicated, and applyed. The other, of mystical implantation : wherein the Christian's union and communion with, and conformity to Jesus Christ, both in his death and resurrection, is opened, and applyed. / As they were lately delivered to the church of God at Great Yarmouth, by John Brinsley, minister of the Gospel, and preacher to that incorporation. Brinsley, John, 1600-1665.; Ashe, Simeon, d. 1662. 1652 (1652) Wing B4737; Thomason E1223_1; ESTC R22919 314,532 569

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saith the same Apostle Romans 5.18 or rather by one offence so the Originall hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 viz. the first sin of the first Adam Judgment came upon all men unto condemnation Even so by the righteousnesse of one or one Righteousnesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Justification meaning the righteousnesse of the second Adam the free gift came upon all men unto Justification of life Thus there is but one way of Reconciling Men to God As there was but one doore at which Enmity brake in so there is but one doore to let in Reconciliation The same way that is held forth under the Gospell was also held forth under the Law Onely with this difference That which was velatum vailed and hidden in the one hidden under Types and Figures is Revelatum unvailed in the other Otherwise there is the same Jesus Christ yesterday under the old Testament to day under the New and the same for ever The vertue of his satisfaction extending as well backwards as forwards as well to the sinns of the Law as the Gospell So much is expressly asserted by the Apostle Hebrews 9.15 where this our Mediatour the Lord Jesus is said to have suffered death for the Redemption of the trespasses that were under the old Testament not that the sins of the fathers were not pardoned before Christ died but that they WERE pardoned onely by vertue of Christ's death who in reference to the vertue and efficacy of his death as I shewed you before is said to be the Lamb slain from the beginning of the World Rev. 13.8 Thus you see the first of these Attributes vindicated and cleared from such impeachments as it might be conceived to suffer through this Doctrine of Christ's satisfaction This maketh nothing against the Truth of God whether in his Threatnings or Promises Passe we now to the second How can this stand with the Justice of God Object 2 that one should suffer How Christ's Satisfaction standeth with the Justice of God and make satisfaction for the sin of another The Rule of Justice is Noxa sequitur caput The same person that sinneth should suffer To this it is answered Justice is twofold either strict and rigorous or moderated Answ Justice twofold Strict or Moderated and tempered with Lenity Clemency Mercy So is it with men Amongst us there is a Kings-Bench as it was wont to be called and a Chancery the one a Court of strict Justice the other of Equity And thus is it in Gods proceedings with his creatures with some he dealeth in strict Justice so he doth with reprobate Angels and reprobate men such as despise that Redemption which is held forth unto them With others he proceeds in a way of moderated and tempered justice So dealeth he with believers relaxing and dispensing with his own Law as to them accepting the satisfaction of another on their behalfs Alleg. But still is not this injustice thus to charge their sins upon another and to require satisfaction from him Is it not directly contrary to God's own Law Deut. 24. The Law Deut. 24.16 cleared where he expresly prohibits any such Commutation or Exchange ver 16. The fathers shall not be put to death for the children neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers Every man shall be put to death for his own sin Ans To this it is answered This is a Law for man not for God Answer That Law bindeth man not God binding the one not the other God having an absolute power over the lives of his creatures he may dispose of them as it pleaseth him and who shall say unto him what dost thou If he punish the sin of the father upon the child though it be unto death who shall challenge him of injustice when as both Parents children are guilty before him Reply But it may be said Here the case is otherwise Here the Innocent suffers for the Nocent Reply How the Innocent may suffer for the Nocent the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3.18 He that knew no sin viz. by experience was made sin that is a Sacrifice for sin bearing the punishment thereof for us 2 Cor. 5.21 And can this be justice Ans To this it is answered Even thus it was in some of the cases fore-named Saul's sons were innocent as to that fact of their fathers for which they suffered And so was David's child as to his Fathers Adultery and murder And so were the people as to Davids act in numbring them What have these sheep done Yet who dares challenge God of injustice herein Rep. Why but that the Innocent should suffer and the nocent go free The nocent going free this may seem to be harsh Ans And was it not so in those two last named instances The Innocent childe and the Innocent people suffer whilest guilty David goeth free True he suffered in their sufferings otherwise his person not touched Repl. But it may be said in those examples there was some Relation and Conjunction betwixt the person offending and suffering which drew the guilt of the one upon the other Ans And is it not so here Betwixt Christ and his Elect people all true beleevers there is a neare Relation and Conjunction A threefold Relation The first Naturall the second Mysticall the third Voluntary Answ A 3. fold Relation betwixt Christ and the Beleever naturall mystical voluntary Christus nobis conjunctissimus naturâ Regno vadimonio Grotius de