The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the Sight of God, Sermon 4
Redemption by Chriſt, ſufficient.
THE FOURTH SERMON
ON
Romans 3.24, 25.
Being juſtified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt:
Doct. THat there is a ſingular and plenteous redemption wrought by Jeſus Chriſt, ſufficient to make ſatisfaction to God for the vileſt ſinners. Two uſes have been handled.
Vſe 3. Comfort to the redeemed.Comfort to all thoſe that have intereſt in Chriſt; for to them belongs this plenteous redemption. A mercy greater than ever was beſtowed upon the Creature, as appears,
1 In that they are redeemed from the Juſtice and Wrath of God, and the Curſe of the Law; that the bleſſing of Abraham may come upon them, Gal. 3.13, 14. that is, all the bleſſings of the Covenant of grace. And what can be more than this?
2 In that they are redeemed from all iniquity, Tit. 2.14. ſo that no ſin can hurt them; and though they complain of the greatneſſe, and multitude of their ſins; yet have they a good and ſure hope, through grace, ſtill, Pſal. 130.6. O Iſrael hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. From foreign multum eſſe, & magnum eſſe, plurimum eſſe.The word is foreign ſignifying great, and multiplied redemption: that though ſin abounds, yet grace ſhall much more abound.
3 In that they are redeemed, from the perpetuity of all miſeries, felt or feared. Thus did Job comfort his heart, Job 19.25. Oh that my words were written! oh that they were printed in a book! that they were graven with an Iron Pen, and in-laid in a Rock for ever. What words were theſe, that hee would thus eternize? Why theſe, I know that my redeemer lives, and that he ſhall ſtand the latter day upon the earth, and though after my skin worms deſtroy my body, yet in my fleſh ſhall I ſee God, &c. that is, hee will redeeme me from all my troubles, in life, and death it ſelf: and ſaies at death, Lord into thy hands I commend my ſpirit, for thou haſt redeemed mee, O God of truth, Pſal. 31.5.
Queſt. How ſhall we know that we have a part in this Redemption?
Anſw. Trial of our redemption by Chriſt.1. If we be not in bondage to ſin: which appears in the commiſſion, and practiſe of ſin; according to that rule, Joh. 8.34. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, that whoſoever commits ſin, is a ſervant of ſin. This rule is univerſally true, no man is ſet at liberty that commits ſin: and vehemently aſſerted, Verily, verily, without all controverſie: and generally incluſive, Whoſoever doth it, as 1 Joh. 3.8.10. He that commits ſin is of the Devil; yet note, that committing ſin is not intended of every particular individual act, for ſo all men commit ſin, 1 Joh. 1.8.10. the free-men of Chriſt, as well as the bondſlaves of the Devil: but of the common practice and work of wicked men; ſo 'tis, 1 Ioh. 3.9. Hee that is born of God doth not work ſin; and 'tis oppoſed to verſ. 7. where 'tis ſaid, Hee that doth, or worketh righteouſneſſe, is righteous. Now to doe righteouſneſſe is to exerciſe it, cuſtomarily, voluntarily, deliberately, to chuſe a righteous courſe: ſo to commit ſin, is voluntarily to live in the practice, or allowance, of any courſe of ſin, whatſoever. So that he which gives common allowance to any one ſin, can have no comfort in this redemption, but is in bondage ſtill: for ſaies Paul, Rom. 6.16. Know you not that to whom you yeeld your ſelves ſervants to obey, his ſervants you are, &c. You loſe your own freedome; yea you have ſold your ſelves, Iſa. 50.1. Behold, for your iniquities you have ſold your ſelves, you take profit and pleaſure, and ſell the Devil the eternal poſſeſſion of your ſouls; yea he holds them by conqueſt too, 2 Pet. 2.19. Of whom a man is overcome, of the ſame is he brought in bondage. Satan fights by tentations, and ſubdues the ſoul, ſo that it obeys him as a lawful Soveraign; as often as it voluntarily chooſes any ſin, ranſack therefore an enlightned conſcience, and it will ſoon give an Account, of liberty or bondage through the obſervation of thy courſe of life.
Obj. But may not a childe of God live and dye in ſuch a state, as David, 2 Sam. 12.9. or as Paul, Rom. 7.14. I am carnal, and ſold under ſin?
Sol. It is impoſſible, 1 Joh. 3.9. that hee that is born of God ſhould ſo ſin, becauſe the ſeed of grace abides in him, and works theſe four things.
1 A will and reſolution in all things to live honeſtly, Heb. 13.18.
2 A reſiſtance and reluctation againſt every known ſin, Gal. 5.17.
3 Watchfulneſſe about every concernment, to prevent ſin, 1 Ioh. 5.18.
4 Reſtleſneſſe in caſe of relapſe. As in the Natural body, all is reſtleſſe, till every joynt be in its place again: ſo in a gracious heart, 'tis never ſatisfied, till it come back into Gods way. Where therefore this reſtleſneſſe and reluctancy is wanting, the ſoul is plunged, into the depths of this helliſh bondage.
