CHRIST the Mediator of the Covenant. to CHRIST's Priestly Office.

CHRIST the Mediator of the Covenant.

HEB. 12.24.

Iesus the Mediator of the new Covenant, &c.

JEsus Christ is the Sum and Quintessence of the Gospel; the Wonder of Angels; the Joy and Triumph of Saints. The Name of Christ is sweet, it is as Musick in the Ear, Honey in the Mouth, and a Cordial at the Heart.

I shall wave the Context, and only speak of that which concerns our present Purpose: Having discours'd of the Covenant of Grace, I shall speak now of the Mediator of the Covenant, and the Restorer of lapsed Sinners, IESUS the Mediator of the Covenant.

There are several Names and Titles in Scripture given to Christ, as the Great Restorer of Mankind: 1. Sometimes he is called a Saviour, Matth. 1.21. His name shall be called Iesus. The Hebrew word for Jesus Ioshuang, signifies a Saviour; and whom he saves from Hell he saves from Sin: where Christ is a Saviour he is a Sanctifier, Matth. 1.21. He shall save his people from their sins. There is no other Saviour, Acts 4.12. [gap], Neither is there salvation in any other. As there was but one Ark to save the World from drowning, so there is but one Jesus to save Sinners from damning. As Naomi said to her Daughters-in-law, Ruth 1.11. Are there yet any more sons in my womb? So hath God any other Sons in the Womb of his Eternal Decree, to be Saviours to us, besides Christ? Job 28.13. Where shall wisdom be found? the deep saith it is not in me, and the sea saith it is not with me. Let me allude, Where shall Salvation be found? The Angel saith it is not in me; Morality saith it is not in me; the Ordinance saith it is not in me: Christ alone is the Well-spring of Life, the Ordinance is the Conduit-pipe that conveys Salvation, but Christ is the Spring that feeds it, Neither is there salvation in any other.

2. Sometimes Christ is called a Redeemer, Isa. 59.20. The redeemer shall come to Sion. Some understand it of Cyrus, others of an Angel, but the most ancient Iewish Doctors understand it of Christ the Redeemer of the Elect: Job 19.25. My redeemer liveth. The Hebrew word for Redeemer, Goel, signifies such an one as is near a Kin, and hath Right to redeem a Mortgage. So Christ is near a kin to us, being our Elder Brother, therefore hath the best right to redeem us.

3. Christ is called a Mediator in the Text, Iesus the mediator of the new covenant. The Greek word for Mediator [gap], signifies a middle Person, one that doth make up the breach between two disagreeing Parties. God and we were at Variance by Sin, now Christ doth Mediate and Umpire between us; he reconciles us to God through his Bloud, therefore is call'd the Mediator of the New Covenant. There is no way of Communion and Intercourse between God and Man, but in and

through a Mediator: Christ takes away the Enmity in us, and the Wrath in God, and so makes Peace; nor is Christ only a Mediator of Reconciliation, but Intercession, Heb. 9.24. Christ is entred not into the holy place made with hands, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. The Priest when he had slain the Sacrifice was to go with the Bloud before the Altar and Mercy-seat, and show it to the Lord. Now in Christ our Blessed Mediator consider two things,

• 1. His Person.

• 2. His Graces.

1. His Person: His Person is amiable, he is [gap], all made up of Love and Beauty. He is the Effigies of his Father, Heb. 1.3. The express image of his person. Consider,

• 1. Christ's Person in two Natures.

• 2. His two Natures in one Person.

1. Christ's Person in two Natures: 1. Look upon his Humane Nature as Incarnate. The Valentinians deny his Humane Nature; but Joh. 1.14. The Word was made Flesh; [gap]. 'Tis spoken of Christ, the promised Messiah. Christ took our Flesh that the same Nature which sinned might suffer; and [gap], The word made flesh, that through the Glass of his Humane Nature we might look upon God.

Quest. Why is Christ called [gap], the Word?

Resp. Because as a Word is the Interpreter of the Mind, and reveals what is in a Man's breast, so Jesus Christ reveals his Father's Mind to us, concerning the great Matters of our Salvation, Iohn 1.18. Were it not for CHRIST's Manhood, the sight of the Godhead would be formidable to us: but through Christ's Flesh we may look upon God without Terrour. And Christ took our Flesh that he might know how to pity us; he knows what it is to be faint, sorrowful, tempted, Psal. 103.14. He knows our frame. And he took our Flesh that he might (as Austin saith,) Ennoble our Humane Nature with Honour. Christ having married our Flesh, hath exalted it above the Angelical Nature.

2. Look upon Christ's Divine Nature: Christ may fitly be compared to Iacob's Ladder, Gen. 28.12. which reached from Earth to Heaven; Christ's Humane Nature was the foot of the Ladder which stood upon Earth, his Divine Nature the top of the Ladder, which reached to Heaven. This being a grand Article of our Faith, I shall amplifie: I know the Arians, Socinians, Ebionites would rob Christ of the best Jewel of his Crown, his Godhead; but the Apostolical, Nicene, Athanasian Creed, affirm Christ's Deity, to this the Churches of Helvetia, Bohemia, Wittembergh, Transylvania, &c. give their full Consent; and the Scripture is clear for it. He is call'd the Mighty God, Isa. 9.6. El Gibber; and in him dwells the fulness of the Godhead, Col. 2.9. He is not only [gap], but [gap], of the same Nature and Essence with the Father. So Athanasius, Basil, Chrysostom, 1. Is God the Father call'd Almighty, so is Christ, Rev. 1.8. [gap], the Almighty. 2. Is God the Father the Heart-searcher, so is Christ, Ioh. 2.25. He knew their thoughts. 3. Is God the Father Omnipresent, so is Christ, Joh. 3.13. The Son of man which is in heaven. Christ as God was then in Heaven, when as Man he was upon the Earth.

