The fountain opened, or, The great gospel privilege of having Christ exhibited to sinful…The fountain opened, or, The great gospel priviledge of having Christ exhibited to sinfull…
The fountain opened, or, The great gospel privilege of having Christ exhibited to sinful men wherein also is proved that there shall be a national calling of the Jews from Zech. XIII. I. / by Samuel Willard ...The fountain opened, or, The great gospel priviledge of having Christ exhibited to sinfull men wherein also is proved that there shall be a national calling of the Jews from Zech. XIII. I. / by Samuel Willard ...
Samuel Willard 1640–1707printed by B. Green for Samuel Sewall Junior, 1700
[4], 208, [2] p. · 54k words · Wing W2277 · ESTC R38934
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.
USE 1. We may here take notice of the • derful love of God to his Chosen in Christ. Wh• the Scripture attributes love to God, it po• to his good will in purposing good to be • stowed on them, and making them that • appointed thereto to partake therein: and • love is looked upon to be greater or less, • cording to the things that are willed in it, • the benefit received by them: and on this • count, God is said to love some of his Cr• tures more than others, in that he hath d• more for them, and prepared greater blessed to bestow on them. There is a common lo• of God, in which the whole Creation is sharer, appearing in his benignity in bestowi• on them these favours by which they are pr• served, supplied, and comforted; to this is • be referred that, Acts 14 17 He did good, a• gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful season filling our hearts with food and gladness; an• Chap. 17 25 He giveth to all life, and breath and all things. But then there is a special lo• which God hath for some of his Creature and that was in appointing, providing, and opening this fountain for them, from which they may derive everlasting life. This therefore is mentioned in the Gospel with an E• phasis, as if it were the only love, 1 Joh. 4 9⟨p. 59⟩
. God so loved the world, &c. Certainly then this love of God to those for whom it was prepared must be great beyond conception: Paul thus signalizeth the love of Christ to him,
. Who loved me, and gave himself for me. Now it is certain that this fountain was ordained for the saving benefit of those, and only those whom God ordained to eternal life by Christ; but for whose sake it had never been. And though such to whom this fountain is opened in the Dispensation of the Gospel, are by virtue of it privileged singularly above others, as
. •0. He hath not dealt so by any Nation, &c. Yet the specialty of it appears in respect of those to whom it is applied by the Spirit, and they are made to drink of it, and to live by it; for to these only it becomes effectual in regard of the great design of it: and these are only the Israel of God, his Chosen and Called. For though it is Ministerially opened to others, yet spiritually it is to them a sealed fountain, and they participate not in the virtue of it. How infinitely then are these beholden to God for Christ?
USE 1. We may here take notice of the • derful love of God to his Chosen in Christ. Wh• the Scripture attributes love to God, it po• to his good will in purposing good to be • stowed on them, and making them that • appointed thereto to partake therein: and • love is looked upon to be greater or less, • cording to the things that are willed in it, • the benefit received by them: and on this • count, God is said to love some of his Cr• tures more than others, in that he hath d• more for them, and prepared greater blessi• to bestow on them. There is a common lo• of God, in which the whole Creation is sharer, appearing in his benignity in bestowi• on them these favours by which they are pr• served, supplied, and comforted; to this is • be referred that, Acts 14 17 He did good, a• gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful season filling our hearts with food and gladness; an• Chap. 17 25 He giveth to all life, and breat• and all things. But then there is a special lo• which God hath for some of his Creature and that was in appointing, providing, and opening this fountain for them, from whic• they may derive everlasting life. This therefore is mentioned in the Gospel with an E• phasis, as if it were the only love, 1 Joh. 4 9⟨p. 59⟩In this was the love of God manifested to us, &c. & Joh. 3. 16. God so loved the world, &c. Certainly then this love of God to those for whom it was prepared must be great beyond conception: Paul thus signalizeth the love of Christ to him, Gal. 2. 20. Who loved me, and gave himself for me. Now it is certain that this fountain was ordained for the saving benefit of those, and only those whom God ordained to eternal life by Christ; but for whose sake it had never been. And though such to whom this fountain is opened in the Dispensation of the Gospel, are by vertue of it priviledged singularly above others, as Psal. 147. •0. He hath not dealt so by any Nation, &c. Yet the specialty of it appears in respect of those to whom it is applied by the Spirit, and they are made to drink of it, and to live by it; for to these only it becomes effectual in regard of the great design of it: and these are only the Israel of God, his Chosen and Called. For though it is Ministerially opened to others, yet spiritually it is to them a sealed fountain, and they participate not in the vertue of it. How infinitely then are these beholden to God for Christ?
