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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

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of Egypt Exod. 3.2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush and he looked and behold the bush burned with fire and the bush was not consumed Act. 7.30 An Angel of the Lord in a flame of fine in a bush It was he that brought all these Judgments on them in the Wilderness 1 Cor. 10.9 Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of Serpents It was he that brought them to Canaan and out of Babylon and built the Temple and filled it after their return Isa 63.9 By the angel of his presence he saved them Zech. 6.12 Behold the man whose name is the Branch and he shall grow up out of his place and he shall build the temple of the Lord. Chap. 9. v. 11 As for thee also by the blood of thy Covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water Hag. 2.7 And I will shake all nations and the desire of all nations shall come and I will fill this house with glory saith the Lord of hosts And this contributes to make Christ a fit Mediator and to support the faith of Gods people that the making of all things the revealing of the will of God and the fulfilling of it even the whole government is upon his shoulders which may assure our hearts that the work which he undertaketh shall be accomplished 2. This is he who is called the brightness of his Fathers glory Heb. 1.3 As Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so he manifests Gods will here he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so he manifests the nature of God And here let us 1. See what the glory is I take it to be meant not of the essential glory which he had with the Father from all Eternity but of the manifestative Glory and Majesty of the Lord which shined forth in Christ for it is of Christ Mediator that the Apostle is here speaking it is the excellencies of God as they shine forth in the Mediator which otherwise had been invisible and could not have been seen discovered nor looked upon 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord. Therefore the end of Christs being constitute Mediator is for this manifestative glory whereof we read Joh. 11.4 When Jesus heard 〈◊〉 he said This sickness is hot unto death ●●ut for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby Chap. 5. v. 22 23 For 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 2. The brightness or sent-forth Light here spoken of is a similitude taken from the Sun wherein there is the body of the Sun there is the light of the Sun and the shining splendor or beams of the Sun Interpreters think this to be an expression of the eternal generation of the Son proceeding from the Father as light from the Sun I take it rather to be the manifestation of the Father in Christ the Mediator who is otherwise invisible as the Sun is manifested by its own light so that if you would light all the Torches in the world you cannot see the Sun by the light of these without its own light No more can you see God but in Christ Jesus who is the brightness of his Glory the light whereby his excellencies are manifested Joh. 1.9 That was the true light which-lighteth every man that cometh into the world Mat. 11.27 Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him 3. This is he who is called the express Image of his Fathers Person Heb. 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the imprinted form this similitude relates to the persons of the Godhead as the former did to the Divine Essence and Nature It is borrowed from the signets impression which represents all the lineaments of the Seal the Character is the perfect expressed Image Mark Christ is called the Image of Gods Person not of his Essence for he is the same Essence not the same Person There is in the God-head essentia subsistentia the Essence is but one but the Subsistences or Persons are different as is expressed in Scripture 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the holy-Ghost I take not this to be meant of Christ as God principally for so he is the same in Nature Names and Atrributes rather than the Image of God but I understand it of Christ as Mediator in whom there is a full and perfect resemblance of the Fathers Attributes and Excellencies And here for our knowledg of the person who is Mediator I lay down two conclusions from that comprehensive description of him 1. That Jesus Christ hath in him a glorious resemblance and a perfect Character of all the glorious Excellencies and Attributes of the Father Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord. 2. That it is by Christ Mediator that all the glorious excellencies of God are revealed unto us 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Consider 1. That Gods great end in all his goings forth towards the Creature in Predestination Creation Providence c. is his own glory and the manifestation of his excellency Prov. 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for evor Rev. 4. last Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created But more especially this is his end in Redemption Eph. 1.6 To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do 2. That which is Gods end is our happiness even to have God manifested to us to see him and to have discoveries made to us of his excellencies Joh. 17.3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Mat. 5.8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God 1 Joh. 3.2 But we know when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is To see him and be transformed by that sight 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory
there were but two tribes that clave to him and being nearer in kindred would not be beaten from him 1 Kings 12.16 17. Some talk-lustily and bear themselves boldly upon Christ in words others are near of kin to him and will not be beaten from him CHAP. XIII Of the Mediators Vnction as it relateth to the separating of him for his Offices THE second part of Christs qualification for the Office of Mediatorship is his Vnction this was consequent unto his personal union so that as we called the union of the two natures in Christ Person the principal and chief qualification of him for this Office so we are to look upon his Unction as carrying in it divers qualifications which result from the former The Unction of Christ comprehends two things 1. The separating of him unto these excellent Offices of being Prophet Priest and King of his Church 2. The endowing him with the Spirit above measure with gifts and graces of the Spirit and assistances meet to enable him for the Work The first Part of Christs Unction is that whereby he is anointed to these Offices Christ Mediator is anointed to be Prophet Priest and King of his Church Concerning which we shall speak 1. Of the anointing 2. Of the Offices And first by this Unction as it relateth to his Offices for of his Unction as it comprehends his Furniture we are not now speaking but shall in the next place we may understand according to the various use of anointing among men and the Scripture purport of the Word 1. His Designation for these Offices in the Counsel of God Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth So the word is used 1 Sam. 16.13 of Davids first Designation to succed in the Kingdom to Saul long before he came to the Government 2. The declaration of his being designed unto these Offices Psal 2.7 I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee So anointing is taken in the case of Gods declaring Jehu successor in the Kingdom 1 Kings 19.16 with 2 Kings 9.1 3. The separating of him or setting him apart for these Offices Psal 89.20 I have found David my servant with my holy oyl have I anointed him So the word is used 1 Chron. 29.22 1 Sam. 15.17 with Psal 105.15 4. The publick solemn investing him in these Offices with power and authority to exercise them Act. 10.38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy-Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him Luk. 1.32 And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David And it s from his anointing that Christ hath his name Joh. 1.41 We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ Luk. 9.20 The Christ of God 2. Concerning these three Offices of Christ we shall briefly touch upon 1. The necessity of them in our Mediators Person 2. The nature and use of them 3. The harmony and consent of these Offices in Christs person and in his execution of them And 1. The necessity of these Offices in our Mediator appeareth 1. From the evils under which we were lying man being under 1. Ignorance of God 2. Alienation from God Eph. 4.18 Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts 3. Impotency to come unto him Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the Father which sent me draw him Necessary it was that our Mediator be a person that carrieth Offices which may reach these evils His prophecy and teaching meets with our ignorance of God for he is a teacher come from God Joh. 3.7 A Prophet by whom all his people are taught of God Jer. 31.33 Isa 54.13 His Priesthood and Sacrifice meets with our alienation and estrangement from God for thereby the distance is removed and a friendship bound up with God Eph. 2.13 14 18 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one For through him we both have an access by one spirit unto the Father And his Kingdom meets with our impotency for thereby we are mightily wrought upon and determined so as our impotency proves no over-powering lett in the way of his grace Jer. 31.33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people 2. It appears from the work which he came to do which required this conjunction of Offices in his Person 1. He came to reveal a new way of happiness and therefore behoved to be a Prophet Act. 7.37 A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall you hear Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord 2. He came to purchase and acquire this new blessedness and therefore behoved to be a Priest to offer Sacrifice for it Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions of the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 3. He came to make application of his purchase and therefore behoved also to be a King Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unt● all them that they him 2. The nature and use of these three Offices in our Mediator we find in some measure let out in the promises of the Covenant at least a chief and material hint at something of all the three Jer. 31.33 34 with Heb. 8. and 10. 1. Christ Mediator as a Prophet travelleth in begetting a right understanding betwixt the two parties that are at variance betwixt God and man and to this effect being intimately acquainted with all his Fathers secrets 1. He publisheth and declareth all the mind of God to his people especially in revealing the gracious purpose of God concerning the way and means of reconciliation Mat. 11.27 Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh 2. He worketh the effectual knowledg of God and of his will in his peoples heart See 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who caused the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Luk. 1.77 79 To give knowledg of Salvation unto his people by the
