Redemption from the Curse, Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. Uſe 2.
Sect. 1. 1 Information in ſix particulars.
2 HEnce we may infer matter of Information in ſundry particulars.
1 See, and ſeeing, admire the unſpeakable love of God, and of Chriſt, to wretched mankinde; not onelyonly that Chriſt is made a curſe in our ſtead, but much more that this ſtrange diſpenſation ſhould work ſo noble and glorious an effect, as Redemption is. Aſſuredly, both God the Father in giving Chriſt to be a curſe, and Chriſt the Mediator in ſubmitting thereunto, had this great end all along in their eye, and upon their hearts (next to the greateſt end of all the glory of free grace) even the reſcuing of poor loſt ſinners from that helliſh ſlavery wherein the curſe of the Law had intangled them. Oh the rich love of the Lord our God. It was the fruitful womb which did firſt conceive, and then warm, and at length in the fulneſs of time bring forth this heavenly birth, Joh. 3.16. 1 Joh. 3.16. & 4.9, 10. Should an earthly Prince disburſe a great ſumme of money, of his own accord, undeſired, for the ranſoming of a company of ſlaves, which were not only ſtrangers, but alſo enemies to him, and his Fathers houſe being convicted Traitors, and ſo continuing: this would be accounted an act of ſuch ſingular clemency, as could hardly bee paralleld by any report of ſtory. What wonderful loving kindneſs then is this? that the Prince of the Kings of the earth, Rev. 1.5. hath laid out the price of his deareſt blood for the redemption of the backſliding traiterous brood of Adam, and is found of them, that ſought him not, that never looked after him, Iſa. 65.1. Rom. 10.20.
2 The work of Redemption is a very coſtly peece, a buſineſs of infinite charge. The Redeemer muſt be no meaner perſon than the Chriſt of God: the price to be paid, no lower a price, than the accurſed death of the Croſs. Might not the incomparable dignity of the perſon have diſpenſed with the means of the price? or the extraordinary coſtlineſs of the price, have over-weighed the means of the perſon? ſo that either a lower price from a perſon of ſuch eminent worth, or a meaner perſon paying ſuch an extraordinary dear price, might have ſerved the turn? Oh no, neither of theſe. If the whole world, yea ten thouſand worlds, with all the riches, and treaſures of their ſeveral Indies had been laid down upon the naile for this ranſome by the greateſt Potentate, that ever the earth knew, they would have been contemned, as falling infinitly ſhort. It was a moſt coſtly Redemption, and ſo we ſhould account of it. We reckon of our earthly priviledges,Can. 8.7. libertie, immunities, freedomes, according to the rate which they coſt, if wee know they coſt a great price, we value them the more. He that ſaid, he had bought his Roman freedome with a great ſumme, Act. 22.28. did prize it accordingly; even ſo, and much more ſhould we ſet an high rate upon this choice ſpiritual benefit, which coſt ſo vaſt a ſumme.
3 The grace of the Goſpel is a very precious thing,Out of the eater came meat, &c. Iudg. 14.14. for it is the purchaſe of Chriſts ſatisfaction, and the ſumme and kernel of the work of Redemption. The curſe of the Law did even break his bones, and this hath opened a ſpring of ſpiritual marrow and fatneſs, wherewith the ſoules of dry empty ſinners might be both filled and ſatisfied. Were it not for this, there could be no grace, nor mercy, we ſhould never have heard of any ſuch thing as the Goſpel, to bring the glad tidings of peace, and ſalvation to the loſt world, but every mothers childe of us had continued in the bond of iniquity, and had ſuffered the extremity of the curſe in our own perſons for ever. For this is the very next bottome, whereupon all Goſpel-grace, and whatſoever is neceſſary to the ſalvation of ſinners, doth ſtand; and as it were the ſoul from which it hath both being and breathing. The excellency of the cauſe hath a ſtrong influence into the effect, to make it excellent alſo. If we look upon the nature and frame of man in the firſt Creation, his body curiouſly wrought out of the duſt of the earth, his ſoul breathed into him from heaven, to be both a living creature, and made after the Image of God, Gen. 1.26. & 2.7. and all this done with a word; we cannot but ſay, it is a very excellent and precious work. David ſtands wondering at it, Pſal. 139.14, 15. How much more excellent and precious is the work of grace, which is the fruit of Redemption (our ſecond Creation?) for the effecting whereof, the Lord did not onelyonly, Let it be, but (as if that were not ſufficient) the ſecond perſon muſt lay aſide his glory, and take upon him the form of a ſervant, and not onelyonly bear our nature, but alſo our ſin and curſe, even to the death Phil. 2.7, 8. By this we ſhould eſtimate the exceeding great worth of that grace which is brought unto us by the revelation of the Goſpel.If ſome good things of nature be precious, much more are thoſe of grace, Deut. 33.1. &c. Prov. 3.14, 15. And if we cannot but wonder at ſome of the eminenteſt works of nature, how much more cauſe have we to admire the beauty and glory of that great work of grace, which the Apoſtle calls marvellous light, 1 Pet. 2.9. See 1 Pet. 1.12.
4 God will have a Church. Although Adam, and all his poſterity revolted from God, and ran away into the tents of Satan his utter enemy, to his diſhonour, and their own ruine, yet for all that he hath a deſigne to fetch back, and recover a number of them to make them his own people, and thereby to glorifie the riches of his grace towards them in an eminent meaſure; Me thinks I hear the Lord ſpeaking on this manner, What? hath the crooked Serpent of hell ſerved me thus? Hath he enticed Adam unto rebellion againſt me? and cheated him into the curſe of my Law? Alas poor man! I pitty thee, that thou haſt ſuffered thy ſelf to be thus enſnared. How art thou fallen from thy dignity? Into what a gulf of perdition haſt thou implunged all thy poſterity?Ier. 48.30. But I know Satan, his pride, his malice, and his envy, that he would not leave me a people on the earth to ſerve me; I know his wrath, but it ſhall not be ſo, his lyes ſhall not ſo effect it. I will take a ſpeedy courſe to befool him in his own plot, I will have a people that ſhall be for my praiſe in deſpite of him. Having therefore predeſtinated from eternity a conſiderable number of this forlorn generation, and finding them now among the pots, covered all over with filth and ſhame, through their Apoſtacy, his infinite wiſdome deviſeth a way to recover them out of captivity. He gives the Lord Jeſus out of his own boſome, tha… by taking upon him the curſe due to them, he might ranſome them from the curſe, and ſeparate them from the loſt world which lyes in wickedneſs, and under the power of Satan, and ſo form them for himſelf, that they might ſhew forth his praiſe, Iſa. 43.21. Theſe are the very matter, whereof the Church conſiſts (I mean the inviſible Church) which may be defined a choſen company of the poſterity of Adam, whom God hath purchaſed with his own blood out of every Kindred, and Tongue, and People,Mat 16.18. and Nation to be a peculiar people to himſelf, Act. 20.28. Rev. 5.9. Tit. 2.14. Thus out of the aſhes of this ruined world, God raiſeth up to himſelf a glorious Phenix Eph. 5.26. A Church which ſhall never dye, but ſhall be eſtabliſhed for ever, Pſal. 102.28. & 125.1.
5 The Church is very dear and precious in the eyes of the Lord Jeſus. They are the purchaſe of his own blood, and thereby are become his peculiar people. The coſtlineſs of any commodity, puts upon it a ſuitable preciouſneſs, endearing it to the perſon which bare the coſt of it. Jacob ſerved a hard ſervice for Rachel, and that inhanced her worth in his heart, and increaſed his love to her, ſo that the dayes ſeemed to him but a few, Gen. 29.20. Michal, Davids wife coſt him two hundred fore-skins of the Philiſtims, 1 Sam. 18.27. A great adventure, an high exploit. This doubtleſs rendred her the more dear to him, which appears by his peremptory requiring her, after ſhe was unjuſtly taken away from him, and had been ſome years another mans wife,Probably ſeven years 2 Sam. 3.13, 14, &c. Jeſus Chriſt ſerved a very hard ſervice, and wrought a very great exploi… that he might purchaſe unto himſelf a Church to be his Spouſe, and having compaſſed her with much difficulty, he looks upon her as his Siſter, his Love, his Dove, his fair One, yea all fair, the faireſt among women, the One, the onelyonly One, the choice One, his heart is raviſhed with her, Cant. 4.9. ſhe is as the poor mans little Ewe Lamb, that lay in his boſome, and was unto him as a Daughter, 2 Sam. 12.31. A Kingdome, or City, wonne in battel, with confuſed noiſe,Hephzibah Iſa. 62.4. Multo ſanguine, ac vulneribus ea victoria ſtetit. and garments rolled in blood, Iſa. 9.5. is ſo much more dear to the Conquerour, becauſe it coſt ſo dear. The Kingdome of heaven, the City of the great King is conquered out of the the hands of Satan at a very dear rate. It coſt the Lord Jeſus ſtrong crying and tears, yea much blood, and many wounds; therefore ſurely it is very near to his heart, and precious in his ſight, Iſa. 43.4.
