The Ark of the Covenant Opened, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. Of the Name Mediator, what it ſignifieth, and how it agreeth to Chriſt.
THat there is a Mediator of the Covenant of Grace, and but one only, even the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, doth clearly appear from Heb. 8.6. Chap. 9. v. 15. Chap. 12. v. 22, 23, 24. 1 Tim. 2.5, For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Chriſt Jeſus.
The firſt Covenant which was of works, had no Mediator: for then there was no diſagreement betwixt God and Man; but this Covenant under which we ſtand by Grace, hath a Mediator, and needeth one, as I ſhall ſhew by and by.
Concerning the Mediator of the new Covenant, we ſhall conſider, 1. The Name, what it ſignifieth, and how it agreeth to Chriſt. 2. The neceſſity of a Mediator in the new Covenant. 3. The Perſon that is Mediator. 4. The Office of Mediatorſhip, and theſe things that belong unto it. 5. The grounds of comfort, and ſupports of faith ariſing to believers from Chriſts Mediation.
1. The Name Mediator, foreign, properly ſignifies a midler, whether he be ſuch in regard of his Perſon or Office, one betwixt two, Gal. 3.20, Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. And a Reconciler, as the Hebrew word ſignifies, Job 9.33, Neither is there any days-man betwixt us, Grot. de ſatisf. Chriſti, chap. 8.that might lay his hand upon us both foreign, Mochjach, a Trieſter; one who interpoſeth for taking away differences betwixt diſagreeing parties. It ſignifies alſo one that declareth things betwixt parties, internuntius interpres, one that goes betwixt parties, and carries the mind of each to other; in which ſenſe Moſes was a typical Mediator betwixt God and the Children of Iſrael, who carried the will of God to them, and carried back their anſwer to God, Gal. 3.19, 20, with Exod. 19.3. Chap. 20. v. 19. Deut. 5.5.
And although Socinus plead that the word Mediator, Socin. de ſervat. lib. 1. cap. 2.ſignifies nothing in Scripture but an Interpreter, the falſhood whereof doth evidently appear from, Heb. 9.15, And for this cauſe he is the mediator of the new Teſtament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the tranſgreſſions that were under the firſt teſtament, they which are called might receive the promiſe of eternal inheritance, &c. 1 Tim. 2.5, 6, For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Chriſt Jeſus, who gave himſelf a ranſome for all, to be teſtified in due time. Alſo, he would have Chriſt to be a Mediator, only in this laſt ſenſe, that is, Gods Interpreter: yet all the three ſignifications of the word do agree to Chriſt; and he is called the Mediator of the new Covenant, with reſpect to all the three. 1. He is one betwixt two, that middle perſon, God and man equally diſtant from both, equally drawing near to both parties, and ſo in a fit capacity to mediate and interpoſe, Mat. 1.23, And they ſhall call his name Emanuel, which being interpreted, is God with us. He is the days-man, the Reconciler, and trieſter of the difference, who hath interpoſed and actually compoſed the difference, Eph. 2.14, 16, For he is our peace, who hath made both one.—And that he might reconcile both unto God, in one body by the croſs, having ſlain the enmity thereby. 2 Cor. 5.19, God was in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf, not imputing their treſpaſſes unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Col. 1.20, And having made peace by the blood of his croſs, to him to reconcile all things to himſelf. 3. He is the Mediator in this ſenſe alſo, and Interpreter, who publiſhed and declared the new Covenant, and the peace, Eph. 2.17, And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. He went betwixt the parties, and carried the offers of one, and the acceptation of the other. In which reſpect he is called the Meſſenger or Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1. And ſo much for a taſte of the Name and ſignification of the word Mediator: of the thing we ſhall ſpeak, when we come to ſpeak of the Mediators Perſon and Office.
More particularly; Why is Jeſus called the Mediator of the new Covenant, Heb. 12.24? Or, in what reſpects does this Name agree to him? and what may it import?
