us from the danger of our vain Conversation 1 Peter 1.19 from the wasting or mis-spending of our time It was a pretious Resolution of Joseph Genesis 39.9 How shall I do this great wickedness and sinne against my God hee speaketh it is true of Adultery which is a great wickednesse but his Argument to resist will as well hold to resist even the least sinne How shall I sin against God yea conclude certainly that though all sins are not equal yet they agree all in this that God hates them and cannot but in his justice punish them and there is abundance of evil in every sin Rom. 5.20 Where sin aboundeth grace doth super-abound he speaketh there of all the sins of the Elect. Every sin abounds with wickednesse Oh Beloved suffer the word of Exhortation Heb. 12.5 Resist sin unto blood much more to shame or disgrace or poverty c. 2 Hate that which hates God Psa 139.21 22. Do not I hate them that hate thee 3 Get the love of God into your hearts then yee will hate sin indeed Psal 97.10 All yee that love the Lord hate evil 4 Labour to know God to bee your God and then you will know what it is to sin against him Psal 143.10 Teach mee to do thy will for thou art my God if ye look upon God as a stranger as one in whom you have no interest then you will not bee careful how to avoid sinning against him Justice concurres to a Sinner Justification THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH SERMON ON Romans 3.25.26 That hee might bee just and to declare at this time his righteousness Doct. NOt only the exact Truth of God or the abundance of his Grace but also his strict Justice doth concurre to the justification of a Sinner Vse 3. Satisfied justice the strongest comfort to beleevers It may serve for an invincible ground of comfort to every true beleever every soul that is in Christ Jesus that hee is justified by the strictest justice of God And as for those that are not in Christ let them stand by and behold with lamentation their estrangement from these consolations yet let them admire and long for and desire these heavenly injoyments that belong unto the Saints though for the present poor souls they are in the condition of such as have no part or fellowship in this businesse It was a sad speech that was spoken by the Prophet Elisha to the unbeleeving Lord 2 King 7.2 about the great plenty in Samaria Thou shalt see it with thine eyes but thou shalt not eat thereof I will not dare to speak this concerning any that hears this word but this is sure that for the present whilst men abide in the state of unbelief and impenitency it will bee extreme presumption and delusion for such an one to conceit any interest in this consolation The Comfort stands in these particulars Comf 1. In the blessednesse of that estate and the surenesse of the ground thereof the blessednesse of this estate stands in the pardon of sins Psal 32.1 Blessed is the man whose unrighteousness is forgiven c. It is commonly accounted an easie matter to obtain forgivenesse of sins and there is none so vile but hee will presently conceit that hee can get it when he is giving up the ghost but such persons know not what such a mercy costs nor what is requisite on their parts to the injoying of it nor what a mighty power of God is exercised in forgiving sin See how Moses prayed when the people had sinned Num. 14.16 19. Now let the power of my Lord be great as thou hast said the Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy forgiving iniquity and transgression and by no means clearing the guilty c. Pardon I beseech thee the iniquity of this people according to the greatnesse of thy mercy Gods omnipotent power in all his Attributes is put forth in forgiving of sin and in special the greatnesse of his mercy and justice surely this must needs bee of great use and worth to beleevers in so much that it is so strongly built and that on a rock of eternity for it is built on the justice truth and mercy of God Righteousnesse and peace kisse each other mercy and truth meet together in the beleevers justification Psa 85.9 Comf 2. That which is the greatest terrour in the world to unbeleevers is the strongest ground of comfort to beleevers that is the Justice and the Wrath of God against sin Look how it was Matth. 28.4 5. when the Angel appeared at the Resurrection of our Saviour Christ The keepers were affrighted and became as dead men but it was said to the women Fear not yee for yee seek for Jesus of Nazareth that was crucified So it is much more in this case when Gods Justice is powerfully manifested the sinners of Sion and of the world are affraid and terrified but yee poor beleevers seek for Christ who was crucified yee need not fear any thing yea you may be wonderfully cheared at this and it is your greatest comfort that you have to deal with this just God who hath already received satisfaction for your sins for Revel 15.3 4. it is the substance of the Song of Moses and the Lamb wherein the Saints triumph in the justice and judgements of God that are most terrible to Gods enemies Luk. 21.26 28. where the Day of Judgement is described and that in it there shall bee distresse of Nations and mens hearts failing them for fear viz. of the Justice and Wrath of God Why so it is for looking after those things that are to come upon the earth for the powers of the earth shall bee shaken c. but when these things begin to come to passe then look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth near This day is the most dreadful day that ever was in the world to all the ungodly but the just and the faithful then shall bee able to lift up their heads to see all the world on a light fire about them and all the Elements in terrible confusion But how dare a poor Creature lift up his head in such a case as this They shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory here is enough to comfort the poor members of Christ to see Christ on whom they have beleeved and who hath satisfied Gods justice for them to appear to Judgement Isa 40.1 Comfort yee comfort yee my people saith the Lord speak yee comfortably to Jerusalem and say unto her that her warfare is accomplished that her iniquity is pardoned for she hath received at the Lords hands double for her sins i. e. this conflict with the wrath of God is at an end the punishment of their iniquity is accepted they have received in their Head and Surety Christ Jesus double for their sins i. e. Justice hath past upon them in their Head Christ Jesus and they be sure the Judge of all the world will doe
blessings that are given us in Christ Yea they are dead and deadly things without Christ for the letter killeth 'T is his Divine power that sets all a work 2 Pet. 1.3 Let us then fix our thoughts therefore on Christs sufferings not onely now and then giving them a slight glance or two as they come in our way Let us dwell on the Meditation of his infinite love till our hearts are warmed and inlarged by it till it kindles heavenly affections in us till his love constrains us to every good duty 2 Cor. 5.14 'T is that the greatest part of the World never knew God hath not shewed his love to all people Let Christs love therefore work love in thee out-biding all other loves Matth. 10.37 to hate the very best things in nature in comparison of Christ yea our love to Christ should make us bold to attempt anything commanded by him So it wrought in Paul Act. 21.13 I am ready to dye for the name of the Lord Jesus And if any man love him not saith Paul 1 Cor. 16.22 Let him bee accursed till the Lord come 4 Let this Argument inforce brotherly love 'T is the Holy Ghosts own inference We cannot bestow our love better than on them whom Christ loves 1 Joh. 4.11 If Christ so loved us wee ought to love one another For wee ought to love them best that Christ loved best Wee cannot bestow our affections better than where Christ hath bestowed his Now Christ hath bestowed his dearest bowels on the Saints so also ought we to bee tender of each other Far be it from any Christian to bee of the mind of Josephs brethren to hate him the more because their Father Jacob loved him or because the Saints have more grace or more infirmities than our selves They must bee loved for their Fathers sake though they should give us some cause to slight them Christs Propitiation THE TENTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Whom God hath set forth a Propitiation I Have spoken of the Redemption and Satisfaction of Christ and the fulness of that satisfaction Now of the efficacy thereof which is expressed in the word propitiation together with the efficient cause thereof i.e. God the Father and his manner of working in the word set forth Propitiation signifies the Lords Reconciliation to sinners by way of Sacrifice Heb. 2.17 Propitiation what it means 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is said to bee a merciful High-Priest in things pertaining unto God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Where the Verb of which the word in the Text comes is used It belonged to the Priest when the people had sinned to make reconciliation for them to God by way of sacrifice as often in Levit. 5. 6. for which end God appointed certain expiatory sacrifices in the time of the Law the beast must dye instead of the sinner And this doth singularly set forth and express both the Priestly Office of Christ that it belongs to him and him onely to make an attonement and that by way of Sacrifice and oblation to God So Levit. 