6 The condition of the inviſible Church, and all the members of the Lords choſen people, is incomparably happy. They are the onelyonly renowned Society in the world, for they are the Lords Redeemed ones. This glorious deſign, when once it takes place in poor loſt ſinners, and is laid in their boſomes, puts them into a glorious eſtate. We may ſay of the Church, as Moſes of Iſrael, Deut. 33.29. Happy art thou, who is like unto thee, O people, ſaved by the Lord, &c.
That we may take the length, and breadth of this happineſs, let us look upon Redemption, in its 1 Properties. 2 Benefits. 3 Priviledges.
Sect. 2. Three properties of Redemption, and three Benefits iſſue from it.
1 REdemption by Chriſt, hath theſe three excellent Properties.
1 Its free and gracious. As the Iſraelites ſold themſelves to their corporal enemies for naught, ſo we became ſlaves to our ſpiritual enemies without price, and as they, ſo we are redeemed without money, Iſa. 52.3. Although it coſt Jeſus Chriſt the price of blood in an accurſed death, yet it was according to the riches of Gods grace, Eph. 1.7. In regard of Chriſt our Surety, it was not free, but dearly bought; for as Almighty God, the perſon offended, did require ſatisfaction to be made to Juſtice; ſo Chriſt undertaking for us, anſwered his demands accordingly. But in all other reſpects it is free. The appointing of ſuch a thing, as Redemption for loſt ſinners, the providing of ſuch a Surety to undertake the work, the managing of it all along in ſuch a way, as it might not faile of its accompliſhment, the accepting of it when it was done, for full ſatisfaction, the particular application of it to the needs of all the Elect, all theſe were acts of free grace and mercy. Poor ſoul, the Lord doth not expect the worth of one farthing from thee, towards the purchaſe of thy Redemption; Look thou upon it, as the meer fruit of rich grace.
2 It is full and plenteous, Pſal. 130.7. Jeſus Chriſt hath gone thorough-ſtitch with it, he hath done it to the full, for there is no defect or flaw in it at all. He doth not work one, or ſome few parts of it, making an entrance for us, and leaving us to grapple with the reſt, to bear the heat and burden of the day, and to wraſtle out as we can; but he makes compleat work of it, he redeems us from all our iniquities, he delivers us out of the hands of all our enemies, he takes off from our backs the whole curſe, and ſets us in a ſtate of true freedom. Therefore in the bringing of it home to poor ſinners, they are ſaid to receive abundance of grace, Rom. 5.17. 1 Tim. 1.14. I grant, it is not made out to us at preſent in all the parts and degrees of it, but it ſhall be entire and perfect in heaven; there ſhall not an hoof be left behinde. Take it in the whole from firſt to laſt, and it is every way plenteous, he will ſave to the uttermoſt, Heb. 7.25.
3 It is eternal, and without period, Heb. 9.12. The liberty whereinto Chriſt Jeſus brings the Elect, is permanent, it ſhall never turne into bondage, it abides irrevocable, and unchangeable to all eternity. The Jews which had ſold themſelves to bee ſervants, were to be ſet free at the Jubilee, yet that Jubilee laſted but for one year, therefore the ſame perſons might afterwards become bondmen again; but this acceptable year of the Lords Redeemed, Iſa. 61.2. & 63.4. is an everlaſting year, it ſhall never end, therefore they ſhall never be ſubject to bondage any more. When the Lord would comfort the Jews with hopes of a return from Babylon, he uſually annexeth Evangelical promiſes, reſpecting the deliverance of poor ſinners from the ſlavery of Satan, whereof that captivity was a type; ſome of which promiſes do plainly expreſs, the perpetuity of that ſpiritual freedome, which they ſhall enjoy, Iſa. 35.10. Iſa. 51.6. & 60.19, 20. Jer. 31.11, 12. & 32.39. Ezek. 37.25, 26. & 39.29, and theſe ſhall begin to be fulfilled moſt viſibly at the calling of the Jews.
2 Redemption by Chriſt doth beget, and bring with it many rare ſpiritual benefits. It is a rich Mine, containing a maſs of treaſure of unſpeakable worth. Could we dig into it, we might finde variety of the choiſeſt pearls, in compariſon whereof, the moſt orient pearles, that this world can afford, are no better than droſs. What the Lord ſaid once to his Anointed Cyrus, a temporal deliverer of his people, the ſame he hath ſpoken much more to his Anointed Jeſus, the Churches great Redeemer. I will give thee the treaſures of darkneſs, the hidden riches of ſecret places, Iſa. 43.3. Theſe are the unſearchable riches of Chriſt,Suſcepit mala noſtra ut …hueret bonaſua, Aug. Eph. 3.8. The things which eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, &c. 1 Cor. 2.9. He hath taken upon him our evill things, that he might beſtow upon us his good things.
That we may rightly underſtand the nature of theſe ſeveral benefits, in reference to the mother-benefit from whence they ſpring, I ſhall briefly make way to them by theſe three conſiderations.
1 The Redemption that is in Chriſt, hath in it not onelyonly ſatisfaction,Impunitas, & pramium but alſo merit; from the former ariſeth freedome from deſerved puniſhment; from the latter the conferring of everlaſting reward. Hence it is, that ſome benefits conſiſts in deliverance from evil, and others in beſtowing of good things.
2 As the woful condition of the ſons of men through ſin is made up of two ſorts of evills, ſome referring to what they are in Gods account, others to what they are in themſelves; anſwerably the condition, whereinto Redemption brings them, conſiſts of two ſorts of benefits. 1 Relative, importing a change in Gods account of them. 2 Real, ſtanding in an alteration of qualities in themſelves.
3 The benefits which flow from Redemption, do not immediately follow the ſufferings of Chriſt on the Croſs, ſo as thereby, and thenceforth to be actually exiſtent, and to enure to all the elect, but are onelyonly made feaſible by them, yet ſo, as to be communicated infallibly in due time. They are contained in the womb of redemption, but yet their ſeveral births are according to the time of life; I mean, they are in it virtually as the fruit in the ſeed, but not actually laid in the boſomes of ſinners, till redemption it ſelf be applied unto them. I may compare the whole fabrick of the ſalvation of ſinners to a mighty tree; the root of it is upward in heaven, the decree of it election; the boil of it is redemption, having many ſpiritual benefits, as ſo many branches growing out of it, virtually contained in the boil, breaking forth, and deriving their ſeveral fruits to poor ſinners at the time of their converſion.
Theſe things being premiſed, let us take a view of them, as they are ſcattered here and there in the Scriptures; I ſhall preſent them in that order, which I conceive to be moſt proper.
Theſe things being premiſed, let us take a view of them, as they are ſcattered here and there in the Scriptures, I ſhall preſent them in that order, which I conceive to be moſt proper.
Falling out with God. was the beginning of our Apoſtaſie; and Reconciliation is the beginning of our actual recovery.1. Reconciliation: This is ſo near a kin to Redemption, that for ſubſtance, it is the ſame, differing onelyonly in ſome reſpects. As treaſon, murther, or the like crime commited againſt the Law of the Magiſtrate, doth not onelyonly make the offender liable to the penalty of the Law, but alſo ſets them at a diſtance, and provokes the wrath of the Magiſtrate againſt him: Even ſo, the ſin of man did not onelyonly make him a priſoner under the Curſe of the Law of God, but brought on a wofull enmitie betwixt God, and him. The Scripture often preſents the Lord diſpleaſed with ſinners, and gives all men (as they ſtand in their firſt birth) this Livery, that they are children of wrath, Eph. 2.3. and his wrath is revealed from heaven againſt ſin. Rom. 1.18. yea, the Lord is ſaid to hate not onelyonly ſin, but ſinners, Pſal. 11.5. Hoſ. 9.15. and they are called haters of God,Pſal. 5.5. foreign Dei oſores, Deo exoſi Pareus▪ ſic Theophyl. Deut. 5.9. Rom. 1.30. But now by the Redemption which is in Chriſt, as the Curſe is taken off, ſo the enmity alſo is ſlain, wrath is turned away, reconciliation is wrought. The Meſſiah was to make reconciliation for iniquity, Dan, 9.24. which is as much as that. 2 Cor. 5.19. God was in Chriſt, reconciling the world to himſelf. Being enemies, we are reconciled, by his death, Rom. 5.10. and when poor ſinners, being by ſin enemies, and ſtrangers, do receive Jeſus Chriſt, then in him they receive the Attonement, Rom. 5.11. ſo that now they are actually reconciled. Col. 1.20, 21.foreign. and ſet in an eſtate of firm amitie and friendſhip with the glorious God, through the blood of the Covenant. In the firſt Adam he diſclaimes us as baſe Rebels, but in the ſecond he owne's us, as reconciled friends. Let the Lord's Redeemed ones lift up their heads, and know their happineſs. Jeſus Chriſt hath ſlain the enmity, which was betwixt God and you. This price of Reconciliation hath broken down the wall of ſeparation; and although the Lord be ſtill a conſuming fire, marching againſt the briars and thornes, and burning them altogether, yet even then he ſaith to his vineyard, Furie is not in me. Iſa. 27.4.
