making the Soul close with God in a Covenant 3. By making us receive Christ himself in the promises Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name For as Faith hath for the object of it the whole Word of God so especially the promises and more especially Christ in the promises 4. By making us give up our selves to be Christs and no more our own Isa 44.5 One shall say I am the Lords and by making us subject our Consent unto him as the Wife doth to the Husband in a Marriage-Covenant 2 Cor. 9.13 And all this is the Mediators work and the execution of his Office For 1. It is he that offers the Covenant Heb. 12.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh 2. It is he that shapeth the heart for acceptation of the offer Ezek 36.26 A new heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you 3. It is he that engageth the heart to God by a Covenant Jer. 30.21 And I will cause him to draw near and he shall approach unto me for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me saith the Lord Joh. 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the Earth will draw all men unto me 4. It is he that maketh us give up our selves to him Ezek. 36.27 28 And I will put my Spirit into you and cause you to walk in my wayes And ye shall be my people and I will be your God The third part of the Mediators work in the execution of his Office is to enable them whom he bringeth into the Covenant of Grace to perform the duty of the Covenant according to his undertaking to his Father on their behalf and for this effect 1. He circumciseth their hearts and taketh away the stone and natural aversness and rebellion against Covenant-duties Deut. 30.6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart and the heart of thy seed to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul that thou maist live Ezek. 36.26 And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh 2. He engraffeth a new inward principle in their hearts of compliance with and propension unto their duty Jer. 31.33 I will put my Law into their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people And 32.40 I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me 3. He affordeth strength to them for performing the duties of the Covenant and maketh his Grace effectual in them for that end see Ezek 36.37 And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them He craveth his Rent and filleth the hand wherewith to pay it Psal 1.11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God 2 Cor. 9.8 And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that ye alwayes having all-sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work 4. He breathes upon the graces of his people and acteth them by daily fresh and quickening assistances Song 4.16 Awake O North wind and come O South blow upon my Garden that the spices thereof may flow out Yea he worketh in us and for us all that which we take upon us as duty in the Covenant of Grace Isa 26.12 For thou also hast wrought all our works in us Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure The fourth part of the Mediators work in executing this Office is to keep those whom he bringeth into the Covevenant from falling away from that blessed estate If it were not for the Mediators travelling in this work the reconciliation once made could not stand if he did not continue for ever Mediator of the New Covenant we should not for ever continue in that Covenant-state Heb. 7.24 25 But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood 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 And for keeping believers in this Covenant Christ the Mediator beside his contriving the Covenant so that breaches shall not make it void Psal 89.30 33 If his Children forsake my Law and walk not in my Judgments Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Jer. 31.34 I will forgive their iniquity and will remember their sin no more 1. He gifteth them with and conveyeth to them an immortal and everlasting principle of Grace that cannot dye nor utterly perish Joh. 4.14 But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a Well of water springing up into everlasting life 1 Joh. 3.9 His seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God 2. He keepeth life by his intercession in that engaging principle of Faith that it fail not Luke 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not But all this could not effect the business being but our gripe of him therefore 3. Consider how he keepeth a gripe of them he engageth his Father to keep his people and he himself employeth all the power credit and interest that he hath in Heaven and Earth to keep them in that blessed state Joh. 17.11 12 And now I am no more in the World but these are in the World And I come to thee holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are While I was with them in the world I kept them through thy name those whom thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost but the Son of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time Joh. 10.28 29 And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand Deut. 33.27 The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath is the everlasting arms Isa 40.29 He giveth power to them that are faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength 4. He maintaineth the peace and agreement that he made through his own being in Heaven a constant and ordinary Agent to apear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 Who lieth there of purpose that the Covenant betwixt God and his people may continue and that league never be broken for so long as Christ appeareth in Heaven there shall be peace and friendship for
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 fitâ—â—â— 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
pillars therefore the Lord gives the Name to Christ a precious corner-stone a sure â—â—â—ndation Isa 28.16 Hence also the whole building of Covenant-mercy and faithfulness with us is joyned with God's Covenant with Christ Psal 89.2 3 For I have said Mercy shall be built up for ever thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens I have made a Covenant with my chosen 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 2. By an infallible connexion whereby one thing doth necessarily and certainly follow upon another for supposing that God hath made a Covenant of Redemption with Christ and hath from eternity given a people to him to be redeemed by him it necessarily follows that this redeemed people shall come under Covenant-dealings with Christ by faith in him for if that go before this must needs follow 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 17.6 8 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word 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 The reason is manifest because as nothing is here transacted in time which was not from eternity concluded in the counsel of God's Will so nothing is there concluded nothing agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ that can miss to take effect Act. 15.18 Known unto him are all his works from the beginning of the world And 4.27 28 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done And 13.48 And as many as were ordained to life believed Isa 53.10 And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand 3. These two Covenants are conjoyned by an Insuperable connexion such as the strength of no opposition can overcome for the Covenant of Suretiship made with Christ hath such strong influence on the Covenant of Reconciliation made with us that it regardeth no opposition in the way of that work but the people who are given to Christ by that first Covenant to be redeemed by him he doth redeem them out of all Nations by the mighty efficacious power and working of his Spirit he bows their wills indeclinably to believe to hearken that their souls may live and to make with him an everlasting Covenant Isa 55.3 Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him the force of this Covenant with Jehovah draws so that nothing can keep back the Sinner from coming Song 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee Matth. 16.18 Vpon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Zech. 10.8 I will hiss for them and gather them for I have redeemed them 4. By a secret and hidden connexion which natural eyes and carnal minds cannot see nor take up This secret and mystery of the Covenant was long hid in God's breast even after it had a being betwixt him and Christ yea and how great a secret was it in the world even after it began to break forth first in Paradise Col. 1.26 Even the mysterie which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his Saints Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant It is but one continued tract of Covenant-grace one current of the water of life that run along like a river under ground hidden in the secret counsel of God's Will and kept close betwixt God and Christ and at length brake out above ground in a Covenant of peace with believers 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 wherein 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 Joh. 17.7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee 5. These Covenants are conjoyned by a beautiful connexion which eminently shineth in the exact correspondency of the Covenant of Suretiship made with Christ and the Covenant of peace made with us which being laid together do perfectly quadrate and answer one another in all points O what a deal of beauty is to be seen in the connexion of the Covenants of Redemption and Reconciliation In the former all things relating to the Redemption and Salvation of Christ's elect seed were plotted and contrived in the latter the same things are executed by that Covenant they were ordered by this they are acted It is the same business in the hand of Christ by the Covenant of Reconciliation which was long before in his heart when he made a Covenant with Jehovah the same design of love acted him in both Now Christ negotiates the same business which was long before undertaken by his Suretiship Joh. 17.6 7 8 I have manifested thy Name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me 2 Cor. 5.19 21 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Zech. 9.11 As for thee also by the blood of thy Covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water In a word there is such a connexion between the Covenant of Redemption made with Christ and the Covenant of Reconciliation made with us as is betwixt the cause and the effect God's Covenant with Christ is the cause his Covenant with us is the effect for it hath a proper efficiency in the producing of this such as is betwixt the root and the branch the fountain and the streams the Covenant made with us did
is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference 5. There is not only a commutation but a community of Writs betwixt Christ and the Believer for one Writ and Promise-wreats God the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the God and Father of the Believer this Covenant-relation to him and us is by the great promises of the Covenant Heb. 1.5 I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son Psal 89.26 29 He shall cry unto me Thou art my Father my God and the rock of my salvation His seed also will I make to endure for ever One Writ makes Christ the first Heir and Son of the promise and the Believer a younger Brother coming in under Christ the first Heir Psal 89.27 Also I will make him my first-born Gal. 3.26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.17 And if children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ One Writ and letter of acquittance dischargeth both Christ and the Believer from the curse and condemnation of the Law Rom. 8.3 4 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin the flesh That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit O how comfortable and strengthening is this that Christ and we are in one Writ that our Covenant interests and relations to God and all his and our concernments are thus bound up in one Writ if his title to God to Heaven to promises be good and valid ours is so too if he acquit and defend his own Charters he doth the same for ours blessed are they who are united to him in this New Covenant-relation 6. By the Covenant of Suretiship Christ is constituted the grand Instrument and Actor of all things that appertain to his peoples Redemption and Salvation and that not only of eternal Salvation and Redemption which he alone brought unto his people Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him 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 that were under the first testament they who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Luk. 1.68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people And of such part of that Redemption as is wrought within time Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him But of whatsoever Salvation and other administrations are good for them in this life And therefore we find that Christ was the grand Instrument and had an active hand in the deliverance of his people from all afflictions and oppressions in all ages Isa 63.5 9 And I looked and there was none to help and I wondred that there was none to uphold therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me and my fury it upheld me In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them and in his love and in his pity he redeemed them and he bare them and carried them all the days of old It was Christ the Angel of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 who delivered Jacob from all evil Gen. 48.16 It was he who brought the people out of Egypt and said to Moses And now come I mill send thee unto Egypt He it was who appeared unto Moses in the Bush and made him a ruler and a deliverer Act. 7.32 34 35. It was he that brought the people out of Babylon and built the temple Zech. 6.12 13 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. Even he shall build the temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory c. If the temporal Salvation of the Church and people of God lay upon men how cold a comfort were that Isa 59.16 And he saw that there was no man and wondred that there was no intercessor Psal 142.4 I looked on my right hand and beheld and there was no man that would know me refuge failed me and there was no man cared for my soul And if the working of that part of our Salvation which the Lord hath made the Believers Duty and hath commanded him to do for his own Soul if that lay upon us alone how heavy would it prove Phil. 2.12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling But O how warm how comfortable is it what a support to faith that Christ is by his Suretiship engaged to work all manner of Salvation for his people and to become the grand instrument and chief actor thereof Isa 63.13 I that speak in righteousness mighty to save I have trodden the wine-press alone and of the people there was none with me Phil. 2.13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith 8. By the Covenant of Suretiship all the hard conditions lay upon Christ all that the Law requires of Man condition-ways he was made under the law Gal. 4.4 that we might not be under the law but under grace Rom. 6.14 O how sweet and comfortable is it to the poor weak Believer who finds himself so very insignificant a creature at all Covenant-conditions to know that by Christs Suretiship 1. He did take upon him all conditions which the law requires of man to abide in every thing that it requires the Believer is yet under the commands of the Law but I say not under the conditions thereof for it is not to him a Covenant Christ also did bear the curse of the Law but that which the Believer suffers even of the things that were sometimes written in the book of the Law are now written in the book of Covenant-mercies 2. Christ did take upon him all the conditions that are works and nothing rests to the believer condition-wise but that which is grace Rom. 4.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace It s true the Believer yet worketh and is created unto good works Phil. 2.10 But all working condition-ways was upon Christ by his Suretiship 3. The principal and most significant condition of Redemption Salvation and all Covenant-blessings and priviledges promised to us is Christs doing his part of the Covenant of Suretiship his laying down his life this was not only a condition of the reward that was to be given to Christ personal but even of all the promises that were made to him concerning his redeemed seed Isa 53.10 11 And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledg shall my righteous servant
store-house Christ given to them though they had a fair stock yet it was all in their own hand at adventure and the well head and fountain of life to them was placed in themselves or the streams were cut off from the fountain but to the weak believer the fountain of life and grace is placed in Christ Eph. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works Joh. 1.26 And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace 5. Nor was Christ an undertaker and Surety for the Angels that fell nor for Adam in his first Covenant state he gave no Bond nor came under any act of Suretiship for their standing Heb. 2.16 For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham God never said to them as he doth to the believer Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty 2. Learn hence to admire and study these eternal depths of love and wisdome that shine forth in Gods Covenant-transactions with Christ Eph. 3.18 19 That you 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 This glorious mystery the Angels desire to search into though not so much concerned in it as we and shall not believers much more study it 1. The wisdom and knowledg that found out this way that was beyond the possible reach of men and Angels that lost man who was in as hopeless a condition as the Apostate Angels should be by a Surety by such a Surety undertaken for when Angels were passed by Heb. 2.16 2. The everlasting out-goings of that same eternal love which came forth in Covenant-transactions betwixt the Father and the Son when these objects of his love and eternal delight were not yet revealed nor knew any thing of it Prov. 8.23 to 31. What a wonder is this that the heart of God the delights of God should be taken up about such objects 3. The Soveraign graciousness and free preventing-grace of this Suretiship that Christ became Surety and undertaker and came to fulfil his Suretiship not sought for not sent for not so much as desired by us to undertake and act any thing for us Isa 65.1 I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that sought me not I said Behold me Behold me unto a nation that was not called by my Name 4. The seasonableness of his sending the notice of this unto us the Lord provided a Physician before we were sick and sent him to us in due time 1 Tim. 2.6 Gal. 4.4 When fallen man was sick unto death when Justice with a fiery sword kept him out from happiness when he was running away and hiding himself at the voice of God Gen. 3.10 When the cure was desperate and the remedy impossible to our knowledg then came the news of a Surety to undertake for us in our low condition 5. The double tenure whereby the believer holds his pardon and life through Christs Suretishp by free-grace and by Justice Jam. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ The Covenant of Redemption has provided both that Free-grace should acquit wretched sinners and Justice also should discharge them for a full price laid down Christ hath said to Jehovah by his Covenant of Suretiship as Paul said to Philemon concerning Onesimus Philem. v. 18 19 If he hath wronged thee or owed thee ought put that on mine account I Paul have written it with my own hand I will repay it And this answers all that Law and Justice and the accuser can say and therefore the believer may well say with Paul 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 3. Learn how needful the knowledg and perswasion of Christs Suretiship and undertaking for us is Nothing is more necessary than to believe this 1. For the right understanding of our Debt to him who did so freely being under no necessity of nature and not desired by us undertake for us and put his soul in our souls stead a worthy study indeed and well becoming a believer to know what we owe to Jesus the Surety of the Covenant who spoke for us behind our backs when we were absent and who laid down his Bond for ours 1 Cor. 6.19 20 Ye are not your own for ye are bought with a price therefore glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which is Gods 2. For the establishing our hearts in the faith of our Salvation and compleat Redemption is there any thing can so establish the heart of a believer as to know that Christ is an undertaker for him he that can believe that Christ became Surety for him in the eternal Counsel of God cannot reasonably doubt but he will fulfil all his undertaking and that he shall be saved by his Surety-actings Rom. 5.8 9 10 But God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Much more then being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life 3. For silencing all the actings of unbelief in us and the perverse suspicious of our heart concerning Gods Covenant Good-will towards us all which do resolve upon some apprehensions of breach of the Covenant of Suretiship betwixt Jehovah and Christ for if that stand fast upon both sides what place is there for doubting and unbelief 2 Tim. 2.13 If we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself Rom. 3.3 4 For what if some did not believe shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect God forbid 4. Nothing more necessary for engaging our hearts in the study of faith and holiness and unto a walk becoming the redeemed of the Lord than the faith of Christs Suretiship Three ways does this engage unto holiness and becoming walking 1. Morally and by way of excitement and motive the faith of Christs Suretiship and undertaking for us is both an inviting and encouraging motive to be holy forasmuch as we are chosen in Christ to be holy and given to him to be made holy Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy c. Joh. 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth Heb. 2.11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all one 2. By way of obligement Christs Suretiship doth oblige us and lay on Bonds and Obligations to this duty that we should believe and be holy and he who hath the faith of Christs Suretiship cannot but judg so 2 Cor. 5.14 15 For the love of Christ constraineth us
