The Ark of the Covenant Opened, Chapter 13

The Ark of the Covenant Opened · Chapter 13

p. 201CHAP. XIII. Of the Mediators Ʋnction, as it relateth to the ſeparating of him for his Offices.

THE ſecond part of Chriſts qualification for the Office of Mediatorſhip, is his Ʋnction; this was conſequent unto his perſonal union; ſo that as we called the union of the two natures in Chriſt Perſon, the principal and chief qualification of him for this Office; ſo we are to look upon his Unction, as carrying in it divers qualifications which reſult from the former.

The Unction of Chriſt comprehends two things; 1. The ſeparating of him unto theſe excellent Offices of being Prophet, Prieſt, and King of his Church. 2. The endowing him with the Spirit above meaſure, with gifts and graces of the Spirit, and aſſiſtances meet to enable him for the Work.

The firſt Part of Chriſts Unction, is that whereby he is p. 202anointed to theſe Offices: Chriſt Mediator is anointed to be Prophet, Prieſt, and King of his Church. Concerning which we ſhall ſpeak: 1. Of the anointing. 2. Of the Offices. And firſt by this Unction, as it relateth to his Offices (for of his Unction, as it comprehends his Furniture, we are not now ſpeaking, but ſhall in the next place), we may underſtand according to the various uſe of anointing among men: and the Scripture purport of the Word. 1. His Deſignation for theſe Offices in the Counſel of God, Iſa. 42.1, Behold, my ſervant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my ſoul delighteth. So the word is uſed, 1 Sam. 16.13, of Davids firſt Deſignation to ſucced in the Kingdom to Saul, long before he came to the Government. 2. The declaration of his being deſigned unto theſe Offices, Pſal. 2.7, I will declare the decree, the Lord hath ſaid unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. So anointing is taken in the caſe of Gods declaring Jehu ſucceſſor in the Kingdom, 1 Kings 19.16, with 2 Kings 9.1. 3. The ſeparating of him, or ſetting him apart for theſe Offices, Pſal. 89.20, I have found David my ſervant, with my holy oyl have I anointed him. So the word is uſed, 1 Chron. 29.22. 1 Sam. 15.17, with Pſal. 105.15. 4. The publick ſolemn inveſting him in theſe Offices, with power and authority to exerciſe them, Act. 10.38, How God anointed Jeſus of Nazareth with the Holy-Ghoſt and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppreſſed of the Devil, for God was with him. Luk. 1.32, And the Lord God ſhall give unto him the throne of his father David. And its from his anointing that Chriſt hath his name, Joh. 1.41, We have found the Meſſias, which is, being interpreted, the Chriſt, Luk. 9.20. The Chriſt of God.

2. Concerning theſe three Offices of Chriſt, we ſhall briefly touch upon, 1. The neceſſity of them in our Mediators Perſon. 2. The nature and uſe of them. 3. The harmony and conſent of theſe Offices in Chriſts perſon, and in his execution of them.

And, 1. The neceſſity of theſe Offices in our Mediator, appeareth, 1. From the evils under which we were lying; man being under, 1. Ignorance of God. 2. Alienation from God, Eph. 4.18, Having the underſtanding darkened, p. 203being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the blindneſs of their hearts. 3. Impotency to come unto him, Joh. 6.44, No man can come to me, except the Father which ſent me, draw him. Neceſſary it was that our Mediator be a perſon that carrieth Offices, which may reach theſe evils. His prophecy and teaching meets with our ignorance of God, for he is a teacher come from God, Joh. 3.7. A Prophet by whom all his people are taught of God, Jer. 31.33. Iſa. 54.13. His Prieſthood and Sacrifice meets with our alienation and eſtrangement from God, for thereby the diſtance is removed, and a friendſhip bound up with God, Eph. 2.13, 14, 18, But now in Chriſt Jeſus, ye who ſometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Chriſt. For he is our peace, who hath made both one. For through him we both have an acceſs by one ſpirit unto the Father. And his Kingdom meets with our impotency; for thereby we are mightily wrought upon and determined, ſo as our impotency proves no overpowering lett in the way of his grace, Jer. 31.33, But this ſhall be the Covenant that I will make with the houſe of Iſrael after thoſe days, ſaith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and I will be their God, and they ſhall be my people.

