SERMON XII – Thomas Manton

Doct. That it is a great comfort to the Saints in all their Af∣flictions, to know that they have a Redeemer living in Heaven.

This is the first thing whereby Iob comforteth himself.

• I. I shall consider the matter of the Comfort.
• II. Shew you how it is applicable to all Afflictions.

I. The matter of the Comfort consists in four things.

• 1. That there is a Redeemer.
• 2. That he is their Redeemer.
• 3. That he liveth.
• 4. That they know this upon certain and infallible Grounds.

1. That there is a Redeemer: for he doth not say, I know that my Creaton liveth, but my Redeemer.

The Word is Goel; The Septuagint render it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: He that will deliver me. Theodotion better, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, My near Kinsman liveth. The Word properly signifies such an one as in regard of propinquity or neatness of Kindred, had right to redeem a Mortgage, or the like En∣gagement of Land, or Livelyhood. Lev. 25:25, 26. If thy Brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his Possession, and if any of his Kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his Brother sold. Or else to prosecute the Law against the Murderer of his Friend, or Kinsman, Numb. 35:19. 24.

It is taken sometimes more largely for any Deliverer out of Thraldom, or Avenger of wrong in general. And so is in the old Testament applied to God or Christ, to whom the term chiefly belongeth. To God, because of his powerful Provi∣dence and rescuing his People out of their Calamities. Psal. 25:22. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his Troubles. To Christ, to whom it is most proper. Isa. 59:20. And the Re∣deemer shall come to Zion, and to them that shall turn away un∣godliness from Jacob; which the Apostle applieth to Christ, Rom. 11. 26. He then is the Redeemer, and it implieth, 1. That he is our Kinsman after the Flesh, or by Incarnation. 2. That he paid a price to God for us in his Passion. 3. That he pursueth the Law against Satan, and rescues us by his Pow∣er. All which are notable grounds of Comfort. For under the Law the Redemption of the Inheritance, or the Person of the poor Brother sold, was to be made by the next of Blood, and that by the Male side, not by the Mothers, but by the Fa∣thers side; and he also was to be the Avenger of Blood.

1. There is much comfort in this, that Christ is our Kins∣man, Bone of our Bone, and Flesh of our Flesh, and there∣fore certainly will not be strange to his own Flesh. He did  redeem us not only jure proprietatis, by virtue of his Interest in us as our Creator, but jure propinquitatis, by virtue of his Kindred, one of us, of our Stock and Lineage; the Son of Adam, as well as the Son of God. The Apostle tells us, Heb. 2. 11. For he that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause he is not ashamed to call them Brethren. As the first Fruits offered to God were taken out of the same heap; so he was of the same Mass with us. Christ is not on∣ly Man, but the Son of Man: he might have been Man if God had created him out of nothing, or he had brought his sub∣stance from Heaven. But he is the Son of Man, one descen∣ded of the Loins of Adam, as we are; even thus, He that san∣ctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one. He is of the same Stock with all Mankind, but the Kindred is reckoned to the Sanctified, because there it holdeth of both sides. Christ is born of a Woman, and they are born of God, and so he is a Kinsman doubly, ratione incarnationis fuae, and regenerationis nostrae; In regard of his own Incarnation, and our Regene∣ration. He partaketh of the humane Nature, and we par∣take of the Divine Nature. And it followeth, therefore he is not ashamed to call us Brethren. We are said to be ashamed when we do any thing that is filthy, dishonest or base, or misbecoming our Dignity and Rank, which we sustain in the World. The former Consideration is of no place here. For the latter, those that bear any Port and Rank in the World, are ashamed to shew too much familiarity towards their Inferiors: but such is the love of Jesus Christ towards his People, that though he be infinitely greater, and more worthy than these, yet he is not ashamed to call us Brethren. Well then, here is the first step of our Comfort and Hope, to see God in our Na∣tures. The Eternal Son of God became our Kinsman, that he might have the Right of Redemption, and recover the Inhe∣ritance which we had forfeited. We could not have such familiar and confident recourse to an Angel, and one who was of an∣other Stock, and different Nature from ours, nor put our selves into his hands with such trust and assurance. Now he and we are of one Nature, we my be the more confident. ‘Tis a motive to Man, Lev. 8:7. Thou shalt not hide thy self from thine own Flesh. In Christ all the perfections of Man were at the highest. This made Laban, though otherwise a churlish Man, kind to Iacob, Gen. 29:14. Surely thou art my Bone and my Flesh. One of our Stock and Lineage will pity us more than a Stranger.

