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
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
always his delight Herein is Love that be sent him to save Sinners to save them by bearing their Sins by bearing their Curse by dying their Death and by carrying their Sorrows Here is Love in that while we were yet Enemies Christ died for us yea here is Love in that while we were yet without strength Christ died for the Ungodly Rom. 5. The second Use. But Secondly as this Doctrine giveth us the best discovery of God so also it giveth us the best discovery of our selves and our own things First It giveth us the best discovery of our selves Wouldest thou know Sinner what thou art look up to the Cross and behold a Weeping Bleeding Dying Jesus nothing could do but that nothing could save thee but his Blood Angels could not Saints could not God could not because he could not ly because he could not deny himself What a thing is Sin that it should sink all that bear its burden yea it sunk the Son of God himself into death and the Grave and had also sunk him into Hell-fire for ever had he not been the Son of God had he not been able to take it on his Back and bear it away O! This Lamb of God Sinners were going to Hell Christ was the Delight of his Father and had a whole Heaven to himself but that did not content him Heaven could not hold him He must come into the World to save Sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15. Ay and had he not come thy Sins had sunk thee thy Sins had provoked the Wrath of God against thee to thy perdition and destruction for ever There is no Man but is a Sinner there is no Sin but would damn an Angel should God lay it to his charge Sinner the Doctrine of Christ crucified crieth therefore aloud unto thee that sin hath made thy Condition dreadful See your selves your Sin and consequently the Condition that your Souls are in by the Death and Blood of Christ Christs Death giveth us the most clear discovery of the dreadful Nature of our Sins I say again if sin be so dreadful a thing as to break the Heart of the Son of God for so he saith it did how shall a Poor Wretched Impenitent damned Sinner wrestle with the Wrath of God Awake Sinners you are lost you are undone you perish you are damned Hell-fire is your Portion for ever if you abide in your Sins and be found without a Saviour in the dreadful Day of Judgment Secondly For your good Deeds cannot help you the Blood of Christ tells you so For by this Doctrine Christ died for our Sins God damneth to death and hell the Righteousness of the World Christ must die or Man be damned where is now any room for the Righteousness of Men room I say for Man's Righteousness as to his Acceptance and Justification Bring then thy Righteousness to the Cross of Jesus Christ and in his Blood behold the Demands of Justice behold them I say in the Cries and Tears in the Blood and Death of Jesus Christ. Look again and behold the Person dying such an one as never sinned nor offended at any time yet he dies Could an Holy Life an Innocent Harmless Conversation have saved one from death Jesus had not died But he must die Sin was charged therfore Christ must die Men therefore need to go no further to prove the Worth of their own Righteousness than to the Death of Christ They need not be to seek in that Matter till they stand before the Judgment-Seat Quest. But how should I prove the Goodness of mine own Righteousness by the Death and Blood of Christ Ans. Thus If Christ must die for Sin then all thy Righteousness cannot save thee If Righteousness comes by the Law then Christ is dead in vain Gal. 2. 21. By this Text 't is manifest that either Christ died in vain or thy Righteousness is vain If thy Righteousness can save thee then Christ died in vain If nothing below or besides the Death of Christ could save thee then thy Righteousness is in vain one of the two must be cast away either Christ's or thine Christ Crucified to save the World discovereth two great evils in Man's own Righteousness I mean when brought for Justification and Life 1. It opposeth the Righteousness of Christ. 2. It condemneth God of Foolishness 1. It opposeth the Righteousness of Christ in that it seeketh it self to stand where should the Righteousness of Christ to wit in God's affection for the Justification of thy Person and this is one of the highest affronts to Christ that poor man is capable to give him Right worthily therefore doth the Doctrine of the Gospel damn the Righteousness of Men and promiseth the Kingdom of God to Publicans and Harlots rather 2. It condemneth God of Foolishness For if Works of Righteousness which we can do can justifie from the Curse of the Law in the Sight of God then is not all the Treasures of Wisdom found in the Heart of God and Christ For this Dolt-headed Sinner hath now found out a Way of his own unawares to God to secure his Soul from Wrath and Vengeance I say unawares to God for he never imagined that such a thing could be for had he he would never have purposed before the World began to send his Son to die for Sinners Christ is the Wisdom of God as you have heard and that as he is our Justifying Righteousness God was manifest in the Flesh to save us is the great Mystery of Godliness But wherein lyeth the depth of this Wisdom of God in our Salvation if Man's Right-hand can save him Job 40. 10 11 12 13 14. Yea wherefore hath God also given it out that there is none other Name given to Men under Heaven whereby we must be saved I say again why is it affirmed without shedding of Blood is no Remission if Mans good Deeds can save him This Doctrine therefore of the Righteousness of Christ being rightly preached and truly believed arraigneth and condemneth Man's Righteousness to Hell It casteth it out as Abraham cast out Ismael BLOOD BLOOD the sound of Blood abaseth all the Glory of it When Men have said all and shewed us what they can they have no Blood to present God's Justice with yet 't is Blood that maketh an Atonement for the Soul and nothing but Blood can wash us from our Sins Levit. 17. 11. Revel 1. 5. Heb. 9. Justice calls for Blood Sins call for Blood the Righteous Law calls for Blood yea the Devil himself must be overcome by Blood Sinner where is now thy Righteousness Bring it before a Consuming Fire for our God is a Consuming Fire Bring it before the Justice of the Law yea try if ought but the Blood of Christ can save thee from thy Sins and Devils try it I say by this Doctrine go not one step further before thou hast tried it Thirdly By this Doctrine we are made to see the worth of Souls it cannot be but that the Soul
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
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
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