Quest. Is God Eternal?

Resp. Christ is the Everlasting Father, Isa. 9.6. which Scripture may be urged against the Cerinthian Hereticks who deny'd the Pre-existency of Christ's Godhead, and held that Christ had no being till he derived it from the Virgin Mary.

4. Doth [gap], Divine Worship belong to the first Person in the Trinity? so it doth to Christ, Ioh. 5.23. Heb. 1.6. Let all the angels of God worship him. 5. Is Creation proper to the Deity? This is a Flower of Christ's Crown, Col. 1.16. By him were all things created. 6. Is Invocation proper to the Deity? This is given to Christ, Acts 7. Lord Iesus receive my spirit. 7. Is Recumbency and Trust peculiar to God the Father? This is given to Christ, Joh. 14.1. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. Christ must needs be God, not only that the Divine Nature might support the Humane from sinking under God's Wrath, but also to give Value and Weight to his Sufferings.

Christ being God, his Death and Passion is Meritorious; Christ's Bloud is called Sanguis Dei, The Bloud of God, Acts 20.28. because the Person who was offered in Sacrifice was God as well as Man. This is an invincible Support to Believers; it was God who was offended, and it was God who satisfied. Thus Christ's Person in two Natures.

2. Consider Christ's two Natures in one Person: [gap], God-Man; 1 Tim. 3.16. God manifest in the flesh. Christ had a twofold Substance, Divine and Humane, yet not a twofold Subsistance, both Natures make but one Christ: A Siens may be grafted into another Tree, a Pear-tree into an Apple, which though it bear different Fruits is but one Tree: So Christ's Manhood is united to the Godhead in an ineffable manner; yet though here are two Natures, yet but one Person. This Union of the two Natures in Christ was not by Transmutation, the Divine Nature chang'd into the Humane, or the Humane into the Divine; nor by Mixture, the two Natures mingled together, as Wine and Water are mixed: Both the Natures of Christ remain distinct, yet make not two distinct Persons, but one Person, the Humane Nature not God, yet one with God.

3. Consider Christ our Mediator in his Graces: These are the sweet Savour of his Oyntments that make the Virgins love him. Christ our Blessed Mediator is said to be full of grace and truth, Joh. 1.14. He had the anointing of the Spirit without measure, Joh. 3.34. Grace in Christ is after a more eminent and glorious manner then it is in any of the Saints.

1. Jesus Christ our Mediator hath Perfection in every Grace: Col. 1.19. [gap]; He is a Panoply, Magazine and Store-house of all Heavenly Treasure, all Fulness: This no Saint on Earth hath, he may excel in one Grace, but not in all; as Abraham was eminent for Faith; Moses for Meekness, but Christ excells in every Grace.

2. There is a never-failing Fulness of Grace in Christ: Grace in the Saints is Ebbing and Flowing, it is not always in the same degree and proportion: At one time David's Faith was strong, at another time so faint and weak, that you could hardly feel any Pulse, Psal. 31.22. I said I am cut off from before thine eyes; but Grace in Christ is a never-failing Fulness, it did never abate in the least degree; he never lost a drop of his Holiness. What was said of Ioseph, may more truly be applied to Christ, Gen. 49.23. The archers shot at him, but his bow abode in strength. Men and Devils shot at him, but his Grace remain'd in its full vigour and strength; His bow abode in strength.

3. Grace in Christ is Communicative: His Grace is for us; the holy Oyl of the Spirit was poured on the head of this Blessed Aaron, that it might run down upon us. The Saints have not Grace to bestow on others: when the foolish Virgins would have bought Oyl of their Neighbour-Virgins, Matth. 25.9. Give us of your oyl, for our lamps are gone out. The wise Virgins answer'd, Not so, least there be not enough for us and you. The Saints have no Grace to spare to others; but Christ diffuseth his Grace to others. Grace in the Saints is as Water in the Vessel, Grace in Christ is as Water in the Spring, Joh. 1.16. Of his fulness have we received grace for grace. Set a Glass under a Still or Limbeck, and it receives Water from the Limbeck drop by drop: So the Saints have the Drops and Influences of Christ's Grace distilling upon them. What a rich Consolation is this to those who either have no Grace, or their Stock is but low; they may go to Christ the Mediator, as to a Treasury of Grace; Lord, I am indigent, but whether should I carry my empty Vessel but to a full Fountain, Psal. 87.7. all my fresh Springs are in thee; I am guilty, thou hast Blood to pardon me; I am polluted, thou hast Grace to cleanse me; I am sick unto death, thou hast the Balm of Gilead to heal me, Gen. 41.56. Ioseph opened all the Store-houses of Corn: Christ is our Ioseph that opens all the Treasuries and Store-houses of Grace, and communicates to us. He is not only sweet as the Honey-comb, but drops as the Honey-comb. This is a great comfort, in Christ our Mediator there is a Cornucopia, and fulness of all Grace, and Christ is desirous that we should come to him for Grace, like the full Breast that akes till it be drawn.

