not given A treasure of the mysteries of intelligence and secrets of correspondence about what is doing in Heaven and Earth Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Gen. 8.17 And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do A treasure of the mysteries of duty or of the approving commanding will of God in all cases Isa 8.20 To the law and to the testimony If they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Psal 119.9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word A treasure of the mysteries of dispensations whereby we may know the most unknown footsteps of providence in dark dispensations Psal 77.19 And thy footsteps are not known with Psal 73.17 Vntil I went unto the sanctuary of God then understood I their end A treasure of the mysteries of the secret Counsels and will of God as it 's acted upon the hearts of men Eph. 1.9 Having made known unto us the mysterie of his will according to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himself Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an Oath A treasure of mysterious paradoxes and seeming contradictions wherewith the Gospel-Covenant is filled Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me 2. The mystery of Christ Eph. 3.4 Whereby when ye read you may understand my knowledg in the mystery of Christ Col. 2.2 To the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the father and of Christ There is a complication of mysteries in him he is all secrets which had never been known unless himself had witnessed and declared them the wisest nutural Politicians are stupid here 1 Cor. 2.8 Which none of the princes of this world knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory Hence it is that he is so often spoken of with a Behold There is a mysterie in his name all his names need an Interpreter need his own declaration and witnessing Jer. 23.6 And this is his name whereby he shall be called The Lord our righteousness Rev. 19.13 And his name is called the word of God Matt. 1.23 Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us There is a mysterie in his person a high mysterie in his natures the union of two natures in that blessed person 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversie great is the mysterie of godlyness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory A mysterie that cannot be throughly understood in this life There is a mysterie in his offices in his bearing them and in his exercising them Heb. 5.11 Of whom we have many things to say and hard to be uttered seeing ye are dull of hearing Heb. 8.1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum we have such an High-priest who is set on the right hand of of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens A mysterie in his union with his Church and his inhabitation in them which are referred to be throughly understood till the day when Christ shall come again Eph. 5.32 This is a great mysterie But I speak concerning Christ and the Church Col. 1.27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mysterie among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory Joh. 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my father and you in me and I in you 3. The mystery of the Gospel-righteousness and way of justifying and saving sinners This is the mystery upon which many wise learned men have stumbled because it hath not been revealed unto them by the witness of the Covenant Rom. 9.31 32 33 But Israel which followed after the law of righteousness hath not attained to the law of righteousness wherefore because they sought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the law for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone as it is written behold I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and rock of offence and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed 1 Cor. 1.20 23 Where is the wise where is the scribe where is the disputer of this world hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness You may observe several great mystries concerning the Gospel-righteousnes There is 1. A mystery in the imputation of it to us what greater mystery than that a real Righteousness should come to us by the imputation of the righteousness of another 2 Cor. 5.21 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 2. There is a mystery in the instrument apprehending this righteousness I mean in Faith 1 Tim. 3.9 Holding the mystery of the faith Which is a mysterious hidden grace in the manner of its life and acting Col. 3.3 For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God 3. There is a mystery in the persons to whom it is imputed or rather in the imputation of it with reference to the persons unto whom it is imputed a passing by of the worthiest in the worlds acount and imputing it to the nothings of the earth Heb. 2.16 For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 1 Cor. 1.26 27 For ye see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty Which hath been matter of wonder unto many 2 Sam. 7.18 Then went King David in and sate before the Lord and he said Who am I O Lord God and what is my house that thou hast brought me hitherto All these and many things more concerning the Covenant had never been known if the Witness of the Covenant had not revealed them and testified of them Joh. 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world 4. Christ is the Witness of the Covenant who establisheth and confirmeth the truth of all that is contained in it Christ the true and faithful witness hath sworn it and testified all the Articles of the Covenant upon Oath Rev. 3.14 These
to your vertue knowledg c. 3. Quo ad executorem in the kindly genuine work of his spirit that the good which God hath done to thee is the true execution of the Testators will of grace to his people 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Joh. 1.13 Which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Rom. 8.9 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 CHAP. XXII Christ a Covenant of the people or in what respects Christ is all the Covenant BEsides the many and various relations before spoken of which Christ sustaineth in the Covenant of grace he is the Covenant it self for to him doth the father speak Isa 42.6 and 49.8 I will give thee for a Covenant of the people things attributed in abstracto have a great signification Rom. 1.7 The carnal mind is enmity c. Christ is called the peace Micah 5.5 And our peace Eph. 2.14 This is more than the peace-maker Col. 1.20 'T is all the transaction of peace the whole business of reconciliation comprized in the Mediator and acted by him So here Christ a Covenant is more than the Covenant-maker or the Mediator of the Covenant the phrase imports two things 1. The abridging and summing up of the whole Covenant in Christ Mediator in whose person the two parties at enmity were united I will give thee for a covenant of the people that is I make a gift of thee to be to my people the summary and compend of all that blessed transaction and Covenant which I purpose with them 2. It imports the commitment of the whole business which God purposed to do with his people in the way of a Covenant unto Christ the Mediator to be managed by him I will give thee for a covenant of the people is a designation of Christs work unto which he was called and for the doing of which promises of assistance are made to him in the words preceding these as if it were said I set thee over the whole business of the Covenant between me and the people given to thee that from beginning to end it may be managed by thee Again Christ is not only given for a Covenant but for a Covenant of the people that is to be on the peoples side and to deal for them for the people alone are not capable of confederation with God but Christ stands jointly with them and is gifted of God to the people to be given back again to God for their part of the Covenant Psal 89.19 Heb. 2.13 Hence let us consider of these Propositions Christ is all the Covenant or all this Covenant is comprized in Christ or God by giving Christ doth give the Covenant of the people with him Christ is the Covenant 1. Originally and fundamentally he is the original and root out of which the Covenant sprang and he is the foundation upon which it is grounded the Covenant of grace took its rise and being from Christ Rev. 22.16 I Jesus have sent mine Angel to testifie unto you these things in the Churches I am the root and the off-spring of David and the bright and morning-star Isa 28.16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner-stone a sure foundation he that believeth shall not make haste Judg. 14.14 And he said unto them Out of the eater came forth meat and out of the strong came forth sweetness 1. He is the ancient foundation of that which was revealed of the Covenant from the beginning of the world therefore God revealing this Covenant in Paradise presently after the fall bottomed it upon Christ the seed of the woman Gen. 3.15 And revealing it to Abraham he grounded it upon Christ Abrahams seed in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed Gen. 12.3 and 17.1 2. 2. Christ is the eternal foundation of this Covenant upon whom it was bottomed in the eternal decrees of God hence our vocation and salvation are said to be promised and given to us in him before the world began Tit. 1.2 And in hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie promised befor the world began 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Eph. 1.4 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 2. Christ is the Covenant primarily and by propriety as fire is hot for it self and all things hot for it and by participtation Because with him was the Covenant made as the chief party which believers it was made in subordination to him with him it was made at the first hand with us at the second hand with him it was made for himself with us it was only made for him therefore 't is his Covenant by propriety and ours only by participation and therefore all the promises are made first to him and fulfilled first to him and all the acts of Gods love terminate first upon him and come at us only in the second room and at the second hand Isa 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Psal 89.3 33 I have made a covenant with my chosen I have sworn unto David my servant Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail Isa 53.3 And I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ 3. Christ is the Covenant eminently because he is the chief blessing of the Covenant there being not such another promise and gift in all the bundle of promises contained in the Covenant therefore is he spoken of by way of eminence as being that transcendent gift of God matchless effect of Gods love besides which there is not another the like Joh. 4.10 Jesus answered and said unto her If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith unto thee give me to drink Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have
take it again this Commandment received I of my Father Phil. 2.6.8 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross 2. There was no natural uecessity such as that of the Sun to give light and the fire heat sure there was no such necessity of God's sending of Christ God did not by any natural necessity send forth Christ nor was the Son of God under any natural necessity to undertake the work of our Redemption for God might have done otherwise he might in Justice have prosecuted the Covenant of works yea there was no kind of necessity upon God to send or upon Christ to go this errand abstracting from his own Decrees and the purpose of his Will Eph. 1.5 6 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved Rom. 9.20 21 Nay but O man who art thou that replyest against God shall the thing formed say to him that formed it why hast thou formed me thus Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour 3. There was no moral necessity not so much as any command motive or inducement without himself either upon God to lay this employment upon Christ or upon Christ to take it upon him and to undergo the work for God might have sent his Son or not sent him as pleased him there was not so much as a moral cause inducing him to it Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Rom. 5.6 8 For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly But God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us And Christ might have refused to undertake the work or he might have agreed as pleased him for who could have laid a command upon him if the design of love that was in his heart had not acted him to a consent Phil. 2.6 8 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself unto death even the death of the Cross It rests therefore that all these offices employments trusts authorities and Covenant-relations that Christ did bear were undertaken and undergone by his own free consent and if they were by his free consent this consent was either his own motion without the consent and agreement of Jehovah concurring in councel with him for the carrying on the work of our Redemption or this was transacted and done in the counsel of God by the knowledg will consent and agreement of God with Christ Now the Scripture is plain and express that all the offices trusts authorities employments and Covenant-relations which Christ did bear were not usurped were not taken upon him without divine ordination and appointment without his Father's consent and command but that he was designed chosen and called thereunto See Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was Joh. 5.22 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment unto the Son Isa 42.1 6 Behold my servant whom I uphold I the Lord have called thee in righteousness And 49.1 3 The Lord hath called me from the womb from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name Thou art my servant O Israel in whom I will be glorified Heb. 5.5 6 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 As he saith also in another place Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec Act. 3.26 Vnto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one from his iniquities Psal 40.6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required c. I conclude therefore that all these offices trusts powers and Covenant-relations which Christ did bear being upon him by mutual agreement and consent betwixt Jehovah and Christ all and every one of them doth prove a Compact and Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Christ He who desireth more proofs of this Covenant and to have further light therein let him read Jo. Cocc Summa doctrinae de foedere ch 5. and Mr. Rutherf Treat of the Covenant Part 2. ch 6. And Fr. Robert's Gods Covenants with Man Book 2. ch 2. Sect. 3. Now that this Covenant betwixt Jehovah and Christ was the foundation of the Covenant made with us may be evinced by these particulars 1. If this Covenant of Suretiship had not been concluded betwixt Jehovah and Christ there could never have been any Covenant-dealing with us upon terms of Grace for suppose this Covenant had not been the Lord should then have prosecuted the Covenant of works and followed a course of Justice against all Mankind the dore should have been shut for ever against all condescensions and all Gospel ways of Grace Therefore we find the Apostle reckons the change of Law-dispensation and life by the tenor of the Covenant of works into a new way of Grace to have its foundation original and rise from Gods gracious eternal transaction with Christ 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 2. God's Covenant-dealing with us upon the terms of Grace is nothing else but the execution of that which was from eternity decreed transacted and concluded by God's Compact with Christ and therefore the Covenant of Suretiship must needs be the foundation of the Covenant with us even as all Decrees and Laws are the foundation of the execution following thereupon this will appear more fully and clearly when we come to speak of the tenor of the Covenant of Redemption and the things therein transacted at present this may suffice 1. That whatsoever Covenant-favour and Grace is tendered to us by the Gospel-Covenant and effectually applyed unto us by the Spirit of the Lord that was promised to Christ and to us in him yea and plighted in him for our account by the Covenant made betwixt Jehovah and him as appears from the Scripture before-mentioned 2 Tim. 1.9 According to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began with Tit. 1.2 In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lye promised before the world began 2. Whatsoever Covenant-Conditions of one kind or
