"-> • ton. THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, | f Princeton, N. J. ^-^ f ^ , g ^ ^ I From the Rev. W. B. SPRAGUE, D.D. Sept. 1839. f fl f'rt.sv, Division [ -■ '"^'I'-'A Section....^.... ;S| }::^r'::^::^-fy Sec, D \ CHRISTs LoveUnefs and Ghryfinhts Terfonal and Relative Characters, and gracious Offers to Sinners : Cohfider'd in Twelve SERMONS, Preach'd at Mr. COWARD'S LECTURE. By feveral MINISTERS. LONDON: Printed /or R i c h a r d H e t t , at the Bible t^nd Crown in the Poultry, near Cheapfide. " MDCCXXIX. i^A-*^.*^ T O William Coward Efq-, Sir, rHE following Sermons being fome oj the fruits of a weekly Le^iurCy founded and maintained by your file generojity^ do now appear in the world at your dejire^ which firft brought them into the pulpit \ that your main view of having Chrifl direEilj and immediately preached [fignified by the late ex- cellent Mr. Matthew Clarke, at thefirfl open- ing of it now upward of three years) being thus publickly fpecified, might be more effec^ tually kept up^ and purfued by thofe thatfhall at any tirnt have the honour of bearing a part in this fervice. It cannot certainly be thought by any^ that you take on you the diktat or ^ and unwarrant- ably prefcribe what is to he preached^ when you recommend to your LeZiurers the peculiar Doctrines of the Gofpel, that are converfant about our bleffed Saviour, for their profeffed and principal fubje£}. For thefe are no other A z ■ do£frines^ ii D ED ICATIO N. doctrines, than what one would expert from their excellency, dignity, fweetnefs and im- portance, that every gofpel-minijler of choice will be led, as he is by his commijfion obliged^ mojl to preach and inctdcate; determining with the great apojile of the Gentiles (a pat- tern that fioneftre need bi afloam'dor afraid to copy after) to know nothing fave Jefus Chrift and him crucified. Nor can there be any 'danger of too great confinement and reflraint from this method of exercifing the minijlerial office ; fince the knowledge of Chrifl is as a cen- tral point to all other divine and religious truths, which are either drawn out ofy or drazvnhito it ; fo that relatively to this, the whole counfcl of God may well, and indeed ought to be deckrcd, that it may have its due and proper effe^ in producing true religi- on in the hearts and lives of men. For I tannot but think, that praUiical holinefs, and real piety y are always fotmd to grow up befl under the influence of evangelical principles ; and that thofe have been, and ever will be the feafons of the mofl numerous converfions, of filing and building up the church of God, of the arm of the Lord being revealed, and of the mofl illuflrious rnanfefiations of a di- vine prefence akng with the Word, when the name of Chrifl dwells en the lips of preach- ers, whereby himfeJf cojnes to dwell in the hearts of hearers by faith and love. Ton, Sir, have been witnefs in the earlier age of your life, to a very happy a?id eminent fuccefs DEDICATION. iii fucu^s of fo managing the gofpel-mimjlry^ as to make our blejjea Lord the reigning theme init ; whom our forefathers choje to preach with JIncere and affeBionate zeal, rather than with artful and eloquent addrefs^ feek- ing to recommend their fubjeB more than themfehes, and to bring Chrijl into the Jouh of men, rather than prefint him to the fancy. And it is the remembrance you have hereof y that excites now in you this laudable endea^ vour of contributing toward the revival and continuance of the fame conduEi^ and with ity if it may pleafe God^ of the fame fuccefs, both in the prefent, and in future genera- tions. I per [hade my felf that it is no more a-- greeablt to your inclination to receive, than It is either to my temper cr confcience to give flattering titles. There is another, who mufl bear the glory, even he who builds the houfe. Our only part is to be content that he floofdd have it all, and tofecure it to him in as full and extenfive a manner as pofflble ; which fincerely to endeavour, is praife e- mugh to any of us, and without it nothing is acceptable, or praife worthy : And may all, both miniflers and Chrtfiians then, con- fpire to fet and keep the crown on his head! 'Tts to his honour, your Lecitire, with the frefent and all the after fruits of it is de- voted i and may it ever be of nfe to fpread abroad, not only the name, hut together with ity the fweet favour of the faving knowledTt iv DED ICATIO N: knowledge of Chriftl And JloouU it^ with your other dejigns akin to it^ incidentally declare, that it was Mr, Coward'5 highejl ambition to approve himfelf a friend of Chrtfl and his minifiers, and an injirnment of exalting his name, and propagating his gofpel; this is no more than what every true Chrijltan avows as the governing aim of his life, tho* few may have equal ability er ' inclination to purfue it as you have done. With refpeB to the Sermons which art now humbly prefented to you; though for want of concerting the fcheme of managing the fever al parts beforehand, a regular con- ne6iion of the fubjecfs could hardly be ex- fehed; yet, I hope, this advantage which was wanting to the contrivance, willfcarce appear to be lacking in the execution, as the fever al things here difcourfed on in the me- thod wherein they are now difpofed, lie in a tolerable good order, a?id feries of dependence on each other. The two firji fermons you were pleafed to allot to me, as mtroduBory to the reft, treat of love to Chrift, and the difllnB grounds of his amiablenefs -, fome of which are more fully and particularly handled in thofe that follow. I am fenfible, the length into which thefe Sermons are nm, needs an apology to your felf, my brethren, and the reader; hut that J may not repeat the offence, by attempt- ing to excufe ity I only defire the privilege of DEDIC ATION. of their being confidered as four ^ for which end I have made paufes about the middle of each- In the next difcourfes, Chriji the Son of God, in a general view of his Divine Perfon and ojfces, ts reprefented as the grand fub-^ je£i of a gofpel minijlry. Our Lord is then confidefd in the won* derful conflitution of his Perfon, and in his Glory, as the incarnate Son of God dwelling among us, fidl of grace and truth, Hts general office and work of the Me^ diator between God and many the great end of his incarnation, which is the.fubjeH next treated of, naturally leads ns to what follows ; His particular office of an atoning inter- ceding Priefl, our righteous Advocate, and the Propitiation for our fins. And lafily, our bleffed Lord, in the fulnefs of his faving charaBer, offers himfelf to fupply the wants, and fattsfy the defires of all who will accept of htm, in this inviting engaging addrefs to the children of men. If any man is athirft, lee him come unco mc and ddnk. / have nothing farther to add, but my hearty prayers to the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrifl, that he would multiply his bleffings of every kind on your felf and valuable confort -, that he would (atisfy you both, as he has in part already, with a long and ufeful life here, and (hew you his fal- vatioii y\ DEDlCAriON. vation hereafter ; and that he would pecu^ liarly blefs the feed which is and fball he miniftred by you for the gaming and con- firming many admirers to Chrifi-, that by th^s means, in fome meafure, his name may be made to be remembred through all genera- tions, and the people may praife him for ever and ever 5 and herein I am perfuaded all my brethren in the prefent fervice, join withy stepney May 28, I72p. Sir, Tour mofl humble and obliged fervant^ John Hubbard. CON^ CONTENTS. SERMON I. and II. By Mr. HUBBARD. Love to an unfeen Saviour. I Pet. i. 8. Whom having notfeenye love ; in whom though now ye fee him noty yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unjpeakabky and fuU of glory. p. i. SERMON III. and IV. By Mr. GUYS E. Chrift the Son of God the great fubjea of a Gofpel-miniftry. Afts ix. 20. And Jlraightways he preached Chriftin theJynagogueSy that he is thefon of God, p. 177. SERMON V. and VI. By Mr. GODWIN. Chrift's Glory in his Incarnation, and the FuUnefs of his Grace and Truth. John i. 1 4. And the Word was made Jlejh and dwelt among us {and we beheld his Glory y the Glory as of the only begotten of the , Father) full of Grace and Truth, p. 271. ^ SER- CONTENTS. SERMON VIL and VIIL By Mr. H A L L. Chrift's Mediation between God and Sin* ners. I Tim. ii. y. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men^ the man Chrtjijefus. Page 555 SERMON IX. and X. By Mr. G I B B S. Chrifl: the Chriftian's Propitiation, and Ad- vocate. I John ii. I, 2. If any man fin^ we • we have an Advocate with the Father^ Jefus- Chrifl the righteous. And he is the Propitiation for our fins, P. 407 SERMON XL and XII. By Mr. WOO D. The Redeemer's Concern for the finner*s Salvation. John vii. 37. Inthelafl day, that great daj of the feafl, Jefus flood and cried, faying. If any man is athirfl, let him come unto i-sne and drink. P. 47^ ( I ) L O V E T O A N ., tinfeen Saviour. I Pet. i. 8. Whom having not feen^ ye love ; in whom though now ye fee him not^ yet believing^ ye rejoice with joy unfpeakable and full of glory. IF any confideration may be allow'd s e r m. L to be added to the inherent excellen- preach'd cy and lively force of thefe words them- j 7^28.^''' felves, for the better gaining your atten- tion to them ; perhaps it may be of fome ufe to let you know, that they are now in- fifted on, at the fpecial defire of the wor- thy founder of this Le£ture, with a deiign of leading the way to a fet of difcourfes, direftly intended to recommend our Lord Jefus Chrift, which lying near his heart, was principally in his view ifrpm the firft B fettle- Love to an unfeen Saviour. fettlement of it ; and that they have alfo often made a ftrong and delightful impref- fion on my own mind : To which let me add, that our text having frequently been made the foundation of difcourfes on the (ubje£l: of love to Chrifl:, with the other Chriftian graces mentioned in it, feems ge- nerally to have been thought very happi- ly framed to exprefs and recommend them with advantage, and admirably adapted to Chriftian experience and edification. May then that amiable Saviour, whom I am from hence to propofe as the beft objeft of our affeftions, fo by his Spirit in- fpire my heart and lips, touch'd with a coal from the altar of heavenly love, vci the management of this divine theme ; that, notwithftanding its having been fo often difcourfed of, (and, furely nothing deferves it more, or will bear it better) it may now be difplay'd a-new in fuch a plea- fing and ftriking light before our eyes, as to kindle in all our breafts pure and warmer flames than ever, of a fincere, devout and aflFedionate love to our great and dear Re- deemer ! As the words of the text are themfelves full of energy and marvellous ftrength, be- ing delivered in a ftrain of perfe6t rapture; fo they ftand in a context of a piece with themfelves. For this whole pafTage, from che firfl: to the end of the twelfth verfe, contains Love to an unfien Saviour. 3 . contains fiich noble fentiments drawn from fonie of the chief principles of the Chrif- tian religion, connefted together in fo juft and happy an order, and cloath'd in fach fublime and nervous expreflions ; that one cannot eafily conceive of any thing to ex- ceed it, either for the variety and excel- lency of the matter, or for the admirable manner of the compofition. After the infcription and falutation in the two firft verfes ; the apoftle opens the body of his epiftle with a folemn doxology prefented to the God and Father of our Lordjefus Chrift, for the intereft thefe Chriftians had in the falvation of the gof- pel : In order to affed them the more with which, he reprefcnts it to them in various agreeable lights : Firft, in it felf, as com- prizing many excellent bleflings conferred by God upon them, through Chrift, which he briefly fums up under the firft and the laft, their regeneration, and their final in- ^. 3, 4, 5, heritance, elegantly defcribed as being in- corruptible, undefiled, and never fading a- way, and thefe declared to be infeparably conneded by the fure and firm band of Perfeverance, holding, as with a double guard, the inheritance and the heirs to- gether : In the next place, in relation to their prefent temper of mind produced by this falvation ; and to their prefent circum^ ftances, which, though affli£live and griev- .: Z B z ous 4 Love to an unfeen Saviour. ous enough, were yet fo over- ruled by di- vine wifdom and love, as neither to impair r/r. 6, 7, j.]^£ij. falvation, nor their Chriftian fpirit ; both of which, as in clofe conjunftion, they rather ferv'd to promote and improve : He then further reprefents this (alvation they had now enter'd upon by the gofpel, as the great and principal fubjed of the ftudy, enquiries, and prophecies of all the ver. 10, prophets under the Old Teftament : And "' '^* finally, (than which nothing could well ferve more eflFeftually to raife to a proper pitch their efteem, value, gratitude and joy for it) as commanding the attention and eager fearches of the angels themfelves : ver, 12. TVhich things^ (ays he, the angels defire to look into. The Chriftian falvation is a theme worthy of an angel's regard, Thefe bright and fpotlefs fpirits, who excel in wifdom and ftrength, find nothing in their native heavens to draw and fix their attention and wonder fo much, as the tranfadion here upon earth, of bringing many fons to glory, by making the captain of their (alvation perfed through fufferings. And what then can be a greater recommendation of the gofpel falvation to the conftant contem- plation, and all the pleafing affedions of the children of men, efpecially all fincerc Chriftians, who are the perfons immediate- ly intereftcd therein > Our Love to an nnfeen Saviour. Our cexr ftands in the fecond part of this noble paragraph, and particularly ex- hibits in the exaniple of thefe Chriftians, thofe Chriftian graces, which have Chrift himfelf for their immediate objefl: and end., The apoftle's addrefs here, as alfo in n)er[e vi. in commending, rather than di- refting their temper, was the mod moving and pathetic way of teaching them what they ought, and fliould labour ftill more and more to attain. It is eafy to obferve in the words a very beautiful antithefis, be- tween not feeing^ and yet loving: not fee- ing, and yet believing and rejoicing in Chrift : ferving wonderfully to recommend their refpefts toward him, which could be fo ftrong and lively, not withftanding the dif- advantage of abfence, and want of perfonal acquaintance, as to be litde or nothing af- feded by this difcouraging circumftance, that naturally tends, and feldom fails in other cafes, to weaken affedion ; but to be in a manner the fame as they might have been expeded, in cafe they had en- joy'd never fo long an immediate converfe with Chrift. We may further here ob- ferve the happy order of difpofing thefe graces of love, faith and joy in Chrift, fo as to reprefent them all together in one eafy compendious view, and in their mu- • tual dependence, by placing faith in the middle, as fundamental to both the others, B 5 and Love to an unfeen Saviour. and the band of conneftion between them, fo moft fitly chofen to make the tranfition from the one to the other ; fince love to Chfift, beginning from faith in him, goes on ftill by the help of faith, and only in proportion to its ftrength and vigorous ex- ercife, till it advance and terminate in a triumphant exulting joy. Nor ought the pe- culiar emphafis and fignificant ufe, couch'd under the repetition of the circumftance of not feeing Chrift, in the fecond claufe, to be overlooked. For befides the remark- able grace and force there is in it, as e- qually recommending the Chriftian's faith and joy with his love, and more efpecially his joy, which it fets ofiF with a kind of forprize, it being of the nature of joy to have its objed prefent : There is yet a far- ther diftin6l meaning and caufe for '\t^ and that is, to imply and fix faith as the ground and reafon of this feeming paradox, how Chrift, though never feen, can yet be tru- ly loved ; and that fo, as to become the ob- jed of tranfporting joy; fo that the fenfe and proper force of the repetition, and this fecond claufe, into which it is carried, feems clearly to be this, a little more fully exprefs'd : *^ In whom though now ye fee ^' him not, yet believing, which ferves to ." you all the purpofes of fight, and is a *' (piritual fight it fclf, whereby he is ^ox. " before the eye of your mind, and con- " verfed Love to an unfeen Saviour. " verfed with as really as if he were per- ^^ fonally prefenc among you ; ye not only ^^ love him, but love him fo, as even now " to rejoice in him, and that with joy un- " fpeakable and full of glory." The words of the text lay open the very heart of every real Chriftian, as afFeft- ed and difpofed toward the perfon whofe name he bears, in three main ingredients of a right Chriftian temper, which fumma- rily comprehend the whole of it : Faith in Chrift, which is the root that produces and bears the reft ; and love with joy in him, which are the bloffoms and fruits that grow out of faith. It is manifeft, there is nothing here at fign'd, fo peculiar to thefe Chriftians, which may not equally belong to all others. For being defcribed as having never feen Chrift in the flefli ; this makes their cafe, how- ever nearer they lived to the times of his firft coming, in refpeft of any advantage for manifefting becoming afFcdions to him, exaftly parallel with ours, who live fo ma- ny hundred years fincc. What therefore the apoftle here declares to be their real temper, with regard to Chrift ; the fame for fubftance muft belong to all, in every age, who are Chriftians, not in name only^ but in deed and in truth 5 though there may be a great difference in its degrees, and feWj in thefe later ages efpecially, come B 4 up S Love to an unfeen Saviour* up to the ftrcngth and fervour which ani- mated the faith, love and joy that the pri- mitive Chriftians exprefs*d to their great Lord and Mafter. /^ In difcourfing on the words, becaufe I can't propofe to fpeak difrindly and fully to all the three Chriftian principles they recommend i I (hall therefore confine my felf to love to Chrift, and only fo far con-* fider the other two, as they either flow into, or out of this. This proportion then coUefting into one viev^ the whole fenfe of the text, and my defign from it, may be laid down for the foundation of the cnfuing difcourfe : Doa. That, hove to Chnjl, though nnfeefiy fpnnging from faith in htm, which fuf plies the place of Jight, and tending to a joy in him, which advanced to a due pitch, will become tmfpeakable and full of glory ; is an ejfential necejfary part of a ri^t Chrijlian temper. The truth of this propofition, as obvi- oufly arifing from the frame of the Chris- tians defcribed in the text, to which ours ought undoubtedly to anfwer, juft as our circumftanccs do to theirs, need not be diftinftly and particularly made out. It is * too evident to require any formal proof, that all who name the name of Jefiis ought to love him ; and that all real Chriftians do indeed fo. This, on the one hand, is of- ten Love to an unfeen Saviour. tenexprefly commanded, commended, and by the mod glorious promifes and expec- tations encouraged : And the want of it, on the other hand, \.% charged as highly criminal, and threatned in the fevered man- ner. Hence this is frequently laid dowa as the undoubted genuine charafter of all true Chriftians ; and indeed, the neceffity and importance of it appears fufficiently from the whole model and frame of the Chriftian religion ; the defign and end whereof can never be anfwer'd, its mo- tives never have their due force and efFed, nor any of the duties it recommends, be truly performed, without a fmccrc and hearty love to the Lord Jefus Chrift. This then being apparently certain, that it belongs to the true fpirit of Chriftianity, and is of abfolute neceffity and importance for forming the charader, performing the duty, and enjoying the privileges of real Chriftians, that Chrift be unfeignedly and cordially loved ; all that is requifite for the due explaining and improving this fubjed, will fall under thefe following heads. I. To give fome general account of the nature of love to Chrift. II. To confider the objcd, the Lord Jefus Chrift, with the particular grounds and reafons in himfelf of loving him. IILTo ici Love to an unfeen Saviour. III. To open the particular a6ls and ex- preflions of a genuine love to Chrift. IV. To allign the properties and difcri- minating charafters of this love. V. To fhew the influence of faith into the iove of Chrift, as accounting for ix.^ though the objed be unfeen, and withal, how this circumftance proves a commen- dation of love. Lajlljy Apply the whole. I begin with the Ftrjl^ Which is to give fome account of the general nature of love to Chrift. As to which, it is to be obferv'd, that here it anfwers to the fulleft and moft adequate idea of this affeftion, when applied to ra- tional beings, as to them the pallion of love feems beft to be confined; and it may be thus in a general manner defcribed. Love to Chrift imports an high efteem of him, as the moft excellent objed in himfelf, ^nd the moft fuitable good to us ; together with a benevolential propenfity toward him ; both cxprefs'd in deiire and delight fuita- ble to each, that is, refpeding ourfelves and our own enjoyment of him, and hap- pinefs by him, whether yet to be obrain- oT Ml ed, Lo^e to an unfeen Saviour. 1 1 ed, or already had ; and refpefting himfelf; and his own bleflednefs and intereft, or what he accounts his intereft, whether yet to be attained, or already fecured. There are four eflential ads that go into and form the perfed notion of love ; and they all obcain here. jfir/?. There is efteem, which is as the ground-work of love ; whence it is deno- minated love of efteem. And on all ac- counts Chrift deferves this in the higheft degree, as well in relation to us, and for God's fake, as for himfelf Again, there is in love along with efteem, according to its perfed idea, the habit, temper, or inclination of benevolence, or good-will to the party beloved. This \^ called love of benevolence, and '\t may be called efteem too ; a benevolential efteem, as the former is complacential. The for- mer confiders its objed as fit to do us good^ or give us pleafure, immediately or me- diately : The latter regards its objed as fie or worthy to have and receive good, whe- ther abfolutely, or from us, or others. It need not be enquired whether of them moft properly deferves the name of love, for both are neceflary ingredients into it, where the objed anfwers, or may anfwer, both the charaders ; and thus our love to . Chrift takes in one as well as the other ; For though, properly fpeaking, he '\s in- deed 1 1 Love to an unfeen Savtour. deed above receiving any good from lis ; yec he has given fcope for our exercifing a real benevolence co him, in regard both to his own merit of all good, and to that in- tercft he has on foot in the world, which he reckons peculiarly his own. And he juftly expedls our love towards him fnould form it felf into a temper of benevolence, as well as of complacency. It need not any more be enquired, whe- ther our love to a perfon, and fo to God or Chrifl, is in regard to their fitnefs to pleafe and do us good, exercifed toward them for our own fake, and in regard to their worth or fitnefs to receive good, ex- ercifed toward them for themfelves ; for, ftriaiy fpeaking, thefe views don't lie fo much afunder as they may feem to do. For, whether the expreflions be exadly proper or no, yet in both cafes alike, the obje£t of our love, and in which it reds, is with, out us, another, and not ourfelvcs ; and the affedlion is within us, and is accompanied with pleafure w^hich is our own. For m the latter cafe, the good of another whom I love, is by vertue of the affedion which is of an uniting nature made my own good, a common good, and capable to pro- duce pleafure as really my own as any pri- vate good. Eftccm and benevolence then are the two firft and leadmg branches of love; and both flnd room enough in Chrift. The Love to an unfeen Saviour. i j The two remaining, defire, fitly enough called love in motion, and delight or com- placency, called love at reft, rank them- felve"? under each of the former refpeftive- ly ; for 'tis of the nature of true love to defire and delight in the happinefs of the objed, as really as its own proceeding from it. And thefe two fuit themfelves juft to the different dates of the fubjed or ob- jed ; fometimes one, at another time the other being more proper to it ; though they may alfo ftand together, as ' they do, or may, in the Chriftian's prefenc love to Chrift, where full fcopc is given to both, as will appear more hereafter. But fo much may fuffice for (liewing the general nature of love to Chrift ; which will be better underftood from the following heads, whereof the next, to which we now pro- ceed, is, 11. To confider the objeft itfelf of the Ghriftian's love : the Lord Jefus Chrift, with the grounds that are found with him, of our loving him. Now fuch is the fulneft and diffufive copioufnefs of the reafons in- ducing love to Chrift} and thefe are (b intermixt, and run into one another, that as on the whole, love, in its utmoft extent, will be found moft juftly due to him ; fo fingle grounds of love to him may often well fupport many acts together, and not I only 14 Love to an unfeen Saviour. only thofe diftind ones which moft emi- nently fuit them refpedivcly. Various then are the grounds of Chrift's amiablenefs, and all of them very ftrong and engaging : For what is there in him that is not amiable ? What, that don't deferve and befpeak our higheft and beft . ^ affedions for him? Him, who is altogether \/i6. lovely ', in whom is to be found all that is great and good, pleafant and delegable, without any thing terrible or di(agreeable, any thing that may not put on a lovely form, and appear in an amiable drefi ; for fo does even his wrath and vengeance, being no other than the juft refult of his abufcd patience, his iron rod, being only the fceptre of his grace inverted, where refufed ; and his face of a lion put on, that of a lamb firfl: fliew'd in vain. Him, in / whom are combined and centred in the utmoft perfedion all the caufes of love, which are difperfed and found but in a fcan- ty meafure and low degree among other objeds ; him in whom majefty and mild- nefs, power and grace, fulnefs and fweet- / neft, wifdom and condefcention, antiquity and novelty, beauty and love are blended together in the moft perfed harmony. Him, who is the proper food for this appetite of love, both to invite and fill it in all its in- clinations and tendencies, being capable of producing immediately or mediately plea- lures h^ve to an unfeen Saviour. i j fares of every kind adapted to all our fenfes external or internal, natural or fpiritual ; wherewith fully and adequately to gratify and content them : In a word, him, in whom all worthy, noble, refined, grateful, familiar and friendly love may find a place together j for its diftind and united exer- cifes, without any confufion to dif!:ra6t ir, without any impure alloy to defile ir, with- out any thing mean to debafe it, without any difappointments to crofs Vi^ without any unkindnefs to ruffle it, without any needlefs delays to perplex it, without any terrifying afpeds to difcourage ir, vWthout any ceremonious forms to embarrafs it, without any capricious burthenfom ferviccs to tire it out, without any partner-griefs to diftrefs it, or indeed any cloggs, diffi- culties, and troubles whatfoever to moleft and afflid it on the fide of the objed, to whom our love has the freeft accefs, and from whom it is ennobled and perfeded by the refledion of the luftre and glory of the amiable objed on the affedion which embraces it. Our blefled Lord is truly every way (b deferving of our tendereft, warmefl: and ftrongeft love, for all manner of actradive charms that meet in him j that nothing in a manner fliould be loved but himfelf ; nothing, it is certain, in the whole circle of created objeds before him, nothing like him, 1 6 Love to an unfeen Saviour. him, nothing without him, but all of them fliould be loved for his fake, and ufed as fcales and fteps to mount up our love higher and higher to him, where only it can at- tain its proper compleat reft. Nay, I may venture to fay, that the infinitely bleffed and amiable God himfelf, abftradly con- fider'd, and in the perfon of the Father, apart from his incarnate Son, is not fo immediate and direft an objeft of our love in its full exercife, in all its fami- liar endearing exprellions, as well as vene- - rating adoring ads, as our Lord Je(us Chrift ; nor could he be truly loved by us at all, confidering how our lapfed ftate takes away from us all comfortable con- cerns with the goodnefs of our great Crea- tor, which is the only proper and primary ground of all love, overwhelms his amiable, by his dreadful attributes, and cloaths his whole nature, with all its manifeftations and operations relative to us, in awful ter- ror, unle(s it had been for Chrift, who has reftored and enlarged for us the profpeds of divine goodne(s, and in whom, confe- quently, God, as only feen to our comfort, comes only to be loved really and accepta- bly by us ; loved by and through him in the diftind regards to our love to both, ading their refpedive parts in the oecono- my of our falvation, and loved together With him in all the ads of our love con- fider'd Loi)e to an 7mfeen Savmir. 17 fider'd in their foundation, which is one and the fame undivided God-head, com- mon to both. And here we might firft obferve, how the many names, titles and charaders which Chrift bears in fcripture, of pleafant accent, whether more proper or emblematical, bor- rowed from all things in nature or art, in- animate or animate, that carry in them a lovely image, and convey various ideas of beauty, ufe and pleafure, do of themfelyes recommend him to our highefl: love, as plainly intirnated hereby to be incompa- rably amiable ; fince the whole creation is made to prefent him with all the feveral excellencies that are fcatter'd over ir, and meet together in no one fingle fubjedj and yet even thcfe, though united all v^. him in their fubftantial virtues, are no per- fed reprefentations, but only obfcure and diftant adumbrations of his mod amiable charader, which is perfedly tranfcenden- tal to all created glories and refemblances. Thus, when he is ftiled a rofe, the role of Sharon^ and the lily of the vallies, a vine, an apple-tree, yea, the tree of life, the bread of life, the root and offspring of Dmjid^ the branch, the bright and morn- ing ftar, the day ftar from on high, the fun of righteoufnefs, the foundation and corner ftone, the rock of ages, the lamb of Godj when he is call'd the brightnefs C of 1 8 Love to an unfeen Savtour. of the Father's glory, and the exprefs image of his perfon, the image of the invifible God, the word of God,the holy one of God ; when he is called Wonderful, Counfellor, mighty God, everlafting Father, the Prince of peace, the Prince of the kings of the earth, the Lord and King of glory, the King of kings and Lord of lo'ds, our Lord and our God ; when he is call'd Immanud^ God with us, the only begotten and well-beloved Son of^ God, the Son of man, the Lord from heaven, the fecond Adam; when he is called, Chrift the Lord, Jefus the Savi^ our, the captain of falvation, a horn of falvation, the falvation of God, the wif- dom and power of God, the mercy pro- mifed ; when he is called the angel of the covenant, the Prince of life, the King of rightcoufnefs, the mediator and furcty of the new and better covenant, the author and finiflier of our feith ; when he is called the friend of finners, the head of the church, the apoftle and high-prieft of our profcffion, our advocate, the Lord our righteoufneft, the way, the truth and the life; when he is called the . light of the world, our life, our peace, our hope, our fiiepherd, our brother, our father, our husband, and the deiire of all nations : Thefc, and fuch like charaders, our bleflcd Lord is dignified with in the word, do, at the firrt mention of them, ftrikc 4 O-ir Love to an unfeen Saviour. 1 9 our ears with a grateful found, and infi- nuate into our hearts prevailing reafons for our loving the peifon who bears none of them in vain, but fully anfwers all thefe indearing, ingratiating defcripcions of him. And thus is his name, fincc no empty fwelling titl6 of vanity, as worn by him, but no more than exprefling the things themfelves that really belong to him, and that but defedively too, becau(e no words can do honour enough to him, according to his juft dignity and worth ; his name, I fay, is as precious ointment pour'd forth, the fragrant odours whereof diflFufing them- Sol. fong, felves all around wherever it is fpread a- ^" 3» 4- broad, and fweetly inftill'd into the hearts of all virgin Chriftians, caufe the upright to love him. And may we find then thefe gracious and glorious characters of our Re- deemer (for glory and grace make up his whole name) on the very hearing of them to raife in us an immediate ardor of devout affections to him, whofe fo juftly they are. But, to come now to the things them- felves, the particular grounds of love to Chrift, which his various names import and lead to. If the greateft perfonal excellencies and beauties imaginable: If the moft intimate relation to God, and his manifeftative glory, join'd with C z the 20 Love to an unfeen Saviour* the bighefl: intereft in his favour and re- fped: If the mod: aftoniihing and amazing love to us : If the neareft, moft ufeful and endear- ed relations to us : If the moft arduous and excellent works undertaken and performed for our fervice and advantage : And, Finally^ If the moft numerous, valuable, important benefits conferred on us, or pro- mifed to us : If any of thefe feparately, and much more all together, render a perfon juft- iy amiable, and demand from us afFedi- on both true and great to him : Then certainly our love to Chrift will appear well founded and capable of all the a- greeable forms and methods this paflion can be exprefs'd in ; for all thefe caufes and motives to love confpire at once ivi him, and that in the moft exalted degree. Amidft all thefe amiables in Chrift, various and fiill together, the fulnefs not excluding the variety, nor the variety refleding on the fulnefs, as though it came in only in relief of deficiency, and conjundly to per- feft what was fingly wanting, as is the cafe of all the objeds of our ordinary con- verfe; how may our love fill and regale itfelf without any danger of a furfeit ? How may it fatisfy by turns all its inclinations to the Love to an unfeen Saviour. the happinefs of both the fubjed and ob- jed of it, from thefe feveral views of the objed, well forted together among them- felves? How may it wander through an endlefs maze of ravifliing charms, foon loft, yet quickly found again; fix*d in motion, and perpetually, but pleafingly moving while at reft ; becaufe it finds all in one, that can either employ or fill this aftedion? fo that being come here to its proper cen- tre, it need not move off from it, but meets with room and attradive force enough to circulate about it eternally. I. Then, Chrift is the beft and wor- thicft* objed of love, and is, and will be, loved by all true Chriftians, on account of his perfonal excellencies, beauties and glo- ries, which are truly matchlefs and unpa- ralleled. In the perfon of Chrift concentre all great and glorious qualities as in their pro- per feat. All manner'of beauties and excel- lencies, human and divine, created and uncreated, every thing in God, or in the creature, that ever was, or can be account- ed amiable, are united in his perfon, and poflefs'd by him together as his own, and that without any confufion or interfering, whereby their diftind luftres might be ob- fcured ; but fubfifting with fuch regular harmony that as his perfon is thus ren- dered at once the receptacle of all of every e 5 kind 21 2 2 Love to an unfeen Saviour. kind that is any where excellent ; fo by this comple6lion his various glories are ad- mirably cemper'd, and fitted for our de- lightful contemplation, to the bed: advan- tage, and for the fulleft, mod perfed conver- fes of our love : And then all is fet off with a pleafingnewnefsas theperfonof Chrift in his intire manifeftation and exhibition to us is of a fingular conftitution , whereto there is nothing fimilar or correfponding bclides, in the whole rank of univer- (al being, which cannot but be a perpe- tual fpring of admiring love. For Chrift in his whole perlon is, and ever will be myfte- rious, and uncommonly wonderful ; accord- ing as this makes one of his glorious names, and is fee firft to awaken our expeftation of unknown glories in him, which the bare reading of the dcfcription given of him at the fame time, joining together extreams v/hich lie (o diftant in our apprehenfions, liai. ix. 6. does abundantly confirm : " J[ child horny '' a fon ,given to ns^ i^ho is the mighty " God, the everbftifig Father, the Prince " of peace^ and who has the government " on his fhonlders ! " Well may it be faid, " His name fij all be called iz'onderfuV For with what ftrange, yet pleafant furprize, muft tbefe things affed the mind ? Our love then in this view of Chrift forms itfelf into adorin^r, yet complacen- tial admiration, profound veneration, high- raifed hove to an unfeen Saviour. 23 raifed refped, and the mofl: afFedionate efteem. For as we all know, excellenc endowments and qualifications m a pcrfon, are adapted to excite our efteem. They are under the conduft of a good mind, which is indeed it felf the chief of them, the only proper grounds of love of ef- teem. And fuch is their attra6live force on ingenuous minds, that abftraded from any intereft we may have in the perfon poffcffing them, they fail not to conciliate to him our value and refped : Whence it comes to pafs, that lovely virtuous charaders, on- ly rcprefented to the imagination, have a marvellous power over us to gain our ap- probation, and afford us pleaiure. How compleatly then does Chrift recommend himfelf to this fort of regards in their higheft elevation ; who has in himfelf real- ly the pcrfedion of all beauty, and that e- ver new, ever (liining with unwaining fplen- dor j befides a peculiar and mod intimate relation alfo, his perfon thus adorned and excellently qualified has to us ? But, to be a little more particular in pointing out his fevcral amiable qualities, and the excellen- cies inherent in his perfon j firft, asdiftind- ly belonging to his two natures, human and divine refpedively ; then as refulting from the union of both thefe infeparably in his one undivided pcrfon. He is, firft, in- finitely amiable as God : He is next amia- C 4 bio Z4 Love to an unfeen Saviour. ble as man ; and chat in both the confti- tiicnt parts of human nature, truly amiable even in his human body, more amiable ftili in his human foul ; and then he is ycc more aroiable, and indeed moft of all ami-- ble to us as God-man, the Word made fiefli, and dwelling among us. jfir/?, Then confider we Chrift, as ami- able in his two diftind natures of God and man, refpectively. And, I.) In the divine nature. With refpeft to the uncreated and infinite glories whereof, as rendering our blefled Lord originally and fupremely amiable, with a love fully divine : If we believe him truly pofTefs'd of thefe, as we mud to maintain a faith confiftenc with fcripture • then it is plain there can never be v/anting the ftrongeft reafons for our loving him, and that with a folemn, admiring, adoring love. For thus, the very fame reafons of our loving God as God, as the firft and bell of beings, the foun- tain of all life and good, and one poflefs'd of unftain'd purity, inexhauftible fulnefs, the moft confummate wifdom, the moft pure and unbiafs*d righteoufneft, the moft conftant truth, and the moft diflFufive boundlefs goodnefs, conclude with equal force for our loving the Son of God in like manner, who is no lefs than the t Joh. V. Father, the true God eflentially, though ~^' in a diftinft mode of fubfiftence, God over alL Love to an unfeen Saviour. i j all, bleffed for ever. All the inexpreflible, ^®"^- ^^• inconceivable amiables in the divine na- ^* cure, which is both all-good and all- fair, fince the fource of all that is good and feir, throughout the whole creation, are found in Chrift, as really as in the Father ; for in him dwells all the fulncfs of the ^°^' "' 9- God- head bodily, that isy perfonally and fubftantially. This divine efTential glory in Chrift fixes both his original claim, and our original obligation to the love of him, and ftamps it divine in all its refpefts to him under whatever charadcr, either na- tively divine, or elfe afliimed, human and mediatorial, in which he ceafes not to be divine too, and to ad divinely all along. This is the fole bafis and foundation of our love to him, confidered as it ought, as the principal and main branch of the religi- ous worfliip we owe him, of love ftipreme, and fuch as is due to none but God ; and when duly believ'd, cannot but procure for him all the rapturous ftrains and profound adorations of ftddly diyine love from us. Proceed we now to confider our blef- fed X.ord as next amiable. 2.) In his human nature. For as though God had a mind to provide in his Son for an entire gratification of our love, that it might find every thing iiT him that can engage and fuit it, he has by preparing for him a body, a human naturCj i6 Love to an unfeen Saviour. nature, aiTumcd by him into perfonal uni- on with himfelf, and by pouring out on it all the graces and embellifliments that a: created nature is capable of, gathered up in him all inferior created beauties in a- greeable conjundion with fuperior and in- finite excellencies, and thus fix'd him more within the reach of our love. And though the firfl: appearance of our Lord in our nature, was not indeed alto- gether like himfelf, was not fully worthy of the divine owner and inhabitant, be- ing without that fliining brightnc(s and ra- diant luftre that may be juftly accounted due to him who was in the form of God, while found in the fafhion of a man, and that might be fufficient to refled his di- vine glories that they might be known and acknowledged by all ; but rather was fuch, as caft an obfcuring veil on them ; how- ever, now and then they darted forth their beams through it: yet now, thefe darken- ing (hadows having been long fince fled a- way, from the time he took his feat at his Father's right hand in the heavenly places,he wears our nature in its fairefl: and brighteft drefs ; fuch a drefs as makes it far to excel and out-(hine the angelical, though originally of a fuperior rank ; fuch a drcis as. is fitted to his divine Majefty, which it is not unbe- coming a God to cloath himfelf in, and where- Love to an unfeen Saviour. 27 wherewith, as with a garment of light P^^^- <^»^- and glory, he is illuftrioufly array'd. '' ^* 0\ the tranfcendent, furpaffing beau- ties of the man Jefus, now he exhibits him- felf in heaven, in the full glory of that nature which is taken into fellowfliip with the divine ; and whereby his glory now comes to be feen as the only begotten of the Father ! Beauties the mod perfed that could be both of body and foul, according to the kind and quality of each : Beauties unmix'd with any polluting fpot, or de- grading blemifli, which ever have attend- ed our nature in every other fubjed : Beau- ties of the higheft elevation, without any deficiency, or any comparilon; fo that it is his juft and Angular commendation to be " fairer than the children of men ; " Pfai. xiv, fairer even in the beauty of that nature ^* he has in common with them ; as well as infinitely fairer by another kind of beauty that belongs to a nature he has, which v^ original to all : Beauties that are peculiarly fitted to recommend him to our love and e- ftecm ; for we may love him now with fuch a fort of peculiar love, we bear to our own fpecies, yet ftill not refting there, but in the God who became man ; with a love of won- . derful temperament, human love divine. Here (i.) let us take a brief account fo far as we may, or can, of the beauty and glory belonging to Chrift's human body, as ^8 Love to an imfeen Saviour. as» ferving to call forth our admiring love. Oh ! could we but view the body of our Lord, as it now appears in glory, fincc it has put on its moft illuftrious form, which it will never lay afide again; we fliould then, no doubt, readily confefs, that all the admired beauties of the moft magnifi- cent, regular and harmonious w^orks of na- ture, or art in this lower world, were but fuperficial, rude, and comparatively de- formed pieces, having no comelinefs or glory in refpeft of the glory and beauty, which fo much excels, of this heavenly fabrick, this tabernacle which the Lord pitched, not man, this chief workmanfliip of God. Fanciful reprefentations of the make and form of our Lord's glorified body muft be avoided as much as poflible ; left by at- tempting beyond our line, to fct it off by pompous defcriptions, we really difparage it by undue ones. Yet furely being fet at . the top of the material creation, it muft be allow'd vaftly to exceed all of this kind in every real beauty that can belong to material compofitions, and to be capable of producing much more noble, agreeable and plcafurable fenfations than any befides, according to the nature and diverfity of fcnfcs, that will find place in that pure world that receives it ; where, though fiefii Love fo an tmfeen Saviour, ij> flefli and blood cannot enter, yet fince re- fined and fpiritualized matter does, there will be fome fort of organs or fenfes fit- ted to perceive pleafure from the external glorious objeds, efpecially the glorified bo- dy of our Lord : Senfes, perhaps fome wholly new, and others fimilar to wha^ we are now endowed with, though purged from all the grofsnefs and dimnefs of them, and elevated to fuch a degree of acute- nefs and vivacity as cannot now be con- ceived : And all thefe fenfes of the bleffed, whatever they may be, gratified to the full, from this objed of various glories, the body of our Lord prefented to them as their moft proper objed of converfe. We cannot have the evidence of our pre* fent fenfes, which have no opportunity of proving, neither could indeed bear the proof, for the fuperexcelling glory and beau^ ty which is vefted in the glorified body of our Redeemer. Yet we may cafily fa- tisfy our fclves of the real certainty of ir, fiom fuch fcriptural topicks as thefe, which will afford us fome light into it ; befides, the general convincing argument for it, from our Lord's raifed character, and the fitnefs of the thing it fclf If heavenly matter, whatever be its pe- • culiar texture, muft greatly exceed in fine* nefs and luftrc all terrene fubftances, ac- cording to the apoftle's eftimate, when he • tells JO Love to an unfeen Saviour. 1 Cor. XV. tells US, The glory of the celejlial bodies is ^^' one, and the glory of the terreflrial is ano- ther ; which words import a plain pre- ference of the former tothclaft : And the difference is intimated in the prophet to Ifai. ixvi. be as great as between a throne and a foot- '• «ftool: And yet Chrift in his human na- Eph. iv. ^"^^) body and foul, is faid to have afcend- lo. ed up, far above all heavens, into heaven Heb. IX. -J. ^gj^^ -j^^-Q j.j^g \cxy prefence of God ; and Heb. vii. to be made higher thanthe heavens : How ^^* can then the exalted body of our Lord, however earthy in its extradion, in part at lead, becoming now heavenly with fuch glorious pre-eminence, as he is emphati- cally caird, with fpecial refped to it, the 1 Cor. XV. heavenly man, be other than the very ^'^* ^^' mafter-piece of all the material creation for brightnefs and glory ? If again the light and glory raying forth from Chrift, manifefting himfelf in a vifion Adi.xxvi. from heaven to the apoftle Paul, exceed- 13- ed the miridiaji brightnefs of the fun j v/hich though it is the nobleft and moft glorious body that belongs to our fyftem, to whofe beams gilding its feveral parts, we owe all the varieties of colours that are fpread over its furface, and affeil us v^ith fuch a fenfible pleafure, muft yet yield ^o^ this more glorious fun fet in a fphere above it ; and even, before its exaltation to its prefent zenith of higheft glory in the hea- vens. Love to an unften Saviour. 3 1 veils, the body of our Lord, while he wts yet on earth, for a fample of the glory natively due to it, and a prelude of w^hat ii was to be advanced to, was once on the holy mount fo transfigured that his coun- ^^"- ^^^ tenance (hone as the fun, and his very rai- Mar. ix. ment irradiated by the glory breaking forth ?» 3- . from within, received fuch a tindure, as 29. to become it felf gliftering, (hining, ex- ceeding white, as the light, or as fnow, fo as no fuller on earth could white \t ; What then of material fubftances and forms can be imagin'd equally glorious and beautiful > What fuch a fource of all the refin'd, ex- alted pleafures of fenfation, as the glorified body of Chrift in its neareft accefs, and mofl: advantageous application as in hea* ven, to fenfes fuited and duly attemper'd to it ? Further, how can the body of Chrift, our head, but fparkle with fuperlative luftre above any material nature elfe, when this moji glorious body ^ as it is fitly call'd, orac- ^^^^' "'• cording to the literal emphafis of the ori- ginal, the body of his glory^ is to be the ftandard, or pattern, after which the bo- dies of all his members arc to be fafliion'd; which (hall (hine themfelvcs as the. fun in Matt.xiii. the kingdom of their Father, and as the '^'* brightnefs of the ftarry firmament, and Dan. xii. (hall, on their being raifed, be endued 5* with incorruptibility, glory, power and i Cor. xr. rpiri-42.+3>44 5 1 Love to an tmfeen Saviour, fpiricuality ; qualities the higheft and bed that can agree to material beings ; and fome of which are more than any matter we know of at prefent, can claim, or we can well conceive of Rnallyy If the glorified body of Chrift may be confider'd as the eternal Shekinah of the divine Majefty, the heavenly tern- Jo .11.21. pj^^ through which the incomprehenfible Rev. vii. g[ory of God will always manifeft it felf Rev. xxL ^o ^^^ bleffed inhabitants, and their exalt- 22, 23. cd fervices be direded toward it ; the ftand- ch. xxii. jj^g^ perpetual, and ever glorious fymbol of God's favour and gracious prefence, be- ing the truth and fubftance of the glory Rom. ix. jj^^^ guy jhe typical tabernacle and tem- ple under the lav/, that has long fince va- xiifli'd away, even before the ceflation o( the ceconomy it felf, whofe chief glory it was, and fo not only fully anfwering but tranfcending it, both in its nature, fignifi- cant importance and ufe : Then certain- ly from this, added to the foregoing con- fiderations, and from all laid together ; it will be no hard matter to convince our (elves, what peerlefs dignity, beauty and excellency is vefted in the human body of Chrift, above all the material univerfe be- fides. And as this will fill and fix in a man- ner every eye that fees Chrift, where and as he is, and whatever fenfe is adapted to coaverfe with him ; fo, is it not enough, I on » Love to an unfeen Saviour. 3 j on the certain report made of it to us now, to arreft our wandering eyes which are greedily catching at the fliallow and fading beauties of this world, one after ano^ ther, (becaufe at prefent capable of no great-i cr and better) and to hold them in with the promifc of fomewhat far better in yonder upper world, where our Lord is even in that lovely human form which thcfe eyes may behold, and which will fully gratify them. Is is not enough to unlearn us our admi- ration of all fenfible objefts in this world, where all things are wheeling about in one round of vanity, and there is nothing new, or long fo, becaufe nothing per fed ; and to teach us to referve all our admiration for that blefTed world above ; of which if we could but once get a glimpfe, the ef- fed would certainly be, that we fliould have nofpirit left va us, or a will, fondly to gaze at any thing after it, in this lower world ? And is it not enough then to make our hearts leap within us, at the diftant pro- fped, and beat with ftrong and eager de- fires of being admitted into this glory of our Lord ? But neither is this all, though fo much above every vifiblc objed in our world ; no, nor the chief recommendation of Chrift, even in his human nature to our love and affedionate efteem ; there \Sy (1.) another view of him in the better D ^ and 34 Love to an unfeen Savtour* and nobler part of ic, his human fpirit, that tends to raife it yet higher ; as prefenting us with a fuperior rank of beauties, thofe of a moral, fpiritual nature, which are much more excellent and tranfporting than the former to thofe who contemplate them with the eye of their minds, and have that tafte for them, which our nature, cfpecially as renew'd, fits us for. The beauties and graces of the f©ul, in fuch a compound being as man, muft cer- tainly be allow'd greater and better than all pertaining to the body abftraftly con- fider'd, befide, that the latter go over to the former 5 becaufe the foul is properly the man, and the body can perceive or a£i: nothing without the foul, which ufes it for its inftrument, and for which it is. And indeed the inward temper of the foul, whether good or bad, by wondrous fym- pathy, difpofes the body to receive a cor- refpondent imprefs ; and by the real or fuppofed indications of it felf from the va- rious afpeds and appearances of the body, renders the form it has agreeable or dif- agreeable : Whence it comes to pafs, that on the one hand a corporeal form never (b beautiful to the external fenfe, yet if found feparated from a virtuous and good mind, foon lofes all its charms, inftead of pleafing, offends, and raifes contempt in- ftead of efteem j while, on the other hand, one Love to an unfeen Saviour. ff one in it fclf no way lovely, may yet ap- pear fo, by the connedion it has with a lovely mind, and what is re illy fo, by this means becomes doubly amiable. Now nothing in this behalf is wanting to the hu- manity of Chrifl: in either part ; body and foul are both perfect in him, both amiable in their kinds, and exaftly fuitcd to each other, jufl: as one may wifli. There is an equal correfpondence between them, and their diftind beauties are duly adjufted in admira- ble proportion. His foulanfwers to his body, as this does to that, being mutually worthy each of other, and of none elfe. His pure, fair and glorious body is, befides its own abftrad beauties, fo much the more ho- nourable and amiable, for being the habi- tation, the true image, and undeceiving pifture of his more pure, fair and glorious foul ; which is as much at the top of the immaterial, as the other is of the material creation. Chrift in his human foul having re- ceived the fandifying Spirit without mea- fure, is a charafter form'd every way to perfcdion, being replenifli'd with all ex- cellent endowments of mind, all moral and fpiritual qualities, to a degree exceed- ing not only all his fellows among men, but all the angels in heaven. He was full of grace and truth. All virtue, purity, Jo^- i- ^^- piety, benevolence, and all manner of D z goodnefs. 3 6 Love to an unfeen Savionn goodnefs, took their feat in his heavenly mind, and became habitual and natural to him, the genuine native ornaments of it ; in confequencc whereof he never did or could do an improper unbecoming thing, but all his words, and his whole conver- fation were regular and graceful. His heart and lilfe were a perfeft comment on the original law of human nature, and anfwer'd to it fo compleatly, that no im- preffion can more, or even fo much, to the fcal from which it is taken off with never fo much exadnefs. The law of his God was in his heart, and he fully copied it out in all the difpofitions of his holy foul; and in all the adions of his holy life. The law could not be more perfeft and pundual in requiring, than he was in performing. He only of all the children of men, (hone in the beauties of holineG, without any contraded, or even poflible fpot, be- Hcb. vii. ing altogether holy, harmlefs, undefiled, and feparare from finners, fo as not to have the leafl; communion with them in any fin. And as he knew no fm, either in the habit, or in the pradice, though he lived in a world of finners, furrounded on every fide with evil examples, and having his virtue eflay'd by the fevereft tefts, and cxpofcd to the moft violent attacks of the wicked one, who yet, after all the experi- ments of craft and power made often on him, 26. Love to an tmfeen Saviour . 37 him, in order to corrupt him, neither found, nor left at anytime, the leaft taint on him : J^^' *^^* So he had, inwrought into his foul, and pradifed, all divine graces, in their entire compafs and jufl: connedion, without any defed either of the due degree of each, or of the due harmony and proportion of all together. Nor arc we far to feek for a view of thefe gracious endowments refiding in fuch perfcd regularity and harmony in our Sa- viour's foul, with their as regular and well placed ads and fruits. For we have the lively image of them drawn out, and fee before our eyes in the hiftory given us ty the evangelifts, of his life and manner of converfation in our world, as perfedly ex- emplifying that pure and holy dodrine he taught. Here it is, we may fee as it were his whole foul, what a peaceful, quiet, blifsful feat it was of ferene, calm, fedate and compofed virtue, unruffled either by any events from without, or by any un- ruly lufts and jarring paflions from with- in, but poffefling all its faculties and ope- rations in right order 5 his judgment always fettling proper meafures of condud, his will ever obeying its didates, and his affedions under the rule of both. Here we may fee, how in his heart reign d the love of God and the love of man, each in its full empire and dominion, and with D 5 united 3 8 Love to an unfeen Saviour. united luftre ; how the works of piety and charity divided between thetn his whole time, which was parted out among them with admirable difcrction ; how he went a- bout doing good to men in all manner of beneficial offices, during the day time, and that he might not be (hut out from the fea- fons of devotion v^hile he devoted the whole day to men, he often fpent the hours of a late evening, or an early morning before day, and fometimes whole nights, with his God. Here we may fee his faith and hope, though prov'd with the (liarpcft con- flifts and moft perplexing difficulties, dill firmly and fteadilyrepofing it felf on God, without yielding either to a diffident anxiety, or to a negligent fecurity. Here we may fee the fire of a true and regular zeal, that grace of niceft manage- ment, lighted up uniformly '\\\ his breaft, and breaking out into a flame both fliining and burning, pure as well as ftrong, bright as well as adive, equally purged from the dusky vapours of furious unhallow'd paC- fions, as from the cold damps of luke- warmnefe and cowardice, that it might neither be polluted, nor yet fiiiothered, fpending it felf in the caufe of God, not Joh.n.17. his own private intereft, burning firfl: in- ward, and then only outward, and con- fuming himfelf rather than others. Here wc may fee him afting unfeign'd real hu- mility, V{^\. Ixix. 1(0. Love to an unfeen Saviour. \ p mility, without pride or affcftation on the one hand, and yet without fufFering his charader to fink when it was proper to fupport it on the other ; ftri£tne(s and fe- verity without morofencfs and aufterity ; a generous contempt and abfolute conqueft of the world without an unfociable and cow- ardly retreat from it ; perfeft patience without any mixture of impatience ; true love to men's perfons without any love to their vices ; affability to others without any fnare to himfelf ; wonderful condefcention without the lead flattery, or Hooping to any thing really mean, and which betra/d the want ofa true grcatnefs of foul; meek- nefs without wrath, even under (bme of the greateft provocations ; impartial truth, honefty, courage and integrity without hypocrify, fear, or caring for any man, Matt his enemies being judges; wifdom ready on ^^• all occafions and emergencies yet ever match'd with innocency; authority with mildnefs; gravity with chearfulnefs ; uni- verfal benevolence and publick fpiritedneft regulated only by prudence, and his com* miiTion in its particular effeds, and exer- cifed with a conftant ftudied avoidance of popular applaufe ; an entire devotedneft to God in all ads of obedience, feeking his glory not his own, delighting to do his will, and making the fervice of God his ^^* ' clement^ his meat and drink ; and exprefs- D 4 ing XXll. 40 Love to an tmfeen Saviour. ing as perfeft a refignation to the appoint- ing will of God in all his uncommon fuf- ferings. In a word, then here we fee as with our eyes in the charafter of our blefled Lord decypher'd in the fcriptures, what Plato fo much magnifies, as what, if it could be had, would not fail of exciting marvellous love and admiration in the minds of men, but which we may fearch for all the world over and fhall not find elfewhere, namely the form it (elf, and as it were the face of virtue. For on the man Jefus this lovely image is ftamp'd: Virtue and all goodnefs was transfufed into him, tindured him all over, and breathed quite through him, through his whole (bul, through every look, Pfai. xlv. through every word, (for grace was pour'd into his lips) through every aftion. What other is, or was he but virtue per- fonalized, animated virtue, living piety, living holinefe, living goodnefs, goodnefs and grace all over ? And feeing him now in his word thus reprefenting compleatly the moral image of the Deity, in our nature ; and know- ing him ftill to live, and bear the fame i- mage in heaven, in all its orient bright- nefs, fet off there in a light connatural to it, which is yet a foil to his tranfcendent purity, though not like the thick (hade of the darknefs of fin in our world; and this with Love to an unfeen Saviour. 4 1 with the addition of the oil of perfed glad- nefi, wherewith he is anointed above all his fellows, without any mixtures of hea- vincfs, which often over-powered it here: Shall we not on thefe accounts pronounce him the lovely Man? The lovelieft of all men \ Shall we not call on our felves oftea as we are now able to behold this illuftri- ous Manjefus; to look intently upon him Joh. xlx. with an eye of faith and fteady meditation, 5- and thus contemplating him, to yield up ourfelves to all the tranfports of admiring love and complacential efteem, till our love comes to be fwallow'd up and pcrfeded in the immediate fight of him ? Muft a common charader of goodnefs among men, mix'd as it always is, be allowed to deferve our love and efteem ? And how much more then docs Chrift, one unmix'd, perfed and unchange- able? And accordingly ought to engage our higheft efteem and veneration; e(pe- cially lince in all thefe his fpiritual graces he is made the head of the faved, their ex- emplar, and the pattern to which they muft be conform'dj as well as in his bodi- ly beauties. Thus then our Lordjefus Chrift appears to be the moft amiable objed view*d \k), both his natures, divine and human diftind- ly ; and worthy indeed of all the admira- tion and efteem our nature is mafter of. But to this muft be yet further added, to crown 4 1 Love to an unfeen Saviour. crowii all, and to render Chrift's perfon moft amiable to us, Secondly^ The union of both thefe fo different and diftind natures as finite and infinite, without divifion or confufion, in his myfterious perfon, which becomes hereupon one complex principle of agen- cy, to which are to be referred up the qualities and ads of either nature-, where- by, as has been before obferv'd, an un- common ground is laid for our admiring Chrifl: on account of the furprizing fingu- gular novelty of the objed. The amiablenefs of Chrifl's whole per- fon fprings out of, and refleds back oii> tfee diftind beauties and glories of both his natures, but then is an advance on them with refped to us, as it coUeds them to a point, unites and gathers them into one view, and (b recommends them by this conjundion with more advantage to our admiring, efteeming love. This conftitu^ tion of his perfon is peculiarly adapted to (et Chrift before us at once both in a moll familiar and in a moft aftonifliing light. It makes him the wonder and delight of angels ; and how much more ought it of men, to whom it is in a fpecial manner moft alluring, charming and engaging, as he has hereby done an honour to our na- ture, fuperior to any conferred on the an- gelick. This fairly accounts for all the dignities Love to an tinfeen Saviour. 43 dignities and pre-eminences of the human nature of Chrifl-, which might feem to be above the lot of any creature, as being but a fuitable grant to the man whom the Son of God is pleafed to unite tohimfelf : And this even exalts the human excellencies, great as they are in themfelves (and yec not great enough becaufe finite^ to be the adequate objeft of our faculties and affec- tions) to a ftill higher pitch of glory by the refledion and overfhadowing of the divine on them ; whereby they contrad a relative immenfity in Chrift's perfon. This, on the other hand, brings God down to man as near as he can come, while it raifes man up to God, as high .as he can afcend. What method could be contrived fo happy, to fettle God in the bed and deareft affedion of creatures, e& pecially fuch as were fallen off from their love and allegiance to him ; than for him to reveal himfclf to them through one in their own nature, perfonally united to one in the divine ? By this means the glories of pure divinity, which would opprefs in- ftead of attrading our love, become fami- liarifed and fitted to our converfe ; The terrors that muft needs arifc from unveil'd deity to guilty creatures, are allay'd, and hid under the veil of humanity thrown o- ver it ; a veil rendered bright enough to tranfinit all divine glories, that there might be 44 Love to an unfeen Saviour. be fcope enough for our love, and yet (o accommodated to prefent them all with a friendly favourable afped'on us, that our love may have free accefi to them : A veil, which however brighten'd, it was infinite condefcention indeed, in the eternal Word, to put on and wear ; but then it appears of abfolute neceffity, and of the greateft Hcb. X. advantage and confequence to us, who 3e, 21. could not come before a naked God and live. For this conftitution of the Perfon of Chrift, is to be confider'd further, as a main and fundamental qualification of all his mediatorial tranfadions. His perfonal glories as God-man found and imply his mediatorial excellencies, his peculiar incom-. parable fitnefs to be our Mediator and Sa- viour. For in virtue of it he has at once and together, a divine fiilnefs and fufficien- cy to fave us with an human congruity and meetnefs, for applying it in a manner moft fuitable and proper to our condition. On the whole view then of his perfon and perfonal excellencies, which are fun- damental to, and in a manner comprehen- five of all the reafons of our love to Chrift, and where, though not ordinarily begin- ning at leaft in that extent we have confi- der'd his perfon in, it muft always termi- nace and end : Mdy we not now venture (uch queftions as thefe, with, all rational thinking perfons to return a proper anfwer to Love to an unfeen Saviour. 4 j to them chemfelves. What think ye of Chrift ? Is he not tranfcendently amiable in himfelf ? Does not this objed make the fuUefl: and largefl: provifion for our highell admiration and love of efteem ? Can chere be any where found one fo deferving of our aflFedions, and on whom they may fo fully and adequately reft ? Ought not this i^»i- i^- 2^ branch of the Lord to be beautiful and glo- rious ; this fruit of the earth to be excel- lent and comely in the eyes of all before whom he grows up ? On the other hand, may we not hope fuch difparaging queftions as thefe will for ever be (ilcnced, fliamed and exploded with that contempt and infamy they juftly deferve ? " What is the Chriflians beloved, ^°^' ^<^"S " mor e than another belovedy that he (hould ^* ^* " be fo mightily extoU'd ? What fliall v^e *^ fee or find in Chrift, that our love (hould " fingle him out from all other objeds, to " cleave to in a fuperlative manner ? What *' are thefe his fo diftinguiOiing and excel- ** ling beauties, that he (hould be defired, ^' efteem'd and admired above every thing ^* befides ? Is not his perfon profefledly " myfteriDus and incomprehenfible > And, *^ why may he not be as much negleded, " as he is little underftood ; while we con- " tent our fclves with loving what is more " familiar to us, and we are better ac- [[ quainted with ? " For may ic not as well 2 be ^6 Love to an unfeen Saviour. be asked, whether there be any fuch affec- tion as love in human nature, or any ob- jeft at all fitted to it, to reft in, as whe- ther Chrift be not a moft proper and com- pleat objeft to it, who is found on the moft credible report, and will be more and more found, the more we fcarch, really to poflefi the moft agreeable, rare and har- monious mixture of all exalted beauties human and divine, material and immate- rial, in himfelf ? Can there be then a greater abfurdity, than to demur on his claim to fuperior love, who has fuperior amiablenefs to all crea- tures ; to allow inferior and partial excel- lencies their attraftive force, and to deny to fuperior entire perfeftions their propor- tional power over us to gain and perfeft our love ? And what, ought the myf- tery of his perfon, to fink ity glorious reality ? Muft he be thought the leS amiable, the more incomprehenfiblc he is > Muft the wonders that go into his name leflen our efteem by encreafing our admi- ration ? Shall that detraft from his amiable- nefs, which ought in reafon to inhance it^ that he has more beauties and glories in his perfon than our dim eye can pierce through, or we (hall ever come to an end of > Muft it be an exception to him, that he has, what it is a juft exception againft other amiable objeds that they want, a depthj Love to an unfeen Saviour. 47 depth, a fulnefs, a perfedion of excel- lency ? That whereas creature-beauties are all fading and languifliing, his are per- manent, ever frefli and new, and alway retain their luftre ; that whereas theirs are fhallow and fcanty, foon feen through, and exhauftcd as foon as feen ; his are fo full and great, fo boundlefs and immenfe, that we may never hope to fee (and 'tis well for us we can't fee) their end and utmoft perfedion, while we may cxped a petpc- tual growing entertainment of our love from them? And it is on this account of their real tranfccndcncy to all meerly creat- ed excellencies, that our contrafted under- ftandings (and no wonder when they are unequal to the full comprehenfion of any thing) fink under the weight of this fo big glory, and our language much more faulters in the expreflion of it. While then wc know, and certainly believe the report of the various and ftrange glories of Chrift's mod amiable perfon, taken in the fimplicity of the fcripture reprefenta- tion : While the foundation of our admir- ing love is laid not in abfolute ignorance, but fubftantial certain knowledge, fo far as our minds are capable j it is an unfpcaka- ble advantage to our love for the termi- nating and pcrfefting it, that we know, there is infinitely more that is amiable and glorious in the perfon of Chrift our bclov- 4 cd 4? Love to an unfeen Saviour. ed than we can comprehend, or ever may fearch out to perfedion : Which cannot but raife vafl: hopes for the future, while it kin- dles the nobleft admiration for the prefcnr. What remains therefore, but that we make up for the narrowness of our conception by the enlaigednefs of our admiration i ^ II. Another ground a- kin to the former, and ferving to fliape our love to Chrifl: into much the fame form of efteem and admirati- on ; is the intimate relation which Chrift,-as God-man mediator, has to God, and his manifeftative glory joined with his higheft intereft in his Father's refpedand favour. Next to his own inherent perfonal ami- ablene(s, Chrift may bejuftly confider'd as meriting our love on his Father's account : And that, Firft^ On account of the compleat pro- vifion made in and by him, for the manifef- tative glory of God appearing withgreateft advantage. Never was God glorified, or in- deed'could be, as in his incarnate Son our Me- diator, who is the very image, and brightefl; Col. i.15. mirror of the invifible God: In whom he Ifai. xhx. pj-(jf^^^^ himfelf glorified eminently and to joh. xii. content : In whom the face of his throne is fob xxvi ^ ^^ ^^^^ revealed, which is held back by ^. ^ "" a cloud fpread over it m all his other works. * Here a paufe may be made dividing this fcrmon in- to two parts. It Love to an unfeen Saviour. 49 It is in the face of Jefus Chriji we have 2 Cor. iv. the knowledge of the glory of God ; in feeing joh. xiv. him we fee the Father^ and by him the only 9- begotten Son^ who lay in his bofom have J°^-^-^^- the Father revealed to us, as w^e could not, by any bcfides. To convince us the better of the tran- fcendent excellency of the manifeftation of God's glory in Chrift, and how much of our love he deferves on that account, let us briefly furvey the peculiar charaders of diftinguifliing eminency which belong to it above others. It is then full and entire. All the glo- rious attributes of God are in Chrift dif- play'd together, and all in the higheft de- gree. No other fcheme ever did, or can be conceived capable of uniting them, as this does in their integrity and full luftre. Creation could make way but for fome to appear. The ordinary and ftared methods of providence do no more : But it is re- ferved for the peculiar of Chrift in his per- fon and mediation, to manifeft all of God at once, and that in the moft admirable combination of his various glories. Being the reconciling medium of divine jufticc and mercy in a nice conjundure, when they feem'd to clalh, each having power- ful reafons for not being neglefted ; and yet how to make them confift together here was the difficulty, which Chrift how- E ever yo Love to an unfeen Saviour. ever has furmounted : By virtue of this re* conciliation he made v^ay for every per- fedion of God, coming with a fulnefs of glory into the defign he was managing and cooperating in it with more diftind effica- cy, and yet more harmonious conjundion than any of them do, in any other difpen- fation. It is central : It draws into it all other ways God has ever taken of manifefting his glory, either in heaven or in earth, in creation or in providence, among angels %hi.io. as well as men. For all things both in ^oi.j 17, heaven and earthy are gathered to an head ^^'K^y^^in Chriji, In him do all things conjlfl. AH the primitive glories of creation owe their continuance to our Redeemer at lead as to our accefs to them, and fo run into, and mix their friendly rays with the new Ifai. xxii. and greater glories of redemption. All the ^^' glories of his Father's houfe^ even the whole univerfe, are hung on the Son ; who Luk. ix. therefore will appear at laft with this four- 2 Their, i. f^'^ S^^U-^ ^^^ ^'^^y ^^^ Fathefs^ his holy 10. angels^ his faints. It is mojl intimate and propitious. How could God reveal himfelf more nearly to us, than through the flefli of his Son ? How more gracioufly than through the gift of him to us, by the means of his death to pro- cure and difpenfe to us eternal life. All God's attributes here, even his vindidivc juftice Love to an Urjfeen Saviour. y i juftice and holineft, which appear in the mod: folemn drefs they ever put on to ren- der him venerable ; do yet act under and ^^^' ^' promote the reign of grace, to render him Eph. i. 6, ilipremely amiable. 7' s* »»• It tspcrfe£tlyfafe: And ever fecure, from being perverted by an undue exalradon of the medium, to the diflionour of God the end, fince means and end meet in one. It is durable and everlafting. For God will never ceafe to manifeil his glory through our Immanuel^ though there may be different ways of that manifeftation. When the heavens and earth fliall be no more, and fo ceafe being a theatre where- on God's glory (hall be difplay'd as now k is : Yet his falvation in Chrijt Jefas^ and m\. h. 6. the glory accruing to him thereby, floall be for every and his right eoujhefs never be abolijh'd. The throne of God and of the Rev. xxii Lamb will ever he in the new Jerufalem : ^^ They are fet too clofe together, ever to be f j^^'* "^* parted afunder. The glory of God and Rev. xxi the Lamb will be the light thereof : And ^s- they are incorporated too intimately ever to be divided. In fine, It is deeply myjlerious having fiich traces of manifold wifdom, fuch a compafe both in the contrivance and ex- ecution, that none can thoroughly pene- trate into its depths, or fully comprehend it : And yet tt is mofi eafily and familiar'ly E % ' adapted. J 1 Love to an unfeen Saviour. adapted^ above any other way to convey into the mind the knowledge of God for fpiritual ufes^ as experience fufficiently de- clares. Such being then the peculiar excellency of the manifeftation of God's glory through Chrifl: j confidering hov/ facred and pre- cious the divine glory is to every pious foul, even above every other concern, and that a proportionable efteem is due to things according to the imprelTions of God on them, and their reference to God's glo- ry as the original ftandard of their excel- lence, and the value that is to be put on them : Then let us judge w^hether our Lord as condefcending to become the Father's fervant to this end, don't challenge our highefl: erteem on this fcore over and above what he merits from us by his original in- trinfic excellencies. And does he not do fo alio. Secondly, On account of the fupcrlative love the Father has for him, teftified by words and deeds ? For he not only loves him with an ineflfable love as one from eternity with him, between whom and himfelf there always was and will be the highefl: mutual complacency ; but he loves him too, firfl: and befl: of ail others, as his cho- fcn fervant, who was under the mediato- rial charatler in our nature to fulfil all his pleafure, and fecure to him the richeft re- venues Love to an tmfeen Savtour. 5 3 venues of manifeftacive glory. And this his love to him he '\% noc w^anting to de- clare in the mod publick manner, and vi^ith an apparent air of pleafure, that all may underftand the pre-eminence he has in his favour and efteem to all. WitneS that ancient oracle given out by the Fa- ther concerning him. Behold^ ;^j/ yj^.irai.xlii.i, 'vant whom I npholdy mine eJe6i in whom my foul delighteth. And the other twice M^n. iii. uttered of, or to him in the days of^^'^^jj his fiefli, by an extraordinary voice from 5. heaven: This is my beloved Son; or, ^^^:^-'^* Thou art my beloved Son ; in whom 1 LuL^iiu am well ^leafed. Anfvverable to v^hich 22. fpecial declarations of fingular refpe6l, are ^ PeT ^^ all the honours done, all the higheft marks 17. of dignity and diftindion, as inftances and evidences of uncommon and extraordinary favour, actually conferred on him by the Father : In his raifing him from the dead, fetting him at his own right hand, and giving him a name above every name, and authority above and over all. Thus is the man Jcfus the Mediator between God and men, even as fuch loved and dignified by God : Loved firft by the grace of union •with the eternal Word, which was the greatcft proof of a diftinguifliing favour, and loved ever after with all fuitable teftimonies of refpeft in and upon the difcharge of his mediatorial work, even to the firft: place E 5 of 54 Lryw to an unfeen Saviour. of power and dignity in heavenly places, by the grace of a fuper-eminent unftion. And is he then thus chofen of God and precious ? the beloved <" God's dear Son^ 1 ?et. 11. ^^^ ^^^^ QJ fj^^ i^r^^ . rj^^fjQj^ jg^ loved even Eph.i. 6. before the foundation of the world? Then Coi.i. 13- fure this view of him fhoiild it felf render Jo 1. xvii. j^.