Two Treatises, Treatise 2 · Chapter 4

Two Treatises · Treatise 2 · Chapter 4

p. 41CHAP. IV.

Of Chriſts Sacerdotal Office.

SECT. I. Of the Properties of Chriſts Prieſthood.

THis Diviſion of Chriſts Offices, as a Prieſt, a Prophet, and a King, is generally received, and may be evidently proved thus, for Chriſt had the Holineſs of a Prieſt, the Wiſedom of a Prophet, and the Power of a King. In us there's both Pollution and Guilt: Now Chriſt, as a Prieſt takes away both. In us there's Ignorance, and Blindneſs: Chriſt as a Prophet, opens our eyes and illuminates our Underſtandings. In us there's Rebe… lion and Diſorder, Chriſt as a King takes away Rebellion, and Diſorder, by bringing us under Government and Subjection to his Laws. Some were Prieſts and Prophets, ſo was Samuel; ſome were Prieſts and Kings, ſo was Melchiſedeck; ſome were Prophets and Kings, ſo was David: But Chriſt alone was Prieſt, Prophet and p. 42King. Theſe three all together only met in Chriſt. A great Prieſt, a great Prophet, and a great King, above all others, and after all others; he abides a Prieſt for ever, Pſal. 110. 4. a Prophet for ever, Mat. 28. 20. and a King for ever, Dan. 2. 44.

Of theſe Offices I ſhall treat ſeverally, and firſt of Chriſt's Prieſtly Office. Suidas relates a notable Story, That when one of their Prieſts were dead at Jeruſalem, the reſt of the Prieſts met to chooſe another, and when many were nominated, they could not agree in their choice, till at laſt **foreign. Suidas in nomine foreign.one of them named Jeſus, and by a common conſent he was choſen Prieſt. I put no weight upon this Story, but I ſhall keep my ſelf within the limits of ſacred Scripture. And in handling Chriſts Prieſtly Office, I ſhall repreſent ſome diſtinguiſhing Properties between the Prieſthood of Chriſt, and the Levitical Prieſthood; and then I ſhall make further inquiry into the parts of Chriſts Prieſthood.

1. For the diſtinguiſhing Properties of1. There are diſtinguiſhing Properties between Chriſts Prieſthood, and the Levitical Prieſthood. Chriſts Prieſthood.

1. Chriſt is a real Prieſt, and his Prieſthood1 Chriſt is a real Prieſt. a real Prieſthood; The Levitical p. 43Prieſts were Typical, and their Prieſthood Typical. All their Sacrifices and Ceremonial Obſervations, were Types and Shadows of Chriſt to come; ſo that at Chriſts coming, the Shadows vaniſhed. Prieſts under the Law (as the Apoſtle obſerves) ſerve unto the Example and Shadow of Heavenly things. The Ceremonies of the Law were ſignificative, and prefigured Chriſt, and his Graces. Now ſeeing Chriſt is already come, for any of their own heads (as the Pope doth) to introduce Levitical Ceremonies, this is to prefer Moſes before Chriſt. A Learned and judicious **Qui Chriſtianos adigunt ad Ceremonias Judaicas, tyrannidem exercent in populum Dei, & quaſi à mortuis tributa exigunt. Non enim mortui magis liberi à Magiſtratuum imperio, quàm Chriſtiani à lege Moſis. Davenant in Col. 2. 1.Col 2:1Prelate fully declares hisHeb. 8. 5.Heb 8:5 mind, in this Corollary. They (ſaith he) that force Chriſtians to Judaical Ceremonies, do exerciſe Tyranny upon the People of God, and do as it were require Tribute of the Dead, for Dead Men are not more freed from the Command of Magiſtrates, than Chriſtians from the Law of Moſes.

2. Chriſt is an Holy Prieſt, without2. Chriſt is an Holy Prieſt. Blemiſh; without Defilement: All the Sacrifices of the Law were to be without Blemiſh, nothing polluted, nothing defective ought to be offered unto the Lord; the Prieſt was to have no Corporal Blemiſh, p. 44all theſe were Types of the Holineſs of Chriſt. Chriſt was Holy, Harmleſs, Ʋndefiled, ſeparate from Sinners. Chriſt was made Sin, 2 Cor. 5. 21. that was by **Chriſtus ſummus peccator, non quod ipſe commiſerit peccata, ſed quod ea à nobis ſuſceperit in corpus ſuum. Luth. loc. com. p. 35, 36. Heb. 7. 27. 3. Chriſt is an unchangeable Prieſt.Heb 7:27Heb 7:3imputation only. There was neverHeb. 7. 26.Heb 7:26 any guile found in his Mouth: None of his Enemies could ever yet convince him of the leaſt Sin. But as for Levitical Prieſts they were Sinners, and offered firſt for their own Sins, then for the Sins of the People. But Chriſt offered up himſelf for our Sins only, and not for any of his own Sins, becauſe (though he was not free from Infirmities, yet) he was free from all Sins whatſoever.

3. Chriſt is an unchangable Prieſt, for he was made not after the Law of a Carnal Commandment, but after the Power of an **Cum vitam aeternam vocat foreign, tacite praeſentis vitae lubricitatem nobis ſubjicit. Eſt foreign, in horas & momenta diſſolvitur morbis & morte, quando anim… & Corporis nexus abrumpitur, & corpus in terram unde ſumptum fuerat reſolvitur. At vita Chriſti, quâ tum ipſe beatus fruitur in coelis, tum ſuos donabit in aeternum, eſt foreign. Pareus in loc.endleſs life, Heb. 7. 16. Levitical Prieſts changed; Eleazar Succeeded Aaron; although the Prieſthood continued long, yet the Prieſts dyed, and the Office was tranſferred upon others, but the Prieſthood of Chriſt was unchangable, Heb. 7. 24.

4. Chriſt was choſen a Prieſt of the4. Chriſt was choſen a Prieſt of the Tribe of Judah. Tribe of Judah and not of the Tribe of Levi. And this (as an eminently learned p. 45**Dr. Uſher A. B. of Armagh's Sum and Subſtance of Chriſtian Religion. p. 168.Writer obſerves) was to ſhew that he was no Succeſſor of Aaron, but rather was to aboliſh all the Ceremonial Services and Offices. The Apoſtle gives abundant Teſtimony, Heb. 7. 14. **Meſſiam oriturum à Judâ docuerat Moſes, Meſſiam autem illum Sacerdotem futurum multus poſt Moſis obitum ſeculis docuit David. Cameron.For it is evident that our Lord ſprung out of Judah, of which Tribe Moſes ſpake nothing concerning Prieſthood.

