The Ark of the Covenant Opened, Chapter 20 (2 of 2)

The Ark of the Covenant Opened · Chapter 20 (2 of 2)

p. 4062. Chriſt payed not the idem, but the tantundem; not the ſame that was due, but the value: for he ſuffered not the ſame pain, numero in number, but ſpecie in kind.

3. Yet its one and the ſame ſatisfaction in the Laws ſenſe, which Chriſt payed, and which we owed, in reſpect that the Law doth not require of the Surety to pay the ſame ſum in number, which the Debtor borrowed: 'tis ſatisfaction, if the ſame in ſpecie, in kind, or in value be paid.

2. Another part of Chriſts Suretiſhip for man to God, relateth to the condition and commands of the new Covenant: for Chriſt is not only Surety for ſatisfying the violated Law, and broken Covenant of works for us, that is, in our ſtead; but he is alſo Surety for performing of the Condition and Commands of the Goſpel and new Covenant in us, that is, for our performing of them through his grace working in us, (for the act is ours though we be acted by grace) and for our obedience to the preceptive part of the Law, which is not annulled, nor repealed, but ſtands yet in force towards believers.

1. I ſay, he is Surety to God for our performance of the condition and commands of the Goſpel or new Covenant: and p. 407this reacheth unto all things whatſoever, which are commanded in the Goſpel as conditions of righteouſneſs and life; all which he undertaketh to work in us, and ſo far to inable us to endeavour theſe things, that in the performance thereof we ſhall be accepted, Phil. 2.13, For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleaſure. Phil. 4.1…, I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me. 2 Cor. 9.8, And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye always having all ſufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. And this is his undertaking, for grace to be given unto us out of the ſtore-houſe and treaſury of his fulneſs, Joh. 1.16, And of his fulneſs have all we received, and grace for grace. Col. 2.9, 10, For in him dwelleth all the fulneſs of the Godhead bodily. And ye are compleat in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

More particularly: by this part of Chriſts Suretiſhip for man to God, he is engaged, and he is undertaker: 1. For our believing, that we ſhall come and ſubject our conſent unto the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, 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. Joh. 12.32, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 2 Cor. 9.13, Whiles by the experiment of this miniſtration, they glorifie God for your profeſſed ſubjection unto the Goſpel of Chriſt. 2. For our obedience, that we ſhall bring forth the fruits of holineſs and new obedience, that we ſhall ſerve him from a principle of Love, who was made Surety for us, Ezek. 36.27, And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes: and ye ſhall keep my judgments, and do them. Heb. 8.6, 7, 10, 11. Joh. 17.6, Thine they were, and thou gaveſt them me; and they have kept thy word. 2 Cor. 5.14, 15, For the love of Chriſt conſtraineth us, becauſe we thus judg, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And that he died for all, that they which live, ſhould not henceforth live unto themſelves, but unto him which died for them, and roſe again. 3. For our perſeverance: Chriſt as Surety ſtands engaged for the perſeverance of the weak believer, that his faith ſhall not fail, but that he ſhall endure unto the end, Luk. 22.32, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. John 17.12, p. 408While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: thoſe that thou gaveſt me I have kept, and none of them is loſt.

2. Again, by this part of Chriſts Suretiſhip, he is undertaker and engager, to make all theſe things which are required of us, both poſſible and certain in the performance. 1. To reveal and manifeſt the way of righteouſneſs and life, through the new Covenant, Joh. 17.6, I have manifeſted thy name unto the men, which thou gaveſt me out of the world. 2. To make the condition of the new Covenant, poſſible and practicable, which conſidered with relation to our own ſtrength, are as impoſſible to man now, as the conditions of the firſt Covenant are, Joh. 6.44, No man can come to me, except the father which hath ſent me, draw him. 2 Cor. 3.5, Not that we are ſufficient of our ſelves to think any thing as of our ſelves: but our ſufficiency is of God. Joh. 15.5, For without me ye can do nothing. And this part of Chriſts Suretiſhip doth put his people in ſuch condition, by the power which they ſhall receive from the grace of Chriſt, as Adam was in, by the power which he received from God by nature; and this is done by healing our nature, and creating and infuſing new habitual grace, whereby he makes the conditions of the new Covenant practicable and poſſible to man through the power of grace received from Chriſt; as it was poſſible for Adam to have performed the conditions of the firſt Covenant, by the power which he received by nature, Phil. 4.13, I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me. But this is not all.

3. Chriſt as Surety for man to God, engageth not only to make the conditions of this Covenant poſſible (as the conditions of the firſt Covenant were to Adam); but alſo to make them Sure; he undertaketh to enſure his peoples performance of the things required of them by the Covenant of grace, whether they be ſuch things as are required of them by meer commands which hold forth the Duties of the confederates; or if they be required of them by commands which are alſo conditions of the Covenant, by the obedience or diſobedience whereof they muſt live or die; ſuch as the command of believing, Joh. 3.36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting life; and he that believeth not the Son, ſhall p. 409not ſee life: but the wrath of God abideth on him. Act. 16.31, And they ſaid, Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, and thine houſe. 1 Joh. 3.23, And this is his commandment, that we ſhould believe in the name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

And this which Chriſt engageth that his people ſhall receive of him through grace, is much more than Adam received by nature; for he had not his performance of the conditions of that Covenant, and his ſtanding enſured to him: he had but a poſſibility to have performed conditions that were commanded him, but no certainty. Now we know that things may be poſſible, both conſidered in themſelves, and conſidered with relation to the Agent; which notwithſtanding from ſome other cauſe and defect, may reſolve in a non-futurition; yea, for all that, it may be certain that they ſhall never be, and come to paſs, as was Adams ſtanding and performing the conditions of the Covenant of works. But now by Chriſts Suretiſhip for his people, he is engaged for their ſtanding, and for their actual performance of the conditions of that Covenant of grace, they are not only put into a poſſibility of ſtanding, but they are put into ſuch a certainty by the Suretiſhip of Chriſt, that they are exempted from the poſſibility of non-performance of the conditions of this Covenant, Luk. 22.32, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Mat. 16.18, And upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell ſhall not prevail againſt it. 1 Pet. 1.5, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto ſalvation, ready to be revealed in the laſt time. Jer. 32.39, 40, And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, of their children after them. And I will make an everlaſting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good: but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me.

3. By this part of Chriſts Suretiſhip for man to God, and in order to the making the conditions and commands of the new Covenant poſſible and certain in the iſſue, he is engaged for giving habitual grace, and for giving actual influences. 1. Habitual grace, Chriſt as Surety of the Covenant did undertake to give to his people the immortal ſeed of God, to repair that defaced Image of God in man, by a new creation of p. 410the habits of grace in him: he is engaged to give a new ſtock of grace to man, who had once before banquered out; a ſtock that ſhall thrive in his hand; and wherewith he ſhall never henceforth play the bankrupt: this is the new heart, and the new ſpirit promiſed by Chriſt who made the Covenant, and engaged to fulfil, and to act it upon the hearts of his people, Ezek. 36.26, A new heart alſo will I give you, and a new ſpirit will … put within you: and I will take away the ſtony heart out of your fleſh, and I will give you an heart of fleſh. 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. Heb. 8.6, 10, 11, 12. 2. Chriſt is engaged, and hath undertaken for actual influences, Ezek. 36, 27, And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, and ye ſhall keep my judgments, and do them. Iſa. 44.3, For I will pour water upon them that are thirſty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my ſpirit upon thy ſeed, and my bleſſing upon thine off-ſpring. Becauſe God hath contrived the buſineſs ſo, that no created thing ſhould act independently of him, without the ſpirit, without influences; not Adam in his integrity, not the Angels, not the holy humane nature of Chriſt, Iſa. 42.1, 2, Behold my ſervant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my ſoul delighteth: I have put my ſpirit upon him, he ſhall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He ſhall not cry, nor lift up, nor cauſe his voice to be heard in the ſtreet. And ſince habitual created grace can neither preſerve it ſelf, nor act it ſelf, nor encreaſe it ſelf without influences, therefore Chriſt as Surety for man to God, did engage for actual influences, whereby habitual grace might be acted, unto a performance and fulfilling of theſe things which are conditions or commands in the Covenant upon our part: and by this he ſtands engaged, 1. For actual bowing of our wills, and determining our hearts to believe, and to believe to the end; to draw forth theſe habits to act lively, ſound faith, the firſt act whereof is a performance of the condition of the new Covenant, Joh. 6.37, All that the father giveth me, ſhall come to me. Joh. 12.32, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me, 2. He ſtands engaged for the p. 411preſervation of theſe habits of grace, that howſoever they may be weakened, and it may be alſo dimniſhed through our ill uſing of that ſtock, yet they ſhall never be loſt, neither ſhall the ſtock of habitual grace come to nothing, Luk. 22.32, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. 1 Joh. 3.9, Whoſoever is born of God, doth not commit ſin, for his ſeed remaineth in him: and he cannot ſin, becauſe he is born of God. 3. He ſtands engaged for our uſing and exerciſing habitual grace, after that he hath freely given it, that he ſhall by actual influences make us trade with thoſe talents, and not ſuffer them to lie by us, without making uſe of them. Ezek. 36.27, And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes; and ye ſhall keep my Judgments, and do them. Pſal. 119.32, 35, I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou ſhalt enlarge my heart.—Make me to go in the path of thy commandments: for therein do I delight.

