Christ Crucified, Sermon 23
SERMON XXIII.
ISAIAH LIII.V.
Verſ. 5. But he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities: the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed.
IT were no ſmall progreſs in Chriſtianity to know and believe the truths that are implyed and contained in this ſame verſe; The Lord by the Prophet is giving a little compend of the work of Redemption by his ſaving of ſinners from death, through, and by the wounding of the Mediator. We did a little open the meaning of the words, and gave a ſum of the Doctrines contained in them, at leaſt of ſome of them which do contribute to this ſcope:
The Prophet is here ſpeaking of Chriſt's ſufferings, with a reſpect to the cauſe of them, and the effect that followed them, and ſhews how this was indeed the miſtake and blaſphemous imputation that we had of, and were ready to put on him, even to judge him ſmitten and plagued of God for his own ſins, whereas God hath another deſign; He was altogether without ſin, but he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities; We were at feud with God, and he took on him the chaſtiſement of our peace; And this is the effect, to procure healing to us.
We ſhall now ſpeak a word to three Doctrines further beſide what we ſpoke to the laſt day, which are theſe, 1. That there was an eternal deſign, plot, and tranſaction betwixt God and the Mediator, as to Chriſts ſuffering for the redeeming of elect ſinners, before he actually ſuffered; This the Prophet ſpeaks of as a thing concluded; For the cauſe of his ſufferings was condeſcended on, and the end and fruit of them was determined, which implyes an antecedamus tranſaction betwixt the Father and him for putting him in the room of ſinners; And by this tranſaction Juſtice hath acceſs to exact the payment of this price; He interpoſed, and the Father exacts of him the payment of their debt, and ſeeks ſatisfaction from him for all that he bargained for. 2. That this tranſaction or deſign concerning the Redemption of elect ſinners, is in reſpect of Chriſts ſuffering and ſatisfying of Juſtice, fully and actually performed, he undertook to be wounded and bruiſed, and he was accordingly actually wounded and bruiſed: The tranſaction as to the engagement in it, and efficacy of it, took place in Iſaiah's time, and before his time; but as to the actual performance of what the Mediator engaged himſelf to ſuffer, it is ſpoken of prophetically by him as a thing done, becauſe to be done; and now it is done, and indeed long ago. 3. That the ſatisfying of Juſtice by the Mediators Sufferings according to his engagement, proves as effectual to abſolve, juſtifie and heal theſe, even the groſſeſt Sinners, that come under this Bargain and Tranſaction, as if they had actually ſuffered, and payed and ſatisfied their own Debt themſelves; theſe Sins are pardoned through his Sufferings, their deadly Wounds are healed by his Stripes, as if they had never had a wound; their Compt is daſhed and ſcored as clean out as if they had never had any Debt; they are acquitted and ſet free as if they had never been guilty.
Theſe three Doctrines ly very near the life of the Goſpel, and the Prophet in this Chapter, and particularly in this Verſe, is often on them. Our purpoſe is only ſhortly to explicate them to you, as a ſhort ſum and compend of the tract of the Covenant of Redemption: The firſt of them ſhews the riſe of the work of Redemption. The ſecond ſhews the mids by which it is executed. The third holds out the effect and conſequence, and the end of all.