Covenant under the first consideration are all those who are within the visible Church whether Elect or Reprobate and their seed professing obedience to the Gospel-ordinances under which they are as I have at length proved else-where Psal 147.19 20 He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his Judgments unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgments they have not known them But the parties contracters with God in the Covenant considered in the second respect are only the Elect of Christ to whom the spirit is given as well as the ordinances to whom the promise of the new heart is made and in whom it is fulfilled 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 3. We are to distinguish betwixt Christs act of Suretiship and undertaking and some benefits which by concomitancy redound to them for whom he never was made Surety for many hypocrites and reprobates that have the Gospel preached by concomitancy because they are mixed with the Elect in the habitable parts of the earth and Societies of men where these have their abode yet Christ was never undertaker for them nor doth the preaching of the Covenant come to them from Christ as their Surety but this benefit they have by Christs undertaking and Suretiship for the elect that are among them and for the Elects sake concerning whom Christ undertook to preach the Covenant to them and to fulfil it in them therefore he is a light to the Gentiles Isa 49.6 with Act. 13.26 Men and brethren children of the stock of Abraham and whosoever among you feareth God to you is the word of this salvation sent 2 Cor. 4.15 For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God Joh. 17.19 And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the truth These things premised we answer to the question 1. Negatively 1. Sure he was not made Surety Cat. Racov. de Prophet Ch. munere Christ did not undertake for all Mankind in whom was ever the breath of life the Reprobate as well as the Elect Cain as well as Abel Judas as well as Paul as Socinians and Arminians tell us for the Apostle's all 1 Tim. 2.6 Jac. Arm. Orat. sacdotio Christi pag. 16 17. Who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time can be no more than Christ's many Mat. 20.21 And to give his life a ransom for many Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation 2. Davenant dissect de morte Christi cap. 4. p. 48. Sure he was not Surety nor did undertake for all these who are within the visible Church or within the Covenant externally for many of these were neither given to him by the father nor undertaken for by him 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Mat. 22.14 For many are called but few are chosen 3. He was not made Surety for all men conditionally to wit if they should believe for 1. His Suretiship was an absolute act of his own will and grace and doth not depend upon our will over which Christ hath the dominion 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 Zech. 10.8 I will hiss for them and gather them for I have redeemed them 2. It was part of his undertaking to purchase by the meirt of his death grace to bow our will and to heal our nature Heb. 10.10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all Isa 42.4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth and the Isles shall wait for his law 3. God knew them all particularly whom he gave to Christ to be ransomed by him and Christ knew them all by name for whom he did undertake therefore we read of names written in the lambs book of life Rev. 21.27 2. We answer affirmatively That Christ undertakes in his bargain of Suretiship only for the Elect Christ from eternity came under an act of cautionry for all these and no other For 1. No other were given to him by the Father but these were given unto him and without question he became Surety for none but these who were given to him by his father Joh. 17.2 19 That he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him And for their sakes I sanctifie my self 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 Joh. 10.28 29 And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand My father which gave them me is greater then all and no man is able to pluck them out of my fathers hand 2. He became Surety for none but for those for whom he died and in whose stead he answered the demands of the Law and satisfied the Justice of God now he died only for the Elect 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 Joh. 10.11 I am the good shepherd the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep 3. He did undertake for these only for whom he doth pray and intercede with God and these were only the Elect Joh. 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine 4. He did undertake for these only for whose believing his father did undertake to him and these were only the Elect Isa 53.10 11 And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities 5. He did undertake for these only in whom the Covenant is fulfilled upon whose hearts it is really acted so that a new heart is given to them and life eternal and these were only the Elect Jer. 31.32 33 Not according to the covenant that I made with their
faith But after that faith is come we are no longer under a School-master Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth 2. 'T is the Law as it s qualified by Christ who gave out a new edition of the commands thereof without detracting from the old as his Law in the new Covenant whereby his Subjects might know his will which they must endeavour to obey Joh. 13.34 A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another Mat. 5.17 21 22 27 28 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the Judgment But I say unto you That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the Judgment and whosoever shall say to his brother Racha shall be in danger of the Counsel but whosoever shall fay Thou fool shall be in danger of Hell-fire Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time thou shalt not commit adultery But I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her be hath committed adultery with her already in his heart c. And this new giving out of the commands and preceptive part of the Law and Covenant of works did neither derogate from the substance of the Law nor from the authority and binding force thereof by vertue of the first Covenant to which it did appertain but did rather super add a new and perswasive obligation 2 Cor. 5.14 15 For the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judg that if one died for all then were all dead And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Rom. 6.1 2 What shall we say then shall we continue in sin that grace may abound God forbid how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein 4. Though the Law and preceptive part of the Covenant of works doth appertain to the new Covenant yet are not the commands and conditions thereby required and the obedience given thereunto conditions of the new Covenant which standeth only of faith Rom. 4.5 16 But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed not to that only which is of the law but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all Act. 16.31 And they said Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house For 1. This were upon the matter to confound the conditions of the two Covenants which are stated as so contra-distinguished in terms that there is no mixture nor semblance of mixture to be admitted Rom. 9.31 32 But Israel which followed after the law of righteousness hath not attained to the law of righteousness Wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the law for they stumbled at that stumbling stone Rom. 10.3 4 6 8 For they being ignorant of Gods righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth c. 2. If this obedience to the preceptive part of the Law which is yet of force to believers and required by the Gospel were the condition of the new Covenant then perfect obedience to the Law should still be the condition of the new Covenant forasmuch as the Law doth still command that to believers and it is their sin that they do not come up to the obedience thereof Gal. 2.21 I do not frustrate the grace of God for if righteousness came by the law then Christ is dead in vain Rom. 7 throughout 5. Christs undertaking to God for our subjection and obedience to the Law is not so to be understood as if he had undertaken that the Law should have perfect obedience from us and in us in this life for if he had been Surety for that it should also have been performed But by his Suretiship for our obedience to the law we mean 1. That he hath undertaken for our subjection to it as a rule unto which his people shall submit and whereof they shall accept Luk. 1.74 75 That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him with out fear in holiness and righteousness c. Rom. 7.12 Wherefore the law is holy and the commandment holy and just and good Psal 119.97 O how love I thy law it is my meditation all the day 2. For the universality of our obedience to it that our obedience shall be equable and uniform and that there shall not one command of it be slighted by his people Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them Psal 119.6 128 Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right and I hate every false way 3. For the sincerity of our obedience that shall sincerely obey and fulfil the commands of the Law Rom. 6.17 But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered you 4. For the reality and seriousness in the obedience thereof that we shall labour and work as hard at obedience to the Law as if we had not another righteousness nor possible way of life and that our love to him shall put us on to carry thus Col. 1.29 Whereunto I also labour striving according to his working which worketh in me mightily 5. For our deadness to the Law and to our own obeying the commands thereof that when we work hardest and sweat most that then we shall claim nothing upon that account Gal. 2.21 I do not frustrate the grace of God for if righteousness come by the law then Christ is dead in vain 6. Christ hath undertaken that what satisfaction the Law wanteth in us it shall have in him who is the end of the Law that he shall satisfie for our short coming 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption Rom. 10.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth 7. Christ hath undertaken that he shall in all these performances make us so far to endeavour duty
through his strength and be forth coming in obedience that therein we shall be accepted 2 Cor. 9.8 And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that ye always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work Joh. 15.5 I am the vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing Object Since the Law and Covenant of works is alternative and requireth but that a man should obey and perform the commands thereof or else undergo the punishment and curse threatned against the transgressors how can it be required of us to perform the obedience to the Law since Christ our Surety hath satisfied the Law and endured the curse and punishment thereof in our stead how can it stand with Justice to exact both In this Objection the Antinomian the Arminian and the Socinan concur though for different ends and upon different accounts The Antinomian to establish Christs dying in our stead so as he performed all active obedience to the Law that God can require of us The Arminian to establish faith and conversion on mans part as part of satisfaction to offended Justice and so to derogate from free grace and Christs Surety-righteousness and to axalt free will The Socinian to impugn Christs dying in our stead and satisfying offended Justice in our room In answer to this we shall offer these considerations 1. Christ did not fulfil the preceptive part of the Law in our stead Answ in that strict sense that we say he did bear the punishment of the Law for us for then should all Duties cease as well as sacrifice and ransome to offended Justice which is contrary to the Scripture Rom. 3.31 Do we then make void the law through faith God forbid yea we establish the law Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye snall keep my judgments and do them And then also did Christ die and suffer in vain for if we did perfectly fulfil the Law in Christ then there is no need nor use of his suffering for disobedience Gal. 2.21 For if righteousness come by the Law then Christ is dead in vain Then also Christs Surety-righteousness should be ours though we should never believe for what need we believe if he did it for us and if we did it in him which is also contrary to the Scripture Rom. 4.5 But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Rom. 10.9 10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation 2. Consider the obedience required of us unto the preceptive part of the Law for whom Christ did bear the punishment thereof and in several respects it may appear to be consistent with Justice that even they for whom Christ died should be bound to obey the Law 1. The believers obe dience which is required in his own person is not that obedience which the Law required as a possible way of life I mean a perfect obedience of a righteous person who had never sinned but an obedience of sincerity that may be in a sinner 2. Our obedience is not for the same end that Christs sufferings were to wit for a satisfaction to offended Justice for it s no part of our ransome but for other ends and so it is not inconsistent with Justice to demand satisfaction of Christ for one use and end and obedience of us for other uses and ends 3. Since the Law is not changed nor repealed though our relation to it be changed 't is just that we should obey Christ our head and husband whose will this Law is Notwithstanding that he hath divorced us by his sufferings from the Law as a husband commanding obedience as the marriage-condition of life 4. The Lord may justly require obedience to his Law from them even in their own persons for the time to come for whose transgressions he hath accepted of a satisfaction in the person of another especially when that obedience is nothing that can lie in the balance as the just alternative of the Law fornent the satisfaction given by Christ 5. The Law and Justice may require both satisfaction and obedience in different respects or in regard of different actions for it is not the same thing which we obey and for which Christ makes satisfaction for he satisfied for our disobedience not for our obedience beside Christs satisfaction is for disobedience to the Covenant of works our obedience even to the Law is the obedience to the Gospel-Covenant to which the Law is reduced by Christ who hath made it his Law in this Covenant 6. It cannot be supposed that Christs sufferings for our disobedience to the Law should put us thereafter in another condition in respect of obedience to the Law than Adam should have been in if he had never sinned and if his life and happiness had not depended on his obedience in both which cases he had been bound to obey the Law and will of the Law-giver The third part of Christs Suretiship for man to God relateth to his undertaking for the persons of the Elect the former two parts being his undertakings for what the Law did threaten and what the Gospel and Law both do command for he is not only a Surety for Debt and for Duty for penalty of the Law and for performance of the commands of the Law and Gospel but also a Surety for the persons of the Elect a Surety by way of caution who did give bail for them all and in relation to this part of his Suretiship Christ is Surety 1. For the indempnity of all the Elect that since the sather hath given them into his hands he hath engaged to lose none of them he is acted a cautioner to make a good account of all that company that however he set them a warfare and although he lead them on and engage them against strong adversaries and through manifold tentations although he shew his people hard things yet he shall bring them off safe and bear them through so that he may say he hath lost none of them Joh. 17.12 But is a captain of salvation to them all Heb. 2.10 Psal 66.12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads we went through fire and through water but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place Such a Surety was Judah for little Benjamin Gen. 43.9 2. He is Surety for the good behaviour of all those whom he hath reconciled unto God for having made our peace with God he is Surety that we shall keep the peace that howsoever we may fail in many things yet his people being once reconciled to God and
When we value Christ out of love not out of necessity only as the manner of those is who come to him only in their exigency as men use Physicians Psal 116.1 I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplication 3. When the excellencies of Christ do affect the heart to take pains to seek him proportionably as we seek after other things Song 5.6 9 10 I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone my soul failed when he spake I sought him but I could not find him I called him but he gave me no answer What is thy beloved more than another beloved O thou fairest among women what is thy beloved more than another beloved that thou dost so charge us my beloved is white and ruddy the chiefest among ten thousand 4. When we are not easily offended at him Mat. 11.6 And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me Song 5.7 8 The watch-men that went about the city found me they smote me they wounded me the keepers of the walls took away my vail from me I charge you O daughters of Jerusalem if ye find my love that ye tell him that I am sick of love There is nothing that argueth more clearly a low esteem of Christ than a readiness to be soon and easily stumbled at him or something in his way with us or attending the way of seeking him and on the other hand nothing argueth a higher esteem of him than not to be easily offended at him let him do what he will yet will I go after him let me meet with what can be imagined which stumbleth others yet will I hold on my way is the thoughts and heart-language of one that valueth Christ above all Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him Vse 4. To teach us whatsoever things appertaining to this Covenant we cast our eyes upon to observe more of Christ in it for if we look upon it aright there is no part of the Covenant but we may behold Christ ingraven upon it he is the precious subject-matter of the whole and of every part of the Covenant whether they be 1. Things covenanted by God to us Christ is ingraven upon every promise and blessing and priviledg of the Covenant the righteousness and life whereunto we are restored are the righteousness and life of Christ Jer. 23.6 And this is his name whereby he shall be called The Lord our righteousness Gal. 2.20 Yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the fiesh I live by the faith of the Son of God 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption Col. 3.2 3 Set your affection on things above and not on things on the earth For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God The Sonship the spirit the grace the title to God they are our partnership of Christs Sonship his spirit his grace his Covenant-right to God Rom. 8.17 And if children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together Gal. 4.6 And because ye are sons God hath sent out the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Joh. 1.14 16 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace Or 2. Whether they be things re-stipulated by us to God as conditions of the Covenant or as duties of the confederate people upon every condition and duty of the Covenant Christ is ingraven the faith accepting Covenant-grace and blessings is the faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 The holiness and worthy walking whereunto we are called is that same thing whereunto we are chosen and created in Christ Jesus Eph. 2.10 and 1.4 Vse 5. For commending Christ to you 1. See the necessity of receiving Christ and of being in him without which we can have no right to the Covenant nor to any thing contained in it he is given for a Covenant if it were possible for you to receive all that is in the Gospel-offers and not to receive Christ all these things without him could not change your Covenant-state Eph. 2.12 If you continue without Christ you are still without the Covenant therefore is that expression so frequently used to denote one in Covenant with God they that are in Christ Rom. 8.1 2 Cor. 12.2 2. Learn the way how the confederate people should come to God it is not enough that we should come to God and bring Christ with us as a third person but we must also come to God as being in Christ as being one with him Joh. 15.2 And this is to come to God through Christ Heb. 7.25 3. Be perswaded to take him who is given of God for a Covenant of the people make Christ your own and you make all the bargain your own for he is the Covenant of the people and he is all saith the Apostle Col. 3.11 And whoso findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord saith he himself Prov. 8.35 We beseech you receive the gift which draweth all the Covenant along with it Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name If you ask When do we receive Christ 1. When we receive the very bonds of the word and that which doth most cross our corruption and straiten the loosness and liberty of our flesh 1 Thess 1.6 And ye became followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much affliction with joy of the holy Ghost 2 Cor. 10.4 5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2. When we imbrace and kiss the promises that is when we love them dearly and welcome them kindly for the good that is in them for the things which they carry forth unto us Heb. 11.13 These all died in faith not having received the promises but having seen them afar off and were perswaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth So did those Worthies who obtained a good report through faith verso 390 3. When we find and receive something sweeter and better in the promises than salvation even Christ himself Song 5.16 His mouth is most sweet yea he is altogether lovely This is my beloved and this is my friend O daughters of Jerusalem A temporary may receive the word with joy and the promises of