^ amiable to us. For fliould we not love as God does j and thofe beft whom he loves beft, who is the trueft judge of worth and merit ? Should not our love fol- low, and fufier it felf to be direded by God's ? Is it not in reafon an additional incentive to oty: love of Chrift, that with his own perfonal amiable qualities, he pof- fefles fo full and fingular a place in the Father's love : Which is the fource too of all his human and mediatorial excellencies? As we love Chrift then for his own fake, fo we muft for his Father's fake. As he ftands forth with the Father for the fupreme objed of our love as God : He ought moft reafonably to ftand next to the Father in our atFedion, as man and media- tor, becaufe he is both beft, and the Fa- ther loves him beft. We fliould love him as God's friend and chief favourite : As the man the King of heaven delights to honour.. And thus we have confidcr'd hitherto, the grounds of love to Chrift, that refped him as amiable in himfclf, or in the rela- tion he bears to God. Come we now z from Love to an tmfeen Saviour. jj from thefe more abfolute views of him, to thofe that are relative to our felves ; which will bring him nearer within the embraces of our love, and add peculiar en- dearments to our efteem. For great ex- cellencies and qualifications in one vaftly fuperior to us with whom we have no concern or relation, rather ftrike us with - an awful veneration, than fill us with a pleafing afifeftion toward him, and excite more of a reverential diftant admiration, than a friendly difpofition in our hearts ; but it is the intereft we our felves have, or may hope to have, in a perfon of a valuable charader, an accefs to, or con- rerfe with him under fome favourable re- lation, with fome experience, not only of his generous difpofitions in general, but of his kindnefs to our felves in particular ; it is this that gives love its proper hue, and perfeds it in its entire form. This renders it mutual, familiar, friendly and grateful, and puts an inexpreffible tender* nefs into it. And while it thus enlarges - its fcope by taking in thefe new and agreea- ble ideas, nothing is detrafted from the for- mer of efteem and veneration, which are ra- ther heightened hereby, becaufe thofe good and excellent qualities which raife them come by virtue of our own intereft to be prefcnted in a nearer and ftronger light before our minds. And thus then our E 4 bleffcd J 6 Love to an unfeen Saviour. blcfled Lord engages the warmeft love of our hearts, as well as merits our higheft efteem, above every objed befide, from the many agreeable views that may be taken of his intimate concern with us, and ours with him ; whofe whole perfon is in- deed ours in a peculiar manner, conftitut- ed as it is with an immediate refped to the children of men, being given to us, and hav- ing a fpecial, moft favourable afped on us. Wherefore, further to fee how well ground- ed a Chriftian's love to his Lord is, and that under the tendereft forms of grati- tude, ingenuity and friendfhip, as well as the noble ones of honour and admiring efteem, which two muft never be parted a- funder : We are to confider him hencefor- ward under charaders relative to our felves 5 of which fort are all the remaining grounds of his amiablenefs : The firft and leading one whereof that comes next in order to be difplay'd, is^ in. The love he has, and hath exprefs'd toward men, which is great even to afto- nifiiment. There is nothing that more fa- miliarly and engagingly invites, or more reafonably demands love than love. It is the proper force and native tendency of love in the objed to beget love in the fubjed. Love eafily propagates it felf like fire kindling fire, and one flame lighting another. Love to an unjeen Saviour. 57 another. Love is the great magnet of love, of almoft univerfal force, whofc at- tractive virtue is known and experienced all over the world. For who are there, that are not diverted of all humanity, who . will not love thofe that love them ? ^0 not even Fublicans^ as our Lord obferves, y^^^^ ^ perfons of the moft profligate charac- 46. ter do this? Human nature is fo framed, as readily to follow, though not fo ready to lead love. So ftrong is its propenfity and difpofition this way, that the hearty love and good will of one who has no- thing elfe to recommend him, is accepta- ble to ingenuous minds ; and nothing, where there are the moft recommending qualities, does fo much win love as it felfl But oh ! there is no love that fo power- fully commands love as Ch rift's. And there is no Chriftian but feels the fweec and ftrong conftraints of it to draw and bind his heart with inviolable attachment to him. The love of Chriji conftrains him ^ ^^^' ^ to love him again with recipi?ocal afFeftion. When Chrift has, along with the innume- rable graces and beauties of hi^ perfon, a love to us alfo, and that fuch a love as fur- ^^^' "*' faffes knowledge : When there is in him fuch a rare conjundion of beauty and love, each in its higheft exaltation ; nay, when his love may be confider'd as a chief cha- racter in his perfonal excellencies, and as 2. apparelling 5 8 Love to an unfeen Saviour, apparelling all his other glories ; what poflibly can be fuited to this reprcfentation of him, if not love on our part? Love both of higheft efteem and admiration which is due to his wonderful love, as well as wonderful perfon, and love of exalted gra- titude ? Where can the equal law of reci- procal love, in reafon, exert it felf with fo 1 joh, iv. niuch juftice and ftrength, as here ? How 19- can it be but that we love him who firjl loved us? And how can we ever think we can love him enough, if we do but be- lieve and perceive the love he hath to- ward us, what manner of love is it ? Now all Chriftians in fome meafure perceiving this, therefore love Chrifl: fo much (and who can blame them for it ?) and ftill will do it more and more, the ftronger and livelier fenfe they have of his love on their hearts. This they may well exped will warrant all the love they have, being laid out on one who has been fo much before- hand with them, and gone fo much beyond what they can ever reach, in love. For let us a little confider, what are the things that render the^lovc of one to another moft pe- culiarly engaging and attradive of an echo- ing love ; and fee if they are not all found in the love of Chrifl: toward us Chriftians, in the moft eminent and diftinguifli'd degree. h not his love then a love of ancient date ? Was it not love from the begin- ning ? Love to an unfeen Saviour. yo ning ? prior not merely to our love, that were indeed a fmall matter, conlider- ing how flowly our love advances ; nor only prior to our want of his love, pity and kindnefij and withal prior to, and preventive of all our applications to him for the exercife 6f his love on us ; which how engaging a circumftance in love is that ? But prior to our very being : prior to the foundation of the world? How early did love find a place in Chrift's breaft, fo that it comld not be earlier ? No fooner did he fee us, but feeing, he loved us : on the mere forefight of our fin and mifery, he determined his love with a fuita- ble relief, toward us. Hts eye injlantly affe£l^ ed his heart. From eternity then he pitch'd his firft love on us j and even then out of love provided for our cure before we had received our wound, for our healing be- fore we had contrafted any difeafe, for our deliverance before we had been ruin'd, for our redemption before we were en- thrali'd, for our recovery before we were loft, for our rifing before we were fallen, and for our advancement to heaven before we became heirs of hell. Thus was our kind Redeemer, before time, rejoicing in the habitable part of the earth, and his de- ^'^'^' ^''*- lights were with the fins of men. How '; wondroufly alluring, how powerfully at- traftivv is ^his his love of ancient rife, of eternal 6o Love to an unfeen Saviour. eternal beginning, or rather, which was without beginning ? Again, Is not his love per}e5ily free and generous ? It was purely difmterefted and voluntary, flowing out of his own heart with abfolute liberty and^fovereign domi- nion over its own ads, without any ne- ceflity or impelling motive from without himfelf. His love was his own properly and entirely : v\^hat he was fully mafter of, and might let out juft as he pleafed. , ^ ^ Not fo much as his Fartier's command, did \i. ' prefcribe to his love in the original emana- tions of iz ; though it fettled the meafures he was to take in purfuing the ends of both his own and Father's love ; which were equally free and joint caufes of our (alvation, notwithftanding the firft mo- tion toward it in point of order is af fign'd to the Father. But with refped to our felves it is abfolutely difengaged, that there is not the leaft colour of any reafon from us, to excite '% but enough for ever to have diverted it from us, had it not found a reafon within himfelf ; it felf been its own reafon. And here concur all the circumftances which on the part pf the objed confidered by it felf, or in relation to the fubjed at any time ingratiate love, to render the love of Chrift towards us mod generous, free and engaging. For is that generous love Love to an unfeen Saviour. love which \s exercifed to a perfed ftran- ger, though he fliould prove deferving ? Is that ftill more generous love, which is ex- ercifed to a mean perfon, one greatly in- ferior to him who loves him ; nay, to a worthlefs perfon, one deftitute of any good quality to recommend him, and known to have many bad, difagreeable and odious qualities ? And is that the moft generous love of all, which is exercifed to an ene- my, who \s known to hate us, and to have done many things with a wicked purpofe of heart, injurious and difpleafing to us : And to love fuch an one fo as to make him our friend, efpecially when we have him fo much in our power that we can ruin him at pleafure ; fuppofmg this could be done confidently with the rules of pru- dence ? Now all thefe characters of noble generofity agree to the love of Chrift to- ward us. For he has loved us, when wc were in a ftate of alienation, all the ties of correfpondence and acquaintance be- tween him and us being at an end. Not only fo; but he has loved us, when not only infinitely below him and mean in com- parifon of him, as our creature- ftate always implies us to be, but when altogether love- lefs, void of all good qualities, and full of all evil ones. Nor only this ; but he has loved us when enemies both to him and his Father, infolent and obftinate rebels, and 6i Love to an unfeen Saviour. I joh. iv. and lying coo under his feet. He loves us not as thottgh we loved him : But when he knows oar hearts are full of defperate enmity againft him. And he loves us in this ftate Co as to make us friends, in con- fidence with a perfedly wife, as well as amazingly good condud. For he defigns by his love to work the enmity out of our hearts ; and accompliflies it effedually where he pleafes, by conferring on us out of his pure grace a principle of love to himfelf and by revealing in us his own unparal- lePd love ; as an irrefiftible motive to draw it out. For what heart can be fo hard, that may not be foften'd by the ftrong and piercing fire of the Redeemer's love brought clofe to it? What enmity can be fo deep, even though it be nothing lefs than a fix'd antipathy, as to withftand the charm of his love ; a love fo ingenu- ous and difinterefted, as to pafs on us when juftly worthy of his wrath, as well as al- together unworthy of his favour, a love for pure love's fake, and equally free from fubfequent as from antecedent obligations, fince he had nothing to exped from us in return, no not the leaft fpark of recipro- cal love, but what his own love and grace muft excite ? Again ; Is not his love tmchangeabk and Zeph. iii. everlafiing love ? He refts in his love. He »7- is no fickle but conftanc lover and friend. Having Love to an unfeen Saviour. 6^ Having loved his own, he Joves them ^^ Joh.xni.i the end: And never cafts them out of his afFedions, however deferving to be rejed- cd and abhorr'd, but is ftill overcoming their evil by his good. His love fixes in him an unalterable purpofe of purfuing the faving defign it has engaged him in, what- ever it coft him, and he never lays it afide. Is not his Jove too of a difiingiiijhing na- ture ? The diftindion is obvious which it makes between our world and that of the angels who fell. For verily he took not Heb. n. on him the nature, he took not any hold ^^' of angels for their relief, but of the feed of Abraham only. He (hut up the bowels of his compaflions againft finning angels while he drew them out toward finning men. And whatever reafons he with his Father had to give us the preference, that the divine wifdom might have a part to aft here as in every thing, and no doubt a glorious part it afted ; yet thefe lefiTen not the grace to us, which had full liberty in it felf to have taken which nature it pleafcd, as to any claims of either on ii, without rendering an account of its matters ; and here it becomes us mainly to reft it, ac- knowledging the winning charms of love fo peculiar and differencing ; which is al- ways allowed to carry uncommon endear- ments in it, Nor will that further diftinc- tion ^4 Love to an unfeen Saviour. tioii made by the love of Chrift, even in our world, in virtue whereof it is that any become real partakers of Chrift, pafi for nothing with fuch who perceive the peculiar fenfe of that appropriating Ian- Gai.ii.2o. S^-^^g^ of the apoftle. Who loved me^ and gave himfelf for me ; and can adopt it to themfelves. Laftly, Is not the love of Chrijl mani- fold and exceeding fruitfid ? Does it not rake to it felf every agreeable form that love can appear in, fuitably todur ftate and circumftances ; and produce all manner of rich and excellent fruits for thofe who are interefted in it. Is not his a love of Ifal. ixiii. fympathy and tender pity, caufing him to «o- fuffer with, as well as for thofe he loves > Is it not a love of gentlenefs and forbear- ance ? Is it not a love of complacency, whenever in honour it can be fo, and yet neither over-much referv'd, and proceed- ing with too curious delicacy here ? For as his love from the firft did not altogether dif- dain this name, in view of what he defign'd and undertook to bring his people to, whence we read of his delights being even Prov. viii. then With the fons of men : So it afliimes 31- and conforms to it in fad, when any real, though very imperfect fruits of grace and goodncfs adually appear on them, info- much that it is the next wonder in his lovw, to the great things it does for them, to Love to an unfeen Saviour. ^^'^ ^s g^'^^ readinefs and cheer- io. ' fulnefs, as we can do life and happinefs? Pfal. xl. 8. There i% no need of bringing any tragi- cal paflions and affcdions co the fcenes of trouble and vaft diftrefs Chrifl: pafs'd through m our world for us. It is love, it is lo^«•^ that tender and pleating affedion, which • is firft and chiefly under the conduct of fciith to approach them ; love to anfwer «Uid meet his love, which reigns all over this Love to an unfeen Saviour. 77 this field of blood, and is joined with vide- rious power, to make it produce nothing but the fweeteft and mod durable fruits for our comfort and happinefi, fruits of the moft coftly expenfive love. For the more he leffeu'd his perfon, whether in th^ divine or human nature, lowering and ob^ fcuring the beauties and glories belonging to each -, the higher he raifed his love in the mean time, which appeared in all its fulnefs and glory, while the other difap- pear'd as it were for a feafon, and feem'd to fade away. His *vifage being fa harred if^i- lii-^f more than any man, and his form more than the fons of men, as once it was, fo that he v^s fo far from appearing like a God, that he fcarce look'd like a man ; but rather as a worm, trampled on by all, ^^^1- ^^'• and no man, a reproach of men, and de- "' fpifed of the people, the vileft and moft defpicable of mortals: What was it for? but that his love might fliine forth the brighter through the dark (hades that c- clipfed the glory of his perfon, that he might prefent us with (o mucK the fuller face of his love in the room of the re- tiring and contrafted beauty of hisperfouj and fo that no view of him, no not in the loweft forms of meannefi and diftrefi, might want a fuitable recommendation oif him to our love, which here more efpeci- ally is called forth to him in the moft ten- der 78 Love to an unfeen Saviour. der and endeared exercifes, from chat mo- tive of all others moft powerfully ^nd fweecly influencing it, his own love to us, cxprefling it felf in the ftrangeft and ftrong- eft manner poffible. This \s it that makes Ifai. ixiii. him gloriotis and beautiful in his apparel^ ** ^' 3* red as it \s^ and dyed with blood, even his own blood, as well as the blood of his and our enemies, all of whom he flays in the virtue of his death. This is it that ren- ders him amiable in his poverty (for it gCor.viii ^^^ kis owu gvuce made him poor for our 9- fakes y ^when he was originally and in juft right rich and Lord of all;) amiable in all the infirmities and neceflities of our na- ture he endured 5 amiable in his ftripes, whereby we arc healed ; amiable in re- proaches and cruel mockings ; amiable in the enfigns of mock-maiefty he once wore, his purple robe, his reed fceptre, his crown of thorns ; amiable in the fears of his buffeted face, and wounds of his pierced hands, feet and fide ; amiable in the rack- ing pains his body felt all over when it hung diftended on the crofs, and in the more tormenting anguiffi and dolorous a- gonies his foul conflifted with, during the abfence of his Father's love, and prefent fenfe of his wrath. Juftly amiable and lovely is our bleflfed Lord, fo as in nothing more fo, view'd in this his fuffering and dying cftate, with all its circumftances of uncommon LoDe to an unfeen Saviour. 79 uncommon aggravation ; becaufe, whatever elfe it proclaims, as it does more than any thing elfe, the evil and demerit of fin, the defperate wickedneS of finners, and the in- jflexiblc juftice with the fpotlefs holinefi of God, whereby our fear, forrow, and all reverential and penitential affedions are ad- drefled to ; it proclaims loudefl: of all the love of Chrift, condefcending to our weak- ne(s and mifery in the moft amazing in- ftances of fclf-abafement, and providing for our falvation and happinefi at the greateft expence to himfelf, denying us nothing, no, not his very blood, to make us happy ; and fubmitting to a temporary lo(s of all good, and endurance of all evil, that this might turn to our unfpeakable gain, and eternal good •, and hereby our love is im- mediately addrefled to, invited to converfe v^ith his dying love, and feftened with cords never to be broken to his crofi, where it would look and look again, and every time it looks ftill vents itfelf a-new. How pofli- bly can any human, efpecially Chriftian heart, on the report made of the love of Chrift putting him upon, and carrying him through fuch a (cries of fufiferings, which he endured for us finful creatures, and entertained not as an idle tale, but a moft certain folemn reality; contain it felf from overflowing with the ftrongeft fen- timcnts of gratitude, wonder and delight > Qught go Love to an unfeen Saviour. Ought not he in all reafon to be beloved, who has thus loved unto death, whofe love has ftreamed out in blood, and in the richeft provifions for our foul's wants, pro* cured by it t Or who muft then be loved > And v^hat allow^ed a reafon for love ? And how fweetly, as well as reafonably, may the Chriftian's love entertain it felf at the crofs of his Lord, which is a tree of life, blefTednefs, and all pleafant fruits to him, though it was a tree of death, curfing and bitternefs to his Saviour > How may he gaze and look on it, and his Saviour nailed to it; and his love excited by the con- templation, have none but agreeable and ravifliing profpeds to pleafe it felf with, without any participation of the diftrefe and bitter anguifli Chrifl: endured on it? For* the crofs of Chrift being in it felf the greateft proof and pledge of his love, and means of deriving its fruits to us, is, Q^j yj and ought to be the joy, crown, and glo- 14. rying of every Chrift ian, regarded not with a fad,, heavy and fearful, but with a glad- fom, chearful and joyful heart, at which he is to dry up every tear of heart-break- ing grief,, and vent none but tears of joy mixed only with thofe of fweet relenting forrow mourning over fin ; which wilt by no means marr, but friendly accord with ^qI fonff ^^^ J^y* H°^ "^^y i^^ ^^^^ ^^ down un- ii. 3. ' da* thefliadow of Chrift's crols with great delight. Love to an tmfeen Saviour. 8 1 delight, with a rejoicing exulting love, and find all the fruits of it, being fruits of pure love, grace, favour, and happi* nefs to him, inexpreflibly fweet to his tafte, and fo much the fweecer, becaufe prepared and matured by his Saviours blood (hcd on it. For the trouble and pain our Lord fuffered on the crofs, is no allay to the triumphs and joys of the Chriftian's love, raifed on this trophy of Chrift*s love, this dear inftrument of his own happineft. It need not damp at all any of the pleafing affedions due to the Wonderful love of Chrift exprefled this way, and to the end with refpeft to our felves, which is all happy and joyful ; by any corrections of fympathetic compaflion and condoling forrow, on Chrift's own ac- count, in regard to the biccernefi of death he fuffcfd on it. So indeed in other cafes among our felves, we find the pleafing and uneafy paflions intermixed in their operations j and the latter almoft: fwallow- ing up the former, when we receive any good and advantage, by the means of ano- ther running great hazards, and ftiffeting fome great evil, efpecially the lofs of his life, in procuring it for us. The horror and concern we conceive for our friend's fufferings in ferving us fo much to his own hurt, overpowers the fatisfaftion and com- fort vve might ocherwife have in the fer- Q vice Si Love to an unfeen Saviour. mz^ done us, and caufes us not to take any pleasure in the good however agreeable in it felf to us, that comes to us in a way (b injurious to another. Thus "Davidy though he had longed vehemently for xxiiH 5, ^'^^^^^ water out of the well of Bethlehemy 1 6, 17. yet when it was brought to him at the jeopardy and expence of the lives of fome of his mighty men of war, refused to drink of it becaufe it was the price of blood. In fuch like cafes as thefe then, our love which cannot indeed but be great to thofe that ferve us at fuch expence to themfclves, finds however ordinarily more work for our forrows than our joys. And yet in regard to Chrift's ferving us by the greateft fuf- ferings that ever were, the matter is other- wife ; he excufes us now as he did the Luk.xxiii. daughters of Jerufalem^ even when he 28. was going to be crucified, from weeping at all for himfelf ; and would have our love to him all gratitude and joy for the good we reap from his evil, without any inter- vening grief for his fake, whatever may properly qualify it for our own. And wherefore this ? Why ; becaufe his fuftav ings, however great above the meafure of any befidcs, were all of his own volunta- ry choice and fubmitting to from pure love to his church, were all known beforehand to him, with the certain hap- py iffue of them, were no more than what he Love to an nnfeen Saviour. 8 3 he was equal, nay fuperior to, fo that it was not poffible for him to be fwallow'd up or confumed, no nor long exercifed by them ; and they are all now long (ince paft and gone as to the fmart he felt under them^ though abiding in their virtue, ufe and excellent fruits ; and fo confequently they all are accounted by and to him for trophies of honour, beauties, inftead of blemifiies, and higheft: matter of glory and triumph : Whence it is that he appears in heaven with the marks of his bleeding wounds, the Lamb as it had been flain vo. the midft of the throne. And thus the fhame and pain of his crofs is entirely aU leviaced, and it redounds to him for an cnfign of renown and eternal glory, a perpetual memorial of his love, merit and victory, dear to faints and angels above 5 and no lefs precious to faints below. It \'^ his fufferings alfo that found and lead on all the remaining works Chrift performs for the fervice of his people in heaven in his exalted ftate, which are of a different nature from thofe done on earth, being works of grandeur, power and au- thority, whereas the other were works of humiliation, but equally neceflary for his people's good, and expreihve of his love, ftill purfuing its kind defign, though in a new manner, for their happinefs and falvation. His love don't change with the G i . change 84 Love to an unfeen Savmir. change of his ftate, but is as warm at his heart as ever. The fame love that made him endure a crofs here for his people's fake, abides as firm in him as ever, now . he has a crown on his head ; and makes him ufe his honours and employ his high authority for their advantage. As his love was proved here by poverty and tribula- tions, it is now proved by a fulncfs of glory and power •, and it anfwers to this proof as compleatly as it did to that. His love was then in labour and diftrefs for us ; now it \s enthroned and triumphing yet ftill for us alfo. Then it emptied himfelf ; now it is filling us out of his immenfe and perfed fulnefs. Then it was more tender and melting ; but now more dignifying and exalting •, being placed in a more ad- vantageous pofturc for immediately execut- ing its great and good defigns for the wel- fare of his people, which it was before fet- tling and preparing. Surprizing love in- deed' that our Lord amidft all the dig- nities and glories of fo majcftic a throne he fits on in heaven, fliould not forget us in all our finfulnefs, wants, meanneU and mifery here on earth ; not forget us, nay, he remembers us with all the feme tender, endeared, concerned afFedion as he bore to us here while among us, and fufFering what we had deferved. He remembers us fo^ as to think himfelf in a manner incom- pleac Love to an mifeen Saviour. 8 y pleat and iniperfeft without his church, as but half glorified till they come to be glorified together with him ; for his peo- ple that are made his dear charge are to him his higheft glory. He regards not his own glories, but in reference to his church, and as they may be made fubfer- vient to their interefl: and united glory; juft as he overlooked his fufFerings, as to his own concern, defpifing the fliame and pain of them for their fakes. As he laid down one life for them on earth, he em- ploys another for their ufe in heaven, there living to intercede for them in the Heb. vii. virtue of that oblation he made of him- ^^' felf for them here below ; there living to fend down his Spirit as a fpirit of wifdom and internal revelation to guide them in- to all truth neceflary to be known for (aU vation; there living to reign in them by vital influences of grace defcending from him really, though invifibly, into their hearts from time to time, and to reign for them by managing and ordering all events, which are under his controul, for their final ad- vantage-, and thus proceeding to execute and finifli above, his threefold office of prieft, prophet and king, which he hap-» pily begun below in order to the aftual communication of all faving benefits and bleffings to them. Which brings us to the, G J VI^ 8^ Love to an unfeen Saviour. Vr^. and lafl: particular, that requires and calls for the Chriftian's love to his Lord and Saviour ; and that is the many valuable and important benefits he promi- \ts^ and does and will communicate to all fincere believers in him. Chrift not only does great things for his people, but he gives all good things to them. "And the former prepares the way for the latter, his works for his largefles, and ferve with his relation to the people, to give an in- expreflible value and fweecnefs to his gifts, being wrought out at fo much coft to, himfelfi and being convey'd in fo engag- ing a manner to them. In both refpeds, as being infcpaiable, Chrift is the greateft and bed: bencfador that ever was, a bene- fador by the higheft fervices perform'd, and by the largeft benefits bcftow'd. He gives himfelf firft, both to do all for them as their furety, and to become their head of glory and happinefs ; and then ever after he gives out to them a rich variety of bleflings one after another as their ftate and cafe requires in this world, till he re- ceives them at laft into the other world where himfelf is, and pours out on them an endlefs profufion of heavenly bJeffings, which will make them as happy in and with himfelf, as their hearts can wifli to 1 joh. V. be. Chridians have the Sm^ and with h\m they h^ve Ufe^ they have righteauf- nefsj^ II, 12. Love to an unfeen Saviour. 87 nefsj pardon, peace, grace, glory, all things ,that can make them compleatly and eter- nally happy. It is Chrift is the only me- dium of the fpiritual and evedafting feli- city of them who are faved. All the true Ilrael of God in all ages are faved in thisic^lxW. Lordy with an everlajling fahation, and ^'^' which is fo fure and full that they /hall not he ajhamed and confounded world with- out end. In him they have righteoufnefi ; ver. 24, and in himjirength ; in him they are jufii- ^^^ fiedy and in him glory. It \s he Who is the receiver and difpenfer of all the gifts pfai.jxviii, for men that pertain to falvation ; as he i «• was only fit for this honour and truft, be- caufe he made the purchafe of them. And oh » how vaft are his (lores ? How large his capacity of doing good ? For as there is not the ftnalleft blcffing, no not of a common temporal nature, but paflTes through his hands : So there is none of the biggeft and fweeteft importance but he has in his power to impart. He is Lord of both worlds, and has the riches of each at his fole difpofe ; and truly inverts his people with both, faving this earth to them which was doomed to deftrudion and a curfe, and afluring to them a con- venient portion of its fruits with a blef- fing in it; and purchafing heaven as a new acquifition for them, which with all fpiritual bleflings leading to it he makes. G 4 ove? S 8 Love to an tmfeen Saviour. over to them, Oh i what a benefador is Chrift, infinitely fuperior to any other; having fuch a prodigious capacity of be- ftowing all fuitable good on the children of men, fuch an exhauftlcfs fund, out of which he can do for them and give to them, exceeding abundantly above what they can ask or think ; and having withal an inclination and readinefs of giving of his riches to thofc that come to him, every way equal to his ability > For he take? pleafure in communicating ; more pleafure in giving than we can in receiv- ing. What he gives, he gives heartily, as well as liberally, with an entire good will and complacency. His love flows out moil freely. and cafily in his gifts, becaufc in thcfe it obtains the end and gratificati- on it aimed at in the more difficult exer- cifes of It, that went before to prepare thefe benefa£lions. And what c^n be a more fatisfying evidence of this ; than his making a tender of his benefits to men, Prov. viii. p^opofing his frtiits to them as better than '^* gold, and his revenue than fine Jllver^ on purpofe to prevail on them to mind and leek after them, telling them he would ver.zi. caufe thofe that love him to inherit fitb" fiance and fill their treafures^ and inviting them with all earneftnefs to accept of them ? An4 Love to an unfeen Saviour. $9 And what then is not Chrift mod juft- ly amiable as the greateft, freefl: and moft generous benefaftor ? Is not this reafon enough why Chriftians fliould and can't but love him ; love him with the higheft drains of gratitude for what they have enjoyed by him already, and with ftrong- cft defires of farther communion with him, for the enjoyment of the more and greater that is behind? If ever beneficiaries (hould love their benefaftors, (benefits received and expefted, being univerfally allowed to be moving reafons of love) how much more (hould Chriftians, their Lord and Saviour, from whom they receive and exped more and better than from any befides > And thus then we have gone over all the grounds of amiablenefs that are in Chrift, confider'd as to what he is in himfelf, what he is to God, and what he is to Chriftians : from all which laid to- gether, it appears fo manifeft that nothing can be more, that he both defcrves and provides for love in all its fulleft and largeft cxercifes ; that he, if any, ought to be loved, and that with all the love our na- ture has. And let him then have it all. Let our love feed all its flames at this glo- rious fun ; and we endeavour to prefcrve thefe flames always alive, and burning clear, ftpng and bright* LOVE ( 5)o ) LOVE T O A N Unfeen Saviour, I P ET. i. 8. Whom having not feen^ ye love ; in whom though now ye fee him not^ yet believing^ ye rejoice with joy unfpeakable and jull of glory. Serm. II. Tr N the former difcourfe on thefe words, preach'd I j-j^^ ^^^^^ ^f xh^m was dcHvcred iq 1728. "*• this propoiition, that Do£^, Lqvz to an tmfeen Jefiis. fpringing from that faith in him, ^^j^hich jerves inflead of fight ^ and tending "whm advanced to a due pitch, to a joy unfpeakable and full of glory, is a necejfary ejfenttal part of ChrifliaH temper. In confidering which, after a brief con- jfirmation of ir, it was proposed. I To Love to an unfeen Saviour. p i I. To give fome account of the general nature of Love to Chrift. II. To take a view of Chrift, the ob- jed of this love, and (hew what are the particular grounds and reafons in himfelf, for which he is, and ought to be lovedi III. To trace out the particular ads and expreiEons of a gpnuine love to him. IV. To affign its properties and difcri- minating charafters. V. To (hew the influence of faith in fupply of the want of fight, into the love of Chrift, and its peculiar commendation from this circumftance, VI. To apply the whole* Having already fpoken to the two firft of thefe heads, I proceed now, III. To the particular ads and cxprefli- ons of a genuine love to Chrift. The general ads or kinds of love which agree to Chrift, in correfpon- dence with the diftind charaders of his amiablenefs which they refpedively moft eminently fuit, have been already takca notice 9 1 Love to an trnfeen Savtour. notice of ; (uch as efteem complacency, benevolence, and gratitude, mixed of the former ; all of which go together to the forming the habit of love to him. But then there are many other more particu- lar expreffions and fruits of this afFeftion, belonging to one or other of its kinds, and accommodated to the different ftates wherein either the objed or fubjed may be, according ro which they vary and take place by turns, while the principle it fclf with the foremention'd radical ads that conftitute it, remains the fame in all ftates. Such inftances of love will appear through all the powers and operations of the mind and foul, the whole train of paffions with the whole courfe of external aftions, over which love once feated in the heart will fo prefide as to, exert and evidence it- felf by them all. And thefe now lie be-^ fore us to confider 5 particularly fuch as agree to the circumflance mentioned in our text of want of fight and perfonal acquaintance with the objcd of our love $ a circumflance under which love is fo parti- cularly fubmitted to trial, that it will hardly forbid any poflible expreffion of '\t^ has (bme peculiarly fuited to it, and ferves to recommend all. To begin then. In the I ft place, wherever love to Ch rift is found and prevails, it will certainly (hew itfelf Love to an unfeen Saviour. 93 itfelf in frequent thoughts, attended ever and anon with difcourfe of him. As all love begins firft with the reprefentation of lis objed to the mind, as amiable : So the afFedion abiding will keep the objed on the mind and memory, and engage a per- fon at every turn freely and voluntarily to bend his mind to the contemplation of it; and efpecially in a time of abfence, fo to folace himfelf with the remembrance of his friend when he cannot with his pre- fence. Thus we fliew our Love to hu- man friends, when at a diftance from us^ nay and after death has parted them from us. How much more then muft love to Chrift, the bed and moft valuable of all friends, the chief of all beloveds, fuggeft the dear and frequent remembrance of him, while abfent in heaven, to his friends on earth ? Not feeing him now, be- ing however foon to fee him as he is : The morefure will they think on him, which is a mental beholding of him, in the mean time, the better to recompenfc their prefent want, and prepare them for the future enjoyment of the perfonal fight of him. The farther they are off firom him in perfon, the nearer will they ftrive to bring him in fpirit, by their intelledual views, till immediate intuition of him fu- perfcde, and fwallow up in a manner all thoughts of ratiocination. When Ghrift is 94 hove to an unfeen SavtoUr. is firft feen in the light of faith, he ap- pears fuch a wonderful and incomparably amiable obie6t, that he does in a manner engrofs the mind, fo as that with its good liking it would fcarce think of any thing elfe. Let me alone, fays the foul, now firft enlightned with the faving know- ledge of Chrift, and inflam'd with his love, to the various (urrounding objefts of fenfe, that unavoidably in this world force themfelves on it ; " Let me alone " with my heavenly friend Jefus, that I " may at leaft convcrfe with him, in my ** meditations, whom barely thus to en- " joy is better to me than the aftual en- " joyment of all other things. While I *' leave to you, only my external fenfcs, *^ and members, my common time, my *^ inferior powers, and my lighter thoughts : My beft of body and fpirit, of ftrength and time is my beloved Redeemer's. The inner chambers of my moft fix'd, composed, and intent thoughts, as well as fupreme affeftions, I referve and con- ** fecrate for the reception of this my di- " vine gueft ; and hither I charge you not " to come, to interrupt my retired com- *' munion with him, of whom I can ne- ** ver have enough, nor too little of other " things ; on which, methinks, a finglc •^ thought, and a moment's time is too *' miuch to beftow away from Chrift, but 1 " out Love to an unfeen Saviour. pj ^^ out of pure neceffity, and in hope of *^ being improved for him, and returning *^ me back to him with renewed vigour and '^ fweecnefs. " And as fudi as thefe are fome of the firfi: fruits of genuine love to Chriftina remarkable and very obfervable manner, about the time of converfion : So Chrift being always the fame, a perpetual fource of ever new delights j accordingly, the thoughts of every true Chriftian will be fhll purfuing and tending toward him all his life long. It is true, the love of mofl: Chriftians in this as well as other refpeds, generally by length of time, and the power of worldly temptations, lofes much of its firft warmth and livelinefs : And in reverfe to their firft experience, inftead of feeling a fort of force and violence in being ab- fented from him, by the neceffary con- cerns of this life, through a contraded indifference to the things of Chrift, they too often abfent themfelves, without any neceflity, and againft fair occafions and plain calls to converfe with him ; and find it as difficult and painful to fix their thoughts on Chrift, as aforetime they did to have them diverted from him. Yet not- withftanding thefe diforders and declen- fions which at times feize the love of all Chriftians to their Saviour, while here j there ^6 Love to an unfeen Saviour^ there is no Chriftian but is habitually vti- clin'd to give Chrift the preference to all things elfe in his thoughts, as one certain way of (hewing he does fo in his afflifti- ens : And recovering himfelf when he •has for a time fallen into a negleft, he will refume him into his thoughts afrefli, with a melting concern that he has forgot- Pfa.xxxix. ten him fo long. The heart being once 3- made hot with this fire of love within it^ (a fire which once kindled will never wholly go out) will feel its gentle glow- ing heat, returning on it at feafons like jer.xx.o. a burning fire fhiit up in the bones ^ as will make a perfon weary with forbearing long to think or fpeak of the beloved objedt. The foul which loves Chrift in truth, will not only at firft, but ever after at times, be often afcending to him in the heavenly regions, on the wings of ferious deliberate meditation J bcfides many tranfient flights. And what thoughts are they which love to Chrift will infpire ? They are thoughts of a noble elevation, and of a comprehenfive reach ; thoughts which dignify and exalt our underftandings ; the tranfcendent excellency and fublimedigni- ty of the objed, worthieft of the con- templation of our minds, refleding a luftre on the facnlty, that is honoured as much by converfing with it,as it is degraded by moft other things that employ it; and I thoughts hove to an unfeen Saviour. p/ thoughts that thoroughly excrcife and deeply engage the mind. It being the part of love to feek all the knowledge chat can be had of the party beloved, and to think often over all that is known of him, even to the minuteft particu- . lars ; though in the cafe of human love, that knowledge may foon be ended, and the thoughts are of a low (lamp, of nar- row and fcanty dimenfions, and fuppli- cd more from fancy than reafon ; furely then the love of Chrift will awaken all the attention of the mind to this glorious and boundlefs objeft, and draw forth its thoughts toward xi^ to as full an extent as may be in fome proportionable latitude to the vaftnefs of the fubjed, which will always aflford room for new growth, and further improvement of knowledge and acquaintance. The true Chriftian cannot but make his Lord his conftant ftudy, im- merfe his meditations as deep as poflible into this theme, and be feeking to compre- ^ /^ »- hend with all famts the length and breadth^ i7,iV,iV the height and depth, and to know as far as can be known, the love of Chrifiy and whatever elfe of him may be known, though JiirpaJ/lng all intuitive and perfed- ly comprehenfive knowledge. Further, the thoughts influenced by the love of Chriji, will be with regard to our- /elves, and other things viewed in compa- H rifon p8 Love to an unfeen Saviour. rifon with Chrifiy humbling and difdaining. Looking up to Chrift, and ftmck wich his beauty and glory ; we are fent more feelingly into ourfelves, to refleft with fo much the jufter fentiments, and deeper felf-abafement on our own native or con- trafted meannefs and vilenefs, as being fo miferably unlike to him ; and we are fenc abroad into the world with a fuller con- viftion of its vanity, and fee that all its great and good things are flat and in- fipid in refped to Chrift and communion with him. Again, The thoughts about Chrift which love to him prompts^ are the moft chofen favourite and pleajing thoughts of any that can employ the mind. The neceflities of nature and calls of the animal life ; the {lations and offices aflign'd us in this world for the fupport of ourfelves, and the good of others •, the infirmities of our minds themfelves, which in our prefent embodied flate, cannot bear a long and clofe appli- cation to any, efpecially abftraded and fpiritual objefts ; thefe things, of una- voidable neceflity, together with others of Cnful infirmity, will not permit the thoughts of Chriftians to be fo frequently engaged on the whole with Chrift, though they love him never fo well, and infinitely more than every thing elfe, as they are with the concerns of this life. But then the lov^ Love to an unfeen Saviour. pp love of Chrifl-, wherever it \s^ will ccr* tainly render thofe thoughts that are con- verfant about him, peculiarly grateful and agreeable above all the others. The foul that loves Chrift will be never better pleas 'd than when it can moft freely and readily apply itfelf to think of him with enlarg'd meditations ; when the thoughts of him rife up to the mind with eafe and liberty, and flow in one on another without re- ftraint, and without any Confiderable interruption from meaner objeds. It ne- ver enjoys itfelf fo much to its fatisfac- tion, as at thefe feafons. It feeds and feafts on thefe thoughts, not in a fanciful manner as weak and vain minds do even on the moft idle and impertinent trifles, the wild and chimerical projeds of their fond imaginations, but in a folid and ra- tional manner ; as not only the love of the perfon tends to endear and ingratiafe the thoughts of him, but as the things of Chrift themfelves, containing an infinite variety of the moft excellent and ufefut matter, lay the jufteft foundation of think- ing on them with fuperlative delight. Here the affcdionate language of the holy P{al- mift, exprefling in high ftrains, his de- lightful reliflies of the thoughts of his God, will be adapted. My meditation ofpM. dv. him floall be fweet. My jotd Jhall be fa- 3t. ^ tisjied as with marrow andfatnefs ; when ^"^" ^' Hi / i7> iB. loo Love to an unfeen Saviour. I remember thee on my bedy and mediate on cxxxix. tfjee in the night-watchs. How precious alfo are thy thoughts to me^ my God, my Saviour ! how great is the fum of them ! If I JhouJd count themy they are more in number than the [and: When I awake y I am Jlill with thee. Thus precious and pleafant will the thoughts of Chrift be, which are the offspring of love ; not want- ing often at happy feafons for a numerous plenty, and never for an incomparable fweetnefs. Thefe are the thoughts moft invited and fought to come; welcome when they are come ; and preferved longeft afterward, when others come and go with- out being much regarded, in the regifter of a faithful memory for future ufe, and reviewed often, and ftill with frefh plea- fure ! while worldly thoughts are enter- tained more loofely, and without any great emotion of foul, or would be fo; while vain and finful thoughts are abfolutely re- jeded and reclaimed againft as lawlefs ufur- pers, and hated intruders : The thoughts of Chrift have all the avenues of the foul thrown open to them, and arc lodged within it and treated as kindred guefts, that may come when they pleafe without fear- ing a welcome, and the oftner fo much the more welcome, becaufe they bring along with them the nobleft and beft repaft to the mind. ^ Finally, Love to an unfeen Saviour. i o i Finally, the thoughts that love to Chrijl infpires are affectionate thoughts and influ" , ential into the heart from whence they are minted. They are warm thoughts as fpringing out of the very heart, and re- ceiving a fervent heat from it, and they convey back to it a yet greater warmth ; fo repaying with ufury what they have borrowed, caufing the fire of love, while pfa.xxxix, we are mufing to burn yet more intenfly : 3- And thus an agreeable circulation pafles between the thoughts of the mind excited and feafoned by love, and the afFeftions of the heart more ftrongly moved by thofe thoughts. Not cold and curious fpecula- tions about Chrift, merely for the obtain- ing fuch notions of truth concerning him, as may accomplifli a mind ambitious of knowledge, and may tip the tongue with prompt and forward difcourfe, will content the fincere and fervent lover of Jefus ; buc his aim '\^ to inlay into his mind fuch thoughts of him as may be deeply impref- five, vigorous, and aftive ; fuch thoughts as being awakened and animated by love, may further awaken, and animate it anew. The thoughts of the mind are, in a ftatc of diftance and feparation, the principal channels wherein love flows : Mofb of the inward fen(ations that belong to, or wait on love, being exercifed or exprefTed in and by them ; as being not immediate but H 3 rcflcacd 102 Love to an unfeen Saviour. refledcd perceptions, and all of them, as has been obferved, further improved and excited by, as well exciting them. Here then we fliould naturally pafs off from the thoughts to the defires, joys, and other fen&tions of love to Chrift, which are thus mixed with them ; but that it remains before we fliut up this head to obferve briefly how the thoughts excited by the love of Chrifl:, are qualified from efteem and benevolence ; of which the former has in a manner its fole exercife in the thoughts, and both of which we have referved to apply to any of the inftances of love, where they naturally fall in. Our thoughts of love on Chrift then are and certainly will be thoughts full of highefteem, advanced to vaft, yetpleafing admiration. Tho' in the detail of Chrift's amiables we matched the glories of his perfon, moft with efteem and admiration, as primarily and eminently adapted to raife them ; yet thefe don*t exhauft them, but other things in Chrifl:, nay all of him, commands our wonder and efteem. For let him be furveyed on all fides, in his love and grace, in his offices and relations, in all his ads and manner of ading -, there appears nothing from any that is low and common, nothing but what is both great and good, in an uncommon manner ; no, nor will he ever appear otherwife. And thus Love to an unfeen Saviour. 103 thus he furniflies out in the whole, and every view of him thoughts of wonder and thoughts of efteem mixed together, and that foas neceflarily to yield the high- eft pleafurc to the mind, while indulging them. Efteem is of itfelf a pleafing af- feftion, and cannot be employed without immediate pleafure, its objed being fome- what valuable and good in itfelf, or good to us ; and here it is both in abfolute per- fedion. Admiration regards in an objed only its ftrangenefi ; and fo may as well minifter terror, and often does, whenun- ufual objeds are prefented to us, as create pleafure. But here our admiration goes all over to the pleafing fide ; fince excited by nothing but what is purely good and amiable ; only good and amiable in an un- meafurable degree. Here then we can- not exercife efteem and complacency but it will quickly rife up to wonder and fur- prize : Nor can we give a vent to admira- tion, but it muft needs pleafe and delight. At the firft view of Chrift by faith is he not thus thought of > With what raifed efteem! with what adoring wonder! with what profound veneration and refped! with what fuperlative valuation ! And ftill . he continues to be thought on with the fame efteem and wonder, only raifing higher inftead of flagging, by further ac- quaintance, and efpecially by the hopeful H 4 piofped 1 04 ^^"^^ ^^ ^^ unfeen Saviour, profpe£t and comfortable affurance of in-^ tereft in him : For this makes all of Chrift doubly marvellous in the eyes of the foul that he loves him, and draws forth the mod elevated fentiments of rapturous tranr fporting furprize, " How great ^ Lordy " i^ thy goodnefs l how great thy beauty! " how amazing is thy love, with all its *^ fruits, fruits of fervice, and fufFering, " fweet to us, tho* bitter to thyfelf, and " fruits of endearing relations and enrich- *' ing gifts ! (hall I not love and admire " thee, bleffed Jefus, who haft fuch finr *^ gular and all- commanding charms, an4 " efpecially as thou difdaineft not to give •^ wretched worthlefs me a diftinguifliing " intereft in thy perfon and grace ? Shall " J not think on thee often with higheft " refpeft and veneration ? Shall I ever •^ grow weary of looking to, and con- *^ vcrfing with thee by my aflFedionate " meditations ? No, but thus will I conr *^ verfe with thee while Hive, gazing and " looking on thee fo long, fo fteadily, fo ^* intently with that pleafed filence and furr " prize ; till I look myfelf out of thi^ " prifon houfe, which now detains me " from thy blififul face into thy immedi- " ate prefence, where I (hall fee thee as " thou art, and yet knowing and loving '' thee, and rafting thy love infinitely bet- " Cer than now I can ; I fliall however " wonder Love to an imfeen Saviour. i o j " wonder no lefs, but more, both at thy " peerlefs beauty and bottomlefs love. " Surely the Chriftian, as he cannot but often think of Chrift, from the love and value he has for him, fo cannot but think of him too at times in this elevation of fpirit; for our thoughts of him would not be juft and true, and fuitable to what he is in himfelf, unlefs filled with admiring efteem ; and he will fo think of him fome- timcs in this exalted manner, as to be loft in his own thoughts, through the great- nefs and furprizing nature of the (ubje6t, overwhelming a weak and finite mind ; which will t)blige him at the (ame time his love calls them yet further on, of ne- ceflity to found a retreat, and give refpite to them as unequal to the (ubjed that employs them, and not capable of further attention to it at once. And the thoughts of love to Chrift will be no lefs of a benevolential and grate- ful caft, than they will be efteeming and admiring thoughts. They will often fug- geft what expedations Chrift may have from Chriftians here, in what methods of fervice they may approve their love to Jiim, by promoting his intereft, and be forming and fixing fchemes in relation hereto. " Think, O my foul, fays the ^^ Chriftian often to himfelf, what thou *' panft do for thy Saviour^ to whom " thou 10 6 Love to an unfeen Scwiour. " thou oweft (o much. What (hall I " render to him, what returns can I *' make him for his love and all his be- ** nefits ? What is that work of my day ** and generation, of my place and ftacion, " that becomes me to do, for the honour " and fervice of my great and beloved " Mafter and Redemeer ? Contrive the *^ beft meafures thou canft for accomplifli- " ingit; and my will refolves by his grace " whereon I depend, vigoroufly to fet " about it, and endeavour the performance '' of it. " And fuch as the(e then are the thoughts in relation to Chrift, whicft love to him infpires the mind with ; to which there will not be wanting on proper occafions, and with due allowances for difference of natural tempers, as the next remove from the mind and heart, fuitablc, warm, and afFedionate Difcourfcs concerning the glorious perfon whom the foul loves ; which as didated by love will be a means of farther inflaming it. Out of the ahun- dance of the heart the mouthy will here as in other cafes, f^eak. If Chrift poffeft the heart, mufthe not dwell fometimes on the lip ? It is the part of Chriftians to ^1!r 6 ^^'^ ^^ ^^ glory of their Lord's kingdom ; -,8* ' as they love and think on his name fo to Mai. iii. fpcak oftcn one to another about \\.y and to fpread it abroad with honour and praife ; with i6, Love to an unfeen Saviour. 107 with high-founding encomiums, expref^ fing their fupreme value of Chrift, and out of defire of having him known, enjoy'd, and loved by all, to recommend him both to ftrangers and friends, faying. This is our beloved ; This is our friend -, /^eSoi.Son^, chief of ten thoufands, and one altogether ^' *°' *^* lovely. The too general want and neg- led of ferious, humble, and pathetic diC- courfe among Chriftians, concerning Chrift and other fpiritual fubjeds, in our day, both argues divine and Chriftian love to run low, and ferves to keep it low. 11. Love to Chrift will exprefs itfelf in defires toward him accompanied with fuitable endeavours; and thefe of two forts ; fuch as refped ourfelves immediately, or Chrift for ourfelves, and fuch as refpe£t him for himfelf. Both thefe forts of de- fires eflentially belong to genuine love to Chrift ; fince they are neceiGTary and na- tural expreflions of that double efteem which jointly forms the juft and primary idea of all love to a rational objed that lays a foundation for it, efteem of it, as good to us, and worthy of good for him- felf, as here the fuUeft provifion that can be, is made for both. Firft, then true love to Chrift will ex- prefs itfelf in defires after him for our own fakes 5 that we may have the neareft ^ union io8 Love to an unfeen Saviour. union and fuUeft communion with him,that we poffibly can have both here and hereaf- ter; defires intenfe andfupreme, adive and induftrious, conftant and permanent, impa- tient and unfatisfied ; defires in correfpon- dence to the natural appetites whereby fpiritual defires are often reprefented in fcripcure, proportionable to the fence of the importance Chrift is of to the fupply of the wants, and perfeding the happi- nefs of an immortal but fallen foul, which is far more than that of food to the wants of animal nature, or the pleafure of fen- fual gratifications. True love will con- ftantly put forth warm and fprightly de- fires after its object when abfent, or not fo fully enjoy'd as it may be, in order to its being prefent, and enjoy'd in the per- feftefl: manner poflible. So human love always is known to operate between friends divided afunder from each other by place, or not permitted as free and full a corre- fpondence as love demands. And thus the love of Chrift to his Church is not without its defires of communion with her, defires fuited to his Majefty, and exprefi[iveof wondrous condefcention, not ^j Pfal. xlv. ^Qj- ^py good to be received from her (for ^o\.%oxizhir goodmfs can never fo extend to him ii 14. who has no wants to fupply from her en- 10^^^^^* joyment) but that he may pleafc himfelf with the fruits of his own Grace, already brought Love to an unfeen Savhur. up brought forth, and ftill impart more to her as (lie is in a fit temper to receive it. So then neither will the Chriftian's love to his favionr be wanting in thefe its ge- nuine emanations and fruits of warm and lively defires after him as long as he is at all abfent, and not fully enjoy 'd, who is the very light and life of his foul, and on whom his all depends. The firfl: exertion of the love of defirc towards Chrift, and which breaks forth immediately on the principle being infus'd into the foul, is with a view to the ob- taining a real and (aving intereft in the Lordjefus, regarded not merely as indit penfably neceflary to efcape damnation, which fear prompts to, but as an admira- ble expedient for life and (alvation, in which view of it alone, love properly takes place; though ordinarily fear and love together wing, the firft motions of the foul toward Chrift, and more of the former than the latter, prevails in them for a time ; whence it is that they are pe- culiarly difquieting and tormenting like thirft, excited by fcorching hear. Now then it is, when not only fin is felt, and hell is feared, but Chrift is both feen and approved in the fulnefs of his mediatorial faving Charader ; that the foul longs with fupreme, and inexpreflible ardor of defire to be found in him, and to have him all A to no Loiw to an unfeen Saviour. to itfelf ; he is ofdained of God to be to his church in the quality of Mediator and 1 Cor. i. Saviour; as wifdom, righteoafnefs^ fan£ti- 30- fcatioriy and redemption. Now nothing appears any thing near fo defirable to the foul as an intereft in Chrift; it efteems this worth more than all the world, nay than millions of worlds ; and reaches forth toward it with mighty contention of fpirit, and all its adive powers, willing to obtain it on any terms, and diligently ufing all appointed means for this end. Now the moft remote thought, and diftant fear of falling fliort of Chrift wounds the heart CO the quick, as a thoufand times worfe than death in any of its moft dreadful forms. Now its incefTant and importu- nate cries are, " Give me Chrift or I die: " Oh 1 none but Chrift, none but Chrift ! " Let who will poflefs the world for me ; " may I but win Chrift, whatever elfe I " lofe and go without, I am content ; " and then, and not till then, (hall I be " happy. O ! infinitely, eternally, and *^ only happy they, who are his, and " he is theirs I " Such are the firft kindlings of defire ; fuch the vehement afpirations af- ter an intereft in Chrift, in a foul that \$ forming for him, and he in it ; and here- by Chrift comes adually to dwell in iiy and love to him takes root in the foul. Now Lo'ue to an unfeen Saviour. Now on this foundation laid of holy de- fires fir ft turned to adual relation to Chrift, as firft wanted, and leading on all other bleffings, that flow from him, to which point they continue to be direded as long as it hangs in fufpenfe, which it often does, a great while after it is really obtained : The lover of Jefus having gained this great point, tho* exceeding thankful, can by no means reft fatisfied here ; but on thefe firft defires fulfiU'd, builds other defires con- tinually, whereby he is ftill following hard after Chrift, to gain a yet nearer and ftrider alliance to him, and more full and fenfible communion with him in ail the remaining bleflings that are with him to give. For he regards him not merely as a Redeemer, to fave him from hell and mifery, and tofecurc him any how happy; but as a friend with whom he may fweetly converfe, and as the perpetual medium of his felicity, and as his portion for even Whatever hope then he has in Chrift, or tafte of his Grace, far from damping, will whet the appetite more, fetting and keep- ing this double edge on '\iy of a fteady habitual inclination to his immediate pre- fence in heaven ; and in the mean timc^ as a fupply and preparation for that, ta his fpiritual prefence on earth, promifcd in his word, and ordinances ; to communi- on with, and all communications of grace from III' Ill Love to an unfeen Saviour. from him to the iitmoft degree, wherein they can be had here; which however defeftive in comparifon of what is refer- ved in heaven, is efteemed, and will be fought after as the flower and perfeftion of all that earth affords. The faithful and conftant lover of Jefus would ever have his Saviour near to him, and behim- felf ever near his Saviour ; for which end he confcientioufly attends his walks in the galleries of his houfe, and dare not neg- left any of the means of intimacy and communion with him. With that tried and proved friend of Chrifl: the apoflle 'Patil^ who readily fuffered the lofs of all Phil. iii. things for him 5 he preffes on to know ^' ^' and win Chrift more and more, hardly reckoning any thing of his firft gain while there is more remaining to be won of him. He eagerly pants for Chrift, more cfpecially when remarkably withdrawn, and is not eafy till he recovers him, and is reftored to his favour and fmiles : On the other hand, when he has found and enjoy'd him for fome time, he wants and wiflies to keep him as long as he can ; Sol. Song ^^ holds himfajly and will not let him go ; iii. 4. One while he craves and fighs after his quickening influences to animate and re- kindle his very defires with other fpiritual graces, when they are perceived to lan- guifli J dreading nothing fo much as an infcn- Love to an unfeen Savrntr. 113 infenfibility to Chrift and divine things, that fo he may fpring up with rene w'd vigor into the embraces of his beloved, and have new life added to all his endeavours of ferving him. Another while his long- ing eye is toward the views of his glory, the comforts of his love, and the obtain- ing more full and fatisfying evidences of his being in Chrift. At other times he is aiming and ftriving to have his know- ledge and enjoyment of Chrift work in him a nearer affimilation to him in all his imitable excellencies ; that fo beholding as 2 Cor. Hi in a glafs the glory of his Lord, he may 18. be changed into his very image from glory to glory. For it is of the nature of love to work more and more of a likenefs be- tween friends, as it generally finds one in part. And here then, tho' there be no fimilitude at firft between Chrift and his people, but he finds them the reverfe of his amiable image ; yet as love to him be- gins, io it will carry on a growing con- formity to him who is the only party in this mutual love of friendfhip, to ftamp the likenefs, becaufe only worthy. And finally, fince the neareft approxima- tion, the fulleft refemblance, and the moft perfed communion with Chrift is to be attained only in his heavenly prefence and kingdom: Therefore the Chriftian cannot ^.^ .^ but love and earneftly look for his Lord's \, I appear- 114 ^^^^ ^^ ^^ unfeen Saviour. Tit.ii. 13. anu^ and reach out his defires ultimately ^z^^'z^ after the beatifical vifion and fruition qf 26! ' him in heaven, which will fill and end them at once. So far as the weaknefs of faith will permit it 5 fo far as there are clear evidences of an intereft in Chrift ; and fo far as the natural love of life and fear of death, which ftick very clofe to us, while united to flefli, can in any good meafufe be over-ruled and conquered : That love which in every true Chriftian has a radical inclination to immediate ac- ct^s to Chrift (fo that he would not on any terms abide always here at a diftance from his Lord) this love, will put itfelf Phil. i. forth in aftual defires after a being 'with ^^' Chrift as far better than the beft either of other things, or even of Chrift in this world ; fuch defires as will caufe the pre- fent diftance at times to be a pain at heart to the Chriftian ; fuch defires as will gra- dually fink thofe very fears of death, which moft oppofe them and make the foul ^^^ groan under the body, as a dead weight 2, 4. * ' that keeps it down from afcending whi- ther it would, and which therefore it wants to (hake off ; in a word, fuch de- • fires which nothing elfe will come into competition with, but defires of benevo- lence to Chrift, and his intereft in the world 5 between which two fcts of de- fires lies that blefled ftrait, which as the holy Love to an unfeen Saviour . i ry holy apoflle was, fo every Chriftian (hould P^i^- ''• choofc to be \\\ as compofing the bed ^^' ^^' frame of foul on this (ide heaven. And this brings us, Secondly, to fay fomewhac of thofe defircs of love to Chrifl:, which are for himfelf Though our Lord have left this earth in perfon : yet he has not done with all manner of concern about the affairs of it : No, he has a caufe de- pending here, that greatly relates to his honour and glory ; an intereft v^hich he reckons peculiarly as his own ; and w^iich of itfelf from its excellency and entire ' tendency to the benefit of mankind m general, and his people in particular, de- (erves the chief regard of all Chriftians* For what is this incerefl: of Chrift, but the furtherance of the falvation and hap- pinefs of men, by the knowledge of him- felf, and their becoming obedient conflanc fubjedls to his mild and righteous fceptre ? This his incerefl:, and the affairs of his kingdom here below, our Lord being gone into the heavenly country, where he is fo highly exalted, and completely happy as gives no room for any good wiflies or good offices to be ufed toward him in his own perfon, recommends to all his faithful fub- jeds and friends, as the ofily inflrance wherein they may exprefs their benevo- lent defires to him, and (hould do it as much as if they could to V\is petfou as 1 % what 11^ Love to an unfeen Saviour. what will be accepted in like manner. This proof of love he propofed no le& than three times to Veter^ when being as often queftioned about it, he with a fb- lemn appeal to himfelf every time avow'd John XXI. j^i^ Jq^^ ^q j^jj^ . p^^^ ^^^^^ (-^y^ j^^^ ^y ^' fieep i, feed my lambs ; plainly intimating hereby his jufl: expedation, that not only Peter ^ but every one that has a real affec- tion to him fliould fliew it by a ftudious and adive concern for his intereft in his church, and in the world, each one in proportion to his fphere^ capacity, and opportunity. And how can it poflibly be otherwife, but that true love to Chrift will fo unite and knit the foul with Chrift, as to make a perfon affeded to his intereft as to his own (this being but the na- tural and common operation of love in cafes like this, of the abfence of a friend . intrufting his concerns, left behind him, with his friends on the fpot) nay, and to prefer it to that of all others, and his own private good, when ftanding in competi- tion with it, by how much Chrift is wor- thier and better than all, and has deferv'd the utmoft Chriftians can do for him and his caufe by far fuperior fervices done for them? In purfuance of this affedion, as a firft and main branch and etfed thereof, true fidelity and loyal allegiance to his Lord will be maintain'd with all care by the Chri- Love to an unfeen Saviour. 1 1 7 Chriftian in his own perfon, to the end he may never give occafion for his great Lord and Matter to be ill treated, or evil fpoken of through his means, but on the contrary, by his example invite others to love and ferve him. Will he not alfo (land up v^ith an holy undaunted zeal in the face of all oppofition and dangers of eve- ry fort, in defence of the glory and dig- nity of his perfon, and in fupport of all his charaders, truths, worfliip, and ways, whenever they are any of them denied, and fpoken or afted againft, accounting them dearer to him than reputation, riches, friends, and life itfelf? Will he not then wifli well to the mount Zion^ which he loveth, attend this mighty warrior rid!ng on his white horfe of the Gofpel, con- quering and to conquer, with loud ho- fannahs, and copy out thofe hearty wiflies and prayers of fuccefs and profperity to him, which are fet down as genuine ex- preffions of benevolential love by the Pfal- mift when his tongue was the pen of a ready writer^ to fing the praifes of this glorious King. Gird thy fword upon thy thighy ^^^^' O moji Mighty^ with thy Glory and thy ^' "*"' Majejly. And in thy Majejly ride pro- fpenoujly on the word of truthy and meek- nefSy and righteoufnefs ! And will he not vouch too thefe good wiflies and defires, with endeavours tending as far as in him I 3 * lies Pfal. xiv. 1 1 8 Love to an unfeen Saviour. lies to give them their defirecl effed ; en- gaging and lifting all his faculties and powers in his fervice, and yielding up to him all his graces, gifts, parts, time, fubftance, tongue, hands, feet, endow- ments, and talents of every fort, in order to promote his valuable and precious caufe and intereft; at the fame time feeling an uneafy emotion and inward trouble, when the contrary to any of thefe wiflied and aim*d at events appear ? And fo much then m.ay fuffice for the fecond expreiTion of love to Chrift, in the ftrong and lively defires of the heart accompanied with proper endeavours af- ter both the enjoyment of him, and the proiiiotion of his intereft in the world. From which we pafs next, III. To the joys and delights of love terminating on Chrift, with their conco- mitant fymptoms and cfteds. And of thefe there is exadly the feme reafon, with dcfire, on the part of theob- jcft, the difference lying only on the pare of the fubjedl: and its relation to the objed. What unattained excites defire, will fo far as attained in whole or in part, in ac- tual poffeflion, or in hope, neccftarily produce joy; which is a pleafing fenfa- tion or refledion on our having it in our power ro enjoy any good, or hoping fo .4 tp Love to an unfeen Saviour. 1 1 p to have it ; which joy will be proportion- able to the degrees of our prefent enjoy- ment, and hope for the future ; and will be farther increafed over and above the pleallire yielded from the objeft itfelfj by the additional gratification of antecedent defires. Joy then \.% required in our pre- fent love to Chrift to alternate and co-ope- rate with defire ; this being alway the cafe whenever the objed as here, comes to be enjoy'd in part, but not fully, and yet its full enjoyment hereafter may become matter of prefent hope. It \^ the in- tereft and wifdom of Chriftians to bal- lance thefe rightly together ; not'fuf- fering the reftlefs vigor of defire to ex- tinguifh joy, by taking abfolute pofTefHon of the foul, but rather to lay in provilion for it, while its fucceflive ftages and flior- ter marks, in its progreflive motion to its utmoft ultimate end, as often a^ reach'd, together with the hope of that end, are properly improvable to joy; nor yet fufFering the (edate and calm reft of joy to put a ftop to the tendencies of further defires toward Chrift, but ra- ther to quicken them till our defires of love being all (atisfy'd, change whol- ly into pure joys of love in heaven. Thus fliould it be the aim of the Chri- ftian to let his defires and joys while here go hand in hand, and to carry both, I 4 fince 120 Love to an unfeen Saviour. fince alike proper expreflions of his love, as far as poflible to equal heights ; defiring with fuch vehemency for more of Chrift, as if he had found nothing already to re- joice in ; and fo rejoicing in what he has foundj and what more he certainly hopes for and expcifts, as if he had nothing left to dcfire. So the love thefe Chriflians in our text bore to their unfeen Saviour, not only had joy wrought into it, but flowered out into joy high and rapturous ; Joy ffnfpcakable and full of glory. And the fame principle for kind does equally belong, (though attained by few in equal degr^^es) to the charader and duty of all that truly love Chrift, as is eafily colleded from the nature of love requiring, fcrip- ture examples, charaders, and precepts, recommending, and gofpel-provilions ma- king way for it ; and the higheft moft ex- plicit exercTe of it fhould be aim'd at. Now this joy in Chrift, which is a noble fruit of love, is in the (ame manner as dcfire, to which it correfponds two- fold. Firjl^ There is a joy of love in Chrift, which refpects him for himfelf $ a bene- volent pleafure and fatisfa^lion, which refts in his glory, happinefs, and profpe- rous intcreft. Which I would firft take • a view of, inverting the order wherein the dcfires of love were confideredj that fo the Love to an unfeen Savtour. 121 the whole of the benevolent temper toward Chrift, as eflcntial as any thing to the love of him, may be reprefented more m one view. And this benevolential joy may be confidered, I.) With reference to Chrift's own proper perfon and perfonal glory and fe- licity. When our Lord was going out of the world, like a generous friend who refents the felfifli fpirit of his friend, that is for drawing the relation which ought to be reciprocal, all to his own fide; yet by gentle infinuation ftill, as an indulgent, fuperior friend, he taxes his difciples with want of due love to him in fuffering their forrow for their own lo(s by his depar- ture, to over- rule all their joy for his gain by it ; thus claiming the friend from them in his turn, as he had aded the friend to them all along, and did fo too in this very inftance, wherein he again and again affures them their beft intereft as much as his own, was confulted. Ij ye loved me^ J°^"^- ^^^• fays he, that is, with a pure difinterefted love for my fake, as well as a wife and' underftanding, not fond affedion for your own, ye would rejoice, becaufe I faid 1 go unto the Father-, for my Father is greater than I ; " in going to whom " therefore as my fupreme, all-fufficient *^ rewarder, and reward, on fini{hingthe " work he gave me to do, I go from la- " hour 1^2^ r Love to an unfeen Saviour. " hour to reft, from trouble to peace, " from pain to plcafure, from forroW tb "joy, from ignominy and reproach to *^ dignity and honour, from a'crofs to a " crown, from poverty artd want of all " things worthy my felf, to a fulncfs *' both of glory and bleilednefi, and alfo *^ of power and capacity to ferve my " people on earth beyond what I could " by ftaying there. If the difciples then Were to have exprefled their love to Chrift in rejoycing in the near profpedl of his go- ing to his Father, and fo being received up to glory : by parity of reafon, it mud be an expeded fruit of our love to Chrift to * rejoice in his being now already arrived in heaven, and there crowned with glory and honour : And here our love demands nothingbut joy, joy full, pure and entire, joy conftant and open for us to indulge when we pleafe, without any thing to fear or defire, for our Lord in this be- half, v/hofe perfonal glory and felicity is now confummated, as perfcd as it can p'offiblybe, and liable to no future change. When there is nothing then left us to wifli of good and glory to our dear Re- deemer in his own perfon, to fliew our hearty good- will to him that way; the eafier and pleafanter part remains, which we muft fo much the rather perform, to have a complacential relifii of what he has Love to an unfeen Saviour . 1x3 has and ever will retain, congratulating with him, that he who deferves it fo well 'is fo highly raifed above all our thoughts, and above the power of our willing him any thing greater or better. Is he now entered into his joy, and reft, and glory, the greateft that can be, after his (ufFer- ings and forrows, the greateft too that could be, and as a meet recompence for the fame? Love will teach us to make that his joy our joy; to follow him to his royal feat with our loudeft acclamations, finging praifes with tinderfianding, and a P^^- ^ivii. willing mind to our King^ our God, who ^' is gone up with ajloout, the Lord with the found of a trumpet, and often to hail him on the throne, with language of greater extent, and of better import than was once ufed in deteftable mockery to him, " Hail, King, not of the Jews on- " ly, but of all nations, as wtU as by pe- " culiar title, King of Saints. With an- gels and archangels (hall we then fre- • quently join in thofe afcriptions of all glory and honour to him, which echo quite through heaven, and befpeak the warmeft raptures of love: IVorthy, for R^^- v. 12, ever worthy, is the Lamb that was Jlain^ to receive power, and riches, and wfdom, and ftrength, and honour, and glory, and hleffmg. If we love him, we fliall fure pjffea: remember and celebrate with all the 124 Love to an unfeen Saviour. the tokens of fpiiitnal joy and mirth his coronation-day, juft as we are wont to do, by kings we value here below j that day on which, with myriads of the hea- venly hofts in his retinue, he entered with folemn triumph into heaven, and took his place at the right hand of the Ma- jefty on high ; we (hall love to repeat as far as we can, the folemnities of that bright and memorable day, and by the hand of love put our felves as it were a crown on his head, by exprefllng our a- bundant fatisfadion, that the crown he wears in heaven fliines with fuch diftin- guifli'd luftre, and (lands fo firm on his head. None of the honours heaped on Chrift appear too many or great for him by thofe that truly love him. They don*c envy him any of them, are not uneafy at them, much lefs go about to fpoil him of any part thereof; they are not even in- different to them. No: but they refent them all, with the over-flowings of the moft agreeable {atisfadion, rejoicing in his having them rather than any other, as being moft worthy, not without pleafing wonder, that he can fuftain fo many va- rious charaders of dignity and glory at once with perfeft harmony. So his human beauties and glories of body and mind, wherein he has the pre-eminence of the whole material and immaterial creation ; and Love to an unfeen Saviour. 