Christ All and in All, Sermon 15

Christ All and in All · Sermon 15

p. 324Luk. 1. 69.

Hath raiſed up an horn of ſalvation.XVI. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth. Lon. Aug. 29. 1652.

THeſe words are a part of that holy Song or Prophecie, which was uttered by Zacharias the father of John Baptiſt, after the uſe of his ſpeech was reſtored to him. God was pleaſed to deprive him of the uſe of his ſpeech for a time, that he might correct him for his unbelief, as you reade, v. 20. of this chapter. The occaſion was this; An Angel of the Lord is ſent to him, as he was burning incenſe in the Temple, to inform him that his wife Elizabeth ſhould conceive and beare him a ſonne, v. 13. Zacharias knowing that both himſelf, and his wife were now ſo old, that according to the ordinary courſe of nature they could not expect ſeed, doth in an unbeleeving manner deſire a ſigne from the Angel, ver. 18. the Angel gives him a ſigne; which was not onelyonly a ſigne, but inflicted upon him as a puniſhment; Thou ſhalt be dumb and not able to ſpeak, ver. 20. The childe being born and circumciſed on the eighth day, according to the Law, God remembers his ſervant, and opens his mouth … ſo long ſhut, … God fills his hear… … by vertue of which … which begins, v. 68. and … 80. This prophecy hath two parts, … Preface or Introduction.

1. That that concernes Chriſt, v. 68. to v. 76.

2. That that concernes John, v. 76. to v. 80.

(1) Concerning Chriſt, there are two things uttered.

1. He bleſſed God for the Miſſion of Chriſt. v. 68. Bleſſed be the Lord God of Iſrael, for he hath viſited his people.

2. He ſhews the benefit the Elect have by this ſending of Chriſt. This is two fold.

Firſt, Redemption. This is amplified by many words which ſignifie one and the ſame thing. He hath redeemed his people, he hath raiſed up a horn of ſalvation, &c.

Secondly, Sanctification. This is ſet down v. 74, 75. That he would grant us, that being delivered, &c. We might ſerve him without fear in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, &c.

(2.) Concerning John there are likewiſe two things Prophecied.

1. The nature of his office; He ſhould be an extraordinary Prophet, v. 76.

2. The work of this Prophet, with the ſucceſſe he ſhould have in his work, v. 76, 77, &c. Thou ſhalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his way, &c. God that had raiſed him in an extraordinary manner, would bleſſe him with more them ordinary ſucceſſe, Many of p. 326the children of Iſrael ſhall he turn unto the Lord his God, as the Angel had told him, ….

The words which I have read, are a part of that Prophecy which is uttered concerning Chriſt. They are a glorious title which Zachary gives him before he was borne. A horne of ſalvation. From which title we gather this Note.

Doct. That Jeſus Chriſt is a horne of ſalvation to the Elect. God hath raiſed him up for this very purpoſe, to be unto his Elect an horne of ſalvation. God hath raiſed up (ſaith he) foreign, he was not yet raiſed, but the time now drew neere; God had promiſed it. Faith looks on what God hath promiſed, as a thing already done. And then this phraſe [In the houſe of his ſervant David] is added, to ſhew the accompliſhment of the promiſe of Chriſt made to David God had often promiſed David, that he would raiſe up one out of his loynes, to ſit upon his Throne, and that his Kingdome in Chriſt ſhould be a perpetual Kingdome, Jer. 23. 5. Jer. 30. 9. Now at this time, the Kingdome of David was even caſt down, the Scepter was even departed from Judah; the promiſes of God made to David ſeemed now to faile, his Kingdome was even broken, therefore is Chriſt ſaid here to be raiſed in the houſe of David, becauſe in Chriſt the Tabernacle of David was raiſed up, which was even fallen, according to that Prophecie, Amos 9. 11. And therefore Chriſt is called alſo the horn of David, Pſalm. 132. 17. becauſe he was raiſed up to fulfil the promiſe made to David, for the perpetuation of his Kingdome. And he is called the horne of the houſe of Iſrael, Ezek. 29. 21. 'Tis a … interpreters generally … his Elect an horne of ſalvati….

In the opening of this, three … be explained.

1. What ſalvation is here meant.

2. Why Chriſt is called a horne of … vation.

3. How he comes to be a horne of ſalvation to the Eect, to deliver them.

Chriſt is ſalvation, 1. Privatively. Chriſt is ſalvation, 2. Poſitively.

1. He is a horne of ſalvation Privatively, in three reſpects.

1. In reſpect of ſinne.

2. In reſpect of Satan.

3. In reſpect of men.

1. In reſpect of ſinne. Sinne is a thing which doth much endanger the ſoules of the Elect. 'Tis indeed the onelyonly great endangerer. Neither the devil nor men could endanger them, if it were not for ſinnes which betray them into the hands of both. There are three things in ſinne from which the Elect need to be ſaved.

