Christ Crucified, Sermon 36
SERMON XXXVI.
ISAIAH LIII.X.
Verſe 10. When thou ſhalt make his ſoul an offering for ſin, he ſhall ſee his ſeed, he ſhall prolong his dayes, and the pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his hand.
CHriſt and His Sufferings have been a moſt delightſome ſubject to be ſpoken and heard of, before ever He ſuffered; and they would be to us now no leſs, but much more ſo; even very glad tydings to hear, that ever the Son of God was made an Offering for ſin.
This Verſe, as we hinted the laſt day, doth ſet forth Chriſt's Sufferings, and in theſe three, that the deſign of God in bruiſing the Innocent Lamb of God might be the better taken up. 1. They are holden forth in the riſe where they bred, or in the fountain whence they flowed, the good pleaſure of God. It pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him, to put him to grief. Which the Prophet marks, 1. To ſhew that all the good that comes by Chriſt to ſinners, is bred in the Lords own boſom: It was concluded, and contrived there, and that with delight; There being no conſtraint, or neceſſity on the Lord to give His Son, or to provide Him to be a Cautioner for dyvour ſinners, but is was His own good pleaſure to do ſo. 2. To ſhow the concurrence of all the Perſons of the Trinity, in promoving the Work of Redemption of ſinners; which was executed by the Son the Mediator, to ſhew, that the Love of the Son in giving His Life, is no greater then the Love of the Father, in contriving and accepting of it for a Ranſom; there being naturally in the hearers of the Goſpel this prejudice; that the Father is more rigid, and leſs loving then the Son, but conſidering, that it was the Father, Son, and Spirit that contrived Chriſts Sufferings; that the Sons Sufferings were the Product, and Conſequent of this contrivance, it removeth this corrupt imagination▪ and prejudice, and ſheweth, that there is no place for it; It doth alſo contribute notably to our ingadgement to God, to be throughly perſwaded of the Lords good pleaſure, in the Sufferings of the Mediator, as well as in the Willingneſs of the Mediator to Suffer; He having performed the will of the Father in the loweſt ſteps of His Humiliation. 2. They are expreſt, and holden forth in their Nature and End, they were to be an offering for ſin; and this follows well on the former verſe, becauſe it might be ſaid, How could▪ He that had no violence in his hands, nor guile in his mouth, be brought ſo low? He hath anſwered in part, by ſaying. It pleaſed the Father to bruiſe him, and to put him to grief: But becauſe that does not ſo fully obviat, and anſwer the Objection; He anſwers furder, that there was a notably good end for it: Though He had no ſin in Himſelf, nor are we to look on His Sufferings, as for any ſin in Him, yet we are to look upon them as a Satisfaction to Juſtice, for the ſins of others; even as the Bullocks, Lambs, and Rams, and the Skipgoat, were not ſlain for their own ſins, for they were not capable of ſin, yet they were ſome way Typical Offerings, and Satisfactions for ſin, in the room of others for whom they were offered; ſo our Lord Jeſus is the proper Offering, and Sacrifice for the ſins of His Elect People; and His Sufferings are ſo to be looked on by us, and this is the Scop. But to clear the words a little more fully, there are different readings of them, as they are ſet down here in the Text, and on the Margent. Here it is when his ſoul ſhall make an offering for ſin (On the Margent it is, when his ſoul ſhall make an offering for ſin.) The reaſon of the diverſity is, becauſe the ſame Word in the Original, which ſignifies the Second Perſon Maſculine, Thou, meaning the Father; ſignifies the Third perſons Foeminine: his ſoul ſhall make it ſelf; but one the matter, whether we apply it to the Father, or to Chriſt, both come to one thing; It ſeems to do as well to apply it to Chriſt; the former Words having ſet out God's concurrence, and good pleaſure to the Work; theſe ſet out the Mediators Willingneſſe; as in the laſt Verſe, it is ſaid, that He poured out his ſoul unto death; and properly Chriſt is the Prieſt that offered up Himſelf; yet we ſay, there is no difference on the matter now, as to the ſcope, the will of the Father, and of the Mediator, in this Work of Redemption being both one; though (as we ſaid) we incline to look on them, as relating to Chriſt. 