A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 78 (Question 20 cont.)
SERMON LXXVIII.
6. WE proceed to conſider of the Reſtitution it ſelf, with the terms of it. Wherein we are given to underſtand what is the benefit the children of men do partake in by vertue of it. There are therefore two things done for them in and by this Reſtitution,
1. They are delivered from a ſtare of ſin and myſery.
2. They are brought into a ſtate of Salvation.
And from both of theſe it appears that the whole happineſs of the creature was contrive… in this affair. We may take a brief account of each of them.
1. THEY are delivered from a ſtate of ſin and miſery. In this we are pointed to the term from which this Reſtitution brings the man. How, or after what manner this is …c. …, muſt be afterwards conſidered. Here we only take notice of the thing it ſelf. In which,
(1.) HERE is a deliverance aſſerte! And that preſuppoſeth a thraldom into which he was fallen; for if he were not enthralled, he would not ſtand in need of a deliverance. Man's Anaſtaſy preſuppoſeth his Apoſtacy. Now there are two ways in which men may be delivered, viz. by the payment of a price, and the reſcuing them by power, and both of theſe are in ſeveral reſpects concerned in this, as will afterwards appear. And on this account is Chriſt called the deliverer, Rom. 11.26.
(2.) THAT which they are delivered from is a ſtate of ſin and miſery. There we may remember the Apoſtacy left them; here then the Reſtitution finds them; and brings them out of that woful condition which the fall had brought them into. And by conſidering of what bath been already ſaid of that twofold ſtare, we may underſtand what is implyed or contained in this deliverance.
1. THEY are delivered from a ſtate of Sin. Now a ſtate of ſin is a being bound under ſin, and left in the hands of corruption, under the dominion and influence of original ſin, and ſo a miſerable neceſſity of ſinning in thought, word and deed; which is the condition of all men by nature, Rom. 3.12. Now in this deliverance,
(1.) THEY are delivered from the guilt of ſin. Rom. 8.1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Chriſt Jeſus, who walk not after the fleſh, but after the ſpirit.
(2.) THEY are freed from the reigning power of ſin. It is dethroned, and hath no more a ſovereign authority over them. Whatſoever moleſtation it may give them for the preſent, it is no longer their Lord: they are not voluntary ſervants to it, if it doth any thing in them it is by force, by captivating them. Rom. 7.23. But I ſee another law in my members, warring againſt the law of my mind, & bringing me into captivity to the law of ſin, which is in my members. But the body of death is crucified, and in that reſpect dead. Col. 7.23. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Chriſt in God. They are not under the law of ſin. Rom. 8.2.
(3.) HENCE they are freed from acting of ſin, with that freedom and delight which ſometimes they did. They once yielded their members to be the inſtruments of unright couſneſs, but now they do not ſo do. When they ſinned, they followed their entire natural inclination. Rom. 6.20. For when ye were the ſervants of ſin, ye were free from right righteouſeſ…. But now if they ſin at any time it is againſt their will. Rom. 7.15. For that which I do, I allow not : for what I would, that do I not, but what I hate, that do I. Hence they diſcla… it as none of their own. ver. 20. Now if I do th… I would not: it is no more I that do is, but f… that dwell…th in me.
(4.) THEY shall in God's time be wholy delivered from the being of ſin in them. The ſinfuneſs of their nature ſhall be taken away, and no remains of it left in them, and the… all actual in will conſequently ceaſe, th…y ſhall ſin… no more: there is a perfect … they are to arrive to. …h. 4.13. and that muſt needs include in it s ſinleſs ſtate. Hence that triumph, 1 Cor. 13.55, 56, 57. O … where is thy ſt…ng? O grave, where is thy … The ſting of death is ſin: and the ſir… … ſin is the …aw. But thanks be to God, which g… eth as the victory though our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
2. THEY are delivered from a ſtate of Misery. This, we obſerved, was conſequent upon the former. It was ſin that brougt death into the world, Rom. 5.12. And when that is deſtroyed, the other will ceaſe.
(1.) THEY are freed from the Curſe. God. 3. 13. Coript hath redeemed us from the curſe… the law, being made a curſe for us. This was contained in the threatning, and derived from ſin as the meritorious cauſe of it. And be…, though many affictions do for the pre… abide upon them, yea, and a bodily dear…, yet there is no curſe in them; all aſſlictions are ſanctified for their good; and the very ſting of death is taken out. 1. Cor. 15.55. death, where is thy ſting?
