Christ Crucified, Sermon 42
SERMON XLII.
ISAIAH LIII.X.
Verſe 10. He ſhall ſee his ſeed, he ſhall prolong his dayes, and the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand.
THere is not one reading of theſe Words, but it might put us to this wondering Queſtion; For what is it, that th…s great Deſign of all Chriſt's Sufferings hath been driven, and what hath been the great End of this Covenant of Redemption, that hath ſuch Sharp, Sore and Sade Sufferings following thereon, to the Mediator, who ingadged in it? This World was made with little noiſe, (to ſay ſo,) There was no ingadgment on God, for bringing about of that Work, though very great, as there is in bringing about this; This th…n certainly muſt be a quite other thing that hath an Offering and …uch an Offering, as had in it the bruiſing and d…ing of the Perſon, that was the Son of God, interpoſed for the obtaining of it. But this anſwers the Queſtion, He ſhall ſee his ſeed, &c. Which, in ſum …s this; His Life ſhall procure Life to ma…y dead Sinners, and they ſhall get it certainly applyed to th m; And the Work of the Mini…ry (to ſpeak ſo) and of the Mediatory Office of Chriſt ſhall thrive well in His hand; So that there is not one Soul, that is Deſigned to Life, and Glory; but it ſhall be brought to the Poſſeſſion of it, in due time.
There are two things, which we hinted at the laſt Day, that we ſhall now ſpeak a Word to, and the firſt of them is this.
That it is an agreed upon, and a concluded Article, in the Covenant of Redemption; that our Lord Jeſus ſhall, and muſt have a Seed: This is a moſt certain and infallible Truth; It is an effect laid down here, as a neceſſary conſequent of His Offering up of his Soul for ſin: It's a determined thing, if we look, 1. To the certainty of the event; Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt muſt have a Seed to wit, Believers in Him; That is concluded on, and promiſed to Him. 2. If we look to the Seed that He ſhall have; They are particularly determined upon, to wit, how many Children He ſhall have; and who they ſhall be: That was both a Promiſe in the Covenant, and a Propheſie, as we have it, Pſal 22. Where the Pſalmiſt ſpeaking before of Chriſt; Sa…es, verſe 30. A ſeed ſhall ſerve him, it ſhall be accounted to the Lord for a generation: And this is laid down as a ſolid Concluſi n, John 6.37. All that the Father hath given me, ſhall come unto me; Which ſuppons, both a determinat number given, and the certainty of their coming: Become of the reſt of the World what may, they ſhall undoubtedly come: And indeed, if we look to the nature of this Tranſaction, we will find it to be a Promi…e, and a Promiſe of God to the Mediator, that can neither be altered, nor unaccompliſhed; yea, it's a Covenanted Promiſe, made on a Condition, to wit, the laying down of His Life; as the ſtipulation on His Syde; And that which he hath for ſo d…ing, from the Father, on His ſide, is this, That He ſhall ſee his Seed; And when this is, not only a Promiſe, but ſuch a Promi e, as is grounded on a Tranſaction; bearing a Con…ition, which the Son hath performed; As He Himſelf ſaith, John 17.4. I have finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do; There is a Juſtice, and Faithfulneſs, in the Performance of this Promiſe on the Fathers ſide to Him; That he ſhall have a Seed. 3. It's clear alſo, if we conſider the End of this Tranſaction, which is, to glorifie the Grace of God, by Chriſt's Purchaſe, in the Salvation of Elect Sinners; In reſpect of this End, it cannot fail, but Chriſt muſt have a Seed, that that End may be attained: So then, our Lord Jeſus muſt have, and certainly ſhall have, many that ſhall partake of Eternal Life by Him.
The 1. Uſe of it ſerveth, to let us ſee the unwarrantableneſſe of that Doctrine, that leaves the Fruit of Chriſt's Death, as to the ſeeing of a Seed, to an uncertainty, laying the weight of it, on ma…s Free Will; a thing, that is very taking with Natural Men; and with conceaty Carnal Rea…on: But if it were left to M…ns option, to receive Chriſt, or not, then the …x cution of the Work of Redemption, and the performance of ſuch a Promiſe, as …his is, behoved to have the certainty of it ſu…jected to Mans Will, and ſhould be made eff…ctuall, or not, as He ple…ſed; But it's God's great mercy to us, that we know it is not ſo; And that there is an …quity here, (to ſpeak with Reverence of the M…jeſty of God,) that ſeeing our Lord Jeſus hath done His Part, the Promiſe …hould be made effectual …o Him, and that He ſhould have a Seed.
