The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the Sight of God, Sermon 13
Chriſt ſet forth to be a Propitiation.
THE THIRTEENTH SERMON
ON
Rom. 3.24, 25.
Whom God hath ſet forth to be a Propitiation.
Doct. THat God the Father purpoſed from eternity, and propoſed in the fulneſſe of time, his Son Jeſus Chriſt, to be the Propitiation to appeaſe his wrath.
Ʋſe 3. Of conviction of errors. &c.It may ſerve to diſcover unto us the danger of diverſe erroneous Tenents, about the ſatisfaction of Chriſt. Some denying, ſome leſſening of it, ſome adding thereto humane ſatisfactions and propitiations. Which wicked errours, as they do overthrow many other Principles of Chriſtian Religion; ſo eſpecially this foundation of foundations. So that unleſs God ſhould reverſe his eternal Decree, verified in all ages hitherto, and ſhould give forth another Scripture, and lay open another way to heaven; Its impoſſible theſe men ſhould be ſaved: for they hold not the head, Col. 2.19. nor are at all built upon the only foundation, 1 Cor. 3.11. having miſſed of Jeſus Chriſt and his Propitiation.
Uſe 4. This ſhews the gratious and wonderful concurrence, The concurrence of the perſons in Trinity to our ſalvation.of all the perſons of the Trinity in the ſalvation of a ſinner. Here is the Fathers purpoſe and eternal decree, the Sons propitiation, the holy Spirits application of it implyed in the work of Faith in the blood of Chriſt.
A great miſtake therefore it is, for any to think, that we do owe much more to Chriſt for our ſalvation, than wee do to God the Father: as if hee did carry it but justly, nay ſomewhat ſeverely, towards us: in Chriſt onelyonly was mercy. Why, Conſider 1. That the juſtice of God is an an eſſential attribute common to all the three perſons; & that juſt will to puniſh ſin, or that wrath of God againſt it, is alike in them all. Therefore there is no greater enemy to ſinners, than the Son, and the Holy Ghoſt. Pſal. 45.7.
2 Though Chriſt only did take fleſh upon him and ſuffer, yet this was now brought about by the Fathers Councel and decree. Joh. 3.16. Hee gave his Son. Rom. 8.32. Hee spared not his Son. 2 Cor. 5.19. God was in Chriſt reconciling the world to himſelf. God the Father is the fountain of the God-head in order of ſubſiſting; And ſo hee is in all the works of grace, that are wrought for ſinners. It was his love that moved him to appoint this way of ſalvation, 1 Joh. 4.10.
3 Chriſts ſatisfaction and ſacrifice was no cauſe of the fathers love, but an effect thereof, and a chief means of our ſalvation. 1 Theſſ. 5.9. The cauſe of a ſinners ſalvation, but not the cauſe why hee is elected and choſen of God unto ſalvation.
4 It was the wonderful free love of God the Father, to give any of us in particular to Jeſus Chriſt, and to determine us to bee of that ſmall number that were to be reconciled to him by Jeſus Chriſt. Joh. 17.6. Thine they were, and thou gaveſt them mee.
Therefore its ſaid, Joh. 5.23. That all men ſhould honour the Son, as they do honour the Father; that is, with like love, but not with greater love. Let us therefore learn to glorify God in Chriſt, 1 Pet. 4.11. for though wee may direct our worſhip unto one perſon, yet wee muſt take heed of excluding the other in our ſecret thoughts, and of ſetting up, and honouring one perſon above the other: for this were to make an Idol of God, and to divide the perſons one from another, Joh. 14.11.
Uſe 5. Inſtruction and Exhortation, 1 To them that are yet under wrath, to ſhew them what they muſt do to obtain this Propitiation. In general. What it appears that God purpoſes, and chooſes and propoſes; wee muſt, as it may concern our ſelves, purpoſe chooſe & propoſe unto our ſelves; for this is to bee according to Gods own heart. And if the perfection of the reaſonable Creature bee to bee ſo, then the more wee are conformable unto the will of God, the more excellent our condition is. Matth. 5. laſt verſe. And this remember, that wee muſt chooſe and receive Chriſt, as God the Father hath purpoſed and ſet forth Chriſt. The Father propoſeth Chriſt onelyonly for our Propitiation. And Paul ſaith, 1 Cor. 2.2. I have determined to know nothing among you, but Jeſus Chriſt, and him crucified. God the Father delighteth in Chriſt, wee ſhould take him as our beloved. Hee hath ſet him forth as a Prince, wee ſhould ſubmit unto him, &c. Every grace of God to man, worketh a like ſuitable grace in man. And doubtleſs wee cannot make a better choice, than God the Father hath done.
