CHAP. VIII. Of Christ the Mediator.

T pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and or

dain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet b, Priesto, and Kingd; the Head and Saviour of his Church e; the Heir of all things; and Judge of the world 8: unto whom he did from all eternity give a people to be his seed", and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorificdi things which be not as though they d Psal. i. 6. Yet have I set my were Ver. 23. Now, it was not writ. King upon my holy hill of Zion. ten for his sake alone, that it was im- Luke i. 33. And he sha!l reign over pated to him; Ver. 24. But for us the House of Jacob for ever, and of also, to whom it shall be imputed, if his kingdom there shall be no end. We believe on him that raised up Je- e Eph: v. 23. For the husband is sus our Lord from the dead. Heb. the head of the wife, even as Christ xiii. 8. Jesus Christ the same yester. is the head of the Church : and he is day, and to-day, and for ever. the saviour of the body

1. a Isa. xlii. 1. Behold my servant f Heb. i. 2. Hath in these last days whom I uphold, mine elect in whom spoken unto us by his Son, whom he my soul delighterh: I have put my hath appointed heir of all things, by Spirit upon him, he shall bring forth whom also he made the worlds judgment to the Gentiles. 1 Pet. i. 19. ☆ Acis xvii. 31. Because he hath But with the precious blood of Christ, appointed a day, in the which he will as of a lamb without blemish and judge the world in righteousness, by without spot : Ver. 20. Who verify that man whom he hath ordained; was fore-ordained before the founda. whereof he hath given assurance un. tion of the world, but was manifest in to all men, in that he hath raised these last times for you. John iii. 16. him from the dead. For God so loved the world, that he b John xvii. 6. I have manifested gave his only begotten Son, that who- thy name unto the men which "thou soever believeth in him should not pe- ' gavest me out of the world. thine rish, but have everlasting life. 1 Tim. they were, and thou gavest them me ; ji 5. For there is one God, and one and they have kept thy word. Psal. Mediator between God and men, the xxii. 30. A seed shall serve him, it man Christ Jesus

shall be accounted to the Lord for a 6 Acts iii 22. For Moses truly said generation. Isa. liii. 10. Yet it pleasunto the Fathers, A prophet shall the ed the Lord to bruise him, he hath Lord your God raise up unto you of pur him to grief; when thou shalt your brethren, like unto me; him shall male his soul an offering for sin, he e hear in all things whatsoever he shall see his seed, he shall prolong shall say unto you.

his days, and the pleasure of the c Heb. v. 5. So also Christ glori. Lord shall prosper in his hand. fied not himself to be made an high i 1 Tim. ii. 6. Who gave himself a priest; but he that said unto hin, Thou ransom for all, to be testified in due art my Son, to-day have I begotten time. Isa. Iv. 4 Behold, I have givthee. Ver. 6. As he saith also in a. en him for a witness to the people, nother place, Thou art a priest for a leader and commander to the peoever, after the order of Melchisedec. ple. Ver 5. Behold, thou shalt call

sin

m

II. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, be ing very and eternal God, of one substance, and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon him man's nature k, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin?; being con ceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb o the Virgin Mary, of her substance m. So that two w

whole perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, with out conversion, composition, or confusion ". Which person a nation that thou knowest not; and thren; that he might be a mercifu nations that knew not thee shall and faithful high priest in things perrun unto thee because of the Lord taining to God, to make reconciliation thy God, and for the Holy One of for the sins of the people. Heb. iv. 15 Israel ; for he hath glorified thee. For we have not an high priest which 1 Cor. 1. 30. But of him are ye in cannot be touched with the feeling of Christ Jesus, who of God is made un- our infirmities; bui was in all points to us wisdom, and righteousness, and tempted like as we are, yet without sanctification, and redemption. II. k John i. 1. In the beginning

Luke i. 27 To a virgin espoused was the Word, and the Word was to a man whose name was Joseph, of with God, and the Word was God. the house of David ; and the virgin's Ver. 14. And the Word was made name was Mary. Ver. 31. And, beflesh, and dwelt among us, (and we hold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, beheld his glory, the glory as of the and bring forth a Son, and shalt call only begotten of the Father,) full of his name Jesus. Ver. 35. And the angel grace and truth. 1 John v. 20. And answered a d said unto her, The Holy we know that the Son of God is Ghost shall come upon thee, and the come, and hath given us an under- power of he Highest shall over-shastanding, that we may know him that dow thee : therefore also that holy is true: and we are in him that is true, thing which shall be born of thee shall even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is be called 'the Son of God., Gal. iv, 4. the true God, and eternal life. Phil. [Sce letter'd immediately foregoing ] ii. 6. Who being in the forni of God, 'n Luke i 35. [See ibe foregoing thought it not robbery to be equal with Verse] Col. ii. 9. For in him dwellGod. Gal. iv. 4 But when the ful. eth all the fulness of the Godhead boness of the time was come, God sent dily. Rom. ix 5. Whose are the fathers, forth his Son, made of a wonian, and of whom as concerning the flesh made under the law.

