Twenty-Three Sermons, Lecture 7
THE SEVENTH LECTVRE VPONUPON THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORDS SVPPER.
ACcording to our wonted manner we are now by occaſion that the next Sabboth day is a Communion day, to fall into our digreſſion againe touching the matter of the Lords Supper, that there may be ſome fit preparation of vsus for that holy and heauenly dutie, ſomething to feed vponupon all the weeke long, to quicken vsus and to put vsus in mind what we are to doe, and alſo to ſtirre vsus vp that we may be fit and welcome Gueſts to come into the preſence of God. We hauehave entred as you ſee, vponupon a fourth title that is giuen in Scripture to the Lords Supper, and that is, The New Teſtament, which howſoeuer it be ſet downe by Marke, by Luke, and by Paul yet becauſe Mathew ſets it downe more at large, as it is in Math. 26.28. therefore we hauehave made choyce of theſe words to treat vponupon, For this is my Blood of the New Teſtament, which is ſhed for many for the remiſsion of ſinnes. I will not ſtand to make repetition of that which I hauehave formerly ſpoken, becauſe of the ordinarie repetition that we hauehave euerie Sabboth of that which was deliuered the Sabboth before, and therefore to omit the expoſition of the Text which then we did largely inſiſt vponupon, we are now to proceed to the matter of obſeruation. We began with one point, namely concerning the New Teſtament, ſhewing that all the hold that euer the Faithfull hauehave in Chriſt, is onelyonly by the force, and power, and vertue of the New Teſtament: That was the firſt obſeruation. That being finiſhed we are now to proceed as God ſhall giuegive ſtrength and aſſiſtance to the other obſeruations that the Text will afford vsus. We ſee that this Text doth mainly and directly concerne this buſineſſe that we hauehave in hand, and therefore it is needfull that we ſhould inſiſt ſo much the more vponupon it. Yet I doe not meane to make any curious ſearch into euerie particular, for that would be too tedious: onelyonly I will fixe and inſiſt (God willing) vponupon ſuch ſpeciall and needfull points as are moſt naturall to the Text, and materiall to our purpoſe. The ſecond thing, the ſpeciall and principall point that here is to be ſpoken vntounto, is concerning the Blood of Chriſt: This is the Blood of the New Teſtament. The New Teſtament we ſpake of before, now we are to ſpeake of the Blood: This is my Blood of the New Teſtament: Which may be taken as this Euangeliſt reports the ſpeech of our Sauiour Chriſt: ſo in Marke 14.24. This is my Blood of the New Teſtament. Then the entendment is, that this Blood is proper and peculiar to this Teſtament. But if we take it as Luke reports it, Luke 22.20. and as Paul reports it in the 1 Cor. 11.25. This Cup is the New Teſtament in my Blood, &c. then the entendment of it is this, namely, this Teſtament is ratified and confirmed by the Blood of Chriſt, as by the ſpeciall Scale thereof, and that the fruit, and power, and benefit of this ſame New Teſtament, doth wholly reſt vponupon Chriſt his Blood: anſwerable therefore to this ground we will draw the Doctrine and obſeruation. Take it thus, namely, that ſeeing our Sauiour ſaith, that this is my Blood of the New Teſtament, obſerue this point.
Doct. That all the power and efficacie of the New Teſtament, and of the worke of our Redemption by Chriſt, is founded, and grounded, and eſtabliſhed vponupon the Blood of Chriſt: This is the New Teſtament in my Blood. We will ſpeake firſt a word or two by explication to vnfold the knot, and ſo proceed to the proofe of it.
Firſt, for explication, all the power and efficacie of the New Teſtament, and of the worke of our Redemption by Chriſt, is founded and eſtabliſhed vponupon the Blood of Chriſt: You ſee here, I ioyne the New Teſtament and the worke of our Redemption both together: The reaſon is, becauſe they are in effect one and the ſame: the verie ſubſtance of the New Teſtament, is the verie worke of our Redemption; and one and the ſame Perſon Chriſt, is the Mediator of them both: It is Chriſt that is the Mediator of the New Teſtament, and it is he that is the Mediator of the worke of our Redemption.