Use 1. Admire the Glory of this Mediator, he is God-Man, he is co-essentially glorious with the Father. All the Jews that saw Christ in the Flesh, did not see his God-head: all that saw the Man, did not see the Messiah. The Temple of Solomon within was embellished with Gold: Travellers, as they passed along, might see the outside of the Temple, but only the Priests saw the Glory which sparkled within the Temple; only Believers, who are made Priests unto God, Rev. 1.6. see Christ's glorious inside, the God-head shining through the Manhood.

Use 2. If Christ be [gap], God Man in one Person, then look unto Iesus Christ alone for Salvation. There must be something of the Godhead to fasten our Hope upon; in Christ there's Godhead and Manhood Hypostatically united. If we could weep Rivers of Tears, out-fast Moses on the Mount, if we were exact Moralists, touching the Law blameless, if we could arrive at the highest degree of Sanctification

in this Life, all this would not save us without looking to the Merits of him who is God: our perfect Holiness in Heaven is not the cause of our Salvation, but the Righteousness of Jesus Christ. To this therefore did Paul fly, as to the Horns of the Altar, Phil. 3.9. That I may be found in him, not having my own righteousness. 'Tis true we may look to our Graces as Evidences of Salvation, but Christ's Bloud only as the Cause. In the time of Noah's Flood, all that trusted to the high Hills and Trees, and not to the Ark, were drowned: Heb. 12.2. Looking unto Iesus; and so look unto him as to believe in him, that so Christ may not only be united to our Nature, but to our Persons, Joh. 20.31. That believing you may have life thorow his name.

Use 3. Is Jesus Christ God and Man in one Person? This as it shews the Dignity of Believers, that they are nearly related to one of the greatest Persons that is, Col. 2.9. In him dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily; so it is of unspeakable Comfort, Christ's two Natures being married together, the Divine and Humane; all that Christ in either of his Natures can do for Believers, he will do: In his Humane Nature he Prays for them, in his Divine Nature he Merits for them. This for the Person of our Mediator.

Use 4. Admire the Love of Christ our Mediator; that he should humble himself, and take our Flesh, that he might redeem us. Believers should put Christ in their bosom, as the Spouse did Cant. 1.13. lye betwixt my Breasts. What was said of Ignatius, that the Name of Jesus was found written in his heart, should be verified of every Saint, he should have Jesus Christ written in his heart.

CHRIST a Prophet.

DEUT. 18.15

The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet, &c.

HAving spoken of the Person of Christ, we are next to speak of the Offices of Christ, Prophetical, Priestly, Regal.

1. Prophetical, The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet. Enunciatur hic locus de Christo, 'tis spoken of Christ. There are several Names given to Christ as a Prophet: He is called the Counsellor, Isa. 6.9. In uno Christo Angelus faederis completur, Fagius. The Angel of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1. a Lamp, 2 Sam. 22.29. the bright Morning-star, Rev. 22.16. Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his Church; the Woman of Samaria gave a shrewd guess, Iohn 4.19. He is the best Teacher; he makes all other teaching effectual, Luke 24.45. Then opened he their Understanding. He did not only open the Scriptures, but opened their Understanding. He teacheth to profit, Isa. 48.17. I am the Lord thy God who teacheth thee to profit.

Quest. How Christ teacheth?

Resp. 1. Externally, By his Word, Psal. 119.105. Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet. Such as pretend to have a Light or Revelation above the Word, or contrary to it, never had their Teaching from Christ, Isa. 8.20.

2. Christ teacheth these sacred Mysteries, Inwardly, by the Spirit, John 16.13. The World knows not what it is, 1 Cor. 2.14. The natural man receives not the things of God, neither can ye know them. He knows not what it is to be Transformed by the renewing of the mind, Rom. 12.2. or what the inward workings of the Spirit means; these are Riddles and Paradoxes to him. He may have more insight into the things of the World then a Believer, but he doth not see the deep things of God. A Swine may see an Acorn under the Tree, but he cannot see a Star: he who is taught of Christ sees the Arcana imperii, the Secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Quest. What are the Lessons Christ teacheth?

Answ. 1. He teacheth us to see into our own Hearts. Take the most Mercurial Wits, the greatest Politicians, that understand the Mysteries of State, yet they know not the Mysteries of their own Hearts, they cannot believe there is that Evil in them as is, 2 Kings 8.13. Is thy servant a dog? Grande profundum est homo, Aug. The Heart is a great deep which is not easily fathomed. But Christ, when he teacheth, removes the Vail of Ignorance, and lights a Man into his own Heart.

And now he sees swarms of vain Thoughts, he blusheth to see how Sin mingles with his Duties, his Stars are mixt with Clouds; he prays, as Austin, that God would deliver him from himself.

