A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 91 (Question 25 cont.)
SERMON XCI.
THE … of C…riſt is the ſ…cond part ſ… Pru…ſ… all in which be par…es his Satisfacti…n is effect. D…i…es do uſually next of this Subject under the doctri… …f Chriſt's Exaltation; it being one mal… of the employment, which he is engaged … at his Fathers right Hand. B…t in as much … it properly belongs to his Prieſthood, …as … preſently be evidenced, it will very …dically be conſidered t…re, where out C…ec…ſm placeth it. And we may diſcover ſomething of the nature of this glorious Work, by the following deſcription of it. Chriſts …ceſſion is that part of his Prieſtly O…, which …e principally executes in his Exeted …, wherein …e appears before his Father i… the vertue of all has merits, to make them of at the good for his People, which was pro…iſed is …. In which deſcription we may obſerve ſomething of the general nature of it, and ſomething of the ſpecial.
1. IN the general nature of it. There are two things obſervable,
(1.) THAT it belongs to his Prieſtly Office…d, this it hath in c…mmon with his Satisfaction, which is the other part; … in the exe…tion of both whereof, tis compleated That there are but Taree Offices belo…ging to his Mediatorſhip, hath been before made evident. In … whereof he hath to do with G…d, in the other two with men. Now Chriſt in his Interceſſion hath to do immediately with God; and it muſt be reſerved to that Office wherein this is concerned, which is only his Prieſthood. The H…gh Pr…eſt of old, who was …inently a type of Chriſt, did repreſent both theſe parts, in the diſcharge of his function; and more ſpecially on the day of …cement. We have an ample deſcription of this, in that law about it, recorded in …. 2.16. the ſubſtance whereof … to thus much: He was firſt to …fer up the hat… …e…ing and … o… the brazes Alter, which was without in the Court of the Sanctuary: and that repreſented Chriſt's Satisfaction. A…d th… he was …o go into the moſt holy Place, which was a repreſentation of Heater; where he was to ſprinkle the me…tial of that Ha…d upon the mercy. ſ…at… which ſignified Chriſt's Interceſſion. And this was appropriated to the High Prieſt; and no other but he might do it. And … this doth the Apoſtle allude in that, Heb. …. 13, 1…. For when Miſes … every precept … the people …thing if … of … and of gran… … and …ſſ…ng, and Pri… … …ick end …t the people. S…ying, T… is the … of the Teſtament which God hath … yard … you.
(2.) IT is that …ort … which …e … eſpecially extendes i… … h…ed …. It hath been before remarked, that he continues in the purſuance of every of his Offices now he is glorified. Not will he couſe from any of them till the wh…le mark of me…ation is compleated. Now with reſpect to his Prieſtly it is remarkable, that the former part of it, viz. S… f…ll…. was wholly accompl…ſhed in his ſtate of Hum l…a…, in that l… condition of his; whereof we may have the account afterward. The Si…ffering was offered up by the high Prieſt, in his ordinary robes, without the tabernacle. Chriſt left n…e of this work to do afterward. When therefore he was juſt exp…ting upon the Cr… he declared. It is ſ…ed, J…h 15. …. Which was with reſpect to his exp…y S…ice. Put his Interceſſion is ma…e … gl…r…fied ſtate. The high Pr…eſt … the Hood in the muſt holy Place, attired in thoſe majeſtical robes of glory and …ty, which were made for him on purpoſe. And though Chriſt gave a ſpecimen of this upon Faith, in that Interceſſion Prayer, recorded J…. 1…. yet he reſerved the fail accompliſhment of it, till in our nature, he appea…ed in his Fathers preſence, and ſat down at his right Hand. His Prieſthood, in the former, was executed in humility, m…eſs, and obſcurity; but in this i… is diſcharged in …mi…ency & glory. That employment he performed in the form of a Servant, but this is the ſtate of Majeſty, and from an exalted Throne. In the former he made prayers & ſupplications, …a…e…ded knees: in this he makes his demands with confidence. Fuler, I will, &c. Joh. 17 24.
