The Ark of the Covenant Opened, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. Of the Neceſſity of a Mediator; and Reaſons why this Covenant is eſtabliſhed in the hands of a Mediator.
COncerning the neceſſity of a Mediator in the Covenant of Grace, it is to be remembred,Aquin. ſum. 1 part Q. 19. art. 3. Eſtius in ſent. lib. 1. diſt. 33. Sect. 7. that we ſpeak not of an abſolute neceſſity of that which God could have done by his abſolute power: whether he could have reſtored man without a Mediator, and have pardoned ſin without a ſatisfaction: nor of a natural neceſſity: but we ſpeak of an hypothetical, reſpective neceſſity, upon connexion of one thing with another; In regard of the decree of God, who having purpoſed not to ſuffer ſin to paſs utterly unrevenged, neither yet to deſtroy all mankind in the puniſhing of ſin, and ſatisfying of Juſtice; but to glorifie himſelf in ſuch manifeſtation of his grace, as ſhould have ſatisfaction to Juſtice carried along with it: In this reſpect it was neceſſary that a Mediator ſhould be found who might do the work in this manner.
The Reaſons ſhewing the neceſſity of a Mediator, or Gods ends in eſtabliſhing the Covenant in the hand of a Mediator, are of three ſorts, according to three great ends which God hath before him in the work of our Redemption; The glory of God, the glory of Chriſt, and the good of his people.
1. Some Reaſons there are which moſt directly reſpect God himſelf, and his glory.
2. Others reſpect Chriſt and his honour, as Mediator in this employment.
The third ſort reſpect the Creatures good and happineſs.
And, 1. The Reaſons of eſtabliſhing this Covenant in the hands of a Mediator, which reſpect God himſelf, and his glory, may be, 1. For the glory of his Greatneſs and Majeſty; it is his glory to be dealt with like himſelf, throughout the whole buſineſs of our Salvation.
1. It was for his honour that he ſhould carry like a Superiour wronged: it became the Majeſty of the Lord to keep at a diſtance with ſinners, and not to be dealt with immediately by the parties who had done him the wrong; but by the Mediation and Interceſſion of another great Perſon, Mal. 1.14, For I am a great king, ſaith the Lord. Heb. 7.25, Men muſt therefore come to God by him, by a Mediator. 2. It became the Majeſty and Honour of God to be dealt with only by his own Son, he being the greateſt Courtier in Heaven, and who knew moſt of his fathers mind, 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.
2. For the glory of his Wiſdom: This was a plot becoming the wiſdom of God, and much for the honour of it, to find out this way of making up an union betwixt God and man. Again, by bringing down God to man, and bringing up man to God, and treiſting both to meet in a Mediator: wonderful did the wiſdom of God appear in the Reconciling Juſtice and Mercy, and making them meet together in this buſineſs; in puniſhing ſin, and ſetting the ſinner free; in making a Covenant with us through a Mediator, when there could be none without a Mediator, Eph. 3.10, 11, To the intent, that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the Church the manifold wiſdom of God: according to the eternal purpoſe which he purpoſed in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord.
3. It was for the glory of Gods Goodneſs and Free-grace, that grace may be acknowledged, and dealt with like Freegrace; therefore there muſt be a Mediator, who throughout the accompliſhment of our Salvation ſhall deal with grace by way of entreaty, and requeſts; and ſhall obtain our Salvation as freely by requeſts, as if there had been no purchaſe made of it through ſatisfaction to Juſtice, Heb. 5.17, Who in the days of his fleſh, when he had offered up prayers and ſupplications, with ſtrong crying and tears unto him that was able to ſave him from death; and was heard in that he feared. Chap. 7. v. 25, Seeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them.
