Paradise Opened, Text (3 of 5)

Paradise Opened · Text (3 of 5)

p. 78Secondly, obſerve with me, that in the perſons redeemed 2by Jeſus Chriſt, there was neither weight norEx…k. 16. 1,—10. worth, neither portion nor proportion, neither inward or outward excellencies or beauties, for which the puniſhment due to them, ſhould be transferred upon dear Jeſus; for if you look upon them in their ſins, in their guilt, you ſhall find them deſpiſers and rejecters of Chriſt, v…rſ. 4. Surely, he hath born our griefs, and carried our ſorrows; yet we did eſteem him ſtricken, ſmitten of God, and afflicted. Chriſt took upon him, not our nature alone, but the infirmities alſo of it, and became liable to ſuch ſorrows, and afflictions, and pains, and griefs, as man's ſinful nature is expoſed, and ſubject unto: TheyR…m. 8. 3. Heb. 4. 15.Heb 4:15 are called ours, becauſe they were procured to him by our ſins, and ſuſtained by him for the diſcharge of our ſins; unto the guilt whereof, out of love to us, undertaken by him, they were deſervedly due. Chriſt, for our ſakes, hath taken all our ſpiritual maladies (that is, all our ſins) upon him, to make ſatisfaction for them; and as our ſurety, to pay the debt that we had run into. Chriſt, in the quality of a pledg for his Elect, hath given full ſatisfaction p. 79for all their ſins; bearing all the puniſhments due for them, in torments and extreme griefs, both of body and ſoul. The reaſon why they ſo much diſeſteemed of Chriſt was, becauſe they made no other account, butYou know they traduced hi… as a notorious deceiver, a drunkard, a friend of publicans and ſinners, and one that wrought by the De…il. that all thoſe afflictions that befel him, were by God, inflicted upon him, for his own evil deſerts: They accounted him to be one out of grace and favour with God, yea to be one purſued by him, with all thoſe evils for his ſins; when the Jews ſaw what grievous things Chriſt ſuffered, they wickedly and impiouſly judged, that he was thus handled by God, in way of vengeance for his ſins: By all which, you may ſee, that in the perſons redeemed by Chriſt, there was nothing of worth or honour to be found, for which the puniſhment due to them, ſhould be tranſferred upon our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. But,

Thirdly, Obſerve with me, That no ſin, nor meritorious 3cauſe of puniſhment is found in Jeſus Chriſt, our bleſſed Redeemer; for which he ſhould be ſtricken, ſmitten and afflicted by God, verſ. 5. 9. He was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities: The chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed. He had done no violence, neither was any deceipt in his mouth. Sin had caſt God and us at infinite1 Pet. 1 18, 19. Rom. 3. 25. cap. 5. 1, 10. 2 Ce…. 5. 19, 21. Co…. 1. 19, 22.1 Pet 1:181 Pet 1:19Rom 3:25 diſtance: Now Chriſt is puniſhed, that our ſins may be pardoned; he is chaſtiſed, that God and we may be reconciled: Guilt ſtuck cloſe upon us, but Chriſt, by the price of his blood, hath diſcharged that guilt, pacified divine wrath, and made God and us friends. God the father laid upon dear Jeſus, all the puniſhments that were due to the Elect, for whom he was a pledg; and by this means they come to be acquitted, and to obtain peace with God. Chriſt was holy harmleſs and undefiled; no manHeb. 7. 26. J…. 8. 46. cap. 14. 30. 1. J…. 3. 5.Heb 7:26 could convince him of ſin; yea, the Devil himſelf could find nothing amiſs in him, either as to word or deed: Chriſt was without original blemiſh, or actuall blot. All Chriſt's words and works were upright, juſt▪ and ſincere; Chriſt's innocency is ſufficiently vindicated; verſ. 9. 'Tis true, Chriſt ſuffered great and grievous things, but not p. 80for his own ſins; For he had done no violence, neither was any deceit found in his mouth: But for ours, Chriſt had now put himſelf in the ſinner's ſtead, and was become his ſurety, and ſo obnoxious to whatever the ſinner had deſerved in his own perſon; and upon this account, and no other, was he wounded, bruiſed and chaſtiſed. The Lord. Jeſus had no ſin in him by inheſion, but he had a great deal of ſin upon him by imputation; He was made 2 Cor. 5. 21.2 Cor 5:21ſin, that knew no ſin, that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in him. It pleaſed our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to put himſelf under our guilt; and therefore, it pleaſed the father to wound him, bruiſe him, and chaſtiſe him. But,

Fourthly, Obſerve with me, That peace and reconciliation 4with God, and the healing of all our ſinful maladies,1 Th…ſ. … …. 1 …et. 1. 18, 19. R…m. 3. 25. cap. 5. 1, 16. 2 Cor. 5. 19, 21.2 Cor 5:192 Cor 5:21 & our deliverance from wrath to come, are all ſuch noble favours, as are purchaſed for us, by the blood of Chriſt; verſ. 5. The chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed: Chriſt was chaſtiſed, to procure our peace, by removal of our ſins, that ſet God and us aſunder; the guilt thereof being diſcharged with the price of his blood, and we reconciled to God by the ſame price; Chriſt was puniſhed, that we, by him, might obtain perfect peace with God, who was at enmity with us, by reaſon of our ſins; by Chriſt's ſtripes we are freed, both from ſin and puniſhment. Now, becauſe ſome produce this Scripture, to juſtifie that corrupt doctrine of univerſal Redemption, give me leave to argue thus from it; That chaſtiſement for ſin, that was laid upon the perſon of Jeſus Chriſt, procured peace for them, for whom he was ſo chaſtiſed; but there was no peace procured for the reprobates,Iſa 57. 21. Eph. 2. 14.Isa 57:21Eph 2:14 or thoſe who ſhould never believe, ergo. Further, by his ſtripes we are healed: Whence I reaſon thus: the ſtripes inflicted upon Chriſt, are intended, and do become healing medicines for them, for whom they are inflicted; but they never become healing medicines for reprobates, or unbelievers; Nahum 3. 9. There is no healing of their bruiſe; Ergo. But,

p. 81Fifthly, Obſerve with me, that the great and the grievous ſufferings, that were inflicted upon Jeſus Chriſt, he did endure freely, willingly, meekly, patiently, according to the Covenant and agreement that was made between the father and himſelf; verſ. 7. He was oppreſſed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the ſlaughter and as a ſheep before her ſhearers is dumb, ſo he opened not his mouth. This is a very pregnant place, to prove the ſatisfaction made by Chriſt's ſufferings for our ſins. If we look upon the words, as they run in the original, for thus they run; It was exacted, and he anſwered; that is, the penalty due to God's juſtice for our ſins, was exacted of Chriſt, and he ſuſtained the ſame for us. The Prophet doth not ſpeak of one and the ſame party, or parties, both ſinning and ſuffering, or ſuſtaining penalties for their own defaults; but as one ſuffering for the ſins of another, and ſuſtaining grievous penalties, for faults made, and faults committed by other perſons. The words rightly read and underſtood, do ſufficiently confirm the doctrine of ſatisfaction, made to God's juſtice, by Chriſt's ſufferings for our ſins; the penalty due to us was, in rigour of juſtice, exacted of him, and he became a ſponſor or ſurety for us, by undertaking in our behalf the diſcharge of it; Chriſt did voluntarily undertake, and …ngage himſelf unto God his father in our behalf, as a ſurety, for the payment of all our debts; they were exacted of him, and he anſwered for them all▪ that is, he not only undertook them, but he alſo diſcharged us of them; ſo we uſe the word commonly in our Engliſh Tongue, to anſwer a debt, for to diſcharge it: And this is moſt true of our dear Lord Jeſus, for he anſwered our debt, and cauſed our bond to be cancelled,Joh. 19 30. Rom. 4. 25. C…l. …. 2. 14.John 19:30Rom 4:25 that it might never come to be put in ſuit againſt us, either in this, or that other world: Yet he opened not his mouth: this has reſpect to his patience; for the oppreſſions and afflictions that he ſuſtained for others, and that in regard of thoſe, by whom he ſuffered them unjuſtly, yet was he ſilent, he neither murmured or repined at God's diſpoſal p. 82of things in that manner, nor uſed any railing or reviling ſpeeches, againſt thoſe that dealt ſo deſpightfully with him, but carried himſelf calmly and quietly under them; Chriſt having an eye to his voluntary obedience and ſubmiſſionMat. 26. 39, 42. Mark. 14. 36. Joh. 18. 23. 1 Pet. 2. 23.Matt 26:39Matt 26:42Mark 14:36John 18:231 Pet 2:23 to the will of his father, and agreement thereunto; he undertook willingly what his father required of him; and as willingly, when the time came, underwent it, neither hanging back, or oppoſing ought, in way of contradiction thereunto; when it was by his father propounded to him at firſt, nor afterward ſeeking to ſhift it off, when he was to perform what he had engaged himſelf unto, by pleading ought for himſelf, and the releaſment of him, from their moſt unjuſt proceedings, in whoſe hands he then was: He opened not his mouth, to confute the ſlanders, and falſe accuſations of his enemies; neither did he utter any thing to the prejudice of them that put him to death, but prayed for them that crucifiedLuk. 23. 34. Mat. 26. …3. cap. 27. 12, 14.Luke 23:34Matt 26:3 him; He was led as a lamb to the ſlaughter (properly as an ewe-lamb, or ſhe lamb, the ewe is mentioned as the quieter of that kind, becauſe the rams are ſometimes more unruly) and as a ſheep that is dumb before the face of her ſhearers. A lamb doth not bite nor puſh him that is going about to kill it; but goeth as quietly to the ſhambles, or the ſlaughter-houſe, as if it were going to the fold, wherein it is uſually lodged, or the field where it is wont to feed. But,

Sixthly, Obſerve with me, That the original cauſe of 6this compact or Covenant between the father and the ſon, by vertue of which, God the father demands a price, and Jeſus Chriſt pays the price according to God's demands, is only from the free grace and favour of God; verſ. 10. It pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him, he hath put him to grief. God the father looks upon Jeſus Chriſt; as ſuſtaining our perſon and cauſe; he looks upon all our ſins, as laid upon him, and to be puniſhed in him: Sin could not be aboliſhed, the juſtice of God could not be ſatisfied, the wrath of God could not be appeaſed, the terrible curſe could not be removed, but by the death of Chriſt; and p. 83therefore God the father took a pleaſure to bruiſe him, and to put him to grief, according to the agreement between him and his ſon. It muſt be readily granted, that God did not incite or inſtigate the wicked Jews, to thoſe vile and cruel courſes and carriages of their to Jeſus Chriſt; but yet, that his ſufferings were by God predetermined for the ſalvation of mankind, is moſt evident by the Scriptures in the margin; and accordingly, it pleaſedAct. 2. 23. cap. 4. 28.Acts 2:23 the Lord to bruiſe him, and to put him to grief. The ſingular pleaſure that God the father takes in the work of our Redemption, is a wonderful demonſtration of his love and affection to us.

