The Sure Mercies of David, Treatise · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
4. THE laſt head in the doctrinal part by way of illuſtration is, to ſhew how theſe Covenant-mercies are made ſure, in or by or through Jeſus Chriſt.
Now for clearing of this, obſerve theſe four things with reference to Jeſus Chriſt, whereby theſe mercies are made ſure. 1. His Hypoſtatical union. 2. His ſpiritual Unction. 3. The Covenant of Redemption. 4. The execution of Chriſts office in the work of mans Redemption.
1. Conſider the myſterious and ſtupendious union of the two natures in Jeſus Chriſt, whereby he is both God and Man united together in one perſon; by the former he hath ability, by the latter a capacity to make the Covenant ſure to the elect; ſo that now it is impoſſible the work ſhould miſcarry, as God he is omnipotent and cannot fail or fa… ſhort of his end, as man he is ſuitable to hi… work, and fitted with a body both for activ… and paſſive obedience; ſo that there is nothing required of mans nature, but Chri… (being in our ſtead) did effectually manag… it, for the Apoſtle ſaith, Col. 2.9. that i… him dwelleth all the fulneſs of the God-head bodily, [foreign i.e. foreign] i. e. naturally, perſonally, in ſuch a way as he is in no other Creature, in him we live, move, an… have our being as Creatures, but God is ſaid to dwell in the Saints in a higher manner, as his Children; In aliis ſanctis habitat Deus ut in templo, & Organo, effectivè, operativè, in Chriſto ſubſtantialiter. Aret. in loc.but the God-head is not ſaid to dwell in any man except Jeſus Chriſt, God and man: God dwells in the Saints by his ſpirit as in a Temple or Organ effectively, operatively, in Chriſt eſſentially, ſubſtantially: the word was made fleſh, and ſometimes there were ſparklings forth of his glory and majeſty, ſo that the Diſciples beheld his glory as that of the only begotten of the Father, Joh. 1.14. well then, ſince this is an undeniable myſterie, that God was manifeſted in the fleſh, and hath undertaken to manage the work of our Redemption in both natures, certainly he will make ſure work in what concerns him, for ſo ſaith the Prophet, Iſa. 42.4. he ſhall not fail nor be diſcouraged, till he have ſet judgement in the earth— he hath the powerful Hand of an infinite God, therefore he is mighty to ſave, and he hath the innocent Nature of a finite man, therefore he is fit to ſuffer: that's the firſt.
2. Conſider the compleat and abundant unction of Jeſus Chriſt, whereby he hath both ſufficiency and efficiency to go thorow his work, and authority for it alſo, the Scripture tells us that Jeſus Chriſt was annointed with oyle, and that above his fellows, Heb. 1.9. Chriſt was not only qualified with gifts and ornaments fit for office, but alſo to furniſh the ſouls of all the elect, and that both for ſanctification and edification, Jeſus Chriſt hath the ſpirit but not as others have it, for the Saints have but a ſcantling and ſmall meaſure thereof, but God giveth not the ſpirit by meaſure unto him, Eph. 4.7.Joh. 3.34. to every one of us is given grace according to the meaſure of the gift of Chriſt, but Chriſt hath it above all meaſure; for he hath the whole ſpirit ſubſtantially, he is and hath the treaſury of Grace, a ſtore-houſe of riches to ſupply indigent Creatures, in him are hid all the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledge, Col. 2.3. therefore of his fulneſs do we receive grace for grace, Joh. 1.16. it pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell, Col. 1.19. and this is laid up on purpoſe for the ſupply of his members, that from the head may be conveyed influences through the whole body, Epheſ. 4.13, 14, 15, 16. beſides he is annointed with authority for theſe ſupplies, Epheſ. 1.22, 23. he hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church, which is his body, the fulneſs of him that filleth all in all: hence he tells his Diſciples, that all power is given to him in Heaven and Earth, Mat. 28.18. adde to all this his fidelity, that as Moſes was faithful as a ſteward, much more is Chriſt as a Son faithful to him that appointed him, Heb. 3.2-6. Well now, lay all theſe together, and ſurely we need not queſtion the certainty of Covenant-mercies. Since Chriſt hath ſufficiency, authority, and fidelity, and is thus abundantly qualified for carrying on this Goſpel-deſign, he both can and will make good the mercies of the Covenant to the heirs of the promiſe; eſpecially conſidering,