satisf Cap. 4. A naturall Relation they are of the same flesh and Blood Heb. 2.14 Christ is their kinsman their Brother A mysticall Relation He is their Head they his members Ephes 5.23 and 30. He is their King they his Subjects A voluntary Relation he is their Surety undertaking for them Now upon this threefold Account we find one man suffering for or with another Sometimes upon the account of a naturall Relation Thus Achans sonnes and daughters suffered with him John 7. And Davids childe for him Thus the Disciples conceived when they saw the man that was born blind that it might be for his parents sin John 9.3 Sometimes upon the account of a mysticall Relation Thus in a Politick Body Even as it is in the naturall Body where one member sometimes suffers for another the Back or the Head suffers for what the hand hath acted the Subjects sometimes suffer for their Prince Delirant Reges plectuntur Achivi So it was betwixt David and the people And sometimes Princes suffer for their Subjects If ye shall still do wickedly ye shall be consumed both ye and your King 1 Sam. 12. last And thus in the Church God sometimes removes the Candlestick because the people play with the light Rev. 2.5 Ezekiel must be struck dumb because the house of Israel is a rebellious house Ezek. 3.26 and 27. And thus in the family As children somtimes suffer for their Parents as in the cases aforesaid so sometimes Parents suffer for their Children
far from mortifying of them When men shall leave sin being enforced so to do through the sense of some present inconvenience or through the clamorousnesse of an accusing conscience or meerly through fear of punishment temporall or eternall this is but a counterfeit Mortification True Mortification must be a voluntary action not Involuntary nor yet Mixt. I call that a mixt action which is partly voluntary and partly involuntary As in that fore-named instance of the Seaman casting his goods over-board Mortification altogether voluntary which he doth partly with his will and partly against it This must be altogether voluntary Not but that there may be some reluctancy betwixt the flesh and spirit about this work Such a reluctancy we find in the humane nature of Christ about his naturall death When he saw that bitter cup coming towards him he passionately deprecates it in that thrice repeated Petition Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me Mat. 26.39 yet was his death a true voluntary death So in the Christian's death unto sin there may be a reluctancy betwixt the flesh and the spirit Notwithstanding some reluctancy in the flesh and yet the action a voluntary action An action is said to be voluntary or involuntary according to the superiour faculties of the soul not the inferiour If the reasonable part be consenting the action may be called voluntary though there be some reluctancy in the sensitive appetite Thus in the Christian in whom there is nature and grace flesh and spirit an unregenerate and a regenerate part if the superiour and better part be willing and that will not a velleitas but a volitio not a wishing but a willing an advised deliberate will with full consent of the inward man now though there be some reluctancy in the flesh in the unregenerate part yet may this be said a true voluntary act And is our Mortification such Can we say with the blessed Apostle Rom. 7. ult that However with our flesh we serve the law of sin yet with our mind we serve the Law of God Delighting in it after the inward man ver 22. So that we are dead to sin according to the inward man the regenerate part If so now though we find a Law in our members rebelling against the Law of our minds yet be not discouraged this in God's acceptation shall go for true Mortification a true death unto sin In as much as it carrieth with it this resemblance of the death of Christ which was a voluntary death Thirdly 3. Resemb A violent Death The Death of Christ was a violent death though voluntary yet violent Violent because not naturall He did not die alone but was put to death So saith Saint Peter 1 Pet. 3.18 He was put to death in the flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In course of nature Christ might have lived many a year upon the earth when he was crucified being then but about the three and thirtieth year of his age His death was a violent death He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter Isai 53.7 The materiall Temple did not fall down alone it was pulled down And so was the mysticall Temple of Christ's Body Destroy this Body John 2.19 And herein again was his death a true pattern of the Christian's Mortification his dying unto sin which is both voluntary and violent Voluntary in respect of the Person but violent in respect of the Sin Not when sin dieth alone but when it is put to death and that whilest it might yet live longer It is nothing to die to sin when sin dieth to us in us Herein lieth as I may say the life of this death herein is the truth of Mortification when a man as it were layeth violent hands upon his sins cutteth them off being yet in their flower strength vigour not when they die for age When he pulleth up these weeds not when they wither of themselves So much is insinuated in these fore-named expressions of mortifying of crucifying the flesh the body of sin c each importing a violent death Such is the death of sin in the Christian a violent death Another touchstone for Mortification Applic. And is it so Here then we have another touch-stone whereby we may discover a great deal of false and counterfeit mortification in the world Many have left their sins who have not mortified them No if their sins be dead they died a naturall death they died alone As for them they were so far from offering violence to