2. Offering for ſin; in the Original ſignifies ſin; ſo that the Words are, when thou ſhalt make his ſoul ſin; The Words being ordinarly uſed in the Old Teſtament, and thence borrowed in the New Teſtament, to ſignifie a ſin offering, as Exod. 29.14 and Levit. 4.5. and 16. Chapters, where the ſin offering is appointed, it is the ſame Word that's here, intimating that, that Sin-offering was deſigned to bear their ſin. They ſhall lay their hands on the Sin, or Sin-offering; becauſe the Sacrificed Beaſt was Typically to have the Peoples ſins imputed to it, though properly, no mans fin is imputed to any, but to Chriſt. This is alſo clear, if we compare, Pſal. 40.6. with Heb. 10.5, 6. That which in the Pſalm is rendered Sin-offering, in the Original is Sin, but the Apoſtle, Heb. 10. hath it ſacrifice for ſin; and it is the ſame Word which he hath, 2 Cor. 5. ult. He was made ſin for us, that is an offering for ſin; by which we may ſee the unwarrantableneſs of ſome Mens accounting Chriſt to be formally a Sinner, becauſe He is called Sin; and becauſe our Sin is ſaid to be laid on Him; which in Scripture Phraſe, is as much as His being a Sacrifice for ſin, in the room of Sinners.
3. His ſoul may be taken either ſimply; for, He ſhall be an offering for ſin, the Soul being often taken for the whole Perſon; or it may be taken more properly, to relate to His Sufferings, called the travel of his ſoul, Verſ. 11. however it is the Perſon, the Man Chriſt, Soul and Bodie, that is the Sacrifice, and more eſpecially His Soul as the Wrath of God was on it; and when He ſuffered, His Soul did undergo that Wrath, as well as His Back, was given to the Smiter, and His Cheecks to them that plucked off the Hair.
4. There are two Words furder, which we would hint at, in the Expoſition, for clearing of Chriſt's being called an offering for ſin. 1. We would put a difference between the Offerings and Sacrifices which were for Sin under the Law; and this Offering which is applyed to Chriſt. The Apoſtle ſayes, Heb. 10. That it was impoſſible that the blood of bullocks, and of goats could take away ſin; They were not properly Sin-offerings, but as they were Types of that Offering which was to come; and ſo when Chriſt is called an Offering, He is differenced from all the Offerings that were offered before Him, by Prieſts on Earth; In this, That His Offering, o… Sacrifice takes away Sin, by vertue of it ſelf, according to the Covenant. But theſe Offerings of of thoſe Prieſts that were under the Law, (as is clear, Heb. 9.13.) Took not away ſin by themſelves, but only in ſo far as Chriſt who was Typifyed by them was made uſe of; and from this we may ſee it clear. 1. That it was by the Blood of Chriſt, that the Fathers under the Law had their ſin pardoned; and that the Pardon of ſin was to them an effect of this Offering, as well as unto us. 2. That all theſe Sacrifices and Offerings under the Law, were Types of this one Offering, and not that one Anniverſarie Sacrifice, only which was offered once a Year, by the High Prieſt; which we the rather hint at, becauſe, both theſe are by Socinus, that enemie of Chriſt's Satisfaction controverted; he aiming thereby to draw Souls from lea…ning to this Offering. 2. What we ſpeak of Chriſt's Sacrifice, relates to that which He performed on Earth, though He be yet a Prieſt, and lives for ever to make interceſſion for us; yet this Offering reſpects that which He offered while He was here in the World, and eſpecially that which He offered on the Croſs, as it is ſaid, Eph. 5.2. He hath loved us, and given himſelf for us an offering and ſacrifice to God for a ſweet ſmelling ſavour. and Heb. 10.12. This man after he had offered one ſacrifice for ſins for ever ſat down on the right hand of God; and by His Sacrifice once offered up before, He went into the moſt Holy; He hath perfected for ever them that are ſanctified: which is alſo a Truth controverted by that ſame enemy Soncinus; the clearing of it ſerves not only to open up the meaning of this place, but to let us ſee the effecacy of Chriſts Sufferings, and the nature of them, that in them eſpecially, His Offering, as it brings Pardon of ſin, and Peace with God does conſiſt; ſo then the meaning of the place is in ſhort, That though our Lord Jeſus had no ſin, yet it pleaſed God in His Counſell, to appoint Him to Suffer, and that His Sufferingt ſhould be an Offering for the ſin of others.
