The Ark of the Covenant Opened, Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII. Of the grounds of Comfort and ſupports of Faith, ariſing to Believers from Chriſts Mediatorſhip.
I Shall ſhut up this part of the Doctrine of Chriſts Mediatorſhip with ſome grounds of Comfort, and ſupports of Faith, which ariſe thence.
1. There is Comfort here, and ſupport for Faith to all who are convinced of enmity betwixt God and them, and do deſire reconciliation with him: Lo here are glad tidings, there is a Mediator, a Peace-maker betwixt God and men. 1 He is already long ago deſigned and appointed for this Office. 2. He hath already done the work, he hath purchaſed and proclaimed the Peace, even to Rebels who will come in and accept of it; Eph. 2.16, 17, And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Croſs, having ſlain the enmity thereby; and came and preached Peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh: and being now removed out of our ſight, he hath appointed it to be done by his meſſengers, Rom. 10.15, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Goſpel of Peace, and bring glad tidings of good things? 3. He is now ready to accept of, and make interceſſion for all thoſe that ſhall come in and declare their acceptance of his offer, 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: Joh. 6.37, And him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out. Why then do you haeſitate? Why ſtand you off? What aileth you? Is there not here encouragement and ſupport of Faith? Is there not comfort againſt the ſelt-enmity and feared-wrath to come? Joh. 1.29, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sin of the World.
2. There is comfort, and ſupport for Faith from Chriſts Mediatorſhip, namely to Believers, and to thoſe who have come to God through him. 1. To all forts of Believers. 2. In all the variety of their ſeveral conditions. 3. Againſt all their fears and evils wherewith they are afflicted.
1. To all Believers, I mean ſound Believers, 1 Pet. 1.1, to the weak as well as the ſtrong, to them who have like precious Faith with the Apoſtles, although they have not like perfect and ſtrong Faith: he is not a Mediator for the ſtrong only, but for all that believe on him, Joh. 6.37, All that the Father giveth me, ſhall come to me: and him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out. And 17.20, Neither pray I for theſe alone, but for them alſo that ſhall believe on me through their word. Goodwin, Chriſt ſet forth:And it is well obſerved by Mr. Goodwin …om Heb. 17.25, that the comfort and encouragement propoſed there from Chriſts Interceſſion, is fitted for a Recumbents Faith: the proper act whereof, as 'tis diſtinguiſhed from the Faith of Aſſurance, is a coming to Chriſt: he is a Mediator for all that have caſt themſelves on him in their way of coming to God, though their Faith be not yet grown up to aſſurance.
2. To all Believers in their ſeveral conditions he is Mediator, and does the Office of a Mediator, not only when Believers can act faith, and employ him; but when their Faith is well-near failed, like a worn week, when they are at the weakeſt, and at the worſt: Luke 22.32, But I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not. Not only when his elect people are doing him ſervice; but when they are ignorantly oppoſing him, as many times they do, eſpecially before their Converſion, Act. 9.5, 6, I am Jeſus whom thou perſecuteſt.—And he trembling and aſtoniſhed ſaid, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord ſaid, ariſe and go into the City, and it ſhall be told thee what thou muſt do. Luke 23.34, And Jeſus ſaid, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Not only when they are in his way, but when they are out of the way, Heb. 5.2, Who can have compaſſion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. Not only when they can pray, and wreſtle for themſelves, Rev. 8.3, And another Angel came and ſtood at the Altar, having a Golden Cenſor, and there was given unto him much Incenſe, that he ſhould offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the Golden Altar which was before the Throne: but when they cannot utter their heart before the Lord, Rom. 8.26, 27, Likewiſe the Spirit alſo helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we ſhould pray for as we ought, but the Spirit it ſelf maketh Interceſſion for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. And he that ſearcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, becauſe he maketh Interceſſion for the Saints according to the will of God. Iſa. 59.16, And he ſaw that there was no man, and wondred that there was no Interceſſor: therefore his arm brought ſalvation unto him, and his righteouſneſs it ſustained him. Not only when all is well, and at peace, and when nothing is charged againſt them; but when they are under Challenges, and condemning-things are laid to their charge, Rom. 8.33, 34, Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that juſtifieth: who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh interceſſion for us. Not only in time of peace, but when wrath and deſtruction is gone forth againſt his people, Ezek. 9.4, And the Lord ſaid unto him, Go through the midst of the City, the midſt of Jeruſalem, and ſet a mark upon the foreheads of the men that ſigh, and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midſt thereof. Zech. 1.12, Then the Angel of the Lord anſwered and ſaid, O Lord of Hoſts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jeruſalem, and on the Cities of Judah, against which thou haſt had indignation theſe Threeſcore and ten years? Not only at their firſt coming, but in all their after-addreſſes to God through him, 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 4.14, 16, Seeing then that we have an High-prieſt that is paſſed into the Heavens, let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need.
