A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 83 (Question 23)
SERMON LXXXIII.
QUESTION XXIII.
WHAT Offices doth CHRIST execute as our Redeemer?
ANSWER.
CHRIST, as our Redeemer, executes the Offices of a Prophet, of a Prieſt, and of a King, both in his eſtate of Humiliation and Exaltation.
We are yet on the ſpeculation of Chriſt's preparation or fitneſs to be a Redeemer. We have taken notice of his Incarnation, without which he could not have gone through the work incumbent on ſuch an one. But that alone was not ſufficient to conſtitute him actually a Redeemer. For though it render'd him capable of doing all that was requiſite, yet God's acceptance as well as Chriſt's performance of the work was her neceſſary to render it valid. He muſt therefore be inaugurated in this office by his Father, and thereby authorized to his work in order to his ſetting about it. Which though it were ratified to the Son of God in the Covenant of Redemption, yet there was a ſolemn confirmation of it to Chriſt, God man, in the ſ… neſs of time; which we are now to enquire into, under this, and Three more Queſtions And this is that which Divines do uſually call his Unction or An…inting. And there are two things that here lie fair for our conſideration, 1. The Office it ſelf unto which … was anointed. 2. The Unction with which he was conſecrated in this Office. Our Ca… cliſm only takes notice of a Threefold Office that Chriſt bare, but if we will have a diſtinct view of this affair, we muſt look back, and ſee how they ſtand, and in what way be came to be inveſted with them. Now it is certain that all theſe Three Offices are c… prited in owe, as ſo many branches of it; and his being confirmed in that, eſtabl…ſhed … in each of them. And this great and tempre…e-fire Office, is that of a Mediater. Which that he might fully diſcharge, he muſt be hath Ic…p…t, Pr…ct, and King. We m…y then, 1. Take a general account of his Mediatorſhip. 2. Of his Unction unto it. 2. A particular view of theſe Mediatorial Offices as they are deſcribed in the following Queſtions.
1. FOR a general account of his Mediatorſhip. There are ſeveral Inquiries that may here be made. A brief reſolution whereof will give us light into this Office. Premiſing, that Jeſus Chriſt is fully declared in the Goſpel to hare this title belonging to him; on the account of an Employment devolved on him, which is anſwerable to that Title. He is therefore expreſly called the …, 1 Tim. 2.5. Heb 9 15. Ch. 12.24 Beſides other parallel terms implying the ſome thing. Here then,
1. THAT is implied in the Title and Office uſe Me…ator?
A. THE word it ſelf, which is ſo tranſited in the face cited Texas, properly ſigni…s, a Middler; or one that ſtands in the middle be… …. And it implies two extreams, …ct parties between whom he ſo ſtands. And in that language it is ſometimes uſed for owe that carries letters or meſſages from …e party to another, and back again. And the So…ns will allow it no other meaning in the Goſpel; but how untruly and injuri…ly, will appear in the Sequel: for though the weed it ſelf be equally applicable to one that hath any thing to do between two parties, whether as a meſſenger, a pleader, an interceſſor, or an undertaker; yet when it is applied to Chriſt it graſps in it all that is applicable to the word among men; for is preſerts us with one who ſo ſtands between two diſagreeing parties, as to bring them together into one; and accordingly doing all that is neceſſary to be done by ſuch …e for the accompliſhment of this deſign. In a word, Chriſt is ſet forth, not only as a Mediator, but a Mediator in a Covenant. … 12.24. And to Jeſus the mediator of the covenant. And that between God and … 1 Tim 2.5. For there is one God, and … Mediator between God and men, the man Chriſt Jeſus. Who were enemies; and his …eſs is to bring them together again. … if we confider what belongs to ſuch a Mediator among men, that will do this to effect; it will ſhew us the import of this …le and Office as it is devolved on Chriſt. …e then obſerve,
1. THAT the uſe of ſuch a Mediator is only in uſe of a difference that is fallen out between … p…rties. If they are at one already, there in … need of one to interpoſe to atone them. … is it every difference that requires it; lighter debates may be compoſed between the parties themſelves: but it preſames ſuch a difference as there is no probability of their ever coming to an agreement, without the intervention of a third party to take up and compoſe the Controverſy between them.
