Three Decades of Sermons, Decade 3 · Sermon 6
GODS LOVE IN CHRIST, DISCOVERED.
From Rom: 5. verſ. 8. But God commendeth his love towards us, in that whileſt we were yet ſinners, Chriſt died for us.
THE Apoſtle having diſputed at large, the Doctrine Sermon 6. Preached at St. Marye's Oxon. March 20. 1658.of Juſtification by faith; concludes by way of inference, that ſingular priviledges, graces and benefits are the peculiar portion of a juſtified perſon. Juſtification is the root, and the following graces are the fruit: Juſtification the mother grace, they the iſſue or Daughters: viz. Peace of conſcience, verſ. 1. Acceſſe to the Throne of Grace, verſ. 2. Joy in tribulation, verſ. 2. Patience, verſ. 3. Experience, verſ. 4. Hope, verſ. 4. And the ground of this hope, is the love of God, verſ. 5. Not that love whereby we love him, but whereby he loveth us: It's ſaid foreign. We have a ſenſible feeling of this love, and this is not a deluſion of our owne fancy, but it is the effectuall working of the Holy Ghoſt. A ſingular Inſtance of this love appeares by the death of Chriſt; wherein we have,
1. The ſeaſon, foreign according to the due time and fitteſt 1. The ſeaſon.ſeaſon, this is the accepted time, 2 Cor. 6. 2. Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of ſalvation. The moſt conveninient time, even now when the fulneſſe of time was come, Gal. 4. 4. But when the fulneſſe of time was come, God ſent forth his ſon made of a woman, made under the law, &c.
2. The condition of the perſons, for whom it's expreſſed by two 2. The Condition of the Perſons.words; foreign infirme impotent perſons, unable altogeather to help and deliver themſelves: And foreign ungodly, ſuch as left Gods true worſhip, and defil'd themſelves with Idolatry: Now the love of Chriſt is further amplified by a compariſon, verſ. 7. let's compare Chriſt's love with the love of men, verſ. 7. For ſcarcely for a righteous man will one dye, yet per adventure for a good man ſome would even dare to dye: foreign. By a righteous man, we underſtand an innocent, godly, inoffenſive, juſt dealing man: By a good man here we underſtand an uſefull, ſerviceable man: a publick ſpirited man, a Patriot for his countrey, one that hath ſhewed much goodneſſe to us, Juſtus reddens cuique quod ſuum eſt; Bonus qui beneficus eſt, ac bene à multis meritus: (as ſome of the Learned obſerve.) But what's this in compariſon of the love of Chriſt: All the love of creatures in compariſon of Chriſt's love, is not ſo much as the drop to the Ocean. Note the incomparable unparrelled love of Chriſt to ſinners in my Text. But God commendeth his love unto us, in that while we were yet ſinners, Chriſt died for us. Wherein obſerve theſe Remarkable Particulars.
1. The greatneſſe of Gods love foreign, Commendat, verbum Inſignem & ſumme commendabilem eſſe oſtendit. Beza.Commendare ſignificat, aut confirmare, (as Aretius obſerves:) It ſignifieth teſtatum facere, as Budaeus and Demoſthenes uſe the word.
2. The Proofe or Evidence of this love, by Chriſt's death, foreign.
3. The condition of the perſons, ſinners, foreign rebellious ſinners, ſuch in whom ſinne raigned, who were wholy under the power of ſinne, in their blood in a loathſome filthy condition. All are ſinners, they have no truth in them that deny it, 1 Joh. 1. 8. But here by ſinners (ſaith *Qui toti vitioſi ſunt, ac peccato addicti. Calv. in Loc.Calvin) are underſtood ſuch: Who are wholly vitious and addicted unto ſinne. We read that God heareth not ſinners, Joh. 9. 31. For theſe ſinners Chriſt died, for enemies, rebells, polluted, lyeing in their filth, theſe Chriſt loved and waſhed. No fore ſight of their faith, & repentance moved him to pitty them, only his love. For theſe he died, and this is an unparrellel'd demonſtration of the love of God, and of Jeſus Chriſt. I ſhall compriſe the whole of my meditations, in one fundamentall Doctrine.
That the death of Chriſt for ſinners, is an evident demonſtration Doct. of the love of God the Father, and of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
This I ſhall (foreign) unfold by Explication, Confirmation, and particular Application.
1. For Explication. I propound theſe Queries.
Query 1. Wherein conſiſts this love of God the Father?
Anſ. In ſending of his Sonne, his beloved Son, his only Son, the Son of his boſome. God might have impowred an Angell and ſent him, but the miſſion of his Son: ſets forth love inexpreſſible. Theres foreign, Joh. 3. 16. He ſo loved the world that he gave his only begotten ſonne: that whoſoever believ… in him, ſhall not periſh, but have everlaſting life. And further we read, 1 Joh. 4. 9. In this was manifeſted the love of God towards us, becauſe that God ſent his only begotten ſonne into the world, that we might live through him. God left the fallen Angells without a Saviour, but took pitty on loſt man, God would never be reconciled to the fallen Angells, but from eternity he contrived a way to reconcile man unto himſelfe, 2 Cor. 5. 19. To wit, that God was in Chriſt, reconciling the world unto himſelfe, not imputing their treſpaſſes unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. This is love beyond compare. The duty that belongs unto us is,
1. To admire at this great infinite love, to get our hearts raiſed up in the high contemplation of this love.
2. Lets be thankfull; we can never be thankfull enough. Eternity will be too little, to praiſe God, and bleſſe him for ſo great love.