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 Suretiship made with Christ and 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 LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 1677. TO THE READER THE two only things that should induce any one to give his Testimony and Recommendation unto Discourses that are published for publick use are the importance of the Argument treated on and the useful judicious handling of it in those Discourses Whatever else may be or usually is spoken unto on such occasions is a diversion from what ought to be intended and what is expected by all them who give such Prefaces the perusal But both these in the ensuing Discourses seem to be such and so stated as to render any Recommendation of mine in this way needless and superfluous For the Argument treated of being the Covenants of God with Christ the Mediator and with the Church in him there are none who have any acquaintance with Christian Religion or care of their own Souls but must and will acknowledg it to be of the greatest weight in it self and highest concernment unto them For the Doctrine hereof or the truth herein is the very Center wherein all the lines concerning the Grace of God and our own duty do meet wherein the whole of Religion doth consist Hence unto the understanding Notions and Conceptions that men have of these Covenants of God and according as the Doctrine of them is stated in their minds their Conceptions of all other sacred Truths or Doctrines are conformed And therefore as they who have right apprehensions and a true understanding of these things cannot in the use of diligence and the means appointed thereunto lightly mistake the Truth in any other point of weight in the whole compass of Religion so those who unhappily fall under misapprehension about them do generally either fluctuate in their own minds about all other Evangelical Truths or do corrupt and pervert the whole Doctrine concerning them And hereon also depends the regulation of all our intire Christian practise or Obedience as all will acknowledg who have any knowledg of these things It seems therefore altogether needless that there should be any new Recommendation of the subject-matter of the ensuing Discourses unto those who seriously mind their own Spiritual and Eternal concerns and as unto others it is to no purpose to declare the worth and nature of such Pearls unto them As for the manner of the Declaration or handling of these sacred Truths in the ensuing Discourses the known Abilities Piety Learning and Judgment of this Author with that leasure he had to add his last thoughts and considerations unto them are sufficient to give the Sober Reader an expectation of as much satisfaction as he is like to meet withal in endeavours of this nature I cannot therefore but judg that there is little need of this Attestation which I am desired to give unto this excellent and useful Treatise Howbeit that I may not seem wholly to condemn my self in what I do I must acknowledg that there were some reasons which induced me to comply with the desire of the worthy Publisher of it My long Christian acquaintance and friendship with the Author made me not unwilling to testifie my Respects unto him and his Labours in the Church of God now he is at Rest for whom I had so great an esteem whilst he was alive And whereas the whole Design and end of my self as unto others is to promote the knowledg of the truths of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the practise of them I knew not but that with some at least this occasional word might one way or other conduce unto that end I shall therefore briefly and plainly give an account of my thoughts concerning this Discourse which I have with some diligence and great satisfaction perused Very many learned and godly persons have laboured in the same subject unto the edification of the Church I intend them only who agreeing in the truth as to the substance of it may yet differ in some conceptions about it or the way of Explanation of it For it is not unuseful that the same truth especially that which is of so great importance as is what concerneth the Covenant be variously handled by many according unto the measure of the gift of Christ which they have received so whereas we know all but in part if we have as we ought to have a continual sense of the imperfection of our knowledg none ought to be offended if they meet with some difference in Conceptions and Expositions about things of lesser moment among those who agree in the substance of what they do propose Perfect Harmony and Vniversal Agreement in all things is the priviledg only of the sacred Writers who were Divinely inspired But from the first day that the management of Religion was in the Providence of God entrusted with them who had not an infallible Guidance there is an apparent evidence of such differences as those we speak of amongst them all even the best and wisest of them We may therefore allow them all their just Commendation who have laboured diligently in the investigation of the Truth although some of them have not escaped various mistakes about it Nor is it spoken with any reflection on the endeavours of others who have written on this subject when I do freely declare my judgment That for Order Method Perspicuity in treating and solidity of Argument the ensuing Discourse exceedeth whatsoever single Treatise I have seen written with the same design as it also is entirely compliant with the Doctrine of the Gospel in what is assented in it Three things may be expected in discourses of this nature or however the subject requires that they may be attended unto 1. A diligent declaration of the Truth in and from its proper principles with a solid confirmation thereof 2. A practical improvement of the Truth so declared and demonstrated 3. A vindication of it from direct opposition against it or the corruption of it by a mixture of false notions and apprehensions about it especially such as wherein Christian Practise is nearly concerned Each of these the Reverend and Learned Author of the ensuing Discourse had an especial regard unto and how he hath discharged himself in them all will quickly appear unto every judicious and attentive Reader I am sure I shall not offend in wishing that others may find the same satisfaction in their perusal as I
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 â—b Covenant p. â— 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
shall be satisfied c. but more particularly his reward and wages which was all his own asking comprised these three things which speaks these particulars to have been much upon his heart and in his design 1. That he should have a seed and a people that for all his labour he might have a redeemed people when he had his reward and satisfaction at his own asking he made the redeemed ones his end his asking his satisfaction this was the result of his transcendent love that he might be Immunuel God with us that he might enjoy his poor worthless people Isa 53.10 11 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his Soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord-shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his Soul and shall be satisfied 2. That he might have a Crown to himself I mean a peculiar glory of being Lord Mediator and Redeemer and of working this great work and this he had in Heaven before the foundation of the world even since the eternal designation and destination of him unto this work for thenceforward he was the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 And was set up from everlasting Prov. 8.23 and was glorified with the Father not only with the essential glory that is common to all the three persons which was obscured in his humiliation for the work of Redemption but also with a peculiar glory as Lord Mediator which he had with him before the world began Joh. 17.5 and this glory he shall have in Heaven throughout eternity even after the last Judgment there shall be in Heaven a peculiar throne and glory following and a peculiar song to the Lamb whereof read Rev. 22.3 and 7.10 17. and 5.9 3. That he might have a crown and throne for each of these redeemed ones whom he took for a satisfaction to his Soul their crown and throne and robes was part of the reward and wages that he wrought for and asked of his Father Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me And 14.3 I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Rev. 3.21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit in my throne with me even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne 7. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt the parties what should be the mutual assurances given betwixt the parties for the performance of the Articles agreed upon There needed no Solemnities betwixt parties who knew one another and trusted one another so perfectly but for our sakes that we might be helped to conceive of this eternal inviolable transaction Therefore upon the one part 1. Jehovah giveth his word and faithful promise unto Christ Psal 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord and not his faithful promise only but his oath also Psal 89.35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David Heb. 7.21 For those priests were made without an oath but this with an oath by him that said unto him The Lord swore and will not repent Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedee 2. Upon the other part Christ does not only give his word of promise and consent to do this work Psal 40.6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offering and sin-offering hast thou not required c. But he also comes under a Judicial and Law-act of Suretiship whereby he did from eternity act himself in the volume of the book of God's eternal Records that he would fulfil all his undertaking Heb. 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 And under this act of Suretiship I comprehend 1. His eternal consent to take our Nature and Law-condition upon him 2. His plighting of his faith and truth to act our part and to answer the Law and Demands of Justice in our Law-place and condition 3. His eternal agreement that by his own consent a Judicial act should be put upon him and stand in record for ever in Heaven and in the volume of books that are there that this person had voluntarily undertaken and promised by striking hands with Jehovah to answer all demands of Law and Justice against his elect people Having offered the before-mentioned sum of the Articles concluded and agreed upon the Covenant of Redemption betwixt Jehovah and Christ I come in the next place to distribute and divide that sum and the things comprised under it into the reciprocal and mutual engagements of the parties covenanting to wit 1. What were the commands and conditions laid upon Christ and voluntarily yielded unto by him in the Covenant of Redemption 2. What the promises and engagements that were given to Christ by the same Covenant And 1. Concerning the commands conditions and engagements which were required of Christ Mediator by the Covenant of Suretiship I shall in these eight Assertions open the nature of them and what they were Assert 1. All the commands of the Covenant of Redemption are conditions and are to be considered as such when they are laid upon Christ who came not under commands but upon terms and conditions It is not so in God's Covenant-dealings with us all the commands of the Gospel are not to us conditions of righteousness and life unless we understand conditions in a very large and improper sense neither is it of the essence of commands laid upon us to be conditions for God oweth nothing to our obedience nor is he obliged to make any promises to it but the commands of the Covenant of Redemption are all of them conditions of that same Covenant For 1. They are commands to the obedience whereof promises are made Isa 53.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors 2. They are commands unto which Christ yielded upon terms Phil. 2.7 8 But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross therefore God hath highly exalted him Assert 2. All the conditions of the Covenant of Redemption both these more general of obeying the Law and fulfilling all righteousness Mat. 3.15 For thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteausness
and glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed 5. The promise of glory a peculiar glory in heaven throughout eternity to the Lord Mediator and Redeemer to the Lamb that was slain who wrought this great and glorious work of our Redemption this glory he craveth as his wages Joh. 17.4 5 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self This glory he eyed when he was at hard labour about the work Isa 49.4 5 Surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God Though Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength Heb. 12.2 Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross This glory was promised to him Zech. 6.13 He shall build the temple of the Lord and he shall bear the glory Isa 22.24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his Father's house this glory is actually payed to him in heaven where the Lamb has a throne Rev. 22.3 But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it And 7.17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them where there is a new Song sung unto the Lamb Rev. 5.9 10 And they sung a new Song saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests and we shall reign on the earth Yea and a crown and glory for his redeemed seed was part of the reward promised to him and for which he wrought Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom 2 Pet. 5.4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory The seventh kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ were these that relate to interest I mean the new contracted interests Covenant-interests that were promised to him as part of this agreement betwixt Jehovah and Christ Mediator out of which did spring all the new Covenant-interests and relations that we have to God And such were 1. The interest in God as his God by Covenant for to him was the great Mother promise of the Covenant made I will be his God Psal 80.26 He shall cry to me thou art my God This interest is bound up with him in the Covenant of Suretiship 2. The interest in God as his Father by Covenant to Christ was promised and with him was bound up a new Sonship and Covenant-title to God as his Covenanted Father Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me thou art my Father Heb. 1.5 I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son and these Covenant-relations and interests and the compellations arising from them we find Christ own and acknowledg Joh. 20.17 I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and to your God Hence he calleth us brethren children of the same Father who have one Covenant-relation with him to the same God Hell 2.12 I will declare thy name unto my brethren hence God is called the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1. 3. The interest of Saviourship for to the man Christ 't is promissed that Jehovah shall be the rock of his Salvation Psal 89.26 he shall cry to me Thou art my God and the rock of my Salvation hence he cryed Father save me from this hour Joh. 12.27 Jehovah was a Saviour to the man Christ from the things that he suffered as our surety he saveth the head and body therefore it is said Heb. 5.7 that he cryed to him that was able to save him from death 4. The interest of headship when Christ was given to be head of his body the Church he took upon him the man Christ the Mediator took upon him a new relation to God as his head which is founded and bound up in the Covevenant of Suretiship by which this comely order was established that Christ should be a head to his Church and God should be a head to the man Christ In this respect it is said that Christ is God's 1 Cor. 3.23 and how As ye are Christs and all things are yours that is in a subordination to do service 1 Cor. 11.3 and the head of Christ is God the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ must be the head of Christ a head by union to which Christ is united by bonds of union not natural only but foederal Joh. 10.30 I and my father are one Joh. 1.1 And the word was with God a head by influence of Spirit and Grace to the man Christ who liveth by the Father Joh. 6.57 As the living father hath sent me and I live by the father a head by way of order who is over Christ Mediator and to whom the man Christ is subject 1 Cor. 15.28 Then shall the Son also himself be subject to him that put all things under him 5. The interest of hearing Prayer Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me this is bound up among the Covenant-interests which he took upon him by his Suretiship and by this relation when Christ should humble himself to pray Jehovah promiseth to hear him and he hath hearing by Covenant as his seed also have it Isa 49.8 In an acceptable time have I heard thee Joh. 11.41 42 Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me And I knew that thou hearest me always Heb. 5.7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared These and the like interests and relations were covenanted to Christ and out of these Covenant-interests engaged unto him did our Covenant-relations spring The last kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ were these which relate to the whole design and intent of his Suretiship And the great and publick effects which it should produce in the whole frame of the creation for the elect redeemed peoples sake And such were 1. The promise of delivery of the whole creation from bondage and vanity unto which it was made subject for man's Sin and whereof the whole world is sick like a woman travelling in birth Rom. 8.20 21 22 For the creature was made subject unto vanity not willingly but by reason of him that hath subjected the same in hope Because the creature it self also shall be delivered from
the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travelleth in pain together until now 2. The promise of restoring all things to their primitive perfection all things were broken defaced and marred by man's sin insomuch that the beauty of them all is gone and nothing remains upon these inferiour creatures but the old ruines of glory but there shall come a time of the restitution of all things Act. 3.21 and who shall do this Christ mends and makes all things new again by his Surety-covenant that were broken by the rupture of the Covenant of works Rev. 21.15 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea And he that sate upon the throne said behold I make all things new 2 Pet. 3.13 Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 3. The promise of restoring the broken league that was betwixt man and the rest of the creatures in their original condition when all obeyed Adam and were dependers upon him after the violation of which there was continual war and jarring betwixt man and the rest of the creatures sin did make a breach in the whole creation when man sinned all the creatures became enemies to him and one to another but now in Christ all the creatures are reconciled 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 Hos 2.18 And in that day will I make a Covenant for them with the beast of the field and with the fowls of heaven and with the creeping things of the ground and I will break the bow and the sword and the battel out of the earth and I will make them to lye down safely By Christ's Suretiship and the Covenant-promises through him the creatures are brought in a new league with man Job 5.23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee Psal 121.6 The Sun shall not smite thee by day nor the Moon by night 4. The promise of removing the Law-curse out of all dispensations and writing the Gospel-blessing upon them that all and every of them may be blessings in Christ to his Redeemed people Deut. 28.4 5 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy ground and the fruit of thy cattel and the encrease of thy kine blessed shall be thy basket and thy store that even the rods and chastisements which are curses of the Law to the wicked Deut. 28.15 16 But it shall come to pass if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to do all his commandments and statutes which I command thee this day that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee Cursed shalt thou be in the city and cursed shalt thou be in the field c. should be covenanted-mercies and written in the book of the Covenant of Grace to God's elect people Psal 89.30 31 33 If his children forsake my Law and walk not in my judgments If they break my statutes and keep not my commandments then will I visit their iniquity with the rod. Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Heb. 12.6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth 5. The promise of establishing and setling all things that were set a reeling by the breach of the Covenant of works it is promised that Christ shall be the repairer it is he that establishes the earth so that the creatures that are for man's use are not destroved for Justice did require as speedy vengeance upon men as it did upon the Angels and the Sentence had been executed immediately had not the Covenant of Suretiship prevented it and in this respect the very reprobate have some temporal advantage by way of Concomitancy and for the elects sake Isa 49.8 Thus saith the Lord in an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of Salvation have I helped thee Col. 1.17 And by him all things consist Heb. 1.3 Vpholding all things by the word of his power All these and promises of like nature were made to Christ the first heir whom God appointed heir of all things Heb. 1.2 and for his sake they redounded unto them who shall be heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 and it is upon this very account that the whole Creation are commanded to sing because Christ the restorer of all things is come to the throne Psal 96.11 12 13 Let the heavens rejoyce and let the earth be glad let the sea roar and the fulness thereof Let the field be joyful and all that is therein then shall all the trees of the wood rejoyce before the Lord for he cometh for he cometh to judg the earth he shall judg the world with righteousness and the people with his truth And 98.7 8 9 Let the sea roar and the fulness thereof the world and they that dwell therein Let the floods clap their hands let the hills be joyful together before the Lord for he cometh to judg tht earth with righteousness shall he judg the world and the people with equity 6. The promise of the respecitive eminent change of the Government from the sole essential Government of Jehovah to the dispensatory Government of the Mediator Joh. 5.22 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet for supposing that the Covenant of works shall be broken the world cannot now any more be ruled according to the rules of that Covenant to wit by God the Father immediately for then he must destroy man therefore together with the change of the Covenant there must needs be a change of the Government Christ as Mediator must govern the world Isa 9.6 The government shall be upon his shoulder and he must judg the world in our nature Act. 17.31 The man whom God hath appointed and he reigns not only over the Church but also though in a far different way over all the Kingdoms of the world and all things in the world for the Churches sake Eph. 1.21 22 Far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Heb. 2.5 7.8 For unto the Angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come whereof we speak Thou madest him a little lower than the Angels and thou crownedst him with glory and honour