2. This Kinsman was to pay the Price and Ransom of his captivated Brother; that also is implied in the Notion of a Redeemer, Lev. 25:48, 49. After that he is sold, his Uncle, or his Uncles Son may redeem him, or any that is nigh of Kin to him, of his Family, may redeem him. So when we had sold our selves, Jesus Christ, who only of the Kindred was free and able to do it, paied a price for us. 1 Cor. 6:20. We are bought with a Price. And this Price was no less than his own precious Blood, 1 Pet. 1:18, 19. A Price was necessary: for God was not an Enemy that could be overcome, but must be satisfied, and Amends made for the Wrong done to his Ma∣jesty; that the Notions which are ingrafted in Mans Heart concerning God might be kept inviolate. The Lord knows how apt we are to please our selves with the thoughts of Im∣punity, as if it were nothing to sin against God, and a small matter to break his Laws. Now to prevent this thought in us, before his Justice would let go the Sinner, he deman∣deth Satisfaction, and equivalent Satisfaction to the Wrong done, to expiate the Offence done to an infinite Majesty. Therefore no less could be a sufficient Ransom for lost Sinners, than the Blood of Christ. This is the Price which our Kinsman hath paid down for us. In short, the Wrong was done to an infinite Majesty, the Favour to be purchased was the Eter∣nal Enjoyment of the Ever-blessed; the Sentence to be re∣versed, was the Sentence of everlasting Death: And therefore  Christ alone could serve the turn. Here is another Ground of Comfort. Cyril calls it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

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 Res∣cue. 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 overaweth him, and puts him out of Office by the Merit of his Passion. Satan had no Power over Death, as Dominus Mortis, as the Su∣preme 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.

2. That he is their Redeemer, is the next Ground of Comfort. job doth not profess Faith only in a Redeemer, but in his Redeemer; I know, that [my] Redeemer liveth; not by an uncharitable Exclusion, shutting out others, and engrossing the Redeemer to himself; But

 (1.) By a fiducial Application, making out his own Title and Interest. Some things in Nature are common Benefits, not lessened to any because others enjoy them. As a Speech heard, and the Sun shining, &c. The Saints do not exclude others. 1 joh. 2:2. And he is the Propitiation for our Sins; and not for ours only, but for the Sins of the [whole] World. 2 Tim. 4:8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, not for me only, but for [all] them also that love his Appearing. This doth not lessen the Benefit to us, and our Obligations to him. Plato thought himself obliged in kindness to one that paid his Fare for his Passage over a River, and reckon’d it, positum apud Platonem Officium, a Courtesy that obliged Plato; but when he saw others Partakers of the same Benefit, he disclaimed the Debt, and onely took part of it on himself. Upon which Seneca groundeth this Aphorism, That it is not enough for him that will oblige me to him, to do me a good Turn, unless he do it to my self directly, non tantùm mihi, sed tanquam mihi; otherwise, quod debeo cum multis, solvam cum multis, I will only pay my Portion and Share of Thanks and Respect. But this cannot be applied to this extraordinary Kindness of Christ; for every Man is indebted for the whole, not every Man for a part of Redemption. God’s Love to every one is infinite, and he hath paid an infinite Price for thee, purchased an infinite Happiness to thee. His Love to thee was without measure and bounds, so must thy Thankful∣ness be to him without stint and limit. Though he died for others as well as thee, yet thou art bound to love him no less than for thee alone; he shed his whole Blood for thee, and every Drop was poured out for thy sake.

(2.) By a fiducial Owning and Appropriation, challeng∣ing his Right in him. So doth Thomas, Joh. 20:28. My Lord, and my God. Faith appropriates God to our own Use and Comfort. The Devils know that there is a God, and a Christ; for they confessed, Thou art Iesus, the Son of the Living God: But they can never say with Comfort, My God, and my Christ. This Application is the Ground of our Love to Christ, and our Comfort in Christ.