Scriptures Yea so much was the Covenant betwixt God and Christ about our Redemption for the glory of God even considered personally that thereby beside the glory that was common to all the three Persons there did accrue a peculiar glory to the distinct Persons of the Godhead in regard of their distinct offices and working in this business of Redemption a peculiar glory to the Father who gave Christ and who sent him upon this business and blessed us in him even a peculiar honour to the Father from the Lord Mediator and Redeemer Joh. 8.49 But I honour my Father saith Christ and a peculiar honour to the Father from the ransomed and redeemed People 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead A peculiar honour to the Son to Christ the Lord Mediator and that both upon earth and in heaven a peculiar glory to the Lamb that wrought the Redemption unto which his Father appointed him Joh. 5.22 23 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father which the Son claimeth Joh. 17.1 4 These words spoke Jesus and lift up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son also may glorifie thee I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do And which is payed to him in heaven Rev. 7.10 Saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb. And 5.9 And they sing a new song saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation A peculiar glory unto the eternal Spirit by whom the Son of God offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.14 and to whom the effectual application of the purchased Redemption by peculiar office belongs 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God Joh. 6.63 It is the spirit that quickeneth Gal. 4.6 And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba father 2. The good of the ransomed and redeemed people required that their Redemption should be transacted in a Covenant betwixt God and Christ and to this intent and for this end it was necessary 1. To introduce and usher in the new way of life thorow the Gospel-dispensation which could never have come to light nor have appeared upon the stage to act any thing if God had not by his eternal transactions with Christ in whom he found a ransome made way for the taking down the transient-time-dispensation of Law and Works which was only to continue and stand a Court of righteousness for a short space and so opened a door for free Grace to take the Theatre and to act its part more nobly than the Law-dispensation that was first upon the stage And this I say was ushered in and it was necessary that way should be made for it by God's Covenant-dealings with Christ in whom his Justice had a satisfaction else the Law-dispensation of Works and Nature had kept the Stage for ever and there had been no Court wherein Grace sits upon the throne and wherein Sinners might plead righteousness and life on Gospel-terms Christ's saying from eternity Lo I come to do thy will O God Psal 40.6 And deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom Job 33.24 Which words are upon the matter and originally true of Christ's dealings with his Father Jo. Cocc Dâ— foed c. 5. Sect. 88. and by some Expositors applyed to him This I say ushered in and made way for the Gospel-dispensation of a Covenant of free Grace Hence it is that the Apostle states the rise of life and immortality that is brought to light by the Gospel upon the eternal foederal dealings that were betwixt God and Christ 2 Tim. 1.9 10 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ before the world began But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Rom. 8.3 4 For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh 2. The Covenant of Redemption betwixt God and Christ was necessary for our good that the Covenant of life and righteousness to us in the way of this Gospel-dispensation might be pure soveraign Grace Now the more of Grace and God's gracious will and heart is in the business and the less of the Creatures will and acting the better for us the sweeter and the surer is the Covenant But here all is of the Lord and of his gracious will all is transacted betwixt God and Christ and man is not so much is present at the first transaction of the Covenant as he was at the Covenant of works here he is neither at the beginning nor end of it I mean that end which it had in God's foederal dealings with Christ where the Redemption and Salvation of the elect was a concluded business and the conclusion tarried not nor was suspended for man's consent sure this was pure Grace this was all Grace eminent Grace when there was nothing of the Creature no not so much as acting in a vital formal manner as now we act under the application of this Covenant by these gracious acts which are efficiently from God but there all was the gracious free will of God without any thing of the Creatures will surely that was eminent signal Grace and the better for us 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Eph. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 1.4 5 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 3. A Covenant betwixt God and Christ about our Salvation and Redemption was necessary that the business of our Salvation might be far advanced ere it come to our working at it with fear
he well knew that it would be a wretched hopeless condition for man to provide a Physitian to himself and to have him to seek when his sickness should be desparate he therefore by a foresight and providence of pure soveraign free transcendent Grace did provide one and indeed it was necessary for our good that it should be so for had man fallen sick of sin before this Covenant for sending a healer to him he had died ere the cure could come 8. This Covenant was necessary for cutting off all matter and occasion of self-gloriation from man in his own Redemption and Salvation for if the business of our Redemption and Salvation was transacted concluded done and ended betwixt Jehovah and Christ without our knowledg or consent before we had a Being what have we to boast of If the agreement ahout the price to be payed and accepted tarried not for man wherein can we glory that we have contributed to our own happiness 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began Eph. 2.10 For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them 1 Joh. 4.10 19 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins We love him because he first loved us CHAP. III. Of the Nature Properties and Parties of the Covenant of Redemption THE general Nature of this Covenant is common to it with all other Covenants whatsoever different peculiarity they have this is essential and common to all Covenants they are Agreements and this is an eternal transaction and agreement betwixt Jehovah and the Mediator Christ about the work of our Redemption The peculiar propriety of its nature will appear by enquiring a little into 1. The various eternal acts of the will of God that concurred to make up this agreement 2. The distinction and order of these eternal acts of his will and the right manner of our conceiving of them 1. Supposing as we have said before that God purposed in himself not to save man without a satisfaction to his Justice These eternal acts of the will of God or rather the things which we conceive under these various acts and their denominations among men for we need to multiply acts in this matter but for the helping our own understanding did concur and meet together in this agreement 1. The designation of a Person to do this work there must needs have been a Person set apart and designed from eternity unto the doing of the work of Redemption and this Person was the Son only not the Father not the Spirit 1 Pet. 1.20 Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for you 2. The preparation and fitting of the Person set apart to take our Law-place and room that Justice might smite him in our stead which also was by an eternal act of the will of God decreed that the Son of God should be Immanuel God with us or God made manifest in the flesh Isa 7.14 1 Tim. 3.16 and unto this incarnation of the Son of God his own words have reference as unto the grand qualification whereby he was destinated before-hand that he might be in a capacity to do this work Heb. 10.5 A body hast thou prepared me 3. The calling of the Person designed calling is an act different from designation 't is something further Christ was by an eternal act of God's will called to this work and that long before he came into the world Psal 89.19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy One and saidst I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people And Isa 42.6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles 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 4. The investing of the Person designed with offices powers and authorities for the doing of this work such as his Mediatory-office and the powers and authorities thereunto belonging which was not suspended until the time of his actual discharge of the offices of King Priest and Prophet but by an eternal act of the will of God he was set up and vested with these offices and powers from everlasting and had the glory of the designed called invested Mediator as he plainly insinuates Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting saith Wisdom several Expositors render it I was called or I was annointed Joh. 17.5 And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was 5. The mission of the Son Christ designed sitted called invested for this work was also by an eternal act in the counsel of God sent to do this work he had a solema eternal authoritative mission a command to go and was bidden go he had the will of God by an eternal act or commission given out to him concerning all this work long before he was actually made under the Law to which he hath respect when he saith Lo I come to do thy will O God Heb. 10.7 even that will of God that was in the book of his eternal decrees Joh. 6.39 And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me And 10.18 This Commandment have I received of my Father But in all these we do not so much multiply the distinction of acts as we take notice of the distinction and difference of Phrase used by the Holy Ghost speaking of this mysterie in the Scriptures Upon the other part there concurred unto this agreement an eternal personal consent and compliance upon Christ's part unto all these eternal acts of the will of God for Christ God equal with the Father does not begin to consent and agree unto any thing in time nor can the eternal Son of God will any thing in time which he did not will and consent unto from eternity But Christ was present with the Father and did from eternity consent and agree to these eternal acts 1. To the designation of himself to be the person that should satisfie the Justice of God he heartily acquiesced and offered himself he said Lo I come to do thy will Heb. 10.5 7. He poured out his Soul unto death Isa 53.12 2. He consented unto the putting himself in that low capacity that the working of this work required Heb. 2.7 Thou madest him a little lower than the Angels to leave the throne of glory and come down to his footstool there to be in disgrace the Lord of the Law to be made under
Father glorifie thou me with thine own self But Graciousness is attributed to the Covenant of Redemption 1. Efficiently or in regard of the efficient cause thereof the spring whence it came was Grace pure Grace and nothing else made it and gave it a being it was not only an act of will pleasure freedom and soveraignty but an act of gracious will and the good pleasure of his will that made it Eph. 1.5 Col. 1.19 2. Graciousness is attributed to this Covenant ultimately in regard that the ultimate end and scope thereof is the manifesting the glory of the richness and freeness of Grace t is a design of Grace that is driven and carried on in the Covenant of Redemption Eph. 1.6 To the praise of the glory of his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 3. Graciousness is attributed to the Covenant of Redemption because Grace was in it fundamentally the whole contrivance and dispensation of Grace is bottomed upon this eternal transaction and turns upon the hinge of this Compact betwixt Jehovah and Christ therefore all the mercies and faithfulness of the Lord that we are made to sing of within time are laid upon this foundation Psal 89.1 2 3 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations For I have said mercy shall be built up for ever thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens I have made a Covenant with my chosen 4. Graciousness may be attributed to the Covenant of Redemption because Grace was here originally for here the first draughts of pure soveraign free Grace and the unsearchable riches thereof were drawn and portrayed here is fountain-Grace and from thence came the streams here were the beginnings of that noble design of Grace laid and from hence did they come forth Col. 1.26 27 Even the mysterie which had been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his Saints To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mysterie among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory 5. Graciousness is attributed to the Covenant of Redemption because Grace is here comprehensively even all that God hath been driving and acting upon the spirits of his people by the Gospel-covenant and Ordinances thereof and the work of his Spirit since the beginning of the world and all that he shall do until the day that the ransomed and redeemed company be perfected even the whole plot of Grace is all comprised in this eternal transaction with Christ and to it are we led as the comprehension of all Covenant-grace and mercy Isa 55.3 Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make with you an everlasting Covenant even the sure mercies of David 6. Graciousness is attributed to this Covenant because Grace is here eminently and indeed if the comparison might be fitly made pure Gospel free Grace is more in the Covenant of Redemption than in the Covenant of Reconciliation for 't is in the Covenant of Redemption principally as water is