The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the Sight of God, Sermon 5
The Satisfaction of Chriſt.
THE FIFTH SERMON
ON
Rom. 3.24, 25.
Being juſtified freely by his Grace, through the redemption that is in Jeſus Chriſt.
THe firſt Doctrine being unfolded and improved, we now come to the ſecond.
Doct. The juſtification of a Sinner is through the redemption of Chriſt.2. That the juſtification of a Sinner, is through the redemption, and ſatisfaction wrought by Christ. This truth the Holy Ghoſt bears witneſſe to, Epheſ. 2.7. In whom we have redemption through his bloud, the forgiveneſſe of our ſins. Col. 1.14. hath the ſame words expreſly. Tit. 2.14. wee are ſaid to bee redeemed from all iniquity. That implies, iniquity cannot be taken away (as it is in the juſtification of a Sinner) but in a way of redemption and ſatiſfaction.
Queſt. 1. What is the nature of this ſatisfaction? for the word is rarely found in Scripture.
Anſ. As it referres to men, the word is found, Mark 15.15. Pilate willing to ſatisfie the people, releaſed Barrabbas, the Greek is foreign; to ſatisfie, is to doe as much as is ſurficient, to him that expoſtulates, or is wronged, or to fulfill ones deſires, either by words or deeds. But as ſatisfaction hath reference to a debt, ſo it ſignifies full pay, or to give a full price. But as ſatisfaction hath reference to our debt, unto God, the word is not found expreſly in Scripture; but there are equipollent terms, of the ſame ſignification: as redemption here in the text: paying a price, and ranſome, &c. which cannot be interpreted in any other good ſenſe, but as intending ſatisfaction. Of which nature are theſe phraſes, Iſa. 53.5. Hee was wounded for our tranſgreſſions. And again, verſ. 8. For the tranſgreſſions of my people was hee ſmitten. 1 Cor. 15.3. Chriſt dyed for our ſins, Heb. 10.12. Hee offered a Sacrifice for ſins. The word [for] there ſignifies, the impulſive outward, or meritorious cauſe, reſpecting the puniſhment due to our ſins. Which is manifeſt.
1 In that ſin in Scripture is called a debt, Matth. 6.12. Forgive us our debts. Not that wee owe ſin to God, but that it makes us liable to Gods juſtice: as Debts of mony make us liable to our Creditors, and to any juſt courſe in Law for their recovery. This debt of ſin cannot poſſibly bee ſatisfied for by man, for Matth. 18.24. it is a debt of ten thouſand talents. And the Spirits in priſon, 1 Pet. 3.21. can for ever ſuffer, but not at all ſatisfie.
2 Seeing all Mankind muſt otherwiſe eternally periſh; God the Father appointed, of his rich grace: and God the Son, in infinite compaſſion, condeſcends to bee our Surety, and to take the debt upon himſelf. Iſa. 53.10. It pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him: and verſ. 6. The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Charged all the ſins of the elect upon him. And Chriſt comes, of his own accord, to undertake the debt, Heb. 10.7. Loe I come to doe thy will, Gal. 2.4. He gave himſelf for our ſins: Hee becomes Surety, Heb. 7.22. Jeſus was made Surety of a better Covenant (for teſtaments uſe not to have Sureties.) Hence Chriſt is made a Debtor, in mans room, legally, and by conſent, as really, and truly, as ſinful man was before. Neither will the Father follow the Law, upon the poor, beggarly bankrupt, elect of Mankind: but proſecutes the rich Surety; and Chriſt muſt pay all. And though other Creditors ſtand bound with their Surety, here the Surety, [Chriſt] ſtands bound alone.
3 The matter of this ſatisfaction, that the Father exacts from his Son, are all his ſufferings upon earth; eſpecially his obedience to the death of the Croſſe, Iſa. 53.10. When thou ſhalt make his ſoul an offering for ſin, &c. The Father requires, that the Son ſhould bear all that was threatned, to the firſt Adam, Gen. 2.17. In the day thou eateſt thereof thou ſhalt dye.
