hear it and do it But what saith the Lord to them O that there was such an Heart in them He knew well their great Inability and Averseness to do whatsoever he required But the Covenant of Grace is an absolute Covenant as to us as I have and shall further shew you by and by IV. The Covenant of Works tho it required perfect Obedience Personally to be performed by the Creature yet it gave no strength to perform what it commanded 1. But in the Covenant of Peace whatsoever God's Law required of us to our Justification in his Sight Christ covenanted and performed it for us and we in him Hence the Apostle saith That the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us In us Christ and Believers are here represented but as one Person because what he did we are said to do in him Paul can't refer in this place to our inherent Sanctification for so no Believer can fulfil the Law because his best Works and Sanctification are imperfect 2. Moreover whatsoever Duties God requires of us as to our actual Justification in our own Consciences and as to our Sanctifica-also he hath promised to give us his Spirit to perform and work in us 1. He commands us to Believe and he hath promised to give us Faith so to do For Faith is not of our selves it is the Gift of God to you it is given not only to believe c. 2. He hath commanded us to make us a new Heart and he hath promised to give us a new Heart and to put a new Spirit into us 3. He commands us to love him c. and he hath promised to Circumcise our Hearts so to do c. V. The Covenant of Works laid all that broke it under God's denounced Wrath and Curse and admitted of no Mercy of no Forgiveness Heb. 10.28 In the Covenant of Grace Christ hath born that Wrath and Curse He hath Redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us No doubt but under the Law he that was Hanged on a Tree was not made a Curse only Politically but also Typically as signifying that Curse Christ should be made on the behalf of the Elect. And by being made a Curse for us he bore the Punishment due to us for our Sins and satisfied Divine Justice so that all our Sins who do believe in Jesus are in the Covenant of Grace forgiven for ever VI. The Covenant of Works as to the Tenure of it runs thus i. e. Do this and live but the Covenant of Grace runs thus in the Tenure of it i. e. Believe and be saved Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved The One puts Men upon working or doing for Life the other puts them upon believing and working from Life The first promises Rewards for the Creatures Obedience and threatens Wrath and Death for the Creatures Disobedience The second promises Rewards of Grace to Believers for what Christ hath done or through his Merits and threatens Wrath for not believing or for non-receiving of Free Justification through Christ's Obedience or for refusing the only Remedy or for neglecting that great Salvation purchased and merited by the Lord Jesus VII The Covenant of Works represents God an Angry God an Incensed Judge or as a Consuming Fire But the Covenant of Grace represents God in Christ a Reconciled Father This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Fury is not in me There is no Fury in God no Wrath no Condemnation to any that believe or that are in Jesus Christ. VIII The Covenant of Works consisted all in Precepts in Commands which were partly Moral and partly Ceremonial the latter being numerous some speak of more than three Hundred Precepts that were injoyned on the People for tho the Ceremonial Law shadowed the Gospel yet Paul counts it part of the first Covenant See Heb. 9.1 Yet I deny not but that there was much Grace held forth in it But the Covenant of Grace as to us consisteth only of Free Promises Hence the Elect are called The Children of the Promise Vnto Abraham and his Seed were the Promises made Now we Brethren as Isaac was are Children of the Promise And hence the Covenant of Grace is called The Covenants of Promise Note 'T is called Covenants in respect of the divers Revelations or Declarations of it as to Adam Abraham David c. and as revealed in the Gospel tho it is but one and the same Covenant True it may differ in some Accidents but in Substance it was the same viz. Jesus Christ promised and Free Justification through him Is the Law against the Promises That is Is the Law as given in Mount Sinai against the Covenant of Grace No but given in Subserviency thereunto or as leading to it by discovering the Evil of Sin and the absolute Necessity of Christ's perfect Obedience thereunto in our stead IX The first Covenant required perfect Obedience to the Law in every Man 's own Person in respect to their Justification at God's Bar by which means through Man's Weakness and Inability to perform it 't is called The Killing Letter The Letter kills for Sin taking occasion by the Commandment deceived me and by it slew me Sin revived and I dyed That is as to any hope of Life by the Law But the Covenant of Grace admits of a Substitute or of a Surety to keep the Law for us and God accepteth of his Obedience and Suffering as imputed to us to our free Discharge and Justification in his Sight And hence the Gospel is called The Ministration of the Spirit and Life Thus the Covenant of Peace is the Covenant of Grace 1. As considered in it self 2. Comparatively or in opposition to the first Covenant or Covenant of Works Thirdly The Covenant of Peace is the Covenant of Grace appears in that 't is an absolute Covenant I. It is not made on Conditions to be performed by us i. e. which being performed gives us a Right unto the Reward promised thereupon because our Right and Title to Heaven is only by the Righteousness of Christ through his perfect Obedience to the Law c. The Nature of the Covenant of Grace saith a Worthy Divine is Absolute or a Covenant of Promise notwithstanding all the Conditionalty contained therein 1. In respect of the Original Proposer of this Covenant it came from the Free and Absolute Will Grace and Purpose of the Father 1 Tim. 1.9 The Covenant of Peace was not purchased by Christ I mean the Covenant it self tho the Blessings in it were Christ's Purchase 2. The Covenant is Free and Absolute as to the Elect Personally considered because the whole of the Foederal Conditions lay upon their Head as undertaking for them II If we consider the Covenant saith he in respect to its Application or its being actually applied to the Elect
hath Mercy on thee This shews that the Covenant of Peace was founded for poor Creatures who were in Misery or in a deplorable Condition Man before his fall needed not Gods Mercy he was the Object of Gods Love and Favour but not of his Mercy For Mercy extended to any Person denotes he was in a forlorn and Miserable Condition before and at that Time when Bowels of Pity and Compassion were moved towards him V. We have here also the Stability of the Promise the Mountains that stand so fast shall or may sooner depart and the Hills be removed than this Covenant of Peace can be broken or he removed nay and he that saith this is the Lord the faithful and true God that cannot lie but to make it yet more firm he hath sworn to his Promise for as I have sworn that the Waters of Noah shall no more go over the Earth so have I sworn that I would not be Wrath with thee nor rebuke thee that is not to forsake her utterly So much shall suffice as to the Parts and Explanation of the Words of our Text. I shall only raise and prosecute one Point of Doctrine from hence viz. Doct. That there is a Covenant of Peace made or agreed upon and it stands firm ui behalf of all Gods Elect. In the speaking unto this Proposition I shall take this Method following viz. 1. Lay down eight Explanatory Propositions by way of Premise 2. I shall endeavour to open the main or chief Transactions about the bringing in and establish-of this Covenant of Peace 3. I shall open the Nature of this Covenant of Peace 4. I shall shew you what is contained granted or given in this Covenant 5. Shew the Nature of the Peace comprehended in this Covenant 6. Apply it Proposit. I. That God foresaw from Eternity that Man would fall from that happy and blessed State in which he was Created and that a fearful Breach would arise betwixt himself and Mankind Thereby Had it not been thus there would have been no room no need no occasion for God to enter into a Covenant of Peace with his own blessed Son in behalf of Mankind without a War foreseen there could I say be no occasion of a Covenant of Peace and Reconciliation II. Proposition That this Covenant of Peace was entered into between the Father and the Son before the World began Hence the Apostle saith aluding to this Covenant God 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 Moreover