(2.) HENCE they are freed from theſe ſe… and horrors which ariſe from the apprehen… of the Curſe. This is that which is called the ſpirit of bondage, which we are ſaid not to received again, Rom. 8.15. And theſe when acted upon the conſcience make the life … ſerable; but they are delivered from the cauſe of them.
(3.) THEY are delivered from the ryr… of Sin, Satan, and World. Their ſlavery was great, and they were very unhappy by it: they were priſoners to theſe cruel lords, who made them to ſerver with rigour: but their priſon doors are opened, and they are ſet at liberty, Iſai. 61.2.
(4.) THEY are finaly ſaved from all Trouble and Sorrows. The troubles of this life … in due time ceaſe, they ſhall reſt from th… loads, and they ſhall be for ever delivered from the wrath to come. 1. Theſ. 1.10. … 20.6. Sin being taken away, none of the unhappy fruits of it ſhall remain.
2. THEY are brought into a ſtate of Salvation. This is the term to which. Salvation indeed in the latitude of it includes both; it ſuppoſeth an uncomfortable condition which it ſaves men from, and a deſirable ſtate which it confers upon them. But here it points only to the latter. As therefore this Reſ… tion frees him from the evil he was fallow into, and brings him out of his horrible pit: ſo it reſtores him to the good which he loſt by the Apoſtacy. There was ſomething he was fallen from, and that was life, the recovering of which is here called Salvation: it was life that he loſt, this then is reſtored … him: and this Salvation is oppoſive to the …fold ſtate before ſpoken of . Hence,
(1.) THEY are brought from a ſtate of ſ… to a ſtate of …neſs. The li…e of ſanctification was man's ſtate in innocency, by vertue of the image of God which was upon him, and into this ſtate is he brought again. Eph. 4.2…. And the ye put on the new man, which aſter God is created in righteouſneſs, and true b…i…ſs. And this is the ſtate of vivification, by which they are quick …ed. Eph. 2.4, 5. I… it they are made comformable to God, and his glorious will. Rom. 12.2.
(2.) THEY are brought from a ſtate of miſery to a ſtate of happineſs. And there is a double happineſs which is taken notice of in Scripture; in…ate in this life, which flows from the ſtate of reconciliation they are brought into. Pſal. 22 1.2. and perſe… in the c…f…mmation of all thoſe felicities which are at length to be enjoyed for ever in the kingdom of Glory. Pſai 16. …. Theſe things will come to have a diſtinct conſideration in the ſequel. It may then ſuffice only to have painted at them now. Only let us here ſee how infinitely it concerns us all to get an in…ſt in this Reſtitution. If we would eſcape … and miſery, and be happy for ever, this is the only way to it; and if we now miſs of it, we ſhall repent when it is too late.
3. THE last thing we have here to conſider of, is the way in which this Reſtitution is brought …; i.e. by a Redeemer. FOR our methodical proceeding in this, and the things which follow, it is here to be obſerved, that man's Reſtitution hath two … in it, viz. Redemption and Application. In the former of theſe, man's Salvation is p…ſed for him: in the latter, it is brought home to him, and he is inveſted … it. We are led to the former of theſe …, which is to be traced through divers following Queſtions. That which is before … preſent is only a general introduction of the doctrine of man's Redemption. Where … to conſider, 1. What this Redemption is …. The neceſſity of it in oder to the Salvation of fallen man. 3. That for this it is requiſite that there be a Redeemer.