4 The form of this ſatisfaction ſtands in the manner thereof; which was in every reſpect moſt perfect. 1 Becauſe the Perſon offering was God. 2 The dignity of the offering, Hee gave himſelf, Epheſ. 5.2. 3 The merit of the Oblation, which had all perfection by the Hypoſtatical union. Hence it muſt needs be of infinite value. God and man in one Perſon, voluntarily ſtanding in the ſtead of faln man, that is of the elect; and drinking up the very dreggs of his Fathers Cup of indignation. So that the Father ſaith, I will bee gracious, for I have found a Ranſome, Iſa. 53.5. Hee was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him; that is, Chriſts ſufferings are the means of our reconciliation, and take away the enmity between God and us; the word is of the plural number, comprehending all peace, external, internal, external. And the word will more fully ſuit the matter, if it be tranſlated (as the Septuagint hath done it, Pſal. 69.22. and it will bear) retributions. The chaſtiſement of our Retributions were upon him: that is, the puniſhment wee ſhould have paid our ſelves, hath he paid; and made all even between God and the elect.
Obj. But what need this ſatisfaction for our juſtification? Could not God by his meer grace forgive?
Sol. There is a neceſſity of ſatisfaction. And though man could forgive a wrong, God could not.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe of his nature, Jer. 25.26. That hee might be juſt, and to declare his righteouſneſſe, &c.
1 Holineſſe and righteouſneſſe are not of the eſſence of man, as they are of God: neither doth man hate ſin eſſentially, as God doth, Rom. 1.32. Who knowing the Judgement of God, that thoſe which commit ſuch things are worthy of death, &c. Juſtice is to give to every one as hee deſerves, therefore Gods Judgement is ſo. His holy nature requires ſin, to be puniſhed in the Principal, or in the Surety.
2 To declare Gods righteouſneſſe; God would ſhew it to all the world, how juſt he is, in puniſhing ſin, and requiring full ſatisfaction for ſin. Hee would make men and Angels know, by an unheard of example, in his own Son, that if he bee but a Surety for ſinners. God will not abate him any thing, of the payment he requires. Zale…cus King of the Locrians, made a Law, that Adulterers ſhould have both their eyes put out, now his Son being guilty of that ſin: that hee might obſerve the Law, and yet favour his Son, he put out one of his own eyes, another of his Sons; to declare to all his Subjects, his juſtice in executing his Laws: So the Father ſhewed his Juſtice, in the ſevere puniſhment of his Son.
Reaſ. 2. That Gods unchangeable Decree might ſtand, Rom. 3.25. it is tranſlated [whom God ſet forth.] It may better be tranſlated, whom God decreed, for ſo the word uſually ſignifies in Scripture; hinting to us that God had paſt an irrevocable Decree, that Sin ſhould never bee forgiven, nor Man reconciled, nor his Wrath pacified, or appeaſed, without ſatisfaction made. Yea he decreed, that his Son ſhould give himſelf a Propitiatory Sacrifice for ſin, Pſal. 33.11. Now Gods Decree is not to be reverſed; therefore this ſatisfaction muſt be given.
Reaſ 3. Becauſe of Gods Truth, declaring that there ſhall not be pardons granted, without a ſufficient price paid. Which was ſignified, by all thoſe offerings and ſacrifices of old: there being a Typical ſatisfaction exhibited in them, accompliſhed in Chriſts death, 1 Cor. 5.7. and Pro. 17.15. To juſtifie the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, &c. It is ſo always without due and legal ſatisfaction. See alſo Ezeck. 18.4. Heb. 9.22. But what God hath fore-told muſt come to paſſe. Act. 1.16. The Scripture must needs bee fulfilled; therefore ſatisfaction muſt be given.
Vſe 1. To ſhew the unjuſtified eſtate, of ſuch as have no part in Chriſt. If Chriſts redemption be neceſſary, Unjuſtified without Chriſts ſatisfaction.for the juſtification of a ſinner, then how miſerable muſt their condition bee, that are deſtitute of the redemption wrought by Chriſts ſatisfaction. They goe away as the Phariſee, unjuſtified ſtill. How dreadful then is the condition,
1 Of Chriſts enemies, who reject the ſatisfaction of Chriſt, Enemies to Chriſts ſatiſfaction.through wilfulneſſe, careleſneſſe, and Apoſtacy? Paul ſpeaks of them with tears in his eyes, full of pity and commiſeration, Phil. 3.18. Many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you again weeping, that they are enemies to the Croſſe of Chriſt. Many that little thought they were ſuch; many where Chriſt is eminently profeſt; many, whom I have often warned of it; many, whoſe eſtate I bewail with tears; many, whoſe end is deſtruction: deſcribed, verſ. 19. men that mind only their back and belly, earthly things. Enemies they are to the Croſſe of Chriſt, for that would crucifie their luſts, but they uphold them; they 2 Pet. 2.1. deny the Lord.
