A85428:56
Christ Set Forth
Christ set forth in his [brace] death, resurrection, ascension, sitting at Gods right hand, intercession, [brace] as the [brace] cause of justification. Object of justifying faith. Upon Rom. 8. ver. 34. Together with a treatise discovering the affectionate tenderness of Christs heart now in heaven, unto sinners on earth. / By Tho: Goodwin, B.D.Christ set forth in his [brace] death, resurrection, ascension, sitting at Gods right hand, intercession, [brace] as the [brace] cause of justification. Object of justifying faith. Upon Rom. 8. ver. 34. Together with a treatise discovering the affectionate tendernesse of Christs heart now in heaven, unto sinners on earth. / By Tho: Goodwin, B.D.
London: printed by W.E. and J.G. for Robert Dawlman, 1642
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.
How should the consideration of these things both draw us on to faith,1 and encourage us therein, and raise up our hearts above all doubtings and withdrawings of spirit in believing! For in this example of Christ we have the highest instance of believing that ever was. He trusted God (as we have seen) for himself, and for many thousands besides, even for all his elect; and hast not thou the heart to trust him for one poor soul? Yea Christ thus trusted God, upon his single Bond; but we for our assurance, have both Christ and God bound to us, even God with his surety, Christ, ⟨p. 6⟩(for he is Gods Surety as well as ours.) A double Bond from two such Persons, whom would it not secure? If God the Father and God the Son thus mutually trusted one another for our salvation, whom would it not induce to trust them both, for ones own salvation, when as otherwise they must be damned that will not? 1. This example of Christ may teach and incite us to believe: For did Christ lay down all his glory, and empty himself, and leave himself worth nothing, but made a Deed of Surrendering all he had into his Fathers hands, and this in a pure trust that God would justify many by him, (as it is in Isaiah 53. and shall not we lay down all we have, and part with what ever is dear unto us afore hand, with the like submission, in a dependence and hope of being our selves justified by him?2 And withal 2. it may encourage us to believe: Hast thou the guilt of innumerable transgressions coming in, and discouraging thee from trusting in him? Consider but what Christ had, (though not of his own:) Christ was made (as Luther boldly (in this sense that we speak of him) speaks) the greatest sinner that ever was; that is, by imputation: for the sins of all Gods chosen met in him: And yet he trusted God to be justified from them all, and to be raised up from under the wrath due of them. Alas, thou art but one poor sinner, & thy faith hath but a light and small load laid upon it, namely, thy own sins, which to this sum he undertook for, are but as an unite to an infinite number: God laid upon him the iniquities of us all. Christ trusted God for his own Acquittance from the sins of all the world, and ⟨p. 7⟩when that was given him, he yet again further trusted him, to acquit the world for his satisfaction sake.