23.27 28. Propitiation is also often used for the Mercy Seat Heb. 9.5 referring to Exod. 25.17 18 21 22. which Mercy Seat covered the Ark of the Testimony wherein were put the two tables of the Law and there saith God I will meet thee I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat from between the two Cherubims for all things that I will give thee in commandement unto the children af Israel Where wee may consider 1 That as the Mercy Seat covered the Tables of the Law from the face of God dwelling between the Clâ—â—ruâ—ims aboue the Ark So Christ doth cover the transgressions of both the Tables of the Law from the face of God that hee should not behold sin so as to impute it to the faithful Thus 1 Joh. 2.2 2 The Mercy Seat was the place where God used to meet his people and to shew himself reconciled to them 3 There they might consult with God in their straights 4 That over against the Mercy Seat the Priest went daily to offer sacrifice Heb. 9.6 So that in this word is contained both the means appointed for the attonement i.e. The Sacrifice of Christ and also the Lords reconcilement unto the persons of his people 5 The Mercy Seat contained the Law so doth Christ all our righteousnesse 6 It was interposed betwixt the Testimony and the Lord so is Christ betwixt God and our sins Doct. Through the sacrifice of Christs blood the Father is pacified That through the Sacrifice of Christ God is pacified and appeased with all those that have fellowship with Christ 1 Joh. 2.1 2. Christ is called our propitiation in the abstract Signifying that all which is requisite to pacify Gods anger against us is laid up in Christ and his Death there needeth nothing more but onely the pleading of his merit with the Father which also Christ himself doth as our Advocate 1 Joh. 4.10 God sent his Son to bee the propitation for our sins 1 Thess 1.10 Rom. 5.9 Being justified by his blood wee shall bee saved from wrath through him This was typified by all the Sacrifices from the beginning of the World All the vertue in them was by vertue of Christs death Heb. 10.4 The death of a beast could not suffice by way of Exchange for the death of a man If a subject should bee a Traytor to his Sovereign would the King take his Cattels life for his much less then can the wrath of God bee appeased with the blood of beasts It is onely by Christs death Rom. 5.1 Matth. 3.17 Eph. 1.6 Luk. 2.14 The Mercy Seat was called the Propitiatory as here Christ is called the Propitiation No propitiation was by the Mercy Seat without blood Heb. 9.7 thus sweetly prefiguring the satisfaction of Jesus Christ Quest Wherein stands this pacifying of Gods anger Answ There be three things implyed in it 1 The wrath of God before to bee kindled against sinners Rom. 3.5 2 That the effects of his anger in punishment and judgements are hanging over the sinners head 3 It doth mainly import the turning away of those judgements and the quenching of that wrath with the exemption and delivery of the sinner there-from All which wee finde Col. 1.21 And you that were sometimes alienated c. So Isa 59.2 compared with Eph. 2.13 Quest How God is pacified toward them whom he loved eternally How can God bee said to bee pacified towards them that have fellowship with Christ seeing that undoubtedly God loved them from all eternity Answ 1 Eph. 2.3 whatever wee are by grace yet by Nature wee are children of wrath Or as the Apostle Rom. 11.8 Concerning the Gospel they are enemies but as touching Election they are beloved for the Fathers-sake So indeed Gods chosen being yet in a natural estate they are enemies to God and God is an enemy to them in regard of
prize the pardon more and to esteem the grace of God in Christ much more Hee that is throughly pained with sicknesse will highly esteem the Physician when Davids bones were broken hee praies for multitude of tender mercies Psal 51.1 7 8. and so it was with Paul Rom 7.24.25 Our spiritual conflicts in the trouble of our Consciences for sin make us to judge the better of the grace of Christ towards us in his grievous agonies when hee cries out My God my God c. and say with Paul The grace of God was exceeding abundant 1 Tim. 1.14.18 3 Repentance is a grace that plows up and stirs the heart fitting of it for the seed of the Word to take better root in it Plow up the fallow ground Jer. 4.3 and when this is plowed and plowed deep the seed is not so likely to bee choaked with thornes Repentance will make a thriving and fruitful Christian under the means of grace and one that shall have a plentiful and joyful harvest They that sow in tears shall reap in joy hee that goeth forth with weeping bearing pretious seed shall come again with rejoycing bringing his sheaves with him Psal 126.5 6. 4 Repentance breeds a patient frame of heart under Gods afflicting hand Whereas otherwise at such a time the heart will be very unruly and outragious Take David in his saddest time that hee under passed after his great sins when his heart was kindly broken hee would justify God Psal 51.4 and this is because it makes us humble and laies the heart low in consideration of our great unworthinesse of the least mercy and desert of the greatest judgements from Gods hands and then what ever God threatens yea whatever he inflicts the heart is quiet silent and patient not in the least repining against but justifying of God in all his wayes 5 Repentance makes the heart charitable and pittiful to others that fall into sin and will keep us from rigour and pride in censuring of them too severely from the remembrance of our sinful failings and frame of spirit as Tit. 3.2 3. Shew meeknesse towards all men for we our selves were sometimes foolish c. 6 This repenting frame is a Sin-mortifying frame of spirit No grace carries on the work of mortification more in the heart than repentance seeing it is continually weeding out and plucking up the remainders of corruption in the heart Sin no sooner shews it self but a broken heart is repenting of it and mourning for it God hath placed this grace in a beleevers heart to bee continually cleansing out and throwing forth the filth and dreggs of corruption still adhearing to the heart in this life and hence it is that wee read after all the faylings of the most precious Servants of God the wheel of repentance was still turned over their sins though they were fully certified of pardon and forgivenesse Concl. 2. A beleever whatsoever his faith is had need be fervent and instant in prayer for the pardon of his sin This our Saviour taught his Disciples in the rule of prayer Matth. 6.12 and we are still to doe it in these respects 1 Because our sins are daily renewed and wee had need have pardon renewed and remission afresh applied unto us as our sins are renewed therefore we had need continually be praying for this that our sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come Act. 3.19 2 That we may get faith and assurance of pardon and forgivenesse Worldly men would not only have outward Estates Lands and Possessions but they seek to have assurance thereof Now this assurance of pardon is not gotten ordinarily without much contention in prayer Hab. 6.11 We desire that every one of you doe shew the same diligence to the full assurance c. It is much to bee lamented that any Christian should content himself with an opinion or conjecture of forgivenesse and so become no other than James calls them chap. 1.3 Double-minded men unstable in all their wayes A double-minded man is such a one as is alwayes questioning Gods grace in Christ unto him and his interest in the Promises whereby he is very unstable and here he contents himself without indeavouring a stability of faith and assurance to say with Job I know my Redeemer liveth Wee have need of a great increase of faith and measure of assurance that our sins are pardoned that wee may bee able to undergoe great trials and strong temptations and to lay up like the rich man riches for many years and with Joseph store of provision against the years of famine For so the Thessalonians when they had much-assurance received the Word in great affliction with joy in the Holy Ghost 1. Thess 1.5 6. Oh then a daily course of prayer is needful that wee may get the sense and feeling of the mercy of God to our souls in the pardon of our sins Yea this is more than naked assurance when a man can feel the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost Rom. 5.5 when a man is sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Ephes 1.13 and hath the earnest of his heavenly inheritance in his heart Many by the strength of their faith have trusted in Gods mercy even then when the Lord hath hid his face from them or shewed them an angry countenance but the feeling of the grace of God is more this is for the heart to find the warmth of his love and behold the gracious smiles of his countenance in the lowest condition and it is a very heaven upon earth or a lively fore-taste of the joyes of heaven 3 This is needful that the soul may have the pardon of frâ— in all the fruits and effects thereof in their further accomplishments and perfection though wee are freed from the damnation and dominion of sin yet wee are not freed from the remainders of it Wee know how Paul groaned under his unmortified corruptions Rom. 7.23 24. and the Church is taught to pray Take away all iniquity and Hos 14.2 wee must look sometimes to meet with terrours of Conscience and to bee in darknesse without any light wee must look for desertions and temptations by reason of the remainders of sin and therefore we are to pray for full redemption from sin in all the fruits and effects of it 4 It is needful to pray that we may make a right use of the pardon of sin having once obtained it For the heart is apt under such a favour to wax proud and wanton and carelesse as it is with many an ungodly childe when a father hath made over a great estate into his hands he will care no more for his father nor doe any duty belonging to a childe so the children of God would doe being left to themselves when God hath made known to them this blessed estate of the pardon of their sins they are ready in their prosperity to say they shall not bee moved Psal 30.6 and there is no state