In the Old Teſtament Chriſt is ſet forth as a ſure and tryed Propitiation: ſure that will never deceive, tryed by all the Elect from the beginning of the world. Iſa. 28.16. God the skilfulleſt and moſt faithful builder, laies Chriſt as a foundation, founded, ſure, and of price. As there is no building without a foundation, ſo there is no Church without Chriſt.
In the New Teſtament Chriſts Propitiation is manifeſted free to all. Luke 4.19. Deut. 15.12, 13. that which in other ages was not made known, is now moſt clear. Eph. 3.4, 5.
After the meaſuring of the Temple, and the clearing up of the Church and Goſpel inſtitutions; there is yet a clearer revelation of the Mercy Seat, the cover of the Ark, and the Propitiation. Now beloved, the Lord hath brought you, and reſerved you for theſe times: the Temple opened, the Church Ordinances cleared, the Ark and Propitiation ſeen, and Chriſt crucified before your eies. Iſa. 60.8. Luke 2.10. Joh. 3.19. Rev. 11. laſt. Oh that wee could weep over many, as Chriſt over Jeruſalem. Many who in this their day of eminent viſitation, will not know the things of their peace. And 'tis not onelyonly a bare notional knowledge, which no queſtion the Jews then in ſome meaſure had: but a ſanctifying, an effectual knowledge. Elſe though you bee children of the kingdome, you may bee with them thruſt out. Mat. 8.11, 12.
Object. Though Chriſt bee generally offered in the Goſpel, yet Gods purpoſe hath concluded and determined unchangeably the Propitiation of Christ: And hath ſet down expreſly who the particular perſons are, that ſhall have benefit thereby. And the general offer of Chriſts Propitiation is to ſmall purpoſe, ſeeing that none but the Elect ſhall have benefit thereby?
1 The general offer of Chriſt in the Goſpel, doth effectually prevail to juſtify and ſave all the Elect, though none elſe beſides have benefit by it. Rom. 11.7. The Election hath obtained it, the reſt were blinded. Thou wert therefore beſt to make thy Election ſure, by embracing the general offer.
2 Every one is bound to judge charitably of others, much more of himſelf: that hee is of that number of Gods Elect. Eſpecially conſidering that God the Father calls him, by the Miniſtry of the Word of Reconciliation, with as much free and earneſt compellations as any have, Act. 11.18.
3 Though many have the outward call, who are not choſen: yet ſure it is, that that outward call is uneffectual to none, but thoſe that by their own infidelity and hardneſs of heart do reject it: hence they are ſaid to have no cloak or excuſe for their ſin; Joh. 15.22.
There is ſuch an efficacy in the Word of God (even on the worſt of hearers) that it ſearcheth into the cloſeſt corners of their hearts, and convinceth them that they are guilty of their own deſtruction, in not receiving it. Heb. 4.12. That which God will do is known to himſelf in his ſecret Counſel; But the offer of Chriſt in the Goſpel, this ſhews us what hee would have us to do: even to repent and beleeve. Therefore minde we our own duty. God hath ordained the end with the means. And therefore though it were revealed to thee from Heaven, that thou ſhouldeſt certainly bee ſaved: yet I might truely ſay to thee, that except thou beleeve and repent, thou ſhalt periſh.
Uſe 6. Of Inſtruction to the godly.Hence is matter of Inſtruction and Exhortation to the faithful. In regard that God the Father hath thus purpoſed Chriſt for a Propitiation, they may bee ſtirred up to ſeveral duties.
1 To ſtrengthen and confirm their faith in Chriſts blood. If wee go to queſtion the ſalvation of Chriſt, then do wee go to make void the Counſel of God, which hath purpoſed him and propoſed him to us for a Saviour. Thoſe chariots, Zach. 6.1, 2. they are ſaid to go forth betwixt two mountains of braſs; which are nothing but the unchangeable Decree and purpoſe of God. So is the purpoſe of God about Chriſts propitiation impregnable: Neither Sin, nor Satan, nor all the World are able to hinder, alter, or remove it. Is there then any fear of miſ-carriage?