2. THE ſpecial nature …f it … expreſſ…d in the remainder of the deſcription. In which theſe things are obſervable,
(1.) THAT God the Father did by Covenant ſtand engaged to his S…n in very great for miſes, with regard to his Pe…ple. That there was a Covenant that paſt between them from Eternity, in which was laid the foundation of man's Redemption, hath been already before taken notice of. So that Chriſt ſet himſelf about the work of Satisfaction upon terms, which paſt betwixt his Father and him, and to which his Father obliged himſelf, upon the diſcharge of that work. There are a great many of them which the Scripture gives us the account of. And beſides the honour and glory which was promiſed to him perſonally, with regard to his humane nature; there were alſo thoſe which had a proper reſpect to his Redeemed. We have one of theſe, Iſai. 53.10. See his Seed: i. e. a new generation proceeding from him by a ſpiritual regeneration. That he ſhould be the ſecond Adam, and have a numerous progeny of his own; and that all his People ſhould be juſtified by him, ver. 11. i.e. that he ſhould obtain the favour for them, whereby they ſhould be for ever ſet free from condemnation; and entitled to peace and happineſs: That this Seed ſhould ſerve him for ever, Pſal. 22.30. That they ſhould be his everlaſting poſſeſſion, Pſal. 2.8. That though he ſh…uld be angry at them, and chaſten them, yet he would never reject them. Pſal. 89.30, &c. with many the like. All of which were to have their accompliſhment upon his Satisfaction. And this belongs to that Joy which is ſaid to be ſet before him, Heb. 1….2.
(2.) THAT Chr…ſt having fulfilled the condition of the C…ven…nt on his part, muſt now make claim of all this good at his Fathers hand. When he had done his work, it was meet that he ſhould ask for his recompence. When So…omon had built an Houſe for God, he then calls upon him for the fulfilling of the promiſes made to him, 1 Kin. 8.26. And now, O GOD of Iſrael, let thy word (I pray thee) be verified, which thou ſpakest unto thy ſervant David my father. And herein he was a type of Chriſt. God the Father will have his Son to ask, Pſal. 2.8. It is indeed no more but ask, and …ave. His Father never did, nor will deny him any thing. Joh. 11.42. And I knew that thou heareſt me always. But yet he muſt ask in order to receiving. A due debt muſt be claimed. Chriſt is called God's Servant; and it is meet that the Servant ſhould go to him who employed him, for his wages, when his work is done. And we have an exemplification of that, in Job. 17.
(3.) THAT, as God by Covenant obliged himſelf to his Son; ſo he is exceeding ready to fu…fill all his engagements to him upon his demand. The work that Chriſt did was exceedingly pleaſing to his Father. He took great delight in it. He is repreſented to us in the o…cenomy of the divine Perſons, as the propoſer of it, and the terms were of his own offering; His heart therefore as well as his word is in it. And as the Son delighted to do his Fathers will, ſo the Father no leſs delighted in performing his promiſe to him. So that all theſe bleſſings and bleſſedneſſes do but wait for his challenging of them.
(4.) THAT Chriſt in Perſon preſents himſelf and all his merits to his Father, and in the vertue of them, He asks the fulfilment of the promiſe. Here let us obſerve,
1. THAT be appears in Perſon before God. And that not meerly in his divine nature, for ſo he is God; a…d ſo alſo the Three Perſons are but One and undivided in the Eſſence, and conſequently inſeparable: but … his humane nature, in, and with which …e made Satisfaction. Heb. 9.24. For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of th… true, but into heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us. And this belongs to his Exaltation; as will be hereafter co…ſidered. He is gone to Heaven as our Attorney, there to be ever Reſident for us, and manage all our buſineſs in that Court. He takes our Cauſe along with him, and there he continues to be a co… Advocate, before the great Judge and Lord to anſwer for all that can be all…dged again… us; and ſtand between us and harm Hence he is ſo called, 1 Joh. 2.1. If any man ſ…, … have an advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous. Which word is frequently uſed for one who is improved to plead anothers cauſe. And the Inte…ion which is apply… to him, Iſai. 53.12 Ig…ſies to meet another; and intimates, that it divine Juſtice have any thing to lay to our charge. He is ready at hand to obviate it, and prevents its firſt … proceedure againſt us.
2. HE appears with all his merits. For … are the evidence which he carries with him, for his title to all that good which he asks. He brings theſe, ſhows them to his Father, and therein repreſents to him, how he hath fully do…e his part in the Covenant.