2. It appears from the work which he came to do, which required this conjunction of Offices in his Perſon: 1. He came to reveal a new way of happineſs, and therefore behoved to be a Prophet, Act. 7.37, A prophet ſhall the Lord your God raiſe up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me, him ſhall you hear. Heb. 2.3, How ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great ſalvation, which at the firſt began to be ſpoken by the Lord? 2. He came to purchaſe and acquire this new bleſſedneſs, and therefore behoved to be a Prieſt, to offer Sacrifice for it, Heb. 9.15, And for this cauſe he is the Mediator of the new Teſtament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the tranſgreſſions of the firſt Teſtament, they which are called might receive the promiſe of eternal inheritance. 3. He came to make application of his purchaſe, and therefore behoved alſo to be a King, Heb. 5.9, And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal ſalvation unt… all them that they him.

p. 2042. The nature and uſe of theſe three Offices in our Mediator, we find in ſome meaſure let out in the promiſes of the Covenant, at leaſt a chief and material hint at ſomething of all the three, Jer. 31.33, 34, with Heb. 8. and 10. 1. Chriſt Mediator as a Prophet, travelleth in begetting a right underſtanding betwixt the two parties that are at variance, betwixt God and man; and to this effect, being intimately acquainted with all his Fathers ſecrets, 1. He publiſheth and declareth all the mind of God to his people, eſpecially in revealing the gracious purpoſe of God concerning the way and means of reconciliation, Mat. 11.27, Neither knoweth any man the Father ſave the Son, and he to whomſoever the Son will reveal him. Eph. 2.17, And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 2. He worketh the effectual knowledg of God, and of his will, in his peoples heart, See 2 Cor. 4.6, For God who cauſed the light to ſhine out of darkneſs, hath ſhined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. Luk. 1.77, 79, To give knowledg of Salvation unto his people, by the remiſſion of their ſins.—To give light to them that ſit in darkneſs, and in the ſhadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace. 3. He removeth the miſtakes and prejudices whereby the alienation betwixt God and man is hightned and continued; and this by imparting the true mind of the parties to each other, Eph. 4.21, If ſo be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jeſus. This is the nature and uſe of his prophetical Office, which he executeth by his word and ſpirit, cauſing light firſt to appear, and then to ſhine into the hearts of his people.

The end of this Office, and his exerciſing it after this manner, is to promote his great deſign of reconciliation, which is the end of his Mediation; and this he doth, by declaring the mind of the parties to each other, removing miſtakes, which encreaſe alienation; begetting a good underſtanding, and thereby working a compliance betwixt the parties: and in reſpect of this Office mainly he is called a Prophet, Deut. 18.15. Acts 3.22: and by way of eminency, the Prophet, and that Prophet, Joh. 6.14, and 7.40: and the Angel or Meſſenger of the Covenant, who publiſhed and revealed p. 205it, Mal. 3.1: and the Word, John 1.14. Rev. 19.3, who revealeth the will of God, whereof I have already ſpoken; and a Witneſs, or teacher and teſtifier of the will of God, Iſa. 55.4. Rev. 3.14: and the Apoſtle of our profeſſion, Heb. 3.1: and the Wiſdom of God, 1 Cor. 1.24. Col. 2.3.

2. Chriſt Mediator in his Prieſthood travelleth, 1. About Satisfaction. 2. Interceſſion. Iſa. 53.12, Becauſe he hath poured out his ſoul unto death, and he was numbred with the tranſgreſſors, and he bare the ſin of many, and made interceſſion for the tranſgreſſor: And about both theſe in order to Reconciliation, which is the great buſineſs belonging to the Mediators Office.

1. I ſay, the nature and uſe of that Office relates to ſatisfaction for ſin, becauſe by virtue of that Office principally he performs the great work of ſatisfaction for our ſins, by offering up himſelf a ſacrifice to death, after he had given perfect obedience to the Law, Heb. 9.26, But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away ſin by the ſacrifice of himſelf. And this he did as our Surety, he ſtood in the Elects room, and Juſtice did ſtrike him in their ſtead, Iſa. 53.5, He was oppreſſed, &c. or rather, according to the original, he was exacted, and anſwered; that is, God the Father required ſatisfaction for our ſins, and his Son (as our Surety) anſwered for us.

2. Unto this Office belongeth his Interceſſion, which is performed in the virtue of the ſatisfaction given by him to Divine Juſtice, and the Sacrifice once offered up by him, Iſa. 53.12, He poured out his ſoul unto death—and made interceſſion for the tranſgreſſors. Heb. 9.24, For Chriſt is not entred into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us. And this according to the two parts of the High-Prieſts Office, which were, 1. The offering of ſacrifice. 2. The preſenting of it in the Holy of Holies with prayer and interceſſion,See Good…. Chriſt ſet forth, p. 12…, 123. Rog. Cat. p. 2. p. 39. Gomar ad Heb. c. 3.Heb 3 that God would accept it for the ſins of the people, ſee Levit. 16. The excellency of this Prieſthood of our Mediator, was typified by Aarons Prieſthood in theſe two parts of it; and more eminently and excellently in Melchiſedecks Prieſthood, which ſhewed alſo the continuance p. 206of Chriſts Prieſthood for ever, and the excellency of it above Aarons, Pſal. 110. Heb. 5, and 7 chap.