5. Chriſt was made a Prieſt by an Oath,5. Chriſt was made Prieſt by an Oath. and ſo were not Levitical Prieſts. Heb. 7. 21. Thoſe Prieſts were made without an Oath, but this with an Oath. Chriſt was anointed a Prieſt and conſecrated by an Oath, to ſignifie the unchangableneſs of his Prieſthood.

6. Chriſt is the only Prieſt: The Law6. Chriſt is the only Prieſt. admitted Plurality of Prieſts, Chriſt is the only High-Prieſt, the only Sacrificer, the only Mediator. The Apoſtle makes a great difference between Chriſt and the Prieſts under the Law, Heb. 7. 23, 24. And they truely were many Prieſts, becauſe they were not ſuffered to continue by reaſon of Death, but this Man becauſe he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Prieſthood.

7. And Laſtly, Chriſt is an Eternal7. Chriſt is an Eternal Prieſt. Prieſt. The Apoſtle repeats, Heb. 7. 21. what was long before declared, Pſal. 110. p. 464. The Lord ſware and will not repent: Thou art a Prieſt for ever, after the order of Melchiſedeck.The vertue of Chriſts Blood goes backward as high as Adam. He was foreordain'd before the Foundation of the World, 2 Tim. 1. 9. It goeth downward to the end of the World: He muſt raign till all be put under his feet, and he muſt raiſe up all by the power and vertue of his Victory over Death, Joh. 5. 26, 29. Biſhop Reynolds on Pſal. 110. Verſe 4. Page 538. fol.2 Tim 1:9John 5:26John 5:29Ps 110 Other Prieſts dyed and ſaw Corruption: But Chriſt ever liveth, and for ever executes his Prieſtly Office. The vertue of Chriſts Prieſthood began with the firſt Sinner, and continues to the laſt. Chriſt was the Lamb, ſlain from the beginning of the World, Rev. 13. 8. and the vertue and efficacy of Chriſts Prieſthood laſts to all Eternity. Chriſt admits of no Suceſſion, nor Change, as Levitical Prieſts did. Hence we may conclude: That the Popiſh Prieſthood of Rome, ſo much contended for, may be eaſily overthrown: For they are not of the Tribe of Judah, and ſo cannot be accounted our Saviours Succeſſors, neither are they confirmed by an Oath for perpetuity, likewiſe they are Mortal and dye, and they are Unholy and Polluted, and therefore have no reſemblance or ſimilitude unto the Prieſthood of Chriſt.

p. 47SECT. II. Of the Parts of Chriſt's Prieſtly Office, and firſt of his Satisfaction.

HAving ſet down theſe forementioned diſtinguiſhing Properties, I come now to diſcourſe of the Parts of Chrifts Prieſtly Office, and they are two, viz. His Satisfaction and Interceſſion.

1. For Chriſts Satisfaction, He is ſaid1. Chriſt's Satisfaction. Rom. 3. 25. Matt. 20. 28. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 13. 10, 12.Rom 3:25Matt 20:281 Tim 2:6Heb 13:10Heb 13:12 to be a Propitiation, a Ranſome, and the price of our Redemption. He is not only a Prieſt, but an▪ Altar and a Sacrifice. The Burnt-offering, Treſpaſs-offering, Sinoffering, Scape-Goat, Dead Bird: all theſe mention'd in the Book of Leviticus, related to Chriſt, who alone made ſatiſfaction for the Sins of his People.

Now this ſatisfaction is made up of two kinds of Obedience, viz. Active and Paſſive.

1. For Chriſts Active Obedience. He1. Chriſt's Active Obedience. fulfill'd to a Tittle, all that the Law required. Chriſt was made under the Law, and became obedient to the Law of Circumciſion, he came not to deſtroy, but to fulfil it. The Law required exact and perfect Obedience. It will not abate a Tittle, but curſeth all the Tranſgreſſors p. 48of it. Now Chriſt by his Perfect Obedience, performed whatever the Law required. No meer Man could ever keep the Covenant of Works; Chriſt alone who was God and Man, fulfilled the whole Law. Chriſt pleaſed the Father in everyMatt. 3. 17.Matt 3:17 thing. He is the Beloved Son in whom he is well-pleaſed. This the Apoſtle fully clears, Rom. 8. 3. For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the Fleſh, God ſending his own Son in the likeneſs of ſinful Fleſh, and for Sin, condemned Sin in the Fleſh. And the Reaſon is added, v. 4. That the Righteouſneſs of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the Fleſh, but after the Spirit. The meaning is not, that the Law was weak in it ſelf, but through our default: The Law pointed at our diſeaſe, but could not heal it. But Chriſt took Fleſh upon him, and he by Offering himſelf a Sacrifice expiated for Sin, and by his Death, was the Death of Sin: And thus the Law is fulfill'd, which requires perfect Righteouſneſs and perfect Obedience; And only they have intereſt in this great Priviledge, who are not Carnal but Spiritual, whoſe Walks are not after the Law of their own Luſts, but after the Law of the Spirit of Life. Here's a diſcriminating Note,—Who walk not after the Fleſh but after the Spirit. A Learned p. 49**Jus juſtitiae, Juſtificatio legis, in eo conſiſtit, … per omnimodam cum lege conformitatem juſti at que inculpati habeamur coram Deo: Id obtineri non potuit, dum per legem peccat…m viveret ac regnaret, ſed damnatoin carne Chriſti peccato, atque ipſa lege damnationem hanc approbante per plenariam Chriſti capitis noſtri cum lege conformitatem, Juſti atque inculpati in eodem capite fatente lege habemur: nec hoc tant…m, ſed ut membra capiti ſint conformia, …uat ex eo in nos ſpiritus Regenerationis, qui in nobis quoque ipſis juſtificationem Legis perficiat. Is nos ita regenerat, ut mente noſtrâ, Lege Dei delectemur; Qu…dque in carne reliquum eſt peccati, ita paulatim abolet, ut tandem ſine maculâ …ut labe ab ipſâ lege ſimus agnoſcendi. L. de Dieu in Rom. 8. 4.Rom 8:4Expoſitor writes appoſitely to this Senſe, the Righteouſneſs and Juſtification of the Law conſiſts in this, that by a through Conformity with the Law, we may be accounted Righteous and Ʋnblameable before God. That cannot be obtained whileſt Sin Liveth and Reigns: but Sin being Condemned in the Fleſh of Chriſt, and the Law it ſelf approving of this Condemnation, by the full Conformity of Chriſt our Head with the Law; we are accounted Righteous and Ʋnblameable in our Head, even by the Teſtimony of the Law; nor in this only, but that the Members may be conformable unto the Head, from him flows the Spirit of Regeneration, which in us perfects the juſtification of the Law. The ſame ſo regenerates us, that we take delight in the Law of God: And the Reliques of Sin in the Fleſh, he doth by Degrees aboliſh, that ſo at length we may be acknowledged by the Law it ſelf, without Blot or Spot. Thus far that Judicious Author: And thus it evidently appears, that Chriſt hath made ſatisfaction to Divine Juſtice, by his Active Obedience in fulfilling the Covenant of p. 50Works, and yielding perfect Obedience to the whole Law.

