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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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servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my salvation unto the end of the earth And under this part of the agreement I comprehend 1. The designation of the person who shall be the redeemer that it shall be the second person the Son of God only not the Father nor the Spirit Isa 59.20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob saith the Lord. Act. 3.26 Vnto you first God having raised up his Son sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his Iniquities 1 Joh. 4.9 God sent his only begotten Son unto the world that we might live through him 2. The constituting of that Person Surety and Mediator to take that place upon him which the work of our Redemption did require Heb. 7.22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament 3. The consent and agreement of Christ to both these to be the person that shall work this work and to be substitute in this place for doing the work Heb. 10.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God thus did the Creditor and the Cautioner strike hands together 3. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ What should be the Redeemer's work or what should be the price that he should pay and the satisfaction that he should make to divine Justice for the sins of the elect that were given to him under this I take in 1. The concluding betwixt the parties that Christ shall take upon him our Law-place and room and in order to that his taking our nature upon him that Justice might reach him in our stead and place Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law 2. That Christ as our Surety should dye and lay down his life for us that he should pay for us the whole sum that was owing even all that the Law and Justice could exact of the broken man Joh. 10.18 No man taketh is from me but I lay it down of my self Rom. 8.3 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us this is at length held forth Isa 53.5 6 7 10 12. 3. That the payment and satisfaction that should be made to Justice by our Surety in our nature and in our room should be accepted as our payment and as a condign price for our right to Heaven Heb. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 4. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ what should be the term of paying this price and making this satisfaction to Justice A time and term-day is condescended upon such as seemed fit to infinite wisdom to appoint Gal. 4.2 4 until the time appointed of the Father but when the fulness of the time was come Heb. 9.10 11 until the time of reformation But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come Dan. 9.26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off but not for himself I say though the price was agreed upon from eternity yet God in his wisdom thought fit to put off the time of actual paying this price till the Redeemer that should come out of Zion should be long waited for Luk. 2.38 and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem but though the payment was suspended till the fulness of time yet neither Christ's acting as Mediator nor the force of the blood of this Covenant but in contemplation of the price to be payed at the time appointed by the Father he was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Rev. 13.8 5. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ how the Redemption wrought by him should be applyed to his elect people And under this I comprehend 1. The eternal appointment of the Gospel-Ordinances especially the Covenant of Grace and Reconciliation as means by divine appointment fitted to give the knowledge of the Redeemer and of the Redemption and Salvation wrought by him Luk 1.77 78 79 To give knowledg of Salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins Through the tender mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from an high hath visited us To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet in the way of peace 2. The conclusion that the Gospel should be preached to all Nations that for the Elect's sake it might come unto all the Societies of men in the world among whom there are any of the redeemed ones Psal 110.2 The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies 3. The appointment of the times and seasons and of the particular Instruments that should carry the Gospel to the bounds of each elect Soul's habitation that it might meet with them Act. 17.26 27 And hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation That they should seek the Lord if haply they might feel after him and find him though he be not far from every one of us According as we see it brought to pass in the execution so it was concluded from eternity Act. 8.29 and 2.6 17. and 9.15 and 18.9 10. 4. The pouring out of the Spirit to make the Gospel-ordinances and means of Salvation effectual to the Redeemed people this also was comprehended under this Article of the agreement that this should be procured by him for his elect people Joh. 16.7 8 Nevertheless I tell you the truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you And when he is come he will reprove the world of fin and of righteousness and of judgment Psal 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning 6. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ what should be the reward and wages that he should have for this great Service for working the work of our Redemption his reward and wages in the general Notation thereof was ask and have it was a grant of whatsoever he would ask of God for so great a work and service his recompence was at his own asking Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I shall give thee c. and according to his own heart full content and satisfaction Isa 53.11 He
