Sermons preached

3. This Kinsman was to revenge the Quarrel of his slain Kinsman upon the Murderer. So he is a Redeemer, and that not only by Merit, but by Power, not only as a Lamb, but as a Lion. There needed no Price to be paid to Satan; we are redeemed from him, not by Satisfaction, but by Rescue. The Apostle tells us, Col. 2. 15. He spoiled Principalities and Powers. Luk. 11. 21. He bindeth the strong Man, and taketh away his Goods. Heb. 2. 14, 15. That through Death he might destroy him that had the Power of Death, that is, the Devil: And deliver them, who through Fear of Death were all their Life time subject to Bondage. The Devil had partly an usurped Power over Man, as the God of this World, or at least as the Enemy of Mankind; so Christ rescues us by force: partly a ministerial and permitted Power, as the Executioner of God's Curse and Vengeance; so he over-aweth him, and puts him out of Office by the Merit of his Passion. Satan had no Power over Death, as Dominus Mortis, as the Supreme Lord, that hath power to save and to destroy; but as Minister Mortis, as an Hangman and Executioner hath power from the Law to put the Malefactor to death. So Christ destroyed him not in regard of Essence, as if there were no more a Devil to tempt and hurry us to Destruction; nor in regard of Malice, as if he did no longer seek to devour: but in regard of Office and Ministry; he is put out of office, and hath no more Law-power to destroy those that have fled to Christ for Refuge; and so hath freed us from all the fears of Death and Hell, which our Guilt, and Satan's Temptations, subjected us to.

3. This Kinsman was to revenge the Quarrel of his slain Kinsman upon the Murtherer. So he is a Redeemer, and that not only by Merit, but by Power, not only as a Lamb, but as a Lion. There needed no Price to be paid to Satan; we are redeemed from him, not by Satisfaction, but by Rescue. The Apostle tells us, Col. 2. 15. He spoiled Principalities and Powers. Luk. 11. 21. He bindeth the strong Man, and taketh away his Goods.