4. Chriſt is engaged for the livelineſs of our graces: that he ſhall not only keep them from dying, but ſhall keep them in good condition, freſh and green, Pſal. 1.3, And he ſhall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his ſeaſon: his leaf alſo ſhall not wither, and whatſoever he doth ſhall proſper, Joh. 4.19, Yet a little while, and the world ſeeth me no more: but ye ſee me: becauſe I live, ye ſhall live alſo. Pſal. 92.12, 13, 14, The righteous ſhall flouriſh like the Palm-tree: he ſhall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon. Thoſe that be planted in the houſe of the Lord, ſhall flouriſh in the courts of our God. They ſhall ſtill bring forth fruit in old age: they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing.

5. Chriſt is engaged for the encreaſe and growth of theſe habits of grace, to make our ſtock to grow among our hands, to make our faith, love, diligence in duty; delight in God, knowledg of himſelf, &c. to grow, and our fruit to abound and to grow in quantity and quality, in bigneſs and ripeneſs, more fruit, and ſweeter fruit, more ſavory to his taſte, 2 Cor. 9.8, And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye always having all ſufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. Joh. 15.4, 5, Abide in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot bear fruit of it ſelf, except it abide in the Vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the p. 412ſame bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 2 Theſſ. 1.3, We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, becauſe that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all towards each other abundantly.

6. Chriſt ſtands engaged for our up ſtirring; when we have given his work in us a back-ſet, and brought grace to a low ebb: when we have contracted lazineſs, and a numneſs of ſpirit upon our ſelves, ſo that we either drive heavily, or cannot ſtir at all in his ways; he is engaged to oil our wheels, that we may recover a ſweet facility and eaſineſs in his ways: and to blow upon us, when we are calmed, and cannot fetch the wind to our ſelves, Song. 4.16, Awake, O North wind, and come thou ſouth, and blow upon my garden, that the ſpices thereof may flow out: let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleaſant fruits. Song. 5.4, My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the dore, and my bowels were moved for him. Song. 6.12, Or ever I was aware, my ſoul made me like the charrets of Aminidab. Iſa. 64.5, Thou metteſt him that rejoiceth and worketh righteouſneſs, thoſe that remember thee in thy ways. Behold, thou art wroth, for we have ſinned: in thoſe is continuance, and we ſhall be ſaved. I ſay, that Chriſt ſtands engaged, not only for our performance of Goſpel-conditions and commands, but alſo for our obeying and performing the preceptive part of the Law: for clearing of this, I ſhall lay down theſe five aſſertions.

1. The Law, as it commandeth and directeth obedience according to the will of the Law-giver, is not repealed, annulled, or abrogated by Chriſt and by the Goſpel: though the Law conſidered as a Covenant, holding forth obedience to the commands thereof, as a poſſible way of Life, be annulled and abrogated: See Rom. 3.20, 23, 28, Therefore by the deeds of the Law there ſhall no fleſh be juſtified in his ſight: for by the law is the knowledg of ſin.—For all have ſinned, and come ſhort of the glory of God.—Therefore we conclude, that a man is juſtified by faith, without the deeds of the law. Rom. 8.3, For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the fleſh, &c.

2. The Law which firſt commanded perfect obedience as a poſſible way of life, may be, and is continued for other uſes p. 413and ends than for that: ſuch as to direct, command, prohibit, promiſe, threaten, and to prove the loyalty even of Chriſts Subjects, Rom. 3.27, 31, Where is boaſting then? it is excluded: by what law? of works? nay: but by the law of faith.—Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we eſtabliſh the law. Rom. 7.7, 9, 12, Nay, I had not known ſin, but by the law: for I had not known luſt, except the law had ſaid, Thou ſhalt not covet.—For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, ſin revived, and I died.—Wherefore the Law is holy, and the commandment holy, and juſt, and good.

3. The Law as it is continued, and in force towards believers, is reduceable to the new Covenant, and doth more properly appertain to it, than to the Covenant of works: For, 1. It is the law, as 'tis delivered up and put into the hands of Chriſt to be managed and uſed by him, for the advantage of his Subjects and Kingdom, by the new Covenant; and that is for other uſes and ends than thoſe for which it was firſt given, Gal. 3.19, 21, 24, 25, Wherefore then ſerveth the law? it was added becauſe of tranſgreſſions, till the … ſhould come, to whom the promiſe was made; and it was … by Angels, in the hand of a Mediator.—Is the law … againſt the promiſes of God? God forbid: for if there h…een a law given, which could have given life, verily righteouſneſs ſhould have been by the law.—Wherefore the law was our School-maſter to bring us unto Chriſt, that we might be juſtified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a School-maſter. Rom. 10.4, For Chriſt is the end of the law for righteouſneſs, to every one that believeth. 2. 'Tis the Law as its qualified by Chriſt, who gave out a new edition of the commands thereof (without detracting from the old) as his Law in the new Covenant, whereby his Subjects might know his will, which they muſt endeavour to obey, Joh. 13.34, A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye alſo love one another. Mat. 5.17, 21, 22, 27, 28, Think not that I am come to deſtroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to deſtroy, but to fulfil.—Ye have heard, that it was ſaid by them of old time, thou ſhalt not kill: and whoſoever ſhall kill, ſhall be in danger of the Judgment. But I ſay unto you, That whoſoever is angry with his brother p. 414without a cauſe, ſhall be in danger of the Judgment: and whoſoever ſhall ſay to his brother, Racha, ſhall be in danger of the Counſel: but whoſoever ſhall fay, Thou fool, ſhall be in danger of Hell-fire.—Ye have heard that it was ſaid by them of old time, thou ſhalt not commit adultery. But I ſay unto you, that whoſoever looketh on a woman to luſt after her, be hath committed adultery with her already in his heart, &c. And this new giving out of the commands and preceptive part of the Law and Covenant of works, did neither derogate from the ſubſtance of the Law, nor from the authority and binding force thereof, by vertue of the firſt Covenant, to which it did appertain; but did rather ſuper add a new and perſwaſive obligation, 2 Cor. 5.14, 15, For the love of Chriſt conſtraineth us, becauſe we thus judg, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And that he died for all, that they which live, ſhould not henceforth live unto themſelves, but unto him which died for them, and roſe again. Rom. 6.1, 2, What ſhall we ſay then? ſhall we continue in ſin, that grace may abound? God forbid: how ſhall we that are dead to ſin, live any longer therein?

4. Though the Law and preceptive part of the Covenant of works doth appertain to the new Covenant, yet are not the commands and conditions thereby required, and the obedience given thereunto, conditions of the new Covenant, which ſtandeth only of faith, Rom. 4.5, 16, But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that juſtifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteouſneſs.—Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promiſe might be ſure to all the ſeed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that alſo which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. Act. 16.31, And they ſaid, Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and thou ſhalt be ſaved, and thine houſe. For, 1. This were upon the matter to confound the conditions of the two Covenants, which are ſtated as ſo contra-diſtinguiſhed in terms, that there is no mixture nor ſemblance of mixture to be admitted, Rom. 9.31, 32, But Iſrael which followed after the law of righteouſneſs, hath not attained to the law of righteouſneſs. Wherefore? becauſe they ſought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law: for they ſtumbled at that ſtumbling ſtone. Rom. 10.3, 4, 6, 8, For they being ignorant of Gods p. 415righteouſneſs, and going about to eſtabliſh their own righteouſneſs, have not ſubmitted themſelves unto the righteouſneſs of God. For Chriſt is the end of the law for righteouſneſs, to every one that believeth, &c. 2. If this obedience to the preceptive part of the Law, which is yet of force to believers, and required by the Goſpel, were the condition of the new Covenant, then perfect obedience to the Law ſhould ſtill be the condition of the new Covenant, foraſmuch as the Law doth ſtill command that to believers, and it is their ſin that they do not come up to the obedience thereof, Gal. 2.21, I do not fruſtrate the grace of God: for if righteouſneſs came by the law, then Chriſt is dead in vain. Rom. 7, throughout.

5. Chriſts undertaking to God for our ſubjection and obedience to the Law, is not ſo to be underſtood, as if he had undertaken that the Law ſhould have perfect obedience from us, and in us, in this life: for if he had been Surety for that, it ſhould alſo have been performed. But by his Suretiſhip for our obedience to the law, we mean, 1. That he hath undertaken for our ſubjection to it as a rule, unto which his people ſhall ſubmit, and whereof they ſhall accept, Luk. 1.74, 75, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might ſerve him with out fear, in holineſs and righteouſneſs, &c. Rom. 7.12, Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and juſt, and good. Pſal. 119.97, O how love I thy law: it is my meditation all the day. 2. For the univerſality of our obedience to it, that our obedience ſhall be equable and uniform, and that there ſhall not one command of it be ſlighted by his people, Ezek. 36.27, And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, and ye ſhall keep my judgments, and do them. Pſal. 119.6, 128, Then ſhall I not be aſhamed: when I have reſpect unto all thy commandments.—Therefore I eſteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right: and I hate every falſe way. 3. For the ſincerity of our obedience, that ſhall ſincerely obey and fulfil the commands of the Law, Rom. 6.17, But God be thanked, that ye were the ſervants of ſin: but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered you. 4. For the reality and ſeriouſneſs in the obedience thereof, that we ſhall labour and work as hard at obedience p. 416to the Law, as if we had not another righteouſneſs, nor poſſible way of life; and that our love to him ſhall put us on to carry thus, Col. 1.29, Whereunto I alſo labour, ſtriving according to his working which worketh in me mightily. 5. For our deadneſs to the Law, and to our own obeying the commands thereof, that when we work hardeſt, and ſweat moſt, that then we ſhall claim nothing upon that account, Gal. 2.21, I do not fruſtrate the grace of God: for if righteouſneſs come by the law, then Chriſt is dead in vain. 6. Chriſt hath undertaken that what ſatisfaction the Law wanteth in us, it ſhall have in him, who is the end of the Law: that he ſhall ſatisfie for our ſhort coming, 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, Rom. 10.4, For Chriſt is the end of the law for righteouſneſs, to every one that believeth. 7. Chriſt hath undertaken that he ſhall in all theſe performances make us ſo far to endeavour duty through his ſtrength, and be forth coming in obedience, that therein we ſhall be accepted, 2 Cor. 9.8, And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye always having all ſufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. Joh. 15.5, I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the ſame bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Object. Since the Law and Covenant of works is alternative, and requireth but that a man ſhould obey and perform the commands thereof, or elſe undergo the puniſhment and curſe threatned againſt the tranſgreſſors: how can it be required of us to perform the obedience to the Law, ſince Chriſt our Surety hath ſatisfied the Law, and endured the curſe and puniſhment thereof in our ſtead? how can it ſtand with Juſtice to exact both? In this Objection the Antinomian, the Arminian, and the, Socinan concur, though for different ends, and upon different accounts. The Antinomian to eſtabliſh Chriſts dying in our ſtead, ſo as he performed all active obedience to the Law that God can require of us. The Arminian, to eſtabliſh faith and converſion on mans part, as part of ſatisfaction to offended Juſtice: and ſo to derogate from free grace, and Chriſts Surety-righteouſneſs, and to axalt free will. The Socinian to impugn Chriſts dying in our ſtead, and ſatisfying offended Juſtice in our room.