3. The Covenant of Redemption, which is an admirable inſuring act of free-grace, ingaging all the perſons of the Sacred Trinity to carry on this work, eſpecially God the Son of whom we are now ſpeaking, this Covenant of Redemption is that mutual compact betwixt God the Father and the Son concerning the ſaving of loſt man, wherein each did undertake to act his part in this great affair, as thus, God the father doth elect a certain number whom Chriſt was to Redeem, he was to part with his beloved Son out of his boſome whiles he came to the earth to do this great work, Iſa 42.1, 4, 6.he was to uphold him, incourage him, put his ſpirit into him, call him in rightouſneſs, hold his hand, keep him, and give him for a Covenant of the people, give him to ſee his ſeed; Iſa. 53.10, 11. Cap. 49.5.and though they be but few in compariſon of the World, yet he will make him glorious, and in time he will ſatisfie him in giving him the Heathen for his inheritance and the uttermoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſion: Pſal. 2.8.this is the ingagement on the Fathers part, and then the Lord Jeſus, the Son of God promiſed the Father that he would aſſume the humane nature, and ſo become man, putting himſelf into the ſinners ſtead, becoming his ſurety, fulfill all righteouſneſs, by obeying the Moral Law, ſuffering for our breach of it, be betrayed, impriſoned, accuſed, condemned, crucified, buried, that he ſhould riſe from the dead, aſcend into Heaven, ſit at Gods right hand, intercede for Saints, &c. this part that Chriſt acted is fully laid down in Iſa. 53. throughout: this was the great tranſaction betwixt the Father and the Son from all Eternity: that there was ſuch a mutual agreement; See Titus 1.2. That this is no ſingular Doctrine, but opened before, See Mr. Bulkly Goſpel-Covenant. part. 1. ch. 4. p. 31. to p. 46 where 'tis fully opened— A ſo Mr. David Dickſon in his Therapentica ſac. Book 1. chap. 4. p. 23. to pag. 71.in hope of eternal life which God that cannot lye promiſed before the world began, to whom did God promiſe any thing before man was Created? certainly he promiſed ſomething to Jeſus Chriſt concerning mans Redemption as before-mentioned; ſuch a gracious plot was laid, and compact made betwixt the Father and the Son, and he cannot lye nor deny himſelf: So 2 Tim. 1.9. who hath ſaved us— according to his own purpoſe and grace which was given us in Chriſt Jeſus before the world began, i. e. as Chriſt was a common perſon, as head, inſtead of the elect, ſo we were given to him by this Covenant, and that from all eternity, but how come we to know this, that are but of Yeſterday; and ſo dim-ſighted that we cannot ſee afar off? Why ver. 10. it is now made manifeſt by the appearing of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, who hath aboliſhed death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Goſpel: for Chriſt revealeth all the ſecrets that were lockt up in the boſome of the Father. Well then, if this was the mutual ſtipulation betwixt the Father and the Son, there is no queſtion but they will be faithful to each other; in the Old Teſtament God the Father truſted God the Son upon his promiſe to lay down his life, and ſo brought thouſands of ſouls to Heaven before ever Chriſt was incarnate or ſuffered; and now when Chriſt hath gone through the greateſt part of his task, he truſteth God the Father to make good his part, that he may fully ſee his ſeed, prolong his dayes, and that the pleaſure of the Lord may proſper in his hand; and certainly there cannot be any failing on either part. Now this Covenant of Redemption is the Plat-form and foundation of the Covenant of Grace betwixt God and the Elect, there is the ſame number, and the like terms proportionably in both; hence it is that although a believer find an unfaithful, treacherous and unbelieving heart in himſelf daily departing from the living God, yet this Covenant is built upon an higher and firmer Covenant betwixt God the Father and God the Son, which cannot be broken and diſanulled; the Father and Son cannot deceive or be unfaithful to each other; hence then it cometh to paſs that the Covenant and the mercies thereof are ſo ſure: I ſhall conclude this head with that notable paſſage of Chriſts to his Father upon this very account, Joh. 17.4. I have finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do, i. e. I have hitherto made good and performed the conditions of the agreement on my part, ver. 5. and now, O Father, glorifie me with thine own ſelf, i. e. make good thy part, in my exaltation: this with reference to Chriſts perſen, then for his ſeed and members, he tells the Father that he had performed his part to them, in manifeſting his name to them, praying for them, preſerving of them, and now when he was to leave them, he deſires the Father to do his part of the work in keeping thoſe whom he had given him, ver. 11. in ſanctifying and ſaving them, 17.24. and can we imagine but that God, will be faithful to his Son on the behalf of his Saints, certainly he will; for as they were Redeemed by the Son, ſo they were Elected by the Father, and as God the Father gave them to Jeſus Chriſt by election, ver. 6. and Jeſus Chriſt dyed for them, and ſo Redeemed them, ſo God the Son reſignes them up again to the Father, who will certainly keep them by his power through faith unto ſalvation.
