unto him even to the man Christ Jesus He is the Mediator between God and men who gave himselfe a ransome for all to be testified in due time And this that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father that they should acknowledge his right of Lordship by purchase and redemption and by the Fathers gift to be as large and full as is the Fathers right of Lordship by Creation and absolute propriety in And liberty to dispose of them as his Creatures for the Father hath committed all judgment to him as the Son of Man whence also his ability and fitnesse to judge is the same with the Fathers for the Father hath now actually glorified him in mans nature with his own selfe the glory he had with him before the World was haveing finished the works the Father gave him to doe on Earth which were also so accepted as finished with the Father from the beginning of the World He hath put his spirit on him to bring forth judgment to the Gentiles so that he stands in the strength of the Lord and in the Majesty of the name of the Lord his God Joh. 11. 4 5. Math. 28. 18. Isa 42. 1 6. with ch 11. 1 2. Mich. 5. 4. That Men in honouring him might honour the Father in him and that in hearing his word and through and according to it believing on the Father that sent him and whosoever so doth the Father through that word and according to it justifies them and makes them partakers of eternall life and the rest he holds under condemnation by and according to the same word doctrine law and rule of the Son of Man so bearing witnesse of him yea that men might honour him The glory the Father hath given him is such as in which he is infinitely strengthened fitted and appointed to call all the ends of the Earth as Isa 55. 4 5. 45. 22. Psal 50. 1. Math. 28. 18 19 20. Mark 16. 15 Luk. 24. 47. Act. 3. 22 26. And that in the name and power of God his Father in such wise as to make the dead to hear to open the blinde eyes and awaken those dead in sins or make his word so powerfull to the awakening them that they might in hearing hear even in the light and power of his voyce in the Gospell as that is by any meanes of his appointment witnessed preached to them and that they that in hearing doe heare may be quickned and made alive by it For as the Father hath life in himselfe so he hath given to the Son to have life in himselfe and hath given him authority to execute judgment also both here and hereafter because he is the Son of Man 3 In the verses under consideration he compleates the discovery of the excellency of his person and works and his singular one-nesse with the Father in declarâ—ng those greater and more glorious works which the Father will after shew and bring forth by him in the generall Resurrection and judgment And with this also corrects their sinfull marvelling at what he had before declared Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth c. The end and scope of our Saviour then in the text appeares to be to discover the excellency of his person and works as he is God-man the word made flesh the son of God the son of man and therein to teach and lead into the understanding and usefulnesse of things to come even of the resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all And ended this is the prime end and scope of all Scriptures to bear witnesse of Christ Joh. 5. 39 as the Son of God the Saviour of the world the Lord by purchase and so the Judge also of quick and dead 1 Joh. 4. 14. Act. 10. 36 42. yea this is the way of the holy Ghost in them to teach all things and lead into all truth and so to shew even things to come in the demonstration of him or by glorifying him and that in taking of his things and shewing them Therein he commends and displayes the compassionate love mercifull kindnesse and pitty of God to sinners Joh. 3. 16 17. Rom. 5. 5 6 7 8. his faithfulnesse and readinesse in giving all things with him Rom. 8. 32. And to accept all comers into delightfull love and favour without upb ayding or respect of persons 2 Cor. 5. 17. with verses 14 15. Act. 10. 34 35 43. As also his unspeakable terror against scorners that will break forth afterward if while it is to day they receive not the love of the truth to save them 2 Cor. 5. 11. 14 15. Hebr. 10. 29. Yea there he shewes mans sinfulnesse vilenesse and deadnesse in shewing him in whom his help is 2 Cor. 5. 14. And so the unprofitablenesse of all his works and therewith also the greatnesse of the evill of unbeliefe and unthankfulnesse of loving and chusing darknesse when light comes Joh. 16. 8 9 10. yea thereby he leades into all truth and so shewes things to come vers 13 14. The word of the beginning of Christ being the Doctrinall foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God and of the Doctrine of Baptismes and of laying on of hands and of the resurrection of the dead and eternall judgement Hebr. 6. 1 2. Called therefore the great things of his Law the vision of all Hose 8. 12. Isa 29. 11. with ch 28. 12 16. The key of knowledge Luk. 11. 42. 52. That by an exercise of faith in him according thereto we might reape the profit and use of all Scriptures 2 Tim. 3. 15. The way in which our Saviour proceeds in pursuance of the forementioned scope and end in these verses is 1 By warning or admonishing them against sinfull marvelling such as is the proper fruit and issue of unbeliefe and an impediment to faith for there is a marvelling that 's good and commendable such as is of faith an esteeming reverencing and so admiring the unsearchable depth and excellency of the truth wisdome and goodnesse of the things believed and perceived as passing all understanding and knowledge such as that Rom. 11. 31. with Eph. 3 18 19. Phil. 4. 7. Psal 40. 5. and 71. 15 17. But that marvelling that 's not of faith but an impediment to it such as in which a man lookes upon the things set before him in thy testimony of God concerning Christ as strange absurd and incredible because he cannot comprehend it by reason such as that in Nicodemus how can this thing be Joh. 3. 9. like that Joh. 12. 34. with Hosea 8. 12. and Isa 29. 9 12. Against this our Saviour admonisheth them marvell not at this namely that which he had already declared of the present power of the voyce of the son of God by reason of the glory which the Father had given him
