The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the Sight of God, Sermon 16
Chriſt Crucified the ſpecial Object of Juſtifying Faith.
THE SIXTEENTH SERMON
ON
Romans 3.25.
Faith in his blood.
HItherto of Faith in General, as the Inſtrument of our Juſtification, and Chriſt the more ſpecial Object of it, as juſtifying. Now follows the third thing premiſed concerning the most ſpecial Object, or the moſt ſpecial conſideration of that object, in thoſe words [Faith in his blood] for the underſtanding whereof, let mee put you in minde of the former Explication of the word [blood] which hath been expounded to bee meant Synecdochically; a part being put for the whole: So that it ſignifies all the ſufferings of Chriſt, in the whole ſtate of his abaſement; but moſt eſpecially his ſufferings, both in body and ſoul at his death: even all the pains of the firſt and ſecond death, which our Saviour did undergo, upon the Croſs: So that by faith in his blood, wee are to underſtand Faith apprehending Chriſt crucified, or undergoing the ſhameful and accurſed death of the croſs. Therefore we obſerve,
Doct. It is the duty of ſinners, for their Juſtification, distinctly to apprehend and rely upon Chriſt crucified; Or thus, That it is the Duty, and ſhould bee the care of ſinners, to place their confidence on Chriſt crucified for Juſtification. For that is the meaning of the phraſe [Faith in his blood] that is, faith relying on Chriſt crucified. This notes the ſubject matter of redemption, whereon our Faith is principally grounded, in the article of our Juſtification. Our faith indeed in the point of Juſtification doth imbrace whole Chriſt, but moſt properly, and in a peculiar manner, it is terminated in the Sacrifice and Propitiation, or Death of Chriſt: and this the Scriptures atteſt, Joh. 6.53, 54, 55. Jeſus ſaid unto them, Verily, Verily, I ſay unto you, except you eat the body, of the Son of God, and drink his blood, you have no life in you; and this is by beleeving on Chriſt crucified (for Chriſt doth not ſpeak there immediately of the Lords Supper, though Sacramental eating may bee comprehended under it) and hee ſaith peremptorily that there is no life; and therefore no juſtification or Salvation without the eating there mentioned, but hee addes on the contrary, verſ. 54. Who ſo eateth my fleſh, and drinketh my blood (by faith) hath eternal life, and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day; There is a direct promiſe of Life, Juſtification, and Salvation to them that do beleeve on Chriſt crucified; and verſ. 56. Hee that eateth my fleſh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in mee, and I in him, i.e. hath union and communion with Chriſt Jeſus, in all his benefits: and therefore muſt needs bee juſtified, and this is the ſame which John preached, Behold the Lamb of God, &c. Joh. 1.29. i.e. the Lamb of God for Sacrifice, that wee ſhould behold for juſtification with the eye of faith. Yea, ſo Joh. 3.14, 16. As Moſes lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderneſs, &c. that lifting up was eſpecially when Chriſt was Crucified and lifted up upon the Croſs; and looking on the brazen Serpent ſignifyed beleeving on Chriſt crucified, that ſuch as did ſo ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life And this is the very condition of the Covenant of grace.
Reaſ. 1. Taken from the Old Teſtament, wherein the myſtery of Chriſt and Juſtification, was more veiled and dark: yet even then this truth was received, that their reconciliation was by faith in the Meſſiah to come, and made a ſacrifice for ſin; and hence the Covenant was confirmed with blood ſhed, Heb. 9.20. neither was the Old Teſtament dedicated without it, Exod. 24.8. For when Moſes had spoken every precept, hee took the blood of Calves and Goats, and ſprinkled both the book, and all the people, ſaying, This is the blood of the Teſtament that God enjoyned unto you, and verſ. 23. it was neceſſary that the heavenly things themſelves ſhould bee purified with better ſacrifices than theſe; and it is neceſſary ſtill that there ſhould bee the ſame way of cleanſing of ſin away, by way of Sacrifice and Blood of the New Teſtament. Matth. 26.28. For this is the meaning of the ſacrifices: they were oppointed for attonement, yea, almoſt all things by the Law were purged with blood, Heb. 9.22. and without ſhedding of blood there is no remiſſion; and ſo it was then, and thereby the people are taught to look for juſtification by Chriſt. Hence there is no other way in the New Teſtament for attonement, but by the blood of ſome ſacrifice, and this is of none but Chriſt.
