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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A42773	The ark of the covenant opened, or, A treatise of the covenant of redemption between God and Christ, as the foundation of the covenant of grace the second part, wherein is proved, that there is such a covenant, the necessity of it, the nature, properties, parties thereof, the tenor, articles, subject-matter of redemption, the commands, conditions, and promises annexed, the harmony of the covenant of reconciliation made with sinners, wherein they agree, wherein they differ, grounds of comfort from the covenant of suretiship / written by a minister of the New Testament.	Gillespie, Patrick, 1617-1675.	1677 (1677)	Wing G766; ESTC R3490	407,671	492

things p. 422. 8 The advantages believers have by Christs Suretiship 1. Exemption from the Law and hand of Justice p. 427. 2. the New and better Covenant-state 3. Our perseverance and stability in ii p. 428. 4. An ability to perform the conditions of the Covenant p. 429. 5. Boldness in distresses to lay our weight on him 6. In respect of temptations preventing standing against or delivering from them Uses 1. Ground of Comfort p. 431. 2. Use Expostulation with believers and unbelievers p. 432. 3. Use Tryal whether Christ hath undertaken for you p. 434. 4. Use This Doctrine confirms many Articles of Faith 1. Free Election p. 435. 2. The Soveraignty of Grace 3. Perseverance p. 436. 5. Use Serves to answer all temptations discouragements and doubtings in believers p. 437. 6. Use Exhortation to believers p. 440. 7. Use Put not any thing in Christs place as Surety for you Chap. XXII Of Christs being the Testator in the Covenant of Grace where 1. Of the name and relation It imports a person dying 2. A person invested with possession and right to some estate p. 445. 3. A power in him to dispose of what he possesseth 4. A Deed. 5. An actual disposing of his goods p. 446. 2 What was the design of his being Testator in the Covenant 1. That he might add a new title to believers 2. To declare his free Grace 3. To ratifie believers titles to Covenant-blessings 4. To make way to the possession of them p. 447. 3 How this design is accomplisht in Christs bearing this relation in the several instances p. 448. 4. Vses made of this p. 450. Chap. XXIII Besides the relations Christ bears in the Covenant he is the Covenant it self which imports 1. The abridging the whole Covenant in Christ Mediator 2. The committing the whole business by God to him p. 453. Christ is all the Covenant 1. Originally p. 454. 2. Primarily 3. Eminently p. 455. 4. Virtually 5. Exemplarily p. 456. 6. Comprehensively p. 457. 2 The sum of the Articles of the Covenant is in Christ p. 458. 3 The sum of the mutual stipulation is in Christ p. 459. 4 Christ is the sum of all the Promises p. 460. 5 Christ the sum of all the properties of the Covenant p. 461. 1. Freeness 2. Everlastingness 3. Of the order of it 4. It 's stability 5. It 's perfection 6. It 's satisfactoriness p. 463. 6 Christ the sum of all Covenant-bleffings 1. Eminently 2. Comprehensively 3. Vltimately p. 465. 4. Virtually p. 466. Use 1. Of reproof 1. To those who seek something else 2. To those that seek something more than Christ p. 466. 3. To those that seek something less 4. To those that wrangle about circumstances to the prejudice of the marrow of the Gospel p. 467. Use 2. To discover how we fall short of giving Christ his place in the Covenant p. 467. Use 3. Of tryal whether you are in the covenant of Grace p. 468. Try this 1. By your divorcement from Idols p. 469. 2. By consenting to the mutual tye of the Covenant 3. By your subjection and submission to Christ p. 470. 4. By your satisfaction with and acceptation of the whole bargain 5. By accounting duties your priviledges 6. By your equal endeavours after holiness and heaven p. 471. 7. By being humbled and provoked to holiness by the knowledg of your being in Christ 8. By your valuing of Christ p. 472. Use 4. To teach us to observe more of Christ in whatever we see appertaining to the Covenant p. 473. Use 5. For commending Christ to you 1. See the necessity of him 2. Learn the way how to come to God p. 474. 3. Be perswaded to take him that is given for a Covenant of the people p. 475. 4. Take him and make use of him for all the Covenant p. 476. Use 6. For comfort to believers ibid. CHAP. I. Of the Foundation of the Covenant of Grace or of the Covenant of Redemption Where 1. 'T is proved that there is such a Covenant with Christ 2. That this is the foundation of the Covenant made with us AS the Covenant of Grace hath its rise from God only and from Grace so 't is founded and bottomed upon nothing in us but upon God's Covenant with Christ whom he gave for a Covenant of the people Isa 49.8 whom he layed in Zion for a foundation a sure foundation Isa 28.16 The Covenant made with us did spring out of the Covenant made with Christ and as 't is commonly distinguished the Covenant of reconciliation whereby we are actually recovered and reconciled unto God is bottomed upon the Covenant of Redemption or as others speak the Covenant of suretiship whereby the recovery redemption and restitution of fallen man was transacted betwixt God and Christ I shall therefore speak a little of the Covenant of Redemption to make way for the better understanding of the whole Treatise of the Covenant of Grace and particularly what relates to Christ the Mediator And 1. That there is a Covenant betwixt God and Christ though the name of this mysterious transaction which we call the Covenant of Redemption and Suretiship be not found in the Scripture in so many words which may be among the reasons why most Writers have been silent about the thing yet the thing it self being so evidently held forth in the Scripture F. Socinus de Servats l. 2. cap. 16. that the Socinians who enervate and study to make void the Suretiship of Christ yet do not deny a Covenant wherein he is Surety or Mediator Saltmarsh of free-Grace Obs 6. 