Our Love to Christ. Things that concern us, affect us. This is the quickning Motive to the spiritual Life, Who loved me, and gave himself for me, Gal. 2:20. And, 1 joh. 4:19. We love him, because he loved us first. A particular Sense and Experience of God’s Love to our own Souls, doth most quicken and awaken our Love to him again. When we see that he hath thought of us, and taken Care of our Salvation, that our Names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

So for our Comfort in Christ. It is the Propriety a Man hath to any good thing, that doth increase the Comfort of it. It is a Misery to a Man, to see others enjoy a Benefit, which he hath as much need of as others, and he can enjoy no part of it. I may allude to that, Prov. 5:15. Drink Wa∣ters out of thine own Cistern, and running Waters out of thine own Well. The greater we know the Benefit, the great∣er will be our Trouble to want it. A poor Man that sees a large Dole given, and Multitudes relieved, and he can get nothing, is the more troubled. So here, to see Christ ready to save Sinners, and we have no Com∣fort by him, is very afflicting. Ephes. 1:13. After ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. It is not suf∣ficient to know, that the Gospel is a Doctrine of Salvation to others; but every one should labour, by a due Application of the Promises to their own Hearts, to find it to be a Doctrine of Salvation to themselves in particular. The see∣ing of Meat, though never so wholesom, doth not nourish; but the eating of it. The beholding of Christ revealed in the Word as a Saviour in general, is not sufficient to give full Comfort, without applying him to be my Christ, my Savi∣our, my Redeemer. We must make sure of our Share in this universal Good. We read of Blood shed, and Blood sprink∣led,  Atonement made, and Atonement received: But no Man hath satisfying Comfort by the Blood of Christ, till it be sprinkled upon his Heart, and applied to him by the Spirit of God, and thereby assured that it was shed for him.

3. The next Ground of Comfort is, That our Redeemer li∣veth. This is true of Christ, whether you consider him as God, or as Man. (1.) As God. So he is Co-eternal with the Father, the First and the Last, the Beginning of all things, and the End of them. So he saith not, he hath, or shall live, but he liveth. In my Flesh shall I see God. He speaks of the Redeemer’s Life without any distinction of Time, past, present, or to come. So that he is altogether with the Father and the Spirit, from everlasting to everlasting one living God. (2.) As Man after his Resurrection. Rev. 1:18. I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen. And have the Keys of Hell, and of Death. Now in this Sence I take it for his Life in Heaven after his Resurrecti∣on from the Dead; and that is of great Comfort to us. For the Apostle telleth us, that, If we were reconciled by the Death of Christ, much more shall we be saved by his Life. The Com∣fort is great that arises from the Life of the Redeemer.

(1.) It is a visible Demonstration of the Truth of the Go∣spel in general, and in particular of the Article of Eternal Life. The Truth of the Gospel in general, Acts 17:31. Hath given Assurance, that is, a sufficient Evidence to induce a Belief of the Gospel, in that he hath raised him from the Dead. Christ came from Heaven as a faithful Witness, to beget Faith, as well as to give us Knowledge; sealing his Testimony with unquestionable Proofs, to make it the more sure and credi∣ble to us; for he hath confirmed it by a Life of Miracles, and chiefly by raising from the dead Himself, and ascending visibly to Heaven. His Resurrection from the dead is Proof enough to justify his Doctrine, and to evidence the Certain∣ty of his Testimony; for God by his Divine Power would  not countenance a Deceiver, and raise him from the Dead, and receive him into Glory with Himself. Particularly it proves the State of unseen Glory, Life and Immortality are more fully brought to light in the Gospel, than by any other Means, 2 Tim. 1:10. By the Resurrection of Jesus Christ there is not only a clear Revelation of it, but a full Confir∣mation, because Christ is entred into the Glory that he spake of, and promised to his Disciples. He is gone before us in∣to the other World, that he may receive us unto himself, and that we might with a more steady confidence wait for it in the midst of Fears and Uncertainties of the present Life.

(2.) His Living after Death. It was the solemn Acquit∣tance of our Surety from the Sins imputed to him, and a To∣ken of the Acceptation of his Purchase; when Christ rose again from the Dead, our Surety was let out of Prison, Isa. 53:8. And it is a Ground of Confidence to us: for when the Debtor sees the Surety walk abroad, he may be sure the Debt is satisfied. Therefore it is said, Rom. 4:25. Who was delivered for our Offences, and raised again for our Iustification. Christ is sometimes said to rise from the Dead, and sometimes to be raised from the Dead. His taking up his Life again argued his Divine Power; but as Man, he was raised. So it is said, Heb. 13:20. The God of Peace, who brought again from the Dead our Lord Iesus Christ. God the Father brought him again from the Dead, as an Evidence of full Satisfaction. Our Surety did not break Prison, but was solemnly brought forth. The Disciples said, Acts 16:37, 38, 39. Let them come themselves, and fetch us. An Angel was sent from Heaven, to roll away the Stone, to shew that Christ had a solemn Release and Discharge.