USE II. Learn hence how vain a thing it is for any to boast and be confident, in that they enjoy ⟨p. 60⟩the outward Gospel Dispensations. True, G• doth favour such more than he doth the• that sit in the dark, and have no Gospel li•• shining among them; and they owe him gr•• thanks for such a favour, because by it th• are nearer Salvation, as to the means; th• fountain is brought to them, and if they p• rish for all, it will be their own fault: how• ver this outward privilege doth not give them the security of Salvation. There a• multitudes that die of thirst, notwithstandi•• the fountain is before them, and they a• invited to drink of it, and live, becau• they will not make use of it; they will […] come to Christ that they might have life, J• 5. 40. They leave it for their broken cistern which will not afford one drop of the w• ters of life to them; and if they drink n• ver so large draughts thereof, it will n• quench their appetites. Boast not then o• your privileges, unless God hath given yo• an heart to improve them Think of th• awful observation▪Deut. 29. 2, 3, 4. Ye ba•• seen all, &c yet the Lord hath not given •• an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and […] to hear unto this day. Think not that li• is secured to you by this, or that becau• God hath savoured you with the Gosp• you are safe, or secure of Salvation by i• you may prove despisers, and then yo• guilt and condemnation will be the greate•⟨p. 61⟩for none equally suffer Gods wrath, with those •o who• a Christ hath been offered, and they neglected him. God will call those whom he pleas••, to receive Christ, and live by him; the Saving virtue of the Gospel shall not be •ost, although you put it from you, and perish. B• not then high minded, but fear.
USE II. Learn hence how vain a thing it is for any to boast and be confident, in that they enjoy ⟨p. 60⟩the outward Gospel Dispensations. True, G• doth favour such more than he doth the• that sit in the dark, and have no Gospel li•• shining among them; and they owe him gr•• thanks for such a favour, because by it th• are nearer Salvation, as to the means; th• fountain is brought to them, and if they p• rish for all, it will be their own sault: how• ver this outward priviledge doth not giv• them the security of Salvation. There a• multitudes that dy of thirst, notwithstandi•• the fountain is before them, and they a• invited to d•ink of it, and live, becau• they will not make use of it; they will 〈…〉 come to Christ that they might have life, J• 5. 40. They leave it for their broken cister• which will not afford one drop of the w• ters of life to them; and if they drink n• ver so large draugh•s thereof, it will n• que•ch their appetites. Boast not then o• your priviledges, unless God hath given yo• an heart to improve them Think of th• awful observa•ion▪Deut. 29. 2, 3, 4. Ye ba•• seen all, &c yet the Lord hath not given an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and to hear unto this day. Think not that li is secured to you by this, or that becau God hath savoured you with the Gosp you are safe, or secure of Salvation by i you may prove despisers, and then yo guilt and condemnation will be the greate
USE. III. We here see of what great importance it is for us all to make our Calling and E[…] sure▪ It certainly is a duty incumbent on all, and therefore we are called upon to use diligence in it, 2 Pet. 1. 10. Surely it infinitely concerns all the Children of fallen Adam to •et a title to the fountain of life, and take care that they be not mistaken about it. It is not enough to give an Historical credit to the truths of the Gospel, wherein we are told that Jesus Christ is an All-sufficient Saviour, and that all Life and Salvation is fountained in him; though this credit is also necessary in order to our coming to▪ and believing on him: but our concern is to know whether we are sharers in it, whether it be made ours, and shall assuredly afford us Salvation. It is evident that we are all perishing in our natural state; that this world is a thirsty and dry wilderness, where there is no water of life; that all saving good is laid up in Christ, as in a fountain; that all to whom he is offered, do not accept o• him; that many who pretend to receive him, will be found ⟨p. 62⟩Hypocrites and sel• […]; that to be […] taken in this affair another day, will be […] Creatures undoing; that none have any Clai•• to this but the Seed of Christ, and Children […] the Church Mystical. See then that this found• tion is laid in you. Christ tells us in Ma• 7. 22, 23. Many will say unto me in that […] Lord, Lord, &c. and then I will profess unto the• I never knew you, depart from me ye workers • Iniquity. Take heed of being found in th• number, in the day of accounts: it will be • aggravated misery to lose an hope that y• pleased your selves withal here, because it w• a false one.
