Sin but that we could not be were it not that an Atonement is made for us first by the Blood of Christ our Saviour This is true for they that are quickned by the Holy Ghost are quickned by it through the Word of the Gospel which offereth Justification to Sinners through Faith in his Blood yea we are said to be quickned together with him dead and risen with him yet so as by the Spirit of God 2. We are not only quickned by the Holy Ghost but possessed therewith it is given to dwell in our Hearts Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts Gal. 4. 4 5 6. which Spirit is also our earnest for Heaven until the Redemption of the purchased Possession that is until our Body which is the purchased Possession be redeemed also out of the Grave by the Power of the same mighty Spirit of God Ephes. 1. 13 14. 3. By this Holy Spirit we are made to believe Rom. 15. 13. 4. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to pray and call God Father 5. By this Holy Spirit we are helped to understand and apply the Promises 6. By this Holy Spirit the Joy of Heaven and the Love of God is shed abroad in the Heart of the Saved 7. By this Holy Spirit we are made to wait for the hope of Righteousness by Faith that is to stand fast through our Lord Jesus in the day when he shall judg the World And all this is the Fruit of Redemption by Blood of Redemption by the Blood of Christ. This is yet further evident 1. Because the Work of the Spirit is to lead us into the sayings of Christ which as to our Redemption from death are such as these I lay down my Life that you may have Life I give my Life a Ransom for many And the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the World Joh. 6. 2. Because IF the Spirit in the Wisdom of Heaven is not counted a sufficient Testimony on Earth but as joyned with the Blood of Christ. There are three that bear witness on Earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood These are the Witness of God The Spirit because it quickneth the Blood because it hath merited and the Watter to wit the Word because by that we are clean as to life and conversation 1 John 5. 8. Ephes. 5. 26. Rom. 8. 16. Psal. 119. 9. 3. Because as by the Spirit so we are sanctified by Faith in the Blood of Jesus Heb. 13. 12. 4. Because when most full of the Spirit when that doth work most mightly in us we are then most in the belief and admiring apprehensions of our deliverance from death by the Blood of Jesus Revel 15. Chap. 5. 9. 5. The Holy Ghost breaheth no-where so as in the Ministry of this Doctrine this Doctrine is sent WITH the Holy Ghost from Heaven yea as I have hinted one of the Great Works of the Holy Ghost under the Old-Testament was to testifie of the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow 1 Pet. 1. 11 12. Put all these things together and see if Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath not paid full price to God for Sinners if he hath not obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Fourth Demonstration THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is evident if you consider how the preaching thereof hath been from that time to this a mighty Conquerer over all kind of Sinners What Nation what People what kind of Sinners have not been subdued by the preaching of a Crucified Christ. He upon the White Horse with his Bow and his Crown hath conquered doth conquer and goeth forth yet conquering and to conquer Revel 6. 2. And I saith he if I be lifted up from the Earth will draw all men unto me but what was it to be lifted up from the Earth Why it may be expounded by that saying As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 12. 32. Chap. 3. 14 15. He was then lifted up when he was hanged upon a Tree between the Heavens and the Earth as the Accursed of God for us The Revelation of this it conquers all Nations Tongues and People And they sang a new Song saying thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Revel 5. 9. Hence the Apostle Paul chose above all Doctrines to preach up a Crucified Christ and resolved so to do For I determined saith he not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2 3. 1. The Doctrine of Forgiveness of Sin conquered his very Murderers They could not withstand the Grace them bloody ones that would kill him what-ever it cost them could stand no longer but received his Doctrine fell into his Bosom and obtained the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus They shall look upon him whom they have pierced and mourn for him as one mourneth for his only Son they shall be in bitterness for him as one is in bitterness for his first-born Zech. 12. 