Our Lord Jesus saith that he was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the Earth was That is ordained substituted and anointed to be the great Representative and Covenanting-Head in behalf of all the Elect of GOD. III. Proposition That the Breach which God foresaw would arise would be very great or a most amazing or fearful Breach betwixt himself and lost Mankind and that it was so might abundantly be demonstrated It was a Breach occasioned by Sin God did not first fall out with us or proclaim War against Mankind but we first broke that League and Covenant of our Creation with God Man rebelled against his Creator casting off his Obedience and Allegiance and subjected himself to Sin and the Devil Lo this only have I found that God hath made Man upright but they have sought out many inventions Tho all the Wickedness that is in Man's Heart that Deceit Hypocrisie and streams of Filthiness that is there Solomon the Wisest of Men could not find out Yet this he had discovered viz. the Fountain of it namely Original Sin or what it was that first caused that Breach and War which is between God and all Unconverted Men or all ungodly Ones in the World And now That it is a fearful Breach appeareth 1. In that Man run away from God and hid himself And the Lord God called unto Adam and said unto him Where art thou And he said I heard thy Voice in the Garden and I was afraid because I was naked and I hid my self That God who was before the Object of his Love and Delight was now become Terrible unto him because of his horrid Sin and Guilt which lay upon him 2. It was an unreasonable act of Disobedience and most horrid Rebellion considering what God had done for Man and how Great Noble and Honourable God had made him he formed Man in his own Image and made him capable of enjoying sweet Fellowship and Communion with his Creator he made him Lord and Governour of all things on Earth and gave him a lovely beautiful Spouse to be a sit help meet for him he gave him power to stand in that happy Estate tho he left him in a possibility of Falling to prove his Fidelity and Obedience to his Maker But Man cast horrid Contempt upon God by his Unbelief He disbelieved the true and faithful God and believed the Devil that Father of Lies and so gave more Glory to Satan than to his blessed and most rightful Sovereign 3. The Dismal Nature of this Breach further appears on Man's part by considering of that vile and abominable Enmity which is in the Hearts of all Mankind who abide in that old Nature against God as the effects of that first Sin The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject unto the Law of God neither indeed can be he doth not say it is an Enemy but in the abstract it is Enmity an Enemy as one observes may be reconciled but Enmity can never be reconciled Man by this Sin came to be alienated in the highest degree from God having the Vnderstanding darkned being alienated from the life of God And in another place saith the same Apostle And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minds by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled 4. This still further appears In that all Men naturally resist God and his good Spirit they fight against God Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do always resist the Holy Ghost as your Fathers did so do ye Nay they are called haters of God The haters of God saith David should have submitted themselves Ye have both hated me and my Father saith our blessed Lord. What can render Sin more evil or Man more vile than to be called a Hater of God they are haters of God and despightful Their soul saith the Lord abhorred me and my Soul loathed them Moreover They are said to be Contemners of God they even dare God to his Face and harden their Hearts against him Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God He saith in his heart thou wilt not require it They fear him not they atheistically deny his Providence nay his very being or wish at least there was no God And all this is the fruit and
my Text Saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee God foresaw us cast out like a wretched Infant in the day of its Nativity whose Navel was not cut neither washed in Water nor salted nor swadled at all and what doth God say more None Eye pitied thee to do any of these things for thee but thou wast cast out in the open Field to the loathing of thy person in the day thou wast born This was the time of his Love and also of his Pity and tender Mercy And when I passed by thee I saw thee polluted in thine own bloud ver 6. that is when he was first concerned for us in this Covenant of Peace and entered into that holy Compact with his own Son Behold thy time was a time of love and I spread my Skirt over and covered thy nakedness yea and I sware unto thee and entered into Covenant with thee saith the Lord and thou becamest mine This was the time of God's entering into Covenant with his Elect viz. it was with them in Christ and what of this is actually accomplished on us in Time in our own Persons is but the execution of all that Grace Pity and Mercy manifested to us in Christ from Eternity he then shewed his Eternal Purpose of Compassion towards his Chosen and he then said in his blessed Covenant to them live I should now proceed to the next general Head but shall say no more at this time SERMON II. ISA. Liv. x. the last part of the Verse Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Doct. THAT there is a Covenant of Peace made and agreed on and standeth firm in behalf of all the Elect of God The last Day we spoke to those Explanatory Propositions proposed to be opened by way of premise And now to proceed to the next General Head Secondly I shall endeavour to open the main or chief transactions about the bringing in this Covenant of Peace There are my Brethren Six Things to be considered in a Covenant of Peace among Men and so also in and about this Covenant I. A Treaty or a Solemn Consultation or a Treating about the Terms of Peace II. An Agreement upon the Terms proposed III. Who the Mediator is of this Covenant of Peace together with his Work and Office IV. The Ratification of the Covenant V. The Proclamation or proclaiming the Peace VI. The Time when the Peace shall commence and who are included in it and what is required in order to their actual possession and enjoyment thereof My Brethren These are the main things that are contained in and about a Covenant of Peace among Men as the chief Covenant Transactions and my Purpose is to speak unto these Six things particularly Tho I grant there is some difference between a Covenant of Peace between Kingdoms and States among Men and this Covenant especially concerning the Work of the Glorious Mediator of this Covenant and a Mediator of Peace concluded between Earthly Princes and States As we God assisting shall make appear But to proceed I. Concerning the Treaty or Treating about this Covenant My Brethren Commonly Princes and States appoint their Extraordinary Embassadors or Plenipotentiaries to Treat about the Terms upon which they design and are willing to conclude a Peace after a ruinous and destructive War They do not Treat about it in their own Persons but the Treaty of Peace in this Covenant was only between God the Father and God the Son Sinners then had no actual Being or did not exist and therefore could not send any Plenipotentiary to agitate Matters on their behalf It is true Our Lord Jesus Christ is called The Messenger of the Covenant whom we delight in He is indeed our Delegate Messenger or Trustee but the Father alone and not we Delegated that Office and Power to him for us and on our Behalf out of his own Sovereign Grace and Goodness before the World began This Name of Messenger of the Covenant doth 1. Denote Christ's Dispensatory Employment Work and Office and his free and voluntary condescention to undertake in this Treaty according to the Design Purpose and Will of the Father as our great Trustee Embassador and Plenipotentiary And 2. He may not only be called The Messenger of the Covenant as our great Representative to Treat with the Father in Eternity upon the Terms of our Peace but also in his being sent from Heaven to Earth actually to work about and accomplish all things that were agreed on between them both concerning the making of our Peace He travelled from Heaven to Earth on this Errand and to effect this blessed Work 3. He may be so called because he is the Messenger that published the Happy News of the Peace contained in this Covenant in the clear and glorious Ministration of it Hence it is said it was first began to be spoken by the Lord. Our Lord Jesus is the great Apostle and Chief Minister and Messenger of the New Covenant a Minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not Man 4. He is the Messenger who doth interpret open and explain all those dark and obscure Mysteries contained in the Covenant of Peace that were kept secret and hid from the beginning of the World He is that Messenger one of a thousand All things saith he 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 No Man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him But no more as to this now 1. I shall prove that there was a Covenant between God and Christ or a blessed Treaty about our Peace before the World began see Psalm 89. v. 3. I have made a Covenant with my chosen God first chose his Son as the Representative Covenanting Head and Surety of his Elect and then Treated with him about the Terms of our Peace It is said to be made with David but no otherwise than as he was a Type of Christ. It is Jesus Christ who is the true David My Mercy will I keep for him evermore and my Covenant shall stand fast with him Hence our Blessed Lord it is said was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God 2. Here are the two Covenanting Parties the Covenant of Peace is between them both that is between the Lord of Host and the Man who is the Branch betwixt them it was consulted agreed to or concluded I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the Earth was that is as the Covenant-Head of all God's Elect or as Mediator and Peace-maker between God and them and this setting up that clearly implies a Covenant or holy Compact that was between them both 3. The consent of two Parties
or more upon the Proposals made by the one Party and the agreement of the other tends to make a formal Covenant so here was my Brethren a mutual re-stipulation betwixt God the Father and Christ about our Peace and Redemption For here were things commanded by the one and agreed to be done in obedience by the other In these Transactions the Father makes Proposals to the Son and shewed him what he will have him do if ever our Peace succeed and is made And 4. Moreover Upon the doing of which many great Promises are made to Christ for the Merit or Desert of his Work and to the Elect in him out of meer Grace for Christ's sake or for his just deservings hence our Lord saith he came to do the will of his Father This is the Will of him that sent me c. he laid down his Life as his Father commanded him he knew it was according to the Eternal Compact Purpose and Decree of his Father unto which he consented God the Father agreed to prepare the Son a Body the Son consented to assume our Nature or take that Body Then said I lo I come to do thy Will O God! and in that body he was enjoined to die I have power to lay down my life and power to take it up again this Commandment have I received of my Father Also these Faederal Transactions betwixt God the Father and Jesus Christ are held forth in Isa. 53.10 11 12. He shall make his Soul an offering for Sin this was that which Christ was obliged to do and then we have the Promise of the Fathers to him 1. Of justifying of many 2. Of seeing his Seed He shall see his Seed 3. That the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand he shall have them all united to himself pordoned and saved for ever Again Isa. 42.6 The Covenanting Parties are mentioned the Father saith I. will give thee that is thee my Son for a Covenant to the People Here 's the Father's Designation and first Sealing of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Mediatorial Office and Employment Moreover Our Lord Jesus readily complied with the Father's Purpose and Will herein The Lord God hath opened mine Ear and I was not rebellious I gave my Back to the Smiters and my Cheeks to them that plucked off the Hair I hid not my Face from shame and spitting I gave consent thus to do I readily yielded to my Father's Pleasure herein and in the Fulness of Time he actually thus suffered to fulfil and answer the Terms of this Covenant I will declare the Decree or as Dr. Hammond reads it the Covenant that is I will publish or manifest that which was agreed upon betwixt God the Father and me This my Brethren was long kept secret but it is now clearly revealed The secrets of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant The Hebrew Word Decree the Learned in that Language render Statute Decree Agreement Pact Covenant the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is here used saith a Learned Author is in the Scripture sometimes promiscuously or synonimously used with the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is usually render'd Covenant Covenant is taken either properly or figuratively First Properly for a mutual Contract Compact or Agreement between two Parties which differs from a Law which is without Obligation on the Lawgiver and also from a single Promise which is without Stipulation Covenant may be thus taken as one Notes i. e. in a proper sense when applied to the whole Covenant of Peace or Grace between the Father and the Son because there was a mutual Stipulation 2. Figuratively For a bare Promise so it was to Noah Gen. 9.9 and so the Covenant of Grace run to Abraham viz. being no more than a free Promise of God and thus we are to take the Word Covenant when it refers to us in Christ for we receive no Covenant-Blessings upon any mutual Stipulation betwixt God and us upon or from the Merit of our Work but all upon the account of Free Grace and of Christ's Covenant with God and by vertue of that Faederal Union we had then with him for all things which we receive in Time was promised to us in Christ from Eternity therefore the Elect must faederally be considered in Christ from everlasting The Covenant of Peace with Christ my Brethren was not made simply for himself but for the Elect he merited that we might possess True all is to him of meer Desert and Merit but to us in him of meer Grace and Favour So much as to the first thing that was proposed to be opened viz. That there was a Treaty or Treating between the Father and the Son about this blessed Covenant of Peace II. I shall shew you more fully That there was an Agreement upon the Terms Or That the Son of God did consent to what the Father proposed 1. It is very evident from what hath been said That God proposed Matters to his own Son or what he must do to procure and establish the Covenant of Peace but let me add here one or two Scriptures more to shew you that Christ consented unto those Proposals made by the Father I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the People for a light unto the Gentiles to open blind eyes to bring out the Prisoners from the Prison and them that sit in darkness out of the Prison-House And in Isa. 49.5 6. it is said And now saith the Lord that formed me from the Womb to be his servant to bring Jacob again to him tho Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord And my God shall be my strength And he said it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my Servant to raise up the Tribes of Jacob to restore the preserved of Israel I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth These things all Expositors that are Orthodox agree were spoken by Jehovah to Jesus Christ and do contain Proposals concerning the Covenant of Peace And now 2. Let us in the next place consider of such Scriptures that prove that Christ did consent unto these Proposals To this effect see Prov. 8.22.23 24. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his work of old I was set up from everlasting from the beginning before ever the Earth was When there was no depths I was brought forth when there was no Fountains abounding with Water 30 31. Then was I with him as one brought up with him and was daily his delight rejoicing always before him rejoicing in the habitable part of the Earth and my Delights were with the Sons of Men. As this Text proves the Eternity of the Son of God who is the substantial