Seventhly, Obſerve with me, That it is agreed between 7the father and the ſon, that our ſins ſhall be imputed unto him, and that his righteouſneſs ſhould be imputed unto us, and that all the redeemed ſhall believe in him, and ſo be juſtified; vrrſ. 11. He ſhall ſee of the travel of his ſoul, and ſhall be ſatisfied, by his knowledg (or faith in him) ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtifie many; for he ſhall hear their iniquities. Or as ſome render it, He ſhall ſee the fruit of the travel of his ſoul, and ſhall be ſatisfied; That is, Jeſus Chriſt ſhall receive and enjoy that, as the effect and iſſue of all the great pains that he hath taken, and of all the grievous things that he hath ſuffered, as ſhall give him full content and ſatisfaction; when Chriſt hath accompliſhed the work of Redemption, he ſhall receive a full reward for all his ſufferings. Chriſt takes a ſingular pleaſure in the work of our Redemption, and doth herein, as it were, refreſh himſelf, as with the fruits of his own labours. God the father engages to Jeſus Chriſt, that he ſhould not travel in vain, but that he ſhould ſurvive to ſee with great joy, a numerous iſſue of faithful ſouls begotten unto God; you know when women, after ſore, ſharp, hard labour, are delivered, they are ſo greatly refreſhed, delighted, gladded and ſatisfied, that they forget their former pains and ſorrow, for joy that a manchild is born into the world. God the father undertakes,Joh. 16. 21.John 16:21 that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould have ſuch a holy ſeed, p. 84ſuch a bleſſed iſſue, as the main fruit and effect of his paſſion, as ſhould joy him, pleaſe him, and as he ſhould reſt ſatisfied in: Certainly there could be no ſuch joy and ſatisfaction to Chriſt, as for him to ſee poor ſouls reconciled, juſtified and ſaved by his ſufferings and ſatisfaction; as 'tis the higheſt joy of a faithful miniſter, to ſee ſouls1 Theſ. 2. 19, 20. Gal. 4. 19.1 Thess 2:191 Thess 2:20Gal 4:19 won over to Chriſt, & to ſee ſouls built up in Chriſt: Chriſt did bear the guilt of his peoples ſins, and thereby he made full ſatisfaction; and therefore he is ſaid here, to juſtifie many; not all promiſcuouſly, but thoſe only, whoſe ſins he undertook to diſcharge, and for whom he laid down his life. Chriſt's juſtifying of many, is his diſcharging of many from the guilt of ſin, by making ſatisfaction to God for the ſame. But,

Eighthly, Obſerve with me, That it is agreed between 8the Father and the Son, that for thoſe perſons, for whomBeſides the Ele…t, be i…terceeds for none. Joh. 17. 9, 10.John 17:9John 17:10 Jeſus Chriſt ſhould lay down his life, he ſhould ſtand interceſſour for them alſo; that ſo they may be brought to the poſſeſſion of all thoſe noble favours and bleſſings that he has purchaſed with his deareſt blood; verſ. 12. He bare the ſins of many, and made interceſſion for the tranſgreſſors, ſaying, father, forgive them, for they know not what they Luk. 23. 24.Luke 23:24do: For thoſe very tranſgreſſors, by whom he ſuffered, he does intercede; for the article here is emphatical, and ſeems to point unto that ſpecial act, and thoſe particular perſons: Not but that theſe words have relation alſo, to Chriſt's interceſſion for all thoſe ſinners that belong to him, and that have an intereſt in him; which interceſſion continues ſtill, and ſhall do to the end of the world; Heb. 7. 25. But,

The Sixth Scripture is that, Iſa. 59. 20, 21. And the The Sixth Proof.redeemer ſhall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from tranſgreſſion in Jacob, ſaith the Lord. As for me, this is my covenant with them, ſaith the Lord; my ſpirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, no… out of the mouth of thy ſeed, nor out of the mouth of thy ſeeds ſeed, ſaith the Lord, from hence forth, and for ever. Out of this bleſſed Scripture p. 85you may obſerve theſe following things: Firſt, the parties covenanting and agreeing, and they are God the father and Jeſus Chriſt; God the father in thoſe words, ſaith the Lord; and Jeſus Chriſt in thoſe words, The redeemer ſhall come to Zion. Secondly, You have God the father, firſt covenanting with Jeſus Chriſt, and then with his ſeed, as is evident in the 21. verſ. Thirdly, You have the perſons deſcribed, that ſhall be ſharers in Redemption mercies, and they are the Sionites, the people of God, the citizens of Zion; but leſt any ſhould think that all Zion ſhould be ſaved, it is added by way of explication, that only ſuch of Zion …urn from tranſgreſſion in Jacob, ſhall have benefit by the Redeemer: The true Citizens ofRom. 11. 26.Rom 11:26 Zion, the right Jacobs, the ſincere Iſraelites, in whom there is no guile; are they and only they that turn from their ſins: None have intereſt in Chriſt, none have redemption by Chriſt, but converts, but ſuch as caſt away their tranſgreſſions, as Ephraim did his Idols, ſaying,Hoſ. 14. 8.Hos 14:8 what have I any more to do with you. Fourthly, You have the way and manner of the Elect's delivery, and that is, not only by paying down upon the nail, the price agreed on, but alſo by a ſtrong and powerful hand, as the originalRom. 11. 26. Iſa. 59. 20. Ru…mends. ….Rom 11:26Isa 59:20 imports in the Scriptures cited in the margin. The Greek word that is uſed by Paul, and the Hebrew word that is uſed by Iſaiah, do both ſignifie delivering by ſtrong hand, to reſcue by force, as David delivered the Lamb out of the Lyon's paw. Fifthly, you have the ſpecial bleſſings that are to be conferred upon the Elect, viz. Redemption, converſion, ſaith, repentance, reconciliation, turning from their iniquity; all comprehended under that term, the Redeemed. Sixthly, You have the Lord Jeſus Chriſt conſidered as the head of the Church, from whom all ſpiritual gifts, viz. ſanctification, ſalvation and perſeverance do flow and run, as a precious balſom, upon the members of his body: My ſpirit that is in me (ſaith God the Father, to Chriſt the Redeemer) and my word which I have put into thy mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy mouth; nor out of the mouth of thy ſeed, &c. In theſe words, God p. 86the father engages, that his ſpirit and word ſhould continue with his Church▪ to direct and inſtruct it, and the children of it, in all neceſſaries, throughout all ages, ſucceſſively, even unto the world's end. But,

The Seventh Scripture is that, Zach. 6. 12, 13. And The 7. Proof.ſpeak unto him, ſaying, thus ſpeaketh the Lord of hoſts, ſaying, behold the man, whoſe name is the Branch, and he ſhall grow up out of his place, and he ſhall build the temple of the Lord. Even he ſhall build the temple of the Lord, and he ſhall bear the glory, and ſhall ſit and rule upon his throne; and he ſhall be a prieſt upon his throne, and the counſel of peace ſhall be between them bot… …ow, that the buſineſs of man's Redemption was tranſacted betwixt the father and the ſon, is very clear from this text. And the counſel of peace ſhall be between them both, that is, the two perſons ſpoken of, viz. the Lord Jehovah, who ſpeaks, and the man, whoſe name is the Branch, Jeſus Chriſt: This counſel was primarily about the reconcilation of the riches of God's grace, and the glory of his juſtice;What ever Socinians ſay, 'tis moſt certain, that Recon…iliation is not only on the ſinner's part, but on God's alſo. the deſign and counſel both of the father and the ſon, was our peace. The counſel of reconciliation, how man that is now an enemy to God, may be reconciled to God, and God to him; this counſel or conſultation ſhall be betwixt them b…th, that is. Jehovah and the Branch: There were bleſſed tranſactions between the father and the ſon, in order to the making of peace between an angry God, and ſinful men; I know, ſeveral learned men interpret it of Chriſt's offices, viz. of his Kingly and Prieſtly office; for both conſpire to make peace betwixt God and man. Now, if you will thus underſtand the text, yet it will roundly follow, that there was a conſultation at the counſel-board in heaven, concerning the reconciliation of fallen man to God; which reconciliation Chriſt, as King and Prieſt, was to bring about. Look, as there was a counſel taken, touching the creation of mankind, between the perſons in the bleſſed Trinity, Let us make man after our Image; ſo there was a conſultation held, concerningGal. 1. 26. Col. 3. 10. Eph. 4. 24.Gal 1:26Col 3:10Eph 4:24 the reſtauration of mankind, out of their lapſed condition: p. 87The counſel of peace ſhall be between them both: Certainly, there was a Covenant of Redemption made with Chriſt; upon the terms whereof, he is conſtituted to be a Reconciler and a Redeemer: To ſay to the priſoners, Go forth, to bring deliverance to the captives, and to proclaim the year of releaſe or Jubile, the acceptable year of the Lord, as it is, Iſa. 61. 1, 2. But,

The Eighth Scripture is that, Pſal. 40. 6, 7, 8. Sacrifice The eighth proofand offering thou didſt not deſire, mine ears haſt thou opened, burnt offering and ſin offering haſt thou not required. Then ſaid I, lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me: I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy Law is within my heart; Heb. in the midſt of my bowels; compared with that, Heb. 10. 5, 6, 7. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he ſaith, ſacrifice and offering thou wouldſt not, but a body haſt thou prepared for me: In burnt offerings and ſacrifices for ſin, thou haſt had no pleaſure: Then ſaid I, lo, I come, in the volume of the book, it is written of me, to do thy will, O God. In theſe two Scriptures, two things are concluded. 1. The impotency of Legal Sacrifices, verſ. 5, 6. 2. The all ſufficiency of Chriſt's ſacrifice, verſ. 7. There is ſome difference in words and phraſes, betwixt the Apoſtle and the Prophet, but both agree in ſence; as we ſhall endeavour to demonſtrate. Pen men of the New Teſtament, were not Tranſlators of the Old, but only quoted them, for proof of the point in hand; ſo as they were not tied to ſyllables and letters, but to the ſence. That which the Prophet ſpeaketh of himſelf, the Apoſtle applieth to Chriſt; ſay ſome, this may be readily granted: For David being a ſpecial type of Chriſt, that may in hiſtory and type, be ſpoken of David; which, in myſtery and truth, is underſtood of Chriſt: But that which David uttered in the aforeſaid text, is queſtionleſs, uttered by the way of Prophecy, concerning Chriſt, as is evident by theſe reaſons.

Firſt, In David's time, God required ſacrifices and 1burnt offerings, and …ook delight therein; for God anſwered1 Chron. 21. 26. 1 Sam. 26. 19.1 Chr 21:261 Sam 26:19 David from heaven by fire, upon the Altar of p. 88burnt-offering; and David himſelf adviſed Saul to offer a burnt offering, that God might accept of it.

Secondly, David was not able, ſo t… do the will of God, 2as by doing it, to make all ſacrifices void; therefore, this muſt be taken as a Prophecy of Chriſt.

Thirdly, In the verſe before (namely, Pſal. 40. 5.) 3ſuch an admiration of God's goodneſs is premiſed, as cannot fitly be applied to any other evidence, than of his goodneſs in giving Chriſt; in reference to whom, it may be truly ſaid, That eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard. neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor. 2. 9.

Fourthly, Theſe words uſed by the Apoſtle, when he 4cometh into the world, he ſaith, are meant of Chriſt; which argue, that, that which followeth, was an expreſs prophecy of Chriſt: Theſe things being premiſed; out of the Texts laſt cited, we may obſerve theſe following particulars, that make to our purpoſe.