(3.) His Living, implies his Capacity to intercede for us, and to relieve us in all our Necessities. Heb. 7:24, 25. But this Man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood. Therefore he is able to save to the uttermost, all that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them. Christ is there compared with the Levitical Priest∣hood: They were many that succeeded one after another, and being hindred by Death, could never bring their Work to perfection; but this Priest ever liveth to plead the Churches Cause with God, presenting his Human Nature in his Sight, and appearing continually before his Fathers Throne, and this for all that come to God by him. They are his Clients, and he is their Advocate; it is against the Rules of that Court to plead for others that continue in their Unbelief and Impenitency. After the Beast was slain without the Camp, the Levitical High-Priest did enter into the Sanctuary with Blood: So Christ after his Sacrifice did enter into the Hea∣venly Sanctuary, with the Names of the twelve Tribes, of all the Saints on his Breast and Shoulders, there to appear, be∣fore God for us, Heb. 9:14. He ever liveth to accomplish the Fruits of his Purchase for those that are reconciled to God by him as an High-Priest; to answer the Accusations of Satan, as our Advocate; to stop the breaking out of Wrath. As Ionathan in Saul‘s Court did mitigate his Father’s Anger against David, so Christ doth interpose Night and Day to prevent Breaches, and to preserve a mutual Correspondence between God and us, as our Lieger-Agent; to sue out Grace sutable to our Conflicts, Difficulties, and Temptations, as our Friend in Court; to procure the Acceptance of our Prayers, as our Mediator and Intercessor, Heb. 8:2.

(4.) His Living is the Root and Cause of our Life. For he having purchased Eternal Life, not only for himself, but for all his Members, ever liveth to convey it to them, and maintain it in them. joh. 14:19. Because I live, ye shall live also. Joh. 6:57. As I live by the Father; so he that belie∣veth in me, shall live by me. By reason of the Mystical Union that is between Christ and Believers, they may rest upon it, that as long as the Head hath Life, the Members shall not be  utterly without Life; for Christ is a Pledg and a Pattern of that Power, that shall work in us in order to Life Spiritual and Eternal.

4. The next Ground of Comfort is the Certainty of Per∣swasion; I know that my Redeemer liveth. As if he had said, I do not doubt of it, nor suspect it in the least. I know, implies,

(1.) A clear Understanding of this Mystery. The more fully we understand the Grounds of Faith, the more Efficacy they have upon us, to beget Confidence and Joy of Faith in us. The Fears that haunt us are the Fruits of Darkness and Ignorance, accompanied with a sense of Guilt; but as Gospel-Knowledge increases, they vanish as Mists do before the Sun. Psal. 9:10. They that know thy Name will put their Trust in thee. If God were better known, he would be bet∣ter trusted.

(2.) I know, implies Certainty of Perswasion. This is either, Certainty of Faith, or of Spiritual Sense.

First, Of Faith, which depends on the Certainty of God’s Revelation; that was either the general Promise in Paradise, Gen. 3:15. God had said, The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents Head. Now upon this Promise Iob is as confi∣dent of a Redeemer, as if he had seen him with his bodily Eyes. Thus Abraham is said to have seen Christ’s Day, john 8:56. And, Heb. 11:13. These all died in Faith, not having received the Promises, but having seen them afar off, and were perswaded of them, and embraced them. Or his Faith was built upon some particular Revelation; Heb. 1. 1. God, who at sundry times, and by divers manners, spake unto the Fathers by the Prophets. They had a sufficient Discovery of the Redee∣mer to be a Ground of Faith. Certain it is, the Eyes of Be∣lievers were then upon him. We are told, that Christ was the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World, Rev. 13:8. He is set forth in Prophecies and Types. Now Faith is the Evidence of Things not seen; not seen by Sense, but clearly seen in the Promise. He was the Joy of all Ages, even of those that lived before he came in the Flesh. The same is true after the Coming of Christ, as well as before; for we believe in him whom we have not seen, 1 Pet. 1:3. We should as heartily love him, and rejoyce in him, as if we had con∣versed with him bodily. Only we have an Advantage, Histo∣ry is not so dark as Prophecy; and it is more easy to believe what is past, where we have the Suffrage and Experience of so many Ages to confirm us, than to expect what is to come, where we have only God’s bare Word to support us. The Mystery is now more clearly revealed to us, than before the Exhibition of our Saviour. Therefore according to our Ad∣vantage, so should the Increase of our Faith be. We should be able to say, 2 Tim. 1:12. I know whom I have believed, and I am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have commit∣ted to him. We should rest upon Christ with more confidence.

