Paradise Opened, Text (4 of 5)

Paradise Opened · Text (4 of 5)

p. 120The Seventh Propoſition is this, It was agreed betweenGen. 3. 15. 1 Joh. 3. 8. A…t. 2. 30. cap. 3. 22. Iſa. 7. 14. cap. 9. 6. D…ut. 18. 15, 18. Gal. 4. 4. …em. 8. 3.Gen 3:151 John 3:8Isa 7:14Gal 4:4 the father. & the ſon, that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be incarnate, that he ſhould take on him the nature of thoſe whom he was to ſave, and for whom he was to ſatisfie, and to bring to glory; Chriſts incarnation was very neceſſary in reſpect of that work of Redemption, that he, by agreement with the father, had undertaken; he had engaged himſelf to his father, that the would redeem loſt ſinners, and as their ſurety, make full ſatisfaction. By the fall of Adam, God and man was fallen out, they were at variance, at enmity, at openR…m. 8. 7. hoſtility; ſo that by this means, all intercourſe between heaven and earth was ſtopped, and all trading between God and us ceaſed. Now, to redreſs all this, and to make an atonement, a Mediatour was neceſſary; now, this office belonged unto Jeſus Chriſt, both by his father'sHeb. 10 5, 6, 7.Heb 10:5Heb 10:6Heb 10:7 ordination, and his own voluntary ſuſception; and for diſcharge of it, a humane nature was very requiſite; there was an abſolute neceſſity that Chriſt ſhould ſuffer, partly becauſe he was pleaſed to ſubſtitute himſelf in the ſinner's ſtead, and partly becauſe his ſufferings only could be ſatisfactory: But now, unleſs Chriſt be incarnate, how can he ſuffer? the whole lies thus; without ſatisfaction no Redemption, without ſuffering no ſatisfaction, without fleſh no ſuffering; Ergo, Chriſt muſt be incarnate. The Joh. 1. 14.John 1:14word muſt be made fleſh: And ſo Heb. 2. 14, 16. For as much 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: 1 Tim. 3. 16. Without controverſie, great is the myſtery of godlineſs; God was manifeſted in the fleſh, juſtified in the ſpirit, ſeen of Angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. This is only applicable to the perſon of Chriſt: He that by his office, is to be Emmanuel, God with us; he muſt, in regard of his perſon, p. 121be Emanuel alſo, that is, God-man in one perſon: He that by office, is to make peace between God and man, he muſt be God-man; he that by office, is to ſtand and miniſter between God and men, he muſt be God andHeb. 2. 17, 18. cap. 4. 15▪ 16.Heb 2:17Heb 2:18 man; that ſo he might not be only zealouſly faithful towards God's juſtice, but alſo tenderly merciful towards men's errours. Look, as he muſt be more than man, that he may be able ſo to ſuffer, that his ſufferings may be meritorious, that he may go through-ſtitch with the work of Redemption, and triumph over death, Devils, difficulties, diſcouragements, curſe, hell, wrath, &c. (All which, Chriſt could never have done, had he been but a mere man) So it was requiſite that he ſhould be man, that he might be in a capacity to ſuffer, die and obey, for theſe are not works for one who is only God: A God only cannot ſuffer, a man only cannot merit; God cannot obey, man is bound to obey; wherefore Chriſt, that he might obey and ſuffer, he was man; and that he might merit by his obedience and ſuffering, he was God-man; now ſuch a perſon, and only ſuch a perſon, did the work of Redemption call for. That is a mighty Scripture, Phil. 2. 6, 7. Who being in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal with God (here's Chriſt's pre-exiſting in the nature of the Godhead, and then after comes his manhood) But made hi…ſelf of no reputation; (Greek, he emptiedIſa. 53. 6. 9.Isa 53:6Isa 53:9 himſelf, as it were, of his divine dignity and majeſty; he did diſrobe himſelf of his glory, and became a ſinner, both by imputation and reputation, for our ſakes, for our ſalvation) and took upon him the form▪ of a ſervant, and was made in the likeneſs of men. All this Chriſt did upon his father's preſcription, and in purſuit of the great work of Redemption. The bleſſed ſpirit fitted the man Chriſt Jeſus, to be a meet Mediatour and Redeemer for poor ſinners. The ſpirit formed the nature of man▪ Luk. 1. 35. Gal. 4. 4.Luke 1:35Gal 4:4of the ſubſtance of the Virgin, after an extraordinary manner, for the ſervice of the Lord Chriſt; he ſanctined the humane nature which Chriſt aſſumed, after ſuch a perfect manner, that it was free from all ſin; in the veryLuk. 1. 35.Luke 1:35 p. 122moment of conception, he united this pure humane nature with the divine in the ſame perſon, the perſon of theHeb. 10. 5.Heb 10:5 ſon of God, that he might be a fit head, Mediatour and Redeemer for us. But,

The Eighth Propoſition is this, viz. That there were commandments from the father to the ſon, which he muſt obey and ſubmit to. God the father did put forth his paternal authority, and lay his commands upon his ſon, to engage in this great work of redeeming and ſaving poor ſinners ſouls, he had a command from the father what to teach his people, as the Prophet of the Church: For I have not ſpoken of my ſelf (ſaith Chriſt) but the father which ſent me, he gave me a commandment, what I ſhould ſay, and Joh. 12. 49.John 12:49what I ſhould ſpeak. Chriſt declares, that he had received a Commiſſion from the father, who ſent him, concerning his Doctrine, and what to ſay and ſpeak; and that he was perſwaded that this Doctrine delivered to him by the father, points out the true way to eternal life; and that he had exactly followed this Commiſſion in preaching, both for matter and mannor. The two words of ſayingBetween ſaying and ſpeaking, there is this difference (ſaith à Lapide) that to ſay, is to teach and publiſh a thing gravely; to ſpeak, is familiararly to utter a thing. and ſpeaking, may be taken comprehenſively, pointing out all the ways of delivering his commiſſion, by ſet and ſolemn preaching, or occaſional conferences, and the whole ſubject matter of his preaching, in precepts, promiſes and threatnings, and ſo it will …port that his commiſſion from the father was full, both for matter and manner, and his diſcharge thereof anſwerable: Chriſt is a true Prophet, who ſpeaks neither more or leſs in the Doctrine of the Goſpel, than what was the father's will, ſhould be delivered to us; For whatſoever I ſpeak, even as the father ſaid unto me, ſo I ſpeak: Chriſt keeps cloſe to his Commiſſion, without adding or diminiſhing; and herein Chriſt's practice ſhould be every faithful miniſter's pattern… ▪ Again, Chriſt had a command to lay down his life for thoſe that were giu…; No man taketh it from Jo…. 1…. 18.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 commundment have I received of my father: The father is ſo well pleaſed p. 123with the reconciliation of loſt ſinners, that he loveth Chriſt for the undertaking thereof, and is fully ſatisfied with his ſuffering for attaining that end; in both theſe reſpects it holds good, Therefore doth my father love me, becauſe I lay down my life; verſ. 17. The father is pleaſed with him, that he undertook this ſervice, and is content with his death, as a ſufficient ranſom: Chriſt having laid down his life for the Redemption of loſt man, did take it again, as a teſtimony that the father was ſatisfied with his ſufferings. Now, the way of the accompliſhment of our Redemption was agreed on betwixt the father and the ſon, before the accompliſhment thereof: Therefore, ſaith he, this commandment have I received of my father; whichPſal. 40. 6, 7. with Heb. 10. 6, 7, 8.Ps 40:6Ps 40:7Heb 10:6Heb 10:7Heb 10:8 makes it clear that he came into the world fully inſtructed about carrying on the work of Redemption: It pleaſed Chriſt to ſuffer death, not only voluntarily, but in a way of ſubjection to his father's command, that ſo the merit thereof might every way be full and acceptable to the father; for this commandment have I received: he was content to be a ſervant by paction, that ſo his ſufferings might be accepted for his people, And ſo when Chriſt was going to die, he ſaith, That the world may know that I love the Joh. 14. 31.John 14:31father; and as the father gave me commandment, even ſo I do: ariſe, let us go hence. As if he had ſaid, power is permitted to Satan and his accomplices, to perſecute me to death; that dying for man's Redemption, the world may ſee the obedience and love I bear to the father, who hath thus determined. All that Chriſt ſuffered for the Redemption of ſinners, was by the order, and at the command of the father, who did covenant with him, concerning this work: For, as the father gave me a commandment, even ſo do I: In this Scripture, as in a cryſtal-glaſs, you may ſee that Chriſt did enter the liſts in his ſufferings, with much willingneſs and alacrity, with much courage and reſolution; that ſo he might commend his love to us, and encourage us to do the like through him. Therefore, ſaith he, ariſe, and let us go hence: I am very free and ready, by my death and ſufferings, to compleat the work p. 120duplicate page p. 121duplicate page p. 122duplicate page p. 123duplicate page p. 124of man's Redemption, according to the Covenant and agreement, that long ſince was made between the father and my ſelf. If Chriſt ſhould fail in complying with his father's commands about ſuffering and dying for us, then, not only the breach of Articles, but high diſobedience too, might be juſtly charged upon him; but from all ſuch charges, Chriſt has bravely quitted himſelf: There was a ſpecial Law laid upon Chriſt, as he was our Mediator; which Law, he was willing and ready to obey, in order to our Redemption. That Chriſt ſhould die, was no part of the moral Law, but it was a poſitive ſpecial Law laid upon Chriſt; well▪ this Law he obeys, he complies with, I lay down my life for my ſheep; this commandment J…. 10, 11, 15, 17, 18.have I received of my father: Chriſt, as Mediatour, had a command from his father to die, and he obſerves it; hence God calls him his ſervant, Behold my ſervant whom Iſ…. 42. 1.I uphold: And in purſuance of God's Royal Law, will and pleaſure, he takes upon him the form of a ſervant; and frequently▪ proclaims before all the world, that he came to do the will of him that ſent him. Again, God the fatherPhil. 2. 6, 7.Phil 2:6Phil 2:7 lays a ſpecial command upon Jeſus Chriſt, to preſerve and bring to glory all thoſe that come unto him: Jeſus Chriſt has not only leave to ſave the Elect, but a charge to ſave the Elect; All that the father giveth me, ſhall come Joh. 6. 37, 38, 39, 40. Here you have Chriſt's Commiſſion to ſave the Elect, &c.John 6:37John 6:38John 6:39John 6:40to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out (where the doubled negatives, in the Original, ſerve to make the aſſertion ſtrong, and to carry their faith over all their doubts and fears) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that ſent me. And this is the fathers will which hath ſent me; that of all which he hath give… me, I ſhould loſe nothing,▪ but ſhould raiſe it up again at the laſt day. And this is the will of him that ſent me; that every one which ſeeth the ſon, and believeth on him, may have everla…ing life; and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day. Chriſt is to be anſwerable for all thoſe that are given to him, at the laſt day▪ and therefore we need no… doubt, but that he will certainly employ all the power of his Godhead, to ſecure and ſave all thoſe that he muſt be p. 125accountable for. In this bleſſed Scripture, there are ſeveral ſpecial things that we may take notice of, that are pat to our preſent purpoſe. As firſt, that it is the great dignity and happineſs of the Elect…, that they are, from Eternity, given to Chriſt in the Covenant of Redemption, as the reward of his ſufferings, to come to him in due time; and that they are given to him in truſt, and that he muſt be accountable for them, as being given by the father to him.Iſal. 24. 1. They were the father's firſt, not only by the right of Creation, but by particular Election alſo; and being thus the father's, they are given to Chriſt, from eternity to be redeemed by him, and as the reward of his ſufferings. Again, ſuch as are elected and given to Chriſt, will certainly, in due time, come to him: Their being given from eternity, produceth their being given, and coming in time; for God is faithful, who will not fruſtrate Chriſt of what he hath purchaſed, and the power that draweth them is invincible and irreſiſtible; therefore, ſaith he, All that the father giveth me, ſhall come to me. Again, Chriſt, in entertaining them that come to him, is not only led thereunto by his own mercy, and bounty, and love towards them, as the reward of his ſufferings, but doth alſo ſtand obliged thereunto, by vertue of a commiſſion and truſt laid upon him by the father, and accepted and undertaken by him; therefore doth he mention the will of him that ſent me, as a reaſon of his fidelity in this matter. Further, from verſ. 39. We may obſerve, that the Goſpel contains an extract of the de…p counſels of God, and of the eternal tranſactions betwixt the father and the ſon, concerning loſt man, ſo far as is for our good; for he brings out, and reads in the Goſpel his very Commiſſion, and ſome Articles of the Covenant, paſt betwixt the father and him. Again, the firſt fountain and riſe of the ſalvation of any of loſt mankind, is in the abſolute and ſovereign will and pleaſure of God; p. 126for here he mentions the will of him that ſent him, as the firſt original of all; from whence their giving to Chriſt, their coming and ſafety do flow. Again, theſe whoſe ſalvation the father willeth, are given over to Chriſt, in his eternal purpoſe, to be brought to him in due time; for ſo it is here held out. Again, ſuch as are given to Chriſt by the father, and do in time come to him, are put in his keeping, and he hath a care of them, not to loſe the leaſt of them; For this is the will of him that ſent me, that of Joh. 10. 28, 29.John 10:28John 10:29all he hath given me, I ſhould loſe nothing; wherein the father doth ſo commit the truſt to him, as that he ſtill keeps them in his own hand alſo. Again, Chriſt's charge and care of theſe that are given to him, extends even to the very day of their Reſurrection, that there he may make a good account of them, when all perils and hazards are now over, and that he may not ſo much as loſe their duſt, but gather it together again, and raiſe it up in glory, to be a proof of his fidelity; for, ſaith he, I ſhould loſe nothing, but raiſe it up again at the laſt day; and ſo death and diſſolution proves no loſs. Again, from verſ. 40. we may obſerve, That ſuch as are given to Chriſt, to be under his charge, and to participate of his benefits, are drawn to believe on him: And it is the father's will, and a part of the tranſaction betwixt him and his ſon, that faith be the way to partake of theſe benefits, and not the fulfilling of the impoſſible condition of the works of the Law; for they who are given to Chriſt, are expounded to be they who believe on him; and it is the father's will, that ſuch partake of theſe benefits here mentioned, as of the reſt of his purchaſe. Albeit mortification, holineſs, &c. do prepare for the poſſeſſion of theſe benefits, and do evidence a right thereunto, and the begun poſſeſſion thereof; yet it is only faith in Chriſt, that giveth the rightEph. 2. 6, 7, 8.Eph 2:6Eph 2:7Eph 2:8 and title, that ſo it may be of Grace. Again, it is covenanted betwixt the father and the ſon, that believers ſhall be made partakers of everlaſting life; for it is explained, that not to loſe them, verſ. 39. is that they may have everlaſting life, for the further aſſurance of believers, of their p. 127eternal happineſs; it is alſo covenanted, that they ſhall have this life in preſent poſſeſſion, in the earneſt, and firſt fruits thereof; for they have everlaſting life even here, and before their raiſing up: They have everlaſting life; 1. in pr…miſſo, 2. in pretio, 3. in primltiis; he ſtands already on the battlements of heaven, he hath one foot in the porch of Paradiſe. Again, Chriſt having given an earneſt-penny of ſalvation, will not ſuffer it to be loſt, by any difficulty or impediment in the way, but will carry believers through all difficulties, till he deſtroy death and the grave, and raiſe up their very duſt, that in body and ſoul, they may partake of that bliſs; and that he may make it manifeſt, that death and rotting in the grave doth not make void his intereſt, nor cauſe his affection to ceaſe. Therefore it is added, And I will raiſe him up at the laſt day. Thus you ſee, that God the father did lay his commands upon his ſon, to engage in this great work of redeeming and ſaving poor ſinners ſouls, &c.