in the fountain and in the Covenant of Reconciliation by participation and consequentially because God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself by that Covenant therefore he is now in Christ reconciling the world to himself by this Covenant of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 20 21 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trospasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be the righteousness of God in him 7. Graciousness is attributed to the Covenant of Redemption because Grace was therein exemplarily for hereby God did act Grace in Christ and made him a Samplar and the first copy of free Grace to all his brethren seed and heirs that they might share with him upon whom the first acts of eternal Covenant-love and Grace fell and that God might shew forth in him a pattern of Covenant-dealings and out letting of Covenant-favour and promises Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me thou art my father my God and the rock of my salvation With Heb. 1.5 For unto which of the Angels said he at any time thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee And again I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son Gal. 4.6 And because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba father Col. 1.18 And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the preheminence Rom. 8.17 And if children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together 3. Another Property of the Covenant of Redemption is Eternity For 1. Both the Parties are eternal the eternal God who is from everlasting to everlasting Deut. 33.27 and the eternal Son of God whose eternal power and Godhead Rom. 1.20 is equal with God his Father Phil. 2.6 And who shall declare his generation Isa 53.8 Joh. 1.1 2 In the beginning the word was and the word was with God and the word was God the same was in the beginning with God Rev. 1.8 I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end saith the Lord which is which was and which is to come 2. The union of the two natures in the Person of the Redeemer which was transacted in this Covenant is an eternal union I mean the humane nature which was from eternity designed unto a substantial union with God being once assumed stands in that substantial union for ever so that it is impossible that the personal union which was transacted in the Covenant of Redemption can be dissolved unto all eternity for 't is unquestionable that Christ shall stand glorified in our nature in heaven for ever for even there is a throne for the man Christ for the Lamb slain for ever Rev. 22.3 But the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it Act. 17.31 3. The New Covenant-relations which were established betwixt Jehovah and Christ by this Covenant of Redemption are eternal relations which shall never cease Heb. 1.5 For unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee And again I will be to him a Father and he shall be to me a Son This Covenant-relation I say whereby God is the God and Father
which was offended and doth receive the satisfaction 2. Christ God-man in one person having man's nature that offended united into a personal union with the Godhead was thereby fitted so to stand in our place and upon our side as a party different from God that he might therein satisfie wrath and therein merit by making a full and real compensation to offended Justice 3. Christ God-man who makes the satisfaction as he is God being one with the Father while he satisfies the Father's Justice he satisfies his own but as he is God-man being a party different from the Father he is by the Soveraignty of free Grace given to be a Surety and the satisfaction which he makes in our Nature as our Surety is accepted by his Father as by another party Assert 4. Christ was chosen and predestinated Lord Mediator and we are chosen in him before he is a party covenanting with Jehovah about the work of our Redemption I say 1. He is first in order in the eternal purpose of God designed and set apart to do this work before he gave an actual consent unto the Covenant of Suretiship This followeth necessarily upon the former Assertion for if the Covenant be made with Christ God-man with Christ Mediator betwixt God and man then he must needs be Mediator by some eternal act of the counsel of God antecedent in order of nature to this Covenant with him which is made with him considered as God to be made manifest in the flesh 2. I say not only Christ is chosen but we also are chosen in him unto the fruit of that great labour and service which he was designed to undergo for a Covenant of Suretiship and Redemption does not only suppose a Redeemer and Surety predestinated to be undertaker for a lost people but also a people designed to be partakers of the Redemption which he was to work So that I say this Covenant that was made with Christ God-man does suppose Christ's headship and our membership by eternal predestination and by a co-ordination which may be express'd in this order first the chosen head and then the body God did not not first chuse a body and then had a head to seek for them nor did he chuse a head to be without a body or as one that knew not of a body for that head but Election which was the first act of God's love in eternity fell first upon Christ whom God did chuâ—â— to be the head of his body the Church and the Captain of Salvation to all the chosen company and having chosen him he chused us in him as our head and as the first-born of the elect house and family Rom. 8.29 For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he might be the first born among many brethren Eph. 1.4 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 CHAP. IV. Of the Tenor Articles and Subject-matter of the Covenant of Redemption or of the Commands Conditions and Promises thereof THE Subject-matter and Articles of the Covenant of Suretiship which were agreed and concluded betwixt Jehovah and Christ by an eternal Compact which also may be divided into commands conditions and promises of that Covenant were mainly these seven Who should be the Redeemed Who the Redeemer What his work When to be done How to be applied What his reward And what assurance given betwixt the parties for mutual performance Now because some of these Articles may seem to be the same upon the matter which I have before asserted to be supposed as antecedent in order of nature to the Covenant of Redemption Let it be remembred that they may well be supposed in our manner of conceiving thereof as antecedent in God's purpose and yet be Articles of this Covenant and fall under Christ's actual consent which makes a closed Covenant about them for it is not repugnant that the same thing be concluded in the eternal purpose of God's Will and in his eternal agreement with Christ 1. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ God-man who should be the Redeemed people there was a definite certain number of Redeemed ones agreed upon for whom Christ should pay a price he was not Surety and undertaker for all Mankind nor for all the visible Church to whom the Gospel shall be preached for his undertaking is no wider nor larger than his dying purchasing Redemption bearing Iniquity Praying c. these being of equal extent and efficacy for whom Christ was undertaker to his Father for them he dyed and purchased Redemption by his death for them he did pray and make intercession c. Now 't is manifest that he did not purchase Redemption and make intercession for all Mankind but for a chosen people 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 who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Joh. 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me for they are thine Neither was Christ undertaker for a people under any general notions or qualifications such as them that should believe in him or the like not knowing definitely who the persons were but he was Surety and undertaker only for the elect and for a definite number of people who were by number and name given to him by his Father and received by him to be redeemed by his blood which doth plainly appear by the description of the Redeemed people who are ordinarily called those whom the Father gave unto Christ Joh. 17.3 6 9 11. 6.37 39. and who were chosen in him Eph. 1.4 and whose names are written in the book of life and in the Lambs book of life as if the Father who gave them to Christ had kept one record of their number and names and the Lord Mediator who undertook for them had kept another Rev. 20.12 and 21.27 2. By this Covenant it was agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ who should be the Redeemer I say it was agreed who should be the person to undertake this great work of Redemption and Salvation for these elect people for although we may conceive that Christ was predestinated unto this work before his actual consent yet we must conceive the agreement is by his own actual consent and compact with God See the agreement and consent of both the parties that Christ shall be the Lord Jehovah his servant in this work Isa 49.5 6 And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob again to him though Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord and my God shall be my strength And he said it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my
every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day Joh. 14.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self that where I am there ye may be also 2. But if ye enquire after the formal condition of the Covenant of Suretiship I say it was his whole obedience active and passive even unto death Phil. 2.8 and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross though the special principal eminent condition of this Covenant may be referred to the principal eminent last act of his obedience to that signal special command of laying down his life for the elect Joh. 10.18 No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again this commandment have I received of my Father For 1. This Covenant being a bargain betwixt Jehovah and Christ of buying a people to God then the whole price and ransom told down and payed for them must be the formal condition of that Covenant whereby we are bought with a price 1 Cor. 6.20 1 Pet. 1.18 19 For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your Fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without spot and without blemish 2. Christ was under a special explicite command for the performance of this condition of laying down his life as is clear from Joh. 10.18 and Christ was under a special act to obey this command as himself acknowledges 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 my God and therefore we may well call it the special condition of the Covenant of Suretiship 3. This solemn act of obedience in offering himself a Sacrifice to death for our sins is the condition of his bond of Suretiship that is most notised by the Holy Ghost and frequently referred unto as may be gathered from Heb. 9.14 15 26 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God 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 but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Rom. 8.3 God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh And therefore when we speak of the condition of the Covenant of Suretiship this is to be held the special eminent condition thereof 4. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ states the condition of this Covenant upon this eminent solemn act of his obedience even his making his soul an offering for sin c. for-vent which he makes the great promises of his glorious reward Isa 53. throughout 5. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself does own this as the special condition of his Coovenant of Suretiship and that both at his entring into the world Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will O God And about or at the time of his leaving the world when he had fulfilled or was about to fulfil all his undertaking and conditions to his Father Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do With 19.30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar he said it is finished and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost These being the sum of the conditions required from Christ See Mr. Rutherf Treat of the Covenant p. 2. ch 11. And Mr. Robert's Medul Bibl. b. 2. c. 2. and undertaken by him let us enquire also after the promises made to Christ and the encouraging-conditions that were made to him by Jehovah for undertaking so hard a work as was the redemption and recovery of lost man These were of eight sorts The first kind of promises made to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption were such as relate to the offices authorities trusts and powers that were covenanted to him for the doing of this work 1. I say Jehovah promiseth to invest Christ with offices sutable to that great work of Redemption to make him Lord Mediator of the new Covenant to make him great Lord Ambassador that he might go and travel in that business of our Redemption to make him a King a Priest and a Prophet for effecting this business Psal 110. throughout The Lord said to my Lord sit thou at my right hand he shall judge among the heathen the Lord hath sworn and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever Isa 49.6 And 42.6 7 I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my Salvation unto the ends of the earth to open the blind eyes c. Psal 2.6 7 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion I will declare the decree the Lord said unto me c. 2. God did not only promise to invest Christ with offices and trusts but with authorities and powers also with headship and power of Judgment over Men and Angels that shall make them all bow to him Rom. 14.10.11 We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ for it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God He was not a titular King or Priest nor a scenick one a King upon a stage but a King upon a throne Luk. 1.32 33 And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever and of his kingdom there shall be no end A King that had power to bow the hearts of his Subjects and to crush the greatest Heads and Rulers in the world that oppose him Psal 110.3.5 6 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath He shall judg among the heathen he shall fill the places with the dead bodies he shall wound the heads over many countries And 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel And 45.3 4 5 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most mighty with thy glory and thy majesty And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness and thy right hand