The heart is hard to be perſwaded of this eſtate, and therefore Chriſt hath ſpoken ſo earneſtly. If thou ſeeſt not this miſery, or act unwillingly to try thy ſelf, or wouldeſt paſſe over the matter ſlightly, thou mayeſt infallibly report thy ſelf a ſlave to Satan, and ſubject to this bondage.
2 Conſider how Redemption is applied; of which Elihu gives an elegant deſcription, Job. 33.19. to verſ. 25. Hee is ſuch a one as is pinched with his bondage, and chastened with ſtrong pain; his ſoul draws neer to the Grace, and his life to the Buryers: Then if there be a meſſenger, one of a thouſand, to declare to man his righteouſneſſe, God will be gracious unto him, and ſay, Deliver him from going down to the pit. I have found a ranſome.
1 The Lord opens the Ears to Diſcipline, How redemption is applied.which were before quite ſtopped up.
2 Then he is arreſted with the Lords indignation, clapt up in priſon, and laid by the heels.
3 Then he looks for deliverance, and bayl, and ſome meſſenger of glad tidings. How earneſtly doth his ſoul long for a ranſome?
4 At laſt the Lord ſaith, I will be gracious. Thus the ſpirit of bondage precedes, and the ſpirit of adoption follows. None ſet at liberty, but ſuch as know their bondage.
Obj. But a man may ſee his bondage, and never be redeemed out of it.
Sol. True, but none miſcarry, that are painfully inquiſitive, after the means of redemption, Acts 23.7. & 16.30. For Reprobates ſee their bondage and ſink under it (as Cain and Judas) ſeeking either no means, through ſluggiſhneſſe, and deadneſſe of heart, or falſe means (through folly and blindneſſe.)
3 Conſider what reſiſtance hath been made againſt thee; in thy deliverance out of thy captivity, for none is ſet at liberty without much oppoſition. Satan like Pharaoh, Exod. 3.19. will not let you goe, no not with an high hand. Hee will never let goe, as long as he can hold you, Luke 11.21. The ſtrong man armed keeps the Palace; holds his Priſoners with all his might, till a ſtronger than he comes, and ejects him. Seek after this reſiſtance.
4 See what aſſiſtance of God thou haſt had, againſt all this reſiſtance by the Devil. As he ſtretched out his arme to deliver out of Aegypt, Exod. 6.6. ſo he puts forth mighty power, to deliver from the powers of darkneſſe, by the ſpirit of his grace, Col. 1.12, 13. Acts 26.28. Haſt thou felt this mighty power?
Vſe 4. Of inſtruction and exhortation; to ſhew men whither to goe for Redemption. And,
1 To thoſe that find themſelves to bee in this bondage. Haſte you, for there is redemption in Chriſt, none ſuch to be had or heard of all the world over beſide. And what then ſhould you doe but ſeek after this? Zech. 9.12. Inſtruction to men in Spiritual bondage.Turn you to your ſtrong hold, yee Priſoners of hope. As Anna the Propheteſs, Luk. 2.38. ſpake of Chriſt to all thoſe that looked for redemption in Iſrael: ſo ſpeak we this day, to all ſuch amongſt us, as, look for eternal redemption. Wee cannot mention any other means but only Chriſt, nor any better thing than liberty. For,Motives to ſeek redemption.
1 Liberty is the beſt news to Captives that the world can afford. The Father calls the time, an acceptable time, and the day of ſalvation, Iſa. 49.8, 9. when Chriſt is given for a Covenant of the people; that he may ſay to the Priſoners, goe forth, and to them that are in darkneſſe; ſhew your ſelves. So Iſa. 61.1, 2, 3. Chriſt ſaith, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, becauſe the Lord hath anointed me, to preach good tidings to the meek: to proclaim liberty to the Captives: the opening of the Priſon to them that are bound, &c. The poſſibility of liberty is good news to a Gally-ſlave: but Spiritual liberty is the beſt news on earth.
2 This Redemption is moſt excellent. It is the Spiritual Jubilee; the year of general releaſe; the acceptable year of the Lord, Iſa. 61.1, 2. How ſolemn was the Jewiſh Jubilee obſerved? Levit. 25.8, 10. yet that laſted but a year, this is eternal, Heb. 9.12.