38. as they understand his Suretiship And the Antinomians Who upon the matter do own no Covenant of Grace properly so called D. Crisp Tom. 1. Serm. 6. made with us yet they do acknowledg a Covenant betwixt God and Christ Ja. Arm. Orat. de Sacerd. Christi p. 16 17. The Arminians also acknowledg the same though in a sense different from ours Mr. Ruthtry Treat Of ●b Covenant p. ● c. 6. The Scriptures I say being so very pregnant in this proof I shall the more briefly dispatch it E. Bulk Gosp Covenant p. 29. and refer the Reader to what is written of it by others every way more fit to open this mysterie than I am The first proof I take from Isa 59.20 21 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob Jo. Cocc Summa doctrinae de soedere c. 5. saith the Lord As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord c. Where we read of a Covenant betwixt the Lord and the Redeemer that was to come unto Zion which can be no other but the Covenant of Redemption For clearing of this Consider 1. That he to whom the Lord speaks there most be Christ and no other For 1. 'T is he only whose seed have the Spirit and Word ensured unto them for the seed of no Church-Society upon earth hath the Spirit

spring out of that fountain did grow out of that root for Covenant-grace is in God's dealings with us as sap is in the branch and water in the cistern but it is in his Covenant-dealings with Christ as sap is in the root and water in the fountain There is such a connexion betwixt these two Covenants as betwixt decree and execution deliberation and action promise and performance suretiship and satisfaction bond and payment c. for the Covenant with Christ was in the decree of God with us it is the execution of that eternal decree there it was deliberated and consulted here 't is acted there the promises were made the suretiship acted the bond given but in God's Covenant-dealings with us the promises made betwixt God and Christ are performed his act of suretiship satisfied and actual payment and satisfaction made of all obligements which he took on The connexion of the Covenants of Redemption and Reconciliation may be illustrated by a similitude or two It is as if a deed of favour were drawn for children and heirs not yet born and the whole conveyance setled how that deed of favour shall redound unto the benefit of children not yet born which in due time by the wisdom of the contriver takes place and becomes actually profitable to those for whom it was intended The Covenant of Redemption is the wise contrivance of this deed of favour to a seed given to Christ but not yet created and the Covenant of Reconciliation is the conveyance by which the favour intended for this elect people takes place Or as if a Marriage were concluded by a wise father betwixt his only son and a person wholly under his power at his disposing but now under-age not marriageable nor capable to give consent to such a contract as were drawn up but the knowledg of this is kept up from the bride a great while but at last the bridegroom makes proposals according to his fathers concluded contract and gains the brides heart and consent to the intended match this matter is all of a piece and every part of it connected with another but the first part is the work of the Covenant of Redemption betwixt Jehovah and Christ And the latter part is the work of the Covenant of Reconciliation betwixt God and Sinners Or as if a King upon paction with his Son should grant a fair Charter with many priviledges to persons who yet know nothing of the King's favour the actual communication of these priviledges being suspended till the King's Son actually own these persons for his Subjects and they actually own him for their Lord. The Covenant made with Christ is the fair Charter the Covenant made with us is the mutual owning betwixt the King's Son and the persons to whom the favours and priviledges of the great Charter of Redemption was intended CHAP. VI. Of the Grounds of assurance and comfort and supports of Faith resulting from the Covenant of Suretiship unto all those who are in the Covenant of Reconciliation and Grace I Shall shut up the Doctrine of the Covenant of Redemption and Suretiship with a collection of some grounds of comfort and supports of Faith which arise from it 1. That the original and foundation of God's Covenant-dealings with us is an eternal compact betwixt Jehovah and Christ and had not its beginning and rise from our first thoughts of that business when we begun to entertain the news of a Saviour and of Redemption by him it bred not in our breasts but was under deliberation betwixt God and Christ long before ever it entred into our hearts yea it was there transacted the heirs of Salvation were fore-ordained unto their lot and inheritance with them who are sanctified when the Captain of Salvation was destinate unto this work 2 Thes 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth And it is only the manifestation of this to us and our consent to it that is of yesterday and but lately transacted Joh. 17.8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me Heb. 6.17 18 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his will comfirmed it by an oath That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us O how comfortable and strengthening is this to the weak believer that eternal Covenant-love Covenant-dealings and Covenant-relations and engagements begin at the head Christ fall first upon him and descend to his redeemed seed Eph. 1.3 4 Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world c. 2. That the same love of the Father and of Christ which now hath appeared and broken forth in drawing thee