p. 417In anſwer to this, we ſhall offer theſe conſiderations: 1. Chriſt did not fulfil the preceptive part of the Law in our ſtead, Anſw. in that ſtrict ſenſe, that we ſay he did bear the puniſhment of the Law for us: for then ſhould all Duties ceaſe as well as ſacrifice and ranſome to offended Juſtice, which is contrary to the Scripture, Rom. 3.31, Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we eſtabliſh the law. Ezek. 36.27, And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, and ye ſnall keep my judgments, and do them. And then alſo did Chriſt die and ſuffer in vain: for if we did perfectly fulfil the Law in Chriſt, then there is no need nor uſe of his ſuffering for diſobedience, Gal. 2.21, For if righteouſneſs come by the Law, then Chriſt is dead in vain. Then alſo Chriſts Surety-righteouſneſs ſhould be ours, though we ſhould never believe: for what need we believe, if he did it for us, and if we did it in him, which is alſo contrary to the Scripture, Rom. 4.5, But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that juſtifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteouſneſs. Rom. 10.9, 10, That if thou ſhalt confeſs with thy mouth the Lord Jeſus, and ſhalt believe in thine heart that God hath raiſed him from the dead, thou ſhalt be ſaved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteouſneſs, and with the mouth confeſſion is made unto Salvation.

2. Conſider the obedience required of us unto the preceptive part of the Law (for whom Chriſt did bear the puniſhment thereof): and in ſeveral reſpects it may appear to be conſiſtent with Juſtice, that even they for whom Chriſt died, ſhould be bound to obey the Law. 1. The believers obe dience which is required in his own perſon, is not that obedience which the Law required as a poſſible way of life, I mean a perfect obedience of a righteous perſon who had never ſinned, but an obedience of ſincerity that may be in a ſinner. 2. Our obedience is not for the ſame end that Chriſts ſufferings were (to wit, for a ſatisfaction to offended Juſtice), for its no part of our ranſome: but for other ends; and ſo it is not inconſiſtent with Juſtice to demand ſatisfaction of Chriſt for one uſe and end, and obedience of us for other uſes and ends. 3. Since the Law is not changed nor repealed, though our relation to it be changed, 'tis juſt that we ſhould obey Chriſt our head and husband, whoſe will this p. 418Law is: Notwithſtanding, that he hath divorced us by his ſufferings from the Law, as a husband commanding obedience, as the marriage-condition of life. 4. The Lord may juſtly require obedience to his Law from them, even in their own perſons, for the time to come, for whoſe tranſgreſſions he hath accepted of a ſatisfaction in the perſon of another; eſpecially when that obedience is nothing that can lie in the balance, as the juſt alternative of the Law, fornent the ſatisfaction given by Chriſt. 5. The Law and Juſtice may require both ſatisfaction and obedience in different reſpects, or in regard of different actions: for it is not the ſame thing which we obey, and for which Chriſt makes ſatisfaction: for he ſatisfied for our diſobedience, not for our obedience; beſide, Chriſts ſatisfaction is for diſobedience to the Covenant of works: our obedience even to the Law, is the obedience to the Goſpel-Covenant, to which the Law is reduced by Chriſt who hath made it his Law in this Covenant. 6. It cannot be ſuppoſed that Chriſts ſufferings for our diſobedience to the Law, ſhould put us thereafter in another condition, in reſpect of obedience to the Law, than Adam ſhould have been in, if he had never ſinned, and if his life and happineſs had not depended on his obedience; in both which caſes he had been bound to obey the Law and will of the Lawgiver.

The third part of Chriſts Suretiſhip for man to God, relateth to his undertaking for the perſons of the Elect, the former two parts being his undertakings for what the Law did threaten, and what the Goſpel and Law both do command: for he is not only a Surety for Debt and for Duty, for penalty of the Law, and for performance of the commands of the Law and Goſpel, but alſo a Surety for the perſons of the Elect: a Surety by way of caution, who did give bail for them all: and in relation to this part of his Suretiſhip, Chriſt is Surety.

1. For the indempnity of all the Elect, that ſince the ſather hath given them into his hands, he hath engaged to loſe none of them: he is acted a cautioner to make a good account of all that company; that however he ſet them a warfare, and although he lead them on, and engage them againſt ſtrong adverſaries, and through manifold tentations, although p. 419he ſhew his people hard things; yet he ſhall bring them off ſafe, and bear them through, ſo that he may ſay he hath loſt none of them, Joh. 17.12. But is a captain of ſalvation to them all, Heb. 2.10. Pſal. 66.12, Thou haſt cauſed men to ride over our heads: we went through fire, and through water; but thou broughteſt us out into a wealthy place. Such a Surety was Judah for little Benjamin, Gen. 43.9.

2. He is Surety for the good behaviour of all thoſe whom he hath reconciled unto God: for having made our peace with God, he is Surety that we ſhall keep the peace: that howſoever we may fail in many things, yet his people being once reconciled to God, and pardoned their diſloyalty, they ſhall never break forth in open rebellion again: they ſhall never take up the arms again of enmity againſt God, which once they laid down, 2 Cor. 10.4, 5, 6, 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 into the obedience of Chriſt: and having in a readineſs to avenge all diſobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Pſal. 45.5, Thine arrows are ſharp in the heart of the kings enemies, whereby the people fall under thee. Chriſt is Surety for his peoples loyalty, and keeping their peace, treaties, and Covenant with God inviolable, Iſa. 54.9, 10.

3. Chriſt is Surety for the appearing of his people before God, that he ſhall preſent them all at the day appointed, and not one of them ſhall be miſſing, who ſhall not give his appearance at that day, Eph. 5.27, That he might preſent it to himſelf a glorious Church, not having ſpot nor wrinkle, nor any ſuch thing: but that it ſhould be holy, and without blemiſh. Col. 3.4, When Chriſt, who is our life ſhall appear, then ſhall ye alſo appear with him in glory.

4. Chriſt is Surety for compleating whatſoever concerns the Salvation of his people, and their redemption from thoſe evils which remain with them, after that he hath fulfilled and ſatisfied the Law for them, and hath alſo procured obedience to the Goſpel in them, 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.

p. 4205. Becauſe there are many things remaining with them, from which they need a delivery, for compleating the diſcharge of his undertakings for them, Rom. 7.24, 25, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord: ſo then, with the mind I my ſelf ſerve the law of our God: but with the fleſh, the law of ſin, 1 Cor. 15.53, to 57.

6. We ſhall take a view of ſome things which do commend Chriſts Suretiſhip, that the excellency thereof, and the matchleſs love which ſhineth forth in it, may the more appear.

1. This commendeth Chriſts Suretiſhip, that he rendred himſelf Surety, and came under an act of cautionry for his people, before they needed a cautioner; that upon the fore-knowledg of this, that it was to come to paſs that man ſhould become a broken creature, and needing one to undertake for him, he by an eternal tranſaction and agreement with his father, did ſo early provide this remedy, before man was broken and ſtood in need of a Surety, Prov. 8.23, I was ſet up from everlaſting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 2 Tim. 1.9, Who hath ſaved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpoſe and grace, which was given us in Chriſt Jeſus before the world began.

2. This commendeth Chriſts Suretiſhip, that he came under this relation ſo freely, unrequeſted, and undeſired, according to his own heart: he acted himſelf cautioner for us, when there was none of the creatures once to hint ſuch a motion: that in the day when there was none found to help, nor ſo much as to think of laying help on him, then he freely offered himſelf, and ſaid, Lo I come: take me Surety for theſe poor broken men. Heb. 10.7, Then ſaid I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Iſa. 63.5, And I looked, and there was none to help: and I wondred that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought ſalvation unto me: and my fury it upheld me. 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.