2. The second Lesson Christ teacheth, is the Vanity of the Creature. A Natural Man sets up his Happiness here, worships the golden Image; but he that Christ hath anointed with his Eye-salve hath a Spirit of Discerning, he looks upon the Creature in its night dress, sees it to be empty and unsatisfying, not commensurate to an Heaven-born Soul. Solomon had put all the Creatures into a Limbeck, and when he came to extract the Spirits and Quintissence, all was Vanity, Eccl. 2.11. The Apostle calls it [gap], a Show or Apparition ▪ 1 Cor. 7.31. having no intrinsical Goodness.

3. The third Lesson is the Excellency of Things unseen. Christ gives the Soul a sight of Glory, a prospect of Eternity, 2 Cor. 4.18. We look not at things which are seen, but [gap], things which are not seen. Moses saw him who is invisible, Hebr. 11.27. And the Patriarks saw a better Country, viz. an heavenly, Hebr. 11.16. where Delights of Angels, Rivers of Pleasure, the Flower of Joy fully ripe and blown.

Quest. How doth Christ's Teaching differ from other Teaching?

Resp. Several ways.

1. Christ teacheth the Heart. Others may teach the Ear, Christ the Heart, Acts 16.14. Whose heart the Lord opened. All that the Dispensers of the Word can do, is but to work Knowledge, Christ works Grace. They can but give you the light of the Truth, Christ gives you the love of the Truth. They can only teach you what to believe, Christ teacheth how to believe.

2 Christ gives us a Taste of the Word; Ministers may set the Food of the Word before you, and carve it out to you, but it is only Christ causeth you to taste it, 1 Pet. 2.3. If so be ye have tasted, the Lord is gracious. Psal. 34.8. Taste and see that the Lord is good. It is one thing to hear a Truth preached, another thing to taste it; one thing to read a Promise, another thing to taste it. David had got a taste of the Word, Psal. 119.102, 103. Thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter then honey to my mouth. The Apostle calls it [gap], the savour of Knowledge, 2 Cor. 2.14. The light of Knowledge is one thing, the savour another. Christ makes us taste a savoriness in the Word.

3. Christ when he teacheth makes us obey. Others may instruct, but cannot command obedience. They teach to be humble, but Men remain proud. The Prophet had been denouncing Judgments against the People of Iudah, but they would not hear, Ier. 44.17. We will do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth, to bake cakes to the Queen of Heaven. Men come quasi armed in Coat of Male, that the Sword of the Word will not enter; but when Christ comes to teach, he removes this obstinacy, he not only informs the Judgment, but inclines the Will. He doth not only come with the Light of his Word, but the Rod of his Strength, and makes the stubborn sinner yield to him. His Grace is irresistible.

4. Christ teacheth easily. Others teach with difficulty. Difficulty in finding out a Truth, and in inculcating it, Isa. 28.10. Precept must be upon precept, line upon line; some may Teach all their lives, and the Word take no impression. They complain as Isa. 49.4. I have spent my labour in vain. Plough on Rocks. But Christ the great Prophet teacheth with ease. He can with the least touch of his Spirit convert. He can say, Let there be light; with a word he conveys Grace.

5. Christ when he teacheth, makes Men willing to learn. Men may teach others, but they have no mind to learn, Prov. 1.7. Fools despise instruction; they rage at the Word, as if a Patient should rage at the Physician when he brings him a Cordial: thus backward are Men to their own Salvation. But Christ makes his People a willing people, Psal. 110.3. they prize Knowledge, and hang it as a Jewel upon their Ear. Those that Christ teacheth, say as Isa. 2.3. Come let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in them: and as Acts 10.33. We are all here present before God, to hear all things commanded.

6. Christ when he Teacheth, doth not only illuminate, but animate. He doth so teach, as he doth quicken; Iohn 8.12. I am the light of the world, he that follows me shall have lumen vitae, the light of life. By Nature we are dead, therefore unfit for teaching; who will make an Oration to the Dead? But Christ teacheth them that are dead, he gives the light of life; as when Lazarus was dead, Christ said, Come forth, and he made the dead to hear, Lazarus came forth. So when Christ saith to the dead Soul, Come forth of the Grave of Unbelief, he hears Christ's voice, and comes forth; it is the Light of Life. The Philosophers saith, Calor & lux concrescunt,

Light and Heat encrease together. 'Tis true here; where Christ comes with his Light, there is the heat of Spiritual Life going along with it.

Use 1. of Information. Branch 1. See here an Argument of Christ's Divinity. Had he not been God, he could never have known the Mind of God, or revealed to us those Arcana Caeli, those deep Mysteries which no Man or Angel could find out. Who but God can anoint the eyes of the blind? and give not only light, but sight? who but he who hath the Key of David can open the Heart? who but God can bow the iron sinew of the Will? He only who is God can enlighten the Conscience, and make the stoney Heart bleed.

Branch 2. See what a Cornucopia, or Plenty of Wisdom is in Christ, who is the Great Doctor of his Church, and gives saving knowledge to all the Elect. The Body of the Sun must needs be full of Charity and Brightness, which enlightens the whole World. Christ is the great Luminary. In him are hid all Treasures of Knowledge, Col. 2.3. The middle Lamp of the Sanctuary gave light to all the other Lamps. Christ duffuseth his glorious Light to others. We are apt to admire the Learning of Aristotle and Plato; alas! what is this poor Spa[gap]k of Light to that which is in Christ, from whose infinite Wisdom both Men and Angels light their Lamp.