4. Another thing conſiderable concerning the inſuring of Covenant-mercies by and through Jeſus Chriſt is, that theſe are moſt fully aſſured to us by the execution of Chriſts Mediatory Offices, both in his eſtate of humiliation and exaltation: Let us here conſider, 1. Chriſts Offices. 2. His States.
1. Chriſts Offices are of three ſorts, as 1. Sacerdotal. 2. Prophetical. 3. Regal.
1. As Prieſt, Chriſt inſures to us many Covenant mercies, for he hath put himſelf in our ſtead, offered himſelf as a propitiatory Sacrifice to ſatisfie divine juſtice, which is a ſweet ſmelling ſavour, Eph. 5.2.and of infinite value: hence it is that Chriſt is called a merciful and faithful High-prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the ſins of the people, Heb. 2.17. certainly remiſſion of ſins is one of the grand mercies of the New Covenant, and this Chriſt aſſureth as Prieſt.
2. As Prophet he reveals to us the will of his Father, opens to us the ſealed Book, annoints our eyes by his bleſſed ſpirit, the ſpirit of Chriſt inſpired the Prophets of the Old Teſtament, 1 Pet. 1.10, 11.and the Apoſtles of the new in writing Scripture, and Miniſters in Preaching the Goſpel, and believers in diſcerning the meaning of the Word, and beauty of Chriſt: it is Chriſt as Prophet that writes his Law in Believers hearts which is one of the great mercies of the new Covenant: that inlightens dark minds, and unlocks to us Divine Myſteries, and bringeth us from darkneſs to light.
3. As King. Chriſt Jeſus doth what he pleaſeth for the good of his Church, converting and ſubduing ſouls to himſelf, granting to them the ſpirit of power, love and of a ſound mind, ſoftening their hard and ſtony hearts maſtering their high and ſturdy Wills, awing, ordering, and centring their unruly, roving and raging affections, ſubduing their ſtrong corruptions, regulating their converſations, begetting and increaſing their Graces, ſupporting them under and ſanctifying their afflictions,— all which Jeſus Chriſt as King works for his Covenanted ones.
Yet more particularly in the ſecond place, let us conſider how our Covenant-mercies are aſſured to us by Jeſus Chriſt with reference to his two eſtates of humiliation and exaltation.
1. In his eſtate of exinanition, and humiliation, here I might run through the inſtances of his contemptible birth, his deſpicable life (i. e. to a carnal eye) his being in the form of a ſervant, having no form nor comelineſs, his hunger, thirſt, wandrings, revilings of men, wrath of God, rage of Devils, all theſe confirm the Covenant, if we believe the hiſtory of the Goſpel; but there's one thing more that put all out of doubt, and that is his real, ready and voluntary death, for as he had a power, ſo he had a will to lay down his life, and he dyed for the confirmation of this Covenant, and all the mercies thereof, a pregnant proof of this you have in Heb. 9.15. the ſumm of which Text is, that Jeſus Chriſt the great Mediatour of this new Covenant hath ſuffered death for the ſins of the elect that were committed againſt the firſt Covenant, whereby all true believers might have the benefits of the new Covenant more ſurely and immutably made over to them, and this he further comfirmes by the paralel caſe of a Teſtament and the Teſtatour even amongſt men, ver. 16, 17. where a Teſtament is, there muſt alſo of neceſſity be the death of the Teſtator — no man can challenge a Legacy till he prove the death of him that left it, Thus the Apoſtle argues, Gal. 3.15 Erethren I ſp…ak after the manner of men: though it be but a mans Co…e…ant; y…t if it be co…irmed, to man diſanulleth or addeth thereto.for while he is alive he may alter his Will at his pleaſure, or as reaſon requireth, but when the Teſtator is dead, the heirs may look after their Legacies: Jeſus Chriſt is the Teſtator, Saints are the heirs, the Legacies are theſe mercies of the Covenant; now the Teſtator is dead, the Legacies come clear, and the heirs of promiſe may claim their intereſt therein, there's no alteration of the Will when the Teſtator is dead, there's no reverſing, true Chriſtians now come to enjoy their eſtates; Chriſt emptied himſelf that we might be filled, he loſt his life that we might live, he became poor that we through his poverty might be rich, 2 Cor. 8.9.
2. Chriſt's exaltation doth much more aſſure to us Covenant-mercies which conſiſts in, 1. His Reſurrection. 2. His Aſcenſion; and both theſe do abundantly confirm this to us.