3. The exceeding great reach and danger of his undertaking p. 421taking doth commend his Suretiſhip, that he put his name in ſuch a bond as he knew well ſhould bring upon him the Debt of ſo many broken men, and ſhould oblige him to make ſatisfaction for the ſins of all the Elect world, Iſa. 53.5, 6, 11, 12, But he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities: the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed. All we like ſheep have gone aſtray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.—By his knowledg ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtifie many: for he ſhall bear their iniquities.—Becauſe he hath poured out his ſoul unto death: and he was numbred with the tranſgreſſors. That he did knowingly put his ſoul in their ſouls ſtead, that Juſtice might ſmite him, and that the ſame eternal puniſhment of ſin, for kind, that was due to us, ſhould be upon him, Col. 3.13, Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the law, being made a curſe for us: for it is written, Curſed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Zech. 13.7, Awake, O ſword, againſt my ſhepherd, and againſt the man that is my fellow, ſaith the Lord of hoſts. The ſame ſword of Divine Juſtice that ſhould have ſmitten us, did ſmite him.

4. This commendeth Chriſts Suretiſhip, that he engaged for a party which deſerved no pity, for man who had willingly forfeited a fair inheritance, when it was poſſible for him, and in his power to have performed the commands and conditions of life laid upon him; who would pity and undertake for ſuch a perſon, who being put into a fair and free inheritance, with power to perform the conditions upon which he holds it, ſhould notwithſtanding forfeit his good eſtate, and run himſelf under debt irrecoverably? yet in this condition Chriſt pitied us, and undertook for us, Rom. 5.6, 7, 8, For when we were yet without ſtrength, in due time Chriſt died for the ungodly. For ſcarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man ſome will even dare to die. But God commended his love toward us, in that while we were yet ſinners Chriſt died for us.

5. This commendeth Chriſts Suretiſhip, that he engaged for the debt of a people from whom he could expect no ſatisfaction nor relief of all the debt which he payed for them, that ſo potent and reſponſal a party joined intereſts, with p. 422ſuch impotent and unreſponſal, broken creatures: how wonderfully doth this commend his Suretiſhip, that he came under an act of cautionry for ſuch as we are, knowing us to be what we are, a people that ſhall never requite his kindneſs? yea, doing all this for us the rather, that we ſhall be eternally in his debt, and never able to recompence the ſatisfaction which he made for us, Luk. 17.10, So likewiſe ye, when ye ſhall have done all theſe things which are commanded you, ſay, We are unprofitable ſervants; we have done that which was our duty to do. 2 San. 7.18, Then went king David in, and ſate before the Lord, and he ſaid, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my houſe, that thou haſt brought me hitherto, &c!

7. Let us conſider wherein Chriſts Suretiſhip differeth from bonds and acts of cautionry uſual among men, whereby the excellency thereof may yet further appear.

1.Mr. Tho. Good. Chriſt ſet forth, pag. 52. Among men, uſually, Sureties and Debrors enter into one and the ſame bond with the Creditor (as Mr. Goodwin hath well obſerved): but here Chriſts ſingle bond lyeth for all, our bond being of no value, Pſal. 89.19, I have laid help upon one that is mighty. Here Chriſt our Surety hath changed bonds and obligations with us, and putteth out our name, and putteth in his own name in the bloody bond of the Law, that the debt, ſatisfaction and curſe may be upon him alone, Gal. 3.13, Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the law, being made a curſe for us. Iſa. 53.5, But he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities: the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed. He ſaid of his people, as Jacobs mother ſaid to him, Gen. 27.13, Ʋpon me be thy curſe, my ſon: only obey my voice.

2.Juſtin. inſtit. l. 3. tit. 21. de ſide juſſor librium eſt creditori; a quo velit ſolidum petere. Among men, the Creditor hath it in his choice which of the two he will ſeize upon, the Surety or the Debtor, as he ſeeth it beſt for his fatisfaction: but it is not ſo here; for the Lord the Creditor hath declared that he will take him to Chriſt for all: and hath determined that all the ſatisfaction ſhall be made by him: and Chriſt the Surety is content that it ſhall be ſo, and that the poor broken creature ſhall go free, and no execution of the bloody bond of the Law ſhall paſs againſt him, he being a bankrupt creature, who hath obtained p. 423a liberation, as where there is ceſſio bonorum. See Pſal. 89.19, I have layed help upon one that is mighty. Heb. 10.7, Then ſaid I, Lo, I come, (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Rom. 8.1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Chriſt Jeſus. Iſa. 53.6, And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. You ſee how the Lord doth aſtrict himſelf to the ſatisfaction of the Surety for all the debt.

3. Among men uſually, the principal Debtor (as we call him) is firſt convened for the Debt, before the Surety be purſued; and it may ſeem juſt it ſhould be ſo: there were ſome ancient Laws among the Romans to this effect.Juſtin. ib. fide juſſor non conveaitur aute quam reus, &c. Jo. Calv. Lexic. Jurid, p 361, 362. Flde juſſor non poteſt convenirl ante principalem. Fide juſſor ſive interceſſor non eſt conveniendus niſi prius debitore principali convento. But it is not ſo here; the curſe of the Law, and the execution of the bond thereof, doth not firſt ſtick upon us, and then afterward upon Chriſt, to ſeek from him what it cannot find in us: but the Lord the Creditor having aſtricted himſelf to the cautioner (as I ſaid before), the Law ſtrikes firſt upon him, and can never come to ſtrike againſt the believer, unleſs it ſhould not find compleat ſatisfaction in our Surety, which is impoſſible, Iſa. 53.8, He was taken from priſon, and from judgment: and who ſhall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the tranſgreſſion of his people was he ſtricken. Gal. 3.13, Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the law, being made a curſe for us: for it is written, curſed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

4. Among men, the Debtor is the principal Bondſman,Juſtin. ib. Fide juſſoris obligatio acceſſio eſt principalis obligationes quo circa etiam dicitur ad promiſſor. and his obligation and bond is the principal obligation, and the Sureties obligation is but an acceſſion to it, for ſtrengthening the Security: but here the Surety is the principal Debtor, and by his bond of Suretiſhip he hath changed the nature of the believers bond and obligation, and put his own name in it, ſo as he is become the principal Debtor: his Suretiſhip hath ſwallowed up the Debtors obligation to ſatisfie Juſtice; the Surety being the head and husband of the poor broken Debtor, Rom. 7.4, Wherefore my brethren, ye alſo are become dead to the law by the body of Chriſt, that ye ſhould be married to another, even to him who is raiſed from the dead, that we ſhould bring forth fruit unto God. And having changed the bond of ſatisfaction, and put out our name, and put p. 424in his own, whereby he hath tranferred the Debt upon himſelf, as principal Debtor. Heb. 10.7, Then ſaid I, Lo, I come: (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.

5.Juſtin. ib. ſi is pro quo fide juſſit ſolvendo non ſit.—Si quis ex ſide juſſoribus ſolvendo non ſit li is conteſtatio tempora, &c. Among men, there may be a miſgiving of ſatisfaction to the Creditor, and of relief to the Debtor, through the contingent, emergent, poſſible unreſponſalneſs of the Surety, as the doctors of the Law do ſometimes put the caſe, and provide againſt it: ſo it was in Judah his caſe, when he became Surety for Benjamins return, and could not perform it, Gen. 43.9. But here it is impoſſible that there can be a miſgiving in the ſatisfaction of the Creditor, or in the relief of the poor Debtor, the Surety being a potent perſon, and exempted from all poſſibility of unreſponſalneſs, and incapacity to ſatisfie the Law, and to anſwer the charge thereof to the utmoſt. Being one who is mighty and able to ſave to the utmoſt, Pſal. 89.19. Heb. 7.22, 25, By ſo much was Jeſus made Surety of a better Teſtament. Wherefore he is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them. Col. 2.9, 10, For in him dwelleth all the fulneſs of the Godhead bodily. And ye are compleat in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

6.Chriſtus propriiſſime dicitur fide juſſor in omnem cauſam, qui in id omne quod exea obligatione, cui accedit, naſei poteſt, ſe obligat. Among men, uſually the Sureties bond and engagement is for Debt already contracted at or before the time of the Sureties giving bond, and uſually for particular ſums ſpecified: but Chriſt became Surety for his peoples Debt before ever it was contracted and drawn on by them; yea, he gave bond to ſatisfie the Law for all the Debt that ſhould be at any time of all their days contracted and drawn on by them: ſo univerſal is his Suretiſhip, that it reacheth all poſſible, emergent tranſgreſſions of his people upon whatſoever occaſion, Jer. 3.5, Will he reſerve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? behold, thou haſt ſpoken and done evil things as thou couldeſt. Jer. 31.37, Thus ſaith the Lord, if heaven above can be meaſured, and the foundations of the earth ſearched out beneath, I will alſo caſt off all the ſeed of Iſrael, for all that they have done, ſaith the Lord. Heb. 7.25, Wherefore he is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt.

7. Among men, the Surety being by a Legal ſubſtitution, p. 425the Debtor, the broken man; he pays the Debt,Jo. Calv. lex. jurid, p. 362. Fide juſſores a pretis ita diſſerint, quod hi ſue & proprio morbe laborant, illi vero alieno tenentur, &c. but doth not, yea, cannot take away the blot, evil, ſin and unjuſtice of the Debtors breach of Covenant, of his borrowing, and not paying again: but ſtill the Debtor, when the Law is ſatisfied, and the Debt payed, he remains the unjuſt man, carrying the blot of a perſon who violated his Covenant, in borrowing, and not paying again: but Chriſt is a Surety who doth not only by paying the Debt remove the puniſhment due unto the Debtor for his unjuſtice; but he removeth alſo the blot and the evil of ſin, by infuſing inherent righteouſneſs and holineſs, by expelling of ſin out of its ſubject, and introducing the contrary form; to wit, the habit of grace, which no other Surety but he can do, Tit. 2.14, Who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 1 Cor. 6.11, And ſuch were ſome of you: but ye are waſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are juſtified in the name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the ſpirit of our God. 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.