10. Now was this Scripture eminently fulfilled when the Kindness of a Crucified Christ broke to pieces the Hearts of them that had before been his Betrayers and Murderers Now was there a great mourning in Jerusalem now was there wailing and lamentation mixed with joy and rejoycing 2. Though Paul was mad exceeding mad against Jesus Christ of Nazareth yea though he was his avowed Enemy seeking to put out his Name from under Heaven yet the Voice from Heaven I am Jesus c. I am the Saviour how did it conquer him make him throw down his Arms fall down at his Feet and accept of the forgiveness of Sins freely by grace through Redemption by Faith in his Blood 3. They at Samaria though before Philip preached to them worshipped and admired the Devil in Magus yet when they believed Philip's preaching of Christ unto them and forgiveness of sins through Faith in his Name great joy was amongst them and they were baptized both Men and Women Act. 8. He preached saith the Text the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ that is all the Blessings of Life through the Name of Jesus Christ for he is the Mediator and without his Blood come no spiritual blessings to men 4. How was the sturdy Jailer overcome by a Promise of forgiveness of sins by Faith in Jesus Christ. It stopt his Hand of self-murder it eased him of the gnawings of a guilty Conscience and fears of Hell-Fire and filled his Soul with rejoicing in God Act. 16. 30 31 32 33. 5. How
Name And hence again he is called a LAMB upon the Throne In the midst of the Throne of the four Beasts and in the midst of the Elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns a Demonstration of Kingly Power But mark he was a Lamb upon the Throne he had his Horns as a Lamb. Now by LAMB we are to understand not only his meek and sweet Disposition but his Sacrifice for he was as a Lamb to be slain and Sacrificed and so his having a Throne and seven Horns as a Lamb giveth us to understand that he obtained this Dignity of King by his Blood When he had by himself purged our Sins he sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty in the Heavens When he had offered up one Sacrifice for Sins for ever he sat down on the Right Hand of God Revel 5. Heb. 4. Chap. 10. Now put all these together to wit his Resurrection from the Dead his Ascension and Exaltation to Office and remember also that the Person thus Exalted is the same Jesus of Nazareth that sometime was made accursed of God for Sin and also that he obtained this Glory by vertue of the Blood that was shed for us and it must unavoidably follow That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Third Demonstration BUt to proceed A Third Demonstration That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them is because he hath received for them the Holy Spirit of God Thus Jesus hath God raised up whereof said Peter we are all Witnesses Therefore being by the Right Hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the Promise of the Holy Ghost he hath shed forth that which ye now see and hear Act. 2. 32 33. The receiving of the Holy Ghost at the Hand of the Father who had bruised him before for the Transgressions of his People The receiving of it I say upon his Resurrection and that to give them for whom just before he had spilt his Blood to make an Atonement for their Souls argueth that the Divine Majesty found rest and content in that Precious 〈…〉 od and found it full price for the Sinners for whom he shed it And if you consider the necessity of the giving of this good spirit to Men and the benefit that they receive by his coming upon them you will see yet more into the Truth now contended for First Then of the Necessity of giving this good Spirit 2. And then of the Benefit which we receive at his coming First Of the Necessity of its being given 1. Otherwise Jesus could never have been proved to be the Saviour for the Promise was that Messias should have the Spirit given him given him to communicate As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord my Spirit which is upon thee and my Words which I have put in thy Mouth meaning the Redeemer ver 20. shall not depart out of thy Mouth nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed from henceforth and for ever Isa. 59. 21. Here is the Promise of the Spirit to be given to Christ and by him to his Seed for ever And this was signified long before in the Anointing of Aaron and his Sons And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his Sons and consecrate them Exod. 30. 