1. WHAT this Redemption is?
… REDEMPTION in the largeſt ſenſe that it is uſed comes under a double conſideration, viz. Redemption by price, and by power. And b…th of theſe do truly belong to Chriſt as ou… Redeemer; and were both perſonally d…ged by him in the execution of his …orial Offices; although the latter of th… doth more eminently appear in the … of Application. But inaſmuch as the S…dation of our Salvation is-laid in the former, and the other is built upon it, ſnaf may be the Subject of our preſe…t co…ſideration, and the latter may be taken notice of when we come to the contemplation of his Kingly Office. And indeed the more proper and ſtrict notion of the word Redemption belongs to the former; and accordingly we may cake this deſcription of it; Redemption is a ſatisfaction … to the … of Juſtice for a certain number of fal…en men by the payment of a ſufficient renſ…m, according to agreement. E…ption ſi…ities a buying: Redemption a buying again, and ſo it ſuppoſeth the ſubject to be under a forfeiture; and is in our vulgar account applied both to things and perſons. There is the Redemption of Inheritances that are ſold, of Goods that are forfeited, of Captives, of Slaves, of Condemned perſons: all which caſes bear ſome reſemblance to the matter in hand. But for a more diſtinct caplication of this we may in the deſcription obſerve,
1. THE ſubjects of this Redemption, viz. A certain number of fallen men. And every word here calls for a ſpecial remark to be made on it.
1. THEY are Men. There are two ſorts of creatures that have loſt happineſs, and fallen into a ſtate of ſin and miſery, v…z. Angels and Men; but the former of theſe do not come within the compaſs of this Redemption, only the latter. It is the infelicity of apoſtate Angels, that they are left for ever without all hopes of recovery, becauſe there is none to redeem them. There is Emphaſis in that, Heb. 2.16. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels: but he t…ok on him the ſ…ed of Abraham. And therefore we have that awful expreſſion, Jud. 6. And the Angels which kept not their firſt eſtate, but left their own habitation, be hath reſerved in everlaſting chains under darkneſs, unto the judgment of the great day. Thus it is man's great and peculiar priviledge, that God hath provided a Redemption for ſuch. Joh. 3.16. For God ſo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son: that whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life.
2. THEY are fallen Men. Such as are ſwallowed up in the ruine of Adam's Apoſtacy; ſuch as have forfeited themſelves and their all; are lawful captives; and fallen under a juſt condemnation; for this Redemption belongs to their Reſtitution. It was by man's fall that he came to ſtand in need of this. Man was created at liberty, and if he had not by ſin made himſelf a priſoner of Juſtice, he would not have needed an enlargement. Hence that expreſſion, Zech. 9.11. As for thee alſo, by the blood of thy covenant, I have ſent forth thy priſoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
3. THEY are a number of fallen Men. It is not all the whole race that are thus redeemed. The doctrine of univerſal Redemption is here to be exploded. Redemption, (as was but now obſerved,) is one part of man's Reſtitution, and we have before ſeen proved, that the ſubjects of Reſtitution are not all but only ſome. Beſides if we confider that the end of Redemption is the ſalvation of the redeemed, we muſt then either ſay that all are ſaved, or that Redemption loſeth its end as to the greater number of mankind; which muſt reflect upon the wiſdom and power of God. If God intended to ſave them, and for that end redeemed them, why are they not ſaved? If he did not intend to ſave them, why did he redeem them? We are told what Redemption is for, Gal. 4.5. To redeem them that were under the law, that are might receive the adoption of ſons. As for the notion of Conditional Redemption, ſo much and fondly entertained by ſome, viz. that Chriſt hath ſatisfied for them to procure Salvation in their behalf, in caſe the comply with his terms; it proceeds from ignorance, and a confounding of the Covenant of Redemption as to its Articles, with thoſe of the Goſpel Covenant in its external diſpenſations. And if that were the true notion of Redemption, how comes it that theſe Articles are not propoſed to all, but millions live and die, and never hear of them? Let men evade it as they will, we have no reaſon to believe that Chriſt would die for thoſe for whom he would not pray, Job. 17.9. As for the diſtinction that ſome uſe of ſufficient and effectual Redemption, the beſt or it is, that it is very improper; for though it is a great truth, that there is enough in the price that was paid to have purchaſed the whole number of mankind, yet to call that a Redemption which was never intended for, nor applied to the ſubject, is ſcarce intelligible. In a word, God's Election, Chriſt's Redemption, and the Spirit's Application, carry on the ſame deſign; and conſequently have the ſame ſubject.
4. THEY are a certain Number. They are not only ſo many in groſs, but theſe and thoſe by count and name. That they are ſo in God's Election, hath been already made to appear, and theſe and no other are the ſubjects of Redemption; there needs therefore nothing here to be added.
