The Mystery and Marrow of the Bible

APHORISM II. Of the Person of Christ; and of His Mediatory Office, more Generally.

THat JESUS the only Son of God, is also the Son of the Urigin Mary, God and Man in one Person, THE CHRIST and Promised MESSIAH, is, as God-man, the only True, Fit and Sufficient Mediator, Testator and Surety of the New Covenant betwixt God and man.

In this Aphorism is set forth, I. The Person of the Mediator; who and what he is. And this, 1. By his Proper Denomination; JESUS. 2. By his Descent and Filiation; which is twofold, viz. ( ¹ ) Eternal, before all time. And so he is; The only son of God. ( ² ) Temporal, in fullness of time, Gal. 4. 4. So he is also, The Son of the virgin Mary. 3. By his two Natures, Divine and Human, Personally United; God and Man in one Person. God incarnate, The word made flesh; God manifest in the flesh; Immanuel, that is, God-with-us. II. The Office of this Mediator. And this three ways. 1. By his Designation and Unction for it; THE CHRIST and Promised MESSIAH. The Greek word Christ; and the Hebrew word, Messiah; do both of them signify Anointed. 2. By the Nature of his Office, and the peculiar Appropriation of it to him alone; The only True, Fit, and Sufficient Mediator, Testator, and Surety of the New Covenant betwixt God and man. 3. By the Capacity in which he became Mediator, Testator and Surety, viz. Not as God alone, nor as man alone; But, As God-man. All these Particulars touching the Person and office of the Mediator, are couched closely together in this short Aphorism, and are evident by these Scriptures annexed in the Margin.

But, these being Fundamental Principles of Faith, and of very high Consequence to Salvation (yet divers of them very intricate and hard to be understood,) they had need to be more largely Expl •… cated and evidenced. And therefore for greater clearness herein, I shall resolve the Apherism into these four distinct Positions; withal, explaining and confirming them, viz. 1. That JESUS the only son of God, and the son of the virgin Mary, is God and Man in one Person. 2. That, JESUS, God-man, is THE CHRIST the Promised Messiah: and he alone. 3. That, JESUS CHRIST God and Man, is the only True, Fit, and Sufficient Mediator, Testator and Surety of the New Covenant betwixt God and Man. 4. That JESUS CHRIST is Mediator, Testator and Surety of the New Covenant betwixt God and man, as he is God-man. All the former Particulars will easily be reduced to these four Poositions.

Position I. That. JESUS, the only Son of God, and the Son of the Virgin Mary, is God and Man in one Person. Here note, 1. What this Name JESUS imports. 2. That this JESUS is the only son of God. 3. That This JESUS also is the son of the virgin Mary. 4. That this JESUS, son of God and of the virgin Mary, is God and man in one Person.

I. What this Name Jesus imports. This Name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the Greek most frequently given to our Savior in the New Testament, which in Latin and English is JESUS is originally an Hebrew name, viz. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ieshuah, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Iehoshuah, A Savior. From 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Iashah, which in Hiphil is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hoshiah, To save, To preserve, To help. This Hebrew name was first given to Hoshea the Son of Nun, whom Moses called Iehoshuah, Numb. 13. 10. and the Apostle calls, Jesus, Heb. 4. 8. He saved Israel from their enemies, the Canaanites, &c. and brought them into the Promised Land of Rest; therein being a type of our TRUE JESUS, that saves all the elect Israel of God from all their Spiritual enemies, and brings them into Heavens everlasting Rest, Heb. 4. 8. to the end. Sundry witty Allusions or Allusive Etymologies are given of this Name JESUS, to show the Signification and Reason thereof; but waving those curiosaties, we are to acquiesce in the Angels Reason, why our Mediator should be called JESUS, as most authentic and unexceptionable.— And thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his People from their sins, Mat. 1. 21.