1 2 j and all thofe fuperior reliflies, he, as the man brought neareft to God, has of the river of God's pleafure and love : So all the high dignities and honours, prefenc and future, of his mediatorial office, freed as it now is from all that toil and painful trouble which went into the ex- ecution of it on earth, and wholly em- ploy'd in an honourable and glorious man- ner : So his abfolute, original, fupreme bleflednefs, and divine glory which he has had from all eternity, that glory which he had with the Father before the founda- tion of the world ; and which being now completely refcued from all the obfcur- ing fliades that eclipfed it in our world, fliines forth in heaven, confeffed in its truth, perfedion, and full luftre: This, with his other glories and felicities as man. and mediator, do all gratify and gladden his true friends, and give them real and raviQiing joy at heart ; and this above all, as what they ultimately acquiefce in. O \ they greatly rejoice and are pleafed in an uncommon manner, that their bead and Saviour is, and ever has been in himfelf fo glorious a perfonj they triumph in his divine elTential glory, as fupporting and animating all his other charaders, offices, afts and prerogatives, fo as to render them at once comely and graceful to him- felf, and efFedual to the falvation of his z ^ people. J 16 Love to an unfeen Saviour. people. In all thefe articles of the Re- deemer's perfonal felicity and glory ; and in all the confequential devout aftedions and afcriptions of praife to him, which they claim, and adually gain for him, from all in heaven, without one difagrecing voice, and from all who are favingly ac- quainted with him on earth ; do fuch as love Chrift take inexpreiTible fatisfadion and delight, while abfolutely contem- plated J and in the comparative view of them alfo, they give them a very fen- fible fupport •and refrefliment, as fct a- gainft either the antecedent meannefs and fufFerings of Chrift's humbled ftate, or the prefcnt attempts and defigns carried on in our world by the devil, and wick- ed men his inftruments, to degrade and vilify our bleiled Saviour, or even their own pr^rfent troubles and afflidions, which may well be affwaged and leffened by rc- fieding on the perfed happinefs of him whom they love as their own foul, efpe- cially as it is a fecurity and pledge of their own in due time. When the lover of Jefus thinks, and cannot but think with raifed gratitude, how his Lord in the days of his flefli condefcended to drink of the brook in the ivay^ the brook of manifold tribulations, and that for his fake 5 it will be a wonderfully pleafing relief to the mind under the tender impreflions fuch views Love to an tmfeen Savmir. itj views of Chi'ift cannot but give, to think an the fame time, that haying once drank of it, he will drink of it no more for ev€r, but Ws, lifted up, the head, and moft Pfai.cx.7. worthily now has the fuUcft cup of fal- vation and glory to his own fliare for e- vcr to drink of And again, when one that loves Chrift: v/ith fincere and pi^re affedion, cafts his eyes abroad in the world and kcs how Chrift is trampled on in his intercfts here below, his perfon denied, his name little known and regard- ed, nay, treated often with profanenefs and contempts his gofpel, with all the facred truths relating to him disbelieved, perverted, or received with indifference, his authority flighted and affronted, and his very grace rejected or abufed j his love to his Lord which makes him grieve and mourn at this fight, will obtain a com- fortable diverfion, and cut to it felf a channel of joy and pleafure to run in, by only changing the fcene from earth to heaven -, for fo all things in regard to Chrift appear with another and better face, juft as they ought, and he is treated with marks of univerfal honour and rc- fped there ; whatever are the low and de- fpairing fentiments and behaviour of un- grateful men toward him here iii thisfin- ful world. To 1 1^ hove to an unfeen Saviour. To all this congratulatory joy of the foul that loves Chrift in his perfon'and perlbnal glory, will be farther added, 1.) A joyful complacency in his intereft fo far as obtaining in the world, and in all the incouraging views and profpeds of its fuccefs. Oh ! it will be infinitely agreeable and delightful to the lover and friend of Jefus, to think that though his kingdom at prefent makes fuch fmall and flow ad- vances in the world, yet a perpetuity of continuance, and an increafe of glory is certainly intailed on it till it arrive at a fettled eftate of both fpiritual and tempo- ral profperity, wherein as well as in extent it fliall far furpafs every other intereft. In the fure, however diftant profpeit of this great and glorious event, raifed by the nu- merous reprefentations of it in the fcrip- turcs of truth, which not only certainly and exprefsly foretell it, but give fuch graphical defcriptions of ii^ as to fet its beautiful and pleafing image, even now as it were before our eyes ; the hearts of true Chrirtians will at times leap and exult within them for joy ; and in the mean time, though for the prefent their love make more demands on their tears, forrows, and defires, than their joys, with a view to the Redeemer's intereft, becaufe of the prevailing declenfions that befal it, as lof- ing rather than gaining ground in the world Love to an unfeen Saviour^ tip world ; yet it will be exceeding grateful to them, andafFedl them with divine plea- « fure, to fee or hear of a few fouls, now and then one converted to Chrift ; and they cannot but rejoice in the fiiialleft ap- pearing revivals of his intereft in particu-. lar places and churches. And as to them- felves, and the work of (alvation going on in their own fouls, though they can- not but be pleafed with the happy pro- grefs of it for their own fakes, and love and rejoice in their own felicity with the means to it ; yet they will be led from the pure affeftion they bear to their God and Saviour, to rejoice in it, not as an abfolute and ultimate end, but rather as a fubor- dinate end, a means to his honour and glory. But this brings us, Secondly, To fay fomething of the joys of love fixing on Chrift immediately for ourfelves, as our greateft and beft good, an objed of complete delight and (atif- fadion to our fouls. Which private joys ftand infeparably conneded, without any interfering, with the joys we have beent confidering, that rcfped Chrift purely in himfelf. They mix together, and have a reciprocal influence into one another. Chrift himfelf, as well as his benefits, is a moft proper objeft of the Chriftian s joy of love, becaufe his benefits are not given IC aparc 130 Love to an unfeen Saviour. apart from, but in and with himfelf, by . virtue of a real and ftri6t relation that pafles between Chrift and him. And, oh I how many are the fweet fprings of joy in Chxift to fupply and fatisfy the Chriftian? For there is nothing gn the part of Chrift, and relation to him, either as a means or an end (for he is both to- gether) but what is adapted to feed joy. The laying open the fprings of life and happinefs that are in Chrift, in the Gofpel, may awaken a more general and diftant joy and gratitude in all. The nearer view of them by faith, and accefs to them for ourfelves by a love of efteem and defirc, contains and cannot but carry in it a par- ticular habitual joy, a fixed and fettled judgment and refolution to feek and ex- pcat our chief joy from hence. And the aftual tafte of them, and hope of being ever fupplied from them, fuperadded to the former, muft needs produce aftualjoy, and that exceeding great. Confidering the fulnefs and extent of the relation Chrift ftands in to Chriftians, as compre- hending all bleflings temporal, fpiritual, 1 Cor iii. ^^^ eternal, (fmce Chrijl being theirs all 21, 22, things are theirs) j confidering its peculiar *5- inexpreflible fweetnels in itfelf, and its immediate proper fruits ; confidering the engaging and honourable order wherein it bQcomes operative and cfFcilual to the falva- Love to an imfeen Saviour. \ 3 1 falvation of Chiiftians, by firfl: incerefting them in the merits and righteoufnefs of their Saviour; confidering the wonder- ful free exhibition of Chrift with his be- nefits m the promifes, and invitations of the Gofpel, which do as it were put them into the poffefHon and full power of thofe that believe ; confidering the fure conti- nuance of this relation, as being indifiTo- luble, and to remain for ever ; and con- fidering it laftly, as looking backward as well as forward, far back, not only through the Chriftian's own time, wherein many pad fweet fruits of it may occur to the thoughts, not only through the time of his Lord's life in this world, or life in hea- ven, which all goes into it, fince he was given for us, to be born, to live, to die, to rife again for us ; but reaching up to the ages of eternity, in the defignation and preparation of it; Chrift being given to his people (as they to him), from eter- nity, an ancient gift and provifion for their fouls, and fo the more valuable, the Lamb of God, fore-ordained for them before the foundation of the world ; how can the Chriftian, being one that believes all this concerning Chrift, and his relation to his people, and has accordii;igly fixed his choice and love of higheft efteem and de- fire on Chrift; but lay out his fuperlative joy to arife out of the pofteflTion and en- K 2, joyment 4 J z Love to an unfien Saviour. joyment of him ? How can he but do this at any time, and how can he but feel and indulge adual joy at an uncommon rate, on the comfortable perfuafion he at any time has, of himfelf being a real par- taker of Ch rift Jefus? And this joy of love in Chrift will have feveral noble and glo- rious expreflions and efteds, inward and outward. It will caufe thofe that expe^ rience it within them ; to blefs and con- gratulate themfelves for their fixed and high-raifed ftate of happinefs in Chrift ; and to blefs and applaud all that are fel- fow-fharers with them in Chrift. It will fettle a fedate chearful frame in the foul> and render the mind contented and (atisfi- ed in all circumftances of life ; moderating and heightening together, thofe that are eafy and comfortable 5 and fo far overba- lancing the reverfe, by the infinitely great- er weight of good there is in Chrift, above the fmall and next to no proportion of evil any of them contain, and fecuring them withall to anfwer a good end and uTe, that by virtue of this joy of Chrift transferred over to them, they may become thera- Rom.v.3. ^^^ves matter of rejoicing and glorying, as to the primitive Chriftians on this foot they were.. Thus will this joy, as fu- preme, overcome and fubdue to itfelf all other, both joys and forrows. It will fur- ther fix deep in the heart the law of gra- I citude Love to an unfeen Saviour, 1.3 ^ titudc towards Chrift and God, and the law of kindnefs towards men. While it will excite a noble fcorn, for the perfon himfelf, of all the glittering vanities, and tempting enjoyments of this world, as not worthy to be mentioned with the in- eftimable portion he has in Chrift, and being too inconfiderable baits to allure the heart away from Chrift, (the very thought of which is abhorred) ; at the (ame time, it will move pity and compaf- fion toward all fuch who turn their backs on Chrift for the love of this prefent world, as perfons that however they may fwell in a fond conceit of their own wifdom, greatnefi and felicity, do fadly impofe on themfelves ; and it will alfo oblige to an affable, kind, humble, benign, and be- neficent demeanor to all men. On the other hand, it will fill the foul with grate- ful refentments of the honour and grace conferred on \m^ in being called into union and communion with the Son of God; it will open the mouth wide in abundant tliankfgivings and praifes to Chrift and to God, even the Father, for Chrift ; and it will ftir up a perfon to all the real re- turns of gratitude it is capable of, in (erv- ing and promoting the Redeemer's in- tereft. And finally, it will engage a perr fon, to be often making his humble boafts of Chrift to others as well as within him- K 5 felf^ 34 Love to an unfeen Saviour. felf ; caufing him not to be afliamed or afraid, but refolute and ready, though in meeknefs and fear, to confefs Chrift be- fore men, as his fole hope and confidence, and to recommend him to their choice, being in no danger of diminifhing his own pare in him by the communication of him among many ; fmce he is 2l portion fuffi- cient for all ^. Having now at large drawn out the neareft and moft immediate ads of love, which terminate on Chrifl: the objeft di- redly, namely, frequent thoughts of him, defires toward him, andjoysinhim, with ^ their feveral ways of manifefting them- felves ; I now proceed to other expreflions which are rather effeds than formal ads of this afFedion, yet clofc and certain c^^di^y without which love can never be in our prefent ftate, and as real indications as fit and proper marks of its truth as any of the former, being either other opera- tions of the foul about Chrift infeparably mixt with love, or thefe together with love exercifed on itfelf, or other things for Chrift's fake. Of which fort is^ IV. A valuable efteem, and refpedful regard for whatfocver peculiarly belongs © ^ * Here may be 9 proper paufc, dividing thi3 Sermon intp two parts, to Love to an unfeen Saviour. 135: to Chrifl:. If there be any remembrances or memorials of Chrifl: i any letters or meflages from him ; any of his fpeclal friends, or whatever he is known to va- lue ; any tokens and pledges of his love, or any proper means andoccaiions for af- fifl:ing and evidencing his people's love to him ; thefe as many of them as are found in our world fince Chrift has left ii, muft according to the known law of friendfliip be valued and fuitably ufed by all his true friends, as fuini filing out the ufual reliefs and proofs of love in time of abfence. Thus, for inftance, love to Chrifl: will manifefl: itfelf by paying a tender, affedi- onate, and dutiful regard to the Spirit of Chrift, that fpirit which is his in fo pecu- har a manner, and is to fupply his room, to aft in and with us in his name, to glo- Jo^* ^cvi, rtfy him in our fouls ^ taking of his things ^^' and Jhewing them to us ; and to train us up by his gracious internal operations for a meetnefs in due time to be with him. We fhall then loving Chrift, love his Spi- rit too, under this his fpecial charadter of Chrift's great Agent in the world, and in our hearts, as well as becaufe he merits from us divine love, and a loyal fubjeftion for himfelf, as he performs by his own pow- er divine works on us ; wefliall then take great care that we do not quench, refift, or grieve him, by a negled of, or oppo- K 4 lition 1^6 Love to an unfeen Saviour. ficion to any of his holy and feafonable motions within us ; but on the contrary, refent with gratitude his kind condefcen- tion, in thus taking the management of our weak and diforderly fpirits, and our Saviour's concern for us in providing us with fuch an inward conftant monitor; and we fhall cherifli and comply with his fuggeftions and impreffions all we can, and with great obfervancc and devout fubmiflion yield up ourfelves to him ; juft in the fame manner as loving and faithful fubjeds exprefs their loyalty and affeftion to their fovereign, when abfent out of his dominions, by behaving with refpeft and duty to thofe he leaves regent in his (lead. Thus again, if we love our deareft Lord, now he is abfent from us ; we fhall have an hearty efteem and efpecial love for all the members of his myftical body, nor be wanting in fuch offices of love to them which our mutual circumftances require and give opportunity for. For they are all of them his friends and favourites, the only ones he has in our world ; they are his relations in a fpiritual fenfe, his brethren, his children ; (b that if we do indeed Jove him that begoty 'we cannot l^^'^ '^^' hilt love thofe that are begotten of him. They are alfo to be confidered as the liv- 2 Cor. Ill ing images and epiftlcs of Chrift Jefus, ^ haying Love to an imfeen Saviour. 137 having his likenefs ftamped on them. Other piftures and reprefencations of Chrifl: there arc, and can be none : And to at- tempt to make any material aitificial iimi- litude of him, or to ufe one fo made with a profefled view either to worfnip, to re- ceive our love and other religion!; rcfpefts as Chrift's proxies, and mediums of con- veying them to him, or merely to devo- tion, to ferve for raifing and working up our love to him, is at once an unworthy abufe both of our Lord Jefus Chrift, the objed of our love, who as he is incapable of being thus reprefented according to truth, even in his human nature, much lefs divine, and in his jvhole perfon, fo allows not, but forbids every thing of this kind ; and of our love to him alfo, making it de- generate from a rational fpiritual affeaion into a carnal and mechanical paflion ; and grofs indeed it would be, if when it has fuch an objed, and fo much better helps of a fpiritual nature, it fhould need fuch mean and low incentives, the products merely of human fancy and imagination. But now the members of Chrift are not only fit reprefentatives of him in vertuc of his fpiritual image which they bear, but are his allow'd and appointed fubftitutes and reprefentatives for this very purpofe, to receive from us immediately the fenfi- |)le fruits and offices of a tender and be- neficent 138 hove to an unfeen Saviour. ^neficent love which he being abfolutely raifed above the need of for himfclf in his own perfon, yet cxpeds to have at fe- cond hand as certainly as if he could at the firft ; and which fo yielded out of pure love to Chrift, will be equally ac- cepted by him, as ii offered to himfelf. And here then our love will in effeft com- prehend all the fame familiar and real ex- preflions in external offices of kindnefs and civility, which Chrift had in perfon from his difciples while on earth ; that honour and complacency we have for all Chriftians, as accounted the excellent of the earth, in whom h all our delight, in proportion to the viiible appearance of Chrid's image on them, without regard to other diftinclions ; and that compailion we excrcife toward them in trouble, and in fupplying their wants, according to our ability, bccaufe they belong to Chriff, being in his own eftimation a^ts of love Mat. XXV. pej-formed to himfelf, juft as the omifllon of them v^ the fame as if pradifed to him- felf ; and no doubt of it, where love fails of the due and proper exprcflions of itfelf to Chriftians, or which is the fame to Chriff reprefentatively, there it would equally and as furely fail in exprefling itfelf to Chrift perfonally. Once more, if wc love Chrift, all the ordinances and inffrumcncs of his wor- fliip, Love to an unfeen Saviotir. 139 fliip, which are partly memorials of him, partly means of fpiritual intercourfc and communion with him, will proportion- ably have our love and attention. So the Lord's-da)\ called after Chrift our Lord, by this its new name, and fixed to a new date in commemoration of his rifing from the dead on it, and thereby compleating our redemption, together wifti Chriftian aflemblies, and all the methods of devotion and fervice, there and then to be obferv'd ; this day as well as other feafons of meet- ing with Chrift, will by all that love him, be called honourable and a delight, will be preferred in their fixed judgment to all opportunities for their worldly and earthly concerns, will be moft longed for till their return, pleafe when enjoy 'd or recolleded, and with the greateft follicitude and ala- crity be improved in converfing with him all the ways they can. So parflcularly that ordinance that bears the name of Chrift on it in a diftinguiftiing and moft familiar manner, the Lord's- Supper, that fweet and folemn feftival of love between Chrift and Chriftians, happily fuitcd in ic felf, and recommended on purpofe for the fpecial remembrance of our abfcnt friend fefus, in his death and love, will never fure be flighted, and through wilful contempt, or carelefs indifference, difregarded and difufcd by any in whofe heart reigns the love 140 Love to an imfeen Saviour, love of Chrift ; it will be facred and pre- cious to all good Chriftians, even to fuch who through their doubts and fears, or other debarring circum (lances, approach not for a time to the table of the Lord, (b that they will not be without frequent defires after it, and an uneafy concern for their want of this dear pledge of their Lord's love and excellent means of inti- mate communion with him ; and it will be delightfully and with thankful wonder ufed by fuch Chriftians who come to it prepared according to the preparation of the fanBuary. No Icfs alfo the word of Chrift^ this (weet letter of and from him, as the whole fcripture is in regard to its original, being indited by the Spirit of Chrifl:, and in regard to its main fcope and end being to teftify of him, cannot but dwell richly in all who love the hand that fends it, the perfon it rccomimends. They will frequently converfe v/ith, and meditate on it, till they render it familiar to them. The whole of it will be ex- ceeding valuable to them, far above all the treafures of the world, and employ more of their pleafing ftudy than any book befides : More eipecially the Gofpel of it, the peculiar records concaind in this divine volume of the perfon, offices, afts, and grace of their Saviour, and of Cod j:econciled in hirn^ will draw forth the Love to an unfeen Saviour. 141 the clofeft application of their minds, and the delight of their hearts. To which may be added, that the minifters of the Gofpel, the difpenfers of thefe facred oracles, who are Ch rift's Embafladors, and come charged with the offices and melTages of his grace to men, will, how- ever their charader and pcrfons be vilified by others, be held in high efteem and ho- j^^j j.j nour by all that love their Mafter for their ''' work fake ; and their feet will be beautiful on the mountains in the eyes of fuch. But the view of Chrift's being loved in his memorials, loved and duly regard- ed, with the other things that belong to him, naturally leads us to a V^*^. Expreflion of love to him, which indeed includes the preceding inftance, as being made by Chrift matter of duty to us, the' the fpecial view of relation to Chrift is a diftind reafon of regard to fuch things, and that is an entire pleafing devotedn efs of foul to the whole com- manding will of Chrift. There is a mighty authority belongs to love, as a law within, even where there is no law without, fubjeding us to another's power, and far more than any fuch law has with- out love ; to command obedience to the will of him whom we truly love, as well as a peculiar fweetuefs, which it derives into 142. Loise to an unfeen Saviour. into that obedience that flows from it. And as thus love of its own nature makes a law and obligation where it finds none, to ferve and obey its objed; fo undoubt- edly it will take up and mix with an ob- ligation to obedience, already made and found, give it new force, and add a fingu- lar eafe, pleafure, and value to compli- ance with it. Thus it is plain our Lord makes both love neceflary to obedience as without which for its quickening caufe obedience would be dead and null, and recommends obedience as neceilary to love, without which as its genuine fruit and proof, love would be only fpurious and pretended, but not real ; fo that as certainly as they who don't love Chrifl: will never (erve and obey him, as they ought; they who do love him cannot jolin i. but do this, at leaft truly aim at it. If ^^» ^S' ye love me, (aysChrift, keep my command- xiv. 21, merits. He that hath my commandments 23- and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. If any man love me, he njuill keep my words, ^' 24. jje that loveth me not, keepeth not my fayings. Other principles may, and in- deed ought to be employ'd on our duty to Chriil as well as love. But then, none of them are fufficient to produce obedi- ence qualified as it ought to be; unlcfs love be prefent with and in them, which is of all the red fo far the moft intimate and Love to an ttnfeen Saviour. 1 4 3 and prevalent^ the moft governing and commai>ding, and niufl: be fo inceiwoven through their feveral operations ; that be^ ing thus fway'd and tempered by love they coalefcc with it, and become parts or fruity of itfelf. This is the ca(e in particular of religious fear, which as importing fuch an holy aw^e of the glorious majeily and dignity of God, or our Saviour, as fet- tles the difpleafmg and offending of him, the main and immediate objed of our a- verfion and fear, and the pleafing of him in doing his will, the great and princi- pal objed of our foUicitude and care, is fo implied and twifted v^ith love as infe- parably to belong to it ; for thus we can- not but be ever affedcd and difpofed to the perfons wo moft love, and who beft deferve our love, from the pure motion of a tender and ingenuous love to them. But as for that fear which has torment^ a , j^^^ iv. fervile fear, as love cajlsit out^ being in- 18.' coniiftent with it, fo does obedience alfo ; as it does whatever efted of any principle accords not with love, as detrading cither from its truth, or at leaft, from its excellency and perfedion. It is then the proper pare and efFed of true love to Chrift, to influence and withal to regulate and perfed obedi- ence ; to give it its proper form and main qualification, without which it is no obe- dience at all in God's and Chrift's account, 4 that .144 />^^^ to an unfeen Saviour, that is to make it free, hearty, voluntary ^r chofen, and pleafant, without roluftance and conllraint, without the undue mer- cenary motives either of mere dread of punifhment, or of mere hope of reward, like the obedience of a flave that only dreads, but don't love his mafter. For johnv. 3. this^ fays the apoftle, is the love of God^ the proper way of love, working and manifeftingitfelf to God, and fotoChrift, that we keep his commandments^ and his commandments are not grievous , but a- greeable to us ; if a yoke an eafy one, and if a burden yet light. And thus ff^e XV. 14. are Chrijl's friends^ prove ourfelves true lovers and friends of him, if we do what- foever he commands us ; that is, do it in a friendly loving manner and fpirit ; be- ing in love with the commands he ho- nours us with, as cfteemed truly our ho- nour and delight, and chufing to be prc- fcribed to by fo worthy and gracious a Lord as Chrift is, and to be governed by his will rather than our own } inilead of entering an exception, or allowing our- felves wilfully to negled or tranfgrefs any of his commands, oftbring ourfelves readi- ly to fervehim in all the fcrvices we can in the world, as v/ell as exercifes of devo- tion, being glad .to be employed by and for him, and ftrictly inquifitive into his will for this end j and finally, ambitious and Love to an unfeen Saviour. 14 j and follicitous of ferving him throughout in love, and with a delight to do his will that we may fo approve ourfelves fully to him, as well as keep up our refolution and vigor to the end, conquering all the dif- ficulties, and fweetening all the labour and fatigue of his fervice by love animat- ing and mixing with it quite through. And no lefs, VL Is a refigned and pleafing fubmifli- on to the will of his providence in what- ever he thinks fit to do with us, or others, a necefTary part and exprcflion of true love to Chrift. For it is the genius^ of love to conciliate a good opinion of the a6lions and ways of the beloved objefl:, which by the force of this principle is foon carried to an excefi, when frail and imperfed creatures are fet in our love, whofe behaviour is often fo irregular and abfurd as to have more in it to blame than approve. But in regard to Chrift, whofe entire conduct being under the diredion of unerring wifdom, and perfect goodneft, mull needs be right and proper ; our love in compliance with the fall fcope given \x.^ will reconcile us with cafe and plcafure to all our Lord does. It will quell and beat down all rifing murmurs, all pcevifli and fretful inclinations and complaints, under fuch trying difpcnfations that feem L adverfe 14^ Love to an unfeen Saviour. Deut. adverfe to us. It will make usyft down at *^'"' ^* our Redeemefsfeet^ as well as receive the law at his mouth ; both bearing with a patient temper, and admiring with a chearful compofure all the various and' fliifting fcenes he prefents us with. We (hall then under the influence of love readily approve the whole management, and fay from the implicit perfuafion wc have of his infallible knowledge and wif- dom, his unbiafs'd truth and righteoufnefs, and his unfufpeded love, even where we . can't for want of commanding the whole profped difcern the beauty and propriety of every part, He has done all things well We fliall then put that favourable con- ftruftion in particular on every rod, where- with he fmites us, which himfclf war- ... rants and allows, having faid, As many as ^cv. 111. j^^^^^ I rebuke and chajien. VII. And Lajlly, True love to Chrift will (hew itfelf in a juft and exad refle^Si- on on the due temper and behaviour of love, as found or milling in ourfelves or others, with a fuitable refentment in either cafe. It is of the nature of fome of the affedions, and of love more efpe- cially to excellent perfons or things, to aft on themfelves, and fo to give fure evi- dences to the reality of their exiftence. Thus love to Chrift frequently difcovers itfelf Love to an unfeen Saviour. 147 itfelf in this reflex manner of operation, when other more direft and immediate expreffions of it may not be difcerned •» and this more efpecially, 1.) In a way of fuitable refentment of the defects or oppofices of icfelf. Our love to Chrift in this world of fin and im- perfedion, muft needs have many occafi- ons to manifeft itfelf in this way ; and here at leaft it will not be wanting fo much as it may in other inftances. The Chriftian is often confcious to his not lov- ing his dcareft Lord as he ought; but then far from being eafy herein he is. high- ly diflatisfied and difplcafed with what in himfelf comes fliort of, or contradids this law of love, which he would have bear fway over his whole heart and life. Here then he lifts the feveral uncafy and pain- ful paffions of the heart into the fervice of his love, giving them free vent, and willing to fuffer all their (mart and angui(h. Averfion, forrow, fliame, in- dignation, and fear will now alternately or together fall on himfelf, and other things that have, or may contribute to .the quenching this holy fire. One while it will be his trouble and grief that his difadvantageous fituation in this world, at a diftance from his Lord, amidft a thou- iand diverting objefts, and meaner cares, and in a body of finful flcfli, ^unavoidably L z fubjedts 148 Love to an unfeen Saviour. fubjed's him to love his Saviour at beft do what he can, but in a very confused, dif- traded, imperfed manner. Another while it afflids and wounds his fpirits, that his Lord at anytime withdraws from him, and hides his amiable face under a cloud, that he cannot behold \i^ as it may now be feen, and himfelf has feen it here- tofore, refleded through the glafs of the word and ordinances ; and for want of this cheating fight, his love, which lives on his fmiles, in its nobler exercifes, languiflies within him. At other times the notori- ous diforders of his own heart, when (ad- ly out of frame, cleaving to the duft of this world, and hardly raifed to converfe with its beloved, barren of fpiritual and affedionate meditations, and ready to ftart back and fteal away from him, even while profeflTedly engaged with him, will have, fpent on them, all thje pafTions of uneafi- nefs, and pain at once ; will diflblve the heart in forrow, pierce it with remorfe, oppre(s it with fliame, and fire it with in- dignation ; fo that the Chriftian will love himfelf lefs beeaufe he loves his Saviour no more, nay loath and abhor himfelf in duft and aflies. Further, fin univerfally will in a fpecial manner be fettled as the conflant objed of the hatred and refent- ment of the foul that loves Jefus $ beeaufe it diflionours, tiifpleafcs, and offends him, • as Love to an unfeen Saviour. 149 as contrary to himlilf, his law, his whole defign 5 and contrary therefore to the love we owe to Chrift everyway, as it reverfes the ftrong obligations his love lays on cur's, and the eftablifli'd maxim for mu- tual love to ad by, which is to hate as well as love together, and as it tends to weaken and fufpend our love to Chrift, as well as to prevent the outgoings of his to us. Reflefting on thefe things, toge- ther with the injury fin has done Chrift already, the real and great pains, both of body and foul, and even death itfelf, which it has put him to ; the Chriftian lover can- not but often pour out his foul in a parti- . cular and more abundant exercife of all the penitential afFedions in regard to his fins. No more will he be reconciled, or contentedly and pleafingly harbour them in his bofom than the friends and neareft relatives of one that has been murdered-, will lodge, proteft, and countenance the murderer, whom rather their love and va- lue for their deceafed friend will prompt them to demand to die for it. In like manner will he alfo hate with keen and irreconcileable averfion all his fins, which have procured the death of his Saviour ; he will mourn with great bitternefs over them ; he will blufli with inward confufion for them ; he will be ftung with hearty remorfe at the thoughts of them j he will L 3 rouic I JO Love to an unfeen Saviour. roufe his zeal and revenge againft them to fuch a pitch as will not be fatisfied till they are driven out of the heart, and pro^ fecuted to death. And all this the fame, and neverthelefs abated, as if fin,, which brought Chrift down to death, had kept him forever the prifoner of the grave ; Cnce it was not for want of malignity and demerit in fin that he was not whol- ly fwallowed up in death, but it was his own vidorious merit and invincible ftrength alone that refcued him from its power. Love to Chrifl: will alfo put on a holy jea- loufy and tender fear, not of Chrift, who . .never gives any occafion to it, being al- ways conftant and faithful in his love ; but of the Chriftian himfelf, left his own inconftant and fickle heart (hould depart more ftill, and in more dangerous degreed from the living God, his Saviour ; of his fins, left his paft follies may have pro- voked a long abfence, and any root of bitternefs ff ringing up hereafter may defile himfelf^ and offend his Saviour ; of all things about him, friends, bufinefs, com- pany, pleafurcs, honours, riches, and di- verfions, which may foon become fnarc$ and charms to catch and hold the heart away from Chrift j and of the final event and confequence, left he fliould ever have his affeftions wholly alienated from Chrift, or appear never to have had any true i Love to an unfeen Saviour. 151 true love to him at all, and left he fliould by any means at lafl: come to be eternally fcparated and baniflied from his prefence, and the privilege of loving, and bemg beloved by him, the very thought of which ftrikes a chill horror into the heatt. I might add alfo, that love to Chrift v^ill engage to a negled and generous con- tempt of v^hatever has nothing of him mixed with its ufe and enjoyment j and that even the ordinances of communion with Chrift, ^ill not pleafe and fatisfy the foul that loves and feeks Jefus in them, but finds him not. And juft as the uneafy paffions are thus moved in the Chriftian's own cafe, for want of the love and enjoyment of Chrift, and what oppofes it : So they will propor- tionably exert themfclves in the cafe of others, when through iniquity abounding the love of many waxes cold. On the contrary, 2.) There will be another refentmcnt in a way of pleafure and facisfadion ; when Chrift is loved and enjoy'd in fpme good meafure anfwerably to the prefent means and provifions y when he reigns all over the heart, and it cleaves to him with fteadyafFeftions; when the foul is confci- ous to its own flames of love afccnding toward Chrift with that upright and fprightly naotion^ as to overcome all re- L 4 fiftance; I J 1 Love to an unfeen Saviour. fiftance ; when he is actually ferved with chearfulnefs and delight, and his intereft, and all that belongs to him is found to be truly and fuperlatively dear to the foul • This pleafes the Chriftian ; he would al- ways be thus afFcded himfelf, and he loves to fee others fo ; affured that one fo de- ferving as Chuift can never be loved e- nough by any. But from the ads and expreflions, let us now proceed, IV. To the properties and charafters of genuine love to Chrift. And they are partly fuch as agree to the nature of this affeftion in the general, and partly fuch as belong to love to Chrift in diftindtion from ail human creature-love, being com- mon to it only with divine love, fuch as indeed it is, and is proved even from hence x.o be ; both diftingu idling the true love of real Chriftians from the falfe and counterfeit affedion many profefs for Chrift. I. Then, true love to Chrift is fincerc %>h. vi. and unfeigned, love incorrupt, as the ex-- ^^' preflion is, which is indeed but another general name, exprefling its truth. Yet it may not be amifi to remark this diftin£t- ly, as a qualification of love, becaufe it is fo common for perfons that bear the name of Chrift, to content themfelves with en^ tertaining ^ Love to an unfeen Saviour. i j 3 tertaining fome general confufed fentiments of refped and honour for him, and paying (bhie deference to him in words and ex- ternal fervices, and never look after the principle, the affedion itfelf, that muft fupport and animate all ads of devotion and (^\y\cz. Now love to Chrift is a real thing of itfelf, diftind from all bodily exercife, and v^hatever outward ads or fruits may feem to import it, which neither will it be without. It has inward adings of its own dired and reflex, fuch as have been reprefented, not profefi'd only, but truly found, and often exercifed in all true Chriftians, fo as to form the habitual pre- valent and approved temper of their fouls ; though not fo perfed, fteady, and con- ftant as they ought to be. II. True love to Chrift is a judicious and rational affedion. Though Chriftians love an unfeen, they don't love an un- known Saviour. Their love is not a blind irrational impulfe, a mere fenfitive com- motion, wrought up to a pitch of fervor, by the force of fancy, and artificial mo- ving language or reprefentations, without judgment, underftanding, or reafon : No, but it is the refult of folid judgment, and rational convidion. It is love according to knowledge ; it pOileftes and employs the judgment chiefly, by its radical ads ; and 1 J 4 hove to an unfeen Saviour. and ir is determined to its more paflionate ads all along under its condud, and not withoac its concurrence : And thus it be- comes valuable and praife-worthy, which it would not, li injudicious and unintelli- gent. All true Chrillians, even thofe of the weakeft minds, who may not be able to give a proper and rational account of the reafons of their faith and love to Chrid, to others ; yet fee clear reafons within themfelves to fatisfy them from their firm belief that he is., and what he is, that they ought to love him, and that he deferves far more love than they, or any others can beftow on him. Hence then, • III. Love to Chrift is free, as being the cffed of rational choice ; and yet more free ftill, as being a fupernatural habit and influenced by divine grace. Divine and Chriftian love is freely given ; and then freely gives itfelf and the. whole foul up Phil.i. 29. jQ QqJ ^^^ Chrift. It is given to us as to believe in, Co to love Chrift ; and unlel5 it be fo given, if we would give all our fubjlance for this love, ufe our utmoft en- deavours in the excitation and improve-^ ment of all our natural powers, for the Sol Song attaining it, it would be utterly contemned ; sm.j. Quj. endeavours would be fruftrate and leave us fliort of the acquifition of it. I We Love to an unfeen Saviour. 1 5: y tVe are drawn^ and fo wc come^ we run J«^^ ^i. after Chrifl:. Divine and Chriftian love Soi. Song has fomcwhat of an inftindive motion in i. 4. it by virtue of a fupernatuial infiifion and influence, and this much quicker, eafier, ftronger. Tweeter, and exerting itfelf more readily on fudden emergencies than the flower operations of reafon can account for : And yet has withal a rational deter* mination grafted on and mixing with the former, by virtue of the admirable con- gruity of the divine attraftion to our H- culties, which makes all the ads of this love properly our own, our own free choice and delight, as much as, and c- ven more than any other whatfoever. IV. True love to Chrifl: is of a very aftive and fruitful nature. There is a great deal of life, fl:rength, and fprightli- nefs in the affeftion of love. It will caufc a perfon to attempt and perform greater a6tions than at other times, and to do them in a braver and nobler manner, with more eafe, difpatch, and fpirit. Thus alfo the Chriflian's love will partake of this quality in a Angular manner. It will make him do and fuffer much for Chrift, and that with a peculiar vivacity and alacri- ty. This is the fpecial working grace ; Faith GsJ. v. 6, works by love. And we read of the labours ' ^^^^' ^' of love. But enough of this has been faid already. V. True 5C> Love to an unfeen Saviour. V. True love to Chrift is entire and univerfal. He is altogether lovely ; and fo mull: be altogether loved, lovecf in his whole charafter, or he is not loved at all. As it would be a criminal excefi to love every thing in mortal creatures, becaufe there is no perfed character on earth, but the bed of men have, their foibles and blemifhes on the part of wifdom, and much more of goodnefs : So it would be a criminal defed in our love to Chrift, and fuch as entirely mars it, if it make any exceptions and referves in its refpeds to him. From whatever view of Chrift the Chriftian's love takes its firft rife as then fuiting him beft, it will never refufe any, but rather lead him to view him all round, and ftill admire, approve, and efteem all. The true Chriftian loves the perfon of Chrift, and whatever belongs to it, either human or divine : loves him in all his offices; loves him as his great high-prieft, in his atone- ment and righteoufnefs, which with thank- ful joy he accepts, as the foundation of all his hope of falvation ; and he loves him no lefs as his Prophet, Pattern,, and King; loves him in the full com pafs of his faving dcfign, as well to fave him from fin as hell ; loves him in all his words, of command as well as pronlife, and in all his works and ways. VI. It Love to an unfeen Saviour. ijy VI. It muft be fupreme. As Chrid muft be loved in all that belongs to his charac- ter: So he muft be loved above all befides both perfons and things in this world. He muft have the fovereign empire of our hearts/ without any rival or competi- tor J and all things elfe be laid at his feet, ever fubordinated and ready to be facri- ficed to his love. He deferves fuch a fu- preme love ; no other fuits his fuper-cmi- nent excellency and merit of us ; and he requires no lefs, afluring us that he who Mat. x. loveth father or mother^ fon or daughter 37- more than hinty is not worthy of him: Nay, that if a perfon hate not thefe, and Luke xiv. his wife, brethren, .and his own life alfo, 26. he cannot be his difciple ; hate them fo iw a comparative fenfe, and in competition with Chrift, that notwithftanding he may and ought to love them with a modera- ted affedion ; yet the thought of their coming into any (hare of that unrivalled love he owes to Chrift, or of his fecur- ing them by keeping them with the lofs of him (hall be odious and abhorred. VII. True love to Chrift is conftant ; it will abide to the end. It may be (ha- ken by the ftorms and blafts of temptati- on ; it may wither in its fruits, and feem ready to die, but yet it lives, and ever fliall, I J 8 Love to an unfeen Saviour, (hall, at the root, which will fprout a- gain ; and {o it will be growing ftill, lefs or more fenfibly and ftrongly, till it at length grow up to its full perfeftion: And this becaufe the watchful care of Chrift and his Spirit is engaged to tend and improve it, by continual and feafon- able (upplies and communications from above. And there is this witnefs givea to its continuance in the Chriftian's own breaft ; that he finds on refleftion it has remained \xi him hitherto, notwithftand- ing feveral revolutions and viciffitudes, feveral doubts and fears often had about its truth and abiding ; and further, that it is his fteady purpofe and fixed refolu- tion through divine grace to go on in the ufe of his beft endeavours for his own part to love Chrift alway to the end, coft what it will, not brooking the thought of his departing from Chrift any more than Chrift departing from him. VIII. And laftly, This love to Chrift is great, fb as to become unfpeakable and full of glory ; as the text declares the joy of thefe Chriftians, a fruit of their feith and love to have been. This cha- rader eminently belongs to the degrees and livelier ads of love in Chriftians of confiderable attainments ; though all true Chriftian love partake of it in diftindion from Love to an unfeen Saviour. i y9 from human creature-love, being fo poor, mean, litcle, and empty. Great and glo- rious is the love of Chriftians to their Lord, in itfelf confidered, and v^ith re- gard to the objeft at all times, as not only ennobling, but enlarging and diverfifying it in fuch manner that there is no other love like to it, none fuch an happy com- pound of all the forts as it were of love in one ; the profoundeft veneration and homage, fuch as is paid by fubjefts to their prince, mixed with the fweeteft fa- ^^^^* ^''- miliarity, fuch as is ufed between brethren. Soj^ s^ng It is alfo great love, fo as to be unfpeak- via. i. able with regard to the Chriftians own fenfe about it. For he finds he loves Chrift more than he can poflibly utten And no wonder love is too big for the tongue to exprefe when it is often too big for the heart to contain. How have holy fouls fometimes felt fuch a largeneft of heart, in the prefent exercifes of theit love to Chrift, and in the ftrong notion formed of more due than they can find any meafure for ; that they have been op« prefled by their own love, both what they have found work in them, and what more, with their mind and heart, they have been reaching after s and thus they have been in pain at once with keeping in their love, and more fo in feeking a vent for it? " O i how I love thee, crys *' thea li^o Love to an unfeen Saviour. " then the Chriftian, my God, my Sa- *' viour ! my tongue is too feeble to de- " clare, my heart cannot well conceive *^ how much I do, and how much more I " would, love thee, being never capable of ** loving thee enough, anfwerably to what " thou deferveftand makeft provifion for." And this love x^ alfo glorious, or glo- rified, as the original is, glorified in itfclf as well as its objefts ; becaufe it produces glorious effeds ; it is triumphant and vic- torious over all difficulties and oppofitions ; and it is the beginning of heavenly and eternal glory; it borders on, and is an carneft and prelibation of the heavenly ftatc; where love, and that, pure love of joy will be crowned, abfolutely perfed and completely glorious indeed. And thus then I have confidered what belongs to the nature of love to Chrift. it remains, to (hew, V. How faith accounts for this love in want of fight, fo that this fliould not in reafon be any obftruftion to, while yet it is a commendation of it. And, Firjl-^ then let us fee how faith contains a juft reafon and account for loving Chrift, •^^ though never feen. Than which nothing will appear more manifeff, if we only confider what faith is ; in thefe two parts wherein the apoftle fums it up. A I, That Love to an tinfeen Saviour. I. That, it is the evidence of things not feen. Though we have never feen Chrift in perfon ; yet we are not without a furc teftimony and record to which we may have recourfe when we pleafe, in the fa- cred fcnpcures, giving us a full and parti* cular account of all thofe things relating to Chrift, which have been before repre- fented, and muft in all reafon be allowed fufficient grounds of the higheft love to him. If this teftimony then be but be- lieved, and that as the teftimony of God and fo infallible, on thofe evidences, there arc for it equally as good at leaft as there are for the truth of any teftimony (as might eafily be made appear) ; then it is plain, that this knowledge of faith ought to have the fame effed on our love as if we faw Chrift with our eyes. For it is not the manner of our coming to the knowledge of any objeft, but our know- ledge itlelf whatever way had of its ex- iftence and being worthy of our love; oii which the adual giving it, according to the capacity we are in of fo doing, does and ought in reafon to depend. And in- deed a great part of the things of Chrift, are of that nature, that they muft at all times be matters of faith, not fight, fuch as are, his divinity and excellent perfon, his love to men, and the whole defign of his undertaking j fo that at leaft, in rela- c M tion i6i Love to an unfeen Saviour. tion to thefe things for which Chrift is chiefly to be loved, either no love muft be fuppofcd due to him, or capable of be- & ing given, or elfe it muft be allov^ed that in the cafe even of perfonal fight, other things muft found love to Chrift on the fingle evidence of faith refting on a fufficient divine teftimony, than ever can be feen ; and fo far we are perfedly on a level as to both believing and confequently loving Chrift, with thofe who faw him in the flefh. Yet ftill it is not fufficient barely to believe or profefs to believe thefe things, but we muft exercife fuch a firm fteady realizing perfuafion about them in our own minds, as true faith requires, anfwer- ably to the nature of the things believed, and the provifion made in the gofpel for faith's converfing with them : And thus Ephef. iii. indeed Chrijl will dwell in our hearts by *7- love, in neceflary confequence of his dwelling there by faith j efpecially if we further confider, II. That faith is the ftibflance of things Heb. XI. fjopedfor, as well as the evidence of things not feen, A foundation is laid in the gof- pel for hope of men's deriving the great- eft good from Chrift, who is there pro- pofed to them under this fpecial amiable view, as carrying on a defign, which God had taken up for their falvation and hap- pinefsja view, for want of which in their cafe, Love to an rmfeen Saviour. i ^x cafe, as left defperate, the fallen angels can have no love to God or Chrift, though well known by them fupremely amiable. For hope is a neceflary fource of love in regard to an objed we abfolutely depend on. Now it is the part of true faith to receive the gofpel-record of Chrift, not only as true and faithful, but as thus good and worthy of all acceptation, with a particular application to ourfelves ; and (o to give it a fubfiftence within our own minds, as matter of joyful pleafing hope and expedation j and yet further, to lead us adually to rely on Chrift, till we come in virtue hereof to have a real intereft 'm. and communion with him; and then it may b^ome by degrees, an appropriating faith, afTuring us that we are his, and caufmg us to hope for the future, that though we now fee him not, yet we fhall in a little time fee him as he is, and be for ever with the Lord. Here then the experience and tafte of Chrift being gra- cious, joined with a good hope of being made happy for ever in and with him, entering into faith in him, and fuper- added to the former affent and confent, muft certainly in all reafon be allowed fufficiently to over-rule the want of not feeing him, fo that it fliould be no ob- ftrudion againft loving him. Which was the firft thing here to be confider'd ; and ' yet, M % Secondly^ 1 64, Love to an unfeen Saviour. Secondly y Wane of feeing Chrift, though | no reafonable bar againft loving him, muft ^ be allowed to import fome greater com- mendation of love under this circuraftance than in the cafe of perfonal fight. Our Lord plainly determines this, in the cafe of Joh. XX. faith thus ciraimftanced. Blejjed^ fays he, 29' that is, ipccu\m\Y blejfed are they that have notfeerty 2is thou, Thomas^ haft done, and yet have believed. And of love, there is the very fame reafon as of faith, from which it fprings. And this arifes, as to both, from hence in fliort, (for we cannot now particularly purfue the cafe of either) ; that the difficulty and trial is greater on us to believe and love where all the reafons and grounds for both are purely intern^ in the mind, than when thefe are mixed with feve- ral that are external and fenfible, which lat- ter naturally ftrike us more forcibly. And by how much more difficulty we furmount in performing our duty, and readinefs we hereupon exprefs for it without being dif- couraged and held back by any difadvan- tagcs attending it, while it is ftill fuffici- ently notified and enforced, though not | in the fulleft manner and degree, being however that which God fees fit to ufe toward us, and fo we acquiefce in, com- ply with it, and ftrive to carry it as far as ever we can, even fo as to believe as firmly, and love as ftrongly and paffio- nately Love to an unfeen Savtour. 1 6^ nately, with fewer and Icfs moving, as if we had many more, and the moft fenfi- ble engaging means, minding and ufing fo much the more carefully, the fubftantial reafons we have for faith and love, by how much lefs we have of the feveral affefting circumftances that attend the propofal of* them to others 5 this (hews a noblenefs of mind, and ingenuity of fpirit, the proper pitch of true virtue, which cannot but be very grateful and acceptable to God, as doing an honour to him. But I come now, VI. And laftly, To the improvement of this fubjeft ; which (hall be only in two ufes. Firjl then. How much fliould we be concerned to obferve the too obvious want of love to Chrift in the Chriftian world, and withal to enquire whether it be not wanting in our own hearts alfo > When we refleft on the things that enter into the nature of genuine love to the Redeemer, and then take but a general and more tranfient furvey of mankind 5 alas ! where is this love to be found ? How feldom do we difcern any probable ap- pearances of thofe fruits that argue the truth ; and feldomer ftill fuch that argue the power of this principle reigning in the hearts and lives of men ? Oh ! how rare are the examples of firft love, enqui- ring and panting after Chrift with that M 3 over- 1^6 Love to an unfeen Saviour. overbearing vehemency that will fufFer no repulfe, filling the mind with thofe nu- merous and delightful thoughts of him that will hardly admit room for any others, and exerting icfelf in other fuch like kind- ly and remarkable fruits that have ufed •to diftinguilh the love of efpoufals to Chrift, not only from other inferior love, but even from other Chriftian love ? And then again, what fad, but jaft occafion, is there for that complaint againft others, .. that they have left their firjl love ? How ' do all in a manner /^^^ their own^ not the philii.21. things of J ejus Chrtji ? And how many inftead of that hearty and fupreme love for him, which is our diftinguifliing cha- * ra6ter and glory as Chriftians, have grown weary of his name, and are for cafting it out ? So that would the Son of Man now Luk.xviii. ^^^^^ wouU he indeed find faith or love on the earth? But, there is yet a nearer and clofer concern we have in this mat- ter, and that is, to examine our own hearts whether the true and fupreme love of Chrifl be found there. And one would think this were a point that might be brought to a determinate and fpeedy ifTue ; fince love is of fuch a nature that it can- not cafily conceal itfclf For who knows pot what he either loves or hates ? And indeed, the convidion of thofe who have not the love of Chdfl: in them, would not Love to an unfeen Saviour. 1 6y not be very difficult, if they would but ufe a little refieftion or faithfulnefs with themfelves; for fo they will find either no workings of heart toward Chrift at all, or none that bear the leaft proportion for eafe, approbation, fupremacy, fixednefi, and vigor of purfuit, to what they feci to other things. But then the iflue on the other fide of the queftion has fome- what more of difficulty ; and the true Chriftian, as on other accounts, fo is apt to bcfufpicious of himfelf on thofe which even prove him to be a Chriftian ; fuch as on the one hand, his high fenfe of the tranfcendent worth of Chrift requiring fuch an extraordinary meafure of love, that he cannot but be deeply ftruck at his finding nothing in himfelf anfwerable to it ; and on the other hand, the odiouf- nefs and danger of not loving Chrift, to- gether with the joyful confequence of loving him in truth, which being pre- fented to the mind in a ftrong light, makes the event here appear fo momentous and important (and greater indeed there can be none) that a wrong judgment cannot but be dreaded, and a forvv^ard hafty de- termination avoided. Well but now let every one thus aftefted improve thefe his Jealoufies, fears and anxious follicitudes into grounds of hope. For they arefure indications of a love of fixed and fupcrlativo M 4 cfteem 1^8 Love to an unfeen Saviour. cfleem and inclination to Chrirt: lying at the bottom of the heart. I muft refer it to every one at his own leifure, to bring his heart to the touchftone of love to Chrift, that the feveral forementioned ads and properties thereof contain-, which fliould often and ferioufly be done, not without prayer to God that he would fearch and try us, and fometimes an ap- peal to Chrift: himfclf whenever his love feems to ftir in us, in fome fuch manner . as that of TeUr^ Lord^ thou kmweft that I -..'-17^^' 1 love thee, or at leaft, that I would, I defire to love thee. And now what re- mains, but that we, Secondly, Suffer the word of exhorta- tion, to give to Chrift all the love we are capable of, fuitable to his glorious dig- nity, and the obligations he has laid on us, heartily and bitterly lamenting withal, our fin and folly in having withheld from him fo long and fo much, what has been his due. If we have never yet truly loved him, (o often as we have had his lovely and attractive charms difplay'd before us ; Oh ! what tears arc fufficient to bewail this bafenefs of our hearts ? And what time can be too early to begin to love him ? If we have the root of love to him in our hearts, yet cannot but be fenfiblc how often it has been bound up, and hindred from fpringing out in its proper I bloffpnas Love to an unfeen Saviour. i6y bloffbms and fruits by our negleft of it, while we have been exhaufting our fpirits and ftrengch on the worthlefs growth of this defert world : Let us now being a- flianied and grieved for mifplacing thus weakly and wickedly our time and affec- tions, replace them where they ought to be principally employ'd ; Jirengthen the things that remain^ which art ready to die^ and ftrive not only to recover our firft love, but advance it ferther than ever. In order to excite and aflifl: you herein, I would throw promifcuoufly together a few hints, partly direftive, partly perfua-f five of love to Chrift : In purfuing which, and making all the efforts you arc able on your own hearts, as you ought, you mufl flill look up to the Spirit of grace for his concurring influences, effeftually to fecure the firft implantation, and all the after fruits of this love as well as every grace. Let us then, as we would get and far- ther improve in love to the Redeemer converfe with him much by faith ; fee to it that we have real faith in him, firmly believing whatever the fcripture reveals concerning him, and that, on that con- vincing evidence, there is for this, which we fliould fcek to inform ourfelves of as fully as we arc able ; and then fee to it, that our faith have its perfeft work, \vi realizing 1 70 Love to cin unfeen Saviour. realizing him to our thoughts, fo as to^ fill our minds with the prefent clear and' fteady views of him, and in committing our fouls to him, that we may obtain an in- tercft in him, and gain experiences of his grace, evidences of our relation to him, and lively hopes of being for ever with him ; and thus the way for love to em- brace and cleave to him will be made plain. -— Let us alfo confider often the excellency of loving him,. How (afe is this love ? Safe from all danger of hurtful and finful exceffes : He being God himfelf^ and deferving fupreme love, together with his Father ; who is honoured and loved with and through the Son, in all the love we give him : Safe alfo from all difap- pointments, fmce Chrift makes provifion for all the appetites of love, and that for ever. So that here this affedion may give itfelf a full loofe, without any reftraint : But fo no mortal love muft % for being in- dulged in a free and large manner with- out a conftant watch and check on it, ic both quickly becomes guilty, and defeats itfelf, being then only fecure of inno- cence, and from fretting difappointments, when exercifed with moderation and cau- tious referve, without expecting either a full or a long gratification. -— How fair and pleafant alfo is this love for delights / What a grace and beauty is there in it ? ^ How Love to an unfeen Saviour. 171 How feemly and comely ? And is it not a love made wholly for pleafuue ? So from the pare of Chrift it is in a manner alto- gether, as has been (hewed. And if there be any uneafinefTcs go into it from our own part, chiefly bccaufe it is per- formed no better to him, they become agreeable, becaufe meet and fuitable. - — ^ But in all'^ other love, uneafineffes and pains fpring up on every fide ; the beft and mod: generous fiiendfliips are partner- fliips moftly of woe and grief? — How ufeful and profitable too is this love ? It is its own reward by the pleafurc its ex- ercife gives ; and it draws after it a fure reward ; fmce Chriil: as fir ft, will be alfo laft in this mutual love of friendfliip, ma- c t t,« ^r-i See John king ample returns or larger communica- xiv. 21, tions of love and grace to thofe that love ^3- him? The Chriitian lover (hall never fuf- fer the anguifli of loving and not being loved again. And what harm can it ever do us to love Chrift, fince whatever it may coft us to maintain, he will furely pay, and that with a rich overplus ? — This love is alfo open for us to take up, cultivate, and gratify. It \s, much, confidering how glorious our Saviour x'^, and how contemp- tible we are, that he will give us leave to love him, and accept our love ! And yet more than this, he invites and com- mands oqr loye, and that with fuch im- portunity jyt Love to an unfeen Saviour. portunity and earneftnefs as if he were to be happy in it, when yet it is all for our fakes, that he may fill this affedion, which nothing elfe can. Nor does he except any j but all are welcome to love him, that will, and fo as to be loved by him again, even thofe who are of fuch difagreeablc charafters, that few men of ingenuity or delicacy will either love or care much to be loved by. And is love to Chrifl: thus laid open on his fide ? We fure fliould the rather for this, from an ingenuity of temper, ftrive to keep it open on ours, and for this end ufe as we may, all the creatures as friends of the bridegroom, to condud us into his em.braces, and not permit them to be rivals to intercept our love from him. — • And after all, muft we not fee then the folly, bafcnefs, ingrati- tude, and extreme danger of not loving Chrift ? Can any thing be more ftupid and unnatural than this ? For what end have we this affedion if we don't employ it on the objed that beft fuits and only gra-^ tifies it ? Will it not be an eternal brand on the human nature in all who have the power of love, and have heard of the rich and moft fiaitable provifion that is in Chrift to give it full fcope and perfedion, and have had the offer of him made to their love ; to fuffer it never truly and fuU ly to pafs on him, but ftill to weary it- fclf Love to an tinfeen Saviour. 17J felf in the reftlefs piirfuit of worldly ob- jeds after this paflion has been defeated a thoufand times in this chafe, and would be fo, if it were to go on in it to eterni- ty ? What account can any give to him- ' felf, if he ufe never fo little reflexion, for the very folly of this condud > And can there be any thing more ungrateful > What! prefer every thing, every creature, every trifle, every vain plcafure, every for- did luft to thy Saviour, who has already done and fuffered fo much to merit thy beft and higheft affedions, and now free- ly offers thee the largeft fupplies of good to entertain them? What unparallelled, monftrous ingratitude is this ! which can- not fure but have a dreadful puniQiment equal to its black guilt ; and accordingly has denounced againft it one of the (e- vereft curfes which the whole book of God contains. For thou art curfed^ now, See i Cor. whoever thou art^ that lovejlnot the Lord^^^' ^^' Jefus Chriji, nntil^ and wilt feel the full weight and execution of this curfe when the Lord /hall come. And further, let us confider what affociatcs and companions we join ourfelves to, on the one hand, when we don't love the blefTed Jefus : In which cafe we are confederates with the curfed fpirits of hell, and even outfin de- vils, who never were invited and encou- ?:aged as we are, to love Chrift, who is no 174 /'<^^ This is really prepofterous and amazing. But they that know Chrift themfelves, and are caird to preach him to others, have no reafon to be afraid or afliam'd to own him, and to fpread his glories thro' all their holy miniftrations. The apoftles counted him the glory of theirs : All their preaching was charafterized by their preaching Chriji, it ccnter'd in him, and derived its efficacy from him. And I hope there are ftill fome among us, that reverence and adore his (acred name, and would count it their glory to be able to 2 Cor. ii. fay with them, Thanks be to Gody who '^' '7- always caufeth us to triumph in Chrijly and maketh manifejt the favour of his knowledge by us m every place, •-— • For we are not as many^ which corrupt the word of God; but as ofjincerity^ but as of God, in the fight of Godfpeak we in Chrtjl. The apoftle Paul, fpoken of in our ttyXy began his miniftry with preach- ing Chrtjl, and perfifted in it to the end Qtt his days ; tho' he himfelf was once as infamous The IntroduBion. 1 7 p infamous for his furious oppoficion to him, as he afterwards was famous for his zea- lous preaching him. He in our context is caird by his Jewijh name Sauh, but afterwards, when he was made the apo- ftle of the Gentiles^ he was commonly known by his Roman name Paul^ the more acceptable name to them. In the beginning of this chapter we find him breathing out threatnings and Jlaughter againjl the difciples of the Lordy and going with fanguinary credentials from the Jewijh Sanhedrim to Damafcus^ that if he found any of them^ whether they were men or women^ he might bring them bound to Jerufalem. But Chrift met him in the way, and by a remarkable conduit of providence and grace reveal'd himfelf to him, gave an efFedual turn to his mind and heart, favour'd him with a vifion, and . fili'd him with the Holy Ghoft. He then ftaid certain days with the difciples at Damafcus. And Jlraightway he preached Chrijl in the fynagogues^ that he is the Son of God, This account runs^thro' the chapter, as far as our text. What an amazing change was here t what a monument of diftinguifliing {q- vercign grace was this ! He of a vile and bigotted perfecutor, became a real Chri- ftian, and an eminent minifter of Chrift at once. He call'd upon his name, and N % prcach'd 1 8o The IntroduBion. Gal. i. preached him to others. The gofpel that Ve, '^' was preached of him, was not after man. For be neither received it of man, neither was he taught it, but by the revelation of Jefus Chr^. And when it pleafed Gody who feparated him from his mother* s womb y and called him by his grace, to reveal his Son in him, — immediately he conferred not withflefh and blood. Bur, as we have it in our text, he Jlraightway preached Chrijl, Out of the abundance of his heart his mouth fpake. He no fooner knew Chrift, but took the firil: opportu- nity to preach him in the fynagogues of 'DamafctiSy where he then was. There were more fynagogues than one in that city, as there were in feveral others. And the apolHe went to all thefe, or to as many of 'em as he could be admitted to J and there began his miniftry, preach- ing Chrift, that he is the Son of God, Or, as it might be rendered, ^ He preach- ed Chrift, becaufe he is the Son of God. The firit way of reading it intimates what he particularly preach'd concerning Chrift, viz. that he is the Son of God. And the other gives the reafon of his preach- ing Chrift, viz. becaufe he is the Son of God. In farther difcourfing on thefe words, It may be proper to confider, Fil-ft, The IntroduBton. i8i Firft, Ihe titles or char dieters, that de- fcribe the fuhje£i of the apojlle's miniftry^ and, Secondly, His preaching upon thatfub- jeB, Let us confider, Firft, The titles or charaEiers that de- fer the the ftihje5i of the apoftUsminiftry. And they are Chriji^ the Son of God. Here are two charafters of him, whom the apoftle preach'd. They both relafe to the fame perfon, but are terms of dif- ferent import. Otherwife the meaning of the propofition in our text would be only this, " He preach'd Chrift, that he is ^' Chrift. " Or, according to the othei: reading, " He preach'd Chrift, becaufe " he is Chrift." But I apprehend the term, Chrijl, more immediately relates to his office ; and the Son of God, to his original nature, or divine perfon. And as the laft of thefe is the foundation of the firft, the order of difcourfe requires that we begin with that. Therefore, I. The frji title to be fpoken to is the Son of God, Chrift is often call'd in Scripture the Son of God, his own Son, his only begot* ten Son, and by way of eminence and. peculiarity, the Son, in diftindion frona the Father and Spirit, and from all other fons, N 3 In 1 8 2 The Son of God In treating on this title, the Son of Gody I (hall by divine afliftance aim at two things. I. Settle the fenfe or meaning of it. And, z. Offer fomething to fupport that mean- ing. I. Settle the fenfe or meaning of this title, the Son of God. And here fome difficulties muft be re- moved before this charafter can be adjuft- ed. Twill therefore beft anfwer my de- fign to proceed by the three following propofitions. Prop. I. The foundation of this title^ the Son of God, doth not lye in his extra- ordinary conception and birth of the virgin. J,uke i. Th^ Socinians place it here, and their principal argument for it lies in the an- gel's words, when he faid to the virgin, The Holy Ghojljhall come upon thee, and the power of the Highefifhalloverjhadow thee : Therefore alfOy that holy thing which /hall he born of thee, Jhall be called the Son of God. But their conceit, built upon this paP- fage, as i{ Chrift's filiation took its rife from this 'extraordinary conception and birth, fuppofes that he was not the Son of God before, and that this title belongs to him only pn the account of what he was is a divine Title. 183 was according to theflejh. Both of which are fuppoficions directly contrary to the whole current of fcripture, as will appear in fome following parts of our difcourfe. The dcfign therefore of this paflage is not to give an account of the original proper 9^y^^f'^^ foundation of that name; but I take the ^^2^">^ meaning of it, as it lies in our trandation, ^ ^^^^-<^ to be, that the produftion of Chrift's hu- 0, ^ >^^^ ^ man nature, in this extraordinary way by the Holy Ghoft-, was an intimation of , ^^. . the dignity of his glorious perfon, to "/J^y^^^^... whom itfliould be united ; that he is in^ ^/^^* deed the Son of God : And therefore ^/?/?^ aJ'^Vw^V ' holy thing that flooiild be born of her^ fhould '^^ "Z'-^i^ bear his name, ox fhouU be called the Son i,-*^^ /^^ of God, And foic amounts to much the ^tj-^ fame fenfe with what was fpoken of the > Lord by the prophet, faying, Behold a vir- Mat.i.2K^ gin /hall be with child, and JJjall bring ^'^// forth a Son, and they JJjall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is God with us. This is a citation of an ancient prophe* cy in Ifa, vii. 14. And the angel in his meflage to Mary had intimated thaty2?^ was the virgin there intended, faying to her. Behold thou /halt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, that Son Luk.isu whofe name fliould be called Emmanuel, and with a reference hereunto, he tells her, that her conception, while a virgin, N 4 fliQuM 184 ^^^ Son of God fliould be by the Holy Ghoft, which would evidence her to be the mother of that Emmanuel ; and therefore, according to that evidence, that holy thing which JhoM be horn of her^ Jhould be called the Son of God. But there is another way of tranflating this lad claufe of the verfe, and that is, Even becaufe {^lo nai) that holy things which fhall be born of thee, floall be call'd the Son of God. And fo his being call'd the Son of God, or his really being fo (as this phrafe often fignifies) is gi- ven as the reafon of this extraordinary birth, inftead of the extraordinary birth's being given as the reafon of his bearing that name. It was highly fit that his birth fliould be of this extraordinary miraculous kind, becaufe of the dignify of his per- fon, as the Son of God. Hence, Prop. II. It is not barely a title of of- fice^ or a title merely relative to his being the Mejfiah. The Socinians carry on the fonfliip of Chrifl: from his birth, to his miflion, re- lurredlion from the dead, and exaltation at the Fathers right hand. And their principal fcriptures and arguments upon thefe heads have of lare years been adop- ted, and urged with additional force, by rpmip others, tho' with a coarrary view ; 4 and a divine Title. 1 8 y and therefore what may be anfwered to thefe, will be an anfwer to them. Some, whom I love and honour, and who have exalted (cntiments of the pro- per divinity of our dear Lordj have fup- pofed that his filiation, or his being call'd the Son of God, hath no reference to his divine pre*exiftent nature, confider'd abfolutely, or irrefpeftively to his office 5 but is purely oeconomical, and only relates to his being the Mcfliah. Thefe, contra- ry to the Socinians^ advance this pofition with a good dcfign for the honour of Chrift; but I humbly think, without fuf- ficjent evidence, and with much more difadvantage than advantage, in the whole, to the glorious caufe they intend to ferve by ic. The main foundation of their hypo- thefis, as far as I can learn, lies in the way of prefacing his fonfliip, as they appre- hend ir, in TfaL \u 7. and of applying it to Chrift in the new teftament. They plead that his fonfiiip is fpoken of in that Pfalm, as the refuk of a decree. I will ^^^^-'^^-l^ declare the decree ; the Lord hath faid unto me. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And this, fay they, \% apply'd in AEis xiii. 51, 35. to the re- furreclion of Chrift, which was the great proof of his being the Meffiah, or the Son of God 5 accordingly it is apply'd ill 1^6 TToeSono^Qod inHek I 5. and v. j. to his mcdiatoti^ office. And thefe arc the only places, where it is cited in the new Teftament. But, admitting that this decree relates to God*$ faying, Thou art my Son^ this day have I begotten thee^ it may very well be underftood as refpefiing, not the ori" ginaly but the evidence and declaration of his fonfliip. God the Father had decreed that it fhould be remarkably demonftrated, or manifefted by his rcfurredion from the dead ; and therefore die apoftle applies it to that great event in the 'foremenrion'd ji£is xiii. 32, 35. IVe declare unto you glad tidings^ how that the promife which was made unto the fathers, GodhathfuU , jiWd the fame to us their children, in that he hath raifed up Jefus again ; as it is alfo written in the Jecond Pfalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. But he was the Son of God before this ; and therefore in another place he is faid, not to be made or conjlituted, but declared to Rom. i. 3, be the Son of God with power ^ accordmg ♦• to the Spirit of holinefs, by the refurre£iion from the dead, in oppofition to what he was as the feed of David according to the fiefJj, His rcfurrciflion was the higheft demonflration, that he was indeed the Son of God, as he had often afferted him- felf to be ; for otherwife, after he had J Cor. been crucify d thro' weaknefSy he would ^'"- ^* ncycj* a divine Title. 187 never have lived again by the power of God, And it was an equal demonftra- tion, that he vv^as the Son of God, par- taking of the fame divine nature and ef- fential properties with the Father, if by the Spirit of hoJinefs we underftand, as fome do, his divine nature ; becaufe he thereby raifcd himfelf from the dead. Ac- cordingly he fpoke of his refurreftion as his own aft, and as what he performed by his own power. Vejlroy this temple^ and John ii. in three days I will rai ft it tip. He /pake l^*^^^' of the temple of his body. And at another 18. ^ ^^* time, / lay down my lije^ that I might take it again, I have power to lay it dowHy and I have power to take it again. But, after all, why may not the Preface in the Cccond Pfalmy viz, I will declare the decree^ relate to what follows in the next verfe, Ask of me, and I will give thee Prai. ii. s. the heathen for thine inherit ance, and the uttermofl parts of the earth for thy poffef fan ? This is without all difpute the ob- je£l: of a divine decree : And the words. Thou art my Souy this day have I begotten thee, may be confidered as a parenthefis, to fpccify the perfon concern'd in this decree, and to intimate the Father's great delight in him and approbation of him, as fit for, and worthy of the high truft and revenue he had decreed to him. The decree relates to a futurity; but Thou 88 The Son of God Thou art my Son^ this day have I be- gotten thee, exprefTes fomething already cxiftenc ; and therefore to refer the decree to this, makes the language not fo natural, as to refer it to God's giving his Son the heathen for his inheritance^ dec. And it is obfervable, that tho' the words, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee^ are three times quoted in the new tefta- ment, they are never quoted with this preface, as if his fonfliip were the matter of a decree. In this light we may take the quotation of them in A£ts xiii. 52,, 35. to carry this fenfe, " God hath raised up Jefus again, and thereby given tefti- mony to his being the promifed Mefliah. It hereby appears that he, who called himfelf the Son of God, is that Meffiah, as it is alfo written, to defcribe him, in the fecond Pfalm, Thou art my Son, this day have J begotten thee, " Another place where this paflage is cited, is Heb. i, 5. To which of the angels faid he at any time. Thou art my Son, this day have 1 begotten thee ? Here I humbly conceive it is brought in to fet out the original dignity of the perfon of Chrirf above the angels, according to the grand defign of this chapter, as an introduction to the glory and perfe6lion of his prieft- hood. And tho' the following words in the clofe of the verfe. And again, I will be a divine Title. i8p be a Father to him, and he /hall be my Son, fliould be fuppofed to have a reference to his office-capacity ; yet there is no nc- ceflity that the foregoing words, which are ftronger and more emphatical, (hould be confined to the fame reference. For as thefe are quotations of different texts, that were fpoken on different occafions, why may they not be apply*d to Chrifl under different confiderations of him, by which he appears to be (uperior to the angels, and the foundation of which lies in his eternal relation to the Father, as his only begotten Son ? One of thefe tefti- monies may relate to his original dignity as the Son ; and the other to the Father's peculiar love and care of him as Media- tor, that he would treat him as a father treats his fon j and both are proper proofs of his fuperiority to the angels. But to keep up the governing view of his origi- nal dignity, as the eternal Son of God, which (hines thro' all his office, and is the foundation of all his glory in the dis- charge of it , the apoftle immediately proceeds in the following verfes to the twelfth verfe, to reprefent him under di- flinguifhing characters of Deity, as the objed of the worfliip of angels ; as God, whofe throne is for ever and ever ; and as that Jehovah that laid the foundation of the earth, and remains unchangeably the feme. , The i^a The Son of God The laft place where this text is cited, andapply'dtoChrift, isjF^^^. v. y. where It is (aid, Chrijl glorvffd not him/elf to be made an highfrteft-, hut he that /aid unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I be- gotten thee. Some fuppofe it is hereby intimated, that Chrift became our high- pricft by God's faying this to him ; ot becaufe he faid to him, Thou art my Son, tec. But I can fee no connexion in the words to lead us to this fenfe. It feems mod natural to fuppofe that they are oiily defcriptive of the perfon conftituting, and of the perfon conftituted in this office, viz, the eternal Father, and his eternal Son. Hence, Prop. III. This title hath a reference to Chrijts divine pre-exijlent nature, or to his intrinfick eternal relation to the Father in the Godhead, I take the Son of God, to be a title originally founded in a neceflary eternal generation, which is peculiar to him, and altogether above our conception as to the manner of it j but according to which be is and always was partaker of the fame nature, and effential perfections with the Father, perfonally diftinguiflied from him, and neceflarily co-exiftent with him. And as the Son of God is that divine per- fon of the facred Three, that was to be I chc a divine Title. ipi the Mefliah, this title is often ufed to cha- radlerize him as fuch, in teftimony of his Deity, and in diftindlion from the Father and Spirit. Hence it was exceeding pro- per that this title fliould be folemnly de- clared at his incarnation^ when he was to enter upon the difcharge of his glori- ous office ; and at his refurre£iion, whea he had finiflied the work his Father gave him to do upon earth ; and it was as proper, that he fliould be commonly known and diftinguiflied all along by it, when he is fpoken of as the Chrtfi ; be* caufe his divinity was cfTential to the dif- charge of his office, and was mani- fefted by it. He was called the Son of God at his birth, for the fame reafon as he was call'd j^i^t^.g- Emmamiely God with us, to intimate his divine dignity, and what a mighty Saviour he fliould be. But this was no more the original of his being the Son, than it was of his being God. It was only a declara- tion of his title, which he had a divine right to before, in like manner as God's order, that all the angels fhould worjhip fjct, i. Q. him^ at his bringing htm into the worlds was a declaration of his being the proper objcd of their worfliip, which he really was, and had a divine right to be before. He was likewife declared to be the Sofi ^^^ j of God, by his refiirre£}mfrom the dead^ But I pi The Son of God But this could not be to begin a ticle,» which he unqueftionably had before. It was only to acted: the truth of that title, as it appeared in the divine power by which he raifed himfelf, and in his Fa- ther's owning him to be, what he had of- ten caird himfelf, the Son of God, and to aflure us of the infinite dignity and ac- ceptablenefs, that his divine perfon gave to the facrifice he had offered to take a- way fin. And his being fo often charaderized as the Son of Gody when he was fpoken of as the Mefliah, is no more an argument againfl: his having that title on the account of his divine nature ; than his being fo often charaderized as the Son of Man^ when at other times he was fpoken of as the MeiTiah, is an argument againll: his having that title on the account of his partaking of the true nature of man. Tho* the Son of God, the Son of Man^ the King of Ifrael, and the Chriji, were promifcuoufly ufed for one another ; yet they were not merely exegetical of each other, without any variation of the idea. They were indeed diftinguifiiing appella- tions or denominations of the (ame per- fon ; fo that he, who was the Son of God, and the Son of Man, was the MefHah, and the King of Ifrael,andwe verfa. But the Son of God, and the Son of Man, were a d'tvine Tttle. were denominations of him from his di- vine and human natures j and the Chrifl:, and the King of I(rael, from his office, / It is freely allow'd chat the diftind ma'ti-/ net of the divine fubfiftences, and conic-/ quently the eternal generation of thcj Son, and their relations ad intra are* inconceivable 5 and infinitely above all that we are acquainted with ; and all im- perfedion muft be removed from them. But unle(s there are eternal intrinfick re- lations between them, by which they are diftindperfons,irrefpe£i:ive to oeconomical adings, Sabellianifm is unavoidable. And if the Father^ Son, and Spirit, are not terms that the fcripture ufes to exprefs thofe relations, I know no others that bid (bfair for it 5 and at length, perhaps, the relations themfelves may come to be call'd only oeconomical. k therefore feems ne- ceflary to confider thefe diftindive titles, as names belonging to, and expreflive of their original relations to each other, that we may keep up the idea of their real eternally neceffary and diftind fubfiftences in the one undivided Godhead. And while thefe relations, and confequently the generation of the Son, are confider- ed as abfolutely neceffary and eternal, they neither can be proved to be impoffible, or inconfiftent with the independency and O necef- 193 ip4 ^^ ^^^ ^f G^^ neceflary fubfiftence of the Son in the felf-exiftcnt Godhead. Nor can I fee any incongruity in fup- poling that the fcripture rcprefents Chrift", as the Son of God, fomecimes when his original nature is fpoken of abfoliitely, and at other times when he is fpoken of in his office- capacity. Nay, there feems to be a neceflity that his titles originally di- vine, fliould be fometimes mentioned with relation to his office, that we may know what a great and glorious Meffiah we have. How elfe fliould it appear with 5 Tim. ft^ll and proper evidence, that he is God iii- 16. manifefted in the flejh ? And if but one inftance can be found, where this title hath no relation to his office, that one inftance will be a fufficient proof, that it belongs to his original nature. Having thus fettled the fenfe or mean- ing of this title, the next thing that lies before usis to ^ ' . - . 