For the firſt then, There is (we ſay) an eternal tranſaction betwixt God and Jeſus Chriſt the Mediator concerning the Redemption of Sinners, his actual redeeming by being wounded and bruiſed, ſuppoſeth this; for the Son is no more lyable to ſuffering (not to ſpeak of his ſuitableneſs) then any other of the Perſons of the bleſſed God-head, had there not been an antecedent tranſaction; there was no obligation nor ty on him to be wounded, and to enter into the room of Sinners as their Cautioner for payment of their Debt, if there had not been a prior engagement; neither could his wounding and bruiſing have proven uſeful, or have brought healing to us, if this prior engagement had not been: And this is it which we call the Covenant of Redemption; which we would not extend ſo, as in all things to ſtretch it to the properties of theſe Covenants and Bargains that are amongſt Men, it being in ſome reſpect an expreſſion uſed to make Grace more diſcernable to us that can conceive ſo little of Graces way: This Tranſaction or Covenant of Redemption is ſometimes called the Fathers will, and his law, as Pſal. 40.8. I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea thy law is within my heart; and John 6.38. It is called ſo, I came from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him that ſent me; ſo alſo John 17.14. it is called the Fathers work in one reſpect, and the Sons work in another reſpect, I have finiſhed the work thou gaveſt me to do; which is the proſecution of the ſame contrivance uſually called a Covenant; becauſe as to the eſſentials, it hath the nature of a Covenant, to wit, two Parties agreeing, and terms whereupon they agree; and it, well ordered in all things for proſecuting and carrying on the deſign of ſaving loſt Sinners; called Act. 2.23. the determinate counſel and fore-knowledge of God; there was a plot and deſign in Gods counſel concerning Chriſts ſufferings, whereof his ſufferings were the excution.
To clear it a little, we would conſider theſe five things in it. 1. The Parties. 2. The matter about which it is. 3. The riſe and occaſion of it. 4. The terms wherein the form of it ſtands or the mid… whereupon it is undertaken. 5. Some p… perties of this Covenant.
1. For the Parties, Upon the one ſide as God eſſentially conſidered, or all the three Perſons of the glorious God-head, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, who are all concurring in this Covenant, it being the act of the determinate counſel of God; and in this reſpect God is the Party to whom the ſatisfaction for loſt Sinners is made, and he is alſo the Party condeſcending to accept of the ſatisfaction: And upon the other ſide, the Party engaging to make ſatisfaction, is Jeſus Chriſt, the ſecond Perſon of the bleſſed, dreadful, and adorable Trinity perſonally conſidered, now becoming the head of the Elect, that he may have them all with himſelf to be one m…ical body; in the firſt reſpect, all the three Perſons, that ſame one bleſſed God, give the command or require a ſatisfaction as God, and concur as the infinitely wiſe orderers of the Decree; and in the ſecond reſpect, Jeſus Chriſt as Mediator, undertakes to make the ſatisfaction, Pſal. 40.6, 7. Sacrifice and offering thou didſt not deſire; God as it were making the offer, what can, or ſhall be given to me for the redemption of Sinners? Sacrifice and Offerings will not pleaſe, nor are accepted by me; then follows the Mediators part, Lo I come, in the volum of thy book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; for though in the firſt reſpect, all the Perſons of the Trinity be on the one ſide being of one will, yet in the other reſpect, Chriſt Jeſus as Mediator comes in on the other ſide to do that will.
2. As to the matter about which this Covenant is; It's about the ſatisfying of Juſtice, and making of peace between God and loſt Sinners; it's that we might be pardoned, juſtified, have peace with God, and be healed; it is true there is an end above and beyond this, even the glory of Gods rich Grace, and condeſcending love that ſtoups ſo low to ſave Sinners; but Sinners pardon, and peace with God, and their healing, is the immediate end: Or if we come nearer; the matter about which it is, is the redeeming of the Elect, for theſe words in the Text, We and Us, are of equal extent with them that are juſtified and reconciled, and whom he actually healeth by his wounds and ſtripes; ſo that whoever they be who are never juſtified and healed, they are not comprehended in this Bargain.