Secondly, The Certainty of Spiritual Sense. We know that he is a Redeemer by the discovery of the Word; that he is our Redeemer by the Application of the Spirit, as he manifests himself to us, and in us. This Knowledge of Spi∣ritual Sense is often spoken of, job 13:18. I know that I shall be justified. Heb. 10:34. Knowing in your selves, that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring Substance. Rom. 6:6. Know∣ing this, that your old Man is crucified, that is, feeling. Now both these are of great Comfort, the Certainty of Faith, and the Sweetness of Sense; for without the Certainty of Faith the Soul is only left to blind Ghesses, and loose Conjectures, and so can never have solid Comfort. Without the Know∣ledge of Sense, that is, of our Interest in Salvation, the Soul loses much of its Joy and Peace. As Novices, and Men that have never before been at Sea, are troubled at the swelling of every Wave and Billow, though they are safe; yet because they do not know they are safe, their Voyage is a Torment  to them. So those that take the Assurance of the Word of God for the Truth of Redemption by Christ, and tremb∣lingly build upon it; yet because they know not their own Interest, have not the Comfort of the Spirit, their Journey to Heaven is the more troublesom. Therefore it concerneth us to build upon a sure Foundation, so to get a clear Interest.

II. How this is applicable in all Afflictions. That easily appears from these Premises.

1. In publick Troubles and Difficulties. We are amazed and perplexed many times at the Events that fall out in the World, and know not whereunto these things will grow. Yet this is some Comfort and Support to all that are concern’d in Sion‘s Affairs, that Christ is alive at his Fathers right-Hand, and will pursue all things that make for the Glory of God, and the Advancement of his own Kingdom. I say, the Glory of God, Rom. 6:10. In that he liveth, he liveth unto God. His own Kingdom. Psal. 110:1. Sit thou at my right Hand, till I make thine Enemies thy Footstool. He is at the right-hand of God, and there shall abide, till he return to judge the World. In the mean time he hath the Inspection of all Affairs, All Iudgment is put into his Hands, Joh. 5:22. Things are not left to the Will of Man, nor to their own Contingency, but are guided and ordered by him with good Advice. However Matters go, Christ is Governor, who is not, cannot be deposed from his Regal Office, nor justled out of the Throne. As Luther said, upon some Loss that befel the Friends of the Gospel, Etiamnum vivit & regnat Christus. When the Floods lifted up their Voice, and all things seemed to threaten Ruin, and to over-whelm; then follows, The Lord reigneth. The Lord on high is mightier than the Noise of many Waters, Psal. 93:1, 4. It is spoken of the Kingdom of Christ, for the advancing and preserving of which  he gives forth signal Testimonies of his Regal Power.

2. In spiritual Distresses; when we want Life and Quick∣ning, are opposed with troubled thoughts about our sinful Infirmities. Your Redeemer hath Life in himself, but not for himself alone; he came into the World, that we might have a fuller Communication of his Grace, joh. 10:10. Now he is gone back again to God, and filled with the Spirit, to communicate it to the Members of his Mystical Body. Eph. 4:10. He is ascended up to fill all things. When we are dead, our Redeemer liveth, as a Fountain of Life to God’s People.

3. In outward Calamities. He liveth, when other Com∣forts fail, or are taken away from us; he will prove the near∣est and best Friend, when all others forsake us; he will not only sympathize with us, but help us, and knoweth how to to give a comfortable Issue out of the sorest Troubles. 2 Cor. 4:14, 16. Knowing, that he which raised up the Lord Iesus, shall raise up us also by Iesus, and shall present us with you. For which cause we faint not.

4. It is a great Comfort in Calumnies and Slanders, when our Names are taken up in the Lips of the Taunters, and cast forth as evil. job here, when his Friends suspected him as fallen from the Grace of God, puts his Cause into the Hands of the great Mediator, who was now with God in Heaven, making Intercession for him, and will one Day stand on the Earth judging the World. We need not fear any partial Judge here below, nor be troubled at their Pre∣judices and Misconstructions. Christ is the true Judge, who will bring to light the hidden things of the Heart; and then shall every Man have praise of God, 1 Cor. 4:15. That is, eve∣ry one that hath done well. Though we have Failings, yet those that flee to a Redeemer for Pardon, and Reconcilia∣tion with God, and Grace to walk uprightly, shall then be acquitted.