In the third place I ſhall ſhew you, that the manner or 3quality of the tranſaction between God the father and Jeſus Chriſt, was by mutual engagements and ſtipulations; each perſon undertaking to perform his part, in order to our recovery and eternal felicity; we find each perſon undertaking for himſelf by ſolemn promiſe: The father promiſeth that he will hold Chriſt's hand, and keep him, Iſa. 42. 6. God the father engages himſelf to direct and aſſiſt Chriſt, and to keep him from miſcarrying; and that he will give him all neceſſary ſtrength and ability, for the execution of his mediatory office, and work wonders by him and with him, according to that word, My father hitherto worketh, and I work: and the ſon engagesJoh. 5. 17.John 5:17 himſelf, that he will obey the fathers call, and not be rebellious, Iſa. 50. 5. I was not rebellious, neither turned away Exod. 3. 11, 13. cap. 4. 1, 10, 13.Exod 3:11Exod 3:13back; that is, I did not hang back, as Moſes once and again did; nor refuſe to go when God ſent me, as onceJon. 1. 3.Jonah 1:3 Jon. …s did, but I offered my ſelf freely and readily to my father's call; there was no affliction, no oppoſition, no perſecution, no evil uſage that I met with in carrying on p. 128the work of Redemption, that did ever ſtartle me, or diſcourage me, or make me flinch or ſhrink back from that great and bleſſed work that I had undertaken: I was dutiful and obedient to the calls & commands of my father, in all things that he required of me, or ſet me about. Now the father & the ſon being thus mutually engaged by promiſe one to another in honour and faithfulneſs, it highly concerned them to keep one another cloſe to the terms of the Covenant that was made between them, and accordingly they did; for God the father peremptorily ſtands upon that compleat and full ſatisfaction, that Chriſt had promiſed to give to his juſtice; and therefore, when the day of payment came, he would not abate Jeſus Chriſt one penny, one farthing of the many ten thouſand Talents, that heMat. 18. 24.Matt 18:24 was to pay down upon the nail for us; Rom. 8. 32. God ſpared not his own ſon; that is, he abated nothing of that full price that, by agreement with his father, he was to lay down for us; other fathers give their all, to ſpare and redeem their children; but the heart of God the father is ſo fully and ſtrongly ſet upon ſatisfaction, that he will not ſpare his ſon, his own ſon, his only ſon, but give him up to death, yea, to an accurſed death, that we might beMauritius, who died moſt miſerably. ſpared and ſaved for ever. I have read of a Roman Emperour, who choſe rather to ſpare his money, than to redeem his ſouldiers, being taken priſoners: But to redeem us God would not ſpare, no not his own ſon; becauſe no money nor treaſure would ſerve the turn, but only the blood, yea, the heart-blood of his dear ſon; 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19.

And as God the father keeps Chriſt cloſe to the terms of the Covenant, ſo Jeſus Chriſt keeps his father cloſe to the terms of the Covenant alſo, Joh. 17. 4, 5. I have glorified thee on the earth (ſaith Chriſt to his father;) I have finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do. And now, O father, glorifie thou me with thine own ſelf, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was: O my father, I have finiſhed the work of Redemption; but where's the wages, where's the glory, where's the reward that thou haſt promiſed me. There was nothing committed to p. 129Chriſt by the father, to be done on earth for the purchaſing of our Redemption, but he did finiſh it; ſo that the debt is paid, juſtice ſatisfied, and ſin, Satan and death ſpoiled; ſo that nothing remains, but that Chriſt be glorified according to the promiſe of the father to him. The ſumm of Chriſt's petition is this, that ſince he had finiſhed the work of Redemption, that therefore the father, according to his engagement, would advance him to the poſſeſſion of that glory that he enjoyed from all eternity. Now, for the clearing of this, we muſt conſider, that as Chriſt was from Eternity the glorious God, ſo we are not to conceive of any real change in this glory of his Godhead; as if, by his eſtate of humiliation, he had ſuffered any diminution; or by his ſtate of exaltation, any real acceſſion were made to his glory, as God: But the true meaning is this, That Chriſt having (according to the paction paſt betwixt the father and him) obſcured the glory of his Godhead for a time, under the veil of thePhil. 2. 5, 6, 7, 8.Phil 2:5Phil 2:6Phil 2:7Phil 2:8 form of a ſervant, and our ſinleſs infirmities, doth now expect (according to the tenour of the ſame paction) after he had done his work, to be exalted and glorified, and openly declared to be the ſon of God; the veil of his eſtateRom. 1. 4.Rom 1:4 of humiliation, though not of our nature, being taken away. It is further to be conſidered, that however this eternal glory be proper to him as God, yet he prays to be glorified in his whole perſon, Glorifie me; becauſe, not only his humane nature was to be exalted to what glory finite nature was capable of, but the glory of his Godhead was to ſhine in the perſon of Chriſt, God-man, and in the man Chriſt, though without confuſion of his natures and properties. Chriſt did ſo faithfully diſcharge his truſt, and perfect the work of Redemption, as that the father was engaged by paction to glorifie him; and accordingly Chriſt, God incarnate, is exalted▪ with the father in glory and majeſty; ſo that believers may be as ſure that all things neceſſary for their Redemption are done▪ as it is ſure that Chriſt is glorified. But,

In the fourth place let us ſeriouſly conſider of the p. 1304Articles, agreed on between the father and the ſon; let us weigh well the promiſes that God the father makes to Jeſus Chriſt, and the promiſes that Jeſus Chriſt makes to the father, for the bringing about our reconciliation and Redemption, that ſo we may the more clearly ſee, how greatly both the heart of the father, and the heart of the ſon is engaged in the ſalvation of poor ſinners ſouls. Now there are Seven things, which God the father promiſeth to do for Jeſus Chriſt, upon his undertaking the work of our Redemption.