3. The riſe and occaſion of this Covenant may be gathered from theſe three. 1. There is the ſuppoſing of Mans ſin and fall; for whatever Election doth, Redemption doth moſt certainly ſuppoſe Man to to be loſt and under ſin. 2. There is Gods decree not to pardon ſin without a Satisfaction. 3. There is Gods election preceeding, or his purpoſe to ſave ſome for the glory of his Grace, which are the Elect, who are ſaid to be given to Chriſt: Theſe three are the riſe an… occaſion of the Covenant of Redemption; Man hath ſinned, the threatning muſt be executed, and Juſtice ſatisfied; and yet God hath for the glory of his Grace, elected a certain number to Life, and that muſt needs ſtand firm; and theſe three ſeeming to thwart one of them with another, gives the occaſion and riſe to the excellent and admirable contrivance of this way; how the loſt Sinner ſhall be ſaved, yet ſo as Juſtice ſhall be ſatisfied and not wronged in the leaſt, and Juſtice ſo ſatisfied, that yet the decree of election by Grace ſhall ſtand.
4. As for the terms (wherein the form of the Covenant ſtands,) and the midſes by which theſe ends may be brought about; to wit, how the Redemption of loſt Sinners may be attained, Juſtice may be ſatisfied, and the glory of Grace made to ſhine; and how any thing that makes theſe ſeem to juſtle and thwart might be guarded againſt; and that was it which (to ſpeak ſo with reverence) put God to the conſultation about it; which ſhews the excellency of the Covenant of Redemption, and the deep draughts that are about it, for otherways and properly God needs not conſult or advice: They are ſhortly theſe, 1. Gods offer to redeem Man if his Juſtice may be ſatisfied, and if any reſponſal Perſon will become Cautioner and undertake to pay the Elects Debt. 2. The Sons accepting of the Offer, and undertaking or engaging to pay their Debt, upon condition that his payment and ſatisfaction ſhall be accounted the Elects, and accepted for them. 3. The Fathers acceptation of this engagement, and undertaking according to his offer; and the Mediators accepting of it, and acquieſcing in it, he holds the Bargain (to ſpeak ſo,) and ſo it is a cloſed Covenant: The firſt is comprehended in theſe words, Sacrifice and offering thou didſt not deſire, Pſal. 40. inſinuating that God did deſire ſomething; The ſecond in theſe words, Mine ears thou haſt opened, then ſaid I, Lo I come in the volum of thy book, it's written of me, I delight to do thy will; which implys the Fathers acceptation as well as Chriſts undertaking; and it alſo points at the way how the ſatisfaction is made effectual; eſpecially if we compare theſe words of the Pſalm with Heb. 10.5, 6. we will find that they relate to Chriſts Humiliation in general, for it is in the Pſalm, Mine ears haſt thou opened; but in Heb. 10.5. it is, A body haſt thou prepared me; and where it is ſaid in the Pſalm, I delight to do thy will, the Apoſtle ſays, By the which will, we are ſanctified: The Father makes the offer on the terms of a ſatiſfaction to Juſtice, the Son as Mediator accepts the offer, and undertakes for the Elect, here am I to do thy will on the ſame terms that the offer is made; and the Father accepts of the Sons engagement, according to that word, Matth. 3. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleaſed; he offers himſelf Surety for Sinners, and the Father is content to accept of him as their Surety: In the one reſpect it's called the Fathers pleaſure, Verſ. 10. of this Chapter, yet it pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him, &c. becauſe the terms were ſo propoſed; and in the other reſpect it's called the Mediators pleaſure, or ſatisfaction, Verſ. 11. becauſe the condition propoſed is ſatisfying to him, The pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand; He undertakes to pay, and God accepts of his undertaking, and obliges himſelf to abſolve the Believer; and the words following, He ſhall ſee his ſeed, and of the travel of his ſoul and be ſatisfied, and by his knowledge ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtifie many, are Promiſes made to him on ſuppoſition of his making ſatisfaction: And in 2 Cor. 5. ult. the firſt part of the Tranſaction is, He hath made him to be ſin for us that knew no ſin; and the other part of it is, That we might be made the righteouſneſs of God through him; he accepting of the Bargain, obtains a right to a juſtifying and abſolving Sentence by vertue of his ſuffering, for which cauſe theſe words are added in him, or through him; This ſhews the clearneſs of Gods Juſtice in proceeding with the Mediator; the ground of Sinners Juſtification through him, and gives Sinners a warrand to make uſe of Chriſts ſatisfaction as theirs, becauſe it was ſo agreed upon in the counſel of the God-head.