USE. III. We here see of what great importance it is for us all to make our Calling and E〈…〉 sure▪ It certainly is a duty incumbent on all, and therefore we are called upon to use ••iligence in it, 2 Pet. 1. 10. Surely it infinitely concerns all the Children of fallen Adam to •et a title to the fountain of life, and take care that they be not mistaken about it. It is not enough to give an Historical credit to the truths of the Gospel, wherein we are told that Jesus Christ is an Alsufficient Saviour, and that all Life and Salvation is fountained in him; though this credit is also necessary in order to our coming to▪ and believing on him: but our concern is to know whether we are sharers in it, whether it be made ours, and shall assuredly afford us Salvation. It is evident that we are all perishing in our natural state; that this world is a thirsty and dry wilderness, where there is no water of life; that all saving good is laid up in Christ, as in a fountain; that all to whom he is offered, do not accept o• him; that many who pretend to receive him, will be found ⟨p. 62⟩Hypocrites and sel•〈…〉; that to be 〈…〉 taken in this affair another day, will be 〈…〉 Creatures undoing; that none have any Clai•• to this but the Seed of Christ, and Children 〈…〉 the Church Mystical. See then that this found• tion is laid in you. Christ tells us in Ma• 7. 22, 23. Many will say unto me in that 〈…〉 Lord, Lord, &c. and then I will profess unto the• I never knew you, depart from me ye workers • Iniquity. Take heed of being found in th• number, in the day of accounts: it will be • aggravated misery to lose an hope that y• pleased your selves withall here, because it w a false one.
USE IV. Here is matter of Encouragement • awakened Sinners that sit under •he Gospel▪ A• there any whose thirsty Souls, not only cra• after happiness▪ but find no satisfaction in tho• objects which sin hath diverted men unto▪ you▪ find your misery, in that you perish wit• out the waters of li•e, and that this wilderness will afford none, and are thereupon inquisitive after Christ, o• whom you have heard a repo• that he is one that can do it for you: to suc• this truth speaks seasonably and comfortabl• Here is a Well of Salvation opened▪ in this d• and thirsty land, i•s waters are healing and s• tisfying; there is enough of them, there is fountain, and it can never fail. And not on• are you comprehended in the general invita•⟨p. 63⟩given to all where the Gospel is Preached, •t it is the special direction of it that is given • such as you, and all encouragement joined •ith it • the weary and heavy laden are single••t in it, Math. 11. 28. The poor and needy, and •c• whose eyes fail them, are remembered with a •acious promise, Isa. 41. 17. And indeed, the […] in which God persuades and allures pe•hing Sinners to come to Christ, is by touch[…] their Consciences, and making them ap•hensive of their woeful misery in themselves, […] their helplessness any where else that so •e revelation of Christ to them may be very •lcome, as showers of rain are to the weary •lderness, that is parched. You have great son then to hope in his Grace, and according to adventure your selves upon it; for if •od be opening of your hearts to receive •rist, it is because he intends to fill them with •m; and the emptying you of every other •ing, is a step to that.