their lusts from putting them to death that they would willingly have saved their lives if it had lyen in their power And being dead they follow them to their graves as they do their dear friends mourning and lamenting over them that they must part Thus doth the aged Adulterer part with his inordinate lust Rom. 4.19 being now gray-headed and his body dead as it is said of Abraham's he leaveth the tricks of his youth as he counts and calls them But no thanks to him they have left him His sin dieth according to the course of nature dieth for age And thus a man that was intemperate in his youth which yet is not ordinary sometimes he becometh sober and abstemious in his age But what is the cause of it why the reason inducing him to it is no other then that which old Barzillai gave unto David why he was not willing to follow the Court 2 Sam. 19.34 He was now grown old so as he could not discern betwixt good and evill he had no taste in that he eat or in that he drunk Upon the like ground the aged sinner leaveth his intemperance Time having snowed upon his head and plowed upon his forehead he cannot now find that sweetnesse that delight in his sin which formerly he did And upon this account they two part Sin dying to him not he to his sin Now here give me leave Applied to aged sinners I beseech you to make bold with every hoary head every wrinckled face that heareth me that looketh upon me this day and put you upon the triall a little whether you be truely dead to sin or no. It may be your sins the sins of your youth and you are parted but let me ask you the question Vpon what terms did ye part Whether did you forsake them or they you Which is it that standeth chargeable with this desertion Which was it that gave the bill of divorce to the other you to your lusts or your lusts to you Your sins are dead but what death died they A naturall or a violent death If the former that is no true Mortification For all this you may yet be alive to your sins though they be dead to you Hence is it that late repentance in an aged sinner is alwayes looked upon as suspicious and seldome found to be true because that sins then die alone without any violence offered to them Enquire how our sins died whether a
in all unregenerate persons commanding evill actions as it were with authority putting the sinner upon them inclining and after a sort forcing him to the committing of sin Rom. 7.23 The law of sin which is in my members Now have we received a law contrary to this a law of holinesse having the clean contrary effects commanding with authority that which is holy and good putting us upon it carrying the soul with a strong impulsion towards it turning the bent of the heart that way so as that we can say with the Apostle that with or inward man we delight in the law of God Rom. 7.22 that with our mind we serve the law of God ver 25. If so surely this is no other but that law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus as the same Apostle calleth it Rom. 8.2 The law of this quickning spirit communicated from Christ as from the Head unto his members quickning and raising them up unto this spirituall life Whereas otherwise are we still under the law of sin certainly we are also under the power of death So much the Apostle insinuates in the next words where he puts these together the law of sin and death He that is freed from the one is freed from the other But he that is under the power of the one under the power of sin is also under the power of the other under the power of death Thus have you a second evidence whereby we may all of us judge of our selves whether we be engrafted with Christ in the likenesse of his Resurrection viz. Have we received the Spirit of Christ a Spirit of Illumination Faith Sanctification Take a third Do we live the life of Christ Enquiry 3. Do we live the life of Christ This do all that are raised with Christ they are in their measure made conformable to him in his life In their lives expressing his vertues Ye are a chosen generation c. saith Saint Peter speaking to believers that ye should shew forth the vertues of him who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2.9 This do those who are raised with Christ they shew forth the vertues of Christ Shewing forth his vertues by way of imitation that is as some expound it and that not improperly they do in their lives and conversations expresse those graces and vertues which were so eminent and exemplary in him They not onely have them but they hold them forth They do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word properly signifieth praedicare to preach So clearly do they expresse the vertues of Christ as that their lives are as so many Sermons upon the life of Christ each a counterpane to that Originall This do all who are risen with Christ they propound Christ as a pattern for their imitation practising his vertues to the life Quest What vertues Imitable vertues in Christ Ans The imitable vertues in Christ were many I shall instance in some of the chief and those I shall but touch His Inoffensivenesse Meeknesse Patience Humility Obedience Love Mercy Contempt of the world Heavenly-mindednesse All these were eminent in the life of Christ and all these doth the true believer that is risen with Christ shew forth in his life and conversation 1. Inoffensivenesse 1. Walking inoffensively So did our blessed Saviour In his whole course he was inoffensive harmlesse He did no sin neither was their guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2.22 He was holy harmlesse undefiled Heb. 7.26 In which respect he is so often called by the name of that most innocent of creatures The Lamb of God John 1.29 c. And this vertue they which are risen with Christ do expresse being also