Our blessed Mediator is called JESUS, that is, ASAVIOUR; 1. Because He saves his People from their sins. This is the Angels Reason, and its the grand Reason, whereupon other Reasons do depend. 2. Because, He saves them from the wrath of God. God's wrath being only for sin. 3. Because, He saves and redeems from the accusation, malediction, rigor and terror of the Law of God. God's Law accusing, cursing and terrifying only for sin. 4. Because, He saves from Death, Judgment and eternal Condemnation. Those being the proper and peculiar wages of sin. 5. Because, he saves and delivers us from Satan and all the powers of darkness, yea from all our spiritual enemies. Which have got advantage against us only by sin. Now our blessed JESUS so saves: that, 1. He is the only Savior, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. 2. He saves universally all the elect people of God that are lost in the first Adam, whether Jews or Gentiles, of what Nation soever in the whole world. 3. He saves variously, with all manner of Necessary Salvation, viz. Meritoriously, by himself and his own Mediation with God for us. Efficatiously, by his Spirit and his effectual operation in us. Instrumentally; On his part, by his Word and Ministers: On our part, by Faith embracing Christ for Salvation. 4. He saves most sufficiently, and forever, all that come unto God by him. He is able to save to the uttermost ( 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to all end ) all that come unto God, &c. Hence he is called, not only Savior, but salvation itself, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gen. 49. 18. and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Luke 2. 30. He is his Peoples only, manifold, perfect and all-sufficient Salvation: from Sin, Wrath, Curse, Death, Condemnation, and all the Powers of Darkness. All these are comprised in this one word JESUS. The whole Gospel is hid in this Name JESUS. ( ¹ ) When we are first initiated into the Church: We are baptized into the Name of Jesus, Acts 2. 38. and 19. 5. ( ² ) When we are Converted to God; we put on the Lord Jesus, Rom. 13. 14. ( ³ ) When we act anything, whatsoever we do in word or Deed, we should do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, Col. 3. 17. ( ⁴ ) And when we are dissolved, and lay aside these earthly Tabernacles; we sleep in Jesus, 1 Thes. 4. 14. The Saints dead dust is under the Key and custody of this Jesus. O sweetest, and most delicious Name! For what can be sweeter to a Sinner then a Savior; to a lost soul. then a Jesus? The Name Jesus, is the Music of the Gospel, the Comfort of Repenters, the Triumph of believers, the terror of the Devil and of all the Powers of darkness. The Name Jesus, is Light and Life, Meat and Medicine, Health and Hope unto the Soul. This sweet Name Jesus, is Honey in the Mouth, Melody in the ear, and a very Jubiliee in the heart.

II. That this JESUS is the only son of God. 1. How? ( ¹ ) Not by Creation: so the Angels and all Mankind are sons of God, Job 1. 6. Heb. 12. 9. Numb. 16. 22. and 27. 16. ( ² ) Not by Adoption: So all the elect of God actually called, are the Sons and Daughters of God, Gal. 4. 4, 5, 6. 2 Cor. 7. 17, 18. Rom. 8. 15, 16. John 1. 11. ( ³ ) But by Generation. Even by Eternal, Ineffable and Unconceivable Generation of the Father before all worlds, according to his Deity. He is also called The son of God, according to his Humanity, in regard of his Miraculous conception in the Virgins womb, without man, by the Holy-Ghost, Luke 1. 35. But that comes not under this present Consideration. 2. Whence may it appear that this Jesus is in this sense, according to his God-head, the only Son of God? Divers ways, viz. ( ¹ ) From clear Testimonies of Scripture, wherein he is styled the son of God, yea The only begotten son of God. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Peter confessed; Thou art Christ, that son of the living God. Here's a Demonstrative particle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , that son: denoting Christ to be Son of the living God so peculiarly, as neither Elijah, nor Jeremiah, nor John the Baptist, nor any of the Prophets were the sons of God. And the word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. — The only begotten son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. — God soloved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, &c. — Because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God. — God sent his Only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him. ( ² ) From the glorious & exact resemblance of this son begotten, to the Father begetting. God hath in these last days spoken to us by his son,—who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image (or character ) of his Person, &c. None but Jesus Christ is the brightness of God's glory, and the express image of his person, this is here ascribed to him alone by peculiar appropriation. Therefore he alone is God's Natural and eternal Son. ( ³ ) From the sufficient Enumeration of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity. Those Persons or Distinct Divine Subsistences are only three in one Essence. There are three that bear record in Heaven, The Father, The Word, (elsewhere called, the Son ) and the Holy-Ghost: and these three are one. Among these three, there's but One Son, the Word; as there is but one Father: and this Son, this word, was made flesh, John 1. 14. This is that Jesus, the only eternal Son of God.