glory and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created Whereas natural necessity excludes freedom both in the principle of action and the act it self Having now shewed what kind of necessity there was for the being of the Covenant of Redemption betwixt God and Christ and that the necessity does mainly respect the final cause and ends which God had purposed in himself Let us in the next place consider particularly to what intents and purposes it was necessary that God should enter into a Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption with his own Son Christ These intents and purposes may be reduced to two chief heads supposing that God had purposed in himself to glorifie his mercy and Justice in procuring our Salvation the Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption was necessary for both these ends and purposes 1. For the honour of God 2. For the salvation and good of his chosen people both which were attained through the Covenant made betwixt God and Christ 1. For the honour and glory of God I mean the declarative glory of God that shines ad extra or the manifestation of his glory as the same is shewed forth and manifested in his dealings with the Creatures whereof see Psal 19.1 The heavens declare the glory of God Exod. 15.11 Who is like unto thee O Lord amongst the Gods who is like thee glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders Not his essential glory that shines ad intra whereby he was infinitely and eternally glorious before any the works of Creation and Providence and should have been glorious eternally though these had never been Prov. 8.22 30 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him I say the being of this Covenant of Redemption was necessary for the declarative glory of God whether we consider God essentially or personally 1. For the glory of God considered essentially or in regard of his glorious nature and essence or his natural essential attributes I mean his wisdom goodness justice mercy faithfulness c. And that 1. For glorifying these universally even all and every one of his attributes all which received a new and glorious lustre through the Covenant of Redemption and God's sending of Christ to do that work which should never have been known nor manifested on Earth nor in Heaven but in the face of Jesus Christ and by virtue of God's Covenant-dealings with him about our Redemption therefore saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Therefore also Christ is called the brightness of his glory Heb. 1.3 Christ Mediator is the brightness of the glory of God in and through whom his glorious attributes and nature was made conspicuous and the declarative glory thereof had a more glorious lustre than by all the works of Creation and Providence beside upon the same account also Christ is called the Image of the invisible God Col. 1.15 because the glorious excellencies of God otherwise invisible are gloriously revealed by him and to be seen in him I pass this here in a word referring a more particular consideration thereof to that part of this subject-matter that concerns the Mediator's person and office 2. For the glorifying of these harmoniously that the harmony of attributes in God might be manifested in this transaction to wit how sweetly mercy justice did meet when peace and righteousness Law-demands and Gospel-condescentions Law-severity and Gospel-lenity did meet together and were made friends by this Covenant Psal 85.10.11 Mercy and truth are met together righteousness and peace have kissed each other c. For by this means God brought forth to heaven and earth and all the Creatures the glorious harmony of Justice Truth Mercy Power Wisdom Grace Rev. 5.12 13 Saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and wisdom and riches and strength and honour and glory and blessing And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea and all that are in them heard I saying Blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the lamb for ever and ever 2. This Covenant of Redemption was necessary for the glory of God considered personally and that 1. In regard of the distinct subsistences and glorious persons of the blessed Trinity 2. In regard of the distinct offices of the three persons all which were gloriously manifested in God's Covenant-dealings with Christ I say the greatest declarative glory and clearest manifestation of the distinct subsistences and Persons of the Godhead and of the distinct offices of these Persons in the ever-glorious and blessed Trinity that ever the world saw or heard of was in God's Covenant-dealings with Christ about the work of our Redemption for where are there any such clear discoveries of these great mysteries to be found as in God's foederal dealings with Christ and the Scriptures which reveal the same God was but darkly known in the distinct subsistences and offices of the Persons of the Trinity till this light of his Covenant with Christ did break forth but in Gods sending his Son and the Son 's undertaking and offering himself willingly to his Father to do this work and the Holy Ghost's exercising the power of the Godhead fitting and enabling him the man Christ Jesus to do the work there was a glorious manifestation of the distinction of Persons in the Godhead and of the offices of these Persons whereof also more particularly afterward See Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God And 10.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God Psal 2.7 8 I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Joh. 14.26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Mal. 3.16 17 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 and such like