innocent harmlesse Harmlesse as Doves Mat. 10.16 Inoffensive Herein do I exercise my selfe to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men saith Paul Acts 24.16 True it is the world takes offence at them and so it did at Jesus Christ but their desire and care is not to give any just offence 2. Meeknesse 2. They imitate Christ in his Meeknesse a vertue eminent in him He cometh unto thee meek It is spoken of Sion's King Mat. 21.5 I beseech you by the meeknesse and gentlenesse of Christ saith Paul 2 Cor. 10.2 In this respect also he is compared to the Lamb He was led as a lamb to the slaughter c. Isai 58. And this vertue the true Christian in his measure expresseth He is one of the meek of the earth Zeph. 2.3 One that sheweth out of a good conversation his works with meeknesse of wisdom Jam. 3.13 One that endeavoureth to restrain and bridle the passions of his heart not casting the reins upon their necks suffering them in a customary way to break forth in an inordinate manner One that in the purpose of his heart layeth aside wrath anger malice 1 Pet. 2.1 One that is gentle and easie to be intreated ready to forgive and forget injuries all which were eminent in Jesus Christ 3. In Patience 3. Patience In this respect also was Christ a lamb a sheep His patience in sufferings was most exemplary He was led as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep that is dumb before the shearer so opened he not his mouth Isai 53. When he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not c. 1 Pet. 2.23 And herein the true Christian carries some resemblance of him He is one that in patience possesseth his soul Luke 21.19 Exercising this grace in all changes of conditions Tribulation in him worketh patience Rom. 5.3 Here is the patience of Saints Rev. 13.10 14.12 They are companions in the patience of Jesus Christ Revel 1.9 4. Humility 4. Humility A vertue also most eminent in Christ Learn of me for I am meek and lowly Mat. 11.29 However being in the form of God he thought it no robbery to be equall with God without any usurpation he might have challenged an equality with God his Father being co-essentiall and co-equall with him in respect of his divine nature yet he made himselfe of no reputation and took upon him the form of a Servant He humbled himselfe c. Phil. 2.6 7. And herein doth the true Christian resemble him being one of a contrite and humble spirit Isai 57.15 One that humbleth himselfe in the sight of God Jam. 4.16 Not doing what he doth through vain glory but in lowlinesse of mind preferring others before himselfe Phil. 2.3 This did Jesus Christ and this those which are risen with Christ at least desire to do 5. Obedience 5. Obedience Hereof was Christ the great Exemplar and Pattern He humbled himself and became obedient even to the death c. Phil. 2.7 He sought not his own will but the will of him that sent him John 5.30 6.38 the will of his Father This he did and this he suffered both out of a principle of voluntary obedience And
of spiritual union or Communion with Jesus Christ under an impossibility of ever being renewed of ever partaking in a second spiritual Resurrection Answ Answ Still this makes the case more difficult yet despaire not Surely Lazarus died again after his first resurrection yet shall his body be raised again at the last day Believe it Christ is able to do as much for thy Soul as he will do for his Body And this if thou beest not stil wanting to his grace he will do Restore thee from thine Apostacy Quest Quest But what then shall I do that I may be made partaker of this grace that I may have my part in this first resurrection What to be done to attain this Resurrection nay being a dead man what can I do A dead man is a meer patient in the work of his own resurrection Ans Answ True and so is a sinner in the first act of his own Conversion as I have before shewed you In thine own strength without Christ thou canst do nothing in this way as our Saviour tels his Disciples John 15.5 what Paul saith of a dead Body 1 Cor. 15.43 we may say of a dead Soul It is sown in weaknesse Being dead in sin it is in a state of impotency not able to raise it self or to contribute ought toward it own resurrection But yet this thou mayst doe and this be thou directed to do 1. Wait and attend upon God in the use of Direct 1 those means whereby he ordinarily effecteth this Resurrection This could that poor Waite upon God in the use of means impotent bed-rid man in the Gospel do John 5. Though he could not put himselfe into the waters yet he could lye at the pool And the like maist thou doe Though thou canst not quicken and raise up thy self yet thou maist attend upon those means whereby God is wont to convey that grace whereby he effecteth this work which is the Ministry of the word By this means it was that those dead bones were quickned Ezek. 37. viz. by the Prophets prophecying upon them verse 4. Hee said unto mee Prophecie upon those bones and say unto them O ye dry bones hear the word of the Lord. And by this means it is that dead souls are quickned by the Ministry of the word This is the Trumpet of Jesus Christ Here is the voyce of Christ to be heard whereby he quickneth the dead And therefore with care diligence conscience attend upon this Ordinance hearkning and listning to hear the voyce of Jesus Christ 2. Direct 2 Not hardening our hearts Not hardening the heart Let that be a second direction To day if you will hear his voyce harden not your hearts Heb. 3.7 This men of themselves can do Though they cannot soften their own hearts yet they can harden them and that by resisting the motions of the spirit of grace Now would you have your part in this first Resurrection take heed of thus hardning your hearts take heed of resisting