 5. Chiefly it is a Comfort against the Fears of Death, that you may yeeld up yourselves into Christ’s Hands. Thoughts of dwelling with God in Eternal Life are less comfortable, because Death and the Grave interpose; we must pass through them before we can enjoy him. But though we die, Christ liveth, who is the Resurrection, and those that believe in him shall live though they die, joh. 11:25. For our Souls, he standeth ready to receive them. Acts 7:54. Lord Iesus, receive my Spirit. And our Bodies at the last day shall be rai∣sed again to immortal Life. When Christ, who is our Life, shall appear, we shall appear with him in Glory, Col. 3:4. We need not fear Death; for by his dying and rising again, the Powers of the Grave are shaken, and Death it self is become mortal. The Grave is not a Prison, but a Place of Repose, Isa. 57:2. And Death not a final Extinction, but a Passage into Glory. It is ours, 1 Cor. 3:22. All things are yours, Life, Death, Things present, Things to come; all are yours. And it is Gain. Phil. 1:21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is Gain. Therefore we may go to the Grave with Com∣fort and Hope. Christ died, and yet is alive; so shall we. He is risen as the First-fruits of them that sleep, 1 Cor. 15:20. The whole Harvest was blessed and sanctified by an handful of the first-Fruits dedicated to God. When Christ arose, he virtually drew all the Elect out of the Grave with him; be∣ing renewed and reconciled by his Grace, they may be con∣fident of a joyful Resurrection., for Christ is their fore-fruits. The First-fruits did not bless the Tares, Darnel, and Cockle, that grew amongst the Corn; no Man that ever offered the first-Fruits desired a Blessing upon the Weeds; no, Bind the Tares in Bundles, and gather the Wheat into my Barn. But if he in∣deed be your Redeemer, and hath redeemed you from all Ini∣quity, that is, from the Guilt and Power of Sin; it is a Comfort to you to know that he lives gloriously with God, and will draw all his own after him; that they may live gloriously with him. He  is our Fore-runner, Heb. 6:20. Who is gone to Heaven, and hath taken Possession for himself, and in our Behalf, to make the Way more passable for us. When we die, we do but go thither whither he is gone before us, he standeth upon the Shore ready to receive us into Glory.

Use of Exhortation.

I. Believe it, and be perswaded of this Truth, that you have a Redeemer living with God in the Heavens.

1. This is a matter of meer Faith, and therefore it must be soundly believed, before it can have any efficacy upon us. Some points of Faith are mixed, partly evident by Natural Reason, partly by Divine Revelation; as that there is a God, it is matter of sensible Experience, Rom. 1:20. and a matter of Faith also; whosoever comes to God must believe that God is. Nature helpeth forward the entertainment of these things: but Redemption by Christ is a matter of pure and meer Faith; and is received by believing Gods Testimony, 2 Thess. 1:10. there is no improving these points till we soundly believe them.

2. Because we often think we believe these general Truths, when indeed we do not believe them at all, or not with such a degree of assent, as we imagine. Our Lord when he speaks of these Truths, Joh. 11:26. He that believeth in me, shall live though he die. Believest thou this? Joh. 16:31. Do ye now be∣lieve? We conceit our Faith to be much stronger than indeed it is, about the main Articles of Faith.