(1) The guilt of ſinne. Guilt is the obligation of the ſinner to deſerved puniſhment. This doth every ſinne expoſe the ſinner unto, Lev. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4. Now Jeſus Chriſt is ſalvation to them in reſpect of this. He hath taken all their guilt upon himſelf, and ſo freed them from it, ſo that though there be upon them ſimple guilt, yet p. 328none that ſhall for ever redound upon the perſon. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of this ſalvation, T…. …. 14. He gave himſelf for us, that he might red…me us from all iniquity. This is that which the Angel tells Joſeph from the interpretation of his name, Mat. 1. 21. He ſaves them from then ſinne, by being made ſinne for them, as the Apoſtle ſpeake, 2 Cor. 5. 21. From hence is the juſtification of our perſons in Gods ſight.

(2) The Dominion of ſinne. The Dominion of ſinne is the ſovereignty and command which ſinne exerciſeth over all men by nature. Hence it is that they are called foreign. The Apoſtle uſeth this expreſſion, Rom. 6. 16, 17. To whom ye yield your ſelves ſervants to obey, his ſervants ye are to whom ye obey, &c. Now Chriſt is a horn of ſalvation to them in this reſpect, for he doth by the communication of his Spirit undermine and aboliſh the Lordly dominion of ſinne, and by the infuſion of grace, and the communication of the Divine nature to them, cauſe them to become the ſervants of righteouſneſſe. Of this the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Rom. 6. 18. Being made free from ſinne, ye became the ſervants of righteouſneſſe. This is the work of Sanctification. Of this the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Tit. 2. 14. Who gave himſelfe for us, that he might purifie us unto himſelfe, &c. Chriſt takes off the yoke of ſinne, and puts on the neck the yoke of grace. This the Apoſtle fully expreſſes, Rom. 8. 2. The Law of the Spirit of life in Chriſt Jeſus, hath made me free from the Law of ſin and death.

(3) The condemnation of ſinne. The wages of ſinne is damnation, Rom. 6. ult. Jeſus Chriſt is a horne of ſalvation to his … for he hath … the wine … anger, and ſuffered the … their ſinnes for them. Of … ſpeaks, in 1 Pet. …. 2…. Who his … ſinnes in his body, &c. And the … affirms, Rom. 8. 1. That there i… … to them that are in Chriſt Jeſus. Thus in reſpect of ſinne Chriſt is a horne of ſalvation.

2. In reſpect of Satan. Satan is a ſworne adverſary to the Elect. He goeth about continually like a roaring lion, ſeeking how he may devoure them, 1 Pet. 5. 8. There are three things in reſpect whereof Chriſt is ſalvation to them from Satan.

1. The Dominion of Satan. The Elect are by nature as well as others the bondſlaves of Satan, Eph. 2. 2. they are his ſervants by nature, and by their own voluntary ſinfulneſſe they have enſlaved themſelves to his bondage more: Of this the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Tim. 2. 26. Now Jeſus Chriſt is ſalvation to the Elect from this eſtate. He doth at the converſion of the Elect, cut the cords and unlooſe the chaines, by which the devil holds them faſt in bondage. Of this our Saviour ſpeaks, Luke 11. 21. By his death he did triumph over him, Col. 2. 15. and at the moment of our converſion, he doth actually put us into the poſſeſſion of this victory. Acts 26. 18. He doth then turn us from the power of Satan unto God.

2. The temptations of Satan. Satan as he tempted Chriſt the Head, of which we reade, Mat. 4. 1, 2, 3. ſo doth he not ceaſe to aſſault and tempt all his members. The more viſible p. 330Chriſts image is in any perſon, the more violently doth the devil aſſault him. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of this as in many other places, ſo fully in Eph. 6. 12. Now in this reſpect Chriſt is ſalvation to them. He ſtands by them, that theſe temptations may not prevaile over them. He interpoſeth himſelf between them and the teeth of this roaring lion; that he may not have his will on them. Of this our Saviour ſpeaks, Luk. 22. 31, 32.

3. The accuſations of Satan. The devil is called in Scripture, The accuſer of the brethren, Rev. 12. 10. and he is a diligent creature at this work, for he accuſeth them day and night before the Lord. There are many imperfections and weakneſſes in the children of God, they do too often ſtep aſide out of Gods way, we have too many ſad inſtances of the truth of this in Scripture which I need not name. The Devil takes occaſion from theſe to accuſe us, not onelyonly to men, but to God. He that turnes every ſtone to hurry us into ſinne, doth when he hath overcome us, repreſent all to God againſt us in the uglieſt ſhape he can, that he may hinder mercy from us. Yes, he is ſo malicious, that when he can have nothing viſibly to lay to our charge, he will pretend ſomething, as we ſee in the caſe of Job, Chap. 1. 9, &c. Ch. 2. 4, &c. Chriſt now is a horne of ſalvation to us in this reſpect; He ſtands continually pleading for us at Gods right hand; as ſoone as Satan puts in a Bill, Chriſt puts in an anſwer, and ſo doth caſt out and nullifie all his Accuſations. Thus is he ſalvation to them in reſpect of Satan.