2. Remiſſion of ſinnes. This goes hand in hand with reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5.19. As the violation of the Law of an earthly Governour, brings upon the offender (beſides the Governour's diſpleaſure) an obligation to puniſhment, and when that obligation is voyded, then he is ſaid to be pardoned: ſo man's diſobedience againſt the great Lord of heaven and earth, did oblige him to ſuch puniſhment as the royal Law had threatned; but Chriſt our Surety, by bearing it for us, hath voided that obligation, and ſo we are diſcharged from it, and in this ſtands our Pardon. Therefore the Apoſtle joynes Redemption, and Remiſſion together, as being (upon the matter) both one. Eph. 1.7. Col. 1.14. and expreſly aſcribes them both to his blood, as the meritorious cauſe.
Vide Grot. defenſ. cap. 6. & Ludov. Luc. Aſſert. contra Mich. Gittich. arg. Iun. Non idem ſed tantundem.Whence (by the way) we may diſcover the weakneſs of that Socinian Argument, againſt Redemption by Chriſt's ſatisfaction, becauſe our Redemption is called Remiſſion. For where ſatisfaction is made, (ſay they) by undergoing due puniſhment, or paying a valuable price, there is no place for pardon. But ſurely the Holy Ghoſt knowes better then we how to ſpeak properly. It's Redemption by his blood, and yet it is forgiveneſs of our ſinnes. And their argument hath more ſhew then weight: For this ſatisfaction was not made by paying the very ſame, but the as much, not the proper ſtrict debt, which the Law changeth upon the ſinner, but the full value or weight of it, with ſome alteration. The Law ſaith, The ſoul that ſinneth ſhall die: even the ſelf ſame perſon, and it muſt be death eternal, becauſe the ſinner can never pay the uttermoſt farthing. Had this been, there had been no place for pardon.Pſa. 69.4. But now Chriſt comes in, and voluntarily undertakes to reſtore the things, which he took not away, that ſinners, which took them away, might be ſet free. Suppoſe a ſubject hath committed a crime, deſerving in rigour of Law perpetual impriſonment; if now the King's Son be content to undergo 6 moneths impriſonment in his ſtead, which (conſidering the quality of the perſon) is as much, as a mean man's ſuffering it during life; the King indeed may refuſe this way of ſatisfaction, becauſe it is not the very letter of the Law; but if he accept it, what doth it import leſs, then a pardon to the ſubject? This is the Caſe. The Son of God giving himſelf a ſacrifice for ſin, doth in a ſhort time wraſtle through, and maſter thoſe ſufferings, which would have maſtered ſinners, and hold them under to all eternity. Now although Almighty God, the great Lawgiver might have refuſed this kinde of payment, as not being the very ſame, which the Covenant of works exacteth; yet having not onelyonly conſented, but deviſed and ſettled it, as the moſt covenient way for the ſecurity of ſinners, and the manifeſtation of his glory, thereupon he is well pleaſed with it, being as full ſatisfaction to juſtice, as if the ſinner had ſatisfied in his own perſon. So that the Lord's accepting of it upon this account is ſo far from excluding remiſſion, that it rather makes way for it, and gives it a being. This appears further by the Apoſtles ruled caſe, Heb. 9.22.See Jun. paral. & Pareus. without ſhedding of blood no remiſſion, which holds both in Legal ſacrifices, and in the great ſacrifice of Chriſt, typified thereby, as the ſcope of the place ſhews. But to return,
The Law chargeth the curſe upon the ſons of men. The Lord Jeſus takes the curſe upon himſelf, and thereby makes an end of ſinnes, for this was one of the works, which he was to do, Dan. 9.24. the debt being paid, the book is croſs'd, the bond is cancelled. No forfeiture to be taken, no penalty to be undergone. Let wretched ſinners take notice of their happineſs in this alſo. Chriſt was ſent to purge away all your iniquities.1 Ioh. 1.7. Pſal. 65.3. Redemption blots out all your Items, and layes up pardons in heaven for your uſe, to be readie for you, in the time of need.
3. Juſtification of our perſons. Obligation to puniſhment doth imply liableneſs to accuſation, and condemnation for the offence, which deſerves ſuch puniſhment. The righteous Law of God finding man a tranſgreſſour; and ſo unrighteous, threatens death as his due: And in order to the inflicting of it, ſtands up as an Accuſer, and paſſeth ſentence againſt him. Now Chriſt, being made ſinne, and a curſe in the ſinners ſtead, doth thereby with one, and the ſame labour, both ſet him free from the puniſhment of ſin, and acquit him from the accuſation, and condemnation of the Law: Whereupon he may plead, that although the demerit of his ſin doth crie aloud for puniſhment, yet it is not due to his perſon, becauſe Jeſus Chriſt hath borne it for him, and made full ſatisfaction to juſtice, Rom. 3.24. The Apoſtle makes juſtification an effect of the Redemption, which is in Chriſt Jeſus. Dan. 9.24. the Meſſiah was to bring in everlaſting righteouſneſs, Jer. 23.5, 6. a righteous Branch is promiſed to be raiſed up to David, and his name ſhall be called Jehovah, our Righteouſneſs. And thus he is made of God to us Righteouſneſs. 1 Cor. 1.30. When the offence is taken away by a pardon, the perſon is accounted righteous. Therefore the not imputing of ſin, and the imputing of righteouſneſs go together, as it appears by the Apoſtles explication of the Prophet David's meaning, Pſal. 32.1, 2. Romans 4.6, 7, 8. God ſees no iniquitie in Jacob, and when the ſins of Judah are ſought for, they ſhall not be found, Jer. 50.20. underſtand this not in regard of the inordinacie and blameableneſs of the acts, nor yet ſimply, in reference to the juſt deſert of ſin conſidered in it ſelf (for theſe are of the very nature of ſin, and cannot be ſeparated from it) but in reſpect of the particular guilt, and puniſhment of thoſe perſons, which being taken away, they do thereupon ſtand right in the Court of heaven. We ſee it here in Courts below, if nothing come in againſt a man, if there be no accuſer, he is quit, and ſtands as innocent in point of Law, as if he had not been queſtioned: So, when Chriſt hath by his ſatisfaction diſabled the Law, from giving in any evidence againſt the poor ſinner, he then is abſolved, and ſtands clear before the great Judg: when the Lord hath found a ranſome, then he doth not onelyonly ſay, Deliver the ſinner, but he ſhews unto him his uprightneſs, that is, he makes him partaker of the righteouſneſs of Chriſt,Iob 33.23, 24. &c. and ſo looks upon him as righteous, through his ſatisfaction. This was one end, why the Lord made Chriſt ſin for us, 2 Cor. 5, 21. Let the poor convinced ſoul take notice of this alſo. Thou feeleſt much guilt on the ſpirit, thou groaneſt under it, and feareſt damnation: but here is thine acquittance. When the poor woman's accuſers were ſlunk away, Chriſt ſaid to her, Woman, hath no man condemned thee, neither do I, John 8.10, 11. ſo ſaith the Lord to thee: See poor ſoul, the Law ſaith nothing againſt thee: the mouth of thine accuſers are ſtopp'd, none can condemn thee, neither will I: yea, thou mayeſt make the ſame challenge, that the Apoſtle make's, Who ſhall lay any thing to my charge? God juſtifies, &c. Rom. 8.33, 34.
Sect. 3. Other four benefits flowing from Redemption.
4. Adoption. by Creation we were the ſons of God; we bare his image, as a ſon bears the image of his father, Luke 3.38. but yielding to Sathan's temptation, and affecting a new fancied Divinity, we fell from God, loſt the title, and dignitie of ſons, forfeited all our birth-right, and made our ſelves no better then the bratts of hell. But the ſon of God manifeſted in the fleſh, hath not onelyonly waſhed off our ſin in the guilt, and curſe due to us, but hath reſtored us to the dignity of children. This was one of thoſe high ends, which the Lord had in his eye, when he ſent him in that humbled poſture, to redeem us, it was, that we might receive the adoption of ſonnes, Gal. 4.4, 5. The Apoſtle Paul reckoning up eight ſeveral honours, which God had conferred upon the people of the Jews, wherein they excelled all other nations, he ſett's adoption firſt, as the moſt eminent, Rom. 9.4. according to that Exod. 4.22. Iſrael is my ſon, even my firſt born. This being but an external dignity, to continue for a time till the partition wall ſhould be broken down, was a ſhadow, and reſemblance of that Goſpel-honour, which we have by the work of Redemption, even the right, or dignity to be the ſons of God. Jo. 1.12. the Congregation of the firſt born, Heb. 12.23. and if children, then heirs yea joint heirs with Chriſt, Rom. 8.17. for being now in Chriſt, and made partakers of his righteouſneſs, we have fellowſhip alſo with him in his Sonſhip, Gal. 3.26. This is a fruit of the abundant grace of Chriſt, and an high advance of the work of Redemption applied. If the Lord be pleaſed to have pity on baſe runagate prodigalls, he might have bought us out into the condition of hired ſervants; that had been favour far beyond expectation: But to adopt us into his family,Luk. 15.19, 22, 23. Dignitas quaedam ſablimis. Ameſ. to kill the fatted calf for us, to put upon us the beſt robe, to ſet us at his table, and to grace us with the honour of ſonnes, yea heirs of God, a better eſtate than Adam loſt, what an high dignity is this? behold what manner of Love, the Father hath beſtowed on us; and admire it, 1 Jo. 3.1, 2. Indeed it doth not yet appear, what we ſhall be: our happineſs lyes under a cloud, vailed from the eyes of the world, and in a great part from our ſelves alſo; but yet we are, even here the Lord's firſt born, and the glory of this condition ſhall one day be revealed in deſpite of hell, and the world. Judge not your ſelves miſerable, becauſe your neighbours ſo account you: but know that your Redeemer hath purchaſed your enfranchiſement, and now the Lord takes you for his ſonnes, and daughters, never to be diſinherited, or caſt out any more.