3 It is dangerous to refuſe this Redemption; yet thoſe Jews, 2 Chro. 36. ult. when Cyrus by Proclamation gave them all a free diſcharge, to depart from Babylon (a place where they had ſuffered grievous bondage) to their own Country, accepted not the Kings royal favour; but abode willing Captives and Slaves ſtill; loving Babylon more than Jeruſalem: ſo after Proclamation of Redemption wrought, and at this day generally offered, many love Babylon more than Jeruſalem, their bondage under the Devil, more than their liberty through Chriſt, Joh. 8.36. The Jews contemned the liberty, that the Son would have given to them. The people of Nazareth hearing Chriſt preach deliverance to captives, liberty to the bruiſed, &c. Luke 4.18, 24. at firſt admired the gracious words that came out of his mouth; yet would have deſtroyed Chriſt, and ſet at nought his counſel. So ſome love the general news of Chriſt a Redeemer, but care not to apply it, nor earneſtly to ſeek it. The hired Servants might goe free, Levit. 25.40, 41. at the year of Jubilee; but many would not goe to their families and fathers poſſeſſions, but ſaid, I love my Maſter, and like my condition; ſo that they had their ears boared with an Awle, to be ſervants for ever, Exo. 21.5, 6. Thus it is to be feared, many might bee boared for Spiritual Bond-men, and that Satan hath boared many for his Bond-men. Bee exhorted therefore, to conſider the preſent offer, Goſpel days are Jubilee days: the year of releaſe: the acceptable year of the Lord. It concerns all Bond-men to ſue out the general Proclamation, if they would have any benefit thereby. It was the moſt prevailing motive amongſt the Romans to act, when their Liberties lay at ſtake, Eſtote viri, Libertas. agitur. In this quarrel they would bee prodigal of their bloud; but here's no danger, but in not contending for your liberty. And indeed, Iſa. 61.2. The day of vengeance is joyned with the Proclamation of liberty. Oh ſee then the dreadful danger of refuſal.
Queſt. How ſhould I partake of this plenteous Redemption in Chriſt Jeſus?
Anſ. Directions to attain Spiritual liberty.1. Let us bring the matter to an iſſue, and draw ſome concluſion; giving the Verdict, one way or other: that wee are in bondage, or at liberty: Satan is willing that wee ſhould leave the matter in ſuſpenſe, or elſe draw a falſe concluſion. As the Jews, Joh. 8.32. pleaded, that they were not in bondage: forgetting that, Gal. 3.22. The Scripture hath ſhut up all under ſin, without exception. And that all that are redeemed, are drawn up from out of the ſink of ſin, Tit. 2.14. and that all the redeemed were taken from under all the Curſes of the Law, Gal. 3.13. They like the eſcaped Beaſt, have (as it were) a ropes end about their neck, and fetters at their heels.
2 Let us ſeek liberty with courage and magnanimity; for we muſt expect diſcouragements. When we but talk of Liberty, the tale of Bricks will be doubled; and if we are eſcaping, we ſhall be purſued with all the forces of Pharaoh. The Devil will preſſe hard after us, if we ſet but a foot forward for Canaan; Hee will increaſe our durance, and raiſe all the Trainbands of Earth and Hell againſt us; with all the Militia in the Magazine of our hearts. But Iſa. 57.14. Caſt yee up, cast you up; prepare the way: take up the ſtumbling-block out of the way. See your Leader in the Cloud and Pillar of Fire, Zech. 9.12. Iſa. 4.5. See the door of Hope, the valley of Achor, Hoſ. 2.14.
3 Let us renounce all Redeemers but Chriſt. Some think they can redeeme themſelves, by leaving their ſins, amending their lives, or excuſing their ſins, as ſmall, and making God amends for them, by duties, and ſervices: forgetting that no man can redeeme his brother, Pſal. 49.8. nor yet can any redeeme himſelf.
4 Let us with Iſrael, cry continually in our bondage, The Lord ſaw their affliction, and heard their cry, Exod. 3.7. and ſent Moſes to them, when they were at worſt, to ſet them at liberty; give God no reſt. Fill Heaven and Earth with your cryes. So did the Church, Lam. 5.16. whoſe bondage was not comparable to ours. The Crown is faln from off our heads, wee bee to us, for wee have ſinned, verſ. 21. Turn us O Lord; and wee ſhall, &c.
5 Study the truth of the Goſpel: for the promiſes ſetled on the heart by meditation, bring home the Redeemer, and ſet us at liberty, Joh. 8.32. impriſon it not therefore, Rom. 1.18.
6 Attend the motions of Gods Spirit, in and with the Word, for it belongs to the holy Spirit to apply this Redemption; called therefore the ſpirit of liberty, 2 Corinth. 3.16, 17. ſlight not the ſuggeſtions of it, but follow it home into the ſoul. Thus farre for inſtruction of Captives.
