The Glory of Christ Set Forth in Sermons on John 3:34-36, Sermon 1

The Glory of Christ Set Forth in Sermons on John 3:34-36 · Sermon 1

p. 1The Glory of Chriſt ſet forth.

John III. 34, 35, 36.

For he whom God hath ſent, ſpeaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the ſpirit by meaſure unto him.

The father loveth the ſon, and hath given all things into his hand.

He that believeth on the ſon, hath everlaſting life: and he that believeth not on the ſon, ſhall not ſee life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

IN theſe Words, our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt is deſcribed by a threefold adjunct.

1. From his Authority and miſſion from the Father, in thoſe words, He whom God hath ſent.

2. From his Fidelity in the diſcharge of that work he is employed in, in thoſe words, He ſpeaketh the words of God. As a faithful Meſſenger from a King will act according to his commiſſion; ſo our Lord Jeſus, who was faithful p. 2to him that appointed him, he ſpeaks the Word of God, and nothing elſe but the Word of God.

3. Our Lord Jeſus is deſcribed and ſet forth by his Ability and qualification for that work he was employed in; this you have in thoſe words, For God giveth not the ſpirit by meaſure unto him. The Spirit is given to Chriſt, as Mediator, without meaſure, or above meaſure.

He whom God hath ſent;] The word here tranſlated ſent, comes of the ſame word that the Apoſtle doth. Chriſt is the great Apoſtle, the great Meſſenger of the Covenant, whom all the Elect delight in, Mal. 3.1. The Apoſtle and high Prieſt of our profeſſion, Heb. 3.1. John the Baptist, and the other Prophets, and ſo likewiſe the Apoſtles, they were Gods Miniſters and Ambaſſadors; but our Lord Jeſus he is Ambaſſadour extraordinary.

Men, and Angels too (Luke 1.18.19.) …ave been ſent and employed by God, but none of them were ever ſent, as Chriſt was, to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in an everlaſting righteouſneſs: This was he who was the brightneſs of the Fathers Glory, and the expreſs Image of God, he only was able by himſelf to purge away ſin; neither was ever any other ſet about this work but he. God never laid the help and ſalvation of his people upon any but that mighty one.

Doctrine 1. That Jeſus Chriſt our Mediator, was ſent of the Father.

p. 3There is frequent mention made by our Saviour, of his being ſent of God: To mention a few places, John 17.3, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. Verſ. 8, For I have given unto them the words which thou gaveſt me, and they have received them, and have known ſurely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didſt ſend me. And again, verſ. 21, That they alſo may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou haſt ſent me. Verſ. 25, O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and theſe have known that thou haſt ſent me.

1. How ſhall we underſtand this Phraſe, That Chriſt was ſent of the Father?

Sent of God!

This is a great myſtery, which we ſhall not fully underſtand till we come to Heaven; when Chriſt is ſaid to be ſent of God, 'tis to be underſtood principally and primarily of him, as he is the Son of God, and ſo he is ſaid to come down from heaven, John 3.13. To deſcend, Eph. 4.9. But he being in that reſpect equal with God the Father, Eternal, Infinite, Immenſe, Omnipreſent, as the Father is, it may be asked, How the Lord Jeſus is ſaid to be ſent of the Father?

Anſw. 1. The Lord Jeſus may be ſaid to be ſent of the Father as Mediator, in reſpect of the Covenant of Redemption between the Father and him, for the ſalvation of the Elect; for though Chriſt as God is equal with the Father, yet with reference to the work of Redemption, he p. 4is ſaid to be his Elected one, and Servant. Iſa. 41.1, Behold, my ſervant whom I uphold; mine Elect in whom my ſoul delighteth.

2. The Lord Jeſus may be ſaid to be ſent of the Father, in regard of his Incarnation, ſo Gal. 4.4, 5, But when the fulneſs of time was come, God ſent forth his ſon, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law. Now, brethren, upon this account, becauſe the Father prepared him a body, Heb. 10.5. He is ſaid to ſend him to redeem us.

3. The Lord Jeſus may be ſaid to be ſent of the Father, in regard of his commiſſion; him hath God the Father ſealed, John 6.37. Chriſt and no other is ordained of God, an high Prieſt for ever, after the order of Melchiſedeck.

2. How doth it appear, that Jeſus of Nazareth was the true Meſſiah, he that was ſent of God to be the Saviour, according to the Promiſe made unto the Fathers?

Anſw. 1. By the miracles he wrought. Nicodemus could ſay ſo much, John 3.2. ſays he, We know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do theſe miracles but he who is ſent of God. John 5.36, 37, I have a greater witneſs then that of John; for the works that my father hath given me to finiſh, the ſame works bear witneſs of me. And ſo when John Baptiſt ſent unto Chriſt, to know whether he was the Meſſiah, ſaith our Saviour, Go and ſhew him the things which you do hear and ſee; the Blind receive their ſight, and the Lame walk, the Leapers are cleanſed. 'Tis true, the Prophets and p. 5the Apoſtles wrought miracles, but not by their own power and holineſs: but Chriſt wrought them by his own power.

2. By his raiſing of himſelf from the dead; As he is ſaid to be raiſed by the Father, ſo he is ſaid to be raiſed from his own power, John 2.20, 21, Deſtroy, ſaith he, this temple (ſpeaking of his Body) and I will raiſe it up in three days.

To theſe might be added many other demonſtrations, as that all the Notes and Characters of the Meſſiah, mentioned in the Old Teſtament, were fulfilled and accompliſhed in him. Moreover, every believer hath the witneſs in himſelf, that Jeſus is the Son of God, 1 John 5.20. Their faith is not a meer hiſtorical faith, or grounded upon what is commonly owned and profeſſed where they live; but the Spirit beareth witneſs to their hearts, that Jeſus of Nazareth is the Son of God, the true Meſſiah that was to come into the World.

3. The next thing is, to ſhew you wherefore God ſent his Son into the world.

The great buſineſs that Chriſt was ſent into the world for, was to ſave his people from their ſins, to ſave them that were given to him of the Father. There were ſome particular perſons given to Chriſt by name, to be his people, to be his ſheep, that he ſhould take care of, to bring to eternal life. John 17.2. Thou haſt given me power over all fleſh, that I ſhould give eternal life to as many as thou haſt given me. 1 John 4.14. And we have ſeen, and do teſtifie, p. 6that the Father ſent the Son to be the Saviour of the world, that is, his Elect of the world of mankind: And ſo it was Propheſied of Chriſt, Dan. 9.24. that he ſhould make an end of ſin, and make reconciliation for iniquity, and bring in an everlaſting righteouſneſs. There was not one man in the world that was able to make reconciliation for his iniquity; Chriſt was ſent to do that. There was none righteous, no not one. Chriſt was ſent to bring in an everlaſting righteouſneſs, to make his people righteous before God; Chriſt was ſent to fulfill the Law for his people, by his Active and Paſſive obedience: He came to do, and procure all that is required, to the compleat and perfect ſalvation of his people.

In a word, Jeſus Chriſt was ſent into the World, not meerly as a Prophet, to teach the Mind and Will of God, or to be an example of holineſs; but he was ſent to be a Prieſt, in a proper ſenſe, to make atonement and ſatiſfaction for the ſins of his people, and to obtain eternal redemption for them.

Application.

Uſe 1. We may ſee here, that the work of Redemption was a great work: Not the higheſt Angel of Heaven, nor all of them put together were able to perform this; but God ſent his Son about this work.

Uſe 2. We may ſee here, that the heart of God the Father was in this great work of redeeming p. 7and ſaving the elect. The Father himſelf loved them, for he ſent his Son, he gave his only begotten Son, that they might live through him.

Uſe 3. We may ſee here the love of Chriſt unto thoſe that the Father had given him, That he was willing to be their Mediator; for as he is often ſaid to be ſent of the Father, ſo he is ſaid to come, Heb. 10.7. Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Chriſt was ſo ſent, as that he came freely, came with alacrity and chearfulneſs; for his delight was with the Sons of men, his heart was in this work.

Laſtly, Let this encourage ſinners to come to Chriſt to venture their ſouls upon him. Do not queſtion whether God will accept of you by anothers righteouſneſs, diſcharge you by a payment made by a Surety, deliver you from going down to the Pit upon a ranſom given by another; for all this was the contrivement of the Lord himſelf, to glorifie both his Juſtice, and his Mercy for ever. Therefore let ſinners caſt themſelves upon Chriſt and fear not, this Rock will never fail that Soul that is built upon it.

I come now to the next words, where it is ſaid, that Chriſt ſpeaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the ſpirit by meaſure unto him.