3. Let love beget love, love muſt be reciprocall, 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him, becauſe he firſt loved us.
4. Let this love of God cauſe us to love one another, 1 Joh. 4. 11. Beloved if God ſo loved us, we ought alſo to love one another.
5. Let this ingage us to obedience, and holyneſſe in our converſations, Joh. 14. 15. If yee love me keep my Commandments.
Query 2. Wherein conſiſts this love of Chriſt?
Anſ. In dyeing for us: The greatneſſe of Chriſts love in dyeing for us may be inhanced in theſe ſingularities.
1. In that he died voluntarily.
2. If we conſider the greatneſſe of his ſufferings.
3. If we conſider the perſons for whom.
1. Chriſt died voluntarily, I gave my back to the ſmiter, and 1. Chriſt died voluntarily.my cheeks to thoſe that pluckt of the haire. I hid not my face from ſhame and ſpitting, Iſai. 50. 6. And Joh. 10. 17, 18. Therefore doth my Father love me, becauſe I lay downe my life, that I may take it againe. No man taketh it from me, but I …ay it down of my ſelfe: I have power to lay it downe, and power to take it againe: This commandment have I received of my Father. Chriſt if he pleaſed, could have defended himſelfe from his enemies, he could have had legions of Angells in his defence: but in obedience to his Father to fulfill the ſcripture, in love to his owne, he freely, and voluntarily reſigned himſelfe to his Fathers pleaſure, and drunk that cup which his Father gave him. And queſtion leſſe this was great love for Chriſt freely and willingly to lay down his life.2. Conſider the greatneſs of Chriſt's ſufferings.
2. Conſider the greatneſſe of Chriſt's ſufferings. He endured contempt, reproach, ſpitting, buffetting, reviling, they called him Samaritan, Impoſtor, Devill, they ſcourged him, crowned him with thornes, wagged their heads at him, Inſulted over him, and at laſt they put him to ſuffer that moſt ſhamefull, painfull, curſed death of the Croſſe. This Crucifixion was a Roman puniſhment. That's evident from Joh. 18. 31, 32. Then ſaid Pilate unto them, take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jewes therefore ſaid unto him, it is not lawfull for us to put any man to death, that the ſaying of Jeſus might be fulfilled, which he ſpake, ſignifying what death he ſhould dye. And to ſet forth the humiliation of Chriſt, you may read, Phil. 2. 8. And being found in faſhion as a man, he humbled himſelfe and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Croſſe. Implying this was the greateſt of Puniſhments, Quid dicam in crucem tollere? (ſaith Cicero.) In this puniſhment of Crucifixion, we are to conſider theſe Aggravations.1. Shame.
1. The Shame; they were crucified (uſually) ſtark naked: Moſt writers ſay Chriſt was ſo crucified. Believe not your painters who put a cloath before him, they are teachers of lyes. The common cuſtome was, that they who were cruci…ied, were ſtript naked as they came into the world: and ſo they ſuffered ignominy. And a further ſhame and diſgrace appeares in this: that Chriſt was crucified without the walls, as unworthy to be within the walls. Barabbas a theife and murtherer was releaſed, and Chriſt was crucified between two theives, as if he had been their Captaine: this Circumſtance ſets forth the ignominy and diſgrace put upon Jeſus Chriſt.
2. In this puniſhment of Crucifixion we are to conſider a curſe, 2. A Curſe.Deut. 21. 23. His body ſhall not remaine all night upon the tree, but thou ſhalt in any wiſe bury him that day: for he that is hanged is accurſed of God: that thy land be not defiled which the Lord thy God gives thee for an inheritance. There was a legall curſe, put upon this death, Gal. 3. 13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the law, being made a curſe for us: for it is written, curſed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Now for the Son of God, the fountaine of all bleſſings, in whom all Nations of the earth ſhould be bleſſed, to ſtand upon the Croſſe like an accurſed man, the Sun was aſhamed, and withdrew his light, and the earth trembled.
3. In this puniſhment conſider paine, extremity of paine, a lingring 3. Paine.death: This was a terrible and dolorous paine. His body was extended, ſtretched out, like ſtretching out upon a Rack.