Firſt, That the holy ſpirit opens and expounds the 1Covenant of Redemption, bringing in the father and the ſon, as conferring and agreeing together, about the terms of it; and the firſt thing agreed on between them, is the price; and the price that God the father ſtands upon, is blood; and that not the blood of Bulls and Goats, but the blood of his ſon; which was the beſt, the pureſt, and theH…b. 10. 4. cap. 9 22. J…h. 10. 11, 15, 17. 18. J…. 1. 29. 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19.1 Pet 1:181 Pet 1:19 nobleſt blood, that ever run in veins: Now Chriſt, to bring about the redemption of fallen man, is willing to come up to the demands of his father, and to lay down his blood: The Scripture calls the blood of Chriſt, foreign, precious blood; Oh! the vertue in it, the value of it; through this Red Sea, we muſt paſs to heaven; Sanguis Chriſti clavis coeli, Chriſt's blood is heaven's key: Iſal. 116. 15.Precious in the ſight of the Lord is the blood of the Saints, and truly, precious in the ſight of the Saints, is the blood of Chriſt: Ʋna guttula plus valet quam coelum & terra, Luther.One little drop is more worth than heaven and earth. Chriſt's blood is precious blood, in regard of the dignity of his perſon; it is the blood of God himſelf; it is the bloodAct. 20. 28.Acts 20:28 p. 89of that perſon, who is very God as well as very man: Chriſt's blood was noble blood, and therefore precious; he came of the race of Kings, as touching his manhood; but being withal, the ſoh of God. This renders his nobilityIſa. 19. 11.Isa 19:11 matchleſs and peerleſs. It was Pharaoh's brag, that he was the ſon of ancient Kings; who can lay claim to this, more than Chriſt? who can challenge this honour, before him? he is the ſon of the ancienteſt King in theDan. 7. 9, 13, 2….Dan 7:9Dan 7:13Dan 7:2 world, he was begot a King from all Eternity; and the blood of good Kings is precious; Thou art worth ten thouſand 2 Sam. 18. 3.2 Sam 18:3of us, ſaid David's ſubjects to him; and therefore, they would not ſuffer him to hazard himſelf in the batt…l: The nobleneſs of his perſon, did ſet a high rate upon his blood: and whom doth this argument more commend unto us, than Chriſt. And the blood of Chriſt is precious blood, in regard of the vertues of it; by this blood, God and man are reconciled, by this blood the choſ…n of God are redeemed. It was an excellent ſaying of Leo, The effuſion of Chriſt's blood is ſo rich and available, thatLeo de p…ſ. ſ…rm. 12. c. 4. if the whole multitude of captive ſinners would believe in their Redeemer, not one of them ſhould be detained in the Tyrant's chains. This precious blood juſtifi…s ourAct. 13. 38, 39. R…m. 3. 24, 25. 1 J…h. 1. 7. 1 I…ſ. 1. 10.Acts 13:38Acts 13:39 perſons in the ſight of God, it frees us from the guilt of ſin, and it frees us from the reign and dominion of ſin, and it frees us from the puniſhments that are due to ſin, it ſaves us, foreign, from that wrath that is to come. Now, were not Chriſt's blood of infinite value and vertue, it could never have produced ſuch glorious effects; the blood of Chriſt is precious, beyond all account; and yet, our Lord Jeſus did not think it too dear a price to pay down for his Saints: God the father would be ſatisfied with no other price; and therefore, God the ſon comes up to his father's price, that our Redemption might be ſure. But,

Secondly, Obſerve that God rejects all ways of ſatisfaction 2by men: Could men make as many prayers as there be ſtars in heaven, and drops in the Sea; and could they1 Cor. 13. 3.1 Cor 13:3 weep as much blood, as there is water in the Ocean; and p. 90ſhould they give all their goods to the poor, and their bodies to be burnt, as ſome have done; yet, all this would not ſatisfie for the leaſt ſin, not for an idle word, not for a vain thought; Heb. 10. 5. Sacrifice and offering thou wouldſt not; that is, thou wilt not accept of them, for an expiation and ſatisfaction for ſin, as the Jews imagined. The Apoſtle ſhews the impotency and inſufficiency of legal ſacrifices, by God's rejecting of them; the things here ſet down, not to be regarded by God (as ſacrifices, offerings, burnt offerings, and ſacrifices for ſin, together with other legal ordinances, compriſed under them) do evidently demonſtrate, that God regards none of thoſe things in a way of ſatisfaction, they are no current price, they are no ſuch pay that will be accepted of in the Court of heaven. Remiſſion of ſin could never be obtained by ſacrifices and offerings, nor by prayers, tears, humblings, meltings, watchings, faſtings, penances, pilgrimages, &c. Remiſſion of ſins coſt Chriſt dear, though it coſt us nothing: Remiſſion of ſins drops down from God to us, through Chriſt's wounds, and ſwims to us in Chriſt's blood. It was well ſaid by one of the Ancients; I have not whence Ambroſ. de Jacob, …. lib. 1. cap. 6. pag. 290, 291.I may glory in my own works, I have not whence I may boaſt my ſelf; and therefore I will glory in Chriſt; I will not glory that I am righteous, but I will glory that I am redeemed; I will glory, not becauſe I am without ſin, but becauſe my ſins are forgiven; I will not glory becauſe I have profited, or becauſe any hath profited me, but becauſe Chriſt is an Advocate with the father for me, but becauſe the blood of Chriſt is ſhed for me. Certainly, the Popiſh Doctrine of man's own ſatisfaction, in part for his ſins, is moſt derogatory, to the blood, and to the plenary and complete ſatisfaction of Jeſus Chriſt. But,

Thirdly, Obſerve, that nothing below the obedience and ſufferings of Chriſt our Mediator, could ſatisfie divine Juſtice, Heb. 10. 5. But a body haſt thou prepared me; the Hebrew text, Pſal. 40. 7. ſaith, Thou haſt boared through mine ears; but the Apoſtle follows the Greek Tranſlation, ſeeing the ſame ſence is contained in both. p. 91Chriſt having declared what his father delighted not in; he further ſheweth affirmatively what it was, wherein he reſted well pleaſed; in theſe words, but a body haſt thou prepared me. In this phraſe, A body haſt thou prepared me; Chriſt is brought in, ſpeaking to his father. By body is meant the humane nature of Chriſt: Body is Synecdochically put for the whole humane nature, conſiſting of body and ſoul; the body was the viſible part of Chriſt's humane nature: A body is fit for a ſacrifice, fit to be ſlain, fit to have blood ſhed out of it, fit to be offered up, fit to be made a price, and a ranſom for our ſins, and fit to anſwer the types under the Law: Pertinently therefore, to this purpoſe, is it ſaid of Chriſt, He himſelf bare our ſins 1 P…t. 2. 24. H…b. 2. 9, 14, 17.in his own body; and thoſe infirmities, wherein he was made like unto us, were moſt conſpicuouſly evidenced in his body; and hereby Chriſt was manifeſted to be a true man, he had a body like ours, a body ſubject to manifold infirmities, yea to death it ſelf. That body which Chriſt had, is ſaid to be prepared by God; the Greek word foreign, which is tranſlated prepared, is a Metaphor from Mechanicks, who do artificially fit one part of their work to another, and ſo finiſh the whole. God fitted his ſon's body to be joyned with the Deity, and to be an expiatory ſacrifice for ſin. The word prepared implies, that God the father ordained, formed and made fit and able, Chriſt's humane nature, to undergo, ſuffer and fulfil that, for which he was ſent into the world. God the father is here ſaid, to have prepared Chriſt a body; becauſe Chriſt having received of his father, the humane nature, out of the fleſh and blood of the Virgin Mary, by the power of theMat. 1. 20. Luk, 1. 31. 35.Matt 1:20 Holy Ghoſt; here gives up the ſame unto the ſervice of his father, to do, to ſuffer, to die, that he might be a ſacrifice of expiation for our ſins. As for the words of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 40. 6. Mine ear haſt thou opened, Heb. digged open. It is a proverbial manner of ſpeech, whereby there is implyed, the qualifying or fitting a man unto obedience in ſervice; the ear, or the opening of the ear,Iſa. 50 5. Job, 3. 16.Isa 50:5 being an emblem, or ſymbol, or a Metaphorical ſign of obedience. p. 92Now, St. Paul, following the tranſlation of the Septuagint, and being directed by the ſpirit of God, expounds this, of God's ſanctifying and fitting a body unto Chriſt; wherein hs was obedient, even unto the ſhameful death of the Croſs: Theſe words, thou haſt bored through mine ears, do import, that Chriſt, now becoming man; gives up himſelf to be a willing ſervant of his father, to obey him unto the death of the croſs. And it is a ſimilitude taken from the ſervants of the Hebrews; who, after that they had ſerved their maſters ſix years, would not depart out of their maſter's ſervice the ſeventh year, but abide in it continually until death; for a teſtimony whereof, their ear was bored thorow on the poſts of the door; as may be ſeen, Exod. 21. 6. It is therefore, as much as if he ſhould ſay, thou haſt given me a body that is willing and ready in thy ſervice, even unto death. But to conclude this head, the Apoſtle ſpeaking of diſanulling the ſacrifice of the Law, he uſes this word body, to ſet out a ſacrifice, which ſhould come in ſtead of the legal ſacrifices, to effect that which the legal ſacrifices could not effect. But,

Fourthly, Obſerve that Chriſt our Mediator freely and 4readily offers himſelf to be our pledg and ſurety; Then ſaid I, lo, I come, to wit, as ſurety, to pay the ranſome, and to do thy will, O God: Every word carrieth a ſpecial emphaſis; as, 1. The time, Then; even, ſo ſoon as he perceived that his father had prepared his body for ſuch an end; then without delay, this ſpeed implyeth forwardneſs and readineſs, he would loſe no opportunity: 2. His profeſſion in this word, ſaid I; he did not cloſely, ſecretly, timorouſly, as being aſhamed thereof, but he maketh profeſſion before-hand: 3. This note of obſervation, Lo; this is a kind of calling Angels and men to witneſs, and a deſire that all might know his inward intention, and the diſpoſition of his heart; wherein was as great a willingneſs, as any could have to any thing: 4. An offering of himſelf, without any enforcement or compulſion, this he manifeſteth in this word, I come: p. 935. That very inſtant ſet out in the preſent tenſe, I come; he puts it not off to a future and uncertain time, but even in that moment, he ſaith, I come: 6. The firſt perſon twice expreſſed, thus, I ſaid, I come; he ſendeth not another perſon, nor ſubſtituteth any in his room; but he, even he himſelf in his own perſon, cometh. All which do abundantly evidence Chriſt's ſingular readineſs and willingneſs, as our ſurety, to do his father's will, though it were by ſuffering, and by being made a ſacrifice for our ſins. God's will was the rule of Chriſt's active and paſſive obedience: Jeſus Chriſt, our only Mediatour and ſurety, by free and ready obedience and death, did make a proper, real and full ſatisfaction to God's juſtice, for the ſins of all the Elect. Chriſt hath, by his death and blood, as an invaluable price of our redemption, made ſure the favour of God, the pardon of our ſins, and the ſalvation of our ſouls: Chriſt hath freed his choſen from all temporal, ſpiritual, and eternal puniſhments, properly ſo called; ſo that now, the mercy of God may embrace the ſinner, without the leaſt of wrong to his truth or juſtice. But,