4. It was for the glory of his Juſtice, which muſt be dealt with in a way of ſatisfaction: grace will be dealt with by requeſts, ſalva juſtitia, which muſt be dealt with by a ſatisfaction; therefore the Covenant is eſtabliſhed in the hands of a Mediator, who may tell down a price to Juſtice, 1 Tim. 2.6, Who gave himſelf a ranſome for all, to be teſtified in due time. Theſe two the Apoſtle joyns, Rom. 3.24, 25, 26, Being juſtified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt: Whom God hath ſet forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteouſneſs for the remiſſion of ſins that are paſt, through the forbearance of God. To declare, I ſay, at this time his righteouſneſs, that he might be juſt, and the juſtifier of him which believeth in Jeſus. The higheſt Juſtice, and the freeſt grace, met together in the Mediator, to ſave us by paying a price as fully as if there had been no grace; and entreating of favour in the matter of our Salvation: and yet as much entreaty and requeſt is made to grace, as if Juſtice had received no ſatisfaction.
Secondly, Other Reaſons reſpect Chriſt: the Covenant is eſtabliſhed in the hands of a Mediator, for the glory of the Mediator in this employment, whoſe honour and glory God had in his eyes, as well as his own, Joh. 5.23, That all men ſhould honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. And 16.14, He ſhall glorifie me, for he ſhall receive of mine, and ſhall ſhew it unto you. Now the conſtituting and appointing Chriſt Mediator of the new Covenant, is for his honour, 1. In reſpect of the honourable offices which are laid upon him as Mediator: for it is as Mediator that he is conſtituted a King, a Prieſt, and a Prophet to his people, Heb. 1, and 7 Chap. throughout, which are honourable offices, Heb. 5.4, And no man taketh this honour unto himſelf, but he that is called of God as was Aaron. Joh. 5.22, 23, But hath committed all judgment to the Son, that all men ſhould honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. 2. In reſpect of the exceeding great power which is put in his hand as Mediator: no leſs than the adminiſtration of the whole affairs in Heaven and Earth, and that every knee ſhould bow to him, Phil. 2.10, And the government ſhall be upon his ſhoulder, Iſa. 9.6. Mat. 28.18, All power is given unto me in heaven, and in earth. Rev. 3.7, He that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man ſhutteth: and ſhutteth, and no man openeth. 3. In reſpect of the great dependance that ſhall be upon Chriſt Mediator, by many ſupplicants reſorting to him, and waiting on him, for the repreſenting and offering of their requeſts. Joh. 15.16, Whatſoever ye ſhall ask of the Father in my name, he ſhall give it you. Zeph. 3.10, From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my ſupplicants, even the daughter of my diſperſed ſhall bring mine offering. 4. In reſpect of his ſole and abſolute working of the whole buſineſs of our Salvation from beginning to end, every part of it being immediately from him as the Fountain and ſtore-houſe, and Great Lord Treaſurer of all the bleſſings of the Covenant, Heb. 12.2, Looking unto Jeſus the author and finiſher of our faith. 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. Act. 2.33, Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promiſe of the holy Ghoſt, he hath ſhed forth this which ye now ſee and hear.
The third ſort of Reaſons reſpecting the creatures good and happineſs, may be holden forth, 1. Negatively. 2. Affirmatively.
1. Without Chriſt the Mediator, we ſhould have had no knowledg of God which is ſaving: for ſince the fall, God dealeth not with man immediately: nor can man ſee him, or hear him ſpeak without a Mediator. This was typified, Exod. 20.19, And they ſaid unto Moſes, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God ſpeak with us, leſt we die. But in the Mediator we ſee Gods face, and know him ſavingly, Joh. 17.3, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. 2 Cor. 4.6, To give the light of the knowledg of the glory of God, in the face of Jeſus Chriſt.
2. Without Chriſt the Mediator, there could be no union betwixt God and man: the diſtance was ſo great, that the parties could not come near to one another, Eph. 2.13, But now in Chriſi Jeſus, ye who ſometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Chriſt.
3. Without the Mediator there could not have been any communion with God: union is the foundation of communion: without Chriſt the Creature ſhould everlaſtingly have loſt the fruition of God. Without Chriſt, and without God, go together, Eph. 2.12.