3. The Comfort and ſupport of Faith flowing from Chriſts Mediatorſhip, reacheth to all the evils wherewith Believers can be afflicted. Namely, 1. It may comfort againſt the daily infirmities wherewith believers are compaſſed; theſe ſhall not make a breach betwixt God and us, for as much as Chriſts Mediation is intended to prevent that, 1 Joh. 2.1, 2, And if any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our ſins. 2. Againſt the many challenges, whether of an accuſing-conſcience, or of the great accuſer of the Brethren, Rom. 8.33, 34, Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? It is God that juſtifieth who is he that condemneth? It is Chriſt that dyed, yea rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh Interceſſion for us. 3. Againſt the more foul and groſs ſtumblings of Believers, for as much as it is alſo intended for the helping of theſe, Luke 22, 32, But I have prayed for thee, that thy Faith fail not. 4. Againſt the fear of their falling away from the bleſſed Covenant-ſtate, with which fear believers have often been buffeted, Pſal. 51.11, Caſt me not away from thy preſence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. And 17.5, Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my foot-ſteps ſlip not. It is by Chriſt Mediation that we have eſtabliſhment in Grace, Joh. 6.39, And this is the Fathers will which hath ſent me, that of all which he hath given me I ſhould loſe nothing, but ſhould raiſe it up at the laſt day. 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. 5. Againſt the manifold afflictions wherewith Believers are toſſed here: the Mediator was ſometimes an afflicted man, and went through much ſuffering, and hath the feeling of theſe, Iſa. 53.3, 7, A man of ſorrow, and accquainted with grief—He was oppreſſed, and he was afflicted: Pſal. 22 throughout. 6. Againſt the many temptations of all kinds which occaſion much heavineſs to Believers, 1 Pet. 1.6, Ye are in heavineſs through manifold temptations. The Mediator had the experience of all ſorts of temptations, and now ſympathizeth with his people like condition, Heb. 2.17, 18, For in that he himſelf hath ſuffered being tempted, he is able to ſuccour them that are tempted. And 4.15, For we have not an High-prieſt which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are; yet without ſin. 7. Againſt the empty and needy condition unto which Believers are ſubject, through the manifold wants wherewith they are daily preſſed: We have confidence through the Mediator, to come-ſpeed in every petition that is acceptable to God, and profitable to us, 1 Joh. 5.14, 15, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatſoever we ask; we know that we have the petitions that we deſired of him. Joh. 14.13, And whatſoever ye ſhall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 8. Againſt the fear of death, which is terrible to nature: Joh. 11.25, Jeſus ſaid unto her, I am the reſurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet ſhall he live, &c. 1 Cor. 15.26, The laſt Enemy that ſhall be deſtroyed, is Death. Job 19.25, For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he ſhall stand at the latter day upon the Earth. Joh. 17.2, As thou haſt given him power over all fleſh, that he ſhould give eternal life to as many as thou haſt given him. 9. Againſt the ſecond appearing of Chriſt (which is ſometimes terrible without cauſe to believers) and the laſt Judgment that ſhall be given, concerning the everlaſting intereſts of the creatures: the Man Chriſt, whom you have owned for your Mediator, ſhall ſit as Judg, Act. 17.30, 31, And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Becauſe he hath appointed a day in the which he will judg the world in righteouſneſs, by that man whom he hath ordained. 2 Theſ. 7.10, And to you who are troubled, reſt with us—When he ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints. Then ſhall he perform a comfortable act of his Mediatorſhip, Jude ver. 24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to preſent you faultleſs before the preſence of his glory, with exceeding joy, &c.