Hence, In Holy Scripture, ^1. The Names, ^2. Attributes, ^3. Works, And ⁴ Worship, which properly and peculiarly belong to God, are Ascribed to JESUS, this Son of God. I. The Names of God are given to JESUS the Son of God. As, 1. God. The Word was God, John. 1. •… . — The flock of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. — God manifest in the flesh. The great God, Tit. 2. 13. The true God, 1 John. 5. 20. Over all God blessed forever, Amen, Rom. 9. 5. 2. The LORD, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 By this word the Septuagint are wont to render the Hebr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 JEHOVAH, which is God's most proper essential Name. And the Apostles so render it also.— My Lord and my God, John 20. 28.— One Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 8. 6.— The only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude 4.— He is Lord of all, Acts 10. 36. The Lord from Heaven, 1 Cor. 15. 48. The Lord of glory, 1 Cor. 2 8. Lord of Lord's, and King of Kings, Rev. 19. 16. 3. The most high, Luke 1. 76, &c. II. The Essential Attributes and Properties of God are ascribed or given to this JESUS. As, 1. Equality to, and unity with the Father, Phil. 2. 6. John 5. 18. & 16. 6. & 17. 10. 1 John 5. 7. Col. 2. 9. 2. Omniscience, that he knows all things; searcheth hearts and reins, John. 2. 25. & 16. 30 & 21. 17. Rev. 2. 23. 3. Omnipotency. The mighty God, Isa. 9. 6. Almighty, Rev. 1. 8. & 11. 17.— His mighty power whereby he can subdue all things.—Phil. 3. 21. 4. Immortality. Hath life in himself, John 5. 26. Prince of Life, Acts 3. 15. Life, John. 14. 6. 5. Immutability. Still the same, Heb. 1. 11. & 13. 8. 6. Infiniteness and Omnipresence. He is boundless, and everywhere present, John. 3. 13, &c. Rev. 1. 13. John. 1. 18. 7. Eternity, Isa. 9. 6. John. 1. 1. Heb. 7. 13. & 13. 8. I need not mention anymore. III. The works proper and peculiar to God, are ascribed to this JESUS, John. 5. 17, 19, 20, 21. & 14. 13. As in particular, 1. Creation. John. 1. 1, 3. Heb. 1. 11. Col. 1. 16. 2. Conservation of all things created, Heb. 1. 3. 1 Cor. 8. 6. Col. 1. 16. 3. Redemption of sinners, Luk. 1. 68. Mat. 20. 28. Heb. 9. 12, 13, 14. Acts 20. 28. 4. Donation of his Spirit, John 14. 16, &c. 15. 26. & 14. 26. 5. Raising himself from the dead, John. 2. 19. & 10. 18. Rom. 1. 3, 4. 6. Institution of Ordinances and Officers in his Church, Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11. 23. Eph. 4. 8, 9, 10, &c. 7. Iudging of the world at last. John 5. 22. Mat. 25. 31. to the end. Acts 17. 31. IV. The worship proper and due only unto God, is given also to JESUS Christ, John 5. 23. As ¹ Believing in him, John. 14. 1. ^2. Hoping or Trusting in him, Isa. 11. 10. Psal. 2. ult. 3. Being baptized in his name, Acts 2. 38, 39. Mat. 28. 19. 4. Living to him, &c. Rom. 14. 9. By all which, and many such like particulars, the God-head of JESUS the only begotten Son of God, is abundantly manifested.

