One-Hundred Forty-Five Sermons Upon John 17, Sermon 100
SERMON C. Of Jeſus Chriſt as Prieſt, Sacrifice, and Altar; The Properties of that Sacrifice; The way how men come to partake of the Benefit of it; Its Efficacy as to Sanctification as well as Juſtification.
JOH. 17.19.
I Sanctifie my ſelf for them, &c.
FRom the Perſon Sanctifying, we proceed to the Object-matter, which is ſaid to be ſanctified, and that is foreign, My ſelf; The Prieſts in the Old Teſtament conſecrated and offered their brute Beaſts, which though commanded by God to have perfect Qualifications in them, yet becauſe Beaſts ſtill, therefore our Saviours Prieſthood doth farre tranſcend that, becauſe it is his own precious body that he thus offers to be an Oblation for himſelf,
Obſerv. That Chriſt was not only the Prieſt, but the Sacrifice it ſelf.From whence Obſerve,
That Chriſt was not only the Prieſt but the Sacrifice it ſelf; He offered up himſelf in that bloudy and ignominious death for our ſakes; This is the great myſtery of our Chriſtian Religion, whether you do regard the Doctrinal part of it as a Truth to be beleeved, or as it's Declarative of the love of God and Chriſt to his Church; The Prophet Iſaiah cap. 53. is of old, long before it was accompliſhed, greatly affected with it, and Paul upon every occaſion is largely amplifying this ſubſtantial Point.
Propoſitions concerning Chriſts Prieſthood.To clear it Conſider theſe Introductions,
Firſt, That Chriſt was both Prieſt, Sacrifice, and Altar, Every thing in Chriſt is wonderful; There is nothing in him after the ordinary manner of nature, and therefore he may juſtly by the Prophet be called Wonderfull, and as in other particulars,I. That Chriſt was both Prieſt, Sacrifice, and Altar. ſo in this it is true, That he ſhould be Prieſt, Sacrifice, and Altar; Priest, he was in both his Natures as God and man: Sacrifice, he was in his humane nature, becauſe that only could ſuffer; And Altar, he was in reſpect of his Divine Nature, becauſe by that he was ſanctified; Oh then the admirable wiſedom of God that hath thus appointed all fulneſſe to be in him▪ When Abraham was to offer Iſaac, and the Childe was bound ready to be ſacrificed, he asketh his Father, but where is the Sacrifice? God (ſaith Abraham) will provide one;II. What things are neceſſary to a Sacrifice. Thus when all mankinde like Iſaac was ready to be Sacrificed to the Eternal diſpleaſure of God, even then God found a Sacrifice for us.
Secondly, Conſider what is neceſſary to a Sacrifice, and that is, That there be ſome kinde of deſtruction or annihilation of the thing to the honour and glory of God; And thus a Sacrifice and a Sacrament differ, a Sacrifice is by offering up of ſomething to God, a Sacrament is when God offers and giveth ſomething to us, Therefore when the Papiſts make the Lords Supper to be a Sacrament and a Sacrifice alſo, they ſpeak repugnancies; In a Sacrament God giveth to us, In a Sacrifice we give to God: Now among the Jews there were many kindes of Sacrifices, and moſt of them did typically repreſent Chriſt; The Paſchal Lamb and the Sacrificing of the Red Heifer, theſe are plainly applied unto Chriſt, but above all kindes of Sacrifices thoſe that we called Holocatomata whole burnt-Offerings; Theſe did in a moſt lively manner typifie him, for there the whole was to be burnt in fire, and offered to God, which denoted the great humiliation of Chriſt both in Soul and body, and alſo the exquiſite Torments and Sufferings which were upon him, ſo that he was wounded all over for our Tranſgreſſions.