8. Among men,Juſtin. ubi ſupra ſi quid autem fide juſſor pro reo ſolverit ejusrecuperandi cauſa, habet cum to mandati judicium. the Surety hath repetition of the Debt payed; and whatſoever ſatisfaction he hath made to the Creditor, he is allowed repetition of that from the Debtor; but Jeſus the Surety of this Covenant, hath no repetition of the ſatisfaction made by him for his people; nay, he never intended nor demanded any ſuch ſatisfaction to be made to him, by us, as he made to God for us: all the ſatisfaction deſired by him from us, is to accept of his free diſcharge, and to thank him for it: Iſa. 53.11, He ſhall ſee of the travel of his ſoul, and ſhall be ſatisfied: by his knowledg ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtific many: for he ſhall bear their iniquities. Who ever heard of ſuch a Surety, who payeth Debt, and ſeeks no repetition of it, no reſtitution of his loſſes; but to thank him for it, and not to fruſtrate the grace of God which he intendeth to make conſpicuous in his free gift of his own ſatisfaction? 2 Cor. 5.14, 15, For the love of Chriſt conſtraineth us, becauſe we thus judg, that if one died for all, then were all dead. Add that he died for all, that they which live, ſhould not henceforth live unto themſelves, but unto him which died for p. 426them, and aroſe again. Gal. 2.20, 21, And the life which I now live in the fleſh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himſelf for me. I do not fruſtrate the grace of God: for if righteouſneſs come by the law, then Chriſt is dead in vain.

9. Among men, uſually the broken Debtors name ſtands ſtill in the bond, even after the reſponſal Surety hath intervened: but here Jeſus the Surety of the new Covenant, when he put in his own name, he puts out our names, that the Law might reach him, and might not at all reach us (except in fo far as it is annexed to the new Covenant, and eſtabliſhed in the hands of a Mediator, which hath no likeneſs to the old bloody bond): he wrote himſelf the ſinner Legally, and wrote us the righteous perſons: 2 Cor. 5.21, For he hath made him to be ſin for us, who knew no ſin, that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in him. Jer. 50.20, In thoſe days, and in that time, ſaith the Lord, the iniquitie of Iſrael ſhall be ſought for, and there ſhall be none: and the ſins of Judah, and they ſhall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reſerve.

10. Among men, the Surety hath a bond of relief from the Debtor, to keep him harmleſs of all that may follow upon his obligation and undertaking as Surety; but it is far otherwiſe in this Covenant: for here the Surety hath no bond of relief from the Debtor; but he hath a bond of relief from the Creditor. Chriſt had his fathers bond of relief to keep him harmleſs in that undertaking: he had, as it were, a backbond, that he ſhould not ſuccumb in his undertaking, but that when he went into the priſon, he ſhould come out again with honour and victory, and ſo ſhould be kept harmleſs from the hurt of the broken mans Debt. Read it at length, Iſa. 53.10, 11, 12, Yet it pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him, he hath put him to grief: when thou ſhalt make his ſoul an offering for ſin, he ſhall ſee his ſeed, he ſhall prolong his days, and the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand. He ſhall ſee of the travel of his ſoul, and ſhall be ſatisfied: by his knowledg ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtifie many: for he ſhall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great; and he ſhall divide the ſpoil with the ſtrong: becauſe he hath poured out his ſoul unto death: and he was numbred with the p. 427tranſgreſſors, and he bare the ſin of many, and made interceſſion for the tranſgreſſors. Iſa. 42.1, 4, Behold my ſervant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my ſoul delighteth: I have put my ſpirit upon him, he ſhall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.—He ſhall not fail, nor be diſcouraged, till he have ſet judgment in the earth: and the Iſles ſhall wait for his law. Pſal. 16.10, For thou wilt not leave my ſoul in hell; neither wilt thou ſuffer thine holy one to ſee corruption, Pſal. 110, throughout.

11. Among men, uſually the diſcharging and performance of the Sureties undertaking (how willing ſoever), is a burden: Sureties after ſtriking hands with the Creditor, could willingly deſire to be freed from the engagement, Prov. 6.1, 2, My Son, if thou be Surety for thy friend, if thou haſt ſtricken hands with a ſtranger, thou art ſnared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. But it is not ſo in Chriſts undertaking, who diſchargeth his Suretiſhip as willingly and chearfully as he undertook it, Heb. 10.7, Then ſaid I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Luk. 22.15, And he ſaid unto them, With deſire have I deſired to eat this paſſeover with you before I ſuffer. Joh. 10.18, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my ſelf: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again: this commandment have I received of my father. He did voluntanly fulfil his act of cautionry, and not through conſtraint of Law and Juſtice; yea, it was not accounted grievous to him, but was rather his ſatisfaction and delight thus to make the glory of his grace conſpicuous, Iſa. 53.11, He ſhall ſee of the travel of his ſoul, and ſhall be ſatisfied, Pſal. 40.8, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

In the laſt place, let us conſider the advantages which believers have by Chriſts Suretiſhip: which are ſo many, that they cannot be reckoned: we ſhall inſtance upon ſome few.

1. By Chriſts Suretiſhip we have our exemption and liberation from the Law, and the hand of Juſtice: our divorcement from the Law and Covenant of works as a husband, in which reſpect it is now dead and extinct (though it live for other ends and uſes), Rom. 7.4, Wherefore my brethren, p. 428ye alſo are become dead to the law by the body of Chriſt, that ye ſhould be married to another, even to him who is raiſed from the dead; that we ſhould bring forth fruit unto God. So that now the believer cannot be purſued at Law: or if purſued, cannot be made to undergo the ſentence of the Law, Juſtice being ſatisfied by a Surety, Gal. 3.13, Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the law, being made a curſe for us. Heb. 2.14, 15, That through death he might deſtroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil: and deliver them, who through fear of death, were all their life-time ſubject to bondage. In a word, we owe to Chriſts Suretiſhip our delivery from the ſentence, from the purſuit, from the Covenant, from the terror, from the rigour, from the irritation of the Law; yea, from the perfect obedience of the Law, it will now accept leſs; and from all obedience to it, as a poſſible way of life, Rom. 8.3, For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the fleſh, God ſending his own ſon, in the likeneſs of ſinful fleſh, and for ſin condemned ſin in the fleſh. Heb. 12.18, 22, 24, For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire: nor unto blackneſs, and darkneſs, and tempeſt.—But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem.—And to Jeſus the Mediator of the new covevant.

2. By his Suretiſhip we have this new and better Covenant-ſtate, wherein we ſtand: we owe our being in Chriſt, and in the Covenant of Grace, unto his Suretiſhip, who did undertake to bring about that bond of engagement betwixt God and us: for if Chriſt had not acted himſelf to do this, it had never been done: Joh. 17.2, 6, As thou haſt given him power over all fleſh, that he ſhould give eternal life to as many as thou haſt given him.—I have manifeſted thy name unto the men which thou gaveſt me out of the world: thine they were; and thou gaveſt them me; and they have kept thy word. 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.

3. By Chriſts Suretiſhip we have our perſeverance and ſtability in this Covenant-ſtate; I ſay, not our being only, but our continuing in this bleſſed ſtate, that we do not depart from God, and utterly forſake him, in a divorcement, even p. 429when we go a whoring from him: and that he doth not caſt us off, and diſcovenant us for all that we have done: this advantage we have by Chriſts Suretiſhip, that there can be no reverſing, annulling, or repealing of Gods Covenant with his people: and if it were not for that, a divorce ſhould follow upon the whorings and treacherous dealings of our hearts every day, Pſal. 89.30, 33, 34, 35, If his children forſake my law, and walk not in my judgments, &c.—Nevertheleſs, my loving-kindneſs will I not utterly take from him: nor ſuffer my faithfulneſs to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I ſworn by my holineſs, that I will not lie unto David. Jer. 3.1, 14, 22, They ſay, If a man put away his wife, and ſhe go from him, and become another mans, ſhall he return unto her again? ſhall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou haſt played the harlot with many lovers, yet return again to me, ſaith the Lord.—Turn, O back-ſliding children, ſaith the Lord, for I am married unto you: and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.—Return ye backſliding children, and I will heal your back-ſlidings: behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. Jer. 31.37, Thus ſaith the Lord, If heaven above can be meaſured, and the foundations of the earth ſearched out beneath, I will alſo caſt off all the ſeed of Iſrael, for all that they have done, ſaith the Lord. Jer. 32.39, 40, And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them. And I will make an everlaſting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good: but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me.

4. We owe to Chriſts Suretiſhip very much upon the head of the conditions of the new Covenant; as namely, 1. The poſſibility of Goſpel-conditions and commands, that they are not as unprofitable to us, as the keeping of the whole Law, Deut. 30.11, 14, For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayeſt do it. Rom. 10.6, 8, But the righteouſneſs which is of faith, ſpeaketh on this wiſe: ſay not in thine heart, who ſhall aſcend into heaven? that is to bring Chriſt down from p. 430above.—But what ſaith it? the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is, the word of faith which we preach. 2. The certainty of a performance of theſe conditions; that believers have any ground to expect that there ſhall not be a miſgiving in them, as was in the … ands of the firſt Covenant. Joh. 6.37, All that the father goveth me ſhall come to me: and him that cometh to me, I will in no wiſe caſt out. Ezek. 36.27, And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, and ye ſhall keep my judgments and do them. 3. The ſweet facility and eaſineſs which is found in all Goſpel commands and obedience, when endeavoured in the ſtrength of Chriſts grace. Mat. 11.30, For my yoke is eaſie, and my burden is light. Phil. 4.13, I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me. 1 Joh. 5.3; And his commandments are not grievous. This is the ſweet fruit of Chriſts Suretiſhip, who did undertake to work all theſe things in us, and to give his ſpirit and influences toward the effecting of theſe things.