3. In reſpect of …n. … by men, both in the… … ſpiritual eſtate.

1. In their outward …. Men … againſt them: they … becauſe they … image, they have ſo much of the … Becauſe I have choſen you out of the …, therefore doth the world hate you, John 15. 19. The great ones of the world, they riſe up often againſt them, and vex them, &c. Now Chriſt is ſalvation to them in this regard. Sometimes breaking the hornes that devoure them. Sometimes melting the hearts of their devourers, making their enemies their friends. Sometimes removing them from them that would break them; alwayes delivering them from the evil and hurt of the attempts made againſt them, turning them for their greater and beſt good; He makes their vinegar better then their wine. Of this the Apoſtle was confident in his own caſe, Phil. 1. 19. This ſhall turne to my ſalvation, through your prayer and the ſupply of the Spirit of Jeſus Christ. Chriſt is a horne even of temporal ſalvation to the Elect in this regard. He makes your troubles as good friends to you as your comforts; He makes your worſt conditions work together for your beſt good.

2. In your ſpiritual eſtate. Chriſt is ſalvation to you from men in two reſpects.

Firſt, In regard of the corruptions of the world. Wicked men give wicked examples, and by the example of one wicked man others are corrupted. Now albeit the Godly are ſometimes infected, in regard of ſome particular acts; yet p. 332are they ſaved from the general corruptions of wicked men, amongſt whom they live. Jeſus Chriſt keeps them from ſoyling themſelves as others do. This is that which is recorded of the Angel of the Church of Pergamus, Rev. 2. 1…. and of thoſe few in Sardis, chap. 3. 4. Th…s was Noah ſaved in that corrupt age in which he lived, Gen. 7. 1.

Secondly, …n regard of the evil counſels of men. Wicked men are of the ſame minde with the devil their father. They are daily tempting, inticing, alluring and perſwading the godly to walk with them in their wayes. Joſeph was tempted by his Miſtreſſe, Gen. 39. 7. This is put in amongſt the Catalogue of the ſufferings of the old Martyrs, that they were tempted, Heb. 11. 37. Chriſt the great Counſellor of his Church ſaved all theſe from yielding to ſuch temptations. Though they are ſometimes enſnared, yet they are againe brought off by Chriſt from thoſe enſnarements, and Chriſt gives them power afterward the more to reſiſt them, and to abhor them.

II. Poſitively, Chriſt is ſalvation.

1. In reſpect of grace.

2. In reſpect of glory. Jeſus Chriſt is eternal ſalvation unto the Elect. All that ſalvation which hath been mentioned before, is in reference to this which is the upſhot of all. He therefore ſaves them from ſinne, from the devil, from men, that he may bring them to this eternal happineſſe. He is called in Scripture eternal life, 1 John 5. 20. The Authour of eternal ſalvation, Heb. 5. 9. The ſalvation of Iſrael, Pſal. 53. 6. The Captaine of our ſalvation, Heb. 2. 10. To ſhew that this eternal … from him.

1. He hath merited this ſalvation for the Elect: 'Tis his purchaſe.

2. He keeps it for them, and them … 1 John 5. 11.

3. He will actually put them into full poſſeſſion of it, when he returnes from heaven in the latter end of the world; of which he ſpeaks, John 14. 3. Thus much for the firſt particular, namely the extent of that ſalvation, of which Chriſt is ſaid to be an Horn. He is the ſalvation of the Elect Privatively from all evil; Poſitively to all good, till he have brought them to heaven the place of eternal ſalvation.

2. Why Chriſt is called an Horn of ſalvation. That we may come to the full underſtanding of this, let us conſider how the word is uſed in Scripture. Now we finde that this word doth Metaphorically denote two things eſpecially.

1. Glory and dignity; So we finde it uſed, Lam. 2. 3. where the Church complaining of the miſery which had befallen her, hath theſe expreſſions, The Lord hath cut off in his fierce anger all the Horn of Iſrael, That is, whatſoever was glorious or excellent in Iſrael, God hath now removed. So we may ſee cleerly if we reade the firſt verſe. The Lord hath caſt down from heaven unto earth the beauty of Iſrael, he hath covered the daughter of Sion with a cloud, &c. and then it follows, He hath cut off all the Horne of Iſrael. The glory of God manifeſted in his appearings, when he brought Iſrael out of Egypt, is expreſſed by this Metaphor, p. 334Hab. 3. 3, 4. His glory covered the heavens, &c. His brightneſſe was as the light, He had hornes coming out of his hand, &c. So Pſal. 9…. 10. My Horn, ſaith the Pſalmiſt; ſhalt thou exalt like the horn of an Ʋnicorn; that is, thou ſhalt encreaſe my glory and dignity.

2. Serength and Power. So 'tis uſed, Lam. 2. 17. He hath ſet up the horn of thine Adverſaries, ſaith the Church, that is, he hath encreaſed the power and ſtrength of thine Adverſaries. So when God threatens to weaken the power of Moab, he doth it by this Metaphor, Jerem. 48. 25. The Horn of Moab is cut off, and his arme is broken. The breaking of the arme doth fully expound the cutting off of the Horn. And when God promiſeth to give his people power to ſubdue their enemies; he uſeth this expreſſion, Micah 4. 13. Ariſe and threſh, &c. for I will make thine horne Iron. Now then when Chriſt is called an Horn of ſalvation, the meaning of the Holy Ghoſt is,

1. The glory of his ſalvation.

2. The ſtrength of his ſalvation.

Firſt, The glory of his ſalvation. Jeſus Chriſt is a glorious Saviour; and the ſalvation which he brings to his people is a glorious ſalvation, in three reſpects.