and with them only See Psal 89.3 I have made a Covenant with my chosen 2 Thess 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth 5. These Covenants of Redemption and Reconciliation agree in this that the principal ends of both are the same which were 1. The highest manifestation of all the Lords glorious attributes which were so manifested in Christ as they were never known before whereof in its proper place this was one of the principal ends which the Lord had before him both in the Covenant of Redemption and the Covenant of Reconciliation Eph. 3.9 10 11 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2. The highest and nearest union of man with God was one of the Lords ends in both these Covenants to make up such an union betwixt God and Man as might be a ground and foundation of sutable communion Joh. 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my father and you in me and I in you 1 Cor. 6.17 But he that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit 3. Another principal end which God had before him in his Covenant-dealings was the highest and fullest communication of himself to man this end was proposed in both these Covenants of Redemption and Reconciliation God would dispense nothing of himself unto the creatures but by his Son and through his Covenant with him and with us he purposed to communicate himself to us 1 Joh. 5.11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son And 1.3 And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 6. The Covenant of Suretiship made with Christ and the Covenant of Redemption and Grace made with sinners agree in this That the good and advantage of both these Covenants redounded unto us even as the honour of both accrues unto the Lord who after the opening of this subject of his Covenant-dealings with Christ and through him with us Isa 42.1 to 8 immediately subjoyns I am the Lord that is my name and my glory I will not give to another both these Covenants were transacted to the praise of the glory of his grace Eph. 1.6 But the profit and advantage of both is ours not his and if these words Psal 16.2 3 My goodness extendeth not unto thee but to the Saints that are in the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight be the words of Christ or relating to Covenant-transactions betwixt Jehovah and Christ as most part of that Psalm is Jâ— Coce Dâ— soed c. p. p. 106. and some Expositors apply it and I do not see why it may not more fitly be applied to Christ than to David I say if these words be Christ's they speak the point in hand fully Besides see Rom. 5.15 The grace of God and the gift by grace which is by one man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many 2 Cor. 4.15 For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God 7. They agree in this That there is exchange of places betwixt Christ and his elect redeemed seed in both these Covenants In the Covenant of Suretiship he taketh our Law-place and room and putteth himself in the sinners stead as hath been said Heb. 10.7 Lo I come to do thy will And again in the Covenant of Reconciliation we take Christ's Law-place or rather have bestowed upon us that place and room with God which the Law allowed to him that obeyeth the Law and satisfieth the Law to the full Hence 't is said that we are made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 This is our place by the Covenant of Reconciliation to have that high righteousness of our Surety unto which the God-head gave excellency and the righteousness of the Law is said to be fulfilled in us Rom. 8.4 to wit the passive righteousness thereof in suffering for the breach of the Law and how was this only by commutation and exchange of places with Christ our Surety who put himself in our place and put us in his 8. The Covenant of Redemption and the Covenant of Reconciliation agree in many properties both these Covenants are free gracious everlasting ordered in all things sure c. as may fully appear by what is already spoken of the properties of the Covenant of Suretiship and by the second part of this Treatise which relates to the properties of the Covenant of Grace 2. In the next place let us take notice of the difference between the Covenants of Redemption and Reconciliation whereby it may appear that these are two Covenants and not one and the same These Covenants differ 1. In the rise although they agree thus far in the rise See Mr. Rutherf Treat of the Covenant p. 2. c. 8. that both these Covenants had the rise from Grace as I have shewed yet they differ in this that the Covenant of Redemption and Suretiship did spring out of Grace in both the parties for therein did the Grace of Jehovah and the Grace of Jesus Christ appear it was the gracious pleasure and good will of both the parties which equally gave it the first rise But the Grace that giveth the rise to the Covenant of Reconciliation is not shared between the parties but it stands all upon one side Grace in God and in our Lord Jesus Christ without any gracious disposition or qualification upon our part till it be wrought in us by the Grace of Christ giveth the first rise to the Covenant of Reconciliation and Grace made with sinners Tit. 2.11 For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all men 1 Joh. 4.10 19 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins We love him because he first loved us Rom. 5.6 8 For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for us But God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us 2. These Covenants differ in the property of eternity for although both are everlasting Covenants yet both are not eternal The Covenant of Redemption is eternal for the Lord does not begin in time to design Christ a Surety and Mediator nor does the Son begin in time to be a Consenter but we are to understand the Apostles saying he was made surety Heb. 7.22 by Christ's own saying I was set up from everlasting c. Prov. 8.23 1 Pet. 1.20 Who verily was
die But in the Mediator we see Gods face and know him savingly Joh. 17.3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent 2 Cor. 4.6 To give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2. Without Christ the Mediator there could be no union betwixt God and man the distance was so great that the parties could not come near to one another Eph. 2.13 But now in Chrisi Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ 3. Without the Mediator there could not have been any communion with God union is the foundation of communion without Christ the Creature should everlastingly have lost the fruition of God Without Christ and without God go together Eph. 2.12 4. Without the Mediator we could never had any conformity with God we lost the Image of God but could never have regained it but in Christ it is restored more excellently 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 even as by the spirit of the Lord. In a word without a Mediator no part of mans spiritual or everlasting good should have been brought to pass forasmuch as all the good which God had from eternity decreed to do to man was decreed to come to him in and through a Mediator hence we are said to be chosen and ordained unto adoption holiness obedience perseverance c. in and through him Eph. 1.3 4 5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiriritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ According as he hath chosen us in him 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 to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 1 Pet. 1.2 Through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ But by establishing the Covenant in the hands of a Mediator mans good is advanced For 1. There is a foundation laid of a higher happiness to be recovered in Christ than was lost in Adam for there is much more of God manifested and revealed in Jesus Christ than was in the creation for now we may behold his face as in a glass 2 Cor. 3.18 throughout Christ who is the brightness of his Fathers glory Heb. 1.3 Therefore this is a better Covenant which hath better promises in it laid to our hand in a Mediator Heb. 8.6 2. Not only a higher happiness and a better Covenant in that respect but also through the Mediator there is a foundation laid of a better security for that happiness a surer Covenant and standing in it than was before a Covenant that cannot be disannulled as was the first this being established and ordained in the hands of a Mediator Gal. 3.15 17 19. 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 laws in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people Chap. 33. v. 20 21. A happiness that cannot be forefaulted Psal 89.33 34 35. 3. Through the establishing of this Covenant in the hands of a Mediator there is strength and height of confidence and consolation answerable to the security granted and the solid grounds of confidence and comfort that are laid in this Covenant the sum whereof is That all shall go well notwithstanding all things in us that speak the contrary because there is a Mediator in this Covenant 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 for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world 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 Chap. 2. v. 17 That he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people And truly if there had not been a Mediator in the Covenant of grace in whose hand it was ordained through whom it is established with us it had been as weak ineffectual and unprofitable to give righteousness and life as the first Covenant proved Vse 1. The necessity of a Mediator in this Covenant cleareth one of the main differences betwixt the Covenant of Grace and the first Covenant which was of Works wherein there was no Mediator nor need of a Mediator the parties being friends and in fitness to deal immediately Vse 2. From the necessity of a Mediator in this Covenant be convinced of your need of a Mediator 1. Let natural men be convinced of this you have none to deal for you you must stand or fall by your own righteousness without any mending of it you must do for your selves or be undone for there is no Mediator of that Covenant under which you stand you must do so or of necessity come to Christ the Mediator that you may partake in a better Covenant 2. Let believers be convinced of this It is not natural men only that need a Mediator to make their peace and to change their Covenant-state but you also need a Mediator 1. At all times before and after justification Rom. 5.6 10 For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life In making your peace and maintaining it before and in and after your conversion you will need a Mediator till you be in over the threshold of glory till you have put off the body of sin Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the father which sent me draw him Song 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee Luk. 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not 2. To all intents and purposes as well relating to your Covenant-state as to your duties not only for your persons to make your peace but also for your performances to procure their acceptance Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ 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 3. In all things pertaining to God whatsoever you have to do if it be a thing that relates to God Heb. 2.17 That he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God
to make reconciliation for the sins of the people If you have any direction to receive from God if you have any blessing to receive you need a Mediator to procure it to you and to receive it for you If you have any service to offer to God any duty to perform you need a Mediator both to afford you strength to perform it and to offer it to God for you if you have any evil to deprecate you need a Mediator to avert it whether it be for sins before or after conversion 1. In all cases not only in thy deadness and indispositions for duties but when thy heart is in best frame thy tenderness and good frame cannot mediate for thee Dan. 9.3 17 And I set my face unto the Lord God to seek by prayers and supplications with fasting and sack-cloath and ashes Now therefore O our God hear the prayer of thy servant and his supplications and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate for the Lords sake Isa 38.3 14 And Hezekiah wept sore Like a Crane or a 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 Not only when thou art at distance with God and canst not find access but when thou art nearest to him and admitted to his presence to speak before his throne then thou needest a Mediator not only for establishing thee in that good condition but for covering the evil of thy best condition Isa 64.6 But we are all as an unclean thing and our righteousnesses are as filthy rags Chap. 6. v. 5 Then said I Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the king the Lord of Hosts Vse 3. Study to carry as becometh those who need a Mediator and for this end take these directions 1. Take care to beat down self-confidence and self adoration even of every thing in you that is not Christ his gifts and graces and assistances not excepted put not a created grace in Christs room be not lifted up with these nor led away from the Mediator by them Phil. 3. â— 4 For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Though I might also have confidence in the flesh if any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh I more 2. When duties go well and a good frame of spirit is enjoyed watch that your hearts lay not the weight of your acceptation upon these things but that you keep them especially within sight of Christs Mediation as the ground of your confidence Phil. 3.7 But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ 3. Let your employing of him be as large as the extent of his mediation reaches to and that is to all things pertaining to God Heb. 2.17 Shut him not out of his office in any thing that is a matter betwixt God and you think not to put him to drudg at your burdens and to slight him in other things he will not be so dealt with 4. Let us beware of tempting Christ of grieving the Mediator if you carry about with you the fresh conviction of your need of him you will be very tender and wary of tempting him and sinning against him 1 Cor. 10.9 Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of Serpents CHAP. IX Of the Person who is Mediator and of the great discoveries of God which are made to us in and through Christ IN the next place I shall speak something of the Mediators Person or of the Person who is Mediator and his fitness and qualification for this work When the person is known his fitness for the Mediatorship will appear for it is namely in order to that end that we speak here of the Person who is Mediator that his compleat qualifications for that Office and the discoveries which are made of God to us through him may be known And 1. Before we speak of the Mediators Office let us consider the Person who is Mediator of the new Covenant Jesus Christ Heb. 12.24 Chap. 8.6 1 Tim. 2.5 Chap. 3.17 Jesus Christ Mediator carries three Names which relate to three great discoveries and manifestations of God that are made to us in him 1. As he manifests the will of God he is called the word of God Rev. 19.13 2. As he manifests the nature and essence of God he is called the brightness of his glory Heb. 1.3 3. As he manifests the persons of the Godhead he is called the express Image of his Person I do not say these names relate only to these discoveries but mainly 1. The Person who is Mediator of the Covenant of grace is he whose name is called the word of God Rev. 19.13 and that both in relation to Creation and Redemption 1. He is the word by whom all things were made Eph. 3.9 Who hath creatred all things by Jesus Christ Heb. 1.2 By whom also he made the worlds Psal 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth 2. He is the word in relation to the revealing all the will of God he is medium revelationis as well as reconciliationis There is a new discovery of God after the fâ—ll it s a discovery of him in Christ and this is a mystery which the Angels dive into with stupendious endeavours 1 Pet. 1.12 Which things the angels desire to look into Christ is the word of God that reveals this mystery Mal. 11.27 Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him 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 3. He is the word of God in relation to the fulfilling all the word of God and accomplishing his will especially that which relateth to himself this Name is given him in the time of the seventh Trumpet Rev. 11.15 with 19.13 When all the promises and threatnings are to be fulfilled then he shall be acknowledged to be the word of God The ordering of all things according to the word of God and the accomplishment of all his will since the fall is committed to the administration of Christ Mediator Joh. 5.22 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 It was Christ that brought the flood upon the world it was he that went down to Sodom and destroyed it 2 Pet. 2.5 6 Jehovah did it Gen. 7. and 21. The same name is given to Christ It was Christ the Angel of the Covenant that appeared in the Bush and delivered his people out
humane Nature of Christ 1. It was Created-grace wherewith he was anointed it was grace given upon the one part and received upon the other it was grace-poured out and infused in the same manner as believers receive grace Psal 68.18 Thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord might dwell among them Psal 45.2 7 Grace is poured into thy lips therefore hath God blessed thee for ever Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness therefore God thy God hath anointed thee with oyl of gladness above thy fellows 2. It was grace which being finite did receive encrease Luk. 2.40 52 And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him And Jesus encreased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man as all his members do Eph. 4.13 Till all we come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ 3. It must needs be of the same kind seeing our grace and Unction is part of his fulness Joh. 1.16 And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace 1 Joh. 2.20 27 But ye have an unction from the holy one But the anointing which you have received of him abideth in you Yet so as Christ is not degraded from his Soveraignty by his partners exaltation Col. 1.18 And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the preheminence 2. Concerning the measure of Christs Unction although his Unction differ not in kind from the Unction of believers yet the measure of it so far exceeds our measure that in respect thereof it is without measure and yet the humane Nature of Christ had not infinite grace for thereof it was not capable it is as the Ocean compared with the drop of a Bucket the spirit and grace was in him as water in the Fountain in us as water in the Cistern communication in regard of Christ is full and immediate grace is in him as the money in the treasure which is disbursed to us according to our need grace is in him as life and sense is eminently in the heart and head which is diffused into his members Joh. 5.26 For as the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself Chap. 6. v. 57 As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me even he shall live by me Psal 45.2 7 Thou art fairer than the children of men grace is poured into thy lips God thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows Col. 1.18 And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the preheminence 3. Concerning the time of Christs Unction whether he received the spirit without measure in that copious abundant effusion from the womb and first moment of his conception We say he was anointed even from the first union of his two Natures in his person the Godhead did sanctifie the huname Nature and make it holy undefiled and infused all graces as appears from Luk. 1.35 Therfore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Heb. 7.26 For such an High-priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners and made higher than the heaven And from the glorious effects thereof which did early appear in him Luk. 2.42 to 49. Yet so as he did more fully receive the anointing and the spirit without measure when he was to appear publickly in the entire executing of his Offices which was about the thirtieth year of his age Luk. 3.23 with 4.1 22 And Jesus being full of the Holy-Ghost c. And all bare him witness and wondred at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth Which was typified in Davids being twice anointed once when he was first designed King 1 Sam. 16.13 And again when he was invested in the presence of the people 2 Sam. 2.4 Which was also held forth in the visible sign of the Holy-Ghost his descending upon him at his baptism Mat. 3.16 And was intimated to John before-hand Joh. 1.33 34 And I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water the same said unto me Vpon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending and remaining on him the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy-Ghost And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God i.e. That he who as man should receive the spirit should also as God yea as Mediator give the spirit to others 4. Concerning the extent of his Unction as it reacheth unto all the parts of his Mediatorship and the furnishing him for them 1. He was anointed to be a Prophet furnished with a dexterity to preach the Gospel Luk. 4.18 19 22 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty them that are bruised to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And all bare him witness and wondred at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth Isa 50.4 The Lord hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary Mat. 7.28 29 And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings the people were astonished at his doctrine For he taught them as one having authority and not as the Scribes Joh. 6.63 The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life Yea he was not only furnished with a spirit for that calling but also for prompting others and fitting them for it Eph. 4.8 11 And gave gifts unto men And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and some Teachers 2. He was anointed not only called but furnished for his Priestly Office for both the parts thereof furnished by the Spirit wherewith he was anointed both for offering his Sacrifice and for making his intercession Heb. 9.14 Who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God Chap. 5. v. 7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears c. 3. He was anointed and furnished for his Kingly Office with a spirit and gifts for Government for conquering his enemies and for ruling his people Psal 45.3 4 5 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most Mighty with thy glory and thy Majesty And in thy Majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things Thine arrows are