III. That, This JESUS, the only begotten Son of God, was also the Son of the Virgin Mary. For the more clear evincing of this, These Particulars are to be evidenced, viz. ^1. Whence the Virgin Mary herself descended. ^2. That Jesus was the Son of the Virgin Mary. ^3. How Jesus was the Son of the Virgin Mary. ^4. What Denominations are given to him in Scripture hereupon. These things had need to be rightly understood, for the due Knowledge of Jesus our Mediator. I. Whence the Virgin Mary herself Descended? Answ. The Virgin Mary Naturally descended of David, and was of his House in the Tribe of Judah. For, 1. Our Lord Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, sprang of the Tribe of Judah, out of the House of David. — For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah. — Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the Seed of David according to the flesh. 2. It is said; The Angel Gabriel— was sent, to a Virgin, espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , whose name was Mary, &c. (the intent of the Angels message, was to assure her that Jesus should be conceived and brought forth of her.) Here those words ( of the house of David ) may refer, according to the Greek, to Mary as well as to Joseph. 3. The Genealogy described by Luke, puts the matter quite out of Question, that the Virgin Mary descended of David Naturally, and not only Legally. For, Its evident beyond doubt, that (according to the Genealogy by Matthew ) Joseph the husband of Mary was the natural Son of Jacob: because its said; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, &c. So that Eli, mentioned in Luke to be Joseph's Father, was only his Legal or Civil Father, but Mary's Natural Father. Husband and wife becoming one flesh, the Father of one is Father of Both, Gen. 37. 35. As P. Galatinus hath well observed. The Genealogy therefore described by Luke, doth plainly describe the Natural descent of the Virgin Mary from the House of David. Object. But why then doth Luke carry his Genealogy upwards from Joseph: and not from Mary, she being not mentioned in his Genealogy. Resol. Because (as Galatinus hath noted) it is not the manner of Scripture to make up Genealogies by women, therefore Luke in the Genealogy of the glorious Virgin, did put Joseph himself instead of the Virgin, calling him the Son of Eli, that is, of Jehoiakim. Thus the Genealogies of Matthew and Luke are clearly reconciled, as touching the Father of Joseph and of Mary: Jacob was Joseph's Natural Father, but Eli was Joseph's civil, and Mary's Natural Father. Or, they may thus be easily reconciled without forcing anything in the text, by placing the Parenthesis in that of Luke, not as it is in our Translation— being ( as was supposed ) the Son of Joseph, &c. but thus; And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being ( as was supposed, the son of Joseph,) the son of Eli, &c. that is, the grand-child of Eli, by his daughter Mary. And this Resolution greatly satisfies that learned Spanhemius. And he very well answers Calvin's objection against drawing the line of Mary and of Christ, from David by Nathan, and not by Solomon. The learned Reader may consult him for his further satisfaction. II. That Jesus was the son of the Virgin Mary. This is very plain. For, 1. This was foreprophesied by the Prophet Isaiah, Behold a Virgin shall conceive, &c. Isa. 7. 14. Mat. 1. 22, 23. 2. This was fore-promised by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary herself, That she should conceive and bring forth a son, and call him Jesus, &c. Luke 1. 28. to 39. 3. This was actually fulfilled, for when the days were accomplished, she brought forth her first-born son in the City of David, which is Bethlehem, and on the eighth day when he was circumcised, his name was called JESUS, who was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the womb, Luke 2. 4, 5, 6, 7, &c. 21, &c. Mat. 1. 18. to the end. & 2. 1, &c. III. How JESUS was the Son of the Virgin Mary. Answ. Jesus became the Son of the Virgin Mary; 1. Extraordinarily; in a way altogether extraordinary and miraculous. Partly, In that he was conceived, not by ordinary Human Generation, but by the Holy Ghosts extraordinary and miraculous operation: who wonderfully formed the human Nature of Christ, of the substance of the Virgin Mary, perfectly sanctifying it in the first moment of conception. Then said Mary unto the Angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the Angel answered and said unto her, The Holy-Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall over-shadow thee: therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. Partly, In that he was conceived and born of a Virgin: she still remaining a Virgin till after his Nativity. For a Virgin to conceive is ordinary: but for a Virgin to conceive and bring forth, remaining a Virgin, this is extraordinary and miraculous. Partly, in that he was conceived most purely, in the womb of a Sinner, without Sin. For the Virgin was a sinner, and needed a Savior, and was liable to death. 2. Truly and really. Jesus partaking the true Human Nature of the Virgin, Luke 1. 31, 35. & 2. 6, 7, 21, 22. and not only a phantasm, imaginary or seeming Nature only, as the Marcionites, Manichees and other Heretics falsely pretended. He had the true Properties, Affections and Actions of man: He was conceived, born, circumcised, did hunger, thirst, was weary, was clothed, did eat, drink, sleep, hear, see, touch, speak, sigh, weep, grow in wisdom and stature, &c. as the four Evangelists do abundantly testify. 3. Compleatly and perfectly. He took to himself the whole Human Nature, in both the essential parts of man, soul and body. A true human and reasonable soul. A true real human body also, Mar. 14. 8. John 2. 21. Col. 2. 22. Luke 24. 39. Mat. 26. 26. Theres often mention of his flesh, blood and bones, &c. Rom. 1. 3. Luke 24. 39. John 19. 33. Acts 20. 28. John 6. 54.—Hence said Augustine; Therefore he took the whole man without sin, that he might heal the whole, of which man consists, of the plague of sin. And Fulgentius to like purpose; As the Devil smote by Deceiving the whole man; so God saves by assuming the whole man. —Yea he so took the Human Nature of the Virgin, that he took our infirmities, wants and weaknesses (but without sin ) together with our Nature. Not man's personal infirmities, which from some particular causes befall this or that Person, as Leprosy, Blindness, Dumbness, Palsy, Epilepsy, &c. I do not say he took any such infirmities. But man's natural infirmities, which belong to all mankind since the fall: As, hunger, thirst, wearisomeness, sorrowfulness, sweating, bleeding, wounds, death, burial, &c. as the Evangelists abundantly testify. IV. Denominations given unto Jesus in Scripture hereupon, are many: setting forth further unto us the Verity and Reality of his Human Nature. Hence, Jesus is called, The Son of the Virgin, Isa. 7. 14. Her first born son, Luke 2. 7. The branch, Zech. 3. 8. & 6. 12. The branch of righteousness growing up to David, •… er. 33. 15. & 23. 5. A Rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots, Isa. 11. 1. The fruit of Davidi loins, Psal 80. 36. & 132. 11. Acts 2. 30. Of the seed of David according to the flesh, Rom. 1. 3. 2 Sam. 7. 2. The son of David, Mat. 1. 1. DAVID: Jesus being the true David, Hos. 3. 5. Ezek. 24. 23. & 37. 24, 25. The Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, Rev. 5. 5 The seed of Jacob, Gen. 28. 14. The seed of Isaac, Gen. •… 6. 4. The seed and son of Abraham, Gen. 22. 18. Mat. 1. 1. The seed of the woman, Gen. 3. 15. A son born to us, a child given to us, Isa. 9. 6. The son of man, Mat. 8. 20. & 16. 13. Rev. 1. •… 3. God's son made of a woman, Gal. 4. 4. Man, 1 Tim. 2. 5. Luke 23. 47. Flesh, John 1. 14.

IV. That, This JESUS, son of God and of the virgin Mary, is God and man in One Person. That he is God, and that he is Man: hath been sufficiently proved. Now we are to Consider, that Jesus our Mediator is not two Persons, but only one Individual Person, con sisting of two Natures really & essentially distinct one from another; viz The Divine and Human, whereupon he is God man. He is one and the same begotten of the Father without time, The Son of God without Mother: and born of the virgin in time, The son of man without Father. The Natural and Consubstantial son of both. This without Controversy is the great Mystery of Godliness, God Manifest in the flesh. Here note touching this Mystery. 1. The fitness of the Son, the Second Person to become man. 2. The Nature of the union betwixt his Divinity and Humanity. 3. The Unity or Oneness of his Person, though consisting of these two Natures. 4. Similitudes illustrating this Union. 5. The Effects or Consequents resulting from this union.