1. Conſider the perſon of Christ. God raiſed up many hornes of ſalvation for his people, when they were in diſtreſſe. The Hiſtory mentions them, Neh. 9. 27. According to thy manifold mercy thou gaveſt them Saviours which ſaved them. Gideon, and Jepthah, and Sampſon, &c. they are called Saviours, becauſe they ſaved inſtrumentally the people of God from their enemies. But they were but mean Saviours in reſpect of Chriſt, his perſon … They were but men; He God … perſon. Though his glory was … eyes of carnal men, yet they that had ſpiritual eyes did behold it, John …. 14. We … glory, the glory as of the … begotten of the Father. If the perſon of Chriſt be compared with the perſons of other ſaviours, it will appeare that he is a glorious Saviour. All other horns of ſalvation were but wooden horns, Chriſt is a golden Horn of ſalvation.

2. Conſider the nature of the ſalvation it ſelf. 'Tis ſpiritual ſalvation, 'tis eternal ſalvation. All thoſe hornes of ſalvation, which were raiſed up in ſundry ages for the defence of the Church, were but horns of outward ſalvation, and of temporary ſalvation. They ſaved onelyonly the outward man, and that neither but for a time. The Church was in as much peril after they had wrought ſalvation for them, as ever they were before. When Gideon was dead, the children of Iſrael fell into as great danger as they were in before. So after the death of Jepthah, and after the death of Sampſon, they were overwhelmed with as great hazards as before, as you may reade in the ſtory in the book of Judges. But now Chriſt is a Horn of ſalvation to their ſoules, as well as to their bodies. He ſaves them from their ſpiritual enemies, Sinne, Satan, as well as from men. He ſaves them from the wrath to come, 1 Theſ. 1. 10. And then he ſaves them for ever. The Church never can be, never will be in that danger again as they were before this Horn of ſalvation was raiſed. He hath for ever perfected them that are ſanctified, Heb. 10. 14.

p. 3363. Conſider the glorious manner of the working of this ſalvation. Never any ſalvation ſo glorious at this. There are three things in it.

(1) He ſaved the Elect by his own power. The power by which all other hornes of ſalvation delivered the Church, was by a power one of themſelves; the ſtrength they had was none of their own, but the power by which Chriſt ſaved, and ſtill ſaves his Church, is from himſelfe; the Divinity impowered the Humanity, Pſal. 98. 1. His own right hand, and his own holy Arme hath gotten him the victory.

(2) He ſaved the Elect ſolely. Other horns of ſalvation had the concurrence of many beſides themſelves, Gideon, and Jepthah, and Sampſon, &c. They blew the trumpet and gathered multitudes, to aſſiſt them in the battels which they fought for the ſalvation of the Church. All Iſrael came after them: But this Horn of ſalvation wrought the Churches deliverance alone, Eſay 63. 3, 5. I have troden the wine-preſſe alone, &c. He had no other Horne to help him; He entred the field, and fought the battel alone, and by himſelf obtained the victory.

3. He ſaved the Church by his own death. Other hornes of ſalvation delivered the Church by the death of the enemy. Ehud ſlew Eglon, but he himſelf did not die, Iudges 3. 21, 22. Gideon ſhew Zeha and Zalmunna the enemies of Iſrael, Judges 8. 21. but he himſelf was not ſlain. But now this Horn of ſalvation got the victory by dying, his Croſſe was his Conqueſt. He triumphed over principalities and powers on the Croſſe, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Col. 2. 15. He ſubdued all the horne of the … of his blood. … life, his grave is our victory. … do fully prove that Jeſus … ſalvation; that is, a gloriou… …lvation … firſt.

Secondly, The strength of his … Chriſt is a ſtrong Saviour; the ſalvation … he works for his people hath ſtrength in it. He hath raiſed up a mighty ſalvation for us; ſo ſome tranſlations render this text. To this agrees that of the Prophet, Pſal. 89. 19. I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one choſen out of the people. When God committed our ſalvation to Chriſt, he committed it to one that was mighty. Chriſt is not a reed of ſalvation, but a rock of ſalvation. A ſtrong Redeemer, as the Scripture calls him, Ierem: 50. 34. Conſider four things.

1. What ſtrong enemies Chriſt was to vanquiſh, that he might ſave us.

(1) He was to ſave us from ſinne. Now ſin was very ſtrong, it grew faſt and deep in the heart. Sinne is interwoven in the very conſtitution of every man. Chriſt could not ſave the Elect, if he did not pluck up the very roots of ſinne. He was to ſave them from the guilt, from the power, from the filthineſſe, yea from the very being of ſinne. Had he not been very ſtrong, he could not have ſubdued ſuch a potent enemy as ſinne was.