2. THAT the deſign of ſuch a mediation, being to bring thoſe parties into a Covenant of peace, hence all that is requiſite to the eſta…iſhing of ſuch a Covenant belongs to him. He muſt omit nothing that is needful to that end, unleſs he will fail in his undertaking; it he is reſolved to bring it about, he will do any thing that is neceſſary. And there are ſuch things as theſe muſt be.
1. HE muſt go from one to another, and uſe …il …vgaments to bring them to a treaty. If there is no treating, there can be no agreeing. As long as they will not ſpeak one to another, there is no hope of an atonement. He muſt therefore perſwade both parties to be willing to make overtures, and debate upon terms of agreement; and to that end muſt travel between one and another, till he hath brought this about. This is to be a days man, who lays his hand on both parties, Job 9.33. He muſt be willing to ſpend a day in the buſineſs.
2. HAVING thus prevailed, he muſt now …er terms of agreement to hub. It there ever be a Covenant of peace between ſuch, it muſt be upon Articles; and it is the Mediators work to ſtudy and offer them; and if he will do any thing to purpoſe, he muſt be wife and prudent in it: he muſt therefore propoſe ſuch as are moſt likely to be accepted; and hence ſuch as are for the advantage of each party, wherein neither ſhall be loſers, but both gainers; to offer other terms is vain.
3. HE muſt uſe entreaty, and preſs reaſons to perſwade them to the acceptance of theſe terms. If he ſhould find them backward, he muſt not ſo give over, but purſu… his buſineſs, with all manner of ſuitable pleadings, and not reſt till he hath gained them to a compliance: he muſt be reſolute, and not beat out of heart, tho' he ſhould meet with difficulty and reluctance.
4. IF need require, he muſt become ſurety, either for one or both. Sometimes differing parties are not willing to truſt one the other. He therefore that interpoſeth muſt not ſtick at that: if there be all the demur, he muſt be ready to bring himſelf under the …irmeſt obligation, to ſee that the terms agreed on ſhall be truly and faithfully performed on each hand; and he muſt come under bo…ds for this; elſe he may loſe all his former labour.
5. NAY ſometimes he muſt himſelf undertake to perform them, when elſe there can be no credit given, that ever they will be performed. The one party may have a confidence, that the other neither can not will of himſelf do what he is obliged to in ſuch a Covenant: Now the Mediator muſt take upon him, and engage, that he will do it; there ſhall be no demur there. Thus we have Paul mediating in the behalf of Oneſimus, Philem. 18, 19.
6. HE muſt alſo be ever ready to interpeſe and compoſe differences which may take ce…aſi…n to ariſe afterwards. There may be jealouſies remain, and there may be ſuch carriages as nouriſh thoſe jealouſies, and offer at making a breach again: A faithful Mediator is concerned to obſerve theſe, and ſtep in preſently to obviate them, and prevent the ill tendency of them. Theſe are notions common among men; and may be a ſhadow to us of Chriſt's Mediatorſhip: which, how far they are applicable will hereafrer be conſidered.
2. TO what Covenant the relation of Chriſt as a Mediator doth belong?
A. THAT it hath a reſpect to ſome Covenant was observed under the jormer. And it muſt be ſo, becauſe it is the Mediators work to make an agr…erent between parties at variance, which is by bringing them to ſtrike up a Covenant one with another. Now we are told that it is the New Covenant. Heb. 12.24. Now there are Three Covenants of God, with reſpect to man's Salvation, which are celebrated in Scripture. There is the Covenant of Redemption, paſt between the Father and Son; of which not long ſi…ce we have taken the account; but it cannot intend that, For that is the ancienteſt of all; being eternal, and never had a beginning. There is the Covenant of Works, which God made with man at firſt, when he created him: nor can it p…int to that, for that cannot now he called new, there being another brought to light ſince that, which Covenant of works is in that reſpect called the old Covenant. There is then the Covenant of Grace, which was revealed upon man's falling ſhort of that of Works, and hither belongs the relation of Med ator as applied to Chriſt. A more particular account whereof, take in four things,
1. THAT the everlaſting deſignation of the Son of God to become a Mediator, was laid in the Covenant of Redemption. The terms of that Covenant comprehended all that was requiſite for the compleat recovery of man from miſery to happineſs. Now this was to be wrought out by Chriſt's mediation. And thus the Covenant of Grace it ſelf is a reſult of the Covenant of Redemption; the foundation of it being laid in that, and is therefore called the Grace given, &c. 2. Tim. 1.9. Here then we find the certain futurition of Chriſt's mediatorſhip.
