The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the Sight of God, Sermon 12
Chriſt ſet forth to be a Propitiation.
THE TWELFTH SERMON
ON
Rom. 3.24, 25.
Whom God hath ſet forth to be a Propitiation.
WEE have ſeen before of the efficient cauſe of a ſinners juſtification. 1 God the Father. 2 The inward impulſive, thats the free grace and favour of God. 3 The meritorious cauſe. 4 The inſtrument apprehending the object, that is faith in Chriſts blood. 5 The end in reſpect of us, that is our remiſſion of ſins, and eternal ſalvation. In reſpect of God, the manifeſtation of his Juſtice and Mercy.
Now the Meritorious Cauſe is amplyfied. 1 By the degree and meaſure and manner of it: it was by blood. 2 By the efficacy of it: it was a propitiation. 3 By the ground or manner of it, in the word [ſet forth] of which next is this Quere.
Queſt. What is the meaning of ſetting forth Chriſt to bee a Propitiation?
Anſw. Chriſt was formerly ſet forth for a Propitiation in times of the Old Teſtament. But very darkly, under Types and ſhadows, and very reſtrainedly; in that 'twas onelyonly to the Jews, or the Proſelytes that were joyned to them. But now in the New Teſtament, Chriſt is clearly and openly ſet forth in the Miniſtry of the Goſpel, and without all reſtraint both to Jews and Gentiles. 1 Joh. 2.2. a propitiation for the ſinnes of the whole world. Heb. 9.7. The Mercy Seat was ſhut up in the times of the Old Teſtament, though the benefit was extended to the whole Church of the Jews, yet to them onelyonly, and ſuch as joyned to them: and beſides, none but the High Prieſt might go into it: and that not commonly, but onelyonly once a year. But now in the times of the New Teſtament, Chriſt our Mercy Seat is ſet forth in the Promiſes and Preaching of the Goſpel, to all ſorts of ſinners, that they have free recourſe to him for themſelves, and that at any time. This I conceive was intended by the Tranſlators in this place: and it is pious and precious.
The word here uſed, doth often ſignify the purpoſe and decree of God from all eternity. Rom. 8.28. And of mens purpoſes to do any thing, Rom. 1.13. But its eſpecially applyed unto the myſtery of Chriſt, & Gods eternal purpoſe in gathering of ſinners unto him in one head. Eph. 1.9. And this ſignification doth marvellouſly ſuit here, to ſhew unto us how it comes to paſs that Chriſt is the Propitiatory, or placatory ſacrifice for ſin: Even becauſe God the Father purpoſed, and fore-appointed this way of reconciliation from all eternity.
In regard of the compoſition of the word it may ſignify [hee propoſed before] or [held forth in former times] viz. In former times by the ſacrifice of the Law, the Mercy Seat, and other types, thus was Chriſt then ſet forth, Act. 10.36.
All theſe interpretations are uſefull, and precious, which I comprehend therefore in this
Doct. Chriſt was purpoſed and propoſed our Propitiation.That God the Father purpoſed from eternity, and propoſed in fulneſs of time his Son Jeſus Chriſt, to bee the propitiation for ſinners.
1 Its much inſiſted on in Scripture, that the eternal decree and purpoſe of God is mentioned as the ground mark of our redemption. 1 Pet. 1.2. Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God, and the ſanctification of the Spirit, and obedience, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jeſus. Here wee have three works of the divine perſons in the ſalvation of ſouls. The Fathers election, the Sons redemption, and the Spirits application. And theſe two latter are grounded in the former. As alſo, 1 Theſſ. 5.9. 1 Joh. 4.10. Act. 4.28.
2 Chriſt was propoſed formerly in the Old Teſtament, I mean in the promiſes, prophecies, and types. Act. 10.36. Luke 1.70. 1 Pet. 1.10, 11. The Prophets prophecyed of the grace of God in Chriſt, and teſtified before hand of the ſufferings of Chriſt, &c. Heb. 9.22.
3 Moſt clearly in the Goſpel-times. 1 Pet. 1.20. The Lamb fore-ordained was manifeſted and offered in our times. 2 Tim. 1.9, 10. Gods purpoſe and grace was given us in Chriſt Jeſus, before the World began; but is now made manifeſt by Chriſt, &c. when he came in fleſh; then was the fountain ſet open, Zach. 13.1.
Queſt. How was the decree of God the Father, about the propitiation of Chriſt?