5. By Chriſts Suretiſhip we have our holdneſs in all diſtreſſes, to lay our weight upon him, Iſa. 38.14, Like a crane or ſwallow, ſo did I chatter; I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppreſſed, undertake for me. Whenſoever any duty or tentation is above our ſtrength, when any difficulty prevaileth againſt us, then to come to Chriſt, as unto one who is engaged with us and for us, Iſa. 45.24, Surely, ſhall one ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſneſs and ſtrength: even to him ſhall men come, and all that are incenſed againſt him ſhall be aſhamed. 2 Cor. 3.5, Not that we are ſufficient of our ſelves to think any thing as of our ſelves: but our ſufficiency is of God. Pſal. 37.5, Commit thy way unto the Lord: truſt alſo in him, and he ſhall bring it to paſs. When the Law cometh with any hard commandment, then to offer to God Chriſt the end of the law, Rom. 10.4. Heb. 12.24.

6. We owe to Chriſts Suretiſhip many things upon the head of tentations; as namely, 1. Our being prevented, that many a tentation cometh not to our dore, before which we ſhould prove weak: that we enter not into all tentations fit… for our humors, Math. 26.41, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into tempeation: the ſpirit indeed is willing, but the p. 431fleſh is weak. 2. Our ſtanding it out, when tentation cometh, that it doth not carry us quite away before it, with a full conſent, Luk. 22.32, But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. 3. Our eſcaping and delivery from tentations, 1 Cor. 10.13, There hath no temptation taken you, but ſuch as is common to man: but God is faithful, that will not ſuffer you to be tempted above that you are able: but will with the temptation alſo make a way to eſcape, that ye may be able to bear it. All theſe things we have by Chriſts Suretiſhip, and undertaking for us, Joh. 17.12, While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: thoſe that thou gaveſt me I have kept, and none of them is loſt, but the ſon of perdition, that the ſcripture might be fulfilled. Rev. 3.10, Becauſe thou haſt kept the word of my patience, I alſo will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which ſhall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Ʋſe 1. Behold, we bring you glad tidings of great joy, Luk. 2.10. Good news to broken ſinners, who have made themſelves irreſponſal, who cannot fulfil the Covenant of works, who cannot anſwer the charge of the Law themſelves: behold, there is a better Covenant which hath a cautioner in it, who hath ſtricken hands with God, who hath undertaken the Debt, and hath diſcharged it, Iſa. 53.6, And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Col. 2.14, Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was againſt us, which was contrary to us: and took it out of the way, nayling it to his croſs. Here is, in one word, manifold grounds of comfort to believers, and of encouragement to believe in Chriſt, to come and thank him for his undertaking, and to ſay, Amen to that which he did without our requeſt: here is one ground to anſwer many objections and doubtings, if you be by nature under a Covenant which hath no cautioner, Chriſt doth tender a Covenant which hath a cautioner in it, Heb. 7.22, By ſo much was Jeſus made Surety of a better Teſtament, Heb. 8.6, But now hath he obtained a more excellent miniſtry, by how much alſo he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was eſtabliſhed upon better promiſes. If the conditions of that be hard, the conditions of this are eaſie, Heb. 12.20, For they could not endure that which was commanded. Rom. 10.6, 8. But the righteouſneſs which is of faith ſpeaketh on this wiſe.—That p. 432is the word of faith which we preach: if thou ſhalt believe with thine heart, thou ſhalt be ſaved. If you ſtand alone in that Covenant, you do not ſo here, Heb. 2.13, Behold, I and the children which God hath given me. Iſa. 59.21, As for me, this is my covenant with them, ſaith the Lord, My ſpirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy ſeed, nor out of the mouth of thy ſeeds ſeed, ſaith the Lord, from henceforth, and for ever. If the charge of the Law be hard, ſuch as you cannot ſatisfie, you have a Surety who hath both undertaken and made ſufficient ſatisfaction to the Law, Iſa. 53.8, He was taken from priſon, and from judgment: and who ſhall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the tranſgreſſion of my people was he ſtricken. Dan. 9.26, And after threeſcore and two weeks ſhall Meſſiah be cut off, but not for himſelf: and the people of the prince that ſhall come, &c. If you be unreſponſal creatures, who have not only broken Covenant, but diſabled your ſelves to perform any thing that the Law, even the new Law doth require of you, your Surety is a reſponſal perſon, one that is mighty, Pſal. 89.19, Then thou ſpakeſt in viſion to thy holy one, and ſaidſt, I have laid help upon one that is mighty: I have exalted one choſen out of the people. Heb. 7.25, Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the uttermoſt that come unto God by him.

Ʋſe 2. Here is a matter of expoſtulation with believers, and with unbelievers, and that upon divers grounds: 1. Why do any of you think or ſay, that the Goſpel-conditions and commands are hard and heavy? that they are unprofitable or impoſſible? Rom. 10.6, 7, 8, But the righteouſneſs which is of faith, ſpeaketh on this wiſe: ſay not in thine heart, who ſhall aſcend into heaven? that is to bring Chriſt down from above. Or who ſhall deſcend into the deep? that is, to bring up Chriſt again from the dead. But what ſaith it? the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is the word of faith which we preach. Is there any cauſe to think ſo of a Covenant that hath a Surety in it? nay, 'tis groundleſs to think ſo, Deut. 30.11, 14, For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.—But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, p. 433and in thy heart, that thou mayoſt do it, 1 Joh. 5.3, And his commandments are not grievous. Mat. 11.30, For my yoke is eaſie, and my burden is light. 2. Why ſhould broken men, and diver Debtors think to pay this Debt, or to perform their duty, without the help of their cautioner? do you not often attempt this? to make amends to God for your faults, and to be more forth-coming in your performances, even you alone, without Chriſt your Surety? Joh. 15.4, 5, Abide in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot bear fruit of it ſelf, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the ſame bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 2 Cor. 3.5, Not that we are ſufficient of our ſelves, to think any thing as of our ſelves; but our ſufficiency is of God, Rom. 10.3. and 9.31. But theſe did better, who would do nothing without their Surety, Iſa. 38.14, Mine eyes fail with looking upward: O Lord, I am oppreſſed, undertake for me. Pſal. 110.32, 122, I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou ſhalt enlarge mine heart. Be ſurety for thy ſervant for good: let not the proud oppreſs me. Phil. 4.13, I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me. 3. Why do you queſtion and ſuſpect the Covenant of God, and the grounds of faith and aſſurance granted therein? is there not a Surety in the Covenant, which ſhall make it ſtand faſt, and in whom it ſhall ſtand faſt with you? ſo that there is no ground left for doubting and fears, that it may be ſhaken, Pſal. 89.28, 35, My mercy will I keep for him for evermore: and my covenant ſhall ſtand faſt with him. Once have I ſworn by my holineſs, that I will not lye unto David. Heb. 6.17, 18, Wherein God willing more abundantly to ſhew unto the heirs of promiſe, the immutability of his counſel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impoſſible for God to lye, we might have a ſtrong conſolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope ſet before us. 4. Why do you lean upon any thing, and ſeek relief from that which God hath not made the Surety of the Covenant? why do you take caution from your own hearts for any thing commanded in the Covenant? can your reſolutions be caution and Surety to God for you? can your ſtock of gifts or grace be Surety for your performance of any thing p. 434commanded, or ſet as a condition in the Goſpel? Nay, ſure they cannot, 1 Cor. 1.13, as the Apoſtle ſaith, Theſe were not crucified for you, theſe never became Surety to God for you: and if ſo, wherefore do you truſt in them, and lean upon them?