into this new Covenant-state Jer. 31.3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee hath been in action for thee and about thee in eternity when thou wast not Prov. 8.23 31 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth and my delights were with the sons of men How should that support faith and comfort and assure our hearts that the love of God and of Christ did provide a rich inheritance for us when we were not yet created and did provide a physician before we fell sick who had a Redeemer in readiness before the fall of Man which he foresaw who provided a Surety before he was needed to be in readiness to strike hands for our Debt that Christ spoke kindly for us when we were not present that he took our case in hand undesired that he undertook for us when we had neither being nor action nor vote nor knowledg of his undertaking 3. That our Redemption and Salvation hath so very little of our will in it and so much of Gods Will and that of Grace so much of his gracious Will or of the good pleasure of his Will Eph. 1.5 Being now by the Covenant of Suretiship the will of the Father and of Christ without our knowledg or consent or any act of our will Joh. 6.3 9 And this is the fathers will that hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day With 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am And there is now no more of our will in all the business but so much as is captivated bowed and carried

she should be arrayed in fine linnen clean and white for the fine linnen is the righteousness of Saints CHAP. XVII Of the grounds of Comfort and supports of Faith arising to Believers from Christs Mediatorship I Shall shut up this part of the Doctrine of Christs Mediatorship with some grounds of Comfort and supports of Faith which arise thence 1. There is Comfort here and support for Faith to all who are convinced of enmity betwixt God and them and do desire reconciliation with him Lo here are glad tidings there is a Mediator a Peace-maker betwixt God and men 1 He is already long ago designed and appointed for this Office 2. He hath already done the work he hath purchased and proclaimed the Peace even to Rebels who will come in and accept of it Eph. 2.16 17 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 which were afar off and to them that were nigh and being now removed out of our sight he hath appointed it to be done by his messengers Rom. 10.15 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace and bring glad tidings of good things 3. He is now ready to accept of and make intercession for all those that shall come in and declare their acceptance of his offer Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Joh. 6.37 And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Why then do you haesitate Why stand you off What aileth you Is there not here encouragement and support of Faith Is there not comfort against the selt-enmity and feared-wrath to come Joh. 1.29 Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sin of the World 2. There is comfort and support for Faith from Christs Mediatorship namely to Believers and to those who have come to God through him 1. To all forts of Believers 2. In all the variety of their several conditions 3. Against all their fears and evils wherewith they are afflicted 1. To all Believers I mean sound Believers 1 Pet. 1.1 to the weak as well as the strong to them who have like precious Faith with the Apostles although they have not like perfect and strong Faith he is not a Mediator for the strong only but for all that believe on him Joh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out And 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also that shall believe on me through their word Goodwin Christ set forth And it is well observed by Mr. Goodwin ●●om Heb. 17.25 that the comfort and encouragement proposed there from Christs Intercession is fitted for a Recumbents Faith the proper act whereof as 't is distinguished from the Faith of Assurance is a coming to Christ he is a Mediator for all that have cast themselves on him in their way of coming to God though their Faith be not yet grown up to assurance 2. To all Believers in their several conditions he is Mediator and does the Office of a Mediator not only when Believers can act faith and employ him but when their Faith is well-near failed like a worn week when they are at the weakest and at the worst Luke 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Not only when his elect people are doing him service but when they are ignorantly opposing him as many times they do especially before their Conversion Act. 9.5 6 I am Jesus whom thou persecutest And he trembling and astonished said Lord what wilt thou have me to do And the Lord said arise and go into the City and it shall be told thee what thou must do Luke 23.34 And Jesus said Father forgive them for they know not what they do Not only when they are in his way but when they are out of the way Heb. 5.2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way Not only when they can pray and wrestle for themselves Rev. 8.3 And another Angel came and stood at the Altar having a Golden Censor and there was given unto him much Incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the Golden Altar which was before the Throne but when they cannot utter their heart before the Lord Rom. 8.26 27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Isa 59.16 And he saw that there was no man and wondred that there was no Intercessor therefore his arm brought salvation unto him and his righteousness it sustained him Not only when all is well and at peace and when nothing is charged against them but when they are under Challenges and condemning-things are laid to their charge Rom. 8.33 34 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect it is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Not only in time of peace but when wrath and destruction is gone forth against his people Ezek. 9.4 And the Lord said unto him Go through the midst of the City the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof Zech. 1.12 Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the Cities of Judah against which thou hast had indignation these Threescore and ten years Not only at their first coming but in all their after-addresses to God through him Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them With 4.14 16 Seeing then that we have an High-priest that is passed into the Heavens let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find Grace to help in time of need 3. The Comfort and support of Faith flowing from Christs Mediatorship reacheth to all the evils wherewith Believers can be afflicted Namely 1. It may comfort against the daily infirmities wherewith believers are compassed these shall not make a breach betwixt God and us for as much as Christs Mediation is intended to prevent that 1 Joh. 2.1 2 And if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation

more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath That by two immutabile things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us 3. Another ground of comfort which this relation affordeth to believers is That Christ is by office a Witness and that he is a Witness by Covenant i. e. not only doth the office which is upon him bind this upon him but by Covenant and voluntary condescension he is engaged and hath consented to be a Witness to the people therefore saith the Lord Behold I have given him for a witness Isa 55.4 And he saith Lo I come to do thy will Heb. 10.9 This is your comfort Believers that Christ is a Witness by office and Covenant and can no more deny to testifie unto you the things pertaining to the Covenant than ye can deny his office or break his Covenant 4. Another ground of comfort in this Covenant-relation is that he is given for a witness to the people I mean that whatsoever belongs to him by this office and relation of being a Witness and whatsoever he is by vertue thereof that he is and that he performeth to all the people of God without exception or respect of persons what he hath been in his way of witnessing and what he hath testified and declared to others of the people of God insomuch that he hath setled quieted and comforted them by doing the part of a Witness to reveal and to prove unto them things about which they doubted concerning their Covenant-state and his Covenant-love that same he will do to thee and to any of his people Rom. 3.22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference Gal. 3.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus Act. 10.34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said of a truth I perceive that God is no respector of persons 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the father and with his Son Jesus Christ CHAP. XVIII Christ the Messenger or Angel of the Covenant THE fourth relation which Christ beareth in the Covenant of Grace is That he is the Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple even the Messenger of the Covenant whom ye delight in That this is spoken and meant of Christ is acknowledged both by Christian and Jewish Interpreters It is also clear from the Text that it can be meant of no other for the Messenger of the Covenant is he before whom John the Baptist was sent a Messenger to prepare the way Mal. 3.1 Behold I will send my Messenger and he shall prepare the way before me Luk. 7.27 This is he of whom it is written behold I send my Messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee Luk. 1.76 And thou Child shall be called the Prophet of the Highest for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways This is he who is the Lord whom the people seek and in whom they delight he whose coming was much longed and looked for by the people of God this is he who sitteth as a refiner v. 2 3. Now this can be no other but Christ compare this with Luk. 2.25 38. Isa 59.20 with Rom. 11.26 2 Thes 2.8 The word in the Original here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 umalach haberith the Messenger or Angel of the Covenant as Arr. Mont. renders it or the Angel of the Testament as the Chald. Paraphrast with the 70 and Hieron read it the Hebrew word I say is of a large signification as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in the Greek Language and is used for any delegate whether Messenger Ambassador or Minister employed for any effect whether to declare or to act and effect any thing and is applyed to and used of men of created spirits and of Christ which shall appear in the opening of the name as it 's applicable to Christ For the better understanding of this relation which Christ fustaineth in the Covenant We shall shortly hold forth 1. What the name Messenger or Angel of the Covenant doth import as to the nature of the thing 2. In what respects it is applicable to Christ 3. Betwixt what parties he is a Messenger 4. Whose Messenger he is of one of these parties or of both 5. In what business he is a Messenger 6. Somewhat of the properties of this Messenger of the Covenant which commend his travelling in this employment And 1. the name Messenger or Angel doth import 1. A delegation or Trust a Messenger is a Trustee it is a name of office or imployment and doth necessarily import a Mission therefore it is often joyned with sending See Mal. 3.1 Behold I will send my messenger and he shall prepare the way before me Mat. 11.10 Behold I send my messenger before thy face 1 Kings 19.2 Then Jezzebel sent a messenger unto Elijah saying c. If it be asked unto which of Christs offices doth this name relate I answer it doth in some respect relate to all his offices because