Doct. 2. That Jeſus Christ, our Mediator, hath the ſpirit given him by the Father without meaſure.

p. 8This is a great and glorious truth, and very ſweet and comfortable to the Saints, that the Lord Jeſus their Mediator hath a fulneſs of the ſpirit. Pſal. 45.7. Anointed with the oyl of gladneſs above his fellows. Chriſt hath the ſpirit above what any of the Saints have; and ſee Iſa. 61.1. Iſa. 2.11. And the ſpirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon him, the ſpirit of wiſdom and underſtanding, the ſpirit of council and might, the ſpirit of knowledg and of the fear of the Lord. And you have a viſible fulfilling of thoſe Prophecies, John 1.32. And John bare record, ſaying, I ſaw the ſpirit deſcending from Heaven like a Dove, and it abode upon him. And ſo Acts 10.3. God anointed Jeſus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghoſt and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppreſſed with the Devil, for God was with him. And in another place, It pleaſed the Father, that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell. All fullneſs of the Spirit, all fullneſs of Grace dwells in Chriſt.

Three Things for the opening of this point.

1. What is here meant by the Spirit.

2. How the Spirit is ſaid to be given to Jeſus Chriſt, ſeeing he is God. How can any gift be ſaid to be conferred upon him, ſeeing he is God, and infinite in himſelf?

3. How it may be ſaid, that the ſpirit is given unto him without meaſure.

1. What is here meant by the ſpirit.

1. The Gifts and Graces of the Spirit, theſe are given to Chriſt, not by meaſure, but without meaſure.

p. 92. The Spirit it ſelf, Luke 4.14. And Jeſus returned in the power of the ſpirit full of the Holy Ghoſt.

Believers have not only the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit, but the Spirit it ſelf, Rom. 8.9. If any man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, he is none of his: and the Spirit of him that raiſed up Jeſus from the dead dwells in you, v. 11. And if the Spirit be in Believers, and dwells in them, much more in Chriſt himſelf.

2dly. How can Chriſt, who is God, and ſo infinite, and uncapable of addition, be ſaid to have the ſpirit given unto him?

I anſwer briefly in a word or two. It is true, that Jeſus Chriſt, as God, is infinite, and as God he is not capable of having the ſpirit given unto him; but the ſpirit was given unto Jeſus Chriſt as man, the ſpirit was given to his humane nature which he took upon him.

3dly. If the ſpirit was given to the humane nature of Chriſt, how can the humane nature hold the fullneſs of the ſpirit? the humane nature is finite, how can it receive an infinite? how then is it ſaid, that God hath not given the ſpirit by meaſure unto him?

I anſwer, The expreſſion in the Text is not to be underſtood without any limitation, as if the Spirit were given to the humane nature of Chriſt in an infinite manner, and as if the humane nature were of an infinite capacity; the Divine nature of Chriſt is infinite, but though the Divine and humane nature in Chriſt are eternally united, yet they are not confounded. p. 10This then I ſay, that the ſpirit was given to the humane nature of Chriſt, beyond all compariſon, beyond all the Saints on Earth or in Heaven, and above all the Angels put them all together. The ſpirit is given to Chriſt as man incomparatively, and tranſcendently beyond what ever men or Angels have had, or ſhall have. It pleaſed the Father, that in him all fullneſs ſhould dwell; which cannot be ſaid of any other.

Object. It is ſaid, that Jeſus increaſed in wiſdom, and ſtature, and in favour with God and man, Luk. 2.52. How had he ſuch a fullneſs of the Spirit, and yet is ſaid to increaſe in Wiſdom?

I Anſwer, The Word being made Fleſh, he was full of Grace, full of the Spirit from his very birth; but he is ſaid to increaſe in Wiſdom, in reſpect of the effects and opperations, expreſſions and declarations of his Wiſdom.

One Queſtion more, How comes it to be ſo, that the Lord Jeſus is ſo filled with the ſpirit in his humane nature?

Anſwer 1. One reaſon is taken from the nearneſs of his humane nature to the Divine. Brethren. Jeſus Chriſt is the Son of God, the natural Son of God, he hath the very eſſence of God, the nature of God, and the humane nature of Chriſt is brought very near to the God-head: It is brought as near as our Bodies to p. 11our Souls, and therefore it is ſaid, that in him dwells the fullneſs of the Godhead bodily, that is perſonally. The Sun is the Fountain of light, and the nearer we come to the Sun, the more we partake of light; ſo the humane nature of Chriſt being brought ſo near to the God-head, as to be taken into perſonal union with the God-head, the humane nature partakes of Grace and Gifts to its utmoſt capacity.

2. It was neceſſary that Chriſt ſhould be filled with the ſpirit in our nature, that ſo he might be able to manage his work and office, to perform his active and paſſive obedience, and to be a Storehouſe and treaſury of grace and conſolation to his people, that they may be ſupplied from him, and of his fullneſs receive, and grace for grace.

Application.

Uſe 1. Learn whence it is that a perſon may be enabled to ſpeak holily and graciouſly: It is ſaid here, that Chriſt ſpake the words of God, and he brings in this for a reaſon, for he received not the ſpirit by meaſure. The more we have of the Spirit of God, the more we ſhall ſpeak the Words of God; and though we can never have ſo much of the ſpirit as Jeſus Chriſt had, …or ſpake the Words of God as he did; yet ſet us …ray that we may have the ſpirit, and more and more of the ſpirit, that we may in our meaſure …peak the Words of God. What is the reaſon …hat our words are no more ſavory and ſpiritual, …ut unprofitable and vain too often? 'Tis be…uſe we have but a little of the ſpirit, if we p. 12have the ſpirit at all in a ſanctifying way. And for thoſe whoſe words are altogether carnal and vain, nothing but prophane, ſcurrilous, unclean ſpeeches come from them; ſuch may well think that they have not the Spirit of God. He that hath the Spirit of God, will endeavour in ſome meaſure to ſpeak the Word… of God; for where the Spirit of God is given in a ſaving manner, he ſanctifies the heart, and ſanctifies the tongue, and ſo cauſes their words to be gracious and ſpiritual in ſome meaſure. Therefore as we deſire that our ſpeech may be with grace, holy and edifying, pray for the ſpirit to be given unto us. It is ſaid of Chriſt, that they wondered at the gracious words that proceeded from him; he was full of the ſpirit, and he ſpake the words of God. O let us be much in prayer for the ſpirit, to give us a mouth, and wiſdom upon all occaſions; pray that we may have the ſpirit to fill our hearts with holy thoughts, and to fill our mouths with holy diſcourſe.

Uſe 2. Learn from h…nce, that when God calls to any work or ſervice, he is wont to give abiliti… and ſtrength for that work. Our Lord Jeſu… was called to a great work to be performed i… our humane nature, and you ſee here how h… was filled with the ſpirit and fitted for tha… work. When God calls us to any work or ſervice, let us not look at the greatneſs of th… work to diſcourage us; no, but look principall at Gods calling you to it; and if it be ſo, tha… God calls us to the work, he will give us of h… p. 13Spirit in ſome meaſure to ſtrengthen us and help us. When Moſes died, and Joſhuah ſucceeded him, he had great difficulties to go through in the work he was called to: But ſaith the Lord, fear not, be not diſcouraged, I will not fail thee nor forſake thee. Therefore if you be aſſured that the Lord calls you to the work and ſervice you are employed in, fear not, truſt in the Lord, keep in his way, and he will give you ſtrength, he will ſtand by you, and will not fail you nor forſake you. Follow the Lord in your places, and if ſufferings come towards you, the Lord will either put them by, or he will ſupport you and ſtrengthen you with might by his ſpirit in the inward man.

Uſe 3. Learn from hence the excellency of Jeſus Chriſt, in that he is filled with the ſpirit. Beſides his infinite Glory as God, you may ſee here what excellency is in him even as to his humane nature, in that the Spirit is not given by meaſure unto him, but beyond what is given to any other, men or Angels. Take a Saint, and the Spirit and Grace of God in him, adorns him in the eyes of others; you will ſay there is ſuch a one, how full of love, of wiſdom, of humility is he! this makes him beautiful indeed! But then how glorious ſhould Chriſt be in our eyes, both as to his God-head, and as to the wiſdom, purity, holineſs and fullneſs of the ſpi…it in his humane nature? In which reſpect, even …s the Son of man, he is fairer then all the Chil…ren of men, and then all the Angels in Heaven. p. 12duplicate page p. 13duplicate page p. 14Suppoſe all the grace that is in all the Saints and Angels were abſtracted and put all into one, yet this is nothing to the fullneſs and grace that is in Chriſt. There is wiſdom, love, meekneſs, and every grace in Chriſt (that is compatible to his pure and holy nature) without meaſure.