USE IV. Here is matter of Encouragment • awakened Sinners that sit under •he Gospel▪ A• there any whose thirsty Souls, not only cra• after happiness▪ but find no satisfaction in tho• objects which sin hath diverted men unto▪ you▪ find your misery, in that you perish wit• out the waters of li•e, and that this wilderne• will afford none, and are thereupon inquisitiv• after Christ, o• whom you have heard a repo• that he is one that can do it for you: to suc• this truth speaks seasonably and comfortabl• Here is a Well of Salvation opened▪ in this d• and thirsty land, i•s waters are healing and s• tisfying; there is enough of them, there is fountain, and it can never fail. And not on• are you comprehended in the general invita•⟨p. 63⟩•given to all where the Gospel is Preached, •t it is the special direction of it that is given • such as you, and all encouragment joyned •ith it • the weary and heavy laden are single••t in it, Math. 11. 28. The poor and needy, and c whose eyes fuil them, are remembred with a acious promise,
USE. V. Let this quicken the Children of God; […] make a free and full Improvement of this foun•in for all the ends of it. The usefulness of it •tends to all the necessities of your Souls; […] is no relief that you can need, but here may be fully supplied: and your occasions •e such as call you every day to come to it. •ou go any whither else to get them supply[…] you will return […], God hath opened ⟨p. 64⟩this fountain to you; he hath rolled the s• from the mouth of it; he hath planted you it; and is from time to time drawing these waters, and presenting them to you his holy Ordinances: why then should use them sparingly? they are your own, • hath given them you freely, and he bids • to drink of them abundantly. You may ti• complain of your pinching want; you th• and Oh! that you could have a satisfy draught; why then do you stand off? W• question your title, doubt whether you • make use of your own, and live upon it • greatest contentment? Oh this Unbelief! • to God to cure you of it; and endeavour improve all the encouragement that he • given you, to make you, with holy bold• at all times come to him, and bring your ve• with you, that they may be filled. The m• you thus do, the more you will please h• and the more happy and delightful will y• Pilgrimage be to you, and the more abundant will you praise and glorify God for this speakable gift.
USE. V. Let this quicken the Children of God; 〈…〉 make a free and full Improvement of this foun•in for all the ends of it. The usefulness of it •tends to all the necessities of your Souls; 〈…〉 is no relief that you can need, but here •may be fully supplyed: and your occasions •e such as call you every day to come to it. •ou go any whither else to get them suppli〈…〉 you will return 〈…〉, God hath opened ⟨p. 64⟩this fountain to you; he hath rolled the s• from the mouth of it; he hath planted you it; and is from time to time drawing these waters, and presenting them to you his holy Ordinances: why then should use them sparingly? they are your own, • hath given them you freely, and he bids • to drink of them abundantly. You may ti• complain of your pinching want; you th• and Oh! that you could have a satisf• draught; why then do you stand off? W• question your title, doubt whether you • make use of your own, and live upon it • greatest contentment? Oh this Unbelief! • to God to cure you of it; and endeavou• improve all the encouragement that he • given you, to make you, with holy bold• at all times come to him, and bring your ve• with you, that they may be filled. The m• you thus do, the more you will please h• and the more happy and delightful will y• Pilgrimage be to you, and the more abundan• will you praise and glorifie God for this speakable gift.
3. That where this Fountain is savingly •plied, it shall take away the Sin and Un•anness of the People of God. These then •ay be briefly, and yet distinctly taken into •••sideration.