die But in the Mediator we see Gods face and know him savingly Joh. 17.3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent 2 Cor. 4.6 To give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2. Without Christ the Mediator there could be no union betwixt God and man the distance was so great that the parties could not come near to one another Eph. 2.13 But now in Chrisi Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ 3. Without the Mediator there could not have been any communion with God union is the foundation of communion without Christ the Creature should everlastingly have lost the fruition of God Without Christ and without God go together Eph. 2.12 4. Without the Mediator we could never had any conformity with God we lost the Image of God but could never have regained it but in Christ it is restored more excellently 2 Cor. 3.18 But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord. In a word without a Mediator no part of mans spiritual or everlasting good should have been brought to pass forasmuch as all the good which God had from eternity decreed to do to man was decreed to come to him in and through a Mediator hence we are said to be chosen and ordained unto adoption holiness obedience perseverance c. in and through him Eph. 1.3 4 5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiriritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 1 Pet. 1.2 Through sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ But by establishing the Covenant in the hands of a Mediator mans good is advanced For 1. There is a foundation laid of a higher happiness to be recovered in Christ than was lost in Adam for there is much more of God manifested and revealed in Jesus Christ than was in the creation for now we may behold his face as in a glass 2 Cor. 3.18 throughout Christ who is the brightness of his Fathers glory Heb. 1.3 Therefore this is a better Covenant which hath better promises in it laid to our hand in a Mediator Heb. 8.6 2. Not only a higher happiness and a better Covenant in that respect but also through the Mediator there is a foundation laid of a better security for that happiness a surer Covenant and standing in it than was before a Covenant that cannot be disannulled as was the first this being established and ordained in the hands of a Mediator Gal. 3.15 17 19. Jer. 31.33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and they shall be my people Chap. 33. v. 20 21. A happiness that cannot be forefaulted Psal 89.33 34 35. 3. Through the establishing of this Covenant in the hands of a Mediator there is strength and height of confidence and consolation answerable to the security granted and the solid grounds of confidence and comfort that are laid in this Covenant the sum whereof is That all shall go well notwithstanding all things in us that speak the contrary because there is a Mediator in this Covenant 1 Joh. 2.1 2 And if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Chap. 2. v. 17 That he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people And truly if there had not been a Mediator in the Covenant of grace in whose hand it was ordained through whom it is established with us it had been as weak ineffectual and unprofitable to give righteousness and life as the first Covenant proved Vse 1. The necessity of a Mediator in this Covenant cleareth one of the main differences betwixt the Covenant of Grace and the first Covenant which was of Works wherein there was no Mediator nor need of a Mediator the parties being friends and in fitness to deal immediately Vse 2. From the necessity of a Mediator in this Covenant be convinced of your need of a Mediator 1. Let natural men be convinced of this you have none to deal for you you must stand or fall by your own righteousness without any mending of it you must do for your selves or be undone for there is no Mediator of that Covenant under which you stand you must do so or of necessity come to Christ the Mediator that you may partake in a better Covenant 2. Let believers be convinced of this It is not natural men only that need a Mediator to make their peace and to change their Covenant-state but you also need a Mediator 1. At all times before and after justification Rom. 5.6 10 For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life In making your peace and maintaining it before and in and after your conversion you will need a Mediator till you be in over the threshold of glory till you have put off the body of sin Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the father which sent me draw him Song 1.4 Draw me we will run after thee Luk. 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not 2. To all intents and purposes as well relating to your Covenant-state as to your duties not only for your persons to make your peace but also for your performances to procure their acceptance Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rev. 8.3 And another Angel came and stood at the altar having a golden censor and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne 3. In all things pertaining to God whatsoever you have to do if it be a thing that relates to God Heb. 2.17 That he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God