Uſe 2. It layeth a ground, ſerving greatly to quiet us in the Reelling of Times, when the World is going through other, and turned up-ſide down; and when we are diſpoſed to wonder, what will become of the Church, that is now ſorely Aſſaulted, and made to Stagger, what by the Old Enemy Anti-chriſt, who is beſtirring himſelf, mightilie, what through abounding Security, and Formality, whereby Satan is ſeeking to draw away many: Some to Errour, and ſome to Prophanity; but though Anti-chriſt, and the Devil, with all their Emiſſaries, and Agents, had ſaid the Contraire, Our Lord Jeſus ſhall have a Seed; It may be they are not the Plurality of a Kingdom, or Nation, of a City, or of a Congregation, but they ſhall be ſo many, as ſhall ſerve to the making out of the Promiſe; Our Lord makes uſe of this; John 6.37. and 44. Where, when a number are runing away f om Him; He ſayes, Murmure not at this, No man can come to me, except the Father that ſent me, draw him, and all that the Father hath given me, ſhall come unto me, I will get as many (as if He had ſaid) as are appointed to receive my Word from my ſelf; or from my Servants ſpeaking in my Name; as for others, I look not for them: It is true, we would beware of having any ſinfull Acceſſion to the marring of the Progreſs of the Goſpel, and be ſuitably affected with any ſuch thing in others; but withal we would reverence the Lords Soveraignity, who knows how to have a care of His Church, in the worſt of times; And let this quiet our …earts, amidſt all the Reellings and Confuſions of theſe times, that our Lord ſh…ll h…ve a Seed, and that He ſhall not want one of all theſe that are given Him of His Father, but ſhall raiſe them up at the Laſt Day.
Uſe 3. Seing this is the Lord's Deſign; It would commend to the Hearers of the Goſpel, a ſtudy to Concure in this D…ſign, (if we may ſpeak ſo) in their Publick and Privat Stations, in reference to themſelves, and in reference to others; As it is the Lords Deſign, that Chri… ſhall have a Seed, So we would make it our's: We may moſt ſ…fely Syde, and Strick in here, with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, whoſe Deſign runs on this; and (to ſpeak ſo) they have, muſt have, and ſhall have a Poor and Cold Game of it, who thuarts with the Lord, in this His Deſign, who ever they be, and in whatever Station, or Capacity, Publick or Privat; As it is no Wiſdom, ſo it will be no Advantage, to ſtrugle, or ſtrive with God: But here is matter of great incouragement, to any that would have the Goſpel proſpering, Religion Coun…enanced, Error Suppreſſed, the power of Godlineſſe promoted, and Prophanity born down; That our Lord Jeſus Chriſt does concur with them in the ſame Deſign; I know not any other Deſign, that a Man can ſtrick in, without fear, to come ſhort in it, but this; and whoſoever ſtrick in with this▪ it ſhall not miſgive them, for Chriſt ſhall have a Seed; and though we cann…t, nor ought not abſolutly and peremptorly, to Deſign particular Perſons; yet in the General, we ought to concur, to have the Promiſe m…de to Chriſt, of a Seed performed to Him; And indeed it is no ſmall Priviledge, and Prerogative, that we are admitted by Prayer, or otherwayes to concure with Him, in this Deſign; according to that memorable Word of Promiſe, concerning this matter, Pſal. …2.15. Prayer alſo ſhall be made for him continually, and dayly ſhall he be praiſed.
Uſe 4. There is here great incouragement to Sinners, that are in their own apprehenſion, void of Life, and have ſome ſenſe of th…ir deadneſſe, and would fain be at Chriſt for Life, and have Him for their Father; ſuch I ſay, are by this Doctrine, encouraged to ſtop to; For it's a thing Determined an… Promiſed; and ſince it is ſo, we may, and ought to eſſay, and endeavour, that He may have a Seed, and may be ſure, it will not diſpleaſe Him, that we …ndeavour to offer our ſelves to be of His Seed; It's a Fooliſh, and yet often a Pu…ling an… Perplexing Doubt, that comes in the way of Serious Souls, when they offer to come to Chriſt, that they know not, but they may be preſuming; If there be any Acquaintance with God's, and Chriſt's D…ſign, manifeſted in the Goſpel; There is no ground for ſuch a Doubt; and ſuch a Soul may as well queſtion, Whether will God and the Mediator be pleaſed, that the Promiſe made to Him of a Seed be performed? Certainly it will be diſpleaſing to neither of them, but well pleaſing to both; And therefore, the Sin…er would be ſtrengthened on this ground, and take it for granted, in it's addreſſes to God, that ſuch a thing is Deſigned; to wit, that Chriſt ſhall have a Seed.
