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

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Scriptures Yea so much was the Covenant betwixt God and Christ about our Redemption for the glory of God even considered personally that thereby beside the glory that was common to all the three Persons there did accrue a peculiar glory to the distinct Persons of the Godhead in regard of their distinct offices and working in this business of Redemption a peculiar glory to the Father who gave Christ and who sent him upon this business and blessed us in him even a peculiar honour to the Father from the Lord Mediator and Redeemer Joh. 8.49 But I honour my Father saith Christ and a peculiar honour to the Father from the ransomed and redeemed People 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead A peculiar honour to the Son to Christ the Lord Mediator and that both upon earth and in heaven a peculiar glory to the Lamb that wrought the Redemption unto which his Father appointed him 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 which the Son claimeth Joh. 17.1 4 These words spoke Jesus and lift up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son also may glorifie thee I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And which is payed to him in heaven Rev. 7.10 Saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb. And 5.9 And they sing 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 A peculiar glory unto the eternal Spirit by whom the Son of God offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.14 and to whom the effectual application of the purchased Redemption by peculiar office belongs 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. 6.63 It is the spirit that quickeneth Gal. 4.6 And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba father 2. The good of the ransomed and redeemed people required that their Redemption should be transacted in a Covenant betwixt God and Christ and to this intent and for this end it was necessary 1. To introduce and usher in the new way of life thorow the Gospel-dispensation which could never have come to light nor have appeared upon the stage to act any thing if God had not by his eternal transactions with Christ in whom he found a ransome made way for the taking down the transient-time-dispensation of Law and Works which was only to continue and stand a Court of righteousness for a short space and so opened a door for free Grace to take the Theatre and to act its part more nobly than the Law-dispensation that was first upon the stage And this I say was ushered in and it was necessary that way should be made for it by God's Covenant-dealings with Christ in whom his Justice had a satisfaction else the Law-dispensation of Works and Nature had kept the Stage for ever and there had been no Court wherein Grace sits upon the throne and wherein Sinners might plead righteousness and life on Gospel-terms Christ's saying from eternity Lo I come to do thy will O God Psal 40.6 And deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom Job 33.24 Which words are upon the matter and originally true of Christ's dealings with his Father Jo. Cocc D● foed c. 5. Sect. 88. and by some Expositors applyed to him This I say ushered in and made way for the Gospel-dispensation of a Covenant of free Grace Hence it is that the Apostle states the rise of life and immortality that is brought to light by the Gospel upon the eternal foederal dealings that were betwixt God and Christ 2 Tim. 1.9 10 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 before the world began But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Rom. 8.3 4 For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh 2. The Covenant of Redemption betwixt God and Christ was necessary for our good that the Covenant of life and righteousness to us in the way of this Gospel-dispensation might be pure soveraign Grace Now the more of Grace and God's gracious will and heart is in the business and the less of the Creatures will and acting the better for us the sweeter and the surer is the Covenant But here all is of the Lord and of his gracious will all is transacted betwixt God and Christ and man is not so much is present at the first transaction of the Covenant as he was at the Covenant of works here he is neither at the beginning nor end of it I mean that end which it had in God's foederal dealings with Christ where the Redemption and Salvation of the elect was a concluded business and the conclusion tarried not nor was suspended for man's consent sure this was pure Grace this was all Grace eminent Grace when there was nothing of the Creature no not so much as acting in a vital formal manner as now we act under the application of this Covenant by these gracious acts which are efficiently from God but there all was the gracious free will of God without any thing of the Creatures will surely that was eminent signal Grace and the better for us 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. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 1.4 5 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 3. A Covenant betwixt God and Christ about our Salvation and Redemption was necessary that the business of our Salvation might be far advanced ere it come to our working at it with fear