and the Ordinances appropriated and ensured unto them only Christ's seed have the promise of the Spirit and the Word appropriated and ensured unto them for ever Gal. 3.29 And if ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams Jeed and heirs according to the promise And the Churches seed have this Promise and Covenant only in so far as they are Christ's seed Isa 44.3 I will pour my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thy off-spring 2. Because 't is Christ only who hath in store the Spirit which is given to all his seed though all Christ's seed receive of the fame Spirit of the Lord yet it cannot be said of any of them nor of the Church in general that their seed receive the Spirit that is upon them or in them to wit by communication of any part of the measure and proportion given to them but of Christ's only who received not the spirit by measure Joh. 3.34 Nor can it be said My spirit that is upon thee shall not depart from thy seed Gal. 4.6 And because ye are Sons God bath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba father 2. Let it be considered that this is not only a Covenant made with Christ but it must needs be the Covenant of Redemption For although 1. There be mention here made of his seed which are not Parties in the Covenant of Redemption yet nothing is spoken to them but only to Christ and of them as a party not treated with but about whom there was treaty and Covenant 'twixt God and Christ for still the speech is to Christ in the second person upon thee thy seed and thy mouth c. 2. Although there be here mention of a Covenant with them that turn from ungodliness in Jacob and of Promises concerning the seed of Christ yet that amounts to no more than that they are the subject matter of the Covenant transacted betwixt God and Christ and that the Covenant with them springs out of the Covenant with him and is the result and execution thereof So that I take the meaning of the words This is my Covenant with them my spirit that is upon thee c. to be This is my Covenant that I have made with thee upon their account and for their behoof or the Covenant that I have made with them to wit virtually when I covenanted with thee and made promises to thee for their behoof the result whereof should amount unto a Covenant with them actually And I say it can be no other upon the matter but the Covenant of Redemption 1. Because 't is made with the Redeemer that should come out of Zion or with Christ as designed Mediator and Redeemer in the counsel of God long before he came in the Flesh 2. Because 't is a Covenant about the Redemption and recovery of the Elect people of God who are the only subject matter treated about in this Covenant as appears from the Text v. 20 21. 2. Proof I take from Psal 89 where the Covenant made with Christ is held forth as the Original Foundation and Establishment of the Covenant made with his seed and Christ is spoke of under the name of David with whom he changes Names in the Scripture and who was a type of Christ in many things but eminently in the Covenant that God made with him and that he was a publick person and a King by Covenant v. 3 I have made a Covenant with my chosen God having chose Christ for performing the work of Redemption did make a Covenant with him Two things being cleared in that Psalm it will amount to a full proof of the point in hand 1. That the Covenant spoken of there is made with Christ 2. That it is the Covenant of Redemption that is here intended For the first that the person spoken of under the name of David and with whom the Covenant was made is Christ and no other is evident from feveral expressions which are peculiar to Christ's Person and Kingdom and cannot be applyed to David further than he was a type of Christ This David is the mighty one upon whom God laid the help of his people v. 19. 'T is he upon whom the enemy shall not exact v. 22. 'T is he who is higher then the Kings of the earth v. 27. whose seed endures for ever and his throne as the days of heaven and to all generations v. 4 29 36 37. 'T is he who is distinguished from his seed by this difference that they may sin and be chastised v. 30 which case is not put of himself but only of his seed 't is he by the force and vertue of whose Covenant his sinful seed are not cast out from Covenant-kindness v. 33 34 35. and this could be no other but Christ And to put the matter out of question the Covenant and Promises made here v. 27 and in the parallel-Scripture 2 Sam. 7.14 are applyed unto Christ Heb. 1.5 2. That this was the Covenant of Redemption which God saith he made with his chosen David i. e. Christ may be gathered also from the Text. 1. It is the Covenant by which Chris is constituted a Servant and engaged in the Service of the Lord about our Redemption v. 4 I have made a Covenant with my chosen David my servant 2. 'T is the Covenant by which the help of the People of God is laid on Christ as a mighty potent responsal person able for the work v. 19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty 3. 'T is the Covenant by which Christ is a King and a Priest and is designed and destinated called and separated unto Offices for the work of Redemption v. 19 20 26 27 I have exalted one chosen out of the people with my oyl have I annointed him c. 4. 'T is the Covenant by which Christ received commands to fulfil his offices and to depend upon God in the doing of the work v. 27. He shall cry unto me my Father and my God thou art the rock of my Salvation 5. 'T is the Covenant by which Christ had peculiar promises made unto him of assistance for the work of Redemption and help to the people of God v. 21 Mine arm also shall strengthen him c. of glorious victory v. 23 I will beat down his foes c. and exaltation v. 27 I will make him my first born higher than the Kings of the earth Of a seed and off-spring to endure for ever v. 29 His seed also will I make to endure c. Now this could be no other but the Covenant of Redemption for by no Covenant is Christ engaged in this Service called unto these Offices undertaker of the Peoples help receiver of such commands and promises c. but by this Covenant of Suretiship Object If it be said That here are many things spoken which relate to Christ's seed and which do belong to the Covenant of reconciliation such as the keeping Covenant-kindness and mercy