Uſe 4. Learn from hence to go to Chriſt for the ſpirit and grace in all our times of need. He is filled with the ſpirit in our nature; and as the Egyptians when they were ready to ſtarve in the Famine and came to Pharoah, he ſent them to Joſeph, go to Joſeph: So go to Jeſus, there you may be ſupplied, go to Jeſus for the ſpirit to mortify our corruptions, to quicken our graces, to help us in all our duties and ſufferings. As Jacob ſaid to his Sons, Why ſtand ye looking one upon another, there is Corn in Egypt, go and fetch from thence that we may not periſh: So let believers go to Jeſus Chriſt and fetch ſupplies of grace from him; go to him, as one that is able and willing to help his people in all their times of need.

Laſtly, We may learn from hence the ignorance and blaſphemy of thoſe that make a mock of the ſpirit, and deride others as prizing the ſpirit: whereas the excellency of Chriſt is ſet forth amongſt other things by this, that he was filled with the ſpirit. 'Tis true, many may pretend to the ſpirit that have him not; but therefore to make a mock of having the ſpirit▪ is no leſs than blaſphemy. The Spirit is given p. 15to all Believers, and he that hath not the Spirit of Chriſt is none of his, not yet of his called ones; The Believer is called the Spiritual man, 1 Cor. 2.15. Some may pretend to be made partakers of Chriſt, and yet be miſtaken; but he that ſhall mock people, and uſe it as a Reproach to them, that they believe in Chriſt, and are Chriſtians, is a Blaſphemer; And ſo is he that ſhall uſe it as a Reproach to any, That this is one that hath the Spirit.

Now I come to verſ. 35. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Theſe words ſeem to hold forth the Reaſon of the former; he had ſaid before, that God giveth not the Spirit by meaſure unto him, that is, Chriſt. And why ſo? For the Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

The Father loves the Elect Angels, and loves Elect men; but the Father loves the Son above all others. There is an Emphaſis in the words, The Father loveth the Son; that is, He loves him moſt eminently, tranſcendently.

And hath given all things into his hand.] He hath made him the great Commander and Governour of the World.

By the Son, here we are not to underſtand Chriſt as God, as the Second Perſon in the Trinity; but as God-man, Mediator. Indeed the Father loved the Son, as he was God equal with him, of the ſame Subſtance and Eternity: But when it is ſaid, that the Father hath given all things into his hand, we muſt underſtand it of Chriſt, as God-man, Mediator: For conſider p. 16Chriſt as God, he had all things in his hand, as the Father had; but it is as he is Godman, Mediator, that the Father hath put all things into his hand.

Doct. 1. That Jeſus Chriſt is beloved of the Father above all Creatures, above Men or Angels.

It may be ſome may think there is no great matter in this point; but truly it is of great concernment to us, that we may more confidently look to Chriſt for our acceptance with God through him. Mat. 3.17. This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed. Paul ſpeaking of him, Epheſ. 1.6. ſaith, that God hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Others are beloved, but Chriſt is the Beloved. And again, Coloſ. 1.13. Who hath delivered us from the Power of Darkneſs, and hath tranſlated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. Chriſt himſelf often makes mention of the Fathers love to him, Joh. 10.17. Therefore doth my Father love me, becauſe I lay down my life. Joh. 15.9. As the Father hath loved me, ſo have I, loved you. Joh. 17.24. Father, I will, that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, may be with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory which thou haſt given me; for thou lovedſt me before the foundation of the world. 'Tis ſaid indeed, verſ. 23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; that the world may know, that thou haſt ſent me; and that thou haſt loved them, as thou haſt loved me. It is true, the Father loves the Elect people as really and truely as he loveth Chriſt; but he doth not love them ſo p. 17abundantly, not in the ſame degree; neither can they be loved with that kind of Love every way, that the Father loveth the Son, as will appear in the opening of the Point.

Firſt, Let us enquire wherein the Love of the Father towards Chriſt doth tranſcend and exceed his Love to all other Creatures, Men or Angels.

1. The Father loveth Chriſt, as he is the only begotten Son of the ſame Divine Eſſence with himſelf. Believers are the Sons of God by Adoption, but Chriſt is the Son of God by an Eternal and Unutterable Generation: Joh. 3.16. God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. Therefore muſt the Father needs love Chriſt above Men or Angels, becauſe he is the only begotten Son; and though they be two diſtinct Perſons, and ſo they are ſpoken of in the Text, the Father and the Son, yet they are one Eſſence. And though the Son hath now taken upon him our Nature, yet he is God ſtill, and ſo continues for ever, and is an adequate, and every way fit object of the Fathers Love, in the higheſt degree, to Eternity.

2. The Father loveth Chriſt above all other creatures, Men or Angels, upon the account of his being the Redeemer and Saviour of the Elect people, whom he hath given him to bring to Glory. The glory of God's Grace, Wiſdom and Juſtice, is made known in ſuch a wonderful manner by the Lord Jeſus as Mediator, that the Father loves him upon that account; Joh. 10.17. Therefore doth my Father love me, becauſe I lay down my Life. Verſ. 18. This Commandment p. 18have I received of my Father. That the Son conſented to be Mediator, and to take upon him the Nature of man, and to dye and ſuffer, to ſatisfie Juſtice for Sin, this is highly pleaſing to the Father; Heb. 10.5, 6, 7. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he ſaith, Sacrifice and Offering thou wouldſt not, but a body haſt thou prepared me; in Burnt-Offerings and Sacrifices for Sin thou haſt had no pleaſure. Then ſaid, Lo I come (in the Volume of thy Book it is written of me) to do thy Will O God. The Father loveth Chriſt, not only as his Eternal Son, but as he condeſcended to be Mediator for his People, Phil. 2.6, 7, 8, 9. Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himſelf of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a Servant, and was made in the likeneſs of men; and being found in faſhion as a man, he humbled himſelf and became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Croſs. Wherefore God hath alſo highly exalted him.

The Father delights in Chriſt, not only as he is the Eternal Son, but as he is his Elected one, Elected to be the Head and Saviour of his Body the Church. Iſai. 42.1. Behold my Servant whom I uphold, mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him, he ſhall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles. That the Son took upon him the form of a Servant, that the Glory of God might be made manifeſt in him, and that he ſhould bring back and lead the Elect people to God, makes the Father to love him, and delight in him as Mediator. He freely undertook p. 19the work, and has faithfully diſcharged it, Joh. 17.4, 5. I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do. And now, Father, glorifie thou me with thine own ſelf, with the Glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Secondly, Let us enquire wherein the Father hath ſhewn and expreſſed ſuch a great and tranſcendent Love to Jeſus Chriſt.

1. The Father had an unſpeakable complacency and delight in Chriſt from Eternity, and that not only as his Eternal Son, and God equal with him; but as he had conſented & agreed to be Mediator for them whom he had appointed to be Heirs of Salvation. Prov. 8.23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29. I was ſet up from everlaſting, from the beginning, before ever the Earth was. —Then was I by him, as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight, rejoycing always before him.

2. There is the moſt intimate Fellowſhip and Communion between the Father and him, in all that the Father doth. As to the works of Creation, All things were created by him and for him, Col. 1.16. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made, Joh. 1.3. And as to the work of Redemption, he was the great Inſtrument of the Father; tis ſaid, God was in Chriſt, reconciling the world to himſelf, 2 Cor. 5.19. That in the dipenſation of the fulneſs of times, he might gather together all things in Chriſt, both which are in Heaven, and which are on Earth, even in him, Epheſ. 1.10.

p. 203. The Father hath ſhewn all the Benevolence or Beneficence to Chriſt, as Mediator, as poſſibly could be. He hath filled him with the Spirit in our Nature, as full as the Humane Nature can hold; and as he is God manifeſt in the Fleſh hath given all into his hand, and hath put ſuch honour upon him as Mediator, that whatſoever his People ask in his Name, it ſhall be given them; and when he comes at the laſt Day to judge the World in our humane Nature, he ſhall come in all the Glory of the Father, with all his holy Angels.

Objection. How did the Father love Chri… with ſuch an unſpeakable, tranſcendent Love, ſeein… it is ſaid, He ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up to Death for us all? Rom. 8.3… And it pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him, he hat… put him to grief? Iſai. 53.10. It ſhould ſeem … this, that he loved the Elect people more than Chriſ… ſeeing he laid their Iniquities upon Chriſt, and a… pointed him to ſuffer for Sins, the Juſt for the u… juſt, that he might bring them to God.