his Legacy things pertaining to such persons c. Isa 42.1 53.10 Joh. 6.37 Joh. 17 throughout I proceed now to the third relation which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of Grace he is the Witness of the Covenant Isa 55.4 Behold I have given him for a witness to the people Rev. 3.14 These thing saith the Amen the faithful and true witness Rev. 1.5 And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness Christ may be considered as the witness of the Covenant in a double respect 1. He is the Witness witnessed 2. He is the Witness witnessing The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ghned is rendred and doth frequently signifie Testimonium as well as Testis and so the LXX render it Isa 55.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is the Testimonium and the Testis the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 see Rev. 3.14 Write these things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness with 1 Tim. 2.6 Who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time First I say Christ is the Witness witnessed or the great evidence and testimony of the Covenant betwixt God and his people and in this sense a Witness is used frequently in the Scripture to signifie not only a person that beareth testimony but for any thing that doth evidence as a witness Heb. 11.4 By which he obtained witness that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts Luk. 22.71 And they said what need we any further witness for we our selves have heard of his own mouth For First He is given of God as the great evidence of Covenant-love and of that special good-will to sinners which gave the first rise to the Covenant Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Luk. 2.10 11 And the Angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. Secondly He is given as the great evidence of Covenant-interest and relations betwixt God and sinners as the sign and evidence that the disagreeing parties are made one in him Isa 7.14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel Thirdly As the great evidence and witness of Gods fulfilling all the promises of the Covenant 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are Yea and in him they are Amen therefore Christ was of old given as the sign of fulfilling all promises and accomplishing all deliveries to the Church before his coming in the flesh Zech. 6.12 and he shall build the temple of the Lord Isa 7.14 Fourthly As the great evidence and witness of the standing-perpetuity of these Covenant-relations betwixt God and his people Psal 89.34 35 37 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 lye unto David It shall be established for ever as the moon and as a faithful witness in heaven Selah Fifthly As the great evidence of the nature and complexion of the Covenant he is so given of God for a witness that all the Covenant is comprised in him Isa 42.6 And will give thee for a Covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles and therefore also when it was first revealed there was nothing heard of but this witness Christ in the promise of whom all the Covenant the union of God and man was simmed up Gen. 3.15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel If Christ be given to the people for a witness in this sense then 1. You who are under the Preaching of this Gospel qua faedus anunciatum consider the office of Christ and understand it as the great witness and evidence of Gods commanding and approving will that you should enter in Covenant with him and that you ought to believe on the Son of God and know for a certainty that if you obey not the command of believing and taking hold of this Covenant the offers of Christ that hath been made unto you shall be for a witness and evidence that shall acquit the Lord of your condemnation and shall cut off all excuse from you in as much as your Obligation and Duty to believe was revealed unto you and the offer of Christ is the witness of this to all the people who have heard the Gospel 1 Joh. 5.23 And this is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his son Jesus Christ Joh. 15.25 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin but now they have no cloak for their sin 2. To such as have the Covenant of grace acted in an effectual and powerful way upon their hearts according to Gods Decree and Will of purpose I mean such as have been brought under the bond of this Covenant upon their hearts Eze. 20.37 in which sense the Covenant is spoken of Jer. 31 and Ezek. 36 c. I would have you to understand Gods giving of Christ unto you as he doth intend it to wit as a witness and testimony of his Covenant with you as the greatest evidence and demonstration that can be of his Covenant-love to you of your Covenant-interest in him of the continuance of that Covenant-relation betwixt you and him and of the nature and substance of that Covenant you fearch for witnesses within you and from Heaven to testifie of your Covenant-state through grace you long for that which may evidence it satisfyingly unto you and it may be most of us sin more on the other hand through neglect of fearching after these witnesses which are attainable but it 's a pity that believers who have received Christ freely given to them by God should slight the greatest witness that ever God gave to his people a witness is at hand and you receive not the testimony thereof it may of this be said He that believeth on the son of God hath the witness in himself 1 Joh. 5.10 11 12. He hath Christ the great witness of the Covenant and who knows but we may be left of God to wander the more in the dark about our Covenant state because we lay so little weight upon the having of him whom God hath given for a witness to the people O let us not tempt God by slighting him thus but let us look upon the having of him given to us as the witness of all these things before-mentioned concerning a Covenant betwixt God and us he being given of God for this end so may we find the door and way which we grope for how to
not given A treasure of the mysteries of intelligence and secrets of correspondence about what is doing in Heaven and Earth Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Gen. 8.17 And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do A treasure of the mysteries of duty or of the approving commanding will of God in all cases Isa 8.20 To the law and to the testimony If they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Psal 119.9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word A treasure of the mysteries of dispensations whereby we may know the most unknown footsteps of providence in dark dispensations Psal 77.19 And thy footsteps are not known with Psal 73.17 Vntil I went unto the sanctuary of God then understood I their end A treasure of the mysteries of the secret Counsels and will of God as it 's acted upon the hearts of men Eph. 1.9 Having made known unto us the mysterie of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himself Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an Oath A treasure of mysterious paradoxes and seeming contradictions wherewith the Gospel-Covenant is filled 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 2. The mystery of Christ Eph. 3.4 Whereby when ye read you may understand my knowledg in the mystery of Christ Col. 2.2 To the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the father and of Christ There is a complication of mysteries in him he is all secrets which had never been known unless himself had witnessed and declared them the wisest nutural Politicians are stupid here 1 Cor. 2.8 Which none of the princes of this world knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory Hence it is that he is so often spoken of with a Behold There is a mysterie in his name all his names need an Interpreter need his own declaration and witnessing Jer. 23.6 And this is his name whereby he shall be called The Lord our righteousness Rev. 19.13 And his name is called the word of God Matt. 1.23 Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us There is a mysterie in his person a high mysterie in his natures the union of two natures in that blessed person 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the mysterie of godlyness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory A mysterie that cannot be throughly understood in this life There is a mysterie in his offices in his bearing them and in his exercising them Heb. 5.11 Of whom we have many things to say and hard to be uttered seeing ye are dull of hearing Heb. 8.1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum we have such an High-priest who is set on the right hand of of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens A mysterie in his union with his Church and his inhabitation in them which are referred to be throughly understood till the day when Christ shall come again Eph. 5.32 This is a great mysterie But I speak concerning Christ and the Church Col. 1.27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mysterie among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory Joh. 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my father and you in me and I in you 3. The mystery of the Gospel-righteousness and way of justifying and saving sinners This is the mystery upon which many wise learned men have stumbled because it hath not been revealed unto them by the witness of the Covenant Rom. 9.31 32 33 But Israel which followed after the law of righteousness hath not attained to the law of righteousness wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the law for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone as it is written behold I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and rock of offence and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed 1 Cor. 1.20 23 Where is the wise where is the scribe where is the disputer of this world hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness You may observe several great mystries concerning the Gospel-righteousnes There is 1. A mystery in the imputation of it to us what greater mystery than that a real Righteousness should come to us by the imputation of the righteousness of another 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2. There is a mystery in the instrument apprehending this righteousness I mean in Faith 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mystery of the faith Which is a mysterious hidden grace in the manner of its life and acting Col. 3.3 For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God 3. There is a mystery in the persons to whom it is imputed or rather in the imputation of it with reference to the persons unto whom it is imputed a passing by of the worthiest in the worlds acount and imputing it to the nothings of the earth Heb. 2.16 For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 1 Cor. 1.26 27 For ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty Which hath been matter of wonder unto many 2 Sam. 7.18 Then went King David in and sate before the Lord and he said Who am I O Lord God and what is my house that thou hast brought me hitherto All these and many things more concerning the Covenant had never been known if the Witness of the Covenant had not revealed them and testified of them Joh. 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world 4. Christ is the Witness of the Covenant who establisheth and confirmeth the truth of all that is contained in it Christ the true and faithful witness hath sworn it and testified all the Articles of the Covenant upon Oath Rev. 3.14 These
things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness 2 Cor. 1.20 For in him all the promises of God are Yea and in him they are Amen I say he is the Witness who hath established the Covenant by his testimony and that in two respects 1. He hath set his Seal to the Covenant and attested all that is in it Rev. 21.5 And he said unto me write for these words aro true and faithful Rev. 22.6 And he said unto me these sayings are faithful and true 2. He saith and sweareth that all things contained in the Covenant are true the true and faithful Witness of the Covenant testifieth these things and saith Amen to them all All that is contained in the Covenant may be summed up in Commands Promises Conditions Threatnings Predictions and Exceptions the truth of all which the witness of the Covenant hath testified and sworn 1. Commands this is the great command of the new Covenant That ye believe on the son of God 1 Joh. 3.23 Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth that that is the revealed will of God he hath said it and sworn that it is true nothing would please his father better Joh. 6.40 And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day The new Covenant commandeth that we be holy and that we love God and live to him who hath loved us and love one another c. 1 Pet. 1.16 Be ye holy for I am holy 2 Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Psal 31.23 O love the Lord all ye his Saints for the Lord preserveth the faithful Gal. 5.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word even in this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self And the Witness of the Covenant Christ testifieth that it is true indeed these things are the Will of God Mark 12.30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength this is the first commandment Joh. 13.34 A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another Mat. 5.48 Be ye therefore perfect even as your father which is in Heaven is perfect 2. Promises and Proposals of mercy and good things The Covenant proposeth and promiseth life to sinners through the death of Christ Rom. 4.15 Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification Rom. 3.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God Rom. 5.8 9 In that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us much more then being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him And Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth these things and saith that they are the true and faithful sayings of God Rev. 1.18 I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen and have the keys of Hell and of Death 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief Luk. 19.10 For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost The Covenant propoposeth and promiseth peace with God upon easie terms free-gifted righteousness perfect Holiness compleat Victory over all the adversaries of our happiness 2 Cor. 5.19 21. Rom. 3.21 to the 27. and 5.15 to 20. Ezek. 36.25 c. Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth these things he establisheth them all 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are Yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us He saith Amen to them all and sweareth that they are true Rev. 21.5 And he said unto me write for these words are true and faithful Rev. 22.6 And he said unto me these sayings are faithful and true Where the Witness of the Covenant setteth his Seal of Confirmation unto all that is promised in the Gospel-Covenant 3. These things which the new Covenant promiseth it promiseth upon Condition of Faith it promiseth them only to the believer Rom. 10.9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved 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 Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth that that is true if ye believe not ye shall never be the better of any thing proposed by the new Covenant and if ye believe ye shall Joh. 3.18.36 He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God He that believeth on the son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 11.40 Jesus saith unto her said I not unto thee that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God 4. There are also Threatnings annexed unto the Covenant denouncing wrath and the vengeance of the Gospel upon all unbelievers and wilful rejecters of the new Covenant 2 Thes 1.8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Chirst let him be Anathema Maranatha And denouncing woes and evil to the Hypocrite in heart to the backslider to the careless seeker of God to the barren fruitless professor Mat. 23.13 But wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites Rev. 2.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works or else I will come unto the quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent Rev. 3.16 So then because thou art luke-warm and neither cold nor hot I will spew thee out of my mouth Heb. 6.8 But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected and is nigh unto cursing whose end is to be burned Christ the Witness of the Covenant testifieth these things and affirmeth they are the true sayings of God as well as his promises Rev. 3.14 Write these things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness Joh. 3.18 But he that believeth not is condemned already Joh. 8.24 I said therefore unto you that ye shall die in your sins for
time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the futher he hath declared him Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Rom. 8.16 The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God â— He hath come and spoken and hath testified of things which concern our Covenant-state by his spirit and by his work in us and we have not heard nor taken notice that it was the Witness of the Covenant testifying the things that concern himself and his Kingdom Heb. 1.2 God hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things Heb. 3.1 Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and High-priest of our profession Christ Jesus Heb. 12.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they oscaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven Joh. 16.5 1 Joh. 5.6 8 c. 3. His Witness and testimony hath been heard and observably discerned and yet not received sometimes we have known that it was Christ speaking and that it could be no other and yet we have not received his restimony Joh. 21.12 And none of the Disciples durst ask him who art thou knowing that it was the Lord. Joh. 1 3â— He came unto his own and his own receive him not He doth sometimes speak and we will not believe that it is he Luk. 24.37 41 But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed thâ—â— they had seen a spirit And while they yet believed not for joy and wondred be said unto them have ye not here any meat 4. At other times we receive and believe his testimony and witnessing and by and by upon the smallest temptation to unbelief we fall a quarrelling and disputing with the testimony which we received and straight-way we reject it as a delusion Luk. 24.21 But we trusted that it had been be which should have redeemed Israel and besides all this to day is the third day since these things were done Vse 2. Consider what manner of Witness he is and what manner of witnessing his testimony is that you may lay weight upon whatsoever the witness of the Covenant saith Christ the witness of the Covenant may be commended in order to the weight and credit of his testimony from these properties of the Witness and the manner of his witnessing 1. He is an Eye-witness of the Covenant who was present and heard and sâ—w all the Covenant transacted yea he was an actor in it throughout as hath been said before this testimony he taketh to himself Prov. 8.22 to 32 And the same is given him also by such as were sent to witness of him Joh. 1.7 18 The same came for a witness to bear witness of the light that all men through him might believe no man hath seen God at any time The only begotten Son which is in the besome of the father he hath declared him 2. He is the true and-faithful witness Rev. 1.5 3.7 14 which cannot lye and is not capable of being byassed from the truth for any respect for he is the truth it self Joh. 14.10 3. He is a Witness above all exception there can be no exception laid against him yea all the great witnesses which God hath made use of in declaring this Gospel from the beginning do bear witness of him Act. 3.24 Yea and all the Prophets from Samuel and these that follow after at many as have spoken have likewise foretold of these days Act. 10.43 To him give all the prophets witness 4. His Witness is greater than the testimony of men 1 Joh. 5. â— If we receive the witness of men the witness of God is greater Not only in respect of the Authority of him who witnesseth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in respect of the weight and impression of his testimony For 1. His Witneâ—â— speaks to the heart 2. It ends the controversie there needs no further witnessing after he speaks Hos 2.14 Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness and speak comfortably into her Hebr. speak to her heart Mat. â— 8 The centurion answered and said Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof but speak the word only and my servant shall be healed 5. Of all these various things which he hath witnessed from the beginning of the world until now there hath not failed one word neither of one kind nor another Jos 21.45 23.14 15. with Isa 63.9 Act. 7.30 1 Cor. 10.9 1 Kings 8.15 24 56 Isa 38.15 Luk. 24.44 Rom. 22.6 And he said unto me These sayings are faithful and true And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his â—ingâ—t to shew unto his seâ—uants the things which must shortly be done Zech. 1.5 6. Your fathers where are they and the prophets do they live for ever but my words and my statutes which I commanded my servants the prophets did they not take hold of your fathers And they returned and said Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us according to our ways and according to our doings so hath he dealt with us Vse 3. Be exhorted to receive him under this Covenant-relation as he is given of God for a Witness to the people Under this I comprehend these particulars 1. If you would make use of Christ as the Witness of the Covenant then in all matters doubtful appeal to his testimony for decision if you have any doubt about any matter of saith or salvation about any duty about any thing pertaining to God or unto your own Covenant state and interest in him make his testimony and witness your Judg in that matter go familiarly and boldly to him that he may determine the question and resolve your doubt Isa 8.20 To the law and to the testimony 2 Pet. 1.9 We have also a more sure word of prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts As his Disciples did upon all occasions Joh. 13.21 22 25 14.5 8 22. 2. Hear and give ear to whatsoever he witnesseth and take it off his hand Luk. 9.35 This is my beloved Son bear him And look carefully that you neither neglect to hear what he will say and witness of you and to you of your way 〈◊〉 state or present fit and temper for you or against you nor interrupt his witnessing but let him speak out nor that you stop the ear against it These are marked in Scripture as manifest sins against and rejecting of his witnessing Act. 24.25 Go thy way for this time when I have a convenient season I will call for thee Zech. 7.7 11 Should ye not hear the words which the Lord hath cryed by the former Prophets But they refused