I will not trouble the Reader with the enumeration of how often and ordinarily he is ſound in medio, in the middle;Gerard. loc. com. de perſon, &c. offic. Chriſti loc. 4. c. 3. he that pleaſeth may read it elſewhere. But I think he is called the Mediator of the new Covenant upon a fourſold account. 1. In reſpect of his Perſon, becauſe he was a middle perſon, participating of both parties, foreign, having intereſt in both parties, God-man; Immanuel, God with us, or God us, Mat. 1.23. 2. In reſpect of his Office, not only a middle-perſon, but a middle officer, deſigned for a middle-work, for dealing betwixt God and man in the great tranſaction of Recconciliation, Col. 1.20. 2 Cor. 5.19. 3. In reſpect of his fitneſs and qualifications to interpoſe betwixt God and man, (whereof more afterward, at this time but a paſſing-word of it). He was the only fit perſon to lay hands on both parties: In Heaven or Earth, there was not found a fit perſon to mediate betwixt God and man until Heaven and Earth, God and man, be joyned in one perſon, to make a fit Mediator, a perſon equally diſtant from, and equally near unto both parties. A perſon who is Gods fellow, Zech. 13.7, Awake, O ſword, againſt my ſhepherd, and againſt the man that is my fellow. And who is our fellow, made himſelf our companion, and like unto his brethren, Heb. 2.14, 17. A perſon who is Gods Son, and our brother, Joh. 20.17, I aſcend unto my father, and your father; and to my God, and your God: our Goel, Job. 10.25, For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he ſhall ſtand at the latter day upon the earth. Our kinſman, who had the right of Redemption. 4. He is called Mediator, the midling perſon, not only in regard of his fitneſs, but upon the account of his actual interpoſing, and ſtepping in betwixt the diſagreeing parties; becauſe he acted and executed the Mediators Office which he took upon him, and for which he was fitted; he acted the day-mans part in the treaty of peace: he, through whom the whole Covenant of peace from beginning to end was tranſacted; who ſtood in every paſſage of it as a middle perſon, through whom God dealt with us, and we with him.
1. Through him was the Covenant with us firſt motioned, and by him was the motion and overture entertained on our behalf: there had never been a Covenant betwixt God and fallen men, had not Chriſt ſtept in to overture the reconciliation of Juſtice and Mercy, Prov. 8.30, 31, Then I was by him, as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight, rejoycing always before him. Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth: and my delights were with the ſons of men. He is Mediator Propoſitionis, or rather proponendo, the perſon through whom the firſt motion of it was made and entertained.
2. Through him was the buſineſs done, and ended in the Counſel of God: he entertained the motion of a Covenant; and agented it till it was a cloſed bargain, in an eternal plot betwixt his Father and himſelf, Pſal. 89.3, I have made my Covenant with a choſen: I have ſworn unto David my ſervant. Chap. 40. v. 7, Then ſaid I, Lo, I come. He is Mediator Impetrationis, who obtained and procured, that the propoſal of free Redemption ſhould be a conncluded Agreement.
3. Through him were we repreſented in Chriſts tranſaction with his Father: he interpoſed and did the buſineſs by way of repreſentation, as the Head of the Church in the name, and on the behalf of many, Heb. 2.13, Behold I, and the children which God hath given me. 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 … Chriſt Jeſus, before the world began. He is Mediator repreſentationis, the perſon that ſtood and repreſented many: When God ſpoke with us in him, as the Angels did with Iſrael in Jacobs loins, for there he ſpake with us, Hoſ. 12.4.
4. Through him did God ſtrike hands with us: the ſtipulation on our part was made by him, whom God took as a reſponſal perſon, and in our room to bargain with, Heb. 7.22, By ſo much was Jeſus made a ſurety of a better Teſtament. Pſal. 89.19, I have laid help upon one that is mighty. I have exalted one choſen out of the people. He is Mediator, fidei-juſſionis, the perſon who put his name in our Bond, and ſtept in as a Sponſor and Surety for the broken man.