Concerning the nature and parts of this Office, we ſhall only obſerve theſe three things; 1. That Chriſt Mediator did and doth both the parts of this Office on earth, and in Heaven, but with this difference, 1. On earth he eminently ſacrificed and offered up himſelf, Heb. 9.14, How much more ſhall the blood of Chriſt, who through the eternal Spirit offered himſelf without ſpot to God, purge your conſcience from dead works to ſerve the living God. Yet he interceded alſo, Heb. 5.7, Who in the days of his fleſh, when he had offered up prayers and ſuppl cations with ſtrong crying and tears unto him that was able to ſave him from death, and was heard in that he ſeared. 2. In Heaven he eminently intercedes, Heb. 7 25, Seeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them. Chap. 9.24, But into Heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us: but he offereth up himſelf alſo, by preſenting the ſacrifice, and offering of himſelf, which was once made, Heb. 12.24, We are come, ſaith the Apoſtle, to Jeſus the Mediator of the new Covenant, and to the blood of ſprinkling, that ſpeaketh better things than that of Abel. 2. That all Chriſt's ſatisfaction and Prieſthood would be ineffectual for our good, if he did not continue in the exerciſe of it by his interceſſion in Heaven, whereby he becometh the applying cauſe of ſalvation to us, Heb. 5.10, 11, Called of God an High-prieſt after the order of Melchiſedec; of whom we have many things to ſay, and hard to be uttered, ſeeing ye are dull of hearing. Rom. 5.10, For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled we ſhall be ſaved by his life. 3. That the deſign carried on by this Office is the ſame as in the former, to wit, Reconciliation, which is promoted through this Office, 1. By his giving ſatisfaction to Juſtice. 2. By his application of that ſatisfaction, and making Attonement for the ſins of his people.

The nature and uſe of Chriſts Kingdom, I lay down in theſe Aſſertions: 1. That it is Diſpenſatory; Chriſt Mediator is a King appointed, a Viceroy and Deputy-governour in ſubordination to his Father. Pſal. 2.6. Yet have p. 207I ſet my King upon my holy hill of Zion. John 5.23, That all men ſhould honour the ſon even as they honour the father; he that honoureth not the ſon; honoureth not the father that ſent him: a Kingdom which is to be rendered up again to him who gave it to him, 1 Cor. 15.24, Then cometh the end, when he ſhall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the father, when he ſhall have put down all rule and all authority and power. His Kingdom as Mediator, is not regnum naturale, which he hath as God co-eſſential with his Father; but regnum oeconomicum, which he hath by donation and unction from his Father. 2. That it is very large, yea univerſal; for it is all power in heaven and earth, Matth. 28.18: and it reacheth to the upholding all things by the word of his power, Heb. 1.3. It is over all the creatures, Eph. 1.22, And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church. Over all Mankind, Dan. 7.14, And there was given him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations and languages ſhould ſerve him. Rev. 17.14, He is lord of lords, and king of kings. Over the Reprobate as well as the Elect, Pſalm 110.1, The Lord ſaid unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footſtool. Over all ages and generations of men: Dan. 7.14, his dominion is an everlaſting dominion, which ſhall not paſs away; and his kingdom that which ſhall not be deſtroyed. Although it be more ſpecial, and he be a King more peculiarly to the Church and the elect World, Pſalm 2.6, 8, 9, Yet have I ſet my king upon my holy hill of Zion,—Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for thy poſſeſſion: thou ſhalt break them with a rod of iron, thou ſhalt daſh them in pieces like a potters veſſel. And that both outwardly, by appointing them Laws, Ordinances and Officers, Pſalm 9.6, 7, For unto us a child is born, unto us a ſon is given, and the government ſhall be upon his ſhoulder: and his name ſhall be called Wonderful Counſellour, the mighty God, the everlaſting Father, the Prince of peace; of the encreaſe of his government and peace there ſhall be no end; upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to eſtabliſh it with juſtice and with judgment from henceforth and for ever. And inwardly by ruling in their hearts. p. 208Luke 17.21, Neither ſhall they ſay, lo here, or lo there: … behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Ezek. 36.27, And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, and ye ſtall keep my judgments and do them. Jer. 31.33, But this ſhall be the Covenant that I will make with the houſe of Iſrael after thoſe days, ſaith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their bearts. And his Kingdom is over other creatures, but for the cauſe and behoof of the Elect, Eph. 1, 22, And gave him to be the head over all things to the Church. 3. It is Spiritual, over the ſouls and conſciences of men, to awe and over-rule the hearts of men, to captivate their affections, Rom. 14.17, For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoſt. Joh. 18.36, Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, My kingdom is not of this world. Chap. 6.15, When Jeſus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a King, he departed again into a mountain himſelf alone. To break in pieces his enemies with an iron Rod, to rule and ſlay them with the words of his mouth, Pſalm 110.2, Rule thou in the midſt of thine enemies. Iſa. 11.4, But with righteouſneſs ſhall he judg the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he ſhall ſmite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips ſhall he ſlay the wicked. 4. It is everlaſting, Dan. 2.44, And in the days of theſe kings ſhall the God of heaven ſet up a kingdom which ſhall never be deſtroyed: and the kingdom ſhall not be left to other people, but it ſhall break in pieces and conſume all theſe kingdoms, and it ſhall ſtand for ever. Chap. 7.14, His dominion is an everlaſting dominion which ſhall not paſs away, and his kingdom that which ſhall not be deſtroyed. Heb. 1.8, But unto the Son he ſaith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: and although it be ſaid, 1 Cor. 15.24, he ſhall give the kingdom to his Father, yet his Kingdom ſhall not then ceaſe: for I take that to be in regard of the manner of adminiſtration of it by Ordinances, Officers, &c. for then all his Saints ſhall be perfected, and all his enemies ſubdued, whereof ſomething hath been already ſpoken. 5. In the kingdom of Chriſt Mediator, he doth all things with authority and power, and yet it is wholly ruled by his Word and Spirit. He doth all things in his Kingdom, not by outward ſecular force, but by his p. 209influences upon the ſpirits of men, and determining them in a ſecret way, whether providentially, or by ſaving and ſanctifying influences. Zech. 4.6, Not by might, nor by power, but by my ſpirit, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. Pſalm 110.1, 2, The Lord ſaid unto my Lord, ſit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footſtool. The Lord ſhall ſend the rod of thy ſtrength out of Zion: rule thou in the midſt of thine enemies. 2 Theſſ. 2.8, And then ſhall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord ſhall conſume with the ſpirit of his mouth, and ſhall deſtroy with the brightneſs of his coming. 6. The great work of his Kingly Power is to imploy it for ſaving of his people, and ſubduing his and their enemies, to bring to paſs his purpoſe of the one and the other, either without or againſt all-contradiction, Pſalm 110 throughout, Pſalm 2 throughout. Phil. 2.9, 10, Wherefore God alſo hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. 7. The great and ſpecial end of Chriſts Kingly Office, is to make his other Offices effectual for the ſaving of his Elect, to ſupport his Prieſthood and Prophecy, and to give vigour and efficacy to them: for except Chriſt had been a Prince that had power over his friends and foes, his other Offices could never have been made effectual to the Elect, nor he a Captain of Salvation to them, Heb. 2.10. Therefore alſo he is ſet forth as a Prieſt upon a Throne, who carrieth all things as a King with power, Heb. 1.3, When he had by himſelf purged our ſins, ſat down on the right hand of the Majeſty on high. It is his Kingdom which effects that Reconciliation which is the end of a Mediator, that which his Prophecy teacheth, and his Prieſthood and Sacrifice hath purchaſed; he ſits as a King, and conveys the power of it into the ſoul. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5, For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of ſtrong holds, and caſting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it ſelf againſt the knowledg of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chriſt.