so believing on him for it is said to wait through the spirit for all the hope of righteousnesse by faith Gall. 5. 5. He believes on him that justifyeth the ungodly His faith is counted for righteousnesse Rom. 4. 5. And in the latter end of that Chapter he thus expresseth it It shall be imputed to us for righteousnesse if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our and was raised again for our Justification In both compared it appears not only that Gods justifying the ungodly in every sence in which he doth it is in and through the Resurrection of Christ from the dead for our Justification who was delivered for our offences which is signified in that one is put for another his raising Christ from the dead in the close of the Chapter supplyes the Room of his justification the ungodly in the fifth verse As shewing the ground of it and how he doth it righteously as Rom. 3. 24 25 26. I say not only this appeares but also in both this further is signified that Gods justifying the ungodly in and through the Resurrection of Christ from the dead who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification This is the Root the ground and foundation of this faith of the opperation of God which is counted to men for righteousnesse This is that from whence the heart is begotten moved and strengthened to its satisfaction and rest in him dependance and waiting on him for righteousnesse and so seeking righteousnesse and strength in the Lord even this known and believed in the light and strength of Gods testimony That he justifyeth the ungodly having raised Christ from the dead So then there must needs be in this faith which is counted to men for righteousnesse 1 A believing God as Rom. 4. 3. A believing the testimony or record he hath given of his Son 1 Joh. 5. 9 12. viz. That God hath raised him from the dead Rom. 4. 24 25. 10. 9. And so the revelation he hath given of himselfe in his Son that he justifyeth the ungodly 2 A resting in him believing or depending on him from that perswasion and in the light and power of it for righteousnesse And so much is distinctly expressed in the explication of the doing good spoken of in this Text vers 24. He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation c. with reference to which he saith in this Text. They that have done good shall come forth to the resurrection of Life For our better and more usefull understanding of this saith or believing which is unto righteousnesse we shall first and chiefly apply our selves to some consideration of the word or Doctrine of faith in which the ground and foundation of faith is declared and which being with the heart believed is unto righteousnesse and then more briefly speak to the saith or believing in both the branches The hearing his word or believing God in his Word or Testimony And the believing on him through and according to it 1 The Word or Doctrine of faith which being with the heart believed according to the manifestations of it given us is unto righteousnesse is expressed in the verses before the Text to be the word or voyce of the Son of Man even of the only begotten Son of God in Mans nature The word record or testimony of or concerning him and of the Father in him As that is already given forth in these last dayes by him and is true to be heard and believed by every man The preaching of peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all It is first and directly a record or testimony concerning Christ and yet it is also and in the same a testimony or revelation of the Father in and through Christ And so sometimes the record or testimony as it is more directly of Christ or concerning him is delivered as the sum of that whole word or Doctrine to be heard and believed with the heart as Rom. 10. 9. That God hath raised up Christ from the dead and so Rom. 4. 24 25. where he addes who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification The revelation of the Fathers name being in this testimony And sometimes also that revelation of the Fathers name and glory that is given forth in Christ according to this Testimony of him is given as a summary Declaration of the whole Testimony to be so heard and believed it being the sum and result of the whole as 1 Joh. 1. 5. This then is the message even the sum of that ministration of the word of Life which they had received to declare unto others mentioned in the former verses That God is light and in him is no darknesse at all So in that Rom. 4. 5. That God justifyeth the ungodly is given us as an abridgment of the whole word of faith It being the summing up conclusion or result of the whole testimony of God concerning Christ And in the verses before the Text both are wonderfully compact together The testimony of God concerning Christ and the manifestation or revelation of God in Christ as it should after more explicatively be brought forth And that both First in the fundamentall part of it The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father c. And secondly In the superstructure or consequentiall part of it He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation like that in both parts 1 Joh. 5. 