Anſwer firſt, In general, Take notice, Tha… the Goſpel, our Redemption by Chriſt is ſuch a M… ſtery, that except we be taught of God, we ſh… ſtumble and cavil at it without end.

More particularly; 1. Conſider that all th… Chriſt ſuffered, it was only in his humane Natur… His Godhead could not ſuffer the leaſt thing.

2. His Godhead backed and ſupported his H… mane Nature, to endure the Croſs, and deſpiſe t… Shame.

p. 213. It was but for a ſhort time that the Humane Nature of Chriſt ſuffered.

4. It was with his own Conſent. Lo, I come to do thy Will, O God, Heb. 10.7.

5. The Father had no Controverſie with Chriſt, he had done no evil, neither was any guile found in his mouth; all that Chriſt ſuffered, was as a Surety.

6. The Deſigne of God in not ſparing his Son, was not merely the Salvation of his People; but to make known the Riches of the glory of his Wiſdom, Juſtice and Grace, and ſo all this would well conſiſt with his Love to the perſon of Chriſt.

7. As a conſequent of his Sufferings, the humane Nature of Chriſt (in which Nature only he Suffered) is highly exalted; and he in our Nature ſhall …udge the world, and be adored for ever.

Application.

Uſe 1. Seeing that Chriſt was ſo beloved of the Father, and yet he ſuffered ſo much; it may teach …s, that great Sufferings and Afflictions may con…ſt with the Love of God; ſo long as there was no …n inherently in Chriſt, and that it was for the …lory of God, and was but for a time, a ſhort time, …ll this might conſiſt with the Love of God. There…ore let this comfort Believers under all their Afflictions and Sorrows in this Life.

Object. May ſome poor Believer ſay, If the Lord …ved me, would he ſuffer me to be ſcandalized and …proached as I am? I am evil-ſpoken of by many, …nd am the Song of the Drunkard, I ſcarce know …w to bear it.

Anſw. I pray conſider how Chriſt endured …e contradiction of Sinners: They ſaid, He was a p. 22Deceiver and was mad; they ſaid he was a Glutton and a Winebibber; they ſaid he had a Devil; yet ſtill he was infinitely beloved of the Father.

Object. Ay, If I was afflicted but now and then, I might hope that God might love me notwithſtanding; but I am ſeldom free of one Affliction or another.

Anſwer. So it was with Chriſt while he was here in this world, He was a man Sorrows, Iſa. 53.3. yet beloved of the Father, and ſo may you.

Object. Ay, But it is not only outward Afflictions that I bear, but inward bitterneſs, inward Sorrow.

Anſw. Chriſt went through that too, Mat. 26.38. My Soul (ſaith Chriſt) is exceeding ſorrowful, even unto death.

Object. Ay, But this is that which makes me fear that I am none of the Lords, becauſe he hides his face from me at times, that I have not ſenſible communion with him; but in that reſpect he doth as it were forſake me.

Anſw. So it was with Chriſt for a time, He cried out, my God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me, Mat. 27.46.

Object. Ay, But I am followed with hideous temptations of the Devil, ſuch as I am afraid and aſhamed to utter; as to take away mine own Life, and the like.

Anſw. Jeſus Chriſt, who was beloved of the Father above all, He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without Sin, Heb. 4.15. Then the p. 23Devil taketh him up, and ſetteth him upon a Pinacle of the Temple, and ſaith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, caſt thy ſelf down, Mat. 4.5, 6.

Now as Chriſt was a Conqueror over all his Sufferings of every kind, and lifted up his Head after all; ſo ſhall Believers through him. Chriſt after a ſhort time ſorrowed no more, was tempted no more, ſuffer'd no more in any kind, and ſo it ſhall be with his people after a little time; For the Lamb which is in the midſt of the Throne ſhall feed them, and ſhall lead them unto living Fountains of waters, and God ſhall wipe away all tears from their eyes, Rev. 1.17.

Uſe 2. Seeing God the Father loveth Jeſus Chriſt with ſuch a tranſcendent Love, This may teach us what manner of Love the Father hath ſhewn, in giving of his Son to be a Redeemer of his people. 1 Joh. 4.9. In this was manifeſted the Love of God towards us, becauſe that God ſent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Therefore you that are partakers of this Grace, why ſhould you fear the want of any thing whatſoever that the Lord ſeeth convenient for you? He that ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up to Death for us all; how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all things? Rom. 8.32. Therefore truſt in the Lord for the ſupply of all your inward and ſpiritual wants, and truſt in the Lord for outward Mercies too; Do not put forth your hands to any unrighteous ways for your ſubſiſtence, but truſt in the Lord p. 24that he will perform all things for you, ſeeing he hath not ſpared his own Son, but given him to dye for you. All other Gifts are ſmall in compariſon of his giving his Son to be made a Curſe for us.

Uſe 3. Seeing the Father loveth the Son in ſuch a wonderful manner, Then wo be to thoſe that hate him. 1 Cor. 16.22. If any man love not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, let him be Anathema Maranatha. If any man love him not as he is the Son of God, if any man love him not as Mediator, if any man hearing this Jeſus preached unto him, doth not approve of this way of Salvation by Chriſt, and doth deliberately reject him and put him away, let him be curſed till the Lord come; let him ſtill remain under the curſe of the Law, and let him be curſed when the Lord cometh; let him be put amongſt thoſe to whom Chriſt will ſay, Depart from me ye curſed.

I fear there may be ſome amongſt us, that will be found haters of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. If your hearts continue to riſe againſt the way of Salvation by Chriſt, you will be found haters of him. If you love your ſins, and hold them faſt, and will not have Chriſt to reign over you, then you will be found haters of Chriſt: If you hate the Diſciples of Chriſt, becauſe of his Image and Grace in them, then you will be found haters of Chriſt. But if you believe in him, and your hearts cleave unto him, and you are troubled that you love him no more, that he is no more precious to you, then go in peace.

p. 25Uſe 4. Seeing the Father loveth the Son in ſuch a wonderful manner, let this ſtir us up to love Jeſus Chriſt. Let us love him as God, and love him him as God-man, Mediator: You ſee he is an object fit for the Love of God the Father, and then he is an object worthy of our love. And as God the Father loves him with a tranſcendent Love, ſo let us do likewiſe. Read what Chriſt ſaith, Joh. 14.21. If any man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and I will love him, and will manifeſt my ſelf unto him. And ſee verſe 23. You will never looſe any thing by loving Jeſus Chriſt. Epheſ. 6.24. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt in ſincerity, Amen.

It follows, And hath put all things into his hand.] Before I come to raiſe the Doctrine from theſe words, let me briefly ſhew you the meaning of this expreſſion. And hath put all things into his hand. The meaning is, that he hath put all Power and Authority into his hand, he hath made him Supreme Head and Governour over all things; the Father hath made him Ruler and Diſpoſer of all; the great King, Lord and Potentate over all.

And further, take notice, that this is ſpoken of Jeſus as God-man, Mediator; Chriſt is made the Lord of Heaven and Earth in our Nature. As Chriſt is the Son of God, ſo he is equal with the Father; ſo it cannot be properly ſaid, that the Father hath given all things into his hand; for he had all things originally in his hand as God, but as God-man, Mediator, ſo p. 26the Father hath given all things into his hand, that now in our nature, in our fleſh, he is the great Potentate of the world, and hath all things committed to him of the Father.

Doctrine. That God the Father hath given unto Jeſus Chriſt in our Nature, full Power and Authority over all things, both in Heaven and in Earth, he hath put all things into his hand.

This is a Point of great Concernment, and for the great comfort and eſtabliſhing of Believers in evil times, that all things are given into the hand of our great Mediator. You ſee John Baptiſt here gives a full teſtimony to this truth; will you hear what Chriſt ſaith in his own perſon, All things are delivered unto me of my Father, Mat. 11.27. And Jeſus came and ſpake unto them, ſaying, All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth. Joh. 13.3. Jeſus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hand—

1. To ſhew you how all things are put into the hand of Chriſt, given into his hand.

1. All men are given into Chriſt's hand. But here we muſt diſtinguiſh, There are ſome given to Chriſt in a ſpecial manner, and for their eternal Salvation: There are ſome given to Chriſt to that very end and purpoſe, that he ſhould give them Eternal Life. Joh. 17.2. As thou haſt given him power over all fleſh, that he ſhould give eternal Life to as many as thou haſt given him. You ſee that ſome are ſo given into Chriſts hand, that he by his Office of Mediator is engaged and hath undertaken to give p. 27them Eternal Life. Other ſheep I have which are not of this fold, them alſo I muſt bring, and they ſhall hear my voice, Joh. 10.16. Chriſt there calls them whom the Father hath given him in the Covenant of Redemption, his ſheep, though they are not yet converted, and ſaith, he muſt bring them in, and they ſhall hear his voice. Joh. 17. I pray for them, I pray not for the world, but for them whom thou haſt given me, for they are thine; and yet he prayed as Mediator, not only for them that were then Believers and converted, but for them that ſhould afterwards believe unto everlaſting Life. Verſ. 20. Neither pray I for theſe alone, but for them alſo which ſhall believe on me through their word. Verſ. 24. Father, I will, that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory.