30. This Spirit Jesus promised to send unto his at his Exaltation on the Right Hand of God The Spirit I say in the plentiful Pourings of it out True the Church in all Ages had something of it by vertue of the Suretyship of the Lord Jesus but this in comparison of what was to come into the Church after his Resurrection is not reckoned a Pouring forth therefore Pourings forth thereof are reserved to the time of the Ascension and Exaltation of this Jesus I will pour out of my Spirit in THOSE Days Hence Jesus reserves it till his going away and 't is expresly said The Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus was not yet Glorified Accordingly did the Apostles wait after his Resurrection for the pouring forth of the Holy Ghost and at the set time did receive it by the giving of which he declared himself to be the son of God and Saviour of the World John 14. 26. Chap. 15. 26. Chap. 16. 7. Act. 1. 4. 5. Joel 2. 28. Acts 2. 16 17. Joh. 7. 39. Rom. 1. 4. 2. Without the giving of the Holy Ghost there had wanted a Testimony that his Gospel was the Gospel of Messias Moses his Ministration was confirmed by Signs and Wonders and mighty Deeds both in Egypt in the Wilderness and at the Red-Sea wherefore 't was necessary that the Doctrine of Redemption by Blood which is the Doctrine of the Gospel of this Jesus should be also confirmed with signs following Hence both himself and Apostles did as frequently work Miracles and do mighty Deeds as his Ministers now do preach which Signs and Miracles and Wonders confirmed their Doctrine though themselves both Master and Scholar was in appearance the most considerable mean yea they by the means of the Holy Ghost have so ratified confirmed and setled the Gospel in the World that no Philosopher Tyrant or Devil hath been able hitherto to move it out of its place He confirmed the Word with Signs following Mar. 16. 20. Heb. 2. 4. 3. As the giving of the Holy Ghost was necessary thus so was it necessary also to strengthen them that were intrusted with his Gospel 1. To preach it effectually 2. To stand to it boldly 3. And to justifie it to be the Doctrine of Messias incontroulably 1. To preach it effectually in demonstration of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 4 5 6. Joh. 16. 8 9. 2. To stand to it boldly Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost said And they saw the Boldness of Peter and John Act. 8. 13. 3. To justify the Doctrine incontroulably I will give you a Mouth and Wisdom which all your Adversaries shall not be able to resist or gain say And they were not able to resist the Wisdom and Spirit by which he spake Luk. 21. 15. Act. 6. 10. Now I say that God should give the Holy Ghost to Jesus to confirm this Gospel Redemption from sin by his Blood what is it but that by his Blood he hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them But again the Benefit which we receive at the Coming of the Holy Ghost doth more demonstrate this Truth hath Christ purchased Sinners and are they the Price of his Blood Yes But how doth that appear Why because by the Holy Ghost which he hath received to give us we are fitted for the Inheritance which by his Blood is prepared for us 1. By the Spirit of God we are quickned and raised from a state of
die our selves for our Sins Or 6. That sin may be pardoned without a satisfaction Or 7. That every man may merit his own Salvation But without shedding of Blood there is no Remission Heb. 9. 22. To avoid therefore these cursed Absurdities it must be granted that Jesus Christ by his Death did make satisfaction for sin But the word Satisfaction may not be used by the Holy Ghost perhaps for that it is too short and scanty a Word to express the Blessedness that comes to Sinners by the Blood of Christ. 1. To make satisfaction amounts to no more than compleatly to answer a legal Demand for harms and injuries done Now this when done to the full leaveth the Offender there where he was before he committed the Injury Now if Christ had done no more than this he had only paid our debt but had not obtained eternal redemption for us 2. For a full Satisfaction given by this Man for harms done by another may neither obtain the Love of the Person offended nor the smallest Gift which the Person offending hath not deserved Suppose I owe to this Man ten thousand Talents and another should pay him every Farthing there remaineth over and above by that compleat Satisfaction not one single half-Penny for me Christ hath therefore done more than to make satisfaction for sin by his Blood He hath also made us Kings and Priests to God and his Father and we shall reign with him for ever and ever Revel 1. 5 6. Chap. 22. 5. But take a few more Scriptures for the Proof of the Doctrine before asserted First We have redemption through his Blood Col. 1. 14. 1. Redemption from Sin Ephes. 1. 7. 2. Redemption from Death Heb. 2. 14 15. Hos. 13. 14. 3. Redemption from Satan Heb. 2. 15. 4. Redemption from the World Gal. 1. 4. 5. Redemption to God Revel 5. 9. 6. Eternal Redemption Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves but by his own Blood he entered in once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us Heb. 9. 