4. Without the Mediator we could never had any conformity with God; we loſt the Image of God, but could never have regained it: but in Chriſt it is reſtored more excellently, 2 Cor. 3.18, But we all with open face beholding as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame image from glory to glory, even as by the ſpirit of the Lord. In a word: without a Mediator, no part of mans ſpiritual or everlaſting good ſhould have been brought to paſs; foraſmuch as all the good which God had from eternity decreed to do to man, was decreed to come to him in and through a Mediator: hence we are ſaid to be choſen and ordained unto adoption, holineſs, obedience, perſeverance, &c. in and through him, Eph. 1.3, 4, 5, Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath bleſſed us with all ſpiriritual bleſſings in heavenly places in Chriſt. According as he hath choſen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we ſhould be holy, and without blame before him in love. Having predeſtinated us unto the adoption of children by Jeſus Chriſt to himſelf, according to the good pleaſure of his will. 1 Pet. 1.2, Through ſanctification of the ſpirit unto obedience, and ſprinkling of the blood of Chriſt.
But by eſtabliſhing the Covenant in the hands of a Mediator, mans good is advanced. For, 1. There is a foundation laid of a higher happineſs to be recovered in Chriſt, than was loſt in Adam: for there is much more of God manifeſted and revealed in Jeſus Chriſt, than was in the creation: for now we may behold his face as in a glaſs, 2 Cor. 3.18, throughout. Chriſt, who is the brightneſs of his Fathers glory, Heb. 1.3. Therefore this is a better Covenant, which hath better promiſes in it, laid to our hand in a Mediator, Heb. 8.6. 2. Not only a higher happineſs, and a better Covenant in that reſpect, but alſo through the Mediator there is a foundation laid of a better ſecurity for that happineſs; a ſurer Covenant, and ſtanding in it, than was before: a Covenant that cannot be diſannulled, as was the firſt; this being eſtabliſhed, and ordained in the hands of a Mediator, Gal. 3.15, 17, 19. 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 laws in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts: and will be their God, and they ſhall be my people, Chap. 33. v. 20, 21. A happineſs that cannot be forefaulted, Pſal. 89.33, 34, 35. 3. Through the eſtabliſhing of this Covenant in the hands of a Mediator, there is ſtrength and height of confidence and conſolation, anſwerable to the ſecurity granted, and the ſolid grounds of confidence and comfort that are laid in this Covenant; the ſum whereof is, That all ſhall go well, notwithſtanding all things in us that ſpeak the contrary, becauſe there is a Mediator in this Covenant, 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: and not for ours only, but alſo for the ſins of the whole world. 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. Chap. 2. v. 17, That he might be a merciful and faithful High-prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the ſins of the people. And truly if there had not been a Mediator in the Covenant of grace, in whoſe hand it was ordained, through whom it is eſtabliſhed with us; it had been as weak, ineffectual, and unprofitable to give righteouſneſs and life, as the firſt Covenant proved.
Ʋſe 1. The neceſſity of a Mediator in this Covenant, cleareth one of the main differences betwixt the Covenant of Grace and the firſt Covenant which was of Works, wherein there was no Mediator, nor need of a Mediator, the parties being friends, and in fitneſs to deal immediately.