2. The reſt of men are put into Chriſts hand, even thoſe that periſh; ſo as that Chriſt hath full power to over-rule them and their actings; ſo as that they ſhall not quite root out his Church, ſo as that he ſhall have Glory in carrying on his work, ſo far as he pleaſes, against all their oppoſition; puniſh them ſo far as he thinks fit in this Life, and paſs ſentence of everlaſting Damnation againſt them at the Laſt Day.

Thus we ſee all men are given into Chriſt's hand, Elect and non-Elect; the Elect to redeem and ſave, and the reſt to order them and diſpoſe of them as he pleaſes in this World, a d to judge them at the Laſt Day.

2. All the Angels are given into Chriſts hands. p. 28The Elect Angels are given into his hand to confirm them, as ſome think, and to make uſe of them in his Mediatory Kingdom, as he pleaſes. The fallen Angels are given into his hand, ſo as that he hath Power to check them and reſtrain them, and ſet bounds to them, that they ſhall not Devour and Prevail againſt any of his redeemed People; and likewiſe to ſit in Judgment upon them, and paſs open Sentence of Condemnation upon them at the Laſt Day. Epheſ. 1.21, 22. 'Tis ſaid of Chriſt, That he is far above all Principality, and Power, and Might, and Dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but alſo in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be Head over all things to the Church. Luk. 10.17. And the ſeventy returned with joy, ſaying, Lord, even the Devils are ſubject to us through thy Name.

3. All Creatures, whether animate or inanimate, are given into the hand of Chriſt as Mediator, God-man.

1. All animate Creatures, all rational Creatures. Phil. 2.9, 10. Wherefore alſo God hath highly exalted him, and given him a Name which is above every Name; That at the Name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow, of things in Heaven and things on Earth—

2. All inanimate, all irrational Creatures. Pſal. 8.5, 6, 7, 8. For thou haſt made him a little lower than the Angels, (viz. barely conſidered as man, though far above all the Angels, as God-man; Mediator) and haſt crowned him with Glory and p. 29Honour. Thou madeſt him to have dominion over the works of thy hand; thou haſt put all things under his feet, all ſheep and oxen, yea, and the beaſts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fiſh of the Sea.—

4. All things that do concern the ordering of the Churches here in this world, are given and committed to Chriſt as Mediator. What Officers ſhall be in his Churches, what Diſcipline, Government, Cenſures, Ordinances and Worſhip, theſe things are not left to mens Inventions, but all muſt be ordered as Chriſt hath appointed in the Word, Mat. 28.18, 19, 20. And Jeſus came and ſpake unto them, ſaying, All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt: Teaching them to obſerve all things that I have commanded. The very Apoſtles were limited, that they ſhould teach nothing to be obſerved in Spiritual matters, but what Chriſt commanded, and then much more all Church-Guides in theſe days; for the Father hath given the Power of making Laws and Orders for his Church into Chriſts hand only. No Power on Earth can add or take away from the Sacraments, Cenſures, Officers and Ordinances that Chriſt hath appointed; for the Father hath given all things into his hand.

5. All Providential Diſpenſations in this world are given into the hand of Chriſt; all publick and private concernments; Thou haſt given him Power over all fleſh, Joh. 17.2. For the Father p. 30judgeth no man, but hath committed all Judgment unto the Son, Joh. 5.22. We muſt not underſtand theſe things, as if God the Father had ſo put things into the hand of Chriſt, as if he had not Power and Authority ſtill over all; but the meaning is, that he hath given the management of all into Chriſt's hand, as Mediator, by way of Honour and Truſt, to order all for the Glory of God, and for the Eternal Salvation of thoſe, whom he hath given him to be his Myſtical Body.

And ſo I come to the Second thing, to ſhew you, Why, or to what end the Father hath given all things into Chriſt's hands as Mediator:

1. The Father hath done this for his own Glory. Phil. 2.11, 12. Wherefore God alſo hath highly exalted him, and given him a Name above every name, —That every tongue ſhould confeſs that Chriſt is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father. 'Tis for the Glory of God the Father, that he hath laid help upon ſuch a mighty One, and ſet ſuch a King upon his holy Hill of Sion.

2. The Father hath done this for the Glory of Chriſt too: That all men ſhould honour the Son, as they honour the Father, Joh. 5.32. Wherefore when he brings in the firſt begotten into the world, he ſaith, Let all the Angels of God worſhip him, Heb. 1.6.

3. The Father hath done it for the Churches ſake too; for the Elects ſake he hath given him to be the head over all things to the Church, Epheſ. 1.22. to order all things for the accompliſhing and perfecting their Salvation; and to that end he p. 31hath the heart of man amongſt other things given into his hand, that Chriſt hath power as Mediator, to make his people willing to cloſe with him. Pſal. 110.3. Thy people ſhall be willing in the day of thy power. Joh. 6.37. All that the Father giveth me, ſhall come unto me. Joh. 12.32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Application.

Uſe 1. Seeing the Father hath given all things into Chriſt's hand, then let us all come to Chriſt, receive him, believe in him: And this is the very Uſe that Chriſt himſelf makes of this point. Mat. 11.27, 28. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: And no man knoweth the Son but the Father: Neither knoweth any man the Father, but the Son, and he to whomſoever he will reveal him. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt. Seeing the Father hath given all into Chriſt's hand, come unto him for whatſoever you want, come to him for Pardon, for Righteouſneſs, for peace of Conſcience, for Knowledg, for Sanctification, for all. Joh. 6.27. Labour not for the meat that periſhes, but for that meat which endureth to everlaſting Life, which the Son of man ſhall give unto you; for him hath God the Father ſealed. He hath Authority and Commiſſion from the Father, all things are given into his hand. Him hath God the Father ſealed, therefore come unto him, that you may have the meat that endureth to everlaſting Life; He hath the keys p. 32of Hell and of Death, He is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, He is able to reſcue you from the very jaws of Hell; therefore, I ſay, venture your Souls upon him. The Father hath appointed him to be Prophet, Prieſt and King; come therefore unto him for all that you ſtand in need of.

Uſe 2. Seeing the Father hath given all into Chriſts hand, let all ſubmit to Jeſus Chriſt. Pſal. 2.12. Kiſs the Son leſt he be Angry, and ye periſh from the way. We are all to do Homage to Chriſt, to be ſubject to Chriſt; and this is called a Kiſſing of the Son. You read of thoſe that did not bow the knee to Baal, nor kiſſed him; It is ſpoken of the People of God that would not owne Baal: and the Idolaters that worſhiped the Sun and the Moon, becauſe they could not reach them to kiſs them, therefore they kiſſed their hand, in token of Homage and Subjection to them, as is implyed in Job's words, Chap. 31.26, 27. So that this is one thing that is intended by this Phraſe, of Kiſſing the Son, that we ſhould do Homage unto him and be Subject unto him. Therefore ſeeing all is given into Chriſts hand, and he ſhall Judge the Quick and the Dead at his appearing and his Kingdom, give dilligence that you may be found of him in Peace, that you may be accepted in him as a Saviour, and accepted of him as a Judge; for we muſt all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Chriſt.

But may ſome ſay, When we conſider what a great Lord, Jeſus Chriſt is, and that the Father p. 33hath made him the Judge of all, and that he ſhall come in all the Glory of the Father, with all his holy Angels, and all muſt appear before his Judgment-Seat, to give an account, the thoughts of Chriſt begin to be terrible to us ſinful, guilty creatures; we begin to ſay in our hearts, How ſhall we be able to ſtand before this great Lord and Judge?

Anſwer. Chriſt is a Prieſt as well as a King, a Saviour as well as a Judge; So that if you put your truſt in him as a Mediator, and be found in his Righteouſneſs, then you may be able to ſtand before him, elſe not. Therefore labour to know Chriſt in his Prieſtly Office, and believe in him, that you may be waſhed and made white in his Blood, and that he may be the Lord your Righteouſneſs; then you may have boldneſs to ſtand before him, and not be aſhamed and confounded at his coming. Therefore, I ſay, now come to him as a Saviour, before whom at laſt you muſt come as a Judge.