1. That it was the sin and uncleanness of man, •• gave the occasion for the Opening of th•s ••tain. We must here distinguish between cause and an occasion. They go too far, he assign a Causality in sin to the coming • Christ in the Flesh, and his working out • Salvation for us: for though, as will anon • considered, if it had not been for this, he •d not so come, yet there cannot properly • assigned any causality in this to such an sect: and they who so think, do not rightly •sider the order and causes of Gods Works • Efficiency. They that ascribe a causality • it, reckon it to be an impulsive cause, or a •otive on the mind of God to send his Son •to the world on this Errand: but that it cannot be, because the will of God is the supreme cause of his purposing the works of Efficiency. And as the Glory of his Grace was the last end of his purpose of Election, ⟨p. 66⟩•• the fall of man into sin, and under mis• by sin, was a purposed Medium to it, and • could not possibly be a Medium to that • pose. However in the contrivance of • Media, there was an all-wise concatenate of one with another, and so the sin and • cleanness of man gave occasion for the • ming of Christ. And we may take this s• account of it.
1. That it was the sin and uncleanness of man, •• gave the occasion for the Opening of th•s ••tain. We must here distinguish between cause and an occasion. They go too far, he assign a Causality in sin to the coming • Christ in the Flesh, and his working out • Salvation for us: for though, as will anon • considered, if it had not been for this, he •d not so come, yet there cannot properly • assigned any causality in this to such an •ect: and they who so think, do not rightly •sider the order and causes of Gods Works • Efficiency. They that ascribe a causality • it, reckon it to be an impulsive cause, or a •otive on the mind of God to send his Son •to the world on this Errand: but that it •annot be, because the will of God is the su•ream cause of his purposing the works of Efficiency. And as the Glory of his Grace was the last end of his purpose of Election, ⟨p. 66⟩•• the fall of man into sin, and under mis• by sin, was a purposed Medium to it, and • could not possibly be a Medium to that • pose. However in the contrivance of • Media, there was an allwise concatenat• of one with another, and so the sin and • cleanness of man gave occasion for the • ming of Christ. And we may take this s• account of it.
1. That God purposed from Eternity to • the glory of his Grace, in some lasting M• ments of it. If we would take a right • count of any of Gods works, we must • gin at the end or Design of them. We • to conceive of God as an Infinitely Wise gent, and therefore to have some worthy • in all that he doth: and according to • we are to conceive of the wisdom appear• in the means that he useth to bring this • about: Now God hath declared or manife• ed himself to us in divers glorious Attribute or Perfections, by which he will make hi• self known; two whereof were his Gr• and his Mercy, which are often used pro• cuously for one and the same in the Gosp• when they are referred to the great des• under our present consideration, though th• is a divers notion which we are to enterta• of them; Grace being God Inclined fre• to bestow his favour upon a Creature that • serves it n•; Mercy supposing the Subject ⟨p. 67⟩•• in misery, is God inclined to succour it in ••at misery. Grace may exert it self in a subject that is not in misery; yea, all that •od doth for any of his Creatures is free▪•ence that challenge, Rom 11. 35. Who hath […] given to him, and it shall be recompensed him again. Mercy is restrained to a miserable subject; and that mercy also is a fruit of Grace, because it is free, for the Creatures infelicity cannot make it to deserve the Succour afforded it. Now God would have some last••• Monuments of these perfections of his, which should for ever be Mirrors in which •• should be read, how gloriously Gracious and •••ciful he is. The Apostle therefore reduceth the great contrivance of mans Salvation to this, Eph. 1. 6. To the praise of the glory of his Grace. His people are therefore said to be to ••m for a Name, and for a Praise, and for a Glory, Jer. 13. 11.