Reaſ. 2. That is eſpecially to bee apprehended, and reſted upon by faith for Juſtification, that preſents not only to God, (by his own appointment) and his juſtice, full ſatisfaction; but to the troubled ſoul of a Sinner, peace and ſatisfaction. Now this the blood of Chriſt doth, becauſe it hath expreſly the ſatisfaction in it, and carries the pay with it. Hee made him ſin for us, 2 Cor. 5.21. that is, a ſacrifice for ſin. Chriſt hath delivered us from the curſe of the Law, being made a Curſe for us. Gal. 3.13. Nothing that hee did, beſides this, could free us from the curſe. So 1 Pet. 3.18. Chriſt ſuffered for us, the juſt for the unjuſt, to bring us unto God: Now when wee are brought unto God, wee are juſtified. The deſtruction of death, and Satan, is from Chriſts death, Heb. 2.14. By death, he deſtroyed him that had the power of death, that is the Devil, Rom. 5.9, 10. When wee were ſinners, wee were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. So that in Chriſt crucified, when as faith apprehends him, there is the eſſence of juſtification laid up; and therein what may ſatisfy God, and what may ſatisfy the troubled conſcience of a ſinner is contained; and therefore this is the ſure way, to attain a juſtified eſtate.
Reaſ. 3. Becauſe of the contempt that the world doth caſt upon Chriſt crucified, it pleaſed the Lord therefore to advance and glorify the Croſs of Chriſt. This reaſon is expreſt, in 1 Cor. 1.23, 24. Wee preach Chriſt crucified, to the Jew a ſtumbling block, &c. but to them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Chriſt the power of God, and the wiſdome of God. All the wiſe ones in the World, have ſtumbled at the croſs of Chriſt, and thought it a matter of diſgrace, that the Saviour of the World ſhould bee hanged on a tree: but hee will have the World to know, that this is the power of God; and the wiſdome of God; and for the honour of Chriſt; that hee crucified, is advanced, and made the object of our faith, and the author of eternal ſalvation. Wherefore God hath highly advanced him, and given him a name above every name, &c. Phil. 2.6.
Reaſ. 4. We may reaſon from both the Seals, which are appointed by God for the confirmation of faith in Chriſt crucified. Know yee not, that as many as were baptized into Jeſus Chriſt, were baptized into his death, and buried with him in Baptiſm, Rom. 6.4, 6. and therein wee are planted together in the likeneſs of his death, and our old man is crucified with him. So that baptiſm, hath its main reſpect to Chriſts death, and the waſhing away of our ſins by his blood; and the ſame is verified of the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11.23 the end of it is to ſhew forth the Lords death. Now why doth hee give us ſuch means and helps to ſtrengthen our faith in Chriſts death, but eſpecially to confirm our faith and aſſurance of our juſtification by that death.
Vſe 1. This diſcovers unto us, the perniciouſneſſe of the Socinian Doctrines, that make Chriſt's death onelyonly for Imitation, and Exemplary; that Chriſtians ſhould onelyonly follow the example of his patience; but they deny the ſatisfaction and merit of Chriſt's death: So that they do leave no foundation or footing for faith to lean upon; yea, all our Chriſtian Religion is utterly diſanulled, and fruſtrate by this means, I may ſay as Paul in the like caſe, that then our faith is in vain, and wee are ſtill in our ſins, 1 Cor. 15.17. and this is one of thoſe damnable hereſies, 2 Pet. 2.1. that brings ſwift deſtruction upon the ſouls of them that ſeduce, and are ſeduced, therefore wee ſhould take heed of them.
Uſe 2. It ſhews us the great danger of the ignorance of Chriſt crucified; The danger of ignorance of Chriſt crucified.which doth moſt certainly conclude the want of Faith in Chriſts blood. It is not poſſible to beleeve in any object, without ſome knowledge of it: and therefore ſuch are undoubtedly in an unjuſtified eſtate, who are thus deſtitute of this faith. If any man have ſo much as a well-grounded hope of reconciliation with God, it can bee built onelyonly upon the death and ſatisfaction of our Saviour. Faith in Chriſt crucified is called the knowledge of Chriſt crucified, Iſa. 53.11. by his knowledge, &c. and 1 Cor. 2.2. Surely then, if wee know not Chriſt crucified, wee do not beleeve on him, Luke 1.77.
Queſt. How may it appear that the knowledge of Chriſt crucified is wanting, or obtained by us?
Anſw. Tryals of our knowledge of it.1 By the relliſh that we have of Chriſt crucified, and the preaching of the Croſs: The preaching of the Croſs, is, to them that periſh, fooliſhneſs, 1 Cor. 1.17, 18. Beleeving is called the eating of the body of Chriſt, and drinking of his blood, Joh. 6. Now if wee cannot reliſh the doctrin of it, and it will not down with us, ſurely it is, becauſe wee know not what Chriſt crucified means. Now what little reliſh it hath with multitudes of hearers is evident, becauſe the miniſtry of it is ſo little regarded and accepted; by our drowſy, careleſs, dull, formal, and curious hearers, and profeſſors, thoſe glad tydings are no delight at all to them. Some ſleep ſcandalouſly, ſome gaze about, others will hardly ſtir out of doors to hear it; were it ſo, they could have ſome new Lights, or Teachers after their own luſts (ſuch preaching as maketh the Croſs of none effect) they would flock after them, and prick up their ears to hear them, but cannot down with ſuch light Manna, and plain doctrin as this is.