5. Sanctification. The firſt Adam having wantonly engaged in a rebellion againſt his Maker, did thereby not onelyonly implunge himſelf, and all his, into the gulf of Gods curſe, but alſo forfeit that matchleſs Jewel of his Image, which was infinitely too good to be proſticuted to his inordinate luſt. Whence followes a wofull change in our natures, by a depravation of the whole frame of our ſoules, in all the powers of them, and making us like unto Sathan. So that now we are every way dead (as to our ſpiritual eſtate), both by ſin, in the loſs of God's favour, which is better then life; and in ſin by the loſs of that conformity to him, which once we enjoyed. But our great redeemer frees us from this death, alſo by Sanctification. This was one end of Chriſts giving himſelf for the Church, that he might ſanctifie, and cleanſe it. Eph. 5.25, 26. his death hath a ſoveraign vertue, to work the death of ſin, as his life, hath to work the life of righteouſneſs. Rom. 6.4, 5, 6. He is made of God to us Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1.30. and now as there is no condemnation to them that are in Chriſt, ſo they are ſet free from the Law of ſin, and death, by that law of the ſpirit of life, which is in Chriſt; and all this ariſeth from God's ſending him to condemn ſin in the fleſh. Rom. 8.1, 2, 3. Chriſt was put to death in the fleſh, and for a requital he puts to death the fleſh, that is, the body of ſin in us. The law laid the Curſe upon him, and he having borne it, turn's it upon the Law of ſin, which is in our members, and blaſts that rotten ſtump, ſaying to it, as once he ſaid to the unprofitable fig-tree, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth for ever, Matth. 21.19.and ſeting a new plant of holineſs in the ſoul, to bring forth fruit unto God. Indeed we ſee it not yet fully done, but the Curſe is gone out againſt the old man, and he is waſting, and ſhall be utterly deſtroyed in time. Let the Lords people ſee their happineſs in this alſo. Poor ſoul, thou cryeſt out unclean, unclean, I have a very foule naſty heart, my ſoule is a very ſtie of all uncleanneſs, I am carnal, fold under ſin,Rom. 7.14.23.34. I can do no good thing; Oh miſerable man, who ſhall deliver mee? why? Chriſt thy Redeemer hath made thee a new creature, he hath put into thee a principle of holineſs, and he is ſtill at work in thee, weakning ſin, by degrees, ſo that though it will dwell in thee, yet it ſhall not over-maſter thee, nor bring thee under its feet. Corruption ſhall go down, and grace ſhall get up more, and more. The Lord Jeſus will not ſpare either pains, or coſt in proſecuting this buſineſs. he will wear of that filthy ſlough of the old nature, and the image of hell, and make thee partaker of the divine nature, that thou mayeſt be conformed to his own image, Sigh, and breath after it.
6. Final Redemption. Which ſtands in the total removal, and abſence of all miſerie, and imperfection, begun at death, to be perfected, at the reſurrection. The Apoſtle calls it, the Redemption of our bodies. Rom. 8.23. (as I conceive) for theſe reaſons,
1. To diſtinguiſh it from the firſt, and great act, wrought by Chriſt on the Croſs, to wit, Redemption by way of merit, whereon the main ſtreſs of the buſineſs lay, which was not intended ſo much for the body, as the ſoul, to deliver it from guilt, and curſe.
2. To intimate that part of Redemption, which we ſhall be partakers of by death, whereby we ſhall be ſet free, from manifold evils, and annoyances, which compaſs us about, and moleſt us, while we are in the bodie.
3. Becauſe the accompliſhment of this benefit at the laſt day, ſhall be more viſible in the bodie. The ſoules of righteous men, even before the reſurrection, are fully delivered from all bondage, wanting onelyonly that perfection, which ſtands in their union to their bodies. Theſe lying in their graves, as in priſon under miſery, ſhall then be united again to their ſouls, and ſo both ſhall be equally ſharers (according to their ſeveral capacities,) in this final Redemption.
So then, this is a certain effect, or conſequent of the great work, wrought by Jeſus Chriſt, the price is paid for the whole and full deliverance ſhall come in the day of Reſurrection; which is therefore called the day of Redemption. Eph. 4.30. and Chriſt is made of God to us. Redemption. 1 Cor. 1.30. At that day, (oh moſt deſirable day) there ſhall be a clear riddance from all thoſe unwelcome gueſts, which ſin hath brought into the world. As 1. from the evils of the bodie, or outward man, all croſſes incident to our imperfect condition here, whether attendants on mortality, or corrections for our wandrings, and miſcarriages, or ſufferings for righteouſneſs.
2. from the evils of the ſoul, or inward man, from ſin, with all the rags, and tatters of it, which being faſt on us here; from the temptations of Sathan, and the inticements of an evil world, wherewith we are encompaſſed; and alſo from the ſecond death, the wrath to come, in the damnation of hell.Glad…us mort…s retuſus, vulnerat adhu… ▪ ſed c…a p… …cu…um. Calv. in … The firſt death indeed will hold us under a long time, but at length it ſhall be deſtroyed. 1 Cor. 15.26. and in the mean time it is but as a ſword without edg, which may wound a little, yet without danger, it ſhall do us no hurt, but be as a wicked door, to let our ſouls into immortalitie; and the grave with the corruption of it, ſhall be as a bed of ſpices to perfume our bodies, and to prepare them for the reſurrection. Briefly, whatſoever there is in all the world, that can be called evil, we ſhall be ſet free from it all forever, all imperfection both of parts, and degrees ſhall be done away:Matt. 22.30. 1 Cor. 13.10. yea, Gods own ordinances, as marriage, preaching, and ſacraments, which (are given as remedies of weakneſs here) ſhall take their leave, as things whereof we ſhall have no further need, or uſe. Let the Lords redeemed lift up their heads, and ſee this part of their happineſs afarr off. Your ſoules and bodies both lie under a thouſand weariſome vanities, in this pilgrimage; but your redemption draweth nigh, when there ſhall be no more ſorrow, nor crying, but all tears ſhall be wiped away, from your eyes. Rev. 21.7. never to know, or taſte of miſery any more.
foreign.7. Full Glorification. We have ſome foretaſts of it in this life, therfore the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of it, as a thing done in thoſe that are juſtified, Rom. 8.30. when God gives poor believing ſouls aſſurance of his love, ſence of his favour, and fills the heart with joy and peace, then he begins to glorifie them. Therefore this joy is called unſpeakable, and full of glory, 1 Pet. 1.8. theſe are a choice portion of the firſt fruits of the ſpirit. Rom. 8.23. we ſhall reap the whole harveſt of glory in heaven. Its called by way of Eminency, the ſalvation of our ſouls, 1 Pet. 1.9. Redemption, and the former benefits flowing from it, are ſalvation begun, and continued, for we are ſaved here Eph. 2.8. 2 Timoth 1.9. but this ſhall bee ſalvation conſummate.
The Scripture ſets forth this benefit by variety of appellations, as Eternal life, Matth. 25.46. Everlaſting habitations, Luke 16.9. Paradiſe, Luke 23.43. The recompence of reward, Heb. 11.26. A Crown of Righteouſneſs, 2 Tim. 4.8. A Crown of glory that fades not away, 1 Pet. 5.4. The glory which is to be revealed in us, or into us, Rom. foreign, …to us N…n n…m aſt…b…mus q aſ…inanes & vacui Spectateres nec g…oria quaſi extriae ſ…cus revelab…tur n…b… ſed in nobis Bernard.8.18. For we ſhall not ſtand as idle ſpectators, looking upon it, as a thing without us, but we ſhall be poſſeſſours of it within us, the everlaſting Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, 2. Pet. 1.11. The inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1.12. and the riches of the glory of it, Eph. 1.18. Yea an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and which withereth not away, 1 Pet. 1.4. And on this account the Apoſtle calls it the Adoption, Rom. 8.23. becauſe that ſhall be the time of our entring into the full poſſeſſion of the Kingdome, which is prepared for us, and unto which we are intituled by adoption. It was a main end of Chriſts giving himſelf for the Church, that at length he might preſent it to himſelf a glorious Church without ſpot or wrinkle, Eph. 5.25, 27. And the Apoſtle reaſoning from reconciliation by Chriſts death, to ſalvation by his life, Rom. 5.10. intimates, that this is a neceſſary conſequent of that. This eſtate ſhall be the perfection of all created contentments. Here ſhall be riches, which cannot be plundered, treaſures which corrupt not, pleaſures which vaniſh not; whatſoever is truly deſirable which men enjoy ſeverally (ſome this, ſome that) in this world; heaven hath all theſe, and infinitly much more, in a far more excellent manner, and meaſure to beſtow on every one of the Lords Redeemed. It ſhall be a full age of communion with God, in knowledge and holineſs; the whole man ſhall be made partaker of unſpeakable glory, and filled with all the fulneſs of God to all eternity. Here is now the top of all. If we have our part in this Redemption,1 Cor. 13.12 1 Io. 3.2. two parallel texts. let us ſtand a while, and conſider, what great things the Lord doth for us. We read of Abraham, that he ſent away Hagar and Iſhmael her ſon with bread, and a bottle of water (and that by Gods own appointment) becauſe the Son of the bond-woman muſt not be heire with Iſaac, Gen. 21.10, 12, 14. And after that Iſaac had been reſcued from death by the offering up of a Ram in his ſtead, Gen. 22.13. Abraham growing old, gave ſmall gratuities to the ſons of the Concubines, and ſent them away from Iſaac, but unto him he gave all that he had; the inheritance was reſerved for him, Gen. 25.5, 6. You that are ranſomed from the curſe by Jeſus Chriſt the great Ram of Conſecrations, you only are the Lords Iſaac's, the children of the promiſe; The Ancient of dayes meaſures out to the men of the world, (the ſervants of ſin) ſome pittances of his good things, temporal bleſſings, for their ſubſiſtence here below, but you are they, that ſhall go away with the Inheritance; It is your Fathers good pleaſure to give you the Kingdome, Luke 12.32. Oh then, let us contemne all worldly glory, let it fall out of our hands, and hearts, and let us rejoyce in the hope of this heavenly glory, Rom. 5.2.
