The Doctrine of the Covenant of Redemption, Chapter 8
CHAP. 8. Who are Covenanted for?
THE Title put upon this Covenant, viz: of Redemption, ſuppoſeth a Subject unto whom this Redemption is to be applied, and conſequently for whom it was undertaken. But it is requiſite that we Fix the due limits here, or elſe we ſhall be at a great loſs in an Eſſential Point relating unto this Covenant, for only the Redeemed, and all of them are to receive the benefits of it; here then let theſe things be conſidered.
1. It ſuppoſeth ſubject that ſtands in need of Redemption. To have undertaken it for any other, had been Supervacaneous. And there could be no other ſuch monument but ſuch a creature as is forfeited, and fallen into miſery, and cannot get out … it again, till it be bought out, and reſcued from it, Rom. 5. 6.
2. There are two ſorts of creatures that are reduced to this exigency, viz: fallen Angels and men. As to the Angels which kept their firſt ſtation, though they needed Confirmation, yet not Redemption: and that this Confirmation of theirs doth derive from this Covenant to them, is no-where in Scripture ſo much as inſinuated. But thoſe once Angels, now Devils are become miſerable by their woful revolt from God, being fallen under a Righteous Condemnation; and therefore they ſo far need Redemption, as that without it they muſt needs be Eternally miſerable, and all mankind are by the Apoſtaſy come under this infelicity: they are a company of dead Creatures, by vertue of that ſin, the Guilt whereof lieth heavy upon them, Rom. 5. 12.
3. The Fallen Angels, or Devils, ſtand no way related unto this Covenant: but only men. God never thought of, or contrived a way for the Jayl-Delivery of Devils, but hath left them hopeleſly under the Sentence which fell upon them when they rebelled againſt him, and therefore their miſery is beyond all hopes of remedy: they are ſaid to be Reſerved in Everlaſting Chains, Jude, 6. But God had more Gracious thoughts for man: and in this reſpect we find, that the Son of God in purſuit of this Covenant, medled not with the Aſſumption of the Angelical nature, but took that only of Humanity, Heb. 2. 16. And the reaſon of this was becauſe he had not covenanted to redeem Ang…l… but only men.
4. That all mankind univerſally were not included in this Covenant, ſo as that the Son of God undertook to pay the Redemption price for them. How far there was ſome benefit to redound from it to mankind, I here diſpute not: But that Chriſt became Surety to pay the Price for all, is not to be believed. As to the notion or diſtinction, of his redeeming all Sufficiently, and only ſome Effectually, it cannot be reconciled to ſenſe, how then ſhall it be believed? It is one thing to pay a Price of ſufficient value to redeem all, and another thing to pay it for their Redemption: and to ſuppoſe that he did it for this end, and yet they ſhould periſh at the laſt, is not only beſides, but againſt Scripture, Joh. 6. 39. This is the Fathers Will that hath ſent me, that of all that he hath given me, I ſhould Loſe nothing; yea, if we conſider the nature of the Covenant, it will evidence it to be inconſiſtent. The end of it hath been ſhewn to be for the Glory of Gods Grace, in the Salvation of his Redeemed: this Covenant was a Medium to that end, and therefore all that were ſo Covenanted for muſt certainly attain it, or elſe the Covenant ſo far loſeth its deſign. This therefore is that which Chriſt Intercedes for in behalf of thoſe whom he hath Redeemed, Joh. 17. 24. theſe are they whom his Father gave him, that he might Redeem them.
5 That Thoſe whom he Covenanted for, were a Definite Company of particular perſons. Not only was the number of them agreed upon in this Tranſaction, but the individuals alſo were Determined. Here obſerve.
1. The Covenant did not run Illimitedly. That he ſhould pay a price for all, and that offers ſhould be made to all, and that as many as would accept of them, might be made to partake in the benefits of it, was not the form in which this Covenant ran: There is indeed ſuch an offer made in the Promulgation of the Covenant of Grace by the Goſpel, to all unto whom it comes on ſuch a condition: but, neither is this to all men, nor yet doth the Covenant of Redemption run ſo. and there is this reaſon for it among others, becauſe it is one Article in this Covenant, that whom Jeſus Chriſt doth Redeem, he ſhall ſave, and in order to it bring them to himſelfe, John. 6. 37. and but for this, none would come to him, vorſe. 44. and then where would be the ſeed that ſhould ſerve him, and be counted to him for a generation?
2. Nor did this Covenant run upon the Previous qualities of m…n before Converſion. It did not ſay that ſuch ſorts of perſons ſhould be redeemed, and others not: but it took in, as God ſaw meet, all ſorts of perſons, Jews and Greeks, Barbarians and Scythians; of every age, ſex and diſpoſition, ſome that proved civil before they were ſavingly changed; others who before they were brought home to Chriſt, were the vileſt and moſt debauched of mankind. This appears to have been ſo, by the event, for which we have plentiful Scripture Teſtimony; and therefore it aſſures us, that it was not upon theſe terms that it ſtood-
3. But it took in ſo many Individual perſons, choſen according to the Sovereign pleaſure of God. Hither the Apoſtle limits it, Eph. 1. 11. The Lambs Book of Life, in which names are written, mentioned, Rev. 21. 27. refers properly to this Covenant: and they are perſons who are written here; they have their names in it. The Son of God knew from eternity whom he was to Redeem, and God knew them. This is the Foundation of which the Apoſtle ſpeaks, which hath ſuch a Seal upon it, 2. Tim. 2. 19. who are his, this Indigitates the very perſons: Our Hygh Priest therefore had their names written upon his breſtplate when he was to offer the Sacrifice for them, and make expiation in their behalf in the Holy Place.