2. Let's conſider Chriſts Paſſive Obedience2. Chriſts Paſſive Obedience. in ſuffering the Wrath of God due to Man, upon the Croſs. Many are the degrees of Chriſts Humiliation, as by taking Fleſh upon him, as it were Uniting a clod of Earth unto his Divine Nature, and by ſuffering Contempt, Ignominy, and Reproach in the World, by taking upon him Humane Infirmities, of Wearineſs, Thirſt, Hunger, &c. But the higheſt degree of Chriſt's Humiliation, (whereunto we purpoſe to ſpeak) was the Death of the Croſs, which was the Signal Obedience of Chriſt, as the Apoſtle expreſſeth it, Phil. 2. 8. He humbled himſelf and became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Croſs. There's a Gradation in the Words: Chriſt humbled himſelf, that was much, and became obedient unto Death, that was more, but to become obedient, even to the Death of the Croſs, that was moſt of all, even beyond all degrees of Compariſon: For Chriſt to yield up himſelf to Crucifixion, was a kind of Humiliation more than Superlative.

For a more full Diſcourſe of the Paſſive Obedience of Chriſt, let us conſider,

1. The Fore-runners of his Paſſion.

2. The Paſſion it ſelf.

p. 513. The Conſequents thereof.

From theſe Particulars the Preheminence and Exaltation of Chriſt, will moſt evidently be Demonſtrated.

SECT. III. Of the Fore-runners of Chriſts Paſſion.

1. FOr the Fore-runners of Chriſts1. The Fore-runners of Chriſts Paſſion. 1. Chriſt was Betrayed. Paſſion.

1. Chriſt was Betrayed by Judas with an Hypocritical Kiſs, Matt. 26. 49. Judas one of the Twelve Diſciples, was one that did eat at Chriſt's Table, and ſaw his Miracles, and was Commiſſionated by Chriſt to Preach the Goſpel; even Judas a Diſciple, Betrayed his Lord and Maſter.

2. Chriſt the Lord of Life was Arraigned2. He was Arraigned. before Pontius Pilate an Heathen Judge.

3. Falſe Witneſſes were Suborned to3. Falſe Witneſſes Depoſed. Accuſe him. Their Accuſations are no leſs than Blaſphemy and Treaſon; by the one to Condemn him in the Civil Court, by the other in the Eccleſiaſtical Court. The Blaſphemy that they charge him with was, in that he ſaid, that he was Chriſt the Son of the Bleſſed, Mark, 14. 61. Jo. 19. 7. The Treaſon they Accuſed him of, p. 52was, that he made himſelf a King, Joh. 19. 12.

4. His Diſciples Deſerted him. Peter 4. His Diſciples deſerted him.himſelf followed aſar off, and as ſoon as he was Aſſaulted he was Conquered, by denying his Lord and Maſter, and adding Perjury to his denial.

5. Conſider his great Sorrow, and5. Conſider his Sorrow, earneſtneſs in Prayer, and Sweating of Blood. earneſtneſs in Prayer, and Sweating of Blood, Matt. 26. 38, 39. Then ſaith he unto them, My Soul is exceeding ſorrowful even unto Death, tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther and fell on his Face, and prayed, ſaying, Father if it be poſſible, let this Cup paſs from me. Nevertheleſs not as I will, but as thou wilt; As if he ſhould ſay, Father, thou couldſt, (if it pleaſed thee) grant an abſolute pardon, without any ſatisfaction, but this way of ſatisfaction will only pleaſe thee: Thou wilt have my Blood ſhed, and without ſhedding of Blood there is no Remiſſion: I am here ready willingly to lay down my Life, I have took a body for that purpoſe, that I may perform Obedience to thy Will. The Apoſtle Heb. 10. v. 5, 6, 7. quotes the 40th Pſal. v. 6, 7, 8. When he cometh into the World he ſaith, Sacrifice and Offerings thou wouldſt not, but a body haſt thou prepared me: In Burnt-Offerings, and Sacrifice for Sin thou hadſt no pleaſure, then p. 53ſaid I, Loe, I come (in the volume of thy Book, it is written of me) to do thy Will, O God. The rendring of theſe Words compar'd with the Pſalmiſt, differ eſpecially in one Expreſſion, viz. Mine Ear haſt thou opened, or digged. It's the Obſervation of a Learned **Ainſworth in Pſal 40. 6. Eſt obſervandum, quod plurali numero utens auresdicit, non aurem. Nam ſervo una tantum auris perforatur ſubula, ſibi dicit utram que perforari, quià intelligit ſe obſt…ingi non tantùm ad externum obſequium, ut ſervi in hoc populo, ſed ad interiorem cultum; et quidem praeſtare illi obſequia non poſſumus, niſi divinitus nobis aures perforentur. Mollerus in loc.Ps 40:6Expoſitor, That mine Ears haſt thou digged open or pierced (i. e.) Thou haſt made me obedient to thy Voice, ſo the Chaldee explains it, thou haſt digged open mine Ears to hearken unto thy Commandments, or mine Ears haſt thou bored as thy Servant for ever, according to the Law, Exod. 21. 6. The Greek Interpreters to make the Sence plainer, ſay, But a body haſt thou fitted to me: Meaning that his body was ordained, and fitted to be a Sacrifice for the Sins of the World, when the other Legal Sacrifice was refuſed, as unprofitable.