quenching the first Motions of this spirit but give way to them let in the voyce of Christ into your soules Let in the voyce both of the Law and Gospel Let in the voice of the Law The voyce of the Law for the awakening of you This is the first use of the Law to rouse and awaken dead souls to convince poor sinners of the sinfulnesse and misery of their Naturall Condition Let it bee usefull to you in this way Give way to the spirit of conviction for the awakening of you Were it possible that a dead man could be awakened and made apprehensive and sensible of that state wherein he is being under the power of death to see how he hath the grave for his house and maketh his Bed in the darkness where corruption and the worme claime kindred of him being his onely Companions as Job describeth that state Job 17.14 he should not need to be perswaded to arise and come forth and to accept of a Resurrection being tendred to him Surely so would it bee with poor sinners Were their consciences but once thoroughly awakened and themselves made apprehensive of the misery of their naturall condition how their soules ly putrifying and stinking in the grave of sin they should need no other argument to induce them to come out from thence and to accept of this new life offered and tendred unto them Suffer your selves therefore to be thus awakened Give way to the discoveries of the Law bringing them home to your selves in your own particular that so you may see and feel your selves in a state of sin and death under the power of a spirituall death bound over unto Eternall death Let in the voice of the Gospel Answering it Being thus awakened by the Law now hearken to the sweet voice of Christ in the Gospel calling upon you and commanding you to arise and stand up from the dead Lending not only your ears but your hearts to this call closing with it returning answer to it as old Elie adviseth young Samuel to do in a like case 1 Sam. 3.9 speak Lord for thy servant heareth Thus when Christ shall be pleased to call upon you outwardly in the Ministry of his word inwardly by the motions of his spirit inviting perswading requiring you to arise from sin to Righteousnesse give entertainment to this call of his accepting this offer of grace by faith receiving Christ himselfe into your hearts yeelding up your selves unto him to be framed and fashioned according to his will So doing he wil communicate himself unto you in this blessed way being unto you Resurrection and life For this you have his expresse promise with an Ecce a Behold before it that you may take the better notice of it Revelation 3.20 Behold I stand at the door and knock If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in and sup with him and he with me The Doore there spoken of is the doore of mens Consciences At this door Jesus Christ standeth attending and waiting with much patience upon poor sinners Thus standing at this Doore he knocketh this hee doth by outward means and inward Motions as one desirous of admittance Now saith he If any one hear my voyce not only giveth me the bare hearing but hearkneth attendeth to what I say And openeth the door thereupon letting me into his heart receiving me by faith accepting me as a Saviour and a Lord I will come and sup with him c. I wil now communicate my self unto him in the most intimate way letting into his soul the sweetest and most efficacious influences of my grace and spirit for the carrying on and perfecting that blessed work which is there begun This will Jesus Christ doe to the soul that thus hearkneth to his voyce to his Admonitions Exhortations Offers Promises receiving him by faith cleaving to him by Love submitting to him by Obedience he will be to it Resurrection and Life The
this way gloriously manifested 1. In that God was pleased thus to dispence with his own Law In dispencing with his Law The Law was peremptory The day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death Gen. 2.17 under that one particular menacing every transgression with death Now with this Law God being the supream Law-giver and so having power to dispence with his own positive and penall Lawes he dispenceth being content to accept that satisfaction which the Law required from the person of another This dispensation was an act of grace free grace God was no waies bound to admit of such a satisfaction by a Surety which the rigour of the Law exacted from the person of the offender 2. That God was pleased to indulge such a dispensation unto Men not to Angels For men not Angels God spared not the Angels which fell saith Saint Peter but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chaines of darknesse to be reserved unto Judgment 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude 6. Here is no relaxation but a strict execution of Justice upon them Not the like upon man To him God grants a dispensation a gracious dispensation moderating Justice with Mercy admitting such a Satisfaction for him not for the Angels 3. That God did not only admit this way of Satisfaction but himselfe finde it out In finding out this way This was his Act an act of his Wisdome God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor. 5.19 When men and Angels were at a losse neither of them could find out a way of satisfaction unto the Justice of God but by an eternity of punishment now God himself findeth out a way This was an act of Grace of speciall and singular Grace there being nothing else that could move God to it but his Grace Yet further 4. That God should put his own Son upon this Work 4. In putting his Son upon the work His Son his Naturall Son his own Image his onely Son his dear and welbeloved Son his second selfe that he should give him here was grace here was love unparalell'd love So God loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son John 3.16 So how So as cannot be either paralell'd or expressed That he should give him and that not only to declare the way and means of Reconciliation by his Doctrine in his Life and to confirm it with his Blood in his Death which is the highest pitch that the Socinian reacheth but also to make Reconciliation as the Authour to the Hebrews hath it cap. 2. ver 17. And that by making satisfaction unto the Justice of God by giving his life a Ransome for us Surely never such an act of Grace as this Herein God commendeth his love to us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us saith Saint Paul Rom. 5.8 Herein is love saith Saint John not that we love God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for our sins 1 John 4.10 This act of God in giving Christ unto death for us how ever it was an act of Justice towards Christ yet it was an act of Grace towards us So the Apostle expresly holdeth it forth Heb. 2.9 That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man the grace of God towards the universality of his Elect for whose sake Christ was offered Henceforth then let the mouth of the Adversary be for ever stopped Christ's Satisfaction exalteth God's Grace Let not Socinians charge this upon us as they do that whilest we assert the Satisfaction of Christ we derogate and detract from the Grace of God Nay therein we advance and exalt it and that far above what ever they by their doctrine do or can do To give Christ to be a Surety for us is a greater act of grace then to give him to be a Teacher to us To give him to die for us in our room and stead is greater grace then to give him onely for a Guid to direct and lead us by his Doctrine and Example Yet further 5. In the fifth place Behold the Grace of God further exercised in the Application of this Satisfaction 5. In the free Application of this Satisfaction to some not others Where is it that God applyeth the death of Christ maketh it effectuall to one and not to another Surely this is no other but an act of Grace free Grace Let it then go for a most unjust and groundlesse imputation that Christ's Satisfaction cannot stand with the grace of God when as the one shineth forth so clearly so gloriously in the other Justification an act of grace notwithstanding this Satisfaction Alleg. But yet it will be said If such a Satisfaction hath been made and received how can Justification then be said to be an act of Grace free-grace So we find it held forth in Scripture Isai 43.25 I even I am he saith the Lord that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake Being justified freely by his grace saith the Apostle Rom. 3.24 Now how can this be if such a Satisfaction be made Ans To this it is answered Still both these will stand well together God blotteth out our sins for his own sake and yet for Christ's sake The phrase excludes our merits not his merits No it is with his Blood that these sins are blotted out 1 John 1.7 Rev. 1.5 Again well may God be said to forgive sins for his own sake whilest he forgives them for his Son's sake in as much as Father and Son are both one One as in essence so in will and worke only differing in order of working Thus are they one in this act of Justification And thence is it that forgivenesse of sins is attributed sometimes to Christ Col. 3.13 Even as Christ forgave you And thus may we be said to be justified freely by Grace and yet through the merits of Christ So much we may learn from the Apostle in that place alledged Rom. 3.34 where he putteth them both together Being justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus The like again Ephes 1.7 In whom we have Redemption through his Blood the forgivenesse of sins according to the riches of his Grace And well may these stand together as being causes subordinate the one to the other God's grace the supreme and first moving cause Christ's Redemption the meritorious and procuring cause Thus are we said to be justified not onely by Grace but freely by Grace viz. in reference to us our merits not so to the merits of Jesus Christ Alleg. But it may be further said How Forgivenesse of sin standeth with this Satisfaction Supposing such a Satisfaction how then can sins be said to be forgiven That is the word in frequent use in Scripture In the Lords Prayer we pray Forgive us our Debts And so we finde Justification frequently called the forgivenesse of sins one part of it being by a Synecdoche put
able to sever him from the Stock to separate him from Christ Paul's wishing himselfe separated from Christ for his countrey men the Jewes sake Rom. 9.3 doth not imply a possibility in the thing but onely imports the ardency of his affection for the glory of God and the salvation of his brethren for which had it been possible he could have been contended to have been so separated But that cannot be Once in Christ and ever in Christ No separating of the believer and him Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Rom. 8.35 36. saith the Apostle Rom. 8.35 Shall tribulation or distresse or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill or sword These all these God's Saints are here subject to As it is written For thy sake we are killed all the day long But it is not any of them all of them that can sever the believer from Christ Nay In all these we are more then conquerours i. e. triumphant Conquerours through him that loved us through Christ Nothing shall separate the believer from Christ or from the love of God in Christ So it followeth Ver. 38 39. I am perswaded that neither life nor death c. shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ The Stability of a regenerate man's estate Such is the Stability of a regenerate man's estate