12. Secondly We are said also to be washed in his Blood 1. Our Persons are washed He loved US and washed US from our Sins in his own Blood Rev. 1. 5. 2. His Blood washeth also our Performances Our Robes are washed and made white in the Blood of the Lamb Revel 7. 14. Thirdly We are said to be purged by his Blood 1. Purged from Sin before God When he had by himself purged our Sins he sat down on the Right Hand of God Heb. 1. 3. 2. Purged from evil Consciences How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your Conscience from dead works to serve the Living God Heb. 9. 14. Fourthly We are said to be made nigh to God by his Blood But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ Ephes. 2. 13. Fifthly Peace is said to be made by his Blood 1. Peace with God Col. 1. 20. 2. Peace of Conscience Heb. 10. 19 20 21 22. 3. Peace one with another Ephes. 2. 14. Sixthly We are said to be justified by his Blood Much more being now justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath through him Rom. 5. 9. Justified that is acquitted 1. Acquitted before God Ephes. 5. 25 26. 2. Acquitted before Angels Mat. 28. 5. 3. Acquitted by the Law Rom. 3. 21 22 23. 4. Acquitted in the Court of Conscience Heb. 9. 14. Seventhly We are said to be saved by his Blood Rom. 5. 8 9. Eightly We are said to be reconciled by his Blood Col. 1. 2◠21 22. Ninthly We are said to be sanctified by his Blood Heb. 13. 12. Tenthly We are said to be admitted into the Holiest by his Blood Heb. 10. 19. Eleventhly We are said to have Eternal Redemption by his Blood Heb. 9. 12. Yea Lastly This Blood which was once spilt upon the Cross will be the burden of our Song in Heaven it self for ever and ever Revel 5. 9. Now if we be redeemed washed purged made nigh to God have peace with God if we stand just before God are saved reconciled sanctified admitted into the Holiest if we have eternal Redemption by his Blood and if his Blood will be the burden of our Song for ever then hath Christ paid the full price for us by his Death then hath he done more than made satisfaction for our Sins Several Demonstrations more proving the former Doctrine BUt before I conclude this Answer I will give you nine or ten more undeniable Demonstrations to satisfie you if God will bless them to you in the Truth of this great Doctrine to wit That Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid the full Price to God for the Souls of Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them The first Demonstration ANd First I begin with his Resurrection THAT God that delivered him up unto death and that made him a Curse for Sin THAT God raised him up from the dead But God raised him from the Dead Act. 3. 15. Chap. 13. 30. Now considering that at his Death he was charged with our Sins and accursed to death for our Sins That Justice that delivered him up for them must have amends made to him before he acquit him from them for there can be no change in Justice Had he found him in 〈◊〉 Sins in the Grave as he found him in them upon the Tree for he had them in his Body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2. 24. he had left him there as he left him upon the Tree yea he had as surely rotted in the Grave as ever he died on the Tree But when he visited Christ in the Grave he found him a Holy Harmless Undefiled and Spotless Christ and therefore he raised him up from the Dead He raised him up from the dead having loosed the Pains of Death because it was not possible that he should be helden of it Act. 2. 24. Quest. But why not possible now to be helden of death Ans. Because the Cause was removed Sin was the Cause he died for our Sins he gave himself for our Sins 1 Cor. 15. 1 2 3. Gal. 1. 4. These Sins brought him to death But when God that had made him a Curse for us looked upon him into the Grave he found him there without sin and therefore loosed the Pains of Death for Justice saith This is not possible because not lawful that he who lieth sinless before God should be swallowed up of death therefore he raised him up Quest. But what did he do with our Sins for he had them upon his Back Ans. 'T is said he TOOK them away Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the World 'T is said he PUT them away Now once in the End of the World hath he appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself Joh. 1. 29. Heb. 9. 26. That is by the Merit of his undertaking he