1. Chriſts riſing again from the Grave aſſures us of the certainty of theſe mercies; for though he was dead, yet he is alive, and ſo lives to be his own Executor, if Chriſt had been detained Priſoner by the King of Terrours, we might groundedly ſuſpect that juſtice were not ſatisfied, nor mercies fully purchaſed; but he was delivered for our offences, and raiſed again for our juſtification, Rom. 4.25. and now he hath conquered death, and through death he hath deſtroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and ſo hath delivered the heirs of promiſe from the fear of death, Heb. 2.14, 15. nay and by his reſurrection he raiſeth us to a new life of holineſs here, and a bleſſed life of happineſs hereafter, Rom. 6.4. with cap. 8.11. 2 Cor. 4.14.Chriſts Reſurrection abundantly clears the Saints from all accuſations and condemnation, Rom. 8.33, 34. in this therefore we may rejoyce and triumph as the foundtain of our conſolation; See Act. 2.24, 25, 26.
2. Chriſts Aſcenſion into Heaven inſures and ſecures Covenant-mercies to us, both as it ſets him in the holy of holies, far above the reach of men and Devils, and as he went before to prepare a place for us, Joh. 14 2.he bids Mary to tell the Diſciples, Joh. 20.17. go to my Brethren and ſay unto them, I aſcend to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God, q. d. now you may be aſſured of your intereſt in God in a Covenant-way, for now I have done that work on earth that obſtructed your fellowſhip and obſcured your intereſt; ſo that now you may call him your God, and come unto him as your Father, without miſgivings within or challenges from without. There are two things in Chriſts Aſcenſion that aſſure theſe mercies to us. 1. His ſeſſion at Gods right hand. 2. His Interceſſion.
1. Jeſus Chriſt is ſet at Gods right hand in heavenly places, Epheſ. 1.20. and the two following verſes afford us two choice conſiderations that tend further to aſſure us, 1. That he is far above all principality and power, might, dominion, and every name in this world and that to come, ver. 21. i. e. Chriſt as man is advanced not only above all States and Potentates on earth, but above all Angels and Arch-angels in Heaven, therefore far above the Devils, none can hinder, all are his ſervants to help forward his deſign for the good of ſouls: oh what a ſweet conſideration is this, that our nature is advanced thus high? yea in the perſon of the Redeemer there is both ſympathie, ability, and authority, and therefore he will effectually manage his glorious undertaking: yet that's not all, for 2. In the 22 ver. 'tis ſaid, that he gave him to be the head over all things to the Church, i. e. not only to be the head of the Church, but to be Head and Governour over all things for the good of the Church; ſo that now the whole world is ſubordinate to him for the advantage of elect ſouls, and now every thing ſhall help them forward towards Heaven: yet further there is ſomething more in the phraſe and that is, that as the head is gone before to Heaven, ſo the members ſhall undoubtedly follow after, and ſo ſalvation ſhall be ſure, and this is very clear in that admirable Text, Epheſ. 2.6. and hath raiſed us up together, and made us ſit together in heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus: i. e. thus, it's as ſure as if were there already, or we are ſet there in our repreſentative, Jeſus Chriſt, or theſe holy places and priviledges on earth are an earneſt of glory, but indeed the ſaints are already ſaved, ſo ſaith Paul, ver. Rom. 8.24.5. by grace ye are ſaved, and elſewhere, we are ſaved by hope, ſo that we have (as it were) taken up our rooms (as one ſaith) in Heaven afore-hand, whereunto we have juſt right upon earth by vertue of union which is the ground of communion, for he that hath the Son hath life, Quia nondum haec quae commemorat, in membris apparent— propter arcanam tamen unitatem ad mimbra certò pertinent.—Calvin. in loc.i. e. he hath poſſeſſion of it as by Turf or Twig, he hath, in a ſort, Seiſin and delivery: our head is in Heaven, and although theſe things yet appear not in the members, yet becauſe of the hidden union betwixt the head and members, that which is peculiar to the one is appropriated to the other; hence ſaith the Apoſtle again, Col. 3.3, 4. Your life is hid with Chriſt in God,— when Chriſt who is our life ſhall appear, then ſhall ye alſo appear with him in glory,— when the dull ſhell of our mortal bodies ſhall be broken, then ſhall the pearl of Grace ſhine forth in its luſtre and glory: Yea he will alſo change our vile body, that it may be faſhioned like unto the glorious body of Jeſus Chriſt, Phil. 3.21.