Tri. 2. The knowledge of Chriſt crucified, is an humbling knowledge, Prov. 30.1, 2, 2 Cor. 5.14. it putteth a Chriſtian into a mourning frame, that as long as a man lives, it will keep his ſoul in a bleeding condition, Zach. 12.10. They ſhall look upon him whom they have peirced, and mourn, &c. They are ſo ſenſible of ſin, and of the diſhonour, & wrong done unto God thereby, that they are ſtill grieving under the ſenſe of it. And though a Chriſtians heart is not alwaies in the ſame frame, but ſometimes ſome deadneſs, and hardneſs is upon it; yet they cannot be at reſt in ſuch a condition, and it is looked at, as an uncomfortable ſtate, till they recover themſelves, and a broken frame again. But where the knowledge of the Croſſe of Chriſt is unſound, it will conſiſt well enough with a proud, unbroken, untamed diſpoſition of ſpirit.
Tri. 3. The knowledge of Chriſt crucified (if ſincere) is mortifying, and killing of the reign of ſin, Rom. 6.6. Knowing this, that our Old man is crucified with him, &c. Phil. 3.8, 10. Yea doubtleſſe, I count all things but loſſe for the excellency of the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt. What knowledge? verſ. 10. That I might know him, and the power of his reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his ſufferings: and this was, that he might undoubtedly conclude his communion with Chriſt in his death; how ſhould be conclude that? hee addes, being made conformable to his death: and what conformity to Chriſt's death can there be without mortification of ſin? I might adde alſo thoſe places that ſpeak of the cleanſing vertue of the death of Chriſt, Heb. 9.14. 1 Joh. 1.7.
Tri. 4. The true knowledge of Chriſt crucified, doth crucifie us to the world, and the world to us, Gal. 6.14. Paul looked at the world as a dead thing, a carrion which hee loathed; ſo hee looked at the honours, riches, delights, and luſts that the world dotes upon: hee looked at it as a dead Carcaſe, yea a crucified, i. e. an accurſed thing to ſet his heart upon: and though Paul was eminent this way, and above the ordinary ſort of beleevers, yet you ſhall find all the faithful, even the weakeſt have ſome meaſure of this diſpoſition in them; as Zacheus, when ſalvation came to his houſe, Luke 19. and Phil. 3.18, 19. they that minde earthly things are enemies to the Croſſe of Chriſt, but our converſation is in heaven (hee ſpeaks of all the faithful) there is our trading and dealing. Briefly, the Apoſtle makes covetouſneſſe not only enmity againſt God, Jam. 4.4. but intollerable in a Church of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 5.11. If any man that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, &c. Oh then what exceeding cauſe is there to inquire into our knowledge of Chriſt, to ſee what it is, if it cannot ſtand with a covetous, or worldly frame of heart?
Vſe 3. Inſtruction to beleevers, where to caſt anchor in whatever ſtorms, or tempeſts, that wee meet withall in this preſent life: that is, that we pitch our faith, and exerciſe it in Chriſt crucified. O beloved in the Lord, I beſeech you, not to content your ſelves with Spiritual things in the lump, or the Myſtery of Chriſt in a heap; though they may give ſome ſweet ſavour, yet they are in compariſon like a bundle of Spices that are whole, or a Box of Oyntment ſhut up, and not poured out. If the Spices be bruiſed, and the Oyntment poured out, oh then how ſweet and fragrant is the ſmell! and ſo let us break as it were this Myſtery of Chriſt in pieces, and labour for a diſtinct underſtanding and beleeving in Chriſt: this will make theſe things farre more ſavoury; behold the ſeveral beauties of Chriſt, as the Church did, Cant. 5.10. ſee the beauty of every part of Chriſt. Remember what himſelf ſaid, Where the Carcaſſe is, &c. this is the crucified Saviour, and who are Eagles but beleevers, to whom the Croſſe of Chriſt is ſavoury, and they will ſent it a great way, and flock together from farre to feed upon it.
Mot. 1. Conſider we what it is to bee a Chriſtian: truly it is to ſprout and ſpring up out of the grave of Chriſt, Iſa. 53.10. When he ſhall make his ſoul an offering for ſin, hee ſhall ſee his ſeed, i. e. his poſterity, and Joh. 12.24. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, except a grain of wheat fall to the ground, and dye, it abideth alone; but if it dye, it bringeth forth much fruit: fruit which ſprings forth from Chriſts death, Heb. 2.10. who by ſuffering death, brought many ſons to glory, i. e. the children of God and Chriſt, the whole Catholick Church, are but the ſeeds that ſprout out from a Crucified, and dying Redeemer.