Secondly, I ſay it is founded and ſtabliſhed in Chriſt: For this Teſtament is a Couenant, or a Promiſe: Now wee know that all the Promiſes of God are in Chriſt, Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1.20. All Gods Promiſes, they are made in Chriſt, and are verified in Chriſt, and hauehave all their force in Chriſt: and ſo is this Promiſe of the New Teſtament.
Thirdly and laſtly, I ſay vponupon the Blood of Chriſt, as Chriſt ſhedding his owne Blood for it; if ſo be it were the Blood of any, or of all the World beſides, it could doe no good, it could not make good this Couenant: But when Chriſt ſaith, This is my Blood of the New Teſtament, here the New Teſtament is perfectly confirmed, and the worke of our Redemption is thoroughly accompliſhed. And ſo much for the explication of the point.
Secondly, For the proofe of it, that all the power and efficacie of the New Teſtament, and the worke of our Redemption is founded and ſtabliſhed vponupon the Blood of Chriſt, Eſay 53. from Verſe 3 to the 12. there the Prophet ſets before vsus Chriſt Ieſus as our Mediator, & as our Redeemer: Hee ſpeakes more like an Euangeliſt then like a Prophet, he ſpeakes ſo plaine: But for the moſt part, all the deſcription that he makes concerning Chriſt, is concerning his humiliation, and ſo ſpeakes concerning the benefits that we hauehave by Chriſt, as comming to vsus by his humiliation; he was deſpiſed & reiected of Men, he was wounded, oppreſſed, afflicted, broken, and the like: and in Verſe 5. it is ſaid, With his ſtripes we are healed: the healing of vsus commeth by the ſtripes of Chriſt Ieſus: all tending to the Blood of Chriſt: And in Verſe 12. we are giuen a portion of God to him, becauſe he hath not ſpared to poure out his Soule vntounto the death. The Holy Ghoſt ſets forth Chriſt as a Mediator of the New Teſtament, and of our Redemption, and theſe things they concerne his Blood, and ſheweth the benefit that we hauehave by him, which is by his humiliation, by his ſtripes, and he ceaſed not to poure out his Soule to the Death. To ſpeake ſome-wnat more particularly of the point, becauſe it is a verie neceſſarie point to be ſpoken of: and though euerie one of vsus can ſpeake of it, yet we hauehave not a true relliſh of it; we cannot digeſt it; and therefore I would faine worke the true relliſh of it into your Hearts. The Scripture doth propound our Sauiour vntounto vsus as the Mediatour of the New Teſtament, and of the worke of our Redemption in ſundry particular tearmes, and generally all of them tend to this effect, to ſhew that all the power, vertue, and efficacie of the New Teſtament, and of our Redemption, is founded and ſtabliſhed vponupon the Blood of Chriſt, theſe ſixe particulars eſpecially. Firſt, Chriſt in his Suffering, or Chriſt puniſhed for vsus. Secondly, Chriſt in his Offering, or Chriſt ſacrificed for vsus. Thirdly, Chriſt in his Obedience, or Chriſt humbled for vsus. Fourthly, Chriſt on the Croſſe, or Chriſt crucified for vsus. Fifthly, Chriſt and his Death, or Chriſt dying for vsus. Sixthly, Chriſt and his Blood, or Chriſt killed and ſlaine for vsus.
