The Wells of Salvation Opened, Section 9
SECT. IX.
4. AND lastly, Peter speaks to them concerning the Way of Salvation by Christ, vers. 43. To him gave all the Prophets witness, that through his Name whosoever believeth in him should receive remission of sins. There is no Name under Heaven whereby we can be saved, but the Name of Christ, Act. 4.11. and there is no salvation by Christ but by Faith. When the Jaylor with trembling enquired of Paul and Silas, What shall I do to be saved? they tell him, Believe in the Lord Iesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, Act. 16.30, 31.
There are three Arguments which will evidently prove, That all such as truely believe in Christ do receive remission of sins, and consequently are in a state of Salvation: The First may be drawn from Christs Satisfaction: The Second from Christs Intercession: The Third from the Promises of the New Testament.
I. First from Christs Satisfaction. If Christ hath fully satisfied Gods Justice for the sins of men, and this satisfaction be accepted by the Father in the behalf of sinners; and this satisfaction be imputed unto all them that truely believe in Christ, as if they bad made it themselves: Then all those that truely believe in Christ, do receive remission of sins; inasmuch as guilt being an obligation to punishment, and where satisfaction is made, this obligation is removed.
(1.) But first Christ hath made satisfaction to Gods Justice for the sins of men; he only was qualified to do it, and he hath actually done it.
1. Christ only was qualified to do it; no meer man could make it, because Gods Justice being infinite requireth an infinite satisfaction, and all Creatures are finite: but Christ was more than a Creature, he was God and Man in one person. It was necessary that he should be a Creature, because otherwise he could not have suffered, the Deity being impassible; it was necessary he should be Man, because Gods Justice required, that the same Nature which did commit sin, the same Nature should suffer punishment for it, Gen. 2.17. In the day thou eatest thereof, Thou a Man shalt die. Therefore Christ took not upon him the nature of Angels, but the seed of Abraham, Heb. 2.16. And it was necessary that he should be God; because otherwise he could never have born up under, nor have got loose from that dreadfull punishment which was inflicted upon him: It would have sunk the whole Creation under its weight: Because otherwise his Merits would not have been of infinite value, and fully satisfactory to Gods Justice: therefore he was God and Man in one person, and so duly qualified to make satisfaction.
2. Christ hath actually made satisfaction to Gods Justice for Mans sin: he hath born the punishment which their sins did deserve, 1 Pet. 2.24. Who his own self bare our sins, that is the punishment of our sins, in his own body on the tree, Isa. 53.5. He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities, and the chastisment of our peace was upon him. And Ephes. 5.2. He hath given himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour; which leadeth to the second particular.
(2.) This satisfaction which Christ hath made unto Gods Justice, is accepted in the behalf of sinners: There might be sufficiency of value in Christs sufferings and sacrifice to make satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, and yet God might have required the satisfaction from the offending party, and received the debt from none but sinners themselves that owed it: but God hath accepted Christs satisfaction, as is evident, 1. From Gods eternal Covenant with him, that if he would make his soul an offering for sin, he should see his seed, and should prosper in his work, Isa. 53.10.2. From his sealing and setting him apart for the office and work of Mediatour, Ioh. 6.27. Him hath God the Father sealed. 3. From his mission or sending him into the world for this very end, Ioh. 3.16. Gal. 4.5. 4. From his owning of him when he was sent, and that both by a voice from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased▪ and by his large effusion of the Spirit upon him, which did appear in his life so holy, his doctrine so pure, his miracles so powerfull. 5. From his raising him up from the dead on the third day, where he must have continued for ever, if having undertaken to satisfie, he had not done it, and it had not been accepted. 6. From his receiving him up into glory, and setting him at his right hand, and hearing his prayers in the behalf of sinners▪ All which Arguments do abundantly prove Gods acceptation of Christs satisfaction.
(3.) The satisfaction is as really imputed unto true Believers, as if they had made it themselves. Forasmuch as Faith doth appropriate Christ and his Righteousness, and therefore Christ is called (speaking of Believers) the Lord our Righteousness, Ier. 23.6. And we are called (through the imputation of the merits of his death by faith) The Righteousness of God in him, 2 Cor. 5.21. Christs Righteousness is made over to Believers by Faith as if it were their own. If then Christ hath fully satisfied Gods Justice for the sins of men; and this satisfaction is accepted by the Father in behalf of sinners, and imputed unto all true Believers, then all true Believers are absolved from the guilt of sin; and that not only upon the account of mercy, but justice too, which cannot require a double satisfaction; therefore God is said, as he is just, to justifie them which believe, Rom. 3.28.
II. The second Argument to prove, that all true Believers do receive remission of sins, may be drawn from Christs intercession. If Christ doth intercede for the remission of sins, and this intercession be prevalent with the Father, and all true Believers have an interest in this intercession, then all true Believers do receive remission of sins.
1. But first Christ doth intercede for the remission of sins, Heb. 7.25. Heb. 2.17. He intercedeth for reconciliation, therefore for remission of sins.
2. This Intercession is prevalent with the Father. Whatever Christ prayed for on earth he obtained, Ioh. 11.42. Surely then his intercession in Heaven is prevalent, which might be made further evident from his neerness and interest in the Father, from the dear love of the Father unto him; and because his intercession for remission of sins, is for that which he hath purchased by his death, and what the Father hath purposed and promised, and is for his glory to give.
3. All true Believers have an interest in Christs Intercession: having by faith an▪ interest in Christs person, they have an interest in Christs intercession.
III. The third Argument to prove that all true Believers do receive remission of sins, may be drawn from the promise of remission of sins in the New Testament, Heb. 8.12. I will be merciful unto their unrighteousness, and their sins and …niquities will I remember no more. Which New Testament is of full force through the death of Christ the Testator, Heb. 9.16, 17. And Believers have an interest in, and by faith do apply the promises to themselves; therefore true Believers do receive remission of sins.
Thus concerning Peters Sermon to Cornelius, and them which were with him, and the words which he spake to them whereby they were saved.