5. We come now to ſpeak a little to ſome properties of this Covenant, and ſhall content our ſelves with three or four of them that make for the ſcope, As 1. The juſtice and equity of it. 2. The faithfulneſs of it. 3. The freeneſs of it. And 4. The wiſdom that ſhines in this Bargain; paſſing by the reſt.
1. The juſtice and equity of this Tranſaction may appear in theſe reſpects, 1. That the Father ſhould be ſatisfied, that he that was wronged ſhould have his honour reſtored, that the threatning given out in his Law ſhould light and take effect; that the Soul that ſins, ſhould in his own, or in the Sureties perſon, die; and that a ſuitable recompence ſhould be made to Juſtice before the Sinner be abſolved. 2. Juſtice appears in this reſpect, That when the Son of God, the Mediator, offers to become Man, and to endure and ſuffer all that the Elect ſhould have ſuffered, his ſufferings ſhould be accepted as a ſatisfaction; becauſe the juſtice of God, yea, the holineſs, power, and greatneſs of God, are as gloriouſly manifeſted in Chriſts ſatisfaction, as if Man had ſuffered; nay, there would not have been ſuch an amends and ſatisfaction made to Juſtice, if all Creatures had ſuffered; Juſtice by this means hath more ſatiſfaction than it could have had otherways; and hereby the holineſs of God, and the ſeverity of his juſtice, as well as the condeſcending love of God, is the more manifeſted, that he himſelf ſhould condeſcend to ſatisfie; therefore Rom. 3.26. it's ſaid, That he might be juſt, and the juſtifier of him that believeth on Jeſus: God is juſt, in that he will not only have ſatisfaction, but an equivalent ſatisfaction for the reſtoring of his Juſtice to its declarative glory wherein it ſuffered by Mans fall. 3. Juſtice appears in this reſpect, That the Mediator ſatisfying Juſtice, theſe for whom he ſuffered ſhould be acquitted, and have the ſentence of abſolution paſt in their favours: which the rather we would take noti…e of, that we may know the redemption purchaſed …nd beſtowed by the Mediator, is by an exact ſatisfying of Juſtice, and not by removing of our ſins as he did remove diſeaſes, nor by pardoning of them by an authority committed to him; but, as I ſaid, by a real and actual ſatisfying of the Juſtice of God for them; therefore Luke 24. it's ſaid, He behoved to ſuffer theſe things, and then to enter into his glory; there was a neceſſity of it, becauſe of the juſtice of this Covenant, for the Son, not only to become Man, and be in a low condition, but to become a Curſe and to die the curſed death of the Croſs.
A ſecond property is faithfulneſs on all ſides; Faithfulneſs on the Fathers ſide in his Word and Promiſe to the Son, All that are given of the father are made to come to him, and there is nothing loſt, John 6.37, 44, 45. Faithfulneſs on the Sons ſide, performing all according to his undertaking, fulfilling all righteouſneſs: Therefore when in the … word he ſayes, Deliver me from this hour, in the next word he ſayes, But for this cauſe came I unto this hour; It was my errand into the World, and now I am to go about it by and by, And I lay down my life for my ſheep of my ſelf, no man taketh my life from me but I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again; His faithfulneſs alſo appears in keeping all that are committed to his truſt, None of them ſhall periſh, but he ſhall raiſe them up at the last day; Therefore he is called the good or faithful ſhepherd.