1. That God purposed from Eternity to • the glory of his Grace, in some lasting M• ments of it. If we would take a right • count of any of Gods works, we must • gin at the end or Design of them. We • to conceive of God as an Infinitely Wise g•nt, and therefore to have some worthy • in all that he doth: and according to • we are to conceive of the wisdom appear• in the means that he useth to bring this • about: Now God hath declared or manife• ed himself to us in divers glorious Attribu• or Perfections, by which he will make hi• self known; two whereof were his Gr• and his Mercy, which are often used pro• cuously for one and the same in the Gosp• when they are referred to the great des• under our present consideration, though th• is a divers notion which we are to enterta• of them; Grace being God Inclined fre• to bestow his favour upon a Creature that • serves it n•; Mercy supposing the Subject ⟨p. 67⟩•• in misery, is God inclined to succour it in ••at misery. Grace may exert it self in a subject that is not in misery; yea, all that •od doth for any of his Creatures is free▪•ence that challenge, Rom 11. 35. Who hath 〈…〉 given to him, and it shall be recompensed him again. Mercy is restrained to a miserable subject; and that mercy also is a fruit of Grace, because it is free, for the Creatures infelicity cannot make it to deserve the Succour afforded it. Now God would have some last Monuments of these perfections of his, which should for ever be Mirrours in which should be read, how gloriously Gracious and ciful he is. The Apostle therefore reducth the great contrivance of mans Salvation to this,
2. In the order of the means to this end, there was nothing wherein God designed the exaltation of this Grace and Mercy, equally with that of Christ in respect of his Redemption and Salvation. He that designs an end, must choose and use means for the bringing of it about; and many times there is an order of many means for the accomplishment of that which is intended; and in this order there is a subordination of them ••e to another, in their serving •• the design of them •nd this is very manifest in the wonderful ⟨p. 68⟩counsel of […] the exaltation of […] glory of •is Grace and Mercy. Now, as […] way in which God chose to glorify these […] fections of his, was by the Redemption and S• vation of man, in and by which man was • be made the monument of them; so he • pointed Jesus Christ to be the Redeemer a•• Saviour, in which he had a regard to Chri•• Mediatorial Glory: Christ therefore tells us, J•• 5. 22, 23. The Father Judgeth no man, but […] committed all Judgment unto the Son; that […] men should honour the Son, even as they hono•r […] Father. The person of Christ, considered • God and man, was a great Medium in […] affair; and for that reason he is called a […] diator, or a middle person, 1 Tim. 2. 5. […] is one Mediator between God and man, the […] Christ Jesus. God therefore constituted […] to be such a person, that so in and throu•• him, this rich Grace▪ of his might shi•e fo•• to all eternity; and for that reason we are […] to be chosen in him for this end; Eph. 1. 4. […] 6▪ According as he hath chosen us in him, &c. […] the praise of the glory of his Grace. And th• wherein this Glory was to be illustrated […] in the Redemption which he was to work […] by which our Salvation was to be proc••ed, […] the conferring of this purchased Salvation up•• us by him hence that, Verse 7. In whom w• […] Redemption through his blood. And indeed, […] nothing co•• the Grace of God, so illustriou••⟨p. 69⟩•ppear, as •• the appointing o• his own▪ Son t• […] a Redeemer for man, when his case was ••duced to that exigence, that in no other way […] could be Saved; Joh. 2. 16 God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten So•. Rom. 5. 6. When we were without strength, in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly.