his Message is as large as his Mission and Unction which includeth all his offices but it doth more especially relate to his Prophetical and Priestly Office because in regard of these mainly he travelled betwixt the parties and carried Messages and Reports hither and thither 2. This name of Messenger doth import a subordination or subjection in regard that he who sendeth is greater than he who is sent Joh. 13.16 Verily verily I say unto you the Servant is not greater than his Lord neither he that is sent greater then he that sent him Mat. 8.9 For I am a man under Authority having soldiers under me and I say to this man go and he goeth and to another come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doth it And therefore it must be understood of Christ in regard of his dispensatory employment and voluntary condescension whereby he humbled himself to travel in the work of Redemption Phil. 2 And took upon him the form of a servan 3. This name of Messenger of the Covenant doth import on the part of a Messenger a travelling betwixt the parties of the Covenant betwixt him who sendeth Christ and these to whom he is sent Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Joh. 16.28 I came forth from the father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the father Joh. 14.2 I go to prepare a place for you 4. This name imports correspondence and intercourse

sweet facility and easiness which is found in all Gospel commands and obedience when endeavoured in the strength of Christs grace Mat. 11.30 For my yoke is easie and my burden is light Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me 1 Joh. 5.3 And his commandments are not grievous This is the sweet fruit of Christs Suretiship who did undertake to work all these things in us and to give his spirit and influences toward the effecting of these things 5. By Christs Suretiship we have our holdness in all distresses to lay our weight upon him Isa 38.14 Like a crane or swallow so did I chatter I did mourn as a dove mine eyes fail with looking upward O Lord I am oppressed undertake for me Whensoever any duty or tentation is above our strength when any difficulty prevaileth against us then to come to Christ as unto one who is engaged with us and for us Isa 45.24 Surely shall one say in the Lord have I righteousness and strength even to him shall men come and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Psal 37.5 Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass When the Law cometh with any hard commandment then to offer to God Christ the end of the law Rom. 10.4 Heb. 12.24 6. We owe to Christs Suretiship many things upon the head of tentations as namely 1. Our being prevented that many a tentation cometh not to our dore before which we should prove weak that we enter not into all tentations fit●●● for our humors Math. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into tempeation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak 2. Our standing it out when tentation cometh that it doth not carry us quite away before it with a full consent Luk. 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not 3. Our escaping and delivery from tentations 1 Cor. 10.13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful that will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it All these things we have by Christs Suretiship and undertaking for us Joh. 17.12 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the son of perdition that the scripture might be fulfilled Rev. 3.10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth Vse 1. Behold we bring you glad tidings of great joy Luk. 2.10 Good news to broken sinners who have made themselves irresponsal who cannot fulfil the Covenant of works who cannot answer the charge of the Law themselves behold there is a better Covenant which hath a cautioner in it who hath stricken hands with God who hath undertaken the Debt and hath discharged it Isa 53.6 And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nayling it to his cross Here is in one word manifold grounds of comfort to believers and of encouragement to believe in Christ to come and thank him for his undertaking and to say Amen to that which he did without our request here is one ground to answer many objections and doubtings if you be by nature under a Covenant which hath no cautioner Christ doth tender a Covenant which hath a cautioner in it Heb. 7.22 By so much was Jesus made Surety of a better Testament Heb. 8.6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises If the conditions of that be hard the conditions of this are easie Heb. 12.20 For they could not endure that which was commanded Rom. 10.6 8. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise That is the word of faith which we preach if thou shalt believe with thine heart thou shalt be saved If you stand alone in that Covenant you do not so here Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me Isa 59.21 As for me this is my covenant with them saith the Lord My spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever If the charge of the Law be hard such as you cannot satisfie you have a Surety who hath both undertaken and made sufficient satisfaction to the Law Isa 53.8 He was taken from prison and from judgment and who shall declare his generation for he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people was he stricken Dan. 9.26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off but not for himself and the people of the prince that shall come c. If you be unresponsal creatures who have not only broken Covenant but disabled your selves to perform any thing that the Law even the new Law doth require of you your Surety is a responsal person one that is mighty Psal 89.19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one and saidst I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Vse 2. Here is a matter of expostulation with believers and with unbelievers and that upon divers grounds 1. Why do any of you think or say that the Gospel-conditions and commands are hard and heavy that they are unprofitable or impossible Rom. 10.6 7 8 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise say not in thine heart who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead But what saith it the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach Is there any cause to think so of a Covenant that hath a Surety in it nay 't is groundless to think so Deut. 30.11 14 For this commandment which I command thee this day it is not hidden from thee neither is it far off But the word is very nigh unto thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that thou mayost do it 1 Joh. 5.3 And his commandments are not

