78 SERMONS up»; Serm_j, Image : But now Man fallen, needeth a Mediator; our Approaches to God are un- hallowed, his Prefencetous isdreg ful. r Cor. 1. 30. Of him are ye in Chrifi fefus, Who of God is made to us Wif?lom, Rig'hteoufnef, Santásfication, and Redemption. The Heathens were fenfible of the neceffity of Intermediate Powers, ( it is ftrange you will fay ) or elfe what (hall we make of that r Cor. 8. 5, 6. For .though there be that are called Gods, whether in Heaven or in Earth, (as there be Gods many, and Lords many): But unto us there is but one God the Father,of whom are all Things,and we in him ; and one Lord Jefus Cbrifl, by whom are all thinks, and roe byhim. 2. In Ju(hice. Though God were refolved to thew Mercy to the fallen Creature, yet be would carry on his Ad of Grace in filch a way., that Juflice might be fatisfied for Sin. Rom. 3. 25, a6. Whom God had fit forth to be a Propitiation, through Faith in his Blood, to declare his Righteoufnefs fr,r the remi,(fion of Sins that are paft, through the forbearance of God. To declare, L fay, at this time his '(?ighteo4efnefs ; that he might be firth, and the f¡Jlifier of him which believeth in Jefas. Therefore, for fatisfa &ion of his Jufhce, helent his Son into the World, that taking our Nature on him, he might therein fufler for-our Offences, and mediate a .Peace between God and fallen Man; and that not by bare Intreaty, but by Satisfa Lion, therefore we are given to Chrift. I :confefs, it isbard to fay, thatGod by any Neceffity of Nature required this Satisfa- f.lion ; the Exercife of his' :Jul ice is free, and.falleth under no Laws ; but it was molt convenient to preferve a due fenfe and apprehen(ion of the Godhead. 3. In 'Love and Mercy. -God was refolved that the Heirs of Salvation thould in- fallibly beconda&ed to Everla(ting Life; he would not be defeated of his Purpofe, and therefore would have them quickned, by virtue of that Power and Life that was given to 'Chrift. God would now deal.wit'n us upon fure Terms, and take order fuf- ficientfor attaining his End, and therefore he would not truft us with any but his own Eternal Son, that nothing might be wanting. There is not only a Command laid up- on us, but a Command and a Charge laid upon Chrift. Chrift is a good Depofìtory ; of fuch Care and Faithfulnefs, that he will not negle& bis Father's Pledg 5 of fuch Strength and Ability, thatnothing is able to wreft it out of his Hands; of filch Love, that no Wórk can be more willing to him ; he loveth us far better than we do our felves, or elfe he had never come from:Heaven for our fakes : of fuch watchfulnefs and care, that his Eyerdo always run to and fro throughout the Earth, that he may fhew himfelfthong in thebehalf of them that trufi in him. Providence is full of Eyes, as well as ßrong of Hand : Were we our own Keepers, we thould loon perith; but Chri(tis charged, who is a loving, faithful, able Keeper, who is refolved to preferve us. bife, till "he doth at the !aft day prefent us to the Father. Vfe s. It informeth us of two things. 1. Of the Certainty of the Ele&'sSalvation. If. the Ele& fhould not be laved, Chrift fhould neither do his Work, nor receive his Wages. How can they mifcarry that are Chritt's own Charge ? He bath filch Power, that none can 'pluck them out of his Hands, John to. 28. He had need of a ttronger -Arm than Chrift, that mutt do it : When you can pluck him out of the Throne, then he may lofe his Flock. He bath Grace enough to convert them. John so. to. 1 ans comi, thatthey might. have Life, and that they ntißht have it more abundantly; and he'hath Power enough to keep, them.; John Io. 28. I give unto them Eternal Life, and they fliall never peril/3, neither (hall any :pluck them out of my Hand. Shall we fay,: that the Son,. though he -hath Power, wants Will ? This is Blalphemy, he came -down from Heaven "with this Refolucion ; John6. 38. Icame down from Heaven, not to do my own Well, bist the Will of him that feet -me. Now this is the Father's Will, that chip tliould come, and that they ( hould not belott Mid itisMeat to Chrift to accomplifh-it; John4..34. :My.meat is to do the Will, of him that feat me, and to fdnifh his Work Now it is a Rule, Vii, patéfi , Ci volt facit. He that can do, and will do, doth it undoubtedly. 2. Ititiformeth us of Chri(i's ditin &dnd explicitenotice of the Ele &. .1. Of their Perlons, he knoweth the definite Number, all their.Natnes; he lieth in the Father's Böfom knowëthhis Secrets; the it worthy to open. the . Book, Rev. 5. 41 5. ánd he hath á Regifter-of hisown, wherein their Names are recorded, Rev. 13.8. Whore Names are not-written in- the Lamb's Beoh of Life : Man by' Man, Name by Name, they are all written there; as the High Priett carried their.NamesinbisBread, fo doth Chrift, thy 'Name is ingraven on his Heart ; John i o..3.. He called, lis .own Sheep by 'Name, and leadeth them,oat. :Clement ar f , with other my Fellow-Labourers, whoji Names are
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