(1) The Fitness of the Son of God, to become the son of man, the son of the virgin. It was more fit the Son should be incarnate for the office of Mediatorship, then either, The Father or Holy-Ghost. For, 1. The son is the Middle Person betwixt the Father and the Holy-Ghost: and therefore fittest to be a Middle officer betwixt God and man. 2. By the Son all things were at the beginning Created: therefore by the Son most fitly all things were to be Re-created, New created. Hence said Augustine; It would be an injury to him, if the work formed by him should be Re formed by another. 3. Having lost the image of God by sin, in which image we were at first fashioned by the Son, the substantial image of God and express character of his Person, Gen. 1. 27. Col. 3. 10. Ephes. 4. 24. Heb. 1. 3. Who was so fit to restore the image of God to us, as the substantial Image of God the son, who at first did fashion it in us? 4. Mankind by sin being at Enmity with God, Col. 1. 21. Rom. 8. 7. Who was fitter to Reconcile us unto God again, and make us accepted of God, then the Son of his Love in whom he was well pleased? Rom. 5. 10. Ephes. 1. 6. Col. 1. 13. Math. 3 17. For, a double mission was nesessary, One for Redeeming and Reconciling of Enemies, The other to confer gifts upon the Reconciled: Hence, The Father, being of none, sent his son to Redeem and Reconcile Sinners, John. 3. 16, 17. 2 Cor. 5. 19. And both Father and Son send the Holy-Ghost, to seal them that are Redeemed and Reconciled, John 14. 26. & 15. 26. Eph. 1. 13, 14. 5. The Son, being the only begotten Son of God by Nature; was fittest to make us the Adopted sons of God by Grace, who were by nature the children of wrath. 6. The Son being the word of life, 1 John 1. 1. In whom is life, and that life the light of men at first, John 1. 4. was fittest to repair life in us, who were estranged from the life of God, and dead in trespasses and sins, Eph. 4. 18. & 2. 1, &c. John 5. 26. 7. The son of God was fittest to be the son of man, that so both God and man in the Unity of Person might be one Son of God.

(2) The Nature of the Union betwixt the God-head and Man-hood of Jesus Christ▪ is; ^1. Personal. ^2. Indivisible. ^3. Of Natures remaining still distinct one from another. I. Personal and intimate. Its not a Natural▪ but a Personal Conjunction of two Natures, not of two persons, in Christ: not such as is of Superiors with Inferiors, of Accidents with Substances, or of the Part with the whole; but whereby two Natures mediately are united in one Person, and the Human Nature is Immediately united to the Divine Person in a secret and most strict manner, 1 Tim. 3. 16. Gal. 4. 4. Col. 2. 9. II. Indivisible. This Conjunction is made indivisibly and inseparably forever, so that the son of God will never lay aside the assumed Man-hood, and cease to be man, nor shall the human Nature be severed from his Person, from the first moment of his conception. Yea when his soul and body were divided by death, yet even then the Human Nature remained united to the Divine. For should the Human Nature of Christ ever subsist without the Divine; then Christ must needs have two Persons; which is repugnant to Scripture, 1 Tim. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 8. 6. Eph. 4 5. III. Of Natures preserved and remaining still distinct one from another. Though this Union of Divine and Human Nature in Christ be Personal, intimate, and indivisible, yet these two Natures in Christ are preserved from Confusion and Commutation. From Confusion; so that of these two Natures is not made one: From Commutation; so that the one is not changed into the other. But they remain distinct, and their Properties distinct: The Human Nature being created, finite, visible, &c. The Divine, increated, infinite, invisible, &c.