His earneſtneſs in Prayer is ſet down by the Evangeliſt, Luke 22. 44. And being in an Agony he Prayed more earneſtly. **foreign. augeſcente dolore intendebat vim precationis, geſtu quoque id ipſum exprimens, nam ante genu flexerat, nunc toto Corpore in terram procumbit. Grot. Inſtabat; incubuit; magno ſtudio urſit. Hinc innuitur Commotio, Perſeverantia, Velocitas, Studium, Diligentia. L. de Dieu.The Word in the Original is Emphatical, Chriſt was in an Agony, which was p. 54the difficulteſt of all Combats; Martyrs ſtrove with the Terrors of Death, but Chriſt ſtrove with the Wrath of God, becauſe he bare the Burthen of our Sins. O! How ſtrong muſt that Back be, that muſt bear the Burthen of all his Peoples Sins! Even all thoſe whom he Juſtified by his Blood, and Sanctifyed by his Spirit.

Next followeth his Bloody Sweat, Luk. 22. 44. His ††foreign, Magnus angor, Guttae. Janſen. Non dicit ſempliciter guttas ſanguinis ſu…ſſe, ſed quaſi grumos concreti terrore ſanguinis, & proptered addidit particulam foreign ad leniendum id quod dixerat. Steph. Theſ.Sweat was as it were great drops of Blood, falling down to the ground. Conſider the Seaſon of the Year, they who were within doors were glad to keep cloſe to the Fire, and they that were without Doors made haſt to get within. To ſee one in an extream cold day, ſweat, was much, but to ſee one ſweat Blood, not little drops, but clodded, congealed Blood, which brake through his Garments, and trickled down to the very ground: This is matter of Wonder and Aſtoniſhment.

6. Conſider the Releaſing of Barabbas, 6. Conſider the releaſing of Barabbas.a Notorious Thief and Murtherer, and Condemning of Jeſus, an Innocent Perſon, to gratifie the People in Releaſing a Priſoner, (according to Cuſtome, whom they deſired) Pilate acquitted a moſt infamous Perſon, and delivered Chriſt the p. 55moſt Juſt and Holy one to their Will, to be Scourged and Crucified.

I have heard (and ſince read it Printed) a Paſſion Sermon **Mr. William Carthwright Student of Chriſt-Church Oxon. p. 10, 11.of an Eloquent Orator, thus expreſſing himſelf.—What Barabbas? One that Cured your Blind, or Healed your Halt and Lame? No, one whoſe Violence maimed them, and by the Frequency of his Injuries, occaſionally increaſed the Number, perhaps of thoſe Miracles, which Jeſus wrought. Did Barabbas purge the Temple of Thieves? Or make it their Den? Did he caſt out Devils? Or do Acts by the Inſtigation of the Prince of them, &c.

Before Chriſt's greateſt Paſſion on the Croſs, he was in Scorn, hurried from place to place, from Perſon to Perſon, from Annas to Caiaphas, from Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, and thence remanded with Contempt and Ignominy. To make uſe of the Rhetorick of the fore-cited Learned **Id. p. 26.Author. Cruelty walking the Circle, and Impiety (if ever) now treading the Ring: His Apprehending joyn'd to his Agony, and his Accuſation to his Apprehen'ding, and his Condemnation to that: Then his Condemnation received by Irriſion, Irriſion by Stripes, Stripes by Crowning with Thorns. So far he: Add hereunto, Scourging, putting on a Purple Robe, and Reed in his p. 56hand, an Emblem (as they ſuppoſed) of his Brittle and Feeble Government. All the Men and Devils combin'd to put forth their Malice and Miſchief to the height. They prepared Spittle for his Face: Blind ſolding for his Eyes: Nails for his Hands and Feet, a Whip for his Back: Thorns for his Head, and a Croſs for his Shoulders. They laid an Heavy Croſs upon him to cruſh the Thorns into his Harrowed Head, and cruſh out the bruiſed blood into his Furrowed Back. So that Prophecy, which **His verbis ad vivum exprimit dorſo Eccleſ…e ſemper infixam fuiſſe Crucem, quià longè & latè ipſam proſcinderet Calv. Terra niſi aretur & ſubigatur, nihil profert niſi ſentes & ſpinas. Sic cor humanum extra Crucem, eſt ſecurum & indulget vitiis. Mollerus.Calvin applyeth to the Church, may be applyed to Chriſt, which the Pſalmiſt mentions, Pſal. 129. 3. The Plowers Plowed upon my Back: They made long their Furrows.

But alas! What with Scourging, Buffeting, and Crowning with Thorns cruſht into his Head, (O dreadful exquiſite Pain!) and what with Watching and Faſting, Chriſt was not able to carry his Croſs. Though he bare it a while, yet afterwards they compelled Simon a Man of Cyrene a Stranger, to bear his Croſs. The Jews out of a Superſtitious Devotion, durſt neither touch the Croſs, nor adventure to come into the Judgment Hall, no nor afterwards p. 57to put Judas his 30 pieces which he reſtored back, into the Treaſury: Becauſe they would not defile themſelves, therefore they would not go into the Judgment-Hall; and becauſe they would not keep in their Treaſury the price of Blood, they converted it to another uſe: viz. To buy a Field to bury Strangers in: Which was call'd Aceldama.

How deſperate was their **Qualis haec innocentiae Simulatio, pecuniam ſanguinis non mittere in Arcam, & ipſum ſanguinem mittere in Conſcientiam? Aug.Hypocriſy, conſidering they made not the leaſt Scruple at all, to embrue their hands in the Innocent Blood of Chriſt?

SECT. IV. Of Chriſts Paſſion.

NOw in the ſecond place we come to the Paſſion it ſelf, and this was the Death of the Croſs, a Puniſhment never uſed among the Jews. For we read only of four kinds of Death, which were in uſe amongſt them, viz. Strangling, Stoning, Fire and Sword. None of theſe the Jews thought bad enough to inflict on Chriſt: Therefore they have recourſe unto the p. 58Gentiles their Enemies, to whom they were now under vaſſallage, and they borrow from them, that horrid cruel Death of Crucifixion. Pilate bad them judge him according to their Law. The Jews therefore ſaid unto him, It is not lawful Joh. 18. 31, 32.John 18:31John 18:32for us, to put any Man to Death, That the Saying of Jeſus, might be fulfilled, which he ſpake ſignifying what Death he ſhould die. This Death was accounted afterwards ſo ignominious and cruel, that Chriſtian Emperours cauſed it altogether to be laid aſide. **Facinus eſt vincire civem Romanum, Scelus verberare, propè Parricidium necare: Quid dicam? In Crucem tollere? Cice.And Heathens likewiſe did utterly abhor the greatneſs of the Cruelty as beyond Expreſſion and Apprehenſion.

To aggravate the height of the Jews Malice, and the greatneſs of their Cruelty, We are to conſider in this Death of Crucifixion, three things, viz. Shame, Pain, and a Curſe.