Fifthly, Obſerve that Jeſus Chriſt our ſurety does not 5only agree with his father, about the price that he was to lay down for our redemption, but alſo agrees with his father, about the perſons that were to be redeemed, and their ſanctification; Heb. 10. 10. By the which will (that is, by the execution of which will, by the obedience of Chriſt to his heavenly father) we are ſanctified, through the offering of the body of Jeſus Chriſt, once for all: Jeſus Chriſt agrees with the father, that all thoſe ſhall be ſanctified, for whom he has ſuffered and ſatisfied. The vertue, efficacy and benefit of that which ariſeth from the aforeſaid will of the father and of the ſon, is expreſſed under this word, ſanctified: To paſs by the notation, and divers acceptations of this word, ſanctified, let it ſuffice to tell you; It is not here to be taken, as diſtinguiſhed from juſtification or glorification, as it is elſe where taken; but1 Cor. 1. 30. cap. 6. 11.1 Cor 1:30 ſo as compriſing under it, all the benefits of Chriſt's ſacrifice, p. 94In this general and large extent, it is ſometimesHeb. 10. 14. cap. 2. 11. A…. 26. 18.Heb 10:14 taken; only this word, ſanctified, here gives us to underſtand, that perfection conſiſteth eſpecially in holineſs; for he expreſſeth the perfection of Chriſt's ſacrifice under the word, ſanctified, which implyeth a making holy; thisEccleſ. 7. 31.Eccl 7:31 was that ſpecial part of perfection, wherein man was made at firſt; and whereunto the Apoſtle alludeth, whereEph. 4. 2….Eph 4:2 he exhorteth, To put on that new man, which after God, is created in righteouſneſs and true holineſs; for this end, Chriſt gave himſelf even unto death, for his Church, that he might ſanctifie it. The principal thing under thisEph. 5. 25.Eph 5:25 word, ſanctified, in this place is, that Chriſt's ſacrifice maketh perfect; in this reſpect, Chriſt's ſacrifice is here oppoſed to the legal ſacrifices, which could not make perfect: So that Chriſt's ſacrifice was offered up, to do that which they could not do; for this end, was Chriſt's ſacrifice ſurrogated in the room of the legal ſacrifices; now this ſurrogation had been in vain, if Chriſt's ſacrifice had not made us perfect, if the dignity of his perſon that was offered up, and his almighty power, and unſearchable wiſdom, and other divine excellencies of his be duly weighed, we cannot but acknowledg, that as his ſacrifice is perfect in it ſelf, ſo it is ſufficient to make us perfect alſo. Chriſt's body was given up as a price and ranſom, and offered up as a ſacrifice for our ſins; and that we might be ſanctified and made holy, Chriſt, by the offering of his body once for all, has purchaſed of his father, grace and holineſs for all his redeemed ones: Chriſt agrees with his father, that he will lay down an incomparable price for his choſen ones; and then he further agrees with his father, that all thoſe ſhall be ſanctified, for whom he has laid down an invaluable price. The will of God the father was, that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould have a body, and that that body of his ſhould be offered up, that his Elect might be ſanctified and ſaved: Now, to this Chriſt readily anſwers, Loe, I come to do thy will. From what hath been ſaid from Pſal. 40. compared with Heb. 10. we may very ſafely and roundly conclude, that it is p. 95moſt clear and evident, that there was a Covenant, compact or agreement between God the father and Jeſus Chriſt, concerning the Redemption of fallen man. This I ſhall more abundantly clear up, before I have ſaid all I have to ſay about the Covenant of Redemption, that is under our preſent conſideration. But,

The Ninth Scripture is that, Pſal. 89. 28. My mercy The 9. Proofwill I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant ſhall ſtand faſt with him; with whom? why with our dear Lord Jeſus, of whom David was a ſingular type. There are many paſſages in this Pſalm, which do clearly evidence, that its to be interpreted of Chriſt; yea, there are many things in this Pſalm, that can never be clearly, pertinently and appoſitely applied to any but Jeſus Chriſt; for a taſte, ſee verſ. 19. I have laid help upon one that is mighty, mighty to pardon, to reconcile, to juſtifie, to ſave, to bring to glory, ſuitable to that of the Apoſtle, Heb. 7. 2▪ 5. He is able to ſave unto the uttermoſt, that is, to all ends and purpoſes, perfectly, compleatly, fully, continually, perpetually: Chriſt is a thorow Saviour, a mighty Saviour, Iſa. 63. 1. Mighty to ſave; there needs none to come after him, to finiſh the work which he hath begun, verſ. 19. I have exalted one, choſen out of the people; which is the veryAd plenum, E… mus, ad p…ſe …um St…pulenſis. title given to our Lord Jeſus, Iſa. 42, 1. Behold my ſervant whom I uphold, mine elect (or choſen one) in whom my ſoul delighteth: verſ. 20. I have found David my ſervant. Chriſt is very frequently called by that name, as being moſt dearly beloved of God, and moſt highly eſteemed and valued by God, and as being typified by him both as King and Prophet of his Church, verſ. 10. With my holy Se… Jer. 3…. 9. Hoſ. …. 5. Ex…. 34. 23.Jer 3:9oyl have I anointed him; ſuitable to that of Chriſt, Luk. 4. 18. The ſpirit of the Lord is upon me, becauſe he hath anointed me to preach the Goſpel to the poor; and therefore we need not doubt of the excellency, authority, certainty and ſufficiency of the Goſpel, verſ. 27. I will make him my firſt born, higher than the kings of the earth; Chriſt is the firſt born of every creature, and in all things hath the preheminence: verſ. 29. His ſeed alſo, will I make to endure p. 96for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven; This isC…loſ. 1. 18. It cannot be underſtood of David's ſeed, for Solomon's Throne was overthrown. chiefly ſpoken of Chriſt and his Kingdom: The aſpectible heaven is corruptible, but the Kingdom of heaven is eternal; and ſuch ſhall be Chriſt's ſeed, throne and kingdom, verſ. 36. his ſeed ſhall endure for ever, and his throne as the ſun before me: Chriſt ſhall ſee his ſeed, he ſhall prolong his days, and the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hands. And his throne as the ſun before me; that is,Iſa. 53. 10.Isa 53:10 perpetual and glorious, (as the Chaldee explaineth it, ſhall ſhine as the ſun:) Other Kingdoms and Thrones have their times and their turns, their riſe and their ruines, but ſo hath not the Kingdom and Throne of Jeſus Chriſt; Chriſt's dominion is an everlaſting dominion, which ſhallDan. 7. 13, 14.Dan 7:13Dan 7:14 not paſs away; and his Kingdom, that which ſhall not be deſtroyed. I might give further inſtances out of this Pſalm, but enough is as good as a feaſt. Now, ſaith God, I have made a Covenant with him; ſo then there is a Covenant that God the Father hath made with Chriſt the Mediatour; which Covenant, the father engages to the ſon, ſhall ſtand faſt, there ſhall be no cancelling or diſanulling of it: God the father hath not only made a Covenant of Grace with the Saints in Chriſt (of which before,) but he has alſo made a Covenant of Redemption (as we call it for diſtinction ſake) with Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, My Covenant ſhall ſtand faſt with him; that is, with Chriſt, as we have fully and clearly demonſtrated▪ But

The Tenth Scripture is that, Zach. 9. 11. As for thee, And thou alſo, died with the blood of thy Covenant, when I …ave ſent out thy priſoners out of the Ciſtern in which there are no waters. Trem.alſo, by the blood of thy Covenant (or whoſe Covenant is by blood) I have ſent forth thy priſoners out of the pit, wherein is no water. Here God the father ſpeaks to Chriſt, with relation to ſome Covenant between them both; and what Covenant can that be, but the Covenant of Redemption. All the temporal, ſpiritual and eternal deliverances which we enjoy, they ſwim to us through the blood of that Covenant, that is paſſed between the father and the ſon: by vertue of the ſame blood of the Covenant, wherewith we are reconciled, juſtified and ſaved, p. 97were the Jews delivered from their Babiloniſh captivity: The Babiloniſh Captivity, thraldom and diſperſion, was that waterleſs pit, that dirty dungeon, that uncomfortable and forlorn condition, out of which they were delivered, by vertue of the blood of the Covenant, that is, by vertue of the blood of Chriſt, figured by the bloodExod. 24. 8. …ſa…. 7…. 20. Heb. 13. 20.Exod 24:8Heb 13:20 that was ſprinkled upon the people, and by vertue of the Covenant confirmed thereby. Look, as all the choice mercies, the high favours, the noble bleſſings that the Saints enjoy, are purchaſed by the blood of Chriſt; ſo they are made ſure to the Saints by the ſame blood; by the blood of thy Covenant, I have ſent forth thy priſoners: Whatever deſperate diſtreſſes, and deadly dangers, the people of God may fall into, yet they are priſoners of hope, and may look for deliverance by the blood of the Covenant.

By theſe ten Scriptures, it is moſt cleare and evident, that there was a Covenant, a compact and agreement between God the father, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, concerning the work of our Redemption. Chriſt's being called the ſurety of the better Covenant, ſhews that there wasHeb. 7. 22.Heb 7:22 a Covenant between God the father and him, as there is between a creditour and a ſutety; Chriſt gave bonds (as it were) to God the father, and payed down the debt upon the nail, that breaches might be made up between God and us, and we reſtored to divine favour for ever. But for the further clearing up of the Covenant of Redemption, I ſhall, in the ſecond place, lay down theſe propoſitions: And

The firſt is this, That the Covenant of RedemptionThe Firſt Propoſition. differs from the Covenant of Grace. 'Tis true, the Covenant of Redemption is a Covenant of Grace, but 'tis not properly that Covenant of Grace, which the Scripture holds out in oppoſition to the Covenant of works; which I ſhall thus evidence: 1. The Covenant of Redemption differs from the Covenant of Grace, in regard of the Federates; in the Covenant of Redemption, 'tis God the father and Jeſus Chriſt, that mutually covenant; p. 98but in the Covenant of Grace, the confederates are God and believers. 2. In the Covenant of Redemption, God the father requires of Jeſus Chriſt, that he ſhould ſuffer, ſh…d his blood, die, and make himſelf an offering for our ſins: In the Covenant of Grace, God requires of us, that we ſhould believe and embrace the Lord Jeſus. 3. In the Covenant of Redemption, God the father has made many great, precious and glorious promiſes to Jeſus Chriſt As, ſit on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footſtool: He…. 1. 13. Iſa. 53. 10.Isa 53:10And he ſhall ſee his ſeed, he ſhall prolong his days, the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hands: And Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, Pſal. 2. 8.Ps 2:8and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion: Heb. 1. 5. Pſal. 84. 11. Ezek. 36. 26, 27.Heb 1:5Ps 84:11Ezek 36:26Ezek 36:27And, I will be to him a father and he ſhall be to me a ſon: But in the Covenant of Grace, God promiſes to us Grace and glory, holineſs and happineſs, both the upper and the lower ſprings. 4. The Covenant of Redemption betwixt God and Chriſt, ſecures the Covenant of Grace betwixt God and believers; for what God promiſes to us, he didTit. 1. 2.Titus 1:2 before the foundation of the world, promiſe to Jeſus Chriſt; and therefore, if God the father ſhould not make good his promiſes to his Saints, he would not make good his promiſes to his deareſt ſon, which for any to imagine, would be high Blaſphemy. God will be ſure to keep touch with Jeſus Chriſt; and therefore, we may reſt fully aſſured, that he will not fail to keep touch with us. 5. The Covenant of Redemption is the very baſis or bottom of the Covenant of Grace: God made a Covenant with Chriſt the ſpiritual David, that he might make a CovenantPſal. 89. 3 4. R…. 11. 26, 27.Ps 89:3 with all his Elect in him; he made this agreement with Chriſt, as the head, and on this is reared up the whole frame of precious promiſes, compriſed in the Covenant of Grace, as a goodly building upon a ſure foundation. But,