Of the Paſſion of Chriſt we are to underſtand, Pſal. 22. 14, 16. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joynt: my heart is like wax, its melted in the midſt of my bowells. For dogs have compaſſed me, the aſſembly of the wicked have incloſed me, they peirced my hands and my feet. Where the ſinewes met in the palmes of his hands, and in the feet, where the paine was moſt acute, there they peirced him. It was not with Chriſt, as with many, who are ſtupefied, and in whom extremity of paine blunteth the ſenſe thereof, but Chriſt was in perfect ſenſe all the while: And ſix houres in extremity of paine he hung upon the Croſſe: and was ſenſible as much at the laſt as at the firſt. Never was any ſorrow, like unto his ſorrow: He ſweat drops of blood, was in an agony, was deſpiſed, rejected, reproached, and at laſt was crucified: All theſe Conſiderations inhance the greatneſſe of Chriſts ſufferings, and his love towards us.
3. Conſider for whom Chriſt died, not for friends but enemies, 3. For whom Chriſt died.Verſ. 10. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God, by the death of his Son: much more being reconciled, we ſhall be ſaved by his life: Not for righteous, and good men: but for ſinners, and bad men: not for ſtrong, but weak: not for faithfull ſubjects, but rebells Chriſt died. Now this love is beyond all compare: Now the conſideration of Gods love and our unworthyneſſe, ſhould ingage us to love and thankfulneſſe, as *Tantae dilectionis Dei, & indignitatis noſtrae conſideratione demittamus Criſtas in Dei judicio, ac toto corde eum redamemus ut non totos in …ivam gratitudinis hoſtiam viciſſim conſecremus, Pareus in Loc.Pareus obſerves on the place. To lay downe his life for his friends, had been great love, Joh. 15. 13. greater love hath no man then this, that a man lay downe his life for his friend: But to lay downe his life, for enemies, for ſinners, unworthy perſons, this love is a none ſuch.
Chriſt died for the ungodly. He ſaid live when they were in their blood, Ezek. 16. 6. And when I paſſed by, thee, and ſaw thee polluted in thine own blood: I ſaid unto thee, when thou waſt in thy blood, live: yea, I ſaid unto thee, when thou waſt in thy blood, live. He found none at all godly, lovely, holy, but made them ſo. How many of thoſe that imbrued their hands in Chriſt's blood, were converted by one of Peters ſermons; Chriſt prayed upon the Croſs for his enemies; Luk. 23. 34. Then ſaid Jeſus Father, forgive them: for they know not, what they doe. The Duties we ought to learne from the conſideration of this great love of Chriſt, in laying down his life for ſinners; are
Firſt, That in Zach. 12. 10. And I will poure upon the houſe of Dut. 1. To mourne over Chriſt.David, and upon the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, the ſpirit of grace and ſupplication, and they ſhall look upon me, whom they have peirced, and th…y ſhall mourne for him, as one mourneth for his only ſonne, and ſhall be in bitnerneſſe for him, as one that is in bitterneſſe for his firſt borne.
Seconly, To crucify ſinne, which crucified Chriſt: Thus the Dut. 2. To crucify ſin.Apoſtle profeſſeth, Gal. 2. 20. I am crucified with Chriſt: Nevertheleſſe I live: yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the fleſh, I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himſelfe for me.
Thirdly, Set an ineſtimable price upon the meanes of our redemption: Dut. 3. Set a high value upon the price of our redemption.that price of blood, 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19. For aſmuch as yee know that yee were not redeemed with corruptible things, as ſilver and gold, from your vaine converſation received by tradition from your Fathers: But with the pretious blood of Chriſt, as of a lambe without blemiſh and without ſpot.
Fourthly, Look for no ſalvation elſe where, Act. 4. 12. Neither Dut. 4. Look for ſalvation through Chriſt only.is there ſalvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we muſt be ſaved. 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, that man Chriſt Jeſus. Joh. 17. 3. And this is life eternall, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent.
Fifthly, Let us live unto Chriſt, which died for us, 2 Cor. 5. Dut. 5. Live unto Chriſt.15. And that he died for all, that they which live, ſhould not hence forth live unto themſelves, but unto him which died for them, and roſe again.
Sixtly, Let our hearts be warmed, with love to Chriſt. 2 Cor. Dut. 6. Be warm'd with love to Chriſt.5. 14. For the love of Chriſt conſtraines us, becauſe we thus judge: that if one died for all, then were all dead. The apprehenſion of Chriſts great love unto us, ſhould ingage us to love him againe.
Q…ry 3. Is this ſo great a matter for Chriſt to dye, and to lay downe his life for publick good? Did not many others lay down their lives for the publick, as Codrus for the Athenians, Meneceus for the Thebans: Curtius threw himſelfe into a gulfe, to preſerve Rome from peſtilence. Niſus would have died for Eury…lus, Pilades for Oreſtes &c. Where then lieth the difference.
Anſ. 1. Heathens that laid downe their lives, were not innocent perſons, they were ſinners: Chriſt was innocent, no ſinner: a Lamb without blemiſh, no g…ile was found in his mouth.
2. Heathens laid downe their lives, out of principles of praiſe, and vaine glory: Chriſt laid his life in love to his Father, love to the elect.
3. Heathens gave their lives, at the inſtigation of Satan, having no thought to pleaſe God: but Chriſt gave himſelfe in obedience to his Father, to do his will.