and didst set him over the works of thy hands Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet for in that he put all in subjection under him he left nothing that is not put under him But now we see not yet all things put under him 7. The promises of the service of all the world and of all the creatures God promiseth and will have the services of all the creatures brought about first to Christ and then to him by Christ he hath the service of all the world promised him and indeed he payed for it for he bought it with a price the service of some as Sons to live with him and enjoy him for ever 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 and the service of others as slaves Psal 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel And 72.9 11 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him and his enemies shall lick the dust Yea all kings shall fall before him and all nations shall serve him The whole vessels of this great house the world whether they are vessels of honour or dishonour Men or Angels elect Men or Reprobate elect Angels or Devils yet all must be for the Master's use 2 Tim. 2.20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honour and some to dishonour Prov. 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil CHAP. V. Of the Harmony of the Covenant of Suretiship made with Christ and the Covenant of Reconciliation and Grace made with Sinners 1. Wherein they agree 2. Wherein they differ 3. What Conjunction and Connexion is betwixt these Covenants THere is a great affinity between the Covenant of Redemption made with Christ and the Covenant of Reconciliation made with Sinners but it is not the same Covenant that is made with Christ which is made with us We are therefore to take heed to two extreams That we neither confound nor divide these two Covenants There is a likeness betwixt them but not a sameness there is an union here but not an evenness there is here a distinction but not a division a conjunction but not a confusion Let us therefore look upon these two Covenants 1. As agreeing in many things yet not being the same but still to be distinguished 2. Differing in many things yet not to be divided nor separated 3. Connected and conjoyned many ways yet not to be confounded 1. The Covenants of Redemption and Reconciliation agree together beside these things that are essential and so common to all Covenants which I do not here mention in the first rise of both pure soveraign free Grace was the fountain of both hence did both these Covenants spring There was no cause reason motive nor allurement from without nor any necessity of nature within that made Jehovah upon the one part nor Christ upon the other enter into this agreement of Suretiship it was his meer good and gracious pleasure as is already proved See Eph. 1.9 Having made known unto us the mysterie of his will according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began And the same is the fountain-cause the first spring and rise of God's Covenant of Reconciliation with us it is not from any reason cause or motive in us nor from any necessity upon God but meerly his gracious pleasure Eph. 1.7 In whom we have Redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace Deut. 7.7 8 The Lord did not set his love upon you nor chuse you because ye were more in number than any people But because the Lord loved you and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers Mat. 11.25 I thank thee O father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so father for so it seemed good in thy sight 2. These two Covenants agree in this That it is the same design and business that is carried on in both The Redemption of a lost or lapsed elect people or as the Apostle calls it Heb. 2.10 The bringing many sons to glory This was the business that Christ did undertake by the Covenant of Suretiship and which he doth prosecute and perfect by the Covenant of Reconciliation This was the thing that was treated and agreed betwixt Jehovah and Christ and is now over again treated and agreed betwixt Christ and us Tit. 1.2 In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lye promised before the world began 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed to us the word of Reconciliation Joh. 17.4 I have glorified thee on the earth I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do 3. These two Covenants agree in this That the grand Instrumentality of doing the work in both these Covenants is upon Christ he was to be the main Instrument of action in the work of these two Covenants and is therefore as for other reasons so also upon this account called the man of God's right hand Psal 80.17 whose instrumentality and service God did use from beginning to end in all this business both of Redemption and Reconciliation Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself 4. They agree in this that both these Covenants are commensurable with Gods election of the parties with whom he made the Covenants He first chused Christ and by an eternal destination elected him to be the only person that should work the great work of Redemption and be the Captain of Salvation to his people and with him only he makes the Covenant of Redemption Psal 89.19 I have exalted one chosen out of the people Again he makes choice of an elect Company to follow this Captain to be a people saved by the Lord and with this elect company only chosen in Christ he makes a Covenant of peace and reconciliation in him Luk. 1.68 69 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people And hath raised up an horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David In both I say the Covenant is commensurate to God's election the parties with whom God made both these Covenants were first chosen he first chuseth and then covenanteth with the elect head and with the elect body and members
justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities 4. By this Suretiship beside all that he hath fulfilled and done in his own person he is under a Covenant to work in his people what God requireth condition-ways of them Joh. 6.37 All that the father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out O how comfortable is it that Christ is under a Covenant to enjoy his Elect people not for any thing they can do for themselves but for the work that he hath wrought and the conditions that he hath fulfilled in his own person and is obliged to fulfil and work in them And indeed the promises are fulfilled to us not because we fulfil the condition but for Christ in whom they are made to us and who by his Suretiship did perform all conditions that the law doth require 9. That in the Covenant of Suretiship the Believer is undertaken for by both the parties 1. Jehovah undertakes forasmuch as he promises a redeemed seed to Christ and engages that he shall see them Isa 53.10 He shall see his seed Now he who undertakes for this must needs undertake that they shall be born again so that the Lord is undertaker for our believing Justification Perseverance and Salvation then Jehovah is engaged by Covenant with Christ to make sure our believing and Salvation as he will be true to his Son to whom he gave this promise and to himself and his holy nature for he cannot deny himself 2. Christ hath undertaken for us also He is made surety Heb. 7.22 He hath given Bond for our believing and Salvation he hath by an eternal act of cautionry acted himself for all them who shall believe on him body for body life for life soul for soul that his life shall go for theirs that his soul shall be in their souls stead Isa 53.10 When thou shall make his soul an offering for sin And by the Mediatory office that he took upon him he hath laid Bonds upon himself and made a necessary duty of his office to save his people to become a Captain of Salvation to them to bring many sons to glory Heb. 2.10 And that he will be faithful in this office he hath taken Bonds upon him that by vertue of his office and place he must do whatsoever is for his peoples welfare See Heb. 3.1 2 Consider the Apostle and High-priest of our profession Christ Jesus who was faithful to him that appointed him Chap. 2. v. 17 Wherefore in all thingsit behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in all things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people How comfortable is this to the weak Believer and how strengthening to Faith to consider that Jehovah gave Bond from eternity to Christ and stands engaged to him for the bowing of our rebellious wills and for such a frame of heart to us as our Redemption and Salvation necessarily requires And that Christ stands engaged to be to all his own a merciful and faithful High-priest and that by the Bonds he hath laid upon himself it behoved him to be so Heb. 2.17 O consider he can no more be unconcerned with our concernments he can no more be untouched with and want a feeling of our infirmities than he can cease to be a merciful and faithful High-priest which qualifications he behoved to take upon him by taking on that office Heb. 5.2 3. Chap. 2. v. 17. Chap. 4. v. 15. Christ can no more fail in any thing pertaining to our peace with God and our Salvation than he can break his faith of Suretiship and fail in Covenant-faithfulness and the Bonds that he hath given to Jehovah 10. By the Covenant of Suretiship passed betwixt Jehovah and Christ the believer is in a sure confirmed state he is not in a tottering slippery mutable condition as were the Angels that fell and like to Adams first Covenant-state but the believer is in a sure confirmed state as sure as the Elect Angels who never fell 1. By the Covenant of Suretiship the believers help is laid upon one that is mighty Psal 89.19 A potent person is his helper for their Redeemer is strong Deut. 33.27 The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms Isa 40.28 29 Hast thou not known hast thou not heard that the everlasting God the Lord the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not neither is weary there is no searching of his understanding He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength 2. By this Covenant there is a great juncture of undertakings for the believers standing to wit by both the parties of that Covenant 3. By this Covenant the believers standing and perseverance is taken off the creatures mutable will and is now upon the gracious immutable counsel of Gods will Heb. 6.17 Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel c. Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom 4. By this Covenant-salvation the weight of Salvation is taken off the creatures acting and laid upon Christs Isa 49.6 That thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him 5. The same confirming-grace that is given to the Elect Angels is by Christs Covenant of Suretiship ensured yea given in Christ to the believer in whom ye are compleat Col. 2.10 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 6. The honour of Christ Mediator by this Suretiship of his lies at the stake for the weak believers standing Joh. 17.10 All mine are thine and thine are mine I am glorified in them How should this comfort the believers heart and support his saith that though he be not yet without the reach of dangers yet by Christs Suretiship he is in a confirmed state that he can no more fall quite away from his state of Grace and Faith than Jehovah can break to Christ or Christ break to his Father which is impossible Psal 89.35 36 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lye unto David His seed shall endure for ever Rev. 1.5 And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness That the faith of the least of them that believe on Christ can no more fail than Christ can want his reward which is impossible Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied Christ cannot be left unsatisfied which he should be if the saith of any of his should fail in regard of Christs Suretiship the weak believers legs can
a fit person to mediate betwixt God and man until Heaven and Earth God and man be joyned in one person to make a fit Mediator a person equally distant from and equally near unto both parties A person who is Gods fellow Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow And who is our fellow made himself our companion and like unto his brethren Heb. 2.14 17. A person who is Gods Son and our brother Joh. 20.17 I ascend unto my father and your father and to my God and your God our Goel Job 10.25 For I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth Our kinsman who had the right of Redemption 4. He is called Mediator the midling person not only in regard of his fitness but upon the account of his actual interposing and stepping in betwixt the disagreeing parties because he acted and executed the Mediators Office which he took upon him and for which he was fitted he acted the day-mans part in the treaty of peace he through whom the whole Covenant of peace from beginning to end was transacted who stood in every passage of it as a middle person through whom God dealt with us and we with him 1. Through him was the Covenant with us first motioned and by him was the motion and overture entertained on our behalf there had never been a Covenant betwixt God and fallen men had not Christ stept in to overture the reconciliation of Justice and Mercy Prov. 8.30 31 Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth and my delights were with the sons of men He is Mediator Propositionis or rather proponendo the person through whom the first motion of it was made and entertained 2. Through him was the business done and ended in the Counsel of God he entertained the motion of a Covenant and agented it till it was a closed bargain in an eternal plot betwixt his Father and himself Psal 89.3 I have made my Covenant with a chosen I have sworn unto David my servant Chap. 40. v. 7 Then said I Lo I come He is Mediator Impetrationis who obtained and procured that the proposal of free Redemption should be a conncluded Agreement 3. Through him were we represented in Christs transaction with his Father he interposed and did the business by way of representation as the Head of the Church in the name and on the behalf of many Heb. 2.13 Behold I and the children which God hath given me 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us 〈◊〉 Christ Jesus before the world began He is Mediator representationis the person that stood and represented many When God spoke with us in him as the Angels did with Israel in Jacobs loins for there he spake with us Hos 12.4 4. Through him did God strike hands with us the stipulation on our part was made by him whom God took as a responsal person and in our room to bargain with Heb. 7.22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better Testament Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people He is Mediator fidei-jussionis the person who put his name in our Bond and stept in as a Sponsor and Surety for the broken man 5. Through him is the whole Covenant fulfilled and every word of it hath a being ex parte dei he fulfilleth all that is promised on Gods part 2 Cor. 1.20 For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him are Amen And ex parte hominis he worketh in us and for us whatsoever is required of us Phil. 1.21 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God Heb. 12.2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith He is Mediator impletionis the person in whom the whole Covenant is fulfilled and accomplished 6. Through him came the news of this second Covenant he proclaimed and published the glad tydings Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath annointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which are afar off and to them that were nigh Psal 40.9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation He is Mediator promulgationis the chief herauld and messenger the person by whom and by his appointed servants the Covenant was and is preached 7. Through him is the mystery made manifest in the hearts of his people he shines upon the mystery of the Covenant and makes it to be understood and this second discovery of God in Christ can never be revealed but by the Mediator himself Joh. 27.6 I have manifested thy name 2 Cor. 4.6 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him He is Mediator illuminationis or the very medium of this new-Light the person by whom the Covenant is revealed 8. By him was a price told down to Justice on our behalf he interposed to satisfie Justice on the terms it stood upon and entered his person in prison for us till he payed the Debt by the price of his blood after which he was set at liberty Heb. 9.12 15 But by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained redemption for us And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament that by means of death c. Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ He is Mediator redemptionis seu satisfactionis the person that made the satisfaction and payed the price to Justice to the full by his obedience to death 9. Through him is the difference actually composed and the peace made the disagreeing parties are brought together in him as a middle person and fit resting-place Eph. 2.13 14 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one Heb. 2.17 To make reconciliation for the sins of his people He is Mediator reconciliationis the person that made the peace and in whom the difference is composed 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 10. Through him are all the blessings of the Covenant applied to us and the fruit of his purchase is drawn forth by his intercession as a Priest for ever which he doth as a Mediator Heb. 7.25