shall walk and not faint If your legs fail and your warmness decay the undertakers arms and bosom shall supply that Isa 40.11 29 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Deut. 33.27 The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlastings arms If you want a ransom to present to offended Justice if you be anxious about a satisfaction to God at any time Christs Suretiship answers that for thereby a satisfaction was found and is performed Job 33.24 Then he is gracious unto him and saith Deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom 1 Joh. 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins If you want comfort or assurance his Suretiship is the ground of that you need not want it but through your own default Heb. 6.17 18 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an oath that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us Vse 6. Believers for whom Christ hath become Surety let me exhort you 1. To admire the love which made Christ undertake for you and come under an act of cautionry for you in every piece of his Suretiship you may clearly read that which was read upon a lighter occasion Joh. 11.36 Behold how he loved him Read a demonstration of his love in every thing which he acted as your Surety in every state wherein he carried your condition and in every act wherein he acted your part in his humbling himself in his sufferings in his actings for you and in you Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time was come 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 It s strange that you who seek for demonstrations and proofs of his love should slight so great a proof of it and that you will not read it where he hath most legibly written it Joh. 15.13 Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friend Consider more of the person who was made Surety and the parties for whom he became Surety and of the motive and principle that acted him in this undertaking and of the special respect which he carried toward each of his people in this and the sweet spirit which waited on his discharging of so great undertakings that your hearts may be raised to admiration consider the extent of his Suretiship how it reacheth unto the whole Covenant and to every condition and command in it to every promise in it take it in the largest sense to fulfil all the promises to us to pay all our Debt and to perform all our Duty to work all our work and to undergo all our punishment 2. Consider how you are in Christs Debt and for what because of his Suretiship Believers you are in Christs Debt beyond all reckening that can be made of it 1. You are infinitely in his Debt you shall not be able while you live in this world once to reckon your obligations it shall be work throughout eternity to cast up the sum of this Debt of Grace Psal 40.5 Many O Lord my God are thy wonderful works which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to us-ward they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee if I would declare and speak of them they are more than can be numbred 2 Sam. 7.18 to the end Eph. 3.18 19 That ye may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledg that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God Rev. 7.10 Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb 2. You are eternally in his Debt you shall never be able to requite him nay though it be your duty to study thankfulness yet it would not become you once to think of recompencing him Psal 116.12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Rev. 5.9 12 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 kinred and tongue and people and nation 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 You shall through all eternity remain his Debtors for his undertaking and engaging for you for his paying that which he undertook and for his discharging of the Debt to you yea and for reporting his fathers discharge of it all which come to us by Christs Suretiship 1. You are in Christs Debt for his undertaking that unrequested when there was none to sollicite him and when there was no necessity of nature upon him to answer for our Debt that then he did consent and agree to put his name in our bond and to subscribe a satisfaction to the violated Law Gal. 4.4 5 But when the fulness of the time was come 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 Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God 2. You are in his Debt for paying so great a sum for you so great a ransome as you can neither count the Debt which was payed nor the price which was told down in satisfaction of the penalty which we had incurred Psal 40.12 For innumerable evils hath compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up they are moe then the hairs of my head therefore my heart faileth me Luk. 7.47 Wherefore I say unto thee Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little 1 Pet. 1.18 19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot Isa