2 Of the Contemners of the Word. Contemners of his Word.For ſuch as ſlight the Word, ſlight Chriſt, and his ſatisfaction, Joh. 12.48. they diſannul Chriſt (as to their own ſalvation) that receive not his word. Now it is not enough, to teſtifie, we take Phiſick; becauſe we take it in our hands, or mouthes, unleſſe we ſwallow it, to purge and cleanſe: nor that we take food, when we only take meat and ſet it by us, unleſſe we feed on it: ſo nor to have the Word in our hands, or in our ears, or heads, unleſſe it converts us, Pſal. 19.7. and cleanſe us, Joh. 15.3. Nor is it enough to admire and commend Sermons, ſo did the Phariſees, Mat. 22.22.
3 Of careleſſe men, Careleſs of their foundation.who take up either their own good conceits of themſelves, Luke 16.15. or a good teſtimony from their Neighbours, brethren, and flatterers; or an approbation by the godly, as Judas by the Apoſtles; being a little ſorry for their ſins, as Ahab was: and confeſſed them, as Saul, and Pharaoh did: and a while abſtained from them, as Simon Magus from his Sorcery: and making reſtitution of their ill gotten goods. In the mean time, not ſeeking with diligence, the Pearl of price, but putting off all upon Chriſt, and his grace, hoping that they ſhall find mercy, though they fly not to this ſatisfaction; as the Man-ſlayer, with fears, terrours, and reſtleſſe ſpeed, from the Avenger of bloud, to the City of refuge: forgetting that God will make us know the worth of a Redeemer, and of ſatisfaction by Chriſt, before wee ſhall have it. Pſal. 107.12, 13. Hee brought down their ſtrength with labour, they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord, &c. Let all ſuch careleſſe wretches know, That if juſtification be a ſtate of Bleſſedneſſe, Pſal. 32.1, 2. then their ſtate is a ſtate of curſedneſſe. And though they ſleep in that eſtate, their damnation ſlumbereth not, but may come on them in a night, and ſtop their breath, while they lye ſleeping.
Vſe 2. Faln mans miſery.Let us hereby bee convinced of the miſery of faln man: whoſe ſtate is not only dangerous, but deſperate, without this ſatisfaction. And yet alas! how little is it conſidered by wretched Sinners: our days are like thoſe, Matth. 24.39. We have many Noahs, preachers of righteouſneſſe, to warn us of the evil to come; but no man takes warning. Wee are ſinging and chanting to the ſound of the Viol, while God ſounds an alarum, by the trumpet of warre. Wee are dancing in jollity, while God is marching in Battalia. We are drinking in the Wine, and ſtrong Drink, while God is letting out our Blood. Wee are devouring the Creatures, while wee are devoured of the Creator. Wee are joyning Sexes in Marriage, while God is ſeparating ſoul from body. Swimming in pleaſures till we are drowned in the floud; and no man takes warning, as if there were no danger in the matter; wherefore to give you ataſte of it,
1 Conſider, that all have ſinned, Rom. 3.23. All without exception have been in an eſtate of ſin, and in want of that righteouſneſſe, that ſhould ſtand before God for acceptation. And though education, or a better nature ſhould ſtop ſin in ſome from bringing forth ſo early, or breaking out ſo foulely as it doth in others, yet there is no difference: there lyes a hidden Spring-head in all, both Jewes, and Gentiles, circumciſed and uncircumciſed, binding them over to the Wrath of God. And leaſt you ſhould therefore ſay, you ſhall eſcape as well, and your condition is as good as others.