Ʋſe 3. For tryal, whether Chriſt hath undertaken, and come under an act of Suretiſhip for you. This being among Gods eternal ſecrets and immutable counſels, it is to be found out by the effects thereof, whereby God hath ſhewed to the heirs of the promiſe, the immutability of his counſel, Heb. 6.17. Then, 1. If you be in the Covenant of grace, or if you be reached by any of theſe qualifications by which he deſcribes thoſe perſons who are comprehended in his Teſtament, then hath Chriſt undertaken for you: for he is Surety of the new Covenant, and better Teſtament, Heb. 7.22. and 8.6. And conſequently hath undertaken for all thoſe who are comprehended in it, Iſa. 56.6, Alſo the ſons of the ſtranger that join themſelves to the Lord, to ſerve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his ſervants, every one that keepeth the ſabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant. Joh. 13.8, Jeſus anſwered him, If I waſh thee not, thou haſt no part with me, Joh. 15.2, 15, 16, And every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.—Henceforth I call you not ſervants; for the ſervant knoweth not what his Lord doth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my father, I have made known unto you. Ye have not choſen me, but I have choſen you, and ordained you, that you ſhould go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit ſhould remain: that whatſoever ye ſhall ask of the father in my name, he may give it you, Joh. 17.6, 7, 8, 2. If he hath acted the Covenant upon your hearts, according as it is commanded in the Goſpel, and according as its foretold, that he will fulfill it effectually in his people, then hath he undertaken for you, and hereby you may know it for a certainty: Jer. 31.33, 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. Ezek. 11.19, And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new ſpirit within you: and I will take the ſtony heart out of their fleſh, and will give them an heart of fleſh. Ezek. 36.26, A new heart alſo will I give you, p. 435and a new ſpirit will I put within you: and I will take away the ſtony heart out of your fleſh, and I will give you an heart of fleſh: Joh. 6.37, All that the father giveth me, ſhall come to me: and him that cometh to me, I will no wiſe caſt out. 3. If Chriſt hath taken your name out of the Law-writ and curſe, and hath put your name in the Goſpel-writ, and written you bleſſed in that little book, or pronounced you ſuch by any thing contained in it, then hath he undertaken for you: Rom. 4.7, 8, Saying, Bleſſed are they whoſe iniquities are forgiven, and whoſe ſins are covered. Bleſſed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute ſin. Gal. 3.9, 13, 29, So then, they which be of faith, are bleſſed with faithful Abraham. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the law, being made a curſe for us: and if ye be Chriſts, then are ye Abrahams ſeed, and heirs according to the promiſe. 4. If you can go out of your ſelves, and find in your heart to engage him for you, and to lay the weight of your eternal intereſts upon him, your righteouſneſs and ſalvation, and of all things commanded in the Goſpel, in order to theſe, then hath he undertaken for you; for he doth not give ſuch a heart to any, but to them for whom he came under an act of Suretiſhip: Phil. 3.3, For we are the circumciſion, which worſhip God in the ſpirit, and rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no confidence in the fleſh. Iſa. 38.14, O Lord, I am oppreſſed, undertake for me. Pſal. 119.32, 35, 122, I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou ſhalt enlarge my heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments: for there in do I delight: be ſurety for thy ſervant for good.

Ʋſe 4. The Doctrine of Chriſts Suretiſhip doth confirm many articles of our faith.

As, 1. The particularity and freeneſs of election: for if Chriſt had the Elect given to him by a Covenant, and did from eternity undertake for them, ſure he knew for whom he did undertake; he knew their number, and names, how many was in that company, and who they were, Joh. 17.6, 12, I have manifeſted thy name unto the men which thou gaveſt me out of the world—Thoſe that thou gaveſt me, I have kept, and none of them is loſt. 2 Tim. 2.19, Nevertheleſs, the foundation of God ſtandeth ſure, having this ſeal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And if the matter of our Salvation p. 436ſtand upon Gods giving to Chriſt, and his undertaking, then ſure there were none given by the father to the Son from eternity, upon reſpect of faith or holineſs: for that ſhould deſtroy Chriſts Suretiſhip and undertaking, and lay the weight of that which is principal in the iſſue upon the creatures will, that ſhould make the creature a Surety for himſelf, Rom. 9.11, 16, For the children being yet not born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpoſe of God according to election might ſtand, not of works, but of him that calleth, &c.—So then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that ſheweth mercy.

2. Chriſts Suretiſhip is a confirmation of the dominion and Soveraignty of his grace, and of the reality, efficacy, and irreſiſtableneſs of the working of his ſpirit, and the phyſical influences thereof; for if Chriſt had not the power and dominion of our wills, how could he undertake for us? and if Salvation were not taken off the ſlippery yea and nay of free will; how could our Lord be Surety for his people? were it poſſible that he ſhould undertake, and diſcharge his undertaking for thoſe, over whoſe hearts and wills he hath not an abſolute power and dominion? 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. Jer. 30.21, And their nobles ſhall be of themſelves, and their governour ſhall proceed from the midſt of them: and I will cauſe him to draw near, and he ſhall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me, ſaith the Lord? Ezek. 36.27, And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my ſtatutes, and ye ſhall keep my judgments, and do them.

3. Chriſts Suretiſhip is a confirmation of the perſeverance of the ſaints, and of the certainty of the the Salvation of all the Elect: for if their perſeverance and believing to the end be undertaken for by him, how can it be uncertain? if our heaven and happineſs be in a ſurer hand than our own, even in the keeping of Chriſt, how can it be but well kept? 1 Pet. 1.4, 5, …o an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto ſalvation, ready to be revealed in the laſt time. Jer. 32.39, 40, And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the p. 437good of them, and of their children after them. And I will make an everlaſting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good: but I will put my fear into their hearts, that they ſhall not depart from me. Luk. 22, 32, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. It is the Suretiſhip of Chriſt which holds the Covenant faſt with us, and makes firm our Covenant-ſtate, that upon no breaches on our part it can be diſannulled, Pſal. 89.30, 34, 35, If his children forſake my law, and walk not in my judgments: my covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips: Once have I ſworn by my holineſs, that I will not lye unto David. Jer. 31.37, Thus ſaith the Lord, if heaven above can be meaſured, and the foundations of the earth ſearched out beneath, I will alſo caſt off all the ſeed of Iſrael, for all that they have done, ſaith the Lord.

Ʋſe 5. The Doctrine of Chriſt, Suretiſhip ſerves to anſwer all tentations, diſcouragements, and doubtings that ariſe in the hearts of believers, concerning their Covenant-intereſts. If there be any doubt with you, about the performance of the precious promiſes, Chriſts Suretiſhip anſwers it, and aſſureth that there ſhall be a performance of all theſe things which are ſpoken by the Lord, Luk. 1.45. 2 Cor. 1.20, For all the promiſes of God in him are, yea, and in him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us. If there be any thing too hard for you among all the commands and conditions of the new Covenant, his Suretiſhip anſwers that, Rom. 10.6, 7, 8. But the righteouſneſs which is of faith, ſpeaketh on this wiſe: ſay not in thine heart, who ſhall aſcend into Heaven? that is to bring Chriſt down from above. Or who ſhall deſcend into the deep? that is, to bring up Chriſt again from the dead. But what ſaith it? the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is the word of faith which we preach. Phil. 4.13, I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me. If your ſtanding be doubtful ſince Adam and the Angels have fallen, Chriſts Suretiſhip anſwers, that he was never an undertaker for them; but he is engaged for every believers ſtanding, Joh. 17.12, Thoſe that thou gaveſt me, I have kept: and none of them is loſt, but the ſon of perdition. Luk. 22.32, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Heb. 7.22, By ſo much was Jeſus made a ſurety of a better Teſtament. If you p. 439fear your our own frailty and ſinfulneſs, leſt it ſhould make void the Covenant with you, his Suretiſhip anſwers that, it muſt ſtand with him, and if with him, then with you alſo, Pſal. 89.30, 33, 35, If his children forſake my law, and walk not in my judgments.—Nevertheleſs, my loving kindneſs will I not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my faithfulneſs to fail. Once have I ſworn by my holineſs, that I will not lye unto David. Jer. 31.37, Thus ſaith the Lord, If Heaven above can be meaſured, and the foundations of the earth ſearched out beneath, I will alſo caſt off the ſeed of Iſrael, for all that they have done, ſaith the Lord. If you fear your own backſliding, ſome decay and withering of grace in you; his Suretiſhip anſwers that: for he is engaged for influences to you, Iſa. 44.3, 4, For I will pour water upon him that is thirſty, and floods upon the dry grouud: I will pour my ſpirit upon thy ſeed, and my bleſſing upon thine off-ſpring: and they ſhall ſpring up as among the graſs, as willows by the water-courſes. Iſa. 27.3, I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: leſt any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. If your ſtrength fail and decay, his Suretiſhip ſhall renew ſtrength unto you, Iſa, 40.31, But they that wait upon the Lord, ſhall renew their ſtrength: they ſhall mount up with wings as eagles: they ſhall run, and not be weary; and they ſhall walk, and not faint. If your legs fail, and your warmneſs decay, the undertakers arms and boſom ſhall ſupply that, Iſa. 40.11, 29, He ſhall feed his flock like a ſhepherd: he ſhall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his boſom, and ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with young. He giveth power to the faint: and to them that have no might, he encreaſeth ſtrength. Deut. 33.27, The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlaſtings arms. If you want a ranſom to preſent to offended Juſtice, if you be anxious about a ſatisfaction to God at any time, Chriſts Suretiſhip anſwers that; for thereby a ſatisfaction was found, and is performed, Job 33.24, Then he is gracious unto him, and ſaith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ranſom. 1 Joh. 2.2, And he is the propitiation for our ſins. If you want comfort or aſſurance, his Suretiſhip is the ground of that, you need not want it, but through your own default, Heb. 6.17, 18, Wherein God willing more abundantly to ſhew unto the heirs of promiſe the immutability p. 440of his counſel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impoſſible for God to lye, we might have a ſtrong conſolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope ſet before us.

Ʋſe 6. Believers, for whom Chriſt hath become Surety, let me exhort you, 1. To admire the love which made Chriſt undertake for you, and come under an act of cautionry for you: in every piece of his Suretiſhip you may clearly read that which was read upon a lighter occaſion, Joh. 11.36, Behold how he loved him. Read a demonſtration of his love in every thing which he acted as your Surety, in every ſtate wherein he carried your condition, and in every act wherein he acted your part; in his humbling himſelf, in his ſufferings, in his actings for you and in you. Gal. 2.20, I am crucified with Chriſt: nevertheleſs I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the fleſh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himſelf for me. Gal. 4.4, 5, But when the fulneſs of the time was come, God ſent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of ſons. Its ſtrange that you who ſeek for demonſtrations and proofs of his love, ſhould ſlight ſo great a proof of it, and that you will not read it, where he hath moſt legibly written it, Joh. 15.13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. Conſider more of the perſon who was made Surety, and the parties for whom he became Surety; and of the motive and principle that acted him in this undertaking, and of the ſpecial reſpect which he carried toward each of his people in this, and the ſweet ſpirit which waited on his diſcharging of ſo great undertakings, that your hearts may be raiſed to admiration: conſider the extent of his Suretiſhip, how it reacheth unto the whole Covenant, and to every condition and command in it; to every promiſe in it: take it in the largeſt ſenſe; to fulfil all the promiſes to us, to pay all our Debt, and to perform all our Duty, to work all our work, and to undergo all our puniſhment.