(3) The Unity or Oneness of his person, though consisting of two distinct Natures. Though Jesus Christ be God and Man, yet is he only One Person God-man. Divers things evince this Oneness or Unity of his Person consisting of two Natures. As, I. Scripture Testimonies. For, Jesus Christ is, — Immanuel; that is, God with us. — The Son of God; which should be born of the Virgin Mary. — The Word made flesh. — God's Son made of a woman. — God manifested in the flesh. — Of the Fathers according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever, Amen. Scripture expressly saith; There is One Lord, and One Mediator, Eph. 4. 5. 1 Cor. 8. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 5. But if Christ had two Persons, we should have two Lord's, and two Mediators. II. The Properties and Actions of each Nature, Divine and Human, attributed to one and the same Christ, who as God and man, is, Eternal, yet born in time: Infinite, and finite; A Creator, and a creature: Invisible, and visible: was Dead, and yet immortal, &c. viz. Eternal as God, born in time as man, &c. III. The End, Scope or Intent of Christ's Incarnation: viz. That Jesus Christ might be a True, Fit, and Sufficient Mediator betwixt God and man; evinceth that it was requisite, God and Man should become One in Person: Not by Communication of Grace, but by Truth of Nature: not by Confusion of Substance, but by Unity of Person. For, 1. He must be man, our near kinsman, that he might have the Right of Redemption, be a Merciful and faithful high▪ Priest, being in all things like his Brethren: And he must be God, that he might be fully able to Redeem us, To destroy Death, and him that had the power of Death, the Devil, deliver us from the guilt of sin, and curse of the Law, and preserve us safe to his heavenly Kingdom. 2. He must be Man, that he might as our Surety suffer for us, shed his blood and die for our offenses, become a Curse and Sin for us, it being most congruous that he should have some communion with us, who suffers for our faults; this he could not do as God: He must be God, that he might undergo the wrath of God without sinking, satisfy God's justice to the full by his suffering; obtain eternal Redemption for us, Reconcile us to God by his Death, Put away our sin by the sacrifice of himself, Purge our conscience from dead works, Redeem us from the curse and wrath of God, that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us, &c. this he could not do as mere man. 3. He must be man, One with us in participation of our human Nature, Passions, Infirmities, Temptations, &c. that he might be experimentally touched with the feeling of our infirmities, might sympathizingly and compassionately succor them that are tempted▪ and might the more readily suffer for us▪ having in so many things suffered with us. He must be God, one with God in his divine Nature, that he▪ might Purge away our sins by his death, Iustifie us by his Resurrection, Be King and head of his Church, crush all our enemies, and captivate our very captivity, Appear in the Presence of God for us▪ as our continual intercessor and advocate; Send forth his spirit into us, sanctisie our Natures in us, Perfume all our spiritual services and sacrifices by his merit, Raise up our bodies at the last day, and present us to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. 4. He must be man, that he might be humbled deeply, and so discharge all the Acts and parts of his Mediatorship which were to be executed in his Humiliation: He must be God, that after his Humiliation he might be highly exalted, and so accomplish 〈◊〉 rest of his Mediation in all such acts as are to be fulfilled in his Exaltation. 5. He must be God and man in one Person, a middle Person between God and man, having perfect interest in both God and man: that he might be a fit middle officer, a fit and prevalent Mediator betwixt God and man, to bring God and man into one Covenant.

(4) The similitudes used, by both ancient and modern writers, to illustrate this mysterious union of God and man in one Person of Jesus our Mediator: are divers, and very useful. These are more observable; I. Of the Soul and Body making but one man. The soul and body are different natures; The soul immortal, the body mortal; the soul Reasoneth, the body accordingly executeth; yet soul and body united make but one individual man: So there's Godhead and Man-hood in Christ; They are two different and distinct Natures; the God-head immortal, the Man-hood mortal; The God-head wrought miracles, the Man-hood was crucified, &c. yet both make one Christ. But this similitude comes short; in that, 1. Soul and Body are imperfect Natures, and make up but one perfect Nature of man: but Christ's God-head and Manhood are Perfect distinct Natures. 2. Soul and Body have no perfect subsistence, but in the whole: but Christ's God-head perfectly subsists of itself without the man-hood, and assumed unto it, and sustaineth in it the man-hood which never had subsistence of itself, but in union with the God-head. II. Of The Primoridal light at first created, Gen. 1. 3, 4. and of the Body of the Sun in which that light was afterward Seated, Gen. 1. 14, &c. both making one Luminary. The Light and Solar body are two distinct Natures, which make one Sun: So the two Natures, the Divine which subsisted first, eternally, and the Human which was created in subsistence with the Divine, make one Christ. But this similitude comes short; in that, 1. Neither Light nor Solar body d •… d ever perfectly subsist alone. Not the Solar body: for in the Creation▪ light was seated in it. Not the light, for that subsisted all abroad in the air, before it was feated in the Sun. 2. Neither Light nor Solar Body are drawn into the unity of the Subsistence of one another. III. Of A Sword fired and enflamed. The Subsistence of A sword and fire are so conjoined, that their Operations notably concur, and there is as it were a Communication of Properties from the one to the other. For, this fired sword in cutting burneth, and in burning cutteth. And we may say; that this fiery thing is a cutting sword, and this cutting sword is a fiery thing. But in this it comes short, viz. In that the Nature of fire is not drawn into the Unity of subsistence with the sword, nor the sword of fire: So that we cannot say▪ this sword is fire, or this fire is a sword. IV. Of One man having two accidental Forms, or Qualities, as Skill in Divinity and in Physic. For, here are two Qualities or Natures different, meeting in one and the same person. And •… at One Person may be denominated from either, And doth the works of both, and there is a Communication of Properties hence resulting. So that we may say; This Divine is a Physician, and this Physician is a Divine: This Divine is happy in curing diseases, and this Physician is happy in converting of souls. V. Of a Cions or Branch grafted into a Tree. This Similitude Dr. Field ( of the Church, Book 5. Chap. 12.) prefers before all the former for setting forth the Personal union of the two Natures of Christ. And saith; it fails but in two things, viz. 1. In that the branch hath a distinct and separate subsistence of itself, and then loosing it, is drawn into the Unity of subsistence with the Tree or Stock into which its grafted. 2. In that the branch, wanting a root, and so wanteth an integral part of the Nature of a Tree. But if the Branch of one Tree should by Divine Power be created in the stock of another Tree, then this similitude would fail only in one point, viz. in the want of the Root, whereas Christ's Human Nature wanted neither Essential nor Integral part. VI. Finally, Therefore to supply these defects, I will add my Similitude also to illustrate this profound Mystery in Christ, viz. Of the Miscelto in the Oak, or in the Apple-tree. In this Similitude those two defects are not, but an excellent and manifold resemblance. For, 1. The Apple-tree and the Miscelto are two perfect and different Natures in one Tree; the Miscelto wanting no integral part that belongs unto Miscelto: So the God-head and Man-hood are two perfect and different Natures in one Person, in one Christ. 2. The Miscelto never had a separate and distinct subsistence of its own; but only subsisteth in union with the Apple-tree, which sustaineth and maintaineth it: so the Human Nature of Christ never had any distinct and separate subsistence of its own, but from the first conception subsisted in union with the Divine Subsistence. 3. The Apple-tree & the Miscelto are so one tree, that their two different Natures are neither confounded together, nor changed one into another, to make up a third Nature, but are so individually united, that retain ing their different Natures, they are but one tree: so the two Natures of Christ are without Confusion or Commutation united in one Person, and yet still retain their real differences. 4. The Apple-tree and Miscelto, though one tree, yet having different Natures, bear different fruits, viz. Apples and Berries: So the God-head and Man-hood of Christ, though but one Person, yet being different Natures, perform distinct and different Actions peculiar to each of them. 5. As we may truly say, by reason of this union, This Apple-tree is a Miscelto, and this Miscelto is an Apple-tree, and Consequently this Miscelto beareth Apples, and this Apple-tree beareth Berries: So we may truly say, by reason of the Personal union of God and man in Christ, This son of Mary is the son of God, and this son of God is the son of Mary; The son of God was crucified, and the son of Mary Created Heaven and Earth.