2 Conſider, we all are come ſhort of the glory of God, Rom. 3.23. come ſhort of his grace by the loſſe of original righteouſneſſe; and of his glory, by the ſeparation which our ſins have made. The fruition of God is the Goal of our race wee run to obtain; our ſins have caſt us behind in this race (as the Greek word there ſounds.) Juſtification by Chriſts ſatisfaction, is the only way, now left, to attain the end of our race; which whoſoever wants, muſt never hope to enjoy God.
3 Nothing in the Creature can juſtifie. Good Works, Duties, Services, Prayers, Tears, Groans, are all too mean, to make God to account him righteous; no, nor to give all his eſtate to the poor, and his body to bee burnt for Religion; for the Law required, that God ſhould bee ſerved, with all our might, and all our power, and ability; but by the works of the law can no fleſh bee juſtified, Rom. 3.20. Moreover, by the Law ſin is known and manifeſted; but what makes known ſin, cannot juſtify from it: for 'tis madneſſe for a Traytor, when hee is convicted of Treaſon by ſome Statute, to expect an acquittance by that Statute, that condemned his Crime to Death: ſo 'tis in man, to expect Abſolution by the Law, which condemns his ſin to death. The Law therefore leaves man without all hope.
4 The grace of God, cannot juſtify any ſoul, without Chriſts ſatisfaction. Men may hope to bee ſaved, by Gods Grace and Mercy, but without Chriſts ſatisfaction, their hope is meerly groundleſſe. Paul names Gods grace in the Text, but addes, through the Redemption which is in Christ Jeſus: not by grace without it. The Devil would plead Gods grace, to get out of his miſery, if that would do it, as well as you. Every carnal wretch would plead it, 'Tis a pretious Plea to flye to Gods grace, yet none is welcome but hee that hath a High-Prieſt, Heb. 4.15, 16. Let us come boldly to the throne of Grace: what may any poor ſoul come? Surely no, unleſſe hee hath the Therefore to the Wherefore. Unleſs hee hath a High Prieſt, that was tempted in all points like unto us: Elſe hee'le finde the throne of Grace, to bee a Judgement Seat: and may call to the mountains to fall upon him, Revel. 6.16. to ſave him from the wrath of him that ſits upon the Throne, when hee comes to beg for grace. Nothing but the redemption that is in Chriſt Jeſus, can procure the ſouls welcome. No gift of man can appeaſe God, Prov. 6.34, 35. The jealous God will not spare in the day of vengeance, hee will not regard a ranſome, neither will hee reſt contented, though thou giveſt many gifts.
God-man in one perſon, is alone the accepted price. The Father would not take a farthing more than his juſtice did exact, nor a farthing leſs than what was due. As where ten pound is due, the Creditor exacts not twenty; and where twenty pounds are due, hee will not accept often: ſo the father required Chriſt for ſatisfaction, being the exact return, according to the fathers Juſtice. For Job 34.23. God will not lay upon man more than is right. And Paul clears him, Rom. 3.5, 6. what ſhall wee ſay then? Is there unrighteouſneſs with God? God forbid. Hee is no Extortioner to take more, nor could take leſs than his due. He doth not willingly afflict the children of men, Lam. 3.34, 35. much leſſe doth hee exceed in the affliction of his own Son. Now therefore if God required his Son, as an infinite price for the ſatisfaction, of his infinite wrongs, to become a ranſome for loſt man: ſurely man was faln into a moſt woful eſtate. Beware therefore, O ſinful wretch, that ſleepeſt in thy ſecurity, leaſt God cauſe his conſuming fire to fall on thee, this moment, as it did on Sodom: O what a remedileſs! what a helpleſs eſtate is thy ſoul fallen into! Let thy tears run down like a river, day and night, give God no reſt, ceaſe not to complain to him. Let thine heart like Noahs Dove, find no place to reſt on, till thou haſt gotten Chriſts ſatisfaction to bee thy ſouls Ranſome.