2. In the order of the means to this end, there was nothing wherein God designed the exaltation of this Grace and Mercy, equally with that of Christ in respect of his Redemption and Salvation. He that designs an end, must chuse and use means for the bringing of it about; and many times there is an order of many means for the accomplishment of that which is intended; and in this order there is a subordination of them ••e to another, in their serving •• the design of them •nd this is very manifest in the wonderful ⟨p. 68⟩counsel of 〈…〉 the exaltation of 〈…〉 glory of •is Grace and Mercy. Now, as 〈…〉 way in which God chose to glorify these 〈…〉 fections of his, was by the Redemption and S• vation of man, in and by which man was • be made the monument of them; so he • pointed Jesus Christ to be the Redeemer a•• Saviour, in which he had a regard to Chri•• Mediatorial Glory: Christ therefore tells us, J•• 5. 22, 23. The Father Judgeth no man, but 〈…〉 committed all Judgment unto the Son; that 〈…〉 men should honour the Son, even as they hono•r 〈…〉 Father. The person of Christ, considered • God and man, was a great Medium in 〈…〉 af•air; and for that reason he is called a 〈…〉 diator, or a middle person, 1 Tim. 2. 5. 〈…〉 is one Mediator between God and man, the 〈…〉 Christ Jesus. God therefore constituted 〈…〉 to be such a person, that so in and throu him, this rich Grace of his might shie fo to all eternity; and for that reason we are to be chosen in him for this end;
3. That way might be made for this, there must •• a subject for it to work upon▪ which needed this Redemption and Salvation. A Redeemer, and Redeeme• are Correlates, and one cannot be without the other: This is a Relative Title, and •••refore if there had been nothing to Re•••m, Christ could never have born that Title •• him: Redemption supposeth a forfeiture, •• captivity, which the subject which is to partake in it, is fallen under, and from whence his necessity of being redeemed doth arise, in that •• is by this means to be restored from it. •• is true, there are other ways among men, by which such an one may be delivered, viz. •ither by a free setting him at liberty without any satisfaction made, by the bounty of the Creditor, or by a forcible recovery of him out of the hands of those that hold him; but this is one way, and the only one in the case before us; viz. by the laying down of an indented price, or by an exchange of persons, to •oth of which the case in hand is referred, 1▪ Cor. 6. 20. Ye are bought with a price 1 Tim. 2. 6. Who gave himself a ransom for••s. Gal 3. 13. ⟨p. 70⟩Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse o• […] Law, being made a Curse for us. Hence […] appointing of Christ to be a Redeemer, ha• respect to mans fa••ing into such a condition•• made him to stand▪ in need of one; w•• necessity was another Medium for the […] festation of this Grace and Mercy.
3. That way might be made for this, there must •• a subject for it to work upon▪ which needed this Redemption and Salvation. A Redeemer, and Redeeme• are Correlates, and one cannot be without the other: This is a Relative Title, and •••refore if there had been nothing to Re•••m, Christ could never have born that Title •• him: Redemption supposeth a forfeiture, •• captivity, which the subject which is to par•ake in it, is fallen under, and from whence his •ecessity of being redeemed doth arise, in that •• is by this means to be restored from it. •• is true, there are other ways among men, by which such an one may be delivered, viz. •ither by a free setting him at liberty without any satisfaction made, by the bounty of the Creditour, or by a forcible recovery of him out of the hands of those that hold him; but this is one way, and the only one in the case before us; viz. by the laying down of an indented price, or by an exchange of persons, to •oth of which the case in hand is referred, 1▪ Cor. 6. 20. Ye are bought with a price 1 Tim. 2. 6. Who gave himself a ransom for••s. Gal 3. 13. ⟨p. 70⟩Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse o•〈…〉 Law, being made a Curse for us. Hence 〈…〉 appointing of Christ to be a Redeemer, ha• respect to mans fa••ing into such a condition•• made him to stand▪ in need of one; w•• necessity was another Medium for the festation of this Grace and Mercy.
4. That which was to enhance this Mercy […] the forlorn state of the subject, and his helpless •• out of it, in any other way. The more there • of Grace and Mercy in it, the more are th• Attributes glorified by it: hence every circus stanc• in this affair belongs to the […] The more of unworthiness there is in the […] ject, the greater is the Grace afforded to […] and this Grace also holds proportion with […] greatness of the kindness it self that is done […] it. The more miserable the subject is, […] more a••onishing is that mercy which Succo•• it; and the more ample deliverance it afford• the greater is its praise: and that which give a peculiar lustre to both of these is when t•• subject is brought into such a strait, th•• there is but one door at which its help c•• come in; when there is no other possib•• way of relief, and then that affords it; we a•• therefore acquainted how all these circumsta•• ces concentered in the case before us: ho•• miserable we were become, how unworthy we had rendered our selves (who indeed neve• had any meritorious worthiness in us) may b•⟨p. 71⟩read in the word of God: and that ••r condition was helpless, if Christ had not stepped in for our Succo••; is there also witnessed to; we a•••old, Acts 4. 12. Neither▪ is there Salvation in […] •ther, for there is no other name under heaven, gi••• amongst men, whereby we must •e Saved: a•• we have that remark, Isa. 59. 16. He saw that there was no man, and he wondered that ther• […] •o intercessor, therefore his arm br•••ht salvation unto him, &c. This therefore is given as a great commendation of Christ, Psal▪ 7•. ••. H• shall deliver the poor, •nd him that hath •• […] And God himself mentions this as a memorable thing, Ezek. 16. 5, 6▪ None eye pity • […] and when I passed by thee and saw th•• […] in thy blood, I said unto thee, live.