(1.) HE repreſents the merits of his p…ſ… Obedience: The Satisfaction that he hath made to the Juſtice of God for our offences, by his Sufferi…g and Death. He is therefore ſaid to be brought from the dead, by the … of the Everlasting Covenant, Heb. 13.20. In meaning of which is, that Chriſt is ſo riſe… from the dead, that the vertue of his death is not aboliſhed, but holds its perpetual … gou…. This is called the blood of ſprinkling, Heb 12.24. Alluding to the blood with which the high Prieſt beſprinkled the mercy-ſ…. And in Heb. 9.12. Chriſt is ſaid to enter … the Holy Place, by, or with his blood. For it alludes to the high Prieſts carring the blood within the veil. The mercy ſeat of God, is beſprinkled with the blood of Chriſt: i.e. … perpetually preſents his own Sufferings, … the meritorious cauſe of good for us.
(2.) HE preſents the merits of his active Obedience. There was his righteouſneſs before God, by which he merited favour for as, … made purchaſe of Heaven and Glory, and … the good things which belong to the pro… made to active Obedience, which are no … than life it ſelf. We read, Heb. 10.14. … by one offering he hath perfected for ever … that are ſanctified. And we know that … high Prieſt carried his Incenſe into the … holy Place, as well as Blood. And Chriſt his Interceſſion is repreſented to us, by … Angel, in Rev. 8.3.
3. WITH his thus preſenting himſelf, and his merits, he lays claim to all the good which he hath thus earned, and his Father promiſed. We here conſider, 1. It hat is is that be claims? 2. After what manner be claims it?
1. THAT which he lays claim to, is all that which his Redeemed do, or can want. Our wants cannot extend beyond, or beſides his merits. His abilities therefore to do for us, are moſt extenſive. Eph. 3.20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that … ask or think, according to the power that … in us. It is then, the application of all the good which he hath purchaſed for thoſe whom he hath redeemed, which is needful for the bringing of them to eternal glory, which he intercedes for; and the reaſon of it is, becauſe, the work of application in the oeconomy of divine diſpenſation, belongs to the Holy Spirit, who is in order, the Third Perſon in the bleſſed Trinity, and is ſent by the Father and the Son. He therefore promiſed, as to ſend himſelf, ſo to interpoſe with his Father for his ſending of him. Joh. 14.16, 17. And I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may … with you for ever. Even the Spirit of truth. There are then theſe things in particular, which he more eſpecially Intercedes for,
(1.) HE Intercedes for the Calling and Converſion of his Redeemed. Having paid the price for them, and ſo bought them to be his own, He muſt bring them to glory; in order to which they muſt be converted, and new born. For in their natural ſtate they are dead in treſpaſſes and ſins. And except they are born …in, Chriſt's Redemption will not profit them. Now this is the Spirits work. Hence ſaid to be born of the Spirit, Joh. 3.6. And though he hath promiſed the Spirit to thoſe thor ask him, Luk. 11.13. yet if he did not firſt ask him for them, they would never ask him for themſelves. Iſai. …5.1. They would live and die in their ſins, as well as the reſt of the world, if he did not look after them. And when at any time, a Sinner is Converted … God, it is by the vertue and efficacy of his Interceſſion. Hence that, Joh. 17.9, 20.
(2.) HE Intercedes for the Pardon and Peace of his People. When Solomon (1 Kin. 8.31, &c.) prayed ſo earneſtly for forgiveneſs and reconciliation in all caſes, he did it as a type of Chriſt. When a penitent ſinner returns to God, and lies proſtrate at the footſtool of the …oe, Chriſt in Heaven ſaith, Father forgive him, and be atoned to him. And for that reaſon is he ſaid to be our Peace. Eph 2.14. Yea, the Children of God do many times pro…e their Father, and there is a breach made between him & them; but their Interceſſor … in, and makes up all again. On this amount he is called a Days-man, or one who …kes upon him to make up the breaches between two that are at variance. When God is angry, he appeaſeth him, puts himſelf to interpoſe, to take their part, to excuſe them, to impetrate mercy for them. Moſes was in this regard a type of Chriſt, who ever put himſelf between God and, a ſinful people, when he ſaw there was wrath ready to break out upon them. And we may read what is ſaid of him, Pſal. 106.23. Therefore he ſaid that he would deſtroy them, had not Moſes his choſen ſtood before him in the breach; to turn away his wrath loſt he ſhould deſtroy them. And it may be truly ſaid of Chriſt as Moſes ſaith of himſelf, Deut. 4.22, &c.