Firſt, Chriſt in his Suffering, or Chriſt puniſhed for vsus, which is not onelyonly reſtrained to his ſufferings and afflictions in this life, as ſlanders, perſecutions, hunger, and the like; but to be extended to the maine and greateſt ſuffering of all, namely, to the loſſe of his Life, the ſhedding of his Blood, and the pouring out of his Soule, Luke 24.46, 47. Chriſt ſpeakes there ſo of himſelfe: Thus it behooueth Chriſt to ſuffer, and to riſe againe: That repentance and remiſsion of ſinnes might be preached in his Name. The ſuffering there ſpoken of is Chriſt his dying, as appeares by the oppoſition that Chriſt muſt ſuffer and riſe againe: there it is ſaid, that he muſt doe thus and thus, That repentance and remiſſion of ſinnes might be preached in his Name: giuing vsus to vnderſtand, that repentance and remiſſion of ſinnes, they are not purchaſed by Chriſt, nor hauehave no power from Chriſt, nor are not to be preached in his Name, but onelyonly ſo, as they come from Chriſt ſuffering and being puniſhed for vsus: Chriſt muſt firſt ſuffer, that repentance and remiſsion of ſinnes might be preached in his Name. 1 Pet. 3.18. Chriſt muſt ſuffer and dye for ſinne, that he might bring vsus to God: So it appeares in the laſt part of the Verſe, that he ſuffered and was put to death, faith the Text: And what was it for? Why it was for ſinne: For the taking away of ſinnes, and the bringing of vsus to God: that is to ſay, the making good of this new Couenant: that is to ſay, That God would be our God, and we his People; that he would forgiue vsus our ſinnes, and remember our iniquities no more: theſe hauehave their power, vertue and efficacie from Chriſt, as he being puniſhed for vsus. Hebr. 13.12. Our Sanctification there is aſcribed to the ſuffering of Chriſt, that is to ſay, to the death of Chriſt: For Chriſt that he might ſanctifie the People with his owne Blood, hath ſuffered, or dyed without the Gate.
Secondly, Chriſt in his Offering, or Chriſt ſacrificed for vsus, Epheſ. 5.2. Chriſt hath loued vsus, and gaue himſelfe for vsus, to be an Offering and a Sacrifice of a ſweet-ſmelling ſauour to God. He is a ſweet-ſmelling ſauour to God generally in reſpect of his ſacred Perſon, and he is a ſweet ſauour in reſpect of his bleſſed Nature, and in reſpect of his holy life, but more eſpecially, in reſpect of his pretious death, wherein he gaue himſelfe as a ſweet-ſmelling ſauour to God. Hebr. 9.28. Chriſt was once offered to take away ſinnes, inſinuating vntounto vsus, that Chriſt was powerfull for the taking away of ſins: How, as he was Chriſt offered, or as he was Chriſt ſacrificed▪ Hebr. 10.10. So likewiſe our Sanctification is by the offering of Chriſt, Chriſt by that one offering of his hath ſanctified vsus. So likewiſe in the twelfth Verſe, there is our Iuſtification, and in the fourteenth Verſe, there is our Conſecration by one Offering; and in the fifteenth and ſixteenth Verſes, there is the New Teſtament confirmed by name, by the verie offering of Chriſt. So the Apoſtle implyes the reaſon by the offering of Chriſt.
Thirdly, Chriſt in his Obedience, or Chriſt humbled for vsus: In Hebr. 10. from the ſixth Verſe to the ninth, there you ſhall find that the worke of the New Teſtament, and of our Redemption is aſcribed to Chriſt his doing of the will of God: He tooke away the firſt, and eſtabliſhed the ſecond; he put away the Sacrifices of the Law, of burnt Offerings, and eſtabliſhed the New Teſtament: that is, by doing the will of God, by his obedience and humiliation: Rom. 5.19. For as by one Mans diſobedience many were made ſinners, ſo by the obedience of one ſhall many alſo be made righteous. It is the obedience of Chriſt that iuſtifies vsus, and makes good vntounto vsus the Couenant of Grace: And that we may know, that it was not all the obedience of his life (which was moſt holy) that could ſerue the turne, the Apoſtle telles vsus, Phil. 2.8, 9. That he became obedient, euen to the Death of the Croſſe: The loweſt degree of his Humiliation, was the higheſt degree of his Obedience, and thereby he became a perfect Mediator.