that being in Christ he may now bid defiance to whatever it is that threatneth his salvation As the Graft being grown into the Stock and made one with it it standeth firm against all storms and tempests Being committed unto the Stock it is now in safe custody So are they who have by faith committed their souls unto Jesus Christ receiving him as their Saviour and Lord they are now in his custody Even as the Stock taketh the Graft into custody apprehending and holding it fast so doth Christ the believer The believer apprehending and applying Christ is apprehended of him As Paul saith of himself Phil. 3.12 I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus And this custody is a safe custody Christ will keep what is committed to him Of all that thou hast given me I have lost none but the son of perdition Judas never given to Christ as the other Apostles were saith he to his Father John 17.12 Judas the son of perdition so called I will not say with Grotius Non ex ullâ Dei destinatione sed ex merito Not at all by God's Predestination but his own merit so indeed the Arminian would have it but more soundly with Beza and others Et destinatione merito both by destination and merit one ordaine to perdition to just condemnation for his malicious wickednesse He miscarried indeed being never given unto Christ as the rest were As for the rest he kept them he lost none of them No more will he any of those who are given unto him actually to believe on him This is the Fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day John 6.39 Raise it up and that unto life eternall life This is the Father's will and this the Son will faithfully performe So it followeth This is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and him will I raise up at the last day ver 36. Thus doth the Stock as it were raise up the Graft in the Spring time Christ raiseth up the believer as the Stock the Graft by sending up into it that sap which during the winter was hid in it selfe being gone down into the Root And thus will Jesus Christ raise up all that are in him Having raised them up unto a spirituall life here he will raise them up to an everlasting life hereafter which he will do by communicating unto them that vertue of his Resurrection as Paul calleth it Phil. 3.10 that Spirit and that Power whereby himselfe was raised from the dead Commit our soules unto Jesus Christ Vse 2. What remains then but that all of us commit our souls unto Jesus Christ by faith rowling and casting them upon him in a full assurance of being safely kept by him I know whom I have believed saith Paul and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day 2 Tim. 1.12 He is able to do it and he will do it Faithfull is he who hath promised Heb. 10.23 Faithfull is he who hath called you who also will do it 1 Thes 5.24 What will he do Preserve your spirit soul and body blamelesse unto his coming Were our souls in our own custody how apt would they be to miscarry An experiment whereof we have in our first Parents But being thus committed unto Jesus Christ they shall now be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 And thus have I done also with this fourth and last Benefit which maketh up a ninth Resemblance There is yet one more behind 10. Resemb and that is that which the Apostle himselfe here instanceth in viz. Communion in life and death that Communion which is betwixt Christ and the believer in life and death So is it betwixt the Graft and the Stock being planted together they live and die together And so is it betwixt Christ and the believer The believer being engrafted into him he hath communion with him and is made conformable to him first in his death then in his life So it followeth in the Text For if we have been planted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the likenesse of his Resurrection Upon these two I shall insist severally beginning with the former wherein we have the second Doctrinall Proposition which I took notice of in the Text. Believer are planted together with Christ in the similitude of his death Propos 2. In the Similitude So the Originall hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Believers planted with Christ in the likenesse of his death which is to be construed here not Datively as the Vulgar Latine readeth it Beza Gr. Annot. Similitudini To the likenesse But Ablatively Similitudine or Conformatione In the likenesse or conformablenesse of his death The phrase explained Quest But what is here meant by this phrase Or how are Christians siad to be thus engrafted in the likenesse of the death of Christ Ans In way of answer I might here shew you the different opinions of Expositors whom I find not agreed about it 1. Cyrill apprehends that Christians are said to be engrafted in the Similitude of Christ's death because saith he Christ's death was rather a similitude a likenesse of a death then a true death In as much as he was so quickly raised up from the grace as if he had been