2. Conſider how you are in Chriſts Debt, and for what, becauſe of his Suretiſhip: Believers, you are in Chriſts Debt beyond all reckening that can be made of it. 1. You are infinitely p. 440in his Debt, you ſhall not be able while you live in this world once to reckon your obligations, it ſhall be work throughout eternity, to caſt up the ſum of this Debt of Grace, Pſal. 40.5. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou haſt done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and ſpeak of them, they are more than can be numbred. 2 Sam. 7.18, to the end. Eph. 3.18, 19, That ye may be able to comprehend with all ſaints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: and to know the love of Chriſt which paſſeth knowledg, that ye might be filled with all the fulneſs of God. Rev. 7.10, Salvation to our God, which ſitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb. 2. You are eternally in his Debt: you ſhall never be able to requite him: nay, though it be your duty to ſtudy thankfulneſs, yet it would not become you once to think of recompencing him, Pſal. 116.12, What ſhall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me! Rev. 5.9, 12, 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 kinred, and tongue, and people, and nation.—Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the lamb that was ſlain, to receive power, and riches, and wiſdom, and ſtrength, and honour, and glory, and bleſſing. You ſhall through all eternity remain his Debtors, for his undertaking and engaging for you, for his paying that which he undertook, and for his diſcharging of the Debt to you; yea, and for reporting his fathers diſcharge of it: all which come to us by Chriſts Suretiſhip.

1. You are in Chriſts Debt for his undertaking that, unrequeſted, when there was none to ſollicite him, and when there was no neceſſity of nature upon him to anſwer for our Debt, that then he did conſent and agree to put his name in our bond, and to ſubſcribe a ſatisfaction to the violated Law, Gal. 4.4, 5, But when the fulneſs of the time was come, God ſent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of ſons. Heb. 10.5, 7, Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he ſaith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldſt not, but a body haſt thou prepared me: then ſaid I, Lo, I come, (in the p. 441volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. 2. You are in his Debt for paying ſo great a ſum for you, ſo great a ranſome, as you can neither count the Debt which was payed, nor the price which was told down in ſatisfaction of the penalty which we had incurred, Pſal. 40.12, For innumerable evils hath compaſſed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, ſo that I am not able to look up: they are moe then the hairs of my head: therefore my heart faileth me. Luk. 7.47, Wherefore I ſay unto thee, Her ſins which are many, are forgiven, for ſhe loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the ſame loveth little. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19, Foraſmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as ſilver and gold, but with the precious blood of Chriſt, as of a lamb without blemiſh, and without ſpot. Iſa. 53.5, But he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities: the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed. 3. You are in his Debt for the fair acquittance and diſcharge which he hath obtained and received for you, when he was juſtified in the ſpirit, 1 Tim. 3.16. Rom. 4.25. And for his reporting of that unto you, Luk. 7.48, And he ſaid unto her, Thy ſins are forgiven. And giving you an extract of it in your boſome to bear about with you, and helping you to read it, Eph. 1.13, In whom alſo after that ye believed, ye were ſealed with that holy ſpirit of promiſe. Iſa. 50.8, He is near that juſtifieth me: who will contend with me? let us ſtand together: who is mine adverſary? let him come near to me. 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. 4. You are in his Debt for all that he hath wrought in you, from the time that firſt he bowed your will to believe, unto this day; for every piece of your obedience, for all you fruit, for every duty performed by you, for all the influences of his ſpirit upon you, &c. you owed all theſe to Chriſts Suretiſhip, Phil. 2.13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleaſure. Rom. 9.16, So then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that ſheweth mercy. Hoſ. 14.8, I am like a green fir-tree, from me is thy fruit found. Phil. 1.11, Being filled with the fruits of righteouſneſs, p. 442which are by Chriſt Jeſus unto the glory and praiſe of God. Joh. 15.4, 5, Abide in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot bear fruit of it ſelf, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the ſame bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 1 Cor. 15.10, But by the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace which was beſtowed upon me, was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly then they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Jer. 30.21, And I will cauſe him to draw near, and he ſhall approach unto me: for who is this, that engaged his heart to approach unto me, ſaith the Lord?

3. Believers learn to deal with God in all things pertaining to his Covenant, as having a cautioner, whether you be under any doubtſulneſs about the promiſes, or in any difficulty and perplexity about the commands and duties of the Covenant. Let your dealing in theſe things declare that there is a Surety: and this doth call for, 1. More confidence and boldneſs, 1. In your dealings with God, and applications to him; you need not flee from his face and preſence, as from a hard maſter, ſince there is a Surety in the Covenant, and he is content to take of his hand, what you cannot afford: when you are aſhamed to be ſeen in his preſence, and cannot be ſeen where God is, do but preſent Chriſt in your place and room, preſent a Surety, and he is ſatisfied, Heb. 9.24, For Chriſt is not entered 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. Preſent him to God, and come to God through him, and command him, in a manner ask and have all your will, Iſa. 45.11, Thus ſaith the Lord, the holy one of Iſrael, and his maker, Ask me of things to come, concerning my ſons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. 2. In your dealings with Chriſt, come unto him as unto a perſon already engaged for you, as unto a Surety who hath already come under an act of cautionry for his people; and conſequently as unto one whoſe honour lieth at the ſtake, for a performance of all things whatſoever are contained in the Covenant; and do not come unto him, and make uſe of him with doubtſulneſs, whether he will do for you, and work in you theſe things for which p. 443he ſtands already engaged by his Suretiſhip, Heb. 10.19, 22, Having therefore, brethren, boldneſs to enter into the holieſt by the blood of Jeſus: Let us draw near with a true heart in full aſſurance of faith, having our hearts ſprinkled from an evil conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with pure water. Heb. 4.14, 16, Seeing then that we have a great 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. In your dealings with your duty, and with the Law which commandeth it, you are not to flee the command as the divour Debtor fleeth the face of his Creditor, as theſe which are not Law-biding; but you are now through the Suretiſhip of Chriſt, to welcom every command and charge of the Law, as being in ſome near capacity to ſpeak with it, and to give it ſome ſatisfying anſwer, Pſal. 119.97, O how love I thy law. Iſa. 60.17, I will alſo make thine officers peace, and thine exactors righteouſneſs.

2. This doth alſo call for more quietneſs of mind in you: you are often diſquietted anxiouſly, that you do not reap the fruit of Covenant-promiſes, and that Goſpel-commands do not find that obedience in you, which is acknowledged to be due unto them; you have covenanted obedience to the Goſpel, and you are as an unjuſt Debtor through the nonperformance of your Covenant and promiſes; and this is your affliction, and makes you walk in heavineſs every day. I ſay, that Chriſts Suretiſhip doth call for quieting your minds, and to lay more weight upon his free undertakings, and leſs upon your own ſlippery performances (be it ſpoken without giving any colour to ſlack your hand in the beſt and utmoſt endeavours after duty): 1. Becauſe what obedience the Goſpel hath not yet had in you, it ſhall have, ſince he is engaged for it, Pſal. 138. laſt, The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forſake not the works of thine own hands. Iſa. 26.12, Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou alſo haſt wrought all our works in us. 2. What the Law and Goſpel cannot find in you, they ſhall have in him; and 'tis enough if it be ſound either in the Surety or the Debtor, Rom. 10.4, For Chriſt is the end of the law for righteouſneſs to every one that believeth. Rom. 8.3, For what the law could not do, in p. 444that it was weak through the fleſh, God ſending his own Son in the likeneſs of ſinful fleſh, and for ſin condemned ſin in the fleſh Gal. 4.4, 5, But when the fulneſs of the time was come, God ſent forth his Som made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of ſons. 3. The Surety hath already ſatisfied for your diſobedience: it is not a thing to be done, but paſt already, Heb. 9.15, And for this cauſe 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.

Ʋſe 7. Learn hence a neceſſary cautiouſneſs (the neglect whereof is one chief cauſe of the miſgiving of our hearts in duties every day): do not put any thing in Chriſts place as Surety and undertaker for you. Sometimes we take our gifts and graces to be Surety for us, and we reckon that theſe may engage for us, and make us forth-coming in Duty; ſometimes we take our own hearts, and our reſolution, Surety for us; and we truſt to them as the people did, Joſh. 24.16, And the people anſwered, and ſaid, God forbid that we ſhould forſake the Lord, to ſerve other gods. Deut. 5.27, 29, Go thou near and hear all that the Lord our God ſhall ſay, and ſpeak thou unto us all that the Lord our God ſhall ſpeak unto thee, and we will hear it, and do it. Sometimes we take our own good frame Surety for us: if we have at any time ſome warmneſs and life under preſent influences, we reckon theſe may be Surety for us, and that is but to put ſomething in the Sureties place, which God hath not made cautioner in this Covenant, 1 Cor. 1.30, 31, But of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, who of God is made unto us wiſdom, and righteouſneſs, and ſanctification, and redemption: that according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.