eternal Wisdom of God so also it shews there was a voluntary and ready consent in our Lord to undertake in the Work of our Peace and Redemption that he was set up and did agree to undertake as our Mediator to make our Peace with God and also that he took pleasure in his so engaging on our behalf To this let me add what David in the Person of Christ speaks Sacrifice and Offerings thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened Burnt Offerings and Sin Offerings hast thou not required then said I lo I come to do thy Will O God This place is cited by the Apostle Wherefore when he cometh into the World he saith Sacrifice and Offerings thou wouldst not but a Body hast thou prepared me In Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure Then said I lo I come in the Volmn of the Book it is written of me to do thy Will O God Nothing can more fully shew Christ's chearful Consent What God the Father required Jesus Christ yielded to do which was to make satisfaction for Sin in his Body on the Tree and so to make our Peace with the Eternal Jehovah I. Consider who the Persons transacting and treating with each other were even God the Father and God the Son the Father stands upon satisfaction to his Law and Justice or demands the whole Sum or Price of our Redemption that so our Peace might be made and Christ engageth to give it II. The business or grand Matter transacted I say betwixt them was our Peace and Reconciliation unto God and so to recover all God's Elect from Sin Wrath and Misery and work about their Eternal Happiness the Elect tho not then in Being yet are here considered as fallen wretched and forlorn Creatures III. That the Manner or Nature of these Transactions were faederal or in a Covenant-way one Person mutually engaging and stipulating with the other The Father stands upon the strict demands of Law and Justice the Son consents to glorifie the Father therein and raise the honour of all the Divine Attributes which in time he did do I have glorified thee on Earth I have finished the work thou gavest me to do And now Father glorifie me with thine own Self As if he should say the Terms agreed upon or thy Demands are done therefore let me have my Reward and let mine Elect be made one in us Let me not only Personally be one with thee but also Mystically one and so be glorified as it is due to me as the Hire or Reward of my Work IV. If any ask when this Covenant or holy Compact was made I told you and say again it bears Date from Eternity or before the World began when we had as I said before no Existence but only in the Eternal Decree and Purpose of God Moreover Remember this Covenant was made with Christ for us and in him with us for all that Grace which is given to us in time was promised unto us in Christ nay given to us in Christ from Eternity 2 Tim. 1.9 Tit. 1.1 2 3. as our Surety Covenanting-Head and blessed Representative As to the special and particular Articles agreed upon on which the Covenant of Peace was made and concluded I shall open them under the next Head of Discourse V. Commonly in all Treaties or Covenants of Peace amongst Men there is a Mediator chosen So God chose a Mediator of this Covenant yet his Work as Mediator greatly differs from the Work and Office of all other Mediators as I might make it appear For Christ is not only Mediator of the Covenant but Surety Messenger and Testator of it also And as he is considered Mediator he is invested with a Threefold Office more particularly which Offices he faithfully executeth in order to the making our Peace with God in reconciling God to us and us to God which I purpose to treat of and open in order The Work of our Mediator is not barely to see our Peace made or to labour by Intreaty to bring each Party to Moderation and pliable Terms and to see every thing done according to the Preliminaries agreed upon but the whole Work of making Peace is solely committed to our Lord Jesus Christ not to see others do it but he himself doth it all even all that God requires on his part and what is necessary to be done for us in us and by us also I. Let it be also considered That God would not make any Covenant of Peace with us without a Mediator without such a Mediator and that Jesus Christ alone is the Mediator is evident There is one Mediator between God and Man even the Man Christ Jesus I say God chose his Son to be the Mediator of this Covenant of Peace and hence he is said to be given for a Covenant unto the People that is as some conceive To be the Mediator thereof II. God the Father's Demands must be granted he will not suffer his Just Right and Honour to be invaded nor his Glory eclipsed therefore was this Mediator chosen besides the Sanction of his Holy Law must be preserved Private Persons may forgive Offences as they please but the Just and Holy Governour of the World will not cannot pass by Offences till the end of Government be secured that so his Holiness and Justice be not stained nor his Law fall to the Ground Hence one main Article proposed was That the Mediator of our Peace do make full Satisfaction and if he doth not this there could be no Covenont of Peace concluded this therefore was the result of that Counsel of Peace held in Eternity III. There was I say a necessity for the Son of God to be both Mediator and Surety of this Covenant I do not say that there was a necessity laid either upon the Father or the Son to enter into this Covenant of Peace for us No no! But if God will in a way of Free and Sovereign Grace enter into such a Covenant for Mankind there was a Necessity for Christ to be the Mediator and Surety of it I say Necessity so far as we can or are able to conceive in respect of this Matter 1. Because God hath not revealed or made known any other way by which our Peace could be made but by a Mediator I do not say that God could not any other way make our Peace but that he could not in reguard of his own Honour so far as it appeareth unto us Moreover if God hath not made known any other way then there is no other way for us to obtain Peace with him But no other way is made known 2. There could be no other way as we can conceive because the breach that was between God and us must be made up by a full satisfaction to the Law and Justice of God God being Just as well as Gracious and hence one end why Christ was made a propitiation through Faith in his
is able not only to bring us to God or into the Bonds of his Covenant but also to keep us in a State of Peace so that we shall not break Covenant with God any more for ever so as to lose his Love and Favour And as Jesus Christ hath power to do this so he also in this Covenant of Peace ingaged to do it He is able I say and will do it Brethren shall he shed his Blood to make our Peace and shall he not secure that Peace to us or not preserve us in a State of Peace I shall before I have done shew you that he is not only Mediator but Surety also of the Covenant of Peace and he is bound or obliged to perform all these things for all that are given unto him by the Father and he will lose not one of them we are the Preserved in Jesus Christ as well as Called VIII A Mediator is not only to bring one Party to Terms of Peace but to reconcile both Parties if possible Jesus Christ is not only to reconcile God to Man but also Man to God A Mediator is not a Mediator of one but God is one God is the offended and injured Party and Jesus Christ reconciled God by that Satisfaction he made to his Holy Law and Justice but he hath another Work to do which is to reconcile the Elect unto God Some Men intimate that altho God on his part in Christ is reconciled yet Man is to reconcile himself to God or make his own Peace as well as he can and that he is to enter into a Covenant himself with God and labour to perform these things upon the pain of Damnation but this Gospel I understand not I know no Covenant of Peace but that which Christ made with the Father and it is his Work as Mediator to bring poor Sinners to accept of the Terms of Peace agreed on in order to their personal and actual Interest in the Blessings of the said Covenant Christ must change the Sinners Heart by the infusing of his Spirit and so unite the Soul to himself by which means he brings the Sinner into the Bonds of the Covenant The outward means is indeed the Preaching of the Gospel but the inward and effectual means is the efficacious Operations of the Holy Spirit and he that saith it is in the Power of Man's Will to make his Peace or to lay hold of the Covenant takes the Work of Christ's Mediation out of his Hand and the Crown from off his Head IX A Mediatour many times meets with great trouble and Difficulties in undertaking to make Peace and what trouble hath Jesus Christ met with And what Sorrow hath he undergone from Devils from Men nay and from Divine Justice and incensed Wrath when he put himself in our Law place What Reproaches and Temptations did attend him What Tears did he shed What Anguish did he feel And what a Bloody Agony did he pass under And what a Painful und Shameful Death did he Die And also what Opposition and Resistance Scorn and Contempt doth he daily still meet with from Sinners Oh! how averse are Men to accept of Peace and Reconciliation with God by Christ Some contemn his Blood rendring it as an empty and carnal thing and think to obtain Peace by another Christ a Christ within even by the Law or Light in their Hearts Others by a new Law or by their Faith and Sincere Obedience Moreover some value the League they have made with Sin Hell and Death and will not nullifie that but esteem that Covenant before and above this Covenant of Peace made between the Father and Son and confirmed by Christ's Blood But I can proceed no further at this time SERMON III. Further opening the Work of Christ as Mediator Together with the Exercise of his Offices as King Priest Prophet Surety Testator c. ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee THE Doctrine I have raised from these Words is this viz. Doct. That there is a Covenant of Peace made or agreed upon and stands firm in behalf of all God's Elect. I am my Brethren upon the Work and Office of Christ as Mediator of this Covenant of Peace I have gone through an Induction of Nine Particulars and shall now proceed X. A Mediator ought to be indowed with much Patience and Long-suffering for Peace sake either from the one or the other Party Now my Brethren Jesus Christ the Mediator of Peace in this Covenant hath shewed wonderful Patience he indured the Anger and Wrath of God the Father smote him and hid his Face from him he spared not his own Son And he was also despised and rejected of Men yet bore it all patiently He was oppressed and afflicted and yet opened not his Mouth who when he was reviled he reviled not again but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously XI A Mediator must be undaunted and very courageous and not tired nor wearied out Jesus Christ my Brethren is full of Courage He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he hath set Judgment in the Earth Tho his Work was heavy and amazing which he was to do yet he fainted not God the Father having promised to uphold him I will uphold thee indeed it was impossible that he should want courage who was the Mighty God the Lord that fainteth not neither is weary he hath the fulness of the Godhead dwelling Bodily in him I that speak in Righteousness mighty to save He never fainted under his Burden so as to cast it off but faithfully finished the Work his Father gave him to do It is finished and he bowed his Head and gave up the Ghost XII A Mediator must be of a mollifying Temper indeavouring to bring both Parties to terms of Peace the one not to stand up to the uttermost rigour of Justice further than is absolute requisite nor the other to remain stubborn and obstinate Now Jesus Christ the Mediator of this Covenant of Peace in this infinitely excelled all that ever undertook such an Office 1. How Mollifying was his Temper towards God True he well knew God could not in point of Justice considering his Infinite Holiness Rectitude of his Nature and the Sanction of his Law abate any thing no not one Farthing of the whole Debt but must have full Satisfaction yet Christ brought the Majesty of God to accept of his Mediation and Suretiship for us and O how did God condescend to him herein who might have vigorously exacted a full Satisfaction from the Sinner himself and not to have admitted of a Substitute for him But the Blessed Mediator prevails with God to accept of Payment from his Hands instead of a Personal Satisfaction made by the Sinner God yields to Jesus Christ and accepts of Payment or Satisfaction from his Hands not in our Persons but in the Person
of his Son as Mediator for tho the Father might make the first Proposal of this to his Son yet 't is by Christ's Undertaking that God is pacified c. He was made a Curse for us therefore as by the Offence of one Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation so by the Righteousness of one the Free-gift came upon all Men unto Justification of Life For as by one Man's Disobedience many were made Sinners so by the Obedience of one shall many be made Righteous As Adam brought us into Debt and made us obnoxious to Divine Wrath so Jesus Christ hath paid our Debts by his active Obedience to God's Law and by bearing that Wrath on his Soul and Body which our Sins had brought upon us For the Transgressions of my People was be stricken 2. See how the Mediator prevails with God for instead of God's demanding an inherent Righteousness a Righteousness wrought out in our Persons he accepts of an Imputed Righteousness wrought out in the Person of his own Son in our Nature as Mediator Who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption In the Lord shall one say have I Righteousness and Strength And then on the other side 1. Christ is of a mollifying Temper towards Man for he brings Man that he might partake of the Blessings of Peace to forego or give up all his own Righteousness as good for nothing nay to account it as Dung in point of Justification at God's Bar or when it is compared to the Righteousness of God in Christ and instead of seeking Justification by our own Righteousness or by our Faith and sincere Obedience utterly to renounce it and to submit to the Righteousness of God That we may be Justified freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus 2. Not to work to be Justified not to repent or love God to be Justified But to work not but believe in him that Justifies the Vngodly 3. Not to work for Life but from Life i. e. from a Principle of Life wrought in the Soul not to change one Work or Act of the Creature in Justification to another Work or Act of the Creature I mean not to renounce all Works of the Law in point of Justification and to include Gospel-works or Faith and Obedience as part of our Justifying Righteousness before God no no but to exclude all manner of Works Faith and Obedience whatsoever and to rest upon Christ alone or on his Righteousness exclusive of all the Creature doth or can do 4. And tho the Soul sees he is already Justified and accepted in the Beloved and for ever delivered from Wrath and Condemnation yet to live a Holy Life and renounce all Sin and Iniquity from a Principle of Faith and because Sin is so hateful unto God and so abominable in his Sight and because Christ is his Lord therefore to do all things whatsoever he commandeth him and all this in Love to Christ not to seek his Acceptance and Justification by the Worth of his Faith and Obedience but in Christ and to account himself an Vnprofitable Servant when he hath done all that Christ hath commanded him 5. Christ never leaves his Elect until he hath brought them to these Terms XIII A Mediator whose Mediation is rejected after long Patience leaves the Offended and Obstinate Person to the Severity of that Law he hath broke and under the Sentence thereof So my Brethren will the Lord Jesus Christ after long Patience and Forbearance leave all Obstinate Rebellious and Unbelieving Sinners to the Severity of the Law of God which they have broken and to the Wrath and Vengeance of God He that believeth not is Condemned already All are condemned in the first Adam and their Condemnation will be aggravated upon them because they reject the Offers of Peace or the Mediation of Jesus Christ and believe not in him and indeed all Men would do this was not Infinite Love shewed and Power put forth towards some according to God's Eternal Purpose in Election XIV A Mediator leaves no liberty of an Appeal after he hath passed the definitive Sentence Moreover it is some times left to him also to pass that Sentence So my Brethren the Lord Christ at the last Day will leave no room for any Sinner to appeal to any other Court or Person there will be no relief for God the Father hath committed all Judgment to the Son he will therefore pass the definitive Sentence against all Mankind in the Day of Judgment For the Father Judgeth no Man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son All Judgment in the Administration of the Mediatory Kingdom is given to Jesus Christ and in and by the Son will God Judge the World Because he hath appointed a Day in the which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance to all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead The Mediator of this Peace shall Judge all Men he shall execute Judgment because he is the Son of Man and this God will do That all Men may honour the Son even as they honour the Father Which shews that the same Honour and Divine Worship is due to Christ that is due to God the Father he being the very same Eternal God So much at present as to Christ's Work as Mediator of this Covenant of Peace And now let me apply this before I proceed to the next thing which is the Suretiship of Christ. APPLICATION 1. We infer from hence that Sin is exceeding sinful O what Evil is there in Sin That nothing can atone for it nor make our Peace but the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ the Mediator It is not his bare Pleading but it must be done by his bleeding or dying for us or in our stead And O how great was that Breach which nothing could make up but such a Bloody Sacrifice 2. We also infer from hence that God's Love to us in Christ is an amazing and wonderful Love our Peace shall be made tho it cost God the Blood of his own dear and beloved Son God so loved the World How was that Who can conceive of the greatness of it Even so as he gave his only begotten Son to die for us even for his Enemies God commended his Love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us for when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God by the Death of his Son Not that God was only reconcileable but by that Sacrifice God was reconciled our Faith doth not reconcile God to us but we thereby receive the Atonement or the Blessing of Peace and Reconciliation 3. We infer likewise from hence that the Love of Jesus Christ was wonderful and his Condescention exceeding great What did God take our Nature into Union with