3. The Harmony and Conſent of theſe three Offices in our Mediator, and how they do concurr for the end of his p. 250Mediatorſhip, to wit, the trieſting of the difference betwixt God and man, by making a reconciliation, and binding up friendſhip by a new Covenant. Here obſerve the ſweet concurrence of the three Offices in the Mediator Chriſt. 1. All theſe Offices level at one end, to wit, Reconciliation and Salvation, which is the great buſineſs wherefore a Mediator was appointed, 2 Cor. 5.19, God was in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf: but with this difference, his Prophecy teaches the way of Reconciliation, Acts 3.22, Him ſhall ye hear in all things whatſoever he ſhall ſay unto you. His Prieſthood opened the way, and purchaſed the peace, Heb. 9.14, 15, How much more ſhall the blood of Chriſt, who through the eternal Spirit offered himſelf without ſpot to God, purge your conſcience from dead works to ſerve the living God. And for this cauſe he is the Mediator of the new Teſtament, that by means of death for the redemption of the Tranſgreſſors that were under the firſt Teſtament, they which are called might receive the promiſe of eternal inheritance. His Kingdom doth effect and do the buſineſs, John 12.32, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. Col. 1.20, 21, And having made peace through the blood of his croſs, by him to reconcile all things to himſelf, I ſay, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you that were ſometimes alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. But yet we muſt not conceive the actings of theſe Offices in Chriſt ſeparately, nor appropriate to any of them ſolely the effecting Reconciliation or Salvation: but underſtand it by way of eminency, and ſo of the following particulars. 2. Theſe three Offices in our Mediator, concur to do the ſame work, but in divers ways, that our Reconciliation and Salvation might be the more compleat and ſure: he would have us ſaved, Heb. 7.25, to the utmoſt; foreign,Camer. in Myr. F. Goodwin. Chriſt ſet forth. Corn. Schrevel. Lexic. or, as the word is rendred by ſome, over and above all manner of ways; for the word as ſome obſerve, ſignifies, Omni modum perſecutionem, omnem adeptus finem, and abſolute perfection in all manner of ways whereunto theſe three Offices in our Mediator concur. 1. Chriſt as Prieſt through his death reconcileth us to God, and ſaveth us (as captives are redeemed) by Ranſom and Price. Heb. 10.12, But this man after he had offered one ſacrifice for ſins, p. 251for ever ſat down on the right hand of God. Col. 1.1, 20, And having made peace through the blood of his croſs, by him to reconcile all things to himſelf. Rom. 5.10, For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, &c. 2. Chriſt as King, by his Reſurrection and Aſcenſion effectuates our Salvation by power and conqueſt, Heb. 2.14, That through death he might deſtroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil. Eph. 4.8, Wherefore he ſaith when he aſcended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 3. Chriſt as Prophet effectuates our reconciliation with God, and Salvation, by our own conſent: informing our judgments, begetting a good underſtanding betwixt God and us; removing miſtakes, and making us willing to be reconciled unto him, and ſaved by him, Pſal. 110.2, 3, The Lord ſhall ſend the rod of thy ſtrength out of Zion,—Thy people ſhall be willing in the day of thy power: in the beauties of holineſs, from the womb of the morning, thou haſt the dew of thy youth. This he effects by Treaty, till he hath concluded favour and friendſhip betwixt the parties by voluntary conſent in a Covenant, Rev. 22.17, And the Spirit, and the Bride ſay, Come.

