I022 SERMONS upon Serm.12. it on Earth, when Chrift was baptized, confecrated to God for the Priefthood, Mat. 3. 17. Lo, a Voice from heaven, fayini This is my beloved San in whom I am well- pleafed. There was filch perfeet Love and onfent of Mind between God and Chrift, that if he had never died, God could not have denied him any thing, 2. The value of hisSatisfa&ion. Chrift is an Intercellor not by Intreaty,. but by Me- rit-5 John 17. 4. I have glorified thy Name on Earth,I have finijhed the workthat thou gavefl. me to do : The greateft work that ever could be done; if you refpeät the importarme of it : The creating of thoufand Worldswould not bring in inch a Revenue to Heaven, as this one work of Redemption : Or the difficulty of it, the Son of God to be made Flelh, Sin, aCurCe ! States molt abhorrent from the Felicity of the Divine Nature : Or his willingnefs to undertake it; Lo, I come to do thy Will He longed to be at it, the he had infinite complacency inahe Bofom of the Father ; yet as loon as God had made an habitableWorld, Prov. 8. 30, 31. There I was by him, as one brought up with him y and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him : Rejoicing in the habitable part of his Earth, and my delights were with the Sons of Men. He longed for that time, when he might leave the company of Angels, and dwell among us; and fealted himfelf with the thoughts of his own Grace. And with fo much faithfulnefs, I not only finifhed the, Work, but glorified thee; all he did was for his Father's Glory. This could Chrift plead as the ground of his Requefts 5 he hath paid for all that he asketh, not only made fatisfa &ion for Sin, but given a price fOr Glory : He cannot out -ask his own( Merit; his Blood fpeaketh; if Chrift fhould hold his peace : Heb.12. 24. And to the Blood of fprinkling, that fpeaketh better things than that of Abel's. As clamorous as- Abel's Blood for Vengeance. It Both not fpeak again[t us, tho we have made him to. ferve with our Iniquities, but fpeaks the more for us, to pacify his Wrath, to pardon. us, and to do us good. 3. The Sublimity of his Office. It is an Authoritative Adt. God bath always re- futed fuch Mediation as is not authorized by himfelf. When Mofes interpofed for the Children of Ifrael, laid God, Exad. 32. so. Let me alone,. that my Wrath may wax hot; againfl them. Becaufe he would referve this honour for him, who alone bath this Of-. fice under the Broad Seal of Heaven. So it is very notable,that Chrift refufed all Me- diation to him in the days of his Fleth. As of his Apoftles, Mat. 15.23. His Difciples came and befught him, faying, Send her away, for the crieth after us, &c. But Chrift would fhew,that he was follicitous enough for the welfare of Sinners,he needed.no In- terceffors. So his own Mother, when the interpofed for the Honour of the Wedding, John 2.4. Woman, faith he, What have I to do with thee z As if he had faid, Cannot I do it without your intermedling> In thefe Anfwers, Chrift would thew, that he would have Sinners come of themfelyes, without any mediation of their Fellow - Creatures, they being no authorized Mediators. God alloweth no other_Mtdiator of Redempti- on, but Chrift .5 and Chrift no other Mediator of Interceffion, but himfelf. It is Sa çtiledg in the Papifis. to Cet up others; none is worthy to appear before God but Chrift ; and how unworthy foevei we are, Chrift will have us to come to himfelf. God bath Cet him up for this purpofe, and no Copartners are allowed. As it was Paid to Vzziáh, 2 Chron. 26. ;8. It pertaineth not to thee to burn Incenfe, but to the Priefls the Sons of Aaron, that are confecrated to burn Incenfe. Incenfe could be offered' by no other but a Prieft, and our Prayers by none but by Chrift. Heb. 7.28. The Law maketh Men. Prief s which have Infirmity; but the Word of. the Oath, which was ftnce the Law, maketh the Son, who is confecrated for ever-more. Chrift is confecrated by an Oath,: to abide ever -more in the Office ; which Oath is renewed änd confirmed upon his re- turn to Heaven. Pfal. 1 to. 4. The Lord bath fworn, and will not repent, Thou art a ,Priefl for ever, after theOrder of Melchifedeck ; compared with Verf. a. God will ne- ver repent of difpenfing Grace in and through him to Sinners : as long as Chrift's Con fecration lafteth, none muff meddle with his Office. 4, The Articles of the Covenant, or the Promife of. being heard: Therefore Chrift fpeaketh with fuch Confidence ; John t I. 42. I know that thou hearefl me always; and, Pfal. 2.8. Ask of me, and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance, &c. There was a Covenant drawn up between God and Chrift ; the Lord promifed him, as the Fruit of his Labours and Sufferings, that he fhould obtain all manner of Grace for his People. All thefe things, thew us the Advantages of having fuch á Mediator and Intercefor. Secondly,
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