God said and propounded it unto Christ long before his coming in the flesh and therefore it must needs relate to such transactions as were betwixt God and Christ in the counsel of his Will from all eternity 2. Though the accomplishment of these things be applyed by the Holy Ghost unto the resurrection of Christ Act. 13.33 and to the exaltation of him in his humane nature Heb. 1.5 that doth not make against the transacting of them by an eternal Covenant where first these Proposals were made but on the contrary it doth streng then what is here asserted because the accomplishment of these things is declared to be that which God had revealed in the old Testament to have been said long before by him to Christ Therefore also the same Scripture is brought as an evidence of Christ's being consecrated by his Father unto the offices which he did bear for the wor● of our Redemption Heb. 5.5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high Priest but he that said unto him thou art my Son to day have I begotten thee c. So that the declaration of the Sonship of Christ this day I have begotten thee is not to be understood of an hodie aternitatis a day of eternity and of the counal generation of the Son of God as many of the Ancients and of the Schoolmen understand it and indeed if it should be vielded to be spoken of an eternal Sonship I should understand it of that eternal adoption and designation of Christ by his own consent in the counsel of God's Will to a new Sonship for the work of Redemption whereby he voluntarily became the first born of many brethren and an obe ient Son even unto death Phil. 2.8 and whereby he consented to take a new Covenant-●ight unto God as his Father and his G●● by Covenant Heb. 1.5 I will be to him a father 〈◊〉 be shall be to me a son And we know it is not unusual in Scripture to stile adoption unto a succession in office by a Sonship and a begetting therefore Salathiel is said to be begotten by Jethoniah Mat. 1.12 because he succeeded him in the Kingdom But since the Holy Ghost applies it distinctly to Christ's resurrection Act. 13.33 and to the exaltation of him in his humane Nature when he had humbled himself as an obedient Son unto the death of the Cross and having by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1.3 4 5. 't is safest for us to hold close to that meaning of the words This day have I begotten thee which was the accomplishment of that which God had said to Christ long before in the transaction of the Covenant of Redemption when Christ was set up from everlasting before his works of old c. Prov. 8.22 23. and when the Decree was passed which was not declared till long after Ps 2.7 Now this day of Christ's exaltation in his humane Nature at his resurrection which was the fulfilling of what God said to him when he was by eternal destination and decree called and set a part unto the work of Redemption and unto the offices which as Lord Mediator he did bear is fitly called the day wherein he was begotten upon several accounts 1. Because in this day he was declared to be the Son of God Rom. 1.4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Syriack reads it Qui cognitus est the word signifies demonstrated Chrysost Hom. in Rom. Esthi in locum Eras Beza c. manifested or defined to be the Son of God as most Learned men render it Though Bellarmine's rendering of the word with the vulgar Latine for which he contends would also fit our purpose who was predestinated to be the Son of God which must be meant of such a Sonship as he took upon him in time or rather of the execution of God's Decree containing his being manifested in the flesh by the terms of the Covenant of Suretiship if we read it predestinated and not of his eternal generation because as Esthius says upon the place Predestination does not relate unto that which was from eternity but to future things only 2. Because on this day of his resurrection there was in respect of Christ's humane nature a second entrance into life the Grave being a second womb See Dr. Ha●●mond Annot. on Ps 2. from which he came forth unto life as his Mothers womb was the first from which he came forth unto life in respect of his humane nature so he was begotten or brought forth in this day by a new birth out of the womb of the grave hence the resurrection is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 renascentia a new or second birth See Gerhard H●rm in locum Matth 19.28 3. Because the day of Christ's resurrection was the day of vesting inaugurating and installing him in his Regal Office and Authority in our nature this is the day whereof it 's said Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee because this was a Coronation-day a day of exaltation of him in his humane nature and of constituting him and setling him in his offices in a most glorious manner against all opposition as the context of that Psalm bears v. 6 7 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion I will declare the decree And Heb. 1.3 4 5 When he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Being made so much better than the Angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they For unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee It was a custom among the Romans that the Emperors had two Natales or birth-days kept the one was Natalis Imperatoris the birth-day of the Emperor to commemorate his coming into the world The other was Natalis Imperii the birth-day of the Empire to commemorate his advancement to the Imperial Dignity The feast of commemorating the building of Rome was called Palilia and this title was by decree given of Caius the Emperor Sueton in Calig c. 26. his advancement to the Empire Decretum est ut dies quo cepisset imperium Palilia vocaretur There is also mention made of anothers Spartianus in Adriano Natalis adoptionis the day of his adoption i. e. his civil birth-day V. id Aug. and then of Natalis Imperii the birth-day of his Empire III. id Aug. And of Vespasian 't is recorded Tacitus Hist lib. 2. that Primus principatus dies in posterum celebratus the first day of his Empire was celebrated afterwards 3. 'T is to be observed concerning the Proposals before-mentioned which I said are made by Jehovah to Christ that the Scriptures cited do distinguish betwixt the propounding of these things which
Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men Col. 2.15 And having spoiled principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it It was in the faith of these Promises made to Christ concerning his Father's standing by him in this work and crowning it with success in his hand that he put on that holy hardness against all opposition and walked as unconcerned who stood in his way since his Father was with him engaged by so solemn an act of promise and covenant made with him Isa 50.6 7 8 9 I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair I hid not my face from shame and spitting For the Lord God will help me therefore shall I not be confounded therefore have I set my face like a flint and I know that I shall not be ashamed He is neer that justifieth me who will contend with me let us stand together who is mine adversary let him come neer to me Behold the Lord God will help me who is he that shall condemn me lo they all shall wax old as a garment the moth shall eat them up The fifth kind of Promises made by Jehovah to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption were those that relate unto his Fathers acceptance of the travel of his Soul in this work of our Redemption And under this I comprehend 1. Whatsoever was spoken to him of his Father's delectation and taking pleasure in the person of Christ God-man and in his Mediatory-transactions all delight ariseth from sutableness and this from Christ's sutableness unto the Lords ends and the service unto which he was chosen and his sutable actings unto these ends Luk. 3.21 22 Now when all the people were baptized it came to past that Jesus also being baptized and praying the heaven was opened And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him and a voice came from heaven which said then art my beloved Son in thee I am well-pleased Prov. 8.30 Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him Isa 42.1 Behold my servant whom I uphold mune elect in whom my soul delighteth 2. The promise of gracious acceptance to whatsoever he should act or request on the behalf of his Redeemed ones within the time of Grace Isa 49.8 Thus saith the Lord in an acceptable time have I heard thee and in a day of salvation have I helped thee Joh. 11.41 42 Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me And I knew that thou hearest me always Heb. 5.7 Who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up Prayers and Supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death and was heard in that he feared 3. The Promises of Justification there was some sort of Justification covenanted to him which he eyeth and wherewith he encouraged himself under hard and reproachful usage Isa 50.8 He is near that iustifieth me who will contend with me and accordingly it is said of him 1 Tim. 3.16 he was justified in the spirit and though he was not capable of remission of sin and justification from intrinsecal guilt for he had none being holy harmless undefiled and separate from sinners Heb. 7.26 because he had done no violence neither was there any deceit in his mouth Isa 53.7 Yet justification is promised to him and he is said to be justified 1. Because he was a perfect doer and obeyer of the Law 1 Joh. 1.7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin Christ did in all things give consummate and perfect obedience to the Law and this is to be justified by a Law-justification and title to life which Adam should have had if he had obeyed the Law and Covenant of works 2. When his cause is justified he himself is formally justified in respect of these sins for which he undertook to satisfie the cause that he stood for in the Covenant of Redemption the action is win in Law that he stood for and that was his elect peoples cause for whom he stood when Justice smote him he is justified and acquitted from our sins though he had none of his own Rom. 6.9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him 3. He is justified as a publick person though in no private capacity as head of the party whom he represented and whose Law place he took upon him as one who personated and acted the part of another by allowance and warrant of Law Heb. 2.10.13 For it became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things in bringing many Sons unto glory to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings And again I will put ●●y trust in him and again Behold I and the children which God hath given me 4. He is justified declaratively in regard that he was declared by a Law act and Judicial-declaration to he Jesus the righteous 1. Joh. 2.1 who had fatisfied the Law Rom. 1.4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead he was declared justified by his resurrection even as he was declared condemned by his death 5. He is justified by cancelling his bond of Suretiship which he gave to Jehovah and now having compleatly satisfied for our debts which was the intent of that bond of Suretiship the right is cancelled according to the manner of the Creditor's delivering back the bond to the Debtor when it is satisfied And thus we are to conceive when he blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us Col. 2.14 that he had then a discharge of his bond of Suretiship for our debt for his bond could