(2) He was to ſave them from the devil. The devil is called in Scripture, The ſtrong man, yea, the ſtrong man armed, Luke 11. 21. One devil hath more ſtrength then all the men in the world, and there are many Legions of p. 338devils which are in the poſſeſſion of the Elect by nature. The devils are called principalities and powers, for the greatneſſe of their ſtrength, Eph. 6. 12. Jeſus Chriſt, if he had not been very ſtrong, could never have routed theſe mighty ſpirits. Conſider,

2. The manner how he was to ſave us. He was to beare and undergo the wrath of his Father for his Elect; a heavy burthen, which they were notable to bear. The grappling with ſinne and Satan was but eaſie in reſpect of this, to beare the wrath of God without ſinking. The Prophet ſpeaks of this, Eſay 53. 5, 6. all the puniſhment of the ſinnes of men was laid on Chriſt. He treadeth the wine-preſſe of the fierceneſſe and wrath of Almighty God, Rev. 19. 15. There it's ſpoken of him as the Executioner of his Fahters wrath, but he did firſt tread it as a ſufferer. And he did beare all this alone. And he was to undergo it without ſinking and fainting. Had he not been a ſtrong ſalvation, he had periſhed under this burden. To beare the wrath of God, is a greater work then the ſubduing of all the devils ſtrength. He could have done this by a word; but to ſatisfie the juſtice of his Father, could not be done without his perſonal ſuffering. Conſider

3. The multitude of the perſons he was to ſave. Thouſands and millions, an innumerable multitude the Scripture affirmes them to be, Rev. 7. 9. All the Elect of God which did then live; yea, all that had been, all that ſhould be to the end of the world. Had he not been a ſtrong Saviour, he could not have ſaved ſo many. And (which doth ſhew his ſtrength more) All theſe were at firſt unwilling to be ſaved by him. The Elect, when Jeſus Chriſt … them, and to apply the ſalvation … which he hath merited for them, are … unwilling to be ſaved; they runne away from him, they like their condition ſo well, that they deſire not to be removed out of it. They … ject Chriſt, yea they fight againſt Chriſt and the ſalvation that he brings, until he have ſubdued their hearts, and of unwilling made them willing, by the power of his irreſiſtible grace. And then they willingly and freely adhere to him; Draw us, and we will runne after thee. Conſider

4. The perfection and fulneſſe of his ſalvation. His ſalvation is a compleat ſalvation. This is that which the Apoſtle ſaith, Heb. 7. 25. He is able to ſave foreign to the uttermoſt, o… to perfection. What is it to ſave to the uttermoſt or to perfection?

1. 'Tis to ſave the whole man.

2. 'Tis to ſave from all evil to all good.

3. 'Tis to ſave to eternity. Jeſus Chriſt doth perfectly ſave in all theſe reſpects. He will never leave off his Elect till he hath brought them to glory. Chriſt is called a Horne of ſalvation, becauſe he ſaves both Offenſively and Defenſively; he ſaves his people, and wounds his enemies, It's a Metaphor from horned creatures, which do ſave themſelves, and offend their aſſailant. Thus much for the ſecond particular; Why he is called an Horn of ſalvation.

3. How Chriſt comes to be an Horn of ſalvation. This is expreſſed in this word foreign, God hath raiſed him up. This phraſe notes theſe three things.

1. Gods decree whereby Jeſus Chriſt was from p. 340eternity deſigned to this work. The Scripture …lls that by a ſolemne Decree of all the three Perſons, Jeſus Chriſt the ſecond perſon, was deſigned for this work of ſalvation. He was ſet apart by the determinate Counſel of God, to be the Authour of ſalvation unto the Church. The Pſalmiſt ſpeaks of this, Pſal. 2. 6, 7. Yet have I ſet my King, &c. I will declare the Decree; the Lord hath ſaid unto me, Thou art my Sonne, this day have I begotten thee.

2. Gods Miſſion of Christ. As he was before all time appointed for this work; ſo he was in the fulneſſe of time ſent to accompliſh it. In the fulneſſe of time God ſent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeeme them that were under the Law, Gal. 4. 4, 5. Of this Miſſion the Prophet ſpeaks largely; Eſay 61. 1, 2, 3. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, &c. He hath ſent me to binde up the broken hearted, &c. To this belongs that ſolemne publick promulgation of the Father, whereby he proclaimed Chriſt as his ſalvation to the world, Mat. 3. 17. by an immediate voice from heaven, This is my well beloved Sonne.

3. The Act of God in furniſhing Chriſt with ſuch qualifications as might render him fit for ſuch a work. As he eſtabliſhed him by his Decree, and by his publick Miſſion ſealed him for this work; ſo he did furniſh him with all thoſe qualifications which were neceſſary for the carrying of it on for the good of his Elect. This furniſhing of Chriſt relates to two things.

1. The preparing of a body for him. A humane nature was neceſſary for him, that was to be the ſalvation … muſt be made to Juſtice by the … that committed the treſpaſſe. And … beſides the Divine Nature was not capable of ſaving that way that ſalvation muſt be wrought, namely by ſuffering. God therefore fitted Chriſt with a body, in which body by the grace of perſonal union the God-head was cauſed to dwell. Of this the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Heb. 10. 5. Sacrifice and meat-offering thou wouldest not have, but a body haſt thou fitted me.