Branch 3. See the Misery of Men in the state of Nature, before Christ came to be their Prophet, they are inveloped with Ignorance and Da[gap]kness. Men know nothing in a salvifical, sanctified manner; they know nothing as they ought to know▪ 1 Cor. 8.2. This is sad: 1. Men in the dark cannot discern Colours; so in the state of Nature, they cannot discern between Morality and Grace; they take one for the other, pro dea nubem. 2. In the dark the greatest Beauty is hid. Let there be rare Flowers in the Garden, and Pictures in the Room, yet in the dark their Beauty is vail'd over; so, though there be such transcendent Beauty in Christ as amazeth the Angels, a Man in the state of Nature, sees none of this Beauty. What is Christ to him? or Heaven to him? the vail is upon his heart? 3. A Man in the dark is in danger every step he goes; so a Man in the state of Nature is in danger every step, of falling into Hell. Thus it is before Christ teacheth us; nay, the darkness in which a Sinner is, while in an unregenerate state, is worse then natural darkness; for, natural darkness affrights, Gen. 15.12. An horrour of great darkness fell upon Abraham. But the Spiritual Darkness is not accompanied with horrour, Men tremble not at their condition; nay, they like their condition well enough, Iohn 3.19. Men loved darkness. This is their sad condition, till Jesus Christ comes as a Prophet to teach them, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.

Branch 4. See the happy condition of the Children of God, they have Christ to be their Prophet, Isa. 54.13. All thy children shall be taught of the Lord. 1 Cor. 1.30. He is made to us wisdom. One Man cannot see by anothers eye; but Believers see with Christ's eyes, in his light they see light: Christ gives them the light of Grace and light of Glory.

Use 2. Labour to have Christ for your Prophet, he teacheth savingly, he is an interpreter of a thousand, he can untie those Knots which puzzle the very Angels; till Christ teach, never learn any Lesson; till Christ is made to us wisdom, we shall never be wise to Salvation.

Quest. What shall we do to have Christ for our Teacher?

Resp. 1. See your need of Christ's Teaching; you cannot see your way without this Morning Star. Some speak much of the Light of Reason improved: Alas! the Plumb-line of Reason is too short to Fathom the deep things of God; the Light of Reason will no more help a Man to believe, then the light of a Candle will help him to understand. A Man can no more by the power of Nature reach Christ, then an Infant can reach the top of the Pyramids, or the Ostridge fly up to the Stars. See your need of Christ's Anointing and Teaching, Rev. 3.18.

2. Go to Christ to teach you, Psal. 25.5. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me. As one of the Disciples said, Lord teach us to pray, Luke 11.1. so, Lord teach me to profit. Do thou light my Lamp, O thou great Prophet of thy Church, give me a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, that I may see things in another manner then ever I saw them before. Teach me in the Word to hear thy Voice, and in the Sacrament to discern thy Body, Psal. 13.3. Lighten mine eyes, &c. Cathedram habet in coelo qui corda docet in terra, Aug. He hath his Pulpit in Heaven who converts Souls. And that we may be encouraged to go to Christ our great Prophet.

1. Jesus Christ is very willing to teach us. Why else did he enter into the Calling of the Ministry? but to teach the Mysteries of Heaven, Matth. 4.23. Iesus

went about teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of diseases among the people. Why did he take the Office Prophetical upon him? why was Christ so angry with them that kept away the Key of Knowledge? Luke 11.52. why was Christ anointed with the Spirit without measure, but that he might anoint us with Knowledge. Knowledge is in Christ, as Milk in the Breast for the Child. O then go to Christ to Teach! None in the Gospel came to Christ for sight, but he restored their eye-sight. And sure Christ is more willing to work a cure upon a blind Soul, than ever he was upon a blind Body.

2. There are none so dull and ignorant, but Christ can teach them. Every one is not fit to make a Philosophers Scholar of, Ex omni ligno non fit Mercurius; but there is none so dull but Christ can make a good Scholar of such as are ignorant, and of low parts. Christ teacheth them in such a manner, that they know more then the great Sages and Wisemen of the World. Hence that saying of St. Augustine, Surgunt indocti & rapiunt coelum, the unlearned Men rise up and take Heaven; they know the Truths of Christ more savingly then the great admired Rabbies. The duller the Scholar, the more is his skill seen that teacheth. Hence it is, Christ delights in teaching the Ignorant, to get himself more Glory, Isa. 35.5. The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Who would go to teach a blind, or a deaf Man? yet such dull Scholars Christ teacheth. Such as are blinded with Ignorance, they shall see the Mysteries of the Gospel, and the deaf Ears shall be unstopped.

3. Wait upon the Means of Grace which Christ hath appointed. Though Christ teacheth by his Spirit, yet he teacheth in the use of Ordinances. Wait at the Gates of Wisdoms door; Ministers are Teachers under Christ, Eph. 4.11. Pastors and Teachers. We read of Pitchers, and Lamps within the Pitchers, Iudges 7.16. Ministers are Earthen Vessels, but these Pitchers have Lamps within them to light Souls to Heaven. Christ is said to speak to us from Heaven now, Hebr. 12.25. viz. by his Ministers, as the King speaks by his Ambassador. Such as wean themselves from the Breast of Ordinances, seldom thrive; either they grow light in their Head, or lame in their Feet. The Word preached is Christ's Voice in the Mouth of the Minister; and they that refuse to hear Christ speaking in the Ministry, Christ will refuse to hear them speaking on their Death-bed.

