A51837:359
Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition…
Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition to the doctrine of the Socinians : in several sermons on Col. I, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 verses / by the Reverend Tho. Manton.
London printed : s.n., 1685
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thirdly, I prove it by Reasons taken from his office; which may be considered in the general. And so it is expressed by one Word Mediator, or in particular according to the several functions of it, expressed by the terms of King, Priest and ⟨p. 140⟩Prophet: or with respect to the persons that are to be considered and concerned in Christs Mediation.
1. His Office considered in the General, so he is called, Jesus the Mediator of the New Testament, Heb. 12.24. It was agreeable that [Greek or Hebrew], a Mediator should [Greek or Hebrew], a middle person of the same essence with both parties, and that his operative Mediation, should presuppose his substantial Mediation, that being God Man in the same person he should make an atonement between God and Man: Sin hath made such a breach and distance between us and God, that it raiseth our fears, and causeth backwardness to draw nigh unto him, and so hindereth our love and confidence in him. How can we depend upon one so far above us, and out of the reach of our commerce, therefore a Mediator is necessary; one that will pity us, and is more near and dear to God then we are. One in whom God doth condescend to man, and by whom Man may be encouraged to ascend to God, now who is so fit for this as Jesus Christ, God manifested in our flesh: The two natures met together in his person, and so God is nearer to Man, then he was before […] the pure Deity; for he is come down to ⟨p. 141⟩us in our flesh, and hath assumed it into the unity of his person, and man is nearer to God, for our nature dwelleth with him, so closely united, that we may have more familiar thoughts of God, and a confidence that he will look after us, and concern himself in our affairs and show us his grace and savour, for surely he will not hide himself from his own flesh, Isa. 58.7. This wonderfully reconcileth the heart of Man to God, and maketh our thoughts of him more comfortable and doth encourage us to free access to God.