4. That which was to enhau•ce this Mercy 〈…〉 the forlorn state of the subject, and his helples••• out of it, in any other way. The more there • of Grace and Mercy in it, the more are th• Attributes glorified by it: hence every circu• stanc• in this affair belongs to the 〈…〉 The more of unworthiness there is in the 〈…〉 ject, the greater is the Grace afforded to 〈…〉 and this Grace also holds proportion with 〈…〉 greatness of the kindness it self that is done 〈…〉 it. The more miserable the subject is, 〈…〉 more a••onishing is that mercy which Succo•• it; and the more ample deliverance it afford• the greater is its praise: and that which giv• a peculiar lustre to both of these is when t•• subject is brought into such a streight, th•• there is but one door at which its help c•• come in; when there is no other possib•• way of relief, and then that affords it; we a•• therefore acquainted how all these circumsta•• ces concent•ed in the case before us: ho•• miserable we were become, how unworth• we had rendred our selves (who indeed neve• had any me••torious worthiness in us) may b•⟨p. 71⟩
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⟨p. 61⟩
for none equally suff•r Gods wrath, with those •o who• a Christ hath been offered, and they •eglected him. God will call those whom he pleas••, to receive Christ, and live by him; the Saving vertue of the Gospel shall not be •ost, although you put it from you, and perish. B• not then high minded, but fear.
. And indeed, the 〈…〉 in which God perswades and allures pe•hing Sinners to come to Christ, is by touch〈…〉 their Consciences, and making them ap•hensive of their woful misery in themselves, 〈…〉 their helplessness any where else that so •e revelation of Christ to them may be very •lcome, as showers of rain are to the weary •lderness, that is parched. You have great •son then to hope in his Grace, and according• to adventure your selves upon it; for if •od be opening of your hearts to receive •rist, it is because he intends to fill them with •m; and the emptying you of every other •ing, is a step to that.
. 〈…〉 6▪ According as he hath chosen us in him, &c. 〈…〉 the praise of the glory of his Grace. And th• wherein this Glory was to be illustrated 〈…〉 in the Redemption which he was to work 〈…〉 by which our Salvation was to be proc••ed, 〈…〉 the conferring of this purchased Salvation up•• us by him hence that, Verse 7. In whom w•〈…〉 Redemption through his blood. And indeed, 〈…〉 nothing co•• the Grace of God, so illustriou••
⟨p. 69⟩
•ppear, as •• the appointing o• his own▪ Son t•〈…〉 a Redeemer for man, when his case was ••duced to that exigence, that in no other way 〈…〉 could be Saved; Joh. 2. 16 God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotton So•. Rom. 5. 6. When we were without strength, in due time Christ dyed for the ungodly.
〈…〉
read in the word of God: and that ••r condition was helpless, if Christ had not stept in for our Succo••; is there also witnessed to; we a•••old,
. Neither▪ is there Salvation in 〈…〉•ther, for there is no other name under heaven, gi••• amongst men, whereby we must •e Saved: a•• we have that remark,
. He saw that there was no man, and he wondred that ther•〈…〉•o interces•o•r, therefore his arm br•••ht salvation unto him, &c. This therefore is given as a great commendation of Christ, Psal▪ 7•. ••. H• shall deliver the poor, •nd him that hath ••〈…〉 And God himself mentions this as a ••morable thing,