1. For Shame: If one Death was more1. The Shame of the Croſs. ſhameful than another, that was deviſed for Chriſt to ſuffer: He was Crucified Naked: Even as Naked as he came into the World. I heard above 25 Years ſince a moſt Reverend and moſt Learned **Dr. Uſher A. B. of Armagh.Prelate thus expreſs himſelf: Chriſt (ſaith he) was Crucified Naked: Believe not your Painters, p. 59they teach nothing that is good. Thus was Chriſt expoſed to the publick view of all Beholders. And what ſhame he endured was long before Propheſyed of, Iſai. 50. 6. I gave my Back to the Smiters, and my Cheeks to them that pluckt off my Hair. I hid not my Face from Shame and Spitting. They would not let Chriſt Suffer within theirHeb. 13. 12.Heb 13:12 Walls, but he Suffered without the Gate. But notwithſtanding Contradictions, Mockings, Revilings and a Shameful Death, Yet he deſpiſed the Shame, and is Heb. 12. 2.Heb 12:2ſet down at the Right Hand of God.

2. Conſider the Pain of Crucifixion.2. The Pain of the Croſs. Such as have ſeen any ſtretcht out upon a Rack, may in ſome Meaſure, (though not ſufficiently) conceive the great exquiſite Pain of Extenſion to the utmoſt on a Croſs Beam. The 27th of Matthew, is a Commentary upon Pſal. 22. Wherein read v. 14, 15, 16, 17. I am poured out like Water, and all my Bones are out of joynt. My Heart is like Wax, it is melted in the midſt of my Bowels. My Strength is dryed up like a Potſheard, and my Tongue cleaves to my Jaws, and thou haſt brought me into the Duſt of Death. For Dogs have compaſſed me, the Aſſembly of the Wicked have encloſed me, they pierced my Hands and my Feet, I may tell all my Bones, they look and ſtare upon me; The 70 read (pierced) foreign they have p. 60digged. The Hands and Feet were faſtned and nailed to the Wood. The nails (which were great Spikes) were driven into the Palms of the hand, and both his feet, where the Pain was ſharpeſt and the Senſe acuteſt.

Thus our Saviour hung by his bare BodyMatth. 27. 46. Mark 15. 25.Matt 27:46Mark 15:25 upon the Croſs, as upon a Rack, ſix Hours by the Clock, all the while in extremity of Torment. It was not with Chriſt as with others, whoſe Senſe the greatneſs of the Torment blunteth, according to that uſual Maxim, Excellens ſenſibile corrumpit Senſum: But from the firſt to the laſt, Chriſt was in perfect Senſe: Notwithſtanding the height of Rage and Fury, which the Jews put forth to the utmoſt, no Man could take away his Life till he voluntarily Reſigned it. And therefore Joh. 19. 30. Chriſt ſaid foreign, It is finiſhed, And he bowed his Head, and gave up the Ghoſt. And Matth. 27. 50. Jeſus when he had cryed again **Hoc ipſum mirum, parum que ex communi hominum more, ſtatim à magno Clamore emori. Eraſm. Palam oſtendit, ſe mori non violentèr, quaſi nequiret ſe ipſe diutiùs in vitâ ſervare, ſed propriâ voluntate. Nam qui moribundus valuit Clamorem edere ingentem, valuit & à morte ſe ſervare. Impoſſibils eſt enim à Clamore valido ſtatim quis moriatur, ſi quidem morte lentâ interfici… tur; Nam qui ſubito conficiatur gladio, nihil mirum clamare ſimul & mori. Lucas Brſiugen.with a loud voice, yielded up the Ghoſt. This is called Strong crying, Heb. 5. 7. Others that were p. 61Crucified, could not utter a Word, or ſcarce expreſs a groan, being ſo grievouſly tormented: But Chriſt was as ſtrong at laſt, as at firſt, and never cryed he ſtronger and louder, than when he gave up the Ghoſt.

Add hereunto the Suffering of Chriſt in every Senſe. His Eyes which before were Blind-folded, are now Opened, to ſee their inſolent ſcornful Geſtures of wagging their Heads, and deriding of him. His Ears heard their Blaſphemies, Inſultations, Revilings and Contumelious Speeches. His Taſt was afflicted with Gall and Vinegar. His Smelling was afflicted from the place Golgotha, a noiſome loathſome naſty Dung-hill. His Feeling grievouſly ſuffers, by the Nails extenſion, and the acuteneſs and Sharpneſs of the Senſe.—Theſe are ſad Stories, but for our ſingular Conſolation. Chriſt Suffered, and we reap the benefit of his Sufferings. By Chriſt's Stripes, Wounds, and Sufferings we are Healed: By his Croſs we are Reconciled to the Father. In his Sorrows are our Comforts: In his Sufferings conſiſts our Salvation, and in his Croſs our Triumph.

3. Conſider the Curſe denounced againſt3. The Curſe of the Croſs. this kind of Death. Of all others, and above all other kinds of Death, a Legal p. 62Curſe was put upon this, as may appear by comparing Deut. 21. 23. with 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 upon a Tree. So that Envy and Malice raiſed to the height, ſet the Jews a-work to cry Crucify him, Crucify him. O Curſed Death! but the Curſe they intended, produced the greateſt Bleſſing that ever was, (I mean the vertue of Chriſt's Croſs) to all true Believers; for hereby a perfectCol. 1. 20.Col 1:20 Reconciliation was wrought. Eph. 2. 15. Having aboliſhed in his Fleſh the Enmity, even the Law of Commandments, contained in Ordinances, for to make in himſelf, of twain, one new Man, ſo making peace, and that he might Reconcile both unto God in one Body by the Croſs, having ſlain the Enmity thereby. By the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances, are Ceremonial Inſtitutions to be underſtood under the Levitical Paedagogy. Chriſt being made a Sacrifice, aboliſhed all thoſe Sacrifices of Beaſts: And this Chriſt accompliſhed on the Croſs, working a perfect Reconciliation between God and Man. And though the Execution of the great work was performed on the Croſs, yet about this Reconciliation, there were Tranſactions between God the Father, and God the Son p. 63from all Eternity (as the Apoſtle declares) 2 Cor. 5. 18, 19. And hath given unto us, the Miniſtry of Reconciliation, (i. e.) the Goſpel. And what is the Subſtance of this Evangelical Miniſtry? It is ſet down, v. 19. to wit, That God was in Chriſt, reconciling the World unto himſelf.