to make reconciliation for the sins of the people If you have any direction to receive from God if you have any blessing to receive you need a Mediator to procure it to you and to receive it for you If you have any service to offer to God any duty to perform you need a Mediator both to afford you strength to perform it and to offer it to God for you if you have any evil to deprecate you need a Mediator to avert it whether it be for sins before or after conversion 1. In all cases not only in thy deadness and indispositions for duties but when thy heart is in best frame thy tenderness and good frame cannot mediate for thee Dan. 9.3 17 And I set my face unto the Lord God to seek by prayers and supplications with fasting and sack-cloath and ashes Now therefore O our God hear the prayer of thy servant and his supplications and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate for the Lords sake Isa 38.3 14 And Hezekiah wept sore Like a Crane or a Swallow so did I chatter I did mourn as a Dove mine eyes fail with looking upward O Lord I am oppressed undertake for me Not only when thou art at distance with God and canst not find access but when thou art nearest to him and admitted to his presence to speak before his throne then thou needest a Mediator not only for establishing thee in that good condition but for covering the evil of thy best condition Isa 64.6 But we are all as an unclean thing and our righteousnesses are as filthy rags Chap. 6. v. 5 Then said I Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the king the Lord of Hosts Vse 3. Study to carry as becometh those who need a Mediator and for this end take these directions 1. Take care to beat down self-confidence and self adoration even of every thing in you that is not Christ his gifts and graces and assistances not excepted put not a created grace in Christs room be not lifted up with these nor led away from the Mediator by them Phil. 3. â— 4 For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Though I might also have confidence in the flesh if any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh I more 2. When duties go well and a good frame of spirit is enjoyed watch that your hearts lay not the weight of your acceptation upon these things but that you keep them especially within sight of Christs Mediation as the ground of your confidence Phil. 3.7 But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ 3. Let your employing of him be as large as the extent of his mediation reaches to and that is to all things pertaining to God Heb. 2.17 Shut him not out of his office in any thing that is a matter betwixt God and you think not to put him to drudg at your burdens and to slight him in other things he will not be so dealt with 4. Let us beware of tempting Christ of grieving the Mediator if you carry about with you the fresh conviction of your need of him you will be very tender and wary of tempting him and sinning against him 1 Cor. 10.9 Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of Serpents CHAP. IX Of the Person who is Mediator and of the great discoveries of God which are made to us in and through Christ IN the next place I shall speak something of the Mediators Person or of the Person who is Mediator and his fitness and qualification for this work When the person is known his fitness for the Mediatorship will appear for it is namely in order to that end that we speak here of the Person who is Mediator that his compleat qualifications for that Office and the discoveries which are made of God to us through him may be known And 1. Before we speak of the Mediators Office let us consider the Person who is Mediator of the new Covenant Jesus Christ Heb. 12.24 Chap. 8.6 1 Tim. 2.5 Chap. 3.17 Jesus Christ Mediator carries three Names which relate to three great discoveries and manifestations of God that are made to us in him 1. As he manifests the will of God he is called the word of God Rev. 19.13 2. As he manifests the nature and essence of God he is called the brightness of his glory Heb. 1.3 3. As he manifests the persons of the Godhead he is called the express Image of his Person I do not say these names relate only to these discoveries but mainly 1. The Person who is Mediator of the Covenant of grace is he whose name is called the word of God Rev. 19.13 and that both in relation to Creation and Redemption 1. He is the word by whom all things were made Eph. 3.9 Who hath creatred all things by Jesus Christ Heb. 1.2 By whom also he made the worlds Psal 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth 2. He is the word in relation to the revealing all the will of God he is medium revelationis as well as reconciliationis There is a new discovery of God after the fâ—ll it s a discovery of him in Christ and this is a mystery which the Angels dive into with stupendious endeavours 1 Pet. 1.12 Which things the angels desire to look into Christ is the word of God that reveals this mystery Mal. 11.27 Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him 3. He is the word of God in relation to the fulfilling all the word of God and accomplishing his will especially that which relateth to himself this Name is given him in the time of the seventh Trumpet Rev. 11.15 with 19.13 When all the promises and threatnings are to be fulfilled then he shall be acknowledged to be the word of God The ordering of all things according to the word of God and the accomplishment of all his will since the fall is committed to the administration of Christ Mediator Joh. 5.22 23 For the father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgment to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father It was Christ that brought the flood upon the world it was he that went down to Sodom and destroyed it 2 Pet. 2.5 6 Jehovah did it Gen. 7. and 21. The same name is given to Christ It was Christ the Angel of the Covenant that appeared in the Bush and delivered his people out
mouth and in his carrying as Mediator there were many bright discoveries of this great mystery as we may read Mat. 3.16 17 And Jesus when he was baptized went up straight-way out of the waters and lo the heavens were opened unto him and he saw the spirit of God descending like'd dove and lighting upon him And lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Chap. 28. v. 28 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy-Ghost Joh. 14.16 26 And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you for ever But the comforter which is the holy-Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name c. And many like testimonies were from him manifesting this glorious mystery 3. The distinct Offices of the three Persons or their ordered administration and working and the various and distinct acts of the Trinity in the work of redemption are brightly discovered in and by Jesus Christ the Mediator 2 Tim. 1.9 10 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel But because these may be gathered from what hath been spoken of the Covenant of Suretiship or Redemption I shall only touch upon them in this place And 1. The Acts of the Father plotting and making the Covenant with Christ Mediator 1. He had a purpose to raise man through a Mediator Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will 2. He chose the Son for the doing this work and us in him Eph. 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world Psal 89.19 I have laid help upon one that is mighty 3. He makes a Covenant with the Son Psal 89.3 I have made a Covenant with my chosen and promises were given to Christ and grace given to us in him before the world began Tit. 1.2 2 Tim. 19. 4. God the Father appoints who shall be saved and gives them to the Son that all that were written in Gods book may also be written in the lambs book of life Joh. 17.9 Them that thou hast given me for they are thine Rev. 20.12 15. Chap. 21. v. 27. 5. He appoints what measure of grace and glory every one of them shall have Eph. 4.7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Mat. 20.23 But to fit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father 6. He commits all Government to the Son for the Elects sake that he may do according to this appointment Isa 9.6 And the government shall be upon his shoulder Joh. 5.22 For the Father judgeth no man but hath committed all Judgment to the Son 2. The Acts of Jesus Christ undertaking 1. He consents to the Covenant Psal 40.7 Then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me 2. He engageth himself to take the Creature into union with his Person Heb. 10.5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me And to lay down his life according to his Fathers command Joh. 10.18 This commandment have I received of my Father 3. He undertakes to receive and keep and raise up at the last day all those given him by the Father Joh. 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Chap. 17. throughout 4. He undertakes the Government of the world and to Judg it at the last day Psal 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession Mat. 11.27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father Joh. 3.35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand 3. The Acts of the Spirit 1. He undertakes to unite the humane nature to Christ by a miraculous conception Luk. 1.35 The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee 2. To joyn us with God in one spirit 1 Cor. 6.17 But he that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit 3. To be a Spirit of Unction first to Christ and then to us through him Joh. 3 34 For God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him Isa 61.1 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek 4. To act all our graces to blow upon them and to help our infirmities Song 4. last Awake O north-wind and come thou south blow upon my garden that the spices thereof may flow out Rom. 8.26 Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered 5. To shed abroad the love of God in our hearts Rom. 5.5 Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy-Ghost which is given unto us 6. To set a Seal upon our hearts and to bear witness of all the work of God in us Eph. 1.13 In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with that holy spirit of promise Rom. 8.16 The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God Now all these things are discovered and manifested to us in Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new Covenant CHAP. X. Of Christs Calling to the Office of Mediatorship THis being the Person who is Mediator of the new Covenant We come in the next place to speak of the Office And 1. Of Christs Calling to it 2. Of his qualification for it 3. Of his carriage in it And first we shall enquire after Christs Calling to the office of Mediatorship which we shall shortly dispatch by answering of these three Questions Q. 1. How came Christ to undertake this work A. He was called to it he did not intrude himself in the Mediators Office but was sent and employed in the work these things clear his calling to the work 1. Several of his Names import it Mal. 3.1 He is called the Angel or Messenger of the Covenant Because of his mission and Gods sending of him to do this work c. Isa 42.1 My servant and mine elect Because of his being called and employed by his Father he was called a Servant or chosen Officer formed for a special
Ceremonial Answ That the Law might reach him as the sinner legally as one that was made sin for us for if he had not been made under the Law he had been without the compass of it it could not have reached him nor taken hold of him as one who took our Law-place upon him and so we should not have been the better of him the taking on of our nature could not have profited us except he had also taken on our condition as we were sinful men liable to the sentence of the Law for the transgression thereof which is expressed Gal. 4.5 by our being under the Law that was our condition and that he might take it on him he is made under the Law More particularly 1. He was made under the Moral Law under the whole Law 1. Under the Directive part of it which he fulfilled and established he satisfied that part of the Law without breaking so much as one jot or tittle of it and established it to be a rule to all his that by the obedience thereof they should testifie their love to him 2. Cor. 5.14 15 For the love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judg that if one died for all then were all dead and that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 2. He was made under the Forfeiture and penalty of the Law which he fulfilled and abolished to wit the Forfeiture which we had incurred and by Forfeiture had brought our selves under the penalty of death therein contained Col. 2.14 Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his cross And this he satisfied by his obedience even to the suffering of death nostra vice in our stead or room and so he satisfied the Law fully and cancelled the sentence thereof 2. He was made under the Ceremonial Law Luk. 2.21 22 23 24 And when eight days were accomplished for the purification of the child his name was called Jesus c. Ceremonies fall under a threefold consideration 1. As they are Ordinances and so he was made under them to sanctifie them for Christ needed not circumcision nor baptism but by him they are sanctified 2. As they are types and so the whole Ceremonial Law was fulfilled in Christ Col. 2.17 Which are a shadow of things to come but the body is Christ 3. As they are burdens and so they are removed by Christ Act. 15.10 Now therefore why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear He was then made under the Ceremonial Law to fulfil and abolish it for if Christ had not come and been under it we had still remained under the burden of it but by his being a Jew made under the Law we enjoy these priviledges of freedom from that yoke which believers enjoy under the new Testament Quest 