Redemption from the Curse, Table of contents
A TABLE OF THE CONTENTS.
CHAP. I.
THe Introduction, ſhewing the Coherence, ſcope, and ſumme of the Text. Page 1
Chap. II.
The first Concluſion. All men are under the Curſe of the Law, Page 6
Opened in four Propoſitions.
I. All men are under the Law, Page 6
II. All men have broken the Law, Page 7
for, 1. Our first Parents broke it, Page 8
2. We all broke it in them, Page 9
3. We do all break it in our own perſons, Page 16
III. All men are found guilty of ſinne by the light and verdict of the Law, Page 12
IIII. Being thus found guilty, they ſtand accurſed by the doom of the ſame Law, Page 13
The Curſe of the Law wherein it ſtands, Page 15
The Curſe on the body, Page 16
The Curſe on the ſoul, Page 18
The Curſe on the whole man, Page 21
Uſe. 1. Mankinde is not in that Condition wherein it was ſet at firſt, Page 26
2. Our Condition by the fall is wofull, Page 27
Evidenced by ſix ſad effects of the Curſe, Page 28
1. Subjection of the Creature to vanitie, ib.
2. Spiritual bondage to Sathan, ib.
3. Ʋnfruitfulneſs towards God, Page 29
4. Liableneſs to all plagues, Page 30
5. Puniſhing ſinne with ſinne, Page 31
6. Helliſh terrors, fear of death and judgement, Page 31, 32
And by 5 ſtrong Properties of it, Page 32
It's 1. Grievous, and bitter, Page 33
2. Grounded and authoritative, ib.
3. Impartiall and thorough-dealing, Page 34
4. Subtill and ſpiritual, Page 35
5. Standing and abiding, Page 36
3. Admire the Lord's goodneſs in mitigating the Curſe, Page 38
4. No poſſibility of Juſtification by the works of the Law, Page 40
Four ſorts which vainly ſeek Bleſſednes by the Law Page 42
Profeſſed Papiſts, ib.
Ignorant Proteſtants, Page 44
Civil Livers, Page 45
Some religious Profeſſors, Page 46
5. No marvel if Law-preaching be ſo unwelcome and diſpleaſing, Page 48
6. Yet the Law must be preached, Page 50
7. Exhortation to two ſtreams, Page 53
1. All ſhould be convinced of this, and make haſte out of this eſtate, Page 55
2. Parents and others ſhould uſe all fit means for the recovery of children, &c. Page 55
8. A diſſwaſive from the wicked practiſe of curſing our ſelves, or others, Page 56
CHAP. III.
The ſecond Concluſion. Christ was made a Curſe for us, which are under the curſe of the Law, Page 60
Cleared by enquiring, Page 61
1. Wherein his becoming a Curſe for us, ſtands, ib.
And that is in Three things,
1. Taking our Nature upon him, Page 62
2, Imputation of our ſinne unto him, Page 63
3. Ʋndergoing the wrath of God, and the ſad effects thereof, Page 64
Conſidered in
1. The preparation to it by lighter skirmiſhes, Page 66
2. The main brunt it ſelf, Death of body, Page 66
and of ſoul, Page 67
1. In the withdrawing of the ſence of his Fathers love, Page 68
2. In the full ſeizing of the Lords wrath on him, both in the garden, and on the Croſs, Page 69
Some additional Obſervations, eſpecially of the mitigation of his ſoul-ſufferings, Page 72
1. In the place, Page 73
2. In the time of continuance, Page 74
3. In the companion, Deſperation, ib.
2. By whom, or by what power he was thus made, Anſwered, Page 78
1. Negatively, not by any Authority which the Law had over him, nor by any contrivement of the Creature, &c. ib.
2. Poſitively, by a divine power exerted in 3 Acts, Page 80
1. The Fathers fore-appointment, ib.
2. The Sonn's condeſcention, Page 81
3. A compact betwixt them, ariſing from both theſe, Page 82
Uſe 1. Information, in 4 particulars, Page 86
1. The miſchievouſneſs of ſinne, Page 87
2. The greatneſs of miſery by ſinne, Page 88
3. The Impartialneſs of Gods Juſtice against ſinners, Page 89
4. Chriſts unſpeakable love to ſinners, Page 91
2. Exhortation, in 2 branches, Page 93
Learn 1. a point of wiſdome for our ſelves: give free way to Christ, to bear the curſe for us, ib.
2. Our duty to him anſwerably: be willing to be made a curſs for him, Page 96
3. Lamentation: the ſinners put him to bear the curſs ſtill. Page 99
Obj. Are there any that do ſo? Page 100
Anſ. Yes, many, eſpecially 5 ſorts, ib.
1. Hereticks, which acknowledge not Chriſt in his Natures, Offices, &c. ib.
2. Thoſe which contemne, or ſlight the Doctrine, or Miniſtery of the Goſpel. Page 101
3. Thoſe which make an Apoſtacy from the truth, and profeſſion of Chriſt. Page 102
4. Thoſe which accuſtome their tongues to outragious ſwearing, toſſing his name by blaſpemous oaths, Page 103
5. Thoſe who exſpect ſalvation by him, and yet continue in ſin, taking encouragement to be more licentious, or remiſs in their courſe, Page 105
The Concluſion of this Uſe, Page 107
CHAP IV.