This is that which adminiſters cauſe of Glory and rejoycing to the Apoſtle, Gal. 6. 14. God forbid, that I ſhould glory ſave in the Croſs of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

SECT. V. Of the Conſequents of Chriſts Paſſion.

HAving treated of the Paſſion it ſelf; let's conſider ſome Remarkable Particulars concerning the Conſequents of his Paſſion: And theſe evidently declare the dignity and honour of Chriſt. This ſhall be repreſented in theſe enſuing Particulars.

1. There was darkneſs over the whole1. There was an Univerſal Darkneſs over the whole Earth. Face of the Earth, Matth. 27. 45. Partial Eclipſes are frequent, but ſuch an Univerſal Eclipſe (as that was) was never known before nor ſince Chriſts Paſſion. The Sun to ſhew a diſlike of ſuch an horrid Act, withdrew its light. A natural Eclipſe it could not p. 64be, **Annotat. of Engliſh Divines, on Matth. 27. 45.Matt 27:45ſome think, it being ſo Total, ſo general, and the Moon being now in the full, and ſo of neceſſity the Body of the Moon, (which uſeth to Eclipſe the Sun, by its interpoſition and being between us and the Sun) muſt be oppoſite unto, and diſtant from the Sun, the Diametrical breadth of the Hemiſphere, the full Moon riſing at the Sun-ſetting. Many were aſtoniſhed at this Univerſal Eclipſe. Allophanes is reported to have been at this time in Heliopolis, who when he ſawforeign. this Eclipſe, ſaid, They were changes of the Divine Works. Dionyſius the Areopagite, is reported to ſay, Either the Deity ſuffereth or hath Sympathy with that which ſuffereth.

2. The Veil of the Temple was rent,2. The Veil of the Temple was rent. Matth. 27. 51.Matt 27:51 and this was to ſhew,

1. That Chriſt opened the way to the Holieſt, Heb. 10. 20.

2. To ſhew that the Ceremonial Law was aboliſhed by the Death of Chriſt. Heb. 9. 8, 9.

3. To ſhew that the Partition Wall was broken down, and Gentiles were Partakers of the benefit of Chriſts Blood, Eph. 2. 14.

4. To ſhew that the Veil of our Sins was Cancelled, Col. 2. 13, 14.

5. To ſhew that the Veil of Ignorance was taken away in the Law, 2 Cor. 3. 13.

p. 65A third Conſequent of Chriſts Paſſion3. An Earthquake. was an Earthquake. It was an Univerſal Earthquake.

We read of the trembling of the Earth. Pſal. 114. 7. It's a Sign of Gods Wrath for Sin, Pſal. 18. 7. Then the Earth ſhook and trembled, the Foundation alſo of the Hills moved, and were ſhaken, becauſe he was wroth. The Earth ſhaked and trembled to bear ſuch Vile Wretches, who embrued their hands in the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt. The Earthquake ſignified Gods incenſedVeriſſimu… eſt apud Prophet as, terrae-motus alibi rerum Mutationem, alibi De… Majeſtatem ſignificare, ſed bic …pertior eſt ea ſignificatio, quae pariter à Judaeis, & Gentibus al…s … intelligi, irae ſcilicet Divinae ob hominum ſcelera. Grot. in Matth. 27. 51.Matt 27:51 anger and great wrath againſt the Jews, and the diſpleaſure of the Divine Majeſty of Chriſt, for an Earthquake ſets forth the great Power of God, Pſal. 114. 7. Tremble thou Earth at the preſence of the Lord, at the preſence of the God of Jacob.

4. The Rocks rent: though the Hearts4. The Rocks rent. of the Jews were not rent, yet the Rocks did rend, and in ſuch a manner, as Hiſtorians have reported, as never was the like ſeen: Such a way were the Rocks rent, as no Wit of Man could invent the like way of rending them.

5. The Graves were opened, and many5. The Graves were opened. Bodies of Saints, which ſlept, aroſe, Matth. p. 6627. 53. But though here's mention madeQui è Sepulchris furgebant, reſurgebant moriente Domino, ac mortis ejus vi. Heinfius. of the Saints Reſurrection before Chriſts Reſurrection, yet it's evident, that Chriſt roſe before them. v. 53. it's ſaid, They came out of their Graves, after Chriſts Reſurrection. For by Chriſts Reſurrection they were raiſed. Chriſt (as the Apoſtle ſaith) is riſen from the Dead, and become the firſt-fruits of them that ſlept, 1 Cor. 15. 20. He is the beginning of the firſt-born from the dead, Col. 1. 19.

6. The Centurion having obſerved6. The Centurion gives a Teſtimony of Chriſt. 7. Chriſt raiſed himſelf by his own Power. what was done, gives this Teſtimony, Truely this was the Son of God. Such Miracles none but a God could do.

7. Chriſt raiſed himſelf by his own Power. Notwithſtanding the ſtrictneſs of the Watch, and Sealing of the Stone of the Sepulchre, Chriſt the Lord of Life would not be above three days in the Grave, but cauſed the Grave to open to the Terror and Amazement of the Keepers.

A notorious Lie (as full of Contradictions as Malice could invent) was invented after Chriſt was riſen, Mat. 28. 13. Say ye, his Diſciples came and ſtole him away by Night, while we ſlept.—How couldQuomodo conſtare poterat fides de co, quod ſe dormien… bus dic…—rent, eveniſſe? Deinde quâ fiduciâ auſi hoc fuiſſent homines & inermes, & Piſcatores? Si Impoſtorem Chriſtum ipſi jam intra mentem animis ſentiebant, ſive pro ipſo ſubirent periculum? Si à Deo miſſumcr… dere…t, … religio illos impellebat ad furtum & m…nd…cium? Grot. foreign. i. e. Partûs dolorem, cum mors nihil aliud videretur quàm ipſorum Cruciatuum ac dolorum quaſi victoria, ac plenum imperium. Chriſtus merito dicitur, tum demum dolores iſtos lethales ac mortiferos ſuperaſſe, cum mortuus moriem vicit, ut in aeternum cum ſuis Deo vivat. Beza. they tell, if they were aſleep, that Chriſt was took away? What ridiculous, abſurd Evaſions doth a Malicious Heart invent! p. 67But maugre all the Watch and Ward of Souldiers, Chriſt Triumpht over the Grave, as a Glorious Conquerour. The Apoſtle fully expreſſeth the Power of Chriſts Reſurrection, Acts 2. 24. Whom God hath raiſed up, having looſed the pain of Death, becauſe it was not poſſible that he ſhould be holden of it. Some underſtand theſe words as a Metaphor drawn from Child-bearing. Notwithſtanding Pains and Sorrows there's a bringing forth: And though Chriſt ſuffered himſelf for a time to be under the Power of the Grave, yet he being the Lord of Life, over came Death and the Grave.