More particularly, If it be aſked, what is meaned by this, an offering for ſin, we ſhall clear it from the Type; and 1. It is here ſupponed, that there is ſin on the Perſon, and that wrath due for ſin is to be removed. 2. It is ſuppoſed, that there is an inability in the Perſon to remove the ſin, and yet a neceſſity to have it removed, or elſe he muſt ſuffer. 3. There is ſuppoſed the interveening, or coming of ſomething in the place of that Perſon that is guilty of ſin, and lyable to wrath. 4. There is ſuppoſed the acceptation of that which interveeneth by God, the Partie offended; and ſo it preſuppoſeth a Covenant, whereby the Lord hath condeſcended to accept of that offering. Take it in the Sin-offering goat, the Scape-goat Levit. 16. A vive Type of Chriſt, when He is brought into the Congregation. 1. The Prieſt muſt put his hands upon him; and confeſs the ſins and tranſgreſſions of the People over him, which ſignified their acknowledgement of their ſins, and a lyableneſs to ſuffering, becauſe of them. 2. It ſuppoſed their propoſing of that Go…t, as a Sacrifice to bear their ſins, and to take them on him; Therefore it was ſaid, The Prieſt ſhall put the iniquities of the People upon him. 3. The one of theſe Goats was to be ſent away into the Wilderneſs, and the other was to be killed; and generally all the Sin-offerings were to be killed: So that no Remiſſion of ſins was without Blood, and they came in the room of the Sinners, bearing, as it were their ſin, and their puniſhment. And 4. It is to be an atonement, to wit, a Typical Atonement; by this means the People were to have acceſs to Eccleſiaſtical Priviledges; but they could not purifie the Conſcience, except Chriſt were made uſe of; who was the true atonement then, as He is now, ſtill for ſin; and by vertue of His Sacrifice according to the Covenant, they were to deall for the pardon of the ſins born by Him.
We come now to Obſerve ſomethings from the Words, and 1. It is ſupponed here, that even the Elect, and conſequently all others, are by their ſin lyable to God's Judgement, and obnoxious to His wrath; there were no need of a Sin-offering, if this were not. The name that Chriſt gets here, ſuppoſes that there was Sin, and that there was wrath for Sin lying at the door of all Men; ſince Man fell, and brake God's Command; all Men are before God like Iſaac, lying before his Father, ready to be killed, his Father having his hand ſtretched out with the knif, ready to take away his Life: And our Lord Jeſus is as the Ram that was caught … the thicket of Thorns, whereby Elect Sinners are fred, and Himſelf made the Sacrifice that was provided in their room and place: Thus in the Name that our Lord Jeſus gets, we have holden out to us, the poſture that all of us are in by nature, if Chriſt interveen not to take the ſtroak off us, on Himſelf; laying Himſelf open to the ſtroak of Juſtice for Sin: To clear it, conſider theſe three things, which will hold out, what this ſtate and poſture of ours is. 1. The natural ſinfulneſs, and guilt that Men are lying under, which makes them naked, and to be as that wretched Infant, (ſpoken of, Ezek. 16.) Lying in their Blood, caſt forth into the open field, to the loathing of their perſons. This makes God and them to be at feed, and layes them open to the ſtroak of Juſtice. 2. Conſider the interveening of the Law of God, that threatens the Curſe on ſin wherever it is, and pronunces this Sentence, that the wages of ſin is death, and ſayes to the Sinner, as it is ſaid to Cain, If thou ſin, death lyes at the door; and in this ſenſe, Sinners are not only lyke to Malefactors, taken and apprehended, but like to ſuch when ſentenced to death; Therefore John 3.18. It's ſaid, He that believes not, is condemned already. 3. Conſider that Men in their natural ſtate, who have broken the Covenant of Works, have Juſtice ſome way purſuing them, to the executing of the Sentence, which God in His Law hath pronunced againſt them; and they are as theſe ſhedders of Blood, before they betook themſelves in to the City of Refuge, having the avenger of Blood following hard at their heell's; in which ſenſe, John 3.36. It's ſaid, He that believes not, the wrath of God abids on him; There is an actual appointment, or ordination of the Curſe added to the Laws Sentence, till by Chriſt it be removed, and this is in ſome ſort gripping Him, and taking Him as it were by the throat; By the Firſt of theſe Man is found guilty, and lyable to Judgement; by the Second, he is Sentenced; but by the Third, the Sentence ſtands over his head, ready to be executed, and beſpeaks him thus, therefore thou art curſed, therefore thou art a dead Man.