God in such a way as to overthrow his truth his truth of his promises Tit. 1.4 Grace Mercy and Peace are from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ There is no Mercy to bee expected from God but through Jesus Christ Luk. 1.50 His mercy is on them that fear him they that do not fear God have no title to his mercy so there is the truth of his threatnings that hee will not bee merciful to any wicked transgressour Psal 59.5 to any one that loves his sin and lives in it and refuses to bee reformed Gods mercy is as it were the bridge over the pit to carry the soul to heaven but a man that hath his eies will bee careful that he tread not beside as upon the shadow of the bridge instead of the bridge Yea it is railed as it were with his truth beware of going without the rail lest you drop into the pit now those that we speak of go with out the rail and the promises and threatnings are against them so they do evidently trust in a lye saying They shall have Peace Mercy walking in the stubbornness of their own hearts Deut. 29.19 20. but the Lord saith hee will not bee merciful to such but besides the great delusion is that they do look for pardon of sin by meer mercy with the wrong or denial of the justice of God 3 There cannot possibly bee any remission of sin unlesse that God can pardon in Justice as well as Mercy There can bee no dispensation for this If God could have pardoned sin without the price of redemption then certainly Christ dyed altogether in vain For what did the father send forth Christ to bee the Propitiation for sin to shew his justice how can they beleeve that if Gods justice did not exact the price If the price might have been omitted without any prejudice to his justice could God bee eternally just if hee had not punished sin at all Prov. 17.15 To justify the wicked without satisfaction to justice is an abomination to the Lord and will the Lord do that which is abominable to him will any King put his own Son to death to save a traitours life when hee can freely pardon the traitour if hee will surely that were an unnatural and a cruel part and can wee think that God the Father will give up his onely begotten Son to death to save sinners when hee may out of meer grace and mercy pardon them without such a sacrifice certainly God would never do it Briefly the sinner must necessarily satisfy justice either by himself or by his surety or else it is utterly impossible that his sin should bee forgiven Heb. 10.26 27. Without a sacrifice for sin there remains nothing but a certain fearful looking for of judgement and fiery indignation that shall devour the adversaries Doth any soul expect pardon without Christ then hee expects peace without any sacrifice for him but the Text saith that without this there remains nothing but a fearful expectation c. Briefly such a hope of pardon is interpretatively no better than Atheism and denial of God For it denies the justice of God it denies his purity and holinesse it denies his Soveraignty yea it denies Christ if the Lord bee God hee is just and holy and Judge of all the World and if hee bee just hee cannot pardon sin but in a way of justice and that sealed by Christs blood I pray consider that Psal 89.13 14. Thou hast a mighty arm strong is thy hand and high is thy right hand consider what a God you have to deal withall hee is a mighty strong God no creature is able to withstand him if hee bee displeased Object I but he is merciful too Answ 1. Psalm 89.14 Justice and judgement are the habitation of his Throne mercy and truth shall go before his face justice and judgement are the basis and supporter of his Throne take away justice and you pull down his royal Throne you make him no longer King or Judge mercy and truth are his harbingers 2 They are offered first and when refused Justice doth execution So a like place Psal 36.5 6. Thy mercy O Lord is in the Heavens and thy faithfulnesse reacheth unto the Clouds that is there is a vastnesse and immensity in both they are very great but whence is his Justice so great his righteousnesse is like the strong mountains c. as if hee had said the righteousnesse of God is as unsupportable and unmoveable as the strong mountains and his judgements they do not swim aloft but they are an infinite and unsearchable depth You cannot bear them nor remove Gods righteousness nor measure or fathom his judgements and thou that art a sinner hast these mountains ready to fall upon thee and art sinking into this great deep What is it that makes the Devils eternally miserable but that they have no Christ to satisfy the justice of God and if a sinner on earth live and dye without Christ he is as uncapable of salvation as those in the 2 of the Ephes 12. Object 2. The Justice of God is answered in Christ for mee Answ True indeed there is no other Name under heaven given amongst men whereby wee shall be saved and happy is that soul that can groundedly plead this and most miserable is he or shee that is deceived herein it is an errour in the foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 Other foundation can no man lay Beloved let us take heed of an errour in this which is very common 1 Joh. 3.6 7. Consider whether there bee not Gods Writ sent out against you frequently signed in an open Court as Micaiah said to Ahab 2 Chron. 18 2â— hath not the Lord pronounced against thee in the threatnings in his Word yea hath not the Arrest been served upon thee in the secret accusation of thy conscience when thou hast shifted it off as Felix did Pauls Sermon Act. 24.25 Consider how thy heart is affected with the doctrin of Gods justice and the judgements to come Is it not with thee as it was with that unhappy Felix doth not thy heart I say not onely tremble but swell against the truth of God doth it not secretly wish there were no Assizes yea art thou not still in the Jailours custody as a malefactor Beware of that which Elihu speaks Job 36.17 18. thou hast fulfilled the judgement of the wicked judgement and justice take hold on thee that is they are seizing upon thee Because there is wrath beware lest hee take thee away with his stroak then a great ransome cannot deliver thee will hee esteem thy riches no not gold nor all the forces of strength Gods Justice in a Sinners Justification THE FOUR AND TWENTIETH SERMON ON Rom. 3.25 26. That he might be just and the Justifier c. NOT onely the exact Truth of God Doct. 1 or the abundance of his Grace but also his strict justice do concur and act in the justification of a sinner in
concludes vers 36. and cryes out Oh the depth of the wisdome of God c. So let us alwayes doe when we cannot trace God in his wayes Eccl. 7.14 God hath set prosperity and adversity the one over against the other to the end that no man should finde any thing after him i. e. that none should see the print of his steps When God deals thus and his ways are over-clouded by us never let us quarrel or cavil at any passage of his providence but let us fall down and adore the righteousnesse of the Lord and judge him not according to outward appearance but say How unsearchable are thy judgements c. and Psal 17.19 Thy righteousnesse O God is very high c. and truly beyond the reach of men and Angels thou hast done great things oh God who is like unto thee thou hast shewed me great and sore troubles and shalt quicken me again and raise me up from the depths of the earth So when God visiteth the sins of the Fathers upon the Children acknowledge Gods righteousnesse in it for Children are part of their Parents and it is just with God to punish such as hate him when and where he pleaseth Besides many times children approve of the sins of their Parents and imitate them and doe worse than they as Belshazzar Dan. 8.22 So when God gives grace to some and denies it to others that are alike sinful this seems harsh to Arminians and carnal persons but God saith Shall I not doe what I will with mine own Mat. 20.13 The Glory of Gods Righteousnesse is the end of Redemption THE SIX AND TWENTIETH SERMON ON Rom. 3.25 26. To declare I say at this time his righteousness WEE have heard how that not only the mercy and truth of God but also his justice doth concur and act in the justification of a sinner but there is yet more in the words when it is said that this is done for the declaration of the righteousnesse of God and that with a repetition of it to signify that God would have us to take special notice of this And there is implyed an answer to a secret objection for it might bee said why did not the Lord freely forgive the sins of his Elect without the redemption wrought by Christ to satisfy such a question the Lord saith because this way of forgiveness by Christs redemption makes most for the declaration of the justice of God in the pardoning of sin The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated declaration or to declare is rendred Phil. 1.28 a manifest token so I conceive the meaning is here and it should be rendered for a manifest token or for the demonstration of the righteousness of God God would have his people to know that there was great necessity of this way of justification because that God is essentially just and cannot otherwise forgive sin except his justice be satisfied Doctr. The main end of the redemption wrought by Christ The main end of redemption and that hee was made a Propitiatory sacrifice for sin was the demonstration of the glory of the justice of God to the world This point lies clear in the Text and it is that which is signifyed by that speech that is so often used in all the great works of God especially his Mercies to his people and his Judgements upon his Enemies this is still mentioned as the end that God aims at in Exodus and Ezekiel That yee may know that I am the Lord that is Just Holy Merciful and Faithful c. and such a one as I have revealed my self to be it is expressed excellently Jerem. 