6. Why was the Son of God born of a Virgin and not of a married woman Answ That he might answer the type given of him by the Holy-Ghost in Melchisedecs Priesthood Heb. 7.3 15 Without father without mother without descent having neither beginning of days nor end of life but made like unto the Son of God abideth a Priest continually And it is yet far more evident for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another Priest 2. To answer the predictions of his miraculous conception Christs being manifested in the flesh was miraculous and foretold to be so and that it might be the better known to be so God will have his Son come into the world in a miraculous manner Dan. 2.45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands c. As also he went out of the world in like manner Act. 1.11 This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven Therefore also the Angels came down at his birth to waken up men unto the observation of that miracle Luk. 2.13 14 And suddenly there was with the Angels a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men It is a sign above nature Isa 7.14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign Behold A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel A matter that reason comprehendeth not faith only dealeth in it 3. Because Original sin at least the stain and filth thereof cometh to us by propagation therefore he must not come into the world in the ordinary way being that he must be separated from sinners and be that holy thing upon which the corruption of our nature cannot fall Heb. 7.26 Luk. 1.35 Being also conceived of the Holy-Ghost to sanctifie the seed of the woman Luk. 1.35 And the Angel answered and said unto her The Holy-Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall over-shadow thee therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Quest 7. Why is Christ made man in the fulness of time and not sooner nor later Answ It may satisfie and content us that it is written Gal. 4.2 that was the time appointed of the Father It liked him to appoint that time yet for further satisfaction if further be necessary or attainable Consider 1. God will have the world to know their own condition to try their own wisdom and he will give them time to do so if the world can do any thing for themselves to deliver the creature from vanity and bondage unto which it was made subject by reason of corruption and when the world in so long time might see that they could do nothing for their own happiness and Redemption then God will send his Son and let out his wisdom in Christ that had been hid from the world ever since the fall when the Law of God written in mans heart was corrupted and all things out of order so that by the light of nature and rules of virtue no man could find out the way to happiness nor discover any thing of Christ 1 Cor. 1.20 21 Where is the wise where is the scribe where is the disputer of this world hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 2. God will have his people to wait long and to be much exercised before he let out great mercies and fulfil great promises to them And so it is in this If in the fulfilling of the promise of bringing Abraham's seed to Canaan he would be so long waited on If in the destruction of Antichrist he will be so many years
giving the Spirit raising the dead c. which were the works of his Divine Nature yet were not done without an instrumental concurrence of the Nature of man 6. If the end of the Personal union of the two Natures of Christ be the fitting and qualifying of him for the Office of Mediatorship as is before cleared then the two Natures do and must necessarily concur in the works of mediation at least after these were united else the union of the two Natures had not been necessary in Christ for the same necessity is for the concurring of the proper works of the two Natures in the Mediators work that is for the union of the two Natures in his person the end of that union being to fit him to act in this Office as a qualified person Object 1 Tim. 2.5 The Mediator is called the man Christ Jesus Hence some infer that he is Mediator according to his Human Nature only Answ There is a vast difference betwixt these two the man Christ is Mediator and he is Mediator only as Man the man Christ is that person not any other man not any meer man that person who was God and Man in one person and stood as a fit middle betwixt both the parties so that Man is not here taken naturaliter but personaliter not naturally but personally it being most usual to name the person of Christ from either nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a communication of Properties see 1 Cor. 2.8 For had they known it they would not have Crucified the Lord of Glory Act. 20.28 The Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood Joh. 3.13 And no man hath ascended up to Heaven but he that came down from Heaven even the Son of man which is in Heaven See Mr. Ball and Mr. Brinsley ubi supra But there are better reasons assigned why the Mediator is called the man Christ than to point out that nature according to which he is Mediator See Brnisley of the Mediat p. 208. Object Paul here distinguisheth betwixt God and this Mediator And therefore Christ is not Mediator as God Object but as Man only To this Cham. de Med. c. 5. sect 6.7 Answer hath been made by learned men 1. That the Word of God is there not to be taken essentially but personally as denoting the Father betwixt whom and mankind Christ the Son is said to be a Mediator 1 Joh. 2.1 And if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous So it s taken Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself 2. The naming of God in the first place doth not hinder that it should be understood in the second also see Joh. 14.1 Ye believe in God believe also in me See more to this purpose Jun. Animad in Bell. contr lib. 5. cap. 3. Ball on the Covenant p. 270. Brinsley of the Mediator p. 210. c. And of the illustration of the Word God-man Brins p. 220. Vse If Christ be Mediator according to both Natures Then Believers may be comforted in the prevalency of his mediation and in the condescendency thereof Your Mediator is God-man 1. Your Mediator acts as God he carries his matters very strongly and effectually 2. He acts as a man also very tenderly and condescendingly 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 With 2.17 18 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succor them that are tempted Psal 2.7 8 I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee Ask of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy possession Conclus 2. That Christ hath executed this Office ever since the beginning of the World ever since the first Covenant was dissolved and broken since enmity entered betwixt God and man as well before his being made manifest in the flesh as after as well before and under the Law as in the dayes of the New Testament For although he be called Mediator of the New Covenant or New Testament Heb. 12.24 which is to be understood 1. by way of opposition to the first Covenant whereof he was not Mediator 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because he was then exhibited and then he perfected the work of Redemption Yet did Christ enter upon the execution and execrise of this Office of Mediatorship to which he was before designed from the time that fallen man was at variance with God the execution of this Office extends to the first ages of the World from the time that the promise made to our first parents while they were yet in Paradice took place Gen. 3.15 It shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Heb. 13.8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever Gal. 3.17 And this I say that the Covenant that was before confirmed of Christ the Law which was Four hundred and thirty years after cannot disannul that it should make the promise of none effect Rev. 13.8 he is called the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world As in respect of Gods destination being designed before time to be offered up in time so also in respect of the efficacy of his sacrifice and mediation which extended to the first ages of the world For 1. From that time there was need of a Mediator 2. From that time begun the works of the Devil to be destroyed Gen. 3.15 And I will put enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel 1 Joh. 3.8 He that commiteth sin is of the Devil for the Devil sinneth from the beginning for this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil 3. From that time were some sinners saved by the Messiah that was to come Therefore from thence we must reckon the exercise of his Mediatorship Understand this with three distinctions 1. That before Christs Incarnation he was a Mediator virtually and undiscernedly i. e. the virtue and efficacy of that Office to which he was designed did extend to the first ages of the world though the way of his acting in that Office before his Incarnation transcend our understanding but after his Incarnation when he had taken our nature upon him then he was manifestly an actual Mediator 2. Before his Incarnation he was not Compleatly fitted for all the
be established in the faith of our Covenant-relation to God But I come to speak of the second which I take to be chiefly meant Christ is the Witness witnessing or the person who beareth witness of all that is contained in the Covenant For opening of this consider these four particulars Christ is the Beholding-witness the Acting-witness the Declaring-witness the Confirming-witness of the Covenant 1. Christ is an Eye-witness of the Covenant that is he was present and heard and saw the whole transaction of the Covenant from the beginning to the end in which respect the Scriptures call persons present at any thing and beholders of it witnesses 1 Tim. 6.12 2.22 1 Joh. 1.2 3 because they are fit to bear witness in that thing having certain grounds of knowledg of it Thus was our Lord Jesus a fit witness of the Covenant for he was present at the very first motion of it and heard and saw all the convey of it Prov. 8.22 23 30 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was dayly his delight rejoycing always before him 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began So that we may say of him in reference to the Covenant-transaction that which John saith of him with reference to creation Joh. 1.2 3 The same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Nothing was done in that business without him neither indeed could it be he being not only present but the alone party with whom God had first dealing with reference to this Covenant 2. Christ is an Acting-witness of the Covenant who not only was present and did-see the whole transaction of that business but had an active hand in it yea it was acted upon his person when before Pontius Pilate he witnessed a good confession 1 Tim. 6.13 and in this sense it is that the Apostle Peter 1 Ep. 5 calleth himself a Witness of the sufferings of Christ because he had experience of them in his own person he was partaker of them and had them acted upon him 'T is beyond question that Christ was such a witness of the Covenant he had an active hand in it from beginning to the end in the making of it and in the fulfilling of it he was a prime actor and undertaker from eternity Hence it is that the Apostle Heb. 8.10 11 ascribes the making of the new Covenant to Christ for it s of him and his Ministry that the Apostle speaks in that place so Joh. 17.2 6 c. As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world Thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word Joh. 15.15 for all things that I have heard of my father I have made known unto you yea I say the whole Covenant was acted upon him the union of the contrary disagreeing parties was acted upon his person the bringing of man near to God and Gods coming near to man the paying of the ransome and the acceptation of it it was acted upon him it was a bloody act upon his person Isa 53 throughout Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd 2 Cor. 5.10 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them 3. Christ is the witness of the Covenant who did declare and reveal the great secret of the Covenant even all that he heard and faw and acted about it he doth witness and declare even the whole Counsel of God concerning his Covenant his purpose and will of grace concerning his people which things we had never known had not the witness of the Covenant revealed and declared them Psal 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten son which is in the bosome of the father he hath declared him Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were near The reason is manifest because Natures light which can shew something of God yet it 's utterly blind concerning Christ and the Covenant of grace 1 Cor. 2.7 8 12. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory which none of the princes of this world knew For had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God Mat. 13.11 He answered and said unto them because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given And in this sense it is that the Ministers of the Gospel who reveal and declare that mystery are called witnesses Act. 1.8 Rev. 11.3 10. There be three great mysteries and secrets of the Gospel and Kingdom of Heaven which had never been known unless Christ the witness of the Covenant had declared them but by him they are revealed and discovered unto us 1. The mystery of the Covenant the Gospel-Covenant is one of the greatest mysteries that ever the world heard of Eph. 6.19 To make known the mystery of the Gospel Col. 1.26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his saints It 's a treasure of hidden mysteries of science and knowledg truly so called Psal 19.7 8 knowledg of God and of our selves Joh. 17.6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world Job 42.5 6 But now mine eye seeth thee wherefore I abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes A treasure of mysteries of commerce and trade with the Land that is afar off I mean with Heaven Col. 3.1 2 3 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God set your affection on things above not on things on the earth for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God A treasure of the mysteries of State of the Kingdom of Heaven Matt. 13.11 He answered and said unto them Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is