Firſt, That he will give him the ſpirit in an abundant 1meaſure; The ſpirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon him, the ſpirit ſa. 11. 12.of wiſdom and underſtanding, the ſpirit of counſel and might, the ſpirit of knowledg and of the fear of the Lord: God the father fits Jeſus Chriſt for the work of Redemption, by a large effuſion of the Graces and gifts of the ſpirit upon him: The ſpirit of the Lord ſhall not only come upon Chriſt, but reſt and abide with him; the holy ſpirit ſhall take up in a more ſpecial, yea, ſingular manner, its perpetual, and never interrupted or eclipſed reſidence with him, and in him. God the father promiſes, that Chriſt ſhall, in his humane nature, be filled with all the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghoſt, that he may be as an everlaſting treaſure, and as an overflowing fountain to all his people. So, Iſa. 42. 1. Behold my ſervant whom I uphold, m… elect in whom my ſoul delighteth: I have put my ſpirit upon him, he ſhall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles: So Iſa. 61. 1. The ſpirit of the Lord is upon me: So Joh. 3. 34. God giveth not the ſpirit by meaſure unto him. Chriſt, as Mediator, is endued with the ſpirit, for the diſcharge of that office; and though Chriſt as man, hath not an infinite meaſure of the ſpirit (though indeed in that perſon, the fulneſs of the Godhead dwells, as being God alſo) for that were to be no more man, but God: Yet the gifts and graces of the ſpirit, are poured out upon the man Chriſt, in a meaſure far above all creatures; for thoughCeloſ. 2. 10. every believer be compleat in him, yet, for what is inherent… Cer. 12. 4. Eph. 4. 7.Eph 4:7 in him, they have but ſome gifts of the ſpirit; but p. 131Jeſus Chriſt had all ſorts of gifts: They had gifts for ſome particular uſes, but he had gifts for all uſes; they have a meaſure of gifts which are capable of encreaſe, he above meaſure, ſo much as the humane nature is capable of; which, though it be finite in it ſelf, yet it cannot be meaſured nor comprehended by us: So much is imported in that, God giveth not the ſpirit by meaſure to him, being underſtood of his manhood. Though (as we ſaid) if weCeleſ. 1. 19. cap. 2. 3, 9. ſpeak of his perſon, he hath the ſpirit infinitely, and without meaſure. This fulneſs became Chriſt as man, that he might be a fit temple for the Godhead; and as a Mediatour, that he might be the univerſal head of his Church, and ſtore-houſe of his people; that from him, as from a common perſon, ſpiritual root or principle, the Holy Ghoſt, with his gifts and graces, might be communicatedPſal. 68. 18.Ps 68:18 to us: He received gifts for men, yea, for the rebellious alſo, that the Lord God might dwell among them; of his fulneſs Joh. 1. 16. 1 Cor. 15. 45.John 1:161 Cor 15:45we receive grace for grace. The firſt Adam was a living ſoul, but the ſecond Adam is a quickening ſpirit. In the man Chriſt Jeſus there is a Treaſury, and fulneſs of grace and glory for us; he is the Lord-keeper of all our lives, of all our ſouls, of all our comforts, and of all2 Tim. 1. 12.2 Tim 1:12 our graces; and he is the Lord-Treaſurer of all our ſpiritual, durable and eternal riches; we loſt our firſt ſtockProv. 8. 18.Prov 8:18 by the fall of Adam; God put a ſtock into our own hands, and we ſoon proved Bankrupts, and run out of ſtock and block: Now, ſince that fatal fall, God will truſt us no more; but he hath, out of his great love, and noble bounty, put a new ſtock of grace and glory for us, into theIſa. 9. 6. Heb. 7. 25. Coloſ. 2. 3.Isa 9:6Heb 7:25Col 2:3 hands of Jeſus Chriſt, who is mighty, who is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, and in whom are hid all the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledg. Chriſt was more capable by infinite degrees, of the fulneſs of the holy Ghoſt, than mere men were or could be; and his employment being, alſo, infinitely beyond the employment of men; the meaſure of the Holy Ghoſt's fulneſs in him muſt needs be, accordingly, beyond all meaſure. Hence, by way of Emphaſis, Joh. 1…. 15. Luk. 32, 33. Act. 3. 22, 23.John 1:15Acts 3:22Acts 3:23Chriſt is called the anointed one of God: The Kings, p. 132Prieſts and Prophets among the Jews (who were anointed) were in their unction, but types of Chriſt, who is the great King, Prieſt and Prophet of his Church; and anointed above them all; yea, and above all the Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Paſtors, Teachers and Believers, under the New Teſtament miniſtration. In Chriſt there is all kind of grace, and it is in him in the higheſt and utmoſt degree, that he might be able to manage all his offices, and finiſh that work which God gave him to do; andJoh. 17. 4.John 17:4 God hath filled him with his ſpirit, that he might ſucceſfully bring about the Redemption and ſalvation of ſinners. But,

Secondly, God the father promiſeth to inveſt Jeſus 2Chriſt with a three-fold office, and to anoint him andIſa. 61. 1, 2, 3. cap. 33. 22.Isa 61:1Isa 61:2Isa 61:3 furniſh him with what ever was requiſite for the diſcharge of thoſe three offices, viz. his prophetical, prieſtly and kingly offices; Chriſt never forced himſelf into any of theſe offices, he never intruded himſelf into any one office, he never run before he was ſent, he never aſſumed any office, till his father had ſigned and ſealed his Commiſſion:J…h. 6. 27. Whatever Jeſus Chriſt had acted, without a Commiſſion under his father's hand, had been invalid and loſt, and God would, one day, have ſaid to him, who hath required this at thy hand. In order to our ſpiritualſa. 1. 12. A … was a King … a … … a Prie…t a … was 2 King … but never …et all ti… in any but in Chriſt alone. and eternal recovery out of ſin and miſery, it was abſolutely neceſſary, that whatever Chriſt did act as a Prieſt, Prophet or King, he ſhould act by the authority of his father, by a Commiſſion under the Broad Seal of heaven; 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. Theſe two conjunctions (foreign) ſo alſo, being joyned together, are notes of a reddition, or later part of a compariſon, which is the application thereof; this application may have reference, either to the general propoſition, thus, As no man taketh this honour unto himſelf; ſo alſo, nor Chriſt: Or to the particular inſtance of Aaron, thus, As Aaron took not to himſelf that honour; ſo, nor Chriſt; both tend to the ſame end: The High Prieſthood p. 133was an honour; for Chriſt to have taken that to himſelf, without a Commiſſion from his father, had been to glorifie himſelf, by conferring glory and honour upon himſelf. This negative, that Chriſt glorified not himſelf, is a clear evidence, that Chriſt arrogated no honour to himſelf; Chriſt would not arrogate honour to himſelf, but rather wait upon his father, that he might confer upon him what honour he ſaw meet: Chriſt glorified not himſelf to be made an High Prieſt; but his father glorified him, in ordaining or commiſſionating him to be the High Prieſt: In ſhort, to be made an High Prieſt, is to be deputed or appointed, and ſet a part to that function: And thus was our Lord Jeſus Chriſt made an High Prieſt; he had never undertaken that office, had he not been ordained to it by his father. But that you may ſee Chriſt's threefold commiſſion, to his three-fold office; Conſider,

