Keach - Houston-Packer Collection BS537 .K4 1779

CHRIST A MED I AT 0 R. B. ok II. Death for us all, Rom. viii. 32. Ne bore our Sins in his own Body on the 'J:ree, 1 Pet. ii. 24. 4· The Sovereignty of God is manifel{ed in its Glory, that throuah a MediarSr he is pleafed to extend Mercy to Mankind, when none is afforded to tb~ Ancrels that fin. ned; and that Jefus at his Command lhould lay down his Lifefor the Sbeep, 0 Joh;p;i; 3 s. and x. I8. 5· It magnifies the Glory of God's Power and A.ll-fufficiency., who can raife up and rd1:ore Man to greater Happmefs than ever he had before IllS Fall, when Devils and Sin had done their worfl:, 1 John iii. 8. I Cor. i. 24. 6. The like might be faid of the Holinefs, Patience, and Faithfulnefs of God, &c. Moreover, this Undertaking adds to the Glory of Chrifl: Jefus, who is the Media, tor himfelf; God had hereby a Defign to magnify the N ame of his Son, the fecond Perfon of the Trinity, in our Nature. I. In that he is confl:ituted (by undertaking this honorable Office) King, Prie!': and Prophet, Matt. xxviii. I8, I9- Afts v. 3'· ' z. In RefpeCl: of that great Power which is giv~n to him, to make Peace between God and Man; to have the Keys to open and lhut: and to give eternal Life to as many as he pleafeth, or are gtven by the Father to htm, John v. 27. Eph. 11. I4- Rev. i.18. John iii. 35· and xvii. 2. 3· Nay, his Glory lhines forth herein to fuch a Degree, that it is the Duty of all Men to honor the Son, as they boner the Father, John v. 23. 4- Chrifl: hath hereby the Honor of accompliil1ing the whole Affair, beino- Author aud Finifher of our Faith and Salvation, Heb. xii. 2. 0 Secondly, In RefpeCl: of Man, there was great need of fuch a Mediator. I: God would not treat with Sinners upon any other Terms. There is no Know, ledge of God which is faving, nor Union with him, without a Reconciliation. Y"u that wereJometimes afar off, are made nigh b;y the Blood of Chrift, Eph. ii. '3· Neither knoweth any Man the Father, Jave the Son, and he to whomfoever the Son will reveal him, Matt. xi. 27. z. Without a Mediator, to atone and make Peace between the Father and us, rhere is no Communion with him: Can two walk together, unlefs they_ are agreed? Amos iii. 3· Nor eternal Life: Such as are without Chrift, and without God, muft die (that is, be damned) in their Sim, John viii. 22. A MEDIATOR. X. A Mediator mufl: be fitly qualified for this Work; a Perfan very wife, for J ufl:ice, and yet greatly inclined to Mercy ; that fo he may anfwer the ExpeCtation of c:ach Party, fo far as is necelfary. PARALLEL. X. Chrifl: was every way qualified and fitted for this vVork. He was nor o.nly wife, bm rhe Wifdom of God, 1 Cor. i. 24. much for J u[\ice, but yet inclined to Mercy, and Pity to the Poor, Rom. iii. 26. John x. I5· And then again, how was he fitted by his being God ? It is from the Worth and Excellency of his Perfon, that rhe Price comes to be fatisfaCl:ory, Ifa.liii. I2. Jrtatt. iii. 17. I Pet. i. '9· Befides, had he not been God, as he could not have expiated.Sin, fo he could not have overcome Death, and other Enemies he was to encounter with, that he might accomplilh our Redemption. 2. He mufl: be a Man, becaufe he is to plead for us, and be facri6ced on the Cro(s in our ftead; he mufl: bleed, as well as intercede for Man; For <vithoZtt jhedding of Blood there is no Remifjion, Heb. ix. 22. He mufl: be Man, that he might be one with11s, that his Righteoufnefs might by Imputation be ours; and that he might receive the Spirit for us, and we from him who is the Son, receive it with the Adoption ~f Sons, and thereby be Jure of the eternal Inheritance, Johnxvii. IO. Gal. iv. 4, 5· Heb. JX. 15. 3· He mufl: be God and Man in one Perfon : A Mediator is not a l\1ediator of one, but God is one, Gal. iii. zg. and by this Means he is fitly qualified for this Office. He rnufl: be a Perfon at an equal Djfl:ance frorn, and drawing near and allied to both Par– ties; havina Intereft in, and participating of the Nafure of each. Hence it is thought that he is c~lled our Days-man, (or Kinlinan). that/a)'S his Hauds 011 both, Job ix. 33· Having accefs unto them; knowing what will ftand with the Honor of the one, and be for the Relief and Profit of the other. XI. Chriil:

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=