9.23 24. Let not the wise man glory in his wisdome c. but let him that glorieth glory in this that hee understandeth and knoweth mee that I am Jehovah which exercise loving kindnesse judgement and righteousnesse in the earth for in these things I delight The true knowledge of God is a matter of wonderful worth and it is not onely to know him to bee a God that exercises loving kindness but also Judgement and Righteousnesse in the earth and the reason is because in these things the Lord delighteth These things are according to the nature and heart of God Now mark that the Lord would have us to know him to bee such a God and to glory in this for this is the happiness of a poor creature Now that you may know how pertinent this is to the matter in hand yee may compare with it 1 Cor. 1.30 31. where it is said That Christ is made unto us of God wisdome righteousness sanctification and redemption that according as it is written Let him that glorieth glory in the Lord. Whence there is evidently a reference to that place of the Prophet Jeremy So that to put both places together there will bee this collection from them That God the Father hath appointed and sent the Lord Jesus Christ to bee the Head and Fountain of all spiritual blessings and especially of righteousnesse to the faithful that they may know him to bee Jehovah that exerciseth loving kindness judgement and righteousness in the earth to strip all the Children of Men of all glorying in themselves and to cause them to ascribe all the glory to the Lord For the handling of this I shall open two things 1 How the shedding of Christs blood for a Propitiatory Sacrifice makes for the glory of Gods justice 2 Why the demonstration of this glory was the end of the shedding of Christs blood How the shedding of Christs blood glorifieth Gods justice Quest 1. How doth the shedding of Christs blood to be a Propitiatory sacrifice make for the glory of Gods justice Answ Not in an ordinary manner onely as all other judgements of God do shew forth the Justice of God but in a most transcendent and eminent way such as never was before and that in two respects especially 1 In regard of the person whose blood is shed his relation to the Father as being his onely begotten Son his dignity as having a Name above every Name and hee that is appointed Heir of all things by whom he made the World the brightnesse of his Fathers glory and the express Image of his Person Heb. 1.2 3 There was never Justice executed upon such a person as Christ was So yee may consider the love of the Father to him Matth. 12.18 Hee was the Fathers beloved in whom his soul delighted and his love to the Father and his doing alwaies that which was pleasing to the Father Joh. 14.31 and yee may adde to these the fervent prayers to his Father with strong cries and tears Heb. 5.7 together with the extremity of his sufferings that is an Hell upon Earth and the pains of the second death before the first death and in the daies of his flesh So that neither the Cup nor any drop of the Cup did pass away from him Matth. 26. This was a new an admirable and transcendent justice such as never
the eye of man So is God to the Sinner But now as transcendently evil as Sin is Christ hath satisfied for it and put an end to all troubles to thy Conscience about it By one offering hee hath perfected for ever such as are sanctified Heb. 10.15 God saith I will bring forth my Servant the branch and I will remove the iniquities of the Land in one day Zech. 3.8 9. Yee shall call therefore every man his Neighbour under his Vine and under his Fig-tree For Psal 85.10 Mercy and Truth have met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other that is all Gods excellencies gloriously shine forth in Christs satisfaction Comfort yee one another with these words 2 Consider for your Comfort Weak beleever justified as much as stronger That the weakest true beleever is justified as much as the strongest What was imputed to Abraham for his Justification was and is imputed to the weakest Saint Rom. 4.22 23 24 To Us it shall bee imputed if wee beleeve on Christ as Abraham did 'T is true all apprehend not this satisfaction alike but the matter and form of our justification is all one Therefore rejoyce O weak Christian thy cloathing notwithstanding all thine infirmities is as bright shining in the eyes of God as that of Abraham or the greatest Saint in the world Quest How can wee come to comfort through the satisfaction of Christ Answ 1 Gain your Acquittance a writing drawn with Gods own hand with your name in it 1 Joh. 5.13 These things have I writ unto you that beleeve on the Name of the Son of God that yee may know yee have eternal life So that if you beleeve there is the writing grounded on a Record vers 11. and there is your Name in it You see your way to finde your Names there get it sealed to your hearts by the Spirit 2 Let there bee an humble active embracing of Christ in the Word of Promise God requires besides his own good pleasure and the Councill of his will the work of faith Rom. 3.25 2 Thess 1.11 Thou must exercise thy humble obediential Faith as thy day-labour even a conflicting faith Rev. 2.17 and a praying Faith Ezek. 36.32 and a confessing faith As they did their sins laying their hands on the head of the Scape-Goat Lev. 16.21 So the hand the type of faith was put on the head of the burnt offering Lev. 14. And an humbling Faith which indeed is the most humble grace of all Rom. 11.20 Thou standest by Faith bee not high-minded From which grace Christ is never far Isa 57.15 yea they when pricked at heart saw Christ presently Act. 2.38 and Peter applies the Promise to them and reveals mercy to such bleeding souls Christ and a lamenting soul are never far asunder 3 Bee comforted That this way of yours by Christs satisfaction is the true way to Justification Men cry up many new waies 'T is a great mercy in such varieties of errors not to err The truth of this way of Justification is not onely true upon the truth of the word but upon the truth of God himself If God bee God this justification must needs bee true For here justice is satisfied and so God pardons which hee could as well un God himself as do where his justice is not satisfied So that wee may testify to you 1 Pet. 5.12 That this is the true grace of God in which you stand Men have a conceited grace different from this but here you may safely set up your resting place for ever Use 5. Remember to maintain perpetual homage and observance of Jesus Christ Never forget so great a mercy David cries Psal 116.6 O Lord I am thy servant and the Son of thy hand-maid thou hast broken my bonds The way of Servants and Slaves ingaging themselves to their Lords was they yeelded their submission with promise and oath to be Loyal to them as their Lords and holding their hands between the hands of their Lords they said I become your Servant from this day forth for life for limbs for worldly honors and shall owe you my fidelity as long as I live Well might this holy man say I am thy Servant since God had not brought him into but broken his bonds Paul argues much this way 2 Cor. 5.14 15. And hee dyed for all that they that live should not live unto themselves Which falls foul upon that ignoble conceit That if Christ gives satisfaction wee are freed from all obedience to the Commandements By which this doctrin of Christs satisfaction is made the occasion of prophaneness and Christ is become the Minister of sin which Paul abhorred Gal. 2.17 'T is true that since Christ hath paid the price of our redemption there is nothing for us to do by way of satisfaction but as much as in us lies in obedience to the will of Christ both from the nature of righteousness and holiness which are worth our exercising and from the Moral consideration of Christs yeelding obedience to every Commandement and out of a study for conformity to the state of glory hereafter Yea there is a Causal connexion such as is between the cause and effect between Christs satisfaction applyed to us and our holiness For Union with Christ by Faith produceth this fruit necessarily 1 Joh. 3.6 Hee that abides in him sins not The Spirit of Christ works it Ezek. 36.27 and true faith purifies the heart Act. 13.9 Act. 26.18 So then let every man do the works of God without him or suspect the work of God within him Lest fancy that works folly rather than faith that works purification bee found within him For hee that is bought with a price will glorify God in soul and body which are Christs by Redemption The Exactness of Christs sufferings THE SIXTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. A propitiation through Faith in his blood WEE have spoken in General of Redemption Come we now more particularly to consider first the manner and secondly the efficacy of this satisfaction The Manner of our redemption is by the blood of Christ and therefore 't is phrased here by Faith in his blood of which let us inquire Quest What is meant by blood here Answ The manner of Christs satisfaction is by blood Blood is put by a Synecdoche of the part for All the sufferings of Christ which hee underwent for the sins of the Elect especially his bloody death with all its concomitants So called First because death especially when it is violent it joyned with effusion of blood as Matth. 23.30 If wee had lived in the daies of our fathers wee would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets and Matth. 27.24 Pilate said I am innocent of the blood of this just person that is of his Death Secondly Herein respect is had to all the sacrifices of the Law whose blood was poured out when they were offered up Heb. 9.22 Almost all things are by the Law purged with blood and