bring you into the bond of the Covenant 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 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 Psal 45.10 Hearken O daughter and consider and encline thine ear forget also thine own people and thy fathers house Gen. 12.1.4 Now the Lord had said unto Abraham Get thee out of thy countrey and from thy kindred and from thy fathers house unto a Land that I will shew thee So Abraham departed as the Lord had spoken unto him Mat. 4.19 20 And he saith unto them follow me and I will make you fishers of men And they streight-way left their nets and followed him 2. Whatsoever appertaineth to the maintaining and preserving of the Covenant and confederacy betwixt God and his people Christ is Messenger for that and herein he doth the part of the Messenger of the Covenant 1. By travelling betwixt the parties for keeping up free access betwixt them and liberty to speak with one another for it is by him that God hath access to speak to our hearts and that we have access to him by frequent mutual Messages the Messenger being a Courtier and Favourite with both the parties Eph. 2.18 For through him we both have access by one spirit unto the father Eph. 3.12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him Heb. 1.1 2 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son 2. By travelling betwixt the parties for correspondence and entercourse to maintain communion and a good understanding betwixt them to the end that none of the parties engaged in the Covenant of kindness become strangers to one another through the want of converse and corresponding Christ is a Messenger betwixt them to maintain the peace and friendship Joh. 16.16 A little while and ye shall not see me and again a little while and ye shall see me because I go to the father Joh. 14.18 19 I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more but ye see me because I live ye shall live also 3. He is a Messenger to maintain the Covenant betwixt God and his people by travelling betwixt the parties with good reports Heb. 12.24 25 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel See that ye refuse not him that speaketh c. Commending God to his people and his love and speaking good of all his way with them Joh. 10.29 My father which gave them me is greater then all Joh. 16.27 For the father himself loveth you because ye have loved me Psal 25.10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies And commending believers unto his father and speaking good of them and for them frequently behind their back when they do not hear him Joh. 17.6 8 25 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 known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me O righteous father the world hath not known thee but I have known thee and these have known that thou hast sent me Jer. 31.20 Is Ephraim my dear son is he a pleasant child for since I spake against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord. Jer. 12.7 I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies Christ maketh both a good report of his father to his people here on Earth and a good report of them to his father in Heaven he putteth good constructions not only upon his fathers way with his people which cannot reasonably bear an evil construction Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose But also upon his peoples way and walk and duties to God-ward a construction and report of them which they would stand in awe to give of themselves yea they are in hazzard to contradict this blessed Messengers report many a time Joh. 14.4 5 And whither I go ye known and the way ye know Thomas saith unto him Lord we know not whither thou goest and how can we know the way 3. Whatsoever appertaineth to the repairing of the Covenant or to the renewing and establishing thereof in the case of any breach betwixt the parties he is a Messenger for that he is the repairer of the breach and doth declare himself the Angel of the Covenant 1. By taking up emergent differences betwixt God and his people that they may not controvert about them but may rather have satisfaction in him Isa 53.12 And he was numbred with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors Heb. 9 7 But into the second went the High-priest alone once every year not without blood which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people For as our High-priest he makes offering for the errors of the people for all the differences arising betwixt God and his people are taken away alone by his travels 2. By renewing the Covenant-kindness and love and engagements he travels as a Messenger and cannot rest after breaches and differences betwixt his father and his people or betwixt himself and them until the wonted kindness be renewed and till it be betwixt God and his people as it used to be 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 Jer. 2.2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem saying Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine espousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness in a land that was not sown Isa 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Ezek. 16.60 Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant 6. Let us a little consider the properties of the Messenger and Angel of the Covenant which do commend