Soberly think upon this, and make theſe Uſes of it, 1. See here the condition of all Men by nature, and your own in particular, a very terrible and dreadfull condition; wherein they are like Men lying bound to be a Sacrifice to the wrath of God, the Lords hand being ſtreatched out, to lay on the ſtroak, and the wrath of God abiding on them, do ye indeed belleve this to be your ſtate and poſture; till application be made of Chriſts Sacrifice, and till there be a laying of your Sin over on Him by Faith, that ever till then ye are lyable to the Laws Sentence, and that the Cur…e and Wrath of God abydeth on you? and yet this is the ſtate and poſture of all the Children of Adam, that have not got Jeſus Chriſt put in their room: It was Typicall, if the People did not bring an offering, as was preſcribed, their Sin remained in them; but it's reall here, Sin and Wrath remain, where Chriſt is not made uſe of by Faith.
The 2. Uſe is, for Expoſtulation with many of you, that are ſtill in Nature, (and I wiſh there were fewer of you in this caſe to be ſpoken to) How comes it to paſſe, when this is your condition by Nature, that ye are ſo ſecure, and that ye have few, or no apprehenſions at all of the Wrath of God; and of the hazard of your immortal Souls? Ah! are there none ſuch here, that apprehend there hazard? were ye ever under it? and if ſo, how have ye been delivered out of it? or who is come in your room? do ye think it nothing to be under Sin, and the Curſe of God, to have Wrath abiding in you, yea abiding on you? There are many of you who are ſleeping ſound now, and that diſdain to notice Challenges, but as Solomon ſpeaks of the Man that was ſleeping on the top of a Maſt, and compleaning of that, and of them that deceived him; So ſhall it be with you, that can lye ſtill ſecurely ſleeping in ſin, and that put by one day after another, and do not make uſe of this Sacrifice: All that the Goſpel aims at is this, that ye would ſeek to change rooms with Chriſt, that the feed may be rem ved, and that the quarrel that is betwixt God and you may not be continued and keeped up; eſpecially, ſeing there is a way laid down how to get your Debt ſatisfied for; which if ye neglect, what wil ye do, when your day is gone? are there not many dying dayly, and is there not a day of reckoning coming, when the ſtroak that is hanging, and hovering over your head will light? and ſeeing it is ſo, why do ye lye ſtill, and ſlight Jeſus Chriſt? If it were believed what dreadful wrath is abiding many (whereof your ſecure ſenſleſneſs, and ſenſleſs ſecurity is a part) and what a terror it will waken in your Conſciences one day, ye would certainly think it good news to have the Sufferings of Chriſt ſpoken of, and the Benefit of them offered to you now.
The 3. Uſe is, to ſtir up Sinners to thankfulneſſe, eſpecially, ſuch of you as are bleſt with effectual counſel, to make the right uſe of this Sacrifice; O! Conſider how much ye are oblidged to God, and to Chriſt the Mediator; the preaching of the Goſpel is now thought little of, and is taſtleſſe to many; but did ye know what is your ſtate and poſture by Nature, how near ye are to hell, and how near the Curſe and Wrath are unto you, even ready to graſp at you, to tear and devour you, the Mediators interpoſing to Satisfie for you, would make him more lovely to you; and ye that have gotten intereſt in Him ſecured, would think your ſelves much, unſpeakably much in His common to ſay ſo, and in the Debt of His Grace: this was the poſture that Grace found you in, even lyable to the ſtroak of Gods drawn Sword of Juſtice; and our Lord Jeſus on the one ſide ſtepped in, and ſaid hold, Lord; let that be on me, and let them go free, and upon the other ſide, there was Gods good pleaſure, condeſcending to except of His offer; and ſaying, Awake O ſword, and ſmite the ſhepherd, and ſpare the ſheep, what obligation ſhould this lay upon you, to love and be thankfull to God, and to the Mediator, who interpoſed to keep the ſtroak off you; I ſay upon you who are ſinners, and apprehenſive of Wrath? This is Chriſts offer, and if ye be fl…d to Him for refuge, he hath changed Rooms with you; ye are much (as I ſaid) in His Debt, He hath fred you of your Debt, and purchaſed an abſolution to you, and there is no condemnation to you, as it is, Rom. 8.1. Whereas before ye were in a manner condemned already; But the truth is, our Lord Jeſus is undervalued, not only by them that apprehend not their hazard, and ſo make not uſe of Him, but alſo in a great meaſure by them that do apprehend it; in ſo far as they give way to Unbelief, and dar ſcarcely truſt to His Sacrifice.