brought into the World and set before the Face of God such a Righteousness that out-weigheth and goeth far beyond that Sin and so did hide sin from the Sight of God Hence he that is justified is said to have his Sins HID and covered Blessed is the Man whose Transgressions are forgiven and whose Sin is covered Rom. 4. 7. covered with the Righteousness of Christ. I spread my skirt over thee and covered thy Nakedness thy Sins Ezek. 16. 8. Christ Jesus therefore having by the Infiniteness of his Merit taken away put away or hidden our Sins from the Face of God therefore he raised him up from the Dead You find in that 16th of Leviticus mention made of two Goats one was to be slain for a Sin-Offering the other to be left alive The Goat that was slain was a Type of Christ in his Death the Goat that was not slain was a Type of Christ in his Merit Now this living Goat HE carried away the Sins of the People into the Land of forgetfulness And Aaron shall lay both his Hands upon the head of the Live-Goat and confess over him all the Iniquities of the Children of Israel and all their Transgressions in all their Sins putting them upon the Head of the Goat and shall send him away by the Hands of a fit Man into the Wilderness and the Goat shall bear upon him all their Iniquities unto a Land not inhabited Levit. 16. Thus did Jesus Christ bear away by the Merit of his Death the Sins and Iniquities of them that Believe wherefore when God came to him in the Grave he found him Holy and Undefiled and raised him up from the Dead And observe it As his Death was for our Sin so his Rising again was for our Discharge for both in his Death and Resurrection he immediately respected our Benefits he died for us he rose from the Dead for us He was delivered for our Offences and was raised again for our Justification Rom 4. 25. By his Death he carried away our Sins by his Rising he brought to us Justifying Righteousness There are five Circumstances also attending his Resurrection that shew us how well-pleased God was with his Death 1. It must be solemnized with the Company Attendance and Testimony of Angels Mat. 28. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Luk. 24. 3 4 5 6. John 20. 11 12. 2dly At or just upon his Resurrection the Graves where many of the Saints for whom he died lay asleep did open and they followed their Lord in full Triumph over Death The Graves were opened and many Bodies of Saints which slept arose and came out of their Graves after his Resurrection and went into the Holy City and appeared unto many Mat. 27. 52. These Saints coming out of their Graves after him what a Testimony is it that he for them had taken away Sin and destroyed him that had the Power of Death yea what a Testimony was it that he had made amends to God the Father who granted him at his Resurrection to have presently out of the Grave Of the Price of his Blood even the Body of many of the Saints which slept He was declared to be the Son of God with Power by the Spirit of Holiness and the Resurrection from the Dead Rom. 1. 4. It saith not by his Resurrection though that be true But by the Resurrection meaning the Resurrection of the Bodies of the Saints which slept because they rose by vertue of his Blood and by that he was with power declared to be the Son of God They I say were part of his Purchase some of them for whom Christ died Now for God to raise them and that upon and by vertue of his Resurrection what is it but an open Declaration from Heaven that Christ by his Death hath made amends for us and obtained Eternal Redemption for us 3thly When he was risen from the Dead God to confirm his Disciples in the Faith of the Redemption that Christ had obtained by his Blood brings him to the Church presents him to them alive shews him openly sometimes to two or three sometimes to eleven or twelve and once to above five hundred Brethren at once Acts 1. 3. Chap. 10. 40. Luk. 24. 13 14 15 16. 31. John 20. 19. Chap. 21. 1 2 3 c. 1 Cor. 15. 3 4 5 6 7 8. 4thly At his Resurrection God gives him the Keys of Hell and of Death Revel 1. 16 17. Hell and Death are the Effects and Fruits of Sin The Wicked shall be turned into Hell and the Wages of Sin is Death But what then are Sinners the better for the Death and Blood of Christ O! They that dare venture upon him are much the better for they shall not perish unless the Saviour will damn them for he hath the Keys of Hell and of Death Fear not saith he I am the First and the Last I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore and have the Keys of Hell and Death These were given him at his Resurrection as if God had said My Son thou hast spilt thy Blood for Sinners I am pleased with it I am delighted in thy Merits in the Redemption which thou hast wrought in token hereof I give thee the Keys of Hell and of Death I give thee all Power in Heaven and Earth save who thou wilt deliver who thou wilt bring to Heaven who thou wilt 5thly At Christ's Resurrection God bids him ask the Heathen of him with a Promise to give him the uttermost parts of the Earth for his Possession This Sentence is in the second Psalm and is expounded by Paul's Interpretation of the Words before to be spoken to Christ at his Resurrection Thou art my Son this Day have I begotten thee I have begotten thee that is saith Paul from the Dead He hath raised up Jesus again as it is also written in the Second Psalm Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Act. 13. 