The ſecond Propoſition is this, God the father, in orderThe Second Propoſition. to man's Redemption and Salvation, ſtands ſtiffly and peremptorily upon compleat ſatisfaction; without full ſatisfaction, no remiſſion, no ſalvation: Satisfaction God p. 99will have to the utmoſt, though it coſt Chriſt his life and blood: Man is fallen from his primitive purity, gloryRom. 8. 32.Rom 8:32 and excellency, and by his fall, he hath provoked divine juſtice, tranſgreſſed God's righteous Law, and caſt a deep diſhonour upon his name; the caſe ſtanding thus, God is reſolved to have ample ſatisfaction, in the reparation of this honour, in the manifeſtation of his truth, and in the vindication of his holineſs and juſtice. All the attributes of God, are alike dear to him, and he ſtands as much upon the advance of his juſtice, as he does upon the glory of his Grace; and therefore he will not remit one ſin, yea, not the leaſt ſin, without entire ſatisfaction: In this God the father is fixt, that he will have an offering for Iſa. 53. 10. 1 …m. 2. 6.Isa 53:10Isa 53:1ſin, in an expiatory and propitiatory way; a price and a ranſom he will have paid down upon the nail, or elſe the captive ſinner ſhall-never be releaſed, pardoned, ſaved: Now, loſt man being wholly uncapable of giving ſuch a ſatisfaction to Divine Juſtice, Chriſt muſt give it, or fallen man muſt periſh for ever. Sin and ſorrow, iniquity and miſery, always go hand in hand; The wages of ſin is Rom. 6. 23. Rom. 1. 32.Rom 6:23Rom 1:32death; Every ſinner is worthy of death; They which commit ſuch things, are worthy of death: If God be a juſt and righteous God, then ſin cannot abſolutely eſcape unpuniſhed; for it is but a juſt and righteous thing with God, to puniſh the ſinner, who is worthy of puniſhment: It is a righteous thing with God (ſaith the Apoſtle) to recompence 2 Theſ. 1. 6.2 Thess 1:6tribulation to them that trouble you. And as God cannot but be juſt, ſo he cannot but be true; and if he cannot but be true, then he cannot but make good his threatnings againſt ſin and ſinners: The word is gone out of his mouth. In the day that thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt ſurely Gen. 2. 17.Gen 2:17die; And the ſoul which ſins, ſhall die. Look, as thereE…k. 18. 4. is not a promiſe of God, but ſhall take place in time, ſo there is not a threatning of God, but ſhall take place in time: The faithfulneſs of God, and the honour of God is as much concerned in making good of terrible threatnings,2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4 as they are concerned in making good of precious promiſes. God has given it under his own hand, That p. 100he will by no means clear the guilty; And that the ſoul that Exod. 34. 7. Ezek. 18. 20. Rom. 2. 6.Exod 34:7Ezek 18:20Rom 2:6ſinneth, ſhall ſurely die; And that the wickedneſs of the wicked ſhall be upon him; And that he will render to every man according to his deeds: And will God abrogate his own laws, or will he dare men to ſport and play with his threatnings? Will not every wiſe and prudent Prince, look to the execution of their own Laws; and ſhall notIſa. 40. 28. Iſal. 147. 5.Isa 40:28 that God who is wonderful in wiſdom, and whoſe underſtanding is infinite, ſee all his Laws put in execution againſt offenders? ſurely yes. Thus you ſee, that God ſtands upon full ſatisfaction, and will admit of no treaty of peace with fallen man without it: Now, ſorry man is never able, either by doing or ſuffering, to compenſate, and make God amends for the wrong and injury, that he has done to God by his ſin; and therefore, one that is able, by doing and ſuffering, to give compleat ſatisfaction, muſt undertake it, or elſe we are loſt, caſt and undone, in both worlds. Concerning that full and compleat ſatisfaction, that Jeſus Chriſt has given to God's enraged Juſtice, I have in part diſcovered already, and ſhall ſay more to it, before I cloſe up the Covenant of Redemption. But,

The third Propoſition is this, The buſineſs tranſactedThe Third Propo…tion. between thoſe two great and glorious perſons, God the father, whoſe greatneſs is unſearchable, and Jeſus Chriſt,…ſal. 145. 3. Rev. 1. 5.Rev 1:5 who is the prince of the kings of the earth; was the redemption and ſalvation of the Elect; our everlaſting bleſſedneſs was now freſh in their eyes, and warm upon theirLuk. 15. 30.Luke 15:30 hearts, how loſt man might be found, and how fallen man might be reſtored, and how miſerable man might be made happy, how ſlaves might be made ſons, and howEph. 2. 12.—17.Eph 2:12 enemies might be made friends, and how thoſe that were afar off, might be made nigh, without the leaſt prejudice to the honour, holineſs, juſtice, wiſdom and truth of God; was the grand buſineſs, the thing of things, that lay before them. Upon the account of the Covenant, compact and agreement, that was between the father and the ſon, it is, that Chriſt is called the ſecond Adam; for1 Cor. 1…. …5.1 Cor 1:5 p. 101as with the firſt Adam, God plighted a Covenant concerning him and his poſterity, ſo alſo he did indent with Jeſus Chriſt, concerning that eternal Redemption, that he wasHeb. 9. 12.Heb 9:12 to obtain and ſecure for his ſeed. For the clearing of this, let us a little conſider of the excellent properties of that Redemption that we have by Jeſus Chriſt.

Firſt, 'Tis a great Redemption, the work of Redemption 1was a great work; the greatneſs of the perſon employed in this work, ſpeaks out the work to be a great work: This was a work too high, too hard, too great for all the Angels in heaven, and all the men on earth to undertake; none but that Jeſus, who is mighty to ſave, was ….ever able to bring about the Redemption of man. Hence Chriſt is called the deliverer, And their redeemer is mighty, Prov, 23. 11. Iſa. 24. 6. And his redeemer, the Lord of hoſts: Iſa. 47. 4. As for our redeemer, the Lord of hoſts is his name: Iſa. 49. 26. And thy redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob: Jer. 50. 34. Their redeemer is ſtrong, the Lord of hoſts is his name. Again, the great and invaluable price, that was paid down for our Redemption, ſpeaks it out to be a great Redemption; the price that we are bought with… 6. 19, 20. cap. 7. 23. is a price beyond all compute; 2 Pet. 1. 18, 19. For as much as ye know, that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as ſilver and gold, from your vain converſation; But with the precious blood of Chriſt, as of a lamb without blemiſh, and without ſpot. Chriſt was a Lamb, 1. for harmleſneſs, 2. for patience and ſilence in afflictions, 3. for meekneſsIſa. 32. 7. …. 11. 19.Isa 32:7Isa 32:11Isa 32:19 and humility, 4. for ſacrifice; this Lamb was without blemiſh, that is, free from actual ſin; and without ſpot, ….that is, free from original ſin: That the moſt abſolute and perfect purity of Chriſt, prefigured in the Lambs of the Old Teſtament, that were to be ſacrificed, might be better expreſſed; the Apoſtle calls him a lamb without Eph. 5. 27. Neither God nor Chriſt could lay down a …reat… price: All things in heaven an… earth, are … be compared 1 this blood, to this pri…e.Eph 5:27blemiſh, and without ſpot. The price that this Lamb without a ſpot has laid down, is ſufficient to pay all our debts; 'tis a price beyond all compute; All the Silver, Gold, Pearl, Jewels in the world, are of no value, in reſpect of this price; a price in it ſelf infinite, and of infinite value. p. 102Among the Romans, the goods and eſtates, which men had gotten in the Wars, with hazard of their lives, were called (peculium caſtrenſe) or a Field-purchaſe: O! how well then may the Elect be called Chriſt's peculium caſtrenſe, his purchaſe, gotten not only by the jeopardy of his life, but with the loſs of his life and blood. Again,J…. 10, 11, 15. 17 18. …. 20. 28. if you compare the work of Redemption with other great works, you muſt neceſſarily conclude, that the work of Redemption is a great work. The making of the worldGe…. 1. 3 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24. was a great work of God, but yet, that did but coſt him a word of his mouth, a let it be; he ſpake the word, and it was done; he ſaid, let there be light, and there was light, &c. but the work of Redemption coſt Chriſt's deareſt blood. Much matter of admiration doth the work of Redemption afford us: The work of Creation is many ways admirable, yet not to be compared with the work of Redemption; wherein the power, wiſdom, juſtice, mercy, and other divine attributes of God, do much more ſhine forth; and wherein the redeemed reap much more good, than Adam did by his creation; which will evidently appear, by obſerving theſe particular differences.

Firſt, In the Creation, God brought ſomething out of 1nothig; but in the work of Redemption, out of one contrary he brought another; out of death he brought life: This was a work of far greater power▪ wiſdom, mercy; death muſt firſt be deſtroyed and then life brought forth.

Secondly, In Creation, there was but a word, and 2thereupon the work followed; in Redemption there was doing and dying: The work of Redemption could be brought about by none but God; God muſt come down from heaven, God muſt be made man, God muſt be made ſin, God muſt be made a cu…ſe, 2 Cor. 5. 21. Gal. 3. 13.

Thirdly, In the Creation, God arrayed himſelf with 3Majeſty, power, and other like properties, fit for a great work; in the work of Redemption, he put on weakneſs, he aſſumed a nature ſubject to infirmities, and the infirmities of that nature; he did as David did when he fought againſt Goliah, he put off all armour, and took his ſtaff in p. 103his hand, and drew near to the Philiſtine: 1 Sam. 17. 39, 40.

Fourthly, In the work of Creation, there was nothing 4to withſtand God, to make oppoſition againſt God; but in the work of Redemption, there was juſtice againſt mercy, wrath againſt pity; death and he that had the power of death, was vanquiſhed: Heb. 2, 14, 15. Coloſ. 2. 14. 15.

Fifthly, By Creation, man was made after God's image, 5like him; Gen. 1. 26, 27. by Redemption, man was made a member of the ſame myſtical body, whereof Chriſt is the head: Eph. 1. 22, 23.

Sixthly, By Creation, man received a natural being; 6by Redemption, a ſpiritual.

Seventhly, By Creation, man received a poſſibility to 7ſtand; by Redemption, a certainty of ſtanding, and impoſſibility of falling: Joh. 10. 28, 29, 30, 31. 1 Pet. 1. 5. Jer. 33. 40, 41.

Eightly, By Creation, man was placed in an earthly 8Paradiſe; but by Redemption, he is advanced to an heavenly Paradiſe.

Thus you ſee how the work of Redemption tranſcends the work of Creation. Again, the works of Providence are great, very great, in the eye of God, of Angels, of men; but what are the work… of Providence, to the works of Redemption? for, in order to the accompliſhment of that great work, Chriſt muſt put off his Royal Rob…s, take a journey from heaven to earth, aſſume our nature, do and die, &c. Again, the work of Redemption by Chriſt, will be ſound a great work, if you will but compare it with thoſe Redemptions that were but Types of this: Iſrael's Redemption from their Egyptian Bondage, and from their Babiloniſh Bondage, were very great Redemptions, that were brought about by a ſtrong hand, a mighty hand, and an out-ſtretched arm, as the Scripture ſpeaks: But alas, what were thoſe Redemptions, to our being redeemed from the love of ſin, the guilt of ſin, the dominion of ſin, the damnatory power of ſin; and to our being redeemed from the power of Satan, the curſe1 T…ſ. 1. …. of the Law, Hell and wrath to come. Laſtly, the great p. 104things that are wrapped up in the womb, in the belly of Redemption, ſpeak out our Redemption by Chriſt, to be a very great Redemption; in the womb of this Redemption, you ſhall find reconciliation, juſtification, adoption. eternal ſalvation, &c. and are not theſe great, very great things? ſurely yes. But,

A Second excellent Property of that Redemption that 2we have by Chriſt is this, that its a free and gracious Redemption. All the rounds in this Ladder of Redemption are made up of free, rich and ſoveraign grace; though our Redemption coſt Chriſt dear, as has been before hinted, yet, as to us it is moſt free; Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his bl…od, the forgiveneſs of ſins, according foreign, this word properly ſigni…ies a deliverance, which is brought to paſs by …ing of a ran… and price … Mat. 20. 28. 1 …r 6. 20. 1 …. 1. 18.Matt 20:28Matt 20:1to the riches of his grace; that is, according to his exceeding great and abundant grace, Being juſtified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Chriſt Jeſus; our Redemption is from the free love and favour of God. It was free grace that put God the father upon finding out a way for the redemption of loſt ſinners; It was free Grace that put God upon providing of ſuch a ſurety, as ſhould undertake the work of Redemption, as ſhould carry on the work of Redemption, and as ſhould accompliſh and compleat the work of Redemption: And it was free grace that moved God the father to accept of what Chriſt did and ſuffered, in order to the bringing about of our Redemption; and it is free Grace, that moves God to make an application of this Redemption, to the ſouls of his people. Ah poor ſouls, the Lord looks not neitherIſa. 52. 3.Isa 52:3 for money nor moneys worth from you, towards the purchaſe of your Redemption; and therefore, always look upon your Redemption, as the mere fruit of rich Grace. But,