comforted He dyed that you might never dye eternally Hee was cursed that you might be blessed Hee was full of sorrow that you might always rejoyce Phil. 3.3 Hee was accused that we might be excused and condemned that wee might bee acquitted Hee endured the fiercenesse of his Fathers wrath and indignation that we might never know what belongs to it 1 Be comforted then in the sharpest brunt of distresse Thou shalt be pittied in sorrows whether through terror of heart within or trouble without for the Lord will pitty thee in thy worst estate for Christs sake Psal 103.13 As a father pittieth his children so the Lord pittieth all c. And Deut. 8.5 Thou shalt consider in thine heart that as a man chasteneth his Son so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee And though Christ bee in Heaven yet his bowels and compassions do yern toward thee For Heb. 4.15 Wee have not an High Priest that cannot be moved with the feeling of our infirmities but he was in all points tempted c. Ah how sweet is it to consider that our High Priest is no stranger to soul-troubles or to body-disquietments but being tempted as wee are hath a sympathie and fellow-feeling with us All our crosses and trials reach to him as well as us Isa 63.9 He is afflicted in our afflictions Hee escapes not when wee are persecuted Heb. 2.17 18. Hee was made like unto us on purpose that he might be sensible of our calamities It is a lamentable condition a poor soul is in when it hath none to pitty Lam. 1.12 It is their sad complaint that all past by and minded not the Church Shee looks for commiseration and finds none that is a doleful estate But here is our rejoycing that we have a tender-hearted Saviour both able and willing to succour his poor servants And no wonder that he is so willing for who would purchase at so dear a rate and not uphold Who would beat so much cost and at last lose all for a trifle Hath Christ as Paul speaks of the Galathians 3.4 5. suffered so many things in vain Surely as poor Creatures are not willing to lose their cost and pains so Christ will not lose the travail of his soul his bitter Death and bloudy Sufferings for nought It is the greatest absurdity in Christian Religion to suppose it Gal. 2. ult If righteousnesse be by the Law Christ is dead in vain But Christs death is in vain and his grace is in vain if it may not comfort a poor soul in distresse Turn therefore to thy Beloved in thy distresse and ask him whether hee hath not been in the state of humiliation a man of sorrows and one that drunk deep of the gall and wormwood of Gods indignation that hath felt the wrath of an angry Judge and knows what it is to be in a forlorn state and hath paid dear to undergoe the chastisement of our peace And can hee forget his poor Members in their sorrows and have no compassion Can hee forget his anoynting how he was appointed of the Father to bind up the broken-hearted to impart the oyl of gladnesse to his fellows Hath he spent so much bloud in vain try thus if he can turn his back and leave thee comfort lesse 2 Thou shalt also be freed from thy sorrows in due season Thou shalt bee freed from sorrows God will not only give thee fair words but thou shalt have real help and deliverance Help is promised in due season 1 Pet. 5.6 and the condition of the purchase is for seasonable help or help in the best season Heb. 4. ult What that season is is dark to us many times But who taught the Stork the Turtle and the Crane in the Heavens to know their appointed time Jer. 8.7 Was it not the Lord our Creator and shall not he that taught them know himself Shall he not relieve you in your seasons Now what is it that gauls if we may lay our hands upon the sore and touch it it is sin that pricks that disquiets but you know Heb. 12 18-24 Yee are not come to the mount that might not be touch'd that burned with fire nor unto blacknesse and darknesse and tempests c. but to Jesus the Mediator and to the bloud of sprinkling c. whose bloud speaks better things than that of Abel Gen. 4.9.10 which cried loud for vengeance All sins speak but his cried aloud for vengeance but Christs bloud must needs cry louder for mercy For the shedding of Christs bloud was a greater sin than the shedding of Abels for the Jews sin in Crucifying Christ was greater than Cains in killing his brother yet Christs bloud prevailed to save them Act. 2.36 Against such as these is no Law Gal. 5.22 for they are filled with joy and peace in beleeving Obj. But if Christ hath thus perfectly satisfied for my soul and sin how is it that I feel such horror in my soul Why is it thus with me the Lord seems quite to reject me Sol. Beleevers may be deferted but not utterly forsaken Christs desertion hath so qualified all thy desertions that thou shalt not utterly and finally forsake God nor hee utterly much lesse finally forsake thee Joh. 119.30 none of Gods children are secured from being forsaken by him Job was David was and Asa was and not without need For 1 Else how could they learn to live by Faith Reasons of desertion more than sense whereas God is much more honoured by a life of faith than a life of sense and feeling 2 Our condition here is that of Strangers and sojourners yea of Pilgrims now if all went well with us and that wee had new supplies of joy daily wee should take this for our Country and so displease God 3 Sometimes Gods people cleave to the Creature and forsake him and then no wonder if hee forsakes them 2 Chron. 15.2 Jer. 50. ult They compass themselves about with sparks and shall therefore lye down in sorrow 4 They must in some measure bee conformable unto Christ that they may the better judge what Christ hath suffered for them But none of Gods children are so forsaken as Christ was for Christ was forsaken in a way of revenge by God as a just Judge but ours comes from another Principle Again Christ drunk the Cup of Gods wrath to the bottome wee do but sip and taste of the Cup sweetened through Christ This is in short the main God intends about it 1 So to forsake that hee may never totally nor finally forsake thee Hee forsakes for a while that hee may receive thee for ever And that thou mayest love him the more and seek him with earnestness and to infer a mutual increase of love between God and a Christian Isa 54.7 8. For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercy c. In a little wrath have I hid my face from thee for a moment but with eternal kindness will I have mercy on thee
and pliably and plead all this word and work of propitiation before the Lord continually Ezek. 16. ult 2 Cor. 5.19 Job 22.21 22. Isa 12.1 2. Exhor 2 To the members of Christ 2. Seeing Gods anger is pacified towards you see that yee walk answerable to so great a priviledge 1 Blesse God for this propitiation Luk. 1.64 what had our condition been without this Psal 44.3 2 Take heed of kindling it again by relapses into your former courses Psal 85.8 He will speak peace unto his people but let them not return again to folly It is the first use the Spirit makes of this grace of Christ 1 Joh. 2.1 These things I write that you sin not So 2 Cor. 7.1.5.11 But if you shall bee bold to sin know that though God doth love your persons yet hee will bee displeased with your actions as 2 Sam. 11. ult and take vengeance on your inventions 3 Learn to make use of this propitation of Christ continually as 1 Joh. 2.1 2. Not onely before conversion but after the same it s ever to bee used more necessary than fire and water meat and drink Quest When should wee more especially make use of Christs Propitiation Answ 1 In our daily relapses into sin which make new defilements and therefore wee must have fresh recourse to the fountain Heb. 13.8 thus the daily Sacrifice prefigured the daily use of Christs sacrifice for attonement That 22 Psalm setting forth his passion was daily sung each morning with the offering up of the Sacrifice as is judged from its title 2 In all our duties and services whereof the most holy have iniquity in them and therefore stand in need of Christ that they may finde acceptance as was typified Exod. 28.38 and their sacrifices were given into the hand of the Priest and offered by him so our spiritual services by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 3 In daies of humiliation and attonement as Levit. 16 29. Heb. 10.22 It is not fasting or weeping God looks to but a sacrifice c. 4 At each Sacrament there should bee a solemn remembrance of this propitiatory sacrifice Rom. 6.3 Wee are baptized into his death 1 Cor. 11.26 It s done in remembrance of Christ 5 In our ordinary Callings and the discharge of them Whatsoever ye do do it to the glory of God Col. 3.17 6 In afflictions desertions and temptations In desertions Christs blood brings us near in temptations hee gives us victory Col. 2.15 Dan. 9.17 Isa 53.5 6. 