a fit person to mediate betwixt God and man until Heaven and Earth God and man be joyned in one person to make a fit Mediator a person equally distant from and equally near unto both parties A person who is Gods fellow Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow And who is our fellow made himself our companion and like unto his brethren Heb. 2.14 17. A person who is Gods Son and our brother Joh. 20.17 I ascend unto my father and your father and to my God and your God our Goel Job 10.25 For I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth Our kinsman who had the right of Redemption 4. He is called Mediator the midling person not only in regard of his fitness but upon the account of his actual interposing and stepping in betwixt the disagreeing parties because he acted and executed the Mediators Office which he took upon him and for which he was fitted he acted the day-mans part in the treaty of peace he through whom the whole Covenant of peace from beginning to end was transacted who stood in every passage of it as a middle person through whom God dealt with us and we with him 1. Through him was the Covenant with us first motioned and by him was the motion and overture entertained on our behalf there had never been a Covenant betwixt God and fallen men had not Christ stept in to overture the reconciliation of Justice and Mercy Prov. 8.30 31 Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth and my delights were with the sons of men He is Mediator Propositionis or rather proponendo the person through whom the first motion of it was made and entertained 2. Through him was the business done and ended in the Counsel of God he entertained the motion of a Covenant and agented it till it was a closed bargain in an eternal plot betwixt his Father and himself Psal 89.3 I have made my Covenant with a chosen I have sworn unto David my servant Chap. 40. v. 7 Then said I Lo I come He is Mediator Impetrationis who obtained and procured that the proposal of free Redemption should be a conncluded Agreement 3. Through him were we represented in Christs transaction with his Father he interposed and did the business by way of representation as the Head of the Church in the name and on the behalf of many Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us 〈◊〉 Christ Jesus before the world began He is Mediator representationis the person that stood and represented many When God spoke with us in him as the Angels did with Israel in Jacobs loins for there he spake with us Hos 12.4 4. Through him did God strike hands with us the stipulation on our part was made by him whom God took as a responsal person and in our room to bargain with Heb. 7.22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better Testament Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people He is Mediator fidei-jussionis the person who put his name in our Bond and stept in as a Sponsor and Surety for the broken man 5. Through him is the whole Covenant fulfilled and every word of it hath a being ex parte dei he fulfilleth all that is promised on Gods part 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him are Amen And ex parte hominis he worketh in us and for us whatsoever is required of us Phil. 1.21 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith He is Mediator impletionis the person in whom the whole Covenant is fulfilled and accomplished 6. Through him came the news of this second Covenant he proclaimed and published the glad tydings Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath annointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which are afar off and to them that were nigh Psal 40.9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation He is Mediator promulgationis the chief herauld and messenger the person by whom and by his appointed servants the Covenant was and is preached 7. Through him is the mystery made manifest in the hearts of his people he shines upon the mystery of the Covenant and makes it to be understood and this second discovery of God in Christ can never be revealed but by the Mediator himself Joh. 27.6 I have manifested thy name 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him He is Mediator illuminationis or the very medium of this new-Light the person by whom the Covenant is revealed 8. By him was a price told down to Justice on our behalf he interposed to satisfie Justice on the terms it stood upon and entered his person in prison for us till he payed the Debt by the price of his blood after which he was set at liberty Heb. 9.12 15 But by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained redemption for us And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death c. Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ He is Mediator redemptionis seu satisfactionis the person that made the satisfaction and payed the price to Justice to the full by his obedience to death 9. Through him is the difference actually composed and the peace made the disagreeing parties are brought together in him as a middle person and fit resting-place Eph. 2.13 14 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one Heb. 2.17 To make reconciliation for the sins of his people He is Mediator reconciliationis the person that made the peace and in whom the difference is composed 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 10. Through him are all the blessings of the Covenant applied to us and the fruit of his purchase is drawn forth by his intercession as a Priest for ever which he doth as a Mediator Heb. 7.25
spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all Isa 53.8 For the transgressions of my people was he stricken 7. The Holiness of God is manifested in Christ his Holiness did appear in that holy Image which he put in Adam and the holy Law which he gave to him under a penalty but this holiness of the Image of God stamped on the creature was possible to be lost for both men and Angels were capable of sin and did fall but herein is a greater manifestation of Gods holiness that a Creature Christ-man Christ Mediator is made the Fountain of all Holiness Holiness cannot be lost in him yea it is derived from him Joh. 1.14 16 Full of grace and truth and of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace Chap. 3. v. 34 For God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him This is spoken of Christ man of Christ Mediator for one of the persons of the Godhead cannot receive another O what an impression of Holiness is this what a communication and manifestation of the Holiness of God! The fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily in the man Christ Col. 2.9 Where there is the highest union there is the greatest communion there was never such another union as that personal union and therefore there could never be such a communication of God 8. The All-sufficiency of God appears more in Christ than ever before the declarative glory thereof shines in the restoring of lost man for whosoever can restore lost man can raise him to a higher happiness than he fell from he is All-sufficient and Almighty and is thereby declared to be so this did God in Christ the Mediator this is a declaration of Gods All-sufficiency and of Christs Gen. 17.1 I am God almighty 2 Cor. 8.9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be made rich Chap. 12.9 And he said unto me My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me 9. The Patience and Long suffering of God was never heard of before until it was manifested in Christ God executed his Justice against the fallen Angels without exercising any Patience and Long-suffering towards them 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels which fell but cast them down to hell But in Jesus Christ there is a discovery of the Patience of God and his bearing with sinners Isa 49.8 There is a Covenant to establish the earth that Justice do not ruine it Jesus Christ obtained pardon and reprival for some sinners that they should be spared Exod. 34.6 And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth In him the Lord proclaims himself merciful and gracious long-suffering c. 1 Tim. 1.16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting Yea and by way of concomitancy and for the Elects sake reprobates reap some benefit by the Patience of God thus manifested He suffers the creatures to mock him and say Where is the promise of his coming 2 Pet. 3.4 Rom. 9.22 Endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction 10. The Faithfulness of God is manifested in Christ he was known to be true and faithful in fulfilling the threatning and certification of the transgression of the first Covenant Gen. 2.17 In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die And in keeping the Covenant with all the creatures Gen. 8.22 While the earth remaineth seed-time and harvest-time and cold and heat and summer and winter and day and night shall not cease Jer. 33.20 Thus saith the Lord If ye can break my Covenant of the day and my Covenant of the night and that there should not be day and night in their season c. But this was but a small declaration of his faithfulness being compared with the manifestation of his Faithfulness in Christ which shines so brightly in keeping Covenant and Promises with him and with his people upon his account notwithstanding all your unfaithfulness to him hereby he is proclaimed to be the Lord abundant in truth Exod. 34.6 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him are Amen Psal 89.34 35 My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David Mic. 7.18 20 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old 11. The Majesty of the Lord something whereof is manifested in the Creation Psal 19.1 The heavens declare the glory of the Lord and the firmament sheweth forth his handy-work But much more in restoring man if there be a Majesty in Angels Heb. 1.7 And of his Angels he saith who maketh his Angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire And in godly men which is but a little discovered here c. shall be more fully afterward 2 Thess 1.10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints O what excellent Majesty must there be in Jesus Christ Heb. 1.13 But to which of the Angels said he at any time sit on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool And what shall be revealed in him when he shall come in glory 2 Thess 1.7 When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory You see then all the Attributes of God are made more bright and get a new lustre in Jesus Christ the Mediator he is the brightness of his Fathers glory and the express Image of his Person 2. The distinct Subsistences of the Persons of the Godhead and blessed Trinity are more brightly discovered in Jesus Christ than ever before God was but darkly seen before in the distinct Subsistences of the persons of the Trinity but in the Gospel through Jesus Christ there is a glorious manifestation thereof 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 1. The Eternal Son of God the second Person his taking on our nature doth clearly shew that there are distinct Subsistences or Persons in the Godhead There are two natures in one Subsistence or Person which illustrates the three Subsistencies in one nature or three Persons in the Godhead 2. By Jesus Christ from his own