they were created which was mutable More particularly The execution and work of Christs Mediatorship may be reduced to these Five heads 1. To bring the elect into a capacity of covenanting with God 2. To bring them within the bond of the Covenant after he hath thus prepared the way 3. To enable them whom he bringeth into this New-Covenant-state to perform the duties of the Covenant 4. To keep those whom he bringeth into this Covenant state from falling away from it or to enable them to continue in it 5. To bring those whom he hath brought up to the terms of a Covenant with God to that height of that Blessedness which is appointed for them and to Crown his work in them The first part of the Mediators work and execution of his Office is to prepare a way for mans covenanting with God to make the way of God accessible and to put man in a capacity to enter in terms with God For man by sin was made uncapable of covenanting with God until the Mediator cometh in to compose the difference and to restore the love and friendship that once had been betwixt God and man who to prepare a way for mans covenanting with God doth two things himself and worketh two things in us The first to make God accessible the other to make men capable of covenanting with God who is made accessible in Christs death 1. He taketh on mans nature that a Sacrifice might be among mankind who had sinned he putteth his name in our Obligation that the Law might reach him Gal. 4.4 5. 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 2. In our nature he obeyeth the Law and suffereth he payeth a price for our Ransom 2 Cor. 5.21 He is made sin for us an offering for sin he stood in the sinners stead here he purchaseth a liberty to the elect and hath it in his just and legal power to set them free when he will Act. 20.28 being the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood 3. He convinceth men of their sin and of their bondage and impossibility to satisfy Justice and to this end he attacheth them before Divine Justice Joh. 16.8 And when he is come he will reprove the World of sin of righteousness and of judgment Rom. 7.9 For I was alive without the Law once but when the Commandment came sin revived and I died Gal. 3.24 Wherefore the Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by Faith 4. He worketh their Hearts to a yielding-frame listning and ready to welcom the news of delivery which have not yet been actually spoken to their hearts to be content to come out of their bondage and to enjoy freedom by him to be content to come in his will and to yield the weapons to him and to change the state and righteousness whereof sometimes they had no small content Act. 9.6 Lord What wilt thou have me to do Arise and go into the City and it shall be told thee what thou must do They pant after a Saviour as Paul did for compleat Redemption Rom. 7.29 O wretched man that I am Who shall deliver me from the body of this death And when all this is done Sinners are but in a capacity of covenanting with God till more be done by Christ in the work of his Mediatorship for man he is not yet in a covenant with God all this is to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1.17 For though Christ hath payed the price of the ●●ects ransom and hath purchased their liberty on the Cross yea and hath also convinced a man of his need of this ransom and made him toward and tractable to listen to accept of it yet till a man come in by faith and manifest his acceptance or rather actually accept of Christs proposals he is not yet actually in a Covenant with God but concluded under wrath Joh. 3.36 And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him The second part of the Mediators work and execution of his Office is to bring the elect within the bond of the Covenant And for bringing about this 1. Christ makes an offer of a New Covenant state with all suitable allurements and encouragements which may invite the Souls of the elect to accept of it And for this end he hath appointed the Ministry of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 20 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 And 6.17 18 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty Isa 55.1 3 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters 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 2. He shapeth and frameth the hearts of his people for acceptation of his offer and bringeth them unto a liking and satisfaction with the Covenant and the terms of it 2 Sam. 23.5 For this is all my salvation and all my desire although he make it not to grow Psal 73. last But it is good for me to draw near to God I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works 3. He actually maketh them to embrace it and enter into it for after he hath shaped their hearts for acceptation he actually engageth them by consenting and agreeing on their part Hos 2.14 19 Therefore behold I will allure her and bring her unto the Wilderness and speak comfortably unto her And I will betroth thee unto me for ever Ezek. 20.37 And I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant Joh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me And this he doth 1. By making us receive and welcom the Gospel and subject our consent unto it by taking on the very bonds and rebukes of the Word and yielding our selves captives unto it 2 Cor. 9.13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ And 10.4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds Rom. 6.17 But ye have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered unto you 2. By making us receive and embrace the Promises Heb. 11.13 and take hold of the Covenant Isa 56.4 6. And this is a further step of the Mediators work in