Anſw. There was from all eternity, a gracious Covenant betwixt the perſons of the Holy Trinity: as it is expreſſed, Iſa. 53.10, &c. with Heb. 10.8. The Father ſaith, If hee will make his ſoul an offering for ſin, &c. And the Son ſaith, Loe I cometo do thy will, my God.
Queſt. Why did God the Father purpoſe from eternity Chriſt to be our propitiation?
Anſw. No reaſon can bee given, but the good pleaſure of the Lord, Iſa. 53.10. It pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him, &c. Its called the love of God, and the free love of God. 1 Joh. 4.10. that hee ſent his Son to bee our propitiation. Nothing without God whether faith, or works, or perſeverance foreſeen, could move God to purpoſe any mans ſalvation. For I may ſpeak it with reverence; God could not foreſee any mans faith and good works, except hee had decreed to give faith, and obedience too, himſelf.
Queſt. Why did God propoſe in the times of the Old Teſtament Chriſts propitiation?
Anſw. 1. It was neceſſary for the ſalvation of all the Elect before the comming of Chriſt: there being no ſalvation to be had in any other but him, Act. 4.12. and no ſalvation by Chriſt, but by his ſacrifice, Heb. 9.22. but this is certain that God appointed their ſalvation, and therefore appointed the means thereof; that is, the propoſal of the Sacrifice, and propitiation of Chriſt, 1 Theſſ. 5.19.
2 It was neceſſary for after times: for hence it is, that Chriſt and his Apoſtles did Preach ſtill out of the Old Teſtament. Beſides, If they had one way of ſalvation, and wee another, then there would have been more waies to heaven than one: and that would have endangered our ſalvation: for wee ſhould have been left in doubt and ſuſpicion which way to take. But the Scripture ſhews us that wee muſt bee ſaved, as the fathers were, Act. 15.11.
Queſt. Why was Chriſts ſacrifice propoſed ſo openly, ſince the comming of Chriſt?
Anſw. 1. In reſpect of the Elect, both Jews and Gentiles, that both might ſee their free admittance to him, and acceptation in him, Act. 2. cap. & 3.
2 In reſpect of the reprobates, that they might be left without excuſe, and Gods juſtice cleared in their deſtruction, Eph. 2.13.
Uſe 1. The hainouſneſs of their ſin who do neglect Chriſt.This may ſerve to diſcover the hainouſneſſe of their ſin, that do either neglect or deſpiſe Chriſts Sacrifice or propitiation. For, 1 Conſider that that revelation of Chriſt in the Old Teſtament (though but dark and imperfect) yet was ſufficient and effectual unto the ſalvation of all the Elect then; the Patriarks and Prophets, &c. John 1.29. Act. 10.43. Could the Ceremonies and the ſhadows ſave? how much more Jeſus Chriſt, the body it ſelf, as hee is now revealed? Could they ſee the Promiſes afar off, and embrace them then? And wee when they are near at hand put them away from us? Had they but the predictions of Chriſts death, and were ſaved by it, and wee are not, who have the full accompliſhed thereof? God reſerved for us theſe better things: ſad and very ſinful is it, if wee become never the better, but the worſe, Act. 13.32, 33. The Promiſe which God made unto the Fathers, hee hath fulfilled unto us their children, the neglect of theſe muſt needs be a more hainous ſin, for which, the Patriarks and Prophets of old, ſhall ſtand up in the judgement, and condemn us.
2 Becauſe Chriſt is ſo generally, and freely offered to all that will receive him. Rev. 22.17. Whoſoever will, let him come and take of the waters of life freely. What can men ſay, but that their deſtruction is now of themſelves wholly: and that they are ſelf-murtherers. This will make the fire of Hell furnace, ſeven times hotter than ordinary, and worſe than Sodomes Hell: to think how ready and open the way to the Mercy Seat was, and nothing hindered thee from it, but thine own vile heart. To ſee perſons, worſe ſinners than thy ſelf ſaved in Heaven, and thou thruſt out. Mat. 8.11, 12. Many ſhall come from the Eaſt, and Weſt, &c.
3 Its aggravated by this, that Jeſus Chriſt was the onelyonly propitiation determined of God, for ſinners, from everlaſting; both his perſon, and the manner of his redemption. Pſal. 33.11. And hence (unleſs wee could null the Counſel of God) its impoſſible to finde any other propitiation. No equivalent price for mans redemption beſides this, No Mercy Seat but meerly this. By Gods decree the matter is eternally limitted, that there is not any other way than by Chriſts death. How ſhall wee eſcape if wee neglect ſo great Salvation? Heb. 2.2, 3. what recompence of vengeance can bee ſufficient for this ſin: not onelyonly if wee despiſe, or ſcorn, but if wee neglect, or care not for this ſalvation.