Thirdly, Take notice that he offered up his body as a Sacrifice to God;III. He offered himſelf to God. It was in reference to him, not meerly in reſpect of men, to witneſſe the Truth of God, but as every Sacrifice ought to be, it was wholly in reference to God, though tending thereby to our good: It's unlawful to offer Sacrifices to any but God, becauſe hereby is repreſented Gods ſupreme dominion and Majeſty, which is ſignified by the annihilation or deſtruction of the thing offered; Now though Chriſt did not ceaſe to be God, yet by his Death there was a ſeparation of the ſoul and body, though not of the divine nature from either; It was then unto God that he offered up himſelf.
Fourthly,IV. It was by way of Expiotion. This Sacrifice it was by way of expiation and propitiation to atone and pacifie the Juſtice of God, which otherwiſe would have been a conſuming fire to all mankinde, as it was to the Apoſtate Angels: Sacrifices do imply ſome kinde of Expiation, and by Heathens were uſed to pacifie the wrath of their gods, and thus if Chriſts body offered was truly and properly a Sacrifice, then it could be no other but by way of expiation and ſatisfaction; Now that it was ſuch an expiatory Sacrifice is plain by the Apoſtle at large in the Epiſtle to the Hebrews, where he compareth Chriſt dying with thoſe Sacrifices, and ſheweth the inſufficiency of them in reſpect of Chriſts once Oblation of himſelf, which compariſon would be weak and abſurd if Chriſts Death was not propitiatory; No wonder then if the devil hath raiſed up blaſphemous Heretiques to overthrow this Doctrine, becauſe in this is contained that happy Reconciliation between God and a ſinner; In that Chriſt ſhed his bloud to atone for us is the whole hope and comfort of the Church of God.
Fifthly, The holy and juſt nature of God against ſinne was ſuch, V. The neceſſity of it.that there was a neceſſity of Chriſts ſacrificing himſelf upon the Croſſe for us; It's hotly diſputed whether God might have forgiven ſinne abſolutely without Chriſts Death, or by any other way then by Satisfaction; But when all is ſaid, it's acknowledged it is the moſt convenient way, and if we do ſuppoſe that God would ſave mankinde no other way but by juſtice as well as mercy, then it was abſolutely neceſſary that Chriſt ſhould become man, ſeeing no meer man could compenſate God, neither could the Obedience of any man have delighted God as much as Adams diſobedience did offend him; Therefore it's highly derogatory from Chriſt which Durand ſaith, that if it had pleaſed God it might have been that as by Adams diſobedience all were made ſinners, ſo by the ſame Adams Obedience repenting and beleeving, all might have been made Righteous.The properties of Chriſts Sacrifice.
In the ſecond place Conſider the properties of this Sacrifice.
And Firſt, It had infinite worth in it; Inſomuch that had God ordained it ſo,I. It hath infinite worth in it. it would have procured Reconciliation for all the ſins of all men in the world, yea, if there had been a thouſand worlds of ſinners; This is that which Divines ſay, That it was a ſufficient price and ranſome for all, though not efficacious: Though therefore many are damned, this doth not ariſe from any weakneſſe or inſufficiency in Chriſts Death, but from the wickedneſſe and rebellion of men who refuſe the means to improve this Ranſome for their good; There is infinite worth in it and that upon a threefold reſpect.
1. The Perſon offering, who is God as well as man, So that what dignity and worth the divine Nature can put upon it, that it is ſure to have; Oh that Unbelief and diſtruſt ſhould ever overwhelm any Godly ſoul! Doth not the Apoſtle triumph, and ſay, Who can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? Rom. 2. It's Chriſt that died; Though the divine nature could not ſuffer, yet he that ſuffered was God as well as man, and ſo it is to be accounted of infinite worth; This is more then the Obedience of Men and Angels put together.
2. It is of infinite worth in reſpect of the gracious readineſſe and willingneſſe of him who did utter it; Chriſt received grace into his humane nature without meaſure, and ſo this being the gracious offering of him, who was God and man, it muſt have neceſſary acceptance.