●0 10 For then with not leave my Soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption Luk. 23.43 Verily I say unto thee to day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Joh. 13.1 3. 14.2 Luk. 16.23 24 25. Heb. 12.23 24. 2 Thes 1.9 Rev. 21. 2● 5. It 's a controversie to the world whether there be a God or a Providence that ruleth the world Psal 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Isa 29.15 And they say who seeth us and who knoweth us The Witness of the Covenant hath decided this controversie Joh. 20.17 I ascend unto my father and 〈◊〉 father and to my God and your God Joh. 6.57 As th●● 〈◊〉 father hath sent me and I live by the father so he that ●ateth me even he shall live by me Dan. 5.21 23 Till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men and that he hath appointed over it whomsoever he will And the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways hast thou not glorified Rev. 15.3 4 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou king of saints Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest 6. It 's a controversie with the world yea and sometimes also with the saints whether the people of God or the wicked of the world have the better lot Psal 73.3 12 For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked Behold these are the ungodly who prosper in the world they increase in riches But this also is decided by the Witness of the Covenant Psal 49.18 19 Though whiles he lived he blessed his Soul and men will praise thee when thou doest well to thy self He shall go to the generation of his fathers they shall never see light 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 Isa 3.10 11 Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with hem for they shall eat the fruit of their doings Wo unto the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him Rev. 21.4 And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no mor death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the●●former things are passed away Again it is a controversie to doubting believers whether God hath chosen them and loved them with an everlasting love Psal 88.4 14 I am counted with them that go down to the pit Lord why castest thou off my Soul This controversie is decided by the Witness of the Covenant who giveth that double certainty of all these things whereby they are not only made sure in themselves because he 〈◊〉 ●●ified them but are also made sure unto us Jer. 31.3 〈◊〉 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 Heb. 8.10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after these 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 Where the sayings of Jeremy are applied to Christ who made the Covenant Joh. 15.13 16 19 Greater love hath no man then this that a man lay down his life for his friends Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain But because ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Joh. 6.69 And we believe and are sure than thou art that Christ the Son of the living God 2. It is a controversie to doubting believers whether they be the Children of God and whether they be effectually called by the Grace of Christ Psal 22.6 But I am a worm and no man a reproach of men and despised of the people Christ decides the controversie by interposing his Testimony Joh. 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Rom. 8.16 The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits that we are children of God Isa 43.1 Fear not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine 3. It is a controversie to doubting-believers whether they shall ever see Christ and meet with him again when he doth but a little withdraw out of their sight Isa 49.14 But Sion said the Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Whether they shall at any time again be comforted with his presence but he decides the controversie and witnesseth clearly that he and they shall meet again Joh. 16.22 And ye now therefore have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you Joh. 14.18 I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you Isa 54.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a momeni but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy redeemer Isa 49.15 Can a woman forget her sucking-child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee 4. It 's a controversie to the doubting-believer whether there be any reality in his presence and in the fellowship of his company both when they enjoy it and when they want it Luk. 24.21 37 41 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel and beside all this to day is the third day since these things were done But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that they had seen a spirit And while they yet believed not for joy and wondred 2 Chron. 6.18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth But by his Witness he decides that controversie Luk. 24.38 39 40 42 And he said unto them why are ye troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my self handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have And when he had thus spoken he shewed them his hands and his feet And they gave him a piece of a broyled fish and of an hony-comb Joh. 6.20 But he saith unto them it is I
acceptance of his work p. 101. 6. Those that relate to his reward for his work p. 104. 7. Those that relate to Interest p. 107. 8. Those that relate to the whole design and intent of his Suretiship p. 108. Chap. V. The harmony of the covenant of Suretiship made with Christ and the covenant of Reconciliation and Grace made with sinners They agree together 1. In their rise from Free-grace p. 113. 2. In their design the redemption of lost people p. 114. 3. In that Christ is the grand Instrument of both ibid. 4. They are both commensurable with Gods election of the parties with whom he made the Covenants p. 115. 5. The principal ends of both are the same ibid. 6. The advantage of both redounds to us the honour to the Lord. 7. There is exchange of places between Christ and his redeemed seed in both p. 116. 8. In many properties free gracious sure p. 117. They differ 1. In their rise one came from grace in both parties the other not p. 117. 