Firſt, That God the father promiſeth to Jeſus Chriſt,1. Heb. 2. 17, 18. Pſal. 110. 4.Heb 2:17Heb 2:18Ps 110:4 an excellent, royal and eternal Prieſthood; Heb. 7. 21. For thoſe prieſts were made without an oath, but this with an oath, by him that ſaid unto him, the Lord ſware and will not repent, thou art a prieſt for ever, after the order of Melchiſedek. Among the Jews, in the times of the Old Teſtament, they had an High Prieſt, that was in all things, to ſtand between God and them; and in caſe any ſinned, to make an atonement for them: Now, look as the Jews had their High Prieſt, ſo the Lord Jeſus-Chriſt, he was to be, and he is, the Apoſtle, and the High Prieſt of our Chriſtian profeſſion, as Aaron was of the Jews profeſſion. The Prieſtly office of Jeſus Chriſt is erected and ſet up, onHeb. 3. 1. By the… way you may take notice that the whole body of Anti-chriſtianiſm, is but an invaſion upon the Prieſtly office of Chriſt: What is the Popiſh Maſs, (that unbloody ſacrifice) but a derogation from the ſacrifice of Jeſus Chriſt, once upon the Croſs; and ſo a derogation from his Prieſtly Office? What are all thoſe Popiſh Penances and ſatisfactions injoyned, but a derogation unto the ſatisfaction of Chriſt; and ſo unto the Prieſtly office of Chriſt? What is all their praying to Saints and Angels, but a derogation unto the interceſſion of Chriſt; and ſo unto the Prieſtly office. God deputes Chriſt to his Prieſtly office, as God and man; yet Papiſts ſay, that Chriſt is a Prieſt only in his humane nature. God ſaith to his ſon, Thou art a prieſt; yet they make many Prieſts: God makes his Son a Prieſt for ever, yet they ſubſtitute others in his room: God gave Chriſt to offer up but one ſacrifice, and that but once; but they, every day, offer up many ſacrifices in the Maſs: God gave Chriſt to offer up himſelf; but they offer up bread and wine, upon pretence that its the body and blood of Chriſt: Chriſt's ſacrifico was a bloody ſacrifice; but they ſtile theirs an unbloody ſacrifice.Heb 3:1 purpoſe for the relief of poor diſtreſſed ſinners. The p. 134work of the High Prieſt, is to make reconciliation for the ſins of the people: In the times of the Old Teſtament, the High Prieſt made an atonement for the people; in caſe any man had ſinned, he brought a ſacrifice, & his ſins were laid upon the head of the ſacrifice: Once every year, the High Prieſt did enter into the holy of holies; and with the blood of the ſacrifice, did ſprinkle the Mercy-Seat, and laid the ſins of the people upon the head of the Scape-Goat, & ſo made an Atonement for the people; as is clear in that, Levit. 16. 14. He ſhall take of the blood of the Bullock, and ſprinkle it with his finger, upon the Mercy-ſeat eaſtward, and before the Mercy-ſeat ſhall he ſprinkle of the blood with his finger, ſeven times: And at verſ. 21. Aaron ſhall lye both his hands upon the head of the live Goat, and confeſs over him all the iniquities of the children of Iſrael, and all their tranſgreſſions, and all their ſins, putting them upon the head of the Goat; and ſhall ſend him away, by the hand of a fit man, into the wilderneſs; and ſo he ſhall make an Atonement. This was the work of the High Prieſt, in caſe any had ſinned, to make an Atonement and ſatisfaction (by the way of Type) for the ſins of the people. The main ſcope of the Apoſtle in that, Heb. 7. is to advance Chriſt his Prieſthood above the Levitical Prieſthood; in order to which, he premiſeth this, That thoſe prieſts were made without an oath; verſ. 20: The Apoſtle's third Argument to prove the excellency of Chriſt's Prieſtood above the Levitical, is taken from the different manner of inſtituting the one and the other: Chriſt's inſtitution was more ſolemn than the Levites; their inſtitution was without an oath, Chriſt's inſtitution was with an oath: The Argument may be thus framed, That Prieſthood which is eſtabliſhed by an oath, is more excellent than that which is without an oath; but Chriſt's Prieſthood is with an oath, and theirs without; Ergo, It is here taken for granted, that Chriſt was moſt ſolemnly inſtituted a Prieſt, even by an oath; yea, by the oath of God himſelf; which is the greateſt, and moſt ſolemn manner of inſtitution that can be. God's oath imports two things; 1. An infallible certainty of that which he ſweareth: p. 1352. A ſolemn authority and dignity conferred upon that which he inſtituted by oath. Great and weighty matters of much concernment, uſe to be eſtabliſhed by oath; hereby it appeareth, that Chriſt's Prieſthood is a matter of great moment, and of much concernment: This will appear the more evident, if we conſider the perſon who was made Prieſt, viz. our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who was the greateſt perſon that could be; Heb. 7. 28. therefore he is fitly called a great high prieſt, Heb. 4. 14. Or if we conſider the ends of Chriſt's Prieſthood, which were very weighty, and that in reference both to God and man: To God, for the manifeſtation of his perfect juſtice, infinite mercy, almighty power, unſearchable wiſdom, and other divine attributes, which never were, nor ever can be ſo manifeſted, as in and by Chriſt's Prieſthood: To man, that God's wrath might be averted, his favour procured, man's ſin purged, and he freed from all evil, and brought to eternal happineſs. Or if we conſider the benefits of Chriſt's Prieſthood, which are anſwerable to the foreſaid ends. Jeſus Chriſt was appointed and made by the father, The Apoſtle and High Prieſt of the Churches profeſſion: Heb. 3. 1, 2. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling; conſider the Apoſtle and High Prieſt of our profeſſion, Chriſt Jeſus; who was faithful to him that appointed him. Chriſt had a divine call to the execution of all thoſe offices, which he ſuſtained as our Mediator; he did not run before he was ſent, he did not act without a Commiſſion and Warrant, he was lawfully conſtituted by him who had power, to undertake that great charge he hath over the Church; this we ſhall find aſſerted of all his three offices. As for his Prieſtly office, he was made a Prieſt by an immediate call and ordination from God: Heb. 5. 4, 5, 6. The ſcope of the Apoſtle, is to ſet out the excellency of Chriſt's Prieſthood, by comparing it with the Levitical; His Prieſthood had a concurrence of all things neceſſary to the Levitical; and it had many excellencies above that. Now, among other things required in the Prieſthood of Aaron, this was one, there muſt p. 136be a divine regular call; this was in the Prieſthood of Chriſt; He was called of God, an high prieſt, after the order Pſal. 110. 4. The Hebrew is, Thou a Prieſt, &c. i. e. Thou ſhalt be a prieſt for ever; it being the manner of the Hebrew Tongue, ſometimes for brevity ſake, to leave out a word, which is to be underſtood and ſupplied.Ps 110:4of Melchiſedek: that Pſal. 110. 4. is God's ſure and irrevocable promiſe to Chriſt, touching that excellent and eternal Prieſthood, whereby the recovery of his ſeed, was to be meritoriouſly obtained. This Prieſtly office of Chriſt is ſure, becauſe it is confirmed by God's oath (of which before) as well as his promiſe. The promiſe makes it ſure, the oath doubly ſure, irrevocable: And certainly, the Lord neither can nor will ever repent himſelf of this promiſe and oath. The Prieſthood of Chriſt is the moſt noble part of all his mediation; in the Prieſthood of Chriſt, and in that eſpecially, lies the latitude and longitude, the profundity and ſublimity of God's love towards us; and in reſpect of this eſpecially, is the whole myſtery of our Redemption by Chriſt called, foreign, the magnificent works of God. Chriſt as man, and as Mediator between God and man, was, by his father, deputed unto his Prieſtly office: Concerning the dignity and excellency of Chriſt's Prieſtly office, above the Levitical Prieſthood, I have ſpoke elſewhere. But,

Secondly, God the father promiſes to Jeſus Chriſt, to 2make him a Prophet, a great Prophet, yea, the Prince of Prophets. Chriſt is a Prophet, foreign, in way of eminency and excellency, above all other Prophets; he was the chief, the head of them all: Chriſt was made a Prophet by an immediate call and ordination from God. Chriſt, in reſpect of his Prophetical office, can plead the authority of his father; he can ſhew a Commiſſion for this office, under his father's own hand; Deut. 18. 18.Vide Act. 3. 22. and …p. 7. 37. Deut. 18. 15. Iſa. 61. 1.Acts 3:22Deut 18:15Isa 61:1 I will raiſe them a prophet, from among their brethren, like unto thee; and will put my words in his mouth, and he ſhall ſpeak unto them all that I ſhall command them. Chriſt does not raiſe himſelf up to the Prophetical office, but God the father raiſes him up to this great office: He was anointed of God to preach glad tidings; weigh that, Iſa. 42. 6, I will give thee for a light to the gentiles, to open the blind eyes, to bring out the priſoners from their priſon, and them p. 137that ſit in darkneſs, out of the priſon-houſe. The ſpirit of the Lord God is upon me, becauſe the Lord hath anointed Luk. 4. 21.Luke 4:21me, to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath ſent me to bind up the broken hearted, &c. Thus you ſee, that this Prophetical dignity of Chriſt, that he is the grand Doctor of the Church, is built upon the Authority of his …ather, who hath authorized and commiſſionated him toChriſt diſplaces all Rabbies, by aſſuming this title to himſelf, one is your Doctor and Maſter, even Chriſt, Mat. 23.Matt 23 that great office, Iſa. 50. 4. The Lord hath given me the tong…e of the learned, that I ſhould know how to ſpeak a word in ſeaſo… to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, … wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. Thus you ſee th… God the father promiſeth to inveſt Chriſt with a Prop…tick office; for the opening the eyes of the blind, &c. This great Prophet is richly furniſhed with all kind of knowledg; In him are hid all the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledg; they are hid in him as gold and ſilver are in ſuo loco, as the Philoſopher ſpeaks, hid in the veins of the earth: Treaſures of knowledg, that is, precious knowledg, ſaving knowledg; Treaſures of knowledg, that is, plentiful knowledg, abundance of knowledg; Treaſures, that is, hidden and ſtored knowledg, was laid up in him. All the Angels in heaven, and all the men on earth, do not know all that is in the heart of God; but now Jeſus Chriſt, who lies in the boſom of the father; he knowsJoh. 1. 1….John 1:1 all that is in his father's heart; all thoſe ſecret myſteries, that were laid up in the boſom of eternity, are fully known to this great Prophet of the Church; Joh. 5. 20. The father loveth the ſon, and ſheweth him all things that himſelf doth, by a divine and unſpeakable communication. God the father ſhews to Jeſus Chriſt all things that he doth; God's love is communicative, and will manifeſt it ſelf in effects, according to the capacity of the party beloved; ſo much appeareth in that unſpeakable love of the father to the ſon; The father loveth the ſon, and ſheweth him all things, &c. Or communicateth his nature, wiſdom and power, for operation with him; which is expreſſed in terms taken from among men, becauſe of our weakneſs; and ought to be ſpiritually, and not carnally conceived of. p. 138And therefore theſe terms of the father's ſhewing, and the ſon's ſeeing, are made uſe of to prevent all carnal and groſs conceptions of this inexpreſſible communication from the Father, and participation by the Son. In the bleſſed Scripture, Jeſus Chriſt is ſometimes called (the) Prophet, and (that) Prophet; becauſe he is one that came from the boſom of the father, and lives and lies i… the boſom of the father, and underſtands the whole mi…d, will, heart, counſels, deſigns, ways and workings of the father. Jeſus Chriſt is anointed by God the father, …o be the great Prophet and teacher of his Elect; and ac…rdingly Jeſus Chriſt has taken that office upon himſelf … the father has laid a charge upon Jeſus Chriſt, to tea…h and inſtruct all thoſe that he has given him, in his whole mind and will, ſo far as is neceſſary to their ſalvation, edification, conſolation, &c. Moſes was faithful as a ſervant, but Heb. 3. 2, 5, 6.Heb 3:2Heb 3:5Heb 3:6Chriſt as a ſon. Chriſt cannot be unfaithful in his Prophetical office; thoſe that God the father hath charged him to teach and inſtruct, he will teach and inſtruct, in the great things of their peace; and no wonder, for the knowledg that is communicated to Jeſus Chriſt, the great Prophet of his Church, is not by Dreams, or Viſions, or Revelations of Angels (as to the Prophets of old) but by a clear, full, intimate view, and beholding of the Godhead, the fountain of all ſacred knowledg; Rev. 5. 6. And I beheld, and loe, in the midſt of the throne, and of the The Lamb ſtands becauſe, 1. Prepared to perfect the work of Redemption: 2. To help: 3. To judg: 4. To intercede.four beaſts, and in the midſt of the elders, ſtood a lamb as it had been ſlain, having ſeven horns and ſeven eyes, which are the ſeven ſpirits of God, ſent forth into all the earth: The Lamb ſlain opens the Prophecies, and foretells what ſhall befall the Church, to the end of the world, The diſcovery of the ſecrets of God in his word, are the fruit of Chriſt ſlain, aſcended and anointed, as the great Prophet of the Church. The Lamb wanted neither power nor wiſdom to open the ſeven ſeals, and therefore he is ſaid to have ſeven horns and ſeven eyes: Seven is a numberDan. 7. 24. Iſa. 35. 5. Mat. 28. 18. Coloſ. 2. 3, 9.Dan 7:24Isa 35:5Matt 28:18Col 2:3Col 2:9 of perfection. Horns ſignifie power, eyes ſignifie knowledg or wiſdom; both joyned together, argue a fulneſs p. 139and perfection of power and wiſdom in Chriſt; ſo that we have here a lively repreſentation of the three fold office of Chriſt: His Sacerdotal or Prieſtly office in the Lamb as ſlain, his Royal or Princely office in the horns, and his Prophetical office in the eyes. But,