The 2. and next thing implyed here, is, That though men be Naturally under Sin, and obnoxious to the Wrath and Curſe of God, by reaſon of Sin, yet there is nothing that can take away that Sin, and free them from Wrath but Chriſt Jeſus His Offering up of Himſelf a Sacrifice for Sin; Therefore He is ſo made the Offering for Sin here, as it is excluſive of all other things; no other thing could do it; As it is Heb. 10.14. He by one offering hath perfected for ever theſe who are Sanctified. The Blood of Bulls and of Goats could not take away Sin, neither is, as it is, (Act. 4.12.) There any other name under heaven given to ſinners whereby they can be ſaved, but the name of Jeſus: I ſhall not ſpeak here of the Nature of Chriſt's Offering and Sacrifice; but ſure, though all Men be under Sin, and Wrath by Nature, there is no other way to remove it, except by this Sacrifice; Thouſands of Rams, (as it is Micah 6.7.) and ten thouſand Rivers of Oyle, the firſt Born of the Body, will not take away the ſin of the Soul; Chriſt's Offering up of Himſelf, in Gods account, is only the Sin-offering, for the removing of Sin; and Wrath from Sinners: Is it needfull to prove this? we wiſh it were not, but the truth is, it's hardly believed by Men, and Women; Conſider therefore ſhortly theſe three things, and ye will find it true, 1. The Certification and Peremptorineſs of the Curſe that follows Sin, as we may ſee, Gal. 3.10. Curſed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the Book of the Law to do them; whatever may be ſaid of Gods abſolute Soveraignity, whereof we will not now ſpeak▪ God hath ſo Ordered His Covenant, and revealled His Will in His Word, that the ſoul that ſins ſhall die, if a Sacrifice be not put in His Room. 2. Conſider the ineffectualneſs of all other things to ſatisfie Juſtice, though we would multiply Offerings, what cares God for theſe? All the beasts on the mountains are his, he delights not in the blood of bulls and goats, as it is Pſalm 50. Thouſands of Rams, and ten thouſand Rivers of Oyl are rejected; whether we look to Pennances, (whereof ſome fooliſhly talk,) what can theſe do to God? or whether we look to Mens External Performances, of Holy Duties, or to their inward Convictions; Challenges, and Mournings for Sin, there is no ſuitable value in theſe things, to interpoſe betwixt them, and God's Wrath; ſuppone that Man after the fall could perform Duties without Sin; therefore the Apoſtle, Heb. 10. ſayes, that it was impoſſible that the blood of bullocks, and of goats could take away ſin; There is no Suitableneſs nor Proportionableneſſe, betwixt the Blood of a Beaſt, and the Soul of a Sinner; far leſs betwixt it, and the Majeſty of God that is wronged by Sin; wherefore, when the Sufferings of a Sinner are lengthened to twenty thouſand Millions of Years in Hell, the Juſtice of God is never ſatisfied, nor never will be to the full; what then can other things do. 3. There is no other thing, that hath a Promiſe made, or annexed to it, nor is there any other mean laid down, for the removall of Sin and Wrath; but Chriſt Offering Himſelf up a Sin-offering: I know ſome are ready to think, that though there be no worth in the thing, or Duty; yet God of His free Grace will acccept of it; but is there a Promiſe of God's accepting any other thing for a Satisfaction for Sin, or for the removall of Wrath, but Chriſts Sacrifice alone? And will, or can Folks expect that, for which they have no Promiſe? The Scripture is plain and peremptory in this, as namely, Acts 4.14 There is no other name under heaven, whereby a ſinner can be ſaved, but by the name of Jeſus, He is the door, Joh. 10. the way, the Truth, and the Life; John 14. The promiſes are yea, and amen in him, 2 Cor. 1. There is greater neceſſity to be through in this, though a common Truth, then Folks think of; And for Uſe, It aims at theſe two, 1. Upon the one ſide, to cry down all beſide, that pretends to ſatisfie God; or to make a Sinner acceptable to Him; Prayer is no Sin-offering; Repentance, Convictions, a blameleſs Life, &c. are no Sin-offerings; theſe things are empty, and unſignificant, as to the Juſtification of a Sinner, or the obtaining of his Pardon- 2. Upon the other ſide, it points out the abſolute neceſſity of making uſe of Chriſt's Sacrifice, and of the betaking of our ſelves to it, for the ſatisfying of Gods Juſtice, if there be a neceſſity of the pardon of Sin, and of the removing of Wrath; there is then ſure a neceſſity of cloſing with Chriſt, and His Sacrifice.