4. If you would have the Teachings of Christ, walk according to that Knowledge which you have already. Use your little knowledge well, and Christ will teach you more, Iohn 7.17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of my Doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of my self. A Master seeing his Servant improve a little Stock well, gives him more to trade with.

Use 3. If you have been taught by Christ savingly, be thankful: It is your Honour to have GOD for your Teacher; and that he should teach you, and not others, is matter of admiration and gratulation. O how many knowing men are ignorant! They are not taught of God; they have CHRIST's Word to enlighten them, but not his Spirit to sanctifie them. But, that you should have the Inward, as well as the Outward Teaching, that Christ should anoint you with the Heavenly Unction of his Spirit, that you can say, as he Iohn 9.25. One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, I now see; O! how thankful should you be to Christ, who hath revealed his Father's Bosom Secrets unto you, Iohn 1.18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. If Alexander thought himself so much obliged to Aristotle, for the Philosophical Instructions he learned from him: O how are we bound to Jesus Christ, this great Prophet, for opening to us the Eternal Purposes of his Love, and revealing to us the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.

CHRIST's Priestly Office.

Quest. XV. HOw doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest?

Resp. In his once offering up of himself a Sacrifice to satisfie Divine Justice, and reconcile us to GOD, and in making continual Intercession for us.

Heb. 9.26. Now once in the end of the world hath he appear'd to put away sin; by the Sacrifice of himself.

Quest. What are the parts of Christ's Priestly Office?

Resp. Christ's Priestly Office hath two Parts, his Satisfaction and Intercession.

1. His SATISFACTION, and this consists of two Branches: 1. His Active Obedience, Matth. 3.15. He fulfill[gap]d all righteousness. Christ did every thing which the Law required; his holy Life was a Perfect Commentary upon the Law of God; and he obeyed the Law for us.

2. His Passive Obedience: Our Guilt being transferred and imputed to him, he did undergo the Penalty which was due to us: He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. The Paschal Lamb slain, was a Type of Christ who was offered up in Sacrifice for us. Sin could not be done away without Bloud, Heb. 9.22. Without bloud is no remission. Christ was not only a Lamb without spot, but a Lamb slain.

Quest. Why was it require there should be a Priest?

Resp. There needed a Priest to be an Umpire, to mediate between a Guilty Creature, and an Holy God.

Quest. How could Christ suffer being God?

Resp. Christ suffered only in the Humane Nature.

Quest. But if only Christ's Humanity suffered, how could his suffering satisfie for Sin?

Resp. The Humane Nature being united to the Divine, the Humane Nature did suffer, the Divine did satisfie: Christ's Godhead as it did support the Humane Nature that it did not faint, so it did give Vertue to his Sufferings. The Altar sanctifies the thing offered on it, Matth. 23.19. so the Altar of Christ's Divine Nature sanctified the Sacrifice of his Death, and made it of infinite value.

Quest. Wherein doth the Greatness of Christ's sufferings appear?

Resp. In the Sufferings of his Body, he suffered truly, not only a [gap], an Appearance; the Apostle calls it Mors Crucis, The Death of the Cross, Phil. 2.8. Tully when he speaks of this kind of Death, Quid dicam in crucem toilere? though he were a great Orator, he wanted words to express it. The thoughts of this made Christ sweat drops of Bloud in the Garden, Luke 22.44. It was an ignominious, painful, cursed Death; Christ suffered in all his Senses, 1. In his Eyes, they beheld two sad Objects, he saw his Enemies insulting, and his Mother weeping. 2. In his Ears, his Ears were filled with the Revilings of the People, Matth. 27.42. He saved others, himself he cannot save. 3. In his Smell, when their Drivel fell upon his Face. 4. In his Tast, when they gave him Gall and Vinegar to drink, Bitterness and Sharpness. 5. In his Feeling, his Head suffered with Thorns, his Hands and Feet with the Nails, —Totum pro vulnere Corpus; Now was this white Lily dyed of a Purple colour. 2. In the Sufferings of his Soul, he was pressed in the Wine-press of his Father's Wrath. This caused that Vociferation and Outcry on the Cross, My God, my God; Cur deseruisti? Christ suffered a double Eclipse upon the Cross, an Eclipse of the Sun, and an Eclipse of the Light of God's Countenance. How bitter was this Agony? The Evangelist useth three words to express it, [gap], He began to be amazed, Mark 14.33. [gap], He began to faint. [gap], To be exceeding sorrowful, Matth. 26.37. Christ felt the Pains of Hell in his Soul, though not locally, yet equivalently.

Quest. Why did Christ suffer?

Resp. Surely not for any desert of his own, Dan. 9.26. The Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself; it was for us, Isa. 53.6. Unus peccat alius plectitor; He suffered that he might satisfie God's Justice for us. We by our Sins had infinitely wronged God, and could we have shed Rivers of Tears, offered up Millions of Holocausts and Burnt-Offerings, we could never have pacified an angry Deity; therefore Christ must dye that God's Justice might be satisfied.