Thirdly, God the father promiſes to make him a King, 3yea, a mighty King alſo: The Kingly office ſpeaks might and power. Chriſt is a King above all other Kings, he is a King, higher than the Kings of the earth; he is the Pſal. 89. 27. Rev. 1. 5. Rev. 17. 14.Ps 89:27Rev 1:5Rev 17:14prince of the kings of the earth; he is Lord of Lords, and ki… of kings. I remember Theodotius the Emperour, and an…er Emperour did uſe to call themſelves the vaſſals of of Chriſt; and 'tis moſt certain that all the Emperours, Kings and Princes of the world, are but the vaſſals of …is great King. Chriſt is not only King of Saints, butRev. 15. 3, 4. Rev. 12. 5. Dan. 7. 17.Rev 15:3Rev 15:4Rev 12:5Dan 7:17 he is alſo King of Nations: There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom; that all people, nations and languages ſhould ſerve him: God, by promiſe, hath given Pſal. 2. 8.Ps 2:8him the heathen for his inheritance, and the utmoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſion. The Monarchs of the world have ſtretched their Empires far; Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom in Strabo, reached as far as Spain; The Perſians reached farther, Alexander farther than they, and the Romans farther than them all; but none of all theſe has ſubduedRom. 10. 18. Rev. 11. 15. Mat. 28. 18. Joh. 3. 35. 1 Cor. 15. 27.Rom 10:18Rev 11:15Matt 28:18John 3:351 Cor 15:27 the whole habitable world, as Chriſt has and will: All power is given unto him, both in heaven and in earth: The father loveth the ſon, and hath given all things into his hand; and the father, alſo, hath put all things under his feet. The Government of all the world is given to Jeſus Chriſt as God-man. All the Nations of the earth are under the Government of Chriſt; he is to govern them, and rule them, and judg them, and make what uſe he pleaſes of them, as may make moſt for his own glory, and the good of his choſen. Now God the father promiſeth to inveſtMy King, in a peculiar way, Decre…um, Scri…um, Promulgatum. Jeſus Chriſt with this Kingly office; Pſal. 2. 6. Yet have I ſet my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Theſe words are ſpoken by God the father, of his ſon Jeſus Chriſt: In a promiſſory way, God the father anoints Jeſus Chriſt, as p. 140Zion's King; and therefore it cannot but be the higheſt madneſs, folly and vanity, for any ſort or number of men under heaven, to ſeek or attempt to pull that King of Saints down, whom God the father hath ſet up: Chriſt rules for his father, and from his father, and will ſo rule in deſpight of all the rage and wrath malice and madneſs of men and devils; yet have I ſet my king, Heb. I have anointed. Where the ſign of Chriſt's inauguration, or entrance into his Kingdom, is put for the poſſeſſion and enjoying thereof: Chriſt was anointed and appointed by his father, to the office and work of a Mediator, and is therefore here called his King. There is an Emphaſis in the word (I) Yet have I ſet my King upon my holy hill of Zion: Iſa. 40. 15, 17.Isa 40:15Isa 40:17I, before whom all the nations of the earth are b… as … drop of a bucket, and as the ſmall d…ſt of the … I, before whom all nations are as nothing. yea, leſs than nothing; I, by whom Princes rule, and Nobles, evenPr…v. 8. 16. all the Judges of the earth; I that rule the Kingdoms of men, and give them to whomſoever I will, andDan. 4. 17.Dan 4:17 who ſet over them the baſeſt of men; I that change times and ſeaſons, and that remove Kings, and ſetDan. 2. 21.Dan 2:21 up Kings; I, that can kill and make alive, ſave and dan…,D…ut. 32. 39. bring to heaven and throw down to hell; I am he that hath ſet up Chriſt as King, and therefore let me ſee the Nation, the Council, the Princes, the Nobles, the Judges, the Family, the perſon, that dare oppoſe or run countercroſs to what I have done. Again, the Lord, in a promiſſory way, approves and eſtabliſheth this King by a firm decree; Pſal. 2. 7. I will declare the decree; not the ſecret decree, but the decree manifeſted in the word. I, the ſon of God, will, by my everlaſting Goſpel, proclaim my father's counſel, concerning the eſtabliſhment of my Kingdom; I will declare that irrevocable decree of the father, for the ſetting up of his ſon's Sceptre, contra gentes, point blank, oppoſite to that decree of theirs, verſ. 3. The Decree of God, concerning the Kingly office and authority of Chriſt, is immutable, and in effect, as irrevocable (ſo much may be collected out of the propriety of p. 141the word foreign) as thoſe things are, that are moſt irrevocable in the courſe of nature. Again, the Lord, in a promiſſory way, extends the dominion of Chriſt to the Gentiles, and to the uttermoſt parts of the earth; verſ. 8. So far ſhould the enemies of Chriſt be from ruining his Kingdom, that God the father promiſeth that all the inhabitants of the earth ſhould be his, and brought into ſubjection to him: not only the Jews, but all the inhabitants of the earth ſhall be ſubjected to Chriſt's Kingdom (the elect he ſhall ſave, and the refractory he ſhall deſtroy.) He ſhall have dominion from ſea to ſea, and from the river, even to …he ends of the earth. Again, the Lord, in a promiſſory way, declares the power, prevalency and victory of Chriſt over all his enemies: verſ. 9. Thou ſhalt break them with ar…d of iron, thou ſhalt daſh them in pieces like a potters veſſel: This ſignifies their …tter de…ruction, ſo that there is no hope of recovery; a Potter…s veſſel, when it is once broken, cannot be made up again. This Proverb▪ alſo, ſignifies facility in deſtroying them. As for ſuch that plot, bandy and combine together againſt the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; he ſhall as eaſily, and as irrecoverably, by his almighty, … and unreſiſtible power, daſh them in pieces, as a Potter br…ks his veſſels in pieces: Jer. 19. 11. I will break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's veſſel, that cannot be made whole again: So Iſa. 30. 14. And be ſhal break it as th… breaking …f the p…tter's veſſel▪ that is broken in pieces, he ſhal not …are▪ ſo that there ſhall not be found in the …tings …f it▪ … …herd to take …re from the hearth, or to …ake water withal out of the …it. The Jews, you know, were Chriſt's obſtinate … and he hath ſo da…d them in pieces that they … ſcattered abroad all the world over. Th… … hath …de another promiſe, that Chriſt … King it; Pſal. …10. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. And no wonder, when we … that God the father hath called Chriſt to the Kingly … the Sceptre is given into his … Cr…wn is put upon his head, and the Key of Gove… … laid upon his ſhoulder by God himſelf; Iſa. 22. 22. it is written p. 142thus of Eliakim, The key of the houſe of David, will I lay upon his ſhoulder; So he ſhall open and none ſhall ſhut… and he ſhall ſhut and none ſhall open. Now, herein was thisRev. 3 7.Rev 3:7 precious ſoul a lively figure and type of Chriſt: The words of the Prophecy are applied to Chriſt, in his advertiſement to Philadelphia; and the ſence is this, that look as Eliakim was made Steward or Treaſurer under Hezekiah, that is, the next under the King in Government all over the Land, to command, to forbid, to permit, to reward, to puniſh, to do juſtice, and to repreſs all diſorder; of which Authority, the bearing of a key on the ſhoulder, was a badge: So Chriſt, as Mediator, under his father, hath Regal power and authority over his Church, where he commands in chief, as I may ſay, and no man may lift up his hand or foot without him; he hath the key of the houſe of David upon his ſhoulder, to preſcribe, to inhibit, to call, to harden, to ſave, and to deſtroy at his pleaſure; ſuch a Monarch and King is Chriſt, neither hath any ſuch Rule and Soveraignty beſide him. And if you look into Dan. 7. 13, 14. you may obſerve, that after the aboliſhing of the four Monarchies, Chriſt's Monarchy is eſtabliſhed by the Ancient of days, giving to Jeſus Chriſt dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations and languages ſhould ſerve him; and his dominion is an everlaſting dominion, which ſhall not paſs away, and his kingdom that which ſhall not be deſtroyed: Chriſt did not thruſt himſelf into the Throne, as ſome have done; neither did he ſwim to his Crown through a Sea of blood, as others have done; nor yet ſwam he through a Sea of ſorrow to this Crown, as Queen Elizabeth is ſaid to do; no, he ſtayed till authority was given him by his father. But,

Thirdly, God the father hath promiſed, that he will 3give to Jeſus Chriſt aſſiſtance, ſupport, protection, help, and ſtrength to carry on the great work of Redemption. God the father promiſes and covenants with Jeſus Chriſt, to carry him through all dangers, difficulties, perplexities, trials and oppoſitions, &c. that he ſhould meet with p. 143in the accompliſhing our Redemption; upon which accounts, Jeſus Chriſt undertakes to go through a Sea of trouble, a ſea of ſorrow, a ſea of blood, and a ſea of wrath; Iſa. 42. 1. Behold my ſervant whom I uphold, mine Chriſt is … Lord, but in the work of Redemption, …e was the father's ſer…ant.elect in whom my ſoul delighteth: Verſ. 4. He ſhall not fail nor be diſcouraged, till he have ſet judgment in the earth; and the Iſles ſhall wait for his law. Verſ. 6. I the Lord have called thee in righteouſneſs, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee: What's that? why, I will ſupport, ſtrengthen and preſerve thee with my glorious power; I will ſo hold thy hand, that thou ſhalt not be diſcouraged, but finiſh that great work of Redemption, which, by agreement with m…, thou haſt undertaken. God the father agreed with Jeſus Chriſt, about the power, ſtrength, ſucceſs and aſſiſtance that he ſhould have, to carry on the work of Redemption; all which God the father made good to him, till he had ſent forth judgment unto victory: As Chriſt himſelf acknowledgeth,Iſa. 49. 1, 2, 3.Isa 49:1Isa 49:2Isa 49:3 ſaying, Liſten, O Iſles, unto me, and hearken ye people from far; the Lord hath called me from the w…mb, from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name: And he hath made my mouth like a ſharp ſword, in the ſhadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a poliſhed ſhaft; in his quiver hath he hid me: And ſaid unto me, thou art my ſervant, O Iſrael, in whom I will be glorified. The work of Redemption was ſo high, ſo hard, ſo great, ſo difficult a work, that it would have broken the hearts, backs and necks of all the glorious Angels in heaven, and mighty men on earth, had they engaged in it; and thereforeJ…. 17. 2. God the father engages himſelf to ſtand cloſe to Jeſus Chriſt, and mightily to aſſiſt him, and to be ſingularly preſent with him, and wonderfully to ſtrengthen him in all his Mediatory Adminiſtrations; upon which accountsM…. …. 11. Luk. 22. 43. Celeſ. 2. 15.Luke 22:43 Jeſus Chriſt deſpiſes his enemies, bears up bravely under all his ſore temptations and trials, and triumphs over principalities and powers. And certainly, if Chr…ſt had not had ſingular ſupport, and an Almighty ſtrength from the Godhead, he could never have been able to have bore up under that mighty wrath, and to have drunk of that p. 144bloody cup that he did drink off. Now, upon the account of God the father's engaging himſelf, to own Chriſt, and ſtand by him in the great work of our Redemption: Jeſus Chriſt acts faith againſt all his deepeſt diſcouragements, w… he ſhould meet with in the diſcharge of his Mediatory office, as the Prophet tells us; The Lord God will help me, therefore ſhall I not be confounded; therefore Iſ…. 50. 7, 8, 9.have I ſet my face like a flint, and I know that I ſhall not be aſhamed. He is near that juſtifieth me, who will contend with me: From the conſideration of God's help, Jeſus Chriſt ſtrengthens and encourages himſelf in the execution of his office, againſt all oppoſitions: God's preſence and aſſiſtance, made Jeſus Chriſt victorious over all wrongs and injuries: Jeſus Chriſt knew that God the father would clear up his innocency and integrity, and this made him patient and conſtant to the laſt, But,