II. THE Redemption it ſelf that was laid in for theſe Subjects, in the reſt of the deſcription.
And here obſerve,
(1) THE general nature of this Redemption, or what is done in it; viz. Satisfaction is made to the law of Juſtice, on their account. In every proper Redemption, there are demands made, and a compliance with them is come into for the accompliſhment of it. For out better taking up of this, conſider, 1. THAT man was at firſt placed under the law as a rule of Relative Justice. That God gave man a rule at firſt is certain; and the very Gentiles that have not the written law, being a law to themſelves, are a witneſs of it. Rom. 2.14, 15. Now this is called a law of righteouſneſs, Rom. 9.31. becauſe it was the ſtated rule of God's juſt proceedings with the reaſonable creature, in the an… ment of his ſpecial government over it … in which he gave him to underſtand what … was to ſtand to, and what he was to exp…t from him. 2. THAT this law required of man p…ſ… obedience to its commands, and forbad him …y the leaſt tranſgreſſion on pain of death. He was to do all, to omit none, to do nothing beſide or againſt the preſcriptions of this … And there was a forfeiture, a penalty annexed in caſe of his failing in any of … reſpects. This was put to the Seal of … firſt Covenant, Gen. 2.17. In the day that … eat…ſt there ſ… thou ſhall ſurely die. And … referred to every article whereto that Sa… ment was a Seal. And therefore every … is accordingly threatned with Death. E…. 18.4. The ſoul that ſ…aneth, it ſhall die. 3. MAN by ſin is fallen under the threating, and ſo become a priſoner of justice. And that upon a double account, viz. both as a d…l…r and an offender: for he owes perfect obedience ſtill, and is ſuable for non-payment; and he hath provoked God, and is become a man of death for his tranſgreſſing the …. Guilt lies upon him, and is a priſon in which Juſtice holds him, and he cannot get out. Hence all men in their natural ſtate are legally dead men, Rom. 5.12. 4. THIS Juſtice muſt have ſatisfaction is order to its giving the man a diſcharge. If the law conſent to his delivery, it muſt be anſwered in its demands; or otherwiſe the … doth not come off in way of Redemption Till that be compounded with, the man is a lawful priſoner: and cannot truly be ſaid to be redeemed. This is the way in which Juſtice itſelf ſeicheth the man out of pri…, and gives him his liberty. Rom. 3.16.
(2) THE ſpecial nature of it, or the …y in which it is done: i. e. by the p…ent … ſufficient ranſom. Redemption by … is the laying down of a ranſom; this there… is aſſerted concerning Chriſt, 1 T…. 2.60. … gave himſelf a ranſom for all. Here …
[1] THIS Redemption is in the way … Ranſom. And in this reſpect we are … be bought, 1 Cor. 6.20 And this is opp… 1. TO Power. There is a power of … which is exerted in our redemption … our enemies into whoſe hands we are … and who will hold us faſt till they are … by conſtraint to let us go; as will after… come to be conſidered. But in the … with the law, there is no ſuch force uſed, … a compoſition made, and all the Artic… … it fully complied withal. And for th… ſon Chriſt is ſaid to be made under the … be might redeem us, Gal 4.4. 2. TO Prayers or Supplications. Our … verance out of the hands of Juſtice is … way of Petition, but Satisfaction. He … not begged us, but bought us out of … hands of Juſtice. We are freed by … exchange. There is indeed an inter… which is made by Chriſt in purſuit of … Prieſtly Office, in which reſpect he is our Advocate, but that is for the application of his Redemption to thoſe for whom it was undertaken. But he did not obtain that by Prayers, but paid for it. How that was, will afterwards be obſerved.