Fourthly, Chriſt on the Croſſe, or Chriſt crucified for vsus: And this intends more then the reſt. This intends not onelyonly a bare dying of Chriſt, but a violent, a ſhamefull, and a curſed Death, Coloſſ. 1.20. Chriſt hath made our peace by the Blood of his Croſſe; that is to ſay, by the ſuffering that he did endure, ſpecially vponupon the Croſſe: Likewiſe in Coloſſ. 2.14, 15. He faſtned our ſinnes vponupon the Croſſe, and there tryumphed ouer the Powers of Darkeneſſe (which is the verie matter of our Redemption) And in Iohn 12.31. Now (ſaith Chriſt) is the Prince of the World caſt out: What ſpeakes he there of his Croſſe? And if I be lift vp, then will I draw others after me. Now are the Faithfull to be drawne vntounto Chriſt, after that he had dyed vponupon the Croſſe. It was Chriſt vponupon the Croſſe that vanquiſhed the Diuell, Death, and Hell, and drew the Faithfull to him. And in Iohn 19.30. Now it is finiſhed, ſaith Chriſt when he was vponupon the Croſſe, the laſt breath that Chriſt fetched. When all his humiliation was finiſhed, then the worke of our Redemption was fully accompliſhed. Hence it is that the ioy of the Faithfull is not ſo much in knowing Chriſt, as in knowing Chriſt crucified. 2 Cor. 5.16. I know no Man (ſaith the Apoſtle) after the Fleſh, no not Chriſt himſelfe: What not Chriſt himſelfe? No, not after the Fleſh, not as a Man, not as a holy Man, not as a Iew, not as one of my owne Blood, but Chriſt crucified. I eſteeme to know nothing (ſaith the Apoſtle) but Chriſt, and him crucified, 1 Cor. 2.2. And indeed this is the verie ſubſtance of the Goſpell, Chriſt crucified. 1 Cor. 1.23. We preach vntounto you (ſaith the Apoſtle) not ſimply Chriſt, but Chriſt crucified; and therefore in the eighteenth Verſe it is called, The preaching of the Croſſe, and ſuffering of Chriſt. All this ſhewes, that Chriſt in his Croſſe, and Chriſt crucified, he is the Perſon by whom the New Teſtament, and the worke of our Redemption is eſtabliſhed.
Then fifthly, The Death of Chriſt, or Chriſt dying for vsus: Rom. 5.10. We are reconciled to God by the death of Chriſt. There you ſee our reconciliation is aſcribed to the death of Chriſt: So alſo our Sanctification is aſcribed to the death of Chriſt, in Coloſſ. 2.22. likewiſe in Hebr. 3.14, 15. there it is ſaid, That Chriſt hath vanquiſhed the Diuell by Death, and hath deliuered vsus from Death, and the bondage that we were in: All this was by the death of Chriſt, by Chriſt his dying for vsus. So in Hebr. 9.15. it is ſaid, that Chriſt is the Mediator of the New Teſtament thorough Death.