Uſe 3. Seeing all things are given into Chriſt's hand, let not Believers fear theſe black ſtorms of Perſecution that may come upon them in this world. The ſame Jeſus that ſhed his Blood for his People, he hath the ordering, over-ruling, and diſpoſing of all things: Know that nothing can come upon you, but it muſt paſs through the hand of Chriſt, therefore fear not: Not only men, but Devils alſo are ſubject to his Power; yea, he hath Power over our Luſts and Corruptions, therefore they ſhall not have dominion over us. And in the worſt times, p. 32duplicate page p. 33duplicate page p. 34fear not that the People of God will be rooted out; no, Chriſt ſitteth upon the floud, he ſitteth King for ever.

Object. But if the ordering of all things is given into Chriſt's hand, it ſeems ſtrange, that he ſuffers many times his Enemies to be the chief in Power, and his People to be low and perſecuted.

Anſwer. Chriſt ſuffers it, yea, orders it ſo, that he may have the greater Glory in carrying on his work againſt ſo much oppoſition. The Goſpel never prevailed more in the world, than when the Rulers were Heathens and Perſecutors: and Chriſt hath Glory too, in puniſhing his Enemies here and hereafter. And as for the People of God, they are the more Spiritual, and Heavenly, and Courageous in times of Perſecution.

Uſe 4. Seeing all things are given into Chriſt's hand, this may aſſure us of the perſeverance of Believers. What ſhould hinder it? Chriſt is above Satan, above the corruption of their hearts; and ſeeing the Father hath given them to him, he will keep them unto the end. Joh. 17.12. Thoſe whom thou gaveſt me I have kept, and none of them is loſt, ſave the Son of Perdition. And as for Judas, called here the Son of Perdition, he never was a Believer in the ſenſe that the reſt were, Joh. 6.64. but a Devil, verſ. 70. Though Judas was given to Chriſt to be an Apoſtle for a time, and given into Chriſts hand, as the very Devils are, ſo as that p. 35he ſhall puniſh them for ever; yet Judas was never ſo given to Chriſt to redeem, to ſave, to bring to Glory, to be a Member of his Myſtical Body: For thoſe that are ſo given to Chriſt, not one of them can be loſt, ſeeing Chriſt hath taken the charge of their Salvation, and wants neither Wiſdom, nor Faithfulneſs, nor Love, nor Power, to bring them ſafe to Heaven.

Now I come to verſ. 36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life: And he that believeth not the Son, ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Here you have the Concluſion of this Heavenly Sermon, or Speech of John the Baptiſt. He had ſet forth Chriſt's Glory and Excellency as the Churches Bridegroom, verſ. 29. He that hath the Bride, is the Bridegroom: but the friend of the Bridegroom, which ſtandeth and heareth him, rejoyceth greatly, becauſe of the Bridegrooms voice: This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He had ſhewn, how he muſt increaſe and be glorious in the eyes of all; that he came from above, from Heaven, and is above all; that the Father ſent him, and gave him the Spirit above meaſure; that the Father loved him, and hath given all things into hand.

And now he comes to make the Uſe and Application of this, That men would believe on the Name of the Son of God. This Duty of Believing p. 36on Chriſt, is preſſed by two ſtrong Arguments, or Motives.

The firſt Argument is taken from the great benefit that comes by believing on Chriſt. [He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life.] This is a great benefit indeed, Life is very deſirable, eſpecialy everlaſting Life; yea, for further encouragement to believe in Chriſt, he ſaith, That he that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting Life; Not only that he ſhall have it, but he hath it already; he hath everlaſting Life.

The ſecond Argument is taken from the contrary; namely, The great Danger, the great Evil and Miſery that will be the portion of all thoſe that do not believe the Son. And this is ſet out, not only Privatively, he ſhall not ſee Life; but Poſitively, as an addition to that miſery, The wrath of God abideth on them.

Doct. 1. That he that believes on Chriſt the Son of God, hath everlaſting Life.

Doct. 2. That he that believeth not the Son, that believeth not in the Lord Jeſus, ſhall not ſee Life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Doct. 1. That whoſoever believeth on Chriſt the Son of God hath everlaſting Life.

This is much ſpoken of, That he that believeth on the Son, is delivered from the wrath to come: Joh. 3.14, 15, 16. As Moſes lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderneſs, ſo muſt the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoſoever believeth on him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting Life. p. 37Joh. 6.40. This is the will of him that ſent me, that every one that ſeeth the Son, and believeth on him, ſhould have everlaſting Life. And verſ. 47. Verily, verily I ſay unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlaſting Life. He ſpeaks it with an Aſſeveration, Verily, verily, he that believeth on me hath everlaſting Life. Joh. 20.31. But theſe things are written, that Jeſus is the Chriſt, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have Life through his Name.

1. Let us enquire, what is meant by this everlaſting Life, that is, the Portion of every one that believeth in Chriſt.

2. What is this believing, this Faith, upon which a Man or Woman comes to have everlaſting Life.

3. To give you ſome Demonſtrations, or Arguments, to prove that he that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life; Becauſe poſſibly ſome may Queſtion it.

4. Shew you in what Senſe he that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting Life already; for the Text ſaith, ſuch an one hath everlaſting Life.

1. Let us enquire what is meant by this everlaſting Life, which is the Portion of every believing Soul.

By everlaſting Life, here we are not to underſtand that Life that conſiſts in the Union of Body and Soul: No, Brethren, though our Bodies and Souls ſhould be everlaſtingly united, and never be ſeperated by Death, yet that is not the everlaſting Life here ſpoken of; yea, and the Damned at the Reſurrection ſhall have p. 38their Bodies and Souls united together, and ſhall ſo continue to Eternity, and yet they never ſee this everlaſting Life.

This everlaſting Life in the Text is the greateſt hapineſs that we are capable of; It conſiſts in Two things.

1. Freedom from all ſin and from all evils whatſoever, called, 1 Theſſ. 5.9. The obtaining of Salvation by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

2. The enjoyment of all that is Perfectly Good. Grace and Glory, Pſal. 84.11. this ſtate is called the better Country, even an Heavenly, Heb. 11.16. God is the Believers God, and he hath prepared for them a City; and in enjoying God they enjoy all.

And then, obſerve, that the Happineſs of Believers is for ever; they are not freed from all evil for a time only, and enjoy all good for a time only; but for ever: And ſo they have everlaſting Life.

2. Let us enquire what is this believing, what this Faith is, upon which a man or woman comes to have everlaſting Life.

I anſwer, 'Tis not a bare aſſent to the Truth of the Goſpel; 'Tis not a meer Hiſtorical Faith: Yea, though you ſhould be ſomewhat affected with it, and hear the Word with Joy, and do many things as Herod did.

But this believing, is a Receiving of Christ himſelf in ſome word of Grace, wherby the humbled Sinner doth wholy rely upon Jeſus Chriſt for Life and Salvation. Although we are to believe all that is Written in the Law and the Prophets, p. 39and the whole Word of God; yet Chriſt as a Saviour and Mediator is the object of juſtifying Faith, Gal. 3.2. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith? Faith is wrought in us by the hearing of the Goſpel, by ſome word of Grace wherein Chriſt is held forth as a Saviour, either Explicitly or Implicitly. The Text ſaith, He that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life. And Paul bids the Jaylor, believe on the Lord Jeſus, and thou ſhalt be ſaved. So that whatſoever word the Lord hints to us, to work and beget Faith in our Hearts, yet the Soul doth not ſtay there, but Ventures and Caſts it ſelf wholy upon Jeſus Chriſt, as the Saviour and Mediator.

Thirdly, To give you ſome Demonſtrations, or Arguments, to prove, that whoſoever believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life.

1. God the Father promiſed this to Chriſt the Mediator, in the behalf of his Ranſomed ones: Tit. 1.2. In hope of Eternal Life, which God that cannot lie promiſed before the world began. God promiſed to Chriſt no leſs than Eternal Life for his Seed. Rom. 6. laſt, The Gift of God is Eternal Life, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. 1 Joh. 2.25. This is the Promiſe which he hath promiſed us, even eternal Life. This was promiſed to Chriſt, that by his Obedience all his People ſhould be made Righteous, and have Eternal Life.

2. Chriſt, as Mediator, prayed for no leſs than Eternal Life for his people, and the Father always heareth him. Joh. 17.24. Father, I will, p. 40that thoſe whom thou haſt given me, may be with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory which thou haſt given me—

3. Jeſus Chriſt hath purchaſed Eternal Life for his People: Hebr. 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. Chriſt having made Satisfaction for the Sins of his People, and brought in an everlaſting Righteouſneſs for them, What ſhould now hinder them of Everlaſting Life, who believe on his Name.