And 8thly and laſtly, after this Glorious!8. Chriſt Aſcended into Heaven. Reſurrection followeth a Glorious Aſcenſion. He that was Crucified roſe again, and Aſcended into Heaven, and there accompanied him the Saints that roſe with him, (as it is moſt probable) we never read of their returning into their Graves again. Now after Chriſts Aſcenſion the Holy-Ghoſt was ſent: Gifts were given in a plentiful Meaſure, Eph. 4. 8. Wherefore he p. 68ſaith, when he aſcended up on high, he led Captivity, Captive: And gave gifts unto Men. Both Church Officers and ſuitable Qualifications for their Offices are the Fruit and Benefits of Chriſts Aſcenſion, Eph. 4. 11, 12. 1 Cor. 12. 28.

Put all theſe Conſequents and Wonderful E…ects of Chriſts Paſſion, viz. Univerſal Darkneſs, the Renting of the Veil of the Temple, a General Earthquake, the Renting of Rocks, the Riſing of Saints out of their Graves, the Centurions Confeſſion, and acknowledgment, that Chriſt was the Son of God, and Chriſts Reſurrection and Aſcenſion, all theſe particularly and eminently declare the infinite Dignity and Preheminence of Jeſus Chriſt.

And thus having proved the firſt part of Chriſts Prieſtly Office, by making ſatisfaction to the Father, I come now to the ſecond part of his Prieſtly Office, by2. Chriſt's Interceſſion. making Interceſſion. Though the Pains he indured were only for a little time, yet the vertue of his Pains abides unto Eternity. His Sufferings are of infinite Efficacy, Dignity and Value: Chriſt on Earth in the days of his Humiliation, was full of Bowels of Compaſſion: He fed a fainting Multitude, healed the Diſeaſed, wept a… a Funeral, wept over Jeruſalem, and on p. 69Earth he pleaded for his People, and interceded to his Father for his own which were given him out of the World. And now Chriſt is in Heaven, he is full of Bowels, Heb. 4. 15. For we have not an High-Prieſt, which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities: But was in all points, tempted like as we are; yet without Sin. But when we ſpeak of Infirmities incident to Chriſt, we muſt underſtand ſuch infirmities, as appertain to Mankind in general, as Thirſt, Hunger, Wearineſs, and ſuch like, and not ſuch as are incident unto ſome Individual as Lameneſs, Blindneſs, Deafneſs, (as intimated before, and ſhall now be more briefly) much leſs may we underſtand any Infirmity, that hath the leaſt tincture of Sin and Pollution. And to declare the Bowels of Chriſt opened. He executes his Mediators Office now in Heaven, by making Interceſſion for his Children. And this is an evident Demonſtration, that Chriſt is an abſolute and perfect Saviour, becauſe he intercedes for all his Children unto Eternity. As the Apoſtle fully declares, Heb. 7. 25. Wherefore he is able alſo to ſave them to the utmoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make Interceſſion for them. To ſave to the utmoſt, isforeign (i. e.) abſolutiſſi-mè, it a ut nihil ad eam ſalutem poſſit amplius deſ… derari. Beza. foreign, non dicit ut offerat; nam hoc ſemel fecit: ſed ſupereſt altera ſacerdotii pars, nempe interpellatio, qua partim p… renni Sacrificii ſui vigore nobis pacem obtinet, partim nos non niſi in uno-ipſo … mus, & exaudimur à Patre, tantiſper dum Deus ſit omnia in omnibus. Beza. every way a perfect Salvation. Nothing p. 70can be added thereunto. And this is evidenced by Chriſts Interceſſion. And this is an Eternal Interceſſion, as long as Chriſt liveth, and that is for ever. It's a memorable Obſervation of Beza.—He doth not ſay that he may offer, for this he did once; but there remains the other part of Chriſts Prieſthood, viz. His Interceſſion, whereby partly by the Eternal vertue of his Sacrifice, he obtains peace for us; partly we in him pleaſe the Father, and are heard of him, ſo long as God is all in all. Our work is to make inquiry, what this Interceſſion is, and what benefit we receive thereby.

1. Let's conſider what this Interceſſion is, and that will fall under the Anſwer to a double Queſtion. viz. Quid Nominis and Quid Rei.

1. Quid Nominis. The Name is foreign 1. The Name foreign.and ſignifies properly to meet one and intercede in a way of Supplication.

2. For the thing or nature of Interceſſion,2. The Nature of Interceſſion. it is by Chriſts applying his Merits, and preſenting the Service of his Children to his Father, as an Advocate and Mediatour interpoſing for them, and pleading their Cauſe. This is an foreign, Conde…cending to our Capacities, and not to p. 71be **Non cogitandum eſt ſupplex flexis genibus, manibus expanſis, Patrem deprecari. Sed quia apparet ipſe aſſidue cum morete & Reſurrectione ſuâ, quae vice ſunt aeternae interceſſionis & vivae orationis efficaciam habent, ut Patrem nobis conc… lient at que exorabilem reddant, merito dicitred intercere. Calv. in Loc.underſtood Litterally, as if Chriſt on bended Knees and with ſtretched out Hands did intercede, but only he preſented his Prayers, Death and Reſurrection, as effectual means to obtain Reconciliation with the Father. And in this great work of Interceſſion, Chriſt continually imploys himſelf in Heaven, in the moſt prevailing Rhetorick; pleading the Cauſe of all True Believers. Therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 8. 33. Who ſhall lay any thing to the Charge of Gods Elect? It is God that juſtifieth. The **foreign, Propriê ſignificat in jus vocare, ſed …ſitatè capitur, pro …minari, per Metonymiam effecti deſtinati. Piſcat.Metaphor is borrowed from uſual forms of Indictments in Courts, where according to Law a Charge is drawn againſt the accuſed party, but now who ſhall bring any of Chriſts Members into Queſtion? Let Satan and his Inſtruments do their worſt, and lay their Accuſations as high as Malice can poſſibly Invent, yet here's Chriſt juſtifying who makes void all Accuſations whatſoever.

p. 72For a farther Inquiry **Primo erat Chriſtus oratione interpretativâ ſc. exhibendo ſe & cicatrices ſuas quas in paſſione acceptas adhuc ſervat, & patri oſtentat, ac conſequenter orat ſua merita, ſuos labores, ſuas paſſi… nes allegando divino conſpectui. Secundo propriè Chriſtus quà homo in cael… orat pro nobis, proinde ac in terris oravit. Eſt enim aequè ut hic Advocatus, Mediator, & Pontifex noſter, cujus proprium eſt orare pro populo. Corn. à Lap.wherein this1. Wherein this Interceſſion conſiſteth. Interceſſion conſiſts, we are to know,

1. This Interceſſion is made unto your Father. Chriſt preſenting his merits, doth as it were ſhew his Wounds, the Print of the Nails in his Side, Hands, and Feet.