2, Offer fomet king to fiipport this fenfe \ Or , ;-' '.■':• - Shew that more is intended by this ytitle, the Son of God, than a denomina- tion of him as Mediator, or as born of the virgin, and proved to be the Meffiah by his refurredion from the dead ; and that therefore it muft have a reference to his divine pre-exiftent nature, or to his intrinfick eternal relation to the Father in the a dtv'me Tale. ip5 the Godhead. To evince this, let us confider the following things, (i.) His generation is eternal. The Lord pojfejfed him in the beginning Proy. viii\ of his ways before his works of old, JVhen ^^^ h» there were no depths, before the mountains ^^' 5^* were fettled ; before the hillSy was he brought forth. Then he was by him, as one brought up with him, like. a Son in the bofom of his Father. And this is intermingled with an account of eternal covenant- tranfaftions between the Father and him, and of his being fet tip from Ver. 23. everlafling as Mediator and Head of the church, to (hew that he was then really fubfifting with the Father, and therefore was capable of bearing a part in thofe eter- nal fettlements. But there feems to be a plain difference between the terms, brought forth, and fet up. The firft may well enough agree to the peculiar manner of his fubfiftence, and the other to his office. In a different nature from that, in which he was born at Bethlehem^ ^ his goings or mic. v. 2, O z comings • D*7iy ^O'Q Dipa Vn»!iin a leamed cri^ tick obferves upon this place, that i . The a£l of coming forth is exprcfsM as eternally a£iing. The verbal noun implies the prefent j the other words, that prefent to be eternal. 2. The word H^l^X'^Q found only here, i* from y^ ufed Gen. xxv. 25. to exprefs that action ■ of the infant at his birch, which brings him into the world. When RcbeccahV da^i to be delivered 'were ful- filH ip(5 The Son of God comings forth have been from of old^ from everlajling, or from the days of eternity. The expreffions are the fame that are ufed in fcripture to exprefs the eternity of the Father himfelf. And why may not his goings forth, in what is call'd an eternal generation, be here oppofed to his birth of the virgin, according to the flefli? They have been perpetual like the rays of the fun (as the ancients loved to ex- prefs themfelves) co-eternal with the Fa- ther, without beginning or end, and never feparated from him. Flence his generation is fpoken of as ^ permanent thing, of which it ever hath ,. p;^i^ ii^ j^ been, is, and will be faid. This day have I begotten thee ; or as it has been render'd^ / am this day begetting thee^ to denote an eternal abiding, unbeginning, and never ending ad f. Hence. (zO t& jiird — — and the firjl came out, Jlt^JSlH H!5^V And alfo for the Jon of AbrahsmV coming from his own boweh. Gen. xv. 4. — 3. T^he perfonal properties and natural unity of the Father and the Son are here fuf- ficiently exprciTed ; t\it, fubfijlence of each is complete, tho' the nature of both is but one. ■» He, whofe coinings out are from eternity, cannot be the Father^ from whom he is eternally coming forth. And 4. The adl being only aSting, not a^ed, does not imply a de- rived nature, a divided nature, a caufed nature ; or any nature in any rejpecl different from the Fathers nature. The true fcripture do6lrine of the holy Trinity, by Mr. Neljon's friend, p. 83, 84. l^ml'^ Uy^n and ihould be render'd Jehovah hdtk a divine Title. ^97 (i.) He isfo begotten of the Father as to be of the fame nature with him. The very firft notion of fonfliip in any proper fenfe fuggefts this : And there is hath (aid to me y thou art mj Sony I am this day genera- ting thee. For (i.) That which can be now faid to be done this day, and might be fo faid yejlerday, and may be fo faid to morrozo, and fo on from eternity to eternity, if it could be fpoken of any human adl, would deter- mine fuch ad to be always afting, never a6led ; and therefore would oblige us to alter the exprelTion and fay, doing in the prcfent, inftead of done in the prefer tenfe. And therefore fmce this is fpoken here of an eter- nal Being, fince God himfelf faid fo longfince^ and//// laith, and always will fay, — /— — this day, — even the meancft capacity will agree, that whatever ad this is,' which if thus fpoken of, mull be akoays a£iing, never a^ed, and therefore that the word, denot- ing this adlion, ought to be exprefs'd in the prefent tenfe, and not in the preter, / a?n this day generating thee. (2.) This is according to the Hebrew idiom, which has no prefent tenfe, but expreffes it, fometimes by the preter, and fometimes by the future. And ac- cordingly the new verlion of the Bible, Pfal. i. i . ren- ders "IW in the preter by walketh in the prefent tenfe. An^ Solomon fays of himfelf £r<:/. i. 12. I the preacher ^TV^T\ in the preter , for am king in Jerujalejn in the prefent tenfe. (3.) And this the Rabbins themfelves allow. See Ahen Ezra on Pfal. i. and on Job iii. 2. and Sal. Jarchi on Gen. xxiv. 25. and Elias Levita in Hah, bachur. Orat. i. Fund. 4. — Now hence we muft infer, i . That there is in the Deity, Father and Son, two dijlin^ perfons, each completed by his proper fub- fiftence ; the Father is generating the Son ; the Son is • receiving his generation from the Father. 2. This a6l (if I may ca!l it an a6l) being laid to be aStingy not n£ledy we cannot hence infer that the nature of the Fa- ther is divided, or another nature produced. And con- fequently, the Spn of God, with refped to this gene- rating, cannot la e faid to bt di divided Being. 3. That the Father and Son in the Deity are C9 -eternal and tqu al- ly felf-exifient and independent. Ibid. p. %\, 82, 83. O 3 aa 1^8 The Son of God an apparent agreement between the nd- tions of neceflary emanation from the Fa- ther, and fimemfs of nature -, and be- tween generation^ and a proper fonfldip anfwerable to it. But I can fee no fuch agreement in the ideas of conjlitution in office and fonfloipy or of generation and medtatorfhip^ that one of thefc (lioiild be expreffive of, or merely relative to the other. Nor can I fee any thing in the notions oi judge ^ndfurety, of La'H'-giver tind Redeemer y of the offended party and ^ Mediator^ that anfwers the ideas ot rela- tion between father ^wdfon. Nor do I find that office-charaLlcrs ufually denote any thing like filiation, or that they are ever ufed in fcriptiire to intimate, that the perfbns that bear them are fons of God on that account j except in one inftance, which (hall be confider'd anon. The angels are call'd the fons of God, becaufe they derive their beings from him, and bear his likenefi, but never becaufe they are put into high and eminent of- fices by him. And believers are called the fons of God, becaufe they are fpiritu- ally begotten of him, and receive a divine nature that refembles him, and becaufe they are adopted into his family by means of their union with his own eternal Son : But minijiers never bear that name on the account of their conftitution in office, which 2 Pet. i. 4- a dw'me Title. ipp which fliews that the appellation relates to perfons irL'crpe6i:ive to office. Indeed magifirates are once called the ?f^i children of the moflHigh^ on the account of ^^^^"- ^• their office : But they are likewife cali'd gods in the fame verfe and context on the fame account, which fliews that thefeare iifed as terms of the fame import in that place ; and that they are call'd the chiU dren of the moft High on no other ac- count, and in no other fcnfe than that in which they are called ^i^^^^i*. And if this is allow'd in the highell fenfe of the terms, Son and God^ with refped to Chrift, (as he intimate^ it ought to be in his difcourfe on this paflage in John x. 54, 5'y, ^6) we muff: either own that the term, Gody whenu(ed of him, is only a denomination of him as the Mefliah ; or elfe that the term, Son of God, is a denomination of him as partaking of the divine nature. If in the common ufe of language with relation to intelligent beings, the term. Son, always ligni(ies one of the fixnz na- ture with his Father ; and if in the low- er and more improper ufe of the title^ fons of God, there is ufually a rcfped to the god-like nature of thofe that bear it, and not to their office : It fecms^ rcafon- able to fuppofe that, when Chrift: is call'd the only begotten Son, and the Son of God, by way of eminence and peculiarity ia , O 4 thq / loo 77j 4o- know that I am he ; and in a following verfe, Now yefeek to kill me^ a Man that hath told you the truth. He was a Man Ads i?. approved of God--, and of the fruit of Da- 22, 30- vidV loins y according to the flefh. And as at one time it is faid, that God will chap. xvii. judge the world tn righteoufnefs by that ^'* Mdn^ whom he hath ordain' d: So at an- other we are told, that he hath given t ij^^ , him authority to execute judgment ^ becaufe *^' ' he is the Son of Man. On the other hand, the terms God^ the Word^ and the Son of God^ are promifcu- oufly 2o<5 The Son of God oiiily ufed for one another in their appli- cation to Chrift, as expreffive' of his Deity, Ks the Father (aid to him, Thou art my Soriy this day have I begotten thee : So ^^^- J- 5> to the Son he faifhy they throne, O Gody is for ever and ever. And as God was Gal. IV. 4. faid to fend forth his Son, made of a wo- , man, made under the law; fo the word John i. 14. was faid to be made flefh and dwell a^ mong us. The Son is as plainly diftin- guifli'd from that, which was made of a woman, in one of thefe pafTages, as the word is from the flefh, which he was made, in the other : And Chrift was as truly the Sony before he was made of a woman, as he was the Logos^ or PFbrd, before he was made flefli. # Hence the evangelift John fpoke of Chrift as God, as the Word, and as the Son of God, without any mark of diftinc- tion, as if fome of thefe appellations belong to his divine nature, and the other to his johni. I, mediatorial office. In the beginning was i4> »8. ffj^ Word, — ' and the Word was God. The Word was made flefh and dwelt among US i and we beheld his glory, the glory, as of the only begotten of the Father. And no man hathfeen God at any time ; the only begotten Son, who is in the bofom of the Father, he hath declared him. Chrift's being in the bofom of the Fa^ ther, feems to be a defcription of him from n dmne Title. 107 from his effential inbeing in the Father, as his SoQ. Accordingly he fpeaks of himfelf as the Son, when he fpeaks of this inbeing, and of the efl'cntial onenefs that is between the Father and him, faying, I chap, x, and my Father ah one. And this is juft 3o- the fame form of fpeech as is ufed, when he is call'd the Logos^ or the JVord, and is diflingai{h'd, as a divine fubfiftent, from the Father and Holy Choft. Jhere are r^^ ^ three that bear record in heaven, the Father ^ 7. ° the Wordy and the Holy Gho/l, and thefe three are one. And as in this pafTage Chrift is diftinguifli'd, as a divine perfon, from the Father and Holy Ghoft, under the charader of the JVord-, (o he is dif ^'^jij^'^, tingui(h*d from them, under the cha- rader of the Son^ in the form of bap- tifm, wherein the one God of the Chri- ftian religion is fet out, as the author and objed of it, by whofc authority we are baptized, and to whom we are devoted, as baptiz d in their name. Furthermore, as to the terms God and Son of God, when the Jews charg'd Chrift with blafphemy, for making him- felf God, his defenfe ifTues in an aflertioii, that he was the Son of God. John x, 55, — ^6. When TT?^;;/^^' confefs'd his faith in him, faying to him, my Lord and my John xx, God; This was written that we might be- ^^' ^^^ lieve that Jefus is not only the Chrifl, but 20 8 The Son cf God but alfo the Son of God. And the apoftle Johfis elaborate proof that he isjhe Son of God, iffues in an affertion, that he is the true God, i John v. 5,— -20. Hence, {6,) The Son of God is a title mofl fre- quently and remarkably ufed by the apoflle John, who wrote not fo much to prove that Jefus is the Mefjiah, as that he is God. The ancients tell us that ^ " he wrote his gofpel againft Cerinthus^ and the he- refy of the Ebionites, who held that our Lord was a mere man, and therefore fpoke of his divine original. The other cvangelifts having written the feries of our Lord's generation according to the flefli, he wrote a fpiritual gofpel begin- ning from the Divinity of Chrift. And \ very probably in his epiftles as well as gofpel (which were not wrote long after one another) he had a particular refped to the herejies then growing up, namely * Dr. Whitbf& preface to this gofpel. •f" Dr. TVat er land' s (trmoxi^i ^.210, 211. Thefc authors have colledled feveral teflimonies to this purpofe from Jerome y Clemens o^ Alexandria, Irenceus, and Tertulliany and referred to Eufebius ; but have not quoted his words, w^hich ftand thus. 'EiJcsrA*? A! h rj)» t^AnKOi (ZSt9yf^^ii(roiv» otTToa-taTKircict T Icouvvlut. t?; S^i B-ioXo- ^(tq U7tcc^lpe,T^stiy ac, em ccvru .ioKi hd^Xarxi. t^s^T^XTrtvlx Xssro rat y«Aw. Ibid. Lib. 6. cap. 1 4. of a dhine Title. lOp of Cerinthus, and the Ebionites, who as they denied the Divinity of our Saviour, (b alfo denied any divine fonfliip, antecedent to the birth of the virgin. " No\^, of all the irlfpit'd writers, tionc fpoke fo frequently and remarkably of Chrift, under the titles of the Son and Son of God^ as this apoftle. They are darling phrafes with him, he delights much in them, and ufes them above fifty times. If therefore thefe were appellations of Chrift, merely relating to his human nature, or to his me- diatorfliip, it did not fo well ferve his grand defign to abound with a fort of peculiarity, as he did, in the ufe of them. But if they are denominations relating to his original nature as God, nothing could better pro- mote that defign, and keep up our thoughts to it, than his fo frequently fpeaking of him under thofe names. Hence, (7.) The Son of God is a title given to Chrifi:, both antecedently to his incarnation, and irrefpe£fmly to his office, or to any worh that belong to him as Mediator. Agar, fpeaking of the omnipotence, ma- jefty, and incomprehenfiblenefs of God, re- prefents his name, and his Son's name, as equally unfearchable, Who hath afcended up P^°^'' ^^^ into heaven, or defended ? Who hath ga- ^' thefd the winds in his fifl f Who hath bound ftp the waters in a garment ? JVho hath ejta- bliflot all the ends of the earth ? What is his name^ and what is his Son's name, if thou P canjt 1 10 The Son of God can'fi tell ? He fpeaks of both their names as alike inexplicable, which I conceive is true, not of the name of God, and of Chrift confider'd merely as the Meffiah ; but only of both thefe ineffable perfons, Fa- ther and Son, confider'd in their divine na- ture, and original relation to each other. And he fpeaks of omnipotent performances in the creation, prefer vation, and govern- ment of the world, which are common to the Father and Son ; but can relate to the Son only as he is a divine perfon, the fame in nature with the Father, who made the worlds by him, and by whom all things confift. Heb. i. Hence we are told, that God hath fpoken 2, |. to us by his Son, by whom alfo he made the worlds, and who upholdeth all things by the word of his power. And at another time he is caird the Son, by whom all things were Col. 1.13, created, — who is before all things, and by »6, 17. ^fjom all things confijl. Works of nature are likewife afcrib'd to him under the title John V. of the Son, when he fays, My Father work- »7- eth hitherto^ and I work ; that is, he and I are, and always have been, co-equal workers in the whole of creation and providence : And Ver. 19. whatever things he (the Father) doth, thefe alfo doth the Son likewife. Thefe works of nature, at leaft the works of creation, were perform'd by him, not as the Meffiah, but as God. And as thelc have no relation ta his adings as the Meffiah j fo if his title, tht a divine Title. 1 1 1 the Son, relates only to his office, 'cis ftrange that works of nature fliould be fo common- ly arcrib*d to him under this denomination i and that fome other term expreffive of the divine nature, fliould not be ufed on fuch occafions, as I don't find they are, fo frequently as this of the Son. But to draw to a conclufion of this part of our work. (8.) This title, the Son of God, is dif- tingutjVd from the Chrift, or from the office^ confideration of him. Thus we have already feen it is diftin- guifli'd in our text. The apoftle preach'd Chrifl, that he is the Son of God. Thus it is diftinguifli'd in the apoflle Petefs confef* fion of him, when to the queftions. Whom Mat. xvL do men fay that /, the Son of Man^ am ? and ^3 - »6» whom fay ye that Jam ? The anfwers were. Some fay thou art John the Baptift, fome ' Elias, and (?/^^r5 Jeremiah, or one of the Pro- phets. And Simon Peter anfwefd andfaid^ 7hou art Chrijt, the Son of the living God» q. d. " Thou art neither John the Baptijiy nor EliaSy nor any one of the Prophets ; but the very Chrift : And thou art more than the Son of Man ; thou art the Son of God. Thou art God as well as man. " Up- on this Chrift pronounc'd him bleffed, in as much as flejh and blood had not reveal' d it Ver. 17. to him ; hut his Father, who is in heaven. And thus the terms are diftinguifli'd in the Emtich*s confeflion of his faith, faying, /Aa« viii, P z believe ^7- 212 The Son of God believe that Jefus Chrijl is the Son of God. In the epiftle to the Hebrews^ the apoftlc oppofes the charafter of Chrift, as a Son, to that of a fervant, in the preference he Hcb. iii. gives to him above Mofes^ ^ying, Mofes 5* 6. ojerily was jaithful in all his houfe as afer- vant, — * But Chrift, as a Son over his own houfe. This carries the notion of his fon* fliip higher than his office. For Chrift as Ifa xlii I. Mediator was his Father's fervant, Behold, fays he, my fervant whom I uphold. If therefore the Son fignifies only the Media- tor, or is but another name precifely of the feme import with that, fon and fervant are terms that can't be oppofed with juft propriety to each other. Tho' the apoftle here fpeaks of the Mediator, yet he fpeaks of him under a divine charafter, as the Son Heb.ili. of God ; Or as the God, that built all things y ^' as 'tis exprefs'd in the next foregoing verfe to thefe. At another time we are told, in oppofi- tion to men who were high-priefts under the law, that the Son was made an high- prieft, and was confecrated to that office by Chap. vii. ^^ o^th. For the law maketh men high- 28. priefis which have infirmity ; but the word \y/' of the oath, which wasfince the law, maketh the Son, that is, maketh the Son an high- prieft, who is confecrated for evermore. The Son is here (aid to be made an high-prieft by the word of the oath. He was theSon before he was made an high-prieft: And his fonffiip a divine Title. 213 fonfhip is plainly diftinguifli'd from his prieft- ^ hood, unlefs we will fay, that he was an high- ' prieft, before he was made an high-prieft. Once more, it is faid of Chrift, that/^^* he were a Son ; yet learned he obedience by the Chap. v. things that he fuffefd. If his being the Son ^' denotes only his being the Mefliah, whofe office as fuch was to fufFer and die for fin- ncrs, there fecms to be no fenfe in faying, tho' he were a Son, he learn'd obedience by fuffcr- ings. For that is, as if the apoftle (hould fay, Tho it was his work as a Son to learn obedi- ence by fufferings , yet he learn'd obedience by fufFerings. Or tho* he was the Mcffiah, yet he did the bufinefs of the MefTiah. But if his being the Son relates to his eternal Godhead, there is room for a tho' and yet^ the fenfe runs clear, and there is ftrength and beauty in the particles. Tho* he was infinitely exalted in himfelf as the Son of God ; yet he ftoop'd fo infinitely low in his office, as to fubmic to the moft trying inftances of obedience in human nature. Tho* he was the Son of God, who thought it not robbery to be e- qual with God ; yet he humbled himfelf fo far as to take upon him the form of a fer- vant, and in the performance of his me- diatorial office in our nature, learn'd obedi- ence by his fufferings, obedience unto death, even the death of the crofs. Thus we have gone thro' the confi- derations propos*d to confirm the fenfe we have given of this title, the Son of God ; P 3 and 2 1 4 Chrtfiy mi Office -title. and have piirpofely omitted, or Icfs enlarged '^ upon fome things here, which I have for- merly had occaiion to take notice of in a fet of f fermons publiOied on the Godhead of Chrift. Let us now proceed to, U. Add a few words upon the other title mentioned in our text^ and that is Chrifi, This is evidently an office-charafter, which belongs to the Son of God. And as dif- courfes on his office, as Mediator, are the peculiar province of another of my bre- thren in this collection of fermons, I fliall but briefly touch upon it. The word Chrijl in the Greeks anfwers to Mejjlah in the Hebrew^ and is of the fame import. Thus it is explained, where we are told of Andrew's words, faying, JVe John 141. have found the Meffias^ which is, being in- terpreted, the Chrifi. TheChriJl fignifies the Anointed , and hath a reference to the anointing of the prophets, priefts and kings among the Jews. The priefts always, and the prophets and kings very often were confecrated to their refpec- tive offices by anointing. And as our dear Lord is the great prophet, prieft and king of the church, who was prefigur'd by them, that were anointed to thofe offices under the law ; fo he, by way of eminence, is the thrifty the anointed of God. All thefe offices were united and raifed to f J ejus Chriji God- many on Rm. ix. 5. p. ly^mmi^i. their Chrtft^ an Ojffice-utle. ny their utmoft perfeftion and glory in him ; and his undion exceeded theirs. He was anointed with the oyl of gUdnefs above his pf. xiv. 7, fellows. By his fellows may be meant thofe that have communion with him in his hu- man nature, office-charafters, and benefits. His anointing was fuperior to that of any of the fons of men, with whom he was partaker of flefli and blood ; it was fuperior to that of the prophets, priefts and kings, who had gone before him ; and to that of all Chriftians, who have an undion with him, and from him, and are made kings and priefts to God and his Father^ in a fpiritual Rev. i. 6. fcnfe thro' him. He is fairer than the children of men ; and grace is poured into his lips. Or, as the pf. xiv. 2. Chaldee expounds it,-}* the fpirit of prophecy was given into his lips. The Jewijh pro-? phets, priefts and kings were anointed with material ceremonial oyl. Bat Chrift with more excellent oyl: For the Spirit of the Lord God was upom him^ becattfe the Lord u^AxIu anointed him to preach good tidings to the meek, &:c. Believers receive the Spirit, with his gifts and graces, according to the meafure of the gift of Chrifl, But Chrift himfelf Eph.iy.7. received him without meafure. For God giveth not the Spirit by meafure to him. And johniii. It pleafed the Father y that all fulnefs fJjould ^^' dwell in him^ as he is the head of the body^ Coi.i. xs, the church. ^s- f Vid. Ainfvvorth in Ioc» P + The % 1 6 Chrift. dn Ojffice-title. The anointing upon him was hke the pr.cxxxiiL precious ointment upon the hcad^ that ran ^' down upon the beard^ even Aaron'^ beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments. Hence ic was the oyl of gladnejs, Co call'd, as fome have obferv'd, from its effefls. It pf, xiv. 8. makes all his garments fmell of myrrh^ and aloes, and caffia, as it follows in the next verfe. It gives them a rich perfume, and diffufes health, vigour and joy, thro* all the members of his myftical body, who derive a holy unftion from him. As oyl is an em- blem of refreflimcnt ; fo all fpiritual delights come into the fouls of believers from the anointing Spirit, who is their Comforter ; and all their joy is the joy of the Holy Ghoft. Anointing to office, was a rite anciently ufed for feveral purpofes. It was ufed as a fignal of God's choice to office, as when David was chofen from among his brethren, t Sam. the Lord fatd, ArifCy and anoint him ; for ^^''^' this is he. It was ufed for confecration, as in the cafe of jiaron and his fons, when Exod. God (aid to Mofes, Thoufljalt anoint them, i3fviij. 41. ^^^ confecrate them, and fanBify them, that they may minijler unto me in the priefi's of-r jice. It was ufed for invefliture, as when God faid to Samuel, concerning Saul, Thou I Sam. IX. y2;^/^ anoint him to he captain over my peo- ple Ifrael, that he may fave my people out of the hands of the Philiftines, And it was ufed for qualif cations to difcharge the of- Chap.xiii ficc, as When Samuel took {he horn of oyl^ H- ani^ Chrtft^anOfflce-tttle. ^17 mi anointed David in the midjl of his bre^ thren, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward. Accordingly, our bleffed Lord's being anointed, fignifies his be- ing chofen and confecrated to, inverted in, and qualified for his mediatorial office, which includes all the offices of a prophet, prieft and king. As the anointing relates to his election and confecration to office, and invefliture in it, it terminates upon his whole perfon, God- man. He is God's ele£i^ in whom his foul delighteth. He is the Son^ who is confecra- pr. xiii. i, ted for evermore. And when the fulnefs ofuth, vu. time was come^ God fent forth his Son made 28. of a woman^ made under the laWy to redeem ^^ V^ ^^* them that were under the law. Thus Chrijl Heb. v. 5. glorified not himfelf, to be made an high priefi ; but he that faid unto him^ Thou art my Sony this day have I begotten thee. But as the anointing relates to his qualifications or endowments by the Holy Ghoft for his office, it terminates immediately, and only on his human nature ; with regard to which it is faid, that God anointed Jefus of Naza- Aasx.38. reth with the Holy Ghoft ^ and with power ; who went about doing goody and healing all that were oppreffed with the devil; for God was with him. His divine nature needed no anointing to fit it for the difcharge of his office ; nor was capable of any fuch additional affiftance for it. But his human nature needed it, and Yi^ capable of it. Indeed 2 1 8 Chrtfi^ an Offic entitle. Indeed the Son himfelf could eafily have furniflied his human nature for all the work to which he was called, by vertue of his pcrfonal union with the man Jefus ; for Col ii. 9. thereby all thefullnefs of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily. But as the Holy Spirit was to bear his part in the glory of our falva- tionj and in order thereunto, the human nature of Chrift was form'd in the womb Luker35.of the virgin by i\\q overfloadowmg of his power, which was the power' of the Highejl; it was proper that he ftiould have the glory of enriching that nature which he had formed, with all the gifts and affiftances that were neceiTary for the fervice for which he had formed it. And as Chrift came on his Father s commiffion, and was fent by him to do his work and will; and he by Heb. X, 5. the Spirit had prepared him a body for that purpofe 'y it was proper that he fliould give him all furniture by the fame Spirit for the work to which he fent him. For who goes J Cor. ix. ^ warfare any time at his own charges ? 7. And in this way of procedure, he gave tefti- mony to Chrift's authority, and to his ap^ probation of him in his office, as it hereby Ms X.58. appeared that God was with him. This oeconomy of things relating to the Melfiah's work, called for the anointing of the Holy Ghoft, to qualifie his human na- ture for it ; and therefore the fcripture re- prefents it in this manner. And yet, as all the operations of the diyine perfons ad ex^ I tra^ Chrifty an Office-tttle. 115 tray or out of the divine nature, are com- mon to the Father, Son and Spirit ; fo what the Father and Spirit did herein, was done by the Son likewife, and his own Divinity (hone thro' the man in his office-work. They were all jointly concurrent in it ; and the power of the one only Godhead, was the principle of the whole furniture. This diftind way of perfonal afting in this oeco- nomy, keeps up an evidence of the diftind perfonality of the Father, Son and Spirit, And this unity of principle in the opera- tion, leads us to conceive of them as one God. Thus we have gone thro' what might be needful on the two characters, by which our bleflcd Lord is defcribed in our text. A few praBical reflexions fliall clofe this difcourfe. REFLECTIONS. I. How amazing are the riches of divine love / The Son of God himfelf is become our Saviour. In this was mantfefl:ed the love of i John iv. God towards ns^ becaufe God fent hts only ^* ^' begotten Son into the worlds that we might live thro* him. Herein is love, not that we loved Gody but that he loved uSy and fent his Son to be the propitiation for our fins. The Father's giving his own Son to fave us, is a higher inftance of love, than if he had given 110 RefleBtom. given all the angels in heaven. To give 5ich a Son, the Son of his own nature and perfeftions, his only begotten Son, the Son of his deareft love and delights ; to give him for us, and to give him up to all the terrors that divine juftice, and the powers of darknefs could inflid upon him, to re- deem us, v^as as far as his love could go. Becaufe he could give us nothing greater, he gave us his Son ; and v^e may well con- Rom viii. elude with the apoftle, He that [fared not 32- his own Son, but deliver' d him up for m ally how Jhall he not with him atfo freely give us all things ? And how furprifing was the love of this Son of God himfelf, that he who was the Son in the bofom of the Father, infinitely poflefs'd of equal perfedions, glory and blefledncfs with him, fo that nothing could be added to them, that he fliould neverthelefs wave his prerogative, veil his glory in our nature, and freely become our Saviour! What aftonifliing wonders of grace are here, that he would make our nature perfonally his own, and then bleed, and groan, and die, and fuffer all indignities and reproaches in that nature for fuch fmners as we are, for fuch as were of meaner rank than the angelick hoft, and for fuch as had injured and provok'd him^ as well as the Father I How are the praifes of his love celebrated in the gofpel on this account i Te know the zLCot.Mui, grace oj our Lord Jefus Chrifi, that tho" he 9* •Ji'W RefleBtons. tn was richy yet for your fakes he became poofy that ye thro his poverty might be made rich. He being in the form of Gody thought it not Phil, il 6, robbery to be equal with God : But made 7* *• himfelf of no reputationy and took upon him the form of afervant, and was made in the likenefs of men: And being found infafhion as a many he humbled himfelf y and became obedient unto deathy even the death of the crofs. And hereby perceive we the love (?^i Jo^nui. Gody becaufe he laid down his life for us. ' ' With what admiring rapture fliould we ftand at the brink of the boundlefi ocean; and be- hold, embrace, and as far as poflible com- prehendy or rather apprehendy or take in (atot- Ephcf. iS. TctXct^iS-cci) with all JaintSyWhat is the breadth, *^* '*• and length, and depth y and height ; and know the love of Chrtfly which paffeth knowledge ! With what holy amazement and adoring pleafure fliould we refled upon all this ! and what a joyful fong fliould we raife to him Rev. i. s- that hath loved uSy and waflj>d us from our Jins in his own bloody and hath made us kings and priefis unto God and his Father ! To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Hence, 11. What a divine Saviour is Chrijl i] The Son of God is the ufual title of the Mefliah, to keep up exalted thoughts of him, as God our Saviour y as poflefs'd of the (ame nature and efTential perfedions with the eternal Father. *^ In him all his Father flionc %it Refle&idns. Clone fubftantially exprefs'd, " as ^ one finely reprefcncs it. His Divinity (hone thro' all his office, and gave efficacy to all his faving work. It (beds its radiant lufters thro' the purchafe, conftitution, guidance, prefcrva- tion, government, and (alvation of the church. Who but God could be capable of managing and fccuring all its great con- cerns for time and eternity ; or be worthy to wear the glory due to him for ite Hence, III What afufficiency and perfection mujl there be in his faving work / Had he been only the Son of Many it might have been faid, inclufive of him as Pfil. cxlvi. well as others. Put not jour trufi in princes, 3- nor in the fon of man in whom there is no help. But he is the Son of God, as well as the Son of Man, and therefore able for our help ; and our hope in him is no lefs than a hope in the Lord our God. Nothing can be wanting in his undertakings or perfor- mances. Nothing of our own can ever be needful to compleat the merit of his obe- dience and fufFerings in our room and (lead ; and no defeft can be found in his capacity of filling up any part of the important truft that is repofed in him. We need no other Mediator between God and us ; no other, to renew acquaintance, friendfhip, and corrcfpondence between the parties, that were fet at the utmoft variance * Milton* s Paradife loft. B. iii. I. ijf. by f*r. f. RefleBions. zzj by fin ; no other, to appeafe God's righteous refentments again ft us, and to overcome our unrighteous refentments againfl: him; no other, to reconcile him to us, and us to him ; no other, to render him acceflible to us, or to introduce and recommend us to him, and to give us humble boldnefs before him ; no other, to fecure his rights and our happinefi, or to obtain the eternal inheri- tance in a way worthy of God to beftow ity and to prepare us for ity and condud us fafe to the pofleffion of it. Here a foul may fafely venture it felf and its eternal all with- out fear of a mifcarriage. And if we know whom we have believed^ v^t may be well ^ Tim. L perfmdedy that he is able to keep that which **^ we have committed to him^ againfi the great day. Hence, IV. How inexprejjible is the happinefs of being well affiled toward him, and inter efied in him l God [o lov"d the world, that he gave his John iif. only begotten Son, that whofoever beUeveth ^^* ^^' in himjhould not perijh, but have everlajling lije. And he that beUeveth on the Son hath everlajling life. If our hearts arc fct right toward him by the faith of the operation of God ; if our defires are after him, and our faith refts upon him ; if wre chufe and prefer him to all things elfe ; and yield our- felves up to him, to be fav'd and governed by him, w^e may claim an intereft in him : And a 14 RefleBiom. 1 John V. And ht that hath the Son hath life. He hath begun his faving work upon us ; and we may depend upon him for all that is Mat, xii. forther needful to complete falvation. The to. bruifed reed fhall he not break, and the fmoaking flax Jhall he not quench, till he fend forth judgment unto vi£lory. Hear how he John X. himfelf fpeaks of his (heep, I give unto them a8, 29. eternal life, and they Jhall never perifh, nei- ^°* ther fhall any pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them me, is greater than all, it can't be deny'd but that hemuft needs be greater than all that can be againft them J and none, whether men or devils, are able to pluck them out of my Father* s hand. And 'tis as impoflible to pluck them out of my hand ; for land my Father are one. Their Divinity and power are one : Or they are one God, as the Jews underftood him to ver^ii, mean, when for this faying, they took ftp ftones to ftone him, — becaufe he made him- felf God, Hence, 33 V. How great is their danger that de- fpife or negleB the Son of God! John iii. jj^ ffjat believeth not is condemn d already, * ' ^^* becaufe he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, And he that believeth not the Son fhall not fee life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. There is no help or hope for them that reje(9: him. His infinite dignity, as the Son of God, ag- gravates their crime ; and his almighty pow- 4 ^^ RefleBiom. i z j er fecures the puniflimenc. He that defpis'd ^i^^- ^• Mofes'5 laWy dyd ivithout mercy, 0/ ^ ' ^^* how much for er pimiJJjment, ftippofe ye, floall he be thought worthy, who hath troden un- der foot tJoe Son of God? How doft thou, O unbelieving impeni- tent finner, that lieft out from this glorious Saviour, and throweft contempt upon him. How doft thou think thou canft be excus'd for thy difregards and affronts to the Son of God ? Or how canft thou hope to efcape his heavy refentmencs ? He is as able to pu- nifli the difobedient, as to fave the believing {inner. O therefore kijs the Son left he be Pial.H.iz: angry, and ye periflo from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little : Blejfed are all they that put their trufi in him. The end of the firjl Sermon, Q^ Preaching ( 226 ) Preaching CHRIST E X P L A I N ' D. Acts ix. 20. Afid Jlraightway he preacUdChrifi in the Synagogues^ that he is the Son of God. Serm. II. T N fpcaking to thefe words we have al- preach'd I ready confider'd the chara5iers^ that Ijil^^' A defcribe the fubjed of the'apoftle's mi- niftry ; and they are Chrijl, the Son of God. We now proceed to, Secondly, Confider his preaching upon this fubje£i. He prcach'd Chrift, that he is the Son of God. What is here recorded concerning the apoille Paul is for an example, or for our imitation; as well as for his commendation. It gives us a view of the great deiign of a gofpel-miniftry, and lays out the principal argument of the minifteriai work in our 2 days. Preaching Chnfl explam'd. days, as well as in his ; unlcfs we would preach another gofpel than he prcach'd. And therefore my defign in treating upon ic will lie in ^i^6> things^ with thck applkali- on. We fliall, I. Enquire what it is to preach Chrifi ; or wherein it conjijls. And then^, II. Offer fome confiderations to recommend this preaching ; or tofloew why the mintjlers of the gofpel pouJd preach Chriji, I. Enquire what it is to preach Chrift ; or wherein preaching Chrifi conffts. The nature of our dcfign in the former difcourfe confin d our thoughts to the fenfe of the charaders, under which our text fpeaks of the fubjed, that the apoftle preach'd upon. This would not allow us to take fo wide a compafs as may be neceflary to a juft view of what goes into the work of preaching Chrift. It may therefore be pro- per to lay out its fubjeEi a little more exten- lively. And then proceed to its a^s, I. As to die fubjed of this preaching, ic is Chr if. And this may be confider'd with greater latitude, or refiriSiton. (i.) We may confider preaching Chrift in a latitude of the expreflion. Looking upon it in this view, it takes in the whole compafs of Chriftian religion^ Q^ z con- 117 2x8 Preaching Chrlji expl/md. confiderM in its reference to Chrift. It ex- tends to all its noble improvements of natu- ral light and principles ; and to all its glo- rious peculiarities of the fupcrnatural and incomprehenfible kind, as each of thefc may be one way or other referred to him. In this fenfe there is no dodrine, inftitution, precept or promife ; no grace, privilege, or duty toward God or man ; no inftance of faith, love, repentance, worfliip, or obedi- ence, fuited to the gofpel-ftate, and to the defign and obligations of the ChrilHan reli- gion, that don't belong to preaching Chrift. But to bring all thefe with any propriety under this denomination, they mull: be con- fider'd, according to their refpedive natures or kinds, in their reference to ChrilT:, that he may be interwoven with them, and ap- pear to &e con.cern'd in them. They mufb be preach'd, nor with the air of a heathen moralifl: or Platonkk philofopher ; but with the fpirit of a minifter of Chrift, referring them up to him, as reveal'd or enjoin'd or purchased by him, as finning in tbeiu brightefl: lufliers, and triumphing in all their glories thro' him, as built upon him, and animated Eph. !. 11, by him, as lodg'd m his hands, v;ho is head over all things to the church, as (landing in ihe connexions, ufcs, and defigns, in which he hath placed them, as known, enjoy 'd, or pra£lis a by light and grace deriv'd from him, as to be accounted for to him, as ac- ceptable to God, and advantageous to our falvation Preaching Chrljl explain d. up falvation alone thro' him, by faith in him, as inforc'd upon us by motives and obli- gations taken from him, and as tending to his glory and the glory of God in him. Whatever is the immediate fubjed of the difcourfe, it may be call'd preaching Ch rift, if ic is manag'd in fuch a manner as fliews his concern in ic, and leads our thouo;hcs either to the glory of his perfon and offices, or to his kingdom of providence or grace, as all things were created by him and for ._1' \^^ ' him, as he is before all things, and by him all things confift, as he is the head of the body, the church, the beginning, the jirjl-born from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence, and as it pleafed the Father, that in him all ftdnefs floould dwell. In this fenfe theapoftles preached the riches ver. 27, of the glory of the my fiery among the Geyitiles, ^^' ^^* which was Chrifl in them, the hope of glory ; warning every man and teaching every man in all wifdom, that they might prefent every man perfeUt in Chrift Jefits, JVJoeretmto, fays our apoftle, I alfo labour^ flriving according to his working, which worketh in me fnighti- ly. They gave an evangelical turn to moral duties ; and inforced 'em with a reference to Chrift, and by confiderations taken from him. For a fpecimen of this you may obferve the following inftanccs of perfonal and re- lative duties, as inforc'd by the apoftle P/^f//. As to the firft of thefe, he fays, Let ^^swalk Rom.xjiL honefily as in the day ; not in rioting and^^^' ^^" (^ 3 drtinken- 230 Preaching Chnfi explain J. drunkennefsy not in chambering and wanton- ne/Sy not in Jinfe and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jeftts Chriji, and make no pro- . "vifionfor the flft)^ to julfd the hfts thereof. \^^l'^^^' Flee fornication, — • What, know ye not that 20. ' your body is the temple of the Holy Ghoft, which is in yotf^ which ye have of God, and ye are not your own ? For ye are bought with a price: Therefore glorify God in your Gal V ^^^^' ^^^ ^^^ -^^^^^ fpirit, which are Gods. \l,'^'^^' They that are Chrift'Sy have crucify d the flefid with the affections and htfis. If we live in thefpirit, let tts alfo walk in the fpi^ Tit. This I fay therefore and teflify in the Lord, that ye walk not as other Gentiles ^P^;_'_^' walk in the vayjity of their mind. But ye * have not fo learned Chrifl , if fo be je have heard htm and been tatght by htm, as the truth is in J^fus, that ye put off concerning the former converfation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lufls, and be renew' d in the fpirit of your mind, &cc. And with regard to relative duties, he fays, Be ye kind one to another, tender-heart- ed, forgiving one another, even as God for i/ii^'i^, ^^''ift'^ fi^^ h^^'^ forgiven you. Walk in love as Chrifl alfo hath loved us. Wives, fubmit yoiirfelves to your own husbands, as unto the Lord, &:c. Husbands, love your wives, even as Chrifl alfo lovd the churchy chap.vi and gave hmfelf forit, dec. Children, obey '^' your parents in the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath ; but bring them ffp Preaching Chrift explain d. 231 up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants :, be obedient to them that are your majlers according to the fleflo^ with fear and tremblings infinglenefs of your heart, as unto Chrifi: Not with eye-fervice, as men-pleafers; but as the fervants of Chrifl, doing the will of God from the heart ; with good will doing fervice^ as to the Lord, and not to men, &c. In like manner the apoftle Peter urges moral duties with Chriftian arguments, faying, As he which hath called you is holy, fo be ye holy in all manner of converfation, ' — Forafmttch as ye know that ye were not 1 Pet .{. redeemed with corruptible things, as filver '^» *^* and gold, from your vain converfation ; '^* but with the precious blood of Chrifi, as of a lamb without blemifh and without fpot. Te are a chofen generation, a royal prieflhood, chap. w. an holy nation, a peculiar people y that ye^^^^y floould floew forth the praifes of him, who ^^""'**' hath caWd you out of darknefs into his mar- vellous light. And Chrift hath left us an example that ye fhotdd follow htsfieps, who did no fin, neither was guile found in his mouth ; who when he was revtl'd, revil'd not again ; when he fujfefd, he threatned not ; but committedhimfelf to him thatjudgeth righteoufly. TVho his own felf bare our fins in his own body on the tree, that we, bemg dead to fin, fJjould live^ unto righteoufnefs, by whofeflripes ye were healed. And he ex- 2 Pct. horts them to add to their faiths virtue^ >'-- 9- Q^ 4 know^ 2 J 2^ Preaching Chrijl explain d. knowledge, temperance^ pcUience, godlinefsi brotherly kindnefs^ and charity. For if thefe things be t?iyou^ and abound^ they make you that ye floall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jefus Chnfl, T would be to tranfcribe a great part of the apoilolick writings to give you a full view of this (train of preaching Chrifl: ; how they intermingled the dodrines that pecu- liarly relate to him, as inforcing and evan- gelizing the duties, that have a foundation in natural light. In this latitude of the ex- prcffion all their fermons and epiftles were full of Chrift. And after their example, Chrifl: (liould triumph in all our difcourfes : His name (hould throw life and luftre upon all our holy miniftrations. But, (2.) We may confider preaching Chrifl: more rcjtri£iively. This may be call'd a more dire^ and im- mediate way of preaching him. And con- fidering it in this light, it relates to the per- fon and mediation of Chrifl-, to the eternal counfels of God's will in him, and to the whole method of divine vv^ifdom and grace in the falvation of fin nets by him. This dired preaching Chrifl: is a noble and extenfive province. It includes all that hath been, or that can be faid of him, un- der the charaders of the Son of God, and the Chrifl, It takes in the adorable confl:itu- tion of his perfon, God-man, all the infinite perfcdions and condefccntions of the God, z and Preaching Chrift explain d. i j 3 and all the excellent qualifications, real pro- perties, and finlefs infirmities of the man. It takes in his equality with the Father in the divine nature, and fubordination to him in the human nature and office-capacity; his perfonal and his relative glories, and the mani- feftation of the glory of all God's attributes in their utmoft and harmonious fplendors thro' him. It takes in his peculiar and intire fitnefi for the redemption of the church ; his Fa- ther's appointing him to it, and his own free acceptance of it, and engagements in eter- nal tranfaftions with the Father about it ; the vifible appearances he made, as the Jeho- vah of Ifrael under the old teftament ; the promifes and prophefies, types and figures, that were anciently given of him, and his coming in the fulnefs of time to anfwer them; his incarnation, life, obedience, fuf- ferings, and death, in a humble ftate upon earth, to make an atonement for fin, and fulfil all righteoufiiefs ; and his refurredion, afcenfion and exaltation in .all his glory at the Father's right hand in heaven, to apply and fecure the merit of his blood. It takes in all his royalties and advocacy, as aprkjl ttpon his throne ; his dominion over all, and his peculiar headfhip to the church, his love to them and care of them, his appearing in the prefence of God for them, and fending his Spirit, to guide, fan(ili- fy, comfort and preferve them ;' and his coming i j4 Preaching Chnft explain d. coming to raife the dead, and judge the world at the laft day. It further takes in all his offices, names, titles, and relations ; the tenor, fettlement, and confirmation of the covenant of grace in him ; the way of obtaining forgivenefs of fins, juftification, and adoption, 2icctk to God, acceptance and communion with God thro' faith in him ; all the gracious influen- ces and aiiifliances he promifes, and commu- nicates in tlie way of his own appointment 5 together with all the other benefits he hath purchased and beftows, all the obligations he hath laid upon us, and all the high and facred regards of duty, gratitude, love and praife that he deferves and demands from us, in a life of faith in him, and holy obedience to him* here, till he fliall receive us to himfelf, to live with him in glory for ever. This is preaching Chrift direSfly^ and in the reJlriEtive fenfe. And it is evident to an attentive mind, that 'tis this fort of direct preaching him, that is intended in our text, and in mod of thofe other parts of the new tefl:ament, where the miniftry of the gofpei IS charaderized by it. Thus, in our text it is call'd the apoftle's preaching Chriji, that he is the Son of God-, and a little lower, his proving that this Son Aasix. of God is very Chrift^ or the only true Chap. X. Mefli^h that was to come. At other times 36,38-43. it is called preaching peace by Jefus Chrift^ who is Lord of all^ whom God anointed with Preaching Chriji explained. i j c 'uuith the Holy Ghoft, who was jlain and hmged on a treCy whom God raifed up the third day ; commandi?ig his witnejjes to preach unto the people^ and to tejlijy that it is he which was ordained of God to he the judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witnefs, that thro' his name, who- foever believes in him, /hall receive remijjion ofjins. They preached Chriji crucified, to i Cor. i, the]c'ws a ftumbling block, and to the Greeks ^^' ^^' fooliflonefs ; but to them that are caWd, both Jews and Greeks, Chrifi the power of God, Aas iv. 2. and the wifdom of God, And they preached ^ *' ^^* thrd Jefus the refurreBion from the dead ; and that he is become the head of the corner : neither is there falvation in any other ; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we 7mi(l be faved. Vhdifs text fhews, that his preaching Chrid to the Eunuch, was in the reftuidive ftrain. The place of fcripture which the ciiap.vin. Einu:h read^ was this. He was led as a 32- -35- Jheep to the fi aught er, and like a lamb dumb before his /hearer, fo opened he not his mouth : In his humiliation his judgment was taken away, and who /hall declare his generation f for his life is taken- from the earth. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the fame fcripture, and preached unto him Jefus, And who can doiibc, but that the men of Cyprus and Cyrene made Chrift the peculiar fiibjed of their miniftry, when they fpake to Aas xl. the Grecians^ preaching the Lord jefus, and ^°^ ^^* the 2z6 PreachmgChrtJl explain' d. the hand of the Lord isvas with them ; and a great number believed^ and turned to the Lord ? All the preaching of the apoftlcs, record- ed in the hiftory of their ads, ran in this reftridive way of preaching Chrift, as you may eafily obferve at your leifure. And the apoftle Paul having fpoken of him, as the iTim.ii. one mediator between God andman^ who *' ^' gave himfelf a ranfom for all^ to be tejlifed in due time ; that is, either for all ranks and degrees of men, mentioned in the forego- ing verfes, or for Gentiles as well as JewSy Verfe 7. mentioned in the following verfe, he there immediately adds, TVhereunto I am ordained a preacher^ and an apojlle, {Ifpeak the truth in Chrtfi and lie not) a teacher of the Gen- tiles in faith and verity. Thus we have confider'd this preaching, with regard to its fubje^. We now, 2. Proceed to its a5fs^ and thefe may be reduced to the three following heads. (i.) It is lopubltflo or declare thcfe things concerning Chrift. This is the proper fenfe of the word \jiv.^vc^cJ\ in our text. It was commonly ufed among the Greeks^ to exprefs a pro- clamation or declaration of things by a pub- lick officer. Accordingly Chrift fent his Mark ivi. difciplcs to go tnto all the worldy and preach 15. or publifh the gofpel to every creature. They are his heralds, to proclaim him Lord of all; and his ambaffadors, to preach peace by him. Hence Preaching Chrtjl explain' d. a 37 Hence the apoftles went forth, declaring a^s xiU. unto the people glad tidings^ how that the pro- 32, 33- mije which was made nnto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the fame unto their childreUy in that he hath raifed v.p J efts again. And chap. t, daily in the temple , and in every hotfe, they 42- ceafed not to teach and preach J efts Chrifi. The minifters of Chriil are commiflion'd officers, and are to go forth in his name and authority, to publifli all that they find in their bibles concerning him, according to the befl: of their underftandings, juft as they find it there. My nieaning is, that they are not to bring their own fenfe to it ; but to. fearch out Chrift's fenfe in it, and to declare that to the people. They are to open and keep clofe to their commiffion, to withhold nothing that may be profitable concerning Chrift, to add nothing of their own to it^ and to make no alterations in k, but to fee it forth in its own native- fimplicity, and inimitable glory. They are to preach him with all boldnefs, without fear of his and their adverfaries ; and to endeavour to fee every thing concerning him in a clear, con- fident, eafy light, that, if pofiible, none might miftake, but all that hear might un- ij^lerftand them. They are to explain the things of Chrid, as far as they find them explicable, to lay things together that may ftrike the belt light upon one another, to expatiate upon the great and copious fubjed, infifting moil: upon '238 Preaching Chrift explain d. upon the moft important things relating to it, by all the variety of ufefal reprefentaci- ens it is capable of, and to draw out its deep and hidden glories, that they may be ex- pofed with perfpicuity and enlargement to open view. And they are topublifli all the incomprehenfible myfteries of Chriit, juft as far as he hath rcveal'd them, without at- tempting to explain them any farther than his own word has cafl: a light upon them. This is preaching Chrift, as to the de- claration that is to be made of him, or pub- lication of the things that concern him. Hence, (1.) It is to confirm and defend what \% publifhed concerning him. Phil. i. 7, The apoftle was fit for the defence and 17. confirmation of the go/pel He preached Chrifl, that he is the Son of God ; and con- founded the Jews which dwelt at Damafcus, Aa^h.ii, proving that this is the very Chrift, He ^hzp. ::vii jreafoned with them out of the fcripturesy opening and alledging, that Chrift mifft needs have filtered and rfen again from the dead: and that this Jefus whom he preached unto them is Chrift, He fent Timotheus to the 1 ThefT. Chriftians at Theffalonica, to eftahJifh them^ ^"* *' and to comfort them concerning their faith, Aftsxiv. And he v/ent with Barnabas to Lyfira, Ico- nium and Antioch, confirming the fouls of the difcipleSy and exhorting them to continue in the faith. The 21, 22. Preaching Chrtfi explatrCd. 23^ The minifters of Chrift are to hold fajl xitip. the faithful ^word, as they have been taught^ (or according to the doBrine they have re- ceived from Chrift, %ctTdi tIuu MctKvjv) that they may be able by found doBrine, both ta exhort and to convince the gainfayers. They are to maintain and fupport w^hat they preach concerning Chrift, by the light and autho- rity of his word, by comparing fcripture with fcripture, and by juft reafonings upon them, and clear dedudions from them, as far as the nature of things will bear ; and in this way, earnejily to contend for the faith^ W^ 3'» which was once delivered to the faints. There are difficulties to be folv'd, ob- jeftions to be anfwer'd, feeming contradidi- ons to be reconciled, and incomprehenfibles to be contended for as reafonable to be re- ceived, on the account of the fublimity of their own nature, and on the foot of a di- vine teftimony. Obftinate, artful, captious, and profane gainfayers, are to be reproved, convinced, or filenced; tender confciences, and doubting (buls to be aftifted, relieved and fettled ; honeft enquirers to be fatisfied ; and believers to be eftablifti'd concerning the faith of Chrift. All truths relating to hira are to be prov'd upon folid fcripcural prin- ciples, that they may maintain their ground to the honour of Chrift, to the rebuke and confutation of his enemies, and to tht fur- therance and joy of faith y in all thofe thac love our Lord Jefm Chrift in Jinccrity and truth. All z/^o Preachmg Chrift explain d. All this belongs to this branch of preach- ing Chrift. Hence. (5.) It is to propofe and recommend him to the acceptance of thofe to whom he '\% preach'd. The word in our text carries fuch a (cnfc of preaching, as confifts 'm. proclaiming publick ediSs and commands, and in invit- ing flaves and captives to come in to a deli- verer for their liberty, and in ordering things to be difpofed of to the people. It was fre- quently ufed among the ancients, to expreS thefe (brts of publications f. In this view of the word, we may con- fidrr it as transferred to the ufe of preaching the gofpel, in which the minirters of Chnft go forth in his name, proclaiming him to the people, propofmg liberty to captives, and inviting (inners to come in to him for all falvation. Their bufinefs is, among other v{)i ^ptire^i^o) y.vi^v^(X>Ti yj\v Jj^jj, ^c^jj, fjuvt otJi- TT^iicrifJbov' xxi ruvTU ^ccB-ii/fivovi cc'?\.Xcc dlyavy o^aq cuKVtrut y.yijuv TO ^pcircTTsahv Kul Toivrcc fAtsv ivB-v^ iKvifiVTiov' Xenoph. de Cyr. Inftit. Lib. ±. Seft. 22. ^^ciTiVfAiU.Tt CiCw.P ^ov>.oti, It Mvi^cay, vi IJgfira'i'^— I) oiXXo^u TTcB-iv CibiU(rf/jyiv(^y ^(pxkvstrB-ccf ol ^' ccKovcruvliq roil K^cvyftaroq (yp. a^WAoc,) c&a-f/jivoi TToAAot TT^oasCpxviiirccy. [tt, yr^oi^pxytxrctv) 0 J* iK>^i^ec f/jivo^ civrav rovq rcc u^/} x«AA*V»?, sAtytv or* sMv^fi^eVf r^uet 'Ww5 wmV-zo*** i(pn »vT^ f/ifsXtta-siv, ScQ, Ibid, Se£l. 23. things PreKh'ingChrifi explain d. 241 things, to declare rhit this is the command , john m, of God, that they floould believe on the name 3*- of his Son Jefus Chrift ; and to propofc him to their acceptance, that they, by divine grace, may be brought to believe that Jefus John xx: is the Chrijl the Son of God, and that M'"'^'- lievingy they may have hfe thro* his name. Thus our apoftle preach'd Chrift, faying, in an addrefs to the Jews^ To you is the word ofthisfalvation Jent, Be it kno'wn unto you aQ:^ xiii. therefore, men andbrethren,that thro this man *^'3S-4i» is preached unto you the forgive?2ers of fins : " and by him all that believe are jufiified from all things, from which ye could not be jifjiified by the/awofMoks, Beware therefore, left that come upon you which is fpoken of in the pro- phets. Behold, ye defpifers, and zvonder, and periJJj. He herein recommended and of- fered Chrift to them, with a folemn caution againft rejeding him. j^nd when the Jews Verfe4i.- weregone out of the fynagogue, the Gentiles be fought that thefe words might be preached to them the nextfabbath ; i. e. That they might have the like offer of Chrift to them, as had been made to the Jews. Their requeft was granted J and God own d it with glorious fuccefs. The next fabbath-day camealmoft the '"^^^ -^4' whole city together to hear the word of God, ^ ''^'^''^ ' ThenVml and Barnabas waxed bold, and faid to the [ews, It was neceffary that the word of Godjhould firfl have been fpoken to you :■ but feeing yeputitfromyou and judge your felves unworthy of everlajlmg life^ lo, we turn to the R Gentiles. I Tim 241 Preaching Chrtjl explatn'd. Gentiles. For fo hath the Lord commanded US ^ faying^ Ihavefet thee to be alight of the Gentiles, that thou JloouJdft be for falvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this^ they wereglad, and glo- rify d the word of the Lord : And as many as were ordained to eternal life believd. The apoftle publifli'd this, as a faithfd faying, and worthy of all acceptation^ that Chr^ Jeftis came into the world to favefin- ners ; of whom he reckoned himfelf chief. "And he fpoke of himfelf, and other mini- fters of Chrift, as perf lading men ; as hav- ing the word of reconciliation committed to 2 Cor. V. them ; and as ambafjadors for Chrifi^ astho ^['l^f^lGod did befeech by them, praymg them in I, z. Chrifi'sflead, and ufing many engaging ar- guments with them, to be reconciled to God. And he goes on to befeech the Corinthians not to receive the grace of God, meaning the gofpel of his grace, in vain. For hefaith\ I have heard thee tn a time accepted, and in the day of falvation have I fuccoiifd thee : Behold^ now is the accepted time : Behold^ now IS the day of falvation. Hence, At other times he fpeaks of the miniftry, as given for the edifying of the body of Chrifl ; Eph.iv. till we all come in the unity of the faith, and ^h of the knowledge of the Son of God, tmto a perfc^ man, tmto the meafure of theflatiire of the ftdnefs of Chrifl : That we may grow tip into him in all thmgs^ which is the head, evmChriJl. Accord- 'f Preaching Chrtft explain d. 243 According to this method of the apoftle's preaching Chrift, he is to be propos'd and recommended to /inner s^ and to believers, [ I ] Tojinners, Chrift is fe' forth to be a propitiation, thro* Rom. Hi. faith in his blood. And he is to be preach'd ^^• to all forts and degrees of finners as fuch. He is to be recommended to them in all his glorious and endearing charaders ; as the Son of God and Saviour of (inncrs ; as God- man-mediator ; as a prophet, prieft and king, indifpenfably neceifary for them, eve- ry way fuirable to their wants, and altoge- ther worthy of their acceptance; as an able, faithful and willing Saviour ; as the beft that could be provided, or that can be defir'd ; and as bringing in a complete and everlaft- ing falvation from fin and wrath, from all the evils they feel, or fear, or are expos'd to, and unto all the bleiTednefs and glory they are, or ever can be capable of in foul and body world without end. He is to be recommended to them as chofen, appointed, and accepted of God to be a Saviour ; as having in his great love to finners freely taken upon him a (aving- office, and as having gone thro' a humble Itate of obedience, futferings and death in their nature, and in their room and (lead, that he might effedually fave them. He is to be recommended to them as living in heaven to employ himfelf in his faving-office ; as delighting that finners (hould employ, R z receive, lia. liii lO, II 244 Preaching Chrtft explatrid. receive, try and truft him in it ; and as rc- folv'd to purfue it, and not to bear his gra- cious office in vain. For he Jhall fee his feed^ hejljall prolong his days in them, and the pleafttre of the Lord floall profper in his hand. He Jhall fee of the travel of his foul, and floall be fatisffd : By his knowledge Jhall he pjtijy many ; for he Jhall bear their ini- quities. He is to be preached as the free gift of God to finners ; and as a Saviour that hath grace enough in his heart, not only to invite them to himfeif, but likev^ife to enable them to come at his invitation and call, and to re- ceive all that come to him. Hence he fays, John VI. j^ii ffj^f ^fj^ Father giveth me.fo all come to ^^' me ; and him that comet h to me, I will in no wife cajlout. And turn you at my reproof: Prov. i. Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you^ ^Z' I will make known my words unto you. Here are two promifes to one call, to encourage the Tinner's hopes, that Chrift w^ill make it cffedual. And if any, under an affeding fenfe of their own wants and unwo^hinefs, and with an intire dependence on his povv^er and grace, are brought ferioufly and hear- john XV. ^^'y ^^ ^^k of him, he will give them living 10 water. Under thefe recommendations of Chrift, he is to be freely kz forth or proposed to them for falvation, as the brazen fcrpcnt was to the Ifraelites for healing. For as Mofes lifted up the ferpent in the wildernefs, evenfo muji HI. 2. Preaching Chr'tft explain d. 245 mnft the Son of Man be lifted up ; thai who- ^^^^^P- "^' foever believes in him, /hould not perifh, but ^^' *^' hiT.ve everlajling life. And chey are to be invited to come to him, under a promife of reOjand of rich riippIy,upon their coming, as he hath proposed himfclf to them, faying, Mat. xi. Come unto me, all ye that labour^ and are heavy ^s- laden, and 1 will give you reft. And tf any johnvii. man thirft, let him come unto me and drink, 37^ 3B. He that believeth on me, as theft:ripture hath [aid, out of his belly ftj all flow rivers of liv- ing water. This /pake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him floould receive, John the Baptifl preached the baptifm /y^Marki. 4. repentance, for the remiffwn of fins, faying, '^"^^^ ^^^^' Repent ye, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Oar blelTed Lord began his miniftry in the fame way, as fuitable to the introduc- tion of the gofpel-ftace. Mat, iv. 17. And he went preaching the gofpel of the kingdom Mark i. ofGod,andfaying,Thetimeisf{lfill'd,andthe '^' *^* kingdom of God is at hand: Repent ye and believe the gofpel. He order'd his difciples to go out in his name, fir ft to the JewSy and (ay unto them, Come, jor all things are now ready ; and afterwards to the Gentiles^ and by all perfuafive gofpel- arguments to compel them to come in, that his houfi might Luk< be fill d, '7> 23- Accordingly the apoftle Feter preach'd to the Jews, faying, Repent, and be baptized Aaa ii. every one of you in the name of JefusChrifi, ^^* for the remiffwn of fins, and yep:iall receive R 3 tho^ :e xir z^6 Pyeachwg Chrift explain d. the gift of the Holy Ghojl, And at another time he laid, 77:?^" things iz^hich God before Chap. HI. Ij^j pj^r^^^ yy ffjQ mouth of all his prophets^ ' '^* that Chrtjljlootddfifffer, hehath fo ftdfill'd. Repent ye therefore and be converted^ that your fins may be blotted outy when the times of refrefhing JJoall come f^om the prefence of the Lord, The apoftle Patd likewife faid Chap. xvi. to the jailor, Believe on the Lordjeftis Chrijly 3^' and thou /halt be favd. He teftifyd to the Chap. XX. Jews, and alfo to the Gvccks,repe?ttance toward ^ ^ ' Cody and faith toward our Lordjefus Chriji. Chap. xix. He zvent info the fynagogue at Ephcfus, dif ^- puting and per fu a ding the things concerning Chap. the kingdom of God. He expotmded and teflified xxviii. 23. the kingdom of God to them that came to him into his lodging at Rome, perfttading them con- Chap. cernmg Jefus. And when he went among xvii. 3C; the GentileSy he preach'd, that now God ^^' commandeth all men every where to repent ; becaufe he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteoufnefs, by that Man whom he hath ordain d-, whereof he hath given affnrance unto all men^ in that he hath raisd him from the dead. All this is anfwerable to the invitations, pleas, and promifes iifed in the prophet, la.lv. T. laying, Ho, everyone that thirfieth, come ye ^' 3' ^' to the water Sy and he that hath no money ^ come ye, buy and eat : yea come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye fpend money jar that which IS not bread f And your labour for that Preaching Chrift explain d, 247 that which fatisfieth not? Hearken diligent- ly unto me, and eat je that which is good^ and let your foul delig ht it felf in fatnefs. In- cline your ear, and come unto me \ Hear^ and your foul Jhall live, and I will make an ever- lajling covenant with you, even the fur e mer- cies of David. — • Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye ttpon him while he is near. Let the wicked for fake his way, and the tmrighteous man his thoughts ; and ht him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. And the language of all this fhiits up the canon of the new tefta- menc, which clofes with this gracious call. The Spirit and the bride fay come. And Rcv. xxII. let him that heareth fay, come. And let him ^7- that isathirfi, come. And who foever will, let him take the water of life freely. This preaching Chrift is to be direaed in the minifterial way to all people, where the gofpel comes. They are the objefts of it ; they are nearly concerned in it ; and it hath to do with them promifcuouOy and indefi- nitely ; none knowing w4io are God's cleft among them, till the event declares it. Hence fays the apoftle, He commanded us ^as ^. to preach unto the people, and to ufiify that it 42, 43» is he, which was ordain d of God to be the ^^' judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witnefs, that thrd his nmie, whofoever believes in him, floall receive re- miffion of Jins. Jiloile Peter yet fpake R 4 thefe 24 S Pr caching Chnft explain d thefe words, the Holy Ghofi jell on all them which heard the word. All forts of rational, fctiptural, evange- lical arguments are to be ufed with finners, to accept of Chrifl:, and yield themfelves up to him for all falvation, with an eye to, and hope in Chrift to ki them home by his Spirit upon their hearts. They are to be treated not like brutes or machines, but like men of rational faculties, capable of attending to, and coniidering what is propos'd to them ; and capable of being wrought upon by the Spirit of God, in a way fuitable to their rcafonablc TT ^ . , natures, and of bcin^ ^r^-z^.w, undcrhisgra- Clous mfiuence, w^th coras of a man, with bands of love. Hence fays God by the pro- ifa. xivi. phet, Remember this,* and foew yourfehes ^' men: Bring it again ^to mind, O ye tranf- grejjors. And at another time the prophet cbap. complains, There is none that calleth upon ixiv. 7. thy name, that ftirreth up himfelj to take hold of thee. And our Lord faid to thcjews^ Labour not for the meat that periJJoeth, but John VI. j-gy, ^1^^^ meat which endttreth unto everlaji- ing UJe, which the Son oj Man floall give unto you. The ftupid carelefs minds of Tinners arc to be rouz*d by proper confiderations, for convincing them of their need of Chrift, and bringing them home to him.. They are to be expoftulated with, intreated and perfuadcd, in the bowels of compafllon, CO embrace him, as he is freely o&r'd to them Preaching Chrtft explain d. 24^ them in the gofpel. They are to be dealt with by all the arguments of authority and grace, of duty and intereft, of danger and fafety, of gain and lofs, of honour anddiC- grace, of pleafure and pain, of eternal hap- pinefs in receiving him, and of eternal mi- fery for rejeding him. All arguments are to be ufed with them, fuited and appointed of God to work upon their judgments and confciences, their un- derftandings, wills, and afFedions ; fuited to their defires and averfions, their joys and forrows, hopes and fears. They are to be warned hereby to flee from the wrath to come, and encourag'd, under a fenfe of their guile and danger, to flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope, that in Chrift: is fet before them. This is the ordinance of God, and is to be ufed and attended to as fuch, with ex- peftation of his blefling upon ic. All thefe methods of addrefs to Tinners, are only means of his appointment to be ufed in fubordi- nation to his gracious operation and influ- ence. Unlefs his Spirit fets in with them, all will prove to no faving purpofe; and we (hall have fad occafion for the prophet's la- mentation, [Vho hath believed our report ? jfa. liji. ,. And to whom is the arm of the Lord re- vealed ? And therefore in all this, fmners are to be dircded to Chrift for all afliftance and fuccefs. The fprings of their help and Jtope are to be open'd, as they lie in him, that Aas xi. 23- 150 -*. Preaching Chrift explain d. that they may not run, and we may not preach in vain. Chrift is likewife to be recommended and proposed in ouf preaching, [2.] To believers, Aas xviii. They are to be helfd, who have beUev'd ^7* thrd grace, Chrift is to be preach'd to them for their farther acceptance of him, and devotednefs to him. They are to be exhorted to cleave with purpofe of heart to Col. ii. 6, the Lord .; and as they have received Chri/i 7* y^fis the Lord, Jo to walk in him : rooted and built up in himy and eftabliflod in the faithy as they have been taughty abounding therein with thanksgiving. And he is to be 1 John i. recommended to them, that they may have 3, 4. fellow fidip with hiniy and with the Father ^^^ J thro' him, and that their joy may be full. 2f We have no dominion over their faithy but are to be helpers of their joy. All his glories, as far as we can difcover them, are to be opened before them. What he is in his wondrous perfon, office, and love : What he has undertaken and engaged on their behalf from eternity, and performed in time : What he has done and fufFer'd for them on earth, and is doing for them in heaven, and will do for them at the laft day, and for ever afterwards : What he has purchased, provided, and fecur'd in himfelf for them : What he has already beftow'd upon them and promised to them : And what he expects and demands from them : z In Preaching Chuft explain d. ici In a word, all that he is in himfclf and \s to them ; and all that they are made to be in and by him, and are oblig d to be to him, fliould be fet before them in the mod clear and copious manner poflible, to recommend him to them, and to engage them to him. But I need not enlarge here, after what has been al* ready faid concerning Chrift. All this fliould be proposed to them, to encourage their continual and increafing faith, love, hope and joy, admiration, wor- fliip, obedience, gratitude and praife. All this fliould be attempted and enforced upon them, in the name of Chrifl:, and with an expectation of his prefence and blefling, that they may know their privileges in him, and their duty toward him ; and that theit hearts may be comforted, fl:rengthned and animated in his ways, till the whole defign of his grace toward them fliall be perfeded in their endlefs glory. Having given this account oi what it is to preach Chrift, we now proceed to II. Offer fome confiderations to recommend this preaching -, or to fhew why the miniflers of the gofpelfbotdd preach Chrijt, After we have heard what it is to preach Chrift, one would think it fufficienrly pleads for it felf j and that there fliould be little oc- cafion for arguments to fet the governing aim of gofpel-miniftracions towards him. But he that knows any thing of the ftate of human 2JZ Preaching Chrtft recommended, human nature, and obferves the turn of the prefent age, may eafily fee that fomething of this kind can't be unfeafonable to awaken our attention to it, and to ftir up myfclf and others to keep this point in view. Suf- fer me therefore humbly to fuggeft the fol- lowing confiderations for this purpofe. I. Chrijl IS a piihjeB truly excellent, and every ^isL^ay ^worthy to be preach* d. The things we have heard concerning him dcferve our higheft regards, and our utmoft labour to difplay, eftablifli and re- commend them. There is an infinite dig- nity in this fub'jed, and we need not be a- (ham'd of it. 'Tis the glory of minifters to be converfant with Chrilt themfelves, and to preach him to others. Our apoftle triumph'd Cor. ii. in Chrift, and in the manifefiation of the fa- ^^' vour of his knowledge in every place. How- ever fome defpis'd, and others ftumbled at 2^'^2i..'