3. Theſe Offices in our Mediator ſweetly concur together to meet with three great Evils in our natural condition (which are comprehenſive of all our miſery), and to deal in taking them away: 1. Chriſt as a Prophet dealeth with our Ignorance of God, and blindneſs: and removeth that, by applying himſelf to us in the exerciſe of that teaching-Office, Eph. 4.18, 21, Having the underſtanding darkned: being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the blindneſs of their heart—If ſo be that ye have heard him, and been taught by him, as the truth is in Jeſus. 2. Chriſt as Prieſt, with his Atonement and Satisfaction, dealeth with our alienation and eſtrangement from God, and our enmity againſt him, which is the fruit of our Ignorance of him; and by making a ſatisfaction to of fended Juſtice, he takes away the enmity. Eph. 4.18, Being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them. See Rom. 5.10, When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. Col. 1.21, And you that were ſometimes alienated, and enemies in your mind by p. 212wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 3. Chriſt as a King dealeth with our Impotency and Rebellion, which is the third great evil in our unnatural condition, which he ſweetly ſubdueth by the power and dominion of his grace, Pſalm 45.5, Thine arrows are ſharp in the heart of the kings enemies, whereby the people fall under thee. Rev. 6.2, And he went forth conquering and to conquer. Or the harmony of theſe Offices may be conceived thus:

1. That Chriſt as a Prophet dealeth eminently with the underſtandings of men, to perſwade and convince them by his teaching, 2 Cor. 4.4, 6, In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, leſt the light of the glorious Goſpel of Chriſt, who is the image of God, ſhould ſhine in them—for God, who commanded the light to ſhine out of darkneſs, hath ſhined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt.

2. Chriſt as a Prieſt, as a merciful, loving, condeſcending man, who hath laid down his life for us, uſeth entreaties, and dealeth with the affections mainly, when the judgment is informed by his propheſie and teaching, 2 Cor. 5.20, Now then we are ambaſſadors for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech you by us, we pray you in Chriſts ſtead be ye reconciled to God.

3. Chriſt as King dealeth with the wills of men, the proudeſt and higheſt enemy that Chriſt hath in our nature, which he ſubdues and overpowers by determinating grace, Pſal. 110.3, Thy people ſhall be willing in the day of thy power.

4. Theſe three Offices in our Mediator, do moſt pleaſantly conſpire in aiding and ſupporting one another, that each Office may be vigorous and effectual for the end of his Mediation. And here conſider, 1. How the prophecy of Chriſt is aiding to his Prieſthood and Kingdom: 1. By teaching what the Prieſthood and Kingdom of Chriſt are, and the way how reconciliation and peace is to be made: His prophecy teaches thoſe myſteries of the Kingdom, and our ſalvation, which otherways we could not know, Joh. 1.18, No man hath ſeen God at any time: the only begotten Son which is in the boſome of the Father, he hath declared him. It ſheweth, 1. Where a Sacrifice is to be had, and a power to make out our peace, which upon the matter is the Prieſthood and Kingdom of Chriſt, Acts 5.31, Him hath God exalted p. 213with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſs of ſins. 1 Joh. 2.27, And ye need not that any man teach you, but as the ſame anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lye. 2. How to apply Chriſts Prieſthood at firſt for juſtification, and how to apply it daily and continually for repeated pardon and forgiveneſs, and how to improve it as our daily ſacrifice, 1 John 1.9, If we confeſs our ſins, he is faithful and juſt to forgive us our ſins, and to cleanſe us from all unrighteouſneſs. And 2.1, 2. My little children, theſe things write I unto you, that ye ſin not: and if any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous, &c. 3. How to live by faith, to depend upon Chriſt, and to be guided continually by him, as the ruler of his people, Heb. 10.38, Now the juſt ſhall live by faith. Pſal. 73.24, Thou ſhalt guide me with thy counſel, and afterward receive me to glory. 2. By removing miſtakes and prejudices, which are ſo rooted in our hearts, that there can be no agreement till theſe prejudices be taken off, and a good underſtanding be gotten betwixt the parties: Thus Chriſt played the Prophet to the woman of Samaria, by inſtructing her, till he had removed her miſtakes and prejudices, and informed her judgment right, and then he had acceſs to deal further with her, Joh. 4.3, By convincing of the need of his Prieſthood and Sacrifice, and of his Kingdom; he doth teach his people as a Prophet, till they know they need a Sacrifice, and till he ſhew them where it is; and till they know they need a King and the arm of Omnipotency, for effecting a change of the Covenant-ſtate, John 16.8, And when he is come, he will reprove the world of ſin, of righteouſneſs, and of judgment. Job 33.23, If there be a meſſenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thouſand, to ſhew unto man his uprightneſs.