4. Heathens died, that their deaths might be eſteemed glorious, and honourable: but Chriſt offered himſelfe to the ignominious death of the Croſſe.
5. They died for to obtaine ſome temporall deliverance, but by Chriſt we obtaine eternall deliverance.
6. They died for their Countrey and friends, but Chriſt died for his enemies. Theſe things being premiſed by way of Explication. I come now to the Confirmation of the point: To which purpoſe I ſhall lay downe theſe Propoſitions, and they are Aeternae verita…is.
1. God the Father from all Eternity, contrived this admirable Propoſit. 1. God from all eternity contrived the way of Redemption by Jeſus Chriſt.way of redemption by Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 5. 19. To wi…, that God was in Chriſt, reconciling the world unto himſelfe, not imputing their treſpaſſes unto them, and hath committed unto us, the word of reconciliation. Rev. 13. 8. And all that dwell upon the face of the earth ſhall worſhip him, whoſe names are not written in the booke of life of the Lamb, ſlaine from the foundation of the world. This tranſaction was not of yeſterday, but decreed, and contrived, and intended from all eternity. God reprobated the fallen Angells, and left them without a Saviour, for Chriſt ſhed not a drop of blood for them. They before the foundation of the world, were decreed to eternall puniſhments: But for loſt man, a Saviour was decreed; and this was God's intendment before all time. Queſtionleſſe this is exceeding great love, and an evident Character of the love of God the Father.
2. Chriſt was an innocent holy perſon, without the leaſt ſinne: Propoſit. 2. Chriſt was an innocent Perſon.There was no deceit in his mouth. Iſai. 53. 9. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death: Becauſe he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. He was moſt holy, harmleſſe, undefiled. 1 Pet. 1. 19. We were redeemed with the pretious blood of Chriſt, as of a Lamb without blemiſh and without ſpot. Chriſt was the beloved Son of God, in whom the Father was well pleaſed. Matth. 3. 17. And …e, a voice from heaven, ſaying, this is my beloved ſonne, in whom I am well pleaſed. Chriſt was the only Son, and beloved Son: now for God the Father to ſend his Son, his only Son, his beloved Son, not to raigne, but to ſerve: not to live a life of honour, and glory in the world, but to be deſpiſed, rejected, wounded, and endure the ſhamefull, painfull, and curſed death of the Croſſe, Never was any love like unto this: Of this we read, Joh. 3. 16. For God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son: that whoſoever believeth on him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. And likewiſe, 1 Joh. 4. 10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and ſent his Son to be the propitiation for our ſinnes.
3. Chriſt who was ſent, was God: God-man in one perſon? Propoſit. 3. Chriſt is God-man in one Perſon.The divine perſon aſſumed an humane nature. Chriſt was the Word, and the Word was God, and Chriſt that ſubſtantiall Word was made fleſh, Joh. 1. 14. And the Word was made fleſh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. And this is the great myſtery of Godlineſſe mentioned: 1 Tim. 3. 16. And without controverſy, great is the miſtery of godlineſſe: God was manifeſt in the fleſh, juſtified in the ſpirit, ſeen of Angells, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Chriſt was God from all Eternity: Joh. 8. 58. Jeſus ſaid unto them, Verily, verily I ſay unto you, before Abraham was, I am. There he ſpeaks of his Godhead: A further proofe we have, Phil. 2. 6. Who being in the forme of God, thought it not robbery to be equall with God. Compare this with Zech. 13. 7. Awake, O ſword, againſt my ſhepheard, and againſt the man that is my fellow, ſaith the Lord of hoſts: ſmite the ſhepheard, and the ſheep ſhall be ſcattered, and I will turne mine hand upon the little ones. This is love unparrelleld, unexpreſſible.
4. Chriſt himſelfe, voluntarily undertook this great work of Propoſit. 4. Chriſt voluntarily undertook the worke of our Redemption.our redemption, he laid down his own life freely: And becauſe the Godhead could not ſuffer death, he united our nature unto himſelfe; and took fleſh upon him. There are two words ſetting forth his humiliation, Phil. 2. 7. foreign; he made himſelfe of no reputation &c. Joh. 1. 14. foreign, and he dwelt among us, &c. He took the man hood, as if he ſhould unite a clodde of duſt unto himſelfe, who was God from all Eternity. As if the Antient of daies ſhould become the infant of daies, the Eternall God become a Child. As if he, that the heaven of heavens could not containe, ſhould be incloſed nine months in the wombe of a Virgin. Thus it was in reſpect of his humane nature, he was born of Virgin, wrapt in ſwadling cloathes, laid in a manger. He who had heaven and earth at his command, was laid in a manger. Herein appeares the ſingular love of Chriſt, in condeſcending to take mans nature, to take a body, that he might accompliſh the great work of our redemption, by ſuffering upon the croſſe. Heb. 10. 5, 6, 7. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he ſaith: ſacrifice, and offering thou wouldeſt not, but a body haſt thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and ſacrifice for ſinne, thou haſt had no pleaſure: Then ſaid I, loe, I come (in the volumne of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.
