The Doctrine of Justification by Faith

On the other hand the generality of Expositors, ancient and modern, of the Roman and Protestant Churches on the place affirm, that the Lord Christ as the Surety of the Covenant, was properly a Surety or undertaker unto God for us, and not a Surety and undertaker unto us for God. And because this is a matter of Great Importance, wherein the Faith and Consolation of the Church is highly concerned, I shall insist a little upon it.

On the other hand the generality of Expositors, antient and modern, of the Roman and Protestant Churches on the place affirm, that the Lord Christ as the Surety of the Covenant, was properly a Surety or undertaker unto God for us, and not a Surety and undertaker unto us for God. And because this is a matter of Great Importance, wherein the Faith and Consolation of the Church is highly concerned, I shall insist a little upon it.

And first, we may consider the Argument that is produced to prove that Christ was only a Surety for God unto us. Now this is taken neither from the Name nor Nature of the Office or work of Surety, nor from the Nature of the Covenant, whereof he was a Surety, nor of the Office wherein he was so. But the sole Argument insisted on is; That we do not give Christ as a Surety of the Covenant unto God, but he gives him unto us, and therefore he is a Surety for God and the accomplishment of his Promises, and not for us to pay our debts, or to answer what is required of us.

But there is no force in this Argument. For it belongs not unto the nature of a Surety, by whom he is or may be designed unto his Office and Work therein. His own voluntary susception of the Office and Work, is all that is required, however he may be designed or induced to undertake it. He who of his own accord doth voluntarily undertake for another, on what Grounds, Reasons, or Considerations soever he doth so, is his Surety. And this the Lord Christ did in the behalf of the Church. For when it was said, Sacrifice and burnt-Offering and whole burnt-Offerings for sin, God would not have, or accept as sufficient to make the Atonement that he required, so as that the Covenant might be established and made effectual unto us, then said he, Lo I come to do thy Will O God,