The Third excellent Property of that Redemption, 3that we have by Jeſus Chriſt, is this, it is a full and plenteous Redemption, Pſal. 130. 7. Let Iſrael hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. Chriſt redeems us from all ſin, and from allTit. 2. 14. Hoſ. 13. 14.Titus 2:14Hos 13:14 the conſequences of ſin; he redeems from death, and p. 105from the power of the grave; he redeems us from theRom. 7. 6. Gal. 4. 5. Gal. 3. 13.Rom 7:6Gal 4:5Gal 3:13 Law, and from the malediction of the Law: Chriſt took that off, he was made a curſe for all that believe on him; he did not only ſtand in the room of eminent believers, but he ſtood in the room of all believers, and endured the wrath of God to the uttermoſt, for every one that believeth on him: Every believer is freed from a curſed eſtate, by the leaſt faith; every degree of true faith makes the condition to be a ſtate of life, and paſſeth us from death and condemnation; There is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus: And Chriſt redeems us from this preſentRom. 8. 1. Gal. 1. 4. Rev. 14. 3, 4. 1 Theſ. 1. 10. Luk. 1. 71, 74.Rom 8:1Gal 1:4Rev 14:3Rev 14:41 Thess 1:10Luke 1:71Luke 1:74 evil world, and from the earth, and from among men, and from wrath to come, and from the hands of all our enemies. Jeſus Chriſt hath gone thorough-ſtitch with the work of our Redemption; Chriſt does not his work by halves, all his works are perfect, there is no defect or flaw in them at all: Chriſt does not redeem us from ſome of our ſins, and leave us to grapple with the reſt; he doth not work out ſome part of our Redemption, and leave us to work out the reſt; he doth not bear the heat and burden of divine wrath in part, and leave us to wreſtle with other parts of divine wrath: O! no, Chriſt makes moſt complete work of it; he redeems us from all our iniquities, he delivers us out of the hands of all our enemies; he paysHeb. 7. 25.Heb 7:25 all debts, he cuts all ſcores, he delivers from all wrath, he takes off the whole curſe, he ſaves to the uttermoſt, and will ſettle us in a ſtate of full and perfect freedom, when grace ſhall be turned into glory; in heaven our Redemption ſhall be entire and and perfect.

The Fourth excellent Property of that Redemption, 4that we have by Jeſus Chriſt, is this; It is an eternal, a permanent, a laſting, yea, an everlaſting Redemption: Heb. 9. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained e…ernal redemption for us. Redemption is in general,Exod. 6. 6.Exod 6:6 a freeing one out of thraldom: Now this is done three ways: 1. By interceding and pacifying wrath, Thus the Prophet Oded procured Redemption for the Captives2 Chron. 28. 9, &c.2 Chr 28:9 p. 106of Judah, by his interceſſion. 2. By force and might: Thus Abraham redeemed his brother Lot, and the people thatGen. 14. 16.Gen 14:16 were captives with him, by overcoming their enemies. 3. By ranſom, or paying a price; Thus an Hebrew thatLevit. 25. 48, 49.Lev 25:48Lev 25:49 was ſold a ſlave to a ſtranger, might be redeemed by one of his brethren; the laſt of theſe is moſt agreeable to the notation of the ſeveral words, which in the three learned languages, do ſignify to redeem; though the laſt be eſpecially intended: In that, mention is made of a price, namely Chriſt's blood; yet the other two are not altogether exempted, for Chriſt hath all thoſe three ways redeemed his people: This will more clearly appear, if we duly weigh the diſtinct kinds of bondage in which weMa…. 6. 12. Eph. 2 3. Heb. 2. 143 5.Eph 2:3Heb 2:143 were, by reaſon of ſin; 1. We were debtors to Divine Juſtice, 2. We were children of wrath, 3. We were ſlaves to Satan: 1. As debtors, Chriſt hath paid a ranſom for us: 2. As children of wrath, Chriſt makes interceſſion for us: 3. But though Divine Juſtice be ſatisfied, and divine wrath pacified, yet the Devil will not let his captives go, therefore Chriſt, by a ſtrong hand, wreſts us out of Satan's power, and deſtroys him that had the power of death, Heb. 2. 24, 25.Heb 2:24Heb 2:25that is, the devil. The Ranſom which Chriſt paid, was the ground of man's full and eternal Redemption; for by ſatisfaction of juſtice, way was made to pacifie wrath, both which being accompliſhed, the Devil loſt his right and power over ſuch as he held in bondage. This Redemption is a full freedom from all miſery, and compriſeth under it reconciliation, juſtification, ſanctification and ſalvation: By this Redemption, divine juſtice is ſatisfied, wrath pacified, grace procured, and all ſpiritual enemies vanquiſhed. The perfection of this Redemption, is hintedforeign. in this word eternal; the eternity here meant, hath a ſpecial reſpect to the continual duration thereof, without end; yet alſo it reſpecteth the time paſt, ſo as it looks backward and forward. It implieth a vertue and efficacy, from the beginning of the world, for Chriſt was a lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world: Chriſt himſelfRev. 13. 8. Rev. 1. 8.Rev 13:8Rev 1:8 is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, which p. 107is, and which was, and which is to come. Now, that which is ſpoken of the perſon of Chriſt, may very well be applied to our Redemption by Chriſt. This Epithete Eternal, is here added to Redemption, in oppoſition to the legal purifications, which were momentary and temporary: They had a day, and endured no longer than the time of reformation. On this ground, by juſt and neceſſary conſequence, it followeth; that the Redemption wrought by Chriſt, is abſolutely perfect, and that there is no need of any other. This being eternal, all that have been, all that ſhall be redeemed, have been, and ſhall be redeemed by it; and they who are redeemed by it, need no other means. The liberty whereinto Chriſt Jeſus brings the Elect, is permanent and laſting, it abides irremoveable and unchangeable to all Eternity. The Jews which had ſold themſelves to be ſervants, were to be ſet free at the Jubilee, yet the Jubilee laſted but for one year;Levit. 25.Lev 25 therefore the ſame perſons might afterwards become bondmen again. But this acceptable year of the Lord's Iſa. 61. 2. cap. 63. 4.Isa 61:2redeemed, is an everlaſting year, it ſhall never end; therefore they ſhall never be ſubject to bondage any more. It is obſervable, that when the Lord would comfort the Jews, with hopes of a return from Babilon, he uſually annexed Evangelical promiſes, reſpecting the deliverance of poor ſinners from the ſlavery of Satan, whereof that captivity was a Type; ſome of which promiſes do plainly expreſs the perpetuity of that ſpiritual freedom, which they ſhall enjoy: Take a taſte, Iſa. 35. 10. And the ranſomed of the Lord ſhall return, and come to Zion, with ſongs See alſo, Jer. 32. 39. Ezek. 37. 25 26, 27, 28. cap. 39. 29.Jer 32:39Ezek 37:25and everlaſting joy upon their heads; they ſhall obtain joy and gladneſs, and ſorrow and ſighing ſhall flee away: Iſa. 51. 6. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens ſhall vaniſh away like ſmoak, and the earth ſhall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein, ſhall die in like manner; but my ſalvation ſhall be for ever, and my righteouſneſs ſhall not be aboliſhed: Iſa. 60. 19, 20. The ſun ſhall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightneſs, ſhall the moon give light unto thee; but the p. 108Lord ſhall be unto thee an everlaſting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy ſun ſhall no more go down, neither ſhall thy moon withdraw it ſelf; for the Lord ſhall be thine everlaſting light, and the days of thy mourning ſhall be ended: Jer. 31. 11, 12. For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ranſomed him from the hand of him that was ſtronger than he. Therefore they ſhall come and ſing in the height of Zion, and their ſoul ſhall be as a watered garden, and they ſhall not ſorrow any more at all. But,

The Fifth excellent Property of that Redemption that 5we have by Jeſus Chriſt, is this, viz. It is an enriching Redemption, it is a Redemption that makes men rich in ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly places: There are many choiceEph. 1. 3.Eph 1:3 and rare ſpiritual benefits, that wait and attend on Redemption, that go hand in hand with Redemption. AsRom. 5. 1. cap. 3. 24, 25.Rom 5:1 reconciliation, remiſſion of our ſins, juſtification of our perſons, adoption, ſanctification, full glorification; we have ſome fore-taſtes of it in this life; here we have the firſt fruits of the ſpirit, but in the morning of the Reſurrection,Rom. 8. 23, 30.Rom 8:23Rom 8:30 we ſhall reap the whole harveſt of glory. It's called, by way of eminency, the ſalvation of our ſouls: 1 Pet. 1. 9.1 Pet 1:9Redemption and the noble benefits attending on it, are Salvation begun; but in heaven, this ſhall be ſalvation conſummate. Redemption is a rich Mine, containing a Maſs of Treaſure, that cannot be valued; could we dig into it, could we pry into it, we might find variety of the choiceſt Jewels and Pearls; in compariſon whereof, all the riches of the Indies, all the Gold of Ophir, and all the precious Jewels, and moſt orient Pearls that are in the world, are no better than droſs. I have read of Tiberius the Emperour that paſſing by a place where he ſaw a croſs lying in the ground upon a Marble ſtone, and cauſing the ſtone to be digged up, he found a great treaſure under the Croſs: But what was this treaſure, but a great nothing, to that treaſure that is wrap'd up in our Redemption by Chriſt. What the Lord ſaid once, to his anointed Cyrus, a temporal deliverer of his people; the ſame he hath ſpoken, and much more to his Anointed Jeſus, the p. 109greater Saviour and Redeemer of his Church; I will give thee, the treaſures of darkneſs, the hidden riches of ſecret Iſa. 43. 3. See my Treatiſe called, The Ʋnſearchable Ru…es of Chriſt.Isa 43:3places. There are unſearchable riches in Jeſus Chriſt; in him are riches of Grace, of all Grace; in him are riches of juſtification, and riches of ſanctification, and riches of conſolation, and riches of glorification: Would you ſhare in the beſt of riches, would you ſhare in the moſt durable riches, would you ſhare in ſoul riches, would you ſhare in heavenly riches? O! then ſecure your intereſt in the Redemption that is by Jeſus Chriſt. But,

The ſixth (and laſt) excellent Property of that Redemption, 6that we have by Jeſus Chriſt, is this, viz. It is a Redemption, ſweetning Redemption; it is ſuch a Redemption, as ſweetens all other Redemptions; 'tis Redemption by Chriſt, that ſweetens our Redemption out of this trouble and that, out of this affliction and that, out of this danger and that, out of this ſickneſs and that, out of this bondage and that. Redemption by Chriſt, is like that tree which Moſes caſt into the bitterExed. 15. 25. waters of Marah, that made them ſweet: This water became ſweet for the uſe and ſervice of the Iſraelites, for a time only, and remained not always ſweet after, as appears by Plinies Natural Hiſtory; who makes mentionPlin. Natural Hiſtory, …. 6. cap. 29 of thoſe bitter waters, in his time: But the Redemption that we have by Jeſus Chriſt, does for ever ſweeten all the bitter trials and afflictions that we meet with in this world. The Jewiſh Doctors ſay, that this tree was bitter, and they give us this note upon it; That it is the manner of the bleſſed God, to ſweeten that which is bitter, by that which is bitter. I ſhall not diſpute about the truth of their notion; but this I may ſafely ſay, that it is the manner of the bleſſed God, to ſweeten our greateſt troubles, and our ſharpeſt trials, by that Redemption that we have by Jeſus Chriſt. And thus you ſee the excellent properties of that Redemption that Jeſus Chriſt, by Covenant or compact with his father, was engaged to work for us. But