3. It's a free Covenant, it's just, as betwixt God and the Mediator, but as to the Elect, it's moſt free; By his wounds we have pardon, and by his ſtripes we have healing; The chaſtiſement of our peace was on him; There is not one grain weight or worth to be ſatisfied by us; He was made ſin for us, he was made the curſe, even the wrath-pacifying-ſacrifice and offering; That we might be made the righteouſneſs of God, not through ought in our ſelves, but through him, 2 Cor. 5. ult.
4. It's a moſt wiſe contrivance, for if the Son had not become Man and Mediator, how could Juſtice have been ſatisfied, or the Elect pardoned and healed? They could not ſatisfie for themſelves, and no creature could ſatisfie for them, therefore the only wiſe God finds out a wiſe mids for ſuch an end, as is the ſaving of the Elect, in a way wherein Juſtice and Mercy, or free Grace, ſweetly kiſs each other, and wherein they both ſhine forth conſpicuouſly and radiantly.
That which we would ſay in ſhort concerning this Covenant, is this; that Jeſus Chriſt hath undertaken to pay the Elect's debt, and hath ſtepped in into their room, And God hath imputed unto him their ſin, and accepted of a ſatisfaction from him for them; And all this in a legal and juſt way; ſo as there is acceſs before the Throne of God for them to plead for the application of his Righteouſneſs by vertue of this Covenant; That as really and faithfully as Chriſt performed his u…dertaking to God, and his ſatisfaction w… accep…d for t…, they may as really and … good g…d expect the application of it … them; For though all be of Gr…e …o …, yet it's a b…gain on juſt and legal … God and the Mediator; Therefore th… i… a Title and Right in Juſtice for the Elect when they come to Chriſt, that his ſatisfaction ſhall ſtand for them, as being Members of his Body, and in whoſe room and place he ſatisfied; Hence it is ſaid, 1 John ….1. If any man ſ…n we have an Advocat with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous; And whereon is this righteouſneſs founded? The next words tell us, He is the propitiation for our ſins; He hath payed the price that was due by us, and we may ſeek the application of it to us according to the tranſaction paſt betwixt the Father and Him, now performed; which is the next point.
The 2. Doctrine is, That this tranſaction and deſign concerning the Redemption of ſinners, is now not only undertaken, but fully performed, as is clear, Acts 2.23. Him being delivered by the determinat counſel of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and ſlain; The eternal purpoſe concerning this is now execute: As to the efficacy of his ſufferings, He is indeed the Lamb ſlain from the beginning of the world; Becauſe neither the Son's undertaking was queſtioned by the Father, nor the Fathers promiſe queſtioned by the Son; To ſpeak ſo with reverence of ſuch a myſtery, the Father before his coming truſts him upon his engagement with the Salvation of ſo many Elect Souls as he had given him; And the Son conſidered as Mediator, truſts the Father with the juſtifying of them, according to the promiſe made to him in the 11. Verſe of this Chapter; But the actual performance of the undertaking was not till Chriſt ſuffered. This actual performance of the Covenant comprehends theſe things ſhortly: 1. That as this plot and deſign of Redemption was laid down, ſo it hath the performance by all the Parties Covenanting; It is actually performed according to the terms of it. 2. That it hath the real effects Covenanted for, actually and really brought abou… ▪ I… hath with it a moſt real and effectual following, to ſpeak i… whereof Chriſts actual ſuffering was a part and … main …art▪