Justification by Works springing from Faith is Justification by Faith in this Sense Again they say That we are made Partakers of the Benefits of Christ he having purchased this Grant or Law i. e. That they that do obey him to the end shall be saved that is Our Obedience doth both Justifie us and Save us Answ. The Vanity of which and how erroneous it is we have shewed some time since * 3. They say Christ hath merited a New Law or easier Terms and Conditions that our Faith Obedience and Good Works may Justifie and Save us but what saith Paul All boasting is excluded not legal boasting only but all boasting and cause of boasting but by their New Law boasting is let in Moreover he says If it be of Grace it is not of Works and if it be of Works it is not of Grace or else Grace is no more Grace and Works no more Works Brethren Works cannot mix with Free Grace they are directly contrary to each other in their Nature besides these Men forget that we are Justified alone by the Obedience and Righteousness of one even as we were made Sinners by the Disobedience of one and that is by the Righteousness of Christ imputed to us for it was by the Disobedience of Adam as imputed to us that we became Sinners In a word Christ hath wrought out a Righteousness for us which is put upon us or accounted or imputed to us and not that Christ merited a Law that a Justifying Righteousness might be wrought out in us or by us in conforming to that New Law Who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and Sanctification and Redemption Not only that his Righteousness is the Meritorious Cause of our Justification as Mr. Clark affirms p. 104. but the Material Cause thereof or that by which we are Justified no other Righteousness but his which is perfect being pleadable at God's Bar. 4. We say That Justification of a Sinner is the acceptance of his Person or the pronouncing him Just and Righteous in God's Sight through the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ whereby he hath a full Right and Title to Eternal Life They say That Justification is nothing else but the pardon of Sin i. e. the not executing the Punishment of Sin due by the Law of Works and an acceptance of a Man so long as he performeth the New Condition of Sincere Obedience For the Lord's sake and for your Souls sake beware of those Men and their new and strange Doctrine for it appears Salvation must be a Debt and not wholly of Grace if what they say were true because it is granted upon our fulfilling of the Conditions required which are indeed not light but weighty and difficult Conditions as Faith Regeneration and Perseverance even Mr. Dan. William's Baptismal Covenant which all they who do not fulfil it he says shall be damned the Violating of that Covenant being as he affirms the Damning Sin And this so far as I can see is that which is their Covenant of Grace not that Christ ingaged for us to the Father to do all for us and in us in the Covenant of Redemption even to reconcile God to us and us to God no but that that was a distinct Covenant from the Covenant of Grace which was to make way for us to enter into a Conditional Covenant of Grace i. e. of Faith Good Works or Gospel-Obedience Which Error and Mistake I purpose God willing to refute before I leave my Text and prove the Covenant of Peace is but one intire Covenant with that of Redemption Comfort and Consolation if my Brethren it is as you have heard that Jesus Christ as a Mediator is equally interested in both Parties then what Comfort is here for Believers 1. We have no ground to suspect him of partiality he will not fail us because he is so dearly and nearly related to us and also considering what he hath done and suffered for us And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the Truth 2. Consider his Ability not only to reconcile us to God but to continue us in that reconciled State we may depend upon his Power For I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that Day 3. Considering his Love and Faithfulness towards us in the Exercise of his Work and Office Faithful is he that calleth you and also he will do it 4. With what boldness also may we come to God by him Seeing we have such a great High-Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus This I say may encourage us to make our humble Supplications to God with boldness since we have such a Mediator between God and us the Man Christ Jesus SERMON IV. Wherein the Suretiship of Christ is opened ISA. Liv. x. Neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Doct. THAT there is a Covenant made or agreed on and stands firm in the behalf of all God's Elect. I am my Brethren a speaking concerning those Transactions betwixt God the Father and God the Son before the World began about the bringing in and establishing of the Covenant of our Peace in which Transactions I have shewed you the Son of God was chosen Mediator considered as God-man and as to that Office of his we have spoken distinctly but as he is Mediator so you have heard he is Surety of the Covenant of Peace and so more than a meer or simple Mediator And since the Covenant of Peace so much dependeth upon the Suretiship of Christ I shall here I. Shew what Surety doth import or open this Relation II. Shew why Christ came under this Relation III. Shew what Christ was to do and we were to receive as Christ's our Surety IV. Shew how his Suretiship differs from Suretiship among Men. V. Apply it 1. A Surety is one that undertakes for others wherein they are defective really or in Reputation in Latin Sponsor fide jussor a Surety is one that engages to make Satisfaction for one or more or ingageth for others Thus Ruben became Surety to his Father Jacob Gen. 43.9 to bring Benjamin again and Paul for Onesimus Philem. 18 19. If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee ought put that on mine Account I Paul have written it with my own Hand I will pay it In this Sense we take Christ to be a Surety 1. It signifies likewise to give a Pledge Isa. 36.8 2 Kings 18.23.3 2. Also to strike Hands Prov. 22.26 Thus Christ is our Surety i. e. he struck Hands with God for us in this Covenant I say a Surety is one that undertakes for one or more Persons whose Credit is gone or is not good one not to be
Mission but Christ only and him Crucified 3. Not such that are Ministers of Man's making that come to their Ministry as Men come to Trades who perhaps never knew Christ themselves or were ever Converted Can such be Christ's Ministers 4. Not such that Preach the Moral Law as it is written in Mens Hearts or that call the Light or Law that is in all Men the true Christ of God no these are Deceivers and Satan in them hath transformed himself into an Angel of Light 5. Not such that deny the Godhead of Christ and his atoning Sacrifice or that Satisfaction he gave to the Law and Justice of God 6. Not such that deny his Humanity or affirm that he took not Flesh of the Virgin being neither true God of his Father's Substance nor true and real Man of the Substance of his Mother II. Affirmatively they are such that Christ hath Regenerated and graciously Qualified by giving them Grace and Ministeral Gifts and are also authorized by him to proclaim the Covenant of Peace Let me open this a little Every Ambassador must have a Regular Mission or be Authorized or Impowered before he can be imployed in that high Place and Trust And so it is here How shall they Preach except they be sent That is duly or authoritatively and to the Profit of the People And 1. They ought to be Converted Persons and also to be Members of some true Church or Churches of Jesus Christ and Baptized Persons for Christ himself till he was Baptized did not enter upon the Work of his Ministry 2. They must pass the Probation of that Church with whom they are Members and receive a Regular Call from them to Preach God's Word 3. Moreover they that are regularly called and authorized and every ways compleat