Mot. 2. There is all ſufficiency to be had for juſtification in a crucified Saviour, Luke 14.17. Come, for all things are ready; and ſuch an one that comes, ſhall never hunger nor thirſt, Joh. 6.35. The ſoul is compleat in Chriſt, Col. 2.10. and though there is nothing but emptineſſe in other things, and thoſe that feed upon them, feed on aſhes, Iſa. 44.20. and labour in the fire, Hab. 2.13. follow the Eaſt wind, Hoſ. 12.1. and ſpend their labour for that that is not bread, Iſa. 55.1, 2. yet there is fulneſſe enough in Chriſt crurified; there is bread eough (as the Prodigal ſaith) in our Fathers houſe, Luke 15.17. …. Alas (quoth he) I follow after thoſe things that will not ſatisfie, and am ready to famiſh for want of bread amongſt the husks, of the profits and pleaſures of this world: but in Chriſt crucified is bread enough, full ſatisfaction, and ſupply of all my wants: then whither ſhall I goe but unto him, and beleeve on him?
Mot. 3. Conſider whoſe bloud it is; the bloud of himſelf, i. e. of the perſon that is God, that muſt needs have infinite worth, and value in it.
Mot. 4. The Lord Jeſus himſelf takes contentment, and ſatisfaction, in beleevers betaking themſelves to him, and his croſſe: Hee is ſatisfied in ſeeing the travel of his ſoul, Iſa. 53.10, 11. The woman that hath had ſore travel in Childbearing, when ſhe beholds the fruit of her body, forgets her pains, and is comforted. So it is with our bleſſed Saviour, who takes great contentment when ſuch ſinful Creatures doe fly unto his precious bloud for refuge and ſanctuary.
Dir. 1. Above all things take pains to know Jeſus Chriſt, and him crucified, and that experimentally; this was Pauls ſetled reſolution and determination, 1 Cor. 2.2. and he picks out (above all other) this ſweet flower or jewel. The phraſe is not ordinary, but it is uſed to ſignifie that Paul made it his end, that he propoſed to himſelf in Chriſt; let me tell you, there is enough in Chriſt crucified: to buſie your meditations upon.
Dir. 2. Labour to ſee the daily neceſsity of Chriſt crucified, every day as long as thou liveſt; conſider that every day, not only in regard of ſins, but the beſt duties, you have need of this bloud of ſprinkling, Heb. 9.19, 20. He ſprinkled with bloud both the tabernacle, and the people, and the book, and the veſſels of the miniſtry, almoſt all things were purged with bloud, and when the deſtroyers are abroad, Heb. 11.28. there is nothing in the world can keep off the deſtroyer, but the bloud of the Paſchal Lamb, Heb. 13.20, 21.
Dir. 3. O have a ſingular care to take heed of ſinning againſt the bloud of Chriſt, how ever held forth to thee. It is held forth in the miniſtry of the Goſpel, Gal. 3.1, 2. and in the Sacraments; and there is a dreadful wrong done to the bloud of Chriſt, by unworthy receiving of the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11.27. ſuch an one is guilty of the Body and Bloud of Chriſt, i. e. he commits ſuch a ſin as Judas, or the Jewes in murthering Chriſt. Oh! how loud doth the bloud of Chriſt cry againſt ſuch ſinners, that ſo prophane the Lords Table, either by ignorance, or mean preparation to it? and ſo Apoſtacy from the faith, is called trampling under foot the bloud of Chriſt, &c. Heb. 10.26, 27.
Dir. 4. Doe as the faithful of old, in offering up their ſacrifices for propitiation, or ſin-offerings, for they were all types of our Propitiation, and Chriſts Sacrifice, what they did in the type, wee muſt doe in the ſubſtance. 1 Bind the Sacrifice to the Altar, Pſal. 118.27. this is fixing the heart on Chriſt crucified in the promiſe; and we have very ſlippery hearts in this caſe, they had need to be bound to it. 2 They put their hands on the head of the Burnt-offering, Levit. 1.4. and the Jewes tell us, they always did it with empty hands, and laid on both their hands with all their might: ſo you muſt lay hold on Chriſt in the Promiſe, with an empty hand, and doe it with all your might and weight. 3 They confeſſed over the ſacrifice their iniquities, Lev. 16.21. ſo muſt wee, confeſſing that wee have juſtly deſerved that, which Chriſt hath undergone. So God will ſmell a ſavour of reſt, Levit. 16.21.