1 Sam 26.19 How shall wee make use of it Quest How shall wee make use of Christs Sacrifice in these times and cases Answ 1 Wee are to remember our daily back-slidings with humble acknowledgement and brokennesse of heart and to see the necessity of Christs propitiation Jer. 3.12 13. Return thou back-sliding Israel saith the Lord I will not cause mine anger to pass upon thee nor keep it for ever onely acknowledge thine iniquity c. 2 Wee are to observe as wee are able the imperfections and defaults in our duties that wee may bee humbled thereat and see what great need wee have of Christs propitiation as Nehemiah chap. 13.22 when hee had done his best then hee praies Remember me O God concerning this and spare mee according to the greatness of thy Mercy 3 In regard of the remainder of corruptions that are too strong in us Wee are to look upon the Lord of glory crucified and meditate upon the Sacrifice of Christ Heb. 9.14 How much more shall the blood of Christ purge our Consciences c. 4 Wee are to apprehend and plead by faith and prayer the Promises of God as confirmed to us by the blood of Christ They are all made and performed by him They are branches of the Covenant of Grace and the blood of Christ is called the blood of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13.20 As the Priest sprinkled the people the book c. Heb. 9.19 20 23. So now ought Christians set faith on work to sprinkle all Ordinances and the word it self and our selves and all our works 5 When as Gods anger doth lye heavy upon the soul by desertion or temptation c. then wee are to cast our burden upon Christ in the free Covenant of grace and peace Psal 55.22 Isa 54.8 9. This shall bee to me as the waters of Noah c. Christ set forth to be a Propitiation THE TWELFTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation WEE have seen before of the efficient cause of a sinners justification 1 God the Father 2 The inward impulsive that 's the free grace and favour of God 3 The meritorious cause 4 The instrument apprehending the object that is faith in Christs blood 5 The end in respect of us that is our remission of sins and eternal salvation In respect of God the manifestation of his Justice and Mercy Now the Meritorious Cause is amplyfied 1 By the degree and measure and manner of it it was by blood 2 By the efficacy of it it was a propitiation 3 By the ground or manner of it in the word set forth of which next is this Quere Quest What is the meaning of setting forth Christ to bee a Propitiation Answ Christ was formerly set forth for a Propitiation in times of the Old Testament But very darkly under Types and shadows and very restrainedly in that 't was onely to the Jews or the Proselytes that were joyned to them But now in the New Testament Christ is clearly and openly set forth in the Ministry of the Gospel and without all restraint both to Jews and Gentiles 1 Joh. 2.2 a propitiation for the sinnes of the whole world Heb. 9.7 The Mercy Seat was shut up in the times of the Old Testament though the benefit was extended to the whole Church of the Jews yet to them onely and such as joyned to them and besides none but the High Priest might go into it and that not commonly but onely once a year But now in the times of the New Testament Christ our Mercy Seat is set forth in the Promises and Preaching of the Gospel to all sorts of sinners that they have free recourse to him for themselves and that at any time This I conceive was intended by the Translators in this place and it is pious and precious The word here used doth often signify the purpose and decree of God from all eternity Rom. 8.28 And of mens purposes to do any thing Rom. 1.13 But it s especially applyed unto the mystery of Christ Gods eternal purpose in gathering of sinners unto him in one head Eph. 1.9 And this signification doth marvellously suit here to shew unto us how it comes to pass that Christ is the Propitiatory or placatory sacrifice for sin Even because God the Father purposed and fore-appointed this way of reconciliation from all eternity In regard of the composition of the word it may signify hee proposed before or held forth in former times viz.
let the word they have heard heedlesly to slip from them again How is it possible they should escape weigh seriously but that one Scripture Prov. 1.24 to the end Comfort to those that have interest in Christ thus proposed and purposed for their propitiation Use 2. Of comfort unto the Children of God who have part in Christ their comfort lies in these branches 1 The proposal of Christ in the Promises and Prophecies of the old Testament This wee are sure is that good old way in which the Saints were saved then as Now. Jer. 18.14 Will a man leave the Snow of Lebanon that commeth from the rock of the field Or shall the cold flowing waters bee forsaken That is Will a man leave the pure fountain water to come to dig puddles as Jerem. 2.13 as many now-adaies do Our path is the path of all the Saints of former ages Wee follow the cloud of Witnesses Heb. 12.1 And may hope to bee in Abrahams bosome that Father of the faithful while that we insist in the faith of Abraham 2 In the proposal of Christ so clearly and largely in the times of the New Testament confirmed by the voice of God and so many signs and wonders wrought Heb. 2.3.4 here is great comfort that our souls are in the right way to bliss Rom. 16.25 26. 3 In the eternal purpose of God to make Christ our Propitiation When wee consider the sleights of Satan and our own weaknesses wee have cause to say that we shall one day fall But then Rom. 9.11 2 Tim. 2.19 The purpose of God according to Election will stand when heaven and earth shall fall The Foundation of God stands sure If it were a Foundation of mans laying it would not bee sure but it s the Lords that never was nor will bee shaken Our Salvation is not built upon our Faith our Works or any sufficiency in our selves or in the Creatures But on Gods Eternal Wisdome and Counsel and unchangeable Decree and on his Son Jesus as our Foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 1 Pet. 2.6 Behold I lay in Sion a chief Corner stone Elect and pretious and hee that beleeves on him shall not bee confounded Let him therefore be exceedingly comforted and take up Pauls triumphing Challenge and say Rom. 8.33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect its God that justifieth its Christ that dyed This is a sure breast-work against all Satans batteries and Accusations So Tit. 1.2 Wee have hope of eternal life promised us by an unalterable purpose and that from eternity Object How can that bee seeing before the World began there was no Creature to make the Promise to Answ I will not trouble you with other Interpretations but this is the truth That God the Father promised to the second Person of the sacred Trinity his own Son To give eternal life to all those that should beleeve upon him in the fulness of time And its suitable to that 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began Shall wee now say that wee are unworthy of any promise or Mercy It s very true we in our selves are altogether unworthy But Jesus Christ our Redeemer is worthy to have it made to him and performed to him The Lamb that was stain is worthy And immediately only to the Lord Jesus Christ were the promises made not to us and that before the World began so that they are in a good way and a sure hand there 's nothing succeeding can disanul Gal. 3.17 nor should discourage us from taking hold thereon Christ set forth to be a Propitiation THE THIRTEENTH SERMON ON Rom. 3.24 25. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation Doct. THat God the Father purposed from eternity and proposed in the fulnesse of time his Son Jesus Christ to be the Propitiation to appease his wrath Vse 3. Of conviction of errors c. It may serve to discover unto us the danger of diverse erroneous Tenents about the satisfaction of Christ Some denying some lessening of it some adding thereto humane satisfactions and propitiations Which wicked errours as they do overthrow many other Principles of Christian Religion so especially this foundation of foundations So that unless God should reverse his eternal Decree verified in all ages hitherto and should give forth another Scripture and lay open another way to heaven It s impossible these men should be saved for they hold not the head Col. 2.19 nor are at all built upon the only foundation 1 Cor. 3.11 having missed of Jesus Christ and his Propitiation Use 4. This shews the gratious and wonderful concurrence The concurrence of the persons in Trinity to our salvation of all the persons of the Trinity in the salvation of a sinner Here is the Fathers purpose and eternal decree the Sons propitiation the holy Spirits application of it implyed in the work of Faith in the blood of Christ A great mistake therefore it is for any to think that we do owe much more to Christ for our salvation than wee do to God the Father as if hee did carry it but justly nay somewhat severely towards us in Christ onely was mercy Why Consider 1. That the justice of God is an an essential attribute common to all the three persons that just will to punish sin or that wrath of God against it is alike in them all Therefore there is no greater enemy to sinners than the Son and the Holy Ghost Psal 45.7 2 Though Christ only did take flesh upon him and suffer yet this was now brought about by the Fathers Councel and decree Joh. 3.16 Hee gave his Son Rom. 8.32 Hee spared not his Son 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself God the Father is the fountain of the God-head in order of subsisting And so hee is in all the works of grace that are wrought for sinners It was his love that moved him to appoint this way of salvation 1 Joh. 4.10 3 Christs satisfaction and sacrifice was no cause of the fathers love but an effect thereof and a chief means of our salvation 1 Thess 5.9 The cause of a sinners salvation but not the cause why hee is elected and chosen of God unto salvation 4 It was the wonderful free love of God the Father to give any of us in particular to Jesus Christ and to determine us to bee of that small number that were to be reconciled to him by Jesus Christ Joh. 17.6 Thine they were and thou gavest them mee Therefore it s said Joh. 5.23 That all men should honour the Son as they do honour the Father that is with like love but not with greater love Let us therefore learn to glorify God in Christ 1 Pet. 4.11 for though wee may direct our worship unto one person yet wee must take heed of excluding the other in our