to hearken and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their ears that they should not hear Heb. 12.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on cauth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven Neh. 9.10 And testified against them by thy spirit in the Prophets yet would they not give ear therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the Lands 3. If you receive him in this Covenant-relation you must take his testimony for sufficient proof of whatsoever he speaks unto you lay such weight upon his witnessing that it may be to you an end of all strife and controversie 1 Joh. 5.9 10 If we receive the witness of men the witness of God is grâ—â—â—er He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself He that believeth not God hath made him a lyar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son You must believe his Witness else you wrong him exceedingly Joh. 14.11 Believe me that I am in the father and the father in me or else believe me for the very works sake Psal 35.3 Say unto my soul I am thy salvation 4. If you receive him as the Witness of the Covenant having received him in this Covenant-relation you may never come in the contrary of any thing that he saith you must neither suspect nor quarrel nor be jealous of any thing which he hath witnessed Prov. 14.5 A faithful witness will not lye For Christ will no more lye unto you wherein he hath sworn and witnessed than God will lye unto him which is impossible Psal 80.35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an Oath 5. If you receive him as the Witness of the Covenant then must you not only receive whatsoever he saith for a cerrain truth of the Covenant but what he speaketh not and testifieth not concernining your Covenant-state and relation that you must take to be no truth though it were otherwise suggested to you by temptation Joh. 14.2 In my fathers house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you I go to prepaâ—â— a place for you If he had other thoughts towards you then those which he hath told you he would have revealed them I speak to believers Jer. 29.11 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the Lord thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end 6. Whatsoever way he doth witness and testifie take his Witness and prescribe not a way unto him but make all his ways of witnessing welcome whether he Witness by his word or by his work by his spirit or by your spirit 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth into a dark place until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts 1. Joh. 5.10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself Rom. 8.16 The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit that we are the Children of God Neh. 9.30 Yet many years didst thou forbear them and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy Prophets Rom. 10.8 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 Vse 4. For decision of the great practical controversies which are in the world to say nothing here of Doctrinal controversies relating to the Covenant which are also decided by his Testimony as well those which are amongst Athiests and in the unbelieving world as those which are among believers Christ is given for a Witness to the people and what he saith must put an end to every controversie 1. It 's a controversie to the world whether time shall have an end or whether the fashion of this world shall pass away or whether all things shall continue as now they are and whether too morrow shall be as this day Psal 49.11 Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever Isa 56.12 Come yâ—â— say they I will fetch wine and we will fill our selves with strong drink and to morrow shall be as this day and much more abundant The Witness of the Covenant hath decided the controversie by his Testimony and Oath and hath said that time shall be â—o more Rev. 10.6 2. It 's a controversie to the world whether Eternity be coming after time or whether there be another life and world after this 2 Pet. 3.4 And saying where is the promise oâ— his coming For since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation The Witness of the Covenant hath decided this also Rev. 22.20 He which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly Amen Tit. 1.2 In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lye promised before the world began Joh. 6.47 Verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me hath everlasting life 30 It 's a controversie to the world whether there be any resurrection and judgment to come or any immortality of the Soul Isa 22.13 And behold joy and gladness slaying oxen and killing sheep eating flesh and drinking wine let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall dye Luk. 12.19 And I will say to my soul soul thou hast much golds laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry The Witness of the Covenant hath decided that controversie and testifieth that he himself had experience of it he was dead and is alive Rev. 1.18 I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen Joh. 6.40 And this is the will of him that sent me that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day Heb. 12.23 To the general assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judg of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect Mat. 22.23 to 31. 4. It 's a controversie to the world whether there be any Heaven or Hell they say in their hearts who knoweth that there are such things and what they be and where they are Luk. 16.31 And he said unto him If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Isa 28.15 Because ye have said we have made a Covenant with death and with Hell are we at agreement when the overflowing scourage shall pass through it shall not come unto us The Witness of the Covenant testifieth that there are such things and that he saw both and experienced the truth of the things that are written of them Psal
betwixt the parties through the Messenger and by his means and travel 2 Sam. 11.22 23 25 So the messenger went and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for And the Messenger said unto David surely the men prevailed against us Then David said unto the messenger thus shalt thou say unto Joab let not this thing displease thee c. Joh. 17.6 8 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world and they have believed that thou didst send me Joh. 13.3 And that he was come from God and went to God 2. Consider next in what respects the name Messenger is applicable to Christ with relation to the Covenant 1. In regard of the power and trust committed unto him in the matters of the Covenant he is the Messenger of the Covenant that is the great Lord Ambassadour extraordinary and Trustee of Heaven who represented his father and who was Plenipotentiary being perfectly instructed and fully impowred to propound treat and conclude in all matters pertaining to the Covenant and the settlement of peace 'twixt God and man and in this sense the word is used 1 Kings 16.7 and 17.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 malakim Messengers i. e. Ambassadours and Isa 33.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 melache the Ambassadors of peace thus Christ is the Messenger of the Covenant this power and trust is committed unto him to represent his father 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Heb. 1.1 3 God hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son And to treat and conclude with us a Covenant in his name Joh. 5.22 For the father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power oven all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him Mat. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and earth 2. This-name of Messenger of the Covenant is applicable to him in regard of his pains and travel in the matters of the Covenant I mean in regard of his work as well as his trust and thus in regard of several pieces of his work and travel he may be called the Messenger of the Covenant 1. He is the Messenger who carried the Message of a new Covenant who travelled from Heaven to Earth with this Message to make a Covenant betwixt God and sinners he came expresly for this one errant 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 1 Joh. 5.6 This is he that came by water and blood even Jesus Christ not by water only but by water and blood 1 Joh. 1.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all And in this sense the word is frequently used for an Express or one sent for a particular Errant and purpose Joh. 1.6 7 There was a man sent from God whose name was John The same came for a witness to bear witness of the light that all men through him might believe Mat. 11.10 For 〈◊〉 is he of whom it is written Behold I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee 2. He is the Messenger who did publish and intimate the new Covenant and Gods gracious purpose in it as that thing which was his errant in the World he did it Authoritatively others only Ministerially 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 he ye reconciled to God He is the chief Minister of the new Testament others only by commission from him Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord God as upon me because the Lord hath annointed me to preach good ridings unto the meek Heb. 8.2 6 10 A minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man 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 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord c. Eph. 4.9.11 Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Luk. 19.10 Eph. 2.17 Pov. 9.1 3. So the word is taken for one that intimateth or bringeth word and giveth notice of any thing Joh 1.14 3. He is the Messenger who doth interpret and declare the Message of the new Covenant who travelleth to be an Interpreter of the mind of God in that matter Mat. 11.27 All things are delivered unto me of my father and no man knoweth the Son but the father neither knoweth any man the father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the besome of the father he hath declared him Rom. 3.25 26. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through Faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him 〈◊〉 hith believeth in Jesus Luk. 24.17 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all 〈◊〉 Scriptures the things concerning himself Hence he is called a Prophet Act. 3.22 And thâ—â— Prophet Joh. 6.14 and 7.40 And in this sense this word is taken Job 33.23 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one among a thousand to shew unto man his uprightness 4. He is the messenger which acteth the Covenant upon the hearts of his people effective physice I mean the Messenger which attacheth the hearts of his people as a Serjeant at Arms that layeth hands upon a man and bringeth them into the bond of the Covenant the Messenger that never leaveth pursuit until he hath apprehended Ezek. 20.37 And I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant Heb. 8.10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Hos 2.19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and in judgment and in loving-kindness and in mercies Ezek. 36 27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments
his travels in that business and may hold forth a pattern to all the inferiour Messengers of the Covenant and Angels of the Churches 1. He is a faithful Messenger and true to the trust committed unto him one who varied not and departed not from his commission in a tittle in any thing of his fathers will and the welfare of his people I do not say the will of his people for though he be very condescending to satisfie them yet he not holding his commission of them he is constrained for their good to cross their will sometimes that he may be faithful to him who appointed him Heb. 3.1 2 Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling confider the Apostle and High-priest of our profession Christ Jesus who was faithful to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithful in all his house Joh. 6.38 39 40 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me And this is the fathers will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day And this is the will of him that sent me that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day A Messenger who kept close to his instructions 2. He is an active diligent Messenger who did never deal with a slack hand in any matter of the Covenant whether committed unto him by his father or wherein he was employed by his people his heart did lay so much to the business that it is impossible he should not be active and stirring in it yea his Soul-travelled so diligently in that trust that he could take no rest until it was done Isa 53.11 He shall see the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do Yea so careful was he of that Message that it made him forget his refreshments and his rest as appears in his unwearied pains for converting the woman of Samaria even while he was wearied with his journey Joh. 4.6 Yea it was refreshment to him to be about that business Joh. 4.34 Jesus saith unto them My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work Yea it made him some way forget his relations here on earth Luk. 2.49 And he said unto them how is it that ye sought me wist ye not that I must be about my fathers business Mat. 12.46 49 50 While he yet talked to the people behold his mother and his brethren stood without desiring to speak with him Behold my mother and my brethren for whosoever shall do the will of my father which is in heaven the same is my brother and sister and mother 3. He is a swift Messenger who in all the matters of the Covenant which are committed unto him loveth to make good dispatch he is commended for this Mal. 3.1 And the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple even the messenger of the covenant whom ye delight in And we may take notice of it in the word of the Prophet Isa 18.2 though spoken in another sense O so swift a messenger and speedy as he was when he was sent to lay down his life Luk. 19.28 And when he had thus spoken he went before ascending up to Jerusalem c. he made haste to die Joh. 13.27 And after the sop Satan entred into him then said Jesus unto him That thou doest do quickly And he made haste to arise again Joh. 20.1 12 The first day of the week early yet when it was dark He made haste to shew himself to his friends after he rose Joh. 20 and Luk. 24 and he maketh haste to come again to his people Joh. 14.3 18 And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 come unto you 4. He is an Accurate reporter of the Message which he beareth a Messenger who never failed to bring a return of his errant both upward to God and downward to his people Joh. 13.3 Jesus knowing that the father had given all things into his hands and that he was come from God and went to God Joh 14.2 3 I go to prepare a place for you And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also 5. He is a Messenger who was hugely mortified if I may use that word and denyed to his own honour and credit for all the while he travelled up and down here about the Message of the Covenant he did not regard how he was used so that his Message were taken off his hand Heb. 12.2 Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God Mat. 20.28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many Joh. 4.9 10 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him how is it that thou being a Jew askest drink of me which am a woman of Samaria for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans Jesus answered and said unto her If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee give me to drink thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given thee living water Vse 1. Take heed how you receive and entertain the Messenger of the Covenant Heb. 12.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven Heb. 3.1 Wherefore holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and High-priest of our profession Christ Jesus c. This is the more of your concernment 1. Because the entertainment and usage given unto the Messenger of the Covenant redoundeth upon him that sent him whether you use him honourably or disrespectively Joh. 12.26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be If any man serve me him will my father honour Luk. 10.16 He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me 2. Because great weight is laid upon the unworthy using of the Messenger of the Covenant insomuch as no sin nor aggravation of sin carrieth liâ—e stress as is laid upon it Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 15.22 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had
miracles before them yet they believed not on him Joh. 15.23 24 He that hateth me hateth my father also but now have they both seen and hated both me and my father Luk. 7.30 But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him Psal 81.11 But my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me Mat. 22.5 6 But they made light of it and went their ways one â—o his fâ—rm another to his merchandise and the remâ—unt took his servants and intreated them spitefully and slow them Mat. 23.37 O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which aâ—e sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not Isa 49.4 Then I said I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain Mat. 11.17 And saying we have piped unto you and ye have not danced we have mourned unto you and ye have not lamented Shall the Messenger of the Covenant have no good report to make of you like that which he made of his Disciples Joh. 16.27 For the father himself loveth you because ye have loved me and believed that I came out from God At least let him have that to say of you that he roported of Ephraim That you have lamented the frowardness of your own hearts under all his pains and travel Jer. 31.18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoak c. Vse 2. Suffer me from this Covenant-relation of Christs to exhort you 1. To employ him in that which is his trust he is the Messenger of the Covenant if there be any thing which you have to do with God relating to the making maintaining or renewing a Covenant with him there is a messenger appointed for negotiating in that matter and one who is willing to be employed by you Mat. 20.28 The Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister Joh. 6.37 All that the father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no ways cast out Heb. 2.17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people 2. Beware that you usurp not his employment neither intrude upon it take heed that you attempt not to send any Message to God and not by the Messenger of the Covenant Heb. 12.29 For our God is a consuming fire See that you go not any errant of the Covenant without him See that you send not your prayers and other performances to God or any Message without him in their own strength or by the hand of another Messenger beside the Angel of the Covenant Rev. 8.3 And another angel came and stood at the altar having a golden censer 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 Joh. 16.23 Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name he will give it you 3. Acknowledg Christ in this Covenant-relation and in the execution of it That ever you heard of the Covenant that it hath been declared revealed and interpreted to you you are debtors for that to the Messenger of the Covenant if he had not travelled in that business you had never heard of it Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh Mat. 13.11 Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to them it is not given Much more you are his Debtors if the Covenant be acted upon your hearts Heb. 8.6 10 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Mat. 16.17 And Jesus answered and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my father which is in heaven Joh. 17.6 8 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word 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 4. Be requested to take notice and to listen what Message the Messenger of the Covenant bringeth to you it is the Message of a Covenant of a good and sure bargain that you would join your selves to the Lord and take hold of his covenant Isa 56.4 6. Whereunto if you would but listen it should prove a life-giving motion Isa 55.3 Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Joh. 1.38 39 They said unto him Rabbi which is to say being interpreted Master where dwellest thou he saith unto them come and see they came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day It 's a Message of peace you need not stare at it nor be afraid of what we have in commission 2 Cor. 5 19 20 21 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation 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 for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Luk. 2.10 14 And the Angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men Isa 60.17 For brass I will bring gold and for iron I will bring silver and for wood brass and for stones iron I will also make thine officers peace and thine exactors righteousness It 's a Message of love of the Fathers love and of the Sons 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Joh. 15.13 Greater love hath no man then this that a man lay down his life for his friends It 's a Message of
faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me 3. His Service of love is commended from the lowness of the wager and price which he is to have for his Service and love Was man a crown and wager for Christ to work and to run for that he might win it how great a disproportion is there betwixt the Service and the Wages Can poor polluted nothings such as we are be a price for such Love for such Service for such transcendent infinite Love and yet such was the wager for which he served Joh. 13.1 Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end Joh. 17.19 And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the truth 4. His Service is commended from the largeness of his design of Love through which he did drive the serving of this Service that God the Son of God did drive this piece of Service through so deep and broad and long a design of transcendent love from everlasting to everlasting through so many decrees which at last could produce nothing in the result but this price To have his poor people engaged to him by a Covenant whereas we might think a lower design might compass sinners and a less price might buy poor man Jer. 31.3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Eph. 3.18 19 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 5. His Service is commended for his performing of it and doing his work so long before he was to reap that low price of all the travel of his Soul to wit the enjoyment of his people Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied He served long ago for that wager which is not not yet payed to him and he knew when he served that Service that he should lie so long out of a great part of his satisfaction Joh. 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word Vse 2. This Covenant-relation speaks sad things to them who will not serve Christ 1. Wo to them that will not serve him who refuse a consent of their Service to him who made himself a Servant for our sake Luk. 19.14 But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him saying We will not have this man to reign over us Psal 2.3 Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us We love to be Lords over our own liberty and wills and to break his bands 2. Wo to them that think shame to serve him there is a generation that think it is below them to serve Christ they judg his Service is not honourable though he was not ashamed to serve us Luk. 22.27 For whether is greater he that sitteth at meat or he that serveth is not he that sitteth at meat but I am among you as he that serveth Heb. 2.11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren And though it be no shame but honourable to serve him Psal 116.16 O Lord truly I am thy servant I am thy servant and the Son of thine hand-maid thou hast loosed my bonds Psal 84.10 For a day in thy courts is better then a thousand I had rather be a dore-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the-tents of wickedness Ifa 58.13 And call the sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words 3. Wo to them that pretend to serve him and do nothing but Eye-service in his work though he was real and cordial in serving our Interest for his Soul travelled in the business but the spirits of such act nothing in his Service Eph. 6.6 Not with Eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Isa 29.13 Wherefore the Lord said Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth and with their lips do honour me but hath removed their heart from me and their fear toward me is taught by the precepts of men c. O Consider with your selves 1. What pride there is in refusing to serve him whose Service is so honourable an employment that it is not below the Kings of the Earth to bring their Glory unto Christ and to bow before him Psal 2.10 11 12 Be wise now therefore O ye kings be instructed ye judges of the earth Servo the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little Psal 54. throughout Who would not bow to him who shall break them all that will not bow unto him Isa 60.12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted Psal 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel Psal 110.5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath 2. Consider what huge and monstrous ingratitude and unkindness it is not to serve him who hath voluntarily humbled himself to serve us who though he was our maker Heb. 1.2 3 yet made himself of no reputation for our advancement Phil. 2.7 Consider how he hath commended his Service unto us and be ashamed not to be found among his servants and followers See more of this Chap. 18. Vse 3. Exhortation 1. Consider and know what he hath done in this Covenant-relation after he hath served this Service and done all that was incumbent to him in this relation he may put the question to us which sometimes he put to his Disciples Joh. 13.12 Know ye what I have done to you 't is a pity that his Service is so little known and taken notice of among his own people for whom he hath done this Service 't is a pity that it should be met with doubtings whether he hath done Service for us or denials of our interest in it which occasion diminutive thoughts and expressions of it 2. Consider how ill Christ was used in this relation that you may be broken for it he was smitten by both the parties It pleased the Lord to bruise him Isa 53.10 Rom. 8.32 He spared not his own Son Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that