30 31 32 33 34. Now mark at his Raising him from the Dead he bids him ask ASK of me and that the Heathen As if God had said My Son thy Blood hath pacified and appeased my Justice I can 〈◊〉 in justice for thy sake forgive poor Mortals their Sin ASK them of me ASK them though they be Heathens and I will give them to thee to the utmost Ends of the Earth This is then the First Demonstration to prove that Jesus Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for the Souls of Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them namely his being Raised again from the Dead The Second Demonstration SEcondly A Second thing that demonstrateth this Truth is That he Ascended and was received up into Heaven So after the Lord had spoken to them he was received up into Heaven Mar. 16. 19. This Demonstration consisteth of two parts 1. Of his Ascending 2. Of his being Received First For his Ascending He is ascended on High Ephes. 4. 8.
Speeches intended by the Text are such as vilify him as Saviour counting the Blood of the Covenant unholy and trampling him that is Prince of the Covenant under the Feet of their reproachful Language this is counted a putting of him to open shame and a despising the riches of his Goodness Heb. 10. Chap. 6. Rom. 2. Time would fail to give you a view of the revilings despiteful sayings and of the Ungodly Speeches which these abominable Children of Hell let fall in their Pamplets Doctrines and Discourses against this Lord the King But the threatning is He shall execute judgment upon them for all their ungodly Deeds and for all their hard Speeches that ungodly Sinners have spoken against him Fifthly Take heed therefore lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the Prophets Behold ye Despisers and wonder and perish for I work a Work in your days a Work which you shall in no wise believe though a Man declare it unto you Act. 13. 40 41. This Work is the same we have been all this while treating of to wit Redemption by the Blood of Christ for Sinners or that Christ hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them This is manifest from ver 23 to ver 29. of this Chapter Now observe there are and will be Despisers of this Doctrine and they are threatned with the Wrath of God Behold ye Despisers and wonder and perish But would God so carefully have cautioned Sinners to take heed of despising this Blessed Doctrine and have backed his Caution with a threatming that they shall perish if they persist had not himself received by the Blood of Christ full price for the Souls of Sinners Secondly As God threatneth so he punisheth those that refuse his Son or that seek to vilify or make insignificant the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith in him 1. He punisheth them with the abidings of his Wrath. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the Wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 3. 36. The Wrath of God for men for sin stands already condemned by the Law the Judgment is that they who refuse the Lord Jesus Christ shall have this Wrath of God for ever lie and abide upon them For they want a Sacrifice to pacific wrath for the Sin they have committed having resisted and refused the Sacrifice of the Body of Christ. Therefore it cannot be that they should get from under their present condition who have refused to accept of the undertaking of Christ for them Besides God to shew that he taketh it ill at the Hands of Sinners that they should refuse the Sacrifice of Christ hath resolved that there shall be no more Sacrifice for sin If therefore we sin wilfully after we have received the Knowledg of the Truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sin Heb. 10. 26. God doth neither appoint another neither will he accept another who-ever brings it And here those sayings are of their own natural force How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation And again See that ye refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on Earth Moses How shall we escape if we turn away from him Christ that speaketh from Heaven Heb. 2. 3. Chap. 12. 25. This therefore is a mighty Demonstration that Christ by what he hath done hath paid full price to God for the Souls of Sinners because God so severely threatneth and also punisheth them that refuse to be justified by his Blood he threatneth as you have heard and punisheth by leaving such men in their Sins under his heavy and unsupportable Vengeance here Secondly He that believeth not shall be damned Mar. 16. 