2. In the property of Eternity 3. The parties are different in one Jehovah and Christ in the other Father Son and Spirit and lost sinners p. 118. 4. The covenant of Redemption is equal that of Reconciliation unequal p. 119 5. In the covenant of Redemption there was no Mediator in that of Reconciliation there is 6. The Promises of the two Covenants are different p. 120. 7. Threatnings are annexed to the covenant of Reconciliation 8. The commands and conditions of them are different p. 121. 9. The covenant of Redemption tarried not for our consent to make it an actual covenant the other does p. 122. The two Covenants are conjoyn'd together by a five-fold connection 1. By an inseparable connection p. 123. 2. By an infallible connection 3. An insuperable connection p. 124. 4. By a secret and hidden connection 5. By a beautiful connection p. 125. Their connection illustrated by a Similitude p. 127. Chap. VI. The grounds of comfort resulting from the covenant of Suretiship to those who are in the covenant of Reconciliation 1. The original of Gods covenanting with us is an eternal compact between Jehovah and Christ p. 128. 2. The same love of the Father and Christ now drawing thee into the New Covenant hath been in action for thee in Eternity 3. Our Redemption and Salvation hath little of our Will and much of Gods gracious Will in it p. 129. 4. By the covenant of Suretiship the fountain of life and salvation lay out of our selves in Christ 5. By the covenant of Suretiship our Rights and Charters the Promises are in a surer hand than our own p. 130. 6. By the covenant of Suretiship Christ and the Believer are in a manner in one Writ p 131. 8. By the covenant of Suretiship all the hard conditions lay upon Christ p. 135. 9. That in the covenant of Suretiship the Believer is undertaken for by both the parties Jehovah and Christ p. 136. 10. The Believer is in a sure and confirmed Estate p. 137. 11. Whatever Christ did in that Covenant it was for us and we did it in him p. 138. 12. By that Covenant besides all other Attributes the Justice of God is for the Believers salvation This 1. Is an argument to answer all temptations from our frailty inconstancy c. p. 140. 2. Admire and study the depths of Love in Gods Covenant p. 142. 3. Learn how needful the knowledg and perswasion of Christs Suretiship for us is p. 143. 4. Nothing more necessary to engage our hearts to study faith and hololiness p. 144. Chap. VII Concerning the Mediator of the New Covenant and 1. Of his Name what it signifies p. 145. Christ called Mediator on a four-fold account 1. In respect of his Person 2. Office 3. Fitness and qualification 4. His actual interposing p. 147. 1. Through him was the Covenant first moved 2. Through him was the business begun and ended in the Councel of God 3. Through him were we represented in his transaction with his Father p. 148. 4. Through him God did strike hands with us 5. Through him the Covenant is fulfilled 6. Through him came the news of it 7. Through him is the Mystery made manifest in the hearts of his people p. 149. 8. He paid the price to Justice for us 9. Through him is peace made 10. Through him the blessings of the Covenant are applyed to us 11. Through him we receive these blessings p. 150. 12. Through him was the Covenant with us confirmed 13. Through him are our hearts engaged to the bargain p. 151. 14. Through him is the Covenant made firm and stable Uses 1. The misery of those under the covenant of Works 2. The blessedness of Believers under the covenant of Grace 3. Since Christ is Mediator he must be employed and acknowledged p. 152. Chap. VIII Concerning the necessity of a Mediator and the reasons why the Covenant is establish'd in the hands of a Mediator of three sorts p. 153. 1 Respecting Gods Glory 1. The glory of his Honour 2. The glory of his Wisdom 3. The glory of his Goodness p. 154. 4. The glory of his Justice p. 155. 2 Reasons respecting Christ 1. In respect of his Offices King Priest and Prophet ibid. 2. His Power 3. In respect of the dependance we have on him 4. In respect of his sole working the whole business p. 156. 3 Sort of reasons respecting the creatures good negatively and affirmatively Negatively 1. Without the Mediator we could have had no saving-knowledg of God p. 156. 2. No union between God and man 3. No communion with God 4. No conformity to God Affirmatively 1. A foundation is laid for a higher happiness to be recovered in Christ than was lost in Adam p. 157. 2. There is a better security of that happiness 3. Solid grounds of Consolation Uses 1. This clears one difference between the covenant of Grace and that of Works wherein was no Mediator p. 158. 2. From the necessity of a Mediator be convinced of your need of a Mediator p. 159. 3. Carry it as those that need a Mediator p. 160. Chap. IX Concerning the person of the Mediator of the New Covenant p. 161 called 1. The Word of God p. 162. 2. The brightness of his Fathers glory p. 163. 3. The express Image of his Fathers person p. 164. 1. Christ hath in him a glorious resemblance of the excellency and Attributes of the Father 2. It is by Christ that all those Excellencies of God are revealed to us p. 164. Three things in God are discovered in Jesus Christ. 1. The Attributes of God Wisdom Goodness Mercy Power Soveriagnty Justice Holiness All-sufficiency Patience Faithfulness Majesty p. 166. 2. The distinct subsistences of the persons of the Godhead p. 171. 3. The distinct Offices of the three Persons 1. The Acts of the Father plotting and making the covenant with Christ Mediator 2. The Acts of Jesus Christ undertaking 3. The Acts of the Spirit Chap. X. Concerning the