10 11 12 13. We shall speak to it in our explication first and chiefly as it is the Testimony or record of God concerning Christ Jesus the Lord comprized in this that God hath raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification This being given us as the sum and abridgment of the whole word or voyce of Christ or Testimony of God concerning him whence who so in hearing heareth shall live Rom. 4. 24 25. with ch 1. 1 4. 2 Tim. 2. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 11-15 Rom. 10. 9. This abridgment of it being also most suitable to the Text and occasion in this testimony of Christ delivered as the sum of the word of faith and doctrinall ground of it Is 1 An acknowledgment and profession of Jesus to be the Lord carryed in the face of it And 2. A testification that God hath raised him up from the dead as expressed both in Rom. 4. 24 25. and in ch 10. 9. 1 An acknowledgment and profession of Jesus to be the Lord even that Jesus of Nazareth of the seed of David after the flesh That he is the only begotten Son of God that was in the beginning with the Father and of the Father the same
up in the blessing Blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord from hence forth yea saith the spirit c. He that endureth to the end shall be saved Be thou faithfull unto death saith Christ and I will give thee the crowne of life Math. 24. 13. Rev. 2. 10. So James affirming the blessedness of the man that endureth temptation saith That when he is tryed namely to the end when that work of trying purging and making white through manifold temptations is finished he shall receive the crown of life Jam. 1. 12. Many that have been going right on their way yea runing wel suffered many things yet afterward wickedly drawing back and departing from the living God by an evill heart of unbeliefe have not been found among the righteous nor shall be found among them when he appeareth they so persisting till sin be finished Therefore let us not be weary of well doing In due season we shall reap if we faint not Thus we have done with the first branch of the point under consideration namely who they are that have done good And what we have said in it leads into the understanding of the next branch namely who they are that in a like scripture-sence according to the rule of the Gospell have done evill To that therefore we shall ad but a few words The doing evill that is imputed to men and which brings under condemnation the wrath of God is clearly expressed according to what is also shewed before to be mens being contentious against and not obeying the truth when it is manifested to them in their minds by the evidencâ— demonstration of the spirit and powerfully leading to repentance They then like not to retain it in their knowledge or so to receive the love of the truth as to save them but are incensed against Christ and his gospell because he reprooves their deeds by the light and power of it Rom. 2. 6 7 8 9. with ch 1. 18 19 21 28. 2. 1-4 5. 2 Thess 1. 8. 2. 10 11 12. Isa 45. 24. Their willfull refusing to come in his drawings to â—imselfe for he is drawing all in due time even to himselfe for life And this is the condemnation that when light comes men love and chuse darkness Hose 11. Job 6. 47 with ch 12 31. 32. Psal 2. Joh. 12. 47. 48. 25. 22. 24. nor is any man under a state of condemnation or wrath but for such seeing hateing hearing and rejecting for the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son And so the time of their doing evill in this sence is in the very opportunity given them for doing good even when light comes when he is preaching peace and witnessing goodness to their spirits when his goodness is leading and drawing to repentance even when and as they are so called to the most high they goe back and willfully refuse to exalt or honour him in those discovery â—s and operations of his goodnesse and glory in and through him vouchsafed Hose 11. 1 Pet. 3. 19. Joh. 3. 19. Rom. 2 4 5. If light had not so come to them or he had not so spoken to them they had not known or been capable of sins of this nature as now charged upon them But yet mens evill or in quities of this nature though they are truly said to be Doers and workers of it while they continue in it yet are not in a full and proper sence said to be done or finished nor so reputed of God While yet the day of salvation lasteth to any man that is while God is yet calling his grace bringing salvation to them If yet they repent and seek him none of their former wickednesse shall be remembred to him that is joyned to all the living there is hope but when sin is finished it brings forth death In an utter separation of the person from Gods mercy and binding him over and sealing him up to the wrath to come They that have done evill to the resurrection of damnation 2. The next and last point to be considered in this last position propounded is where in the manifest difference that shall be made between them in the resurrection standeth or how it shall be made and made to appear in the coming forth of the one by the power of his voyce to the resurrection of life of the other by the power of the same voyce to the resurrection of damnation there is a reall difference between the doers of good and the doers of evill now in this day before either of them have finished their course And a very great one too see 1 Ioh. 5. 