It is hotly debated among Divines, Whether God could not have forgiven Sin freely without a Sacrifice? Not to dispute what God could have done, but when we consider God was resolved to have the Law satisfied, and to have Man in a way of Justice as well as Mercy; then, I say, it was necessary that Christ should lay down his Life as a Sacrifice:

1. To fulfil the Predictions of Scripture, Luke 24.46. Thus it behoved Christ to suffer.

2. To bring us into Favour with God: 'Tis one thing for a Traytor to be pardoned, and another thing to be made a Favourite. Christ's Bloud is not only called [gap], a Sacrifice whereby God is appeased, but [gap], a Propitiation whereby God becomes gracious and friendly to us. Christ is our Mercy-seat from which God gives Answers of Peace to us.

3. Christ dyed that he might make good his last Will and Testament with his Bloud: There were many Legacies which Christ bequeathed to Believers, which had been all null and void had not he dyed, and by his Death confirm'd the Will, Heb. 9.17. A Testament is in force after Men are dead: The Mission of Spirit, the Promises, those Legacies, were not in force till Christ's Death; but Christ by his Bloud hath sealed them, and Believers may lay claim to them.

4. He died that he might purchase for us Glorious Mansions: Therefore Heaven is called not only a promised, but a purchased Possession, Eph. 1.14. Christ dyed for our Preferment; He suffered that we might reign; he hung upon the Cross, that we might fit upon the Throne; Heaven was shut, &c. Crux Christi clavis Paradisi: The Cross of Christ is the Ladder by which we ascend to Heaven. His Crucifixion is our Coronation.

Use 1. In the Bloudy Sacrifice of Christ, see the horrid Nature of Sin: Sin (it is true) is odious as it banish'd Adam out of Paradise, and threw the Angels into Hell, but that which doth most of all make it appear Horrid, is this, it made Christ vail his Glory and loose his Bloud. We should look upon Sin with Indignation, and pursue it with an Holy Malice, and shed the Bloud of those Sins shed Christ's Bloud. The sight of Caesar's Bloudy Robe incensed the Romans against them that slew him: The sight of Christ's bleeding Body should incense us against Sin; let us not parly with it, let not that be our Joy which made Christ a Man of Sorrow.

Use 2. Is Christ our Priest sacrific'd, see God's Mercy and Iustice displayed: I may say as the Apostle, Rom. 11.27. Behold the goodness and severity of God: 1. The Goodness of God in providing a Sacrifice. Had not Christ suffered on the Cross, we must have lain in Hell for ever satisfying God's Justice.

2. The Severity of God: Though it were his own Son, the Son of his Love, and our Sins were but imputed to him, yet God did not spare him, Rom. 8.32. but his Wrath did flame against him. And if God were thus severe to his own Son, how dreadful will he be one day to his Enemies? Such as dye in wilful Impenitency must feel the same Wrath as Christ did; and because they cannot bear it at once, therefore they must be enduring it for ever.

Use 3. Is Christ our Priest who was sacrificed for us, then see the endeared Affection of Christ to us Sinners: The Cross (saith Austin) was a Pulpit in which Christ preached his Love to the World. That Christ should dye was more then if all the Angels had been turned to Dust: And that Christ should dye as a Malefactor, having the weight of all Mens Sins laid upon him: That he should dye for his Enemies, Rom. 5.10. The Balm-tree weeps out its precious Balm to heal those that cut and mangle it; Christ shed his Bloud to heal those that crucified him. And that he should dye freely; it is call'd the Offering of the Body of Jesus, Heb. 10.10. And though his Sufferings were so great that they made him sigh, and weep, and bleed, yet they could not make him Repent, Isa. 53.11. He shall see of the travel of his soul, and be satisfied. Christ had hard travel upon the Cross, yet he doth not repent of it, but thinks his Sweat and Bloud well bestowed, because he sees Redemption brought forth to the World. O infinite amazing Love of Christ! a Love that passeth Knowledge! Eph. 3.19. That neither Man or Angel can paralel. How should we be affected with this Love, if Saul was so affected with David's Kindness in sparing his Life? How should we be affected with Christ's Kindness in parting with his Life for us? At Christ's Death and Passion the very Stones did cleave asunder, Matth. 27.5. The rocks rent. Not to be affected with Christ's Love in dying, is to have Hearts harder then the Rocks.

Use 4. Is Christ our Sacrifice? then see the Excellency of this Sacrifice: 1. It is perfect, Heb. 10.14. By one offering he hath perfected them that are sanctified. Therefore how impious are the Papists in joyning their Merits, and the Prayers of Saints with

Christ's Sacrifice. They offer him up daily in the Mass, as if Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross were imperfect; this is a Blasphemy against Christ's Priestly Office.

2. Christ's Sacrifice is meritorious, he not only died for our Example, but to merit Salvation: The Person who suffered being God as well as Man, did put Vertue into his Sufferings; and now our sins are expiated, and God appeased. No sooner did the Messengers say, Uriah is dead; but David's Anger was pacified, 2 Sam. 11.21. No sooner did Christ dye but God's Anger is pacified.