not lye for our debt when ours was cancelled And though the precise scope of that Scripture and Context lead us to understand the cancelling there mentioned as firstly relative to the Ceremonial-Law yet I know no reason why we should restrict it to that only but we may extend it to the sins against and threatnings of the Moral Law also in so far as that is a writing against us especially since the words immediately before speak of Justification and remission of all sins as a fruit of Christ's death and the words following declare the extent of his death in this glorious conquest and triumph over all his peoples enemies 6. He is justified because it is acted and recorded in the volume of the book of the written word that he hath fulfilled what was written of his undertaking in the book of God's eternal Decrees and in this sense a person may be said to be justified who being acted in the record of a book to perform any
there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people nations and languages should serve him Rev. 17.14 He is lord of lords and king of kings Over the Reprobate as well as the Elect Psalm 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool Over all ages and generations of men Dan. 7.14 his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Although it be more special and he be a King more peculiarly to the Church and the elect World Psalm 2.6 8 9 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel And that both outwardly by appointing them Laws Ordinances and Officers Psalm 9.6 7 For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of peace of the encrease of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with justice and with judgment from henceforth and for ever And inwardly by ruling in their hearts Luke 17.21 Neither shall they say lo here or lo there 〈◊〉 behold the kingdom of God is within you Ezek. 36.27 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye stall keep my judgments and do them Jer. 31.33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my Law in their inward parts and write it in their bearts And his Kingdom is over other creatures but for the cause and behoof of the Elect Eph. 1 22 And gave him to be the head over all things to the Church 3. It is Spiritual over the souls and consciences of men to awe and over-rule the hearts of men to captivate their affections Rom. 14.17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Joh. 18.36 Jesus answered and said My kingdom is not of this world Chap. 6.15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a King he departed again into a mountain himself alone To break in pieces his enemies with an iron Rod to rule and slay them with the words of his mouth Psalm 110.2 Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies Isa 11.4 But with righteousness shall he judg the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked 4. It is everlasting Dan. 2.44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Chap. 7.14 His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Heb. 1.8 But unto the Son he saith Thy throne O God is for ever and ever and although it be said 1 Cor. 15.24 he shall give the kingdom to his Father yet his Kingdom shall not then cease for I take that to be in regard of the manner of administration of it by Ordinances Officers c. for then all his Saints shall be perfected and all his enemies subdued whereof something hath been already spoken 5. In the kingdom of Christ Mediator he doth all things with authority and power and yet it is wholly ruled by his Word and Spirit He doth all things in his Kingdom not by outward secular force but by his influences upon the spirits of men and determining them in a secret way whether providentially or by saving and sanctifying influences Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord of Hosts Psalm 110.1 2 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion rule thou in the midst of thine enemies 2 Thess 2.8 And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming 6. The great work of his Kingly Power is to imploy it for saving of his people and subduing his and their enemies to bring to pass his purpose of the one and the other either without or against all-contradiction Psalm 110 throughout Psalm 2 throughout Phil. 2.9 10 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth 7. The great and special end of Christs Kingly Office is to make his other Offices effectual for the saving of his Elect to support his Priesthood and Prophecy and to give vigour and efficacy to them for except Christ had been a Prince that had power over his friends and foes his other Offices could never have been made effectual to the Elect nor he a Captain of Salvation to them Heb. 2.10 Therefore also he is set forth as a Priest upon a Throne who carrieth all things as a King with power Heb. 1.3 When he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high It is his Kingdom which effects that Reconciliation which is the end of a Mediator that which his Prophecy teacheth and his Priesthood and Sacrifice hath purchased he sits as a King and conveys the power of it into the soul 2 Cor. 10.4 5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds and casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 3. The Harmony and Consent of these three Offices in our Mediator and how they do concurr for the end of his Mediatorship to wit the triesting of the difference betwixt God and man by making a reconciliation and binding up friendship by a new Covenant Here observe the sweet concurrence of the three Offices in the Mediator Christ 1. All these Offices level at one end to wit Reconciliation and Salvation which is the great business wherefore a Mediator was appointed 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself but with