Uſe 5. It ſhews, what muſt be the condition, that others ſtand in, who do not come and make Offer of themſelves to be Christ's Seed; They do, in ſo far as they can, thuart with God's Deſign; And this will come on their Account; That if Chriſt ſhould never have a Seed, they would not, for their parts, betake themſelves to Him, nor be of His Seed; but as far as they could, would ſtand in the way of the performance of this Promiſe to Him: And this will be ground of a ſad Challenge from God; I D…ſigned, that Chriſt my Son ſhould have a Seed, and I engadged by Promiſe, to give it to Him; and ye Scorned and Diſdained (to ſpeak ſo, with reverence, in ſuch a Subject) to ſatisfie God that far, as to yeeld to Chriſt, to be of His Seed, that, that Promiſe might have it's accompliſhment in you. 1. From the Words complexly conſidered, Obſerve, that Chriſt's having and obtaining of a Seed; His getting of Souls to believe in Him; is a thing moſt Welcome, a…d Acceptable, both to Jehovah, that makes the Promiſe, and to the Mediator, to w…om it is Promiſed; There is nothing that pleaſes God, and the Mediator better, then for loſt Sinners to bet ke themſelv…s to Chriſt, and His Righteouſneſſe, for Life; It's …he Satisfaction …hat He hath f…r the …ravell of His S…n; It's the Recompence here Promi…ed to Him; It's (to ſp…ak after the manner of M…n,) as if the Son were ſaying, What ſhall I get, if I lay down my Life for Sinners? Here the Father Promiſeth. Thou ſh…lt ſee thy Seed, That is, many ſhall believe, and …e Juſtified through thy Death; And this is ſo acceptable to the Mediator, That He ſayes, Lo, I come, in the volume of thy book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; And Heb. 10. the Apoſtle ſa…es, By …his will we are ſanctified; He ſought no more but this, for all His Sufferings, and Soul travel; and that it is no leſs acceptable to Jehovah, that makes the Promiſe, is as clear: Therefore, in the laſt part of the verſe, It is ſaid, The pleaſure, (the Will, or the Delight) of the Lord, ſhall proſper in his hand; That is, the ingadgeing of Souls to believe, (which is Gods delight, as well as the Mediators) ſhall Thrive, Succeed, and Proſper Well, It's this, that John 17. Chriſt call… the finiſhing of the work, which the Fathe… gave him to a…; What is that, Thine they were, and thou gaveſt them me; It's even His ſ…epping in betwixt Juſtice and them, to make way for their Reconciliation through His Blood; And this is very delightſome, and well pleaſing to Jehovah. It is true, this delightſomeneſſe, is not to be ſo underſtood as if there were ſuch Affections, and Paſſions in the Lord, as there are in us; But it is Attributed to Him in theſe Reſpects. 1. It's called Pleaſing and Delightſome to Him, as it agrees with His Revealed Will, and Command; And ſo, it c…nnot be conceived, but to be pleaſing to God, as that which He commandeth, calleth for, and approveth; in which reſpect, the Holineſſe of them that will never be Holy, and the Faith of them, that will never b…lieve, is, or may be called Pleaſing to God. 2. It is called Pleaſing to the Lord, in reſpect of the End, and as it is a Midſe to the Glorifying of His Grace, and the performance of His Promiſe to the Mediator; For by this, His Grace comes to be Glorified, and He hath acceſs, to perform what He hath Promiſed to the Mediator. 3. It's pleaſant to Him, Becauſe in this, the Lord hath a ſpeciall Complacency; And hath Evidenced in His Word, Comparatively a greater delight in Sinners clo…ing with Chriſt, and in their accepting of Life through Him, then in many other things: Therefore it is, that He calleth for this ſo preſſingly; And when Chriſt is not thus made uſe of, He declares Himſelf to be grieved; and that there is a ſort of diſpit done to Him; whereas, upon the other ſide, He takes it (dare I …p ak it with reverence) as a courtiſie, and honour put upon Him; when a Soul gives up it ſelf to Chriſt; and dare hazar… the weight of it's Immortal Soul on His Word, in this reſpect, Abraham is ſaid, Rom. 4. To give glorie to God; When he Truſted himſelf, his Soul, and all his Concerns to Him; And we will find, that believing is accounted to be an honouring of the …ather, and of the Son, if we compare the 24. and 25. Verſes of John 5. together.