Then the ſixth and the laſt point is the Blood of Chriſt, or Chriſt killed and ſlaine for vsus. True, Chriſt layd down himſelfe willingly in obedience to God for vsus vponupon the Croſſe, and in louelove to vsus his People. He gaue himſelfe for vsus, and he ſhed his owne Blood for vsus: Yet in regard of the Act and the Inſtrument, he was no better then ſlaine, killed, and murdered, and his Blood and Life was taken from him verie wrongfully: But yet notwithſtanding howſoeuer it be, his willingneſſe on the one ſide, and the Iewes crueltie on the other ſide, yet ſo it was, that his Blood was ſhed, and the ſhedding of his Blood is that whereupon the New Teſtament, and the worke of our Redemption is ſtabliſhed. Rom. 5.9. We are iuſtified by the Blood of Chriſt, there our Iuſtification is aſcribed to the Blood of Chriſt; ſo our Redemption is aſcribed to the Blood of Chriſt, Epheſ. 1.7. Reuel. 5.9. and in the 1 Pet. 1.19. all runs vponupon the Blood of Chriſt, Reuel. 1.5. We are waſhed from our ſinnes in his Blood, 1 Iohn 1.7. The Blood of Chriſt cleanſeth vsus from all our ſinnes: The fetching of vsus within the Couenant of Grace is by the Blood of Chriſt Epheſ. 2.13. and ſo indeed is the whole worke of our Redemption aſcribed to the Blood of Chriſt. You ſee then how rich and plentifull the Scripture is in this Argument, all tending wholly to this effect, to teach vsus that the verie matter whereupon the New Teſtament, and the worke of our Redemption is founded and ſtabliſhed; is the Blood of the Lord Ieſus. I am bold to inſiſt ſo long vponupon the proofe of this point, becauſe the Scripture is ſo plentifull in it. Wee will come now to the Reaſons.
Reaſ. 1 The firſt Reaſon may be drawn from the nature of a Couenant amongſt Men: Wherein ſtands it? Not in the making and writing of it, but in the ſealing of it. Here is a Couenant made betweene God and Man, that he will forgiue vsus our ſinnes, and that he will ſanctifie vsus, and it is ſealed by the Blood of Chriſt, and therefore it is called the Blood of the New Teſtament. It is true indeed, that all the Couenants and Promiſes of God are firme and ſure in themſelues, becauſe God hath made them, and they need no Seale: yet becauſe God hauing made this Couenant reſpectiuely, that he would hauehave it ſealed and confirmed by the Blood of Chriſt Ieſus: Therefore looke whatſoeuer force and benefit it is of to vsus, it is by vertue of the Blood of Chriſt: And hence it is that whoſoeuer can ſhew this Seale for themſelues, that they hauehave part in this Blood of Chriſt, they may challenge that they hauehave their part in the Couenant: and whoſoeuer cannot, they hauehave no part in it.
Reaſ. 2 The ſecond Reaſon is drawne from the nature of a Teſtament, which muſt alwayes be confirmed by the death of the Teſtator, and is not of force before the partie be dead: the Apoſtle applyes it ſo in Hebr. 9.16, 17.
Reaſ. 3 The third Reaſon is drawne from the nature of a Sacrifice, a burnt Offering, a propitiatorie Sacrifice, a Sacrifice for ſinne: No Sacrifice that was to be offered for ſinne, but it was to be killed and offered in Blood, Leuit. 1.7. and therefore Chriſt comming to be a Sacrifice for the ſinnes of the World, he muſt be killed and ſlaine.
Reaſ. 4 The fourth Reaſon, it holds by way of proportion, betweene the New Teſtament and the Old. The Old Teſtament was confirmed by Blood, and ſo muſt the New. In the Old Teſtament the Paſcall Lambe muſt be ſlaine and killed, and ſo in the New Teſtament Chriſt muſt be killed and ſlaine. Likewiſe, the Sacrifice of the Law muſt be killed, ſlaine, and Blood ſhed; ſo the Sacrifice of the New Teſtament: Chriſt muſt be ſlaine, and ſhed his Blood.
Reaſ. 5 The fifth Reaſon is drawne from the rigour of the Law, which did neceſſarily require it, and could not be diſpenced withall, but whoſoeuer ſinnes muſt dye the death, and therefore Chriſt being our Redeemer, he muſt endure that death which we muſt hauehave ſuffered, elſe the Law could neuer hauehave beene ſatisfied.