1 Joh. 2.27 But the anointing that ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you c. Eph. 4.7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ And 1.23 The fulness of him that filleth all in all Acts 10.38 He is said to be anointed with the holy Ghost and with power having both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 given to him both might and authority Mat. 28.18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh 1 Cor. 1.24 Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God And Col. 1.19 It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell that is admirable perfection of Grace he hath all worth in his person nothing is wanting in him that may compleat his peoples happiness some short view of the Graces wherewith he was filled we have Isa 11.2 3 4 5 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the spirit of wisdom and understanding the spirit of counsel and might the spirit of knowledg and of the fear of the Lord And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord and he shall not judg after the sight of his eyes neither shall reprove after the hearing of his ears But with righteousness shall he judg the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins and faithfulness the girdle of his reins Rom. 15.12 And again Esaias saith There shall be a root of Jesse and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles in him shall the Gentiles trust And Col. 2.3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledg not absolutely taken for infinite knowledg as the words relate to the human nature of Christ but relatively for a marvellous height of perfection of these things such as was requisite for his Mediatorship in order to our salvation Again Col. 2.9 it 's said of him The fulness of the Godhead dwells in him bodily i. e. personally by the union of the divine nature with the human in the unity of his person the perfect Deity of the Son with all his Attributes and not only in regard of particular gifts and graces as he dwelleth in the Prophets and Saints but as the soul dwelleth in the body personally or substantially in opposition to the shadows of the Old Testament But mainly by the anointing of Christ with the Holy Ghost we understand two things which we find joined with the Spirit promised to him 1. All the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit in copious and abundant measure and according to the highest pitch and degree that the human nature of Christ was capable to receive and so the Spirit put upon him is joined with the variety and eminency of excel-cellent gifts Isa 11.2 c. 2. The unutterable assistance and presence of the Spirit bearing his Human nature up in all that he was to do as Mediator that he should not serve on his own charges See Isa 42.1 2 Behold my servant whom I have chosen mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles He shall not cry nor lift up nor cause his voice to be heard in the street c. Psal 89.21 With whom my hand shall be established mine arm also shall strengthen him And both these the holy Human nature of Christ needed for these reasons 1. For the things which he was to suffer If Christ had nothing to do but active obedience the spirit of Adam or confirmed Angels might have done his turn but he had another work to do which would have crushed those excellent creatures to satisfie justice and lye under the infinite wrath of God and therefore needed more than they received Heb. 9.14 He is said to have offered up himself by the power of the eternal spirit which I take to signifie not only the Godhead which gave value to his suffering but the assistance of the Holy-Ghost whereby he was marvellously helped I mean his humane nature to go through those sufferings 2. Because his anointing was intended to run over to his people and the off-fallings of it was designed to fill them therefore it behoved to be without measure such a measure as cannot be comprehended by any other creature Joh. 1.16 Of his fulness do we receive Psal 133.2 It is like the precious oyntment upon the head that ran down upon the beard even Aarons beard that went down to the skirts of his garments Psal 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord might dwell among them with Eph. 4.8 He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men Joh. 5.26 For as the Father hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself 3. Because God hath so contrived the business of Grace that no created thing can act without the spirit not Adam not the Angels not the holy humane nature of Christ that all creatures might be known to have no self-sufficiency but to be very depending things upon God and upon grace the assisting-grace of his Spirit that framed them and gave them being Mat. 3.15 And Jesus answering said unto him Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever For a further clearing of this part of Christs Unction I lay down these four Positions 1. Concerning the Nature thereof that it was the same with the Unction of believers it was not one spirit which Christ received and another which believers receive grace in him and in them differ not in kind but in degrees See Joh. 1.14 16 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace Psal 45.7 Thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows Gal. 4.6 And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Rom. 8.9 11 But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his But if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you For Consider the Unction of the