3. Because among them that profess themselves Christians, there are monstrous defects in their Faith. Naturally we look upon the Gospel as a well devised Fable, 2 Pet. 1:16. and many that dare not speak it out, yet do but speak of Christ in Jest, and for fashion sake. I am sure most live as if there were no such matter, and the many Impostures and Cheats of Christendom, and the divisions and scandals amongst us, have  weakned the Faith of many, that were it not for shame they would turn professed Infidels. There could not be such Bold∣ness in sinning, such Coldness in spiritual and heavenly things, such Neglect of Christ and Heaven, if Men were true and sound Believers. Others content themselves with a negative Sense, they do not question or contradict these Articles of Faith, because they do not consider them, but take up the common Opinion, Hand over Head, and were never assaul∣ted with Temptations to the contrary; they do not doubt of it, say they; but are they rooted and grounded in the Faith? Col. 7:23. Their not doubting comes from their non∣attention. Others have a speculative Assent; there is a Cer∣tainty of Evidence, and a Certainty of Adherence. The for∣mer consisteth in the Conviction of the Mind, the latter in the Bent of the Will and Affections. An Object rightly pro∣pounded extorteth the former from the Understanding, not expecting the Consent of the Will; the latter followeth Imperium & Consensum Voluntatis. The former arises from the Evidence of the Thing; the latter from the Considerati∣on of the Worth, Weight, and Greatness of it. 1 Tim. 1:15. This is a faithful Saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Ie∣sus Christ came into the World to save Sinners. They must not only be apprehended by us as true, but seriously con∣sidered as the highest and most important Things, so as that we may adhere to them with all our Hearts. It is such a Be∣lief of the Gospel as produces a firm and cordial Adherence, otherwise it will not serve the End and Purpose of the Go∣spel, which requireth us to crucify our Lusts, sacrifice our Interests, and perform those things which are unpleasing to Nature upon the Hopes it offereth to us, and with confidence and joyfulness to wait upon God for his Salvation, in the midst of all Pressures and Afflictions. If your Adherence were more firm, you would find your Comfort more lively, fresh and constant, your Obedience more uniform, you  would not be so shaken with Temptations and Assaults, and the Incursion of worldly Cares and Sorrows. In great Temptations the Children of God see the need of a firm and cordial Assent to the main Gospel-Truths, Heb. 6:1, 2. Nay in ordinary Practices, in every Prayer you make to God, Heb. 10:22. Let us draw nigh to God with a true Heart, in full Assurance of Faith. 1 Tim. 2:8. I will therefore, that Men pray every where, lifting up holy Hands, without Wrath and Doubting.

4. Endeavour to arrive at the highest Degree of Assent. Faith is or should be strongly perswaded of what it believeth. It is an Evidence, not a Conjecture, not a Surmise, but a firm Assurance. We should certainly know what we believe. We know thou art a Teacher sent from God, Joh. 3:2. We know, and are sure, that thou art Christ, the Son of the Living God, Joh. 6:69. ;  2 Cor. 5:1. We know, that we have a Buil∣ding of God. 1 Joh. 5:2. We know, that we shall see him as he is. 1 Cor. 15:58. Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the Work of the Lord, knowing that your Labour is not in vain in the Lord. Invisible things revealed by God should be certainly known, because God hath told us such clear firm Apprehensions become us. Faith is not a bare Conjecture, but a certain Knowledge: not we think, we hope well, but we know, is the Language of Faith. It is not a bare Possibility we go upon, nor a probable Opinion, but a certain infallible Truth. I put you upon this, partly, be∣cause we have a great Argument in the Text, If Iob could see it so long before it came to pass, should we not now see it? Believers of old make us ashamed, who live in the clear Sun-shine of the Gospel. job lived long before the Go∣spel was revealed; the Redemption of Souls was at that time a great Mystery, being sparingly revealed to a few. But one of a thousand could bring this Message to a condemned Sin∣ner, that God had found a Ransom, Iob 33:23. Partly, to  put you upon earnest Prayer to God, and other holy Means. The Spirit opens our Eyes, and inclines our Hearts. Eph. 1:17, 18. I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my Prayers; that the God of our Lord Iesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, in the knowledg of Him: The Eyes of your Un∣derstanding being enlightned; that ye may know what is the Hope of his Calling, and what the Riches of the Glory of his In∣heritance in the Saints.

II. I exhort you to apply and improve it to your particu∣lar Comfort. I shall speak

• 1. To the Careless.
• 2. To the Sensible.

1. To the Careless, who do not give diligence to make their Interest clear, that they may be able to say, I know that my Redeemer liveth. Some are contented, so they may be well in the World, and live in Peace, Credit, and Mirth here, but never look after an Interest in the Redeemer, or to get a sure Hope of a Sentence of Absolution from him at the last Day. They content themselves with a general Belief that Christ died for Sinners, and only make use of it for the Increase of their carnal Security, and Boldness in sinning. We must not only consider what Christ hath done, but what we are to do, that we may be Partakers of the Bene∣fits. The general Work of Redemption Christ hath per∣formed for us, without any Consent on our part; he took our Nature, fulfilled the Law, satisfied the Justice of God, merited Grace; but we must thankfully receive him, live in him and to him, before this is applied to us, or we can have the Comfort of it, 2 Cor. 5:17. ;  2 Cor. 13:5. They content themselves to think and hope well, but do not make it sure upon good Grounds. And when Questions and Scru∣ples are raised in their Hearts, there is not a full hearing of  the Matter, the Court is broken up ere things are well deter∣mined; and so they run the Hazard of Uncertainty, and live and die, venturing their Souls upon the bare possibility of being saved, never put it out of doubt, nor assure their Hearts before God. 1. joh. 3:19.