2. By conferring upon the humane nature fulneſſe of all thoſe ſpiritual qualifications and endowments which were neceſſary for him, to the carrying on of his work. Strength, wiſdome, judgement, mercy, love, patience and many other graces were needful for this work of ſalvation. God therefore furniſhed Jeſus Chriſt with all theſe, Eſay 11. 1, 2, 3. And as he had variety of all theſe graces, ſo did God beſtow upon him a fulneſſe, of all theſe; not a limited, ſtinted fulneſſe, as he beſtowed upon others; but an unmeaſurable fulneſſe of all grace; A fulneſſe of redundancy, which from him might flow out to all the Elect for the filling of them with a fulneſs of ſufficiency. Of this the Scripture ſpeaks, John 3. 34. and Iohn 1. 16. In all theſe reſpects God hath raiſed him up to be a Horne of ſalvation. Thus much for the opening of the Doctrine.

The Uſes of this Doctrine.

Ʋſe 1. For Information, in two things.

Firſt, The miſerable condition of thoſe that are without Ieſus Chriſt. Who are without Chriſt? p. 342Not onelyonly Jewes, and Turks, and Pagans, but all unbeleevers in the Church. Whoſoever is without true ſaving faith, is without Chriſt. 'Tis faith that makes Chriſt Actually ours Faith unites us to Chriſt, and Chriſt to us. Their miſery is very great. Chriſt is a horn of ſalvation, the onelyonly Horn of ſalvation; he that is without Chriſt, is without ſalvation: God hath put the ſalvation of men into Chriſts hands, 1 Iohn 5. 11. He hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Sonne. And he that hath the Sonne hath life; but he that hath not the Son hath not life, ver. 12. God himſelf cannot ſave him that is without an intereſt in Chriſt. He hath ſet down this way of ſalvation, and he cannot deny himſelf. It is a queſtion amongſt the Schoolmen, whether God could have ſaved ſinners without Chriſts ſatisfaction. They generally conclude upon good grounds that he might; but now 'tis not ſo much as a queſtion. God hath reſolved, that whoſoever is ſaved, ſhall be ſaved by Chriſt; and without mutability, he cannot ſave men another way. Better never to have ſeen the light, then to die without an intereſt in Chriſt. And he that doth not beleeve truely in him, hath no ſaving intereſt in him, Iohn 3. 18. How ſhall I know whether I do truly beleeve or no? I ſhall here to help you, lay down a twofold note of true faith.

1. It is a heart-purifying grace. This effect of faith the Apoſtle mentions, in Acts 15. 9. Whoſoever hath true faith in Chriſt, will find his heart purified and cleanſed thereby. The efficient cauſe of the purification of the heart is the Spirit of God, who is called the Spirit of Sanctification, 2 Theſ. 2. …3. The … cauſe is Chriſts blood; 1 Iohn …. 7. The inſtrumental cauſe is faith. This grace purifies the hear… as it is an inſtrument whereby the blood of Chriſt which purifies, is conveyed to the ſoul▪ and as it doth take hold upon the promiſe of cleanſing; the promiſe is, I will ſprinkle clean water, Ezek. 36. 25. Faith applies this promiſe and improves, and ſo purifies the heart. If you have not purification of heart, you have not faith; and if you have not faith, you have not Chriſt as a Horne of ſalvation. Now that heart may be ſaid to be purified, that hath theſe three properties.

1. If it bewaile impurity. Impurity that is truly lamented, is in Gods account as if it were removed, Rom. 7. 23, 24. If thy pollution be thy greateſt burden, thy heart is purified in Gods ſight.

2. If it be cautious of every thing that may defile. A heart that is purified, dares not willingly come neere any defiling puddle, it will avoid occaſions, temptations of defilement, Iob 31. 1. Carefulneſſe of ſhunning defilement is an infallible note of purification.

3. If it be through inadvertency defiled, it will not be quiet till it be made clean. A purified heart cannot lie in any uncleanneſſe when God hath once diſcovered it to him. Thus David, when he ſaw his pollution, with what earneſtneſſe doth he run to the Laver that he may be waſhed? Pſ. 51. 2, 7.

2. Saving faith hath very high and precious thoughts of Chriſt. This character is laid down by the Apoſtle, in 1 Pet. 2. 7. No unbeleever can truly have precious thoughts of Chriſt, nay they p. 344have low thoughts of him, as 1 Pet. 2. 7, 8. and Cant. …. 9. Try your faith by this note. Now if Chriſt be truly precious;

(1) He ſhall reig… and rule over thee. His precepts will be as precious as his promiſes. His Sovereignty will be as precious as his ſacrifice; his yoke will be as deſirable as his merits; the Apoſtle oppoſeth ſaith and diſobedience, 1 Pet. 2. 7. Where Chriſt is diſobeyed, he is not beleeved in.

(2) If Chriſt be truly precious to thee, his diſhonours will pierce thy ſoul. The diſhonours done to him in his truths, worſhip, government, will be a greater grief to thy heart then all the diſhonours that are done unto thy ſelfe.