even as by the spirit of the Lord. 3. The way of Gods attaining his end and our attaining our happiness which are both one the way I say is also one it is in Christ the Mediator that God is manifested and in him do we see God the knowledg of his glory and our happiness are both in the face of Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 All the excellencies of God are manifested in Christ he revealeth the mysteries 1. Of his will as he is the Word 2. Of his nature as he is the brightness of his Glory 3. Of the subsistences and distinction of the Persons as he is the Image of his Person he only knows the Father and he only can reveal the Father Joh. 1.18 Col. 1.15 He is the image of the invisible God i.e. The excellencies of God otherwise invisible are revealed by him and to be seen in him These three things of God are discovered in Jesus Christ 1. The Attributes of God 2. The distinct subsistences of the persons of the God-head 3. The distinct offices of the three Persons 1. There is a full manifestation of the Attributes of God in Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new Covenant these Attributes that were never manifested before Mercy and Long-suffering are revealed in him and these that were manifested before shine mort brightly through Christ 1. The Wisdom of God there was great and infinite wisdom shewed in creating the world and ruling it by his w●●● providence but what is that to the wisdom that is shewed in Christ the wisdom that reconciled Justice and Mercy the wisdom that punished sin and pardoned the sinner how wonderful and unsearchable is that Wisdom that by the fall of man raised him to a greater height of happiness than ever he had before Rom. 11.33 34 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledg of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out For who hath 〈◊〉 the mind of the Lord or who heth been his c●u●se●●●r 〈◊〉 Eph. 3.10 To the intent that now unto the prinly 〈…〉 in heavenly places might be made known 〈…〉 the manifold wisdom of God this is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the manifold wisdom of God which yet doth not fully express the Greek word which signifies the manifold and various wisdom or the wisdom of God that is full of admirable varieties so Beza Erasmus Zanchius Stephanus 2. The Goodness of God is manifested in Jesus Christ his goodness and love to man appeared much at first in making him of the rank of the highest creatures on earth and putting all the rest of the Creatures under his feet Psal 8.5 6 For thus has● made him a little fower than the Angels and hast crowned him with glory and honour Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands thou hast put all things under his feet This was penned to magnitie the nature of man but in Christ our nature is more magnified as we shall shew by and by Heb. 1.6 And again when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world he saith And let all the Angels of God worship him This is a higher pitch of the love of God this is the goodness of God more manifested than ever before to give his Son Christ for man and his Son to become sin and a curse for man 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 haeve everlasting life 2 Cor. 5. last For he hath made him to be sin for us that knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us 3. The Mercy of God is eminently manifested in Jesus Christ man is made to rise by his fall Mercy never saw the light before it was never revealed but in Jesus Christ for it respects the creature in its misery Luk. 1.72 78 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy Covenant Through the tender mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us When all the posterity of Adam were as fuel for the fire mercy rescues and reserves some to be sons and heirs Rom. 9.23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory 4. The Power of God is manifested in Christ God shewed his power in the Creation as we read Isa 40.12 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and meted out heaven with the span and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance c. Job 38 c. But what is this to the taking of our nature and uniting it in a personal union with the Son of God that God should become man the Ancient of Days become a Child the Incomprehensible to become comprehensible Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God-head bodily The invisible God to become visible and to dwell here as in a tabernacle with men Joh. 1.14 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 5. The Soveraignty of God is manifested in and through Christ great was the Soveraignty of God that was exercised in predestination in making of vessels of honour or dishonour according to the pleasure of his will Rom. 9.21 22 23 Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had before prepared unto glory But all this was Soveraignty over the creature but that Jesus Christ the Son of God should be appointed a Mediator of the new Covenant made a Servant commanded to lay down his life this is greater Soveraignty Joh. 6.38 For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me Chap. 10. v. 18 This commandment have I received of my Father 6. The Justice of God is manifested in Christ Justice was seen in casting off the Angels that fell without hope and in executing the sentence and curse of the first Covenant upon Adam for his transgression thereof but the world never heard of such manifestation of Justice as appears in the satisfaction of Christ to Justice That Christ the Son of God is made sin for us and being made so in obedience to his Fathers command Justice spares him not but he must be smitten to death that satisfaction may be made for sin in our nature Rom. 8.32 He that