I ſay it …s performed by all parties according to the …erm… …nd hath its …eal effect in theſe …eſpects …. Chriſt Jeſus hath according to this Covenant, ſiſted himſelf before the Bar of Juſtice, and undertaken our debt. 2. … … purſued Chriſt for our debt and hath exact … payment of it from him. The … that belonged to …is was put in his hand and … w… made to drink it, in which …ſpec… …, He was made a curſe for … 3. The word of Divine, Juſtice awa…ed againſt him, and did ſmite him. … Jeſus Chriſt according to his …derta…g do…h accept of the Claim, undergoes the Deb… and ſatisfies Juſtice, therefore …h…n he ſtands in our room, as if he had been the guilty perſon, he opens not his mouth to juſtifie himſelf, he ſays not, theſe are not my ſins, but is as dumb as the ſheep is before the ſhearer, becauſe he was our Cautioner; The everlaſting Covenant, to ſay ſo ſtood Regiſtrat over his head, and he is made to count for all that was due by, and to us. 4. It's performed in this reſpect that the Father purſues not the Elect on this account to be ſatisfied of them, who as ſoon as they accept of the Covenant, are actually juſtified and abſolved; Indeed while they are in nature the ſentence ſtill ſtands; Curſed is he that ſinneth and believeth not; Yet by vertue of his performance of the tranſaction they have a legal right to Juſtification, and the promiſe to him ſtands good that the Elect by his knowledge ſhall be juſtified, and it hath an actual performance in all them that believe, they are really made free as he was made the ſinner. 5. In reſpect of the manner, 1. It's perform'd ex…ctly according to the Covenant even as it was agreed upon that for ſo many he ſhould ſuffer and procure eternal life, and ſo it is; Eternal life is given to ſo many according to the condition of this Covenant and Ba…ain. 2. As it was a Bargain wherein Juſtice was to be ſatisfied; ſo it was exactly ſatisfied. Chriſt Jeſus gets nothing down, not one farthing is remitted, but ſatisfies all payes down the full price he drinks …ut all the wrath contained in the Cup …ill i… come to that ſweet word uttered by him amongſt his laſt words on the Croſs, It is finiſhed.
The 3. Doctrine is, That t ough Elect ſinners be as well ſinners by nature and as groſs ſinners as others, yet by vertue of this Covenant, and upon condition of their accepting of it, they may obtain … do actually obtain peace with God pardon and healing, as if they had never ſinned or as if they had ſatisfied the Juſtice …f God themſelves: This is the very end of this tranſaction. He was wounded, for our tranſgreſſions, bruiſed for our iniquities, the chaſtiſement of our peace was upon him, and by his ſtripes we are healed; His wounds, bruiſes and ſtripes effectually procured Juſtification and healing to us; And this is the ground of that which we call imputed righteouſneſs, and ſhews how it comes to paſs that we are made righteous by the righteouſneſs of another, ſcornfully called putative righteouſneſs by Papiſts: But conſidering what is in the former Doctrines, and in this; we will find it to be a clear truth, on which our Juſtification and the whole weight of our Salvation hangs; That the believing ſinner cloſing with Chriſts ſatisfaction is as effectually abſolved from ſin as if he had never ſinned; Chriſt's ſatisfaction becomes as really his as if he had payed the debt himſelf; And if we conſider theſe three, 1. The great deſign of the Covenant of Redemption betwixt God and the M…diator. 2. The faithfulneſs of God in this Covenant, in performing his part on the terms on which the Mediator laid down a price for the Elect. 3. The excellency and efficacy of the price payed with reſpect to the Covenant; We will find that there is clear acceſs in Law, or according to the Decree of God manifeſted (the Decree is called a Law, Thy Law is within my heart) for the groſſeſt ſinners that come under this bargain, and cloſe with this Covenant, their obtaining Peace, Pardon, Juſtification, and Healing, as if they had never ſinned, or had ſatisfied themſelves, and that they may confidently expect it on this ground.