Theſe are the rare ſpiritual benefits, which Redemption brings forth (ſeven fair Daughters of one bleſſed Mother.) Look upon them, and behold their beauty. Are they not exceeding fair? Incomparably lovely? Did you ever ſee any beauty like unto their beauty? Oh that we could all fall in love with them, that we might never reſt, till we get an intereſt in them, to injoy them in their goodneſs and ſweetneſs, both here, and hereafter for ever.
Sect. 4. Four precious priviledges of actual Redemption.
3 REdemption by Chriſt, inveſts thoſe that are partakers of it in ſundry precious priviledges. The benefits before mentioned give us a being, and ſtanding in the ſtate of grace. Theſe concern our well-being, and help to make our condition both more honourable, and more comfortable: For they are ſecondary effects of the Croſs of Chriſt, and his Legacies left to his friends, wherein the world hath neither part, nor portion. Let us make a little inquiry after them, and take a ſhort taſte of ſome of them for our uſe.
1 It makes us truly and properly bleſſed. The Apoſtle aſſures us of this in the next verſe [That the bleſſing of Abraham might come on us Gentiles through Jeſus Chriſt] God had ingaged himſelf to Abraham by expreſs Covenant,Gen. 22.18. that in his ſeed all the Nations of the earth ſhould be bleſſed, Gen. 22.18. that is, in the ſeed of the Woman, bruiſing the Serpents head, Gen. 3.15. This bleſſed ſeed Chriſt Jeſus, ſhould deſtroy all Satans power, which he had over ſinners, by means of ſin, and the curſe, and thereby render them really bleſſed. And certainly thoſe, and onelyonly thoſe are ſingularly bleſſed, which are made partakers of this Redemption. All other bleſſedneſs is but a ſhew, a ſhadow, a complement, ſcarcely deſerving the name of bleſſedneſs. At the beſt, the world can hold forth, onelyonly ſome poor ſhreds, or ſcraps, but the ſoul, and the marrow of it is here. The Elect are happily carried by the hand of their ſtrong Redeemer from Mount Ebal, over the valley to Mount Gerizim, Pſal. 115.15while their neighbours are left behinde under the curſe. They are the Lords Jacobs which get the bleſſing from Eſau, for they are called to inherit a bleſſing, 1 Pet. 3.9. See a notable Text for this, Iſa. 19.23, 24, 25. which tells us that in after-times, when the Gentiles, Egypt & Aſſyria ſhall be brought into the fellowſhip of the Goſpel with Iſrael, then the Lord will ſolemnly bleſs them, as being his inheritance (even by purchaſe) and they ſhall be a bleſſing; yea all that ſee them, ſhall acknowledge them, that they are the ſeed which the Lord hath bleſſed, Iſa. 61.1.9. Who are they that ſhall be thus acknowledged? even Captives, to whom the Lord Jeſus proclaimes liberty. And who are they, that ſhall make this acknowledgement? All that ſee them, even ſtrangers, and ſuch as have no ſhare in it, as Laban, Gen. 24.31. Saul, 1 Sam. 15.13. and Balaam, Numb. 23.26. This is the prime priviledge, and hath an influence into the reſt.
2 By the grace of Redemption, we become a ſpecial, a peculiar people to the Lord above all other people, Deut. 7.6. Tit. 2.14. This follows upon the former, being a choice branch of bleſſedneſs, Pſal. 33.12. When a man hath paid a great ranſome for ſome poor Captives, he challengeth them for his own, and they account themſelves not their own, nor any others, but onelyonly his that hath bought them; ſo the Lord ſaith to the Redeemed, You are mine, Exod. 19.5, 6. Mal. 3.17. and they eccho again to him, Lord we are onelyonly thine, Pſal. 119.95. Cant. 6.3. & 7, 10.Hoſ 2.23. The Redeemer himſelf owns all thoſe whom the Father had given him, to be peculiarly theirs, Joh. 17.9, 10. St. Paul inſiſts much on this priviledge upon the very ſame ground. Yee are not your own, but the Lords, for yee are bought with a price, Rom. 14.8, 9. 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. Oh let us lift up our eyes, and conſider, what an excellent priviledge this is, to be the Lords, and onelyonly his; to be a Garden incloſed, a Spring ſhut up, a Fountain ſealed for him, and to his uſe onelyonly, Cant. 4.12. to be graven upon the palmes of his hands, Iſa. 49.16. to be a people near unto the Lord, Pſal. 148.14. What can we deſire more? Beloved Chriſtians, It is not material, in what condition thou art in, as to men, whether high, or low, rich, or poor; if you be in the number of the Lords ranſomed ones, you are his, and you may humbly glory in it. How do ſome men pride themſelves in their relations and dependances? I am ſuch a mans ſon, brother, couſin-german, tenant, ſervant, &c. Poor matters to boaſt of in comparriſon of this, to be one of the Lord Jewels, or a golden veſſel in his houſe, while many are looked upon, as baſe, contemptible rubbiſh, and wholly laid aſide.
3 Our Redeemer is in heaven at Gods right hand, carrying on the work, that it may not fail, but be effectual to all the Elect. Oh glorious priviledge! He is at work,
1 For thoſe of them, that are ſtill under the curſe, to whom this benefit is not yet brought home. He made interceſſion for the tranſgreſſors, having firſt born their ſins, Iſa. 53.12. this he did while he was on earth, he prayed for them that crucified him, Luke 23.34. Father forgive them, &c. and in that Prayer, which he put up ſo ſolemnly before his paſſion, he makes requeſts for thoſe that ſhould beleeve hereafter, Joh. 17.20.21.Non humiliter ſupplicando quaſi genibus flexis, ſed glorioſe repreſentande, &c. Ames Medul. l. 1. c. 23. And what he did on earth, he doth much more in heaven, although not in the ſame manner, but in ſuch a way as agrees to a glorified eſtate; not by falling down on his knees in humble ſupplications, but by preſenting his ſufferings with the ſatisfaction and merit of them, and procuring at the hands of his Father, the actual application of them to poor ſinners, for their converſion and ſalvation: according to that, Pſal. 2.8. Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, &c. It was by vertue of his prayer on the Croſs, that ſo many thouſands were brought in (as the firſt fruits) immediately after his Aſcention; and it is by vertue of his interceſſion in heaven, that the whole harveſt of the Elect ſhall be brought in alſo in all ſucceeding generations.