Christ who is the end of the lam for righteousnesse in his boing made a curse for us 3 Unlesse faith justifieth as it hath a respect and relation unto Christ as its object it can have no more to doe with satisfaction than any other grace as Charity Temperance c. but we know that they being works of the Law avail nothing to our justification Rom. 3.20 but the great property of faith above other graces is to draw vertue from Christ for justification and to exercise it self on the free grace and mercy of God exhibited in him Obj. But was not Abraham's faith justifying as it beleeved the power of God Rom. 4.21 22. He beleeved in God who quickneth the dead and God that had promised was able to perform therefore it was imputed unto him for righteousnesse Ans It is true he beleeved the power of God but that did not justifie him but his beleeving on the promised seed Gen. 22.18 He saw Christ's day by faith Joh. 8.56 It is true the faith of Gods power was a stay to him in great temptations he was exposed unto so it may be to us but wee cannot be justified by that faith which only beleeves the power of God to save us Vse 1. It serves to refute those that deny faith to have such a relation unto Christ in justification as hath been spoken of Such as say faith doth justifie without reference to Christ whereby the form and life of justifyng faith is taken away Christ is robbed of his glory and the Consciences of Christians of their comfort and peace Vse 2. It discovers the unjustified estate of those persons that doe not cast anchor here i. e. in Christ A man may have great knowledge and many gifts and beleeve too to admiration as they who had the faith of Miracles in the Primitive times Matth. 7.22 23. and yet be unjustified yea he may beleeve the Articles of Christian religion study the Promises and think he doth apply them to himself and yet be unjustified It is the very case of the seed in the stony ground that received the word with joy Math. 13.20 Why consider what is the word that even a carnal heart may rejoyce in it is the word of promise and this word a stony heart may receive and apply to himself and abide stony stil though Israel had transgressed the Law and cast off the thing that was good yet he would cry My God we know thee Hos 8.1 2 3. So the Jewes Joh. 8.39 41. and thus many catch at Gods mercy and seem to build upon the Promise and yet perish everlastingly Obj. But alas should I not build my salvation and justification on the promises of God what else should I repose my considence in Ans Promises vvill not justifie The Promises alone are not sufficient to bear the weight of a sinners justification and salvation neither doe they doe any thing further than they doe direct unto exhibit and bestow upon us a sufficient righteousnesse to save us and this must be had in a person not in a promise or proposition As for example the Israelites bit with the fiery Serpents were not healed with the promise or the light but the vertue drawn from the Brazen Serpent by looking on him So the promise alone will not justifie but only as it discovers and exhibits such a person i. e. Christ who puts forth or is cloathed with such a righteousnesse which being seen with the eye of faith puts the sinner into a state of justification Neither doe all the Promises discover or exhibit Christ though they are all exhibited in Christ 1 Tim. 4.8.2 Cor. 1.20 In Christ yea and amen but without Christ neither yea nor amen Rom. 8.32 God gives his Son first then other things Eph. 1.3 He blesseth us with all spiritual blessings in Christ but we can have none nor lay claim to any promise in the Book of God without him Quest What comfort is there then for such a man by the promises in Jesus Christ Ans The comfort truly is that there is an exhibition and holding forth of Christ in them to the vilest sinners and whilst there is life there is hope to get into Christ and get interest in the Promises 1 Joh. 5.11 This is the record that God hath given us life eternal and it is in his Son Hence Christ is called the Covenant Isa 49.8 because not only his person was and is the main thing in the Covenant but also because all the promises in the Covenant are his and made to him and in him and through him only conveyed to beleevers Thus we see what a dangerous thing it is to pitch our faith first on any thing but Christ and thence to expect a justified estate Quest How is faith in Jesus Christ known Ans 1. By the entrance of it which is such that it separates the sinner unto Christ as Psal 45.11 Forget thy fathers house c. As it is in persons marrried who forget and leave their fathers house and old friends and sequester themselves to marriage communion so it is with those that are married to the Lord Jesus though they have been intangled in their affections to their old ways yet by hearkning to the word of Christ they renounce and forget all for Christs sake then the King takes pleasure in them 2 By the progresse of it as they have received Jesus Christ the Lord so they walk in him Col. 2.6 7. and are subject to him in every thing Ephes 5.24 yea they live by the faith of the Son of God Gal. 2.20 Vse 3. Instruction and exhortation to shew and exhort us whither to goe for justification It is unto Christ and the mercy of God in him Let the main care and desire of our souls be after the person natures works and merits of the Lord Jesus and thereby shall wee bee possessed of this great benefit of justification through him Neither is my meaning that we should seek to come unto him any other way than by the Word and Promises for if we doe we can never come to him but meet with Satan as an Angel of light in some Enthusiasm But wee must bee acquainted with the Promises yea such as doe carry and exhibit Christ unto us and therein close with Christ before wee can claim the promises of pardon or of the Spirit or of any grace or glory Mot. 1. Consider Christ as he stands in relation to the Father he is 1 No other than the Son of his love Col. 1.13 the Fathers love is infinite to him and therefore he hath given all things into his hands for our justification and salvation Joh. 3.35 whatever fruit or testimony of the love of God the soul stands in need of he may be sure to have it from Christ 2 The Father hath sealed him Joh. 6.27 hee hath not only designed him but signed and sealed him a Commission to be a Mediator hath set his stamp upon him his express
hee must renounce his own righteousnesse Quest How should a man come to renounce his own righteousness Answ There are two sorts of Actions required to this end 1 In the Understanding 2 In the Will 1 Something must bee wrought in the understanding as appears Rev. 3.17 18. Laodicea knew not that shee was wretched and miserable and blinde c. I Counsel thee to annoint thine eies with eye-salve that thou mayest see i.e. her self to bee blind and miserable c. The soul must bee convinced of the inconceivable misery of its natural estate that every Childe of Adam hath lost all righteousnesse being dead in sin a Childe of wrath and under the power of the Devil Rom. 7.18 I know that in me that is in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing Mat. 7.18 A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit Rom. 8.8 They that are in the flesh cannot please God This eye-salve to bring this discovery by opening our eies must bee had of and derived from the Lord Jesus and it is called the Spirits conviction Joh. 16.8 The Spirit 's convincing the world of sin 2 The second thing is Conviction of the righteousness of God Joh. 16.9 For it is the ignorance of Gods righteousness that makes us trust in our own It is exceeding requisite to have a discovery of the righteousness of Christ made unto us this white raiment that we may buy it to cover our nakedness and that wee may see this raiment wee have need of Christ's eye-salve and this is not a general discovery only that Christs righteousness is provided for sinners and that it is to bee attained but it is particular and respecting our selves It is for a man to bee wise for himself and to bee convinced of the nature worth and excellency of the righteousness of Christ in relation to the naked and needy condition that hee himself is in And this will make a man desire as Paul that hee may be found in him It also breeds deliberate thoughts and serious projects for the supplying our wants Besides it is so strong and effectual that it will not suffer the soul to rest without it and concludes thus I must go unto Christ for his righteousness or else I perish This being backed with infallible and undeniable arguments taking such impressure in the knowledge and judgement must needs set the will and affections on work to go to choosing this so great bonum apparens or rather real good now appearing presented unto them 2 The next main duty concerns the will and its subjection to this righteousnesse and it is spoken of by Paul Rom. 10.3 That the Jews would not submit to it Now this submission is especially of the heart and will and stands 1 In a serious renouncing of all confidence in the flesh Phil. 3.3 it is the resolving to say no more to the works of our hands that they are our Gods Hos 14.3 It is a kinde of habitual despair of all help by any thing in us or done by us and that not only in our first conversion but afterwards when the soul is more acquainted with God and with its own self 2 In the subjecting our selves to Gods righteousnesse the bowing and abasing the soul before the Lord in a thorow sight of our misery and unworthinesse and this is called the receiving the sentence of death in our selves 2 Cor. 1.10 to become an afflicted and poor people that will trust