2 Exhortation to the Redeemed in divers particulars from this Doctrin.
1 To labour for a deadly hatred of ſin, Return not into Aegypt.and watchfulneſs againſt it, that brought us into this bondage. Let us not be like unthankful Iſrael, that when our Ranſome is paid, and Salvation wrought, we ſhould deſire to return again into Aegypt. What is this but to deſpiſe the price paid? God deſtroyed them, that he had redeemed out of Aegypt, becauſe they beleeved not, Jud. 5. And will take it very hainouſly at our hands, that wee ſhould voluntarily accept that ſlavery, that he paid ſo great a price to redeeme us from. Not only a vile converſation is now dangerous, but a vain one; not only to live ſcandalouſly, but to live unprofitably. For, 1 Pet. 1.18. We are redeemed from our vain converſation.
2 To make continual uſe of Chriſt our Redeemer: Make continual uſe of Chriſts redemption.who though (by his redemption) hee freed us from ſin, and Satans power; yet never doth free us from their moleſtations, till the Reſurrection; when Redemption ſhall bee fully accompliſhed. For Canaanites are in the Land ſtill, Tentations, Fears, and Doubts moleſt the Conſcience ſtill. Remainders of corruption make Paul cry out, O miſerable man that I am, Rom. 7.24. and to ſtill his conſcience hee looks at Chriſt again, verſ. 25. I thank God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. God will have us, continually beholding to his Son: and therefore hath made him Redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30. to us.
3 To be Servants of God, Be Gods Servants.that hath bought us at ſo dear a rate. As the redeemed Gally-ſlave, ſhould look upon himſelf as his Servant that redeemed him. Thus Paul argues, 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. Yee are not your own for you are bought with a price, &c. You owe your Life, and Liberty to the Lord Jeſus. You are his by right of purchaſe: be therefore wholly at his diſpoſing. Never was a dearer rate paid in the world. Your utmoſt ſervice (though veſſels fit for your Maſters uſe) will never recompence the charge laid out upon you. You are his by Creation, and his by Redemption. Hee purchaſed your ſouls, bodies, and ſpirits: and juſtly then may he challenge all. This was the end of our deliverance, Luke 1.74, 75. delivered from our enemies to ſerve him.
4 Stand faſt in the liberty, wherewith Chriſt hath made you free, Stand faſt in Chriſtian liberty.Gal. 5.1. All ſorts of enemies of our ſalvation, ſeek to pluck ſome of our liberty from us. The Devil would have us abuſe it, as an occaſion to the fleſh, Gal. 5.13. to turn our liberty into licentiouſneſſe; as doe the Libertines. Papiſts would bring us in bondage to the Law, by looking for righteouſneſſe from thence. Some would bring our Conſciences in ſubjection to mens inventions, but Paul adviſeth us, 1 Cor. 2.23. that being bought with a price, we ſhould not bee the ſervants of men; nor ſubject our conſciences to mens traditions.
5 You that are at liberty, remember them that are in bonds, Heb. 13.3. as if you were bound with them. Remember them that are in Spiritual bonds.See how many in your Families, Towns, and Neighbour-hood, goe clattering up and down in the bonds of iniquity, in the fetters and chains of the Devil. Pitty theſe poor priſoners. Give them a lift to help them out. Admoniſh the unruly, pray for them that have not ſinned unto death, that they may bee ſet at liberty. This is eminent charity.
6 Bee thankful, and ſeriouſly acknowledge the grace of God, for the redemption that is in Chriſt, Ezra 9.8. acknowledges a little reviving in their bondage, Acts 12.5. how much more ſhould wee, eternal life? It is an earneſt prayer, Pſal. 107.1, 2. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord ſay ſo, &c. who ever is ſilent, Let the redeemed ſay ſo. So Pſal. 136.24. This is meant by the Song of Moſes, and the Lamb, Revel. 13.3. Moſes and Iſrael praiſed God, for deliverance from Aegypt, the red Sea, &c. how much more ſhould the Saints break forth into praiſes for deliverance from the nethermoſt Hell? Spiritual bondage is the worſt bondage: And ſoul-redemption is the greateſt redemption, Iſa. 44.23. Senſleſſe creatures rejoyce only at the redemption of Gods people from Babylon. But what is Babylon in compariſon of our redemption by Chriſt? Hear the Apoſtle, Col. 1.12, 13. Giving thanks unto God, who hath delivered us from the powers of darkneſſe, and tranſlated us into the Kingdome of his dear Son, in whom wee have redemption, &c. No love like that of Chriſt: not no love of Chriſt like that, manifeſted in our redemption. Let thankfulneſſe alſo exceed.
Vſe laſt, Of conſolation unſpeakable to all beleevers, Comfort againſt Sin and Satan.that Redemption is wrought in Chriſt. Sin hath begun to fall, and muſt utterly fall, before him that is the chief Captain of our Salvation. Satan hath been foyled oft, yea vanquiſhed, and at laſt ſhall be caſt bound in chains to eternal torments: while the Saints ſhall triumph with their Redeemer for ever and ever.