5. Chriſt by his active and paſſive obedience made full, compleate, Propoſit. 5. Chriſt by his obedience hath made full ſatisfaction.and abſolute ſatisfaction to his Fathers Juſtice: for all thoſe that were given him by the Father, Rom. 3. 25. Whom God hath ſet forth to be a Propitiation, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteouſneſſe for the remiſſion of ſinnes, that are paſt through the forbearance of God. To the ſame effect the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Eph. 2. 13. But now in Chriſt Jeſus, yee, who ſometimes were farre off; are made nigh by the blood of Chriſt, Col. 1. 20. And (having made peace through the blood of his Croſſe) by him to reconcile all things unto himſelfe, by him, I ſay, whether they be things in earth, or in heaven. Chriſt gave himſelfe a ſacrifice, to expiate for ſinne; He trod the winepreſſe of his Fathers ſury. By his ſtripes we are healed, who his owne ſelfe bare our ſinnes in his owne body on the tree, that we 1 Pet. 2. 24.being dead to ſinne, ſhould live unto righteouſneſſe, by whoſe ſtripes we are healed. He is the reconciler, Col. 1. 20. The price of our redemption foreign, 1 Cor. 6. 20. For yee are bought with a price, Matth. 20. 28. Even as the Son of man came not to be miniſtred unto, but to miniſter and to give his life a ranſome for many. See Chriſt's great end of coming into the world, foreign, to give his life a ranſome for many; Chriſt is the high Prieſt, that entred into the holy of holieſt, and offered up himſelfe a ſacrifice: Thereby as a ſurety, he paid our debt; ſatisfied his Fathers juſtice to the utmoſt, Iſai. 53. 5, 11. 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. He ſhall ſee of the travell of his ſoule, and be ſatisfied; by his knowledge ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtify many: for he ſhall beare their iniquities. And this is a thorough ſatisfaction, 2 Cor. 5. 21. For he hath made him to be ſinne for us, who knew no ſinne, that we might be made the righteouſneſſe of God in him. Tit. 2. 14. Who gave himſelfe for us, that he might redeeme us from all iniquity; and purify unto himſelfe a peculiar people, zealous of good workes. Hereby we are juſtified, Rom. 5. 9. Much more being now juſtified by his blood, we ſhall be ſaved from wrath, through him, Hereby we are ſanctified, Rev. 1. 5. And from Jeſus Chriſt, who is the faithfull witneſſe, and the firſt begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth: unto him that loved us, and waſhed us from our ſinnes in his owne blood. Feare not, we are now made nigh, Eph. 2. 13. But now in Chriſt Jeſus, yee, who were farre of, are made nigh by the blood of Chriſt. By him we are reconciled, Col. 1. 20. And (having made peace through the blood of his Croſſe) by him to reconcile all things unto himſelfe: by him I ſay, whether they be things in earth, or in heaven. By Chriſt we are bleſſed, Gal. 3. 13, 14. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the Curſe of the law, being made a Curſe for us: for it is written, Curſed is every one that hangeth on a tree; that the bleſſing of Abraham might come upon us. And that Chriſt doth fully ſatisfy, is evident, becauſe he continually interceds for his people, and pleads the vertue and benefit of his perfit ſatisfactionion, Heb. 7. 25. Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the utmoſt, that come unto God through him, ſeeing he ever liveth, make interceſſion for them. And what was the motive, that moved him to do all this for his people, to be incarnate, to live on earth amongſt ſinners, to ſuffer reproaches, contempts, and infamies? what moved him to drinke that bitter Cup, to poure his blood out of his ſide, and become obedient unto the death of the Croſſe? Nothing moved him, but his love, his good will: his compaſſion moved him to heale bodily diſeaſes; and his compaſſion, love, and mercy, moved him to heale ſoule diſeaſes.
6. This love of Chriſt is a diſtinguiſhing, ſpeciall love, for a peculiar Propoſit. 6. The Love of Chriſt is a diſtinguiſhing Love.ſort of people. He ſweat drops of blood in the garden, he was afflicted, ſmitten, wounded; but all this he endured for the tranſgreſſion of his own people; Iſai. 53. 8. He was taken from priſon, and from judgment: and who ſhall declare his generation? for he was cut off, out of the land of the living: for the tranſgreſſion of my people was he ſtriken. He hath a peculiar ſeed, Iſai. 53. 10. Yet it pleaſed the Lord to bruiſe him, he hath put him to griefe: when thou ſhalt make his ſoule, an offering for ſinne, he ſhall ſee his ſeed, he ſhall prolong his daies, and the pleaſure of the Lord, ſhall proſper in his hands. He is the Saviour of his body, Eph. 5. 28. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Chriſt is the head of the Church: and he is the Saviour of the body. He layeth downe his life, only for his ſheepe, Joh. 10. 15. As the Father knoweth me, even ſo I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the ſheepe. Now hence thoſe falſe doctrines of Generall redemption are diſcarded altogether. Chriſt doth not pray for all, Joh. 17. 9, 10. I pray for them, I pray not for the world, but for them which thou haſt given me, for they are thine: And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. And we read, Joh. 13. 11. He knew who ſhould betray him, therefore ſaid he, yee are not all cleane. He doth not call all, juſtify all, nor elect all, for only few are choſen: and therefore all are not partakers of this diſtinguiſhing love. Yet notwithſtanding theſe fundamentall truths, there are many Objections, which I would Anſwer, before I make particular application of this doctrine.
