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CHAP. VIII. Of Christ the Mediator.

IT pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet, Priest,

Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Ver. 16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Acts xv. 11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved even as they. Rom. iii. 21. But now the righteousness of God with out the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets: Ver. 22. Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference: Ver. 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Ver. 30. Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Psalm xxxii. 1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered, With Rom. iv. 3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Ver. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. Ver. 16. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all; Ver. 17. (As it is written, I have made thee a

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father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Ver. 23. Now, it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; Ver. 24. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. Heb. xiii. 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.

I. a Isa. xlii. 1. Behold my servant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him, he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 1 Pet. i. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Ver. 20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. John iii. 16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

b Acts iii. 22. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye bear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Heb. v. 5. So also Christ glorified nat himself to be made an.

bigh high priest'; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I beo begotten thee. Ver. 6. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec.

and Kingd; the Head and Saviour of his Church; the Heir of all things; and Judge of the world: 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 glorified 1.

II. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being 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, with all the essential properties and

d Psal. ii. 6. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. Luke i. 33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Eph. v. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

f Heb. i. 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.

Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

John xvii. 6. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Psal. xxii. So. A seed shall serve him, it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. Isa. liii. 10. Vet it pleased the Lord to bruise

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him, he hath put him to grief. when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

i 1 Tim. ii. 6. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Isa. Iv. 4. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Ver. 5. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

II. k John i. 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Ver. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 1 John v. 20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true: and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, God, and eternal life. Phil. ii. 6. Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

common infirmities thereof, yet without sin'; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance". So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion". Which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man°.

1 Heb. ii. 14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Ver. 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Ver. 17. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren; that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

m Luke i. 27. Το 2 virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Ver. 31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call his name Jesus. Ver. 35. And the angel answered and said un

III. The

to her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Gal. iv. 4. [See letter K immediately foregoing.]

Luke i. 35. [See the foregoing Verse.] Col. ii. 9. For in him dwell. eth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Rom. ix. 5. Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 1 Pet. iii. 18. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Tim. iii. 16. And, without contro versy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

• Rom. i, 3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh: Ver. 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

II. P Psal.

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; 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 ".

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

III. P Psal. xlv. 7. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. John ii. 34. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

Col. ii. 3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Col. i. 19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell,

Heb. vii. 26. Før such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. John i. 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth,

t Acts x. 38. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with him. Heb. xii. 24. And to Jesus the Mediator of the

new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Heb. vii. 22. By so much was Jésus made a surety of a better testament.

u Heb. v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron: Ver. 5. So also, Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.

W John v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgnment unto the Son: Ver. 27. And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Mat. xxviii. 18. And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Acts ii. 36. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

IV. Psal. xl. 7. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me: Ver. 8. I delight

the law, and did perfectly fulfil it; endured most grievous torments immediately in his soul, and most painful sufferings in his body; was crucified, and died; was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption d. On the third day he arose from the dead,

I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. With Heb. x. 5. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest rot, but a body hast thou prepared me: Ver. 6. In burnt-offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure: Ver. 7. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Ver. 8. Above, when he said, Sacrifice, and offering, and burnt-offerings, and offering for sin, thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein, (which are offered by the law;) Ver. 9. Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Ver. 10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. John x. 18. No man taketh

it from me, but I lay it down of myself: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. Phil. ii. 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the

cross.

Y Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

4 Mat. iii. 15. And Jesus answering, said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then

he suffered him. Mat. v. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

a Mat. xxvi. 37. And he took with him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sor rowful, and very heavy. Ver. 38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Luke xxii. 44. And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Mat. xxvii. 46. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

b Matthew, Chapters xxvi. and xxvii.

Philip. ii. 8. [See the last scripture in immediately foregoing.]

d Acts ii. 28. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Ver. 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Ver. 27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. And Acts xiii. 37. But he

whom God raised again saw no corruption. Rom. vi. 9. Knowing that Christ, being raised from the

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