* ^^ ^^ preached Chri/i crncify'd ; and to them that were caltd, both Jews and Greeks, Chrifl the power of God, and the wifdom of God, And his heart was fo intirely in it, Chap.n.2.xh2it hc determined not to know^ or not to make known in his miniftrations, any thing among them, fave Jefus Chrifl, and him cruciffd. Chrifl: is the obje£l of angels wonder and adoration. They thought it their honour and delight to proclaim his birth. A chief a- Luke 2. niong them brought the good tidings of great lo, 13, ^^'JQy CO our world 5 and crowds of angels at- 2, tended 2 Preaching Chnft recommended. xjj tended the joyful errand, Praifing God, and fajingy Glory to God in the highejt, and on earth peace, good 'will toward men. And ever fince they had any notices of the glo- rious theme, they all turn their enquiring thoughts toward it. They make it their clofeft ftudy, and their chief delight : They defirc to look into it. They attended the Lord Chrift « P^^. i. with triumphant acclamations in his af- '^* cenfion to glory : Twenty thoufandy even pfaiixviii. thoufands of angels were his chariots, him- >7' i^- felf being in the midd of 'em, when he af- cended on high. And they chearfully pub- lifli his praifes in heaven : They unite their fongs with the innumerable multitude of the redeemed in high afcripcions of Blejjing, and Rev. v. honour, and glory, and power unto him that ^^' fitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Shall thofe exalted fpirits, thofe fuperior ranks of created minds, fliall they think him worthy of their attention and of their praife ? And fliall not we think it our glory to proclaim and recommend him ? We, whofe intelle6tual endowments are fo much below theirs ; we, who have not fuch clear and extenfive views of God and of his ways, under other confiderations of him, as they have J and we, who are more nearly con- cerned in Chrift and related to him, and have more to do with him, and (land in greater need of him than they ; we have fo much the higher reafons to glory in him, and to (et out his praife. Whar 254 Preaching Chrtfl recommended. What can be worthy to be known and preachy, if Chrift be not fo? The glory of all divine perfedions fiiines with fplendors all over amiable in the face of Jefus Chrift. Here the chief of God's eternal counfels, and endearing ways of wifdom and love are opened before us. Here are the utmofl: condefcentions of God, and advancements of man. Here is the center of union and communion between God and fallen man. Here is the grand miCdium of all gracious communications from him, and of all holy and comfortable accefs to him. And here is the foundation of all gofpel-privileges and obligations, of all capacities of duty and enjoyment, of all religious fervices and de- lights, of all recovery from the ruins of the fall, and of all reditude and bleflednefs that human nature can be adorn'd with. His eternal Deity puts a glory upon, and gives efficacy to the whole of his mediati- on : his mediation is the life and foul of all our religion : And our religion takes in all that is honourable to God and human nature, and all that \s profitable to our felves or others. Here is boundlefs room and fcope for the widefl: thoughts to expatiate, and for the moft exalted genius to entertain it felf with endlefs pleafure and advantage. Here is a noble fubjed that can never be ex- haufted; and the farther we go into it, the more it approves it felf to us, and the higher its glories rife upon us. O, who would not wifli Preaching Chr'tft recommended. i^y wifli to be employed in preaching Chrift i 2. Tr caching Chrifi is peculiarly fuited to the gofpel'difpenfation. This is a difpenfation appropriated to Chrift, and to what concerns him ; it is fee up by him; it takes its denomination and authority from him; it makes the clearefl:, the fulled and moft explicit difcoveries of him, that ever were made known to the fons of men ; and he is fo nearly interefted in it, that in the language of this difpenla- tion, preaching the gofpel, and preaching Chrift, are convertible terms, or terms of the fame import. All its parts center in him ; all its do^^rines and infticutions refer to him, and derive their glory and efficacy from him. All that was faid ^of Chrift in the old teftament, is transferred into the new, and is improved with additional enlargement, light and luftre. He is the grand article of the new teftamcnc, that runs thro* all the Evangehfts and Epifiles, the Acis^ and the Revelations^ as their governing argument, and that diftinguiflies his religion from all others. The fum of the gofpel- difpenfati- on is grace and truth by Jefiis Chrifi -y and John 1 17: our charaders, profeffion, privileges, obli- gations, hopes and happinefs, as Chrtfiians^ all derive from him, and depend upon him. And flmll the minifters of fuch a difpen- fation, that is founded on Chrift, that is full of Chnft, that is defign'd and calculated for t^6 Preaching Chrtfi recommended. for his glory, for the glory of God in him, and for the advancement of his kingdom in the world, fliall thefe minifters negled to preach Chrift, or to publifli the gofpel of his kingdom? Shall not the diftinguifliing charaderiPcicks of this difpcnfation run thro' all their holy miniftrations ? Was John the Baptift greater than all the prophets that had gone before him, becaufe he fpoke fo much, and fo plainly of Chrift; and (hall gofpel- minifters come behind John^ or be lefs in the kingdom of God than he ? How doth this look as if they did not belong to that kingdom, fince our Lord hath faid, that he VLit.xUi.thatisleaJl therein is greater than he! How incongruous is this to the glorious difpcnfa- tion we are under ! and how unworthy of their charader, that pjretend to a miniftry in his kingdom ! Hence, 3. *Tis the fpecial office of Gof^el-minifiers to preach Chrijl, They are minifters of Chrift to declare him to the people. He hath given them their commifllon, and authorized them Mark xvi. ^^ preach his gofpel to e^vaj creature ; to 15- preach repentance and remiffion of fins in his xxit^47. ^^^^5 to baptize into the faith of him ; to adminifter the facred memorials of his death in remembrance of him, and evidently to fet him forth, as crucifed, in the whole com- pafs of their office. As they are flewards of the myfterte^ of Cod, minifters of Chn^ft^ his fervants, rnd ambcffd-- Preaching Chnfl recommended. 257 ambajjadors for him, the gofpcl of reconcilia- tion by Jefus Chrift is committed to them. They are intruded with it ; they are bound to preach it -, necejfity is laid upon them, yea, » Cor, ix, wo is unto them, if they preach not the gofpel, ^^' The gofpel they are intruded wirh, takes its denomination from Chrifl:, and their preach- ing that gofpel is frequently charactiz'd by preaching Chrifl:. And (hall they be unmind- ful of, or unfaithful to their truPc ? (hall they not aft up to their office-charafter in the difcharge of it ? How treacherous and injurious is this to Chrift ! and how diflionourable and dan- gerous to themfelves ! If they are not wil- ling to make it their chief bu(inefs to preach Chrift ', or if they are afliam'd to own and preach him, with what face can they call themfelves the minifters of Chrift ? or how^ can they expeft that he fliould approve and own them as his fervants. Hence, 4. The mojl dejirable fuccefs of the mini- Jlry very much depends on preachiiig Chrift, His commiflion, while we keep to it, is attended with his promife, faying, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the Mat.xxviii. world. And where two or three ar^ ga- io.acxviii. thered together in my name, there am I in ^°" the midft of them. The gofpel-miniftratioii is the glorious mimftration of the Spirit, that giveth life. And we all, fays the apoftle of . new teilament believers, with open face, be- iCor.wl holding as in a glafs the glory of the Lord, ^'^' '^* are changed into the fame image, from glory S to ij 8 Preachmg Chriji recommended. Gai.iii. 2, ^0 g^orj, evcu ds by the Spirit of the Lord. ijj H- The b'^lieving Galatians received the Spirity not by the works of the law, but by the hearing of faith ; and Chrijl hath redeemed us from the curfe of the law, being made a curfe for us^ that the blejfmg of Abraham might come on the Genciles thro' Jefus Chrifl, that we might receive the promife of the Spirit thro* faith. The Spirit of Chrift loves to breathe in the dodrincs of Chrift. He comes front Chrift, as our exalted head and redeemer; Johnxvi. and the very defign of his coming is to glo- ''^' ^^^fy ^^^> h i^^ceivmg of his things, and /hew- ing them to us. Hence, while the apoftle Peter was preaching Chrift, to Cornelius and ^^^^•43' his friends, that thro* his name, whofoever to]zi^!' believeth in him, /hall receive remi/fion of fins ^ the Holy Gho/l fell on all them that heard the word. And when the men of Cyprus and Cyrcnc/pake to the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jefus, the hand of the Lord was with them ; and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. But why do I mention particular inftan- cts ? 'tis evident beyond difpute thro* all the aBs of the apo/lks, that 'twas the preachmg of Chri/l, which was own*d and honoured of God, with all the glorious and amazing fucccfs, among both Jews and Gentiles, re- corded there. Twas this that made Chrifti- ans, and built them up in Chrift. This is the great ordinance of God for the converfion of finners, and edification of z the Preachmg Chr'tfl recommeyided. ijp the faints. For how Jh all they call on him Rom.x. m whom they have not believed? and how H- Jhall they believe in him^ of whom they have not heard? and the work of themimftry is Eph iv. for the edifying of the body of Chrtft ; 'till we '^''^^'r- all come in the unity of the faiths and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfeSi man, tmto the meafure of the fiat ure of the fulnefs of Chrift: — *and that fpeaking the trtith in love, we may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Chrifl. Chrtft crmfied is the power of God-, and ^'^°';** he has more or Je(s in all ages fet his feal to the preaching of him. The number of real converts from fin to God, and the pow- er of pradical godlinefs in heart and life, have ufually rofe or funk, in a great pro- portion to the faithful preaching, or not preaching Chrift. Hence the apoflle was not afoamed of the gofpel of Chrift : for it ^^^^^'^^ is the power of God to falvation, to every one that believeth. For therein is the righte- oiifnefs of Godrevealed from faith to faith. If therefore minifters v^ould not be un- concerned, whether they ftudy and labour in vain, and fpend rhcirftrength fornought-j whether the hand of the Lord be with them in their miniflrations, or no : If they defire to be own'd of God with the beft fucccCs, they fliou'd take his way for ir, in preach- ing Chrift. Hence, 5. The honnir of God and of Chrift^an . religion are nearly concerned in preaching Chrift, S 1 His i6o Preaching Chriji recommended. His brighteft glories are difplay'd and re- commended to us in the perfon and mediation of Jefus Chrift ; and the glory of Chriftian re- ligion (lands in him. All its vitals fpring up and thrive under his influence, as appears from what has been (aid concerning him. But if his name is not known ; if it don't reign and triumph in the difcourfes that are preaclVd and heard, how (hall this glory of God be feen and advanced in its moft in- dearing and exalted (trains ? and how (hall Chriftian religion (hine in its proper beau- ties, and peculiar lufters ? and are not the(e tender and important points ? ought not the minifters of Chrift to be concerned for them? Hence, 6. Preaching ChriJI is delightful and im- proving to ones own and others fouls. Our apoftle was much afteded with the Ep^.iii.s. grace that made him a miniftcr, to preach among the Gentiles the unfearchable riches of ChriJI. and wherever Chrift was preach'd, he therein did rejoice y and would rejoice. 'T\s the moft pleafant work that a mini- fter can be imploy'd in, or that others can attend upon, if they have a true relifli for it. All the great and glorious things of Chrift, relating to his adorable perfon, rich- es, condefcention and love, the glory of the divine perfcdions, counfel and will in him, and the near concern he has in the whole compafs of true religion, are delightful ad- vantageous themes to think, and talk, and hear Phil. i. Preaching Chrijl recommended. 16 1 hear of. They enlarge the minds and hearts thac are let into them. They diftufe a facrcd pleafure thro' the whole foul, and redify all diforders within. They raife a mans fpiric above this world, refine his temper, give him the nobleft views and profpeds, and fill him with a divine tranfport, with all joy and peace in believing, with joy unfpeak- able, and full of glory. They are the mod refrefhing and entertaining fphere that one would wifli to move in : and the foul that lives moft in the midft of its light and in- fluence, can't but fay, Lord, it is good to be here. Once more, 7. There are but few in our days that f reach Chrijiy and hut few that regard htm. The greatefl: number of preachers and hearers feem contented to lay him afide, and too many there are among us, that fee themfelves againft him. His name is fel- dom heard of in converfation, unlcfs in a way of (Irife and debate; or, which is in- finitely worfe, in a way of contempt, re- proach and blafphemy ; and I am perfuad- ed, it never entered lefs, than at this day, into our pradical godlinefs, into our folcmn affemblies, into our dealings with God, into our dependences on him, expedations from him, and devotednefs unto him. The prefent modifli turn of religion looks, as if we began to thmk that we have no need of a Mediator, but that all our con- cerns were to be manag'd with Go\\j as an S X abfo- i6i Preaching Chr'tfl recommended. abfolute God. The religion of nature makes up the darling topicks of our age ; and the religion of jefus is valued only for the fake of that, and only fo far as it carries on the light of nature, and is a bare improvement of that kind of light. All that is rejlric- tively Chriftian, or that is peculiar to Chrift; every thing concerning him, that has not its apparent foundation in natural light, or that goes beyond its principles, is wav'd, and banifl^d, and defpis'd. And even moral duties thcmfelves, which are eflential to the very being of Chriftianity, are ufually ha- rangued upon, without any evangelical turn, or reference to Chrift, as jrttits of righte- oujhefs to the praife and glory of God by him. They are placed in the room of Chrift, are fet up independent of him, and are urg'd upon principles and with views, inefFeftual to fecure their pradice, and more fuited to the fentiments and temper of a heathen, than of thofe that take the whole at their religion from Chrift. How many fermons may one hear that leave out Chrift, both name and thing, and that pay no more regard to him, than if we had nothing to do with him? what a melancholy fymptom, what a threatning omen is this ! do we not already feel its dif- mal effcds in the growth of infidelity, in the rare inftances of converfion-work, and in the cold, low and withering ftare of reli- gion among the profeflbrs of it, beyond what has has been known in fonie former days ? May not thefe things be chargeable Vi\ great mca- fure on a prevailing difufe of preaching Chrift ? And where will they end, if the difufe goes on, and little or nothing con- cerning him is to be heard among us ? How fliouldalltheminiftersof Chriil:, that hearti- ly love him, that are concerned for his ho- nour, and for the honour of religion, as Chrifiian, be aifeaed at thefe thoughts i And hov^ (hould they be excited, by the too ge- neral negled of others, to be fo much the more frequent, earned:, and explicite in preaching Chrift themfelves I APPLICATION. Firfl:, Let as hereby judge of the great excellence of agofpelminiflry. The Son of God, the only Saviour of finners, is its principal fubjed. It difcovers and recommends him to us for all the great and glorious purpofes that are of the utmoft importance, and eternal confequence. It is worthy of God's appointment, and of our approbation. It is honourable to him, and beneficial to us. It is fuited to difplay the glory of all his perfedions in beauteous and entire harmony, to give us an amiable view of him, to recover us from all the ruins of our fallen ftate, and to bring us into a date of communion with him and confor- mity to him. S 4 It ^^4 Jjpphcattm, It is full of dignity and delight, fuperior to all other ways of intcrcourfe between God and us. Ic gives us a nobler entertainment than if all the myfteries of nature and art were unfolded to our minds. And it '\% a bccter treafure, than all the gold of the In- dies, than all the riches of the creation. No fyftem of natural principles, nofchemes of men, no other inilitution of God could ever match it, or be once compared with It, and v/ith the things concern'd m it. God hath put the higheft honour upon It 5 he owns and fucceeds it. And however others may defpife it, his fervants fliould magnify their office, and take pleafure in it. And all that hear them preaching Chrift, fliould know that the kingdom of God is brought nigh unto them. Secondly, Let the grace, that hath ap- pointed Chrifi to be preach d, affeB your hearts, for whofe fakes it hath made that ap- pointmefit. This excellent miniftry is not principally appointed for their fakes, who are employ'd jn k, orbarely to put an honour upon them; but for the dike of others, for their confolati- 2 Tim. ii. on and falvation, even for the elect's fakes, '''' that they may obtain the falvation which is m Chrfl Jeftis, with eternal glory. The 2 Cor. iv. mmiRcrs of Chrift are fent to preach not 5- themfelvcs, but Chrifl Jefus the Lord ; and I Cor iii fy^P'^^^J ^^^ cktfrches, fervants for Jefus's 5> 2 1, 22!/^^^- 'I hey ai^c miniflers by whom ye be- ~^* lieves^ Applicatton. z6s IrevCy e*ven as the Lord gives to every 7nan. And all things are yours ; whether Paul, or A polios, or Cephas — - all are yours ; and ye are Chrift's, and Chrijl is God's, All their gifts and labours are for the church ; and all their miniftry is for its edification, eftablifhmcnr, and increafe. God might have fent meflengers of wrath and executioners of juftice, to clear the fl:agc of a guilty world. But he hath (ent met fengers of peace and reconciliation to preach Chrift to you, and to open a door of falva- tion before you in him, to bring good tidings Ifa. Hi. 7. of good, to publijh falvation, and to fay un- to Zton, thy God reigneth. He holds out the golden fcepter in a gofpel-miniftry, that you may prefent your petitions, with faith in the name of Chrift, for all the bleflings of his kingdom. And there is yet room for the mod: unworthy hell-deferving finner to make his requeft with hope of finding acceptance, and to put in for mercy thro' Jefus Chrift to eternal life, whofoever will, Rev. xxH. may come and take the water of life freely. ^7- And him that comes unto Chrift, upon the call of the gofpel, he will m no wife cafl john vi. out. ' 37- What a merciful difpenfation is this i How full of bounteous and endearing grace, beyond all that ever could have been ima- gined, if God himfelf had not reveal'd k, and beyond all that has ever been made known by any other means to the finfal z fons 266 Ap pit cation. fons of men ! How worthy is this of all ac- ceptation I How (liould we admire it ! How fliould we be aflFeded with it ! And what thankfgivings are due to God on this ac- count \ Thirdly, hzt it he your great concern to nfe and improve the preaching of Chriji. Jf minifters are to preach Chrift, the people are to hear him preach'd ; the work is relative, and the duty of one infers the duty of the other. And where Chrift is nioft and beft preach'd in all his charafters, and in the various and extenfive influence he hath upon the whole of our religion, holinefs and happinefs, that's the beft preaching, and there it s beft to hear. Attend therefore upon the preaching of Chrift, that you may hear and your fouls may live ; that the great ends for which he is CO be preach'd may be anfwer'd by his grace upon you ; that you may know, and believe in him, and yield up your felves to him ; that you may receive a whole Chrift, his perfon and all his offices for yourfelves, and for all the purpofes for which you need him; and may have your whole fouls en- gaged to him in all that worfliip, homage, and love, duty and fervice, that you ought to pay him ; that you may give him an en- tertainment worthy of him, may cleave with full purpofe of heart to him, and may adorn the do Brine of Godyonr Saviour in ail thmgs. For the goipel of the grace of God that brmgs Tit. ii. lo- -14. JppUcatm. '^^7 brmsfdvation, hath appeafd, in the prcach- ino- of Chrift, to all men, teaching us, that dmying ungodlmefs and worldly hfts, we (hould live foberly, righteotijly, andgodlilyin tn this prefent world 5 looking for the blejjed hope and glorious appearing of the great God, and or even, our Saviour J efusChrtJl : who gave himfelffor us, that he might redeem ns from all iniquity, and purify mno himfelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works. When Chrift is preach'd, 'tis at thy iitmoll peril, O finner I to negled or defpife him. For there is falvation in no other, and there A.as iv. is no other name under heaven given among men whereby thou mufl be fav*d. And how Heb. ii. 3, fhalt thou efcape if thou negMeJl fo great falvation ? Beware therefore, when thou Aasxm. heareft of Chrifl:, left that come upon thee ^^' ^ * which isfpokcn of in the prophets. Behold ye defpifers, and wonder, andperijlo. It had been better for thee never to have heard of Chrift, than to hear of him, and to lie out from him and rejed him. For this is /k John Hi. condemnation, that light is comeinto the world, »9- and men love darknefs rather than light, \ becatije their deeds are evil And 'twill be ^at. xi. wore tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day 22. of judgment than for thee. Every difcovery of Chrift in the gofpel, which thou haft fliut thine eyes againft, and every offer of - Chrift which thou haft refused will add a fting to thy guilt, and aggravate thy con- demnation in that awful day. But, the gofpel, and by the Spirit of light and grace that accompanies it : And he fays If my man will hear my voice, and op/n the door I^ill come m to Mm, andZll fip with hm and he with me. i e I w ment "if^i^/"''- ^"'^ ^"-^^X -tertain- ment. If thy heart .s open'd to receive that Jefus whom we preach, he wiU enter with allhis falvation. If thou art willing to be fav'd pLch'd' tot "'{ °' ^'u^ Sofpel, as he is preach d to thee there, thou may'ft fecurelv depend upon his grace and faithfulnefs, tha^ he will not rejea thee. Happy, fo'rever te/f :^,V°^^'^ee, thaf thou eve heard ft of Chrift: His word being mixt j7'*/f\^'l' profit thee to eternflTfe I w. 1 be the gofpel of thine own falvation' and thou wilt bring forth fruit to his glory' and to thine own account. ^ ^' Thy eternal all is concern'd in the ufe thou makeft of Chrift. If thou receiveft h.m as he is pi^pos'd to thee in the gofo 1 tTw' ^^u '"^^ ^'PPy •• B"^ if thou^refec- teft h,m, thou art loft for ever. For a con f id 7/';} • '""f"^' -^- ^^-^^'f hTh ^--^"'■'1;.A T/' ^^' ^anthat heareth me ''-'^- Zt^^S daily at mj gates, waiting at the {f l7/T ^r'^^ff'^^^^hmtjindeth ButCi^rf t^'" f '''"'"*'' of f he Lord. But he thatfmneth agamfi me, wronmh his own fold ; all they that hate me, love feath FINIS. CHRIST' s IncarrjaUoHy and the Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth: Confider'd in two SERMONS On John i. 14. Preach'd at Little St. HELEN'% OBokr i^th, znd November 2th, lyzS. By EDfVARD GODWIN. ( 271 ) CHRIST'S Incarnation, AND THE Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth. John i. 14. And the Word was made flejh^ and dwelt among us^ {and we beheld his glory ^ the glory as of the only be- gotten of the Father^) full of Grace and Truth. TH E apoftle Veter fpcaking of the ^^^;^^;J^^ ineftimable favours we have received g^^^ ^5, from Chrift, tells us, that he has 1728. conferred them on us, that ijuepould floew i Pet. n. forth the praifes (or as the word [dperdg] 9- does rather fignify, the virtues) of him who hath called us out of darknefs into his mar- vellous light. Now in the words that I have read, we have reprefented to us, the mighty love the Son of God has (hewn us, the %yz Ch riffs Incarnation] the amazing condefcenfion of infinite great- nefs, the unfpeakable grace of offended goodnefs. The glorious myftery, that kmgs and prophets have defir'd to fee, and that the highefl: angels love to pry into, the my- fiery of godlmefs, God mamfeft in the flefh, is here reveal'd unto us. Here we have a way difcover'd for God's difplaying of the riches of his grace, without any prejudice pfai. to the rights of juftice : Mercy and truth ixxxv. 10. niay here be feen to meet together ; and right eotifnefs and peace have kifsd each other: Peace and goodwill are fliewn to men, and glory is afcrib'd to God on high. Here the furprifing incarnation of the Son of God is fet before us, that glorious inftance of divine grace, whereby he who (at upon the throne of God, came down to dwell Phil. ii. on earth ; he, who being in the form of God, 67- thought it not robbery to be equal with Gody took upon him the form of afervant, and was made in the likenefs of men : He who was cloth'd with honour and majefty, took Heb ii P^^^ ^f fl^^ ^^^ blood, (chat fo he might be 14, 15! capable of dying,) that thro* death he might dejlroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil ; and deliver them who thro' fear of death, were all their life time fubje^i to bondage. Here we have open'd to us the inexhauftible and all-fufficient treafures, that are prepared by Chrift, to anfwer all our wants, to make provifion for the pardon of our fins, and furnifli us with grace to help in time Chriji^s Incarnatton. ij^ time of needy to fcaccer all our doubts and darknefs, and to dired us in the way to life and happinefs. And therefore now, when we have fuch an inftance of the love of Chrift difcover'd to us, when we have the fulnefs of his grace and truth difplay'd be- fore us, it furely muft be proper for us, in a peculiar manner, to Jhew forth the virtues^ to publifli and declare the grace and love of him who thus has condefcended to be made ^^^- "• like unto his brethren; that he might be a^'^' merciful and faithful high-prieji in things per- taining to God to make reconciliation for the fins of the people. This, in particular, was the great defign of founding of this ledure, to celebrate the praifcs, and to Jhew forth the virtues of our dear Redeemer; difplaying of his glori- ous excellencies, and making known the wonders of his love ; declaring what he has done for our falvation, and (hewing the fuf- iiciency and fulnefs of his grace, for the con- firming of our faith and hope, for the in- flaming of our love to Chrift, and for en- gaging fouls to come to him as full of grace and truth. And this it is that I (hall now attempt, turning your thoughts, (according as the fubjeft leads me,) to meditate upon the glo- ry and the grace, the majefty and the con- defcenfion, of him who left his throne in heaven, and put on mortal fle(h, that he might die to fave us. And to this purpofc T we X74 Chrtffs Incarnation. we fhall fee before yon, what the beloved difciple has here told us of his Lord and Mafter ; declaring, that the Word was made fiejh ; that he dwelt among men, and they beheld his glory, the glory as of the only be- gotten of the Father ; and that he was full of grace and truth. And following the order of the words, we (hall confider, I. The glorious myfl:ery of the Incarnati- on of the Son of God, as it is here afferted by the apoftle, when he tells us, that the Word was made fiejh, II. The evidence we have of this, in that he dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, And, III. The happy fruit and the advantage of it, in that hereby we have a Saviour that is full of grace and truth. And thefe, as they are confiderations of the greateft moment and importance to us, lo we fhall find that they abound in matter for a praftical improvement. I. What we arc fir ft of all to fpeak to, is the furprizing myftery of the Incarnation -of the Son of God, as it is here afferted by the apoftle, when he (ays, that the Word ■izas made flefh. And here it is, we have Col 1.26. ^hc myjiery made manifeft that had been hid ;;vv " from Chtfts Incarnation. 275 from ages, and from generations ; of which the prophets had enquifd and fearch'd dili- p^^ . gently ; and which the angels had defifd to 10, 12.* look into. We have here the wonderful event, that ever (ince the fall had been the longing expeftation of the righteous, that was the fubjcd of fo many prophecies, and that was pointed out by fo many types and figures under the law. We have here the ground of the glad tidings of the gofpel, the only fure foundation of the believer's hope and joy. This is a fubjeft therefore, that deferves the ftudy, and calls for the at- tention and regard of every foul among us. And in the opening of it, we fliall confider, Firjiy Who is the IVord that is here (po- ken of? And, Secondly, What is implied in his being made Flefb ? Firfly Who is the Word that is here fpo- kcn of ? The evangelill: has told us this, in the beginning of his gofpel : In the begin- John i. i, ning was the JVordy and the Word was with ^' ^' God, and the Word was God ; the fame was . in the beginning with God j all things were made by him^ and without him was not any thing made that was made. Where it ap* pears, that by this Word, we are not to un-^ deriland, a word that forms a part of a difcourfe, an oracle, or voice emitted from the mouth of God, or by his order utter*d T i by 176 ChriJVs Incarnation. by his fervants ; but chat it fignifies effential wifdom and uncreated light ; the fource and origin of all that is reveal'd to men, the caufe and fpring of all the univerfe, of all the beauty that we fee, of all the order we fo much admire. Wherefore the evangelifl: ygr. 4, 9. goes on to tell us, In him was ItfCy and the life was the light of men ; this was the true lighty which lighteth e^very man that cometh into the world. And thus 'tis eafy to perceive, that by the Wordy the apoftle means our Saviour Chrijt^ the fecond perfon of the glorious Trinity ; whom he has fpoken of under this cha- radcr in other places of his writings; as 1 John V. ^i^gj.^ j^g ^-^y^^ There are three that hear re- cord in heaven^ the Father ^ the Word^ and the Holy Ghoft ; and again, in the Revela- tionSy where he is plainly fpeaking of our Saviour, he tells us, that his name is calVdy Rev.xix. Jhe Word of God, And this was frequent- '^* ly a title that was given to the Mejfiah by the Jews^ who was well known among them under the charader of Memra^ or the Word of God ; as it is evident from many places of the Chaldee Taraphrafe, Nor is it an improper term for the expreffing of the Son of God, not only as he is the fcopc and fubjed of the prophetical and promit fory word; but more cfpecially as 'tis his of- fice to reveal the Father to us, and to make known his mind and will : Which the a- poftle feems particularly to have had in view, , by Chrifis Incarnation. 277 by what he tells in a few verfes afterwards ; No man hath feen God at any time ; the ver. 1 8, only begotten Son^ which is in the bofom of the Father he hath declared him. And may we not fuppofe, that the apo- file here alludes to what is (aid of the Wtfdom of God in the book of Proverbs ? Jhe Lord ^^°^, ^'"• pojjefsd me in the beginning of his ways^ be- ^^' fore his works of old; Iwasfet up from ever- laflmg^ from the beginnings or ever the earth was : JVhen there were no depths I was brought forth ; when there were no foun- tains abounding with water : Before the mountains were fettled^ before the hills was I brought forth : — « JVhen he prepared the heavens s I was there ; when he fet a compafs upon the face of the depth: — fVhen he gave to thefea his decree : PFhen he appointed the foundations of the earth : Then I was by him^ as one brought up with htm ; and I was daily his delight ^ rejoicing always before him, Thefe, it is true, are lofty and fublime expreffions, and plainly are attended with the charaders of an eternal Deity : But we have no need to be furpriz'd at this ; for (urely nothing can be (aid too grand, or too magnificent, of him who is the Wtfdom and the Word of God, who was with God in the beginnings and who himfelf is properly and truly God, And now, as it is evident, that by the Word the apoftle muft be underftood to mean T 3 our 278 Chrtjl's Incarnation. our hord Jefus Chrijl ; fo when he tells us, that the Word is Gody there is nothing can be more abfurd, than to fuppofe he means a God in an inferior fenfe, a God by ojficey not by nature^ who cannot properly be called God, This would be found, not only to contradift the general fenfe, wherein the word God is ufed in fcripture, but even to ccn-radid the fenfe that he has ufed it in himfclf, immediately before, even in that very verfe. The Word was with God, there all acknowledge, that the title God fignifies him who truly and properly \s fo ; and there- fore v/hen he adds, and the Word was Gody the apoftle muft either underftand the fame God as to efl'ence, tho' he is diftinft in per- fon, or elle muft leave all Chriftians liable to a great and dangerous miftake, by an unac- countable ambiguity in his words. And tho' it be alledg d the article is wanting here to the word eilg God, where 'tis applied to Chrijl^ yet this is far from proving that wc (hould underftand it therefore in a lower fenfe ; for the fame word is us'd without an article in feveral other places of this very ^^•^'^*' chapter, where it does plainly (ignify the *^' * ' one true God, And when the name oi God is ufed in all the other places in its proper fenfe, can it be reafonable to fuppofe that wc fliould underftand it otherwife, here in this fingle inftance? Beiides, it is enough to fliew, that in a ftrid and proper fenfe, the Word is God^ be- caufc Chriffs Incarnation. 279 Caufe he has eternity here attributed to him, and all things are declared to have been made by him. He has eternity afcribed to him, in that he xs^ faid to have exiftedjw the begin- ning \ which is a phrafe cxpreflive of eter- nity : for thus 'tis faid elfewhere, the Lord ^''o^- v'ii. popjjed him in the beginning of his ways ; ^^' ^^* which in the next verfe is explained to be from everlaftingy from the beginning, or ever the earth was. And as he is thus declared to be eternal, fo likewife he is exprefly faid to be the Creator of all things ; all things v^r. 3. were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Now cer- tainly, creation is a diftinguifliing peculiar charafter of the true God, by which he is raifed above all that are called ^^ii", and on Jer. x. n. account of which he claims the wor(hip of the hoft of heaven; for he is worthy to re- Rev.iv.n. ceive glory, and honour y and power ; for he has created all things, and for his pleafure they are and were created. And therefore, as the making all things is afcribed to Chrift, he has an undifputable title to the Deity, and in a ftrid and proper fenfe the Word is God, Such is the high and glorious charaft^r, that the apoftlej^o^w hath given us of Chriji ; and while the other evangelifts in the begin- ning of their gofpels, fpeak of Chrift as to his human nature, and give us an account of his nativity as the Son of Man ; the apo- ftle opens his in a more lofty manner ; with T 4 an , i8o Chrtfts Incarnation. an account of the Divinity of Chrift, and of the eternity of his exiftence as the Son of God. Matthew has introduced his go- fpel, fpeaking of Chrift as Man, and tells us in the genealogy that he has given us, the feveral anceftors he was defcended from : but the apoflle John confiders him as God, and fpeaks of him as having exiftcd from eternity with the Father, before he took upon him fle(h and blood. And how (hould this poflefs our minds with high and lofty thoughts of Chrift, under the mean appear- ance that he made on earth ? How fliould it make us to adore his Majefty, and to ad- mire his Grace, while we confider him to be truly God as well as Man f How (hould it fill us with the higheft value and efteem of Chrift, and how (hould it enlarge our grati- tude for the unfpeakable gift that God has given us of his Son, while we confider him as the incarnate God, and meditate upon this glorious myftery, the fFord made fiefh ? But this now brings me to confider, f- Secondly, What the apoftle tells us of the Word, of whom he had given us fuch a high and glorious charafter, and whom he had defcribed as truly God : And here we have a myftery, that far exceeds the moft exalted thoughts of men or angels ; for he declares concerning him, that the Word was made jlejh; that '\%, he took the human na- ture into an intimate and real union with the Chrtfh Incarnation. 281 the Deity; and taking part of flefli and blood, he was made a man like to our felves. For the word flejh is often us*d in fcripture, to fignify the intire human nature, confid- ing both of foul and body : as when 'tis faid, that all flejlo fhall fee the falvation of God: Lukeiu.6. and again, by the deeds of the law there Rom. Hi. Jhall no Jlejh be juftified in the fight of God, *^- In thefe and many other places, it is evident, that by flefh we are not to under (land the body only, but man, as he is compounded both of foul and body. And the word j?^ may rather have been ufcd than man^ be- caufe it is the vileft and the weakeft part of man ; that fo it might appear to what a low degree the Son of God had humbled and debas'd himfelf, by clothing his Deity with the infirmities of mortal flefli, and taking all the weakness of the human nature, as far as it was free from fin, into a perfonal union with the Godhead. But to be more particular in fpeaking to this glorious myftcry, (i.) Ftrft, We ftiall confider fomething of the nature of this union ; and then, we (hall enquire, (2.) Secondly^ Into the grounds and rea- fons of it. (i.) Rrfty We fliall confider fomething of the nature of this union ; a fubjed that indeed is far above us, and which it is im- poflible that we fliould fully comprehend. For how can we conceive, that one equal with x3x Chr'tfts Incarnation.. with God, (hould be made in the form of a Jervanty that glory (hould be joiiVd with vilenefs, and the Creator be united to the creature ? How could God take upon him the likenefs of man ? How could the eternal PTord be made infirm and mortal Jiejh > This is indeed a myftery the fcripture no where has explain'd; and therefore 'twould be folly for us to pretend to tell you, what is the man- ner of this union ; the underftanding traces it in vain, and the comparifons that have been brought from nature, to help us in our notions of it, do all of them fall vafHy (liorc of this myfterious union ; for there is no- thing in the whole frame of nature that will fully anfwer it, or help us to a clearer notion of it, than what we may derive from the account the fcripture gives us : where tho' the manner of it be not explained, yet feve- ral of its properties are intimated to us, from whence the nature of it may be in part dif- cern'd ; and tho* we cannot fathom all the depths of it, yet we have the thing it fclf plainly declared, and put beyond all doubt, by feveral exprefs and pofitive afTcrtions ; as where we are told by the apoftle T^aul, that I Tim. iii. without controverfj great is the myjiery of '^* godlinefs ; God wasmanifefl in the fle'fh : And Colii. 3,9. again, In him dwelleth all the fulnefs of the Godhead bodily ; and in him are hid all the treafures of wifdom and knowledge. So, that however uncertain and obfcure the manner of this union be, we find the thing Chrifis Incarnation. i8j thing it felf is clear and certain ; we find it is an union of eternity with time, of power with weaknefs, of the Divinity with the human nature-, and that our Saviour truly was Xmmanuely God with us ; God manifefl in mortal flejh. And thus from the account the fcripturc gives us, we may learn, I. That there was a real union of the iijvo natures in him, and that as he was truly God^ fo likewife he was truly Man. Twas no imaginary union, (as was aflerted by fome ancient hereticks,) reaching no farther than to appearance only ; but he aflum'd the true and proper body of a man, together with a hxxmzxi foul \ and taking on himfelf the na-Hcb.ii.i^, ture of the feed oj Abraham, he was in all '^* things made like unto his brethren, fin only excepted. And this was what behoved him, that by this means he might remove the taint of fin from the whole human na- ture, which had infefted every faculty and member both of the foul and body. It is cxprefly faid, a body was prepared for him, Hcb.x.^ and he took part of fiefo and blood, that j^^j, jj he might bear our fins in his own body on ,Pet.ii. the tree ; and by the fliedding of his own »4- . blood, he might obtain eternal redemption ^^^'^^^ for us. He had a body that was fubjeft to the fame infirmities with ours, expos'd to wearinefs and pain, and liable to fufFerings and death. And tho' he was exempt from the defiling ftains of fin, yet he fubmitted to the defefts and weaknefs that fin has brought 284 Chrlffs Ifi carnation. brought upon the human nature; and upon Rora.viii. this account is faid, to be fcnt in the likemfs 5' ofjinful flejh. And how amazing there- fore is the condefcenfion of our Saviour upon this account, that he affumM our na- ture, not as it was perfed in a (late of in- nocence, but as it was ruin'd and dcfac'd by fin ? And as he took the body of a man, fo alfo he affumed a humanyj///,that was en- dued with the (ame faculties as ours ; a foul that was improveable in knowledge, and Luke ii.j-i. that tfiCYeasd in wifdom^ as his body grew Heb.v.7. inJiaturC', afoul that was fufceptible of hope Heb.xii.i. ^^j fear, and liable to joy and grief: he johnxi. ground in fpirit, and was troubled at the 35- death of Lazarus-, and when his fufferings began, his foul was exceeding forrowful, even Mat. XXVI. ^^^^ death', and in the end, he felt the pangs of death, his (bul was feparated from .. his body, and he yielded up the ^hofl. So ^o. that in inort, there s nothmg can be more abfurd, than the conceit of thofe who ima- gine that the Word fupplied the place of a fmd to the Man Chrifi JefuSy and that the ■flejlo he took, was only animated by the in- dwelling Deity i for it is evident, that he had all the affe"• • to revenge his brother's death upon the xxxv^'ip. m.urderer; and to maintain the name d^ulxxv. and honour of his brother, by raifing him 5-. up a feed. Thefe v^ere the proper offices of a Goel or Redeemer under the law ; and each of thefe may very fitly be applied to Chrifl:, as by his Incarnation he is become our brother ; for,-- — that inheritance of ever- lafting life, which utterly was lofl: and alie- nated by our firft parents, he has redcem'd with the price of his own blood ; and then again, — he has reveng'd the death of man upon the great contriver of it, that is the Devil, by giving him a fatal blow, and bruif- ing him under his people's feet : and fur- ther, —-he has taken an eftediial method, noc U z only 2pz Chrlfi's Incarnation. only to maintain our name and honour, but to preferve our perfons too, to all ecernicy, by raifing us to a new and glorious life in heaven. Thefe then, are offices perform'd by Chrifl-, and he peculiarly was fitted for it 5 for he not only took upon himflefh and blood, but was bone of our bom, dndfleflo of ourflejhy and fo was one of the fame nature with us : He did not only take a body and appear as man, (which by his power he might have done, by making of himfelf a body of a dif- ferent kind from ours, and thus he would have flood in no relation to us ;) but he was born of a woman, and was made of the feed om. 1. . ^^ X>avid according to the flejh : From whence the apoftle Paul declares, that both Heb.ii.ii. he that fanBifieth, and they who are fanBi- fied are all of one ; they are all partakers of the fame flefli and blood ; and therefore he is not ajloayrid to call them brethren. And in this quality he had a right and tide to re- deem us, according to the law of redemp- tion, as it is given us in Chap, xxv. of hevi- ticiis ; and at the (ame time too, he had a power of doing it, as he was capable of fuftering death for us. Man only could not have redeem'd us, not being capable of bearing an infinite pu- nifliment : and God only (if I may fo exprefs myfelf ) could not have done it, being not capable of fuffcring at all : But Chrift, be- ing God a?id Man united, has all the necefTa- ry qualifications for the accomplilhment of fo Chnjl's IncarnaUon. 293 fo great a work » For, as he was Man^ he ofFer'd up himfelf a facrifice ; and as he was Gody he gave an infinite value to the facri- fice he otfer'd. And thus, it was with this defign lie came into the world, and took the human nature into a perfonal unior^ with the divine, that fo he might be quali- ficd to be the Redeemer of his people. And thus, we have fet before you the glorious myftery of the Incarnation of the Son of God ; and for a clofe of what we have been offering to you, I.) How fhould this myftery be ftudied by us, and fill our hearts with admiration and a lively gratitude ? Can any thing b much dqferve the ftudy and attention of our minds, as that which is the great foun- dation of our hope and joy ? Can any thing excite our wonder more, than the amazing condefcenfion of the Son of God ? That he (hould lay afide his glory, and cloche himfelf with mortal flefli, to fave us from our fins ? That he fhould leave the bofom of his Father, and willingly fubmit to all the in- firmities of the human nature, that he might raife us to the higheft glory ? How fhould it fill our hearts with wonder and aftonifhment ? How (hould it raife us to a lively gratitude ? How can we ever enough exprefs our thankfulnefs to him Vv^ho has found fo wonderful a way for reconciling us CO God > Our fouls fb.all magnify the Lord, U 3 and Luke f 46, 47 2 J) 4 Chrifi's IncarnaUon. and our fpirits rejoice in God our Saviour. 1.) How (liould our hearts be fill'd with love to him who has been at fuch expence tcffave us ? Howfhoiild the Father's love af- fc£c us, that he (hould give his Son from his own bofom, and (hew fuch wonderful re- gard to thofe who had abus'd his mercy, and had dcflroy'd themfelves by fin ? Shall we not love that God, who when he let the fallen angels perifh, made fuch a wonder- ful provifion for the recovery of fallen man ? Shall not the love of Chrtjl conjirain //j, who has debased himfelf, that he might take us into fuch a near relation to himfelf, and who is not ajham'd to call us brethren ? Oh I that our hearts were fuitably imprefs'd with the aftonifliing cxpreflions of. the love both of the Father and the Son ? How fliould we willingly fubmit to do his will, and (hew our love by our obedience to him? How fiiould his glory be our aim ? And how (hould we delight to honour him ? 5.) On what a poor foundation do the hopes of fuch depend, who believe not Chrift to be both God and Man ? Juftice is arm'd againft you; and who is there can favc you from the wrath that is to come ? Will you rely upon a creature only, when you have the guilt of (in upon you, the weight of which has funk the angels into the lowcfl: hell ? Will you depend upon a rightcouf- nefs, that has no merit equal to your guilt, when nothing lefs than what is infinite can fave ChriJYs Incarnation. x^^ fave you from your (ins ? — BlelTed be God we have a furer ground to build our hopes upon ; we have help laid for us upon one Heb. vii. that is mighty ; we have a Saviour that is ^S- truly God as well as Man, and therefore muft be able to fave unto the uttermoft, all that come unto God by him. And hence, 4.) How great is our engagement to con- fidence in Chrift, and what a ftrong aiTu- rance may the believer have of his falvati- on . How muft it fill our hearts with joy and comfort, to think that we have a Sa- viour that has afflim'd our nature, and there- fore cannot but be touch' d with the feeling ^^'^'^'^' of our infirmities ; and as he knows our wants and weakneffes, fo will be ready to relieve them ? And fmce we have fuch a great Highprieji, how may we come with boldnefs to the throne of Grace^ and draw nigh to God with a true hearty in full ajpu- Heb. x. ranee of faith? When Chrift has ftoop'd ^^' fo low that he might be our Saviour, can we have any queftion of his loving kindnefs towards us, or can we think that he will fuflFer any thing to be wanting to our com- pleat falvation ? No, with a holy confidence we may rely upon him, and may allure our- felves, that he who has debas'd himfelf fo low to fave us, will carry on the work, till he has brought his people into glory. But then, 5.) Laftly^ How (hould it be our earneft prayer, how (hould it be the great concern U 4 and 1^6 Chnffs Incarnation. and care of every foul among us, that Chrift may have a union with ourfelves, with our particular perfons, as w^ell as with our com- mon nature > For his affuming of our na- ture, will be of no advantage to us, unlefi by faith he be united to our perfons. Tis infinite grace indeed that God is come (b near us, and that the Word is made flejlo^ that fo he might be qualified to be our Sa- viour. But when we have fuch a way for our falvation open'd to us, when Chrift is come fo far to feck our peace, when he has veird his glory that he might treat fa- miliarly with us ; fliall we rcfufe and fhut our hearts againft him ? How will it aggra- vate our fin if we negle£t the Saviour that \s ofter'd to us ? And how fliall we be left without excufe, if we defpife the grace thac is difcover*d to us, in the Incarnation of the Son of God? Oh i let the grace that he has fliewn, invite and draw us to him ; and let the condefcenfion of an incarnate God en- courage and excite us to be feekiiig for a clofer union with him ; that he may own us for his brethren at the great day, and give us an inheritance with thofe whom he has redeem d unto God by his blood. Chrifi'S ( ^97 ) ■^^l C H R I s t's Glory in his Incarnation, AND THE Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth. John i. 14. And the Word was made flejh^ and dwelt among us^ {and we beheld his Glory^ the Glory as of the only he- gotten of the Father^) full of Grace and Truth. WE have here the glory and grace, Serm. ii. the majefty and condefcenfion of ?J^^^^^^?g our dear Redeemer, fee before us ; 17^3!^ ' * a fubjeft that is worthy of our bed atten- tion, as ic difplays the wonders of the love of Chrifl:, and (hews the rich and fuitable provifion he has made both for our peace and comfort here, and for our happinefs here- after, By '5pg Chrifts Glory-, and the By our apoftacy from God, we had de- ftroy'd OLirfelves, and were reduc'd to an unhappy loft condition : We had loft the favour of the God that made us, loft all the purity of our nature, and all the happinefs that would have crown'd our innocence : Nay, what is more, we had loft all hopes of ever being freed from this unhappy ftate ; we knew not how to fatisfy offended juftice, we had no price to pay for our redemption, no ranfom to deliver us from the wrath our fins deierv'd : We were accurfed by the law, fentenc'd to death and everlafting mifery, and might as well be given up for loft, as one who is juft expiring under the pangs of an incurable difeafe. And fo far were we from feeking unto God for help, who alone couldliealand feve our fouls, that we were ftill departing further from him, and like benighted travellers who had loft their way, were wandring in the crooked paths of fin, infenfible of our danger, even while we were upon the brink of dreadful precipices that every moment threatened us with de- ftruftion. But, oh the wonders of the love of Chrifti While we were m this loft undone condi- tion, with pity and compaffion he beheld us ; while we were thus expos'd to wrath and mifery, and while we thus were wan- dring in the paths of fin and deftruftion, lie came from heaven himfelf to feek and lave us. This ^as the kind defign he came upon. Fuhtefs of hh Grace and Truth. 299^ upon, and with a view to this it was, he took our nature on him, and did and fuffer'd all that we read of in the gofpel. Ic was for this he left the bofom of his Father, and was made flefh ; for this, he dwelt a- mong us ^ full of Grace and Truth ; for this he made an end ojfin^ and brought in everlafiing righteoufnejs -, for this he bore the punifliment his people had deferved, and flied his precious blood to purchafe pardon and a right to glory. The tidings therefore of the love of Chrift toward us, cannot but be received with wonder by us. To think the Son of God fliould come from heaven to (hew his love to fuch apoftatc creatures ; to think, the eternal IVor d (hould be made JleJJj, and pafs a mean defpis'd life on earth ; to think, that he fliould make himfelf a curfe to free us from the condemnation we deferve ; to think, that he fliould open to us, the in- exhauftible and all-fufficient treafures of his Grace and Truth, that he might fill our fouls with light and comfort here, and fit us for the enjoyment of himfelf hereafter ; cannot but fill us with aftonifliment, and make us to admire the exceeding riches of his grace. To what a height of honour has he rais'd our nature, by making it the temple of the Deity, the habitation of eternal Wifdom?. By this, the glorious Majefty of heaven is become related m a furprizing manner, to the vile defpicable race of mortal man j Hea- ven II. 3^0 Chnfts Glory ^ and the ven is allied to earth, and the Son of God is made as thefirjl-born among many brethren. For now, both he that fanBifiethy and they Heb. ii. who are JanBijied are all of one ; for which caifeheis not ajham*d to call them brethren. Surely whenever we refleft upon this love and condefcenfion of the Son of God, our wondring fouls muft needs cry out, Behold what manner of love is this ? Was ever any love like that of Chrift ? One would imagine, that the wonders of it flioutd dwell continually upon our minds, and raife up our affeftions to a holy admira- tion: But fuch, alas, is the corruption of our nature, fuch is our coldnefs and indif- ference to fpiritual things, that fuch impor- tant and affeding fubjefts feldom engage our thoughts, and we allow but little time to medicate on what concerns our fouls. What pades in the world about us is com- monly more regarded by us, than making a provifion for eternity: The anxious cares and hurries, the profits and the pleafures of the prefent life, drive out the thoughts of what may be the ground of everlafting joy and confolation to us. How feldom is it Chrifl is in our thoughts ? And ii the wonderful events of providence may poffibly affeft us, bow feldom is it that we employ our thoughts upon the more furprizing wonders of his Grace ? If we can gain the advantages or profits of the world, we fancy that our time and pains are well beftow'd, and can with 2 plcafurc Fulnefi of his Grace and Truth. 5 o i pleafure fee ourfelves to think about it ? but fcarcely can we fpare an hour in a whole day, (and would to God, I might not fay '\x\ a whole week,) to think upon the impor- tant bufinefs of our fouls, to meditate upon the myfteries of godlinefs, and to confider the advantages arifing from redeeming love. 'Tis necefTary therefore, we fliould be excited to a more frequent and attentive confideration of thefe things 5 'tis neceflary that the riches of the Grace of Chrift (hould be difplay'd and brought to our remem- brance, and that the full provifion he has made for the fupply of all our wants fliould < be proposed and recommended to us. And with this view it is, that I would offer you fome further thoughts, on what the apoftle here has told us of our Saviour ; that the Word was made flefh^ and dwelt among uSy {and we beheld his Glory ^ the Glory as of the only begotten of the F^ther^) full of Grace and Truth. In difcourfing of which, we ^ have proposed (according to the order of the words,) to confider, I. The glorious myftery of the Incarna- tion of the Son of God, as it is here afler- ted by the apoftle, when he tells us^ that the Word was madefiefb. II. The evidence we have of this, in that he dwelt among us, and we beheld his Glory ^ the Glory as of the only begotten of the Fa- ther. And, III. The '3 ox Chrifis Glory^ and the III, The happy fruit, and the advantage of ix.^ in that hereby we have a Saviour that is///// of Grace and Truth, I. We have already fpoken to the fitfl: of thefc, and have infifted on the great and glorious myftery of godlinefs, the Word made jlejlj ; a myftery that far exceeds our moft exalted thoughts, fiil'd y^irh glad tidings of great joy to men, and giving us the higheil reafon to afcribe glory to God on high. We have fhewn you fome thing both of the majefty and condefcenfion of our great Re- deemer, who tho' he was properly and tru- ly God^ yet was made in the likene/s of men^ and took the human nature into an intimate and real union with the Deity. We have fiiewn you, how he humbled and debas'd himfelf, by clothing of his Deity with the infirmities of mortal flefii, and taking all the weaknefs of the human nature, as far as it was free from fin, into a perfonal union with the Godhead ; that fo he might be fully qualified for the work of our redemp- tion, being capable of fuffering for fin as he was Man^ and capable of adding fuch a value to his fufterings as he was God^ as might be enough to (atisfy offended juftice. But now, as this was fuch a ftrange fur- prizing myftery, that God in very deed fliould leave the glory that he had in hea- ven, to take ftpon him the form of afer'vant ; ■^ z and Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth. 305 and that the King of kings and Lord of lords, (hould (loop fo low, as to endure the forrows and reproaches of an afflided life ; might they not fay, when they beheld him loaded with infirmities, defpifed and reje£fed ^^^' ^^^' *> of men^ a man of forrows^ and acquainted ^* with griefs '' Is this the Son of God ? Is " this the Lord of glory ? He has no form " nor comeJinefSj nor any beauty in him, that ^* we Jhould dejire him. " No, under all the meannefs of his appearance upon earth, the Glory of his Deity did ftill fliine thro* the veil of his humanity, and they had evi- dence fufficient of the dignity of his perfon, that he w^as truly God2iS well as Man, and that he was indeed, what they aflerted him to be, the Word made Jlejh, Which brings me to confider II. The evidence we have of this, in that he dwelt among us. and we beheld his Glo- ry, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father. They had abundant proofs that he was really God manifefiin the fleflo ; and notwithftanding all the meannefs of his out- ward circumftances, they had enough to (atisfy them of the dignity of his perfon, and to convince them that it was no fancy, but a real thing. For, I. Ftrfl, He dwelt among them, that is, among the Jews ; of whom the evangelifl: had been fpeakingjuft before, He came tm- />.-. u, to }o4 Chrijl's Glory ^ and the to his owriy and his own received him not* Or, ill a more peculiar manner, we may {ay, he dwelt among his own difciples ; free- ly converfing with them, and going about from place to place, and doing good ; not hiding himfelf in a corner, but openly appearing unto all. He dwelt among them, not as a wayfaring man, that only tarries for a night, but made his refidence for a confiderable time among them : So that they could not want for opportunities enough to be acquainted with the Glory of hisperfon; and had fufficient leifure to enquire into the nature of it, and by repeated proofs to be convinced, what they ought to believe con- cerning it. The word in the original (e(r>CKjv Why this, that Chrtft was the only begotten of the Father. For they beheld his Glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father ; a Glory that became the Son oj God-, and that was fuitable to no one elfe -, for he has exprefly faid, he will if^. xhiii. not give his Glory to another. And indeed, n- if we confider Chrift as the Word of God, or as the eternal Wifdom, even in this fenfe he \s the begotten oj the Father : and we have heard him fpeaking of himfelf, The Lord pojfefed me in the beginning of his prov. viii. ways, before his works of old; I was fet up 22, 23,24. from everlafling, from the beginning, or ever the earth was ; when there were no depths, I was brought forth. 0r, on the other hand, if we confider him 2iS Man, or as the Word madefleflo, he is alfo in this fenfe, the begotten of the Father •, for thus the angel X 3 Gabriel 310 Chrijl's Glor^^ mid the Lukei.35. G^^w^ tells the virgin Mary, The Holy Ghoft floall come upon thee^ and the power of the Highcjl JJjall over/Jjadow thee ; therefore alfo that Holy Tiding which fh all be horn of tpjee, /hall be called the Son of God, And as he is the begotten of the Father y with refped to his Divinity, snd with re- fpefl to his humanity, fo likev^ife he is the only begotten. For as to his Divinity, the wif- dom of God is one^ and cannot be mul- tiply'd : And as to his humanity, that, as derived from the bleiTcd Spirit, is alfo one. Of thefe two natures there w^as fornVd but one perfon 5 nor ever has there been, nor will be any other. So that in (hort, he was the Son of God Tohn iii ^^^ ^ peculiar and a proper fcnfe ; for God fo 16. loved the worlds that he gave his only begot- ten Son : a Son that had the fame perfcdi- ons, and was coequal with his Father; for thus 'cis evidc^nt, chat when he faid that God was his Father^ they underfiood it was John V. 18. ^"^^ ^^^^ ^''^^^ making himfelf equal with God. He was the Son of Gody not by adoption, as believers are ; but by eternal generation, he was the fame in fubftance with the Father, as to his Deity ; and when he came and took the body that the Father had prepar'd him, when he afTum'd the human nature into an union with the divine, and when the Word Col. ii. 9. ""^cis thus made flejhy he had all thefulnefs of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily. The Fulnefs of hts Grace and Truth, 3 1 1 The apoftlcs therefore had fufficient evi- dence, chat Chrift was the only begotten of the Father^ bccaufe they had beheld his Glory. For as Chri/l did profcfs himfelf to be the only Son of Gody God never would have given fuch a Glory to him, if he had not been fuch in reality. God never would have thus remarkably uicerpos'd, to carry on an impofture, and to crown a cheat with fuc- cefs. The giving fuch a Glory to him, was a fufficient and convincing proof, that he was really what he profefs'd himfelf to be. And therefore the apolllcs urge this very ar- gument to convince the unbelieving Jews ; for thus the apoftle Peter tells them, Je- axi •• Jm of Nazareth was a man approvd of God among you, by miracles, and wonders, and figns, which God did by him in the midjl of you, as ye your felves alfo know. And in like manner the apoftle Paul fays to the Romans, that Jefus Chrift, who was made ^°^^^- 3 of the feed of David according to the flejhy ^' was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holinefs, by the re- furreBion from the dead. So that the Glory of Chrift was a proof, that he was the only begotten of the Father, And this proof is ftill more convincing, if we confider, that at the very time when he had this Glory given him in the brighteft manner, the Father by a voice from heaven declared he was his Son. This, (as we have X 4 (hewa 22. 3 1 i Chrtfis Glory J and the (liewn already) w-i'; done, both at his bap- tifm, and at his transfiguration. And there- fore the apoftles, who had been acquainted with what had part: at his baptifm, and who themfelves had been witnclTes of his transfi- guration, could not but be perfuaded, that he was the Son of God, for they had beheld his Glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father. And therefore nov/, (before we leave this head ;) can there beany foul among us, that any longer can pretend to quefliion the Greatnefs and the Glory of our dear Re- deemer ? the truth of which we find to be attefted by fo many witnertTes, that had the cleareft proofs and evidences of it, and who have feal'd with their blood what their eyes beheld, and their hands did handle, of the Word of life F And fiiall we not be every one of us poffefsM with the moft lofty and exalted thoughts of Chrtfl> and (hall we not admire and adore him, as the only begotten Son of Godi 'Tis true indeed, he was made fefh, and appear'd in the likenefs of men 5 he fuffer'd many forrows and rcpioaches, and was in all pomts tempted like as we are, only that he Heb.iv. continued /to /r^;^/;,. But all this while, he was the Wfdom, and the JVord of God; theftdnefs of the Godhead dwelt bodily in hm-, and by the Almighty power of the Deity he wrought thofe miracles the apofllcs (aw, Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth. 3 1 3 faw, and did the mighty works by which he prov'd his miflion to the world. Tis true, that for a time he d'welt among meriy and pafs'd a mean dcfpifed life on earth : But now, he is gone into heaven, and is on i Pet. iii. the right hand ^ God-, angels and attthori- '■''' ties and powers being made fubje^ to him. He has received a name which is above every Pi^'i-i^io, name-, that at the name of Jefus every knee ^^' fbould bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth ; and that every tongue fhotdd confefs, that Jefus Chrijl is Lord to the glory of God the Fa- ther, Yea, even while he ftill continued upon earth, the evidences of his human weaknefs were all along attended with clear difcoveries of the Glory of his Deity. When at his birth he was laid in a manger^ ajtar Mat. ii, 9. appeared, and pointed out the place where he was born, and angels came from heaven, to Lukcii. bring the tidings of his coming to the fliep- ^°- herds. When he was wrafd in fwadlingMat.'iin, clothes, the wife men came from the call to worfliip him. When he was tofs'd upon the Tea, and thought to be in jeopardy 6)/^Lukc viii. /hip- wreck, he commanded the winds and the ^'^' waves, and they obcy'd him. When lie was tempted by Satan, and was an hungred Ujt.w. in the wilder nefs, angels came and mini/iefd unto him. When they demanded tribute ^^t of him for the temple, he order'd one of 27. his difciplcs, but to caft a hook into the fea, and prefcntly there was a ffiih^i brought a piece 1 1. xvii. 314 Chriffs Glory y and the piece of money to him in his mouth. And Mat.xxvii. not CO multiply examples, when he was CTU- 5^- cified and died upon the crofs^ the rocks 'were rent^ the graves were opend, and the fun was darken'dy and a confufion ran thro' all the frame of nature. So that in fhort, tho' he was humbled in his Incarnation, and cloth'd himfelf with the infirmities of mor- tal flefli, yet he has all along confirmed our faith with fuch difcoveries of his Deity, that when we look upon his Glory, we cannot but conclude him to be the only begotten Son of God. Let us behold his Glory therefore with an eye of faith ; and the advantage that we thus may have, will not be lefs than that of the apoftles ; and we have reafon to expect, that the eff'edls of it will be as glorious. For John XX. Chri/l himfeJf declares to Thomas, ThomaSy ^9- becatife thou haft feen me^ thou hafl believed-, blejjed are they that have not feen, and yet have believed. And the apollle Peter tells I Pet. i. 8. us, that thofe who fee not Chrifl, and yet believe, rejoice with joy unfpeabable, and full of Glory. And well may we rejoice in Chrift, when we confider, III. The happy fruit, and the advantage of his Incarnation, in that hereby we have a Saviour that is ftdl of Grace and Truth. For thus the apoftle tells us, that the JVord being madeflejh, was full of Grace and Truth ; which he again repeats in verfe 17. The law was Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth. 3 1 j was given by Mofes, but Grace and Truth came by Jefus Chrift. And certainly, we had all the grcatefl: need of Grace and Truth ; for the whole human race was miferably fallen into the deadly darkncfi of iniquity and error ; a darknefs that did ftill increafe and grow upon them, and out of which they never could be able to extricate thcmfelvcs : for when they knew Rom. i. God^ they glorified him not as God, neither ^^* ^^' were thankful^ but became vain in their ima- ginations^ and their foolijh heart was dark- 7ied; and profejjing themfelves to be wife, they became fools. This darknefs every where had fpread itfelf thro* all the earth, over the Gentiles and the Jews ; as the apoftle Paul does prove at length in his epiftle to the Romans, and as the hiftory of the goffel plainly (hews us : and 'tis in Chrift alone that we have a full provifion made for our deliver- ance out of this wretched ftate. But that the Fulnefs that there is in Chrift, may be more clearly fcen, and the neceffity and ex- cellence of this Grace and Truth m^iy be dif- play'd, we fliall confider them diftindly. And, I. Rrfl, We (hall begin with Grace, and fliall confider what the cvangelift has told us hereof Chrift, that he is full of Grace. He is not only ///// of Grace^ as he is God, being effentially poflefs'd of all perfedions ; but he is alfo full of all habitual and communicated Grace 2 1 (J Chrtfh Glory y and the Grace as to his human nature ; which has received whatever might be fuicable to the excellence of a nature united perfonally with the Godhead, and all that might be neceflary to the mediatorial office, that fo he perfcdly might accomplifh the work of our redemption : And with refpeft to this John iii. 'tis faid Concerning him, that God giveth not 34- the Spirit by meafure unto him. In him there was a Fulnefs of wifdom to inftrucl us, of holinefs to be a pattern and example to us, of power to v/ork the miracles that might be neccilary to confirm his miffion, of mercy to forgive and pardon us, of grace to fandify us, and of righteoufnefi to fave us. And in a word, it is in him alone that there is found whatever the juftice of an offend God requires for fatisfadion, and whatever the neceflity of our fouls requires for a fupply ; Coll. 19. ^^^ ttpleafed the Father, that in him Jhouid all Fulnefs d^xrlL It fecms indeed, as if the fcripture feme- times did afcribe a kind of Fulnefs to the faints. Thus we are told of Barnabas, that he was Adsxi. a good man, and full oj the Holy Ghoft, and ^^' of faith : And in like manner it is faid of Aasvi. 5, Stephen, that he was full of faith andpO'W- ^' er, and of the Holy Ghofl, And even with refpeft to Chriftians of a lower rank, the Rom. XV. apoille tells the Romans, he was perfuaded ^^' they were ftdl of goodnefs. Yet after all, this Fulnefs is really no more than want and fcarcity , if once it comes to be com- pared with that of Chrift. For, As Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth. 317 As to Chrijly the Fulnefs that there is in him is fuch ^ that there is nothing can be added to it. There is no diffcient kind of Grace, which can be added to thofe he ah'eady has , nor are they capa- ble of an increafe in meafure or degree. As he is Gody there is an infinite Fuhiefs of all perfections in. him, which he effentially enjoys, and has poflefs'd from all eternity. And as he is Man^ if 'tis improper to affert, the Graces he has received are infinite, be- caufe the fubjed that pofTefies them is finite; yet ftill *tis certain, that with refped both to their number and degree, they are as great as the humanity of the Word was ca- pable of containing, and cannot poflibly admit of any addition or increafe. But on the Qther hand, the fulnefs of believers is neither univerfal as to the different kinds of Grace, nor perfed as to their degree. They are///// indeed, if they are compared with other men, who are void of Grace, and have received no fpiritual blefiings ; but \i they are look'd into, how many Graces do they want, and how imperfed are thofe which they have I In every faithful fervant of the Lord, there is flill fomething wanting, there is ftill fomething to be added in. order to pcrfedion ; and tis in Chrift alone, that there is really a perfed Fulnefs. And then befidcs, the Ftdnefs of believers is at mo [I no more thanfuch a Fulnefs as isfuffici- ent only for themfelves. Their cmife contains a z quantity 3i8 Chrtfts Glory J and the quantity of oil, which may perhaps be enough to anfwer their own wants, and make their lamp continue burning ; but as for lending any to fupply the wants of others, every true Chriftian may in this refped fay to his neigh- bour, what the wife virgins faid unto the foolifh, We cannot gwe you of our oil, left Mat. XXV. ^^^^^^ ^i^^y^ floouU not be enough Jor tis and you. But on the other hand, tnJefusChriJl there is not only a fufficience, but an abun- dant overfloining Fulnefs. He has oil to fell, to all that come to buy 5 what did I fay, to fell? Hq gives it freely, and without price ^ to all that ask it of him. He brings us to a John iv. fFell where we may drink, and never thirjl '4* again; a well of living water, thatfpringeth up to everlajiing life. And thus indeed, we have in Chrift, a fuitable and full provifion made for the fup- ply of all our wants ; for all the Fulnefs of the grace that dwells in him, he really is po(- fefs'd of for the ufe and benefit of his peo- ple. And if we are once united to him as his members, the influence, the life, the Gifts and Graces of our Head, will flow from him to us, and we fliall be partakers of his Fulnefs, And thus, the confideration of our wants, will lead us to the knowledge of the excellence and virtue of the Grace there is in Chrift. Now then, if we confider men as finners,'tis evident that what they ftand in need of, is to be juftified, to be fanftified, and to be happy. And Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth. 3 t p And thus it mufl: be own'd, our wants are vafl:- Jy great; but yet the Grace of Chrift is equal to the neceflitics of our cafe, and we have a rich provifion made for each of thefe, in the abundant Fuhiefs of the Grace there is in Chrift. For, (i.) Tis by the Grace of Chrift, that we obtain the pardo72 of our fins, and are jiifti- fed in the fight of God, Chrift has neglec- ted nothing, whereby he might accomplish the mighty work of our redemption ; and might obtain the pardon of their fins, for all that (bould believe in him. As foon as he came into the world, he fet himfelf apart as a vi(B:im, as an atoning (acrifice for the fins of his people : for when he came into Heb. x. the world, he fays, ho, I come to do thy 5» 7- will, O God ; and we know, that this is x Thefr. the will of God, even our fan^iification. He ^^" ^* liv'd in poverty and difgrace, reje^ed ^?/i ira.Hii. 3. defpifd by men, a Man of forrows, and ac- quainted with grief : He took upon himfelf to be our furety, and fo fulfiird all righte- oufncfs, and perfcdly obey'd the law ; And then at laft, to finifh and complete the work, he died upon the crofs, and offer'd up him- felf a facrifice to purge away our fins. And thus we are juftified by his righteoufnefs, and by his blood we are wafli'd from our fins : For God has made him to be fin for 2 Cor. v. ns^ who knew no fin, that we might be made ^'' the righteoufnefs of God in him : And Chrift Gal. ill. has redeem d us jrom the curfe of the law, *3- I being J 20 Chrifis Glory ^ and the being made a curfe for us ; for it is written, curfed is every one that hangeth on a tree. And as he ofFer'd up himfelf a facrifice on earth, fo he \s gone to plead in heaven, the worth and merit of the fatisfaftion he has made : hi heaven he now is intercede- ing for his people ; and as he has promised, fo he will take care, that all that are in him (liall be abfolutely free from any con- ... demnation. There is therefore now no con- ,.° * ' demnation to them which are in Chrifi Jefus: For, who floall lay any thing to the charge ^^^•33. f^f GodseleEi? It is God that jifflifeth : Who is he that condemneth ? It is Chrtfl that died, yea rather that is rifen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alfo maketh intercejjion for us. And thus, the wrath of God is appcas'd, and the curfe is abolifh'd 5 the thundring vengeance of the law is turn'd afide, the execution of its fear- ful threatnings is prevented ; the adverfary, that accused us is caft down ; and we have hberty to approach with boldncfs unto the throne of grace, to ask, and to receive the pardon of our fins. He that procures us all this Grace, all thefe ineftimable benefits, is the JVord ; and to proclaim this Grace to finful men, he lifts up his voice, and cries, Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are iS. heavy laden, and I will give yoti reft. And when he ascended up to heaven himfelf, he gave commiifion to his fervants to proclaim his Grace, and has committed unco them the Fttlnefs of h'ts Grace and Truth. 3 2 1 the word of reconciliation : For God ivas 2 Cor. v. in Chriji reconciling the world unto himfelf^ *^" not imputing their trejpajjes unto them ; and has committed unto us the word of reconci- liation ; now then we are ambajfadors of ChriJl^ as thd God did befeech you by us,, we pray you in Chrifi's Jiead, be yereconcil'dunto God. And then, (2.) A. from this Grace we obtain the pardon of our fins, fo I ike wife by this Grace it is thai we are renew' d andfanBifed. For we have in Chrift not only right eoufnefs, to take away the guilt of fin, but firength to free us from the bondage of it. For being a fc ended up on highy he has led captivity cap- P^ai.lxvni. iive^ and has received gifts for men, yea, for ^ the rebellious alfoy that the Lord God might dwell among them. And thus, to every one Eph. iv. 7. of us is given grace, according to the meafure of the gift of Chrifl : And the law of the Rom. viH. Jpirit of life which is in Chrifl Jefus, has ""' made us free from the law of fin and death. And then further, (5.) Gr^^^ after this does lead us unto hap- pinefs, Tis this that gives us peace, that raifes us to hope and comfort, and fills our fouls with joy unfpeakable and full of glory. Tis this that cheats our drooping fpirits, and that revives our hearts with the delight- ful foretaftes of that felicity, which God has laid up for us in the heavens above, and which one day we fliall thro' Grace be broueht to take poflcfllon of. ^ y Thefc J z t Chrifts Glory ^ and the Thefe are the glorious fruits of Grace, the treafurcs of which are laid up in Chrift, who (as the apoftle fays,) is full of Grace. And as in him all Fulnefs dwells, fo from his Fulnefs 'we may all receive, and Grace for Grace. From him, as from the head and pfal.xivi. fountain, ariverPiovjs, the flreams of which ^' make glad the city of God, And as thefe living (h'eams can never fail, fo the Fulnefs of his Grace can never be exhaufted. He is continually difpenfing from it all that we ftand in need of, and the variety of his gifts and Graces does fully anfwer all our wants, and is fufficient for the happinefs of all his people. Plenteous indeed is the re- demption Chrifl: has wrought, and where can we have room, even to receive the many Graces that are pour'd out upon us > Surely we never can fuppofe, the Grace of Chrifl: is (mall : It is impoffible we ever (hould be ftraiten'd in the Grace of Chrifl:, if we are not fl:raiten d in our own bofoms. Can we ima- gine it a little thing to obtain the pardon of our Jlns, and to be fill'd with everlajiing confolatioUy and with good hope thro* Grace? Is it a little thing to have Chrifl formed in us, to fee the riches of his Grace, and to enjoy the fweet dis- coveries of his love, while here ; and all this, in order to behold his Glory, to fee him as he isy and to be happy with him for ever hereafter > Are thefe fmall blefl^mgs ? Are they a fcanty portion ? No, tis a rich varie- ty, and in receiving them, we muft: acknow- ledge, that Chrifl: is full of Grace, But, 2, Fulnefs of hh Grace and Truth. 3 i j 2. Secondly^ Let us now come to the o- ther thing to be confidcr'd, which is Truth. And here, not to infifl: upon the Truth that does elTentially belong to Chrift as God^ we might particularly (hew you, I.) That Chrift, confider'd as the JVord made flejh, is full of an inherent and habi- tual Truth and Faithfulnefs -, by which he is wholly free from, any ignorance or error, and has a perfed knowledge of every thing as it is. He never can be capable of any fraud or deceit, or liable to any change or contradiftion. And thus we may depend upon his word, that every promife he has made (hall be made good ; for all ihepromifes 2 Cor. i. oj God, in him are yea, and in him amen. A n d 20. this is certainly a great advantage to us, than we have a Saviour, that perfcdiy knows our cafe ; and who, as he has a Fidnefs of Grace to fupply our wants, fo he has a Fulnefs of Truth to engage him to apply it in a proper manner, and give us Grace to help in every time of need. But as the apoftlc here fccms to declare that Chrift \s full of Truth with a peculiar reference to the law, (for he has told us but a little lower, that the law was Ver. 17. given by Mofes, but Grace and Truth came by Jefus Chrift -, and fo has fet the one a- gainft the other,) we rather (Imlltake notice, 2.) That Chrift is full of Truth, as we have in him the fub fiance of all the figures, types, and fl^dows of the law 5 and he was •^^ ^ y 1 per- 5 X4 Chrijl's Glory^ and the perfeftly agreeable to all the promifes and predi£tms of him. The types and (hadows of the law were perfefted in him, the pro- phecies were all falfiU'd, and all the promifes that had been given of his coming performed to a titde. And we have therefore here a fure foundation for our faith ; for Chrift appears in truth to be the promis'd Saviour; ^f^' ^"' and while the law made nothing perfe£i, the bringing in of a better hope has done it ; by which we may now draw nigh to God, But then, 5.) What the apoftle feems particularly to have had in view, \s^ that Chrift is full of Truth, as he has made a full difcovery of the mind and will of God^ and has acquaint- ed us in the cleareft manner with the true and only way to life. And with refped to John xiv. ^f^j^^ .J. j^^^y 1^^ f-^. j^ ^.j,^^ Qf^^^ji '^ ^^^ ff^^y^ the Trttth, and the Life. And for this rea- fon he may be caird the Word ; becaufe it IS by him the Father has reveal'd himfelf, Hcb. i. 2. having fpoken to us by his Son. 