3. It had infinite worth in reſpect of the thing uttered, which was no leſſe then the precious body and bloud of Chriſt himſelf, he thought not thoſe preparatory ſufferings and agonies enough, but he conſummates all by his Death; Oh then let not the trembling ſinner fear the inſufficiency of the ranſome, doubt not whether every farthing be paid, Say not, though ſuch ſins may be diſcharged, yet can this that I have committed, Can the bloud of Chriſt cover this ſinne as well as others?
II. Though Chriſt offered himſelf as a Sacrifiae yet the application muſt be as God hath appointed.Secondly, Conſider that though Chriſt offered up himſelf as a Sacrifice, yet the application of it muſt be in ſuch a way that God hath appointed; It's not enough that there is a potion which will cure all diſeaſes, but it muſt be taken in that way which the Phyſician doth preſcribe, and thus though Chriſt offered up himſelf to reconcile God to man, yet this is not done till by faith it be received; As the bloud of th… Sacrifice was to be ſprinkled with hyſop; Thus the bloud of Chriſt ere it doth waſh away our ſins, muſt by Faith be ſprinkled upon the ſoul, and therefore it's not altogether here as it is when a man is indebted and lying in priſon, one comes and paieth the debt for him; This man is releaſed without any more a do; There is no further thing required but the ſetting of him at l…berty, for though Chriſt hath thus offerrd up himſelf for the pardon of ſinnes, yet the Father hath made ſuch an appointment, that this price ſhould reach to none but thoſe that beleeve, and therefore this Doctrine doth not give the leaſt ſecurity to any man to ſinne, for though Chriſt died, yet his bloud may do thee no good: Thou maiſt lie roaring in hell to all Eternity for all this, becauſe thou art not one who doth partake of this death; Know the godly themſelves while unconverted and abiding in their ſinnes have not that actuall benefit of Juſtification which cometh effectually by Chriſts Death.
III. Chriſts bloud waſheth away not only the guilt of ſin but the filth of it.Thirdly, Hence Chriſts bloud is not only cleanſing and waſhing away the guilt of ſinne but the filth of it; The Apoſtle Tit. 3. ſaid, that he died to redeem us a peculiar people to himſelf, zealous of good works; So that there is none can pleade the juſtifying efficacy of Chriſts Death, that have not alſo the ſanctifying efficacy of it, as it followeth in the Text, That they might be ſanctified: and this will pull up by the very roots all that carnal confidence that moſt have, That come to Chriſts Death as unto a common Sanctuary; It's true I am a grievous ſinner, but Chriſt died, Chriſt was made a Sacrifice; but what is this to thee who walloweſt in thy filthy luſts? Thou art full of thy noiſome ſinnes, and if Chriſts Death did belong to thee, it would waſh thee, it would purifie thee; Do not think Chriſts bloud can be ſprinkled on thee for the pardon of ſinne, and not for the waſhing away the filth of it; This is the ruine of thouſands, they divide Chriſt, and ſeparate one effect of his death from another.
Fourthly, Though Chriſt did but once offer up himſelf, IV. The vertue of his Sacrifice abides for ever.yet the vertue and power of it doth abide for ever; It's not neceſſary that Chriſt ſhould be alwaies dying, therefore he is ſaid to be a Prieſt for ever, yea, this Death of Chriſt did extend to all the Godly that lived before his Sufferings; Abel, Abraham, and all in the Old Teſtament, had no other Sacrifice to pleaſe God with, but this; It is noted by a Learned man, that therefore Cains Sacrifice was not accepted becauſe he did not as Abel, offer ſuch a propitiatory Sacrifice as was a Type of Chriſt, but reſted in his own duties and works; yea, it's thought God by covering Adams nakedneſſe with skins of Beaſts, did thereby teach Chriſts Righteouſneſſe; Look then upon the bloud of Chriſt as powerfully working, as if to day he had been crucified; It works as a morall Cauſe by Covenant and agreement with the Father, and therefore it doth as ſtrongly work as ever,
Fifthly, It's continually uſeful and neceſſary, ſeeing we renew ſinnes daily, V. It's continually uſeful.and therefore run into new infirmities conſtantly, therefore it behoveth us to apply this medicine continually: If a man had been a hundred times ſtung by Serpents, he was as often to look upon the exalted Serpent to be healed, if therefore we fall into the mire daily, we need waſhing as often, if we get noiſomeneſſe upon us, this bloud muſt daily clenſe us, and certainly we may all ſay with Peter, Not my feet but my whole body alſo; Let that be waſhed; Doth not every part of us get ſome new pollution? Are not hearts, affections, and mindes conſtantly polluted? If ſo, we cannot be a moment without the application of it as often as we breathe, we need the Sprinkling of Chriſts bloud.