miracles before them yet they believed not on him Joh. 15.23 24 He that hateth me hateth my father also but now have they both seen and hated both me and my father Luk. 7.30 But the Pharisees and Lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves being not baptized of him Psal 81.11 But my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me Mat. 22.5 6 But they made light of it and went their ways one â—o his fâ—rm another to his merchandise and the remâ—unt took his servants and intreated them spitefully and slow them Mat. 23.37 O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which aâ—e sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not Isa 49.4 Then I said I have laboured in vain I have spent my strength for nought and in vain Mat. 11.17 And saying we have piped unto you and ye have not danced we have mourned unto you and ye have not lamented Shall the Messenger of the Covenant have no good report to make of you like that which he made of his Disciples Joh. 16.27 For the father himself loveth you because ye have loved me and believed that I came out from God At least let him have that to say of you that he roported of Ephraim That you have lamented the frowardness of your own hearts under all his pains and travel Jer. 31.18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoak c. Vse 2. Suffer me from this Covenant-relation of Christs to exhort you 1. To employ him in that which is his trust he is the Messenger of the Covenant if there be any thing which you have to do with God relating to the making maintaining or renewing a Covenant with him there is a messenger appointed for negotiating in that matter and one who is willing to be employed by you Mat. 20.28 The Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister Joh. 6.37 All that the father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no ways cast out Heb. 2.17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people 2. Beware that you usurp not his employment neither intrude upon it take heed that you attempt not to send any Message to God and not by the Messenger of the Covenant Heb. 12.29 For our God is a consuming fire See that you go not any errant of the Covenant without him See that you send not your prayers and other performances to God or any Message without him in their own strength or by the hand of another Messenger beside the Angel of the Covenant Rev. 8.3 And another angel came and stood at the altar having a golden censer 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 Joh. 16.23 Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name he will give it you 3. Acknowledg Christ in this Covenant-relation and in the execution of it That ever you heard of the Covenant that it hath been declared revealed and interpreted to you you are debtors for that to the Messenger of the Covenant if he had not travelled in that business you had never heard of it Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh Mat. 13.11 Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven but to them it is not given Much more you are his Debtors if the Covenant be acted upon your hearts Heb. 8.6 10 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Mat. 16.17 And Jesus answered and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my father which is in heaven Joh. 17.6 8 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world thine they were and thou gavest them me and they have kept thy word For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from thee and they have believed that thou didst send me 4. Be requested to take notice and to listen what Message the Messenger of the Covenant bringeth to you it is the Message of a Covenant of a good and sure bargain that you would join your selves to the Lord and take hold of his covenant Isa 56.4 6. Whereunto if you would but listen it should prove a life-giving motion Isa 55.3 Incline your ear and come unto me hear and your soul shall live and I will make an everlasting covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Joh. 1.38 39 They said unto him Rabbi which is to say being interpreted Master where dwellest thou he saith unto them come and see they came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day It 's a Message of peace you need not stare at it nor be afraid of what we have in commission 2 Cor. 5 19 20 21 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God 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 Luk. 2.10 14 And the Angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace good will towards men Isa 60.17 For brass I will bring gold and for iron I will bring silver and for wood brass and for stones iron I will also make thine officers peace and thine exactors righteousness It 's a Message of love of the Fathers love and of the Sons 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Joh. 15.13 Greater love hath no man then this that a man lay down his life for his friends It 's a Message of
neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Joh. â— 1 2 Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is Yet let us glance at it by that dim light which we have of the Scriptures It is in general called by himself the work which his father gave him to do Joh. 17.4 By which we understand all that Christ had in commission to do in our nature from the time of his receiving a commission to be the Mediator of the Covenant unto the time of his delivering up the Kingdom to his father more particularly this Service which Christ did in the business of the Covenant it 's called the restitution of all things Act. 3.21 When Christ shall bring all things out of that disordered and ruined condition whereunto they were brought by the fall of man and shall restore them to the Primitive integrity when he shall restore fore-faulted man into his first estate of innocency and happiness by taking of the fore-saulture and bringing him out of his excommunicated exiled condition into the presence and fellowship of God Eph. 2.12 13 That at that time ye were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the Covenant of promise having no hope and without God in the world But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ And when the creatures shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 This Service is called the bearing the transgressions of many the making his soul an offering for sin Isa 53.10 12. It was the putting his Soul in our Souls stead that the law might overtake him that justice might smite him for us and might take satisfaction from him for the broken Covenant it was the offering up of himself in a Sacrifice the putting of his Soul in the flame of hot burning wrath for us that the furbushed and wakened-up sword of Divine Justice might be bathed in his blood until it was full of blood and satisfied Heb. 9.14 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 Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd c. It 's called the reconciling of the world to God 2 Cor. 5.19 By which we understand all the travel of his Soul in the propounding treating and concluding of a peace 'twixt God and sinners for all that Service was laid upon him and was performed by him for he maketh the proposition of peace he carryeth on the treaty until his own hand lead our hand to sign the articles of peace propounded in the Gospel Eph. 2.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off and to them that were nigh 2 Cor. 5.19 20 To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 9.13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ This Service is called the saving of the lost world Luk. 19.10 And the bringing many Sons to glory Heb. 2.10 That was a great Service indeed to have the weight of the lost world upon his shouldiers to have the keeping and leading yea the bearing in his arms of all that numberless number of the ransomed and redeemed ones whom God had appointed unto Glory Joh. 17.12 While I was with them in the world I kept them in thy name those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost Isa 40.11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosome and shall gently lead those that are with young In a word the Service which Christ did in the business of the Covenant was the the transacting of the Covenant he did all that business from beginning to end and without him was nothing done of all things pertaining to God and a new Covenant betwixt him and us whereof see more particularly what we have spoken of the Mediator of the Covenant Chap. 4. Vse 1. Think with your selves and consider the love that made him come under this Covenant-relation that made him a common Servant to both the parties for though he had wages and a reward propounded to him yet it was love that acted Christ in performing this great piece of Service His Service of love is much commended 1. From the infinite condescension that was in it O what condescension was it for a Son to become a Servant Heb. 5.8 Though he were a Son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered for the Son the only begotten Son and Heir to become a Servant Mat. 21.37 38 But last of all he sent unto them his Son saying they will reverence my Son But when the husbandmen saw the Son they said among themselves this is the heir come let us kill him and let us seize on his inheritance For the Son of God to become a Servant to the sons of men Phil. 2.6 7 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation And took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 2. From the voluntariness of his coming under this Covenant-relation when he was not a Servant by any necessity of nature that he made himself one that when nothing else was to do it his grace his love determined him to go and serve his enemies and make himself of no reputation Phil. 2.7 Rom. 5.8 But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Heb. 10.9 Then said he Lo I come to do thy will O God O what strange love was that which made Christ so willingly leave the Throne and come down to the foot-stool and stand and serve Mat. 20.28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many Joh. 13.4 5 He riseth from supper and laid aside his garments and took a towel and girded himself After that he poureth water into a bason and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded Gal. 2.20 And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me 3. His Service of love is commended from the lowness of the wager and price which he is to have for his Service and love Was man a crown and wager for Christ to work and to run for that he might win it how great a disproportion is there betwixt the Service and the Wages Can poor polluted nothings such as we are be a price for such Love for such Service for such transcendent infinite Love and yet such was the wager for which he served Joh. 13.1 Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them unto the end Joh. 17.19 And for their sakes I sanctifie my self that they also might be sanctified through the truth 4. His Service is commended from the largeness of his design of Love through which he did drive the serving of this Service that God the Son of God did drive this piece of Service through so deep and broad and long a design of transcendent love from everlasting to everlasting through so many decrees which at last could produce nothing in the result but this price To have his poor people engaged to him by a Covenant whereas we might think a lower design might compass sinners and a less price might buy poor man Jer. 31.3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Eph. 3.18 19 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledg that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God 5. His Service is commended for his performing of it and doing his work so long before he was to reap that low price of all the travel of his Soul to wit the enjoyment of his people Isa 53.11 He shall see of the travel of his soul and shall be satisfied He served long ago for that wager which is not not yet payed to him and he knew when he served that Service that he should lie so long out of a great part of his satisfaction Joh. 17.20 Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word Vse 2. This Covenant-relation speaks sad things to them who will not serve Christ 1. Wo to them that will not serve him who refuse a consent of their Service to him who made himself a Servant for our sake Luk. 19.14 But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him saying We will not have this man to reign over us Psal 2.3 Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us We love to be Lords over our own liberty and wills and to break his bands 2. Wo to them that think shame to serve him there is a generation that think it is below them to serve Christ they judg his Service is not honourable though he was not ashamed to serve us Luk. 22.27 For whether is greater he that sitteth at meat or he that serveth is not he that sitteth at meat but I am among you as he that serveth Heb. 2.11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren And though it be no shame but honourable to serve him Psal 116.16 O Lord truly I am thy servant I am thy servant and the Son of thine hand-maid thou hast loosed my bonds Psal 84.10 For a day in thy courts is better then a thousand I had rather be a dore-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the-tents of wickedness Ifa 58.13 And call the sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words 3. Wo to them that pretend to serve him and do nothing but Eye-service in his work though he was real and cordial in serving our Interest for his Soul travelled in the business but the spirits of such act nothing in his Service Eph. 6.6 Not with Eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart Isa 29.13 Wherefore the Lord said Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth and with their lips do honour me but hath removed their heart from me and their fear toward me is taught by the precepts of men c. O Consider with your selves 1. What pride there is in refusing to serve him whose Service is so honourable an employment that it is not below the Kings of the Earth to bring their Glory unto Christ and to bow before him Psal 2.10 11 12 Be wise now therefore O ye kings be instructed ye judges of the earth Servo the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little Psal 54. throughout Who would not bow to him who shall break them all that will not bow unto him Isa 60.12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish yea those nations shall be utterly wasted Psal 2.9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel Psal 110.5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath 2. Consider what huge and monstrous ingratitude and unkindness it is not to serve him who hath voluntarily humbled himself to serve us who though he was our maker Heb. 1.2 3 yet made himself of no reputation for our advancement Phil. 2.7 Consider how he hath commended his Service unto us and be ashamed not to be found among his servants and followers See more of this Chap. 18. Vse 3. Exhortation 1. Consider and know what he hath done in this Covenant-relation after he hath served this Service and done all that was incumbent to him in this relation he may put the question to us which sometimes he put to his Disciples Joh. 13.12 Know ye what I have done to you 't is a pity that his Service is so little known and taken notice of among his own people for whom he hath done this Service 't is a pity that it should be met with doubtings whether he hath done Service for us or denials of our interest in it which occasion diminutive thoughts and expressions of it 2. Consider how ill Christ was used in this relation that you may be broken for it he was smitten by both the parties It pleased the Lord to bruise him Isa 53.10 Rom. 8.32 He spared not his own Son Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that
discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth and the Isles shall wait for his law I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles And so Jesus saith of himself Heb. 10.5 A body hast thou prepared or fitted me to the same purpose also the Apostle tells us Gal. 4.4 That he was not only made of a woman but made under the law i. e. ordained and fitted for taking on our condition in Law or our Law-place and room as well as our nature 3. The investing of him in this relation he was maâ—e the Surety i. e. He was invested constitute and set ind that Covenant-relation unto which he was ordained and for which he was fitted therefore he was made with an oath And the Lord sware unto him Heb. 7.21 and Joh. 6.27 Him hath the father sealed i. e. invested him and constituted him under his commission and seal 2. This imports some things upon Christs part He was made Surety God made him Surety his father made him and he made himself the Surety he was willingly made Surety by his own free consent and Covenant the Scriptures speak frequently of his consent and of the making of himself whatsoever his father made him Phil. 2.7 8 He made himself of no reputation c. and he humbled himself Joh. 10.18 No man taketh my life from me but I lay it down my self I say on Christs part this doth import 1. His eternal condeseending to empty himself and to take on him our nature and our room and place under the Law he was made Surety he condescended and agreed to take upon him both our nature and our condition Heb. 2.14 16 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Phil. 2.6 7 Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 2. His engaging and plighting his faith and truth to perform whatsoever he did condesceud and agree unto by his act of Suretiship so that whatsoever the law could exact of us he plighted his faith to fulfil that he was made Surety i.e. He did promise and strike hands to satisfie all that the Law could demand of his people for so the word Surety signifieth as I have already shewed you Prov. 22.26 to make satisfaction for the sins done against or under the first Covenant and Testament 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 Rom. 3.25 Whom God had set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God Heb. 10.5 7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world he saith Sacrifice and offering thou wouldst not but a body hast thou prepared me then said I Lo I come in the volume of the book it written of me to do thy will O God 3. His performance of all these things unto which he did agree and for which he plighted his faith by his act of Suretiship he was made the Surety i. e. He payed the debt he satisfied the Law he stood in the place of the broken men till Justice said It is enough and till he himself said It is finished Isa 53 throughout 2 Cor. 5.21 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 Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Thus did Jesus the Surety of the better Testament 1. By an eternal transaction agree and condescend to put his name in the bond and writ of the Law that stood over our head Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 2. Thus did he engage for us and act himself to answer at the demands of Law and Justice Heb. 10.7 Gal. 4.4 3. Thus did Jesus in due time discharge and perform and actually was made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 From this voluntary relation of Christs Suretiship for his people ariseth a fourfold relation which is founded on this which relations betwixt Christ and his people import a nearness of conjunction and union with them and do contribute to the clearing the justice of God in smiting Christ for our sin and in our place and room 1. From Christs Suretiship ariseth a natural relation betwixt him and us that he is our kinsman and our brother of the same nature of the same flesh and blood with us this resulteth from his Suretiship whereby he condescended and agreed to take our nature upon him for otherwise he and we had never been of the same lump Heb. 2.11 14 16 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 2. From his Suretiship flows a Legal relation betwixt Christ and us that he and we are one party in the Law that his satisfaction and payment is ours and that our debt is his that what he did and suffered we did it Legally in him this proceeds from his Suretiship because when he was made Surety of the Covenant he put himself in the bond and writ of the Law and put in our names in the 〈◊〉 writ Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ Nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me Rom. 6.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we â—â—all be also in the likeness of his resurrection 3. From Christs Suretiship proceeds a foedenal relation betwixt him and his people whereby they are his and he is theirs by Covenant whereby he and his people have one God and Father by Covenant Psal 89.26 He shall cry unto me thou art my father my God and the rock of my Salvation Joh. 20.17 But go to my brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my father and your father and to my God and your God Heb. 1.5 For unto which of the Angels said be at any time Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee and again I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son This also floweth from his
to do them It is grace that the same soul that sinned dieth not but another and yet more grace that every soul that sinneth dieth not but one for many one for all the Elect world Mat. 20.28 And to give his life a ransome for many 2 Cor. 5.15 And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 2. This was grace in God that he did not only admit this way of satisfaction but himself did find it out The finding out of a way of satisfaction to justice without the eternal punishment of the sinner this was Gods act and this was one act of special grace for it was not only above the reach of men and Angels but also before their being 1 Cor. 2.7 8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory Which none of the princes of this world knew Prov. 8.23 30 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was Then I was by him as one brought up with him and I was daily his delight rejoycing always before him 3. This was pure grace in God that he did design provide and foresee a Surety and sactisfaction for us before we became broken men and needed one that he designed a Physician before we were sick 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 4. This was grace even singular grace in God that he neither did admit of this way of satisfaction for the sin of Angels nor did he find it out for them but unto men only did he indulge this dispensation Heb. 2.14 16 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham 2 Pet. 2.4 For if God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment Jude vers 6 And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day There was no relaxation of the rigour of the law toward them but a strict execution of justice upon them 5. It was unspeakable grace in God that having admitted of such a way of satisfaction he should put his own Son upon the work and make him the Surety who should make satisfaction unto the justice of God by giving his life a ransome for us such an act of grace as this hath not been heard of Joh. 3.16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Rom. 5.8 But God commended his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us 1 Joh. 2.2 And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins 6. It is grace in God that when he hath found out this way of satisfaction and is content to admit of it and hath put his Son upon the work that he should be at the pains to reveal to us Christs Surety righteousness and to apply it unto us without which the satisfaction of the Surety could not avail us and what else can it be but grace in God that maketh the satisfaction of Christ effectual to one and not to another who hath also heard of this way of satisfying-justice Job 33.23 24 If there be a messenger with him an interpreter one among a thousand to shew unto man his uprightness Then he is gracious unto him and saith Deliver him from going down to the pit I have found a ransom Joh. 6.44 No man can come to me except the father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God And upon this account it is that justification and remission of sins are called free notwithstanding the satisfaction of Christ that the wonderful riches of Gods free grace might shine in the Suretiship of Christ Isa 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake and will not remember thy sins Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus 4. For whom is Christ engaged as Surety of the Covenant I speak now of his Suretiship only as it relateth to his act of cautionry for his people remitting the consideration of it in a larger extent unto the next thing to be handled upon this Subject Before I answer this Question I shall premit some distinctions which make way for an answer to it 1. See Mr. Ruth treatise of the Covenant p. 2. c. 10. It is a necessary distinction of the Covenant of grace that it is considered either 1. As it is preached according to the commanding-will of God or 2. As it 's fulfilled in the Elect according to the Lords will of purpose the Covenant in the first consideration stands of promises commands threatnings c. And so it holds forth what is the command of God concerning our duty and the things which we may conditionally expect and puts nothing absolutely whether we perform it or not See Act. 2.38.39 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Act. 16.31 And they said Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house In the second consideration the Covenant stands wholly in promises and those absolute promises and does not hold forth our duty and obligation and what is morally good or evil because God commands it or forbids it but what is Gods will of purpose and decree and what is his pleasure to act effectually upon the hearts of the Elect he over-ruling their corrupt wills so the Covenant is to be understood Jer. 31.31 c. Ezek. 11.16 c. and 36.25 c. 2. We must distinguish the parties of the Covenant according to this two-fold consideration thereof for the parties contracting with God in the
pardoned their disloyalty they shall never break forth in open rebellion again they shall never take up the arms again of enmity against God which once they laid down 2 Cor. 10.4 5 6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ and having in a readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled Psal 45.5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the kings enemies whereby the people fall under thee Christ is Surety for his peoples loyalty and keeping their peace treaties and Covenant with God inviolable Isa 54.9 10. 3. Christ is Surety for the appearing of his people before God that he shall present them all at the day appointed and not one of them shall be missing who shall not give his appearance at that day Eph. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Col. 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory 4. Christ is Surety for compleating whatsoever concerns the Salvation of his people and their redemption from those evils which remain with them after that he hath fulfilled and satisfied the Law for them and hath also procured obedience to the Gospel in them 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption 5. Because there are many things remaining with them from which they need a delivery for compleating the discharge of his undertakings for them Rom. 7.24 25 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord so then with the mind I my self serve the law of our God but with the flesh the law of sin 1 Cor. 15.53 to 57. 6. We shall take a view of some things which do commend Christs Suretiship that the excellency thereof and the matchless love which shineth forth in it may the more appear 1. This commendeth Christs Suretiship that he rendred himself Surety and came under an act of cautionry for his people before they needed a cautioner that upon the fore-knowledg of this that it was to come to pass that man should become a broken creature and needing one to undertake for him he by an eternal transaction and agreement with his father did so early provide this remedy before man was broken and stood in need of a Surety Prov. 8.23 I was set up from everlasting from the beginning or ever the earth was 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began 2. This commendeth Christs Suretiship that he came under this relation so freely unrequested and undesired according to his own heart he acted himself cautioner for us when there was none of the creatures once to hint such a motion that in the day when there was none found to help nor so much as to think of laying help on him then he freely offered himself and said Lo I come take me Surety for these poor broken men 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 Isa 63.5 And I looked and there was none to help and I wondred that there was none to uphold therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me and my fury it upheld me Isa 59.16 And he saw that there was no man and wondred that there was no intercessor therefore his arm brought salvation unto him and his righteousness it sustained him 3. The exceeding great reach and danger of his undertaking taking doth commend his Suretiship that he put his name in such a bond as he knew well should bring upon him the Debt of so many broken men and should oblige him to make satisfaction for the sins of all the Elect world Isa 53.5 6 11 12 But he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all By his knowledg shall my righteous servant justifie many for he shall bear their iniquities Because he hath poured out his soul unto death and he was numbred with the transgressors That he did knowingly put his soul in their souls stead that Justice might smite him and that the same eternal punishment of sin for kind that was due to us should be upon him Col. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us for it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Zech. 13.7 Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts The same sword of Divine Justice that should have smitten us did smite him 4. This commendeth Christs Suretiship that he engaged for a party which deserved no pity for man who had willingly forfeited a fair inheritance when it was possible for him and in his power to have performed the commands and conditions of life laid upon him who would pity and undertake for such a person who being put into a fair and free inheritance with power to perform the conditions upon which he holds it should notwithstanding forfeit his good estate and run himself under debt irrecoverably yet in this condition Christ pitied us and undertook for us Rom. 5.6 7 8 For when we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly For scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet peradventure for a good man some will even dare to die But God commended his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us 5. This commendeth Christs Suretiship that he engaged for the debt of a people from whom he could expect no satisfaction nor relief of all the debt which he payed for them that so potent and responsal a party joined interests with such impotent and unresponsal broken creatures how wonderfully doth this commend his Suretiship that he came under an act of cautionry for such as we are knowing us to be what we are a people that shall never requite his kindness yea doing all this for us the rather that we shall be eternally in his debt and never able to recompence the satisfaction which he made for us Luk. 17.10 So likewise ye when ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we