2. THAT a Mediator is in himſelf a Perſon different and diſtinct from either party in a Covenant. Though be applies himſelf to both, and may in ſome reſpect be ſaid to be of both, (of which afterwards) Yet as Mediator, he is neither; and the very word inters ſo much; for we heard, it ſignifies a middler or a middle Perſon ſtanding between two. And it is poſſible that a Mediator may he ſo, and vet of neither party, as one that is a meer Mediator of Reconciliation only: For, to bring a Mediator into the compaſs of partyſhip in a Covenant, it is requiſite that he be alſo a Mediator of ſuretiſhip But theſe things will be lookt into under the following Inquiry. Nor indeed … Mediator make himſelf of one party, bet by the approbation of the other, without ſpoiling his deſign.
3. THAT in the Covenant of Redemption, the Son of God is the one party. He is not …aly of the party, but the alone party: there is none that ſtands obliged to the Father but himſelf: and there was no room for a Mediator in that Covenant: there was no difference between the parties in it, being infinitely ſatisfyed each in other, nor was there any ground of jealouſy between then The everlaſting nearneſs and unity between the parties, admitted not of any to interpoſe they could entitely truſt one in the other without any elſe to ſtand bound. Mat. 3.17.
4. THAT the office of a Mediator properly bel…ngs to the Covenant of Grace: or to that Covenant wherein God and fallen man are the parties. It hath no room in the Covenant of works: for as when that was indented with man, there was no difference between God and him, it is there needed none to interpo…e; ſo when man fell from his obedience to it, it was … longer a Covenant of life to him. Gal. 3.21. And that it might alſo ceaſe to be a Covenant of death, which he by his apo… had made it to be, the new Covenant … Grace was promulgared. For the eſtabliſhing of which, Chriſt was appointed to be a Mediator. And this leads us to the … Inquiry.
3. WHY there muſt be a Mediator of the New covenant?
A. THE neceſſity of a Mediator is gr…d on the firſt Covenant of Works, conſidered … Mans ſtate of Apoſt…ſy. or the relation th… … Fall hath made him to bear to that Covenant. We may take a more diſtinct account of it in the following Concluſions.
1. THAT if Man had abode in his primiti… Integrity, and not violated the firſt Covenant, he had not needed a Mediator. If Man … obeyed, he would thereby have preſerved … perpetual amity between God and him: God had promiſed him life upon his obedience, and would have conferred it upon him; … there been no ſin, there would have been as offence, no breach between them, and … ſequently no need of any to interpoſe and take up the controverſy, becauſe there would have been none.
2. THAT Man had by his, Apoſtaſy ſo … the firſt Covenant and ſo broken himſelf upon … that there was no Salvation for him but by a … Covenant. See Gal. 3.21. Is the law … againſt the promiſes of God? God forbid: fo… if there had been a law given, which could … given life, verily right couſneſs ſhould … been by the law. The law could once … given life, while man was no tranſgreſ… but when once he is guilty, it can is … wife repair him again. That Covenant had not only a promiſe, but a threatning too, and theſe equally fi…t and immutable: and to … there was a Sacramental ſign of conſir…tion. The threatning ſentenced man to …is for the leaſt tranſgreſtion: the fall therefore made him a man of death; nor can his moſt perfect and conſtant, after obedience, were be able to perform it, make void that i…ce…, Gen. 2.17. In the day that thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhall ſurely die. In rigour of juſtice, he muſt di… for that tranſgreſſion. Beſide, the firſt part of his puniſhment, or of that death that ſeizeth him, is the loſs of the image of God, or that principle of holineſs & righteouſneſs which enabled him to obey: which loſs being attended with a depravation of his whole nature, he is left …nder a curſed neceſſity of running himſelf into deeper arrears, by renewed tranſgreſſions. So that in this ſtate the firſt Covenant ſpeaks nothing but death to him. Eph. 2.3.
3. THAT there is no way opened for a new-Covenant but by a Mediator. God and fallen man can never come together to agree upon terms of peace, without a middle perſon coming between them, to make up the breach. For,
(1.) MAN's ſin had made ſuch a diſtance be… God and him, that they will never come to a treaty, without one to mediate betwixt th…. Sin hath ſet up a wall of ſeparation, Iſai. 59.2. But your iniquities have ſeparated between you and your God, and your fins hide his face from you, that he will not hear. They are become enemies, and up in arms each againſt other, and who ſhall firſt move for a reconcilement, and ask for peace?