his disciples and said Behold my mother and my brethren for whosoever shall do the will of my father which is in heaven the same is my brother and sister and mother So he himself argueth Joh. 13.14 15 If I then your Lord and master have washed your feet ye also ought to wash one anothers feet For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you 3. To serve him in that Covenant-relation in such manner as he served us or rather our interests and that was 1. Willingly and chearfully For so did he undertake and undergo that Service Heb. 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 Luk. 22.15 And he said unto them With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer Let our Service to him be such Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling Deut. 28.47 48 Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee in hunger and in thirst and in nakedness and in the wane of all things 2. He served cordially his Soul travelled in the business Joh. 12.27 Now is my soul troubled and what shall I say father save me from this hour but for this cause I came unto this hour Mat. 26.38 Then saith he unto them My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death tarry ye here and watch with me Let your Service to him be such that your hearts may be yoaked and your Spirits may act something in serving him Deut. 10.12 And now Israel what doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God to walk in all his ways and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul Rom. 1.9 For God is my witness whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son Phil. 3.3 For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus 3. He served with much submission of his will to his sathers in all things Heb. 5.8 Though he were a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered Mat. 26.39 42 And he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed saying O my father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt He went out again the second time and prayed saying O my father if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it thy will be done Joh. 4.34 Jesus saith unto them My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work Let us do Service to him with like submission of Spirit 2 Sam. 15.26 But if he thus say I have no delight in thee behold here am I let him do to me as seemeth good unto him Act. 20.22 24 And now behold I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem not knowing the things that shall befall me there but none of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto my self so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God 4. He served faithfully for in all questions and debates that occured while he was here in the form of a Servant he was always for his father true to his interest Heb. 3.2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him Joh 8.28 38 Then said Jesus unto them When ye have lift up the Son of man then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of my self but as my father hath taught me I speak these things I speak that which I have seen with my father and ye do that which ye have seen with your father Let us be sure to serve him so in all questions and sides in these days to be ever for him and his interests and upon his side 1 Kings 22.14 And Micajah said As the Lord liveth what the Lord saith unto me that will I speak Heb. 3.2 As also Moses was faithful in all his house Act. 13.36 For David after he had served his own generation by the will of God fell asleep and was laid unto his fathers and saw corruption 5. He performed his Service prudently Isa 52.13 Behold my servant shall deal prudently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high He did all things for promoting the business that was committed unto him with admirable wisdom and discretion so is there also a wisdom with fidelity to be studied in serving his interests that we do not mar the end of our Service Mat. 24.45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season Mat. 10.16 Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves Mark 9. last Have salt in your selves and have peace one with another CHAP. XX. Christ the Surety of the Covenant THE sixth relation which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of Grace Beza in locum is He is Surety of the Covenant so he is expresly called Heb. 7.22 Jesus was made surety of a better testament or rather Covenant as Beza reads it because a Surety is not used in Testaments neither is Christ properly to be considered as Surety in his Testament but as Testator For the opening of this relation I shall 1. Enquire a little into the name and thing that the nature of this relation may be the better known especially what it imports as it is applied to Christ 2. I shall lay down some assertions for the better understanding of Christs Suretiship in the Covenant 3. How Christ came under this relation to be an undertaker for some of the sons of men 4. For whom did he become Surety and undertaker 5. For what is he engaged by this relation 6. What doth commend his Suretiship that the excellency of it may appear 7. Wherein his Suretiship doth differ from undertakings of that nature among men 8. What are the advantages that the Lords people have by Christs Suretiship And in the last place I shall shew you what use is to be made of this relation or of Christ considered as Surety of the Covenant The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ghnarab Vide Mercer and Buxtor in voce to which the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth answer is of very large signification as any word in that language I will touch but a few of many because they are apposite to express the nature of Suretiship The first and native signification of the word is to mix and to mingle see Psal 106.35 But were mingled among the heathen and learned their works
And to meddle or to have dealing and commerce see Prov. 20.19 Therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips Prov. 24.21 And meddle not with them that are given to change And indeed Christs Suretiship was a mixing and mingling with his people it was such a mingling with us as the like was never heard of a mingling of natures if I may use the word by a wonderful personal union two natures meeting in one person and yet remaining distinct and a mystical union whereby he is in us and we are in him a mingling of interests his interests are ours and our interests are his whereby in some respect he cometh in our place and we come in his place See Joh. 17.21 22 23 That they all may be one as thou father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that they may be one even as we are one I in them and thou in we that they may be made perfect in one 2 Cor. 5 1â— 21 Therefore if any man be in Christ be is a new Creature For he hath made him to be sin for as who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Isa 5.8 For she was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people was he stricken Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus And his medling and dealing in our matters is such as hath laid the whole weight of them upon him Isa 9.6 For unto us a child is born unto us a Son is given and the godeiâ— went shall be upon his shoulder And hath drawn on an everlasting coâ—â—â—erce eommunion and exchange of commodities Betwixt him and his people 2 Cor. 6.16 18 For ye are the temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people And will be a father unto you and ye shall be by sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty Again 2. This word signifieth to engage See Jer. 30.21 For who is this that engageth his heart Arr. Mont. reads it Dilatavit alii obligavit accommodavit Hierom qui applicet cor And in this sense Christs Sureriship is the enlargement of his heart to a voluntary engagement for his people unto which there was no necessity lying upon him 'T is the offering of himself willingly to undertake for them Heb. 10.9 Then said he Lo I come to do thy will O God Joh. 10.11 18 The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to bay it down and I have power to take it again Joh. 18.8.3 This word signifieth also to be Surety to undertake because he that becomes Surety for another doth so mix with him that in some respect he is substitute in his place and room so 't is frequently used Gen. 43.9 I will be surety for him of my hand shalt thou require him if I bring him not unto thee and set him before thee then let me bear the blame for even Gen. 44. â—2 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father saying c. Prov. 6.1 and 11.15 and 22.26 Isa 38 14. Bsal 119.122 which is well rendered by the learned Expositors spende side jube pro servo tâ—o be furety for thy servant In this sense also Christ is the Surety who did undertake for his people that what should be required of them he should answer for it and what should be wanting of their account the burden and blame of it should lie on him as Jâ—â—â—lh spoke in the place dited See Joh. 17. throughout 4. This word signified to give pledges which is a kind of Suretiship Isa 36.8 Now therefore give pledges I pray thee to my master the king of Assyria and I will give thee two thousand horses if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them 2 Kings 18.23 Da vadem sponsionem fac Hence cometh that word Arrhabo which is originally an Hebrew word and came from Phenica into Greece as is observed by Grotius Grotius in 2. ad cor c. 1. v. 22. that which we call the earnest and arles of any bargain 2 Cor. 1.22 Who hath also sealed us and given the earnest of the spirit in our hearts In this sense also Christ is made Surety of the Covenant he who gave himself pledg and hostage for his people he who not only did undertake and give bond but also put his person in prison until the Debt of his people should be paid and until all things promised in their name were made good he being the pledg which lay for the whole price 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 Rom. 8.32 he that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all 5. This word signifieth to strike hands for so were Covenants made and Sureties engaged Prov. 22.26 Be not thou among them that strike hands to wit side juâ—enad as Mont. supplieth and the LXX renders it by the same Greek word that 's used Heb. 7.22 give not thy self 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a Surety and in this sense also was Christ made a Surety of the Covenant he did strike hands with God he did Covenant with us and for us by striking hands with God Psal 40.7 Then said I Lo I come Isa 59.21 As for me this is my covenant with them saith the Lord My spirit which 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 The Greek word used for a Surety Heb. 7.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spensor side jussor I do not read elsewhere in the new Testament though the LXX use it sometimes for aneut the Hebrew word that signifies a Surety Prov. 6.1 and 17.19 and 20.19 Whether we take it to be from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appropinquo or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prope or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spondeo prom to which comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in manibus it seemeth to import the nearness of the Surety and the Debtor and to answer well the Hebrew word Christus nobis conjunctissimus propinquns ridimens By natural mystical and voluntary relations Brinst of the Mediator p. 115 c. which importeth mixing together it importeth that Christs Suretiship made him near to us and did mix him and us by a conjunction of blood for by it he plighted his faith and truth to take on our nature and our condition in law and so became our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
to do them It is grace that the same soul that sinned dieth not but another and yet more grace that every soul that sinneth dieth not but one for many one for all the Elect world Mat. 20.28 And to give his life a ransome for many 2 Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 2. This was grace in God that he did not only admit this way of satisfaction but himself did find it out The finding out of a way of satisfaction to justice without the eternal punishment of the sinner this was Gods act and this was one act of special grace for it was not only above the reach of men and Angels but also before their being 1 Cor. 2.7 8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory Which none of the princes of this world knew Prov. 8.23 30 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him 3. This was pure grace in God that he did design provide and foresee a Surety and sactisfaction for us before we became broken men and needed one that he designed a Physician before we were sick 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 in Christ Jesus before the world began 4. This was grace even singular grace in God that he neither did admit of this way of satisfaction for the sin of Angels nor did he find it out for them but unto men only did he indulge this dispensation Heb. 2.14 16 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment Jude vers 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 There was no relaxation of the rigour of the law toward them but a strict execution of justice upon them 5. It was unspeakable grace in God that having admitted of such a way of satisfaction he should put his own Son upon the work and make him the Surety who should make satisfaction unto the justice of God by giving his life a ransome for us such an act of grace as this hath not been heard of Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Rom. 5.8 But God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us 1 Joh. 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins 6. It is grace in God that when he hath found out this way of satisfaction and is content to admit of it and hath put his Son upon the work that he should be at the pains to reveal to us Christs Surety righteousness and to apply it unto us without which the satisfaction of the Surety could not avail us and what else can it be but grace in God that maketh the satisfaction of Christ effectual to one and not to another who hath also heard of this way of satisfying-justice Job 33.23 24 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one among a thousand to shew unto man his uprightness Then he is gracious unto him and saith Deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God And upon this account it is that justification and remission of sins are called free notwithstanding the satisfaction of Christ that the wonderful riches of Gods free grace might shine in the Suretiship of Christ Isa 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake and will not remember thy sins Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus 4. For whom is Christ engaged as Surety of the Covenant I speak now of his Suretiship only as it relateth to his act of cautionry for his people remitting the consideration of it in a larger extent unto the next thing to be handled upon this Subject Before I answer this Question I shall premit some distinctions which make way for an answer to it 1. See Mr. Ruth treatise of the Covenant p. 2. c. 10. It is a necessary distinction of the Covenant of grace that it is considered either 1. As it is preached according to the commanding-will of God or 2. As it 's fulfilled in the Elect according to the Lords will of purpose the Covenant in the first consideration stands of promises commands threatnings c. And so it holds forth what is the command of God concerning our duty and the things which we may conditionally expect and puts nothing absolutely whether we perform it or not See Act. 2.38.39 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Act. 16.31 And they said Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house In the second consideration the Covenant stands wholly in promises and those absolute promises and does not hold forth our duty and obligation and what is morally good or evil because God commands it or forbids it but what is Gods will of purpose and decree and what is his pleasure to act effectually upon the hearts of the Elect he over-ruling their corrupt wills so the Covenant is to be understood Jer. 31.31 c. Ezek. 11.16 c. and 36.25 c. 2. We must distinguish the parties of the Covenant according to this two-fold consideration thereof for the parties contracting with God in the
thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost 2. Again by this part of Christs Suretiship he is undertaker and engager to make all these things which are required of us both possible and certain in the performance 1. To reveal and manifest the way of righteousness and life through the new Covenant Joh. 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world 2. To make the condition of the new Covenant possible and practicable which considered with relation to our own strength are as impossible to man now as the conditions of the first Covenant are Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me draw him 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 Joh. 15.5 For without me ye can do nothing And this part of Christs Suretiship doth put his people in such condition by the power which they shall receive from the grace of Christ as Adam was in by the power which he received from God by nature and this is done by healing our nature and creating and infusing new habitual grace whereby he makes the conditions of the new Covenant practicable and possible to man through the power of grace received from Christ as it was possible for Adam to have performed the conditions of the first Covenant by the power which he received by nature Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me But this is not all 3. Christ as Surety for man to God engageth not only to make the conditions of this Covenant possible as the conditions of the first Covenant were to Adam but also to make them Sure he undertaketh to ensure his peoples performance of the things required of them by the Covenant of grace whether they be such things as are required of them by meer commands which hold forth the Duties of the confederates or if they be required of them by commands which are also conditions of the Covenant by the obedience or disobedience whereof they must live or die such as the command of believing Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Act. 16.31 And they said Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house 1 Joh. 3.23 And this is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandment And this which Christ engageth that his people shall receive of him through grace is much more than Adam received by nature for he had not his performance of the conditions of that Covenant and his standing ensured to him he had but a possibility to have performed conditions that were commanded him but no certainty Now we know that things may be possible both considered in themselves and considered with relation to the Agent which notwithstanding from some other cause and defect may resolve in a non-futurition yea for all that it may be certain that they shall never be and come to pass as was Adams standing and performing the conditions of the Covenant of works But now by Christs Suretiship for his people he is engaged for their standing and for their actual performance of the conditions of that Covenant of grace they are not only put into a possibility of standing but they are put into such a certainty by the Suretiship of Christ that they are exempted from the possibility of non-performance of the conditions of this Covenant Luk. 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not Mat. 16.18 And upon this rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time Jer. 32.39 40 And I will give them one heart and one way that they may fear me for ever for the good of them of their children after them And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me 3. By this part of Christs Suretiship for man to God and in order to the making the conditions and commands of the new Covenant possible and certain in the issue he is engaged for giving habitual grace and for giving actual influences 1. Habitual grace Christ as Surety of the Covenant did undertake to give to his people the immortal seed of God to repair that defaced Image of God in man by a new creation of the habits of grace in him he is engaged to give a new stock of grace to man who had once before banquered out a stock that shall thrive in his hand and wherewith he shall never henceforth play the bankrupt this is the new heart and the new spirit promised by Christ who made the Covenant and engaged to fulfil and to act it upon the hearts of his people Ezek. 36.26 A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will 〈◊〉 put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh 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 Heb. 8.6 10 11 12. 2. Christ is engaged and hath undertaken for actual influences Ezek. 36 27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my judgments and do them Isa 44.3 For I will pour water upon them that are thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will pour my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thine off-spring Because God hath contrived the business so that no created thing should act independently of him without the spirit without influences not Adam in his integrity not the Angels not the holy humane nature of Christ Isa 42.1 2 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 He shall not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the street And since habitual created grace can neither preserve it self nor act it self nor encrease it self without influences therefore Christ as Surety for man to God did engage for actual influences whereby habitual grace might be acted unto a performance and fulfilling of these things which are conditions or commands in the Covenant upon our part and by this he stands engaged 1. For actual bowing of our wills and determining our hearts to