2. Yet further, Chriſts interceſſion now he is in Heaven aſſures us of the certainty of Covenant-mercies, for he is Mediator, 1 Tim. 2 5.a middle perſon, and ſo fit to negotiate the buſineſs with God for poor man, and he intercedes effectually for guilty ſouls, by vertue of the worthineſs of his own perſon and merits, and as an advocate in a legal and judicial way he ſollicits for them and pleads their cauſe, and he appears in Heaven for them vindicating them from all accuſations, and will not all this ſatisfie? further, Chriſts interceſſion is of large extent, and of as powerful efficacy, for he can refuſe no cauſe put on him, but muſt and will intercede, being imployed; ſo he cannot but be heard alwayes; and his promiſe is as full, whatſoever ye ask in my name, it ſhall be done unto you, Joh. 14.13, 14. nay, I will do it: the Interceſſour is the Executour. See this Doctrine of Chriſts interceſſion pithily and profitably opened in Mr. Durhams Expoſ. of Revel. 8.1. Lect. 1. pag. 407. to 414.But I ſhall not be large in this ſweet point of Chriſts Interceſſion, becauſe many have Writ much about it, only take notice of that well-known Text in Heb. 7.25. (for a cloſe of this head) 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: this Text is a notable demonſtration of the excellency of Chriſts Prieſtly Office, tending to the confirmation of this point and conſolation of believers, wherein are theſe ſeven things. 1. The end of it, and that is to ſave ſouls, and the Infinite God will certainly accompliſh his end, men may fall ſhort, but God cannot miſcarry, I work, ſaith he, and who ſhall let it. 2. The univerſality of it, he ſaves all, i. e. all believers, rich and poor, whether they have more or leſs worthineſs, for they are not ſaved for their own but for Chriſts merits. 3. The efficacy thereof, he ſaves to the uttermoſt, (foreign) i. e. to the uttermoſt point or term of life, even to death and beyond it, or ſo as none can mend his work, for as he is the author, ſo he is the finiſher of our faith and hope, conſolation and ſalvation, none can come after him to finiſh what he hath begun: and he ſaves to the uttermoſt from all kinds of enemies, none can challenge an intereſt in ſouls after he hath done his work, and he ſaves to the uttermoſt, i. e. he leaves them not till he have brought them into the higheſt happineſs that Creatures are capable to enjoy: there is all manner of perfection in this ſalvation. 4. Here is the ſubjects or perſons ſaved, thoſe that come to God, or the condition, coming to God by Chriſt; now this is ſuch a diſpoſition as he himſelf doth work, for the power of his ſpirit doth effectually draw ſouls to God, Joh. 6.44, 45. the condition is believing and he works the condition: Chriſt is that ſure Ladder of Jacob by which ſouls may aſcend to God, and into Heaven, never any fell off this Ladder, or miſcarryed that came to God by Chriſt. 5. Chriſts ability to carry on that work, in the firſt words, be is able, this we cleared in the firſt head concerning the union of the two natures; he is omnipotent, therefore he is ſaid to be mighty to ſave, and if he can do any thing in this ſoul ſaving work, he will not fail thoſe that lay the whole ſtreſs of their ſouls upon him. 6. Here's his capacity to ſave, for the Text ſaith, he ever lives, a living Saviour can revive dying, dead ſouls: if Chriſt were not alive, there would be no hope of life by him, in vain ſhould we ſeek for living injoyments among the dead: but our Saviour is revived and lives for ever: he is the living Bread that came down from Heaven, Joh. 6.5. and is again riſen and aſcended up into Heaven, and becauſe he lives, we live alſo. 7. There's his compleat execution of his preſent office: he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them, ſaith the Text, therefore muſt needs compleat the work he hath begun on earth, as the High-prieſt under the Law, Levit. 16.14. Heb. 9.11.12.our Mediatour ſprinkles the vertue of his meritorious Offering here on earth upon the mercy-ſeat now in Heaven, and continually bears the names of his Saints upon his breſt, and appears in the preſence of God for us, Heb. 9.24. ſo that we have a friend in our nature to own us in open Court, yea God the Father bade him welcome into Heaven, and as a token thereof, ſets him upon his right hand: which is an evidence of honour, as Solomon dealt with his Mother, and then bids him ask, and he would give him all that was in his heart; certainly, then the mercies of the Covenant muſt needs be ſure, and that in Chriſt the Mediatour, ſince his Interceſſion is ſo prevailing that he ſaid in the dayes of his fleſh, when praying over Lazarus's Grave, Father, I knew that thou heareſt me alwayes, Joh. 11.42.
Thus I have diſpatcht the Doctrinal part of this ſubject wherein I have endeavoured to clear up what the mercies of the Covenant are, in what reſpects they are ſaid to be ſure, by what means and wayes they are made ſure, and how they are made ſure in and by Jeſus Chriſt, the great Mediator of the Covenant.