Light for Them that Sit in Darkness, Book · Demonstration 4
The Fourth Demonstration.
THat Jesus Christ by what he hath done, hath paid full price to God for Sinners, and obtained Eternal Redemption for them, is evident, if you consider how the preaching thereof hath been from that time to this, a mighty Conquerer over all kind of Sinners. What Nation, what People, what kind of Sinners have not been subdued by the preaching of a Crucified Christ. He upon the White Horse with his Bow and his Crown hath conquered, doth conquer, and goeth forth yet conquering and to conquer, Revel. 6. 2. And I, saith he, if I be lifted up from the Earth, will draw all men unto me: but what was it to be lifted up from the Earth? Why, it may be expounded by that saying; As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish but have everlasting life, Joh. 12. 32. Chap. 3. 14, 15.
He was then lifted up, when he was hanged upon a Tree between the Heavens and the Earth as the Accursed of God for us. The Revelation of this, it conquers all Nations, Tongues and People. And they sang a new Song, saying, thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood, out of every Kindred, and Tongue, and People, and Nation, Revel. 5. 9. Hence the Apostle Paul chose, above all Doctrines, to preach up a Crucified Christ, and resolved so to do: For I determined, saith he, not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified, 1 Cor. 2. 2, 3.
1. The Doctrine of Forgiveness of Sin, conquered his very Murderers. They could not withstand the Grace, them bloody ones, that would kill him what-ever it cost them, could stand no longer, but received his Doctrine, fell into his Bosom, and obtained the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus. They shall look upon him whom they have pierced and mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only Son, & they shall be in bitterness for him, as one is in bitterness for his first-born, Zech. 12. 10. Now was this Scripture eminently fulfilled, when the Kindness of a Crucified Christ, broke to pieces the Hearts of them that had before been his Betrayers and Murderers. Now was there a great mourning in Jerusalem; now was there wailing and lamentation, mixed with joy and rejoycing.
2. Though Paul was mad, exceeding mad against Jesus Christ of Nazareth, yea, though he was his avowed Enemy, seeking to put out his Name from under Heaven: yet the Voice from Heaven [I am Jesus, &c.] I am the Saviour; how did it conquer him, make him throw down his Arms, fall down at his Feet, and accept of the forgiveness of Sins freely by grace, through Redemption by Faith in his Blood.
3. They at Samaria, though before Philip preached to them, worshipped and admired the Devil in Magus, yet when they believed Philip's preaching of Christ unto them, and forgiveness of sins through Faith in his Name, great joy was amongst them, and they were baptized both Men and Women, Act. 8. He preached, saith the Text, the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ; that is, all the Blessings of Life, through the Name of Jesus Christ; for he is the Mediator, and without his Blood come no spiritual blessings to men.
4. How was the sturdy Jailer overcome by a Promise of forgiveness of sins by Faith in Jesus Christ. It stopt his Hand of self-murder, it eased him of the gnawings of a guilty Conscience, and fears of Hell-Fire, and filled his Soul with rejoicing in God, Act. 16. 30, 31, 32, 33.
5. How were those that used curious arts, that were next to, if not, Witches indeed; I say, how were they prevailed upon, and overcome by the Word of God; which is, the Gospel of good Tidings through Faith in the Blood of Christ? Act. 19. 17, 18.
6. How were the Ephesians, who sometimes were far from God, how, I say, were they made nigh by the Blood of Christ! Ephes. 2. 13.
7. The Colossians, though sometimes dead in their Sins, yet how were they quickned by God, through the Forgiveness of all their Trespasses, and they had that through his Blood, Col. 2. 13. Chap. 1. 14.
What shall I say, no man could as yet stand before, and not fall under the Revelation of the Forgiveness of Sins through a Crucified Christ; as hanged, as dying, as accursed for Sinners; he draws all men unto him, men of all sorts, of all degrees.
Shall I add, how have men broken through the Pricks to Jesus, when he hath been discovered to them! neither Lyons nor Fires, nor Sword, nor Famine, nor Nakedness, nor Peril; neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor Height, nor Depth, nor any other Creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Rom. 8. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39.