'Tis Chrift that has communicated to us all that was neceffary to be known, in order to falvati- on ; and he is therefore (as the apoftle tells Tohn i "^'^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^&^^ which Ughteth every man ' that Cometh into the world. The light did glorioully ftiine forth, and Truth was dif- play'd ii\ 2L very clear and particular man- ner, when Chrift came down from heaven to dwell among men. There was a multi- tude of errors fpread abroad, both among the Fulnefs of his Grace and Truth. 3 2 j the Jews and the Gentiles, and chefe he redified and fcatcer'd by his doftrinc: There were many obfcuiities in the old tcdamcnr, and th^ he explain'd ; there were abun- dance of important truths imknown to men in former ages, and thefe he reveal'd : And 'tis to fignify this ro ns, that after the apo- ftle has faid, Truth came by J e fits Chrtji, r^r.i2. he adds, No man hathfeen God at any time ; the only begotten Son, which is in the bofom of the Father he hath declared him. Thus then, in Chrift there was the Ful- nefs of Grace, of Truth, of Wifdom, and Divinity. And all the Grace and Tntth that had appeared in holy men of old, h\ the Prophets, in Mofcs, and in David, all this was nothing to compare with the Ful- nefs of Chrift. All the Grace that fliin'd in them, and all the Truths that they re- veal'd, were all deriv'd from Chrift as their Yountain: And they delivered nothing unto others, nor poflefs'd any thing good or com- mendable themfelves, but what they had received from the Lord ; m whom alone it is that we have an eminent and per fed Fulnefs both of Grace and Truth. But now to draw to a conclufion, con- fider, (i.) How great a happincfs it is, to kc , difplay'd among us, the Grace and Triiih that Chrift has brought into the world i Let us adore the riches of his gooJncfs, and rc- Y 3 joicc ^l6 Chrtfts Glory ^ and the joicc in the incftimable benefits that we are John vu. j^^^jg partakers of. Never did any one /peak like Chrtji ; and fliall we not therefore fay- John vi. with his difciples, L6?r^/, towhomfi>allwego ^^' hut tmtothee ? thou haft the izwrds of eternal life. We are naturally full of ignorance and darknefs j but we liave in Chrifl: the Wit dom cf the Father to inftrud us; we have a light from heaven, to remove our fears, and to refolve our doubts : We have the path of life difcovcr'd to us in the Word, and the Spirit fent to lead p.s into all Truth. We were eftrang'd from God, and deftitute of every thing that's good, but Chrift has reconcird us unto God, and opened to us a Fulnefe of Grace for the fupply of our wants ; procuring us the pardon of our fins, and fanfiiifying us by his Grace, that fo we may be fitted for the enjoyment of Glory. And therefore, (2.) How great are our obligations to our dear Redeemer, that in our loft condition he (liould come to feek and fave us, and (hould provide fo fully for our compleat (al- vation ? How fhould the riches of his Grace indcar him zo our Souls > And imder all our wants and weaknelTes, how fliould it raife us to a lively hope and confidence in Chrift, when we remember that we have in him fuch Grace as is fufficient jor us ? Wc had deRroy'd ourfclves by fin, and had no room to look for any thing but everlaft- ing mifery to be the fruit of our apodacy from Fulnefs of hts Grace and Truth. 3 z/ from God ; but Chrift: cook upon himfclf the punifliment our fin defcrv'd, and ma- king reconciliation for iniquity has brought in everlafting righteoufiiefs ; and howfoevcu great our guilt may be, we have here a me- rit equal to our wants, a merit infinite ,and all-fufficient. We have Grace to anfwcr all the exigencies of our cafe ; and tho' we' are full of wounds and bmifes and putrefy- if^. ,-. . 5. ing fores; tho' the whole head be ficky and the whole heart faint ^ yet we have here a fovereign remedy provided ; an infinicely wife and merciful Phyfician is ready here to give us health and fafety : Here peace is offered to the wounded confciencc ; here we are begotten to a lively hope, and here we have Grace to fandify and fave us. Here alfo we are led into the way of Truth and have the knowledge of falvation given Luke i. US by the remiffion of our fins ; here wc have 77- a light to them that fit in darknefs, to guide our feet into the way of peace ; here wc have the tender mercy of our God reveal'd, and the day-fpring from on high has vifited its. And (hall not this engage usj:hen to Chrift, and make him precious to our fouls ? To , Pet. n. them that believe he is precious : Let our 7- affedions then be fix'd upon him, and lee us never be unmindful of the obligations we are under to him. And more efpecially, (3.) Let us be careful that we don't neg- lect the treafures of his Grace and Truth that he has open d to us. Let us not trifle Y 4 with 3i8 ChriftsGlor^^ and the with his Grace, or foolifhly defpife the rich provifion he has made for our falvation.— And when we have Chrifb reveal'd as///// of Grace and Truth, let us no more be feeking FrJnefs where we {hall never meet with it ; in the enjoyments of the world, . which we (hall find to be no more than vanity and difappointment ; or in our own attainments, where we (hall meet with no- thing but a Fulnefs of unworthinefs, a Ful- nefs of corruption and iniquity, and a vafl: emptinefs of every thing that's good. All thofe who feek, either in themfelves or in the other creatures, for what may fill and fatisfy the wants and the defires of the foul, are like the men of Shechem ; they leave the fgtree and the vine, to chufe judg. ix. the bramble, ^-a^hich devours them : Every 15- thing out of Chrift is properly like the bramble, which is good for nothing, either for fruit or ornament : All that the world affords is worthlcft and unprofitable 5 'tis all but vanity and vexation of fpirit. And therefore do not any longer trifle with your fouls, but bave the creatures, and apply yourfelves to Chrift : For (hall it be in vain, that the Word 'ivas made flejh, to enlighten and inftrud you ? And will you bring your- felves under the dreadful condemnation of thofe that willingly defpife this Word, and John iii. hate this Light becaufe their deeds are evil? '9- 'Tis Chrtft alone that has the words of e- Urml Fulnefs of hts Grace and Truth. 529 ternal life ; and to ^ji^hom therefore Jlmild you go but unto him ? However great your wants may be, in him you may have trea- fures, more than fufficient to enrich you; and if you ask of him, he'll give you "water, ^°^^" ^^* *which whofoever dnnketh of, fhall never ^°* thkfi again. — -— And therefore now, lince Truth is come by Jefiis Chrijl, and all the Fulnefs of it is in him , let us apply our- felves to him, and he "will give us light ; and let us conftantly adhere to him alone, as the TVay, the Truth, and the Life, — - And thus his Truth will lead us to his Grace^ that Grace on which our life and happi- nefs depends. And as without this Grace we can do nothing, let us be feeking it with the utmoft fervency, and be defirous of it both to fandify and (avc us. — - Let us be looking unto Chrift as ///// oj Grace and Truth ; let us admire the Glory of his perfon, and the provifion he has made for our falvation ; and let us never be at reft without an intereft in him. And if we have him to be our portion, we may be fure that we fhall want for no good thing ; but as he gives us Grace, and guides us by his Truthy fo he will bring us in the end to Glory. FINIS, CHRIST'S CHRIST' s Mediation between GOD and Sinners : Confider'd in two SERMONS On I Tim. ii. 5. Preach'd at Little St. HELEN'S November 2 a, and December 6", 1728. By THOMAS HALL. ( J33) O F CHRIST the MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD and Sinners. I Tim. ii. j. For there is one God, and one Me^ dtator between God and men^ the man Chriji Jefus. T HERE is not any truth that is mat- ^l^^{^^' tcr of revelation, but has its weight Nov^.-.b. and moment: but of all the doc- 22,1728. trines of the gofpel, there is none of greater importance, than thofe which relate to the perfon and office of Chrift. In fome of the preceding difcourfes, par- ticular notice has been taken of his perfon ; it IS my province now, to fpeak fomeching concerning his office. This is fct forth in the tcxz^ by a name that gives us the firft and moft general notion of 334 Chriji the Mediator of it ; the whole miniftry committed to him being comprifed in it, and the fpecial offices of Prophet, Prieft and King, whereby this is difcharg'd, being contained herein. I (hall caft, what I intend to deliver upon this fubjed, into the following method. I. I (hall confider the work of Chrift as Mediator. II. I (hall endeavour to evince his fitnefs for his work. III. I (liall draw fome Inferences, and endeavour to point to a fuitable improve- ment. I. I (hall fpeak to the work of Chrift as Mediator, and fliall attempt a brief account of this matter, by leading you through the following confiderations. I. Chriji' s work, as Mediator , was to make peace. This was the grand defign of his office. This is denoted by the term Mediator ; which, according to its common acceptation, direds us to conceive of fome difagreement, or variance between two par- ties. It likewife fuppofes, that the contro- verfy is come to fuch a height, that all im- mediate treaty between the principals them- felves is drop'd, or laid afide ; and that upon account of the refentment on one fide, or both, fuch a treaty would be improper, if 2. not between God and Sinners. i^-^i not hazardous and dangerous ; or that the ftate and condition of things being con- fidcr'd, it \s, highly improbable, if not mo- rally impoffible, they (hould ever, in that way, come to aa agreement. When this is the cafe, if a reconciliation be intended, a Mediator muft be appointed : this being the laft expedient left to be attempted for an. accommodation. Something of this kind is always fuppos'd in the notion of a Medi- ator : where there is no difagreement, there is no room for the office ; and where the difference is like to be heal'd without it, a Mediator is needleft. Hence we learn, that the great bufinefs of a Mediator, is to be a Peace-maker. His work is to adjuft and fettle matters that have been the ground of controverfy, according to the ftrift rules of equity and juftice 5 and, if pofTible, to the contentment and fatisfaftion of the parties concerned. This is the notion of a Mediator's work in general ; and this is applicable to the cafe be- fore us. Sin has made a breach between God and man. An holy God can never en- ter into an immediate treaty with guilty creatures. It would be moft dangerous for fuch to (land before him : (hould we at- tempt it, we (liould be but as chaff before the wind, or as thorns and briars before the flames. But in purfuance of everlafting counfels, and according to an eternal corn- pad between the Father and the Son, Chrifl: has 3 ^ (5 Chrljl the Mediator has undertaken to be a Peace-maker. He engaged in a way of righceoufnefs and truth, to make a full reconciliation, and procure a perfed friendfliip between God and man. This was intimated to be the work of the Mefliah, when he was term'd in pro- Ifa. ix. 6. phecy. The Prince of peace. And he is fee Eph.ii. ^^^^^ i^ ^^^ gofpel as his peoples peace y 14. having reconcii'd the whole church unto God, which was the foundation of the apoftles preaching peace by Jefus Chrift. 2. In order to make peace, Chrift's work, as Mediator^ was to gvve fatisfaBion to di- vine jtijlice. That this was his only way of making peace, will appear, if we con- Cder the parties between whom Chrift ac- ted as Mediator. Thefe were God and man. The difference that was to be com- posed, was not a controverfy between e- quals, or fellow creatures : if fo, there might poflibly have been matter of complaint on both fides: mutual injuries might poflibly have been committed ; through mi (lake or falfliood, one might have overcharged the other. Things might poilibly have been difguisV, or mifreprefented. Refentments might have been carried too far, or demands rais'd too high. Then it had been the work of a Mediator to call one or both the par- ties, as occafion required, to a calm review, and enter into a ferious debate ; to place things in a true light, and fet afide every uniuft charge. He might have feen caufe 2 to between Qod and Sinners] 337 CO require fome conceflion on one fide, and enjoin a receding from terms that had been infifted upon without reafon on the other ; or, there might have been occafion for cooling angry paiTions, by a friendly ad- drefs, and mollifying expreilions ; a foft an- fwer might then have been ufeful to have turned awray wrath—. But there was no room for fuch methods as thefe, neither could they avail in the cafe before us. Here the controverfy is between the Creator and the creature ; the former of all things j and man, a part of the workmanfhip of his hands. Between the Governour, Sovereign, and Lord of all ; and man his vaflTal, the fubjeft of his dominion and rule, between an holy Majefty, and fmful flefli, between a righteous Lawgiver, and guilty criminals. There was no room for our Mediator to feek an abatement of the charge : for the proof was plain, and full againft us j we had Hof.xii.t; fallen by our iniquities. Nor to extenuate the crime : for this was of the moft heinous nature, attended with the faddeft aggrava- tions; nor was there the lead ground of complaint, as to any wrong that had been done to us; neither we nor ottr fathers found any iniquity in God. We only had been the offenders ; God is exalted infinitely above all poflibility of the leafl: ad of in- juftice. Nor can he be charged with any poflible unkindnefs towards an innocent and holy creature. And as to the divine 2 refcnc* J 3 8 Chrtji the Mediator refcntmeni:, that is perfe6lly free from all fpoc and bicmifli. There is no mixture of cruelty in God's juftice, or of madnefs in his wrath. The infinite purity of his na- ture, makes it impoffible there (liould be any excefs in his difpleafure. There is no- thing to be condemned as unjuft or unrea- fonablein his demands, he can infift upon no terms of peace, but what are founded in righteoufneCs and equity ; nor was his com- paflion to be moved by a mere reprefentati* on of the creature's mifcry ; tho* he delight^ eth not in the death of a /inner ^ as 'tis the deflrudion of a creature ; yet the righteous Lord loveth judgment^ as 'tis the vindica- tion of his own honour. What then re- mained to be done by Chrift the Mediator, but to give the holy Majelly, that had been injur'd and offended, a full fatis faction? This he readily agreed to, when he engag'd to rejlore that ^uvhich he took not away, 5. The Mediator was to give fatisfaSf ion by magnifying the law. The only point in which the great Jehovah could be inju- red by his creatures, was his honour. This was the fum of the charge that lay againft US; we had robb'd God of his glory. Sin is the tranfgreflion of the law j and this is a diflionour to God who made the law, Wc are taught to realbn thus by that pafTage of Rom. ii. the apofile : Through breaking the law dif- ^^' homureft thou God ? A violation of the law muft be interpreted a difiionour to the Law- giver,- Between God and Shiners. 330 giver, as it virtually carries in it a denial of his wifdom, as if he knew not how to make laws fit for the government of his crea- tures; an impeachment of his righceouf- nefi and equity, as if he required a fub- jedion and homage that was not his due : a reflexion upon his goodnefs, as if he de- nied man the privilege of fomc beneficial enjoyment: a contempt of his power, as not able to make good the fandion of his law, by a performance of promifes, or an execution of threatnings : a difparagement of his authority, as if he were not worchy to be obey'd or regarded : and a contradidi- on to his fovereignty, as giving the prefe- rence to our own will above his. Thus by trampling upon the law of God, we had diflionour'd him. How then fliall a fatif* fadion be given him, unlefs the law be magnified ? without this, no acceptable obla- tion could ever be made him. What are the cattle upon a thou(and hills, or all the fowls of the mountains to him, whofe is the world, and the fulnefs thereof? Could the whole creation be prefented as an offer- ing, it would be but to give him what was his own before : for all things come of him. The truth of the cafe, with reiped to this, and the mind of God concerning it, is particu- larly and exprefly declared in thofe words, Heb. x. Sacrifice and offering thou wouldfi not. In s—^^^ burnt-offertng and facrifice for fin thou hadft no pJeafi'ire. Then faid the Mediator, Lo, I 2 z come 340 Chrtji the Mediator come to do thy will^ O God. From this paflage one has obferved, " That nothing can be truly and properly an expiation for fin, but an obedience and facrifice, which magnifies the law; all means of reconcilia- tion but one are utterly excluded. And by a repetition of God's diflike to them, they are mod vehemently rejefted; and that alone which is left, as containing any virtue and efficacy to this end, is Chrift's com- ing in the flefb, and in the form of a fer- vant, to do his Father's will. " And the rea- fon why the righteoufnefs of Chrifl: was fo pleafing and acceptable to his Father, is in- timated to be this, becaufe he magnified the ifa. xiii. ^^"^'j ^^'^^ thereby made tt honourable. Thus 21. we fee, that the nature of the breach, and the ground of the controverfy between God and man, made fuch a fatisfaftion as this proper and necefTary. 4. That the Mediator might magnify the law, his work was to obey its preceptSy and endure its penalties. I. He muft obey its precepts. The ho- nour of the law could not be fecured with- out an univerfal conformity to all its com- mands. The fame authority that enjoin'd obedience in one, enjoin'd it in all. Hence a breach in one indance would be equally at difparagement of that authority with a breach in another. The law requires a perfed- obedience, it allows of no defed or imperfeution j it prefcribes the manner as well between God and Sinners. ? 4 x well as the matter of obedience, and airfcs ever yonethat continues not in all things that are Gal. iii. written in the book of the law, to do them, »°- There was a contempt of the law involved in the very nature of tranfgreffion. It was this which at firft forfeited the comfort and peace of the innocent ftate. We are not to imagine therefore, that a reconciliation with God could ever be obtained without an holinefs commenfurate to the precepts of the law. Had the Mediator attempted a fatisfadion, without yielding a pcrfed obe- dience to the law, he could not have fuc- ceeded in his office : but inftead of com- pofing a former difference between God and finners, he mud have made a new one be- tween God and himfelf: fince it was by tranfgreflion we were brought under the curfe, without a perfed obedience we could not be delivered from it. For this reafon, when Chrift took upon him the form of a fervant, he received the law as the rule of his life. And from the beginning to the end of his days upon earth, ever lived in a perfed agreement with it. The law of his P^- ^tl 8. God was within his heart, and tt was his delight to do his will At his entrance upon his publick miniftry, he acknowledged his Mat. iu. obligation to fulfil all righteoufnefs, and ^^' openly declared, He came not to dejlroy the law, hut to fulfil It. His pradice did fully ^^' '' ^ '• correfpond with his profeffion. His inward temper, as well as his outward behaviour, Z 3 v( as 34^ Chrtfi the Mediator was every way fuitable to the fpiricuality and purity of the law. He was perfeftly holy^ altogether harmlefSy and continued ever un- defiled. His defires, purpofes and intenti- ons ; his aims, ends and views did all center in God, and ultimately terminate upon him and his glory ; his whole courfe was a per- fed tranfcript of the divine law, without the leaft fpot or blemifli. Tis as he is God s righteous fervant^ he (hall juftify many. But had he not been perfeftly righteous and holy, he could have juftified none. 2. That the law might be fully magni- fied, tts penalties mvfl he endured ^ as well as its precepts obeyed. It was not enough, that the Mediator fliould be perfedly free from all fin, but to procure reconciliation, he that knew no fin; mtift he made fiin for his people, that the) might be made the righteou(ne(s of God in him. He muft be treated as if he had been the finner. The curfe muft fall upon him, and he muft bear iz. For this reafon he was not only expofed to outward hardfliips and difficulties in the world, fuch as poverty, reproach and (hame ; but he endured the wrath of God in his foul. It was not enough to magnifie the law, that he fuffered many fore calamities in his life, the fharpeft agony and pain in his death, that his body (hould be made a (acrifice, and his blood an offering ; but his foul muft be laden with forrow, and his fpirit fill'd with grief. He was not only to be dcferted of his Father, Between God and Stmers. 34? Father, and be denied thofe manifeftations of divine glory and love, which conftirute the bleiledncfs and joy of faints and angels ; but he was for a time to lie under the po(i- tive impreflions of the wrath of God, and be bruifed by juftice it felf. He was to be fmitten of God, and the forrows of the Al- mighty were to drink up his Spirit. What Elihu fpoke oijob, Godthrufleth him down Jobxxxii. and not many was true in the cafe of our '3- Saviour. It was by the power of the Di- vine Wrath he was caft into fuch an agony in the garden. 'Twas a deluge which fell from heaven, that overwhelmed his foul, 'Twas the fword of the Lord of hofts that made his deepeffc wounds. The juflice of God had faid, Awake, Oh fword, againfi Zee. xiH. the man that is my fellow. His foul was ^' made an offering for fin, and facrific'd by the hand of divine juftice. As finncrs are to be punifliM by the hand of God himfelf j fo he that bore the puninimcnt due to finners, fell into his hand. Oh how dreadful was this, to fall into the hand of the living God ! But tho' the Mediator was a Son, yet learned he obedience by fuch fufferings as thefe; his bufinefs was to magnifle the law hereby; neither could the juftice of God be {atisfied, nor the falvation of man ftand with the honour of God, unlefs the Media- tor endur'd fuch fufferings as thefei And that for thcfe two reafons. Z ^ h Be- 544 Chrifi fhe Mediator I. Becaufe the^ law did Jlri£tly threaten fuch mifery. 1, Becaufe this mifery was but the jujl demerit of mans tranfgrefflon, I. Jhe law did JlriStly threaten fuch mi* fcry. This was the true meaning and in- tention of the curfe of the law, 'Tis not a part of man only, much lefs is it only the outward part that is the fubjed: of the curfe of the law ; but 'tis the whole man. The curfe reaches farther than the eafe, or the life of the body. The fentence pronounced in cafe of difobedience, was, Vying thou Gen. ii. Jhalt die, as the words ill^n nVJ, might be '^' rendred. The body is capable of no more than a fingle death ; but the man is capable of two, one in the body, another in the foul. As the feparation of the foul from the body is the death of the outward man, fo the feparation of God from the foul is the death of the inward man. Hence finners are threatned with a fecond deaths which is to be underftoodof the forrows of hell, which fall direftly on the foul. Thus Chrifl: died in his body, and he died in his foul. It Ifa. liii. 9. was prophcficd of him, that he fliould make his grave with the wicked in his deaths. Thp word is plural in the original. Long before he felt any of the pain of his bodily death, he cried out in his defcrtion. My foul is exceeding forrowful, even unto death. It was the defign and intention of the threat- ning, that fuch dreadful forrows as thefe (hould between God and finners. 34 j fiiould be the punifliment of fin. The law lays the greateft ftrefs upon the miferies of the foul ; for the highcft outward miferies have fallen on thofe that were delivered from the curfe; whereas the moft curfed finners, and the vileft of men, have efcaped the mod dreadful part of temporal and ex- ternal forrow. From whence 'tis evident, that outward trouble \^ the leaft thing re- garded in the law ; and \\s forrow in the foul that is moft diredly and chiefly intend- ed. The bittereft part of the curfe of the law, is indignation and wrath 5 and fuch in- dignation, and fuch wrath, as will inevitably produce the foreft tribulation and anguijh^ not to the body only, but upon every foul that doth evily and falls under it. Such forrows as thefe being really the intention of the curfe, when Chrift undertook to be Mediator, he engaged to endure them ; and without this, the law could not have been fufficiently magnified. If the moft dreadful threatnings denounced againft fin had not been executed, the honour and reputation of the law had funk for ever. Future threatnings would have been of no force, had thofe that attended the firft publicati- on of the law been laid afide, and not made good. This was one reafon why the Me- diator, in order to magnifie the law, muft endure fufferings in his foul, becaufe the law. had ftridly thrcatncd fuch mifery. Again, 1. This 24^ Chrtft the Mediator 2. This mifery was hut the jtift demerit of jin\ all fin, however committed, deferves much more than a bodily puniftimenc from God. Tis only when men have lowappre- henfions of the evil of fin, that they can ima- gin an external mifery to be a fufficicnt ex- piation, or that the death of the body (hould. be a full fatisfadion for the fin of the foul. There's many a crime deferves death from man : fure then it muft defervc a much forer punifliment from God. A puniflimcnt in- flided on the body only, would not be at all fuited to the rule of proportion and equi- ty ; for in all fin the foul is the principal agent J the body is no more than the inftrii- ment. The foul is the main caufe of fin ; our members are but the weapons of unrigh- teoufnefs, the war x^ managed by the foul. The foul is much more the fubjcd of fin than the body. If all the tranfgreflions of a man*s life be compared to the fins of his heart, they are no more than a few drops to the bound lefs ocean. The fountain of fin x^ within. There's a thoufand times more fin conceived in the mind, than ever the body can bring forth into pradice. And there- fore the Divine difpleafure muft needs, in a principal manner, break out againft the foul. To lay the penalty wholly on the body, when the foul had been mainly guilty, would not be agreeable to the rule of jufticeo Now. between God and Sinners. 547 Now one fpecial defign of Chrifl*s un- dertaking ro be Mediator was to honour the juftice of God : And when he had con- tented to put his foul in our fouls ftcad, it became proper and neceflary that he (hould bear our punilhment. The chaftijement of our peace being npn htm^ he was to bear our griefs, and carry our forrows. And fincc we were guilty of death, of death, in the foul, he muft fuffer it. And fuch was the righteoufnefs of the divine nature, that the Father in dealing with Chrifl: as Medi- ator, and as the furety of finners, could not fpare him. No, tho' he was his own Son, his only begotten and well beloved, yet he fpared him not, but fully infiftcd upon every thing that might juftly be demanded. And this being the requirement of the law, and the demerit of fin, that the wrath of God (hould break forth upon the foul ; the Mediator wa5 treated after this dreadful manner. To (land under the wrath of God, when falling up- on the foul, is hard work, it made him fweat drops of blood ; but fuch was his zeal for his Father's glory, and his people's falvation, that he readily went thro' all, and could ftill fay, it was his delight to fuffer as well as to do his Father's will. Thus it became the Mediator to magni- fy the law, by obeying its precepts, and fubmitting to its penalties, the fevereft, the (harpeft of them. 3^8 Chriji the Mediator (5.) Chrifts work, as Mediator, is to make intercejjlon for his people. To this end he arofe from the dead, afcended up into heaven, and (at down at the right hand Heb. vii. ^£* QqJ^ ^^^^ i-^ere he ever Uveth to make Heb.ix. continual inter cejfion for them. He is en^ 24* tered into heaven itfelf^ now to appear in the prefence of God for its. He intercedes that all the fpiritual bleflings, which his death has purchafed, may be conferred upon them, and thus their fouls be enriched with every good thing that is neceffary to prepare and ripen them for the heavenly ftate. He pleads for his people, that they may be quickened and made partakers of fpiritual light and life, that they may be brought into a ftate of peace, eftabliflied and preferved therein for ever. [6.) Laflly, Chrift's work, as Mediator, is to bow the hearts of the ele£fy and to turn his people from their iniquities. Such is the condition of man fmce the fall, that he is blind to his own intereft, and an enemy to his own happinefs. Tho* a way be open'd thro' the mediation of Chrift, for man's ac- cefs to God; yet none, if left to himfelf, will turn to the Lord. Hence it was need- ful, that bcfides all the Mediator had done as a piieft, in fatisfying divine juftice, he Ihould in the difcharge of his undertaking ^s the Prophet and King of the church, make ready a people, and prepare them for the glory his blood has purchas'd, I Accord" between Go J andfinners. 349 Accordingly, He by his Word and Spirit convinces his people of their fin and dan- ger, warns them to flee from the wrath that is to come, (hews them the only way of deliverance to be through his own righte- Gufnefs and blood: He quickens them, and enables them to flee to the refuge that is fet before them : He renews their wills, and draws them with the cords of his love : He fubdues the pride of their hearts, con- quers their lufts and corruptions, and gives them faith in himfelf, and his victories ; and thus makes them more than conquerors o- ver their enemies : He gives hungrings and thirftings after God, and leads into the daily experience of divine favour. He keeps them in a continued dependence upon him- felf, and upholds them in a ftate of grace till he has wrought in them a meetnefs ta be partakers of the heavenly inheritance. At length, as the captain of falvation, he condu(5s them fafe thro' the territories of death, and puts them into the full and furc poficflion of eternal glory. In this method I have attempted a di- ftind view of Chrift's work, as he is the Mediator between God and finners. From what has been faid under the foregoing heads, of the nature, greatnefs, and difficulty of the Mediator's work, we may juftly infer three things, I. There is the greateft occafion for us to bewail the evil of our apojlacy from Go J, and 5 JO Chrijl the Mediator and rebellion agamjl him. What fad work has fin made! How wide a difference has this created between God and man ! What a difficult matter was it to make reconcilia- tion : We fee what condefcenfion, what humiliation and abafement, what agonies and forrows it has coft the Mediator, to make up the breach. Let the confideration of thefe things be improved to heighten our apprehensions of the evil of fin, and engage us to a more penitent and humble acknowledgment of our vile offence, which made fuch an office and work as this, ne- cefl!ary that our fouls might be faved from endlefs mifery. How feldom is it that we take due ob- (ervation of our fin and guilt, or have our hearts rightly affeded with it ? But did wc in the actings of faith review more frequent- ly and clofely what great humiliation was hereby occafioned to Chrift, the Mediator, it would be the mod effed:ual means of hum- bling us under ths remembrance of our iniquities. Ought we to mourn when we have occafioned forrow to a kind friend, to a near relative, or a Chrifcian brother ? And fliall we not mourn that wc have done this to Chrift ? It becomes us indeed, to mourn over fin, as it is a diflionour to God, as his jufticc has been provok'd, and the life of our fouls forfeited thereby ; but withal wc fliould remember that we can never mourn bright, till this becomes a fpring of forrow, that between Qod and Sinners. 5 j £ that Chrift, the Mediator, was wounded for our tranfgreflions. Among all the arguments of forrow men- tioned in fcripture, this feems to be expreft with the ftrongeft accent in that paflage of the prophet, They JJj all look vpon me whom Zcch. xii. they have pierced ; it follows, they /hall 10. mourn for htm as one mottrneth for his only fon^ and floall he in bitternefs for him^ as one that is in htttermfs for his firfi-born. To a divine foul the fufferings of Chrift, cfpecially the fufferings of his foul, are moft . affeding things. Thcfe melt it moft, and draw out the kindcft forrows. When one that is become a new creature hears or reads of the humiliation and abafement of the great Mediator, he is ready to fay, Did my blefted Lord bear fuch a load of mifcry, fuch a weight of divine wrath ? Did he fuffer the moft dreadful curfe, and did he endure all this for fin, for my fin? Oh! then let me hate it ; let my foul mortally and eternally hate fin, as that which was the procuring caufe of all his griefs. 2.) We may infer that this work could . never be aecomplifli'd by a mere creature. Who among creatures of the highoft rank was fit to undertake it ? The firft thing the Mediator was to engage in, was to make peace, by prcfenting a fatistadory oblation, and an atoning facrifice. This was the only foundation upon which reconciliation could be efFefted, Who then among created be- 2 c 1 Chnft the Mediator ings was able to interpofe on the behalf of finners? The beft of them depend upon the divine goodnefs and condefcenfion for their own acceptance ; how then (hould they venture to appear in the prefencc of an angry God to procure acceptance for others > Could any of thefe have born our griefs, or carried our forrows for us ? Or if the chaftifement of our peace had been up- on any of them, could their ftripes have been our healing > Had they engag d to have laid down their life for us? Could they have taken it again ? Would the moft exqui- fite forrows of a mere creature have been fufficient to fatisfy the juftice of a God, or to atone for an offence committed againft; an infinite Majefty ? And yet unlefs this had been done, whoever had ftood in the place of a Mediator could not have been taken from prifon, or from judgment? And if the furety could not make a full payment to fecure his own releafe, how was it to be expefted that a difcharge (hould be granted to thofe for whom he was refponfible ? Let the nature and greatnefs of the work of a Mediator be confider'd, according to the reprefentation we have given of it from fcripture, and the conclufion muft be, that in the whole creation there was none equal to it, none fit to be entrufted with it. 5. We may infer, that there is the higheft reafon for us to admire the kindnefs, con- defcenfion, and love of the Lord JefusChrift, who hetween God and Smners, 3 c > \vho chearfully undertook and went through all. We count it great love when any pity us in our forrows, and mourn with us in our afflidions ; but to what degree is this love heightened in Chrifl, who took our forrows upon him, and put his foul in our (buls ftead, and chofethe moll bitter agonies, that we might have the fweeteft joys ! The height of his kindnefs appears in the depth of the mifery he bore for us. The threat- nings of the law had their full diicharge upon him, there was no abatement •, He was not fpared in any part of the curfe no not in the foreft. What curfe like an alienation from God or a feparation from him ? To be banifti'd from the glory of his prefence is the height of the torments in hell. This is the mifery that we had defervM ; and this the mifery that Chrift fuffei'd in his agonies ; and here- in it was that he gave the (Irongcil: proof of his love. All things elfe were tolerable, but all the angels in heaven could not have endur'd this. Let this then engage our ho- ly admiration : Oh I let foul and body be given to him who hath fufFer'd in foul and body for us ; as he fufter'd for us in both, let it be our care to ferve him in both ; and as he made his foul an offering for fin, let our fouls be made ofrerings of praifc. His griefs which he fuftered for us fliould work- us up to that grateful temper that no obe- Uicnce fliould be grievous to us, A a But 35 4 Chrtjl the Mediator But the reafonablenefs of fuch a return as this may be reprefented with greater advan- tage, when we have fliewn his peculiar fit- nefs for the work ; for it muft doubtlels en- hance his kindnefs when we remember that he interpos'd on our behalf, when none but himfelf could perform fuch an office for us. Having infifted diftindly upon feveral parts of the Mediator's work ; I fliall now proceed II. To evince Chrijl's Jingtdar fanefs for the "uvork. And 1 fliall endeavour to (0,1 forth this fitnefs, I. As it refults from the conjiitution of his perfon: 1, As ic refults from the peculiar relation hejlands tn both to God and his people. I. Chrift's fitnefs for the work of a Media- tor may be fet forth, as it refults from the confiitution of his perfon or from what he is himfelf. In this refped Chrift differs from all others. The confiitution of his perfon being Angu- lar and peculiar to himfelf, for he is both God and man ; he has all the powers and perfections of Godhead, with all the finlefs infirmities and affcdions of humanity. He truly partakes of both natures, the divine and human, and is as really the Son of God as the Son of man. The fame perfon who is the man Chrift Jefus, is indeed God over alL hetwee7i, God and Smnersi^ 3 j j dl, blejjid for ever : He is both together, wichouc feparation, without mixture or con- fufion^ and yet with real diftindion. For the properties of one nature are never to be attributed to the other. Yet his perfon being undivided the properties of both be- long to him. * But the diftinclion, union, and glory of his two natures have been more largely in- fifted on in the preceding difcourfes of my brethren. It is my bufinefs now to fliew wherein the conftitution of his perfon gave him a fitnefs for his work, as Mediator be- tween God and finners. And for the more full difplay of Ch rift's fitnefi for his work, under this head, 1 fliall give a diftinft reprefentation of it, (i.) As it vqCuIzs from his human nature: (2.) As it idwks fr'om his divine nature : and, (3.) Asitrefalts from the conjm^icn or . union of both, (i.) Chrift's fitnefs for the work of a Mediator refults from his human nature. And here it will appear both in his humani- ty itfelf and from the peculiar maimer in which he affum'd this nature. [i.] Chrift's fitnefs for his work, as Medi- ator, appears in his humanity itfelf For by reafon of this he was capable of giving that kind of fatisfadion which was required, that peace might be made, and (alvation fccured. When I was fpcaking to the work of the A a 2 Mcdi- 2 jf ^ Chriji the Mediator Mediator, I told you that he was to give fatisfaftion to the offended Majefty, by mag- nifying the law, thro* an obedience to its precepts, and a fubjedion to its penalties. Now without a proper humanity, he would have been capable of neither. In this, both liis aftive and paflive obedience were founded* It was only in his flefli he ftood in the condition of a creature. And this is the on- ly condition that will admit of obedience. His divine nature is the proper objed of the deepeft reverence and homage ; it was im- poffible this fliould ever be the fubjeft of obedience. It was then by reafon of his manhood only that he was fuited to fuftain the charafter of a fervant, and capacitated for paying thofe fpecial adts of worfliip and adoration, which the law required. There- in only was he fitted to pafs thro' the va- rious ftages and circumftances of life, and all that abafement of an humble ftate, in which his obedience was to be teftified, and all his meritorious fervice performed. Again, without a proper humanity, the chajtifement of our peace could never have been upon him. The poverty, reproach and fliame ; the pain, agonies and death that were to be inflided as the penalty of the law, could never be endur'd or felt by any but one that was truly man. Chriil was therefore made of a woman^ that he might be made under the law. All forrow and grief is utterly incompatible with a divine ~ natures between Qod and Smnersl 357 nature ? nor eonid any nature entirely and purely fpiritual, have born the fufFerings which were the peculiar punifliment of man's tranfgreflion ; for izithoitt fhedding of blood Hcb. ix. there was no remijjloyi -, for this reafon muft -2. the Mediator be made lower than the an- gels, and take on him the nature of the feed of Abraham^ that he might have blood to filed. He muft firll be a child born, than he might be the Lamb flain. [2.] Chrift's fitnefs for his work^ as Me- diator, appears from the peculiar manner in which he afjltmed the human nature : for hereby he was juftly exempted from all de- filement ; and this was neceflary, or other- wife the law could not have been magni- fy'd by him. The manner in which he afTum'd the human nature was peculiar and wonderful. He was the feed of the woman, that he might be really and properly a defcendant from Adam, but was born of a virgin, that he might be fecured from all taint and cor- ruption. His miraculous conception gave him a juft exemption from all defilement. The guilt of Adam's firft tranfgredion was not devolved upon him as it was upo» others, thro' a federal relation ; he was not a party concerned in the firft covenant, as is every one that defcends from Adam by ordinary generation. Being born of a virgin, he ne- ver lay in the loins of a man ; and for this reafon was not liable to the imputation of A a 3 guilt 358 Chr'ifi the Mediator guile upon the like account as we are. I^ was only by vutiie of his own confent, and voluntary agreement, as the head of the church, and the Saviour of his body, that any iniquity was laid upon him. Hence there never was the Icafl: feed of corruption, or principle of fin m his nature : No root upon which any aftual inclination to fin could ever grow. Neither did the law re- quire that this feed of the woman (hould be fo far deferred as to be lefc deftitute of thofe divine fuccours, which v/ouldbe a fufficient and confliant prefervative againft the venom and poifon of the devil's temptations. Chrid: was then the very man, the exi- gence of our cafe rcquir'd. He was made like unto his brethren in all things that were cflential and proper to our nature. He had a true humanity, that he might be in a con- dition which would admit of his fhedding blood, and fuffering death to make recon- ^liation for the fins of his people. He had a manhood clothed with all blamelefs in- firmities, that he might be touched with a feeling of ours, and yet was boly^ harmkfs, tm^ defiled, and fepar ate from finners ; that there might be no need of a facrifice for any fins of his own. Without our nature he would have had no gift or faciifice at all to ofJer ; with- out the fpotlcfs purity of our nature he would have had none to prefcnt that could have been accepted. Thus we fee that by his hum.an nature, and the abfokite purity of k^ Chrift between Qodand Sinners. 3 jo Chrift was fitted for that part of his me- diatorial work, which required his obedi- ence, abafement, or humiliation. (z.) ChriiVs fitnefs for the work of a Me- diator rejtilts from his Divine Nature. I have already obferv'd, that Chrift- is God as well as man. I fliall here farther obferve, that his Divine Nature is no more intended to be excluded from an immediate concern in his mediatorial office, by his be- ing termed in the text, 7he man Chrijl Jefus, than his human nature is dcfign'd to be excluded from fuffering, when, with re- aped to his crucifixion, he is ftiled the Lord of Glory. Tho* a manhood was neceffary, yet that alone could never be fufficient for the mighty work he had undertaken, which was to make reconciliation, to purge our fins, to purchafe the Church, to open a way for our comfortable accefs to God, to bring us into, and preferve us in a ftate of friend- (hip and love. All this was to be done, not- withftanding the corruption and enmity of our nature, in fpite of the mod violent af- faults, and powerful oppofition of hellifli ad- verfaries : but as a foundation for all thcfe glorious atchievements, the law mud be magnified Now, as I (hewed under the foregoing head, that it was upon the account of the human nature of Chrift,that he was iiva con- dition that would admit of any obedience at all; fo under this I would (licw that it A a 4 was 3 6o Chrtfi the Medtator v/as by virtue of his Divine Nature, that he v/as capable of magnifying the law thro' his obedience and fubje^lion to it. To this purpofe v^e may take notice of two things. [i.] It was the Divine Nature of Chrift that fecufd the high perfefiwu of his obedi- ence under his peculiar and moji difficult cir- ciimflances, [2.] It was the Divine Nature of Chrift that devolv'd t'tpcn his perfect obedience, that Glory iz'hich la^as its fnfficience to magnify the law, [I.] It was the Divine Nature of Chrift that fecufd the high perfection of his obe-* dience, under his peculiar and mofl difficult cir cum fiances. There was nothing more difficult in the Mediator's work, than to keep up thehigheftexercife of Grace, while he fuftained the moft violent ftorms of wrath the juftice of heaven could pour upon him. 'Tis certain, none has an arm hke God, or can thunder with a voice like him. He can more cailly cutoff thefpirit of prin- ces, than the roaring of a lion can make the beafts of the forcft tremble, none of the angelick nature can ftand before him, jobxxvi. when once he is angry. The pillars of hea- ven tremble, and are aflonifloed at his re- proof. When wicked men arc fcorched with the heat of his fiery anger, they blaf- pheme his name; and when the bed: of men have been under the hidings of his counte-- 21- [VUI. between God and Sinners. ^6i countenance, and the fearful apprchcnfions of his difpleafure, the mod bitter lamenta- tions have been extorted ; IFhile they fhffer ^^■'^'^ his terrors, they are diftraBed, But (uch^ff^^ ' were the perfc6lions of Chrift, that the ' wrath which made fome blafphemc, and which threw others into the moft dreadful confufion, could never produce in him the leaft finful diforder. Under all the bittcr- nefs of death in his body, and the fliarpeft agonies in his foul, he never had one unbe- coming thought of God, nor fail'd in the exercife of any grace, but always kept up an holy confidence, and unfliaken trufi: in him, ftill claiming his relation, and juftify- ing the proceedings of God in exccutino- the foreft judgments upon himfclf, as the farety of his people. All the time the fiercenefs of Divine Wrath was paffing over him, he gave God reverence, with holy af- fedion and perfed love. The devil in the mean while imployed the utmoft of his skill and power to draw him into fin. Satan was bufy with his hel- lifli arts, tempting our Saviour to put a falfe conftruclion r.pon Gods dealings, and to draw wrong conclufions from prcfent dif. penfations. The lead: compliance herewith had deftroycd all the virtue of his facrifice, render'd his oblation unfavoury, and turned his offering into a frefh provocation. But the pcrfculions of his Godhead were fiis abundant fecurity. His infinite wifdom made ^6z Chriji the Mediator made light arife in the midfl: of darknefi, and chafed away the gloomy fhadcs of providence, by means whereof the devil attempted to miflead him. His infinite power fuftained and preferved him in an intire refignation, and moft perfed exercife of patience under thofe heavy (hocks of Divine Vengeance, which would have funk angels, as well as men, into an irrecoverable ftate of mifery and ruin. But ChrifFs ftrength wa> equal to the vengeance of the Judge, and he was able to fuftain, as well as receive the wrath of heaven, and to bear all, without any impatient murmuring, or finful complaint. Hereby the utmoft per- fedlion of the law was anfwered, its moft fpi- ritual and difficult injunftions being exadly obferv'd, while, at the fame time all its moft dreadful denunciations, and terrible threat- nings of wrath were fully executed. But farther, [i.] It was the Divine Nature of Chrift that devolved upon his obedience^ that Glo- ry "which IV as its fiijjic knee to magnify the For in his fubjcdion the?e was a judg- ment practically given concerning the law, that it was holy, pft, and goody by aperfon of infinite perfedions, one whofe wifdom and penetration could have difcern'd, and whofe righteoufnefs and juftice would have de- teded any blcmifli, or defed in the law, could there have been the leaft injuftice in its re- z quirements^ between God and Sinners. ^6i quirements, the leaft feverity or hardfliip in its commands to have been complainVl of. fo that the honour which was done to the law,ihro* a teftimony borne by the fubjedion and blood of a righteous and holy yeftts^ was fufficient to confront all the difgrace that was caft upon it by the rebellion of weak andfinful man: yea, the judgment of Chrift, who was a perfon truly divine, mull be infinitely more valuable, than the fcnti- ments of all created beings. Hereby the law was abundantly magnified, and the at- tributes of God which had been impeached, traduced, and flandercd by man's rebellion, were all vindicated, exalted, and glorified, thro* the obedience and fufFerings of this infinite Mediator ; and herein the juftice of God had a proper and complete fatisfadion, a full compenfation being made for the wrong which fin had done to the honour of God. Here was a refticution perfeffly ade- quate, and fully commcnfurate to the per- feclion of the law, and all the infinite Glo- ries of him that gave it. Herein the Divine juftice finds a reft, and thus the wrath of God was fully appeafcd. His jufi: rcfcntment, upon the account of fin, could defire no more to vindicate his honour, in embracing in the arms of his mercy and love, all that are fprinkled with the blood of Chrift's atoning facrifice. Thro' the rightcoufnefs of 5 ($4 Chrtjl the Mediator of this Mediator, grace fliall reign to eter- nal life. Peace and reconciliation being eftabliflied upon fuch a foot of righteout nefs and equity ; God is now equally juft in being the juftifier of them that believe in Jefus ; as in condemning thofe that final- ly continue in their impenitence and un- belief Thus we fee, that from the Divine Nature of Chrift, arofe the compleatnefs of his ca- pacity to magnify the law, and make a full reparation for the injury done to the divine honour by the tranfgreffion of fallen man. From what has been faid under this and the foregoing head, WE MAY LEARN, T^hat the denial oj Chrifis humanity^ and the denial of his proper Deity ^ are errors equally dangerous and fatal in their confe^ quence. To deny his manhood, or the reality of his human nature, \s to deftroy the truth of his (acrifice. To deny his Godhead, or the glory of his Divine Nature, is to deftroy its virtue. The confequence of either of which muft be to take away his fatisfaftion. And this is fubverfive of the whole Gofpel, which lays all the weight of falvation upon Chrift, as our pajjbver, who was facrificed for us^ and who gave himfelf for uSy an of- fering V. 2. between God and Smners, 3^y fering and a facrifice to God, for a fweH Eph. fmelling fa^uotir. And his fitnefs for this ai'ofe not merely from his human nature, nor merely from his divine ; but from the conjundion or union of both. Which is to have a particular confidcration in the en- fuing difcourfe. The End of the firfi SermorT. Mtp^^ CHRIST {^66) CHRIST a fit MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD and Sinners. I Tim. ii. j. For there is one God^ and one Me" d'tator between God and men^ the man Chrifi Jefus. Serm. II. "TT N rpeaking to thefe words, we have al- D^^^^/ I ^*^^^y confider'd the work of a Media- 6,' 1 728. -*• tor between God and men, and entered upon the confideration of Chrift's fitnefs for this work, as it arifes from the wonderful conftitution of his perfon. To this purpofe we have taken a view of each nature di- fiinBly, 1 fliall now proceed to condder both conpmBly, For, 5. Chrtjt's -fitnefs for his '■jvork, arifes from the conjtm^iion or union of his two natures. There are many things relating to this u- nion of two natures in the perfon of the Me- diator, which wc cannot comprehend; but from between God and Shmers. -^6/ from the language of fcripture we may ea- fily learn fo much concerning it, as to know, that when God, in the perfon of the Son, was manifeftcd in the Hefli, neither the Fa- ther nor the Holy Ghoft adlimcd our na- ture, but the Word alone. There is no occafion therefore for any to objeft, *' That if the Mediator aded as God, " and yet did mediate with God, and re- *' concile us to God, he might then be faid " to mediate with himfelf^ and reconcile us " to himfelf. " I think it is fufficient to reply to this, that as there is an order in the perfonal fubfiftence of the facred Three, fo there is an order in their various operations, and in the diftindt concern they have, with ncCpeB: to the fal- vation of the chofen. Now it appears from the revelation of the gofpel, that according to the oeconomy agreed upon in the eternal tranfaftions and fettlements of the everlaft- ing covenant, the Father was to fuftain the eharader of Majefty, and bear the title of Redor and judge of all, while the Son was to be the only Redeemer of his people ; and in order thereunto, the only Mediator be- tween God and man : But his having com- munion in the Godhead does no more de- ftroy his perfonal diftinftion from the of- fended Judge, than his accepting the rela- tion of a federal head, or afluming the na- ture of his people, made him ceafe to be a perfon diftinft from them. And when this point 5 6 8 Chnji the Mediator point is ence fee \\\ a light agreeable td the account given of it in the Word, the objeaion muft lofe its dcfign, if not wholly fall to the ground. I {hall go on therefore to what I propos'd under this head, which was to (hew^ how the conjunftion of the two natures in the perfon of Chrift, did fit him for his media- torial work. An illuftration of this mat* ter (hall be attempted under the following heads. 1. This union laid the foundation for a communication of properties. That is, from this union it became reafonable and proper that the peculiar perfe6lions and properties of his Godhead, and that the peculiar pro- perties, anions, and paffions of his manhood, fhould each of them be particularly attribut- ed and appropriated to his perfon. The -union of his two natures was fo drift and clofe, that nothing could be attributed unto, or affirmed of either, but the fame might be juftly (aid of his perfon. From whence it follows, that his perfon was at the fame time the fubjeft of the higheft perfeftion, dignity, and glory ; and yet truly the fub- jeft of the moft humble obedience, and en* tire fubmiflion. Hence, 2. By reafon of this union a glory 'was devolv'd f^pon all the obedience and fe/ firings of the Mediator > This union being a foun- dation for the communication of properties, it \% now agreeable to the utmoft propriety z of between Qod and S'mners. 260 of fpeech, to afTerc chac the blellcd Jefus, who fulfill'd all righteoufnefs, was infmiccly, as well as perfedlyjuft and holy. This iinioii is a fure ground upon which we may affirm, concerning the head that was crown'd with thorns, the face which the foldiers rudely fpit upon; the fide that was pierced 5 the hands and feet which were nail'd to the crofs ; the flefli that was flain, and the blood which was (lied ; that thefe were tru- ly the bodily parts, and really the flcfli and blood of the Trince of Life, and Lord of Glory : The dignity of whofe perfon con- vey'd a Glory unto all his obedience, and all his fufferings. For which reafon we may well conclude, that the expreflion is not figurative, nor the language improper, when 'tis (aid, that God purchased the church 'ivith Afts xx his own blood. This was true in the moft ^'^' plain and natural fenfe of the words, in as much as the infinite glories of Godhead did truly and properly belong to that Jefus of Nazarethy who was crucify*d upon the mount. And tho* it's never to be (aid that the Divine Nature of Chriit fufFcr'd, or the Godhead died, yet it may be properly fiid, that the perfon who fufter'd and died was tru- ly God ; and thro' the vercue of the Divine Nature of Chrift, a full fatisfaftion was given to offended juftice, by the fuffering of his human. For the fatisfa^^ion which is given to God for the violation of his law, takes its meafure from the fubjeft that gives ir. B b And 370 Chnfi the Mediator And this (hews us the reafon why it was impoflible for any mere creature to make fatisfaftion for fin, namely, becaufe a crea- ture, the' one of the mod exalted condition that can be conceived, could not poflibly be more than a finite fubjed of obedience ; and the higheft and mod perfed obedience of fiich a fubjed, could bear no propor- tion to the evil of fin, which having the infinite perfedion and majefty of God, to be themeafureand rule of its account, mufk rife or amount to an infinite evil ; yea, had Chrift himfelf been but a creature, after the fullefl: undion he could then have received from the Spirit of Grace and Holinefs, his X obedience and facrifice had ftill been the oblation of one that was but finite ; and in point of real (atisfadion or proper atone- ment would have then availed no more than did the blood of bulls or of goats. 3.) It was this union that fecufd the Mediator* s deliverafice from all his abafe- ment. The releafe of the Mcdmov from prifony and from judgment was neceflary, the defign of falvation had mifcarried without it. If the Mediator had not firft procured delive- rance for himfelf, he had attempted in vain the falvation of others : Had death reign'd over him, iz had for ever triumph'd over all his people : Had the head been detain d as a prifoner, there had been no room to hope for the efcape of his members. But between God and Sinners. ^yi But whenChrifl: was taken, and by wick- ^^^ "• ed hands was crucified and Jlain, yet couW^' '''^' he not be holden of death, no, tho* he bore thejins of many l Such was z\\(t fweet fmel- ling favouVy arifing from the facnfce and ^^^ '^• offering which he prefented to God, thro '^^' the eternal Spirit ; that he was quickly raised up, the pains of death being loos'd. The great work of atonement being finifii'd hereby, it was not poffble he fliould con- tinue in the grave any longer than was nc- ceflary to evidence the reality or certainty of his death. But then we are here to remember, that the refurreftion of the dead body of Chrift was owing to the union of his human nature with his divine; for it was his Godhead which convey'd that infinite merit unto his oblation, whereby it became fatisfadory : and without this (atisfaftorinefs of his obla- tion, the body which he offer'd, could not have been rais'd, the juftice of God would have forbidden it ; a flur had been caft upon the righteoufnefe of the judge, had the fure- ty been difcharg'd before the debt had been fully paid. The (ame difficulties that lay in the way of a reconciliation for fmners, with- out the interpofition of a Mediator at firfl:, would ftill have continued as a bar of peace, had not the Mediator made full compenfati- on. The confiderations which made it ne- ccffary there (hould be any payment at all, B b 2. would 572' Chrtjl the Mediator would not admit of a compofition at laft, or fufFer the leaft abatement. Under thefe difficulties Chrift was a fit Mediator ; for he being both God and man, he had not only a body that he might be liable to an imprifonment in the grave, but was likewife poileflid of thofe riches of glory, which abundantly fecured his releafe and difcharge. And the eternity of fufferings is not ef- fential to the punifliment that is due for fin. This only arifes from the incapacity of him that fuffers to give a full fatisfadion. As in the cafe of debtors, the length of an im- prifonment, is occafioned by the want of a full payment. But Chrift, thro' tlie vertue of his divine nature, was able to put away Jin fully and wholly, by the facrifice of him- felf', when he offer'd his body, he did it Rom.vi.9. once for ally and being rat fed from the deady he dieth no more. Death hath no more dominion over him, when the coutfe of his obedience upon earth was ended, as foon as he expired and gave up the ghoft, the great work of atonement and fatisfaftion was fi- niflied and perfeded for ever; for which Heb.x. reafon. This man, after he had offered one '^- facrifice for fms, for ever fat down on the right hand of God, Thus we fee how the conjundion of his two natures fecured the . Mediator's deliverance from all his abafe- menr. Farther, 4. This union fecured his entrance into Glory, That between God and Sinners. 373 That the work of a Mediator might be fully difcharg'd, his entring into Glory was of equal neceffity with his fuffering. This is plainly intimated in that queftion of our Lord, Ought not Chrifi to havefaffred thefe things^ and to enter into his Glory? It Luk.xxiv. was but one part of his work that was fi- ^^' niflb'd on earth, there was another to be continued and carried on in heaven. The application of the blefTings he purchased, was to be his care, as well as the purchafe it felf ; all communications of divine mercy and favour are made thro* him. Whoever are made partakers of the heavenly grace, they receive it according to the meafure of the gift of Chrifi, His afcenfion therefore, Eph.iv.7. and entrance into glory, was neceflary, that he might receive gifts for men, and beftow them on the heirs of faivation. He mufi: enter into heaven it felf, and there appear in the prefence of God, to plead the efficacy of his facrifice, on the behalf of his chui^ch ; that in the virtue of his blood the Spirit might be given, and a diftribution be made of all fpiritual bleffings. He was to enter in a moft publick and glorious manner, as a vidorious Head, and a fuccefsful Captain of faivation. Before he could enter, he muft lead captivity cap- tive, fpoil principalities and powers, make a fhew of them openly, and triumph ove? all their aflaults. P h ^ Caa 374 Chrtjl the Mediator Can it then be imagin'd, that Chrfft could enter into the immediate and glorious prefence of God, under this high charader of a Mediator, upon fuch an important er- rand, and thro' the midft of fuch vafl: oppo- fition, unlefs he had been both God and man. The fcriptures affure us, that it was by blood, Hcb.ix.i2.«^^ the blood of goats^ or of calves, but by his own blood he entred into the holy place. But how could this have gain'd him admit* tance, had not an infinite value been ftamp'd upon his fuflferings, by the conjunftion of his human nature with his divine ? and (incc it was thro* the virtue of this union, that he was able to difcharge himfelf of the load of iniquity, which, with his own confent, was laid upon him, it mufl: of confequence be thro* the (ame union that he obtained a boldnefs to enter into the holieft of the heavenly temple, or into the immediate pre- fence of God above : for unlefs he had ap- peared at his afcenfion without Jin^ tho' he had approach'd to the very gates of heaven, entrance would have been denied him. But being both God and man, the dig- nity of his Divine Nature open'd a clear pat (age for the afcenfion of his human thro' all heavens, even unto the throne of God. In regard of the infinite excellency of his Deity, the voice was utter'd as the com- mand of juftice, as well as the cry of love, Pf.xxiv. Z.tft np your heads, O ye gateSy and be ye ^"''■'°' lift up ye everlafting doors ^ and the King heWeen God and Sinners. 27 c of Glory Jhall come in. And the rcafon of this acclamation was, becaufe he was found worthy to afcend into the hill of the Lordy and to Jlandinhisholy place: and when once fuch a voice as this came to him from the ex^ cellent Glory^ concerning his entrance in, all the united force of the legions of hell eould not prevent it. If thefe adverfaries be confider'd as the executioners of Divine Wrath, thus they were difarm'd of their power of death, thro' the Mediator's fubmit- ting to endure it : or, if they be confider'd as the implacable enemies of the Redeemers honour, and his people's happinefs, thus they were intirely vanquifh'd by the fupcrior ftrcngth of the King of Glory, as he was the Lordftrong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battel. In as much therefore as Chrift was to make his way to Glory both thro' facrifice and triumph, we have reafonto conclude, that his entrance was fecured by the union of his two natures : For tho', if he had been without his human he had wanted a Sacri- fice to offer, or if he had been without his divine he had wanted an arm fufficient to conquer -, yet as he was God-man, he had both, and wanted neither. y . From this union arofe a fitnefs in Chrifl to receive and exercife all power in heaven and earth. ItwasnecefiTary the Mediator fliould bein- yefted with all regal authority, have power Bb4 gi'^^^K 37^ Chrtjl the Mediator given him over all Jlefh, and be made head over all things to the church. For he was to gather together m one all the children of God, that were fcatter'd abroad throughout the world. Thefe muft be delivei'd from the flavery of tin, refcu'd from the vaffalage of Satan, and made a wilUng people in the day of Chrift's power, Thefe muft be reclaimed, quickncd to new obedience, ftrengthned in fpiricual fervice, fupporced under temptations, and enabled to walk humbly with their God. They muft likewife be proteded and de- fended in their way to Sion^ made fuccefs- ful in their conflids with men and devils ; yea, and with their more dangerous ene- mies, the corruption and pride of their own hearts. They muft be enabled to fght the good fght of faith, under all the trials of life, and be made vidorious, at laft, over death itfelf, the king of terrors. Their bodies muft be rais'd from the grave, and their perfons be prefented blamelefs and with- out fpot, at Chrift s fecond coming. And they muft be wrought up to all this glory, thro* the ftrength of the Mediator. For this purpofe, all power was given him in heaven and earth. But had he not been man he could not have received it, or had he not been God, he could not have rightly us'd it. The gift was made to his perfon, but the beftowment or communica- tion did terminate upon his manhood. It was between God and Sinners. 277 was with refpea to this only he was capable of an increafe in power and honour. Such was the fovereignty and Fulncfs of his God- head, that an acceflion to its authority or Glory was impoflible ; but being God-man, the fame perfon was capable of receiving, and fit to be entrufted with the higheft pow- er, an univerfal dominion, and abfolutc rule. 6,) From the union of his two natures, the Mediator had a fitnefs for the fuccefsful management of his intercejjion in heaven. Had he been God only, the bufinefs and work of an IntercefTor had been below him: For he was thus equal to the God with whom he was to intercede; had he been man only, he had been below the work^ and not fit to appear in the glorious pre- fcnce of the Majefty of heaven upon fuch an errand ; but thro' the union of his two natures he was equal to the work, and yet the work not unworthy of him. Thro' the omnifcience of his Divine Na- ture, he perfedly knows who the perfons are that were chofen by God, to be the heirs of falvation ; he knows who were appoint- ed unto glory, of old, and muft be efFcdu- ally caird and brought thither in time. He knows what is the ftate, what the condition and exigence of every one that belongs to that number. He knows what are the fpe- cial privileges and bleflings, what the abun- dant fupplies of grace, and fingular meafurcs of 378 Chrlji the Mediator of the gifts of the Spirit, whieh are allot- ted for them here, and what the degrees and heights of glory, which are appointed for them hereafter. There is no danger therefore of his asking amifi, by his inter- ceding for any thing that would not be agreeable to his Father's will. Thro* the perfection of his Deity he ful- ly underftands, in all the moft difficult and intricate cafes, what will eventually be for the higheft manifeftation of the divine Glo- ry, and the eftedual fecurity of his people's welfare, and is infinitely faithful in things pertaining to God ; while infinitely merciful in things pertaining to them. As man he is exp^nmcnzMy touch' d with a feeling of their infirmitieSy and has a moft fenfible remem- brance of all their forrows, fufferings, and wants. Hence his interceffion is manag'd with all the companion and fympathy his ftate will admit of, or their condition can require. Thro' this union the fame perfon hath the affection of a man, to compaflio- nate their cafe ; and the power of a God to relieve them. Since he has a nature truly human, we may be aflur'd of his ever owning the perfons and caufe of his peo- ple : And fince he has a nature truly divine, we maybe aflufd of God's owning him, and all thofe on whofe behalf he inter- . cedes. From fuch confiderations as thefe, I think it fufficiently appears, that the conjunftion between God artdSmners. or union of the Divine Nature with the human, in the perfon of Chrifl:, gave him a peculiar fitnefs for his mediatorial work. Having nov^ confiderM \\\s ftnefsiox: thi$ work, as it arifes from the wonderful con- flitution of his perfon : I (hall next confi- der it, 2. As it refults from the peculiar relation he Jtands in^ both to God ana his people, I. Chrijl's fitneCs to be Mediator arifet from his relation to God; this appears in that I. Hereby an order was preferv'd in the 'Various operations of the Sacred Three, The relation Chrift (lands in to God, is that of a Son, which title belongs to him, on the account of his fupreme pre-exiftent nature ; or his eternal intrinfick relation to the Father. Chrift being the Son of God, He i^ the fecond perfon in the Godhead, and next in order to the Father : He was fit therefore to fuftain the charafter of a Mediator, whofe work was to be fubfequent to the work of the Father. From the current of (cripture we learn, there is an order obferv'd in the feveral funftions and operations of the ble(red Tri- nity, correfpondent and agreeable to the order of their fubfiftence ; and the beauty of their adings required it. In the order of nature, the Father is be- fore the Son; accordingly the works that arc afcribed to the Father, are antecedent 37? jSo Chnjl the Mediator or prior to the works which are more im- mediately attributed to the Son. Creation muft: precede redemption : for creatures could not be redeemed before they did exift. Ic was therefore agreeable, that the Father (hould (iiftain the charader of Creator, Redor, and Legiflator; and that the Son (hould be Redeemer ; and fo it was congru- ous, that the application of the efficacy of redemption, which muft be confequent to re- demption it felf, fliould be the work of the holy Spirit, whofe funftion or operation, ac- cording to his order of fubfiftence, was to be after the operation of the Father or the Son. There was then the grcateft congruity in the Son's bearing this office, which would not have been fuitable for any of the Divine Perfons but himfelf alone. It was not pro- per that the Father, who bore the charader of the great Lawgiver, fliould be the Me- diator: becaufe it was not fuitable, that he who gave the law as Redor and Lord of all, fliould ftand in the room and place of him that broke it, which would have been the cafe, had the Father been the Mediator. Nor was it fit that the Spirit fliould be ap- pointed to this office; for then the Son muft have been fent to apply the redempti- on, and thus the order in which the Divine •Perfons fubfift in the Godhead had been difturbed, and broken in their operations ; whereas in the Son's being the Mediator, Between God and Shiners. j%i *tis prefei'v'd intire, with the greateft har- mony and correfpondence. Again, That there was a fitnefs in Chnft to be the Mediator arifing from his relation to God, appears 2. In the fare grounds which it contained ef the Father's confidence in htm. As the original defign or contrivance of this work was the Father's, (o it did of right belong to him to pitch upon the Perfon that fliould be imploy'd therein. And the great thing which he aimed at in choofing a Mediator, was the advancement of his own Glory, in the certainty of his people's falvation. This was the only thing by which his choice was governed and di- refted. Now, the Father could no where find a perfon fo likely to fecure thefe ends as his own Son ; he was the chiefefi among Cant. vi. ten thotifand, and chofen out of the people. '''• The Omnifcience of God difcernd an in- capacity for the work in all beings that could poflibly be created, but it eternally beheld a compleat ability in his Son. Ic (aw that unchangeable faichfulnefs in him, which rendered him worthy the higheft truft. So great was the faithfulnefs of Chrift, that when he had once ftricken hands, he could never feek to be released: and this immutability of his faithfulnefs might be relied on, becaufe of the perfedi- on of his underftanding ; which being in- finite, he could fee from the beginning to the jSz between God and Sinners. the end of things ; fo that no appearance of frefli oppoficion in his work could ever ftartle him, nor could any unexpeded diffi- culty ever happen to furprize him. He had a vaft compafs of thought, an infinite reach, whereby he could penetrate into the moft diftant and future things, and into all their circumftances, conneftions and dependen- cies ; he could obferve all events in their original fpring, as well as in their immedi- ate caufes. Hence it was impoflible that any new face of things (hould vary his defign, change his refolution, or alter his purpofej but this was abfolutely and eternally the fame, with* cut any variablemfSy or fhadow of turning. And hence his promifc to come in theflejhy to vifit this lower world and tabernacle here among men, his engagement to do the will of God, in fulfilling all righteoufnefs^ in giv- ing his back to the fmiterSy and making his foul an offering for fin \ his compad: in thcfe and all other articles in which he co- venanted with his Father, might be depen- ded upon with the greateft fecurity. When once his word was pad, the accompliflbment was as certain as if the fa£t had then been over. Hi^ agreement therefore to ftand in the place of his people, to bear their iniquities, to be flain and facrificed for them, was thro' all preceding ages a fure foundation, upon which the weight of God's glory and the. between God and Sinner i. 383 the church's falvacion might fafely be ven- tured, down to the fulnefs of the time ap- pointed for the incarnation, fufferings, and death of this Mediator. Never was there any to be found befides himfelf that was fit to be fo far trufted : But he was, and he punctually fulfilled his engagements, anfwer- ed all the expeftations, and highcft confi- dence of his Father, who thereupon, at his afcenfion, put into his hands all government and rule, both in heaven and earth, in full aflurance that all would be imploy'd in a fubfervicnce to the great and glorious ends for which his office was appointed. But the confidence which the Father plac'd in Chrift, with refped to thefe matters of the moftgrand importance, was built upon his pe- culiar relation, as his own and only Son, who according to his neceflary and eternal gene- ration ever had a communion in all the et fential attributes and infinite perfections of the Godhead. And the Father knew that for this reafon the Son, who was to bear this office, had the fame unchangeable faith- fulnefs with himfelf who call'd him to it ; and was therefore more worthy of the glory of being intruded in this work than any crea- ture of the higheft rank ; for tho* fuch a one might be faithful in his obedience to the ut- moft of his capacity, yet herein muft he fall infinitely fhort of the faithfulnefs of Chrift, who aded up to all the boundlefs perfedions, and infinite glories pf an eternal Son. I Farcher, 584 Chrlji the Mediator Farther, as Chrift was the Son of God, he was perfedly acquainted with all the rights of Deity, and could infallibly difco- ver every inftance in which they were in- vaded. He had an infinite zeal for his Fa- ther's glory, and was capable of the higheft and moft quick refentment of any injury done againft his honour. He lov'd the Father with all the infinite perfe£tion wherewith the Father lov'd himfclf He had the fame high efteem for the law as the Father had, and was equally regardful that its precepts (hould be obey'd, its threat- nings difcharg*d; and thus its honour fe- cur'd, and folly preferv'd. He bore the like hatred and indignation againft fin, and chofc to have the divine difpleafure expreft by thofe fevere and terrible methods, in that high degree and boundlefs meafure, which the Father himfelf had refolv*d upon and determined as moft requifite and fuitable for his own exaltation. And as he had the fame regard, that the name of God (hould be reverenced, (b he bears the (ame ftrong affeftion, and infinite love with the Father to all that are ordain'd to eternal life. And ever was as truly de- firous as he, that a kingdom (hould be pre- pared for them ; and that all thefe heirs of falvation (hould be purchas'd and redeemed by his blood, pardon'd and forgiven thro' his righteoufnefs, adopted and (anftified by his Spirit, that they (hould be fupported by his between God and Sinners. 385 his power, and guided by his counfcl, 'till they (hall be put into the full poffcffion of the glory defign'd them ; and was as much Concern 'd that all this fliould be done in the way that would mod redound to the honour of the divine perfections, and the glory of each perfon in the Godhead, as the Father himfelf could be. Now in this perfcd and full agreement of Chrid" with his Father, there was a Cure foundation for the Father's confidence in him. But cheii ChrilVs agreement in all thefe momentous and high concerns ftill refpedls his relation to his Father, as he w^as his e- ternal Son ; in which relation is included the famenels of his nature with the Father : And this I humbly conceive is the only ground upon which we may affirm, that he is infinitely One in purpofe and dcfign, in confent and will, in divine afFe61:ion and eternal love with his Father. Thus the relation Chrift fEood in to the Fa- ther gave him a peculiar fitnefs for the work and office of a Mediator; Which farther ap- pears, 3. In the fingular advantage which this relation gave for the highefl difplay of the Di- vine Holmefs in the jujfenngs of the Me- diator, Holinefs is a chief perfection of God. This is his greatcft title of glory, and thiic wherein his Majcfty is molt illufttious. This therefore is that which he mofl delights to C e honour. 