The Fourth Propoſition is this, viz. That the bleſſed 4and glorious titles that are given to Jeſus Chriſt, in the p. 110holy Scriptures, do clearly and ſtrongly evidence, that there was a Covenant of Redemption paſſed between God the father and Jeſus Chriſt. He is called a Mediatour of the Covenant of reconciliation, interceding for, and procuring of it; and that not by a ſimple intreaty, but by giving himſelf over to the father; (calling for ſatisfaction to juſtice, that reconciliation might go on) for paying a compenſatory price, ſufficient to ſatisfie divine juſtice for the Elect▪ There is one God, and one Mediatour between 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6.1 Tim 2:51 Tim 2:6God and man (to wit, God incarnate) the man Chriſt Jeſus who gave himſelf a ranſom for all (to wit, his Elect children) to be teſtified in due time. Let me glance a little upon the words, One Mediatour between God and men; in the Greek, it is one Mediatour of God and men; which may refer, either to the two parties betwixt which he deals, pleading for God to men, and for men to God, or to the two natures, Mediatour of God having the divine nature, and of men, having the humane nature upon him; one Mediatour, not of Redemption only (as the Papiſts grant) but of interceſſion too: we need no other maſter of requeſts in heaven, but the man Chriſt Jeſus; who being ſo near us, in the matter of his incarnation, will never be ſtrange to us, in the buſineſs of interceſſion. A ranſom, the Greek foreign, is a counter price, ſuch as we could never have paid, but muſt have remained, and even rotted in priſon, but for our all-ſufficient ſurety and Saviour: The ranſom that Chriſt paid, was a real teſtimony of his Mediatorſhip betwixt God and man, whereby he reconciled both. The man Chriſt Jeſus; Paul ſpeaks not this to exclude his divinity, from this office of Mediatorſhip, for he is God manifeſted in the fleſh, and God hath 1 Tim 3. 16. Act. 20 28.1 Tim 3:16Acts 20:28purchaſed his Church by his own blood: But to ſhew, that in his humane nature, he paid the ranſom for us, and that as man, he is like unto us; and therefore, all ſorts andHeb. 2. 10.Heb 2:10 ranks of men have a free acceſs by faith unto him, and to his ſacrifice. He is alſo called a Redeemer, I know that Job. 19. 25.Job 19:25my redeemer liveth. The word Redeemer in the Hebrew is very emphatical, Goel, for it ſignifieth a kinſman, near p. 111allied unto him; one that was bone of his bone, and fleſhSome read the words thus, I know, that my kinſman, or he that is near to me liveth. Ruth 3. 9, 12, 13. cap. 4. 4, 5.Ruth 3:9Ruth 3:12Ruth 3:13 of his fleſh: Chriſt is of our kindred by incarnation, and redeems us by his paſſion. The words are an alluſion to the Ceremonial Law, where the neareſt kinſman was to take the wife, and buy the land; we were Satan's by nanature, but Chriſt our brother, our kinſman, hath redeemedJoh. 20. 17.John 20:17 us by the price of his own blood, and will deliver us from hell, and bring us to the inheritance of the ſaints 1 Pet. 1. 3, 4. …loſ. 1. 12.1 Pet 1:31 Pet 1:4in light; and therefore deſerves the name of a Redeemer. Jeſus Chriſt is near, very near, yea neareſt of kin to us;Eph. 5. 30.Eph 5:30 he is fleſh of our fleſh, and bone of our bone, and blood of our blood: For as much as the children are partakers of Heb. 2. 14Heb 2:14fleſh and blood, he alſo himſelf took part of the ſame. Now 'tis evident by the old Law of Redemption, that the neareſt kinſman was under a ſpecial obligation to redeem; as you may ſee by comparing Ruth 3. 12, 13. with cap. 4. 4, 5. Boaz was a kinſman, and had right to redeem; yet, becauſe there was a nearer kinſman, he would not engage himſelf, but upon his refuſal: If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it; but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it beſides thee, and I am after thee. Now Jeſus Chriſt is neareſt of kin to us, and therefore, upon the ſtricteſt terms and Laws of Redemption, he is (Goel) our Redeemer. If we conſider Jeſus Chriſt as a kinſman, a brother, we muſt ſay, that he had not only a right to redeem us; but that he was alſo, under the higheſt obligation to redeem us. There is a double way of redeeming perſons: 1. By force and power, thus when Lot was taken priſoner by thoſe four Kings thatGen. 14. 14, 16.Gen 14:14Gen 14:16 came againſt Sodom; Abraham armed his ſervants, and by force and power redeemed them … we were all Satan's priſoners, Satan's captives, but Chriſt our neareſt kinſman,2 Tim. 2. 25.2 Tim 2:25 our brother, by ſpoiling principalities and powers, reſcues us out of that Tyrant's hand. 2. There is a RedemptionCol…ſ. 2. 15 by price or ranſom, to redeem is to buy again, 1 Cor. 6. 20. Ye are bought with a price, cap. 7. 23. Ye are bought with a price; the word price is added, not by a Pleonaſmus, but foreign, to intimate the excellency and p. 112dignity of the price wherewith they were bought, which was not ſilver or gold; but the precious blood of Chriſt, as 1 Pet. 1. 18, 191 Pet 1:181 Pet 1:19of a Lamb without blemiſh, and without ſpot: Ye are bought with a price, that is, ye are dearly bought, by a price of ineſtimable value, but of this before. Again, ſometimes Chriſt is called the ſurety of a better covenant. By ſo muchHeb. 7. 22.Heb 7:22 was Jeſus made a ſurety of a better Teſtament, ſo called from the manner of the confirmation of it, viz. by the death of Chriſt. Look, as Chriſt was our ſurety to God, for the diſcharge of our debt (the ſurety and debtor, in law, are reputed as one perſon) ſo he is God's ſurety to us, for the performance of his promiſes: The office of a ſurety being applied to Chriſt ſheweth, that he hath ſo far engaged himſelf for us, as that he neither can nor will ſtart from his engagement: You ſhall as ſoon remove the earth, ſtop the Sun in his courſe, empty the Sea with a cockleſhell, make a world, and unmake your ſelves, as any power on earth, or in hell, ſhall ever be able to hinder Chriſt, from the performance of the office of a ſurety. A perfect fulfilling of all righteouſneſs, according to the tenour of the Law, is required of man: Now Chriſt our ſurety, by a voluntary ſubjection of himſelf to the Law,…al. 4. 4. Mat. 3. 15.Matt 3:15 and by being made under the Law, he hath fulfilled all righteouſneſs; and that he did this for us, is evident by that phraſe of the Apoſtle, Rom. 5. 19. By the obedience of one, ſhall many be made righteous: The contents of the Law muſt be accompliſhed by our ſurety, or elſe we canGal. 3. 10. 13.Gal 3:10Gal 3:13 never eſcape the curſe of the Law; there muſt be a tranſlation of the Law from us in our perſons, unto the perſon of our ſurety, or we are undone, and that for ever. Chriſt is the end of the Law for righteouſneſs, and hathRom. 10. 4.Rom 10:4 made us juſt by his obedience, we are made the righteouſneſs 2 Cor. 5. 21.2 Cor 5:21of God in him: Our ſurety became ſubject to the Law, that he might redeem us that were obnoxious to the Law. Again, full ſatisfaction for every tranſgreſſion is required of man: Now Chriſt our ſurety, hath made ſatisfaction for all our ſins, He was made a curſe for us; and by thatGal. 3. 13.Gal 3:13 means he hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law: To p. 113exact a debt which is fully ſatisfied, is a point of injuſtice; now Chriſt our ſurety, having made full ſatisfaction for all our ſins, we need not fear to ſtand before the face of God's juſtice. A debtor that hath a ſurety that is able and willing to pay his debt, yea, who hath fully paid it, need fear no colours. This Title, a ſurety of a better Covenant, does neceſſarily import a bleſſed Covenant between Jeſus Chriſt and his dear father, to whom he freely and readily becomes ſurety for us; for what is ſuretiſhip, but a voluntary transferring of another's debt upon the ſurety, he obliging to pay the debt for which he engageth as ſurety. Thus you ſee by the bleſſed and glorious Titles that are given to Jeſus Chriſt in the Scriptures, that there was a Covenant of Redemption paſt between God the father and Jeſus Chriſt. But,

The Fifth Propoſition is this, That the work of our 5Redemption and Salvation, was tranſacted between God the father and Jeſus Chriſt, before the foundation of the world: This federal tranſaction between the father and the ſon, was from eternity; upon this account, the LordRev. 13 8. God loved his people, and provided for them, and contrived all their happineſs before they were, yea, before the world was.Rev 13:8 Jeſus is ſaid, to be the Lamb ſlain from the foundation of the world, becauſe that it was agreed and covenanted between God the father and Jeſus Chriſt, that he ſhould, in the fulneſs of time, be made fleſh, and die for ſinners; and therefore it was ſaid to be done from the foundation of the world. Though Chriſt was not actually ſlain, but when he ſuffered for us upon the Croſs, yet he was ſlain from the beginning; in God's purpoſe, in God's decrees, in God's promiſes, in the ſacrifices, in the faith of the elect, and in the martyrs; for Abel, the firſt that ever died, died a Martyr, he died for Religion. This compact betwixt the father and the ſon, bears date from Eternity; this the Apoſtle aſſerts, 2 Tim. 1. 9. who hath ſaved us and called The Grace here ſpoken of, cannot be underſtood of in… Grace, unleſs we will ſay, that it could be inf… into us be…re, either the world was, or we were in it.us with an holy calling; not according to our works, but according to his own purpoſe and grace, which was given us in Chriſt Jeſus, before the world began. Here is grace given us in Chriſt Jeſus, before the world began: But what grace was that which was given us in Chriſt Jeſus, before p. 114the world began? doubtleſs it was the Grace of Redemption, which God in his purpoſe and decree, had given us in Chriſt Jeſus, before the world began. The Scripture laſt cited does clearly ſhew, that God the father and Jeſus Chriſt dealt together about the Redemption of ſouls, before the world began; and that all our everlaſting concernments were agreed on, and made ſure between them; ſo that Titus 1. 2. gives the ſame ſound, In hope of eternal life; which God that cannot lie, promiſed before the world began. How was this life promiſed before the world began, but in this Covenant of Redemption, wherein GodThe whole buſineſs of our ſalvation was firſt tranſacted between the father and Chriſt, before it was reveiled to us; Joh. 6. 27. The Apoſtle Peter, ſpeaking of our Redemption by the precious blood of Chriſt, ſaith, That Chriſt was fore-ordained (thereunto) before the foundation of the world. 1 Pet. 1. 20.John 6:271 Pet 1:20 the father promiſed and engaged to Jeſus Chriſt, that he would give eternal life to all his ſeed? So the Apoſtle tells us, He hath choſen us in him (that is, in Chriſt) before the foundation of the world. There was an eternal contrivance, compact, covenant or agreement between God the father and Jeſus Chriſt, concerning the ſanctification, holineſs and ſalvation of the Elect. God agrees with Chriſt, about the everlaſting happineſs of his choſen, before the world began. So Joh. 10. 16. And other ſheep I have, which are not of this fold; them alſo, I muſt bring. Why muſt he bring them home? how was he bound, how was he engaged to bring home his other ſheep, that he puts a muſt upon it? them alſo I muſt bring: Doubtleſs, it was from this Covenant and agreement which he had made with God the father, wherein he had engaged himſelf, to bring home all his Elect. Chriſt takes a great deal of pains to bring home his ſheep; being bound in the Covenant of Redemption, to preſent all that are given him by charter, blameleſs before the father; therefore, ſaithColoſ. 1. 22.Col 1:22 he, I bring them, and I muſt bring them; the matter not being leſt arbitrary, even in reſpect of his obligation toPſal. 2. 7. Act. 15. 18. Act. 2. 23. Eph. 1. 9. Prov. 8. 22,—32.Ps 2:7Acts 15:18Acts 2:23Eph 1:9Prov 8:22 God the father. Certainly the Decree, Covenant and agreement between God the father and Jeſus Chriſt, about the whole way of Redemption, about all things belonging to the ſalvation of the Elect, to be brought about in due time; was fixed and ſetled before the world began. Ponder ſeriouſly on this, it may well be a load-ſtone p. 115to draw out your hearts more than ever, to love the father and the ſon, and to delight in the father and the ſon, and to act faith upon the father and the ſon, and to long to be with the father and the ſon, and all your days to admire at the love of the father and the ſon; who have from eternity, by compact and agreement, ſecured your ſouls and your everlaſting concernments. But,