1. NOT God; and that in point of honour: for he is the party wronged, and he is the ſuperio…. Sin hath robbed him of his glory, and his holineſs ſtands engaged to maintain and recover it. His quarrel is righteous; man hath made him his enemy, and he reſolved that he ſhall know it: hence, though he is willing to be reconciled, yet it is meet that he be interceded with, and there be one to entreat his favour for poor man. Heb. 12. ult. For our God is a conſuming fire.
2. NOT Man: and that upon a double account.
1. BECAUSE the Covenant of works diſcovered no hope to him of a poſſibility of reconciliation. The threatning of death, in caſe of di…bedience, was poſitive, earneſt, and without any expreſt reſerve, Gen. 2.17. In the … that thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt ſurely die. So that he could diſcern no probability … poſſibility of obtaining any advantage, by be…ging for peace. He knew that God was holy, juſt, and true; that he had violared the Covenant, and that Juſtice had doomed him … die: nor did he know how it was poſſible th… juſtice ſhould be maintained and he be p…doned; his caſe therefore looked deſporate.
2. BECAUSE ſin had alienated his heart from God. He had not only made God his enemy, but himſelf God's enemy too, Sin had put ſuch a malignity Into …im, that his mind was alienated from any thoughts of ſeeking peace with God. We are told how it is with the natural man in this regard, Rom. 8.7. Becauſe the carnal wind is enmity againſt God: for it is not ſubject to the law of God; neither indeed can be. Man is grown too high, too proud and ſtout to ask forgiveneſs at God's hand. He hath in him a rooted prejudice againſt God. Rom. 1.30. How their ſhould theſe come together but by a Mediator?
(2.) SO pure is God's holineſs, and ſo impure is man by fin, that they cannot come to treat but by a Mediator: When God came to give the law on Mount Sinni, (Exod. 19.) bounds were ſet, a diſtance to be kept, and it was death for any of the people to come nigh, but Moſes muſt interpoſe. Hence that, Gal. 3.19. And it was ordained by Angels in the hands of a Mediator. Should a ſinner immediately approach an holy God, his holineſs would conſume him. The ſinner hath nothing to plead for himſelf, that is of any value; and God muſt plead with him in his wrath. See, Pſal. 5.4, 5. For thou art not a God that hath pleaſure in wichedneſs: neither ſhall evil dwell with thee. The fooliſh ſhall not ſtand in thy ſight, thou hateſt all workers of iniquity. So he expreſſeth himſelf, Job 9 32, 33. For he is not a man as I am, that I ſhould anſwer him & we ſhould come together in judgment. Neither is there any days-man betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
(3.) SUCH are the jealouſies betwixt God and the ſinner, that they cannot be removed but by a Mediator. For,
1. GOD is a jealous God for his great Name. So he declares himſelf, Exod. 34.14. For thou ſhalt worſhip no other god … for the Lord, whoſe name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Man having once proved falſe in the Covenant, and violated his fidelity to God, there is no reaſon that he ſhould truſt him again, or take his word and promiſe to be of any value: nay, God knows what is in man, and therefore will not truſt him. He hath crackt his credit with God, who looks upon every man to be a liar, and his heart to be deceitful above all things, and deſperately wicked; ſo that if ever God truſt man again, there muſt be a Mediator to paſs his word for him, and come into bonds with him.
2. MAN is alſo jealous of God And tho' he hath no reaſon to doubt of his truth and fidelity, yet he hath taken prejudices, he thinks God intends nothing but his deſtruction, I mean when awakened. Conſcience chargeth guilt and the curſe upon him. Let God ſpeak never ſo kindly to him, he dares not believe him. He ſuſpects every promiſe. Job 9.16. He therefore needs a Mediator to perſwade him, and to ſtand ſecurity for the performance of all the good that is engaged to him in the new Covenant. Yea, ſo great and awful is God's majeſty, and ſuch a mean and worthleſs thing is the convinced ſinner in his own apprehenſion, that the very tidings of p…ce which are brought to him, and to the acceptance whereof he is invited, out-bid his belief; it is too big for him to conceive of he demurrs about it and ſaith, Will God in very deed be atoned to ſuch a wretch as I … How can it be? There needs then a ſpokes man that may inſinuate the credit of this into the Soul.