(5) The effects or Consequents resulting from this Personal Union of the Human nature into the Person of the Son of God. These are of three sorts; I. The Communication of Properties. When the Properties of either nature, are attributed, & truly agree to the whole person, whether they have their denomination from either Nature, or from his Office, in the Concrete. And this Communication of Properties is of divers sorts. II. Endowments. The Human Nature, by reason of its union with the Divine, being adorned and fitted to the utmost with most excellent and admirable Gifts, John 3. 34. Col. 2. 9, 10. & 1. 19. III. Operations accomplished. The Person of our Mediator, by reason of this Personal union, performs his Mediatory Acts according to both Natures, of which more hereafter. This Personal union is the Base and Foundation of all these three.

But thus of Posit. I. That, JESUS the only son of God, and the son of the virgin Mary, is God and man in one Person.

Position II. That, This JESUS, God-man, is THE CHRIST, The Promised MESSIAH; and he alone. To err about the Person of Jesus Christ the Mediator, accounting the true Christ to be False, and a false Christ to be true; is a most dangerous and desperate Error: Forasmuch as there is no salvation to be had under Heaven, but only in the true Christ. The Jews rejected the true Messiah of God's providing, when he came; and expecting another Messiah of their own devising, to come they know not when: have miserably dashed themselves upon this stumbling stone, now for 1600 years together, to their own destruction & eternal ruin. This therefore is an high and necessary point, wherein we should be fully resolved and stablished. To this end I shall, 1. Explain. 2. Confirm this Position.

I. For Explanation, There are only two words, viz. MESSIAH, and CHRIST, that are to be Expounded. They are two Eminent Names given to the true Mediator betwixt God and man, and true Savior of sinners: That, in the Old Testament; This in the New; Both of them signifying one and the same thing, viz. Anointed. MESSIAH 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mashiach, Anointed. From 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mashach, To Annoint. This Name is often given to the true Mediator in the Books of Old Testament. As; — And exalt the Horn of his Messiah. — The Rulers take Counsel together against the LORD, and against his Messiah •… This Prophecy is interpreted of, and applied to Christ by the Apostles in the New Testament. But especially in Daniel. — From the going forth of the Commandment, to Restore and to build Jerusalem, unto the MESSIAH the Prince, shall be seven weeks—. And after threescore and two weeks shall MESSIAH be cut off, but not for himself. The Greek word also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Christos, CHRIST, signifies, Anointed. From 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 To anoint. It answers to the Hebrew word Messiah, as not only the LXX but also the New Testament renders it. The New Testament gives and appropriates this name to Jesus God-man very often. As Luke 2. 26. John 4. 25. Math. 1. 1, 16, 18. & 16. 16, 20, &c. Now these two Names are attributed to Jesus, God-man, our Mediator, in reference to his Mediatory office, which as Prophet, Priest and King he was to execute, and did actually execute for us: and they denote his Qualification & Designation to his office For under the Old Testament God ordained an Holy Annointing o •… l, and gave the Composition of it, wherewithal three sorts of Officers were Anointed, viz. Prophets, 1 Kings 19. 16. Priests, Exod. 40. 12, &c. Kings, 1 Sam. 10. 1. & 16. 13. 1 Kings 19. 16. The annointing oil being poured upon their heads, ran down to the skirts of their garments, Psal. 133. 2, 3. This was a sign & mean of their qualification for, and designation unto those offices. For, As that sacred Oil did outwardly warm, refresh and make agile the bodily Members to employment: So the endowments of God's Spirit, did inwardly fit the Soul with prudence, wisdom, joy, cheerfulness, zeal, courage, fortitude, magnanimity, &c. for managing those offices. Thus JESUS (of whom Prophets, Priests and Kings were but Types) was anointed by God, not with Material Oil but with the Holy ghost and with power for his Mediatory office. And having the fullness of the God-head in him; and all fullness; and receiving the spirit not by measure, but above measure: he is said to be anointed with the oil of Gladness above his fellows. The Holy-Ghost being called oil of gladness, from the effect thereof upon us, by Christ's office: And with this oil Christ was Anointed more abundantly then all his fellows, v •… z. above all his Members, and above all Prophets, Priests and Kings before him. Or (as Illyricus hath observed) the Particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 prefixed in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mechabareka, above thy fellows, may be rendered, For thy fellows. Christ being thus anointed, that out of this fullness they might receive, and grace for grace, and so be Compleat in him. Now Jesus being thus anointed, is thereby fully Qualified for, and constituted in his Mediatory office; As Prophet, like Moses. Deut. 18. 15, &c. Acts 7. 37. Isa. 61. 1, 2, &c. A Priest after the Order of Melchizedek, Psal. 110. 4. Heb. 7. throughout. A King in Zion, to Rule over the house of Jacob forever, Psal. 2. 2, 6. Luke 1. 32, 33. Hence, from CHRIST, his Disciples are called CHRISTIANS, (it being usual to Denominate Disciples from their Master, ) and deservedly; because they partake of Christ's annointing, being anointed in their measure with the Holy Ghost, teaching them all things as Prophets, and making them Kings and Priests unto God. 2 Cor. 1. 21, 22. 1 John 2. 20, 27. Rev. 1, 5, 6.