(3.) HE is an Interceſſor to receive their Petitions, and preſent their Prayers to the Father, for a gracious acceptance and anſwer. He is the Angel ſpoken of, Rev. 8.3. Our prayers are ſo ſinful and fooliſh, that they would never come up to the Thronen of Grace, but be rejected as dung, did not he appear to preſent them. It is by him that we have acceſs to the Father, Eph. 3.12. He covers the defects of our prayers, and adds to them whatſoever may be uſeful to ſtrengthen our pleas, and enforce our petitions, that they may obtain a good iſſue. God's Children have daily occaſion to offer their Supplications to God; they need his help at all times. But how ſhall they come near that God who is a conſuming fire? but that Chriſt is there for them; He receiveth their Prayers: and whatſoever weakneſs, infirmity, defect is in them, he ſupplies and fills up all; and ſo they receive an anſwer of peace. And for that reaſon we are bid to ask all in his Name.
(4.) HE is their Interceſſor to ſtop all accuſations, that are at any time brought in againſt them. Satan is called the accuſer of the brethren, Rev. 12.10. And what accuſations he is offering we know not. We find that he would have fain rendred Job an hypocrite, Job 1.9, 10. Yea, how often may they be impeached of that which is had enough? But Chriſt in Heaven is careful that no accuſation ſhall take place againſt his people, that none ſhall undermine them, or render them odious to the Father. We have on this account that challenge, Rom. 8.33, &c.
(5.) HE Intercedes that they may be guided in the Truth, preſerved in Grace, and kept from Sin. There is a perſerverance requiſite in order to eternal Salvation. There is a way which they muſt be put into, kept in, and not depart from, it ever they reach to the kingdom; which they cannot do for themſelves, but muſt have he conduct of the holy Spirit for it. This therefore he manageth for them effectually. He hath ſaid that he would pray the Father to ſend the Comforter, Joh. 14.16. And what is he to do for them when he comes? See Joh. 16.13. Howbeit, when the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he ſhall not ſpeak of himſelf, but whatſoever he ſhall hear, that ſhall he ſpeak, and he w…ſheto you things to come. Their grace is weak, their corruptions ſtrong. They live in a world where there are many ſnares laid for them, and are every day open to the aſſaults of forcible temptations; their adverſary lying always in wait to devour them. But it is by the care of their I terceſſor that they are kept. What ſaid Chriſt to P…er? Luk …. 31, 32. Satan hath d…d … you, that be ma…ſiſt yea as wh…at: But I love preyer for thee that thy ſaith …. And how pathetically d…th he expreſs himſelf on this account on their behalf Joh. 1….11.
(6) HE Intercedes for them that they may be brought ſafe …ne … of the kingdom of Glory. We find that to be the priviledge of all the children of God, 1 Pet 1…5. Who are kept by the mighty power of God through ſaith unto ſalvation, ready to be …e…ealed in the laſt time. And they enjoy it unfailingly, by vertue of his Interceſſion he is purſuing that great demand, that when this life comes to an end, and they have been conducted thro' all the ſtages of it, their Grace may be perfected, and they obtain a ſtate of Glory in Heaven, and inherit eternal Life, in the preſence of God forever, Joh. 17.24. His work is not done till he hath brought them to Glory, Lub. 2.10. And therefore his Interceſſion ceaſeth not in this behalf, till all this be accompliſhed for them.
THESE then are ſome of the main and principal things, which this part of his Prieſthood is employed about, and for which he improves his great intereſt in his Father, whiles he is exalted to ſit, at his right Hand.