3. This Sacrifice is beneficial; out of the dead Lyon Sampson had Honey; it procures Justification of our Persons, Acceptance of our Services, Access to God with Boldness, Entrance into the Holy Place of Heaven, Heb. 10.19. Per latus Christi pa [gap]escit nobis in coelum. Israel passed through the Red Sea to Canaan; so through the Red Sea of Christ's Bloud we enter into the Heavenly Canaan.

2. Use of Exhortation: Branch 1. Let us fiducially apply this Bloud of Christ: All the Vertue of a Medicine is in the applying; though the Medicine be made of the Bloud of God, it will not heal unless by Faith applyed. As Fire is to the Chymist, so is Faith to a Christian; the Chymist can do nothing without Fire, so there is nothing done without Faith. Faith makes Christ's Sacrifice ours, Phil. 3.8 Christ Iesus my Lord. It is not Gold in the Mine enricheth, but Gold in the Hand: Faith is the Hand receives Christ's Golden Merits. It is not a Cordial in the Glass refresheth the Spirits, but a Cordial drunk down. Per fidem Christi sanguinem sugimus, Cypr. Faith opens the Orifice of Christ's Wound[gap], and drinks the precious Cordial of his Bloud. Without Faith Christ himself will not avail us.

Branch 2. Let us love a Bleeding Saviour, and let us show our Love to Christ by being ready to suffer for him: Many rejoyce at Christ's Suffering for them, but dream not of their Suffering for him: Ioseph dreamed of his Preferment, but not of his Imprisonment. Was Christ a Sacrifice? Did he bear God's Wrath for us? we should bear Man's Wrath for him. Christ's Death was voluntary, Psal. 40.7. Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Luke 12.50. I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitned till it be accomplished. Christ calls his Sufferings a Baptism: he was to be (as it were) baptized in his own Bloud; And how did he thirst for that time▪ How am I straitned! Oh then let us be willing to suffer for Christ! Christ hath taken away the Venom and Sting of the Saint's Sufferings: there is no Wrath in their Cup. Our Sufferings Christ can make sweet. As there was Oyl mix'd in the Peace-Offering: So▪ God can mix the Oyl of Gladness with our Sufferings. The ringing of my Chain is sweet Musick in my Ears, Landgrave of Hesse. Life must be parted with shortly, what is it to part with it a little sooner, as a Sacrifice to Christ, as a Seal of our Sincerity, and a Pledge of Thankfulness.

3. Use of Consolation: This Sacrifice of Christ's Bloud may infinitely comfort us. This is the Bloud of Atonement; Christ's Cross is, Cardo salutis, Calv. The Hing and Foundation of our Comfort. 1. This Bloud comforts in case of Guilt: O saith the Soul, my sins trouble me; why, Christ's Bloud was shed for the Remission of Sin, Mat. 26.28. Let us see our sins laid on Christ, and then they are no more ours but his.

2. In case of Pollution: Christ's Bloud is an healing and cleansing Bloud: 1. It is healing, Isa. 53.5. With his stripes we are healed. It is the best Weapon-Salve, it heals at a distance: though Christ be in Heaven, we may feel the Vertue of his Bloud healing our bloudy Issue. 2. And it is cleansing: 'Tis therefore compar'd to Fountain-water, Zec. 13.1. The Word is a Glass to show us our Spots, and Christ's Bloud is a Fountain to wash them away; it turns Leprosy into Purity: 1 Joh. 1.7. The bloud of Iesus cleanseth us from all our sin. There is indeed one Spot so black that Christ's Bloud doth not wash away, viz. The Sin against the Holy Ghost.—Not but that there is Vertue enough in Christ's Bloud to wash it away; but he who hath sinned that Sin, will not be washed, he contemns Christ's Bloud, and tramples it under foot, Heb. 10.29. Thus we see what a strong Cordial Christ's Bloud is, it is the Anchor-hold of our Faith, the Spring of our Joy, the Crown of our Desires, and the only Support both in Life and Death. In all our Fears let us comfort our selves with the Propitiatory Sacrifice of Christ's Bloud: Christ dyed both as a Purchaser and as a Conquerour: 1. As a Purchaser in regard of God, having by his Bloud obtained our Salvation. 2. And as a Conqueror in regard of Satan, the Cross being his Triumphant Chariot, whe[gap]ein he hath led Hell and Death captive.

Use ult. Bless God for this precious Sacrifice of Christ's Death, Psal. 103.1. Bless the Lord, O my soul. And for what doth David bless him? Who redeemeth thy life from destruction. Christ gave himself a Sin-offering for us, let us give ourselves a Thank-offering

to him. If a Man redeem another out of Debt, will not he be grateful? How deeply do we stand obliged to Christ, who hath redeemed us from Hell and Damnation, Rev. 5.9. And they sung a new Song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Book, and open the Seals, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood. Let our Hearts and Tongues join in consort to bless God, and let us shew our Thankfulness to Christ by Fruitfulness; let us bring forth (as Spice-Trees) the Fruits of Humility, Zeal, Good-works. This is to live unto him, who hath died for us, 2 Cor. 5.15. The Wise-men did not only worship Christ, but presented him with Gifts, Gold, and Frankincense, and Myrrhe, Matth. 2.11. Let us present Christ with the Fruits of Righteousness, which are unto the Glory and Praise of God.