19. 20. The whole world lies in wickednesse even in the wicked one for while they willfully remaine in the state and condition or in the darknesse of this world in ignorance of God in Christ strangers to the life of God loveing and chusing their darknesse when light comes they consequently remaine under the Power Bondage and Dominion of Satan holding in captivity to sin the mind conscience and whole man So that they are in their uncleannesse and not washed from it in the flesh and under the wrath of God for not believing on him that came to save and deliver them is bringing that salvation to them through the power and in the grace of his truth But saith the Apostle speaking of themselves and other Believers or doers of truth God hath given us an understanding to know him that is true and we are in him that is true namely as the fruit of the knowledge of him we are brought into him to have our hearts and mindes stayed there as a full object and foundation of rest and satisfaction to our soules a sure refuge and house of defence to save us from sin and Satan and hide us from the wrath of God we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and so in God This is the true God this is eternall life Babes keep your selves from Idols They in whom the word of truth the things heard from the begining in the word of the truth of the Gospell remaines or abideth do continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Ioh. 2. 24 25. As the fruit of which knowledge of and union with God in Christ The righteous is more excellent or abundant then his neighbour But the way of the wicked seduceth them Prov. 12. 26. But this difference is not yet manifest or visible as to outward appearance or to be seen by the carnall mind nor otherwise then as faith is the evidence of things not seen while Christ doth not yet appear personally in his glory on the Earth and in his spirituall presence in through and according to the Gospell is hidden not discerned known or taken notice of by the World But under reproach his people also are in lâ—ke manner a hidden people and rendered as the filth and off-scouring of all things unto this day As he
excellency of his Person and works he makes 1 In shewing his one-nesse with the Father in all his Counsels and works vers 19 20 21. In all which its evident that he is one with the Father in mind and will and in glorious wisdome and power for doing whatever he will in Heaven and Earth and so equall with the Father in nature and glorious attributes and works he and the Father are one Ioh. 10. 30. And yet also clearly distinct in respect of the manner of their Beeing in the God-head and so in respect of the manner of their working in every work And as so considered in their distinct Relations the Father is greater then Hee Joh. 14. 28. For though the Son as the Eternall Son of God is of the same Essence or Beeing with the Father yet he is the Son of the Father yea though he hath life in himselfe as the Father hath life-in himselfe and that now in Mans nature for fallen men yet so as of the Father Joh. 5. 26. Though he doth whatsoever the Father doth yet so as by and in the Counsell Name and Authority of the Father who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ The Son saith he can do nothing of himselfe but what he seeth the Father doe yet he can doe what ever he will but he cannot will any thing that the Father willeth not he is of one mind with the Father and in his bosome Counsell and doth nothing but what he knowes and sees the Father wills and does And so he could not have healed that impotent man if he had not seen and known the Father willing and working in the same work And so if he had not received commandment from the Father As also he faith he laid down his life that he might take it again and did it of himselfe yet so as he received commandment of his Father Joh. 10. 17 18. And so he hath not otherwise spoken of himselfe but so as the Father that sent him gave him commandment Joh. 12. 49 50. He could not have tasted death for every man if it had not been in the mind will Counsell and grace of his Father whence 't is said to be by the grace of God nor could he give forth any discovery of his Fathers goodnesse or revelation of his name and therein tenders of his grace to sinners If being in the bofome of the Father he did not perfectly know it to be in his mind counsell purpose and grace And that he is working in the selfe same thing and to the same end And hath given him commandment so to speak and so to doe And this our Saviour gives as the reason why his word shall judge the rebellious Refusers in the last day because he hath not spoken of himselfe otherwise then as the Father gave him commandment Joh. 12. 48 49 50. Verily verily the Son can do nothing of himselfe but what he seeth the Father doe for what things soever he namely the Father doth these also doth the Son likewise they work together in every work and though distinctly in respect of the manner of working yet the same thing by the same his owne power and to the same end As he wrought with and in the name of the Father in all the works of Creation so now as the Son of man he worketh with and in the name of the Father in all his works of preservation and so by him all things consist and in all his providentiall Government and spirituall opperations For the Father loveth the Son namely with such manner of love and in such wise with that manner of love as he loves no other even now in mans nature he loveth him therefore because he laid down his life that he might take it again joh 10. 