Uſe 3. Of Inſtruction and Exhortation to every man, Inſtruction to take the right way to juſtification.to take the right way for Juſtification. The world hath been tampering about it, ever ſince Adams fall, and the Devil hath ſo much over-clouded it; That the greateſt part of the World have quite miſtook it: and where there is any diſcovery of it, infinite errors have been broached with it. And the heart of man turns and windes under it, not being able to cloſe with the way of it. Bee cautelous therefore, and know; That there is no true Juſtification; but what Centers in Chriſt, Act. 4.12. There is no Salvation (not a jot) in any other; for there is none other Name given under Heaven; God the Father gave no other way, nor Name; Therefore no other Way nor Name can poſſibly bee found out. Redemption was alone, by Chriſts blood, Eph. 1.7. Hee is made our redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30. Hee ſhall give his Life, Matth. 20.28. This is the great Leſſon, to learn, Chriſt your ſatisfaction to the Father. Now then as a poor man asks his Friends, how hee ſhall pay his debts, fears the Creditor will come to clap him up in Gaol, and there hee muſt lye and dye becauſe hee cannot pay, as that complaint is, 2 King. 4.1. ſo ask you, what you ſhall do to bee ſaved? where you ſhall find a Ranſome? your ſoules are deeply indebted, and you have not to pay, Mat. 18.25. and the Creditor is coming haſtily upon you. O bee not more careful to ſave your bodies out of Priſon than your ſouls out of Hell. Lay hold on Chriſt who alone is Current mony, and full ſatisfaction.
Queſt. But how ſhall we compaſs this ſatisfaction of Chriſt? and comfort by it?
Anſw. You muſt do as the poor bankrupt doth. Firſt, to get him a ſurety to undertake the debt. Secondly, to gain to himſelf an Acquittance, under hand and zeal. Get Chriſt to bee thy ſurety, and an Acquittance written with his blood. Now an Acquittance is derived by the Lawyers, from the word quietantia, an old barbarous term, but very ſignificant: which when once it is got, the Debtor is then at reſt. No ſuits in Law, nor brangling controverſies can bee maintained any longer againſt him; for hee hath his quietus eſt, a free and full diſcharge: Plead for this from God; and that from the beginning of the world to this day. For Adam left his poſterity in debt. This Acquittance is nought elſe, but what Paul ſpeaks of, Rom. 5.1. Peace in Conſcience, ariſing from Chriſts ſatisfaction for our ſins. And that you may attain this ſurety and Acquittance.
1 Conſider the neceſſity and worth of Juſtification. It is the Juſtification of Life, yee are dead without it, Rom. 5.18. And having obtained it, you are fit for any thing: for glory, whom hee juſtified, hee glorified, Rom. 8.30. Enoch had this teſtimony, that hee pleaſed God, Heb. 11.5. then was hee fit for Heaven. Fit to bee a teacher of others. Iſaiah cries, now ſend mee, when his ſins were pardoned. But without it, you are fit for nothing. If Death arreſts you, how will you ſcramble for Bail? how will you wiſh you had pleaſed God? how unfit to go off the world? O leave not that to the laſt gaſpe, that ſhould bee done firſt. Thou mayeſt bee great, and rich, and honourable, and yet not fit to live, nor to dye: but he that is juſtified is fit for both.
2 Highly eſteem the Ranſome. It was no leſs than the blood of God that ranſomed you. And if things are to bee eſteemed by what they coſt, nothing is more precious than this Ranſome. And accordingly the Apoſtle valued it, Phil. 3.8, 9. hee accounted all the worlds glory, but Dirt, and dung in compariſon. And deſired to abandon all knowledge that hee might know Chriſt, and him crucified. How highly doth hee prize, 1 Cor. 2.2. Chriſt not glorified, but Crucified: mainly intending to preach that. Hence the whole work of the Miniſtery is called, Preaching the Croſs, 1 Cor. 1.18. In a word, the greateſt love that God ever ſhewed to man; and the greateſt bleſſing man ever attained to, it is this ſatisfaction of Chriſt, Love with an affix, 1 Joh. 4.10.
3 Conſider the lenity and difficulty of the ſatisfaction. God would not have ſent his Son, if all the world could have made ſatisfaction. Iſa. 53.10, 11. Hee ſhall ſee of the travel of his ſoul and bee ſatisfied. Hee ſaw the pay was current [the travel of his ſoul] to wit, all the ſufferings of Chriſt, gave him ſatisfaction. What need Chriſt take ſuch pains, if any elſe could do it? It coſt not Chriſt half ſo much pains to make the world, Pſal. 33.9, 10. Hee ſpake the word and it was done, &c. This work of ſatisfaction made him ſweat drops of blood.