16. damned in Hell-Fire He that believeth not but what should he believe Why 1. That Jesus is the Saviour If saith he ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your Sins 2. He that believeth not that he hath undertaken and compleatly perfected Righteousness for us shall die in his Sins shall be damned and perish in Hell-fire For such have no cloak for their Sin but must stand naked to the shew of their Shame before the Judgment of God that fearful Judgment Therefore after he had said there remains for such no more sacrifice for sin he adds But a certain fearful looking for of judgment there is for them left nothing but the Judgment of God and his fiery Indignation which shall devour the Adversaries He that despised Moses's Law died without mercy under two or three Witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an Unholy thing and done despite to the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10. 25 26. See here if fury comes not up now into the Face of God now is mention made of his fearful Judgment and fiery Indignation Now I say is mention made thereof when it is suggested that some have light thoughts of him count his Blood unholy and trample his Sacrificed Body under the Feet of their Reproaches Now is he a Consuming fire and will burn to the lowest Hell For we know him that hath said Vengeance belongeth unto me I will recompence saith the Lord. And again The Lord shall judg his People Heb. 10. 28 29 30. These words are urged by the Holy Ghost on purpose to beget in the Hearts of the Rebellious reverend thoughts and an high esteem of the Sacrifice which our Lord Jesus offered once for all upon Mount Calvary unto God the Father for our Sins for that is the very argument of the whole Epistle It is said to this purpose in one of Paul's Epistles to the Thessalonians That because men receive not the Love of the Truth that they might be saved For this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a ly and be damned 2 Thes. 2. The Truth mentioned in the Place is Jesus Christ. I am the Truth saith he Joh. 14. 6. The Love of the Truth is none else but the Love and Compassion of Jesus Christ in shedding his Blood for Mans Redemption Greater love than this hath no man that a Man lay down his Life for his Friends Joh. 15. 13. This then is the Love of the Truth of Jesus that he hath laid down his Life for us Now that the rejectors of this Love should by this their rejecting procure such wrath of God against them that rather than they shall miss of damnation himself will chuse their Delusions for them and also give them up to the effectual Working of these Delusions what doth this manifest but that God is displeased with them that accept not of Jesus Christ for Righteousness and will certainly order that their end shall be everlasting Damnation therefore Jesus Christ hath paid full price to God for Sinners and obtained Eternal Redemption for them The Use of
is of Wonderful Price when the Son of God will not stick to spill his Blood for it O Sinners you that will venture your Souls for a little pleasure surely you know not the worth of your Souls Now if you would know what your Souls are worth and the Price which God sets them at read that Price by the Blood of Christ. The Blood of Christ was spilt to save Souls For ye are bought with a Price and that Price none other than the Blood of Christ wherefore glorify God in your Bodies and in your Spirits which are Gods 1 Cor. 6. 20. Sinners you have Souls can you behold a Crucified Christ and not Bleed and not Mourn and not fall in Love with him The third Use. By this Doctrine Sinners as Sinners are encouraged to come to God for mercy for the Curse due to Sin is taken out of the way I speak now to Sinners that are awake and see themselves Sinners There are two things in special when Men begin to be awakened that kill their thoughts of being saved 1. A Sense of sin 2. The Wages due thereto These kill the Heart for who can bear up under the guilt of Sin If our Sins be upon us and we pine away in them how can we THEN live Ezek. 33. 10. How indeed it is impossible So neither can Man grapple with the Justice of God Can thine Heart endure or can thine Hands be strong they cannot A wounded Spirit who can bear Men cannot Angels cannot wherefore if now Christ be hid and the blessing of Faith in his Blood denied wo be to them such go after Saul and Judas one to the Sword and the other to the Halter Ezek. 22. 14. Prov. 18. 