Conſider, 2. How the Prieſthood of Chriſt concurreth with his Propheſie and Kingdom, and is aiding to them: 1. His Prieſthood is aiding to his Propheſie, 1. By making God acceſſible through the new and living way of Reconciliation, taught by his Propheſie; God having now accepted a ſacrifice: and we having a Prieſt, by whom we may come to him, Heb. 10.19, 20, Having therefore brethren, boldneſs to p. 254enter into the holieſt by the blood of Jeſus, by a new and living way which he hath conſecrated for us through the vail, that is to ſay, the fleſh: and an Advocate and Interceſſor to pray for us, 1 John 2.1, 2, We have an Advocate with the father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our ſins. 2. By making that great Prophet more affable and condeſcending to us, by how much he is come near to us in our nature; and hath taken his Sacrifice from among his brethren; I mean, his fleſh and body, Heb. 2.17, Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. Chap. 5.1, For every High-prieſt taken from among men, is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that they may offer both gifts and ſacrifices for ſins. Chap. 10. v. 5, Whererefore when he cometh into the world, he ſaith, ſacrifice and offering thou wouldſt not, but a body haſt thou prepared me. 2. His Prieſthood is aiding to his Kingdom, and that in both the parts of it: 1. In his ſacrifice and ſatisfaction, he hath doubled his right and title to his people, and worketh their ſalvation by price; which as a King he doth by power and conqueſt, Heb. 9.15, And for this cauſe he is the Mediator of the new Teſtament, that by means of death for the redemption of the tranſgreſſions that were under the firſt Teſtament, they which are called might receive the promiſe of eternal inheritance. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19, Foraſmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,—but with the precious blood of Chriſt. 2. In his Interceſſion, he carrieth the ſame buſineſs of our Salvation by favour and entreaty, which he hath alſo carried by Command as a King, Heb. 7.25, Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the uttermoſt that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them. With 1.3, When he had by himſelf purged our ſins, ſat down on the right hand of the majeſty on high. John 17.24, Father, I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am.

3. Conſider how his Kingdom doth ſupport his Prieſthood and Propheſie, and give vigour and efficacy to them both.

And 1. His Kingdom doth aſſiſt his Propheſie, 1. By ſuſtaining and keeping up the means of Salvation and Teaching, p. 255by his Goſpel and Ordinances, againſt all the enemies that have riſen up and beſtirred themſelves againſt the ſame ever ſince the beginning of the world: Thus he keepeth theſe pillars of his Throne from ruine. Pſalm 110.2, 5, The Lord ſhall ſend the rod of thy ſtrength out of Zion: rule thou in the midſt of thine enemies. The Lord at thy right hand ſhall ſtrike through kings in the day of his wrath. 2. By making his Goſpel and Ordinances have their full effectualneſs in the hearts of his people, to convince and convert them, and to pierce and condemn thoſe that deſpiſe them, John 9.39, And Jeſus ſaid, For Judgment I am come into this world, that they which ſee not, might ſee; a and that they which ſee, might be made blind. Iſa. 55.11, So ſhall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth, it ſhall not return unto me void, but it ſhall accompliſh that which I pleaſe: and it ſhall proſper in the thing whereto I ſent it.

2. His Kingdom doth aſſiſt his Prieſthood: 1. By giving efficacy to his ſatisfaction, to reconcile the perſons of the Elect to God, and to obtain forgiveneſs of their ſins: for it is his Kingdom that doth convey the power of his Prieſthood into the ſoul. 2. By giving Efficacy unto his Interceſſion, for keeping all thoſe that are given to him by his Father, continually in a ſtate of grace and favour, John 17.11, 24, Thoſe that thou gaveſt me I have kept, and none of them is loſt but the ſon of perdition—Father, I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am. 3. By making his Death and Reſurrection effectual to ſubdue our luſts, and to ſet up his Kingdom within us. Eph. 1.19, 20, And what is the exceeding greatneſs of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Chriſt when he raiſed him from the dead, and ſet him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Rom. 6.4, 5, Therefore we are buried with him by baptiſm into death, that like as Chriſt was raiſed up from the dead by the glory of the father, even ſo we alſo ſhould walk in newneſs of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeneſs of his death, we ſhall be alſo in the likeneſs of his reſurrection.