2 For thoſe that are actually made partakers of this grace of Redemption: He appears continually before God to plead their cauſe. Aaron had a breſtplate of Judgement, wherein were ſet twelve precious ſtones, with the names of the twelve Tribes of the Children of Iſrael, engraven upon them, that he might bear them upon his heart, when he went into the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord, Exod. 28.15.-29. So our Lord Jeſus, the High Prieſt of our profeſſion, hath the names of all his redeemed people, as ſignets on his heart, and preſents them continually to his Father in heaven, that upon the account of his All-ſufficient Sacrifice offered for them, he may perſwade and prevaile with him, for all neceſſary ſupplies of grace in all their concernments, to continue them in their reconciled condition, to give them daily ſtrength to obey him, to iſſue out pardons for their daily ſlips,foreign In oppoſition to Satan, who is, foreign. Rev. 12.10. 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. (He that is our Propitiation, is alſo our Advocate with the Father) and to hold them cloſe to him, ſo that not one of them ſhall periſh, but they ſhall all arrive at the happy haven of eternal glory. All this was prefigured in the Law. The High-prieſt, having firſt offered a Goat for the whole Congregation of Iſrael, muſt come the ſame day into the Holy of Holies, and bring the blood with him, and ſprinkle it on, and before the Mercy-ſeat, withall burning Incenſe, that a cloud might ariſe and cover it; that by thus doing on one ſolemn day every year, he might make an Attonement for all their ſins, Lev. 16.15, 16.-33, 34. Even ſo Jeſus Chriſt our High-Prieſt, having given up himſelf a ſacrifice for the ſins of the world, and thereby obtained eternal Redemption, entered into heaven, and there appears with his blood, to make Interceſſion through the merit of it, for guilty ſinners, ſprinkling their conſciences with it to purge them from dead works, Heb. 9.12.-14. to render them accepted by the Incenſe of his prayers, and to manage the whole buſineſs of their ſalvation to the end. Chriſt our Surety carries the price of our Redemption to heaven, and renders it in his Fathers houſe. See here righteous Father, (ſaith he) this is the ranſome for loſt Man-kinde, I have brought the full ſumme, my will is, that it ſhall be effectual, both to deliver thoſe that are ſtill captives, and to bring thoſe home thou haſt given me infallibly to ſalvation. Thus ou… redemption by Chriſt becoming a Curſe for us, was not onelyonly fully ſatisfactory to juſtice,foreign. A ſavour of reſt, Gen. 8.21. Numb. 28.2. but alſo an offering and ſacrifice of a ſweet ſmelling ſavour, Eph. 5.2. Oh what an happineſs is this! Dear heart, thou haſt a faſt friend in the Court, who is both able and willing to look to thy cauſe, and to follow thy buſineſs, that it ſhall not miſcarry, thou needeſt not fear, but he will ſave thee to the uttermoſt, Heb. 7.25.
4 Our Redeemer hath purchaſed of his Father the gift of his holy Spirit, that he may beſtow it on all the Elect,Having purchaſed it by h…s paſsion, he conveyes it by his interceſsion, Ioh. 14.16. and thereby both fetch them in, and carry them on in the ſtate of grace. The Apoſtle acquaints us with this priviledge alſo in the 14. verſe following, God ſent his Son to redeem us [that we might receive the promiſe of the Spirit through faith] Chriſt in his Sermon at Nazareth, applies to himſelf that notable Propheſie which is ſet down, Iſa. 61.1, 2. concerning his anointing, and ſending to heal the broken-hearted, and to ſet at liberty them that are bruiſed aſcribing this to the Spirit, Luke 4.18.21. The Redeemer coming out of Zion, ſhall not onelyonly turn away ungodlineſs from Jacob, but convey unto them his Spirit, which ſhal never be taken away from them, Iſa. 29.20, 21. The Lord promiſeth to put his Spirit on the Meſſiah his Servant, that he may bring forth judgement unto victory, Iſa. 42.1, 2. &c. which was fulfilled in part, Matth. 12.17, 18, &c. Chriſt promiſeth the Apoſtles, to ſend the Spirit of Truth from the Father to teſtifie of him, Joh. 15.26. and that even for the converſion of thoſe that hated him, as verſ. 24. Yea, he ſhall convince the world of ſin, righteouſneſs and judgement, Joh. 16.8. &c. ſhewing them the things which he receives from Chriſt, and ſo glorifying him, verſ. 14. They that are freed from condemnation by Chriſt coming in the fleſh, have the Spirit of God dwelling in them, Rom. 8.1, 2, 9. for all neceſſary ſupplies in the way of ſalvation, to teach them all things, Joh. 14.26. to ſoften their hearts, and to inable them to obey, Ezek. 11.19, 20. to change them into the image of the Lords glory, 2 Cor. 3.18. to frame them to the affections of children, and to ſtir up in them groans of prayer, Rom. 8.26, 27. Gal. 4.6. to witneſs with their ſpirits their adoption,As Chriſt is foreign to plead for us with God in heaven; ſo the Spirit is foreign to plead for Chriſt with us on earth. Ioh. 14.16. Rom. 8.16. to be a ſeal and earneſt of their inheritance, untill the day of final Redemption, Eph. 1.13, 14. and to raiſe up their mortal bodies at the laſt day, Rom. 8.11. Oh admirable priviledge! Judge in your ſelves, If a King having ranſomed a company of his ſubjects from Turkiſh ſlavery, ſhould ſend to every one of them a Noble-man to be alwayes near them, were not this an incredible favour? And if Jeſus Chriſt, the King of Saints, ſhould ſend a glorified Saint, or a good Angel, to abide with his redeemed people, what an honour were it? But if he ſhould give his Spirit to be our Keeper, Comforter, Leader; yea our All under himſelf; Oh this would be incredible, if the word of the Lord did not put it out of queſtion.
Sect. 5. Other three Priviledges by Redemption.
5 BY perſonal intereſt in the grace of Redemption, we become the Lords freemen. We were perfect ſlaves before; now we are brought into a condition of liberty, ſo that although we do not enjoy the whole length and breadth of it at preſent, yet we are free-men in right, and actually alſo in good meaſure. The Son hath made us free, therefore we are free indeed, Joh. 8.36. Being ranſomed out of ſlavery into the dignity of children, we are accounted no longer ſtrangers, and therefore we are free, Matth. 17.26. Although in reference to Chriſt our Redeemer, we are ſervants, he having all the right of power over us; yet conſidered, as now actually partakers of this glorious benefit, we are his free-men, 1 Cor. 7.22.
The Natives of a Kingdome are free by their birth-right, and ſo are thoſe, that are naturalized by ſpecial favour, or by a ſumme of money: We are not free-born, but by a vaſt ſumme paid out of Chriſts ſtock, we are naturalized, and ſo made Spiritual freemen. This Goſpel-liberty might be exemplified in ſundry things; as,
1. Whereas in our old ſinful condition, we were wholly locked up in our ſpirits from God, and ſo clogged, that we could not walk one ſtep with him in his wayes; now the heavieſt of our bolts being knocked off, we may walk, yea run in the way of Gods Commandements, and not faint, Pſal. 119.32. Iſa. 40.31, 32.
2. Our hearts were altogether ſhut up from h m, ſo that we could not pray to him, being inſenſible of our needs, yea and the gate of heaven was faſt barred againſt us, that our petitions could not enter; now the Throne of grace is ſet open for us, and a ſpirit of liberty is put into us through the blood of Jeſus, that we may draw near with boldneſs, and confidence, Eph. 3.12. Heb. 10.19-22. Our Redeemer aſſures us of ſpeeding on his account, Joh. 14.13, 14.
3 We had forfeited the right to the creatures, which God gave us in the day of our creation; now we have our Charter renewed, and a full aſſurance of the free uſe of them, by a more honourable title, even the right of Chriſt our Lord Redeemer, whom God hath appointed Heire of all things, Heb. 1.2. and by him all things are ours, even things to come, as well as preſent, 1 Cor. 3.21. &c.
4. We were ſubject to the traditions and impoſitions of men, we bowed down our backs, and ſuffered them to ride on our conſciences, and to make us their vaſſals; now we are delivered from that ſervitude by the price which Chriſt hath paid for us, 1 Cor. 7.23. So that although we muſt needs bee ſubject to the powers ordained of God, even for conſcience ſake, Rom. 13.5. yet not ſo, as to have dominion over our faith, but onelyonly in the Lord.
Briefly, as no earthly freedome can prejudice Chriſts intereſt in us, as his ſervants; ſo neither can any earthly obligation hinder us from having our ſhare in this honour of being his free-men.
Beloved Chriſtians, take notice of this for your ſelves, Liberty is a thing very deſirable; all men would be free. This you have by Chriſt in a moſt excellent manner. All other liberty in compariſon of this is no better than pure villanage. Oh that we could admire it! and improve it to advantage.
All the promiſes of God belong to the Lords Redeemed in a ſpecial manner. They are primarily intended for them, and made unto them; they are authentick onelyonly in, and through him, 2 Cor. 1.20. and therefore claimable onelyonly by thoſe that have intereſt in him; yea all the marrow, and goodneſs of them ſhall be given in unto them, and laid in their boſomes onelyonly, as their proper portion.
1 Promiſes of ſpiritual bleſſings, the love and favour of God, acceptation of their perſons, and ſervices, pardon of ſin, power againſt ſin, an heart of fleſh, heavenly wiſdome, ſufficiency of grace, preſervation from falling away; all theſe, and many the like great and precious promiſes, whereby we are made partakers of the Divine nature, do properly belong unto thoſe, which have obtained the precious faith of the Elect through the righteouſneſs of God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, and ſhall be made good unto them onelyonly, 2 Pet. 1.1, 4.
2 Promiſes of temporal good things are theirs alſo. Indeed we finde ſometimes promiſes in Scripture, both made, and accompliſhed to the men of the world, which live in ſin,Gen. 17.20, & …7, 39, 40. 1 King. 21.29. and are ſtrangers to the grace of Redemption, as to Iſhmael, Eſau, Ahab. But theſe are not properly called Promiſes; they are rather declarations of Gods willingneſs, and purpoſe to do ſomething for them, which they need or deſire; And the performance of them, is not ſo much the fulfilling of a promiſe, as the indulgence of his general goodneſs, who as a good houſekeeper makes proviſion for his whole family, for his ſervants, as well as his children, according to their ſeveral conditions, and qualities; or rewards for ſome temporal good ſervice done for him, as in the caſe of Jehu, 2 King. 10.30. and of Nebuchadnezzar, Ezek. 29.17, 18, &c. The promiſes even of theſe inferiour good things are fruits of the Lords ſpecial good will, and therefore proper to the Redeemed.