hath Gods heart and a mans heart 1. Christ is an affable Mediator in respect of his Father the offended party and no wonder for he dwelleth in his bosom Joh. 1.18 He doth kindly entertain and receive his propositions John 6.38 39 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 that hath sent me c. 2. He is an affable Mediator in respect of the offending-party one who kindly and courteously receiveth and etertaineth the worst of sinners that ever employed him His carriage while he was here on earth did throughly bear witness of this before his death and after his resurrection whereby he gave a proof how he would carry to us when he should be in glory being then in the way and first step to it O how affable was he then Luke 24. John 20 and 21 Chapters And how affable is he still now when he is set down on the right hand of Majesty Joh. 16.25 26 27 The time cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in Proverbs but I shall shew you plainly of the Father At that day ye shall ask in my name and I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you for the Father himself loveth you Heb. 2.17 That he might be a merciful High-priest in things pertaining to God And 5.2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmities 2. He is affable to Justice and Mercy both these two Attributes in God which were to be eminently glorified in our Salvation 1. He is affable to Justice ready always to speak with Justice and to satisfie it with a Ransom and Price Heb. 12.24 And to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel 2. He is affable to Mercy and Grace and ready always to satisfie Mercy by entreaties even for the thing which he hath bought Heb. 7.25 Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Yea he pleads in our name with both these Attributes in God by virtue of his satisfaction and intercession Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us 4. A Mediator must be meek and long-suffering for the Unions-sake to bear with both the parties although they should smite him and be angry with him Christ is such a Mediator Matth. 21.5 Tell the daughter of Zion behold thy king cometh unto thee meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt the foal of an ass And 11.29 I am meek and lowly in heart Moses in his Mediation was a type of him Numb 12.3 Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men that were upon the face of the earth O so meek a Mediator as Christ is 1. He endured his Fathers anger and wrath for our sake and was smitten by him Isa 53.10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all 2. He endured our anger also he was smitten by the other party by his own for whose sake he was content to be smitten of his Father Mat. 21.38 But when the husbandmen saw the Son they said among themselves This is the heir let us kill him and let us seize on his Inheritance Isa 53.3 He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our faces from him he was despised and we esteemed him not And when he was smitten by both parties at once and endured the wrath and displeasure of both at the same time yet he carried as a meek Mediator who did bear all for the Unions-sake that he might make peace Isa 53.7 He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet he opened not his mouth he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth with 1 Pet 2.23 Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously He went through all the business with little clamour noise or complaint Matth. 12.17 18 19. 5. A Mediator must be merciful and tender-hearted one that hath bowels to pity the unreconciled state of the offender Christ is eminently such a Person 1. One who hath conjoyned in his person the heart of God and the heart of a man the infinite mercy of God and the kindly compassion of an experienced man who in his Humane nature hath felt our afflictions and temptations Heb. 2.17 18 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 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted And 5.2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity 2. A Person who in all his dealings hath shewed himself merciful and hath evidenced his compassionate disposition one that hath shewed mercy to all that ever came to God through him and upon all occasions that ever were given him to shew himself such John 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 Matth. 15.22 And behold a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts and cryed unto him saying Have mercy on me O Lord thou Son of David my daughter is grievously vexed with a Devil And 9.27 And when Jesus departed thence two blind men followed him crying and saying Thou Son of David have mercy on us One who shewed mercy not only upon the matter but even in the way and manner of his dealings with his people Matth. 12.20 A bruised reed shall he not break and smoaking flax shall he not quench till he send forth judgment into victory And 9.17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles else the bottles break and the wine runneth out and the bottles perish but they put new wine into new bottles and both are preserved One who carryeth compassionately unto and is pitiful even of the wilful refusers of his mercy Luke 19.41 And when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it c. One who was not only pitiful in the days of his flesh but hath carryed also the same heart and bowels of a merciful and compassionate Mediator unto heaven with him Heb. 2.18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted And 4.15 For we have
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