and orderly Ambassadors must be Ordained by Prayer and Imposition of Hands by the Eldership III. An Ambassador is a Person of Eminency and Honour in his Prince's Sight they represent their Prince's Person so is Christ's true and faithful Minister he is one that Christ confers great Dignity and Honour upon tho many of Christ's true Ministers have but little Honour from Men nor are they accounted Honourable Ones by the World but they are notwithstanding Stars in Christ's Right Hand and are called Angels of the Churches Yet what saith Paul You 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 c. and base things of the World and things despised That is Persons of no Esteem in the Eyes of the World yet they represent Christ's Person which is no small Dignity IV. Some Ambassadors are Ambassadours of Peace to perswade Enemies to accept of Terms of Peace and to lay down their Arms c. The Ministers of Christ are Ambassadors of Peace not to reconcile God to Men but Men to God Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ as tho God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God Man naturally is in a State of Enmity against God and this way through the Workings of the Holy Spirit by the Word they come to be reconciled unto God V. An Ambassador of Peace is a Joyful Messenger so are the true Ministers of Jesus Christ How beautiful upon the Mountains are the Feet of him that bringeth good Tidings that publisheth Peace that bringeth good Tydings of Good that publisheth Salvation c. 1. An Ambassador is a welcome Messenger if he comes with Tidings of Peace from a formidable and powerful Prince whose Arms are irresistable or whose force is unconquerable and hath also been justly incensed enraged and stirred up to Wrath. My Brethren the Consideration of this renders the Ambassadors of Christ most Joyful and Welcome Messengers where they come and proclaim Peace because the great God is an irresistable Enemy Who is a Match for him And he is also justly incensed and stirred up to Wrath by all Ungodly Persons God is jealous and the Lord revengeth the Lord revengeth and is furious the Lord will take Vengeance on his Adversaries and he reserveth Wrath for his Enemies The Mountains quake at him the Hills melt and the Earth is burnt at his Presence the World and all that dwell therein Who can stand before his Indignation And who can abide the fierceness of his Anger He is an amazing Warriour he can shake the Heavens by his Voice And cause the Mountains to tremble before him with God is terrible Majesty he is the Lord mighty in Battel He causeth the Earth to fear and the Inhabitants thereof to melt away so that the Men of might cannot find their Hands He can make Emperors as Stubble to his Bow and mighty Kings as Chaff before the Whirlwind He makes Beelzebub with his Black Guards to quiver and fly into Darkness to hide themselves He cuts off the Spirit of Princes and Triumphs over the greatest and proudest Monarchs Alexander Pompey Caesar and Tamberlain have all yielded to this Invincible Conqueror and so shall in a short time the Proud and Haughty Tyrant Lewis le Grand If God shows but his Finger on the Wall he makes proud Belshazzar to quake nay he can employ Inanimate Creatures to terrifie and destroy Pharoah and his mighty Hosts O how joyful then must those Tidings be to hear that such a King such an Enemy is reconciled to us 2. An Ambassador of Peace is welcome to a People who lie under heavy Burdens or are in fearful Bondage Slavery and Misery and have no power to save or relieve themselves for such I say to hear of Liberty or of a Proclamation of Peace declaring their Freedom and that for ever who had once been a Free People but lost it this renders such an Ambassador welcome indeed Now this is the State of all Mankind What Slaves What Vassals of Sin and Satan are all Ungodly Mortals Their Eyes put out their Robes rent from them their Souls wounded and nothing but loathsome Sores from the Crown of their Head to the Sole of their Feet and fed with nothing but Ashes Chaff Husks and Gravel Stones and laid under the Sentence of Death being Cursed by God or by his Holy Law and Condemned to be Burnt alive or to lie in Everlasting Flames ever dying and yet can never die O! How welcome is the News an Ambassador of Christ brings to such a People who see this is their State and yet are by him delivered 3. An Ambassador of Peace is welcome if he comes to offer Peace from a Prince that is Faithful and true to his Word and Covenant and one that can give good Security as to what he agrees to or Covenants to perform Now the Ministers or Ambassadors of Christ come from the Faithful God of Heaven and Earth who never did nor can fail in his Covenant nor Promises to any Person or People
He is Faithful and cannot deny i. e. He can as soon cease to be God as cease to be True and Faithful Hence all Covenant-Blessings come to be so firm and sure In hope of Eternal Life which God that cannot lie promised before the World began Besides he hath given good Security even his own Oath he hath Sworn to his Covenant by his Holiness c. 4. An Ambassador is welcome if he comes to offer Peace on easie Terms Now The Terms upon which God offers Peace you have heard are very easie true on his part our Peace was made on hard Terms it was by the Blood of his own Son Had he said you shall have Peace upon a Sacrifice of a Thousand Rams or Ten Thousand Rivers of Oyl that might seem hard or if you would Offer your First-born in Sacrifice or run your Knife into his Throat and let out his Hearts Blood you would think those hard Terms but it is not your First-born but his First-born whose Blood must be let out to make your Peace you are but to look to him trust in Christ Hear and your Souls shall live What tho Faith will launch the Plague Sore and let out all the Filth and Corruptions of your Polluted Hearts will a Man think that is a Cure on too hard Terms Sirs the Spirit will cause you to vomit up that Poyson that you have taken down But is that too hard to save the Life of your Immortal Souls Is it hard to tell a Man he must give up the Traytor he has harboured in his House If he would have the King's Pardon or possess that Peace purchased by the Blood of his own Dear Son VI. That Love and Respect People shew to an Ambassador a Prince looks upon as shewed to himself because the Ambassador represents his Person and that Contempt which is shewed to his Ambassador he takes as cast on himself So Jesus Christ takes the Honour Love and Respect which is shewed to his Faithful Ministers as if it was shewed to him and the same Dishonour done to them as if it was done to himself He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me VII An Ambassador is to do his uttermost in order to accomplish his Ambassy and to bring the King's Enemies to accept of Peace So are Christ's Ministers they are to pray to intreat to beseech Sinners to be reconciled to God We pray you in Christ's stead c. Paul besought them with Tears Faithful Ministers are willing to spend their Lives to win Souls to Christ yea to die upon the spot to save one poor Sinner Knowing the Terror of the Lord we perswade Men. Our Great Master thought not his Blood too dear to make our Peace and shall Ministers think their Strength their Lives their Blood too much that so they might see the Travel of Christ's Soul I mean Sinners reconciled unto God or Christ's Blood by Faith sprinkled on their Hearts Many like the Minister's Dignity but few like their Work and Duty My Brethren it is a great Trust that is committed to them 1. The Charge of the Souls of Men that are more worth than all the World is committed to them 2. The wonderful Worth of Gospel Verities Truth is a rich Treasure We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels this is committed to them 3. 