Christ came, who is over all, God bless! Heb. ii 14. Forasmuch then as the ed for ever. Amen. 1 Pet. iii 18. For chi'dren are partakers of Hesh and Christ also hath once suffered for sins, blood, he also himself likewise took the just for the unjust, that he might part of the same ; that through death bring us to God; being put to death he might destroy him that had the in the flesh, but quickened by the Spipower of death, that is, the devil. rit. I Tim. ii. 16 And without conVer. 16. For verily he took not on troversy, great is the mystery of god. him the nature of angels; but he took liness: God was manifest in the flesh, on him the seed of Abraham. Ver. justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, 17. Wherefore in all things it behov- preached unto the Gentiles, believed on od him to be made like unto his bre. in the world, received up into glory,

а

is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man

III. The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure”; having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge 9; in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell?: to the end, that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator and Surety. Which office he took not unto himself, but was; thereunto called by his Father"; who put all power and judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute' the same w.

IV. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake*; which that he might discharge, he was made under

Rom, i. 3. Concerning his Son Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Jesus Christ, our Lord, which was Ghost, and with power; who went made of the seed of David according about doing good, and healing all that to the flesh; Ver. 4 And declared to were oppressed of the devil: for God be the Son of God with power, accor- was with him. Heb. xii. 24. And to ding to the spirit of holiness, by the Jesus the Mediator of the new coveresurrection from the dead. 1 Tim. ij. nant, and to the blood of sprinkling, 5. For there is one God, and 'one that speaketh better things than that Mediator between God and men, the" of Abel. Heb. vii. 22 By so much man Christ Jesus.

was Jesus made a surety of a better III p Psal. xlv. 7. Thou lovest testament. righteousness, and hatest wickedness: 4 Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh Therefore God, thy God, hath anoint. this honour unto himself, but he that ed thee with the oil of gladness above is called of God, as was 'Aaron : Ver. thy fellows. John iii. 34. For he whom 5. So also, Christ glorified not himself God hath sent speaketh the words of to be made an high priest : but he that God: for God giveth not the Spirit said unto him, Thou art my Son, toby measure unto him.

day have I begotten thee. 9 Col. ii. 3. In whom are hid all' w John' v. 22. For the Father judge the treasures of wisdom and know. eth no man; but háth committed all ledge,

judgment unto the Son: Ver. 27: And Col. i. 19. For it pleased the Fa. hath given him authority to execute ther that in him should all fulness judgment also, because he is the Son dwell.

of man. Matt. xxvii. 18. And Jesus : Heb. vii. 26. For such an high came, and spake unto them, saying, priest became ps, who is holy, haim. All power is given unto me in heaven less, undefiled, separate from sinners, and in earth Acts ii. 36. Therefore and made higher than the heavens. let all the house of Israel know assu. John i. 14. A nit the Word was made redly, that God hath made that same fesh, and dwelt among us, (and we Jésus, whom ye have crucified, boih beheld his glory, the glory as of the Lord and Christ. only begotten of the Father,) full of IV. * Psal. xl. 7. Then said I, Lo, grace and truth.'

I come in the volume of the book t Acts x. 38. How God anointed it is written of me : Ver. 8. I delight

the faws, and did perfectly fulfil it?; endured most grievous torments immediately in his soul a, and most painful sufferings in his body b; was crucified, and died e; was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption d. On the tKird day he arose from the dead, with the same body in which he suffered'; with which also to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy he unto them, My soul is exceeding law is within my heart. With Heh. sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye. x.5. Wherefore, when he cometh into here, and watch with me. Luke xxii. the world, he saith, Sacrifice and of. 44. And being in an agony, he prayed fering thou wouldest not, but a body more earnestly: and his sweat was as hast thou prepared me : Ver. 6. In it were great drops of blood falling burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin down to the ground. Matt. xxvij. 46. thou hast had no pleasure: Ver.7. Then And about the ninth hour Jesus cried said I; Lo, I come fin the volume of with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, the book it is written of me) to do thy, lama sabachthani ! that is to say, My will, O God. Ver. 8. Above, when he' God, my God, why hast thon forsasaid, Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt- ken me? offerings, and offering for sin, thou. b Matt. Chapters xxvi. and xxvii. wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure c Philip. ii. 8. (See the last scripture therein, (which are offered by the in x immediately foregoing ] law ;) Ver. 9. Then said he, Lo, I d Acts ii. 23. Him, being delivered come to do thy will, O God. He taketh by the determinate counsel and fore, a way the first, that he may establish knowledge of God, ye have taken, and the second. Ver. 10. By the which by wicked hands have crucified and will we are sanctified, through the of. slain : Ver. 24. Whom God hath fering of the body of Jesus Christ once raised up, having loosed the pains of for all. John X. 18. No man raketh it death ; because it was not possible from me, but I lay it down of myself: that he should be holden of it. Ver I have power to lay it down, and I 27. Because thou wilt not leave my have power to take it again. This soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer commandment have I received of my thine holy one to see corruption. And Father. Phil. ii. 8. And being found Acts xiij. 37. But he whom God in fashion as a man, he humbled him. raised again saw no corruption. Rom. self, and became obedient unto death, vi. 9. Knowing that Christ, being even the death of the cross.

