494 Vol. I: SERMON [XVIII. Chriff the Author, and Obedience the Condition cif Salvation. HÉS.5ò9. And being made perfeci, he became the Author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him. TH I S is fpokenof Chriff, our great High Prieft under the Gofpel ; upon the Excellencyof whofe Perfon, and the Efficacy of his Sacrifice for the Eternal Benefit and Salvation of Mankind, the Apoftle infihsfo largely in this, and thefollowing Chapters; but theSum of all is briefly comprehended in the Text, that our High Prieft being made perfeA`, became the Author of eternal Salvation to them that obey him. In which words we have thefe four things conlderable. ill, The great Bleffing and Benefit here fpoken of, and that is Eternal Salvation; and this implies in it, not onlyour Deliverance from Hell, and Redemption from Eternal Mifery ; but the obtainingof Eternal Life and Happinefs for us. 2dly, The Author of this great Veiling and Benefit to Mankind; and that is yefaee Chrift the Sonof God, who is here reprefented to us under the notion of our High Priefl, who, by making Atonement for us, and reconciling us to God, is Paid to be the Author of Eternal Salvation to Mankind. idly, The Way andMeans whereby he became the Author of our Salvation ; being made perfeil,he became theAuthor ofEternalSalvation. Theword is reAeswneìs, having confummated his work, and finifh'd his Courfe, and receiv'd the Reward of it. For this word hath an allufion to thofe that run in a Race, where he that wins receives theCrown. And to this the Apoflle plainly alludes, Phil. 3. 13. where he lays, not as though Ihad already attained, rsx tei;^,Chl ActRov, not as if I had already takenhold of the Prize; but I am prefììng, or reaching forward towards it; if ñd1, tars?nícep co, or were already perfefl that is, not as if I had finifh'd my Courfe, or had the Prize or Crownin my hand; but I am preffing forward towards it. In like manner, our Bleffed Saviour, when he had finifh'd the Courfe ofhis Humiliation and Obedience, which was accomplifh'd in his Sufferings, and had received the Reward of them, be- ing riln from the Dead, and exalted to theRight Hand of God, and crown'd with Glory and Honour, he is Paid to be zed sxSeie made perfe& 5 and therefore when he was givingup the Ghoft upon the Crofs, he laid, John 59. 3o. razfT;cao it isfinifh'd, or perfeCted 5 that is, he had done all that was neceffary to be done, by way of fuffering, for our Redemption. And the fame word is likewife ufed Luke 13. 3z. concerning ourSaviour's Sufferings, I do cures to day and to morrow, Kal rá r&rii raAenx,uat, and the third day Ifhall be perfeEled 5 this he fpake concerning his own death. And therefore Ch. 2. 10. God is faid to make the Captain of our Salvation per- fet.1 through Sufferings; bici 7 3111, ierw rsAei aa.s. And thus our High Prieft being made perfetl in this Senfe, that is, having finifh'd his Courfe, which was accompli- flied in his Sufferings, and having received the Reward of them, in being exalted at the Right Hand of God, he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to gr. 4thly, You have here the qualificationsof the Perlons, who are made Partakers of this great Benefit, or the Condition upon which it is fufpended, and that is Obedience; he became the Author ofEternal Salvation to them that obey hint. Thefe are the main Things contained in the Text. For the fuller Explication whereof, I (hall take intoConfideration thefe five Things. aft, How, and by what means Chriff is the Author of our Salvation. 2dly, What Obedience the Gofpel requires as a Condition, and ispleated to ac- cept as+a,Qualification, in thole who hope for eternal. Salvation. idly, We will confider thePo{bility of performing this Condition, by that Grace and Atiittance which is ofiì:r'd, and ready to be afforded to us by the Gofpel. 4thly,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=