this difference his Prophecy teaches the way of Reconciliation Acts 3.22 Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you His Priesthood opened the way and purchased the peace Heb. 9.14 15 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the Transgressors that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance His Kingdom doth effect and do the business John 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me Col. 1.20 21 And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled But yet we must not conceive the actings of these Offices in Christ separately nor appropriate to any of them solely the effecting Reconciliation or Salvation but understand it by way of eminency and so of the following particulars 2. These three Offices in our Mediator concur to do the same work but in divers ways that our Reconciliation and Salvation might be the more compleat and sure he would have us saved Heb. 7.25 to the utmost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Camer in Myr. F. Goodwin Christ set forth Corn. Schrevel Lexic or as the word is rendred by some over and above all manner of ways for the word as some observe signifies Omni modum persecutionem omnem adeptus finem and absolute perfection in all manner of ways whereunto these three Offices in our Mediator concur 1. Christ as Priest through his death reconcileth us to God and saveth us as captives are redeemed by Ransom and Price Heb. 10.12 But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God Col. 1.1 20 And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself Rom. 5.10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son c. 2. Christ as King by his Resurrection and Ascension effectuates our Salvation by power and conquest Heb. 2.14 That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil Eph. 4.8 Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men 3. Christ as Prophet effectuates our reconciliation with God and Salvation by our own consent informing our judgments begetting a good understanding betwixt God and us removing mistakes and making us willing to be reconciled unto him and saved by him Psal 110.2 3 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth This he effects by Treaty till he hath concluded favour and friendship betwixt the parties by voluntary consent in a Covenant Rev. 22.17 And the Spirit and the Bride say Come 3. These Offices in our Mediator sweetly concur together to meet with three great Evils in our natural condition which are comprehensive of all our misery and to deal in taking them away 1. Christ as a Prophet dealeth with our Ignorance of God and blindness and removeth that by applying himself to us in the exercise of that teaching-Office Eph. 4.18 21 Having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart If so be that ye have heard him and been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus 2. Christ as Priest with his Atonement and Satisfaction dealeth with our alienation and estrangement from God and our enmity against him which is the fruit of our Ignorance of him and by making a satisfaction to of fended Justice he takes away the enmity Eph. 4.18 Being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them See Rom. 5.10 When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son Col. 1.21 And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled 3. Christ as a King dealeth with our Impotency and Rebellion which is the third great evil in our unnatural condition which he sweetly subdueth by the power and dominion of his grace Psalm 45.5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the kings enemies whereby the people fall under thee Rev. 6.2 And he went forth conquering and to conquer Or the harmony of these Offices may be conceived thus 1. That Christ as a Prophet dealeth eminently with the understandings of men to perswade and convince them by his teaching 2 Cor. 4.4 6 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine in them for God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2. Christ as a Priest as a merciful loving condescending man who hath laid down his life for us useth entreaties and dealeth with the affections mainly when the judgment is informed by his prophesie and teaching 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God 3. Christ as King dealeth with the wills of men the proudest and highest enemy that Christ hath in our nature which he subdues and overpowers by determinating grace Psal 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power 4. These three Offices in our Mediator do most pleasantly conspire in aiding and supporting one another that each Office may be vigorous and effectual for the end of his Mediation And here consider 1. How the prophecy of Christ is aiding to his Priesthood and Kingdom 1. By teaching what the Priesthood and Kingdom of Christ are and the way how reconciliation and peace is to be made His prophecy teaches those mysteries of the Kingdom and our salvation which otherways we could not know Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him It sheweth 1. Where a Sacrifice is to be had and a power to make out our peace which upon the matter is the Priesthood and Kingdom of Christ Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of