4. One thing more, to ſhew you in what ſenſe it is ſaid in the Text, That he that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting Life; not only ſhall have it, but hath Everlaſting Life.

Seeing that Believers have Sin dwelling and remaining in them, and are liable to Temptations and Buffetings of Satan, and liable to all kind of outward Sorrows and Afflictions, and have this Earthly Tabernacle yet to put off; How can it be ſaid, that a Believer now hath everlaſting Life?

I anſwer, 1. In regard of the certainty of it. As when it is ſaid Babylon is fallen; 'Tis as certain that Babylon ſhall fall, as if it were fallen already: So it is as certain, that Believers ſhall have everlaſting Life, as if they had it already. And ſo it is ſaid, 2 Tim. 1.9. Who hath ſaved us and called us. We are ſaved already.

p. 412. In regard that everlaſting Life is begun to a Believer: Every Believer is in a juſtified eſtate, his Sins pardoned, and the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt imputed to him, and Holineſs and Communion with God is begun already in this Life; his Fellowſhip is now with the Father and his Son Jeſus Chriſt.

3. In regard of Christ our head; Epheſ. 2.6, He hath raiſed us up, and made us ſit together in Heavenly Places in Christ. The members of the myſtical Body are now in Heaven, though not in their own Perſons, yet in Chriſt their Head, Heb. 6.20. Whither the fore-runner is for us entred, even Jeſus; He hath taken up Heaven for them, and appears in the preſence of God for them.

Application.

Uſe 1. From what is ſaid here, That he that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life; and he that beleiveth not on the Son, ſhall not ſee Life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Learn that there is an everlaſting eſtate appointed for every one, either everlaſting Life, or everlaſting Death. An eternity there is for every one of us, and we are near it, we are upon the brink of it, we are near Heaven or Hell. The Lord knows that we mind theſe preſent things too much, and eternity very little: But, O! That when we come to dye, to go into eternity, that we may be in Chriſt; that ſo when the Earthly houſe of this Tabernacle ſhall be diſſolved, we may have a Building of God, an Houſe not p. 42made with hands Eternal in the Heavens. O! that we may remember our eternal condition more, that the thoughts of Eternity may be with us in our Callings and Buſineſs all the day long; and that we may make ſure of our intereſt of Chriſt, that we may have everlaſting Life.

Uſe 2. Wonder at the Lord's Grace in Chriſt, that he ſhould give everlaſting Life to any of us, fallen, ſinful men. God doth not give everlaſting Life to any of the Angels that ſinned; but caſt them all down to Hell. And you that live under the Preaching of the Goſpel, bleſs God that you hear of theſe glad tidings of everlaſting Life through Chriſt; and hearing this way of Life Preached and Declared to you, O! that you may receive Chriſt, That you may believe on him, that you may have everlaſting Life.

Uſe 3. Heere is matter of ſtrong conſolation to thoſe that have believed on the Son; O! Let ſuch rejoyce in the Grace of God, the Lord hath abounded towards them in his kindneſs through Chriſt Jeſus; It is true, you may meet with many ſorrows here in this world, but rejoyce in this, that there is no Condemnation to you; becauſe you are in Chriſt Jeſus: And not only no Condemnation, but you have everlaſting Life. You may loſe Eſtate, Name, Liberty, and Life in this World, but you can never loſe everlaſting Life: for he that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life.

p. 43Uſe 4. Here is Direction to thoſe that are convinced of their ſins, that are weary and heavy laden, whoſe conſciences are preſſed with the burden of their ſins, as if they had a heavy mountain lay upon them; O! Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sin of the World; believe on the Lord Jeſus, and you ſhall be ſaved and have everlaſting Life. You know not what to do, but O flee to Chriſt for help, he came into the World to ſave ſinners, and he is able to ſave all that come unto God by him, whatſoever their guilt, whatſoever their ſins are.

The ſecond Argument, or motive to believe in Chriſt, is taken, from the Miſery, and loſt Eſtate and Condition of thoſe who do not believe on Chriſt. He that believeth not the Son ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Doct. 2. That he that believeth not the Son ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

He that beliveth not the Son, that is, he that believeth not on the Son; this is Spoken in Oppoſition to the former part of the Verſe.

He ſhall not ſee Life.] 'Tis a Metaphorical Expreſſion; the meaning is, he ſhall not enjoy everlaſting Life, he ſhall not enter into it, he hath no part in eternal Life: yea, and for the preſent, the wrath of God abideth on him, as to the State and Condition wherin he is.

Some take theſe words to be intended, of p. 44thoſe only; who never to the laſt, believe in Chriſt, that ſuch ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on them. This is true, but becauſe the Apoſtle ſaith even of the Elect, that they are by Nature Children of Wrath, even as others, Epheſ. 2.3. We may take the words ſo, that all whatſoever, whilſt unbelievers, ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on them. The Elect, though they are given to Chriſt from Eternity, yet they are neither juſtified nor Sanctified till they do believe in Chriſt. Indeed, the Lord hath thoughts of Peace to them, which ſhall be manifeſted in due time; but they having ſinned as well as others, they are under the Curſe of the Law as well as others, until they do believe on Chriſt; yet ſo, as that they ſhall not any one of them have the Sentence of Condemnation Executed upon them, but ſhall be delivered from going down to the Pit; Becauſe the Lord hath ſound a Ranſom for them. The Decree of Election ſhall be executed upon them, and the Redemption of Chriſt ſhall be applied to them, to prevent the fall and final Execution of the Curſe of the Law, in their Eternal Damnation.

But as for thoſe who never believe one the Son, the Curſe of the Law comes Fully and Eternally upon them, and ſo the Wrath of God abideth on them for ever. All have ſinned in Adam, and ſo are become guilty before God; All have an inward Rebellion and Oppoſition in their Nature againſt God: All when they come to underſtanding are Guilty of Actual p. 45ſin: So that it cannot be, that ever we ſhould ſee Life, but ſhould have the wrath of God abide upon us, except we be juſtified freely by Grace, through the Redemption which is in Jeſus Chriſt our Lord; and we receive this Grace by believing on Chriſt, whom God hath ſet forth to be a Propitiation for ſins, through Faith in his Blood, Rom. 3.25. It is by Faith, that we receive the attonement that Chriſt hath made for our ſins, and the everlaſting Righteouſneſs that he hath performed for us.

Now concerning the Wrath of God which the Text ſpeaks of, you muſt not underſtand it as if there were ſuch Paſſions in God as there are in man: but the Scripture ſpeaks of things to our weak capacities. God's Wrath is his afflicting and puniſhing, 'tis his revenging Juſtice, and this all men are liable unto for their ſins, who do not believe on the Name of the Son of God.

Application.

Uſe 1. Learn hence, that it is not incongruous or diſagreeing to the Praching of the Goſpel, to hold forth threatnings of Wrath. Here John the Baptiſt, in th…s Evangellical diſcourſe of Chriſt, doth hold forth moſt terrible threatnings unto thoſe, that continue in the ſtate of Unbelief; he ſaith, They ſhall not ſee Life, but the Wrath of God abideth on them. And ſo our Saviour, when he ſent out the Apoſtles to Preach unto the Gentiles, ſaith he, He that believeth not, ſhall be Damned, Mark. 16.16. Threatnings are a means appointed to awaken us to ſee our danger, and are uſeful in the Preaching of the Goſpel, p. 46Hebr. 2.3. How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great Salvation? Hebr. 12.25. See that ye refuſe not him that ſpeaketh; for if they eſcaped not, who refuſed him that ſpake on Earth, much more ſhall not we eſcape, if we turn away from him that ſpeaketh from Heaven. Therefore both the Terrors of the Law, and the Threatnings for refuſing Chriſt the Mediator, are to be ſet home upon the Conſciences of men.

Uſe 2. Learn hence what cauſe they have to rejoyce and praiſe the Lord, who have been drawn to Chriſt, to know him and believe in him. Such are not only delivered from the wrath to come, but they ſhall ſee Life, they ſhall enjoy everlaſting Life.

And though Believers have the Death of the Body to encounter with, yet they need not be diſmayed; they may ſay with the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15.55. O! Death, where is thy ſting? O! Grave, where is thy Victory? He triumphs over Death, as if it were a poor unarmed Captive, Where is thy power and ſtrength? And as to Afflictions, although Believers may have much of the Croſs, yet they have nothing of the Curſe: Chriſt hath delivered us from the Curſe of the Law, being made a Curſe for us, Gal. 3.13. And we know that all things ſhall work for good to them that love God, who are called according to his purpoſe, Rom. 8.28.