Ʋſe 2. From the neceſſity of a Mediator in this Covenant, be convinced of your need of a Mediator. 1. Let natural men be convinced of this; you have none to deal for you, you muſt ſtand or fall by your own righteouſneſs without any mending of it; you muſt do for your ſelves, or be undone; for there is no Mediator of that Covenant under which you ſtand: you muſt do ſo, or of neceſſity come to Chriſt the Mediator, that you may partake in a better Covenant. 2. Let believers be convinced of this, It is not natural men only that need a Mediator to make their peace, and to change their Covenant-ſtate, but you alſo need a Mediator: 1. At all times before, and after juſtification, Rom. 5.6, 10, For when we were yet without ſtrength, in due time Chriſt died for the ungodly.—For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we ſhall be ſaved by his life. In making your peace, and maintaining it: before, and in, and after your converſion, you will need a Mediator, till you be in over the threſhold of glory; till you have put off the body of ſin, Joh. 6.44, No man can come to me except the father which ſent me, draw him. Song. 1.4, Draw me, we will run after thee. Luk. 22.32, But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. 2. To all intents and purpoſes, as well relating to your Covenant-ſtate, as to your duties; not only for your perſons, to make your peace; but alſo for your performances, to procure their acceptance, Rom. 3.24, Being juſtified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt, Rev. 8.3, And another Angel came and ſtood at the altar, having a golden cenſor, and there was given unto him much incenſe, that he ſhould offer it with the prayers of all Saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 3. In all things pertaining to God, whatſoever you have to do, if it be a thing that relates to God, Heb. 2.17, That he might be a merciful and faithful High-prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the ſins of the people. If you have any direction to receive from God, if you have any bleſſing to receive, you need a Mediator to procure it to you, and to receive it for you: If you have any ſervice to offer to God, any duty to perform, you need a Mediator both to afford you ſtrength to perform it, and to offer it to God for you: if you have any evil to deprecate, you need a Mediator to avert it, whether it be for ſins before, or after converſion. 1. In all caſes, not only in thy deadneſs, and indiſpoſitions for duties, but when thy heart is in beſt frame, thy tenderneſs and good frame cannot mediate for thee, Dan. 9.3, 17, And I ſet my face unto the Lord God to ſeek by prayers and ſupplications, with faſting, and ſack-cloath, and aſhes.—Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy ſervant, and his ſupplications, and cauſe thy face to ſhine upon thy ſanctuary that is deſolate, for the Lords ſake. Iſa. 38.3, 14, And Hezekiah wept ſore.—Like a Crane or a 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. Not only when thou art at diſtance with God, and canſt not find acceſs, but when thou art neareſt to him, and admitted to his preſence, to ſpeak before his throne, then thou needeſt a Mediator; not only for eſtabliſhing thee in that good condition, but for covering the evil of thy beſt condition, Iſa. 64.6, But we are all as an unclean thing, and our righteouſneſſes are as filthy rags. Chap. 6. v. 5, Then ſaid I, Wo is me, for I am undone, becauſe I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midſt of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have ſeen the king, the Lord of Hoſts.
Ʋſe 3. Study to carry as becometh thoſe who need a Mediator: and for this end take theſe directions: 1. Take care to beat down ſelf-confidence, and ſelf adoration, even of every thing in you that is not Chriſt, his gifts, and graces, and aſſiſtances not excepted; put not a created grace in Chriſts room; be not lifted up with theſe, nor led away from the Mediator by them, Phil. 3.…, 4, For we are the circumciſion which worſhip God in the ſpirit, and rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no confidence in the fleſh: Though I might alſo have confidence in the fleſh: if any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might truſt in the fleſh, I more. 2. When duties go well, and a good frame of ſpirit is enjoyed, watch that your hearts lay not the weight of your acceptation upon theſe things, but that you keep them eſpecially within ſight of Chriſts Mediation, as the ground of your confidence, Phil. 3.7, But what things were gain to me, thoſe I counted loſs for Chriſt. 3. Let your employing of him be as large as the extent of his mediation reaches to, and that is to all things pertaining to God, Heb. 2.17. Shut him not out of his office in any thing that is a matter betwixt God and you: think not to put him to drudg at your burdens, and to ſlight him in other things: he will not be ſo dealt with. 4. Let us beware of tempting Chriſt, of grieving the Mediator: if you carry about with you the freſh conviction of your need of him, you will be very tender and wary of tempting him, and ſinning againſt him, 1 Cor. 10.9, Neither let us tempt Chriſt as ſome of them alſo tempted, and were deſtroyed of Serpents.