Angels The first Scripture is that 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus which seems to set forth the object of Christs Mediation to be men not Angels but consider that there is a twofold Mediation of Christ the one of Redemption or Reconciliation the other of Preservation or confirmation Christ is only a Mediator of Redemption betwixt God and man for he never undertook for the fallen Angels Matth. 25.41 Then shall he say unto them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Jude ver 6 And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day And of this Mediation speaks that Text 1 Tim. 2.5 A Mediation which had a ransom and propitiation in it that Christ died only for man not for the Angels The other Scripture is that Heb. 2.16 For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Which will indeed prove and speaketh it plainly that when fallen men and Angels were before him sinking into their misery he took hold of the one not of the other And so that none of the fallen Angels have benefit by Christs Mediation It will prove that herein Christ expressed his love more to Men than Angels in that he saved some of the fallen men but none of the Angels and would carry this Office not in their Nature but in ours Yet I conceive it will not prove that the elect Angels have no benefit by Christs Mediation I incline therefore to think it most probable that the elect Angels are not to be excluded from the benefit of Christs Mediation whether they had need of a Mediator or not as Calvin upon Col. 1.20 laboureth to prove I shall not debate but these two things only I shall speak of 1. I shall shew that the good Angels have benefit by Christ which is certain 2. That there are probable grounds to judg that they have this benefit through Christs Mediation 1. By Christ the Angels have knowledg of the mysteries of our Salvation even a glorious addition of knowledg by this new discovery and bright manifestation of God in all his Atributes that have shined forth in Christ Eph. 3.10 To the intent that now unto the Principalitics and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God 1 Pet. 1.12 Which things the Angels did desire to look into 2. By Christ they have an honourable Office they became Principalities and Powers in governing the world and Ministring Spirits that Christ may be honoured in the Church Col. 1.16 For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation And therefore when Christ shall give up his dispensatory Kingdom then shall all rule be put down which is not only to be understood of the being of no Magistracy and no Ministry but even of the Angels Principalities and Powers 3. By Christ the Angels have joy at the conversion of sinners Luke 15.10 Likewise I say unto you there is Joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth Matth. 18.10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones For I say unto you that in Heaven their Angels do alwayes behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven Luke 2.13 And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God By Christ the Angels have a more perfect and firm union with God a kind of econciliation Col. 1.20 And having made peace by the blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things to himself by him I say whether they be things on Earth or things in Heaven Where by things in Heaven is understood Angels who are said to be reconciled to God not properly for where there is no breach there can be no reconciliation this is peculiar unto man but improperly and annalogically they may be said to be reconciled by confirming and establishing them in the grace and favour of God Tollendo peccata hominum possibilitatem peccandi in Angelis taking away all possibility of defection in them 2. These benefits which the Angels certainly have by Christ they may be probably conceived to have them by Christs Mediation 1. Because Christ is a head to the elect Angels as well as to elect men and they are part of his mystical body Col. 2.10 And ye are compleat in him which is the head of all Principality and Power Eph. 1.10 That in the Dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in Heaven and which are on Earth even in him they are reckoned a part of the Catholick Church and inhabitants of the Heavenly Jerusalem Heb. 12.23 24 Now if Christ be head of the Church as he is Mediator then whatsoever benefit they as part of his Body have from Christ the Head I do not see how we can avoid to say they must have it through his Mediation For how can it be conceived that one part of Christs Body hath benefit from Christs Mediation and another part of it hath benefit by him and yet another way than by his mediation 2. Because whatsoever benefit the Angels have by Christ they were elected unto it 1 Tim. 5.21 I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect Angels Now Christ being the head of the election in whom all that are elect are elected Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world And the benefits unto which we are elected in Christ coming through his Mediation to all the elect these must come so to the elect Angels also Eph. 1.4 5 10 According as he hath chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ. That in the dispensation of the fulness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ 3. Because whatsoever creature is not under a possibility of sinning Aquin. part 1. Q●ust 63. Art 1. it hath that not by the condition of its nature but by grace Now the elect Angels being freed from all possibility of sinning this they must have by Grace which cometh not only from Christ but through his Mediation Joh. 1.17 For the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ being some other thing supervenient beside the good of their natural condition wherein