1. I ſay, if we conſider the great end and deſign of the Covenant betwixt God and the Mediator, we will find it to be the Juſtification of the Elect: Chriſt ſuffered not for any ſin that was inherently in himſelf; He had no ſin, there was no guile found in his mouth; no quarrel betwixt God and him on his own account, but he was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, The chaſtiſement of our peace was on him; to make peace betwixt God and us by his wounding, was the great deſign of the Covenant of Redemption; And can that deſign hold if his ſatisfaction come not in the room of ours, and ſtand not for our ſatisfaction and payment? In man's Law the Cautioner paying the debt proves valid for the Principal Debtor, & when this is the deſign of God in the Covenant of Redemption how to get the debt of Dyvour Sinners payed, and themſelves ſet at liberty, and when this is found out as the mids, A body haſt thou prepared unto me; the Covenant muſt be as real on the one ſide as it is on the other; That is, as real and effectual to make the Believer in Chriſt juſt, as it was real and effectual to make Chriſt to be accounted the ſinner, and to be dealt with as ſuch. We may clear it further in theſe two, 1. By looking to Chriſt typified in the offerings under the Law; When the ſinner came with his offering he laid his hand on the head of the Beaſt, eſpecially of the Scape-goat, to ſhew that Jeſus Chriſt who was to come to be both Prieſt and Sacrifice, was ſo to bear the ſins of the Elect, as that they were to be ſet free; That he was to lay his neck down to the Knife of Juſtice that the ſtroak might be kept off our Throat. 2. We are ſo juſtified by Chriſt as Chriſt was made ſin for us, now our ſins became really Chriſts, not that he was made the ſinner inherently, that were blaſphemous to be thought or ſpoken of; But he was reckoned the ſinner, and was ſubſtitute in the room of ſinners, as if he had been the ſinner, and was made to ſatisfie for Original ſin, and for Actual ſin; as if he had been guilty of them by committing them: Therefore 2 Cor. 5. ult. He is ſaid to be made ſin for us, and Gal. 3. To be made a curſe for us, and 1 Pet. 2.24. To bear our ſins in his own body on the tree; And if he ſuffered for us, and if we partake of his righteouſneſs as he did of our ſins; then our Juſtification really follows, and we are abſolved and made righteous through his ſatisfaction cloſed with by Faith as if we had never ſinned: The parallel is clear, 2 Cor. 5. ult. He was made ſin for us who knew no ſin, that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in him; So that as Chriſt was made ſin, in the ſame manner we are made righteous; That as legally as he who had no debt, was made lyable to our debt, ſo as legally we partake of his righteouſneſs, and are declared free; even as the Dyvour is legally fred from the debt which his Cautioner hath payed, and cannot be lyable to it; So the Believer by Chriſts ſatisfaction is freed from the debt of ſin, and abſolved and declared righteous: And though this may ſeem ſtrange and a wonder, to be a ſinner, and yet in ſome reſpect free of ſin, under guilt and yet abſolved; yet Chriſts ſatisfaction is as real and effectual as to the Believer, as if he had ſatisfied himſelf, becauſe his Cautioner hath ſatisfied for him.
2. If we conſider Gods faithfulneſs in this Covenant in performing his part, according to the terms of it, the matter is clear; For as the Mediator hath performed his part according to his engagement; ſo it is impoſſible but God muſt perform his, and muſt accept of the ſatisfaction in name of the Elect, and upon their believing juſtifie them; For as it was the Fathers will that he ſhould lay down his life for his ſheep, ſo it was the will of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, that Believers in him ſhould through his ſatisfaction have eternal life, John 6.39, 40. When he hath ſaid before, I came not to do my own will but the will of him that ſent me, he ſubjoyns, This is the Fathers will which ſent me, that of all that he hath given me I ſhould loſe nothing, but ſhould raiſe it up again at the laſt day; Where the ſatisfaction that Chriſt ſhould make is implyed, and it is a great one, And what ſatisfaction ſhall he have for that? Even the ſalvation of the Elect, This is the will of him that ſent me, that every one that ſeeth the Son, and believeth on him may have everlasting life, and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day; And verſ. 10. of this Chapter, it's clear that he ſhall not want ſatisfaction, for he ſhall ſee the travel of his ſoul and be ſatisfied; And what is the ſatiſfaction? By his knowledge ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtifie many; he ſhall be the cauſe of the juſtifying of many, and they ſhall be actually abſolved in due time; And what is the ground of it? For he ſhall bear their iniquities: And therefore as God is faithful he ſhall get that which he merited and purchaſed for them, applyed unto them.