'T is the Ambassy of that Peace which was made by the Blood of the Son of God that is committed to them 4. The Charge of the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood is committed to them VIII An Ambassador is to keep close or exactly to his Instructions or to the Words of his Commission not to add to it alter it or diminish from it on pain of incurring his Prince's highest Displeasure so must Christ's Ambassadors keep close to their Commission Add thou not to his Word least he reprove thee and thou art found a Lyar they must deliver their whole Message There is a Curse pronounced to him that adds or diminisheth 1. They must in all things exalt Jesus Christ or seek the Honour alone of their Blessed Sovereign The whole of their Work is to magnifie Christ exalt Christ To Preach Christ the Lord and themselves but Servants for Jesus sake Not magnifie the Creature nor set the Crown on the Head of the Will of Man but throw the Creature down at Christ's Feet and to Teach all Men to account all Things done by them or in them in comparison of Christ but Dung or Dogs Meat for thus did Paul 2. They are to preach nothing to be Christ's Ordinance but what he hath instituted or positively appointed in the New Testament or Word of God they must look into their Commission Matt. 28.18 19 20. IX An Ambassador if his Soveraign sees he cannot succed in his Work or that Rebels will not have Peace nor lay down their Arms whilst the White Flag of Mercy is put out he orders him to proclaim War and puts forth the Bloody Flag and nothing but War Slaughter and utter Ruine follows So when Christ sees that his Ministers cannot prevail with Rebellious Sinners but that they remain Obstinate and Obdurant rejecting Peace upon the Terms of this Covenant or will not believe to be saved but seek their Peace some other way or continue in their Sins and Unbelief he orders them to shake off the Dust of their Feet as a Witness against them and so to proclaim War and such will fall into the Hands of Divine Wrath and Vengeance and Christ will at the last Day say Bring out those mine Enemies who would not that I should Reign over them and slay them before my Face And hence Wrath came on the Jews to the uttermost And saith Paul Lo we leave you and turn to the Gentiles X. When an Ambassador is called Home it is a sign the Patience of his Prince is worn out and that he will wait on his Enemies no longer What may'st thou then think O London Tremble tremble for how many Faithful Ambassadors in thee hath God called Home very lately Thy Day of Grace thou mayest fear draws to an end XI An Ambassador must give an account of his Ambassage to his Prince So Christ likewise will call all his Ministers to give an account to him how they have succeeded in their Work they must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ and happy will such be who have been Faithful in all things unto him and have won many Souls to the Lord Jesus Christ and have their Accounts to give with Joy My Brethren there are one or two Disparities concerning the Work of other Ambassadors and the Ambassadors of Christ. 1. Other Ambassadors are impowered to make Peace betwixt States and Kingdoms or betwixt one Prince and another that are at variance they are not imployed only to proclaim Peace but to make Peace but this Christ's Ambassadors are not impowered to
that are lost We being all naturally as vile and as bad as they nay perhaps there are some Sinners in Hell that were not so bad as some of us once were which he has magnified his Soveraign Grace and Favour unto III. The Covenant of Peace is alone of God's Free Grace because as our Peace was made without us not purchased by our Money nor by any thing done by us so the Promise of our having interest in the Blessings of this Peace or the Application of the Blood of Atonement are not Conditional Promises I say not on Conditional Promises depending upon the corrupt and depraved Will of Man to perform but they are alone free and absolute I will put my Law in their inward part and write it in their Heart and will be their God and they shall be my People they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest I will forgive their Iniquity and will remember their Sins no more I will sprinkle clean Water upon them I will give them a new Heart I will take away the Stone out of their Heart and will give them a Heart of Flesh Are these Promises made upon any Conditions to be performed by the Creature or on previous Qualifications to prepare us for Grace no they are all free Promises I will and they shall God it is that opens our Eyes that works Faith in us that makes us willing to accept of that Peace he has made for us By the Blood of thy Covenant I have sent out the Prisoners out of the Pit wherein there was no Water My Brethren the Covenant of Peace from hence appears to be the Covenant of Grace it was with Christ for us on hard Conditions but to us in him only by way of Free Promise IV. That this Covenant is the Covenant of Grace appears not only because it is wholly or alone of Grace that we are brought into the Covenant but also because by God's Free Grace we are kept in this Covenant or preserved in a State of Peace with God unto the end They shall not depart from me my Sheep hear my Voice and they follow me and I give unto them Eternal Life and they shall never perish V. But to proceed 'T is the Covenant of Grace in opposition to the Law the Inheritance is not of the Law 1. For if they which are of the Law be Heirs Faith is made void and the Promise made of none effect Again saith Paul For if the Inheritance be of the Law it is no more of Promise but God gave it to Abraham by Promise What is the Inheritance but God himself in the Covenant c. and this is not by our Obedience to the Law but by Christ's Obedience thereto 'T is not my Brethren by our Obedience to any Law not to the Gospel as a Law for that would tend as much to make the Promise of God void as the other For had there been a Law given that could have given Life verily Righteousness should have been by the Law And then also Christ is dead in vain Gal. 2.21 2. In opposition to any after-Service which we could do in order to make God or Christ any Compensation or Return by way of Gratitude for making our Peace sometimes Men shew great Favour to the Poor in Distress and pay their Debts upon the Condition that they shall Work it out or make a Compensation that way but so it is not here for when we have done all we can do we are but unprofitable Servants Can Man profit God Whoever gave any thing unto him VI. The Covenant of Peace is wholly of Grace to us because we are Quickned Justified Called Pardoned Regenerated Adopted have Faith a new Heart Repentance Sanctification and all things else whatsoever by Vertue of this Covenant in a way of Free Grace or all is freely given to us of God Let me give you two or three Reasons of this 1. Because God will have all the Honour to himself of our Salvation he alone will have the Glory and abase the Creature 2. Because his Design herein is to Exalt and Magnifie his own Son our Lord Jesus Christ. 3. That Man might have no cause left him to boast nor Sacrifice to his own Drag But that he that glorieth should glory in the Lord. 4. Because God will have the Covenant of Peace to be sure to all the Seed i. e. to all his People but if it were not of Grace alone it would not be sure but an Uncertain and Mutable Covenant or on such Conditions that might or might not be performed Secondly I shall shew you that the Covenant of Peace is the Covenant of Grace as compared with or in opposition to the Covenant of Works My purpose herein is to shew you the vast difference betwixt the Covenant of Grace and the Covenant of Works I. The Covenant of Works was made with Man or betwixt God and the first Adam Adam was set up as the common Head or Representative of all his Seed and he was obliged to perform all the Conditions in his own Person in that Covenant But the Covenant of Grace primarily was made with our Lord Jesus Christ or betwixt God the Father and God the Son as Mediator in the Name and behalf of all God's Elect he being set up from Everlasting as their Covenanting Head II. The Covenant of Works was made with Man without a Surety Adam in his own Person for himself and for all his Seed being obliged to perform perfect Obedience or live and sin not yet had he none to engage to God or to undertake for him that he should thus do But the Covenant of Grace and Reconciliation was made solely upon the Vndertaking or Suretiship of our Lord Jesus Christ true he was obliged to perform perfect Obedience to the same Holy Law of God which Adam and we in him was required to do yet it is said That Christ was made a Surety of a better Covenant and that not only in respect of the Promises thereof which are better Promises but also in regard of the Oath of God which renders this Covenant firm together with Christ's Ability and Faithfulness to perform all the Conditions thereof and it being a full and free Covenant and also ratified by the Death of Christ. III. The Covenant of Works was a Conditional Covenant as made with Adam It was made upon mutual Restipulation between God and him and in the second Addition of the said Covenant to the whole House of Israel God promised them that upon their keeping this Covenant of perfect Obedience he would be their God and they should be his People Thou shalt have no other Gods before me and if thou keep my Laws and obey my Voice then thou shalt be a peculiar People unto me And this also they Undertook Promised and Covenanted to to do All that the Lord our God speak unto thee we will