17 18. even as he received commandment of his Father The Father therefore hath taken up his whole delight and welpleasednesse in him as the son of man chosen him to be his fellow his equall the man of his right hand and in that love sheweth him all things that himselfe doth makes him of his counsell in every matter and in his own wisdome and name strengthens him to all that himselfe doth so that he even Christ crucified is wisdome and strength The wisdome of God and the power of God And he will shew him greater works then these namely of healing bodily Infirmities and diseases that yee may marvail That beholding the Father in him yee may admire and reverence him and fear before him that is the end of all that the Father hath given him commandment to do for and amongst men And as a discovery of those greater works then these which the Father to this end would shew him he tells them As the Father raiseth the dead and quickeneth them even so the Son quickens whom he will In such wise as the Father doth any work of that nature now in this day so doth the Son And so he did raise up some that were dead to life again in the days of his flesh and by his Apostles after as the Father also did the like works vertually through and by him before Hebr. 11. 35. even so he now did them in the name of his Father And those were greater works then the healing the bodily Infirmities of the Living Yea he quickens by his Word whom he will And that is all that receive it from their death in sins and trespasses spiritually now which also are greater works then those forementioned And so he promises that his servants should do those greater works then these they in his name and so he by them because he went to the Father 2 He farther makes discovery of the excellency of his Person and works in declaring himselfe to be the only mean and way by whom the Father judgeth and disposeth of men and doth whatsoever he doth in his Government of the World Giving this also as a farther Reason and Demonstration of his one-nesse with the Father in all his Counsels and works vers 22 27. For the Father judgeth no man that is immediately or otherwise then so as by the Son he doth not otherwise dispose of them or their wayes or order any thing to them or about them in his Government of them or passe sentence of Justification or Condemnation on them but hath committed all judgment to the Son because he was judged for them or had already undertaken to bear their judgment the curse of the Law as they fell under it through the first departure of the nature from God Joh. 12. 31 32. Because he humbled himselfe even to the death of the Cross in which he was made a curse for us And hath thereby redeemed us from the curse of the Law in which we must all have been for ever banished and separated from God Therefore all men are released to him and the whole judgment and dispose of them committed to him And in order thereto all power in Heaven and in Earth given
mighty voyce 1 It shall be by vertue of or because of his being the son of man his being made so and his continuing ever to be so by and in the vertue of the works finished in that his own body which the Father gave him to do on Earth So much is plain in the foregoing verses compared with this The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son For as the Father hath life in himselfe so he hath given to the Son to have life in himselfe and hath given Him authority to execute Judgment also because he is the son of man yea on that this which followes in the Text doth also depend being part of that exccution of judgment to which the Father hath given him authority Because he is the Son of man therefore it is that all that are in the Graves shall hear his voyce and shall come forth c. If he had not suffered the judgment of this World which the Father had against them under which they were fallen by the transgression and disobedience of the first man in which all have sinned and by that sin and sinfullnesse which thereby entred into and overspread the whole nature which judgment he could not have suffered if he had not had a body prepared for him in mans nature subject to all our infirmities yet without sin And if also in suffering that judgment he had not so satisfied as to discharge and overcome it If he had not compleated righteousnesse in riseing up from the Dead in the name power and glory of the Father that delivered him to it And in the same body in which our sins were imputed to him and in which he bore them to the Tree a Conquerour over all that Curse and Death inflicted on him for us And offered up that body an acceptable and effectuall ransome or price of Redemption to God for all mankind so as to be therein and as such a ransome received and accepted for ever with the Father now no more to return to coâ—ruption Then that first judgment could not have been remitted nor mankind released from under it to him And the whole judgment of them committed to him nor could he have received authority and power to raise them all out of the first death And bring them to his judgment seat But this power authority and glory is given him because he is the Son of Man according to that Joh. 12. 