(3) If Chriſt be truly precious to thee, it will be thy meat and drink to do him any ſervice. Thou wilt make it thy ſtudy to ſet him up, and to make him great where ever thou comeſt.

(4) If Chriſt be precious to thee, all his Ordinances will be precious. Thou wilt have a high eſteeme of his Word, of his Sacraments, of his Sabbaths, and that for his ſake, who hath inſtituted theſe things. If it be not thus with thee, thou art an unbeleever; and if an unbeleever, thou haſt for preſent no ſaving intereſt in him that is the horne of ſalvation.

Secondly, The impoſſibility of the periſhing of any of the Elect. Their eternal ſalvation is a thing of abſolute certainty. They can never periſh. They may ſeem to be loſt ſometimes in their own apprehenſion. I ſaid (ſaith Jonah) I am caſt out of thy ſight, Jonah 2. 4. He was in his own eyes, as if he had been a caſt-a…ay … impoſſible it ſhould be ſo, as in other … ſo in this, becauſe Chriſt is the horne of their ſalvation. He that hath wrought their ſalvation is able to preſerve ſalvation for them, and them for ſalvation. If Chriſt be able to ſave you, ye ſhall be ſaved. When you look upon that in your ſelves, that may ſeem to hinder your ſalvation, look upon that that is in Chriſt to maintain your ſalvation. You ſhall be as certainly ſaved, as Chriſt himſelf is ſaved. Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, &c. John 17. 24. Your ſalvation is now fully accompliſhed; he that was able to accompliſh your ſalvation, is able much more to apply it now it is accompliſhed. Conſider theſe ſeven Notions to make this out.

(1) Chriſt will not loſe the merit of his blood, nor be deprived of the end of his death; and he muſt do both theſe, if one of his Elect ſhould miſs of ſalvation.

(2) Chriſt did not conquer for the Devil, but from the Devil; Chriſt will not be at the charge and coſt of redemption, and when he hath done, ſuffer the devil to go away with the ſpoile.

(3) Chriſt will not impoveriſh himſelf to enrich the Devil; and impoveriſhed he ſhould be, if one of the Elect ſhould periſh: for every Saint helps to make up his myſtical fulneſſe. So the Apoſtle tells us, Eph. 1. ult.

(4) Ieſus Christ will not rob his Father to enrich the Devil. Now if any Saint ſhould periſh eternally, God himſelfe would be robbed; p. 346for every Saint i… his inheritance, Epheſ. 1. 1….

The Lord Chriſt (5.) will not ſuffer the Spirits Temple to fall into the eternal poſſeſſion of the Devil. Now the Elect are the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Cor 6 19.

(6) Chriſt will not empty Heaven to fill Hell. Every Saint helps to fill heaven.

(7) Chriſt will not bear a Name in vaine. He will neither mock himſelfe, nor mock his Father, nor his people. Now if he ſhould be called an Horn of ſalvation, and not actually his Elect of ſalvation; he would be the greateſt mock that ever was in the world.

2. Ʋſe. Reprehenſion. Thoſe are to be blamed that erect other hornes of ſalvation.

1. The Papiſts; they do ſet up their own works as a horne of ſalvation; at leaſt they joyne works and Chriſt together, as con-cauſes of ſalvation; the Scripture layes the whole merit on Chriſt, they lay a part of it on works. Greater diſhonour then this cannot be done to Chriſt. If he be of himſelfe ſufficient, what needs the addition of other things? but he is ſufficient, Heb. 1. 3. chap. 7. 25. Hear what the Scripture ſaith concerning thoſe that look for ſalvation by works, Gal. 5. 4. As many as ſeek to be juſtified by the Law are fallen from grace. How did it fall out with Iſrael that followed after the Law of works? the Apoſtle will tell you, Rom. 9. 30, 31, 32. Yea I ſhall adde this; Jeſus Chriſt will be a horne of deſtruction to thoſe who will not make him the ſole horn of Salvation.

2. Much like to theſe are many ignorant Proteſtants, who think to be ſaved by their duties, by their prayers, and by their repentan… … men ſhould conſider, that Chriſt muſt … them from the guilt of all their duties, as well as from the guilt of their ſinnes. Our holieſt ſervices have a mixture of unholineſſe in them. Domine lava lachrymas, was Auſtins prayer. And it muſt be ours. The filth of our holy things muſt be expiated by Chriſt, 'tis thorough him that they are accepted. You may read this Goſpel in the Ceremonial Law, Exod. 28. 36, 37. The holy ſervices we do are not accepted, becauſe of any worth that is in us or them, but becauſe of the engraved plate which is upon the forehead of Chriſt.

3. Ʋſe. Exhortation.

1. This ſhould provoke all ſinners to cloſe with Chriſt. The great work of the Miniſtery is to bring Chriſt and the ſoule together. They are the friends of the Bridgroome, and it's their office to woo ſinners to come in to Chriſt. Here is encouragement enough in this text. He is a horn of ſalvation, a horn of Gods raiſing; flie to him for ſalvation; ſalvation is to be had in Chriſt, ſalvation is to be had no where elſe, Acts 4. 12. Under the Law offenders did flie to the hornes of the Altar, 1 Kings 2. 28. He that flies to the hornes of this Altar ſhall be ſure to be ſafe. OnelyOnly two things muſt be obſerved.