3 8 d Chrljl the Mediator honour. As the perfeftion icfelf is fo ne- ceflary that all others would be none with- out it ; fo the difplay of this was fo requi- fite that if all the perfe6tions of God had been honoured by the Mediator, and this neglefledj no atonement had been made for fin, no peace obtained for finners. This then we may well fuppofe had a fpecial in- fluence into the original defign of Chrift's Mediation. Various are the methods in which God has given a manifeftation of his Holinefs, particularly in the creation of man, who was made after his image^ not merely as he was a. rational^ but as he was an holy crea- ture. The image of God did chiefly con- fift in holinefi. Therefore the New-man 2^^ ' ^^* is faid to he created after God in rtghieouf nefs and true holinefs. The works of his providence are ftamp'd with his holinefs. All his ads of kindnefs, mercy, and' love to his people are declarations of this, which is acknowledged in the fong of Mary, He that is mighty hath done to me great things^ and holy is his name. All dreadful execu- tions of judgments fpring from his holincft, and are plain demonftrations of his hatred of fin. But among all his works none are fo deeply imprefled with his holinefs as the work of redemption ; a great part of the defign where- of was, that fin might be put away by an atoning facrifice, and the image of God re- 4 ftor'd Luke i. 40. between Qod and Shiners. j^7 ftor'd by new creating Grace. If we look into the way of our redemption by the righceoLifnefs of Chiift, we fee the holmcfs of God fliining therein, fince his infinite purity can accept none upon the account of any righteoufncfs of their own^, becauie ic is iniperfed, polluted, and ftain'd with fin ; or if we confider the way of our accefs in- to all the fruits of redemption, this is by faith, 'which pirifies the hearty and works by love^ But there is not any thing relating to re- demption itfelf, in which we have an higher .difplay of this perfection of God than what we have in the fuflFcrings of Chrift the Me- diator. This I apprehend is evident to all who have true faith to look upo?i him whom they have pierc'd. Every thing that tended to aggravate his forrows was but a farther difplay of God's holineft. How bright and Ihong do the rays of his purity appear when beheld as fliining h\ Chrift's fufferings! Let us view him fuffering under the itieannefs, poverty, and reproach of hts life, under the ex'quifitc tortures of his Hngring death, and under the more dreadful miferics of his foul ago- nizing with the wrath of God, due for lin ; and how grievous muft his forrows then appear ! Let us view hint farther, as a perfon in. himfelf innocent and holy, as one that knew no Jin of his own, but ever did the C c i things 388 Chrift the Mediator things which were plcafing to his God, as one that could (land under the imputation of fin, thro' a voluntary fufception only, taking our fins upon him, that he might make atonement for them ; and we may then fee fomewhat of the brightnefs of God's purity, which made all this neceflary before any falvation for finners could be obtain'd : When we add to this the farther confidera- tion of the dignity of his perfon, as he \s over all, God bleffed for ever, and then behold him as made a curfe, and notwith- ftanding his glory, bleeding to death, it ftill gives us a brighter manifeftation of that glo- rious attribute. But let us confider him in his peculiar relation of a Son, as the only begotten and well- beloved of his Father, yet not fpafd but punifla'd to the utmoft, and that by the immediate hand of his own eternal Father ; and our admiring apprenhenfions of the in- finite holinefs of this Majefty muft be height- ned, while with all the other circumftances we call to mind the delight, the pleafure and fatisfadion which the Father took in Ih, Hii. hruijing his eternal Son : And this notwith- *^' (landing the wonderful interchanges of in- finite love, which agreeable to the relation, ever pafs*d between them. We have then the higheft and fulleft difplay of the unfpot- ted Holinefs of the Divine Nature, and God's infinite hatred of fin that can be con- ceiv'd. All between Qod and Sinners, 280 ' All the demonftrations of his immaculate purity, in the judgments brought upon a wicked world, all the difplays of it, in the dreadful torments of the damn'd in hell, and in the irreverfible fentence pafs'd upon the fallen angels. Thefe and all fuch tre- mendous inftances of God's hatred of fin, are as nothing in comparifon of the difplay thereof, which is given in the fufferings and death of Chrift. But as among all the circumftances whether of mifery or glory, that attended him under his fufferings, no- thing made his forrows fo wonderful or aftonifliing, fo nothing could give them fuch a peculiar fitneft to anfwer the end of his death, as the nearnefi of his relation to his Father. This was it which rais'd his fufferings into fuch fignificancy as to render them the ftrongeft proof that could be given of God's deteftation of fin. This was it which put fuch weight into them, and made them fo important, that thro' thefe, tho' continued for fo fliort a time, the holinefs of God was fully vindicated and exalted infinitely above all the contradidion of fin, and blafphemies of finners. This is the argument which above all o- thers may convince men and angels, that God is of purer eyes than to behold iniqiiity, Heb. i.13. fince he fpar'd not his own Son, who out of an infinite zealfor his Father's glory, and a compaflionace regard to his people's wcl- C c 5 fare, 3S>Q Chrifi the Mediator fare, bore it by imputation only, without any guilnnefs or defilement in himfelf. This relation then muft be allowed to give Chrift a peculiar fitnefs for his mediatorial work, as it was attended with a fingular ad- vantage to anfwer one great end of his office, the higheft exaltation of the holinefs of God. We have feen how his fine fs to be Medi- ator, did fpring from his peculiar relation to God. I am faither to fliew, that Chrifisfinefsfor his work did arife from his peculiar relation to his people. To clear this, it may not be araifs to trace this relation to its original. We may there- fore briefly obfervc, that the infinitely great and blelTed Jehovah did from all eternity purpofe, that his perfonal fubfiftences, and all his divine perfedions, fliould be glorified in his raifing up a people to be his own pe- culiar treafure, who fliould be favour'd with the brighteft: manifeftations of his higheft glory, and the fulleft communications of his hcheft love, in the immediate vifions and enjoyments oi the heavenly ftate. And that this decree might be eftablifli'd upon a fure foundation, the whole defign was fet- tled in a way of compad^ or covenant agree- ment between the Father and his eternal Son. Chrift was ordain'd to be the gi:and Ccl. i. 19 vepofitory of the church's bleflings. It pleafed the Father that in himjloould all ftfl- fiefs du:elU With reference hereunto we between God and Sinners. 391 may underftand thofe words of Chrift, The Lord pojjejjed me in the beginning of his Prov. viii. way^ before his works of old. He was ap- 2^' pointed to be the great medium of all di- vine communications. He was to give his John xvifL people the glory that was given him, ando/'"- ^"^'• his fulnefs were they to receive even grace * for grace. And by a fpecial and fovereign ad of the Father, the perfons Hkewife that were or- dained to eternal life were given unto Chrifl-, who accepted them at his Father's hand, undertaking to bring them into the full pot fefTion of all the glory to which they were appointed. He alfo promifed that this fliould be accomplifh'd exadly agreeable to the Father's purpofe, in a way perfeftly con- fident with the honour of the divine attri- butes, and fuchas would tend to their high- cfl: exaltation, and engaging at the fame time, that this fliould be efteded, notwith- ftanding the difficulties which he knew would arife to obftru£t and oppofe ir. Now, in thefe eternal tranfadions which paffed between the Father and the Son, there was originally founded a near relation between Chrift and his people ; upon the account whereof they are tcrm'd his bre- thren, he and they being all included in the fame purpofe, all comprehended in the fame decree of eledion, and all intercfted in the fame unchangeable love. For the Father j^hn xvii. has loved them as he loved Chnft himfelf 23- C c 4 All 39^ ' Chnjl the Mediator All were beloved and chofen together, tho' each in bis own order ; for it was proper and neeeffary that Chrift (hould be the fr(l horn gom viii. omohg man) brethren. And it was enough ^- ■ for his people, that they fliould be the chiU (iren of God in him. He was to be the great pattern and exemplar of their glory, and they were predejlinated to be conformed to his imMe •, thro' the participation where- of the/a&Lially ftand forth in time, and ap- pear to be of the family of heaven. And as a farther difcovery of the nearr nels of this relation, 'tis fometimes rcprefent- ed in icripture by the (imilicude of the union which there is between the natural head and the members of its body. Thus Chrift is poi.i. i8. exprcfly term'd the Head of the body the church, and his people are declared to be ^ph.v.30. members of his body. His fpecial relation to the church, which is iignified hereby, is very dilTcrent from all the relations which he bears to the reft of the world. He is Eph.i. 22. faid indeed to be head over all things to the church. Which title there denotes only his foveieigncy or lordfliip, his dominion or rule, in the exercife whereof he imploys, as he pleafes, the whole creation in a fubfervi- ency to his people's welfare, and his own glory. But his headiliip, with refped to his people, carries in it the ftrideft union, the ftrongcft fympathy, with the moft tender watchfulncfs, and the grcateft care. between God and Sinners, 305 This relation being thus founded, made \t exceeding proper for him to be the Me- diator. As ic laid him under an engagement Ito undertake it; fo it furniflVd him with a Angular fitnefs to perform it. When man was fillen by his iniquity, to whom (hould rhe Father look for the deliverance of his chofen, but to him that had received them as his charge, and engaged for the fccurity of the divine honour in their everlaftino- bleflednefs ? Who fo fit to recover their for- feited glory, as he that was their elder bro- ther, and had the right of redemption in himfelf? or who fo aptly conftituted, as he that was their federal head, and thus was deemed as one with them ? Now that this union or relation between Chrift and his people did fit him to be their Mediator, will be evident from two iremarks. 1. It was a juft ground for the imputation of their fins unto him. 2. It was a jufi: ground for the imputation of his righteoufnefs unto them. It was neceffary, \\\ order to Ch rift's en- during the penalties of the law, that the ini- quity of the church (hould be laid upon him; but confidering his innocence, and fpotlefs purity, this had been utterly repug- nant to the juftice of God, had it not been for this relation. That Chrift did bear the puniftiment due to his people, wc have fliewn before, and »1 2P4 Chrijl the Mediator It may be farther confirmed by fuch places iPet.iii. of fcriptureas thefe ; For Chrijl alfofujferd '^* for fins, the juji for the iinjujly that he might bring us to God. Again, He that knew no a Cor. V." fin, "was made fin for us^ that we might be made the righteoufnefs of God in him. Now, by the nearnefs of Chrift's relation to his people, an early provilion was made for an intire vindication of this proceeding. For tho' it would be an unrighteous thing in God, abfolutely fpeaking, to make the juft fuffer for the unjuft ; yet thro' this wife conftitution, all occafion for fuch a reproach was wholly precluded, fince according to the fettlement of the everlafting covenant, and Chrift's voluntary agreement therein, he was one with them, as the principal and his furety are one in the judgment of the law. And their iniquity being laid upon him in a legal manner, it was confiftent with the honour of Divine Juftice, that the punifhment which was to be inflicted for fin ihould likewife fall upon him. So that when this union is conlider'd, the con- ftrudion that muft be put upon Chrifl's fuffering for his people amounts only to this, that the head was wounded for the healing of his members. There is no ropm then for any reflection upon the Father's juftice, all was prevented by this relation -, yea, the treatment which without this would have been flur'd, now appears with the greateft advantage : God's juftice between God and Sinners. 2 p ^ juftice to his Son being fully vindicated while thro' the fharpeft fufferings of an in- nocent Saviour, his grace to us is richly magnified. And thus there was the great- eft expedience, without the leaft injuftice in this awful difpenfation, which iffued in the higheft advancement of the Mediator's ho- nour, his people's fajvation, and his Father's Glory. 2. /;/ this a foundation was laid for the im* putation of Chrijl^s righteoufnefs unto them. To condemn the innocent, and fave the guilty, are evils equally hateful. The righ- teous Lord cannot abfolutely juftify the wicked, any more than punifh the righte- ous ; and yet, if there was no way in which the ungodly could be juftified, the whole race of mankind muft perifh : but when the Me- diator was made fin for his people, the de- fign of it was, that they might be made the righceoufnef3 of God in him. When he fniJJjed tranfgrejjions^ and made an end of fn, he alfo brought in e^oei^lafli?:^ righteoufnefs. And 'tis the bleffednefs of his people to have a righteoufnefs imputed unto them, which does not refult fr^m any works of their own, but from the obedience and fufferings of their Saviour alone. Now^ the fame confideration which made it equitable that their iniquity fhould be kiid on him, makes it juft and realbnable that his righteoulhefs ihould be imputed un- co them; ^nd this, as has been declared, 2p6 Chrijl the Mediator was his federal relation. By this the per- feftions of God were cleared, when the juft fuffer'd for the unjuft, and by this his ho- nour is fecured, when through the righte- oufnefs oi the Mediator he juftifies the un- godly. As the fame legal union which brings the debt upon the furety, gives the debtor all the benefit of the furety 's payment ; fo the fame covenant relation which brought Chrifl: under the charge of the fins of his people, fecures to them the imputation of his righteoufnefs. Thus we fee, that in this relation of Chrift to his people, a foundation was laid for the imputation of his righteoufnefs unto them. And indeed, the bleflings which they receive in time, and to eternity, are all given upon the account of this relation: from this flows the gift of the Spirit, who is fent unto all that are included in the everlafting covenant, to apprehend and quicken them, to change their nature, and frame their heart for God, to give them faith, and enable them to lay hold of Chrift and his righteoufnefs, to accept of his me- diation, and improve \i with thankfulnefs and joy. And when thro' the mighty operations of the Holy Ghoft any are renewed, they have then a fure ground upon which to con- clude that Chrift is theirs, and they are his ; fuch may reft aflur'd that their iniquity was laid on Chrift, and that his righteoufnefs is ini- between God and Sinners. imputed unto them. This Mediator having made peace by the blood of his Crofs, they may with humble boldnefs draw near to God in their own perfons, expecting a de- lightful fellowfhip and communion with him; for all impediments are now remov- ed, and a way is opened for a friendly inter- courfe between God and them. And all this liberty of accefs to God, may be con- fider'd not only as the effed: of Chrift's oblation, but as the fruit and confequcnce of that covenant relation, which was ori- ginally founded in thofe eternal tranfadions wherein the Father gave, and the Son re- ceived them to be his brethren, and the members of his myftical body. From fuch confiderations as thefe it ap- pears, that there was an admirable fuitable- nefs in Chriil's relation to his people, fitting him to fuftain the charader, and difcharge the office which the text afcribes to him as the one Mediator between God and man. INFERENCES. I . Hence we may infers that this Mediator was Juccefsful in his undertaking. When we refle6l upon the wonderful conftitution of his perfon, we behold his capacity and ability to go through every part of his work, whether we refpedt the abafement or glory required therein. And when we farther contemplate the nearnefsof his 397 jpg Chrijl the Medtaior his relation to God and his people, we may be confident of his diligence and applicati- on. His zeal for his Father's Glory, and his compaiEonate regard to his people's hap- pinefs, would fufFer him to negled nothing which was necefTary to be done, that the work might be accomplifh'd. And when we view him as imploying the utmoft of his fufScience in the work, we have a firm ground for our affurance that enough was done to magnify th^ law, to fatisfy Divine Juftice, and obtain a per- fedl reconciliation. Finally, when we eon- fider the dignity of his perfon, and the ori- ginal conftitution upon which his relation to his church was founded, we may con*- clude, without fear or doubting, that in all his fervice he was accepted ; for in the fame compact in which it was agreed that the Ifa.liii.io. Son fhould make his foul an offering forfrty it was granted and determin'di that h.tpould fee of the travel of his fouly and be fa- tisfied. Here then is the greateft encouragement to faith, and a fure relief for diftreffed fouls; Rom. V. fo^ ^^ atonement is made, and 710010 grace 21, fiall reign thro right eoufnejs unto eternal life by Jefus Chrijl our Lord. 2. Hence ove may infer ^ that Chrijt is the only Mediator between God and man. None but one of like glorious qualifica- tions with him was fit for the office. And among all the inhabitants of heaven and earth. hetween God and Sinners. 300 earth, fuch another could not be found : He was the oiily begotten of the Father, the fole Head of the Church, and the onlyPer- fon that had communion in the two na- tures, between which a reconciHation was intended : He then muft be the only Per- fon that was fit to ftand between God and finners. It is happy for his people there- fore, that his fufficience for his work made it needlefs, fince the nature of the work "% render 'd it impoffible for any other to be join'd with him ; none but he could have an oblation to prefent that could be fatis- fadory, and without this no interceflion that any could make would be fuccefsful. Let this then engage us to make ufe of his mediation, and depend upon that alone for our acceptance and peace with God. What have we to do with any other medi- ators, whether for interceffion, any more than for redemption. Thefe different parts of the Mediator's work cannot be feparated. Let us then abhor the delufions and blaf- phemies of popery: While according to the principles and pradice thereof other mediators are fought to be imploy'd in this work, the vileft afperfions are caft upon Chrift. For this cannot be otherwife in- terpreted than as including a denial of his fitnefs, an impeachment of his faithfulnefs, or a diffidence of his fuccefs ; but a fup- pofition of any thing of this kind muft carry in it the greateft reproach, and high- eft 40' Chrift the Mediator eft difhonour, not only to the Mediator himfelf, but to him who ealFd him to his office. If he was not fit, why then was he em- ploy'd at firft ? If not faithful, ^ wherefore is he ftill continu d ? If both, for what reafon ftiould the fuccefs of his undertaking be call'd in queftion ? And if he did fucceed,^ what occafion for another to be engaged befides ? To join the moft perfecft faint, or glorious angel iii his work of interceffion, is in effe i°- vicious courfe, or a!Iowi?2g ones felf in any immoral practice. "This will never agree to Jhch as he is fpeaking of: for they are per- fons who, it is plain, are allow'd to have a title both to the atonement and advocacy of Chrifl:, notwithftanding they fin. And it is taken for granted, that they Vvxre fuch as he himfelf was, confider'd in his private ca- pacity : accordingly, in the declaration which he makes for their comfort, he joins himfelf v/ith them. Further it is prefum'd, that they were fuch as confcientioufly com- ply *d v/irh the exhortation laid down in the former part of the verfe, and fincerely en- deavour'd to avoid all fin. Of none but fiich Vv'ould the apofile affirm (putting him- felf at the fame time into the number) we have an Advocate with the Father, ^c. When there Chrtjl our FropiUaUon. therefore he fays, If any man fm, he is far from having refped: unto our being guilty oi deliberate and habitual vice. Nor docs his fuppofition fo direBly and pi'operly refpci^ committing fin, tho* it bent frequently and cuftomarily, in the grojer ads and inilances thereof: tho* as this is poffible even to true behevers, I would be loth to affert, that there can be no manner of reference to it. Bur what the fuppofition mofi: properly re- lates to, is, being guilty of fin thro' frailty, incogitancy, and inadvertence, offending thro' the weaknefs of nature, and the fur- prize and prevalence of temptation. A- mongft the many good interpreters who un- derftand it in this {^tnHc, I find the renowned Calvin '*, who is for having the conditional particle to berefolv'dinto a caufal^ and takes the indefinite term to be equivalent to an imiverfaL If ciny man finneth\ i, e, becaufe every man finneth ; or feeing it cannot be but that we fhould thus fin. We all do fo daily : and blefi^ed be God, this need not produce defpondency, nor dejedion of fpirit in us. We are diredled to Jefus Chrifl as one in whofe mediation, atonement and advocacy ail needful relief lies. If any man fin, we have an Advocate, &c. Here then are two glorious delightful charaBers under which Chrill: is reprefen- ted to us. I fhall fpcnd a difcourfc upon each', and as I chofe to follow the order of * Vid. Cdk'. in loc. time 409 4iO Chnfl our Prnphtntton. time (hall begin with the latter. Chrift's being our Propitiation, In treating on which I would, I. Endeavour to fettle the true fenfe and import of the charadter. II. Show how fitly it agrees to our Lord Jefus Chrift. I. I would fettle the true fenfe and import of the charader. Some underftand it as relating to the mortification and defiruBion of fin in us, or our Saviour's delivering us from the power and dominion of fin, by affording us fupplies of grace and ftrength for that purpole *. And it is readily allowed to be true in fad: that he doth this ; and we fhall have eternaj reafon to blefs his name for it. But I can't agree that this is intended to be fignify'd to us by the charaBer in the text : for it relates purely to Chrift's finifhing fin, and freeing us from it as to its guilty by being a facrifice for it. The original word ^, which is well enough tranflated propitiation^ is conftantly us'd by the Greek writers in the fenfe of atoning for crimes, appeafing him that has been offended by them, turning away his difpleafure and wrath, and inducing him to forgive. Some fuch aB itfelf or that whereby it is perform d^ is the genuine and only fignification of the word, if we may credit a competent Judge J. And it feems * Vid. Pol. Synopf. f iXcta-iJbeq. % Grotius de fatif- fa^oncj 139, 140. iXxs-Kitv apud Qrascos fcriptores omnes, Poetas, Chriji our Propitiation] (ecms to me to point diredly to the facrifi- cesus'din expiations^, efpecially thofe which were of divine appointment omongft the Jews, Accordingly we meet with it once and again in the verfion of the Seventy, where facrifices of that nature are men- tioned, Lev. vi. 6, 7. Numb. v. 8. Ezek. xliv. 27. The rams or other beafts llain in facrifice for fins and trefpafles, that thefe might be forgiven, are here faid to be rams and facrifices of atonement. Surely we have reafon then to con- clude, that when the apoftle calls Chrift our propitiation, he does not fo far depart from the obvious and ufual meaning of the term, as fome imagine: but that he takes it in the fenfe of all other authors, particularly xhtjewijh: and the idea which he would hereby convey to us, is, that of a fiacular or expiatory facrifice \ one who atones for the guilt of our fins, and renders the Divine Majefty propitious and favour- able in the forgivenefs of them. 'Tis objedted, I know, by a certain writ- er *, that the apoftle fpeaks of Chrift here as our Advocate in heaven^ where he doth not offer himfelf, where he doth not fatisfy God, ntxr fuffer any puniftiment on our ac- count. But this objeddon I take to be of Poetas, Hiftoricos, alios eft placare. Turn a£lus ipfe, turn id quo proprie aftus peragitur, Gracis i^^tco-fxtoi, Latinis, Pla- camen dicitur. •j- Stilcd therefore *A«p«* & And thus our Saviour's entrance into the true holy place, into heaven itfelf, and his tranfadlions v^ith God there for the fame purpofes, prefuppofe his making an oblation on earth, or offering a rcal^ proper, pro- pitiatory facrifice for fins ; in the virtue whereof it is that he nov/ intercedes above in heaven. Which leads me on to prove that he did offer fuch facrifice : or, as was pro- pofed in the fecond place .. II. To fliew that the charader of a Pro- pitiation, as it has been explained, fitly be- longs to * him. And I think I fliall have eftablifh'd this beyond any reafonable con- tradiftion, when I have confider'd what are the effential ingredients or requifites of expia- tory and propitiatory facrificcs as fuch ^ and afterwards fhall have fhewn, that thcfe i?i- gredients and requijites do all concur^ and are to be found in a facrifice of Chrift, even what the gofpel teaches us to believe he of- fered at his death. I. Let us confider what is requifite and nece[fary unto a \xw^ propitiatory facrifice, and that as diflinguiih'd from the other forts. There were various forts of facrifices en- join d unto the ^ews^ and mention'd in the old teftament. The diftribution of them, by the authors of the Jewiih antiquities, is made * Vid Oatram. de facrif. 8i, Rclandi antiquitates Hc- br3eor. 24. . , Cither 4 1 4 Chrifi our Propitiation. cither according to the matter of them, of the manner in which they were offered } the perfons for whom, the place where, times when, the end for which. And in regard to the lajiy they are commonly re- duced to two heads, eucharijiical and expia-- atory. The former offered in teftimony of gratitude^ for kindnelTes beftow'd, as thank- Pfal.cvii. £^j acknowledgments for deliverances and mercies obtained : The other offered to ex^ piate guilt, to appeafe the offended juftice of God, and procure pardon and reconcili- Levit.i.4. ation. Now fome things were common to all forts and kinds of facrifices : As that they muft be offer d to Gody and have his allowance and approbation ; muft be pure and perfect in their kind ; muft be prefent- cd by the Prieji and the like. Other things were peculiar to one fort of facrifices, where- by they were difiinguijlo d from the reft. I reckon the following things to have been diftinguifhing in the facrifices of expiation or atonement, or neceffary to conftitute them fuch. I.) hfubjlitution of them in the room and places of the offenders that offer'd them : they were appointed and interpreted to be in lieu of thefe. Accordingly the Lord is faid to have given the Children of Ifrael the blood of the beafts flain in facri- Lcyit. fice upon the altar j which is as much as j]["' to fay, I admit of their death in your ftead, and accept of their lives by way of commu^ \ tation Chrifi our Propiuationl ij.X5 tation or exchange for what you have for- feited. For the clearing up of this we muft note, that the IJraelites were under a T^heocracy. God was their King and Law- giver, who gave them two forts of laws, one ceremonial 2iu6. ritual^ the other chil ^nd ju- diciaL And as it is the nature of all laws to be attended with fandbons to enforce the obfervance of them, theje laws did not want for theirs. The former were enforced with the penalty of legal uncleannefs (upon the account of which a perfon was debar'd from the tabernacle, and feparated from the con- gregation.) The latter were enforc'd with the penalty of corporal death. But the Lord was pleas'd to difpenfe with his own laws, and relax the penalties thus far, that the offering of certain facrifices, which he prefcrib'd, fhould fuffice for them who difobey'd and tranfgrefs'd ; their obligation to endure the penalty fhould be hereby dif- folv'd, their uncleannefs purg'd, and their forfeited lives reflor'd. Thus facrifices were incorporated into the polity of the "Jews^ as well as made a part of their worfhip. And it is very evident, that there was 2^ jubfiitution of all thofe which weredefigned as expiationSy in the room of the tranfgreflbrs. So ihtjew-' ifi writers apprehend, who tell us that God in meicy accepted of a facrifice, as a thing fubjiituted'm the guilty perfon's room -f-. And whereas any perlon when he brought the fa- f Omrum 274. criiicc 'j^i6 Chrtjl oar Propittatton. fice was wont to fay, Let this be my expiation^ 'tis all one they tell us, as if it had been faid. Let this be in my flead ; and its life go for mine *. The fubftitution was part- ly defign'd to be fignify'd by the rite of laying on of hands^ as may be gathered Levit i. 4. from the precept for ufing this rite. He fiall put his hand upon the head of the offerings and it pall be accepted for him. And it was plainly exprefs'd in the form of prayer which the learn'd Dr. Oiitram quotes, as what accompanied the killing of the facrifice\ The Jews then took it to be (lain in the offender's room and ftead. And the like apprehenfions had all nations of expia- tory facrifices, (however they came by 'em) as the fame learned man has abundantly prov'd*^) and like wife Grotiusmhi'^ valuable treatife of the fatisfaftion of Chrift^. Hence, 2. Another requifite of propitiatory fa- crifices is bearing of the offender's guilt and punijhment. As a natural confequence of the fub- ftitution, there was a kind of transferring of f?i from the people to thefe facrifices, which was fuppos'd to be done by the impoftion of hands on their head before they were kill'd. For the meaning of this rite feems to have been not only folemn- ly, and intirely to devote the facrifice to the ufe for which it was defign'd, and to * 273, Buxtorf. Lex. invoc. Kaphar, 1978, * Ontr. 273. I 183. ^ ip8. % fhew Chrift our Prop'ttlaUoii. ^ j j fhew that it was fubftitutcd in the offerer's room, but to denote the removing of fin, in a manner, and tranflating of punifiiment from himfelf unto //. Accordingly the laying on of hands was always accompanied with prayer 2i\AcG)ifeJfi07i %infomuch that the 7t^Z£;j lay it down as a rule, that where there' is no cbn- feflion of fins there is no impofition of hands ; for impofition of hands, fay they, belongs to confeffion. Hereby then fins werefuppofedto be taken off from the finner and put upon the head of the facrifice ; as particularly on the anniverfary of expiation, when Aaron was required to lay both his hands upon the head ofLt^^. xvi. the live goat ^ and confcfs over him all the ini- ^^• quities of^ the children of Ifrael^ and all their tranfgrejjtonsy in all their fins^ putting them upon the head of the goat ; namely, by lay- ing his hands on the head, and confefling their fins over him, with prayer to God to remit them. ^Thus were they all charg'd upon the goat, fays a celebrated commen- tator on the place ^ ; and the punifhment of them was transfer'd from the Ifraelites unto it, laid upon its head. And it appears, fays he, by the form of all orhtv Jin-ojfe rings, which were occafionally offer'd, that he who brought them put off the guilt which he had contracted from himfelf, and laid it on the ficrifice, which was to die for him, which he did by laying his hands on ihe head of it at the door of the tabernacle . * OHUff??), j6C. ^ Dr. FfJtrick. E e while 4 1 S Chriji our Propktation. while it was yet alive. Then with his hand fo placed, he made a confeffion of his fins, for which he defir'd forgivenefs, by the of- fering of the facrifice : That is, he pray'd by thofe rites, that the beafl being offer 'd and flain, he might be fpared from punifh- ment. Which was a plain transferring the guilt from himfelf unto his facrifice, which being yet alive, and thus laden with his guilt, was then brought to the altar, and there flain for the guilty perfon : That is, fuffef 'd and died in his ftead ; for there was no other reafon of its being put to death there, and in that manner. This notion of the death of expiatory facrifice being a ^jicarious punifhment, was not only found amongft the Je^cvs^ but the •fame was entertain'd by the Gentile part of the world, as might be fliewn if there was occafion. Whence, 3. As a further property belonging to thele facrifices, they ferved to appeaje^ox paci- fy^ and turn away anger 3 to free from guilt, Lev'it. V. and procure reconciliation. This is held <>i &c, forth in their very name ; and it appears to me to be a plain and neceffary confe- Ver.i. quence of the two former. If they were ap- pointed in lieu of the offenders, and bore their guilty had the puniJJmient due to their fins transferr'd upon them, they mufl: make atonement, divert anger, obtain remiflion, and reconciliation. Andfuch effects are afcrib- ed to them frequently in theOidTeflament, z. whether Chr'tft our Propitiation. 4 1 p whether they were for fingle perfons, or for the whole community and body of the people. Concerning the fin and trcfpafs-^ offerings, appointed to be offered by private perfons in various cafes, we are told, that however they might differ in other points, yet herein both agreed, as expiation w^as a fruit of both. And this is faid to be the chap, vif, effed: of facriiice offer'd for the whole con- 7- gregation, in cafe of their finning ignorant- ly. 'Tis alfo fpoken of as the fruit and ef- Num. xv. fed of the facrifices offer'd once a year, ^^^' for all the fins of IJrael^ on a day which took its name from hence, being call'd the day of expiation, or atonement. A real and proper atonement was made by all the fin-offerings under the law, for the Ifraelites in the fight of God, confider'd as their Ki?ig, Civil and ceremonial guilt was here- by put away, and impunity obtain'd for them. This is denoted fometimes by a be- ing cleans d. from all fins, and by being Lerfr. xvJ, purged, purify d^^^Afanaifiel^ W^,.^ We have now done enquiring after the 14. neceflary ingredients into a proper propiria- ^'^mb.xi'x. tory facrifice, and have found them to Levit. viii. be fabftitution in the room of offenders, ^s- bearing their guilt and punifhment, and fo making atonement for them, concerning the fins they committed, and procuring the exercife of pardoning grace and mercy to- wards them. E c 2 I fl^all 410 Chfifi our Prophtauon. I fhall now fhew that all thefe things do concur in a facrifice of our bleffed Saviour, which he offer'd when he died on the crofs. As fome general proof of this, I think it not amifs to fuggeft, that the facrifices under the law, efpeciallythe principal, or the propitia- tory ones, were but types and figures of what our Saviour hath offered. The main end of their inftitution was to (hadow out a facrifice of his, as the apoftle plainly teaches us when he fays, that the firft tabernacle was a figure for the time while it flood, in which were offered gifts and facrifices^ that could Heb. ix. 9. not fjiakc a7iy perfeB, So when he afHrms that the law had a Jhadow of good things to come^ but not the very i?nage of the tJmigs^ and therefore could never with the facrifices which they offer d year by year continually make the chabyi.\.^^^^^^^^ thereunto perfect. Accordingly, we find references and allufions to the chief of the legal facrifices where Chrifl and his ob- lation are fpoken of -, as to the daily-facri- Johni. i^,fic^ ii^ J^is being llil'd a Lamb ; to the paf I Cor.v ffo'^^^y in his being ^tenam'd; to the annu- al facrifice, on the day of atonement, in his being faid to be the propitiation for the iVorcis of fins of the world ; to the burfit-offerings and Tj^K^"^^' fin-offermgs^ which are mentioned as about '^' ^' to be laid afide upon his coming, and offer- ing the body prepared for him. Now with- out doubt xht fubfia?2ce is fuperior to the fiadow^ and the antitype to the type. If the one then has any thing propitiatory elTential- Chrtft ourFropiUatton. 411 ly belonging to ic, the other muft have as 77iiich and more. But to defcend to particulars, and let you fee that the death of Chrift has in it all the Torenamed requifites of a facrifice truly expiatory: As, I. He died as one that was fuhjlituted in our ftead, and v/hofe life was parted with in exchange for the forfeited lives of our fouls. This is prov'd from many paffiiges of facred writ ; as from all thofe which ^ ^^^ fpeak of his giving himfelf, and fuffcring 5. and dying for our fim -, (for here the prepo- ^^^ '•.+• fition fignifies that our fins were the im- ^x. wiv. pulfive and procuring caufe of his death, »• which could only be in as much as he was put in the room and place of us tranfgref- fbrs g). So likew^lfe from thofe which fpeak of his body being broken for us, and his ' Cor. if. blood fhed : Wherein it is afferted that he ^IJ^j ^^ ^* gave his life, or laid it down^ir the fheep, John x. laid it down/c?r his friends, that he died/ir ^J/^^^^v. ^//, and fuffer'd/ir us in the flefh, where ^^ i^, ' the prepofition in the original is generally ^ Cor. v. believed to import a fubftitution. As 'tis ,' pcr.iv. i. moft manifeft it does in other places where ^^.^^^ j-,;^ he is faid to have fuffer'd the jujl for the iS. imjuji, and in due time to have diedyir the ^^^^ ^ ^ ungodly ; /. e, to have fuffer'd as our fpon- vtr. 7, s. for, and as being put in our place. So the following words explain it. Scarcely for a righteous man "will one die, yet fer^ adventure for a good man fome ivould c^ s Vid. Outram. 34^. E e 3 ^'^i^^^ 411 Chrtft our Propitiation. e've?! dare to die. But God corr mendeth his love ' towards iis^ 171 that whilji we are yet firmer s, Chrifidiedforus, How plain does the apoftle here fpeak of Chrift's fufFering death for us in the fame fenfe that one man is faid to die for another ? even according to the meaning of David, in that paffionate wifh for his ionAbfalom, when news was brought him of his death -, would to God I had Lnr^V 4''^ fi^ ^^^^^' ^ Abjdlom, my fi)n : O that my life had been inftead of thine. But the fobflitution of Chrift in our room when he dy'd, is prov'd more ftrongly yet from two other paffages in the New Teftament, where he is faid to have given himfelf a iTim.ii. ranjhm jor all y or his life a ranfom for ma- Mat. XX. ^> Where the original word tranflated sS. ranfom, not only anfwers to the Hebrew^ ' by which the fews were wont to exprefs a propitiatory facrifice; but \ki^ prepofition is different from what we have in the other places ^' \ and is ever ufed to denote fubfti- tution and commutation. Thus it is ufed when applied to things, and we read of rendring evilj^r evil, an eye for an eye, a tooth yir a tooth j and thus it is us'd when applied to pejfons ; as when Chrift bids Peter pay a piece of money for them two j and when Arcbelaiis is faid to have reign'd * 'Am, 12. Omnino vox «vr« juniSla perfbnae, 8c veibo hmxi^ requirit ut perfona ingenitivo indicata, idem ingenercaut ipeciedarura fueritj quod nunc alius licdir. Grot. de Satisf. 177, Sc€ alio Di".0»v» oi the Satisfgttiou ot Chiift. in Chrtft our Propttiatwyj. 41 » in "Judea in the room of his fatlier ITcvod. ^^^t. xsW. From allthefe places then wc may juflly and ,v'^i folidly infer the fubftitution of our Lord'' Jefus in our room, and that he died as hav- ing undertaken for us, and in fome fenfe fuftaining our perfons \ 2. He was charged with our fin, and bore our guilt ; I don't mean the culpable^ g but the penal guilt. Being conflitutcd a furety for us, by God the Father's appoint- ment, and his own free confent ; he came under the imputation of our fins, and an obligation to fuffer for us. The punifh- ment due to iis the finners and tranfgrefibrs, was tramferrd to, and htfliSled on him-; and jj^^ '^ he fuftain'd, as near as the nature of the cafe would admit, the very fame pains and miferies which we had incurr'd. There are clear and numerous tefl:imonies in holy writ to the truth of this alfo. He is not only faid to have been deliver d^ and to have given himfelf, for our offences^ (as in the places quoted before) but to have borne our Jins, or taken them up "with him in his own body on the tree-y and to have there once fiiferdforfiny thejuft for the iinjujl 'Tis i pet. Hf. atHrm'd likewife that he was once ofFer'd to^^- bear the fins of many, which mufl: be un- Hcb. u, derftood of his bearing them by way of ^^' imputation, and of his fuftering for them in our ftead, as the facrifice was fuppos'd to do for the fmner. This is evident as ' Vid, OutrAm^ 31c. E e 4. onp 424 Chrlft our Proptttntton. one hasrightly obferv a \ from the oppofition which follows after the text, between ChriftV firft appearance, and his fecond. He was- cnce offer d to bear our fins : But unto them that look for him pall he appear^ the fecond time without fm unto f ah at ion. Why did he not appear the firft time without fm ? Yes 0 certainly, as to any inherent guilt ; what then is the meaning of the oppolition, that at his firft coming he bore ourfras^ but at his fecond, he {hall appear without fm unto fal- imtio?!? Thefe words can have no other imaginable fenfe but this, that at his firft coming he fuftain'd the perfon of a finner, and fufter'd inftead. But his fecond com- ing {liall be upon another account, and he Ihall appear not as a facrifice but as a judge to confer eternal life on his followers." Our bleffed Lord and Saviour having taken our room, flood charg'dwith our fins, and bore the puni{l:iment due to them : Thefe were the meritorious caufe of all that he Ifa. liii 4. underwent. Accordingly is he faid to have Lowrh on been 7nade fnfor us^ (which may be under- lia. chap, ftood of a facrifce to bear and expiate our '"'• ^' fins) likewife to have been made a curfe for us. He fjffer'd as a facrifice for us, a cur fed death. All this is reveal'd and taught by *:he evangelical prophet, in a remarkable variety of ftrong expreffions. Surely he hath born our griefs^ and carried our for rows ^ fu- ftain*d the evils and penalties which were the defert of our iins, tho' we (the people ^Tillc(fo>j, y. f. p. 484. 2 of Chrift our ProptUauon. of the Jews) ejleenid him ftrickcn, fmltten of God, and affli5fed [for his own crimes]. But [the truth is] He -d)as wou?ided for our tranfgrejfom^ and briiisd for our tjiiquitm ; the chajiifment or punipoment of our peace was iip07i hm ; and by his jfripes we are healed. All we like Jheep have gone aftray, we have turned every one to his own way^ and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all Or as one tells us, the letter of the Hebrew runs, T^he Lord hath made the inis. quities of us all to meet on him^ and to fall upon him. He was opprefsd, and he was afliBed -, or as the fame commentator teHs us, the words may better be rendred. It was exaBed of him^ and he anfwerd the de^ mand. He was cut off out of the land of the living y yea, for the traifgrejjion of my peo- pie was he Jlricken. What he endur'd then was for our fins, as a facrifice fubftituted in the room of us offenders and tranfgreffors. 3. By his paffion and death for us our fins were atoned or expiated, the divine anger was averted, God reconcird, inipunity, par- don^ and ///t^ procured. He died in our ilead, for our greatefi good and benefit : Whatever can be fuppofed to be the falutary effedts of any propitiatory facrifice, mufl be, and are in fcripture afcrib'd to his death in a pleaf- ing variety of phrafe. The chaftifement of our peace, fays the prophet, was upon him, in a fore-cited place -, that chaftife- ment by which our peace was wrought, and 4^1 j^i6 Chrtft our Pfopttiation. and fatisfadlion made to Divine Juftice. When cutoff, not for himjelf, but for us, He finipdd trcmfgrejjion^ and made an end of Jin^ Dan. ix. ^^d reconciliation for iniquity, and brought 24" in everlafling right eoujhefs. We receive the ^T^C\ atonement by him^ and are reconciled to God by his death. He gave himfelf for us an of- Ephef V, fering, even a facrifice to God of a fweet ^" fmelling favour, moft highly acceptable, and fully appeafmg, fuch as the facritice of Noah after the deluge v\ras; upon which God is faid tohavefmelt 2i favour of reft, i, e, it made his anger to reft, as the fewijh writers tell us the phrafe imports. Upon the account of the facrifice of Chrift the Lord is well pleas'd with thofe for whom it was offer'd, and he exhibits himfelf as on the throne Rem. iii. of gracc, or the mercy-feat. Whence Chrift *5'- is faid to be fet forth as a propitiation, thro faith in his blood : Where the word is well knov/n to be the fame with that by which in the Old Teftament, the mercy-feat is a»i>ci?:^;^j«. ftill exprefs'd. ^ The blood of Chrift was Mat. XXV. 0^gj jTqj. j-j^g re7ni[jion of fns unto many. We iphef: iv. have redemption through this, even the for- 1' givenefs of fns, according to the riches of God's grace : 'Twas fted to put away fn, to de- ^5 * ' ftroy and abolifh it, as the word iignifies in I John V. regard of its guilt. This blood cleanfeth from Heb ix ^'^^fi^i 5 ^^d hereby are we faid to be purged, Kj., 23. to be wafts d^ and to be fanBifted -, which Rev. i. s. feveral expreffions are to be underftood in * ^.facriftcial fenfe, and hold forth that free- i dom Chrtft our ProptUatiorJ. Aiy dom from guilt, or releale from obliga- • tion to punifhment, which we have by the Hcb. fy. blood of Chrifl flied for us"*. Hereby eter- "• nal redemption is obtained. Hereby are we \% ^^' '' redeemed from fin and Satan, from wrath ^^v- v. 9. and curfe, and redeemed unto God. I hope by this time it is fufEciently proved, that our Lord Jefus Chrifl: offer'd himfelf a real, true propitiatory facrifice, and that hig death is proposed in the facred volumes as fuch. For the corroborating of what has been difcours'd, I wou'd give you a quotation out of a late divine of the eftabliili'd church, wherein I take his remarks and reafonin<^s to be very juft f . The notion of an expia- tory facrifice was, when the new teftament was writ, well underftood all the world over, both by Je-ws and Gentiles. This piece of religion had a great many phj-afes belonging to it, fuch as the facrifices being offer 'd for, or in Jiead of fin, and in the name, or on the account of the finner^ it's beari?2g of fin, and becoming fin, or the fin-offering ; it's being the reconciUation, the atonement, and the redemption of the fin- ner, by which the fin w^is no more imputed^ but forgiven, and for which the finner was accepted. When therefore this whole fct of phrafes, in its utmoft extent, is very often, and in a great variety apply'd to the death of Chrifl, it is not pofiible for us to * TKey are fuch exprCiTions as other authors, Greek and 'Jjatin, ule for their expiation, f i?/i'/7/i'/'s expofuion, p. 53. prefcrve ^iS Chrijl our Proptttatton. preferve any reverence for the new tefta- ment, or the writers of it, fo far as to think them honeft men, not to fay infpir'd men, if we can imagine thkt in fo facred and im- portant a matter, they cou'd exceed fo much as to reprefent that to be our facrifice, which is not truly fo. This is a point that will not bear figures and amplifications ; it muft be treated offtridly,andwithajuft exadtnefs of expreifion : and at the rate of fome mens ex- pounding the phrafes relating to this, wc can never know what we may build upon. Before I put an end to the doftrinal part, fome may be defirous that I fhould refolve them whence the efficacy of Chrift's facrifice does proceed j or to what is this owing 5 how comes it about that it is fo available for the purpofes of our redemption ? And I anfwer to fuch, thro' the nature and quality of the facrifice, in coniundtion with the Divine appointment. The intrinfick worth of the facrifice of Chrlft is extremely great, arifing both from his perfonal purify and dignity. Such an high-prieft, 2sA facrifice too, became us, who p , .. was holy^ harmlefs, undefird^ feparate front zt ' " fimiers'y he liv'd and died in perfed: fpotlefe innocence, which is often taken notice as contributing to the value and vertue of his facrifice ; particularly where the apoftle Pe- ter fpeaks of the precioiii blood of Chrift, as p^^ J of an immaculate Lamb without blemijh and 18, 19. * "without fpot. And where the apoftle to the , Hebre-w^ im. m. Chrijl our Propitiation.. a^^ Hebrews fays, How fnuch rather Jljall the blood of Chrijiy who thro the eternal ^Irit^ offer dhimfelf without fpot to God, purge the p^ . - confcience from dead works. His perfonal 14. '^ purity and hohnefs, is what partly renders his oblation in the fight of God and man, of great price: but efpeclally his perjonat dignity does the fame. When we add this to the other, the value is enhanced beyond what we have words to declare. Confider- ing Jefus Chrift only as man, the excellency of his perfon upon feveral accounts w«s fo great, that he far furpafs'd all the reft of mankind. But he is to be confider'd as more than a man, even as Ew^;;^/^'/, God with us, Mat. 1.23 God manifefted in xh^fejlj. And fure the 1 xi death of one who was fo emi?ient^ as well as 16.. innocent, who was God-man united, and the Lamb of God without fpot or blemifli, muft be in the nature of it a facrifice of 'value and efficacy unfpeakable : It muft be an atonement equal to the guilt of all our tranfgreflions. And befides the confideration of its nature, there is the confideration of the divine or- dination and appointmejit^ to render it avail- able. God might have exadted the punifh- ment of our fins from us^ made us perfcnally fuiFer the defert of them 5 but for wife, holy and gracious ends, he was pleas'd to admit of another^ even his own Son, (who was fully willing) to fuffer in our ftead. The Father decreed his being our facrifice be- fore the world and time began, as the apoftle j^jo Chrtftour Proptttation. apoftle Teter intimates, when he fays, Chrift I Pet. i. a Lamb without hlemijld and without fpot^ ^°' was verily fore-ordain d before the fowidation of the world. We are xss look upon the whole of Chrift's mediatory undertakings and performances, as being conformable to, John vi. ^nd i^ compliance with the will of God the 38. Father; particularly his incarnation, or af- fuming the human nature prepared for him, that he might become a propitiatory vidim, is reprefented as being agreeable hereunto : When he cometh into the worlds he faith, Sa- crlfce and offering thou wouldjl not, but a body hajl thou prepard me: in burnt-cfferi7igs and facrifices for fi7i thou hafl had no pleafure : thenfaid /, Lo I come, (in the volume of the book it is written of me) I delight to do thy will, O God. By the which will we are fanBifed, as the apoftle prefently obferves in the next verfe. So much may fuffice for the dodtrinal part, from whence I pafs on to the pradical ufe or improvement. And, I.) Let us learn to fet a higher value upon the gofpel, and be more thankful for it, which reveals to us fuch a propitiation. The men of heathenifm were, if not alto- gether, yet very much in the dark about the way of reconciliation to God, and the method of finner's pardon and acceptance with him. This it concern d them to know as much as any thing; but the wifeft of their philofophers were unacquainted here- with. Chnjl our Propittation. with. From the confideration of the o'cod- nefs and mercifuhiefs of the Divine Bcincr, they might indeed with fome colour of rea- fon hope, that he would fliew himfelf pla- cable to finners, and might fome way or other be reconciled. But when we cornc to examine more particularly what propiti- ation he will accept, and how fliall a recon- ciHation be brought about, we find our felves encompafs'd with difficulties. When it is ask'd whether, confidering the heinous provoking nature of fin, theperfed: holinefs andjuftice of God, and his jealoufy for the honour of his adminiftration and govern- ment, it isconfiftentto pardon any fin? If it be, what, or what degrees of fin he'll for- give ? whether great as well as fmall, many as well as few ? whether remifiion is to be had without any fatisfadtion or reparation for the violation of his laws or not } upon what terms will he pardon and accept ? Here are puzzling queflions, not to be fatisfodlorily refolv'd by bare reafon, or natural light. The heathens therefore were in uncertainty as to thefe things j and fo fliould we be, was it not for the gofpel. 'Tis here we have God proclaiming his name, the Lord God gracious and mxcrciful ; and are fliewn how he can be fo with a falvo to all his per- feftions, and the honour of his government. Here we are afTur'd, that there is forgive- nefs with him, plenteous and abundant for all manner of fin, founded as one v/ould wifli 43 1 451 Chrtft our ProphtaUon. wifli It, to be upon a real fuitable propitia- tion, or propitiatory facrifice. This fhould be reckoned (whatever it is by fome) one of the diftinguiihing excellencies of the gofpel revelation; and for this fhould we both prize It more, and praife God more for it. 2. Let awaken'd finners be inftrucled from the foregoing difcourfe, in a duty that concerns their prefent and everlafting peace. You whom the Spirit of God has been at work upon as a fpirit of convidion, whofe eyes he has been opening, to fee fin in its true colours, and behold your tranfgreflions wherein you have exceeded ^ fo that you begin to be fiird with perplexing thoughts, and diftreffing apprehenfions on account hereof, and are ready to cry out (with thofe con- vinced finners in the Adts) what fiall we do. There is no need for you to fink into defpair -, help is laid for you, upon one who is able to fave to the uttermoft, even Jefus Chrift , he is an a!l-fufficient Peace-maker and Savi- our, flee to him, embrace and confide in him thus confider'd. To quicken and encourage hereunto, I would fuggell the following things. Chrifl:is the ^;2/)' propitiation, there is no other befides in heaven or on earth ; you can't propitiate God your felves; nothing that you can per- form or fuffer, is able to make compenfation for your iniquities and tranfgreflions. Your fole help and relief then, remember, is in the blood and atonement of Chrift: and here Chrtfi our Proph'mtton. 4 3 j here is adequate relief for them. Tho* you have been fome of the vileft and chief of finners, his blood hath virtue enough in it to cleanfe you from all fm. Remember further, that Chrift is fet forth to be a pro- pitiation by God himfelf; not only in re- Rom, iii. gard to the publick manifeftation, or open ^S- difcovery which is made of him in the go- fpel, but the propofah and tenders likewife which are made of him here. The lan- guage of the gofpel is, whofoever will, let him apply to Chrift, and adl faith on him as the propitiation. And fhall any of us then flight and negled him, inftead of be- taking our felves to him? God forbid! O let us all be concerned to comply with the gofpel-call, and do it without delay : take heed of indulging a procraftinating fpirit. 3, Let fuch of us as have been inclined and enabled to do this, take the comfort which belongs to us : we who are true be- lievers in the name of the Son of God, or fincere Chriftians. He is our propitiation, our atoning Sacrifice. It may be our fins have been great as well as numerous, but they are all forgiven. We find the perpe- tual workings of indwelling fin and corrup- tion; fad ftrugglings of the fleih againrt the fpirit; daily infirmities breakout, daily fol- lies and mlfcarriages attend us : but there is no condemnation to us. We are^ and fliall be continued for ever in a pardoned ftate. We may boldlv fet the fufferings and death ' Ff of 434 Chrift our Propitiation. of our Saviour againjl all our Jins, How much foever there may be in thefe, to ex- cite God's anger againft us, there is enough in the oblation of Chrift to turn it away, and to induce him to be propitious and gra- cious to us. When we lay the hand of our faith on the great vidtim, we may do it with triumph^ faying in the language of the apoftle, Who pall lay any thing to our charge^ who are God's eleB, and have the faith of fuch} It is God that jujiifieth^ Who is he that condemneth ? it is Chrift that died for us, and is rifen again. 4.) What an admirable, as well as en- dearing and obliging difcovery have we of the love of God and Chrift, in that he is appointed to be a propitiation for us. O that we who believe did take notice of this, fb as to be more fuitably affedted with it! Herein is love, fays the apoftle, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and fent his Son to be the Propitiation for our 1 John iv. fins. Behold what manner of love the Fa^ 10- ther hath thus bejlowed upon us ! What a prodigy of love is here, that he whom we had fo highly offended, and whofe indig- nation and wrath we hadjuftly incurred, that he ftiould part with his Son for us, an own and only begotten Son, and freely confent to his becoming our facrifice, and undergoing our puniftiment. Herein is the love of God, even the Father, commended to us in the Uioft affefting endearing way imaginable. Chrtfl otirProphiation. 43 y And fo is the love of Chrift too. Who loved us, fays the apoftle, znAgave himfelf for us an offering and a Jdcrifice, By this it appears, that he loved us, and how much alfo, at what a mighty rate ! O the ftupidity of our hearts that we arc no more touch'd and mov'd with this love, that we feel no more fuitable imprefiions from it ! Mav we me- ditate on it (particularly on all facramenral occafions) till we areaffeded with the won- ders of it, and experience its melting con- ftraining influence. 5. Let It ferve to create in us a greater dread and deteftation of fin, to confider, that Chrift is the Propitiation for it. From hence may we eafily gather the odious and incenfing nature of fin. Did it not dif- pleafe and provoke the Lord to anger, there would be no need of any propitiation at all for it : and did it not provoke his anger in the higheft degree, there v/ould have been no need of Jiich a propitiation. Horrid evil! that could be aton'd and expiated by no lefs a perfon than the Son of God^ and by no fewer fufferings than he underwent. May we all, in confideration hereof, watch and ftrive more againft it j and not only as being jnoved by fear^ but as prompted by gratitude, '^ud^holy i^igenuityXiktWii^. That fliould teach us to avoid all finful practice, feeing hereby the bittereft agonies and Ibr- rows of our Lord Jefus were procured, and feeing he bore thefe to free us from the pe- nal confe^uences thereof. 6. Lee 43. 188, There Chrljl our Prop'tUation. 437 There he reigns, and Is exalted on tlie throne as King of Glory, who once hung on the crofs as our facrificc of atonement. And can we be content to live at this di- ftance, to be always thus feparated from him ? Should we not afpire and wi(h to be nearer him, to be in his immediate prefcnce, to fee this illuftrious incomparable friend face to face 3 to furvey his glories, and to fhew forth his praifes ; to render thanks to him for our {hare in his wondrous, redeem- ing, dying love ; to unite our joyful accla- mations and hallelujahs witl^ thofe of faints about the throne, and to join with them in finging that fuitable doxology, Tij him that lovd iis^ and wajh'd us from our fim in his own bloody that he might make us kings and priejis to God even his Father : To HIM be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen* The End of thefirfl Sermoih Ff3 Ch'ift, ( 438 ) CHRIST THE Christian's Propitiation AND ADVOCATE. I John ii. i, 2. ^-'"And if a^y man ftn^ we have an Advocate with the Father ^ Jefus Chriji the rtghteous : And he is the Propitiation for our fim. Serm. II. TT N thefe words we have i\Jo glorious and I delightful charaders of our Lord and ^ Saviour Jcfus Chrift. The latter, with which I began, as chufing to follow the or- der of time, has been difpatch'd : And I now proceed to the other, namely, that of Advo- cate, In treating on which I (hall only do two Chriji our Advocate. 43 p thefc two things, bcfides direding to a fuit- able improvement at the clofe. I. I fliall endeavour to ftate the notion of Chrift's advocacy, or explain the meaning of his charader as an Advocate. Then; II. I fliall difcourfe of his more remark- able properties thus confidcr'd, efpecially what we have an intimation of from the text. I. I would ftate the notion of Chrift's advocacy j or explain his charader as an Advocate. The original word which we tranflate Advocate occurs but fcldom in uci^uKXni*^ the New Teftament. 'Tis ufed by none of the writers of it fave the apoftle John, Four times we meet with ii in his Gofpel, where it is apply*d to the Holy Ghofi, and ftill ren- dred Comforter. Once we find it in his epiftles, viz. here in the text, where it is attributed to Chrtjl, and fitly enough ren- dred by Advocate. This is a Law-term^ alluding to tryals and proceedings in courts of judicature : And it is ufed in a morer^- Jlraind and enlarged fenfe. According to the ftri6ier fenfe of the term, it denotes a perfon who undertakes another s caufe, and is ajjijling to him in it all he is able ; who is employed to folicite it, or to plead and maintain it for him, and ufes what wifdom and eloquence he is marter of to iilue it well. Particularly if he, for whom another is an advocate in a caufe dcp -nduitr^ h.>s m- didments laid, or aecufations brougl' a- F f 4 gaii^ft 440 Chr'tji our Advocate. gamft him, the bufinefs of the Advocate is to reply hereto, and offer all that he can towards defending and clearing of him: or however, to addrefs the judge in his behalf, and fo procure grace and favour to be ex- tended towards him. This was the part and office of an advocate ftri£tly fpeaking, to be a Patron to his client, and argne and plead for him ; to dejend his caufe, and take care that it might not be loft. But the word was ufed in a larger fenfe than this ; for as a very good w^riter tells us ", there were other aavocati, and efpecially Para- deti amongft the Greeks^ who did not plead or maintain the caufe, but did only affijl 'With their prejence, or at moft, intreat and intercede by way of petition to the judge. Such as were the friends of the reus (the guilty or accused party) call'd by him to his affiftance, who lent him (as it were) their prefence, and by a perfonal appearance for him, or elfe interceffions on his be- half, fway'd and inclined the judge to be- friend him as much as pofliblc, and to ifTue the matter depending in his favour. Now Jefus Chrift is an Advocate for his people, in the largejl and fullejl fenfe of the word. He heartily efpoufes their caufe, and doth what is equivalent to managing and plead- ing it for them. They have one who is a grand irreconcilable adverfary to them, a court-adverfary, or adverfary at law^ one 1^ Tearfon on the Creed, 31;^; who Chnji our Advocate. 44 1 who is vehemently againfl: their caufe, (as the name by which he is called fignifies) one am^x^? who not content with (hewing himfelf an '^^t v.8. enemy to them in tempting^ (hews himfelf to be a worfe enemy afterwards, maccujing. Rct.xII But Chrift is a more powerful friend than ^°* he is an enemy in this and whatever other refpe6ls he manifefts himfelf to be fo ^. Our Advocate quaflies all the indiCiments and ac- cufations which he can bring in ; obviates and invalidates his manifold charges ; defeats him flillin his malicious purpofes and intentions-, gets a merciful abfolving fentence to be paft, and procures indemnity from the puniflimenc merited by our crimes. He lives to make^om.'^.ii^ inter cejjion for his people, which is another ^^^•7- »/• form of fpeech, to fee forth his advocacy. He interefts himfelf in our grand depending fpiritual concerns, lays them to heart, and negotiates them in heaven ; taking care both to fecure and to promote them. This will be more evident, by enquiring into the chid injiances of his advocacy, or con- ^ fidering howitis performed by him. And ac- cording to the Scripture-account, by which all our conceptions of it are to be regulated, it confifts in the three following particulars. I. Chrift's exhibiting or prefenting him- felf above in heaven, before his Father, in our name and behalf This we are taught ■ by the apoftle to the Hebrews, where (com- • Nomen Chrifto tribuitur oppofite ad diabolum qui dkl- tur xaluV^pos Tol,Sjrt» paring 44 i Chrtjl our Advocate. panng Chrift with the high-priefts of old, and in order to manifefl his preeminence above them) he faith, that Chrifl is not en- tered tnto the holy places^ the fanduary, or holy of holies, made with hands, which are the figures of the true, kit into heaven itfelf^ the proper heaven^ there to appear in the pre- fence of God, his real immediate prefence, for as. He ftands in the Father's fight, and as it were before his face, according to the im- port of the term *. And he appears nor bare- ly under the notion oF our friend, but of cm Reprefentative, Mediator, and High- prieftj fo that he exhibits himfelf in our Jlead, and on our account : even as Aaron and his fucceiTors of old went into the moffc holy place, reprefenting the children of If- raely and carrying their names in the breaft- plate of judgment upon their hearts, when Exoa. they miniftred there before the Lord. Chrift xxviii. xp. appears above in the heavenly (anduary, as one that hath offered himfelf in his death and blobd-fliedding, and hereby made fatisfadion and reconciliation for the fins of his people. The fame human nature, " which he had whilft on earth, in which he bore their fins, was wounded for their tranfgreffions, and bruifed for their iniquities , this he hath car- ried with him to heaven, and there retains. He not only has the fame foul which we read was made an offering for fin, but the (ame body (as to fubftance) which was • Vid. FoU Syn. broken Chrlfi our Advocate. 44 j hokcnfor us, which was nailed to the crofs, anJ (uiTcr'd, bled and died there. So that there is a prcfentation of his f am fic^d huma- nity to the Father, or of himfclf as a Lamb Jlcun and ofFer'd to God ; and he fliews him- felf cloathed with all the merits of his obe- dience unto death. Accordingly he appears to John in vifion, under the image of a hamh^ r^^, ^.(5. as It had been flain, ftanding in the midft oj the throne ; i. e. as one who hath ofter'd a facri- ficc, the vertue of which to expiate fin, \s always frefli and unimpaired, and cannot be worn out by time. Some, I know, are of opinion, that this paflage may import, his bearing in his glorified body the fears and marks of his bypaft death, or his retaining cer- tain irnprefTions of the wounds he rectiv'd in his crucihxion *. And it cannot be de- nied that thefe things were vilible in him after his refurre5tion, as it was meet they (hould, that his difciples might be more fully convinced of the truth of that impor- tant facl, and might have no room to que- ftion whether the fame body and perfoii which was crucified was rifen again. But I very much doubt, whether there are any fuch things remaining noiv^ or whether he carried them with him to heaven. How- ever, he exhibits himfelf^i's one that by dying has fatisfy'd for our offences, and there is a kind of prefentation and ojfering of his blood « Vid. Clark's cxpofition, flavel\. l. p. j8. ^cof^ Chri- ^ian life 408, for 444 Chrijl our Advocate. for us, made by him in the finftuary above The apoftle therefore afferts, that neither by ^^^^-'^^'11' the blood of goats and calves, but by and with his own blood, he entefd in once into the holy place : and this in a correfpondency to the praftice of the Jewifli high-prieft, who, as the apoftle takes notice before, went once every year, viz. on the anniverfary of expia- tion, by himfelf into the fecond tabernachy not not without blood, which he ofFcr*d for himfelf, and for the errors of the people, i. e. Ferfe 7, which he thus offer'dy or which he had be* fore offer* d for them. The fame is further confirmed by the apoftle's ftiling his blood fh, liiii^. the blood of Jprinkling, with a plain ailufion to the various fprinklings of blood by divine inftitution under the old teftament, efpecial- ly what was performed by the high-prieft on the day of atonement in the holy of holies, the moft fignal inftance of any other. And we have another proof of this, in his attri- buting to our Saviour's blood by an ufual fi- gure, an interceding voice, and afluring us, nrfe 14: that it [peaks better things than the blood of Abel, Abel's blood cried for vengeance, not formally and vocally, but virtually and cfficacioufly : fo does the blood of Chrifl: for what is better, pardon, reconciliation, and eternal redemption. It pleads for thefe as much as if it had an articulate voice, yea, far more powerfully and emphatically than It is poflible for any verbal oratory to do *. * Vid. S(9t. 408, ^ Chrift*s Chrifi our /Advocate. ^^r Chrift's prefeniing his facrifieed humanity, and the memorials of his death to the Father, or appearing in the prefence of God in the nameSy and on the accounts of his people, is a main thing, and of principal regarci in his advocation and interceffion. But. 2. This is alfo performed by ql fignification of his mind and will on our behalf. Tho* I take it to confifl: chiefly in actions, yet not wholly and altogether as fome do. There is moreover, I apprehend, as belonging to ir, afignifying, or making known of requefls. All interceffion feems to carry in it in gene- ral fomewhat of the true nature of prayer. And we may gather from our Saviour's own declarations, that he doth in a (enfe now addrefs to, and petition the Father. At that joim xri. day^ fays he to his difciples, ye floall ask in ^^• my name : where he refers undoubtedly to a time after hisafcenfion : And J [ay not that 1 will pray the Father for you ; I don't infift upon that, as if he had faid, or I need not tell you that : you may eafily gather it from the proofs of love towards you, which I have given, and (hall further fpeedily give. Or, I don't only fay that, but I fay more. We niay underftand it either way; and fo it will imply a fort of prayer in Chrift's ad- vocacy and interceffion. Which is more evi- dent yet, from his telling his difciplcs, that . he would pray the Father for them, in con- fequence of which, the Comforter, that is, the Holy Ghoft, fliould be given to fupply — ' the 44^ Chriji our Advocate. the want of his bodily prefence, by abiding johnxiv. with them for ever. For as to the time *^* when he fhould make good this promife, 'tis plain he means, when he was departed from them, after his leaving the world, and re- turn to the Father. His praying now indeed, miift be con- ceived of as vaftly diflFerent from what it Heb.v.6. ^as whilft here on earth. Then he ojfefd np prayers and fiipplications with firong cry- ingy or vehement outcry, and tears like- wife, as the apoftle acquaints us. But no- thing like this can be affirmed of him now* His exalted glorified condition won't admit of fuch fervtle way of praying, as fome of the ancients have ftiled it. Whatfoever he doth in his prieftly capacity, k in fuch a manner as will comport with the royal au- thority and dignity he is advanced to : for Zech.vi. he is a Trtefi upon his throne, as the prophet ^3* foretels. We are to take heed therefore how we imagine any thing of a fupplicatory behaviour in his addreffing to the Father for us, of bended knees, or uplifted hands, or low proftrations : yea, we are not to fup- pofe, that Chrift asks in a precarious way, or io, as not to aflert a claim of right in the blcflings that his interceflion is conver&nt about. He exprefles not barely defire as to the granting of thefe, but le'/// alfo ; folicits for the be ftowment, as one that has authority johnxvH. to demand it. Father I wtll, was the ftile **' which he us'd here on earth : much rather Chrijl our Advocate^ 4^7 rather docs he ufe the fame above in heaven : I will that the iniquities of ?^^/e whom thou hdjl given me, and who believe on my name, be pardoned; that their corruptions be fubducd; frefli fupplies ofthefandi tying Spirit affbuded ; that they may have all neceffaiy grace and ftrength to carry them thro' the various fervi- ces and trials of life; that during their abode in the world, they may be kept from the evil ; and at laft, that they be with mewherelaniy to be made fully happy in my immediate prefence and enjoyment. How it is that Chrift fignifies and makes known his defire or will to the Father, can- not with certainty be determined. The Popifli expofitors indeed tells us, fomc of them, that it is done orally and vocally-, whilfl: others infift upon its being done /l- lently and mentally. '• Many teftimonies, " fays the learned doftor Owen *, are pro- " duced by them out of the fathers, upon " the one fide and the other; and great " weight is laid by fome on the difference ^^ and determination of it. But, as he goes " on to obferve, our principal concernment " lieth in the internal form of the intercef- " fion of our High-Prieft, rather than the " outward manner of it, tho' fo far as that " is reveal'd, it belongs to us, and we " may enquire into it'\ Tis enough for . us to know, that his advocacy contains a kind of prayer in it, and that he fignifies his * VU. Expofuion on xhcHcbnwj^ Vol. a, 24/. I mind ;^48 Chnfi our Advocate] mind and will to the Father, fo as to be perfectly tinderftood. The defires of his heart are all really before God, and equally regard- ed as if they were to be fet forth in the mod expreflive, moving and pathetical lan- guage. 5. We may reckon, as compriz d within the advocacy of Chrift, his prefenting and recommending our regular prayers^ and re- quejls to the Father, fo as to procure accep- tance and fuccefs to thefe *. . They pafs as it were thro' his hands, and he hallows and confecrates them all. They are purified in the vertue of his atoneing blood, and fecon- ded and enforc d (if I may be allow'd fo to fpcak)by his interceflion -f. Upon this ac- count may he be efteem'd and call'd the Alajler of requejis, to whom it is owing that our petitions have admittance into hea- ven, and find a favourable reception there. He caufes a cloud of incenfe to afcend be- fore God with them. Agreeable to what we read in the book of Revelations, of an Angel's Jlanding at the golden altar ^ and offering up the prayers of the faints. Rev. viij. prefumed with incenfe that he adds to them. ^* ** Tis the general opinion of interpreters, I believe, that by this angel we are to under- ftand not a common or created angel, but * Nos et noftra generatim, ^ciatim preccs noftras Deo commendat. Vxdi.Outram. jfp. f Preces noftras tam lacrificii lui odore fandlificat, quam pa- trocinii favore adjuvat. Calv, in loc, he Chrtfi our Advocate. 4^0 he who is call'd the angel of the coven^n* ^^^"-'^ -^-^. even our Lord Jefus Chnit, the gicat High- ^■""'' prieft of the church. He is here dcfcn'b'd ill his faccrdocal office, and in terms and phrafes plainly alluding to a ccrrain pare of the minirtiy of the Je^ji'iflj pricithobd, which confided in burning incenfe. This was appointed to be done twice a day, at the golden altar, which therefore was ftil'd the altar of Incenfe ; as well as once a yeac in the Holy of Holies. And ic was intend- ed for afymbol or emblem of the prayers of the people, which were myjiically ofer'd up to God therewith ''^. And accordingly they us'd to be praying in the outward court all the while this prieftly function was difcharglng within the (anduary and tem- Lukcf. ro; pie. In conformity to this, is Jefus Chrifl: our High-priefh defcrib'd as prefentitig or offering our prayers^ incenfed and pcrfum'd by his mediation and merits. There is a- bundantly enough in him to recommend them, to give them efficacy and fucccfs. For which reafon he is faid to have much incenfe-, i. e, as f Dr. Ozc^w expounds ir, a bottomlefs (lore and treafure ck righteouf- nefs and merit, v^hich, fays he, is added unto the prayers and whole worfliip of his peo- ple, and is the only fv/ect perfume ui the prefence of the Lord. * Vid. Scot, 412. f Dr Oven onrhf perlbn of Chvld ^\^. G g Hence 450 Chriji our Advocate. Hence we are enjoin d to do ally whaU ever we do in the worfliip and fervice o£ Coiof. iii. God, in his name. And he himfelf Iiath *^* taught us to come to God the Father, by him^ and to put up our prayers depending Tohnxiv upon his mediation above. The exercife 6, 14. * of his prieftly office in heaven^ as well as XVI. i5. Qj^ earth, is of ufe in procuring for us 2Lfree accefs to God in devotion , and audi- ence and acceptance to our prayers and re- quefts. The apoftle therefore we may ob- ferve infers our coming boldly to the throne of Grace, or addrefling ourfelves to God with freedom and confidence, for feafonable mercy and help in time of need^ from our having ^ great High-priejl that is pajjed into Hcb iv ^^^ heavens, Jefus the Son of God, To the 14, 16. feme purpofe is that other remarkable paf- fage, where, in confideration of our having liberty to enter into the Holiefi by the blood of Jefus, by a new a?2d lively way, which he hath confecrated for as thro the veil, that is to fay, his fleflj -, and in confideration of our having an High-priefl over the hotife of God (who ftill ads in his real prefence for us) we are exhorted to draw nigh to God in his worfloipwith a true hearty and in full of CAp.y..\%ftirance of faith. &H' And thus have I endeavoured to explain the nature of the advocacy of Chrift, and to (hew wherein it confifts, or in what in- llances it is pcrform'd. I am Chnfi Gur Advocate. 4 j i I am in the next place, according to the method proposed, to confider his properties as an Advocate, efpccially thofe that are intimated by the apolHe in the text. Wc have an Advocate ^mith the Father^ J ejus Chriji the righteous. I. Then he is a common Advocate for ^ the whole hottfhold oi faith. This fcems to be hinted by the apoftle in his faying, fVe have him with the Father. Tis nc: /, but we^ or the churchy as the learned Grotius obferves ^ : not only we apojUes, but wc be- licverSy or Chriftians in general, as Mr. Charnock and others paraphrafe it f. The (an^ perfons are meant that he fpeaks of in the former chapter, as having communion with God, and walking in the lights as he is in the light : the fame that he writes to as his dear children, and whom he fup- pofes to be ftill liable to the commiflion of fin. The apoftle chofe, I conceive, to ex- prefs himfelf in this manner, on purpofe to include himfelf in the number of them who by reafon of daily finning (land in need of the advocacy of Chrift, and to fignify their having sl joint intereji with him herein. Tis true that our blefled Lord^ in the interceflbry prayer which he ofter'd juft before his paffion, has a refpea primarily to his apojlles, as fuch : and the like rclpca: * Non dicit, habet ille Adrocatum, fed ecclcfia aux pro lapfo Prccatur. Tool Syn. . -f Ch;irnock lUo. Hardy m\oc. ^ G 2 i "light 45^ Chrifi our Advocate. might he manifcft, perhaps, in his inter- ceflion above in heaven. But this certainly was never intended to be confin'd to them : It belongs to the whole church, or to fin- cere believers and chriftians idniverfally. In that foremention'd prayer therefore, (v^hich ^ in the current opinion of our Divines, is a model of Chrifl-'s prefent interceffion) after he has finifli'd his requefts for the apoftleSy he comes to pray for other s^ even for all Tohnxvii ^^-^^^ JJjould belteve on him thro' their word-, 20. ' whether as prcach'd by them, or as com- mitted fo writing. He is an Intercefjor or Advocate for all true believers ^ and this not only collc^ively confider'd, or as compre- henfively taken in a body^ but for each I ap- prehend, fingly confider'd, and for every individual His advocacy affords a much ftronger relief in cafe of iinning, allowing this particularity of it, or that it belongs no: only to all Chriihans in general, but to each. And what lefs than this can be denoted by the apolHc's affirming, If any of us fin there is one to perform the part of an Advocate for us. Chrift is an High-' iieb. X. z.P'^'^-ft ^'^^'^' ^'^^ ^^^'^fi V ^^^» prefiding over, and aclin^; for every member hereof He Hdb.x.ii kno'jjs '-who are his, and can call all his a Tim. ill. fiiccp by tuime : He has a diflinc} acquain- Joha - 2 cancc With chem, and their feveral refpedivc cares and circumftances : And his intercef- fion is manag'd for them, agreeable to fuch knowledge and acquaintance ; He has a perfonal Chrtft our Advocate. 455 perfonal regard then to each of them there- in. What he did for Teter m praying for him pcrfonally^ when he was about to be aflaulted violently by the tempter, I don't ?,ukc xxii. " fee why he may't be reckoned to do for, o- 3^ thers of his difciples: efpecially, confidcring /^ the aftedion he bears to them all, and the ^W charge he hath of every one's perfon. I can't be of their fentiments who rake this to have been a privilege peculiar to Peter himfelf, or a favour fhewnhimas the head of theapoftles. Chrifl: does the like for others '^, There is not the pooreft weakefl: believer, whofc faith is genuine, but may conclude, he is the ob- jed of our Saviour's interceflion. He has an eye in it to the Lambs of the flock, rra.xi.u. 2. He \s an Advocate as fully qualified as we could wifli. For I.) He is one who does not ad without a proper commiffion. God the Father^ who in the csconomy of Grace, is rcprefcnted as the prime Mover and Agent, and lliftains the charader of fupreme Ruler, Law giver, and Judge, (with whom therefore his bufi- nefs as an Advocate lies) hath not only ad- mitted^ but appointed him to be fuch ; and he is inverted in the office by his (olcmn defignation, undion, and oath. We meet with feveral paffages to this purpofe in the epiftle to the Hebrews, No one taketh the .^"^^ ^' honour^ fays the apoftle, {viz, o\ prieft- hood) /. f. no one can rightfully alTumc it^ •k Vid. Pol. Synop. 