4 Receive an unlimited Chriſt, and entertain him in all his Offices. Receive his perſon firſt, and then his benefits. Joh. 1.12. as many as received him, &c. Receive him and then his adoption and ſatisfaction. Let him bee King as well as Prieſt, Luke 19.27. Take him as a ſanctifier, as well as a Saviour. Accept his Majeſty as well as his Mercy. Take Holineſs, as well as Happineſs from him. Let the water of regeneration bee welcome, with the blood of Juſtification. And that with ſpeed, for Luke 14.24. if you come not when invited, you may never bee welcome. The Iſraelites that denied to enter Canaan, when God offered it, Heb. 4.1. had never after an opportunity. Francis Spira under dreadful torture, pittifully lamented, that now God would not give him one motion of his bleſſed Spirit more, many of which he ſlighted before. If therefore you minde eternity, and have any care of your ſouls, or any reſpect to Chriſt, or fear of God; if heaven bee worth having, give Chriſt entertainment in all his Offices.
Uſe 4. Comfort to all that are in Chriſt: Comfort to ſincere Chriſtians.that your ranſome is paid. Lift up your heads with joy for your redemption draws nigh.
1 Conſider your ſins are ſatisfied to the full. Poor bankrupt ſouls, have all Bills and bonds, and hand-writings that are againſt them, cancelled, Col. 2.14. Davids prayer is anſwered; all his Tranſgreſſions are blotted out, Pſal. 51.12. Oh what joy! what contentation ſhould diſplay its triumph in the heart. The diſcharge of ſin, is another gates thing than all other diſcharges. The Debt is greater, the Creditor more dreadful, the Gaol more horrible, the Gaoler more cruel, and the ſatisfaction fuller, then men ever felt or found. Your Moraliſts ſay, It is the hardeſt of all ſatisfactions, for an Inferiour to ſatisfy a Superiour, in point of honour. If hee had injured him in his goods, ſatisfaction might have been made; but what will hee do here? will hee ſubmit to him? that hee ought alwaies to do. Will hee do it by his goods? no, a good name is better than Riches, Prov. 22.1. Sin violated Gods Juſtice, and affronted his God-head. For every ſin is a kinde of Dei cidium, a murthering of God. Hence men are called God-haters, Rom. 1.30. but hee that hateth his brother is a murtherer, 1 Joh. 3.15. ſo is hee that hateth God. And indeed hee doth kill God, as to himſelf, for as the Sun though it cannot loſe its light, yet is utterly eclipſed, as to the eye of man. So is God to the Sinner. But now as tranſcendently evil as Sin is, Chriſt hath ſatisfied for it; and put an end to all troubles to thy Conſcience about it. By one offering hee hath perfected for ever, ſuch as are ſanctified, Heb. 10.15. God ſaith, I will bring forth my Servant the branch: and I will remove the iniquities of the Land in one day, Zech. 3.8, 9. Yee ſhall call therefore every man his Neighbour, under his Vine, and under his Fig-tree; For Pſal. 85.10. Mercy and Truth have met together, Righteouſneſs and Peace have kiſſed each other; that is, all Gods excellencies gloriouſly ſhine forth in Chriſts ſatisfaction. Comfort yee one another with theſe words.
2 Conſider for your Comfort, Weak beleever juſtified as much as ſtronger.That the weakeſt true beleever, is juſtified as much as the ſtrongeſt. What was imputed to Abraham for his Juſtification, was and is imputed to the weakeſt Saint. Rom. 4.22, 23, 24 To Us it ſhall bee imputed, if wee beleeve on Chriſt, as Abraham did. 'Tis true, all apprehend not this ſatisfaction alike; but the matter and form of our juſtification is all one. Therefore rejoyce O weak Chriſtian, thy cloathing (notwithſtanding all thine infirmities) is as bright ſhining in the eyes of God, as that of Abraham, or the greateſt Saint in the world.
Queſt. How can wee come to comfort through the ſatisfaction of Chriſt?