Verily wee have great cauſe to bee humbled for our ſlowneſſe of heart to beleeve, and for the weakneſs and littleneſs of our Faith: that have ſo many Promiſes, and the oath of God, and the Covenant, and the Seals; and beſide too the inviolable and abſolute Decree of God, and his purpoſe: which are as ſure as the very being, the eternal being of God. Iſa. 46.9, 10. I am God, and there is none elſe, I am God, and there is none other like to mee, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times the things that are not yet done: ſaying, My Counſel ſhall ſtand, and I will do all my pleaſure, verſ. 11. I have spoken it, and I will bring it to paſs, I have purpoſed it, and I will do it.
Alſo Gods propoſal of Chriſt, in that ſure word of prophecy, in the times of the Old Teſtament, is a great confirmation of our Faith. They deſcribed his perſon, God-man, Iſa. 9.6, 7, 14. his Offices, and unction. Iſa. 42.1, 2. &c. the place of his birth, Mic. 5. the manner, of a Virgin, Iſa. 7.14. the time of it, Gen. 49.10. after the finiſhing of Daniels weeks, when the Scepter was departed from Judah, and while the ſecond Temple ſtood, Haggai 2.7, 9.
In the New Teſtament alſo where God hath ſhewed himſelf ſo willing to ſave us, and to bee reconciled to us. Act. 13.47. Hee hath broken down the partition wall, hee hath ſent forth his Servants to invite all ſorts, even thoſe that are in the high waies and hedges, hee doth give the meaneſt and vileſt ſinners entertainment and welcome, if they come in at the Miniſtry of the Word. It is not the will of the Father, that one of theſe little ones ſhould periſh, Mat. 18.14. All theſe do mightily help to confirm our faith.
2 It ſhould teach us highly to prize this propitiation of Jeſus Chriſt. It was pretious to God the Father, and ſo ought it to bee to us. 1 Pet. 2.6, 7. God the Father gave Chriſt the preheminence in all, and above all: Hee preached him with his own voice, and bade all men to hear him: He ſet him forth with mighty ſignes and wonders, and gifts of the Holy Ghoſt, and the miniſtration of his Angels, and acclamations of his Saints, &c. How highly then ſhould he be prized by us?
3 It ſhould teach men to ſet a high price upon their own fouls. You ſee that when they are in Captivity and ſlavery to Satan, and in a loſt eſtate, there is nothing in the World, no not all the World, with all its worth, can redeem them; but only the propitiation of Jeſus Chriſt. Mat. 16.26. When God gave Egypt for his peoples ranſome, and Aethiopia and Seba for them, hee ſhewed that hee prized them at a high rate. Iſa. 42.3, 4. But all the Kingdomes of the world are baſe and vile, if compared with the foul of man. God ſet that at the price of his Sons blood: and Chriſt did ſo eſteem it that hee gave his life for it. Should it not then bee highly valued of us?
4 As God the father ſet forth this Chriſt to us, ſo let us ſet forth this Chriſt as a propitiation to God the father. When wee apprehend God to bee diſpleaſed and angry with us: wee may humbly go to him, and ſay, Lord, thou haſt before all time ſet a part, and ever ſince time began, ſet forth, thy Son Jeſus Chriſt to bee a propitiation for ſinners. Now thus thou haſt imboldened us to ſet forth the ſame Jeſus Chriſt to be our Propitiation to thee. Thou haſt ſealed him to bee ſuch, and now thou canſt not deny thy own hand and ſeal. Joh. 6.27. Wee are fure that Chriſt is an offering and ſacrifice of ſweet ſmelling ſavour unto God. Eph. 5.2. How unſavory ſo ere that wee are, or have been. And if wee pay God in his own coin, that will bee current with him.
Laſtly, Set forth Chriſts propitiation to others: every one to your reſpective relations. As the Spouſe, Cant. 5. laſt. He is altogether lovely, Loe this is my beloved: and this my Friend, &c. Inform the ignorant, convince the erroneous, aſhame the voluptuous, and contemners of Chriſt, out of that fooliſh choice which they have made, of other lovers inſtead of him. Draw all that you may; that they may forſake all other beſides, that they may go and ſeek him with you, as chap. 6.1.