4^4 Chrtfi our Advocate. Bat he who is called to it of God as Aaron was. And fo [alfo was it with our Lord] Chrifi, [for he] glorify' d not himfelf to be made our Hi^h-prieft, but he appointed him to be (o, who faid unto him, Thou art ?ny Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he V£r,6. j^^ffj alfo [of him] in another place, thou art a Frtejlfor ever^ after the order of Mel- chizedec : [who feems to have been how- ever chiefly, a prieft of intercefTion, and whofe was a royal priefthood]. Chrift was ver. 10. cairdy or conflituted oi God an High-piefl after his order, The word of the oathy which was fpoken after the giving of the Pfai. ex. 4. law, and is recorded in the Pfalms, has chap, vii. ji^^ j^i^^ -j^ ^]^J5 gj,^^^ office. So that there is no doubt but the honour of it belongs to him, who has received a commifTion and authority from God the Father himfelf for it. And hereby is he empower' d to execute it in both its parts, making interceiTion as well as making reconciliation. The com- miilion extends equallyto both. The apoftle is thought to give a hint of the needful qualification I have been fpeak- ing of, in the term Chrifi ^. We have an hdvoc3.ZQ Jeftis Chri/iy one anointed by the Father for the whole office of mediation, the w^hole work of falvation, and confe- quently for that of Interceffor or Advocate. He IS no intruder then into this high polt * Vid. Cham. 11 14. HarJy m loc. and Reyntlds in the continuation of Mr. Henrfs expolit. z and Chrtft our Advocate. 4 c c and office, but came into it regularly by the authoritative appointment of God the Father. Whence, 2.) He muft be a very able Advocate. Men may eled or appoint to offices thole that are infufficient and no ways equal to 'cm. But this is weaknefs which we mud by no means impute to God ; and lead: of all can wc imagine him to be guilty of it in an affair of the higheft nature and impor- tance, in making choice of Chrift, and em- ploying him as his fervant to bring about our redemption. The Father knew he might (afely confide in him, as one ecftial to the work which he gave him to finifh^ and who would not fail in any part of his un- dertaking. Had he not been fully fatisfy'd in his abilities for difcharging the fevew ral offices of a Mediator, and among^ft-the reft that of priefthood, in either of its parts, he would not have vefted him liercwith. His fufficiency then as an Advocate may be inferr'd from the Father's appointment : And the fame may be evinced from the con- fideration of what he is in himfelf. Coim- fel is his, and found 'wfdonjy and he has un- p^o^ derflanding as well as flrength. He needs 14. not to be taught what is incumbent upon him as an Advocate ; for he perfedly knows the duties of his office, and is skilful to difcharge it to the beft advantage. He has a clear infight into the circumftances and wants of his clients, and is capable o^ ap- G g 4 P^ng Vlll. 45^ Chrift our Advocate. plying to the Father for them in a due man- ner on all occafions. He is ever furnifii'd with the moft fuicable and powerful pleas, to alledge and urge on their behalf. He Colli. f^^rj^^ 1-jQ niore mtfmanage a caufe than he can mifi^ke it. Thofe treafures of wildom and knowledge which the apoftle declares him to be polTefs'd of, nuifl: needs fecuie againil any weak imprudent ftep in the courfe of his advocacy. 5.) He is an acceptable Advocate, one highly eficenid and ^ui'ell belov'd of him with whom his bufinefs thus confider'd lies. This is a farther defirable and recommend- ing qualification in him. Pcrfons wifli in all human caufes to have their advocate not only able but approv'd likewife, refped- ed of the judge, and a favourite of the court where he pleads. Such a one is the Chriftian's Advocate: which is thought to be intimated to us in his being faid to be with the Father, and to be Jeftts Chrifi f ; for hereby are we eafily led to think of him as the Son of the Father^ according to the ^^ addition made to thcfe perfonal names by \^ ^ ■/ the apoftle elfewhere. Jc(us Chrift the Son of the Father, He is a Son in that high peculiar fenfe, which no other, whether on earth, or in heaven is : the Father's o^uvriy Heb. !- ;. begotten, only begotten Son, as he is ftiled m I f.Habemus advocatum, eumq; e:«'imium valdc. nempe Jefum ChriP.urn, /. e. qui Chriftus iLe Dei cfi:, & Dei filius unicus, apud Fatrem id flagrautiflima gratia. Slicht'm in he. divers Chr'tft our Advocate. 4 j 7 divers places, to exprefs both his true Deity ^^"^- ^'"'• and his dearnefs to the Father. The inti- jofm f is. mate and near relation he ftands in, is doubt- »'«• '<>; ^ lefs attended with a proportionable aftedion. ''^'^' And hence we find him often reprefenced as the Son of his love, or his dear Son, and Coi. i. i^' the beloved in whom he is well pleas' d. Yea the Father's foul is faid to delight in him, which as it fpeaks the nature, (o likewife the degree of his affeftion, even the /«-ifa,xiii. i, tenfenefs and vehemency of it. And the af- fertion there refpeds him primarily how- ever, in his mediatorial capacity j or where- infoever he ads, as the Father's fervant for the purpofes of his glory and our falvation. He is then the objed of the Father's cfpc- cial complacential love as our Advocate. The Father is highly pleas'd with him exe- cuting this office ; and he endear'd himfelf the 7nore to him at the fame time he was laying a foundation for the execution of it ; I mean in fufteringand dying, or becoming a joUn x: facrifice for our fins. Therefore doth my »7- Father love me, becatfe I lay down my life^ that I might take it again. 4.) He is a holy Jinlefs Advocate. This is the mofi; proper fignification of the word we tranflate righteous ^ ; and 'tis the con- ftant fignification of it when afcrib'd to Chrift elfewhere, as it is in about ten places in the New Teftamcnt. Accordingly wc find the apoftle Peter, when fpcaking of 2 ^^^^\ ^58 Chnft our Advocate. him, and taxing the Jews with their fin in denying him, conneds holy and juft as fy- AasiJi.14. nonymous terms. Tt denied the holy one and tbepfi. And he is in like manner empha- tically called by the apoftle John^ The holy • «y<«« One. He was and is altogether blamelefs and innocenty abfolutely free from fin. The author to the Hebrews ufes a variety of tcvms to defcribe his perfonal purity and holineft to us : he feems to multiply exprefTions (after the manner of the Hebrews) for this pur- Ch.vii.ij-.pore, who is holy^ harmlefs^ trndefiled^ fepa- ratejromfinners. Some I know are of opi- nion, that there is a diflFerence in each of thefe charaders, and they pretend to tell us how they differ. But whether they can do that or no, 'tis certain that the fpotlefs pa- rity of Chrift our HighPrieft is intended to be fignified by them all. And tho' they well agree to him, and are true of him, with refpedl: to the life he lived here on earthy yet they feem to be rather meant of him in his pnfent (late. It follows therefore, who zs made higher than the heavens. He is the mofl: remote from fin that can be, for 'tis impoffiblehe (hould fin. Impec- cability is defervedly reckoned amongfl: the excellencies and perfeftions of Chrift, which fiow'd from the hypoftatical union of the two natures in him ^. And his fitnefs for the office of Advocacy, is in a good meafure owing to this. In or- * Light foot, 7. 1,. If I. der Chrift our Advocate. at^ der to the fuccefsful difcharge of it, 'twas necefiary he (hould be perfe^lly righteous, holy, and finlefs. Perfonal purity and inno- cency indeed is not always a neceflary qua- lification of advocates in courts of judica- tures here below. For tho' a man be an un- juft bad man himfelf, yet having a righteous caufe (and the caufe of a juft perfon in that refpea) he may fucceed ^. But perfonal righ- teoufnefs and innocence is an eflential qua- lification of him that is our Advocate in the court above. 'Tis fit that he fliould (land ReBus in Curia himfelf, blameless and juft in court, and in the fight of the Judge, feeing his clients are otherwife. Was he a finner, he would be no wife a proper perfon to un- dertake the office of an advocate for finners; Johnix.ji. God heareth not fuch, without the inter- pofition and mediation of fome other on their behalf. If Chrift had any fin, he could not be in heaven, much lefs could he be a pleader or intercejjor there, as Mr. Charnock obferves -f. Whatever other qualifications he might be fuppos'd to have, it he wanted ^^^- v"- this of purity y he would not he fuch an High Triejl or Advocate as became us, 5.) He is a faithful Advocate. The epi- thet the apoftle beftows upon him, may point us to that aUo; for (bmetimes righ- teous imports as much as being faithful *. Chrift our Advocate is fo in the higheft de- gree. Difappouument (liall never ftiame any * Vid K^jwoWj in l©c. \\ii\. -^Slickittin ioc. & HarJy. of '^(?o Chrijl our Advocate. of the hopes which are bulk upon him, with a regard to this, any more than the hopes we place in him, with a regard to other parts of his mediatorfliip. We may reft af- furM he won't fail us in our regular expefta- tions. There is not the leaft room to ftif- teB his fidelity. The apoftle to the He- hrews afferts it once and again, as what fliould minifter no fmall confolation to Ca^. iii. 2. U5^ Jef^s j-i^^ jq^gfj Prieft of otiv profeffioUy fays he, was faithful to him that appointed him, even as Mofes was in all his hoitfe. Ch.ii. 17. And he is a merciful and faithful High Trieji, in things pertaining to God, to make- reconciliation for the fins of the people. His faithfulnefs was manifefted in the former part of his priefthood, viz. making reconciliation : and it is no lefs confpicuous in the other, making inter ceffion, or being an Advocate ; for this is included in the things which his prieftly office is here made to confift in, {viz. things pertaining to God ^, or affairs tranfaftcd with him for us,) no lefs than the other. 6.) He is a kind, gracious, afifeBionate Advocate. The term righteous may like- wife lead our thoughts to thefie properties as belonging to him 7 : and we may be fully per- fuaded, by confulting other places of fcrip- ture, that they are to be found in him. He t Juftu?, i.e. bonus, lenis, cemens, benignus. Sic 4 Chrift cur Advocate. Heb.vii. apoftle tcUs US, that he ever lives to mah *^' inter ceffion for its, Tho' this ben't the fole nor ultimate, yet it is one great end of his prefent heavenly life, and what he is per- petually imploy'd in. 4. He IS a prevalent Advocate. There is no danger of his mifcarrying in any caufe which p£xxi. 2] he folicits. The Father certainly ^r^w/'^ him his heart* s defire, and does not withhold the requejlsof his lips, I might fet this down as a corollary, from what has been difcours'd : but 'twill not be amifs, if I enlarge a little in the proof of it, and refume fome of the foregoing thoughts. If we confidcr him then in the greatnefs of his perfon, or in the near relationhc has to the Father, ^twill help to convince us, that he ean'c intercede, nor folicit in vain. Whac more likely to render his advocacy power- ful and effeftual, than his being the Son of the Father, his own and only begotten Son ? If Mofes a friend, or at moft a child by adop- tion, had (o much intereft, as to be able to prevail for the averting of divine judgments from Ifrael, and God is reprefented as faying Ex.xxxii. to him. Let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot againfi thisjinful people, and / may confume them: What intereft mud the begot- ten of the Father have, who is the bright- nefs of his Glory, and the exprefs image of his perfon ? Tis obfeivable, that when the decree is declared in thofe words. Thou art 7ny Son, this day have I begotten thee, it pre- fently 10. Hcb.i. 5. Chrijl our Advocate. 4 (^ j iendy follows, Ask of me, and I will give p^-^'-*^- tbee the heathen for thme inheritance, &'c. Then confider him as a Son pcrfoLminir obedience and fervice ac the call and re f eft of the Father, and for the manifcftatwn oi his Glory ; and as this can't but increafe (if pofhble) paternal affe^lions towards him ; fo it muft facilitate his fpceding in his addref- ics, and render the Father more inclinable to fulfil all his petitions. Even as a king (lays Mr. Charnock^) will liften much fooncr to the requeft of a (on, who hath been fignal- ly ferviceable to him, and brought honour to his name and government, than to a fou barely in the relation of a child. Further, the confideration of his being righ- teous or holy, ftrengthens the argument for the fuccefsfulnefs of his advocacy. We know how far the pleadings and intercclTions of jufi men, fuch as Abraham, Job, Mofes, and "i^aniel, have been prevalent : and the apo- ftle James is exprefs, that the fervent in- ch.v. 16. wrought prayer of the righteous availcch much : for himfelf not only, but for others too. How available then muft the inter- ceding of Jefus Chrifl: the righteous, the juft one, perfectly and tranfcendently fo be ? Again, confidering the objects of his in- terceilion, thofe for whom he lives as an advocate, we (liall find it helps to prove that he can't but fucceed. They are thofc whom the Father is well affeBed to, and dearly H h /^W: 2^ j^66 Chrtft our Advocate. loves : not enemies nor ftrangers, nor (er- vants and friends only, but children. The word Father is capable of being refer'd to us^ as well as Chrift, and it ought to be fo doubtlefs, when it is affirmed we have an Advocate with the Father, i. e. ours as well as his. There is a great love that he bears to the clients as well as to the Advocate : yea, the love he bears to the one, refembles johnxvii. ^j^^j. j^^ {^Qg^xs to the Other. Thou haft loved ^^' them, as thou haft loved me^ fays Chrift ; and he would have this particularly remarked ch. xvi. by us. I fay not that I "will pray the Father jor you, for the Father himfelf loveth you. I might further fuggeft, as what will make the proof yet more ftrong, of his be- ing fuccefsful, that the matters of his inter- ceflion are all perfedly agreeable to the Fa- ther's will'y that he asks for nothing but what he hath merited, and divine juftice will forward the beftowment of : that he is with the Father as our Advocate and IntercefiTor, performing the office in his immediate pre- fence, and not at adiftance. But fo much for the doftrinal parr. All that remains now, is to make fome pratlicalinferences and ufes. And, I. Let thofe be convinced of their un- happy ftate and circumftances, who remain timnterefted in the advocacy of Chrift, and are excluded the benefit hereof. I mean all who pcrfift in impenitency and unbelief: who treat with negligence, if not with con- tempt, the gofpel meflages and invitations ; z who Chrtfl our Advocate. 4^7 who refufq either to accept of Chrifl, or give up themfelves to him, according to his claims who addid themfelves to fin, and live m the cuftomary prafticcof it ; who by the tenor of their lives difcover, that this is the real inward fenfeof their fouls, \z'e 'will not have the Lord Jefus to reign over us. Would to God there were bat few fuch to be found amongfl: us ; 'tis to be fear'd their number is great. And of all of them, that po- fitive declaration of the Redeemer holds true, I pray not for them. He won't take up the johnxvii. names of fuch into his lips, Twould be a 9. refledion upon his holinefs, as well as wif- ^^* ^'''^' ^' dom, to fuppofe him an Interceflbr for per- fons of this character: and wefliould be ape to conclude from hence, that he was the minifier ofjinners^ the very thought of which is rejeded by the apoftle with abhorrence. We have an Advocate, fays the text, weciVxi.ij^ who don't walk in darknefs, but in the light ; ^f who are brought with a penitential frame of heart to confefs fin, and are indeed turn'd from it; le'^ the faints and faithful in Chrift Jefus: *cis we that have him for an Advo- cate, none elfe may dare thus to appropriate him to themfelves. As for unbelievers, and impenitent unfandified fouls, who continue fuch, they are fo far from having Chriit in- terceding for them, that they have him ra- ther making intercefTion againft them. They are fo far from having a (liare in his plead- ings for mercv, that they have a fliarc in his H h z pl^'-is 4(58 Chrtjl our ProphiaUon. pleas for wrath and vengeance. His blood which they flight, and as it were trample upon, cries terribly againft them. For fas it fpcaks better things than the blood of Abel, for thofe on whom it is fprinkled ; fo it fpcaks bitterer things for all fuch who by unbelief and impenitence trample upon it. O that they were wife, that they underjlood this; that they might be fenfible of their prefent miferable condition, and not be eafy till they experience an alteration ! 2. Have we who are true believers and Chriftians indeed, an Advocate in heaven, even Jefus Chrift ? let us keep up an officio- nate ejleem of him, and be more duly /^^«)&- ful for him thus confider'd. Do we not need him, and that abfolutely ? mufl: we not look upon ourfelves tobe highly indebted and obliged to him ? Is not his difcharging the oifice unfpeakably to our advantage ? can we enumerate the precious fruits and cScdcs of it ? doth it not influence into our falvation, even to the perfeding and confummating of Heb.Tii. it > He is able tofave to the titter mojl them that come unto God by him, feeing he ever liveth to make interceffion for them, or to be their Advocate. How necefTary and de- firable an office then is this ? and could any difcharge it better than our Jefus does. Is he not an Advocate according to our wifli, a matchlcfs and incomparable one? Let his being (o then excite and draw forth our ~ Cham* 1 150. praifes ij Chrtfl cur Advocate. ^6^ praifes for him, as well as render him more precious to us. 5. How careful ought perfons to be of intrenching upon, and likcwifc abiifing the office of this glorious Advocate. The Ro- manifts are notorioufly guilty as to the former, who join others with Chrift, and employ them in the great affair of interceffion with God. They have ereded as many advocates almoft, as ihcy have canonized faints 5 and not content with thefe, they have angels roo; and as fuperior to all the reft, the vir- gin Mary. But this praflice of theirs \s cri- minal and provoking, and we fliould by no means imitate them herein. There is not the leafl intimation given throughout the new teftament, that Chriftians have, or may make ufe of, any other to mediate and inter- cede wirh God for them, beiides the Lord Je- fus Chrifl:. Yea, for ever to take us off from all others, the apoftle tells us, that as 1 Tim. ii. there is one God, fo one Mediator between 7- God and man, the man Chiiil: ]dus. He aflcrts the unity of the Mediator as (Irongly as he does that of God. Nor is the f nxc of this text to be avoided, by didinguifliing between a Mediator of redemption, and a Mediator of inter cejjlon. For this is a dif- tindion arbitrarily coin d, without any thing in fcripture to countenance it; yea, there is ■ enough here to overthrow it. For we arc taup-ht, that the intcrceffion of Chiiil has a relation to, and dependence upon h:\sfacrifce, H h 3 that 470 Chrifl our Advocate. that he is a Mediator and Advocate iti heaven, in vertue of that oblation which he perfonn'd on earth. Hence we find his mediation and advocacy frequently men- tion'd together with his propitiation, and the expiation he made for us. So in that forecited place, Ihcre is one Mediator whd gave him/elf a ranfcm for all. And thus in the text we have an Advocate^ Jejm Chrifl, who is the propitiation for oar fins. It is plain then chat the Mediator of re- demption, and of advocacy rnuft needs be one and the fame perfon. None is qualifi- ed to be the latter who is not the former. And therefore to join other? with Chrift, and apply to them as patrons and interceflbrs in heaven for us, \^ to aft in contradiftion to fcripture ; and this too without any neceffity. For fure the virtue and efficacy of Chriil's interceffion does not want for additions to it. He is fully capable of performing the office of advocation himfelf without the affiftance of others. Accordingly the apo- fHe fpea'ks not in the phral number in the text, as if there were many advocates, but in the Jlngfdar, to (liew that there is but One ; who is all-fufficient for us. We fhould look upon the men of popery then with pfty and concern, as boldly invading the office of Chrifl:, and intrenching upon his prerogative ; and weihould keep at the greateil: diftance from their praftice. And it behoves us to guard againft nbufing the advO'*' Chrijl our /Advocate. advocacy of Chrid. Tis a fad abiifc of it if we prefume upon it to fui wilfully againft knowledge, or walk Icfs circumfpeaiy bc- caufe we think v/e have an intereft in it. This, as one fays, is a prophanation of the holineft of our Advocate, as the* he was fettled in the office to beg a licence for our crimes ^. We (hould confidcr our Saviour's advocacy as proper to animate us to main- tain a conftant vigorous warfare againft all im. 'Tis calculated for this purpofc, and well adapted to ferve it, feeing it affords relief when thro' human frailty and wcak- ne(s, the policy of the tempter, or the fur- prize of temptation, we have been guilty of any thing linful. Which leads me on to a fourth ufe ; 4. Let us have daily frequent recourfe to Chrift our Advocate, learn to live more by faith upon him thus confidcr'd ; efpecially in cafe of any remarkable mifcarriages. Faith ought then to be aded and exercis'd in him afrefh. We ftiould believe him to be the Advocate the Gofpel rcprcfcnts, re- alize to our felves his ability, rightcoufnefs, faithfulnefs, and other properties, and place our truft under the (hadow of his wings. It becomes us indeed to be laid low for all our fins, particularly fuch as are any ways heinous in their own nature, or may be reckon'd fo by reafon of aggravating cir- ♦ Cham. 1 144. H h 4 cumftanccs: 471 47 1 Chnji our Advocate. camftances : We fliould be deeply humbled for thefe, arraign, accnfe and judge our- felves ; let godly (brrow have ks free fcope. But we ought not to give way to defpon- dency. There is an Advocate above to folicice our caufe and plead for us, who can procure an acquitting fentence : And wc rnay be as fure of his doing this as that we have recourfe to him with a believuig peni- tent frame of heart. y. Let the advocacy of Chrifl: be im- proved for our confolatwn and joy» True CIciifl:ians fliould above all others take heed of mdulging to fadnefs, and walking difcon- folately. This doth ill become them, con- fidering how privileg'd they are, and par- ticularly in having the Advocate with the Father, which they are affur'dof in the text : Have we indeed fuch a friend in heaven, one that is not unmindful of us, one that has a dear afFedion for us, who out of the tendered; love and compaffion is perpetually foliciting our caufe and concernments ? How chcaring and delighting is the thought I What comfort and joy fliould it not infpire into us I Is it this and the other affliction that de- je6ls us ? \ We may comfort ourfelves that by vertue of the incerpofal of our Advocate we • are only chaft/jed of the Lord that we fliould not be condemn d 'with the "world :. And he fympathifceh with us under all afflidions, 2 and Chrtfi our Advocate. 4;r> and will obtain for us fuitable fupports, and in due time full deliverance. Is it the fmallnefs and wcaknefs of grace that dejed:s us ? Are we complaining that we have hut a little Jlrength, and dcfire more Chrifts advocacy may miniftcr comfort to us? For he is pleading for us that our faith and other grace fail not ; that the bruifed reed may not be broken, nor the fmoking flax quench'd, but that judgment may be brought forth unto vi6tory. Are we apt to be cafl: down becaufe of the many defefts and infirmities which at- tend our prayers, they (hall afccnd accepta- bly, notwithftanding perfum'd with our Sa- viour's much incenfe ? He is a Mafter of requefts that knows how to recommend our petitions and requefts to God with all pofTible advantage. Is it lin that dejeds us ? Sin in the great remains or frequent workings of it, or fome heinous commiffions ; Chrift has enough to plead for our pardon and continuance in the divine favour : And he v/ili take care about both, as long as we are not the fer- vants of fin. Give not way then to dcjeftion, O be- liever! Jefus Chrift is an Advocate for thee, a compadionatc, loving, powerful, perpetual one. Aftlire thylllf he is fuch, and in the afliirance rejoice, yea rejoicing triumph, as the apoitle has (cc thee an ex- ample. 474 Chriji our Advocate. ample, where he fays, who fliall lay any thing to the charge of God's eled? It is God that juftiSeth, who is he that con- Rom, viii. demneth ? It is Chrift that died, yea rather 35' 34» that is rifen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alfo maketh interceflioii for us. 6, Let us be (ludying through our whole Vw^s fnitable returns to our bleffed Lord for what he does for us as our Advocate. Love is evidently one of thefe returns. For in his advocacy he continues to tefti- fya kindnefiand affeftion towards us, which is very great and admirable. May we fay upon contemplating his humbling himfeli^ taking upon him the form of a fervant, leading a poor afflifted life, and at laft dy- ing an ignominious painful accurs'd death, behold how he lovd us I The like may we fay when we confider him as our Advocate and IntercefTor at the Father's right hand ; Behold how he loves tis fidl i That this fliould be one end of his life to promote our trueil eternal intereft. Surely fuch love merits a reciprocal and correfpondent aflFedion. O that we might learn to carry Chrift's name upon our hearts, as he does ours upon his heart! Again, the confideration of his advoca- cy fliould teach us to perfift in a courfe of zealous faithful fervice to him, and (hould engage us to exert our felves for the ad- vancing Chrlji our Advocate] a^t vancing his name, honour, and kingdom, in the world. Does he live for ns, and fliall we not be hereby conftrain'd to live/i?r him? Is he interceding and praying for us ? and (hall not we pray conftantly and fer-^^^-^'^'^"' vently for his church and people ? Is he '^" Oftr Advocate, and (hall not we be his f pleading his caufe, vindicating his honour, (hewing our felves valiant for his religion, truth, and ways. This is another fit re- turn. Sure gratitude and ingenuity will prompt us to exert our powers for pro- moting his intereft, who employs all his power and favour for our benefit and ad- vantage. To conclude, 7. The confideration of Chrift being €)ur Advocate with the Father, is proper to elevate our minds and hearts from infe- rior things, and make us afpire heaven- wards. We (hould fet our {iffe&ions not on things on the earthy but on things that are above^ feeing Chrift is there our glori- fy'd Redeemer, our great High-prieft, our kind Advocate. The aim of all whofe interceffions for us is to bring us to be with him where he is. Let us be foaring, and more vigoroufly tending upwards then. Let us have our converfation indeed in heaven. And let it ferve to ftrip death of its terrors, and re- concile us more to it, to think, that it will be a means of our tranllation and re- moval 47^ Chrtji cur Advocate. moval to the other better world : better^ yea better far upon every account ; and particular- ly this^ that there we (hall have the pleafure of being and converting with our deareft Savi- our ; and (hall obtain a perfed everlafting fruition of his glorious and blifsful prefence. Amen. V..:: FINIS. The The REDEEMER'S Concern for the Sinners Salvation confiderd and app^^d : IN TWO SER M ONS Preached at Mr. C o w a r d*s Ledure A T Little St. HELEN'S November i9xh^ and 'December 13th, 1728.' By JAMES WOOD. ( 479 ) THE redeemer's Concern FOR THE Sinner's SALVATION, John vii. 27. 1^ the lafi day^ that great day of the jeafi^ Jefus fioody and cried^ If any man thirft let him come to me and dunk. KNOWLEDGE, in the various serm. r. branches of it, is entertaining to an "^^'^f^, inquifitive mind ; that knowledge in i^zs. ^ particular does exceed in value which has the nioft dired influence upon the improvement of our natures, fitting us for the obedience, which we owe to God, and which (lands connefted by the grace of his covenant with our complete bleffcdnefs. Accord- ingly 4S0 The Redeemers Concern ingly there muft be a peculiar cranfcendcnt excellency in the knowledge of Chrift Je- fus oLir Lord, as this has a transforming and fandifying virtue 5 and had we all other knowledge in its higheft elevation, we could not be (avingly wife, ii we negleded to a'cquaint ourfelves with him. The whole Gofpel, both under the Old Teftament di(^ penfation, and the New, is a revelation of Jcfus Chrift : He is the Author and fubjed Matter of it. It came from him who lay in the bofom of the Father before all worlds, and does eminently teftify of him whom rightly to know is life eternal. The words of my text are a moving de- fcription of the grace of our Lord Jcfus Chrift, his good- will toward men; they in- timate his thorough knowledge of our wants, and his inclination as well as power to fup- ply them. They call for the moft attentive regard, as pronounced by him whofe king- dom ruleth over all ; and w^ho fpake as ne- ver mere man did. My thoughts were di- refted to them by the worthy Founder of this Lecture; whofe defign in its eredion and fettlement was to have Chiift in his peifonal Glory and mediatorial Fulneft, re- commended, for the encouragement of fin- ners, the further eftablifliment, and more abundant confolation of the faints. A de- fign than which none could have been more generous ; God grant that it may be an- ivvcr'd with fignal fuccefs. As for the Sinner's Salvation. 4 g i As to the connection of this padage with the context, I would obfcrve, that our Lord had lately remov'd from Jcrnfdem into Ga- like, to avoid the rage of tl.c Je^jus, who had relblv'd to kill him as a profancr of the fabbath, and as guilty of blafphcmy. The cafe was this. He had perfedly reftor'd an impotent man, who had lain eight and thirty years at the pool of Bethefda without any vifible advantage ; that all prefent miglit be con- vinc'd of the miracle, he ordered him to take up his bed and walk : This was done on the fabbath day. The fame of this mi- racle muft be dmk, and the Author of it deftroy'd, under the fpecious pretext of zeal for the fabbath. The charge of blaf- phemy was bottomed upon his having fa id that God was his Father ; thus making himfelf, in their apprehenfion, equal wich God. To efcape this intended violence our Lord withdrew out of the province of Ju- dea into Galilee. While here he fed five thbufand perfons with five loaves and two fiflies : And the imperfed account we have of his dodrine during this retirement, if of fuch advantage to us at this diftance, be- fpeaks their privilege to have been great indeed who heard thefe fermons at length, from the mouth of the chief Propher of the church. The feaft of tabernacles did now draw nigh. This feftival was one of the three fet times in which all die males I i in The Redeemers Concern ill Ifrael were to appear before God. This pat his friends upon foliciting our Lord that he would quit his prefent obfcure kind of life, and go up tojenifalem. He encouraged their early attendance on this fcaft, but ex- cused his ovv^n ; in that moral duty was to take place of pofitive : The preferving his life therefore for the prefent, which would have been thus endangered, was what better became him, than to make one of the firft upon that occafion. However about the middle of the feaft, the hunt after him be- ing now pretty well over, he appeared in Jenifalem, and in the temple. Intrepid a- midft his murderers his lips diftill'd as the dew and difFufed the fweet favour of his knov^ledge. His word made different im- preflions upon his auditory. Some believ^, in others furprize and wonder were the only eflFeds wrought. Others again were more irritated and malignant, as they (aw .the fuccefs of his miniftry ; infomuch that the defign of cutting him oflF was reviv'd with frefh zeal, tho* its execution was over- ruled a little longer by him in whofe hands are our breath, and all our ways j for his hour was not yet come. The text may well enough come in here, as a continuation of the foregoing hiftory. In the laji day, that great day of the feajl, Jefus flood and cried, if any man thirfi let him come to me and drink. The for the Sinner s S ah at ton. 483 The feafl: of tabernacles v/as the fame With that which is call'd the fcaft of in- gathering which is in the end of the year, when they had gathered in their laboius out of the field. During this foiemnity the ^''^^^''^.. people dwelt in tents, or booths made of 34'''^ r 36* green boughs which (lood under a covert . '^'"^ E'fo**- hence the feftival had its name. This was defign'd to be a memorial to them of their forty years pilgrimage thro' the wildernefs from Egjp to Canaan, The eighth day of the feaft was by divine appointment an holy convocation, a folemn affembly ; an offering made by fire was to be prefented unto the Lord, all fervile work ftriftly prohibited, and thofe who for the feven preceding days had dwelt in their tents, were ilow to at- tend in perfon upon the work of the fanc- tuary, or temple. On this high day, which as it brought all the people together, fo it was to difmifs them to their refpedive homes, our Lord recommended himfelf to them, as the end of all their ceremonies and typical wor- fliip ; one equal to the wants and hopes of finful creatures, and willing tofave to the utter- tnofl: all who fliould come unto God by him. It is faid to have been the cuftom at this feaft to offer up water to God, to denote thebleffing of rain, which they did then pray for againft the approaching feed time ; as ac the Paflbver they offered an omer, to obtain God's blefling on their harveft ; and at Pen- tecoft their firft fruits, to fecure this blefling III o" 484 ^^ Redeemer's Concern on the fruit of their trees. They dreW ttiis water out of Siloam^ brought it into the temple with the found of a trumpet ; while they were offering, ufmg thefe words, With joy fliall ye draw water out of the wells of falvation ^. Poffibly our Lord might have had an eye to this favourite ufage, when he is faid to ftand and cry, or pro- claim with a loud voice *f; and taken oc- cafion from their thus drawing water out of Siloam^ to exhort the people to fetch from him the fountain of living water, that abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteoufnefs, which he was ready to be- ftow, and without which they mufl: perifli in their fins. In the further profecution of this paflage I (hall enlarge upon the following heads. I. Chrift makes an offer of himfelf in his full charader as a Saviour, under the meta- phor of water. When he invites us to drink^ it is the fame as if he had call'd upon us to receive him, and his falvation. II. This offer is general, to Jew and Gen- tile, and puts no difference between great and little finners. III. Here is an intimation of our liable- ncfs to miftake in foul matters ; to build upon an unfafe foundation, and take up ♦ Vid. Ham, ia lor. t E«V ^x«t & UtU ««» sj^p' for the Stnmrs Sahatton. 485 fliort of Chrift. q. d. I am the fountain fet open, all fhort of me will prove waters that fail. IV. The perfons are charafterifed by the prevailing temper of their minds toward Chrift, who do rightly come to him, and fliall partake of his ftlvation. They are athiYJl for Chrifl : Nothing but Chrift, his righteoufnefs, his grace, his heaven can content them. I obferve, V. That it \s a matter v/hich the Re- deemer has at hearty to guide poor finners into the way of duty, and into the way everlafting. He ftood and rw^, if any man thirft let him come to me and drink. I. Here is an offer which Chrift is pleas'd to make of himfelf in his full charader as a Saviour, under the metaphor of water. His inviting us to drink, is the fame with his tendring himfelf, and his {al\^ation in all the parts of it to our acceptance. The purpofe of our recovery being form- ed in the divine mind, He was chofen to be the Reftorer of the apoftacy ; and confent- ing to the propofal (for the cled were be- loved by him for the Father's fake) our help was laid upon him. In the nature which . fell, he was to finifli tranfgrcfllon, put an end to fin, make reconciliation for iniquity, and bring in an evcrlafting righteoufnefs ; I i 3 to 4?^ The Redeemer s Concern to magnify the law, fecure the glory of the divine perfedions, providing particularly that God might appear Jttfi in juftifying fuch as fliould believe in Jefus. As the Re- deemer was God^ it was not poffible that he flioLild be indifferent about the rights of the Deity : Neither could he as man be without the tendereft pity and compallion to the diftrefs'd miferable human nature. The merit arifing from the voluntary obedi- ence and fufferings of fuch a perfon, thus myfterioufly conftituted, mud have been adequate to all the demands of the broken law; to our exigencies and wretchednefs in our fallen condition, fufficient to deliver us from hell; to purchafe glory, honour, im- mortality, and eternal life for us ; with all the grace neceflary to difpofe and prepare us for the heavenly world, andftate. The fcripture gives us a magnificent defcriptioa of Chrift's mediatorial or relative fiilnefe, as we are complete in him, and falvation in no other : The whole is accounted for, when the perfon of whom thefe things are affirm'd, is mentioned as the Son of God, as well as the Son of Man ; as the brightnefs of the Father's glory, as well as made like to us in all things, fin only excepted, The Old Teftament faints had the benefit of his obedience and fatisfaftion, tho' God was not as yet manifefted in the flefli ; (there is but one way for lapfed creatures to juftification and life) he had covenanted at fuch a certain feafon for the S'inners Salvation. 487 feafoii to pay the full price of his people's redemption -, and this covenant had credit with the Father : accordingly we read, that when the fiilnefs of time was come, God Gil. iV. 4. fent forth his Son made of a woman, and '^'J'J,-'''' made under the law, to redeem them thatAif^V were under the law, to difcharge the debt we had contraded, and procure at the ex- pence of his precious blood an eternal inhe- ritance for the peculiar people. This Lord from heaven is the fpeaker in the text ; how wonderful the condefcenfion ? how friendly the addrefs ? one moft dear to the Father, and (landing under thcfe en- gagements for his people's falvation, freely offers himfelf to be to us, and do for us, whatever may render our felicity complear. He who is light to them that fit in darkneft, wifdom to the fim.ple, reft to the weary, ftrength to the feeble, and them who have no might; righteoufnefs to the guilty, fandi- fication to the unholy, peace to the forrow- ful, the refurredion and life to them who fleepin him; and redemption in its moft ex- alted fenfe, that their glorification in body and foul might be full and everlafting. Thus fufficient is he to fupply all our wants. The following particulars are comprehend- ed in this invitation, q. d, I have power upon earth to forgive Jin : where it has . abounded, my pardoning mercy fliall much more abound. My people's fan5iification is both mine and my Father's will : by me 1 i 4 come 488 71^ e Redeemers Concern come the waftiing of regeneration, and rcr ncwing of the Holy Ghoft. I will give pnro my fliecp eternal life ; and having form'd them in this world for glory, pot- fefs them of the falvation to which they were chofen from the beginning, thro' fandification of the Spirit, and belief of the ttuth. I. Chrift does exhibit himfelf to guilty creatures, as one who does abundantly p^r- ^cn. In me (fays he) there is redemption, thro' my blood the forgivenefs of fin. I came hither to prefent my felf a fin-offering, who knew no fin, that you who are born in it, and have to this day multiply'd to of? fend, may be made the righteoufnefi of God in me 3 abfolved from guilt, accepted with God, no longer look'd upon as aliens and enemies under a curfe and condemna- tion, but as friends brought nigh by the blood of my crofs. The facrihces froria which you exped atonement, have no ver* tue but what is derived to them, as refer- ring to me the Propitiation^ If you knew the gift of God, and who it \^ that encou- pges and commands finful creatures to addrefs him for remiffion, you would no longer fcek. that in the type and fhadow, which 1 appear in perfon, adually, effeftu- ^lly and authoritatively to difpenfe. I think, that we may fafely take this a? our Saviour's meaning in part in this invi- tation. If fo, it \% no weak proof of his being for the Sinners Salvation. '489 being God in the higheft. None can for- give fin but God only; he who is Lord of fhe law, and againft whom the offence is committed : but our Redeemer did this even in his humbled eftate, as one who had an effential right to fuch an aft of royalty: One founded in his identity of nature with the Father and the Spirit; the eternal and undivided fource of all authority and power. I (land (fays our Lord) ftretching forth my hands fiU'd with pardons for rebel crea- tures; let him who would have remiflion of fins come to me. 2. There \s yet more in this gracious of- fer. It is as if Chrift had (aid, the fan5ii» Jication of unholy creatures, is mine and my Father's will. I declare my felf ready to cleanfe from all filthinefs, whether of flefli or fpirit, fuch as come to me. I was therefore called Jefiis^ bccaufe I was to fave my people from their fins ; purify- ing them to my felf as a peculiar people. If I wafli them not, they can have no part with me; for nothing that is defiled encrcth my Father's kingdom. My blood cleanfcth from all fin, and I now invite unholy crea- tures to make the experiment. Your nu- merous wafhings and purifications under Mofes's law, are no farther of ufe to purge the confcience, than as they are inftituted figures of the purifying vcrtue of my blood and Spirit: henceforth let your recourfc I there- 4pO The Redeemer $ Concern therefore be to me ; behold, I will pour out my Spirit upon you, who (hall purge out the old leaven, and make you a new lump. I will do that for you which the law can- not do ; I will pardon your fins, heal all your difeafes, caufe you to be without fpot and blemifli ; holy as my Father in heaven is holy, and perfed as he is perfed. This branch of the falvation, of which Chrift is the author, '\s a further evidence of his fupreme Godhead. The refurredion of a dead body is accounted for by our Lord, in oppofition to the herefy of the Sadducces, upon the foot of the pwer of Mat. xxii. God. He can do this, fays Chrift, who ^^* can do all things, tho* it is not poflible, fave to the Almighty. The Holy Ghoft does frequently defcribe the renovation of our na- tures by this metaphor -, we are therefore Ephii. I. faid, as regenerated, to be quickned when Coi.ii.13.dead, to be rifen with Chrift; which Col. HI. i; allufions, if they mean any thing, do convey the idea of Almightinefs, or power ftridly and properly divine, in the efficient of re- generation. Need I fay, that the work of holinefs does begin here ? Again, Creative powers are indifputable proofs of Godhead. To make fomething of nothing, \s fo plainly fuperior to a created influence, that we can fcarce think of any thing that is more fo \ yet our converfion to God is de- 1 Cor. V. fcribed by this image a new creation ; to '" teach for the Sinner^s Salvation. 4^ t teach US, that in order to renew the like- nefs of God, in which we were made at firfl:, to adorn us with the gifts and graces of the holy Spirit, the fame power is required that was neceflary to call us our of nothing into that being which we enjoy 'd at firfl:. Accordingly, the Jehovah claims 'the reno* vation of his people as his peculiar, both under the old tefl:ament and the new. I will fprinkle clean water upon you, and you (hall be clean ; a new heart will I give you, I will put my Spirit within you, and caufe you to walk in my fl:atutes, and ye fliall keep my judgments, and do them. In the ^'^■^^} . new teftamcnt we are told, that it is God ^is^xj^f' who worketh in us to will and do of his good pleafure, that whofoever is born of '-"-'^ God, doth not commit fin, for his (eed re- maineth in him, and he cannot fin, bccaufe he is born of God. ' Jo^" '"• In (hort, when we think of the oppofi- ^' tion made to this work from within, and from without; from our many ftrong cor- ruptions, and the confederated force of hell ; what obfl:rudions are removed, what re- fiftance overcome ; when we are converted, we mufl: conclude that he only could create us anew, who at firfl: made all things by the word of his power. When wereflccl upon the hindrances thrown in the way from a wicked heart, and experienced devil, to re- tard the progrefs of fandification, where the work is already begun, it fliould confirm us T in 4P^ The Redeemer s Concern in the belief of his being the great God, who is the Saviour of his body the church, and as fuch has engag'd to fandify and cleanfe it; to begin and perfed this work. Chrift offers himfelf to juftify the un- godly, to fandify the unholy ; and to (hew that he is a compleat Saviour, he does 5. Tender eternal redemption, as includ- ing the full bleffednefs of our intire perfons in another world. We mcy fuppofe his addrefi to run thus^ Ye are creatures made to live for ever ; la- bour not for the meat which periflieth, but for that which endureth to everlafting life : this I am able and willing to give you. Me hath God che Father fealed, of whom you fay that he is your God. The government of both worlds is upon my fhouldcrs ; in mine hands are the keys of hell, and of the whole invifible ftate : look unto me, and be ye fav- ed. I am the refurredion and the life > will carefully keep my people's duft, affuredly refcue their bodies from the power of the grave. I have overcome death, it is there- fore impoflible that they (hould be in hold beyond the feafon fixed for the manifeftati- on of the fons of God. The crowns and thrones, the joys and glories of the hea- venly world are at my difpofal. This per- fed felicity, excellent above thought, moft fuitable, fatisfying and permanent, (hall all pofiTefs in body and foul as my free gift, who come unto me for ic, If for the Sinner's Salvation. 40 • If thefe things are true of ChnH:, his Godhead fliines forth in flill a brighter and fironger glory. He who did at Hrft by his refiftlefs word raife fuch a ftupcndious (Iruc- ture as our bodies are out of the common clay^ can recover them from the ruins of the grave : but he only can re-edify this earthly houfe of our tabernacle, who can call the things which are nor, as if they were. He therefore fent this anfwer by John\ dif- ciples, when they came to enquire concern- ing him, go and fliew JohnthQ things which ye fee and hear, the blind receive their fight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleanfcd, the deaf hear, the dead are raifed up^ and the Mat.xi. 4, poor are evangelized, q. d. None but the ^* God of nature can over-rule and outdo the power of nature, as ye fee me do. Had all this been wrought by a merely delegated au- thority, it would not have proved our Lord to have been more than a prophet ; he muft in, confequence have deceived fuch to whom he produced thefe inftances, as vouchers of his being the Mefliah, the Son of God, and King of Ifrael, But he has provided againft an interpretation (o derogatory from his abfolute Godhead, when he tells us, that our vile bodies (hall be changed, and fafliion- cd like unto his glorious body, according to the working, whereby he is able to fubdue Phil.iil.ic; all things to himfelf. Here is an alcription *'• of fuch power to Chrill:, as is (ufficicnc to do all that ever was done, all that is poilible CO 494 ^^ Redeemers Concern to be done ; and the notion of omnipotence reaches no farther than this. This power is eflential to the Son of God j as by it he made our bodies, and created all things, (b by it he will hereafter raife the dead. And does not his inflating us in our intire perfons in the heavenly glory, throw a more convincing light ftill upon this great article of the Chriftian faith ? it is the charader of Jehovah, that he is the God of falvation, which muft not be underftood in any fenfe that will exclude his influence upon the chief bleflednefs of his people. Now, tho' the wages of fin is death, yet eternal life is the gift of God 5 of God exclufively of a crea^ tare ; but not of the Father exclufively of the Son: he faves to the uttermoft, which would not be true did he not redeem our bodies from corruption, and make us fit down as kings and priefts in the heavenly places. Upon the whole, fince he has power to forgive fin, to quicken and renew dead fouls, and raife the bodies which Teemed to be loft in the duft of death ; fince he can and will receive his people to himfelf \\\ their intire perfons ; and as the proprietor of the in* heritance give them heaven it felf ; fince he does that for them, and gives that to them, which none but God can do and give, the conclufion is eafy, viz. that he, who con- defcends to make this offer to us, v^ God over all blefled for ever. The for the Sinners Salvation. 405 The next thing I obfervcd in the words was this. li. That the offer is general, putting no difference between the greateft and the Icaft of finners. If any man thirft, let him come to me and drink. The old teltament mini- fters had their orders limited to the JewSi and for fome time Chrift reftrained the com- miffion which he gave his difciples, to this chofen generation. In my text the call is given to them, to all of them without ex- ception, who would hear Chrift's voice: q. d. tho' your iniquities have exceeded, do not conclude that your wound is incurable ; there is balm in Gilead, and a phyfician there. I can make the crimes which have been as fcarlet, like wool! ; and thofe which have been as crimfon, white as fnow. No (in is irremiffible, where there is a will to come to me for pardon. Chrift's praying for his murderers, when they had adually nail- ed him to his crofs, and his appointing the fir ft overtures of forgiven eft to be made to them, are a confirmation of this dodlrine, if not exegetical of it. The Je'K^'S were at prefent, I fay, God's peculiar people, the addrefs is made immediately to them for this reafon ; but divert the cafe of this particu- lar circumftance, fuppofe them cut off for their incurable unbelief, and the Gentiles graffed upon that ftock (which a fmall anti- cipation of their hiftory will anfwer) then the 49^ ^^ R^^^^^^^'^ Concern the invitation extends to all finners of what- ever tribe, nation, kindred, or language, that fliould hear the joyful found ; and will juftify me in faying to the oldeft offender ill this affembly, be of good cheer, he calletli thee. 7aul was a famous inftance of the riches of Chrift*s pardoning mercy, the fireenefs and fulnefs of it to the chief of finners in this more extended fenfe ; he went near to the unpardonable fin, in the com- moneft notion of it ; and I cannot fee there would have been any proof of his not hav- ing thus finned unto death, if he could not have pleaded .ignorance in his mofl: brutifli outrages. What we read in his remarkable cafe, v^as written for our inftrudlion, that we thro' patience and comfort of the fcrip- tdres might have hope : He tells us fo, wheri he faid, for this caufe I obtained mercy, that in me firft Jefus Chrift might fliew forth all long fufferings for a pattern to them who i Tim. i.^ fliould hereafter believe on him to life ever- ts, lading. See in me, as if he had faid, that Chrift is no refpeder of perfons, that he fcatters his pardons alike to Jew and Gentile, among the circumcifion and the uncircunl- cifed J that no circumftances by which fill is aggravated and rendered more heinous, fliould difcourage their applications to hini, who can as eafily forgive ten thou&nd ta- lents as a few pence. Again, the tender of grace to renew and fanitify, is free and large, as the offer which Chrift for the Smner's Salvation. ^^y Ghrift makes of pardon. Tho' we have fo ftill, To that our wounds are corrupted and ftink becaufe of our fooliflinefs, and we are altogether as an unclean thing, this cafe \s not excepted in any of the kind propofals he makes in his Gofpel, who came not to call the righteous, but difeafcd, defiled, pe- rifliing fmners. Are not all the difficulties which an unbelieving heart would fuggcfl: from fuch a pofture of our cafe, wifely pro- vided againft in the text ? here is a fountain fee open, which flows with the water of life, that has vertue in it fuited to every article of our infelicity and didrefs, as fallen creatures : and if any man will come he dial 1 be welcome ; nay, all are invited, com- manded to wa(h in it and be clean. As Chrift is plenteous in redemption, fo he has an abundance of GracZy both which fliall be unto and upon dU without difference, who come unto him for them. Thcfc arc glad tidings of good things, the Lord help every one of us to lay them to our hearts. Once more, the offer of eternal ^/^r)' as foul and body are the fub)e6ls of it, has as large a compafs ; and as all fliall have par- don and grace, fo fliall they have huavm who come unto Chrift for it. Life and im- mortality are brought to light by the Gofpel. Here they are not only difclos^d to our view, but prcfented to our choice. Chrift came to feek and to [ave that which was \o^ ; to open a new and living way into the ^ K k holicft 4p8 The Redeemer s Concern holiefl: of all, that we might have life, have it abundantly, have it complete, and in its higheft peifedion. I (hall difmifs this head, when I have made thefe two remarks. Our Lord did well know, that but few were chofen, tho' many were caird ; and that fuch only would believe who were or- dained to eternal life : Yet his invitations were general, and none excluded by him who did not fliut out themfelves. The apo- ftles fet out upon the fame principles, yet had they no cramp upon their fpirits when preaching the Gofpel to every creature. They left fecret things to God ; had no dit criminating marks of elect or reprobate to guide them in the exercife of their miniftry : They called all men every where to repent and believe, that they might be fav'd, per- fuaded that he whofS fan is in his hand would purge his floor, feparate the tares from the wheat, the bad from the good fifli gathered in the net. It is certain that the Gofpel is to be preaclVd to all without diftindion ; it is as certain that we war- rantably promife the full bleflednefs con- tained in God's covenant to every penitent believing fmner; yet nothing is more fure than that many to whom thefe gracious pro- polals are made will not repent, nor believe, becaufe they are not of Chrift's fold, as he himfelf has told us* Ire^ for the Smners SalvaUo:i. 40 9 I remark farther, That it is falfe reafon- ing to conclude the ability of a fallen crea- ture for the duty which God requires of him, from this or the other things being infilled on as a duty : The divine precepts are defign'd to flicw us what we fliould be or do, but are not the meafare of our llrength for performance. They do rather remind us of whaf God has ftill a right to demand, than pouiC out any prcfent fuffici- ent power, in the apoftate and univerfally corrupted creature. The id. Thing I obferv'd in the words was this^ here is an intimation of our liablcnefs to miftake in foul-matters ; to build upon an unfafe foundation, and take up for hap- pinefs (hort of Chrift. He thoroughly knew what there was in man ; the natural pride and vanity of his heart ; his confidence \vi the fiefli ; his blindnefs and ignorance as to the only remedy ; and the falfe reds he was inclind to fubllitute in the Saviour's room. It was not without reafon that he fo particu- larly direded fmners in the text to come to him. The Scribes and Pharifees dilallow'd the ftone which God has made the head of the corner. Mofes and Abraham were drawn in by thefe builders to be parties a- gainlt Chrill:. They gloried in being Mo- fes's difciples, built lofty hop > upon Abra- ■ hams being their Father, and worked up thefc thoughts to a contemptuous rejection of the Lord of glory. Nay, is not this re- K k 2 corded yoo The Redeemer s Concern corded as a general failing, that men thro' ignorance of God's righteoufnefs, went a- bout to eftablifli their own righteotifnefe, Rom X. 3. ^"d refused to fubmic to the righteoufnefs of God ? I, e. to the righteoufnefs provided by God, approv'd by him, and wrought out by the great God our Saviour. This falfe way of thinking was not peculiar to the Jews ; no, the leaven has fpread far and wide. Such is the natural prejudice againft the Gofpel method of falvation with which fin has poifoned human nature, that until the Almighty Grace of God does overcome the difaftedion, we fliall catch any where for help, rather than lay hold upon the hope which God has fet before us. It is to be fear'd that there are fome in our affcmblies, who have got free from convifti- ens, and argued themfelves into a falfe peace, as they are the offspring of men eminently gracious ; fuch with whom God's fecret has been, and to whom he has (hewn his co- venant ; fome who truft to the efficacy of their multiply'd prayers for them : And when (iich are kept from every inftance of grofTcr wickedneis, and do make a plaufible grofeffion, the mind comes by degrees to fettle in the delufion. Some are weak e- tiough to encourage themfelves againft the fear of death, upon their being born within the pale of the church; and their having God's name named upon them inbaptifmj tho' he with whom . are the iflues from death jor the Sinner s Salvation. j a i death has mofl peremptorily declared that except a man be born again he fliall not (ee the kingdom of heaven. Ic is granted tliac the God of their fathers is a eood God. plenteous in mercy, but he is alfo ajufi: and jealous God ; therefore they may be in hea- ven, and yet you may go to hell , agrcatgulph be fixed between you. The grace of God is not like a patrimony, which defccnds from father to fon ; he may take one of a family, and two of a tribe, and bring them lo ZtoUy while the reft, who fancied themfelves to be children of the kingdom fliall, be fliut out. This is certain, that none fliall enjoy the inheritance of his children but fuch as walk in the fteps of the faith of our father Abraham. Tis an happinefs to be the ifliie of believing parents, there is m this a privilege, but it is very far from fecuring our falvation. In the articles of acceptance with God, and eternal life, he who has faith, has it to himfelf. To profefs religion is a reafonable fervice, but there mufl be more to make us Chriftians. It is a grand miftake to triumph upon fuch a bottom as if we had made fure of the one thing need- ful : Yet under thefe fpiders webs, broken by the winds paflTing over them, do a num- ber of fouls hope for flicker. No man evec found mercy with God out of Chrill, nor ever will. All our fprings are in him ; and whofoever fliall finally refi^fe to come unto him for life, fliall perifli without cloak for his fin. K k 3 What JO I The Redeemer s Concern What remains as to the doclrinal part of this fubjed, will be purfu'd in the next dif- courfe. Lee mc conclude at prefent with a brief practical Amplication. \jl. The ofl^er which Chrifl: makes of himfelf as a Saviour, difcovers his Grace in a moft beaacifiil and attraclive light. What can the united, fervent, perfed adorations of feraphs add to him in whom the fulnefs X)f the GodhcciJ dwells ? What the fpotlefs, unmix'd, unwearied obedience of the whole heavenly hoft? He does not court our return becaufe he has need of our fervice, but be- caufe he wiflies our happinefs ; which can- not be fecur'd while we are in an eftate of diftance and feparation from him. Is it God manifeftcd in flefli who entreats the commencement of a mod intimate friend- (hip between you > That he might in a way worthy of himfelf multiply upon you the bed of bleffings ? Sure you muft have a blind mind, and a very hard heart, (inner, if you fee not his condefcention, and are under no conftraints from fuch furprizing amazing love. idly. His offers being made to finners \w general^ without objeding to the number or aggravations of their offences, does efpecially commend the Redeemer's love. Thus it is evident that his thoughts and ways are nor like ours, that he is rich in mercy, that his love has unmeafurable inconrprehenfible heights^ and, depths, lengths for the Sinners Salvation. 503 lengths and breadths; and no faying i whence a fet of men as long as this world fliall laft, to publifli reports which want a fufficicnt foundation ? Thefe are things which be;ir hard upon God's wifdom, his goodnefi and for the Stmer's Salvation. and truth : yet there is room for fuch rc- fiedions, if the dodrinc be notjuft, which I have been endeavouring to eftablifli. Let us now go on to the praflical appU- eation of what has been faid. I. Do all who come aright to Chrifl, ex- perience the fpiritual thirft which I have defcribed ? then I. This accounts for the believer's love to an unfeen Jefus. It is a paradox to the world, that any, cfpecially pcrfons of diftinguiflied tafte, furrounded with prefent fenfiblc ob- jeds, adapted to make this life defirablc, and poffefling a large portion of thefc good things, fliould transfer their fupream aftedi- on to what is diftant and invifiblc, and live upon earth like men of another country. It is not enough lamented, that this feem- ingly odd complexion of mind, \s not more generally difcoverable in the profefling world. But after all, did they who wonder at the Chriftians Spirit, know how he was pre- pared and formed for a condud fo difterenc from the common courfe of mankind, the furprize would ceafe. It is true of many, that God's wrath *has fcorch'd them like the fummer's heat; his arrows have been fluck in their flefli, the venom of which has been ready to drink up their fpirits: they have tried what this world could do, towards healing a wounded confcicnce, and found every creature in the fame cry, your help is not in me \ arife and get ye hence, for this 5^^ 511 The Redeemer's Concern is not your reft ; they have been tofled and troubled, and not comforted ; failed many a night and day without fun, moon, or ftar appearing to allay their fears, or dirzB their courfe : at length has the Sun of righteouP- Viz^s arofe with healing under liis wings. All God's people have been fo far enlightned, as to the eftate of fin and mifery they arc in by nature, fo convinced of the abfolute un- fitnefs of all created things, to cafe them under their foul diftrefles, and of the Re- deemer's inclination and power to fuccour and fave them, as to give him their hearts. The Prince that pardoned men under con- demnation, who lived many days in dread of approaching death, may reafonably expeft, that they will (hew a becoming refentment of his goodnefs. And this will be the cflFeft of fuch favour upon an ingenuous mind. Men who arc really healed of foul maladies, will heartily love their phyfician ; bonds- men apd captives, the generous friend who was at the expence of their redemption ; creatures poor to a proverb, him who had enriched them; enriche4 them with prefent comfort, and a right to the moft noble in- heritance. Is it marvellous that fuch in- ftances of benevolence attraft and engage the efteem of thinking creatures, of thofe who cannot forget the wormwood and the gall? efpecially when Chrift gives to all thofe on whom he confers thefe marks of his lovCj an heart to love him ; creating them for the Sinner^ s Salvation. j x » them anew to all thofe good works, in which from eternity they were ordain'd to walk > Little do they think, to whom religion in its purity, and power, is unaccountable, what thefe men have had already from hea- ven ; and how much more they expert, whofc hearts and converfations are there. 2. This doftrine intimates a remarkable dif- ference between C^r//?M;^J in God's account, and thofe who bear the charader by this world's courtefy. We may be fufficientiy cha- ritable, without believing that all who paft for faints have felt this heart-work^ which our Lord makes not expedient only but ne- ceflary to our being adually interefted in his redemption. Whence that fcarlefsnefi of heart-{\ns in many nominal ChriJiianSy if they have been acquainted with the Spi- rit's convincing influence ? that formality in religion ? that eftrangement from the hea- venly world ? that pride ? thofe inordinate paffions? that covetoufnefs ? that conformity in thinking and ading to the corrupted ftandard, if they have been awakened, quick- ened, have feen the law's purity, fin's fin- fulnefs, and had deftrudion from the Lord made a terror to them ? It is too certain that fin may remain in a perfon converted to God ; that it may break out into what are caird the fpots of God's children ; but. there is this to diftinguifli fuch, that they do not fall fo often as others ; neither \s there that confent of will which greatcms the J 2 4 ^^ Redeemer s Concern the malignity of other men's fins, and makes them properly wicked departures . from the living God. Chrift dwells in the believer's heart by faith, his is a growing knowledge of him, love to him, delight in him; fm is watch'd, pray'd, and ftrove a- gainft, not merely as damning, but as de- filing. As he knows what fin cofl: Chrift, fo he remembers what it coft him ; what paiii and forrow, when the candle of the Lord was firfi: lighted up in confcicnce. He a- bides in Chrift, and Chrift in him. , What he does in religion proceeds from a princi- ple of fpiuitual divine life; therefore his ten- dencies cowards God are uniform and lafting. As great is the difference between a nomi- ?ial Chrtftian and this new creature, as be* tween a (hadow and (ubftance, a picture and life, a branch in Chrift by mere con- tad or adhefion, and one that is grafted into him, and fo partakes of the fatnefs of this olive-tree. One has the form of god- lineft, the other has experienced its vital transforming power. One fits before God as his people fit, the other being united to Chrift in his effectual calling, has rcfreftiing communion with him. Such is the mixture in the church at prefent ; but the difcrimina- ting day approaches, which will manifeft every man's works : Shew who they were that believed to the falvation of the foul, and who that would not come to Chrift, that thev midit have life. 3. This for the Sinners Salvation. c 2 y i. This doadne is of fpecial ufc to di- red us in examining our (piritual Hate. Arc thofe only fo come to Chrifl:, as to be fc- cured of rhebcnefits of his redemption whole fouls have thirfted for him ? Let us Ik in judgment upon our own cafe, left the foun- darioa upon which we build our hopes fliould not be equal to the ftrefs we lay upon it. You have heard that many do deceive themfelves, how naturally docs this thought rife up in every mind, what if / fliould be one of that number, and cheat myfelf out of my foul ? prove a caft away after I have been fainted by the world, and finifli'd in my mind fo many pleafing draughts of the faints inheritance, as a proviiion made for me ? Chdft will be a Saviour to fuch alone who conic to him in the way which he has prefcribcd ; have I entcr'd \>y the door into the (lieepfold, or climlxd up feme other way, as thieves and robbers do ? What do I know experimentally of that thirft, of which all can give fome ac- count, whom he has fee apart for himfelf ; I was born blind, do I now fee ? I was fool- ifli, difobedienr, ferving diverfe lufts and pleafures, am I ftill fold under fin? I roU'd it as a fwect morfel, is it diftaftful, as ever it was fweet to me ? Have my conviclions enlarged themfclves to the finfulnefs of my nature > Have I been truly humbled for the guilt and corruption propagated to me with my being ? Have the curfe and condemna- I tion ji6 The Redeemers Concern tion of the law made my flefh tremble be- caufe of God ? fo animated my fears that I was like the troubled fca, which cannot reft ? nothing in this world able to calm the tempeft which raged in my breaft ? to rebuke my forrows, or give me peace ? Can I remember when pardon was as dear a thing to me as life > When I would wil- lingly have been ftripp'd of every outward comfort, for one fmile of God's face ! When Chrift was the moft beautiful and engaging objeft that ever did prefent itfelf to my mind ? One to be preferred with his reproaches, and his crofs, to thoufands of gold and filver ? Have I, inftead of confulting with flefli and blood, deferring the further purfuit of my convidions to a more convenient feafon, en- couraged them with the moft faithful dili- gence, 'cill I lodged my foul in his hands, who accepts according to what a man has, and not according to what he has not, where there is a willing mind ? Is God my Vitnefs that this report is true ? That I have been, and felt, and done, what I now declare concerning my felf ? Happy foul who can come this length ! Your beloved is yours, and you are his ; and if Chrift be yours all things are yours. His providence (hall proteft and fupply you ; his unerring counfel guide you ; his fpirit of grace and confolation fandify, ftablifli, fettle, and comfort you : The feme heaven receive you into which Chrift is enter'd. Here the I cafe for the Sinner's Sakation] 517 cafe is always the fame with every conver- ted perfon, he has a thirfl: which all things in this world cannot quench ; fuch a fight of fin, and of the Saviour which God has appointed, that one is mod hateful, and the other moll lovely : Which is fufficicnc for your diredtion when you would be in- formed of your fpiritual (late. But fuppofe that confcience (hould bring in a different verdidl ; after a thorough fearch into the cafe, declare you to be wholly unacquainted with fuch a work as I have defcrib'd (and this is very pofliblc) think what a melancholy face this will put upon your affairs, however plaufible your profef- fion, or fprightly your hopes. Never to this day have you come to Chrift ; you have received his grace in vain : And can you recoiled under whofe condud you are, while tho* in words you acknowledge Chrift, yet in works you deny him and your hearts re- main firm, or your hearts ftrong? The God of this world has blinded you, and leads you captive at his pleafure. His fcrvants ye are whom ye obey ; and what can be a more unfeemly fight than one of the devil's vaffals in Chrift^s livery ? As all the commu- nicative fulnefs of Chrift fliall be for their fervice who obfcrve his inftrudions, and have come to him as the Gofpel dircds, ic is certain of you that you are without war- rantable claim to his benefits : For there is no dividing between Chrift and hispurchafc. And 5 1 8 The Redeemer^ Concern And if fo, yours \s> more than a negative in- felicity ; for fuch as are out of Chrill:, are under the wrath of God 3 and dying in this ftate, this tremendous wrath will abide upon them for ever. z. Is Chrift heartily concerned to inform your mind, and fave your foul finner (that foul of whofe peace you have been fo pro- digal, and careleft of \x.s welfare) and (liall not this excite thy pity for thyfelf ? And put^ou upon minding this foul after a bet- ter fort, which is a jewel of fuch value in the Redeemer's account ? Many as the- flights have been fliewn to his former calls, yet he waits to be gracious ; lifts up his voice, ftretches forth his hands ; does this day renew his invitation to the oldeft finner, to him whofe offences have been mod pro- voking ; to day while it is caird to day, if they will not harden their hearts, but hear his voice. He exhorts and befeeches with all long-fuffering, that his grace may be as illuftrioufly difplay'd in your falvation, as ever it hath been in the bringing of his fons and daughters to glory. Many prophets and righteous men have defir'd to fee the things which you fee, and have not feen them, and to hear thofe things which you hear, yet have not heard them. See that you refufe not him that fpeaketh ; for if they efcap'd not who refus'd him that fpake on earth, much more floall not we efcapc if we turn away from him that fpeaketh from for the S'mners Salvation. c ic; from heaven. Were I able to make fucli way for chefe kind admonitions and con- (eis into your hearts as would let Chrill into every foul that lives without God in the world, I would labour to the utten-nofk in fuch a fervicc. But here he who plants and waters is nothing : Hou^cver, let us reafon together ; weigh the following par- ticulars which defervc your thoughts. Con- fider i/?. What the offer which Chrifl: makes, does contain as to the matter of it. We read, of the unfearchable riches of Chrifl:, but as if all his acquilitions, when open'd in their refpedive glory, were not enough to captivate the mind to his obedience, he puts himfelf in ferfon into the propofal ; a- greeing to convey a right to this immenfc treafure, unto every penitent believing (oul. If a pardon were brought to a condemned criminal, there would not need much of the art of perfuaiion to engage his accep- tance of it. A man dying of a fretting leprofy, would be ea(i1y rcconcil'd to a cure. Why, as unbelievers ye are condemned al- ready ; are under the power of a moft dan- gerous difeafe ; Chrifl: offers pardon, and healing ; thefe are the favours which ye rejeft while ye walk after the courfe of this world. Unhappy will the cafe be indeed, if at lafl: ye are thus charg'd by the Judge of quick and dead, ye ivonU M m i^QC 53^ The Redeemer s Concern not come to me that ye might have life. If ye refufe to ponder fuch propofals in your hearts ; and to endeavour all ye are able to be anfv^erably impreffed by them ; Think, zdly. What the choice is you abide by, tin- ner, while the Redeemer's condcfcention and grace have not power to conftrain you. It ought to be fomething of fuperior worth to what you forego for it. To have a more certain and immediate influence upon your happincfs : it fliould at lead be equally valuable, and bid as fair towards your ad- vantage and comfort. This mufl: beallow'd for juil reafoning ; it is not to be oppofed but by the forfeiture of our underftanding. Now, bring this point to, will it hold of the fervice of (atan? Of the pleafures of (in I Of any thing in this world, provided that, you had its choiceft (lores in your pof- feflion? You are hugging your chains while you make light of the glorious liberty of God's children. You are fond of poverty and difgrace, defpifing the riches and ho- nours which come from God. You are making a covenant with death, and with hell are coming to an agreement ; while of the heavenly world and ftate, you fay, the glory is departed. O foolifli creatures \ O the amazing deceitfulnefs of fin I Once more^ ^dly. Con-^ for the Sinners Salvation. 5 3 i ^dly, Confider the very great uncertain- ty of life ; and that there arc no offers of Chrift on the other fide the grave, Chrill is now calling you as a Saviour, but how raflily do you aflure yourfelf that this is notthc laft time in which you (hall hear him fpeak in this drain ? That if you go away from this fermon with your ufual hardnefs, he will not before the return of fuch an opportu- nity call you as the Governor and Judge of the world to fettle your accounts for eterni- ty ? and receive as an inftance of his in- flexible juftice, the damnation you have been working out ? It is not pleafant to minifters to dwell on thefe pungent aw- ful truths ; they would choofe the brighter fide ; prophefy foft things to you in the name of the Lord : But they (hould take heed above all things that they are found faithful, I (hall fubjoin a few direct ions, which you may find your account in obferving, and con- clude. 1/2. Study Chrift, if you would rightly come to him. There is none that under- ftandeth (fays the apoftle) therefore none that feek God. And he does clfewhere at- tribute the fmner's alienation from the lite ot God, to the ignorance that is in him. c^^^^r.^^ By nature the underftanding which is the ,,,,,r^ diredive faculty of the foul is darkened, and E^h. iv. we do not defirc an unknown good. Our ' ■ M m 1 Lof^ 55^ John \v, lO. The Redeemers Concern Lord himfelf countenances this rule of con- dud in the dircourfe with the v/oman of Sa-^ maria ; if thou hadd known the gift, and who it is that faith to thee, give me to drink, thou wouldft have ask'd of him, and he would have given thee living water. Dili- gently improve all the appointed means of acquainting youifclf with Chrift. You are then in the way to know, when following on to know the Lord. idly. Study thjfelfy finner. Endeavour to dwell much in thine own heart. Many a man is a bankrupt who reckons himfelf rich, becaufe a Granger to his books, which would give him the true ftate of his affairs. And fure I am that the pride and felf-fuffi- ciency which keep multitudes from Chrift, repeated and aftedionate as his invitations are, are the offspring of moft notorious igno- rance of themfelves. You cannot but con- clude, if you think^ac all, that your nature is not now as it came out of the hands of God. He did not make you dark, fenfual, earthly, averfc to good, and prone to fm ; and it is cafy to infer further, that unlefs this nature be changed from what it is at pre- fent, your falvation is impodible. Compare what you arc and do, with what you (liould be and do ; the law of God will convince you of errors innumerable, while at the fame time it declares the wages of fm to be death. He who feels himfelf iick will give over for the Sinner s Salvation, 1 5 * over objeding againft che phyfician. A- bove all, ji/y. Cry mightily to God for his Sprit, to create in you thofe hungrings and thirfl:- ings which he has promifed to fatisfy. Do not fay that you can't of yourfelf pray ac- ceptably, and that it is as good not to pray at all as to pray amifs, or pray in vain. Prayer i% an article of natural religion, in the difufe of which no man living canjuftify himfelf : And how do you know that the prayer which you began under the influence of the fpirit of bondage, may not be carried on, and concluded under the benign aid o£ the Spirit of adoption ? Be the event what it will, duty is yours ; and if God give you an heart to continue inftant in fupplicati- on, It '\^ an earneft of mercy at the door. If he draws you fliall run after him, he will open the heart to Chrifl: and fill it with his offered promifed grace : Give you that water, drinking of which you (hall thirft no more, nor ever go elfcwhcrc to drink. To conclude, let fuch of us as have been enabled to fall in with the gracious offer Chrift makes of himfelf in his Gofpcl, and yield ourfelves to him as a willing people, blefs God for his unfpeakable gift ; live more conftantly upon this Saviour, as one from whom we are to receive all our fupplies. Let us imitate his example in recommend- ing 534 "The Redeemer s Concern y Sec. ing this Chrift to all on whom we have in-' fluence. This gratitude will pleafe him: And remember that he who converts a {inner from the error of his way faves a foul from deaths and (hall hide a multitude of fins. FINIS. ERRATA. PAGE 15. I. y.2.Tezdtogetber',/or itsdiftinB and united txenj/es. p, 35. at the end of 1. 10. put ? p. 43. 1. 28. r. need. p. 60. 1. 11. r. it is fo abfolutely, p. 62. at the end of 1. 11. put (,) andl. ijj put (,) p. 64. 1. ij*. put (?) 1,' 30. put (;) p. 65-. I. 2. put (.) p. 90. 1, 8. r. of the Cbrijiian. p. 96. 1. 4, 5. r. affe&iom. 1. 13. V.Jo returningi p. 99. 1, 30. r. adopted, p. 100. J. l. r. meditate. 1. 19. 'while, p. io3« 1. 30. r. rijing, p. ii2. 1. 27. at the end put (.) p. 127. 1. 28, 29. r. difparaging. p. l^s. I. r. remembrancers, p. 148. 1. 4. x.fpirit. p. 160. I. 10. r. c^V^. p. 166. 1. 19. r. Jhould. p. 272. 1. 20, in the margin r. P-f*//. ii. 6, 7. p. 316. I. 17. r. cfended. p. 35-2. 1. 12. put (,) I. ao. put (.) p. 390. I. 24. r. vi^o?}. p 393. after 1. 24. infert, i. It VJas a juji ground, &c.p. 4C0. 1. 6. r. "But if both, p. 409.1.uh.r. chufe, p. 412. 1. 13. r. expiatsry. 1. 30, dele the. p. 413. 1. 13. dele *, and put it line laft after antiquities. 414. 1. 26. r. place, y. 418. 1. 16. r. Jacrijices, p. 419. 1. 30. r. ha've committed, p. 432. after eUvri dele 12, p. 424. 1. sf. 2.iitr injiead T,cfus. and dele Lowr/t o« //"a. in the margin* and add it in the margin of the next page. p. 427. 1. 3 j. r expiations, p. 432. 1. i.for rea/r. ^^.433.!. 1. ior them r. you. p. 444.I. fo. dele«or. p. 45'0. J. %i. T.li-ving. p. 45'Z. 1. 3I.r. cafes, p. 4J3. 1. ^. r.fentiment.p. 45'8. 1. 29. r. fio-w. p. 463. 1. 23. T. defend, p. 467. 1. i2. t. /in. p, 473* !• iJj tJ^sle (0 aft" acceptably , and put it after notivitbjianding. DATE DUE js^-rf-^ ^ jg**} 1 ''j ' i^ 3 i GAYLORD PRINTED IN US A. '^^m^ T^ pS»SSBB3SQ^B|i (.•n^^^^-^ ^..:k^ ^ ■ ~c-^.^ .—