THe Third Concluſion: Chriſt, by being made a Curſe for us, hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law, Page 108
Redemption flowes from Chriſt's becoming a curſe, ib.
1. In Gods intention, and purpoſe, ib.
2. In the effect, and event of the thing, Page 109
The Doctrine: 1. Cleared by ſhewing what Redemption is, name and thing, ib.
2. Confirmed by Scripture-grounds, ib.
1. The fitneſs of the perſon to undertake, being true God, and true man, Page 114
2. The efficaciouſneſs of his ſufferings, Page 116
Whereby he hath 1. given abundant ſatisfaction to juſtice, ib.
2. broken the Serpents head, &c. Page 118
An Objection [If by Ranſome, then not by Reſcue] Anſwered by 3 Conſiderations, in reference to 3 perſons, with whom the Redeemer had to deal, Page 120
1. God, the ſoveraign Lawgiver, being wronged by man's ſinne, the chief thing to be done, was to ſatisfie Juſtice, by paying of a Ranſome, ib.
2. Sathan, into whoſe hands man is delivered, to be his Jailour, or executioner, being man's deadly enemy, doth oppoſe his deliverance, and holds him captive ſtill, therefore he muſt be reſcued by conqueſt, Page 122
3. Man's ſlavery is voluntary in reſpect of himſelf, and his heart is averſe from deliverance; therefore the Redeemer muſt put forth an Almighty power, to ſubdue him, and make him willing to accept of liberty Page 125
Another Objection, It might have been done in an eaſier way, anſwered, Page 126
1. This was the good pleaſure of his will, ibid.
2. Most agreeable to his holy nature, 1. Sutable to his ſoveraign ends, and ſetting forth the glory of his 1. Juſtice, 2. Truth, 3. Wiſdome, 4. Goodneſs, Page 127
CHAP. V.
1. USE. Confutation of enemies to this grace, Page 131
1. Papiſts, which adde ſeveral parcels to make up the price of Redemption, Page 132
2. Socinians; which teach, that Chriſt's becoming a curſe for us, was not for ſatisfaction, but onelyonly for an example of imitation, Page 134.
CHAP. VI.
2. INformation, in ſundry branches, Page 143
1. The love of God and Chriſt is unſpeakable, ib.
2. The work Redemption is a very coſtly peice, Page 144
3. The grace of the Goſpel is very precious, Page 145
4. God will have a Church, Page 146
5. The Church is very dear to Jeſus Chriſt, Page 148
6. The condition of the inviſible Church is incomparably happy, diſcovered, Page 149
1. In three excellent properties of Redemption,
Its 1. Free and gracious, ibid.
2. Full and plenteous, Page 150
3. Eternal, and without period, Page 151
2. In rare ſpiritual benefits which flow from it, Page 153, 154, 155
4. Adoption, Page 160
5. Sanctification, Page 162
6. Final Redemption, Page 163
7. Full Glorification, Page 166
3. In ſeven precious priviledges attending on Redemption Page 169
1. It makes us truly bleſſed, Page 170
2. And the Lords peculiar people, Page 171
3. The Redeemer is at Gods right hand, carrying on the work Page 172
4. He hath purchaſed the gift of the Spirit, to beſtow on the elect, Page 175
5. By perſonal intereſt in it, we become the Lords free-men, Page 177
6. All the promiſes are ours, Page 179
7. We have a ſpecial intereſt in Gods providence, Page 181
Four priviledges more common, Page 186
1. Redemption opens a ſluce for the waters of life to run among the Gentiles, ibid.
2. It is the foundation of the general Covenant made with mankinde Page 187
3. By the merit and vertue of it the Jewes ſhall be called, Page 189
4. It overflows to the bettering of the whole Creation, Page 190
CHAP. VII.
3. COnſolation againſt the annoyances, Page 193
1. Of ſin, 1. In our old eſtate, ibid.
1. The hainouſneſs, Page 196
2. Multitude, ibid.
3. Long continuance, Page 196
4. Advantage by neglecting the offer of grace, Page 197
2. In our new condition, Page 200
1. Its preſence, ibid.
2. Its prevalence, Page 212
3. Advantage by frequent neglects and ſwarvings, Page 214
2. Of terrors by new guilt, Page 216
3. Of curſing and reproaches, Page 208
4. Of temporal afflictions, eſpecially, Page 209
1. Perſecutions for righteouſnes, Page 211
2. Sufferings in innocency, Page 212
3. Puniſhments for ſin, Page 213
Queſt. Whether the evils which the Redeemed ſuffer, may properly bee called curſes, anſwered by a diſtinction, Page 214
CHAP. VIII.