And there is good ground for all Believers to be comforted from Chriſts Mediatorſhip, if we conſider, 1. The perſon who Mediates. 2. The Perſon with whom he Mediates. 3. The Perſons for whom he Mediates. 4. The cauſe for which he Mediates.
1. For the Perſon who Mediates: Conſider, 1. His Graciouſneſs with his Father, O ſo great a Courtier with God as the Mediator is, Joh. 11.41, 42, Father I thank thee, that thou haſt heard me. And I knew that thou heareſt me alwayes: and no wonder he be ſo, being his Son, his only begotten Son, Joh. 1.18. His beloved Son, Matth. 3.17. His obedient Son, Phil. 2.8. 2. His Greatneſs and abſolute Power to do of himſelf whatſoever he Mediates for with his Father. Matth. 28.18, All power is given unto me in Heaven and Earth. Joh. 5.21, 23, 26, 27, For as the Father raiſeth up the dead, and quickneth them; even ſo the Son quickneth whom he will: 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. For as the Father hath life in himſelf, ſo hath he given to the Son to have life in himſelf. And Hath given him authority to execute Judgment alſo, becauſe he is the Son of Man. Therefore he is called a Prieſt upon a Throne; a Prieſt who is a King, to command whatſoever he prayes for, Heb. 1.3. and 8.1, Zech. 6.13. 3. The oneneſs of his will with his Fathers, which maketh ſure the prevalency of his Mediation, being ſure to ask nothing but what is his Fathers will; and all that he asks being his Fathers will as much as his; how can it be ineffectual? Joh. 17.24, Father I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am.
2. The Perſon with whom he Mediates: Conſider 1. His nearneſs of relation both to the Mediator, and to the Perſons for whom he Mediates: He is Chriſts Father, and our Father, Joh. 20.17, But go to my brethren and ſay unto them, I aſcend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God. 2. His graciouſneſs and affection both to Chriſt and to us; he loveth Chriſt, and he loveth us; and therefore it is that he is as inclinable to hear Chriſt for his people, as Chriſt is to mediate for them, Joh. 16.26, 27. At that day ye ſhall ask in my name, and I ſay unto you, that I will pray the Father for you. For the Father himſelf loveth you, becauſe ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
3. In the Perſons for whom he Mediates: Conſider, 1. Our nearneſs of alliance with the Mediator, Heb. 2.11, 14, 17, For both he that ſanctifieth, and they who are ſanctified are all one: for which cauſe he is not aſhamed to call them Brethren. For as much then as the Children are partakers of fleſh and blood, he alſo himſelf took part of the ſame—Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High-prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the ſins of the people. Joh. 17.23, I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. 2. Our nearneſs to God through Chriſt the Mediator, 2 Cor. 6.18, And I will be a father unto you, and ye ſhall be my Sons and Daughters ſaith the Lord God Almighty, &c. 1 Cor. 6. ver. 17, But he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit.
4. In the Cauſe for which he Mediates: Conſider, 1. The Righteouſneſs thereof; Chriſt having now ſatisfied Juſtice, and his cauſe being juſtified, he hath a ſtrong plea in Law and Juſtice, 1 Cor. 1.8, 9, 10, Who ſhall alſo confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameleſs in the day of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowſhip of his Son Jeſus Chriſt our Lord—And 2.2, For I determined not to know any thing among you, ſave Jeſus Chriſt and him Crucified. 2. The honourableneſs of it, not to Chriſt only, but to God: his Mediation being contrived to exalt his Fathers Grace by Interceſſion, even after Juſtice is ſatisfied by Sacrifice, Heb. 9.26, But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away ſin by the ſacrifice of himſelf. With 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.