Anſw. 1 Gain your Acquittance, a writing drawn with Gods own hand, with your name in it, 1 Joh. 5.13. Theſe things have I writ unto you that beleeve on the Name of the Son of God, that yee may know yee have eternal life. So that if you beleeve, there is the writing, grounded on a Record, verſ. 11. and there is your Name in it. You ſee your way to finde your Names there, get it ſealed to your hearts by the Spirit.
2 Let there bee an humble, active, embracing of Chriſt, in the Word of Promiſe. God requires, beſides his own good pleaſure, and the Councill of his will, the work of faith, Rom. 3.25. 2 Theſſ. 1.11. Thou muſt exerciſe thy humble, obediential Faith, as thy day-labour: even a conflicting faith, Rev. 2.17. and a praying Faith, Ezek. 36.32. and a confeſſing faith. As they did their ſins, laying their hands on the head of the Scape-Goat, Lev. 16.21. So the hand (the type of faith) was put on the head of the burnt offering, Lev. 14. And an humbling Faith: which indeed is the moſt humble grace of all, Rom. 11.20. Thou standeſt by Faith, bee not high-minded. From which grace Chriſt is never far, Iſa. 57.15. yea they, when pricked at heart, ſaw Chriſt preſently, Act. 2.38. and Peter applies the Promiſe to them, and reveals mercy to ſuch bleeding ſouls. Chriſt and a lamenting ſoul are never far aſunder.
3 Bee comforted, That this way of yours by Chriſts ſatisfaction is the true way to Juſtification. Men cry up many new waies. 'Tis a great mercy in ſuch varieties of errors not to err: The truth of this way of Juſtification, is not onelyonly true upon the truth of the word, but upon the truth of God himſelf: If God bee God, this juſtification muſt needs bee true. For here juſtice is ſatisfied, and ſo God pardons; which hee could as well un God himſelf as do, where his juſtice is not ſatisfied. So that wee may teſtify to you, 1 Pet. 5.12. That this is the true grace of God in which you ſtand. Men have a conceited grace different from this, but here you may ſafely ſet up, your reſting place, for ever.
Uſe 5. Remember to maintain perpetual homage, and obſervance of Jeſus Chriſt. Never forget ſo great a mercy. David cries, Pſal. 116.6. O Lord I am thy ſervant, and the Son of thy hand-maid; thou haſt broken my bonds. The way of Servants, and Slaves ingaging themſelves to their Lords was, they yeelded their ſubmiſſion with promiſe and oath, to be Loyal to them as their Lords; and holding their hands between the hands of their Lords, they ſaid, I become your Servant from this day forth, for life, for limbs, for worldly honors: and ſhall owe you my fidelity, as long as I live. Well might this holy man ſay, I am thy Servant, ſince God had not brought him into, but broken his bonds. Paul argues much this way, 2 Cor. 5.14, 15. And hee dyed for all, that they that live, ſhould not live unto themſelves. Which falls foul upon that ignoble conceit; That if Chriſt gives ſatisfaction, wee are freed from all obedience to the Commandements. By which this doctrin of Chriſts ſatisfaction is made the occaſion of prophaneneſs; and Chriſt is become the Miniſter of ſin, which Paul abhorred, Gal. 2.17. 'Tis true, that ſince Chriſt hath paid the price of our redemption, there is nothing for us to do by way of ſatisfaction: but as much as in us lies, in obedience to the will of Chriſt, both from the nature of righteouſneſs and holineſs which are worth our exerciſing, and from the Moral conſideration of Chriſts yeelding obedience to every Commandement, and out of a ſtudy for conformity to the ſtate of glory hereafter. Yea, there is a Cauſal connexion (ſuch as is between the cauſe and effect) between Chriſts ſatisfaction applyed to us, and our holineſs. For Union with Chriſt by Faith, produceth this fruit neceſſarily, 1 Joh. 3.6. Hee that abides in him ſins not. The Spirit of Chriſt works it, Ezek. 36.27. and true faith purifies the heart, Act. 13.9. Act. 26.18. So then let every man do the works of God without him, or ſuſpect the work of God within him: Leſt fancy that works folly, rather than faith that works purification, bee found within him. For hee that is bought with a price, will glorify God in ſoul and body, which are Chriſts by Redemption.