(4.) SUCH are the neceſſary terms of the new Covenant that they acquire a mediating Surety for the performance of them. And if ſuch-an-one doth not undertake, it is impoſſible that they ſhould ever be performed. There is that to be done for the bringing about of man's Salvation according to me way reveabed in the Goſpel, which can never be accompliſhed but by ſuch a Mediator; and that both on God's part, & man's part. I ſhall only given a general glance in reſpect of either.
1. THAT God might perform the promiſe of mercy and grace unto ſinners, it was neceſſary that them ſhould be a Mediator to make way for …. There was a ha… laid in the way of fallen man's happineſs by the curſe that was fallen on him for ſin. The juſtice of God hath now a controverſy with man, and ſtands obliged to purſue it; it muſt therefore be ſatisfyed, and the promiſe muſt be ſo accompliſhed, that none of God's precious A tributes may ſuffer any wrong by the tran…ction. The rigour of the firſt Covenant en…red this caution that no covenant of mercy could be extended to fallen man, without ſec…rity given in, that full ſatisfaction be made for all the injuries which that hath ſuffered by ſin. God's mercy muſt offer no violence to his righteouſneſs, but there muſt be a perfect harmony between them, they muſt life each when, Pſal. 85, 10. And his juſtifying the ſinner muſt be an … of juſtice as well as grace. Rom. 3.26. To …re, I ſay as this time his righteouſneſs th… be might be juſt and the juſtifier of him which … in Jeſus. Now man himſelf is altogether enable to compoſe this matter, and indeed, if he could ſtill comply with the terms of the Covenant of Works, there were no need of his relief by a Covenant of Grace: ſo that Chriſt's engaging of himſelf to come under the law, that ſo he might fulfil the righteouſneſs of it which he did in the Covenant of Redemption, tendred him capable of acting the part of a Mediator in the Covenant of Grace.
2. THAT man may be able to come up to his part in the new Covenant, he muſt have an under taken. That in this Covenant there are the things that neceſſarily accompany Salvation, and that they are immutable, and inſeparable, is a Goſpel truth; there are things without which there is no Salvation, no ſeeing of God, but wrath abides on the man; now man is not able by this own power to work theſe in himſelf: Faith, the firſt thing required in this Covenant, is a bove his power; Obedience out doth his ability, he is without ſtrength Rom. 5.6. Nay, there is no, duty that he can do acceptably to God, as it comes out of his band, there is ſo much o… … defilement ad…ering to it: is muſt then paſs through the hands of a Mediator, and without one, the whele deſign of the new. Covenant muſt fall to the ground, and become veil.
(5.) THERE are ſo many occaſions of … ve…ſy between God and his people that without … …me…eding Mediator, there would … … concilable breaches. God's own people … many times, by reaſon of their great falls giving him high provocations, incenſing of his anger againſt them, and they would be conſumed by it, did not Chriſt ſtep in, and ſtand up to plead for them: as Moſes in the Type. Pſal. 106.23. God's people are … too prone to fall out with him, to q… his Providence, to charge him with … fulneſs and forſaking of them. Iſai … to impute to him the breach of promiſe and covenant, Pſal. 77.7, 8, 9. And they would … their f;aith, and hope, and deſperately include againſt God and their own Souls did not Chriſt mediate on Gods behalf with them. Iſai. 49.15, 16. In all theſe reſpects then it appears how requiſite is was that the … Covenant ſhould have a Mediator concerted in it.
USE. HOW ought we then to love, ad…, adore and …ogniſy the rich grace of God is Chriſt, in that he hat provided us much ſ… Mediator. We ſhould never have thought of him, nor could we ever have obtained him, but God hath found out and ordained … interpoſe between an offended God, and … demned ſinners, to repair all the breaches which ſin had made between them, and being them together in the bands of an everlaſting Covenant of peace. Let this … awakened ſinners to hope, and point them act the way in and by which to obtain this peace Eph. 2.14. For he is our peace, who hath … both one. And let this engage all you who were ſometimes enemies, but are now … …ed to God by the death of his Son, to remember this love of his more than wi… and to account his name as an oyntment pound forth, ſweet … precious: and be daily making …mprovement of him in all … addreſſes of your ſelves before God for the ſtrengthning of your faith, encouraging … hope, and cheering you up in your whole courſe of new obedience.
[APRIL 16. 1695.]