The 1. Uſe, Serves, To let you ſee, That not only do the Father, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt call Sinners to believe, do warrand them to believe, and lay down grounds, whereupon they may found their Faith; But they alſo declare, that it is well pleaſing to them; And that they ſhal be very welcome that come; The carriage of the Father of the Prodigal, Luke 15. Is but a little ſhadow of that welcome, that a Sinner, in returning to God, by Faith in Jeſus Chriſt may expect; though indeed that Parable ſhewes plainly, how h…arty a welcome returning Sinners may expect, It was meet (ſaith he) that we ſhould mak… merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead, and is alive, and was lo…, but is found again.
Uſe 2. It ſerves to ban…ſh away that unworthy apprehenſion, that is in the minds of too many, that there is greater Rigidi…y and Auſterity in God the Father, then there is in the Mediator towards poor Sinners; If we look to God, as God, His Grace abounds in the Perſon of the F ther, as it doth in the Perſon of the Son; And if we look to the Son as God, He is the ſame Juſt God, that will not acquit the Guilty, more then the Father will do; So that there is no ground for this apprehenſion, which Foſters a ſort of Blaſphemous Conception of the bleſſed Trini y; as if they were of different Natures and Diſpoſitions, moſt unbecoming Chriſtians: H…nce is i…, that many who are ignorant of God, w… ſpeak of Chriſt, as b…ing eaſier to be dealt withall then the Father is; a moſt Derogatory Conceit to the Divine Majeſty, and un…orthy of Chriſtians; Indeed, if we abſtract God from the Mediator, there is no dealling with Him; but if we look on God, and come to Him, in the Mediator, there we find Him eaſie to be dealt with; Therefore, that which is called the Satisfaction of the Mediator, Verſe 11. Is called here, the pleaſure of the Lord; Becauſe He delights in the performing of His Promiſe to the Mediator, in reference to His having of a Seed: It is from this alſo, that ſome Folks will pray to Chriſt, as if He were a different Thing, or Being from God; And they would firſt make their Peace with Chriſt, and then by His Moyon, bring themſelves in good Terms with God; The Mediator, indeed conſidered as Mediator, is different from God who, without Him, or out of Him is a Conſuming Fire; But conſidered as God, He hath the ſame Properties, and gives Pardon on the ſame Terms; And in this Reſpect, we are to make uſe of His own Righteouſneſſe, for obtaining of Pardon from Himſelf; there being but one God: There is occaſion too frequently to meet with this Error: And I know not how many inconveniences it hath following upon it; Some think that they are alwayes ſure of Chriſt's Friendſhip, but they doubt of Gods; As if the Father had not the ſame delight to ſave Sinners, that Chriſt the Son hath: And another abuſe follows on the form…r, that there is no more uſe made of Chriſt, but by a Word of Prayer to Him, without exerciſing Faith on His God-head; If there ere no more to Rectifie this groſs miſ…ake, This one Text might do it; If ye make uſe of Chriſt's Righteouſneſſe, ye may expect Friendſhip from the Father, and from the Son; And if ye do it not, ye have no ground to expect Friendſhip from either of them.
Uſe 3. There is here Ground of Glad Tydings to Sinners, And that which makes the Covenant of Redemption, to be diſervedly called the Goſpel, and that made the Angels to Sing Glory be to God in the higheſt, peace on earth, and good will to men; That there is ſuch a Covenant laid down, for bringing Life to Dead Sinners; And that the Father, and the Mediator are Delighted, Comforted, (to ſay ſo) Satisfied, and well pleaſed with Sinners, making Uſe of the Mediator for Life: Is there then any Sinner here, whoſe Conſcience layes open to Him, His hazard, applyes the Curſe to Him, and paſſes Sentence on himſelf, and hath ſome deſire to be at Chriſt; and yet wots not if He will hold out the Golden Scepter? Behold this Text doth hold it out to ſuch, and bids them come in boldly, for Chriſt makes them welcome; yea, the Lord Jehovah makes them welcome; It's the Fathers, and Chriſt's delight, that thou come foreward. If there be a Doctrine in all the Scripture Sweet, it's this; and without th…s, no Preaching, nor point of Truth would be Sweet; I ſay, without this; to wit, That God hath not only provided a Price, and makes Offer of it, but is well content, that it be made uſe of; yea, and is delighted, that a Sinner dead in himſelf, Truſt, and Concredit himſelf to the Mediator, for obtaining of Life through Him: And can there be any Queſtion of this? For, 1. If it had not been the Lord Jehovah His delight, why then did He make ſuch a Covenant? Why did He (as it were) part and