2. In putting up Prayers in his own Name, and making continual Supplication unto the Father, as a Mediator, and as an Advocate, as an High-Prieſt interceeding for us at the Throne of Grace. Chriſt is the great Maſter of Requeſts, who prefers the Petitions of his People unto his Father. The High-Prieſt when he was to make an attonement for the People, entred into the Holy of Holies, with Blood and Incenſe: So Chriſt our High-Prieſt in Heaven, preſent… his Blood and the ſweet Incenſe of his Prayers, Rev. 8. 2. And I ſaw the ſeven Angels which ſtood before God, and to them were given ſeven Trumpets. And another came and ſtood at the Altar, having a Golden Cenſer, and much Incenſe was given to him, that he ſhould offer, &c. Heb. 9. 12, 23, 24. Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves, but by his own Blood he p. 73entred in once into the Holy place, having obtained Eternal Redemption for us. v. 23, 24. It was therefore neceſſary that the patterns of things in the Heavens ſhould be purified with theſe, but the heavenly things themſelves with better Sacrifice than theſe. For Chriſt is not entred into the Holy places made with Hands, which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us.

Q Let us inquire into the fruit and benefit2. Benefits of this. Interceſſion. 1. We are acquitted from all our Adverſaries. of this Interceſſion.

1. We are acquitted from all Adverſaries, even from Sin, Satan, and the Law; having intereſt in the Interceſſion of Chriſt, we are freed from all Accuſations and Condemnations of the greateſt Adverſaries, **Qualis eſt iſta incerceſſio, non oral… ſed real…, ex merâ ſuipſius in cruce oblati repraeſentatione. Hinc eſt quod dicitur comparere cor… Deo pro nobis. D. Tuiſ. Vindic. l. 1. part 2. Sect. 23.Rom. 8. 34. Who is he that Condemneth, it is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh Interceſſion for us. Here are four things to acquit all Believers from Condemnation, viz. Chriſts Death, Reſurrection, Aſcenſion and Interceſſion. Chriſt died to give Life unto his People: He roſe again and became the firſt Fruit of them that ſlept: Chriſt Aſcended on high, and gave gifts to Men, and he interceeds at the Throne of Grace, preſenting his Bloody Sufferings and the vertue of them unto the Father p. 74for a full and compleat ſatisfaction.

2. Chriſt by his Interceſſion teacheth2. Chriſt by his Interceſſion teacheth us to Pray. us to pray, and to make our Interceſſions and Supplications unto the Throne of Grace. We of our ſelves cannot put up one Meritorious Petition, though we might gain the whole World for ſo doing. For we pray coldly, rawly and indigeſtedly, with much deadneſs, diſorder, and diſtraction of Spirit; but theſe Prayers come not ſo to God the Father as they are preſented by us, for Chriſt mends them in the carriage, and preſents them in his own Name unto the Father, and for hisRom. 8. 26. Quaſi dicat, cum mole tentationis oppreſſi neſcimus orare: ipſe ſpir… tus qui in nobis habitat exerit ſe & orationem in animo excitat. Bucer in Loc. 3. Through Chriſts Interceſſion our duties and works obtain acceptance.Rom 8:26 ſake alone we obtain acceptance with the Father: Chriſt interceeds to the Father for us, and his Spirit helpeth our Infirmities, and maketh interceſſion for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered. The Spirit of Chriſt doth two great works: One is to make interceſſion for us, and the other is to help us to make interceſſion for our ſelves. By the aſſiſtance of the Spirit, we can Pray and Sigh and Groan in ſuch prevailing Rhetorick as will obtain acceptance, but without the aſſiſtance of the Spirit, we cannot Pray nor expreſs our ſelves in any acceptable manner.

3. Through Chriſts interceſſion our Duties and works obtain acceptance. As p. 75for our ſelves and our own righteouſneſs we have great cauſe to confeſs with the Church, Iſaiah 64. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteouſneſſes are as filthy Rags: But through Chriſts Reconciliation and acceptance, our works obtain acceptance. Though there be no worth in the work nor in the workers, yet there is through Chriſt acceptation and imputation, a worthineſs accompted of in the ſight of God; as Joſhua was to have his filthy Garments took from him, **Semper in animum ſibi revocent verbi divini precones, impoſitum ſibi eſſe cidarim mundam cui inſcriptum ſanctitas Jehovae: & proinde ei ſtudeant ipſi, ut & ali… idem faciaut hortentur ſedulo ut ſint typi fidelium. Tarnovius foreign habet, quo ſignificat ſpiritum ſingulari contentione & ſtudio intercedere pro ſanctis. Buceru. in Loc. Unà ſublevat infirmitates noſtras, quaſi dicatur ipſe viciſſim onus attollere, ex altera parte, ne ſub eo fatiſcamus. Ut ſenſus ſit, ſicut ſpiritus S. un… cum Patre & filio, teſtatur ſpiritui noſtro nos eſſe filios Dei, ſimiliter idem ſpiritus cum …ſdem opitulatur infirmitatibus noſtris. L. de Dieu.Zech. 3. 4. So in the beſt of our duties, there is filthineſs, and we ſtand in continual need of the ineſtimable benefit of our Interceſſour, who takes away our Pollutions, and not only acquits us from the Guilt of Sin, but cleanſeth us from the filth of Sin: He doth purge us as well as pardon us, and ſanctifie us by his Spirit, as well as juſtifie us by his Righteouſneſs: Hence it comes to paſs that the ſervices of all ſuch …s have intereſt in Chriſt are accepted at the Throne of Grace; and though in us there are many weakneſſes and Imperfections, yet Sincerity is accepted. And though there are manifold failings in our Duties, yet all are made perfect through the perfect ſatisfaction of Chriſt; for he as a ſurety hath paid our Debt and fully ſatisfied the Father by doing and ſuffering p. 76all that the Law required. Chriſt is the Beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleaſed, Mat. 3. ult.