2. TO the Inquiry, After what manner be lays claim to all this? I reply. That we need not, not ought to be curiouſly and critically inquiſitive, where the Spirit of God hath not ſeen good in Scripture to declare. Our preſent conceptions are not competent, to receive a full apprehenſion of the management of Heavenly affairs: it is enough to ſatisfy us, that we are aſſured that He doth it effectually. He is ſometimes ſaid to pray for it, Joh. 14.16. which refers to his Interceſſion, for he is there ſpeaking of what he will do when he is gone. And he is bidden to ask for it, Pſal. 2.8. But how he asks and prays we know not. To be ſure, not with ſtrong cries and tears, as he did in the days of his fleſh. But after another and a glorified manner. And whether the Man Chriſt uſeth any words or no, in this his Interceſſion, is not material. We know that his Blood ſeaks, his Obedience pleads; and the conſtant preſentation of that, is ſufficiently ſignificant. Only theſe two things we may be ſure of for out abundant conſolation,
(1.) THAT he doth not plead Mercy but Juſtice. He doth not manage this affair after the manner of a Suppliant, but of an Advocate, who there preſents himſelf to make it good by Law and Covenant, that all the good which he there asks for us, is his and out due in a way of righteouſneſs. For though we of our ſelves deſerve it not, but it is made over to us of meet Grace; yet as we are in him, who hath purchaſed it for, ſo it is ours in juſtice. 1 Joh. 1.9. If we confeſs our ſins, he is faithful and juſt to forgive us our ſins, and to cleanſe us from all our ſins. And to implead all that can be ſaid againſt us to debit us from the … meat thereof and to a their appear that … not be righteouſly …n …iden …ro… … on this account he hath the … Righteouſeneſs given him, as he is … ceſſer, 1 Joh. 2.1. And of any man … a… a v…e with the Father, Jeſus Grace a righteouſ.
(2.) THAT th…ics being made with … Father, cannot …ut … the … that …. He therefore pleads God's … ne…s Joh. 17.11. H…ly Father, keep through thy Name, t…ſe whom thou being … they m… he o… as we are. Becauſe the glory of God is intereſted in his fulfilling that Covenant promiſe to his own Son. So that he is full of holy bold eſs, knowing that …e hath the right on his ſide, and that his Father both loves Juſtice and cannot deny his claim, which is built upon an eternal … unchangeable compact. And hence there is … utter imp…lity, that Chriſt's Interce… ſhould ever ſad, or miſs the obtaining … any one of thoſe Articles that he preſ… his Father in the behalf of any one of …is Redeemed.
USE. I HENCE the Church and Per… God, are not loſers, but gainers by Chriſts … gene from their, in regard of his bodily preſence. There was a time when he tabernacled among them, they ſaw, and heard, and felt the W… of Life. And we are ſometimes thinking … happy had we been, had we lived in th… times? When we might have come to him, and told him all our wants, and heard th…ſe gracious words that came from his lips. … let every Child of God know, that it is beſt as it is. Jeſus Chriſt is there, where he … higheſt advantage to be beneficial to his People, and He improves it without ceaſing. … did all that was needful for him to do, before he went away. He finiſhed his work, before he asked for his reward. Joh. 17.4, 5. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finiſhed … work which thou gaveſt me to do. And … Father, glorifie thou me with thine own ſelf, … the glory which I had with thee before the … was. And he is now in Heaven, engaged in … work, which will be neceſſary for his people, as long as the world ſtands. As be came … this lower World for us, ſo he is gone to his Father on our account. Out great concern now lie in Heaven, & our weightieſt buſineſs are to be managed there. He therefore tells us, that it was expedient for hire to go, Joh. 16.7. Our bleſſedneſs depends upon the Regeneration he is there procuring to be beſtowed upon us, upon the Pardon he is taking out for us, on the Peace he is there making & maintaining between God & us. Our Life is in God's favour, which he continues to us Our Grace and Comfort ariſe from the influence of his Spirit, whe… he is ever ſending into us. Out Glory … there to be enjoyed: and he is now making preparation for it. Let this then be … Conſolation of God's Children at all th…
USE. II WHAT … is …. This is drawn from our High … being gone to Hert… … 1.14. … are always i… wa…, and your wa…es are … that …e has God can help …o… to. But …! you are afraid; your ſin, your …wor…i…e… and the terrible … ſly of God make …. Well … …et this put li…e unto … and help y… to come …ith …mile bold…es, and confidence …em…m…ting that your … is his Fathers darling and your …d…ca…e is Heaven's King. Jeſus Chriſt is employed …, and wants to be employed by you to … Fathers and d… not you let him … work. He waits to bear whether you …me …o Meſſage to ſend by him to God, …o Pe…itio… for him to pre …t … you, a… Want … be …e…red, …o help from Heave… to be … Laſt to be mortified, …o Enemies to be in…deed, …o C… …la…ons to be …ma…e. And the more you employ him … be…er a…ea…ed is …e. Uſe him then, and let … God's terrors a…ig…t you, your unworthineſs d…fean…g… you, your …i…mi…y aſh…me you, tears of Sa…a…s accuſat…s deter you, being … an lat…ſſor r…ad… to a a…ag… all is …ur behalf, who can never fail in his b….
[DECEMBER 24. 1695]