CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Fourthly, In that Christ is here said to sanctify himself for us, ¹there is hereby implied, That Christ was a Priest to make an atonement for us: and hereupon we might enlarge our selves, concerning Christs Priestly-office, which is of great concernment, as appeareth by the Apostle at large in his Epistle to the Hebrews, who doth so industriously assert and explicate this Office, as being that which is the foundation of all our grace and consolation. I shall only mention these particulars:

Fourthly, In that Christ is here said to sanctifie himself for us, ¹there is hereby implied, That Christ was a Priest to make an atonement for us: and hereupon we might enlarge our selves, concerning Christs Priestly-office, which is of great concernment, as appeareth by the Apostle at large in his Epistle to the Hebrews, who doth so industriously assert and explicate this Office, as being that which is the foundation of all our grace and consolation. I shall only mention these particulars:

1. 1VIII. That he was a Priest to make atonement for us.

¹First, This Priestly-office did consist in offering up himself a Sacrifice: Every Priest was to expiate sin by Sacrifices: Now because God would not have burnt-offerings any longer, neither could the blood of Rams and Goats purge away sin, therefore Christ came to make an atonement: So that now we have reconciliation with God upon a two-fold ground, his Mercy and his Justice. It's his mercy to send Christ into the world, yet in that Christ must satisfy by his death it's justice: And this must needs administer much boldness at the throne of grace, for justice can not now implead us: The only attribute that a sinner would fear, is Gods justice; though he be gracious, yet he is just also; he demonstrated his justice in destroying all the apostate Angels, and not saving one of them. The Scripture represents him every where to be a just God, that will not acquit the guilty, that will render to every one according to his works. Oh (saith the poor sinner) at this I tremble, under this I bow down, but now by Christs Priestly-office, justice is made on our side, not only grace is for us, but justice also; now our very enemy once doth speak for us, Justice, I am satisfied, I can require no more: then justice would be unjust, if it should require the payment of the same debt twice: This is engrafted in mans heart to make a satisfaction and compensation to God, but that was altogether vain, which man did attempt to do, therefore Christ came to satisfy for all.