(1) All ſinne muſt be caſt away; The wicked man muſt forſake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, Eſay 55. 7. Jeſus Chriſt will not be a horn of ſalvation to an impenitent ſinner. He came not to ſave men in their ſinnes, but to ſave them from their ſins, Mat. 1. 21.

p. 348(2) Chriſts own termes muſt be embraced. Chriſt came not to ſave men upon any termes, but upon his own termes. Now the termes of the Goſpel are, A voluntary reſignation of our ſolvet to be at Chriſts diſpoſing: To do his Will, to ſubmit to his Scepter. The ſoul muſt ſay, as Saul did to Chriſt, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Acts 9. 6. That ſoul that doth caſt away ſinne by repentance, and ſurrenders himſelf to Chriſt, to be in all things ruled by him, ſhall, whatever his condition hath been before, finde Chriſt an horn of ſalvation to him. Do not ſay, my ſinnes are great, &c. The greateſt ſinne thou didſt ever commit, is thy ſo long ſtanding out againſt Chriſt, John 3. 19. Murther, Adultery are great ſins; but the ſouls refuſal to come in to Chriſt is a greater ſinne: thoſe are ſinnes onelyonly againſt the Law; this is a ſinne againſt the Goſpel, this is a ſin againſt the Remedy, this is a ſinne that bindes and continues the guilt of all thy other ſinnes upon the conſcience. He that doth not cloſe with Chriſt, ſaith one of theſe things; either that he hath no need of Chriſt, or elſe that Chriſt is not able to ſave him.

2. This teacheth Gods people whither to go, when their ſalvation is endangered. Sometimes Satan by hot temptations, ſometimes corruption by its violent out-breakings, do ſo exceedingly prevaile upon the ſervants of God, as that in their apprehenſion their ſalvation is in a great hazard; they feare the Crown will be pluckt away from them. God lets them come into ſuch jeopardy, that they may exerciſe all their graces, and thrive the faſter. They pray, they watch, yet Satan gets ground; ſinne overpowereth them, ſo that the… … to conclude, that the hope of …. In ſuch caſe your onelyonly refuge muſt be to … is horn of ſalvation. David when ſinne was … hard for him, goes to God, Pſal. 65. 3. We muſt flie to this horn, and by his ſtrength defend our ſelves, and vanquiſh our enemies. There are ſeveral branches of this Horn, which muſt be improved at ſuch a time. His Death, his Reſurrection, his Aſcenſion, his Interceſſion; All his Attributes, all his Promiſes, theſe are ſeveral little hornes growing out of this great Horne. This Horn will give you ſtrength to overcome, this Horne will keep what he hath purchaſed for you. He hath puſhed down Satan, ſinne, the world already; and if they get head againe, he can eaſily ſubdue them. He is not onelyonly the Horn of your ſalvation, but the Captain of your ſalvation, Heb. 2. 10. foreign. It was his free-will at firſt to undertake it: but having undertaken it, 'tis his office to perfect it. When ſalvation is at a hazard; go to him, fight in his Name, and he will give you victory.

3. Bleſſe the Father for Jeſus Chriſt. This holy man that pend this ſong, he begins it with praiſes. Bleſſed be the Lord God of Iſrael, for he hath viſited and redeemed his people; and hath raiſed up an horne of ſalvation. Never think of a horn of ſalvation, but have in your hearts and mouths a Benedictus Dominus. If every thought of heart were a rapture, we could never ſufficiently extol the love of God in raiſing up Chriſt for us. Eſpecially, if he have made Chriſt an horn of ſalvation to us in particular. What ſtorms did Chriſt go thorough? what deeps did he p. 350wade over, that he might be to us an Horne of ſalvation? He that is not thankful for Chriſt, can be truly thankful for nothing. When God gave Chriſt, he gave all. Naturalliſts ſpeak much of the Unicorns horn; Chriſt is the true Unicorn.

4. Do not, O ye ſervants of God, deſpondingly fear the attempts of your enemies. Gods Church, though it be the worlds great friend, yet meeteth with many enemies; many bloody hornes are goaring at it to deſtroy it; Look into all the ages that are paſt, and you will finde it. Pharaoh was a horn, and a bloody one. Nebuchadnezzar was a horn. You read of four horns, Zech. 1. 18, 19. In the New Teſtament you read of hornes; Herod, the Heathen Emperours; theſe were bloody horns. You read of a little horn, Dan. 7. 8. This is Antichriſt. Oppoſe this horn of ſalvation to all theſe horns of deſtruction. 1. This horn is longer then they; they reach to one Kingdome, he the world over. 2. This horne is ſtronger then they. 3. This horn is longer-lived then they, Vid: Micah. 4. 12, 13. No horn hath yet been able to ſtand. None ſhall, Pſal. 75. 8. 10. That horn of Chriſt, that with one puſh overthrew many Legions of Devils, is it not ſtrong enough to bring down men?