Ʋſe 1. Of Chriſts Unction unto theſe Offices: How excellent and eminent a perſon muſt our Mediator he, in whom theſe three Offices concur, which take in all things that pertain p. 216to inſtruction and wiſdom, to favour and entreaty, to power and acting? who is anointed unto all the high Offices over the houſe of God, Heb. 10.21, unto which great perſons have at any time been anointed. The excellency of all high Offices treiſt in his Perſon, ſo that as the Apoſtle ſaith often, ſuch a High-prieſt; we may ſay, ſuch a Mediator, by way of Excellency, Pſalm 89.19, 20, I have exalted one choſen out of the people, I have found David my ſervant, with my holy oyl have I anointed him. Iſa. 22.22,—And the key of the houſe of David will I lay upon his ſhoulder: ſo he ſhall open, and none ſhall ſhut: and he ſhall ſhut, and none ſhall open.

2. How well hath God provided for his people in Chriſt the Mediator? 1. There muſt be a wonderful fulneſs of Satisfaction which proceedeth from a perſon thus anointed. 2. An admirable weight in the interceſſion of a Perſon carrying ſuch high Offices. 3. He hath treaſured up all his Churches happineſs in Chriſt, that he ſhould be to them whatſoever they need: and that he ſhould carry all Offices whereof they can have uſe. Col. 1.19, For it pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell. 4. From the well-ſpring of his Unction, he hath made another Unction to flow to us, for calling us to high and honourable things, and furniſhing us for them; Rev. 1.6. And hath made us Kings and Prieſts unto God, and his Father. 1 John 2.27, But the anointing which you have received of him, abideth in you: and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the ſame anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lye: and even as it hath taught you, ye ſhall abide in him 1 Pet. 2.9, For ye are a choſen generation, a royal Prieſthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar people, that ye ſhould ſhew forth the praiſes of him who hath called you out of darkneſs unto his marvellous light.

3. Let us make uſe of Chriſt Mediator in all his Offices, and acknowledg him in them all, and take notice of the concurrence of theſe for effecting our happineſs. And for this effect, 1. Let us ſtudy to be acquainted with our need of Chriſt in all his Offices: Some men know not their need of a Prieſt, but very few know their need of a Teacher: they think they are very knowing, while they are blind; but far p. 217fewer know their need of a King; they think they can rule themſelves. Rom. 7.9, For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, ſin revived, and I died. And yet our need of all theſe is ſuch, that we could not have been compleatly ſaved, if any of theſe Offices had been wanting in our Mediator: we ſtand in need of a Prophet, a Prieſt, and a King.

2. Study to know, and be convinced, that there is in us a natural enmity againſt all theſe Offices of Chriſt the Mediator: 1. Enmity againſt him as a Prophet, againſt his Teaching and his Truth; diſliking his truths which croſs our luſts, John 6.60, Many therefore of his Diſciples when they had heard this, ſaid, This is an hard ſaying, who can bear it? Quenching and reſiſting the voice and teaching of his Spirit. Iſa. 63.10, But they rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit. 2. Enmity againſt him as a Prieſt, by undervaluing his Perſon, Suffering, Satisfaction, Righteouſneſs, Merits, Rom. 10.3, For they being ignorant of Gods righteouſneſs, and going about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, have not ſubmitted themſelves unto the righteouſneſs of God. 3. Enmity againſt him as a King; againſt his ſpiritual Worſhip, Commands, Wages: a principle which controuls them, and rebels againſt him, Rom. 7.23, But I ſee another law in my members warring againſt the law of my mind, bringing me into captivity to the law of ſin, which is in my members.

3. We muſt take with our need of Chriſt in theſe his Offices, and lay down our enmity againſt them; that is, in the knowledg that we need not only a Prieſt, but a Prophet, and a King; we muſt break off our rebellions againſt theſe his Offices, and lay down the weapons whereby we have oppoſed them, which are mainly ſelf-conceit, and knowledg, or Science, faſly ſo called, oppoſing him as a Prophet, 1 Cor. 8.2, And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know: and ſelf-will, oppoſing his Kingdom, refuſing to admit of his Laws within us, Luke 19.14, We will not have this man to rule over us: and ſelf-worth, or righteouſneſs, oppoſing his Prieſthood, by ſetting up ſomething in the place of it, Rom. 10.3, For they being ignorant of Gods righteouſneſs, and going about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, &c.

p. 2184. Let us by all means take heed that the grace of God tendred to us through a Mediator in all theſe Offices, be not in vain, through our not ſeeking to it, and laying hold on it, Heb. 4.1, 2, Let us therefore fear, leſt a promiſe being left us of entring into his Reſt, any of you ſhould ſeem to come ſhort of it. For unto us was the Goſpel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. A Court of Juſtice is a publick Sanctuary; but it actually relieveth none but thoſe that ſeek unto it, Heb. 6.18, We might have a ſtrong conſolation who have ſled for refuge, to lay hold on the hope ſet before us. It is in vain as to our profit, that Chriſt carrieth theſe Offices, if we do not make application to him for his Teaching, his Sacrifice, and his Government, Gal. 2.21, Do not fruſtrate the grace of God: for if righteouſneſs come by the Law, then Chriſt is dead in vain. 2 Cor. 6.1, 9, We beſeech you alſo, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