Its objected, that it is unjuſt for the innocent to be puniſhed Object. 1 for the nocent, for Chriſt holy and juſt to be puniſhed for man that was unjuſt, unholy.
We are to diſtinguiſh of ſinne and guilt inherent, and ſinne and Anſ. guilt imputed. In Chriſt was no inherent ſinne and guilt, but there was ſinne and guilt imputed; For Chriſt was made ſinne for us, and took our nature upon him, and was our ſurety: And it is no injuſtice to make a ſurety pay the debt, whereunto he voluntarily ingaged. Chriſt freely, & voluntarily undertook the great work of reconciliation for loſt man, and he willingly laid downe his life for his ſheepe. No man took away his life from him.
But 2. Its Objected, how can Chriſts blood, which was ſhed above Object. 2 1600 yeares agoe, be effectuall now.
This we are to believe, that though Chriſt ſuffered once, yet Anſ. the vertue of the ſuffering remaines to all eternity: For it was the blood of God, (This being underſtood by communication of Idioms,) of him that was foreign God and man, his blood was precious blood, cleanſing, mortifying, healing blood: The blood of ſprinkling which ſpeaks better things, then the blood of Abel. The Church is the purchaſe of his blood. Act. 20. 28. Take heed therefore unto your ſelves, and to all the flockes which the Holy Ghoſt hath made you Overſeers: to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchaſed with his owne blood. This is redeeming blood, Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveneſſe of ſins, according to the riches of his grace. It is peace-making blood, Col. 1. 20. And having made peace through the blood of his Croſſe) by him to reconcile all things unto himſelfe: by him I ſay, whether they be things in earth or in heaven. We are made white in the blood of the Lambe, Rev. 7. 14. And I ſaid unto him, Sir thou knoweſt: And he ſaid to me, theſe are they which come out of great tribulation, and have waſhed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lambe. We are waſhed from our ſinnes in his blood, Rev. 1. 5. And from Jeſus Chriſt, who is the faithfull witneſſe, and the firſt begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth: unto him that loved us, and waſhed us from our ſinnes in his blood. So then Chriſts blood is a fountaine, that can never be drained dry, it witneſſeth our regeneration. 1 Joh. 5. 8. And there are three that bear witneſſe in earth, the ſpirit, the water, and the blood: and theſe three agree in one.
But 3. It will be Objected, if Chriſt died for ſinners, then all Object. 3 ſhall be ſaved: otherwiſe the remedy would not be proportionable to the diſeaſe, the plaiſter would not be as broad as the ſore?
1. Theres a ſufficiency of Merit in Chriſt; the Medicine is of infinite Anſ. value.
2. But 2. this medicine is only applied effectually unto ſome peculiar perſons. Neither doth this derogate a whit from Chriſts merits, in that his redemption is not equally extended unto all. But the riches of his mercy are the more inhanced, in that they are effectuall to ſome.
3. It was not the intention of God the Father, nor of Chriſt, that all ſhould be redeemed. Chriſts Redemption only is appropriated to believers. Joh. 3. 16. For God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son: that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life.
4. Only thoſe have redemption by Chriſts blood, who are redeemed from their vaine converſation, and thoſe are Gods children, 1 Pet. 1. 18. Foraſmuch, as yee know that yee were not redeemed with corruptible things, as Silver and Gold, from your vaine converſations received by tradition of your Fathers. But theſe are not the whole world, for the whole world lyes in wickedneſſe.
I ſhall now come unto Application, And I ſhall make foure Applicat.Uſes of the Doctrine.
1. For Information.
2. For Examination.
3. For Exhortation.Ʋſe 1. For Information.
4. For Conſolation.
The firſt Uſe is for Information, and that in ſeverall particulars.
1. Be informed of the greatneſſe of the love of God, Eph. 2. 4. 1. This is great love.But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love, wherewith he hath loved us. 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath beſtowed upon us, that we ſhould be called the ſonnes of God.
2. Be informed that this love is unparrelleld, let there be made 2. This love is unparralleld.locus à comparatis. The love between Jonathan and David, is not to be compared to the love of Chriſt unto his Church, Eph. 5. 25. Husbands love your wives, even as Chriſt alſo loved the Church, and gave himſelfe for it. The love of a tender Mother, is not to be compared to the love of God, Iſai. 49. 15. Can a woman forget her ſucking child, that ſhee ſhould have compaſſion on the ſon of her womb? yea, they may forget yet will not I forget thee.