14. and so miserably end their days for come to God they dare not the thoughts of that Eternal Majesty strikes them through But now present such Poor dejected Sinners with a Crucified Christ and perswade them that the Sins under which they shake and tremble was long ago laid upon the Back of Christ and the Noise and Sense and Fear of damning begins to cease depart and fly away Dolours and Terrours fade and vanish and that Soul conceiveth hopes of Life For thus the Soul argueth is this indeed the Truth of God that Christ was made to be Sin for me was made the Curse of God for me Hath he indeed born all my Sins and spilt his Blood for my Redemption O blessed Tidings O welcome Grace Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his Holy Name Now is peace come now the Face of Heaven is altered Behold all things are become new Now the Sinner can abide Gods Presence yea sees unutterable Glory and Beauty in him For here he sees Justice smite While Jacob was afraid of Esau how heavily did he drive even towards the Promised Land but when killing thoughts were turned into kissing and the fears of the Swords Point turned into Brotherly Embraces what says he I have seen thy Face as though it had been the Face of God and thou wast pleased with me Gen. 33. 10. So and far better is it with a poor distressed Sinner at the Revelation of the Grace of God through Jesus Christ. God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their Trespasses to them O! what work will such a word make upon a wounded Conscience especially when the next words follow For he hath made him to be Sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him Now the Soul sees qualifications able to set him quit in the Sight of God Qualifications prepared already Prepared I say already and that by God through Christ even such as can perfectly answer the Law What doth the Law require If Obedience here it is if Bloody Sacrifice here it is if infinite Righteousness here it is Now then the Law condemns him that Believes before God no more for all its Demands are answered all its Curses are swallowed up in the Death and Curse Christ underwent Object But reason saith since Personal Sin brought the Death surely Personal Obedience must bring us Life and Glory Ans. True Reason saith so and so doth the Law it self Rom. 10. 5. but God we know is above them both and he in the Covenant of Grace saith otherwise to wit That if thou shalt confess with thy Mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in thine Heart that God hath raised him from the Dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 6 7 8 9. Let Reason then hold his tongue yea let the Law with all his Wisdom subject it self to him that made it let it look for sin where God hath laid it let it approve the Righteousness which God approveth yea though it be not that of the Law but that by Faith of Jesus Christ. God hath made him our Righteousness God hath made him our Sin God hath made him our Curse God hath made him our Blessing Methinks this word God hath made it so should silence all the World The fourth use Fourthly By this Doctrine sufficiency of argument is ministred to the tempted to withstand thereby the assaults of the Devil When the Souls begin to seek after the Lord Jesus then Satan begins to afflict and distress as the Canaanites did the Gibeonites for making Peace with Jehoshuah Jos. 10. 1 6. There are three things that do usually afflict the Soul that is earnestly looking after Jesus Christ. 1. Dreadful accusations from Satan 2. Grievous defiling and infectious thoughts 3. A strange readiness in our Nature to fall in with both By the first of these the Heart is made continually to tremble Hence his Temptations are compared to the roaring of a Lyon 1 Pet. 5. 8. For as the Lyon by roaring killeth the Heart of his Prey so doth Satan kill the Spirit of these that hearken to him For when he tempteth especially by way of accusation he doth to us as Rabshakeh did to the Jews He speaks to us in our own Language He speaks our Sin at every word our guilty Conscience knows it he speaks our Death at every word our doubting Conscience feels it Secondly Besides this there doth now arise even in the Heart such defiling and soul infectious thoughts that putteth the Tempted to their wits end for now it seems to the Soul that the very flood-Gates of the Flesh are opened and that to sin there is no stop at all now the Air seems to be covered with darkness and the Man is as if he was changed into the nature of a Devil Now if ignorance and unbelief prevail he concludeth that he is reprobate made to be taken and destroyed Thirdly Now also he feeleth in him a readiness to fall in with every temptation a readiness I say continually present Rom. 7. 21. This throws all down now despair begins to swallow it up now it can neither pray nor read nor hear nor meditate on God but Fire and Smoke continually bursteth