Fourthly, God the father promiſeth to Jeſus Chriſt, 4that he ſhall not labour in vain, and that the work of Redemption ſhall proſper in his hand, and that he will give a bleſſed ſucceſs to all his undertakings, and crown all his endeavours. He ſhall ſee his ſeed, and he ſhall ſee the travail of his ſoul. Another promiſe of the father…, … 1. 53. 10. …. 49. 6, 7, …, 9, 10, 11, 12. …. 4. 3. to the ſon, you have in that, Iſa. 55. 5. Nations that know thee not, ſhall run unto thee: The Gentiles that never heard of Chriſt, nor ever were acquainted with Chriſt, nor ever had any notice of Chriſt; when Chriſt calls, they ſhall readily and ſpeedily repair unto him, and ſubmit unto him: Chriſt ſhall one day ſee and reap the ſweet and happy fruit of his blood, ſufferings and undertakings; the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall, certainly, proſper in his hand. Chriſt's ſufferings were as a woman's travail, ſharp though ſhort: Now, though a woman ſuffers many grievous pains and pangs; yet, when ſhe ſees a man child brought into the world, ſhe joys and is ſatisfied: So when nations ſhall run to Chriſt, he ſhall ſee his ſeed, and be ſatisfied. God the father promiſeth that Jeſus Chriſt ſhall have a numerous ſpiritual poſt…rity, begetting and bringing many thouſands to the obedience of his father; Nations ſhall run p. 145unto thee: And this ſhall fill the heart of Jeſus Chriſt with abundance of joy and comfort, contentment and ſatisfaction; when he ſhall ſee the fruit of his bitter ſufferings, when he ſhall ſee abundance of poor filthy, guilty, condemned ſinners pardoned, juſtified and accepted with hisPſal. 63. 5.Ps 63:5 father; His ſoul ſhall be ſatisfied as with marrow and fatneſs. The numerous body of believers paſt, preſent and to come, that God the father had promiſed to Jeſus Chriſt was the life of his life. That's a ſweet promiſe, Pſal. 110. 2. Rule thou in the midſt of thine enemies; they that will not bend, muſt break; thoſe that will not ſtoop to his government, ſhall feel his power: Thy people (the peopleJoh. 17. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Luk. 1. 57. 1 Cor. 3. ult.John 17:61 Pet 2:9Luke 1:571 Cor 3 of God are Chriſt's five ways; 1. By donation: 2. By purchaſe: 3. By conqueſt: 4. By covenant: 5. By communication) ſhall be willing in the day of thy power, (Heb. willingneſſes in the abſtract and in the plural number, as if the Holy Ghoſt could not ſufficiently ſet forth their exceeding great willingneſs to ſubmit to all the Royal commands of the Lord.) All Chriſt's Subjects are Volunteers, free hearted, like thoſe Iſles that wait for God's Law;Iſa. 42. 4. cap. 56. 6.Isa 42:4 Zach. 8. 21. And the inhabitants of one city ſhall go to another, ſaying, let us go ſpeedily to pray before the Lord, and to ſeek the Lord of hoſts: I will go alſo. From the womb of the morning, thou haſt the dew of thy youth. Here's the ſucceſs of Chriſt's office promiſed, both in the victorious ſubduing of his enemies, and in the chearful willingneſs of his ſubjects, and in the wonderful numerouſneſs of his people brought over to him, even like the innumerable drops of the morning dew. Another promiſe of that great and compleat ſucceſs, that God the father hath made for Jeſus Chriſt, in his Mediatory office, you have in that, Iſa. 49. from the 6. verſe to the 14. verſe: Chriſt ſhall have a people gathered to him, and a ſeed to ſerve him, Becauſe he hath made his ſoul an offering for their ſins: The multitude of ſinners brought over to Jeſus Chriſt, is the product of the ſatisfaction which he hath made for them, and the trophies of the victory that he hath got, by dying the death of th… Croſs. Thus you ſee that God p. 142duplicate page p. 143duplicate page p. 144duplicate page p. 145duplicate page p. 146the father hath not only engaged himſelf by compact, to preſerve Jeſus Chriſt in his work, but he hath alſo made to him ſeveral precious promiſes of preſervation, protection and ſucceſs, ſo that the work of Redemption ſhall be ſure to proſper in his hand: And to make theſe glorious promiſes the more valid and binding, God confirms them ſolemnly by an oath; Heb. 7. 21. This Prieſt (Chriſt) was made with an oath by him that ſaid unto him, The Lord ſware and will not repent, Thou art a prieſt for ever. God the father foreſaw from everlaſting, that Jeſus Chriſt would ſo infinitely ſatisfie him, and pleaſe him, by his incarnation, obedience and death, that thereupon he ſwears. But,

Fifthly, God the father promiſeth to Jeſus Chriſt, Rule 5Dominion and Sovereignty. This Sovereignty and RulePſal. 2. 8, 9.Ps 2:8Ps 2:9 is promiſed to Jeſus Chriſt, in Iſa. 40. 10. His arm ſhall rule for him, He ſhall ſit in judgment in the earth, and the Iſles ſhall wait for his law: Iſa. 42. 4. not the Jews only, but the Gentiles alſo, the people of divers countries and nations ſhall willingly and readily receive and embrace his doctrine, and ſubmit to his Laws, and give up themſelves to his rule; Mic. 4. 3. He ſhall judge among many nations, that is, rule, order, command and direct, as a Judge and and Ruler among many nations. The Conqueſts that Chriſt ſhall gain over the Nations, ſhall not be by ſwords and arms; but he ſhall bring them to a voluntary obedience, and ſpiritual ſubjection, by his Spirit and Goſpel; Joh. 3. 35. The father loveth the ſon, and hath given all things into his hand; that is, God the father hath given the rule and power over all things in heaven and earth, to Jeſus Chriſt. In carrying on the Redemption of ſinners, as the matter is accorded betwixt the father and the ſon, ſo the redeemed are not left to themſelves, but are put under Chriſt's charge and cuſtody; who has purchaſed them with his blood; God the father having given him dominion over all that may contribute to help, or hinder his peoples happineſs, that he may order them ſo as may be for their good. And this power he hath, as p. 147God, with the father; and as man and Mediatour, by donationMat. …8. 18. c…p. 2. 3.Matt 8:18 and gift from the father; and thus every believer's happineſs is moſt firm and ſure, all things being wiſely and faithfully tranſacted between the father and the ſon,Col…ſ. 1. 19. cap. 2. 1. As long as Jeſus Chriſt has all power to defend his people, and all wiſdom and knowledg to guide and govern his people, and all dominion to curb the enemies of his people, and a commiſſion and charge to be anſwerable for them; we may roundly conclude of their eternal ſafety, ſecurity and felicity. But,

Sixthly, God the father promiſeth to accept of JeſusIſa. 49. 5.Isa 49:5 Chriſt, in his Mediatory office, according to that of Iſaiah, Though Iſrael be not gathered, yet ſhall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord; that is as if he had ſaid, notwithſtanding the infidelity, obſtinacy and impenitency of the greateſt part of the Jews; yet my faithful labour and diligence in the execution of my Mediatory office, is, and ſhall be, greatly accepted, and highly eſteemed of by my heavenly father. Artaxerxes the King of Perſia lovingly accepted of the poor man's Preſent of water, becauſe his good will was in it; and put it into a golden veſſel, and gave him the veſſel of Gold; accounting it the part of a truly noble and generous ſpirit, to take in good part ſmall preſents offered with an hearty affection: Oh, how much more will God the father kindly accept of Jeſus Chriſt, inJer…m ſaith, that the Jews curſed Chriſt in their Synagogues three times a d…y; they ſo greatly abhorred the name Jeſus, that they would not pronounce it; but if they did unawars happen▪ to pronounce it, then they would puniſh themſelve with a blow on their faces, &c. his Mediatory office; verſ. 7. Thus ſaith the Lord the Redeemer of Iſrael, and his holy One, to him whom man deſpiſeth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a ſervant of rulers; Kings ſhall ſee and ariſe, Princes alſo ſhall worſhip, becauſe of the Lord that is faithful, and the holy one of Iſrael, and he ſhall chuſe thee. God the father comforting of Chriſt, tells him, that though he were contemptible to to many, yea, to the Nation of the Jews, and uſed baſely like a ſervant by their Princes, Herod, Annas, Caiphas, and Pontius Pilat; yet other Kings and Princes ſhould ſee his dignity and glory, and ſubmit to him, and honour him, as the Saviour and Redeemer of the world. God the father choſe Jeſus Chriſt to his ſervant, and to be a p. 148Mediator for his Elect; he deſigned him to that office of being a Saviour, both to the Jew and Gentile, and accordingly he accepted of him; Thus ſaith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of ſalvation have I helped thee: and I will preſerve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to eſtabliſh the earth, to cauſe to inherit the deſolate heritage: Here you ſee that God the father ſtill goes on to ſpeak more and more comfortably and encouragingly to Jeſus Chriſt; for he tells him, that he will be at hand to hear, and help, and aſſiſt him; and he tells him, that he will preſerve him both in hisThis Jerom applies to the time of Chriſt's hanging on the Croſs, he cried out, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me; for God made it appear that he heard him, and forſook him not, in that he raiſed him from the dead, &c. See Heb. 5. 7.Heb 5:7 perſon, and in the execution of his office; and he tells him, that he will accept of his perſon, and of his ſervices, and of his ſuits, and interceſſion, for himſelf and his people. So Mat. 3. 17. And lo, a voice from heaven, ſaying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed: The voice from heaven was doubtleſs the voice of his father, in that he ſaith, This is my beloved Son, my natural ſon, by eternal and incomprehenſible generation; and therefore deareſt to me and moſt acceptable with me; my judgment is ſatisfied in him, my love is ſettled upon him, and I have an ineſtimable value for him; and therefore I cannot but declare my approbation and acceptation, both of him and his work; I am well pleaſed in him, I am infinitely pleaſed in him, I am only pleaſed in him, I am at all times pleaſed in him, I am for ever pleaſed in him; I am ſo well pleaſed in him, that, for his ſake, I am fully appeaſed with all them whom I have given him, and who come unto him: Joh. 6. 37, 38, 39, 40. But,

