Light for Them that Sit in Darkness, Book · Demonstration 7
The Seventh Demonstration.
THat Jesus Christ, by what he hath done, hath paid full price to God for Sinners, &c. is evident, because we are commanded also to give God thanks in his Name. By him therefore let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise continually, that is, the Fruit of our Lips, giving thanks in his Name, Heb. 13. 15.
By him therefore; wherefore? because he also, that he might sanctifie us with his own Blood suffered without the Gate, ver. 12.
He sanctified us with his Blood, but why should the Father have thanks for this? even because the Father gave him for us, that he might die to sanctifie us with his Blood. Giving thanks to the Father which hath made us meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, who hath delivered us from the Power of Darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption through his Blood, even the forgiveness of Sins, Col. 1. 12, 13, 14. The Father is to be thanked, for the contrivance was also his, but the Blood, the Righteousness, or that worthiness, for the Sake of which we are accepted of God, is the Worthiness of his own dear Son; as it is meet therefore that God should have thanks, so it is necessary that he have it in his Name for whose sake we indeed are accepted of him.
Let us therefore by him offer Praise.
First, For the Gift of his Son, and for that we stand quit through him in his Sight; and that in despite of all inward weakness, and that in despite of all outward enemies.
When the Apostle had taken such a view of himself as to put himself into a maze, with an out-cry also, who shall deliver me? he quiets himself with this sweet conclusion, I thank God through Jesus Christ, Rom. 7. 24. He found more in the Blood of Christ to save him, than he found in his own Corruptions to damn him; but that could not be, had he not paid full price for him, had he not obtained Eternal Redemption for him. And can an Holy and Just God require that we give thanks to him in his Name, if it was not effectually done for us by him?
Further, when the Apostle looks upon Death, and the Grave, and strengtheneth them by adding to them Sin and the Law, saying, The Sting of Death is sin, and the Strength of Sin is the Law: he presently addeth, but thanks be to God which giveth us the Victory through Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 15. The Victory over Sin, Death, and the Law, the Victory over these through our Lord Jesus Christ; but God hath given us the Victory: but it is through our Lord Jesus Christ, through his fulfilling the Law, through his destroying Death, and through his bringing in Everlasting Righteousness. Elisha said to the King of Israel, that had it not been that he regarded the Person of Jehoshaphat, he would not look to him, nor regard him, 2 Kin. 3. 14. nor would God at all have looked to, or regarded thee, but that he respected the Person of Jesus Christ.
Let the Peace of God therefore rule in your Hearts, to the which also you are called in one body, and be you thankful, Col. 3. 15. The Peace of God, of that we have spoken before; but how should this rule in our Hearts? he by the next words directs you; Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly; that is, the Word that makes revelation of the Death and Blood of Christ, and of the Peace that is made with God for you thereby.
Giving thanks always for all things unto God & the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephes. 5. 20. For all things: for all things come to us through this Name Jesus; Redemption, Translation, the Kingdom, Salvation, with all the good things wherewith we are blessed.
These are the Works of God, he gave his Son, and he brings us to him, and puts us into his Kingdom; that is, his true Body, which Jeremiah calleth, a putting among the Children, and a giving us a Godly heritage of the Host of Nations, Joh. 6. Jer. 3. 19.
4. Now thanks be to God, which causeth us always to triumph in Christ, 2 Cor. 2. 13, 14.
See here our cause of triumph is through Christ Jesus, and God causeth us through him to triumph: First and chiefly, because Christ Jesus hath done our work for us, hath pleased God for our Sins, hath spoiled the powers of Darkness. God gave Jesus Christ to undertake our Redemption; Christ did undertake it, did engage our Enemies, and spoiled them. He spoiled principalities and powers, and made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them upon the Cross, Col. 2. 14, 15. Therefore, it is evident that he paid full price to God for Sinners with his Blood, because God commands us, to give thanks to him in his Name; through his Name. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God, and the Father, by him, Col. 3. 17.
Take this Conclusion from the whole, no thanks are accepted of God, that come not to him in the Name of his Son; his Son must have the Glory of conveying our thanks to God, because he was he that by his Blood conveyeth his Grace to us.