They that are Christs have crucified the flesh Now crucifying as I shewed you is a painfull death Elsewhere we finde it compared to a Plucking out the right eye a Cutting off the right hand Matth. 29.30 Such is the mortifying of the members of the Body of sin inordinate lusts some of which may be as near and dear to a man as his right eye or hand A painfull work Thus doth this death unto sin carry with it a likenesse to the death of Christ Attended with Agonies it is attended with agonies and soul-conflicts Agonies before conversion and after Before it Before Conversion Ordinarily this work is not wrought without some compunction of spirit some pricking of the heart so were the Jews affected at the hearing of Peter's Sermon Acts 2.37 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They were pricked at their hearts They were inwardly touched and deeply affected with the apprehension of the hainousnesse of that sin of theirs in crucifying the Lord of life and of the wrath of God hanging over their heads for it In like manner the Jaylor in that known place Acts 16.30 What an agonie do we there find him in when he came trembling and fell down at the Apostles feet crying out Sirs what shall I do to be saved Such agonies the beginning of Conversion is ordinarily attended with True indeed it must be acknowledged Which are not alike in all that these Agonies are not alike in all whether for degree and measure or continuance of them yet in an ordinary way true and sound conversion is not without some of them As in the naturall birth so in this new birth all have not the like pains and throws yet none but are in some degree sensible of some of them some soul-conflicts some remorse of conscience for sin whereby the heart is pricked nay rent and broken So it is in true Repentance Rent your hearts and not your garments Joel 2.13 A broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Psal 51.17 viz. a heart broken and rent with a kindly apprehension of sin and of Gods just displeasure against it such agonies is the soul subject to in the beginning of Conversion And the like afterwards As in the naturall Agonies after Conversion so in this new birth there are after-pains after-throws The Christian though the main work be done though he be delivered of sin in respect of the guilt and reigning power of it yet he hath still some remainders of sinfull corruption left in him which draw many a groane many a sigh from his heart Wee also which have the first fruits of the Spirit saith the Apostle Rom. 8.23 even wee our selves groan within our selves waiting for the adoption c. We we beleevers which have the first fruits of the Spirit the first degree of Regeneration conferred upon us here as a pledg and assurance of the full crop of perfect Glorification hereafter even wee our selves groane within our selves That which the frame of heaven and earth do by a kind of secret sympathy and instinct we do out of a certain knowledge and well grounded judgement sighing and groaning under the burden of sin which lieth upon us earnestly desiring a full and finall deliverance with a fruition of that glorious inheritance which is entailed upon us in and by our Adoption Such are the groans of mortified Saints Saints dying unto sin like the groans of dying men whose souls being weary of their bodies earnestly desire a dissolution Thus do God's Saints groan within themselves or rather his Spirit within them earnestly desiring to be freed from the body of sin O wretched man that I am saith the Apostle who shall deliver me from the body of this death Rom. 7.24 Thus doth he crie out being wearied by continuall conflicts with the remainders of sinfull corruption that body of sin Rom. 6.6 as he calleth it ver 6. of the Chapter foregoing This he there calleth the body of death Corpus mortis i.e. Corpus mortiferum because it was as a death to him to be so infested with it like a living man tied to a dead threatning him with spirituall and eternall death And therefore he earnestly desireth to be freed from it accounting himselfe a wretched and unhappy man so long as he was in any degree so molested by it Thus doth this death unto sin carry with it a conformity to the death of Jesus Christ being as his was a dolorous and painfull death Applic. Which may serve us yet as another touch-stone to discover a great deal of counterfeit Mortification by Counterfeit Mortification discovered Many think they are dead unto sin who are in truth nothinglesse It may be sin is asleep in them It may be it is dead to them but they are not dead to it So much appeareth in that there were no pangs in this death It is a difference betwixt death and sleep There are pangs in the one not so in the other And the like difference there is betwixt a naturall and a violent death In the former when a man dieth according to the course of nature the light of life going out like a lamp when the oile is spent there is no great pain As David speaking of wicked men who sometimes live in pleasure and die with ease he saith they have no bands in their death Psal 73.4 But violent Deaths they have their bands and their pangs And so hath this spirituall death this death unto sin being as I showed you in the last resemblance a violent death it will not be without some pangs or other Sin hath a strong heart and so there will be pangs in this death Examine what Agonies we have felt for or about sin I beseech you bring it home to your selves you that suppose your selves to be thus dead unto sin Examine your own hearts what pangs were there in this death what agonies what soul-conflicts have you at any time felt what compunction of heart what affliction of spirit have you suffered for sin And that not only for the guilt of it That may and often is to be found in a Reprobate we see it in Judas When he had betrayed his Lord and Master what a compunction of spirit did the apprehension of the guilt of that sin work in him But for the power of it This it was that troubled Paul to find the body of sin so vigorous and active in him to find such a law in his members rebelling against the law of his mind and bringing him into captivity to the law of sin Rom. 7 23. And this it is that troubles the Christian Though the guilt of sin be taken away yet is he not wholly freed from the power of it Though it do not rule in him as a Prince yet it tyrannizeth over him oft-times carrying him contrary to the bent of his regenerate mind to the omitting of what he would do the committing of what he would not And this to him is