31 32 33. Now is the Judgment of this World namely then when his soul was in trouble as vers 27. in that Agony in which it was made an offering for our sin Then was the Judgment of this World executed on him and suffered by him now shall the Prince of this World be cast out That is this suffering work being over and finished By vertue of it and of the well-pleasednesse God hath taken in it The power of death should be and was before vertually taken from Satan And he cast out of that dominion and principallity he had gotten over mankind by the receite and prevailency of his temptation Bringing sin weaknesse and death into the World and upon the whole nature And so bringing whole man under the Judgment of banishment and separation from God in the first death which was such as left them as so shut out from God necessarily under the power and dominion of Satan subject to his bondage all their life time And so for ever to be left under the power and dominion of the first death This plot and snare of Satan he hath broken That no man is necessarily holden out from God by sin death or the Curse of the Law as so brought in nor shall any be for ever holden in that death Christ hath abollished death by his appearing and therein spoyled Principallities and Powers The Prince of this World is judged And see what followes And I says he if I be lifted up from the Earth will draw all men to me which he spake saith the Text signifying by what death he should dye yet doubtlesse 't is a direct expression of his exaltation with the right hand of God in that Body in which he bore our sins to the Tree But that so expressed as therein was signified the manner of his death by being lifted up upon the Cross through which and by meanes of which he was so exalted And so in both it answers to this Text Because he is the son of man Because of his taking mans nature in that one body prepared for him and in that his own body humbling himselfe to death even the death of the Cross as the Son or Heyre of man even his Heyre at Law of all his sin misery death and curse that came in meerly through the offence of one man Adam Therefore he being raised from the dead by the glory of the Father in that his own body in which he bore our sins to the Tree now no more to return to corruption and exalted with the right hand of God to appear in his presence in Heaven it selfe for us is therein glorified with the Fathers own selfe so as to bring all men under his power dispose and Government in their severall Ages that through him they may be saved yea therefore because of his sufferings and giving himselfe as raised from the dead and being accepted for ever a ransome for them all he will redeem them all wholly from the first death ransome them from the power of the Grave and bring them to his Judgment seat Hose 13. 14. with 1 Tim. 2. 6. For to this end Christ both dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord of all both dead and living Rom. 14. 9 11 12. Phill. 2. 6-11 For as by man came death so by man also the resurrection of the dead for as in Adam all dye and that is no otherwise but in the demerit and influence of his transgression Rom. 5. 12. even so in Christ That is in the merit or vertue and influence of his perfect sacrifice and righteousnesse shall all be made alive Hence the Apostle gives this as the ground of that Doctrine that we must all appear before the Judgment seate of Christ that every one may receive according to the things done in the body whether good or bad namely that one dyed for all and rose again so effecatiously as it was accepted with the Father as if all had dyed and to such a gracious end that they which live every man in his severall Age and life time should not hence forth after this grace comes to him bringing salvation live to themselves but to him that dyed for them and rose again If he had not dyed for them their death and suffered their curse and that so effectually as to become himselfe a ransome for them a price of redemption from that death and curse They must necessarily have perished for ever in and under it If also this had not been by the grace of God and so reall
of their sins and eternall life Joh. 3. â—7 Luk. 9. 56. 1 Tim. 2. 4 5 6. with Psal 68. 18 19 20. Isa 42 18 19 21. Joh. 6. 40. The Resurrection of Christ then being the Resurrection of him who was delivered for our offences must needs be in an answerable sence for our justification 1. Such it is as in which he for us or in our stead is justifyed and acquit of all the sins imputed to him And so the whole nature all mankind are in him justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption that is in Jesus from all sins after the first consideration in which they have already sinned and with which they are polluted as considered without and before the gift and grace by it as aforesaid Rom. 3. 23 24. So as the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son Joh. 5. 22. As the offence of one was unto all to condemnation So the righteousnesse of one perfected in his Resurrection from the dead is unto all to justification of life that they might live to him that dyed for them and rose again Rom. 5. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Under which otherwise we must all have been banished from God for ever Gall. 3. 13. with 2 Sam. 14. 