5. Through him is the whole Covenant fulfilled, and every word of it hath a being, ex parte dei he fulfilleth all that is promiſed on Gods part, 2 Cor. 1.20, For all the promiſes of God in him are yea, and in him are Amen: And ex parte hominis, he worketh in us, and for us, whatſoever is required of us, Phil. 1.21, Being filled with the fruits of righteouſneſs, which are by Jeſus Chriſt, unto the glory and praiſe of God. Heb. 12.2, Looking unto Jeſus the author and finiſher of our faith. He is Mediator impletionis, the perſon in whom the whole Covenant is fulfilled and accompliſhed.
6. Through him came the news of this ſecond Covenant: he proclaimed and publiſhed the glad tydings, Iſa. 61.1, The ſpirit of the Lord is upon me, becauſe the Lord hath annointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek. Eph. 2.17, And came and preached peace to you which are afar off, and to them that were nigh. Pſal. 40.9, I have preached righteouſneſs in the great congregation. He is Mediator promulgationis, the chief herauld and meſſenger, the perſon by whom, and by his appointed ſervants, the Covenant was and is preached.
7. Through him is the myſtery made manifeſt in the hearts of his people: he ſhines upon the myſtery of the Covenant, and makes it to be underſtood; and this ſecond diſcovery of God in Chriſt, can never be revealed but by the Mediator himſelf, Joh. 27.6. I have manifeſted thy name. 2 Cor. 4.6. For God who commanded the light to ſhine out of darkneſs, hath ſhined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God, in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. Joh. 1.18, No man hath ſeen God at any time: the only begotten Son, which is in the boſome of the Father, he hath declared him. He is Mediator illuminationis, or the very medium of this new-Light, the perſon by whom the Covenant is revealed.
8. By him was a price told down to Juſtice on our behalf: he interpoſed to ſatisfie Juſtice on the terms it ſtood upon, and entered his perſon in priſon for us, till he payed the Debt by the price of his blood, after which he was ſet at liberty, Heb. 9.12, 15, But by his own blood he entred in once into the holy place, having obtained redemption for us. — And for this cauſe he is the Mediator of the new Teſtament, that by means of death, &c. Rom. 3.24, Being juſtified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt. He is Mediator redemptionis ſeu ſatisfactionis, the perſon that made the ſatisfaction, and payed the price to Juſtice to the full, by his obedience to death.
9. Through him is the difference actually compoſed, and the peace made, the diſagreeing parties are brought together in him as a middle perſon, and fit reſting-place, Eph. 2.13, 14, But now in Chriſt Jeſus, ye who ſometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Chriſt. For he is our peace, who hath made both one. Heb. 2.17, To make reconciliation for the ſins of his people. He is Mediator reconciliationis, the perſon that made the peace, and in whom the difference is compoſed, 2 Cor. 5.19, God was in Chriſt reconciling the world to himſelf.
10. Through him are all the bleſſings of the Covenant applied to us, and the fruit of his purchaſe is drawn forth by his interceſſion as a Prieſt for ever, which he doth as a Mediator, 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. He is Mediator applicationis ſeu interceſſionis, the perſon that ſtill mediates and officiates before God on our behalf, for freſh applications of all his purchaſe.
11. Through him we receive all the bleſſings of the Covenant: he receives them for us, and Chriſt Mediator is conſtitute great Lord Diſpenſator and Theaſaurer, the head of the Church, who receiveth bleſſings for the whole body, and every member thereof, 2 Tim. 1.9, According to his own purpoſe and grace which was given us in Chriſt Jeſus before the world began. Eph. 1.3, Bleſſed be the God and father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath bleſſed us with all ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly places in Chriſt. Pſal. 68.18, Thou haſt received gifts for men. He is Mediator receptionis, the perſon who receiveth all the bleſſings of the Covenant at the firſt hand; who is the ſtore-houſe, and fountain, the perſon on whom all the acts of Gods love are firſt put forth, Joh. 1.14, 16, And the word was made fleſh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.—And of his fulneſs have all we received, and grace for grace.