The 1. of theſe Uſes ſpeaks to two ſorts of Perſons, with whom the Word of God hath no weight, and who, in effect thinks to ſatisfie God with nothing. 1. a prophane, graceleſs, ſecure Company, who, becauſe God keeps ſilence, are diſpoſed to think that He is like themſelves, and that He will never purſue a quarrell againſt them,; much like to that Man ſpoken of, Deut. 29.18, 19. Who ſayes in his heart he ſhall have peace though he walk in the imagination of his own heart, adding drunknneſs to thirst. We have a Generation of this ſort among us, who tuſh at all threatnings, (alas for them, O! that God would be graciouſly pleaſed to make a change on them, or if that may not be, that He would rid us of them,) Who will needs live ſenſually, and as they liſt, who will needs ſpeak, and do as they pleaſe, and will not be controlled; and yet at the firſt hand, will boldly and confidently aſſert their hope of Heaven, as if they had never been Sinners; whence comes this? even from their ſuppoſing, that there is another way to Heaven, then God hath Chalked out; they think they may be ſaved, though they never betake themſelves to Chriſt for Union with Him? but whether ſhal their Sentence or God's ſtand? There is a day coming, when ye ſhall know; ye ſay ye ſhall have Peace, but God ſayes, No, Why ſo? Becauſe ye never knew what it was to make uſe of Chriſt; ye had never ſo much as a Form, nor any the leaſt Guſt of Religion, but were, and are ſtill as ſenſleſs as the Stones in the Wall: what do ye think will become of this? God urges as it wete, the offers of Chriſt upon you, and ye ſtill ſlight Him; He tells you, that there is a neceſſity of Union with Him; elſe ye ſhall never ſee Heaven; and ye lye ſtill at a diſtance from Him, and yet will needs hope for Heaven; but alas! it will not be ſo with you: either think on the right way, which is by putting Chriſt in in your Room, and laying of Religion to the heart in ſad earneſt; or dream not of coming to Heaven. A 2d Sort are they, who are not altogether ſo prophane as the others, but will condemn them, (as indeed the practice of many is loathſome) they will, it may be Pray in their Families, and will not be Drunk, neither will they Swear nor Lye, and they will walk blameleſly; and upon theſe grounds, they promiſe Heaven to themſelves, very confidently; and yet they come not through the ſenſe of their ſinfull and curſed State, by Nature, to cloſe with Chriſt by Faith, and to make uſe of His Sacrifice; ſuch err on the other hand. Oh! when ſhall we be at this, not to neglect the ſtudy of Holineſs, and yet not to reſt on it, to the prejudice of this one Offering: This were a a practice ſuitable to, and worthy of Profeſſors of the Goſpel; to be ſeriouſly aiming at all Duties of Holineſs that are called for; and yet to be building all their expectation of any good from God, on the Sacrifice of Chriſt alone; never coming to God without bring it along with them, and looking through it to be accepted before Him; there n eds no more, and no other thing that we can bring, will do our turn, nor be taken off our hand, if this be neglected. The Lord Himſelf teach us this way.