14. So that though we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God And sin be in us and death upon us as a naturall heritage while in these bodies and the ordinance of God remaines still firm concerning the whole kind That we must all needs once dye yet no man shall perish for ever in that death nor according to that rule or judgment for as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive and appear before his judgment Seat where this shall be the only condemning sin that when light came they loved darknesse refused to be healed He having suffered the judgment of this World and being lift up from the Earth will draw all men to him yea so is the guilt of this naturall uncleannesse removed from before God that no man is thereby or therefore necessarily kept out from God The wrath thereby procured being suffered by him is taken away in his Resurrection An effectuall dore of repentance opened and the grace of God by him bringing salvation and leading to repentance in due time He having by himselfe purged namely the Heavens themselves and so taken away from before the Father the guilt off our sins even all the sins and trespasses of the World in which we were dead and heyres of wrath by nature and which were imputed to him without the purging of which from before the Throne of God he could not have been accepted and set down there for us having by himselfe purged them away he is now set down on the right hand of God That repentance and remission of sins might be preached in his name that the goodnesse of God by him might lead men to repentance And all comers by him might be made accepted in him Hebr. 1. 3. with ch 9. 23. Luk. 24. 46 47. All our sins after that first consideration are covered and his wrath so procured taken away that we shall not perish in it nor be kept out from God by it as also is hinted tipically Psal 85. 2 3. 2. His resurrection is for our justification from the sins of the second or following consideration so as that by and through him while it s yet to day we might be justified saved and washed from them in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God He is therein and thereby impowred in the name of the Father to justifie the ungodly And hath received gifts in the man not only for men as sinners in Adam and from him and for their helpfullnesse as so considered but for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell amongst them His resurrection and exaltation in our nature and in that body in which he was so delivered for our offences as aforesaid is so for our justification from those sinnes that are yet imputed to us and retained in Heaven against us or any of us while we continue in them even from such as deserve and bring us under the sentence of the wrath to come That repentance and remission of sins is still preached in his name to such as yet treasured up in him for them And forbearance granted during the time of his preaching who in all this is a testimony in due time to them having given himselfe a ransome for them And being in the vertue thereof the Mediator between God and them And is so giving repentance and remission of sins to them even to them that yet receive it not that they might receive it in the opportunity of it and in the light and power of his givings And so his resurrection in all this fruit of it is for their justification that yet while it is to day their eyes might be opened and they turned from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan to God that they might receive forgivenesse of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Christ which also in his resurrection and exaltation he is impowred and appointed in the name of the Father so to give unto them that through his grace believe as to make them partakers of it through the same name Act. 10. 40 43. See this branch of the Doctrine of Christ and of his Resurrection being for our justification from such sins and in such wise as is mentioned in this last consideration which evidently includes and takes for granted the truth of the former See I say this branch distinctly and expresly spoken too and delivered as the sum of the word of faith for the encouragement and admonition of such rebellious sinners yet to repent and look to him and hope in his mercy Act. 5. 30 31. God having raised up Jesus whom they flew had exalted him with his right hand for to give repentance to Israell to rebellious Israell that had seen and hated and against much light and many convincements and warnings had crucified the Lord of Glory yet to give repentance to Israell And the forgivenesse of sins as also ch 2. 22 39. 3. 14 19. 26. Likewise ch 13. 37-39 40. Because God had raised him from the dead and he saw no corruption Be it known unto you therefore saith the holy Ghost That through this man is preached unto you even you his crucifiers the forgivenesse of sins And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses even from such sins as that Law provided no tipicall Justification from whence he admonisheth to beware of despiseing such abundant grace least their condemnation be aggravated thereby like that Psal 68. 18-21 So other Scriptures set him forth to be Jesus Christ the righteous And as
the fruit of his perfect righteousnesse compleated in his resurrection and giving himselfe to God in that his raised body an offering of a sweet smelling savour A ransome or price of redemption for all I say as the fruit of that and of Gods well-pleasednesse therein To be now appearing in the presence of God The Mediator between God and men That so he might be testified in due time The propitiation not only for the sins of Believers who have him also as their advocate with the Father even for those their sins that might have been prevented by the grace and power in the things written and testified of Christ to them But also for the sins of the World even for their sins of that nature that were against the light and power of the grace of God bringing salvation to them And so in this fruit of his resurrection To be the Saviour of all men in still holding open the dore of life and exercising forbearance and long-suffering to rebellious sinners and renewing streames of goodnesse leading to repentance and especially the Saviour of them that believe in justifying and saving from wrath even the wrath to come 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Rom. 3. 