12. Through him was the Covenant with us confirmed: he ſealed the new Teſtament with his own blood, and interpoſed by his death to make the Covenant Gods irrevocable will of grace to us-ward, Gal. 3.15, 17, Though it be but a mans covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man diſannulleth or addeth thereunto. And this I ſay, That the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Chriſt, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after cannot diſannul, that it ſhould make the promiſes of none effect. Heb. 6.17, 18, Wherein God, willing more abundantly to manifeſt unto the heirs of promiſe the immutability of his counſel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, wherein it was impoſſible for God to lye, we might have ſtrong conſolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope ſet before us. He is Mediator confirmationis, the perſon in whom, and by whom the Covenant was confirmed.
13. Through him is the Covenant a cloſed bargain, as to the addition of our conſent to it: through him are our hearts ingaged to the bargain: he travelleth with us to get our conſent to it, 2 Cor. 5.19, God was in Chriſt reconciling the world unto himſelf, not imputing their treſpaſſes unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ezek. 20.37, And I will cauſe you to paſs under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant. Rev. 22.17, And the ſpirit and the bride ſay, Come. He is Mediator, adſtipulationis ſeu conſenſus noſtri, the perſon who interpoſeth for the ſubjection of our conſent, and to get our heart to ſay Amen to the Covenant; and is therefore called the Apoſtle and High-prieſt of our profeſſion, or adſtipulation, Heb. 3.1.
14. Through him is the Covenant held faſt with all thoſe who are once really engaged in it, that it crumble not away as the firſt Covenant did, but may ſtand firm and ſtable, Pſal. 89.34, 35, 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. Joh. 17.12, Thoſe that thou gaveſt me I have kept, and none of them is loſt. He is Mediator conſervationis, the perſon who conſerveth and keepeth the peace betwixt the covenanted parties, and makes the Covenant ſure, 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.
From this, that Chriſt is Mediator of the new Covenant:
Ʋſe 1. This ſheweth the miſery of all thoſe who are under the Covenant of works, which is the ſtate of all natural men. Chriſt is not Mediator of that Covenant under which you ſtand; you muſt either do for your ſelves, or think of changing your Covenant ſtate; for Chriſts mediation doth not reach you, ſo as you continuing in that condition can have any actual benefit by it, Joh. 17.9, I pray for them, I pray not for the world, but for them that thou haſt given me, for they are thine.
Ʋſe 2. This ſheweth alſo the bleſſed ſtate of believers who are in the Covenant of grace: you are not come to the Mountain that can not be touched; you may with boldneſs approach to God with your ſervices; and for obtaining bleſſings and directions from him; you have a Mediator to deal for you; if he be angry at any time, you have one to put between you and his anger, to ſpeak for you when you dare not ſpeak for your ſelves; to procure bleſſings for you when you deſerve none, 1 Joh. 1.2, If any man ſin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. Eph. 2.18, For through him we both have an acceſs by one ſpirit unto the Father. Chap. 3. v. 12, In whom we have boldneſs and acceſs, with confidence by the faith of him.
Ʋſe 3. Since Jeſus Chriſt is Mediator of the new Covenant, then he muſt be imployed, and acknowledged in all things pertaining to the Covenant, Heb. 2.17, And in all things pertaining to God: for if it be a buſineſs betwixt God and a man who is within this Covenant, that falls within his office, 1 Tim. 2.5, For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Chriſt Jeſus. In all things he muſt be employed as Mediator, and acknowledged and honoured as Mediator, Joh. 5.23, That all men ſhould honour the Son, even as they honour the Father.