2. To the Sensible. To live upon this Truth in the midst of their Calamities, especially that they may enjoy the Com∣fort of it in a dying Hour.

Obj. You will say, we could take comfort in this, if we knew we had a Redemer at God’s right-hand; but alas! after all our Profession of the Name of Christ, and long waiting upon God, I cannot make this close Application, to say, My Re∣deemer liveth; or, My Spirit rejoyces in God my Saviour, Joh. 1:47.

Answ. But cannot you bless God for the Gospel, and the Offers of Pardon and Life by him? The main Foundation of Comfort lies in the general Truths; your Hopes are not built chiefly upon the Sense of your own Interest, but the Ransom which Christ hath paid for you. Is it nothing to you, that God should become Man, and your Judge your Kinsman? joh. 1:14. Surely Goodness and Mercy is nearer to us in our own Nature, than it was in the Divine Nature. We have an apparent Demonstration of it to us, that Christ would come among us to bring home Souls to God, Heb. 16. 17. 18. Again, Is it nothing, that in this Nature of ours he would pay our Ransom, that none should perish for want of a sufficient Satisfaction to God’s Justice, but for want of a willing Heart to accept and own his Redeemer? joh. 3:16, 17. Rev. 3:24, 25, 26. We are so far onward in our way. Again, Is it no∣thing to us, that our Redeemer will rescue us out of the hand of the Destroyer? 1 joh. 3:8. It is his Office. This should prevail with us, not to tie the Cord the faster, but to wait upon him with the more Hope, if you desire his Aid to this end and purpose; for it is his Office. Again, Is it nothing  to you, that this Redeemer liveth, that Christ in your Nature rose again, and is now at God’s right-hand, to manage the Causes of poor Sinners? Rom. 8:34. St. Paul‘s Triumph hence ariseth. Lastly, Is it nothing to you to know this, that God hath sent the Gospel to you, and given you Faith of these things? 1 Ioh. 5:20. We know the Son of God is come, and hath given us an Understanding, that we may know him that is true. Is this Favour nothing? These are the Truths you must live upon.

2dly. To those that question, whether Christ be our Re∣deeemer? whether they may look upon themselves, as having an actual Interest in the Benefits of his Death and Intercession?

I answer, This is evident, 1. By their own Act. 2. By God’s Act.

1. Their own Act. General Grace must some way be made particular, else it cannot profit us. All are not justifi∣ed, nor adopted, nor saved. There is the same merciful God, the same all-sufficient Saviour, the same gracious Covenant. Some apply this Grace, others do not. Christ doth not save us at a distance, but as received into our Hearts; as a Plai∣ster doth not heal at a distance, but applied to the Sore. Ioh. 1:13. To as many as received him, to them gave he power to be∣come the Sons of God. If you heartily consent and accept of the Redeemer’s Grace to heal your wounded Souls, you shall partake of Salvation.

2. There is an Act on God’s part. What have you to shew that God is reconciled to you? This is not evident, till we have the Pledg of our Reconciliation with God, the Gift of the holy Spirit. This affords infallible Assurance of God’s Favour. Other things may be given in Wrath, but the Spi∣rit is the Earnest of his Eternal Love. God loved Christ, and gave him the Spirit without measure, Joh. 3:34. By the Spirit his Love is applied to us, Rom. 5:5. This is the Evidence from whence we may conclude our actual Communion with God. It holdeth good, Exclusively, Rom. 8:9. Inclusively, 1 Ioh. 4:13. The Spirit first works, and then witnesses; he is first a Guide and Sanctifier, then a Comforter. As a Guide, he lead∣eth us to all Truth, Ioh. 16:13. When the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all Truth. Rom. 8:14. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God. As a Sanctifier, he breaketh the power of fleshly Lusts, Rom. 8:13. conformeth us to the Image of Christ, 2 Cor. 5:10. Then as a Comforter, he witnesseth our present Interest, and our future Hopes. Rom. 8:16. The Spirit beareth witness to our Spirits, that we are the Children of God. 2 Cor. 1:22. Who hath also sealed us, and given us the Earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts. Eph. 1:13. In whom also, after ye belie∣ved, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of Promise.