raised from the dead, dieth no more i y Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness death hath no more dominion over of the time was come, God sent forth him. his Son, made of a woman, made un.

e I Cor. xv. 3. For I delivered un. der the law.

to you first of all that which I also re.. 2 Matt. ii. 15. And Jesus answer. ceived, how that Christ died for our ing, said unto him, Suffer it to be so sins, according to the scriptures ; Ver. now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil 4. And that he was buried, and that all righteousness. Then he suffered he rose again the third day, according him, Matt. v. 17. Think not that I to the scriptures : * Ver. 5. And that am come to destroy the law or the he was seen of Cephas, then of the prophets: I am not come to destroy, twelve. but to fulfil.

f John. xx. 25. The other disciples a Matt. xxvi. 37. And he took therefore said unto him,, We have with him Peter, and the two sons of seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful, Except I shall see in his hands the Und very heavy. Ver. 38. Then saith print of the nails, and put my finger

he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father 8, making intercession^; and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world i

V. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father; k and purchased not only reconciliation, but an into the print of the nails, and thrust fire; so shall it be in the end of this my hand into his side, I will not be- 'world. Ver, 41. The Son of man shall lieve. Ver. 27. Then saith he-to Tho. send forth his angels, and they shall mas, Reach hither thy finger, and bed gather out of his kingdom all things hold my hands; and reach hither thy that offend, and them which do inihand, and thrust it into my side: and quity : Ver. 42. And shalt cast them be not faithless, but believing. into a furnace of fire: there shall be

8 Mark xvi. 19. So then, after the wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jude, Lord had spoken unto them, he was ver. 6. And the angels which kept not received up into heaven, and sat on their first estate, but left their own the right hand of God.

habitation, he hath reserved in everb Rom. viii. 34. Who is he that lasting chains under darkness, unto condemneth? It is Christ that died, the judgment of the great day. 2 Pet. yea, rather, that is risen again, who is. ii. 4. For if God spared not the angels even at the right hand of God, who that sinned, but cast them down to also maketh intercession for us. Heb. hell, and delivered them into chains of ix. 24. For Christ is not entered into darkness, to be reserved untojudgment. the holy places made with hands, V. k Rom. v. 19. For as by one which are the figures of the true ; but man's disobedience many were made into heaven itself, now to appear in sinners : so by the obedience of one the presence of God for us. Heb. vii. shall many be made righteous. Heb. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save ix. 14. How much more shall the blood them to the uttermost that come unto of Christ, who through the eternal God by him, seeing he ever liveth to Spirit offered himself without spot to make intercession for them.

God, purge your conscience from dead i Rom. xiv. 9. For to this end Christ works to serve the living God? Ver. both died, and rose, and revived, that 16. For where a testament is, there he might be Lord both of the dead and must also of necessity be the death of living. Ver. 10. But why dost thou the testator. Heb. x. 14. For by one judge thy brother? or why dost thou offering he hath perfected for ever set at nought thy brother? for we them that are sanctified. Eph. v. 2. shall all stand before the judgment. And walk in love, as Christ also hath seat of Christ. Acts i. 11. Which also loved us, and hath given himself for said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye us, an offering and a sacrifice to God gazing up into heaven ? this same Je. for a sweet-smelling savour, Rom, iii. sus which is taken up from you into. 25. Whom God hath set forth to be heaven, shall so come in like manner a propitiation through faith in his as ye have seen him go into heaven. blood, to declare his righteousness for Acts x. 42. And he commanded us to the remission of sins that are past, preach unto the people, and to testify through the forbearance of God: Ver. that it is he which was ordained of 26. To declare, I say, at this time his God to be the Judge of quick and righteousness: that he might be just, dead. Matt. xiii. 40. As therefore the. and the justifier of him which believe tares are gathered and burned in the eth in Jesus.