24 25 26. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Rom. 5. 9 10. Joh. 5. 24. Yea the Apostle saith he had delivered them from the wrath to come that is from the sentence of it and state of condemnation to it under which they sometimes were by their sins of the second sort their seeing and hateing hearing and rejecting loving darknesse when light came which only make lyable to that condemnation as Joh. 3. 18. 19. 36. 12. 47 48. And mentions this as the fruit of Gods having raised him up from the dead 1 Thess 1. 10. God having raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences In him is plenteous redemption the forgivenesse of sins even deliverance from the wrath to come forgivenesse of all our sins healing of all our Diseases while it is to day And by him all that believe are delivered and saved from the wrath to come through his name This is the record that God hath given of his Son which also is contained in that expression of it 1 Joh. 5. 11 12. And so the revelation of the Fathers name that is in this testimony of Christ is that God is light and in him is no darknesse at all 1 Joh. 1. 5. Or as here expressed in this Rom. 4. 5. That he justifieth the ungodly That it is his good pleasure And the work of his delight to justifie the ungodly That he hath found out and made a way to declare his righteousnesse in justifying the ungodly That in and through that way he is the justifier of the ungodly according to the tenour of the Gospell in that which he hath done doth and will doe in and through the resurrection of Jesus our Lord from the dead who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification The ungodly as mentioned in Scripture are of two sorts 1. All such as are wholly without the true knowledge and fear of God And so all men were made ungodly by the first sin and in the losse and pollution thence overspreading the whole nature And were considered as such when Christ undertook to dye for them and are still such naturally even as a naturall Heritage and of themselves have no betternesse Rom. 3. 9-19 23. And so 't is said Christ in due time dyed for the ungodly Rom. 5. 6. 2. Such as not only are simple and wholly destitute of the knowledge and fear of God as all are naturally But when light comes do still love their simplicity and darknesse and in disobedience to the light and power of the grace of God bringing salvation do reject and hate his knowledge and will not chuse the fear of the Lord as Prov. 1. 22. 29. Such are principally and most frequently called the ungodly in the Scripture as Psal 1. Ungodly men are there mentioned as such as are stubbornly consulting and murmuring against the Law or Doctrine of the Lord as also Psal 2. 1-3 with Joh. 6. 41-44 yea scornfully despiseing and rejecting the reproofes of its instruction And therefore having no delight in it as ler. 6. 10. so Iude. 4. Ungodly men turning the grace of our God into laseiviousnesse and denying the only Lord c. Now it is the good perfect and acceptable will of God in Christ that through him all men might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth For God is one He is light and in Him is no darknesse at all and there is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus who gave himselfe a ransome for all to be testified in due time yea in and through him God is the justifier and Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1. In him and in raiseing him from the dead he hath justified the whole nature from that judgment of the World under which it was fallen by that sin and sinfullnesse or ungodlinesse of the first sort in which we had already sinned and were fallen short of his glory Rom. 3. 23 24. That judgment he hath remitted unto Christ and given or released us all from under it unto him Joh. 12. 31 32. with ch 6. 37. 39. And so saved all mankind from perishing in that death or curse of the Law that through him they might be saved to the utmost from sin and wrath 2. Through the resurrection of Christ and as the fruit of that justification and redemption in him and by him obtained for us God doth in all his providences and proceedings with men in a sence justifie the ungodly from the guilt of that naturall ungodlinesse from which they are already justified in the person of Christ In that the judgeth no man immediatly or according to that rule of judgment under which they are cast by their naturall filthinesse but hath committed all judgment to the Son and by him executeth judgment because he is the Son of man in which execution of judgment by Christ though men still bear the Image of the earthly yet without that wrath poyson and destructivenesse that is the just wages of our sin and contained in the curse of the Law and with so much abatement of misery and mixture of mercy as tends to our salvation through him Now though God had already wholly remitted the judgment of this World unto Christ And in his person as standing in our stead acquit and justified the whole nature from that first guilt yet for as much as the fruit or streaming forth of this justification comes upon our particular persons in our severall Ages in the daily execution of his judgment by Christ And for as much also as Christ doth nothing but what he seeth the Father doe and in the name of the Father even therefore therein God is truly said to be doing that daily in