The Sixth Propoſition is this, That God the father had 6the firſt and chief hand in this great work of ſaving ſinners, by vertue of this Covenant of Redemption, whereinHeb. 2. 10.Heb 2:10 he and his ſon had agreed to bring many ſons to glory: Weak Chriſtians many times have their thoughts and apprehenſions more buſied and taken up with the love of the ſon, than with the love of the father; but they muſt remember, that in the great and glorious work of Redemption, God the father had a great hand, an eminent hand, yea, the firſt and chief hand: God the father firſt laid the foundation ſtone of all our happineſs and bleſſedneſs; his head and heart was firſt taken up about that heaven-born project, the ſalvation of ſinners, Iſa. 28. 16. Therefore, thus ſaith the Lord God, behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a ſtone, a tried ſtone, a precious corner ſtone, a ſure foundation; (Heb. I am he that foundeth a ſtone in Zion.) It is God the father that hath long ſince, laid Chriſt as a ſure foundation, for all his people to build their hopes of happineſs upon; it is he that firſt laid Chriſt the true corner-ſtone,Rom. 9. 33. 1 Pet. 2. 6. Iſa. 53. 10.Rom 9:331 Pet 2:6Isa 53:10 whereby Zion is for ever ſecured againſt death, hell and wrath: Hence 'tis ſaid, the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand; that is, God's Eternal Decree about the work of our Redemption and ſalvation, ſhall be powerfully, faithfully and compleatly executed by Jeſus Chriſt; who, by his word and ſpirit, ſhall communicate unto all his Elect, the fruit of his death, to life and ſalvation.Jeb 23. 24. This is a full place againſt all Socini…ans, who boldly allert that God removes the curſe of the Law, by a free and abſolute pardon, without ſatisfaction. Grotius's Expoſition on the place, is but flat and dull. When God ſaith, I have … a ranſom, we are to underſtand it of a real Ranſom, of full pay or ſatisfaction, and not of a Ranſom by favour and acceptation. Again, Deliver me from going down into the pit for p. 116I have found a ranſom: The Hebrew word ſignifies a price paid to redeem a man's life or liberty, I have found a ranſom, or an atonement, a cover for man's ſin: Angels and men could never have found a ranſom, but by my deep, infinite and unſearchable wiſdom, ſaith God the father, I have found a Ranſom, I have found out a way, a means for the redeeming of mankind, from going down to the infernal pit, viz. the death and paſſion of my deareſt ſon: But where, O bleſſed God, didſt thou find a Ranſom? not in Angels, not in men, not in Legal Sacrifices, not in Gold or Silver, not in tears, humblings and meltings of my people; but in my own boſom: That Jeſus, that ſon of my love, who has layen in my boſom from all Eternity, Joh. 1. 18. he is that Ranſom, that by my own matchleſs wiſdom, and ſingular goodneſs, I have found. I have not called a Council, to enquire where to find a Ranſom, that fallen man might be preſerved from falling into the fatal pit of deſtruction; but I have found a ranſom in my own heart, my own breaſts, my own boſom, without adviſing or conſulting with others, I have found out a way how to ſave ſinners with a ſalvo to my honour, juſtice, holineſs and truth. Had all the Angels in heaven, from the firſt day of their creation, to this very day, ſat in ſerious Council, to invent, contrive or find out a way, a means, whereby loſt man might be ſecured againſt the curſe of the Law, hell, condemnation and wrath to come, and whereby he might have been made happy, and bleſſed for ever; and all this without the leaſt wrong or prejudice to the juſtice and righteouſneſs of God; they could never have found out any way or means to have effected thoſe great things. Our Redemption by a Ranſom, is God's own invention, and God's only invention. The bleſſed Ranſom which the Lord has found out for poor ſinners, is the blood of his own deareſt ſon (a ranſom which never entred into the thoughts or hearts of Angels and men, till God had reveiled it) which is called the blood of the Covenant, becauſe thereby the Covenant is confirmed, and all Covenant-mercies aſſured to us,Joh. 3. 16.John 3:16 p. 117Again, God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten ſon: Here is a ſic, without a ſicut; that ſic ſo, ſignifies the firſtneſs of the father's love, & the freeneſs of the father's love,1 Joh. 3. 19. Hoſ. 14. 4.1 John 3:19Hos 14:4 and the vehemency of the father's love, and the admirableneſs of the father's love, and the matchleſneſs of the father's love. O! what manner of love is this, for God to give his ſon, not his ſervant; his begotten ſon, not his adopted ſon; his only ſon, and not one ſon of many; his only ſon by eternal generation, and communication of the ſame Eſſence; to be a Ranſom and Mediator for ſinners! God the father loving loſt man, ſent his ſon to ſuffer, and to do the office of a Mediator; that through his mediation, he might communicate the effects of his love, in a way agreeable to his juſtice; for God loved the world, and that antecedently, to his giving Chriſt, and as a cauſe of it. The deſign, the project of ſaving ſinners, was firſt contrived and laid by God the father; therefore Chriſt ſays, The ſon can do nothing of himſelf, but what he ſees the father do: God the father ſent his ſon, and God the father ſealed his ſon a commiſſion, to give life to loſt ſinners, Him hath God the father ſealed; that is, made his Commiſſion authentical, as men do their Deeds by their ſeals. It is a Metaphor taken from them who ratifie their authority; whom they ſend, that is, approve of them, as it were, by ſetting to their ſeal. Chriſt is to be acknowledged to be he, whom the father hath authorized and furniſhed, to be the Saviour and Redeemer of loſt ſinners; and the ſtore-houſe, from whence they are to expect all ſpiritual ſupplies. Look, as Kings give ſealed Warrants and Commiſſions to their miniſters of State, who are ſent1 King. 21 8. Eſt…. 3. 12. cap. 8. 8.1 Kgs 21:8 out, or employed in great affairs: So Chriſt is the father's great Ambaſſadour, authorized and ſent out by him; to bring about the Redemption and Salvation of loſt man. And look, as a ſeal repreſents in wax, that which is engraven on it; ſo the father hath communicated to him, his divine eſſence and properties, and ſtamped upon him all divine perfection, for carrying on the work of Redemption: And look, as a ſeal annexed to a Commiſſion, is a p. 118publick evidence of the perſon's authority; ſo Chriſt's endowments are viſible marks, whereby to know him, and clear evidences, that he was the true Meſſiah; and of the father's inſtalling him into that office of a Redeemer: So Joh. 6. 38. I came down from heaven, not to do mine See Joh. 10. 17. c…p. 16. 27.John 10:17own will, but the will of him that ſent me: In this verſe, Chriſt declares in the general; that his errand into the world, is to do his father's will who ſent him, and not his own; which is not to be underſtood that, as God, he hath a different and contrary will to the fathers (though, as man, he hath a diſtinct and ſubordinate will to his) but the meaning is, he came not to do his own will only (as the Jews alledged againſt him) but the father's alſo; and that in this work, he was the father's Commiſſioner, ſent to do what he had entruſted him with; and not as the Jews gave out, that he was one, who did that for which he had no warrant. Chriſt, in entertaining them that come to him (as in verſ. 37.) is not only led thereunto by his own mercy, and bounty, and love towards them, as the reward of all 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 he doth mention the will of him that ſent him, as a reaſon of his fidelity in this matter. By what has been ſaid, it is moſt evident that God the father had th… firſt and chief hand in the great work of our Redemption. It is good to look upon God the father, as the firſt projector of our happineſs and bleſſedneſs, that we may honour the father as we honour the ſon, and love the father as we love the ſon, and value the father as we value the ſon, & admire the father as we admire the ſon, and exalt the father as we exalt the ſon, and cleave to the father as we cleave to the ſon, &c. I have a little the longer inſiſted on this propoſiton, becauſe, commonly we are more apprehenſive of the love of the ſon, than we are of the love of the father; & that I may the more heighten your apprehenſions of the father's love, in the great work of Redemption. Ah! what amazing love is this, that the thoughts of the p. 119father, that the eye of the father, that the heart of the father ſhould be firſt fixed upon us, that he ſhould begin the treaty with his ſon, that he ſhould make the firſt motion of love, that he ſhould firſt propoſe the Covenant of Redemption; and thereby lay ſuch a ſure foundation for man's recovery out of his ſlavery and miſery. To ſpeak after the manner of men, the buſineſs from Eternity lay thus, here is man (ſaith God the father to his ſon) fallen from his primitive purity, glory and excellency, into a moſt woful gulf of ſin and miſery; he that was once a ſon, is now become a ſlave; he that was once a friend, isE…h. 2. 12, 13. now become an enemy; he that was once near us, is now afar off; he that was once in favour, is now caſt off, heGen. 1. 26, 27.Gen 1:26Gen 1:27 that was once made in our image, has now the image of Satan ſtamp'd upon him; he who had once ſweet communion with us, has now fellowſhip with the Devil and his Angels: Now, out of this forlorn eſtate, he can never deliver himſelf, neither can all the Angels in heaven deliver him; now this being his preſent caſe and ſtate, I make this offer to thee, O my ſon: If, in the fulneſs ofPhil. 2. 7, 8. Iſa. 63. 3. Gal. 3. 13.Phil 2:7Phil 2:8Isa 63:3Gal 3:13 time, thou wilt aſſume the nature of man, tread the winepreſs of my wrath alone, bear the curſe, ſhed thy blood, die, ſuffer, ſatisfie my juſtice, fulfil my Royal Law; then I can, upon the moſt honourable terms imaginable, ſave fallen man; and put him into a ſafer and happier condition, than ever that was from whence Adam fell; and give thee a noble reward for all thy ſufferings: Upon this Jeſus Chriſt replies, O my father, I am very ready▪ and willing to do, to ſuffer, to die, to ſatisfie thy juſtice, to comply with thee in all thy noble motions, and in all thy gracious and favourable inclinations; that poor ſinners may be ſanctified and ſaved, made gracious and glorious,1 Theſ. 1. ult. Heb. 10. 10. 14. Pſal. 40. 6, 7.1 Thess 1Heb 10:10Heb 10:14Ps 40:6Ps 40:7 holy and happy; that poor ſinners may never periſh, that poor ſinners may be ſecured from wrath to come, and be brought into a ſtate of light, life and love; I am willing to make my ſelf an offering, and Loe, I am come to do thy will, O God. Thus you ſee how firſtly, and greatly, and graciouſly, the thoughts of God have been ſet at work, p. 120that poor ſinners may be for ever ſecured and ſaved. But,