You that are Believers in Chriſt, you may have free acceſs to God through him; you may ask for your ſelves, you may ask for your p. 47Children, that they might live before him; you may ask for the Nation, you may ask for your Friends: Though you be unworthy in your ſelves, yet coming in his Name, and as thoſe that are in him, whatſoever you ask according to the Will of God, he heareth you: And beſides all your Mercies and Priviledges here, when your days are expired, you ſhall have the full enjoyment of Everlaſting Life.

Uſe 3. Seeing he that believeth on the Son hath everlaſting Life, and he that believeth not the Son ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on him: This ſhould put us all upon this great work of believing on Chriſt. This ſeems to be the very ſcope of this holy man John Baptiſt, in what he had ſaid here; he would have thoſe that he ſpake unto, to believe on Jeſus Chriſt: He ſhews them it is a matter of great concernment, a matter of Life and Death. Be you perſwaded of it, that this is a truth that John Baptiſt here ſpeaks, That he that believeth not the Son, ſhall not ſee Life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. And O! Do you think that you are able to grapple with the wrath of God? Can you endure to have the wrath of God to abide upon you?

Let me beſeech one thing of you, even for the Lord's ſake and for your own Souls ſake, that when you come home, that you would retire a little, get alone and ſeriouſly ponder theſe words, He that believeth not the Son, ſhall not ſee Life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Ask p. 48your own hearts, whether you believe what is ſpoken here, and that it ſhall be fulfilled upon all thoſe that reject Chriſt? And when you are alone, put it upon your hearts to conſider ſeriouſly, what it is to have the wrath of God abide upon you; what a miſerable condition that will be.

If you had but a Sentence of Death paſſed upon you by a Judge of Aſſize, how terrible is it to moſt men! But then, how dreadful will this be to you, when the Lord ſhall ſay, Depart from me ye Curſed? when the Lord ſhall ſay, that you ſhall never ſee Life, but the wrath of God ſhall abide on you for ever?

Did you never ſee one under a deep ſenſe and apprehenſion of Gods wrath? O how ſuch an one will cry out! And yet it is but ſome drop, or ſo, that falls upon the Conſcience here in this Life, in compariſon of Hell. If you have not ſeen any under the ſenſe of God's wrath, conſider what the Scripture ſaith of Cain and Judas, what Terrours they were under; and read the Story of Francis Spira, there you may ſee what amazing, aſtoniſhing Expreſſions and Wiſhes came from him, under a ſenſe of God's wrath lying upon him; he was ſo tormented, that but he was watched by his Friends, and could not get opportunity, he would have killed himſelf.

Yea, and conſider our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who never had any ſin inherent in him; yet ſtanding in the room of his People, and having p. 49their ſins imputed to him, that by his Suffering in their ſtead, Juſtice might be ſatisfied for Sin; How he was filled with Aſtoniſhment and Grief under the wrath of God due to our ſins, Mat. 26.38. Then ſaith he unto them, My Soul is exceeding ſorrowful, even unto death. Luk. 22.44. And being in an Agony he prayed more earneſtly, and his ſweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And he cried out upon the Croſs, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? We muſt not think that the Captain of our Salvation was thus ſorrowful, and ſweat drops of Blood, and cried out ſo vehemently for the fear and pain of bodily death, which many Martyrs and other men have endured without any great diſturbance; but Chriſt bare that in his Sufferings, that was ten Thouſand times more dreadful; he had the Iniquities of all his people at once laid upon him, and ſo bare the wrath of God due unto them. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Mighty One, being Godman, ſoon made Satisfaction for the ſins of his people, and ſo was acquitted and diſcharged, and is now in the ſame Nature wherein he Suffered, at the right hand of God. But I pray conſider, If we bear the wrath of God our ſelves, what ſhall we do? You ſee it is no light matter, it will be a burden too heavy for us to bear, it will make us wiſh again and again, that we had never been born. And truely, if we do not believe on the Son, who hath born wrath for Sinners, and who alone delivers from the wrath to come, it muſt p. 50abide upon us. Think of theſe things between the Lord and your own Souls, and let us call to one another, and awaken one another, and tell one another of the danger that we are in. If this houſe where we are were ſet on fire, and one were aſleep here, it were time to awaken them. O! If you have Children, Servants, Acquaintance, that are in an ignorant and prophane way, call to them and endeavour to convince them of their ſins, and draw them to believe in Chriſt.

Queſt. But it may be, ſome will ſay, you preſs this believing in Chriſt very much, and what is there in believing, that thoſe that believe ſhould have Everlaſting Life?

Anſw. There is nothing of Merit of Efficiency or Cauſality in our believing, to free us from the wrath of God, and to bring us to everlaſting Life. For everlaſting Life is the Gift of God, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord; ſo that we do not ſet up Faith to have any part with Chriſt in the Glory of our Salvation. But I pray conſider it, that Faith is that Grace, whereby we loſt Sinners, being convinced of our Sins, and having no hope of any help and relief in our ſelves, do wholy betake our ſelves to Jeſus the Mediator for our Salvation. So that Chriſt is all, and doth all, and by Faith we receive and embrace Chriſt our Juſtifier. And ſo hath the Lord ordained, that by going out of our ſelves, and receiving Chriſt the Mediator, we have the Gift of Righteouſneſs, even the Righteouſneſs p. 51of Chriſt imputed to us, to the Juſtification of Life: So that it is not Faith as a Work, but Faith as a Hand or Inſtrument, whereby we receive Chriſt the Saviour, that juſtifies us in the ſight of God.

Queſt. But how ſhall I come to believe on the Lord Jeſus?

Anſw. 1. You muſt be convinced of Sin. You muſt ſee that you are guilty before God, that you cannot ſtand before the Holy Lord God. But alas! Mens hearts are ſo taken up with the Cares and Pleaſures of the world, and think ſo little of Eternity and the Judgment to come, that it is in the thoughts of few, how they ſhall be diſcharged from the guilt of their Sins, and have everlaſting Life.

2. You muſt ſee that there is no help for you in your own perſonal Righteouſneſs. How can there, when you have ſinned already? And all the Righteouſneſs that you can perform in this Life, is defective and full of Imperfections? You muſt know that there muſt be a perfect Righteouſneſs to juſtifie you.

3. You must know that Chriſt is he that is Ordained of God to be the Saviour: That you can be ſaved only by his Blood and Righteouſneſs, and ſo caſt your ſelf wholly upon him. This Faith is the Gift of God. No man can come to Chriſt except the Father, which hath ſent him, draw him. And though ſome may think this believing in Chriſt, a notion, a fancy, or however a common or eaſy thing; yet as it is a real thing wrought in the hearts of the Elect p. 52by the Spirit of God; ſo it is no eaſy thing to believe truly on Chriſt, when a ſinner is convinced of the Greatneſs of God, the Holineſs of his Law, the revenging Juſtice of God, and his own guilt and filth, it is a great work of God to fix and ſtay the heart upon the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; to deliver ſuch a one from going down to the pit, and bring the ſoul to everlaſting Life.

Object. I dare not come to Christ, becauſe I do not know I am Elected.

Anſwer, You cannot know that you are elected, until you believe in Chriſt; by this you may know your Election, if the Goſpel of the Grace of God come to your heart with ſuch Power of the Holy Ghoſt, as to draw and fix your heart to Jeſus the Mediator. Though God's Eternal Election be a great Truth, which you may find of great uſe for your eſtabliſhing in the Grace of God afterwards▪ yet that which now concerns the convinced …er, is to caſt himſelf upon Chriſt, to belie… Chriſt; and when you have received him, … are in a ſtate of acceptation with God through him, then you ſhall know in due time, that this great Love of God towards you is not of yeſterday; but that he ordained and appointed you to obtain this Salvation through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, before the Foundation of the World was laid.

Uſe 4. This Doctrine concerning believing in p. 53Chriſt, may teach us our great Blindneſs and Ignorance of the way of Life and Salvation, until ſome Goſpel-light ſhine upon us. Men are more eaſily convinced, that it is their Duty to pray to God, and to live ſoberly and righteouſly, than they are convinced of the neceſſity of going out of themſelves to Chriſt, that they may have Everlaſting Life by believing on him. The way of the Goſpel is new and ſtrange, until the Holy Ghoſt convinces us of this way of Righteouſneſs and Life.

Therefore ſtudy the Goſpel, ſtudy upon Jeſus the Mediator, hear him Preached, and the Lord draw our hearts effectually unto Jeſus Chriſt, that ſo believing on the Son, we may have the beginning of Everlaſting Life here, and the full enjoyment of it in Heaven.