4. EXamination, Actual intereſt in Redemption, tried by ſundry evidences, Page 216
1. Dear love of the Redeemer, which is incorrupt, if it be 1. Single, Page 217
2. Superlative, Page 219
3. Invincible, Page 220
4. Accompanied with ſelf-jealouſie, Page 222
2. Wearineſs under the bondage of ſin, paſt, and preſent, Page 224
3. Sincere reſolution, and actual endeavour to abandon all ſin, Page 227
4. Separation from the world, &c. Page 229
5. Walking after the Spirit, Page 230
6. Purity of heart and life, Page 233
CHAP. IX.
5. EXhortation, 1. To ſenſleſs ſinners, which lye ſecure under their ſlavery, Page 235
Advice in five particulars, ibid.
1 Give way to the Law to convince you, ibid.
2. Reſolve not to abide in this condition, but take counſel from Gods Miniſters, Page 238
3. Fall down before the Lord in an humble and full confeſſion, Page 239
4. Still take notice of this Ranſom, and of the feaſeableneſs of deliverance by it, ſtudy it, and bee affected with it, Page 241
5. Walk in the way which God hath limited, forgetting an actual ſhare in it, Page 242
Which is,
1. Faith in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt,
2. Repentance from dead works, Page 243
Motives to ſet upon this way, Page 245
1. No poſſibility of deliverance in any other way, Page 247
2. Elſe Chriſt will glorifie his juſtice in leaving thee a priſoner to the Curſe for ever, Page 248
3. Now the Lord offers this mercy in the Miniſtry by his Spirit, Page 249
4. The welfare and comfort of Gods Miniſters depends much upon this, ibid.
CHAP. X.
2. TO ſenſible ſinners, which are burdened with the Curſe, Page 251
Counſel to thee in three particulars, Page 252
1. Ponder the weight and ſtrength of this great deſign, ibid.
2. Continue inſtant in prayer, Page 253, 254
3. Learn ſelf-denial, abandoning thine own wiſdome, ſenſe, &c. Page 255
5. Objections of an humbled ſoul, Page 256
1. I know not whether I be redeemed or not.
2. Chriſt never meant to redeem all, Page 257
3. OnelyOnly the Elect are redeemed, but I know not that I am elected, Page 264
4. I have neglected ſo long that my day is paſt, ibid.
5. I do not ſee that it is my way, thus to beleeve, I do not, I cannot beleeve, Page 267
All theſe anſwered ſeverally, Page 269
10. Encouragements to accept of Redemption, Page 273
1. The name of God is moſt ſweet, ibid.
2. It is a clauſe in the Mediators Commiſſion, that he ſhall proclaim liberty, ibid.
3. The termes are reaſonable and eaſie, Page 274
4. Faith engageth Chriſt to relieve a ſoul in extremity, Page 275
5. This is the way to ſelf-abaſement, Page 276
6. And to exalt Jeſus Chriſt, Page 277
7. Its the beſt part of thy thankfulneſs, Page 278
8. And the moſt commendable ſelflove, ibid.
9. A bleſſed thing to beleeve when all things perſwade the contrary, Page 279
10. Thouſands of captive ſinners have gone this way and ſpeed well, Page 280
The concluſion of this paſſage, with further ſatisfaction to the broken ſoul, Page 281, 282
CHAP. XI.
5. TO the Lords Redeemed ones, walk as it becometh ſuch in five Duties, Page 283
1. Admire this mercy, rejoyce in it, and let this joy break forth in praiſes, Page 284
2. Hold faſt your liberty, and return not into a ſecond bondage, either more palpable by Apoſtacy, or more covert, of conſcience, or converſation ibid.
3. Give your ſelves up wholly to the pleaſure and obedience of the Redeemer, both in doing and ſuffering Page 290
The equity of this ſhewed in three Motives, ibid.
1. He onelyonly hath propriety in you, Page 293
2. Your ſafety and comfort here depends very much upon this, Page 294
3. This ſhall be moſt inſiſted upon in the great day of Inquiſition, Page 295
The general neglect of this duty bewayled, with further preſſing it, Page 297
4. Labour to bring others to partake of this benefit, which concerns, Page 299
1. Miniſters of the Goſpel, Page 300
2. Governours of Families, Page 302
3. Neighbours and friends, eſpecially allyed in blood or affinity, Page 305
5. Love the appearing of your Redeemer, manifeſt it by the actings of Page 308
1. Vehement deſires, ibid.
2. Lively hope, Page 309
3. Hearty rejoycing in the foreſight of it, Page 310
Helps to this duty, Page 312
1. Keep thy ſelf unſpotted of the world ibid.
2. Preſerve in thy ſelf a willingneſs to dye, Page 313
3. In thy whole courſe after converſion, commit thy ſoul and hopes of happineſs unto Jeſus Chriſt, Page 314
4. When death arreſts thee, commend thy ſpirit into the hands of the Lord thy Redeemer, Page 316
CHAP. XII.
6. ADmonition, to beware of curſing our ſelves, or others, inferred upon this new ground, & further preſſed by motives, as being both irrational, and irreligious. Page 317
Mount EBAL levell'd, OR, Redemption from the Curſe.
Gal. 3.13.
Chriſt hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law, being made a curſe for us.