The Old Teſtament promiſes pertained to the Iſraelites, and ſevered from the reſt of the world, Rom. 9.4. all others being ſtrangers to them, Eph. 2.12. And the promiſes of the New Covenant belong to the Lords Redeemed, as ſevered from all the ſervants of ſin; therefore they are called Heirs of Promiſe, Heb. 6.17. When the Lord ſaith, thoſe that ſeek him, ſhall want no good thing, Pſal. 34.10. and he will with-hold no good thing from them that walk uprightly, Pſal. 84.11. he fixeth the propriety in the perſons ſo deſcribed, as thoſe onelyonly that can groundedly claime them; and this right to the promiſes, ariſeth upon the account of his giving his Son to death for us, this being infinitly the greater favour, and therefore he will not ſtick to give us the leſſer, Rom. 8.32. And now, dear brethren, which are now partakers of the great benefit of Redemption, much joy may you have in this ſweet priviledge. In the volume of Gods book you have a treaſury of promiſes, which is able to afford you a rich ſupply, whatſoever your needs are. Oh, that we were ſo wiſe, as to get acquaintance with them, and to make them familiar to our ſelves, that we may know where to finde every Jewel, and every Ear-ring, and every Bracelet, to deck our ſouls with on all needful and convenient occaſions.
7 By the grace of Redemption, we come to have a peculiar intereſt in the providence of God. Our Apoſtacy in Adam deprived us of our beſt ſafety, for thereby we provoked the Holy One to leave us to ſhift for our ſelves, and not to take care of us any more, but to ſay, as Jer. 15.1, 2. Caſt them out of my ſight, and let them go forth; or as Zach. 11.9. I will not feed them, that that dyeth, let it dye, &c. So that we may ſadly complain and bewail it, that our defence is departed from us, and we are expoſed to all dangers, that not only judgements, but alſo mercies may become poyſonful, and baneful to us. But now the Lord Jeſus, by paying our ranſome from the curſe, hath renewed our intereſt in the providence of God, ſo that he looks after us, and watcheth over us in a ſpecial manner for our good. It is ſaid of the earthly Canaan, that it is a Land which the Lord cared for, his eyes were alwayes upon it from the beginning of the year to the end of it, Deut. 11.12. It is true much more of the heavenly Canaan, the inviſible Church, whereof that was a type. His ſpecial providence is at work for the whole, and every particular member of it continually. Hee will keep his Vineyard of red wine both night and day, Iſa. 27.3. This is the Theme, or Argument of the 90. and 121. Pſalmes, where it is largely handled. And the Apoſtle ſaith, That God is the Saviour of all men, ſpecially of them that beleeve, 1 Tim. 4.10. This priviledge is very comprehenſive, and might be inlarged in many particulars. We may take a ſhort view of them, thus,
The ſpecial providence of God towards the Redeemed, is exerciſed about good, and evil.
1. About good things. It goes before them,Pſal. 5.11.12 & 103.4, 5. compaſſeth them round, and is their rereward. The Lord takes care of them, and (as I may ſay) fore-caſts what may be beſt for them, puts them upon honeſt and warrantable courſes in their going out and comming in, proſpers them in all things they take in hand, Pſalm. 1.3. as Joſeph, Gen. 39.3.23. and H…zekiah, 2 Chron. 31.21. bleſſeth a little unto them, and makes it to go far, Pſal. 37.16. It is our Redeemer Chriſt, that turns our water into wine, and multiplies a few loaves and fiſhes, to feed many thouſands.
2. About evill things, by ſaving them, 1. From; 2. In; 3. Out of evils.
1. He ſaves them from evills. The Lord is not onelyonly a Sun to inlighten, and to warm us, but a Shield to pro…ect and guard us, Pſalm. 84.11. Hee ſaveth the poore from the ſword, &c. Job 5.15.19, 20. Sometimes hee doth ſo carefully watch over his people, that troubles and dangers do not overtake them, the floods of great waters do not come near them, Pſal. 32.6. for he hideth them in the hollow of his hand, till the ſtorms be blown over, and ſo they are ſafe.
2. He ſaves them in evills. When afflictions, and troubles are upon them,He keeps all their bones, &…. Pſal. 36.20. Dan. …, 2…, & ….2…, 23. he bears a part with them, Iſa. 63.9. he ſuſtains and ſuccours them, he gives them patience in ſuffering, he ſtrengthens them with heavenly might, he conforms them to himſelf, purging out their droſs, and making them partakers of his holineſs, yea ſometimes he conveyes for them miraculouſly, preſerving them ſafe in the very mouth, and midſt of miſchief, as the three Children and Daniel, reſtraining the rage and violence of the creatures, even contrary to their natures, that they could do them no hurt.
3 He ſaves them out of evills. Although in his wiſe and juſt counſel, he ſuffers troubles to ſeize upon them, and chaſtens them with rods, yet he hath his times of deliverance here, ſooner, or later. The godly injoy many petit, partial redemptions in this life, before that great day of Redemption come, Pſal. 34.22. He knows how to deliver them, 2 Pet. 2.9. Jacob hath his time of trouble, but he ſhall be delivered out of it, Jer. 30.7. For the rod of wickedneſs ſhall not alwayes reſt on their lot, Pſa. 125.3. Yea their death is precious in his ſight, Pſal. 116.15. ſo that even then they have hope.
And in a word, this providence doth ſo order all things (both good and evill) that all ſhall work together for their good, Rom. 8.28.
All the parcels of this precious priviledge flow from the Redemption, which is in Chriſt Jeſus. It is propheſied of Chriſt under the type of Solomon, that he ſhall deliver the needy, and redeem their ſouls, Pſal. 72.12, &c. When the Branch of the Lord ſhall be beautiful and glorious, there ſhall be a Tabernacle for a ſhadow, and a covert from the ſtorm, Iſa. 42.6. When Chriſt ſhall reigne the man ſhall be as a hiding place from the wind, Iſa. 32 1, 2. It is Jacobs Redeemer, that will help him,Et erit vir ſc. Chriſtus Rex, &c. Jun. in Sch. ad loc. and be with him in the water and fire, Iſa. 41.14. & 43.12. God will ſave Judah by the Lord their God, that is, by the Meſſiah to come, Hoſ. 1.7. See that ſpecial promiſe, Mark. 16.18.
What ſay you to this, yee ranſomed ſouls? your own experience may make out all theſe things. For hath not the Lord made proviſion for you,Pſal 94 13. and laded you with benefits even beyond expectation? Do yee not ſee how hee keeps ſome ſad ſtroaks off from you, while ſome of the Devils ſlaves are beaten black and blue, gives reſt to you, while the pit is in digging for the wicked? bears your hearts up, while ſome of your neighbours ſinke under the burden, reſcues you out of ſix and ſeven troubles, while they are ſwallowed up of them? you may rejoyce in Benjamins portion; The beloved of the Lord ſhall dwell in ſafety by him, &c. Deut. 33.12. and ſay, as David, The Lord is my Shepherd, I ſhall not want, Pſal. 23.1.
Thus you have a Septenary of priviledges (beſides that of benefits) which are the peculiar portion of the Lords Redeemed. Let our hearts breath out the Pſalmiſts admiration; Oh, how great is thy goodneſs, which thou haſt laid up for them that fear thee? &c. Pſal. 31.19.
Sect. 6. Four priviledges more common?
I Shall add other four, which though they be more common, and not proper to the elect, yet deſerve the name of priviledges too.
1. Redemption by Chriſt is the opening of a ſluce, for the waters of life, to run amongſt the Gentiles. The Prophets are very frequent in holding forth this priviledge, that ſtrangers ſhall come in, and ſubmit themſelves Pſal. 18.43. &c. all the ends of the earth ſhall ſee the ſalvation of God, Pſal. 98.2, 3. the earth ſhall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,Pſal. 86.9. Pſal. 87.4. Iſa. 65.1. Iſa. 11.9. waters ſhall break out in the wilderneſs, &c. Iſa. 35.6, 7. and 41.18, 19. This was the work of Chriſt our Redeemer, ſo it was propheſied. Gen. 49.10. Shiloh, ſhall come, and to him ſhall be the gathering of the people, Pſal. 22.27. David tells us, that all the ends of the earth ſhall turn to the Lord, and that upon this ground, becauſe he is King and governour among the nations, verſ. 28. but how comes he to this Soveraigntie? it was the conſequent of his great ſufferings, which are largely deſcribed before, Iſa. 52.14, 15. the Lords ſervant ſhall have his viſage marred, (by a deep humiliation) yet he ſhall ſprinkle many nations. God gives Chriſt for a Covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles, to bring out the priſoners from the priſon, Iſa. 42.6, 7. There was a famous propheſie of the ſhining of great light upon the people, that walked in darkneſs: Iſa. 9.2. this was fulfilled, when Chriſt ſojourned in Capernaum Matt. 4.13, 14. By the blood of Chriſt, the middle wall of partition being broken down, thoſe that were far off, are made near. Eph. 2.13, 14. and ſo no more ſtrangers, but fellow-citizens, with the Saints, verſ. 19.20. therefore Chriſt having ſaid, I lay down my life for my ſheep, preſently adds, I have other ſheep, which are not of this fold; them alſo I muſt bring, &c. John 10.15.16. This is a great priviledge, and ſo to be accounted. The Apoſtle Paul calls upon us gentiles to glorifie God for his mercy, Rom. 15.9. &c. for alas what would have becomed of us ſinners of the Gentiles, if this Redemption had not opened a door of hope, we had been left as dead bones, altogether helpleſs, and undone for ever.