Reaſ. 6 Againe, it ſtands with the Iuſtice of God, which muſt hauehave an abſolute and perfect ſatisfaction: It cannot be ſatisfied with any thing in the World, but with the Blood of the Sonne of God, Acts 20.28. Take heed therefore vntounto your ſelues, and to all the Flocke, ouer the which the Holy Ghoſt hath made you Quer-ſeers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchaſed with his owne Blood. Marke now, this ſtands with the Iuſtice of God, God was offended, and he muſt receiue full ſatisfaction, therefore when Chriſt came to ſatisfie, he could not ſatisfie but onelyonly by his Blood: Nay, I ſay more, Chriſt could not hauehave ſatisfied, but that it was by the Blood of the Sonne of God, that the infiniteneſſe of the Perſon ſatisfying, might be anſwerable to the infiniteneſſe of the Perſon offended, and that is the chiefe reaſon of the Doctrine.
Reaſ. 7 Then another Reaſon is, the haynouſneſſe of ſinne, The reward of ſinne is death, and where is no ſhedding of Blood, there is no remiſſion; and therefore whoſoeuer comes as a Mediator of the New Teſtament, to procure for vsus the remiſſion of our ſinnes, his Blood muſt be ſhed, elſe our ſinnes ſtill remaine vnpardoned. And ſo much for the Reaſons. The Vſes.
Vſe 1 Firſt, It teacheth vsus what it is that the Eye of our Faith ſhould principally reſpect and looke vponupon, Chriſt: and the hand of our Faith principally lay hold on when we doe imbrace Chriſt, namely, the Blood of Chriſt, the Croſſe of Chriſt, the Obedience and Suffering of Chriſt, &c. in a word Chriſt crucified, that is the ſubiect that our Faith muſt take hold vponupon. Chriſt crucified is the obiect of our knowledge, 1 Cor. 2.2. I deſire to know nothing but Chriſt, and him crucified. And the ſame is the matter of our reioycing, Gal. 6.14. God forbid that I ſhould reioyce but in the Croſſe of Chriſt. The Blood of Chriſt is the ground and verie foundation of our Faith, Rom. 3.25. Through Faith in his Blood, &c. What is it that the Faith of a beleeuing Man doth moſt properly embrace, but the Blood of Chriſt? The Iewes reuile vsus becauſe we beleeue in a crucified God, and the Gentiles they deride and mocke vsus, becauſe we truſt to be ſaued in him that could not ſaue himſelfe, but ſufrered ſuch a cruell death. Well, howſoeuer it be, ſaith the Apoſtle, that he is to the Iewes a ſtumbling blocke, and to the Grecians fooliſhneſſe, yet vntounto vsus he is the power of God, and the wiſedome of God: He is the verie power of God, without which God cannot ordinarily ſaue a Man: And the verie wiſedome of God, without which God will not ordinarily ſaue a Man. It is a world of heauenly comforts that a ſpirituall minded Man may gather vntounto himſelfe in the meditation and the beholding of the death of Chriſt, when we thinke of Chriſt crucified, and of Chriſt ſhedding his Blood, there you may ſee, Firſt, our ſinnes puniſhed to the full. Secondly, there we may ſee our ſinnes pardoned to the full. Thirdly, there we may ſee our ſinnes crucified, and mortified, and ſubdued by his Blood, and by the power of the death of Chriſt ſoundly applyed to our Soules and Conſidences, our ſinnes begin to dye, and to be mortified, and to be crucified in vsus. Fourthly, in Chriſt crucified we may behold the Fleſh crucified, Gal. 5.24. we may ſee our wicked humors to be mortified and to be beaten downe, and crucified within vsus. Againe, when as we thinke vponupon Chriſt crucified, why there we doe find indeed the verie crucifying of our ſelues to the World, and the World to vsus, Gal. 6.14. Before we were caried after the things of the world, after our luſts and corruptions; but when once we are truly partakers of Chriſt crucified, then we are crucified to the World, and the World to vsus, and then we ſcorne the things of the World, the great riches, and high promotion, and the beautifulleſt things we account them as Dung of the Earth. Againe, when we conſider Chriſt crucified, there we behold how patient we ſhould be in affliction, euen to the death; there is the picture of our whole life, which muſt be a continuall courſe of mortification; and there is the ſeaſoning of our death, looking thoroughly vponupon Chriſt crucified, it is that which ſeaſons our death, that whenſoeuer death commeth and ſeaſeth vponupon vsus, it ſhall be a ſweet paſſage to a better life. Againe, when we ſee Chriſt crucified, we ſee all euils turned to good, they are ſeaſoned to vsus in the ſufferings of the Lord Ieſus, and if we hauehave any comforts, we enioy them ſo farre forth, as they are ſeaſoned vntounto vsus in the Blood of Chriſt. Laſtly, when we conſider Chriſt crucified, there we find all good things purchaſed for vsus, Grace, and MercieMercy, and Peace, and eternall Saluation: There is a World, yea a Heauen of Treaſure and riches gathered for vsus, and that we are made partakers of by a due view and Faith in the meditation of Chriſt crucified, and therefore whoſoeuer would hauehave any true relliſh of Chriſt, he muſt labour for the relliſh of the Blood of Chriſt.