5. Let us have our hearts jointly and equally ſatisfied to receive him in all his Offices, and not to divide his compleat Unction, Iſa. 55.4, Behold, I have given him for a witneſs to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Acts 5.31, Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſs of ſins. Jer. 31.33, 34, But this ſhall be the Covenant that I will make with the houſe of Iſrael after thoſe days, ſaith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they ſhall be my people. And they ſhall teach no more every man his neighbour, ſaying, Know the Lord: for all ſhall know me from the leaſt of them unto the greateſt of them, ſaith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their ſin no more. 1 Cor. 1.30, But of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made unto us wiſdom, and righteouſneſs, and ſanctification and redemption. There be who divide his Offices, who would be ſaved by his Prieſthood, but will neither be taught by his Prophecy, nor ruled by his Kingdom. 2. Others, who would be both ſaved and taught, but not commanded by him. Again, There be who would divide the things belonging to his Offices: As 1. who would ſubmit p. 219to his teaching by outward Ordinances, but will not ſubmit themſelves to the inward teaching of his Spirit. 2. Who will be content to take his ſatisfaction, and merit of his death, but think they need not his interceſſion. 3. Who would take the protection of his Kingdom, but will not have the Laws and Government thereof. 4. Who would be made happy by his means, but will not be made holy.

6. Let us labour to ſeek within us the experiment of the virtue of each of his Offices, and of the ſeveral parts thereof, and things pertaining to the ſame.

And 1. of his Prophecy; and that not only of his doing the part of a Prophet, in ſhewing to us things more pleaſant, but things more bitter alſo, even our ſin, and his reproofs, Joh. 16.8, And when he is come, he will reprove the world of ſin, and of righteouſneſs, and of judgment. Pſal. 50.21, But I will reprove thee, and ſet them in order before thine eyes.

2. Let us ſtudy to experience the power and efficacy of his Prieſthood in both parts thereof, of his Satisfaction, and of his Interceſſion; of the death and life of our Prieſt, and that to all the intents of theſe parts of that Office, for Reconciliation, for acceſs to God, for bringing you in favour, for keeping you in favour, for perſeverance, for righteouſneſs, for holineſs, and for ſalvation, Rom. 5.9, 10, Much more then being now juſtified by his blood, we ſhall be ſaved from wrath through him. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son: much more being reconciled, we ſhall be ſaved by his life. Heb. 4.14, Seeing then that we have a great High-Prieſt that is paſſed into the heavens, Jeſus the Son of God, let us hold faſt our profeſſion. And 10.22, Let us draw near, in the full aſſurance of faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with pure water. 1 Cor. 1.30, But of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made unto us wiſdom, and righteouſneſs, ſanctification, and redemption. Acts 5.31, Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſs of ſins. Heb. 9.15, And for this cauſe he is the Mediator of the New Teſtament, that by means of death for the redemption of the tranſgreſſions that were under the firſt Teſtament, they p. 220which are called might receive the promiſe of eternal inheritance.

3. Let it he our endeavour alſo to feel within us the virtue of his Kingdom, by taking on his yoke, ſubmitting to his commands, Mat. 11.29, Take my yoke upon you. Admitting him as a King upon a throne, to rule within us, Luke 17.21, Behold the kingdom of God is within you. Yielding him ſervice, Pſal. 2.11, 12, Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoyce with trembling. Kiſs the ſon leſt he be angry. Subduing your luſts, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5, For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of ſtrong holds: caſting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it ſelf againſt the knowledg of God; and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chriſt. Committing your ſelves to his protection, and making it your refuge, 2 Tim. 1.12, For I know whom I have believed; and I am perſwaded, that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him againſt that day.

Ʋſe 5. Try your improving of Chriſts Offices, and whether he carrieth them in vain as to your reaping profit by them. 1. In general: 1. By your delight in the wiſe conjunction of them, inſomuch that if it were at your diſpoſing, ye could not be content that any of them were wanting in him. 2. By your unſatisfiedneſs with your ſelves until you have had ſome good, and found ſome effect of each of them upon you.

2. More particularly, 1. If you have been under the efficacy of Chriſts Propheſie, no outward teaching will ſatiſfie you, till you feel the power of his Spirit teaching you inwardly. 2. If you have been under the efficacy of his Prieſthood, no ſacrifice, nor ſervice, nor prayers of your own will be reſted on, but his Sacrifice and Interceſſion only. 3. If you have felt the efficacy of his Kingdom, no externals of a well-ordered and ruled walk, will content you, without his Kingdom within you.