[2.] IN this Ranſom there was a ſufficient price laid down for the u…m…ſt ſatisfaction of Juſtice on their account. The law was fulfilled in it, according to, Math. 5.17. It was a very great price that was la…d down. The Redemption of Souls is preci…us, Pſal. 49.8. A Princes ranſom is another gheſs thing to that of a condemned perſon. It was an exceeding tranſcendent price; there is none comparable to it. If all the Earth, and Seas, and Stars too, were maſſy Gold, Diamonds and Carbuncles, they were of no worth in valuation with this. 1. Pet. 1.1…. U countable Hecatombs of Sacrifices ſignity nothing in competition with it. Mich 6.8. It was a full proportionable price to the full demands of what Juſtice could poſſibly make; not the leaſt is … of the law was overlock'd in it. Math. 5.18. It wrought a perfect agreement between mercy and truth, righteouſneſs and peace. Pſal. 1.10. There is nothing abated in the ſeverity of the law, but it hath all that it requires
[3.] THE way in which it comes to be a Redemption price for any of fallen men, viz. it was paid according to agreement. A Sum doth not properly or truly bear the de…mination of a Redemption, becauſe of the ſufficient intrinſical worth or value of it: and therefore in all ſuch Redemptions there is a compounding for, and then a payment of the Ranſom. Here let theſe things be taken notice of, 1. THAT man is by ſin become a lawful priſoner of Juſtice. He is ſhut up under it. Gal. 3.23. He is therefore called a lawful captive. The Juſtice of God hath warrantably made a fiezure of him, as one who is righteouſly expoſed to the ſeverity of it. His mouth muſt be ſtopped, he hath nothing to plead againſt it. Rom. 3.19. He hath brought himſelf by his own default into this unhappy condition. 2. THAT the caſe is Criminal. It is true, as was but now obſerved, he owes obedience to the law as a due debt, but yet the default of non-payment of that debt is acrime. Sins of omiſſion bring him under the threatning, and render him a man of death; the curſe runs ſo, Gal. 3.10. Curſed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But he is not only ſhort of actual obedience, but a direct tranſgreſſor, and hath done the things that are worthy of death, and againſt which the law hath pronounced a moſt fearful ſentence: ſo that he ſtands impeached before God's Tribunal. 3. THAT it is at God's liberty whether he will take any ſatisfaction for the life of the ſinner, and ſo diſcharge him. He that hath a Captive of war in his hands, or a Criminal in point of law, is at his choice whether he will let him be redeemed or no, or make his life to go for …. He is in his hands, and he hath the power of life or death over him: it is therefore an act of mercy to ſuch a priſoner if he will at all let him eſcape, upon the payment of any price. And for this Reaſon, this is aſ…ed to the arbitrary Sovereignty of the will of God. Rom. 9.18. Therefore hath be mercy on whom he will have mercy. 4. HEN…E there muſt intervene a Covenant contract, to render this price effectual. There is no wrong done if a man offer that which may be thought of more value, for the ſaving the life of a condemned malefactor, th…ugh th Judge refuſe it, and reſolve he ſhall die for it: but when, the matter is c…mpou…ded, then Juſtice requires the diſcharge of the priſoner, upon the payment made … that, though there is a ſufficiency in … price of it ſelf, and there muſt be ſo, as will be evidenced, yet we muſt have an eye to the C…venant of ſuret…ſhip if we would be ſat…sned how it becomes a Ranſom. That there was ſuch a redemption as this indented for, we have already obſerved in the co…ſideration of the Covenant … that it hath been paid in full, and a diſcharge given on the account of it, will be manifest when we have conſidered this work in its parts; in which there will appear to be nothing wanting for the compleating of it.
USE. WHAT abundant cauſe have we then to celebrate this rich kindneſs of God to poor man, in that b… hath provided a Redemption for him? The greatneſs of this favour will be more eſpecially ſet forth in the following conſideration, but yet here is that which may make it admirable, for us to think that when man by his own fault had made himſelf beyond conception miſerable, and that by giving the higheſt provocation to the great G…d, who might now have fallen upon him in his juſt diſpleaſure, and glorified his revenging Juſtice on him in his ruin, God did of himſelf lay in for his recovery; and when the man could … nothing for himſelf, ſent him a Redemption, as Pſal. 18.9. He ſent redemptiont to his people, he hath commanded his covenants for ever; holy and reverend in his name. We muſt ſay this is the Lord's own doing and ought we not to account it marvellous? How much hath God herein diſplayed of his good will to men? And what a door of hope is there hereby ſet open to miſerable ſinners, that they may eſcape the wrath of G…d, and ve…geance of Hell? Let us then with all humble thankfulneſs entertain the report of theſe glad ridings and looking upon our ſelves to be deeply concerned therein: Let it encourage and quicken us to make our after an intereſt in it, by ſeeking unto God for it, in the way which he hath revealed in his holy Goſpel, according to the invitation therein made to us. That ſo, through the vertue of this Redemption we may obtain eternal Salvation.
[OCTOBER 30. 1694.]