Vſe 2 The ſecond Vſe teacheth vsus the difficultie of the worke of our Redemption, it was a maruelous difficult and a hard thing which could not be effected but by the Blood of the Sonne of God. Oh how deepely had we plunged our ſelues into a bottomleſſe Sea of miſerie, that nothing could plucke vsus out, but the Death and Blood of Ieſus Chriſt? How faſt did the filth of ſinne ſeaſe vponupon vsus both in our Bodyes and in our Soules, that nothing could waſh and cleanſe vsus from it but the Blood of Chriſt? How deſperately were we entangled in the Snares of the Diuell, that nothing could looſe vsus but the Death and Blood of Chriſt? How fearefully had we enthrall'd our ſelues to Death, Hell, and Deſtruction, that nothing could deliuer and free vsus but the Blood of Chriſt? How infinitely had we expoſed our ſelues to the wrath and vengeance of God, that he being a God of compaſſion, and of himſelfe moſt gracious and ready to forgiue ſinnes, yet he could not be moued to hauehave pittie and companion vponupon vsus, but onelyonly by the cruell and curſed death of the Lord Ieſus? The more difficult the worke on his part, the greater was his louelove to vsus, and therefore the more thankfulneſſe we are to render vntounto him.
Vſe 3 The third Vſe, It teacheth vsus the certaintie of the worke of our Redemption, and the certaintie of the ſtate of the Children of God: It is confirmed by Blood, and therefore it ſhall ſtand ſure and firme for euer: If ſo be that our ſinnes can be more powerfull to deſtroy vsus, then the Blood of Chriſt to ſaue vsus, then is our Redemption vncertaine: If ſo be that Death and the Diuell which hauehave beene already ouercome and trampled vnderunder Foot by Chriſt, if theſe Principallities and Powers can recouer themſelues, and get vp in Armes againe, and make Warre againſt Chriſt, and bring him downe from Heauen againe, and crucifie him the ſecond time, then is our Saluation and Redemption vncertaine: But if that be impoſſible, then it is impoſſible that thoſe that hauehave part in this Couenant, ſhould faile of Saluation and Redemption.
Vſe 4 The fourth Vſe, It teacheth vsus the preciouſneſſe of the worke of our Redemption, you ſee it hath coſt the verie Blood of the Sonne of God himſelfe: How preciouſly and highly did the Lord value our Soules, who was pleaſed himſelfe that knew the worth of euerie thing, to ſet our Soules at ſuch a high rate, as the Blood of Chriſt? How deerely did he eſteeme and louelove vsus, when he would come and purchaſe theſe poore Soules of ours, and pay ſo high a price for them? And how preciouſly ought we to carrie and behaue our ſelues, and poſſeſſe theſe Veſſels of ours in holineſſe and honour, and giuegive vp our Soules a liuing Sacrifice to our Lord Ieſus? 1 Cor. 6.20. You are bought with a price (ſaith the Apoſtle) therefore glorifie God in your Bodyes and in your Soules for they are Gods. God hath eſteemed ſo highly of you, as to ſet you at the rate of his own Sonne: And Chriſt hath eſteemed ſo highly of you to buy you ſo deerely; and therefore doe not commit ſinne, filthineſſe, and vncleaneneſſe, but giuegive your ſelues to holineſſe, and pietie, that God may be glorified and honored by you.