ſu…der with the Son of H…s Love? Why did He accept of a Cautioner? And why Tansferred He on His own Son, and exacted of Him the Debt, that was due by …lect Sinners; and made the Sword of His Juſtice to awake againſt Him? If He had not had a great delight in the Salvation of Sinners, would He have taken that way, to Smite the only Son of His Love, to ſpare them? And if it had not been the Sons Pleaſure, would He, with ſuch delight have undertaken, and done the Fat…ers will, in Reference to their Salvation? Lo I come, (ſaith He) I delight to do thy will, O my God; It was the Fathers will, and He had a delight in it; And it was the Sons will and delight, and He came, and according to His undertaking, laid down His Life. 2. Wherefore elſe, are all the Promiſes, and Encouragements that are given to Sinners to believe? as that of Matth. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy loaden &c. And that, 2 Cor. 5.20. W…ere both are put together, We are ambaſſadours for Chriſt, as though God did beſeech you by us, we pray you in Chriſt's ſtead, be ye reconciled to God; Miniſters preſs you you, in the Name of God, and by vertue of a warrand from Him, to be Reconciled; and they have Chriſt's warrand, in a more peculiar manner, as the great Prophet of His Church, to tell you, it's a thing the Lord Jehovah, and the Mediator have Pleaſure in, even in this, that ye ſhould be reconciled. 3. Wherefore are the many expoſtulations with Sinners, that they will not come unto Christ, for Life, That they will not be gathered, that, when he streatches out his hands all the day long, they will not behold him? &c. Do not all theſe Confirm this Truth, that there is nothing He is better pleaſed with, then with a Sinners coming to Chriſt for Life? Let me therefore beſeech you, by the Love that ye pretend to Jeſus Chriſt, and in His Name, and in the Name of Jehovah obteſt you, be ye Reconciled to God in Chriſt, let Him have Satisfaction; Let this pleaſure be done to the Lord, even to receive Life from Him: This is no hard, nor hurtfull, no unreaſonable, nor rigid Requeſt, I am ſure; all that He requires of you, is, that ye would come to Him, and get Life: O! if we could but ſuitably apprehend this, to be that which the Lord aims at, in this Preached Goſpel; that we might, (to ſpeak ſo with Reverence) put an Obligation on the Majeſty of God, in making ſure in this His own way, the Salvation of our own Souls; and that we could not do Him a better turn (But I pray take the Expreſſions Right, for we cannot ſet forth His Love, but in our own Language, which comes infinitely far ſhort of the thing) we could not find in our hearts, to refuſe to grant ſuch a loving, and highly rational a requiſt; As it is ſure then upon the one ſide, that we cannot do that which will pleaſe Him better; So it's as ſure on the other ſide, that we cannot do that which will diſpleaſe Him more, then to ſlight His Counſell in this; Though we would give our Bodies to be burnt and all our Goods to the Poor; He will not count it a pleaſure done Him, if this be not done; We would look upon this, as low Condeſcendencie, and great Grace in the Lord, that He ſeeks no more of us, but the making ſure Eternal Life to our ſelves, as that which will be moſt pleaſing to Him; It's even as if a Son ſhould ſay to his Father, Father, what will pleaſe thee? And as the Father ſhould ſay to his Son; Son have a care of thy ſelf, and that will pleaſe me; Becauſe, by our ſo doing, He reacheth His great End; to wit, the glorifying of His Grace and Love, which Sinners, by their unbelief, do what in them lyeth to marr and obſtruct: If we could ſpeak ſeriouſly to you, in this matter, it might be a Text to ſpeak on every day: Always ſeing He hath purchaſed Redemption to Sinners at a dear Rate, And all that He requires of you, is to cloſe with Him, and to ſeek after the Application of His Purchaſe; We again earneſtly pray you, be ye reconciled to God, and take heed that ye receive not this Grace in vain; What can ye do that will be pleaſing to God, or profitable to your ſelves without this? Or, what Fruit of the Goſpel can be brought forth, when this Fruit is not brought forth, If Jeſus Chriſt, in His Offices get not imployment, and if His Offering be not fled to for making of your Peace; We may, in Conſideration of this great and grave Subject, go from the Congregation partly Refreſhed, that there is ſuch a Doctrine to be ſpoken of; though we cannot, Alas! ſpeak of it ſuitably, And partly afraid, leaſt we be found, as far as we can, thuarting with, and running Croſſe unto God's good Will, and Deſigne in it, notwithſtanding, all the Favour and Grace He hath made Offer of to us; It were good that we carried ſerious Meditation on this Subject, along with us.