Now hee that doth take care about this ſalvation will uſe all means, rowl every ſtone, take any pains about it, will as Darius, Dan. 6.14, 18. Set his heart to the matter, cared for it, laboured about it, paſſed the night without his accuſtomed meal, his muſick, or his ſleep? and early, and in haſte aroſe, and went unto Daniel whom he cared for: thus 2 Cor. 7.11. Now if this bee the true care, then thoſe who have no fixed, ſettled, ſerious thoughts about their ſalvation; That will not abate one jot of their ſinful delights, nor carnal contentments for it; but let the word they have heard, heedleſly to ſlip from them again. How is it poſſible they ſhould eſcape? weigh ſeriouſly but that one Scripture, Prov. 1.24. to the end.Comfort to thoſe that have intereſt in Chriſt, thus propoſed and purpoſed for their propitiation.
Uſe 2. Of comfort unto the Children of God, who have part in Chriſt, their comfort lies in theſe branches; 1 The propoſal of Chriſt in the Promiſes and Prophecies of the old Teſtament. This wee are ſure is that good old way, in which the Saints were ſaved then, as Now. Jer. 18.14. Will a man leave the Snow of Lebanon that commeth from the rock of the field, Or ſhall the cold flowing waters bee forſaken? That is, Will a man leave the pure fountain water, to come to dig puddles? as Jerem. 2.13. as many now-adaies do. Our path is the path of all the Saints of former ages. Wee follow the cloud of Witneſſes, Heb. 12.1. And may hope to bee in Abrahams boſome, that Father of the faithful, while that we inſiſt in the faith of Abraham.
2 In the propoſal of Chriſt ſo clearly and largely in the times of the New Teſtament, confirmed by the voice of God, and ſo many ſigns and wonders wrought, Heb. 2.3.4. here is great comfort that our ſouls are in the right way to bliſs, Rom. 16.25, 26.
3 In the eternal purpoſe of God to make Chriſt our Propitiation: When wee conſider the ſleights of Satan, and our own weakneſſes, wee have cauſe to ſay that we ſhall one day fall. But then Rom. 9.11. 2 Tim. 2.19. The purpoſe of God according to Election will ſtand, when heaven and earth ſhall fall. The Foundation of God ſtands ſure.
If it were a Foundation of mans laying, it would not bee ſure; but its the Lords, that never was, nor will bee ſhaken. Our Salvation is not built upon our Faith, our Works, or any ſufficiency in our ſelves, or in the Creatures; But on Gods Eternal Wiſdome, and Counſel, and unchangeable Decree: and on his Son Jeſus, as our Foundation, 1 Cor. 3.11. & 1 Pet. 2.6. Behold, I lay in Sion a chief Corner ſtone, Elect and pretious, and hee that beleeves on him ſhall not bee confounded. Let him therefore be exceedingly comforted, and take up Pauls triumphing Challenge, and ſay, Rom. 8.33, 34. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? its God that juſtifieth, its Chriſt that dyed. This is a ſure breaſt-work againſt all Satans batteries and Accuſations. So Tit. 1.2. Wee have hope of eternal life, promiſed us by an unalterable purpoſe, and that from eternity.
Object. How can that bee, ſeeing before the World began, there was no Creature to make the Promiſe to?
Anſw. I will not trouble you with other Interpretations, but this is the truth; That God the Father promiſed to the ſecond Perſon of the ſacred Trinity, his own Son, To give eternal life to all thoſe that ſhould beleeve upon him in the fulneſs of time. And its ſuitable to that, 2 Tim. 1.9. Who hath ſaved us, and called us with a holy calling, according to his own purpoſe and grace, which was given us in Chriſt before the world began.
Shall wee now ſay, that wee are unworthy of any promiſe or Mercy? Its very true, we in our ſelves are altogether unworthy: But Jeſus Chriſt our Redeemer is worthy to have it made to him, and performed to him. The Lamb that was ſtain is worthy. And immediately, only, to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt were the promiſes made, not to us; and that before the World began: ſo that they are in a good way, and a ſure hand; there's nothing ſucceeding can diſanul, Gal. 3.17. nor ſhould diſcourage us, from taking hold thereon.