2. Its the foundation of that general Covenant, which God is pleaſed to ſtrike with all thoſe, whom he makes willing, to come in, and to joyn themſelves unto him in a viſible profeſſion of his name, and with their ſeed both of old among the Jews, and now with all nations, to whom he ſends the Goſpel. The Apoſtle Peter preſſeth the men of Judea, and the inhabitants of Jeruſalem, to a thorough entertaining of Chriſt, by this argument, becauſe the promiſe is general. Acts 2.38, 39. which implies, that Chriſt crucified is the baſis of the Covenant. Circumciſion was a viſible ſign of the external Covenant, whereby God owned the Jewiſh nation for his people above all others, therefore its called the Covenant it ſelf, Gen. 17.10, 11, 13. and Baptiſme now is a viſible ſign of it, to all thoſe throughout the world, which ſubmit to the Goſpel. Both theſe inſtitutions have reference to Chriſt, as the inward marrow, and ſubſtance of them▪ for we are ſaid to be circumciſed in Chriſt, and by the circumciſion of Chriſt; and to be buried, and raiſed again with him in Baptiſme, Col. 2.11, 12. Aſſuredly, if the Lord Jeſus had not undertaken, to buy out ſinners from the curſe, by becoming a curſe for them, there had been no ſuch thing as a Covenant. God would never have owned any of the ſons of men, in order to eternal life; no, nor ſo much as have ſuffered them to be called by his name, But now by the work of Redemption, all that are retainers to Chriſt, in the viſible Church, (though ſtrangers to the life of grace,) have ſome kinde of right to all Church-ordinances,Jus ad rem. if not in re. and are allowed a ſhare in ſundrie boons of favour; they may get a general acquaintance with Chriſt, and attain to ſome common graces, whereby it may go better with them, and they are nearer the kingdome of God, than thoſe that are mere ſtrangers; Oh, take heed of ſlighting this merciemercy, If the Lord will vouchſafe to own you, and your ſeed in the way of a Covenant, thereby making you (in ſome degree) capable of the choiſeſt good things, even heaven, and eternal life, you may thank your redeemer for this: and if you do not improve it to better proficiency, to raiſe you to an higher forme in his ſchool, and kingdome, it will make a ſad reckoning one day.
3. It ſhall be by the all-ſufficient merit and vertue of the grace of redemption, that the people of the Jews (once the people of God, but now rejected, and under wrath for their unbelief, and hatred againſt the Lord Jeſus) ſhall be called to the knowledge of the truth, and obtain mercy; and the fulneſs of the Gentiles ſhall be brought in, to make up one glorious Church, and new Jeruſalem. There be many excellent promiſes, in the writings of the Prophets which hold forth both theſe: The reſtauration of the Lords ancient people, is plainly foretold, in thoſe texts, which I have formerly made uſe of, on other occaſions, Iſa. 59.20, 21. compared with Rom. 11.26, 27. The Apoſtle cleares the meaning, of that propheſie, and applies it to the calling of the Jews, Pſal. 69.35, 36. God will ſave Zion, and will build the Cities of Judah, &c. Iſa. 24.22, 23. the priſoners ſhall be viſited after many dayes, and the Lord of hoſts ſhall raign in mount Zion, &c. ſee alſo Jer. 30.8.9. and 18. Ezek. 20.34, 37, 40. &c. This is lively repreſented by the reſurrection of the drie bones, Ezech. 7.31.1.14. The coming in of the Gentiles is ſpoken of, Iſa. 60.3, 4, &c. and 66.19, 20. &c. Rev. 21.10, 11, 24, &c.zach. 8.20, &c. all this flowes from the Redemption which is in Chriſt, Iſa. 11.10, 11, 12. the root of Jeſs ſhall ſtand up for an enſigne, both to the Jews and Gentiles, Jer. 50.33, 34. Iſrael and Judah are held captives, but their Redeemer, the Lord of hoſts is ſtrong, and will thoroughly plead their cauſe, &c. Zach. 9, 11. it is by the blood of the Churches Covenant, that the Lord ſends forth her priſoners out of the pit:Zach. 10.8. yea, the houſe of David, and the inhabitants of Jeruſalem ſhall look upon him, whom they have pierced, and mourn for him,Mal. 4.2. Zach. 12.10. the white robes of thoſe, which came out of great tribulation, were waſhed, and made white in the blood of the Lamb, Rev. 7.14. which our Brightman referrs to the calling of the Jews. Oh, how glorious ſhall thoſe times be? when the light of the Moon ſhall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun ſhall be ſevenfold, Iſa. 30.26. and he that is feeble among them ſhall be as David, &c. Zach. 12.8. Let us long for this day, and have it much on our hearts. Pray the Lord, to bring again the captivity of his people, and to plant them upon their Land, to ſend forth watchmen, which may call upon the Shulamite to return.Amos 9.14, 15. Can. 6.13. and to ſtirr up remembrancers, which may give him no reſt, till he eſtabliſh, and till he make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth, Iſa. 62.6, 7.
4. The overflowings of this glorious work, do reach even to the bettering of the whole Creation. The whole company of reaſonable creatures, Angels, and Men, are the purpoſe of Jeſus Chriſt; he hath bought them into his own hands, to be their Lord, to poſſeſs, command, and diſpoſe of them at his pleaſure. He commanded not onelyonly the windes and the Sea, and they obeyed him, but alſo the evil Spirits, and they owned his authority, Matth. 8.27. Luke 4.35, 36. He bought even thoſe that denyed him 2 Pet. 2.1. God's patience towards the wicked, preſervation of them, proviſion for them, their breathing in the air, treading on the earth, and the like common favours, are the fruits of Redemption. Every Son, and daughter of Adam, is beholding to the grace of the Redeemer for their very lives, and their reprival from the damnation of hell: yea, were it not for this, the whole world might (probably) have been turned into a Chaos again. It's certain, that this great viſible fabrick, with all the creatures in it, both living, and liveleſs, Sun, Moon, Starres, Elements, Plants, &c. is ſubject to vanitie; God hath ſubjected it, in his juſt judgement, for man's Apoſtaſie. So that it lies under the bondage of corruption, the creatures have loſt much of their beauty, and virtue; they are forced to do ſervice to the ſervants of ſin, Matth. 5.45. The good things of the earth are put to bad uſes,foreign. Mundi partium in ea ſummus eſt conſenſus, quod omnes una finem iſtorum malorum expectant, Beza. and imployed to the diſhonour of the Creator, Hoſ. 2.8. under this heavy burthen they ſigh, yea they travel in pain, and that together, with joynt conſent, earneſtly exſpecting an end of theſe evils: which ſhall be at the day of the general judgement, when all things ſhall be reſtored. Acts 3.21. and the children of God ſhall be poſſeſſed of full redemption. The creature was made for man, and as it became a ſharer with him in the bondage of corruption; ſo it ſhall be alſo (according to its capacity) in his deliverance, and glorious liberty to come. Rom. 8.19, 20, &c. How this ſhall be, by what means, and in what manner, it is not eaſie to determine. Some think, by a total abolition of the ſubſtance; and if it ceaſe to be, it ceaſes to be under bondage. The moſt ſay, by an alteration of qualities; it ſhall be ſo changed, as it ſhall ſeem to be, not the ſame, but another, and the Scripture tells us, that the heavens, and earth that are now, are reſerved to be burnt, with fire, 2 Pet. 3.7.10. which (ſay they,So ſome expound Job 14.12. ſee Caryl on that text, at large.) is meant of their purgation, not their annihilation. Howſoever it be for the manner, the thing is without queſtion, the creature ſhall be delivered.
Now this priviledg flowes from the Redemption wrought by Chriſt. For,
1. As it was man's ſin, that brought the curſe upon the creature: ſo the taking away of the ſin of man, is the taking of the curſe from the creature; even as the reſtoring of a Traitor is the reſtoring of all that depends upon him.
2. The preſent Liberty, and glory of the ſonnes of God is an effect of Redemption: therefore ſo is the Liberty, and glory, which the creature ſhall enjoy, with them; this being an appurtenance to that, and as the ſhadow to the body.
It behoves us to take notice of this for our ſelves. It ſhould ſadden our hearts, when we conſider, that the Creature fares worſe through our Apoſtaſie; and yet it may rejoyce us, that it fares better by our recovery.
But I have dwelt too long on the uſe of Information: I ſhall therefore diſmiſs it, and proceed to another.