Seventhly, God the father promiſeth, highly to exalt 7Jeſus Chriſt, and nobly to reward him, and everlaſtingly to glorifie him: And nations that knew not thee, ſhall run Iſa. 49. 4, 5, 6. Iſa. 40. 10.Isa 49:4Isa 49:5Isa 49:6Isa 40:10unto thee, becauſe of the Lord thy God, and for the holy One of Iſrael; for he hath glorified thee: Theſe are the words of God the father to his ſon, promiſing of him to ſet ſuch a Crown of glory upon his head, as ſhould make the nations of the world run unto him. God the father made Chriſt glorious in his birth, by the Angel's Doxology, p. 149Glory be to God on high; in his baptiſm by his ſpeakingLuk. 2. 1…, 14. Mat. 3. ult. cap. 17. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. R…m. 1. 4. Act. 1 9, 10, 11.Luke 2:1Luke 2:14Matt 3Acts 1:9Acts 1:10Acts 1:11 of him from heaven, as his beloved ſon; in his tranſfiguration on the mount, in his reſurrection, and in his aſcenſion into heaven: So Iſa 53. 12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he ſhall divide the ſpoil with the ſtrong, becauſe he hath poured out his ſoul unto death; and he was numbered with the tranſgreſſors, and he bare the ſin of many, and made interceſſion for the tranſgreſſours. The meaning is this, I will impart, ſaith God the father, to my ſon, ſuch honour, glory, renown and riches after his ſufferings, as Conquerours uſe to have; and he ſhall have them as a glorious reward of all his conflicts with my wrath, with temptations, with perſecutions, with reproach, with contempt, with death, yea, and with hell it ſelf. The words are a plain alluſion to Conquerours in War, who are commonly exalted and greatly rewarded by their Princes, for venturing of their lives, and obtaining of Conqueſts, as all Hiſtories will tell you: And indeed, ſhould not God the father reward Jeſus Chriſt for all his hard ſervices, and his matchleſs ſufferings, he would expreſs leſs kindneſs to him, than he has done to heathen Princes; for he gave Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar as his hire, for his ſervice at Tyre; and to Cyrus, Ezek. 29. 18, 19. Iſa. 45. 1, 2, 3.Ezek 29:18Ezek 29:19Isa 45:1Isa 45:2Isa 45:3he gave hidden Treaſure: But alas, what were their ſervices to Chriſt's ſervices, or their ſufferings to Chriſt's ſufferings? I have read of Cyrus, how that in a great expedition againſt his enemies, the better to encourage his ſouldiers to fight; in an Oration that he made at the head of his Army, he promiſed upon the victory, to make every foot-ſouldier an horſe-man, and every horſe-man a Commander; and that no officer that did valiantly,Col…ſ. 2. 14, 15. ſhould be unrewarded: And will God the father let the ſon of his deareſt love, who has fought againſt all infernal powers, and conquered them, go without his reward? ſurely no. So in Pſal. 2. 7. I will declare the decree, the Lord hath ſaid unto me, Thou art my ſon, this day have I begotten thee: David was God's ſon by Adoption and acceptation,Pſal. …9. 26▪ 27. Prov. 8. Heb. 1. 5.Ps 9:26Ps 9:27Prov 8Heb 1:5 but Chriſt was his ſon; 1. By eternal Generation▪ p. 1502. By hypoſtatical union; and ſo God had one only ſon, as Abraham had one only Iſaac, though otherwiſe he was the father of many nations; ſome by this day do underſtand the day of Eternity, where there is no time paſt nor to come, no beginning nor ending, but always one preſent day: Others by this day, do underſtand it of the day of Chriſt's incarnation, and coming into the world; ſome again, do underſtand it of the whole time of his manifeſtation in the world, when he was ſent forth as a Prophet to teach them, and was declared evidently to be the ſon of God, both by his miracles and miniſtry,Jo…. 1. 14. and by that voice that was heard from heaven; This is my beloved ſon, in whom I am well pleaſed: Others do underſtand it of the day of Chriſt's Reſurrection (and with them I cloſe) for this ſeems to be chiefly intended; partly becauſe it ſeems to be ſpoken of ſome ſolemn time of Chriſt's manifeſtation to be the ſon of God, and he was declared to be the ſon of God with power, according to the Rom. 1. 4.Rom 1:4ſpirit of holineſs, by the reſurrection from the dead; that is, by the power and force of the Deity, ſanctifying and quickening the fleſh, he was raiſed from the dead, and ſo declared mightily to be the ſon of God; but mainly becauſe the Apoſtle doth clearly affirm, that this was in Chriſt's Reſurrection: He hath raiſed up Jeſus again, as it is alſo written in the ſecond Pſalm; Thou art my ſon, this Act. 13. 32, 33.Acts 13:32Acts 13:33day have I begotten thee. In the day of Chriſt's Reſurrection, he ſeems to tell all the world, that though, from the beginning, he had been hid in the boſom of his father,J…h. 1. 18. and that though in the Law he had been but darkly ſhadowed out; yet in the day of his Reſurrection, they might plainly ſee that he had fully ſatisfied Divine Juſtice, finiſhed his ſ…fferings, and compleated the Redemption of his Elect; and that accordingly, his father had arrayed him with that glory that was ſutable to him. Before the Reſurrection, the Godhead was veiled under the infirmity of the fleſh; but in the Reſurrection, and after the Reſurrection, the Godhead did ſparkle and ſhine forth2 Cor. 13. 4.2 Cor 13:4 very gloriouſly and wonderfully; leaſt the humane nature p. 151of Chriſt, upon its aſſumption, ſhould ſhrink at the approach of ſufferings, God the father engages himſelf to give Jeſus Chriſt a full and ample reward, And to exalt him far above all principality and power, and to put all things Eph. 1. 21, 22. … …il. 2. 9. Name is put for perſon, and bowing of the knee, a bodily ceremony, to expreſs inward ſubjection. Eſtius, ….Eph 1:21Eph 1:22under his feet, and to make him head over all things to the Church: And to give him a name above every name; that at the name of Jeſus, every knee ſhould bow; and all becauſe (to give ſatisfaction to his father) he made himſelf of no reputation, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the croſs; that is, to his dying day: He went thorough many a little death, all his life long, and at length underwent that curſed and painful death of the Croſs; upon which account, the father rewards him highly, by exalting him to ſingular glory, and tranſcendent honour. Look that as the aſſumption of the humane nature is the higheſt inſtance of free mercy, ſo is the rewarding thereof in its ſtate of exaltation, the higheſt inſtance of remunerative juſtice. Oh, how highly is the humane nature of Chriſt honoured, by being exalted to a perſonal union with the Godhead; though vain men may diſhonour Chriſt, yet the father hath conferred honour upon him as Mediator, that it may be a Teſtimony to us, that he is infinitely pleaſed with the Redemption of loſt man. Although Chriſt be in himſelf, God all-ſufficient, God bleſſed for ever, and ſo is not capable of any acceſs of glory; yet it pleaſed him to condeſcend ſo far, as to obſcure his own glory under the veil of his fleſh, and ſtate of humiliation, till he had perfected the work of Redemption; and to account of his office of Mediator, and the dignity accompanying it, as great honour conferred upon him by the father:J…l. 8. 54. And it is obſervable that Chriſt, having finiſhed our Redemption on earth, he petitions his father to advance him to the poſſeſſion of that glory that he enjoyed from all eternity; And now, O father, glorifie thou me, Joh. 17. ….John 17with thine own ſelf; with the glory which I had with thee, before the world was. Now, for the clearing up of this Text, we are to conſider, that as Chriſt was from all Eternity, the glorious God, the God of glory; ſo we are p. 152not to conceive of any real change, in this glory of hisJeſus Chriſt is true God, and was infinitely glorious from all eternity, for he had glory with his father, before the world was; and therefore he was no upſtart God, and of a later ſtanding▪ as the Arians and Maho…etans make of him. Godhead; as if, by his eſtate of humiliation, he had ſuffered any diminution, or by his ſtate of exaltation any real acceſſion were made to his glory as God. But the meaning is this, That Chriſt having (according to the paction paſt betwixt the father and him) obſcured the glory of his Godhead for a time, under the veil of the form of a ſervant, and our ſinleſs infirmities, doth now expect (according to the tenour of the ſame paction) that after he hath done his work as Mediator, he be highly exalted and glorified in his whole perſon, that his humane nature be exalted to what glory finite nature is capable of; and that the glory of his Godhead might ſhine in the perſon of Chriſt, God-man, and in the man Chriſt Jeſus. Thus you ſee the promiſes, the encouragements and rewards, that God the father ſets before Jeſus Chriſt. And let thus much ſuffice, concerning the Articles of the Covenant on God's part.

In the laſt place, let us ſeriouſly conſider of the Articles of the Covenant on Chriſt's part; and let us weigh well the promiſes that Jeſus Chriſt has made to the father, for the bringing about the great work of our Redemption; that ſo we may ſee what infinite cauſe we have to love the ſon as we love the father, and to honour the ſon as we honour the father, and to truſt in the ſon as we truſt in the father, and to glorifie the ſon as we glorifie the father, &c. Now, there are ſix obſervable things on Chriſt's part, on Chriſt's ſide, that we are to take ſpecial notice of, &c.