to your vertue knowledg c. 3. Quo ad executorem in the kindly genuine work of his spirit that the good which God hath done to thee is the true execution of the Testators will of grace to his people 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Joh. 1.13 Which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Rom. 8.9 But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his CHAP. XXII Christ a Covenant of the people or in what respects Christ is all the Covenant BEsides the many and various relations before spoken of which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of grace he is the Covenant it self for to him doth the father speak Isa 42.6 and 49.8 I will give thee for a Covenant of the people things attributed in abstracto have a great signification Rom. 1.7 The carnal mind is enmity c. Christ is called the peace Micah 5.5 And our peace Eph. 2.14 This is more than the peace-maker Col. 1.20 'T is all the transaction of peace the whole business of reconciliation comprized in the Mediator and acted by him So here Christ a Covenant is more than the Covenant-maker or the Mediator of the Covenant the phrase imports two things 1. The abridging and summing up of the whole Covenant in Christ Mediator in whose person the two parties at enmity were united I will give thee for a covenant of the people that is I make a gift of thee to be to my people the summary and compend of all that blessed transaction and Covenant which I purpose with them 2. It imports the commitment of the whole business which God purposed to do with his people in the way of a Covenant unto Christ the Mediator to be managed by him I will give thee for a covenant of the people is a designation of Christs work unto which he was called and for the doing of which promises of assistance are made to him in the words preceding these as if it were said I set thee over the whole business of the Covenant between me and the people given to thee that from beginning to end it may be managed by thee Again Christ is not only given for a Covenant but for a Covenant of the people that is to be on the peoples side and to deal for them for the people alone are not capable of confederation with God but Christ stands jointly with them and is gifted of God to the people to be given back again to God for their part of the Covenant Psal 89.19 Heb. 2.13 Hence let us consider of these Propositions Christ is all the Covenant or all this Covenant is comprized in Christ or God by giving Christ doth give the Covenant of the people with him Christ is the Covenant 1. Originally and fundamentally he is the original and root out of which the Covenant sprang and he is the foundation upon which it is grounded the Covenant of grace took its rise and being from Christ Rev. 22.16 I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie unto you these things in the Churches I am the root and the off-spring of David and the bright and morning-star Isa 28.16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner-stone a sure foundation he that believeth shall not make haste Judg. 14.14 And he said unto them Out of the eater came forth meat and out of the strong came forth sweetness 1. He is the ancient foundation of that which was revealed of the Covenant from the beginning of the world therefore God revealing this Covenant in Paradise presently after the fall bottomed it upon Christ the seed of the woman Gen. 3.15 And revealing it to Abraham he grounded it upon Christ Abrahams seed in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed Gen. 12.3 and 17.1 2. 2. Christ is the eternal foundation of this Covenant upon whom it was bottomed in the eternal decrees of God hence our vocation and salvation are said to be promised and given to us in him before the world began Tit. 1.2 And in hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie promised befor the world began 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 in Christ Jesus before the world began Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love 2. Christ is the Covenant primarily and by propriety as fire is hot for it self and all things hot for it and by participtation Because with him was the Covenant made as the chief party which believers it was made in subordination to him with him it was made at the first hand with us at the second hand with him it was made for himself with us it was only made for him therefore 't is his Covenant by propriety and ours only by participation and therefore all the promises are made first to him and fulfilled first to him and all the acts of Gods love terminate first upon him and come at us only in the second room and at the second hand 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 Psal 89.3 33 I have made a covenant with my chosen I have sworn unto David my servant Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Isa 53.3 And I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ 3. Christ is the Covenant eminently because he is the chief blessing of the Covenant there being not such another promise and gift in all the bundle of promises contained in the Covenant therefore is he spoken of by way of eminence as being that transcendent gift of God matchless effect of Gods love besides which there is not another the like Joh. 4.10 Jesus answered and said unto her If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee give me to drink Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have
believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 4.10 Jesus answered and said unto her If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee Give me to drink thou wouldst have asked of him and he would have given thee living-water Isa 42.6 And give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Yea 't is in and for Christ that the Covenant is a free Covenant for the same righteousness and life and Covenant-blessings which are freely promised and offered to us at the first hand were purchased by Christ and a satisfaction given to the justice of God for them and because he payed a price for them therefore they are free gifts to us he made all Covenant-mercies free to us by Covenant because they were bought by him in the Covenant that was made between God and Christ Isa 53.10 11 12 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied by his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great and he shall divide the spoil with the strong because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors Joh. 17.4 5 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And now O father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was I do not say that Christ was the cause of Gods eternal transaction which he purposed in himself but that he is the cause of these effects of Covenant-graces which come freely to us for his sake who bought them with a great price 1 Pet. 1.19 20 21 But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish without spot Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifest in these last times for you who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God 2. The everlastingness of the Covenant is comprized in Christ the Covenant is an everlasting Covenant and he is God everlasting yea an everlasting Mediator who was set up from everlasting and shall endure to everlasting Isa 9.6 For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called wonderful councellor the mighty God the everlasting father the prince of peace Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was 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 Yea it is in and through and for Christ that the Covenant of grace hath everlastingness in it whether we consider it as everlasting a parte ante it could not have been an eâ—â—â—lasting Covenant in this respect unless there had been anâ—â—â—â—r everlasting party for the everlasting God to deal 〈…〉 and there was not another party of this kind but 〈…〉 in whom grace was given to us and promises of life 〈…〉 made to us before the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 1. 〈…〉 8.23 Or if we consider the Covenant as everlasting 〈…〉 parte post Christ is the foundation of that and it is 〈…〉 for Christ that the Covenant is an everlasting Coveâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 and because he is given for a Covenant of the people 〈…〉 everlastingness is given to that Covenant Psal 89. â—◠〈…〉 5 I have made a covenant with my chosen I have sworn unto David my servant 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 lye unto David Isa 59.21 As for me this is my covenant with them saith the Lord my spirit which 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 Isa 53.10 When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed he shall prolong his days and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand 3. The order of the Covenant is comprised in Christ the Covenant is a well ordered Covenant and the order of the whole treaty of reconciliaton and of this Covenant-transaction is summed up in Christ in whom the parties meet together in this order God coming down to us in Christ and we coming up to God in Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Mat. 1.23 God with us Yea all things that are ordered and disposed concerning Covenant-grace and blessings are ordered in him and for him and by him for the methods and ways of Gods dispensing and ordering Covenant-blessings are through him and in him as the channel and conveyance thereof and for him as the cause and by him as the great Administrator who is over all that business for the managing thereof Eph. 1.3 4 5 6 Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved Eph. 2.6 10 And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them 4. The stability of the Covenant is comprised in Christ the Covenant of Grace is a sure Covenant and he is a firm and sure Christ who fails not and changes not Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Yea he is the very stability of the Covenant of Grace 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen unto the glory of God by us The sure foundation upon which it is established Isa 28.16 Because Christ is in
Jesus Master it is good for us to be here and let us make three tabernacles one for thee and one for Moses and one for Elias For he wist not what to say for they were sore afraid Such should remember Peters words at another occasion Joh. 6.68 Then Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life Which import that a created Heaven would not be significant if Christ were not there see also Psal 73.25 Whom have 〈◊〉 in heaven but thee and there is none upon the earth that I desire besides thee 4. It speaks reproof to those who wrangle about circumstances to the prejudice of Christ the substance and marrow of the Gospel-Covenant those who seek some things of Christ to the prejudice of other things of Christ that be the more weighty matters of the Gospel as put case Forms to the prejudice of substance Order to the prejudice of edification Uniformity to the prejudice of union c. And this whether by extolling of the highest and most weighty things of Christ to the prejudice of other things which are also his Ordinances or by the depressing and decreeing of other more subordinate things of Christ and circumstantial to the prejudice of the weightiest matters of the Gospel for although no Ordinance of Christ be a little one and to be set at nought yet without controversie there be some of them more weighty than others Vse 2. For discovery how far we fall short in practical giving to Christ his own place in the Covenant There be very few even of those who dare not knowingly slight Christ who yet do give him his own room in the Covenant Consider it but a little 1. He is the root and original of the Covenant have you acknowledged and imployed him as such have your soul-transactions with God been grounded upon Christs transactions with him or have you not in point of Soul-covenanting with God dealt as if the Covenant had its first rise then when it first entered in thy heart Consider I pray where you have pitched the original rise and foundation of that blessed transaction 2. He is the principal party with whom the Covenant was made at the first hand do you always give that place to Christ do you put him foremost or do you not rather drudg him after you I fear nay I doubt not we deal in many things with God as if we were the principal party covenanting in matter of Gospel-promises as if we were the principal Creditor to whom a performance of these things were due and in matter of Gospel-commands as if we were the principal Debtors from whom a performance of Duty could be expected 3. Christ is the chief blessing of the covenant have you sought him as such or hath any other blessing of the Covenant had his room in thy heart have you sought life and salvation in the promises as the chief blessing contained in them or have you seen something in the promises better and more desirable than these even Christ who is in every promise and is the best thing in the promise 4. He is valuable above all things else contained in the Covenant he is the full price of the whole bargain have you put this value upon him have you made him your all your treasure for which you treated in this bargain and bought the field 5. He is the samplar and first copy of the Covenant did you ever consider how the peace and union was first made in his person have you followed that blessed copy to have this your Covenant with God the Divine Nature coming down to you and you brought up to meet with God in Christ and with him and in him to have mystical union 6. He is the sum of the Covenant have you studied this compend well how to reduce all the Covenant to Christ to find it all in him and to make all the Covenant praise him Vse 3. For tryal whether you be in the Covenant of Grace or not whether you have taken hold of the Covenant as the Prophet speaks Isa 65.4 Know it by this if thou art in Christ thou art in the Covenant if thou hast taken hold of him thou hast taken hold of the Covenant Joh. 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name Eph. 2.12 That at that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenant of promise having no hope and without God in the world To be without Christ and to be strangers to the Covenant of promise are equivalent if the Covenant be given Christ is given and if Christ be given the Covenant is given for you are in so far in the Covenant of Grace as you have any thing of Christ in you Col. 1.27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates If you have no right to Christ then none to the Covenant try therefore your standing sinners where are you under the first husband or married to another are you in Christ or not and consequently in the Covenant of Grace or without it Rom. 7.4 Wherefore my brethren ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ that ye should be married to another even to him who is raised from the dead that we should bring forth fruit unto God Try this 1. By your divorcement from Idols and all other lovers this Covenant breaks all former ingagements whether they have been to lusts or to creatures henceforth if thou be in Christ and ingaged with him through this Covenant all these former ingagements must be so far cast loose that hatred must be to lusts instead of former love Gal. 5.24 And they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Mark 9.43 And if thy hand offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into hell into the fire that never shall be quenched where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched c. And half a love to the creatures or limited subordinate secondary regular submissive love to them instead of old heart ingagements Ezek. 36.25 From all your filthiness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you Psal 45.10 11 Hearken O daughter and consider and incline thine ear forget also thine own people and thy fathers house So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty for he is thy Lord and worship thou him Josh 24.23 Now therefore put away said he the strange gods which are among you and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel Hos
the word but how for salvation that is in them but the believer finds something in them better than Salvation Joh. 6.68 Then Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life Psal 73.25 26 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there in none upon earth that I desire besides thee My heart and my flesh faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever 4. Since God giveth Christ for all the Covenant be you perswaded to take him for all and to make use of him for all 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption 1. To fulfil all the promises of the Covenant to you for in him they are yea and in him they are all Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 2. To fulfil and perform the condition of the Covenant in you to determine your wills to believe Joh. 6.37 All that the father giveth me shall come to me Song 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee Joh. 12.32 And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me 3. To perform the duties in you which the Covenant requireth of you Phil. 4.13 Joh. 15.5 Eph 2.10 Vse 6. For comfort and encouragement to believers 1. Comfort your selves in the bargain which you have made upon this ground Christ is in the Covenant yea he is given for a Covenant of the people and therefore all shall be well and all shall be sure and firm Isa 22.23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place and he shall be for a glorious throne to his fathers house Zech. 10.4 Out of him came forth the corner out of him the nails Isa 3.10 Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him for they shall eat the fruit of their doings Comfort your selves 1. Against your being short of other men in worldly-injoyments Christ is given you for a Covenant but not unto them O wonder at it and be comforted with him who said Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self to us and not unto the world You can own Christ they cannot Psal 67.6 And God even our own God shall bless us Psal 73.26 My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever 2. Comfort your selves against all snares dangers tentations and storms that can blow against you in your way to heaven Christ is in the Covenant and that shall be your safety as the disciples were safe at sea against greatest tempests because Christ was in the ship with them Mat. 8.13 to 28. Consider he is imbarked with you and shall bring you to land 1 Joh. 4.4 Ye are of God little children and have overcome them because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world 3. Comfort your selves against all your wants and weaknesses and all the miseries of your present condition Christ is given for a Covenant of the people and though you be foolish he is wise 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom Though you be weak he is strong Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty Mat. 12.29 Or else how can one enter into a strong mans house and spoil his goods except he first bind the strong man and then he will spoil his house Though you be faithless he is faithful 2 Tim. 2.13 If we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself Though you be nothing Christ is all Col. 3.11 Whatsoever is wanting in you is abounding in him and if you abuse not the grace of Christ by turning it into wantonness it is all one if it be betwixt you it s as good and much better it be in him than in you for if he be given to you all comes with him 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption 2. Believers in Christ you who have received him who was given for a Covenant of the people take courage and boldness to God-ward in all that you have to do with him For 1. Having received Christ for a Covenant of the people you may pray and deal confidently with God as though Christ did beseech God by you Isa 45.11 Thus saith the Lord the holy one of Israel and his maker Ask me of things to come concerning my Sons and concerning the work of my hands command ye me 2. You have gotten Christ and therefore nothing shall be denied you Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things 3. You have received more than you know of Joh. 14.4 5 20 And whither I go ye know and the way you know Thomas saith unto him Lord we know not whither thou goest and how can we know the way at that day ye shall know that I am in my father and you in me and I in you You have all the Covenant if you have him 4. You have received more than you want a greater thing than ever you shall be capable to need or want hereafter for how great soever your wants be you cannot conceive them to be so great as Christ who is given to you Phil. 4.19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 9.8 And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that ye always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work FINIS Books Printed for and are to be sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside SERMONS on the whole Epistle of Saint Paul to the Colossians by Mr. J. Daille translated into English by F. S. with Dr. Tho. Goodwin's and Dr. Joh. Owens Epistles Recommendatory A practical Exposition on the 3d Chapter of the first Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians with the Godly mans choice on Psalm 4. v. 6 7 8. by Anthony Burgess An Exposition of Christs Temptation on Mat. 4. and Peters Sermon to Cornelius and circumspect walking By Dr. Tho. Taylor Dr. Donns 4to Sermons being his 3 Volumes Pareus Exposition on the Revelations Choice and practical Expositions on 4 select Psalms viz. The fourth Psalm in eight The forty second Psalm in ten The fifty first Psalm in twenty The sixty third Psalm in seven Sermons By Tho. Horton D. D. Books 4to The Door of Salvation opened by the Key of Regeneration by George Swinnock M. A. An Antidote against Quakerism by Steph. Scandret An Exposition on the five first Chapters of Ezekiel by William Greenhil The Gospel-Covenant opened by Pet. Bulkley Gods holy-Mind touching matters moral which he uttered in ten Commandments Also an Exposition on the Lords Prayer by Edward Eston B. D. The Fiery-Jesuit or an Historical-Collection of the rise encrease doctrines and deeds of the Jesuits Horologiographia optica Dyalling universal and particular by Sylvanus Morgan A seasonable Apology for Religion by Matthew Pool Separation no Schism in answer to a Sermon preached before the Lord Mayor by J. S. The practical Divinity of the Papists discovered to be destructive to true Religion and Mens souls by J. Clarkson An Exercitation on a question in Divinity and Case of Conscience viz. Whether it be lawful for any person to act contrary to the Opinion of his own Conscience Certain considerations tending to promote Peace and Unity amongst Protestants The Saints triumph over the last enemy in a Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. James Janeway by Nath. Vincent The Morning Lecture against Popery preached by several Ministers of the Gospel in or near London Doctor Wilds Letter of Thanks and Poems A new Copy-Book of all sorts of useful hands The Saints priviledg by dying by Mr. Scot. The new World or new-reformed Church by Doctor Homes The Intercourse of Divine Love between Christ and the Church or the particular Believing soul in several Lectures on the whole second Chap. of Canticles by Joh. Collins D. D. Large 8vo Heart-Treasure or a Treatise tending to fill and furnish the head and heart of every Christian with Soul-inriching treasure of truths graces experiences and comforts The sure mercies of David or a second part of Heart-treasure Closet-prayer a Christians duty all three by O. Heywood A practical discourse of Prayer wherein is handled the nature and duty of Prayer by Tho. Cobbet Of quenching the Spirit the evil of it in respect both of its causes and effects discovered by Theophilus Polwheile Heaven and Hell in a Good or Bad Conscience by Nath. Vincent The re-building of London encouraged and improved in several meditations by Samuel Rolls The Sure way to Salvation or a Treatise of the Saints mystical Union with Christ by Richard Stedman M. A. Sober Singularity by the same Author Heaven taken by Storm