3. If we conſider the excellent and equivalent price that Jeſus Criſt hath payed, and that with reſpect to the Covenant, we have a clear ground why the Believer may expect and be confident to be abſolved and declared free; It is no mean price, Gold, Silver, or precious Stones, but the Blood of him that was and is God; which we ſay would be conſidered not ſimply, but with reſpect to the Covenant, and to the end wherefore he ſuffered and ſhed his Blood; For though it be no comfort to a ſinner ſimply that Chriſt ſuffered, yet when he conſiders that it was for this end, to wit, that Juſtice might be ſatisfied, and that theſe for whom he ſatisfied might be juſtified and ſet free, The believing ſinner may hence reaſon, If there was a reality in Juſtice purſuing of him as my Cautioner, and a reality and efficacy in his ſatisfaction, and if it was full and compleat, ſo as Juſtice was fully ſatisfied by it; then there is a reality of Mercy, Pardon, Juſtification, and Peace with …od, and of heallng to and for me, their being made forth coming to me upon the condition of believing; And in this reſpect, though it be grace to pardon ſin as to us, yet it is Juſtice in God to give Chriſt the ſatisfaction for the travel of his Soul, as well as he gave God ſatisfaction to his Juſtice; And the equivalent of that which the Elect ſhould have payed, being payed to Juſtice by Chriſt their Cautioner, the Lord cannot, nor will not ſhun nor ſhift the pardoning of a believing ſinner according to the Covenant.
The Uſes are five, 1. Of Inſtruction, whereby we may have a little Map of Gods way of ſaving ſinners, and of the way of ſinners coming to get Salvation through Jeſus Chriſt.
2. To ſtir us up to admire the love of God contriving ſuch a deſign for the ſalvation of loſt ſinners; at the love of God that gave his Son; and at the love of the Son that engaged to come, and hath come and payed our debt.
3. It gives a notable warrand to the faith of a ſinner to take hold of, and cloſe with Chriſt; and to reſt upon his ſatisfaction for his Juſtification and healing; becauſe he hath God and the Mediator Covenanting for this very end; the Mediator engaging to ſatisfie, and God engaging to receive the ſatisfaction, and to juſtifie all theſe who ſhall accept of it, and reſt upon it.
4. Its therefore a notable ground of encouragement and of exhortation to take hold of Jeſus Chriſt, and of his ſatisfaction; Folk would not skar at him, but lippen their Salvation to him; and be ſure the bargain will not fail; As it is ſure that the Mediator hath ſatisfied, it is as ſure that his ſatiſfaction ſhall be made forth-coming to Believers in him.
5. To reprove the neglecters and ſlighters of Jeſus Chriſt, and of this offered Salvation through him; when he hath taken the threatning and curſe of the Law on himſelf to make out the Promiſe to them, it muſt be a great aggravation of folks guilt to ſlight him. It ſerves alſo to comfort a poor ſinner that hath may ſins and challenges, and knows not how to be quit of them; The Covenant ſayes our ſins are tranſlated on the Mediator, that we might be ſet free; Chriſt Jeſus Covenanted on the terms of Juſtice to make way for us to Covenant on the terms of Mercy; God Covenanted with him to purſue our ſin in him, and he Covenanted to impu…e that ſatisfaction freely to us: Hence is that never enough noted ſaying, 2 Cor. 5.19. God was in Chriſt reconciling the world to himſelf; It's Juſtice on his part, he ſatisfies for pardon of ſin, and peace to them; But on the Elects part it's grace, God is reconciled to them, not imputing their ſin to them, but its for Chriſt's ſatisfaction that he freely forgives them their ſin; ſo that what coſt him dear comes moſt freely to us; and this is no ſmall ground of comfort to a Conſcience preſſed with ſin. God fix theſe things in your Hearts.