Most part of the Popish Writers hold that Christ performeth the Office of Mediatorship not according to his Divine Nature but according to his Human Nature only as Man Orthodox Divines hold that Christ is Mediator according to both Natures and doth not execute that Office only as God nor only as Man but as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-man For clearing whereof I shall premise a few things 1. The Question is not whether there be in the Mediator the concurrence of both natures in the unity of his Person for that is confessed by all But whether both Natures concur in the Works of Mediation or in the execution of that Office 2. Nor is the Question Whether the two Natures in Christ be distinct in their essence and properties and so in their operations for we yeild that the Human Nature doth that which pertaineth to the Humanity and the Divine Nature that which pertaineth to the Divinity yet so as the Natures being united in one Person so the operations concur to make up one Work of a Mediator the Human and Divine Natures concurring to produce one act or work of Mediatorship 3. Nor is the Question Whether all the Works of Christ the Mediator were the Works of both Natures For it is certain some of them were the Works of his Humanity some of his Divinity in respect of the thing done but Whether there were not a concurrence of both Natures acting jointly although distinctly in the performing of them 2. That Both Natures concur in Christs performing the Office of Mediatorship and what he doth as Mediator he doth as God-man may be confirmed by these reasons 1. According to what Nature Christ is the King Priest and Prophet of his Church accordingly he is Mediator for he carried these Offices as he was Mediator but according to both Natures Christ is King Priest and Prophet of his Church for according to the approved rule Names of Office which are given to Christ they agree to him according to both Natures therefore Christ executes the Office of Mediatorship as God-man according to both Natures 2. If the Godhead of Christ concurred with the Manhood in all the acts of Mediatorship then Christ performeth not the Office of Mediator as Man only but as God-man but we find the Godhead interested in every act which Christ did or doth as Mediator It is evident from the several acts of each of his Offices from his Obedience Suffering Resurrection Intercession Heb 9.14 How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered up himself without spot to God purge your Conscience from dead works to serve the living God And 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Eph. 1.19 20 According to the working of his power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places None of which could be performed by his Human Nature alone without concurrence of his Godhead True it is indeed we may conceive some Acts wherein the Humanity of Christ did not concur with his Divinity viz. Those that he wrought before his Incarnation but none wherein his Humanity acted without his Divinity It followeth therefore that Christ performeth this Office as God-man 3. If many chief essential acts of Christs Mediation are from the Deity of Christ as from the next proper formal and immediate cause then Christ performeth not the Office of Mediator as Man only but as God-man but many chief essential acts of Christs Mediation are from his Deity as the next proper formal immediate cause Ergo c. The Minor is proved by these instances The Incarnation of Christ is from the Deity which did assume the Humanity which when it was not could not assume it self The manifestation of God was a work truly divine which was from the Deity as the true cause though from the Humanity as an Instrument Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him Matth. 11.27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father fave the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Christ as Man teacheth as an Instrument and Christ the Word teacheth as Mediator the works of Authority and Power were all performed by the Divine Nature 4. If Christ as Mediator performed many divine acts which cannot be from his Humanity alone Then Christ performeth not the Office of Mediatorship as Man only but as God also But Christ as Mediator performeth many Divine acts which cannot be from his Humanity alone such as his rising from the dead which was by the power of his Deity Rom. 1.4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurection of Jesus from the dead And 8.3 4 Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us Eph. 1.19 20 Christ as Mediator hath power and authority to forgive sins and send the holy Spirit to enlighten the understandings to soften the hearts of men and that not only meritoriously but efficiently which are the proper works of God Mar. 2.10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins Joh. 15.26 But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall testify of me And 16.7 But if I depart I will send him unto you 5. If none of the works performed by Christ as Mediator whether the works of Ministry that were performed by him in the Nature of man or the works of Authority and Power performed by the Divine Nature were performed without the concurring of the other Nature in Christ Then Christ performeth the Office of Mediator not as God alone nor as Man only but according to both Natures as God-man but the former is true Ergo c. The Major is proved by parts 1. The works of Ministry which were performed in the Nature of man and were the works of Christs Humanity such as were his death upon the Cross c. yet the Divine Nature was concurring in these not only to support and sustain the Human but the thing done had its efficacy dignity and value from his Divinity in that they were the works of him that is God It was the Son of God the Lord of life that died on the Cross but it was the Nature of Man not of God wherein he died yet it was the Divine Nature that did support him and gave worth to his sacrifice 2. The works of authority and power such as the remitting of sins