in the name of the Lord for it is nothing but pride that keeps up the heart above God and his righteousness 3 In the hastening of the soul unto Christ and his righteousness a labouring constantly to go beyond the means though a man shall use the means never so diligently As it is with the Mariner though his hand bee upon the Oar and Helm yet his heart is ever towards the Haven So it is with the Sinner that longs after the satisfaction of Christ though his hand bee on the means yet his heart is on the righteousness of Christ 1 To make the means powerful on the soul to bring it to Christ to bee as winde to his Sails For if a ship have never so good tackling and have no winde and be becalmed it makes no speed towards its haven 2 Hee sees the need of Christ to cover the weaknesses of his services and for this his heart is on Christs righteousnesse seeing that no sacrifice will bee accepted but what comes thorow the hands of this High Priest who is also the only Altar Heb. 13.10 3 As the substantial injoyment in all means and ordinances These hee looks at but as dishes to bring to him the bread of life in and dishes are onely for the meats sake Hee looks at them but as boats to bring him to Christ and therefore intends to dwell in them no longer than he is on his journey and therefore he often stirreth up himself to lay hold on Christ 4 In a considerate serious deliberate choice of Christ or the passing over the spiritual and everlasting estate to the Lord Jesus and this is the frequent casting the soul upon the righteousnesse of Christ Psal 91.16 and it is a work of faith and prayer Psal 62.8 Trust in the Lord at all times yee people c. Pour out your hearts before him or roule your hearts upon him and all this is the Lords working and he must be mightily intreated to do this great work for us Vse 5. It is a ground of everlasting Thank fulness unto God for all beleeving sinners That the God of all grace hath thus provided for their eternal peace What an Incomparable mercy is it that the Lord when hee findes his poor Church and People in their blood polluted and cast forth That hee should love them and spread his skirt over them Ezek. 16.8 c. That hee should cover their nakednesse annoint them with oyle cloath them with broidered work fine linnen c. the very description of the justification of a sinner What a wonderful love is it that makes a Great Monarch take a beggar in raggs and nastinesse and marry her to himself yet it is the King of Glory doth so with us Oh let us magnify the Lord for this great mercy and think often upon his love and take heed of the Sin of the Church of the Jews vers 15. They trusted in their own beauty and so went a whoring away from Christ But take heed of so much as speaking in thy heart for my righteousnesse the Lord hath done this Deut. 9.4 5. understand that it is not for thy righteousnesse for thou art a stiffe-necked people It is spoken of bringing of the people into the land of Canaan but apply it to the present point Ezek. 36.32 when the Lord had spoken of Justification c. hee addes not for your sakes do I do this saith the Lord God bee it known unto you bee ashamed and confounded c. still the Lord beats upon this in all the mercies
the sight of God Use 2. The vile nature of sin discovered That wee should hereby learn to know the vile nature of sin and to judge aright of it which very few are acquainted withall Which evidently appears both by their security when they have committed it their cloaks and colors to hide it and their boldnesse in committing of it none of which would ever bee if they did understand what it is Now a sure way to discover it and to remove and scatter all mistakes about it and to digest well this principle that no sin can ever bee pardoned but the course of Divine justice must certainly and necessarily pass upon it as surely as God is God that is as surely as God is just and righteous which if hee should cease to bee or but abate of it in any one act hee should cease to be God Rom. 3.5 6. If God bee unrighteous how then shall hee judge the World that is hee cannot possibly bee Judge of it if hee should pass by any one sin unpunished The day of judgement is called Rom. 2.5 The day of the Revelation of the righteous judgements of God Therefore no unrighteous sentence can pass from him But it s unrighteous to suffer any sin to go unpunished though in respect of temporal punishments God deals variously as his wisdome disposes yet hee is ever just which then hee will clear to all the world Rom. 2.2 Wee know that the judgement of God is according unto truth that is as hee cannot bee deceived by any colour or pretence to hide any sin so neither will hee pass any false sentence upon any action that is to bee judged not according to appearance but according unto truth nor will hee deal partially about it for then hee should not bee the God of truth and vers 6 7 8 9. Hee shall render unto every man according to his works that is the nature of distributive justice if any thing bee abated of this or lessened or if there should bee any exception the nature and essence of justice should bee violated and so also the very being of God should cease besides God being a holy God doth hate sin according to his infinite holinesse infinitely God hates nothing in the world but sin therefore all the infinite hatred of God is spent upon sin alone Now what a thing is that that an infinite divine hatred like a mighty undivided stream should with all its united forces and inundations and detestation run forceably and irresistably upon every sin how small soever as vain thoughts Prov. 15.26 and foolish talking wanton glances of the eies and the very secret lusts of the heart Mince and extenuate your sins as much as you will yet the Lord hates every sin as sin and therefore cannot choose but punish every sin little or great according to the desert of it and if God should hate sin less than hee doth hee should cease to bee God Quest How may that bee cleared Answ Why if God did not hate sin infinitely he should not bee infinitely holy and wee say truely that a thing cannot bee more or less infinite whatsoever is infinite it remains so to eternity if it should bee a degree under that it must be finite for infinite holiness must needs bee accompanied with an infinite hatred of sin So if Gods holiness or hatred of sin should bee less than it is it should bee finite and if infinite holiness bee denyed to God then his Godhead is denyed also Let vile sinners ponder this that think and say many times that Gods Ministers speak too harshly of sin and hope that God is not so much offended as they would make us beleeve neither doth hee hate it so exceedingly Oh poor Creatures beware of all such thoughts if God should hate sin less than hee doth hee should cease to be God Oh consider the certainty of these things I beseech you be convinced of this that it is a gross and dangerous errour to conceive that Gods mercy is greater than his justice and it proceeds from the ignorance of the divine nature for whatsoever is in God is God and all his attributes are infinite and one infinite cannot bee greater than another neither can one attribute bee contrary to another nor exclude another nor abate and overcome another for how can God bee divided in himself Gods mercy indeed hath a larger extent as being upon all his works Psal 145.9 but his distributive justice reaches onely to men and Angels but in themselves they are both infinite and equal Further for more clear demonstration of this that Christ is set forth to bee a Propitiation for the remission of the sins of the Elect consider a place Gal. 3.13 Christ was made a Curse for us there bee two things especially observable First That Christ is called a Curse not only that hee that is God over all was accursed for the sins of the Elect imputed but a Curse that being the abstract comprehends the confluence and collection of all the Curses due to their sins none excepted there is a curse due to every sin of every Elect soul and they all meet upon Christ But secondly it was said hee was made a Curse by whom was hee made but by God the Father by the most loving Father though the most loving and beloved Son though hee did alwaies those things that pleased him Joh 8.29 Yet such a Father made such a Son to bee accurst that is not onely forsook him so that for the time hee had no sense of the presence of Gods grace and favour towards him but filled him brim-full as it were with the sense of his fierce indignation due to his peoples sins What manner of Justice is this in God the Father beloved in the Lord that dealt thus with a holy Son and such a Son whatsoever might stay the hand of Justice from proceeding against him was found in Christ yet nothing could prevail I may adde that Heb. 12.3 Consider him that indured such contradiction c. mark the words how emphatical him standing in such relation unto God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sufferer the greatest Sufferer what did hee suffer such a contradiction c. such an one as never was there was never any parallel to it and their contradiction was a counterfaction and take this of God too Luk. 22.53 the contradiction of men and the malediction of God Oh consider him that suffered these things reason with your selves about him and say Wherefore hath the Lord done this as was spoken in the like case Exod. 12.26 What means this service c. wee must tell our children the meaning of the Sufferings of Christ as the Jewes were to tell their children the meaning of the Passeover Quest What evil is there in sin that Divine Justice should so pursue it and that God cannot passe it by except that Gods Justice doe proceed against it Ans Sin is extreamly opposite to the nature of God