Vſe 5 The fifth Vſe, It teacheth vsus the ſufficiencie and perfection of the worke of our Redemption: All that euer was and could be done, was done of Chriſt: What could he hauehave done but to be holy all his life, and to be ſubiect to the Death, euen to the Death of the Croſſe? Who can add any thing more perfect to this worke of our Redemption? What can any Man adde vntounto this worke of our Redemption? No, no, it colt more then ſo to redeeme our Soules. What, can we doe any thing of our felues? if we doe, either it muſt be ſome holy doings, or ſome holy ſufferings. What are our doings to Chriſt his doing? Surely nothing; and therefore nothing that we can doe can add any thing. Then for our ſuffering, what is the ſhedding of the Blood of Men, to the ſhedding of the Blood of Chriſt? Infinitely incomparable is the one to the other: Therefore ſeeing our Redemption is accompliſhed by his Blood, it is not the Blood of Man that can add any thing thereunto: And therefore you ſee Chriſt hath done all in all, and ſo let him be acknowledged our perfect Redeemer.
Vſe 6 The ſixth and laſt Vſe, It teacheth vsus what an vnrecouerable loſſe they doe ſuſtaine that doe prophane this worke of Redemption, that hauehave had ſome ſhew of intereſt in it, yet gaue it ouer, and prophaned the Blood of the New Teſtament, and counted it an vnholy thing, and fell away from God and that holy profeſſion that they tooke vponupon them. Alas, what ſhall become of them that fall from God? If their ſinnes be not forgiuen them, then they muſt needs goe to Hell and be damned? Whither ſhall they fly to hauehave their ſinnes forgiuen? And where ſhall they plead for merciemercy? They muſt plead it in Chriſt, and in none elſe. In Chriſt they cannot plead it, for they cannot plead the pardon of ſinne, but in the Blood of Chriſt. Chriſt dyed but once, he ſuffered and was crucified but once, and cannot dye againe, and therefore as many of vsus as hauehave taken the professſion of Chriſt vponupon vsus, looke that we doe not let goe this holy and heauenly profeſſion, but let vsus labour to ſticke faſt to Chriſt, to his Death, and Blood, and then thou mayſt be ſure that the worke of thy Redemption is thoroughly accompliſhed, and ſo haſt part in that Couenant. It is called the Blood of the euerlaſting Couenant, Hebr. 13.20. and whoſoeuer they be that hauehave a true part in this they cannot fall away, to them it is the Blood of an euerlaſting Couenant: But as for others that in their owne apprehenſion imbrace Chriſt, and make great ſhewes, and taſt ſome relliſh of the Blood of Chriſt, if they fall away, there is no more Sacrifice for them, no more Sacrifice for ſinne but the Blood of Chriſt, and he cannot dye againe. What then ſhall be their portion? nothing but a fearefull expectation of vengeance and deuouring Fire, that ſhall ſet vponupon them for their vtter mine and deſtruction. As this is a comfortable Meditation, the worke of out Redemption by the Blood of Chriſt, ſo let vsus know, that if we ſhall abuſe it, and prophane it, and forſake the ſweet communion and fellowſhip that we hauehave in Chriſt in the participation of this Couenant, then there is no hope of merciemercy, for we hauehave brought our ſelues into a forlorne caſe, wilfully caſting away this grace of our Redemption.
The end of the ſeuenth Lecture.