Firſt, Chriſt having conſented and agreed with the father 1about our Redemption, accordingly he applies himſelf to the diſcharge of that great and glorious work; by taking a body, by aſſuming our nature; Heb. 2. 14. For as much then, as the children are partakers of fleſh and blood, he alſo himſelf likewiſe took part of the ſame: He who was equal with God, did ſo far abaſe himſelf, as to take on him the nature of man, and ſubjected himſelf to all manner▪ of humane frailties (ſo far as they are freed from p. 153ſin) even ſuch as accompany fleſh and blood; and this is one of the wonders of mercy and love, that Chriſt our head ſhould ſtoop ſo low (who was himſelf full of glory) as to take part of fleſh and blood, that he might ſuffer for fleſh and blood; verſ. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels, but he took on him the ſeed of Abraham: Chriſt aſſumed the common nature of man, and not of any particular perſon. The Apoſtle doth here purpoſely uſe this word ſeed, to ſhew that Chriſt came out of theGen. 46. 26. Exod. 1. 5. Heb. 7. 5. 1 King. 8. 19.Gen 46:26Exod 1:5Heb 7:51 Kgs 8:19 loins of man, as Jacob's children and their children are ſaid to come out of his loins, and as all the Jews are ſaid to come out of the loins of Abraham, and as Solomon is ſaid to come out of the loins of David; in a man's loins his ſeed is, and it is a part of his ſubſtance: Thus it ſheweth that Chriſt's humane nature was of the very ſubſtance of man, and that Chriſt was the very ſame that was promiſed to be the Redeemer of man; for of old he was foretold under this word ſeed, as The ſeed of the woman, Gen. 3. 15. Gen. 12. 18. Rom. 9. 7. Heb. 11. 18. 2 Ram. 7. 12. Joh. 8. 58.Gen 3:15Gen 12:18Rom 9:7Heb 11:18Heb 11:2John 8:58the ſeed of Abraham, the ſeed of Iſaac, the ſeed of David; This word, he took on him, as it ſetteth out the humane nature of Chriſt, ſo it gives us a hint of his Divine Nature; for it preſuppoſeth that Chriſt was before he took on him the ſeed of Abraham. He that taketh any thing on him, muſt needs be before he do ſo; is it poſſible for him that is not, to take any thing on him? Now Chriſt, in regard of his humane nature, was not before he aſſumed that nature; therefore that former being muſt needs be in regard of his divine nature, in that reſpect he ever was, even the eternal God; being God, he took on him an humane nature. Chriſt's Eternal Deity ſhines in this 16. verſe, and ſo does his true humanity; in that he took upon him the ſeed of man, it is moſt evident that he was a true man; Seed is the matter of man's nature, and the very ſubſtance thereof. The ſeed of man is the root, outIſa. 11. 1. Luk. 1. 35.Isa 11:1Luke 1:35 of which Chriſt aſſumed his humane nature: The humane nature was not created of nothing, nor was it brought from heaven, but aſſumed out of the ſeed of man. The humane nature of Chriſt never had a ſubſiſtence in it ſelf. p. 154At or in the very firſt framing or making it, it was united to the Divine nature; and at or in the firſt uniting it, itCrean… fundi…ur, & in…und…ndo creatu…. was framed or made. Philoſophers ſay of the uniting of the ſoul to the body, in creating it it is infuſed, and in infuſing it it is created. Much more is this true, concerning the Humane nature of Chriſt, united to his Divine. Fitly therefore is it here ſaid, that he took on him the ſeed of Abraham. So Joh. 1. 14. The word was made fleſh, and dwelt among us: The Evangeliſt having proved the Divinity of Jeſus Chriſt, comes now to ſpeak of his humanity, incarnation and manifeſtation in the fleſh, whereby he became God and Man in one perſon. Fleſh here ſignifies the whole man in Scripture; ye all know that man conſiſteth of two parts, which are ſometimes called fleſh and ſpirit, and ſometimes called ſoul and body; Now by a Synecdoche, either of theſe p…rts may b… put for the whole: And ſo ſometimes the ſoul is put for the whole man, and ſometimes the body is put for the whole man; as you may ſee, by comparing the Scriptures in the MarginA…l. 27. 37. Gen. …6. 27. R…m. 12. 1. cap. 3. 20. Chriſt put himſelf into a low ſi… leprous ſuit of ours, to expiate our pride and robbery in reaching after the D…ity, and to heal … of our ſpiritual Leproſie; for if … had n…t aſſumed our fleſh, he had not ſaved us. N…zianz.Gen 6:27 together. Chriſt did aſſume the whole man, he did aſſume the ſoul as well as the body, and both under the term Fleſh. And indeed, unleſs he had aſſumed the whole man, the whole man could not have been ſaved; if Chriſt had not taken the whole man, he could not have ſaved the whole man: Chriſt took the nature of man, that he might be a fit Mediator; if he had not been man, he could not have died; and if he had not been God, he could not have ſatisfied. So great was the difficulty of reſtoring the Image of God in loſt man, and of reſtoring him to God's favour, and the dignity of ſonſhip, that no leſs could do it, than the natural ſon of God, his becomeing the ſon of man, to ſuffer in our nature; and ſo great was the Father's love and the Son's love to fallen man, as to lay a foundation of reconciliation betwixt God and man, in the perſonal union of the Divine and Humane nature of Chriſt; ſo much is imported in thoſe words, the word was made fleſh. The perſon of the Godhead that was incarnate, was neither the Father nor the Holy Ghoſt, p. 155but the Son, the ſecond Perſon, for the Word was made Fleſh. There being a real diſtinction of the Perſons, that one of them is is not another; and each of them having their proper manner of ſubſiſtence, the one of them might be incarnate, and not the other; and it is the Godhead, not ſimply conſidered, but the Perſon of the Son, ſubſiſting in that Godhead, that was incarnate. And it was very convenient, that the ſecond or middle Perſon (in order of ſubſiſtence) of the bleſſed Trinity, ſhould be the Reconciler of God and man; and that he by whom all things Celeſ. 1. 16, 17. Heb. 1. 2, 3.Heb 1:2Heb 1:3were made, ſhould be the Reſtorer and Maker of the new World; and that he who was the expreſs Image of his Father, ſhould be the Repairer of the Image of God in us. Oh the admirable love and wiſdom of God that ſhines in this, that the ſecond Perſon in the Trinity is ſet on work to procure our Redemption! Though reaſon could never have found out ſuch a way, yet when God hath revealed it, reaſon, though but ſhallow, can ſee a fitneſs in it; becauſe there being a neceſſity that the Saviour of man ſhould be man, and an impoſſibility that any but God ſhould ſave him; and one Perſon in the Trinity being to be incarnate, it agrees to reaſon, that the firſt Perſon in the Trinity ſhould not be the Mediator; for who ſhould ſend him? he is of none, and therefore could not be ſent: There muſt be one ſent to reconcile the enmity, and another to give gifts to friends; two proceeding Perſons, the Son from the Father, and the Holy Ghoſt from the Father and the Son: Accordingly the ſecond Perſon, which is the Son, he is ſent upon the firſt errand, to reconcile man to God; and the third perſon, the Holy Ghoſt, he is ſent to give gifts to men ſo reconciled; ſo as to reaſon, it is ſuitable, and a very great congruity; that God, having made all things by his Son, ſhould now repair all things by his Son; that he that was the middle Perſon in the Trinity, ſhould become the Mediator between God▪ and man; that he that was the expreſs Image of the Father's Perſon, ſhould reſtore the Image of God, defaced in man by his ſins. Ah Chriſtians, how well does it become you p. 156to loſe your ſelves in the admiration of the wiſdom of God, in the contrivance of the work of our Redemption! For the Son of God to take on him the nature of man, with all the eſſential properties thereof, and all the ſinleſs infirmities and frailties thereof, is a wonder that may well take up our thoughts to all Eternity. And Chriſt took the infirmities of our nature, as well as the nature it ſelf: To ſhew the truth of his Humanity; he had a nature that could hunger and thirſt even as ours do, and to ſanctifie them to us; and that ſo he might ſympathize with us, as a merciful and faithful High Prieſt; and that we mightHeb. 2. 16, 17, 18. cap. 4. 15, 16.Heb 2:16Heb 2:17Heb 2:18 confide the more in him, and have acce…s to him with boldneſs. By reaſon of the perſonal union of the two natures in Chriſt, he is a fit Mediator betwixt God and man,Act. 20. 28.Acts 20:28 his ſufferings are of infinite value, being the ſufferings of one who is God, and who is mighty to carry on the workIſa. 63 1. He…. 7. 25.Isa 63:1 of Redemption, and to apply his own purchaſe, and repair all our loſſes. Oh, what an honour has Jeſus Chriſt put upon fallen man, by taking the nature of man on him! What is ſo near and dear to us as our own nature? and lo, our nature is highly preferred by Jeſus Chriſt, to a Union in the Godhead; Chriſt now ſits in heaven withAct. 1. 9, 10, 11.Acts 1:9Acts 1:10Acts 1:11 our nature, and the ſame fleſh that we have upon us, only glorified. It is that which all the world cannot give a ſufficient reaſon, why the ſame word in the Hebrew, Baſhar, ſhould ſignifie both Fleſh, and Good Tidings; Divinity will give you a reaſon, though Grammar cannot; Chriſt's taking of fleſh upon him, was good tidings to all the whole world, therefore no wonder if one word ſignifie both. Abundance of comfort may be taken from hence to poor ſouls, when they think God hath forgotten them, to conſider, is it likely that Chriſt who is Man, ſhould forget man, now he is at the right hand of the Father, cloathed in that nature that we have; when we are troubled to think it is impoſſible God and man ſhould ever be reconciled, let us conſider that God and man did meet in Chriſt, therefore it is poſſible we may meet, what hath been may be again; the two natures met in Chriſt, therefore p. 157God may be reconciled to man; yea, they therefore met, that God might be reconciled to man; he was made Immanuel, God with us, that he might bring God and us together; when a man is troubled to think of the corruptious of his nature, that is ſo full of …efilements, that it cannot be ſanctified perfectly, let him withal think, that his nature is capable of Sanctification to the full. Chriſt received Humane nature which was not polluted, his nature is the ſame, therefore that nature is capable of ſanctification to the uttermoſt. Oh ſirs! if Chriſt, the ſecond Perſon in the Trinity, did put on man, how careful ſhould men be to put on Chriſt! Put you on the Lord Jeſus, ſaithRe… 13. 14. the Apoſtle. If Chriſt aſſumed our Humane nature, how ſhould we wreſtle with God, to be made partakers of the Divine Nature; 2 Pet. 1. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promiſes, that by theſe we may be made partakers of the Divine Nature. If Chriſt became thus one fleſh with us, how zealous ſhould we be to become one ſpirit with Chriſt; 1 Cor. 6. 17. Even as man and wife is one fleſh, ſo he that is joyned to the Lord, is one ſpirit: Was the word made fleſh? did Chriſt take our nature? yea, did he take our nature at the worſt, after the fall? what high cauſe have we to bleſs his name for ever, for this condeſcention of his! Should all the Princes of the world have come from their Thrones, and have gone a begging from door to door, it would not amount to ſo much as for Chriſt to become Man for our ſakes: …hriſt took our nature, not in the the integrity of it, as in Adam before his fall; but in the infirmities of it, which came to it by the fall: What a mazing love was this! For Chriſt to have taken our nature as it was in Adam, while he ſtood clothed in his integrity, and ſtood right in the ſight of God, had not been ſo much as when Adam was fallen, and proclaimed Traytor: As Bernard ſaith, Quo pro me vilior, eò mihi charior, Domine: Lord, thou ſhalt be ſo much the more dear to me, by how much the more thou haſt been vile for me. Here is condeſcention indeed, that Chriſt ſhould ſtoop ſo low to take Fleſh, and Fleſh with Infirmities. But