3. This love is free, undeſerved by any Creature, Ezek. 16. 6. 3. This love is undeſerved.And when I paſſed by thee, and ſaw thee polluted in thine own blood, I ſaid unto thee, when thou waſt in thy blood, live: yea, I ſaid unto thee, when thou waſt in thy blood, live. There is no fides praeviſa, to move God: The Apoſtle determines, Rom. 9. 11, 12, 13. For the Children being not yet borne, neither having done any good, or evill, that the purpoſe of God according to election might ſtand; not of workes, but of him that calleth.) It was ſaid unto her, the elder ſhall ſerve the younger, as it is written. Jacob have I loved, but Eſau have I hated.
4. This love is incomprehenſible, inexpreſſible, Eph. 3. 18, 19. 4. This love is incomprehenſible.That yee may be able to comprehend, with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: and to know the love of Chriſt, which paſſeth knowledge, that yee might be filled with all the fulneſſe of God.
5. It is an eternall love, Joh. 13. 1. Now before the feaſt of the 5. This love is eternall.paſſeover, when Jeſus knew that his houre was come, that he ſhould depart out of this world unto the Father, (having loved his owne, which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.) Jer. 31. 3. The Lord hath appeared of old, unto me, ſaying: Yea I have loved thee with an everlaſting love, therefore with loving kindneſſe have I drawne thee.
The ſecond Uſe is for Examination, whether we are of that Ʋſe 4. For Examination.number, which hath intereſt in this love. We are to diſtinguiſh of ſeverall ſorts of love. There's Amor benevolentiae & Complacentiae. For that there is Amor benevolentiae, hence appeares munificentia & foreign. God doth good to all, makes the Sun to ſhine on the juſt, and unjuſt. That which we are to inquire of, is that which is called Amor complacentiae, appropriated only unto Gods children,
What evidences may be given, that we have intereſt in this diſtinguiſhing love?
The 1. Signe is Sanctification, it's God's order and we may Signe 1. Sanctification.not break it, Rev. 1. 5. Ʋnto him that loved us, and waſhed us from our ſinnes in his blood. If thou canſt prove that thy nature is changed by the ſanctifying vertue of God's ſpirit, thou maieſt conclude that thou art one, that hath intereſt in the ſpeciall love of God.
2. Thoſe that have intereſt in this ſpeciall love of God, feele a Signe 2. Conſtraining love of Chriſt.conſtraining power in this love, to ingage them to obedience to Gods commands, 2 Cor. 5. 14. For the love of Chriſt conſtraines us, becauſe we thus judge: that if one died for all, then we are all dead.
3. By the ſincerity of our love to God, we may conclude his Signe 3. Sincerity of love to God.love towards us, 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him, becauſe he firſt loved us. Gods love to us, is the ground of our Aſſurance: our love to him, is the ground of our Evidence. Let Gods children (as Bradford that pretious man of God uſed to adviſe) lay this down for a foundation; That God loves them, and where this love is, it will ſhed abroad love in their hearts, even love to God, love to the brethren, love to the Ordinances, love and longing for the appearance of Chriſt.
4. Chriſt manifeſts his love to his people, Joh. 14. 21. He that Signe 4. Chriſt manifeſts his Love to his people.hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me, ſhall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifeſt my ſelfe to him. Though he may hide himſelfe for a time, yet he will embrace them with everlaſting kindneſſe Iſai. 54 8. In a little wrath I hid my face from them for a moment, but with everlaſting kindneſſe will I have mercy on thee, ſaith the Lord thy Redeemer.
5. Thoſe whom God loves, with a ſpeciall, diſtinguiſhing love, Signe 5. Chriſt is Lord and King.have Chriſt their redeemer, their Lord, King and Ruler, their Prophet to inſtruct them, their Prieſt to make ſatisfaction, and interceſſion for them. This is the greateſt evidence of Gods love, in giving thee his ſon, as in the place forecited, Joh. 3. 16. For God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son: that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. Which is plainly applyed to believers, and takes not in all univerſally, but a peculiar ſelect company, even ſuch only as believe. And Rom. 8. 32. He that ſpareth not his own ſon, but delivered him up for us all: how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all things.
6. Thoſe who have intereſt in this great ſpeciall love, have Signe 6. Gods ſpirit dwells in them.Gods ſpirit, and this dwells in them. Rom. 8. 9. But yee are not in the fleſh, but in the ſpirit, if ſo be that the ſpirit of God dwell in you: Now if any man have not the ſpirit of Chriſt, he is none of his: Chriſts ſpirit dwells as an Inhabitant, and Ruler, and this is a witneſſe, Rom. 8. 16. The ſpirit it ſelfe, beareth witneſſe with our ſpirits, that we are the children of God: And this ſealeth, and giveth earneſt, 2 Cor. 1. 22. Who hath alſo ſealed us, and given us the earneſt of the ſpirit in our hearts: and where this dwells, it may be knowne by the fruits which it bringeth forth, Gal. 5. 22, 23. But the fruit of the ſpirit is love, joy, peace, long-ſuffering, gentleneſſe, goodneſſe, faith, meekneſſe, temperance.
The third Uſe is for Exhortation, and your duty I ſhall branch Ʋſe 2. For Exhortat.into theſe following particulars.