Sixthly, We are to Conſider the certain ſucceſſe and prevalency of it; No ſooner did the Meſſengers ſay Ʋriah was dead, but Davids anger was removed:VI. It's prevalent with God. When the deſtroying Angel ſeeth this bloud, he will paſſe by, if Moſes his praier could ſo much prevail with God, that he ſaith, Let me alone; and Lot was ſo accepted that the Angel cannot deſtroy Sodom till he be removed; Then how powerful and prevalent muſt Chriſts bloud be.
Seventhly, This Sacrifice is that which Chriſt preſents to his Father;VII. It's that Chriſt preſents to his Father. The Socinians wold have Chriſt performing his Prieſtly Office only in Heaven, but it's plain he did it on earth, only what he once did, he conſtantly preſents to his Father, and the minding of God with this is a farre more efficacious thing, then that of the Rainbow, God when he beholds this will not again drown the world, and when he looketh on Chriſt will not condemn the humbled ſinner. Therefore Chriſt is deſcribed Rev. 10. with a Rainbow upon his head, to ſignifie as ſome think the pacificatory vertue that is in Chriſt.
Eighthly, The purity of the Sacrifice is not to be forgotten; He is called the pure and ſpotleſſe Lamb, 1 Pet. 1.19. As it behoved us to have a Prieſt without ſinne,VIII. The purity of it. So a Sacrifice without any defect, otherwiſe that Sacrifice would have needed another, and ſo there would have been no end; Therefore though all we can offer which is ours be full of blemiſhes, yet when we preſent Chriſt by Faith, then there is no fault to be found.
Laſtly, The vertue of this Sacrifice is to make us like Chriſt himſelf;IX. The vertue of it. he thinketh it not enough to be King and Prieſt himſelf, but he maketh us alſo Kings and Prieſts for ever; We offer up Praiers and Praiſes to him, and by him we conquer all our ſpiritual Enemies, The devil and our luſts are ſubdued, Such glory have all they that are partakers of this Sacrifice.
Ʋſe of Terrour to all wicked and ungodly men, who by their Unbelief and Prophaneſſe reject this Sacrifice; The Apoſtle Heb. 10. cals it trampling upon the bloud of Chriſt, and accounting it a prophane thing; Oh how many thouſand live that have no eſteem, and make no account of this Sacrifice; Oh remember that this is the laſt and ultimate Sacrifice, He that rejects this hath no more hope; There remaineth no more oblation for ſinne; There is not another Chriſt or another Sacrifice, if thou refuſe this.
Ʋſe 2. Of Encouragement to the Godly. Come to this Fountain that is ſet open for Judah and Jeruſalem to cleanſe in: Doe not ſay, becauſe Chriſt crucified is a ſtumbling block and fooliſhneſſe to wicked men, that therefore thou wilt diſeſteem him alſo. There is no ſore▪ but this blood will heal and cure: Oh let the blood of thy ſoul be ſtanched with this blood of Chriſt! This blood ſpeaks good and comfortable things, better then that of Abel.