1. Stand admiring, & contemplating this great love of God the 1. Admire Gods love.Father to give thee Chriſt; and that Chriſt ſhould becomeman, be made ſin, a curſe, whilſt that greater and nobler, richer & learneder then thy ſelfe ſhould be paſt by: and God ſhould give Chriſt for thee, that he ſhould love thee, and waſh thee, and make thee a King, and a Prieſt unto God: thou can'ſt never admire enough this unparralleld love of God. Eternity would even be too little, to ſet forth this wonderfull love of God. As there is a depth of wiſdome, ſo there is a depth of mercy in God, which cannot be fathom'd.
2. Let thy heart be filled with the praiſes of the Lord. Lift up, 2. Be filled with the praiſes of God.advance what in thee lyeth, the honour of God, the love of God the Father, and of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. God gives his Son, Chriſt's merits are foreign, a price meritorious, and the Holy Spirit maketh application. How then ought we for ever to abound in praiſes to the Lord? The Samaritan returned back, and gave God thanks for his cleanſing. So ſhould we bleſſe God, that he hath made a difference by his grace, between us, and the very vileſt of men what ever. Thus did Paul, 1 Tim. 1. 12. And I thank Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithfull, putting me into the Miniſtery: Now unto the King Eternall, immortall, inviſible, the only wiſe God, be honour and glory for ever, and ever Amen.
3. Love ſhould beget reciprocall love, even Love unto God the 3. Love ſhould beget love to God.Father, and Chriſt. If there be any ſpark of love, it will inkindle into a flame of Serapicall affections, David profeſſeth, Pſal. 18. 1. I will love thee O Lord, my ſtrength.
4. This ſhould beget love to the Brethren, Joh. 13. 35. By 4. Gods love to us ſhould cauſe us to love our brethren.this ſhall all men know that yee are my diſciples, if yee love one another. 1 Joh. 3. 14. We know that we have paſſed from death to life, becauſe we love the brethren, 1 Joh. 4. 21. And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God, loveth his brother alſo.
5. We ſhould place our love, where God placeth his: and our 5. love where God loveth.hatred, where he placeth his hatred. God loveth holineſſe, holy people, holy Ordinances, ſo ſhould we: God hateth every ſinne, ſo ſhould we: Pſalm. 97. 10. Yee that love the Lord, hate evill.
6. We ſhould be often inquiring, whether we be of the number 6. Enquire whether thou haſt intereſt in Chriſts ſpeciall love. Ʋſe 4. For Conſolation.of thoſe, that have Intereſt in Chriſts ſpeciall love, for whom he died. This we ſhould frequently and ſeriouſly examine our hearts about! as I gave ſome evidences before, unto which I referre you.
The fourth and laſt Uſe is for comfort unto all thoſe, who have intereſt in this ſpeciall love. Their ſpeciall Benefits are theſe.
1. They are admitted to the Throne of Grace through Chriſt, Benefit 1. They are admitted unto the throne of grace.Eph. 2. 18. For through him we have both an acceſſe by one ſpirit unto the Father, They are his favorites, friends, Jewells, a Crown and Diadem of Glory: and therefore they are exhorted to draw neare with full aſſurance of faith, Heb. 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtaine mercy, and find grace to help in time of need: It's ſaid foreign, with freedome, boldneſſe, or confidence.
2. All things work together for their good, Rom. 8. 28. And Benefit 2. All things worke together for their good.we know that all things worke together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpoſe. They love God, & God loveth them, and nothing ſhall be able to hinder God's love. Their croſſes, hardſhips, reproaches, all, ſhall conduce unto their good.
3. They ſhall feele the benefit of this love, unto all Eternity. Heb. Benefit 3. They ſhall feele Chriſts love unto all Eternity.7. 25. Chriſt ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them. Though Satan roare, and men condemne, yet the love of Chriſt will comfort thee againſt all, Rom. 8. 33. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect, it is God that Juſtifieth: Thy ſinnes and corruption adminiſter continuall matter of Humiliation, and theſe will coſt thee deare, whileſt thou art in the valley of Bacha: but the time will come when there will be no more ſighing for ſinne: Sorrow and ſighing will flye away: For there ſhall be no ſorrow in heaven.
4. This may Arme us with courage, againſt feare of death, Ben 4. Gods love armes us wth courage againſt fear of death.Chriſt hath died and tooke away the ſting. Chriſt hath perfumed the grave, He hath conquered ſinne, & Satan: lead captivity captive. Therefore in doubts, feares, troubles, inward and outward, have recourſe to this love of God in Chriſt, and this will be a Cordiall, a Salve for every ſore. The conſideration of Gods love unto thy Soule, will make thee undergoe hardſhips cheerefully: kiſſe the Rod that beates thee. Gods love manifeſted in Chriſt, will make thee willing to live, and willing to dye: ſo that God may be glorified in thee, and by thee: For thou that haſt Intereſt in this diſtinguiſhing love of God, reconciled in Chriſt: know to thy comfort, that whether thou liveſt, or whether thou dyeſt, Jeſus Chriſt will be unto thee in life, and in death advantage.