II. For Confirmation of this Necessary Position; That this Jesus, God-man in one Person, is the Promised MESSIAH, is the only true CHRIST, the Anointed, Qualified and Constituted of God Mediator betwixt God and man, and none but he alone: take these few Demonstrations, viz.

1. From God's eternal Decree before the foundation of the world. This JESUS, God-man, and he alone, is that very person whom God hath eternally fore ordained before the world began to be our Mediator and Redeemer, and that by means of his Death. — Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, &c. but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Hence Christ is said, To be delivered by the determinate Counsel and fore▪ knowledge of God, &c. And that Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and people were gathered together against this holy child JESUS, for to do whatsoever God's hand and his Counsel determined before to be done. To this effect, all that are Predestinated and Elected to Adoption, Life and salvation, are Elected thereunto in this Jesus Christ, and Predestinated to be Conform unto him.

2. From God's Promises and Prophetical Predictions which have been since the world began. For, This JESUS and he alone is the Person which in all the Promises and Prophecies in former ages was intended by God for a Restorer, Redeemer and Savior of Lapsed mankind, and a Mediator betwixt God and man. As may appear more Generally and more Particularly. I. More Generally; That the Law and Prophets intended him. As is very observable in divers Testimonies As, 1. Of Jesus Christ himself. Search the Scriptures,—they are they which testify of me.—Moses wrote of me. To the two disciples going to Emmanus; — O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. To the Apostles a little before his Ascension; These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, That all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. 2. Of Peter, who preaching Christ to Cornelius, said; To him give all the Prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him, Shall receive remission of sins. And before that, he told the Jews that killed the Prince of life; — I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your Rulers. But those things which God before had shown by the mouth of all his Prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 3. Of Steven the Proto-Martyr, Acts 7▪ 52. 4. Of Paul; — Saying none other things then th •… e which the Prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, And that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the People and to the Gentiles. II. No •… e Particulerly; It is not difficult to show from Promise to Prom •… e, and from Prophecy to Prophecy, throughout all ages before Chri •… How they did all intend, and had their accomplishment in this JESUS. To mention some noted Instances. 1. This JESUS is that Seed of the woman, that should bruise the Serpents Head, Gen. 3. 15. with Gal. 4. 4. Col. 2. 15. Heb. 2. 14, 15. 2. This Jesus is that Seed of Abraham, in whom all the Nations of the earth should be blessed, Gen. 12. 3. & 22. 18. with Acts 3. 25, 26. Gal. 3. 8, 13, 14. Heb. 2. 16. Mat. 1. 1, &c. 3. This Jesus is that Great Prophet like unto Moses, which God would raise up to Israel, from among themselves, Deut. 18. 15. to 20. with Acts 3. 20, 21, 22, 23, & 7. 37. 4. This Jesus is that •… riest forever after the Order of Melchizedek, consecrated by God's own sacred Oath, of which he will not repent, Psal. 110. 4. with Heb. 7 throughout. 5. This Jesus is that Seed of David which God would raise up to sit upon his throne to reign over the House of Jacob forever, Psal. 89. 3, 4, 19. to 38. & 132. 11, 12 with Acts 2. 22. to 37. Mat. 1. 1, &c. Luke 1. 32, 33. 6. This Jesus is the Sure Mercies of David, raised from the dead, and not suffered to see corruption, Isai. 55. 3. Psal. 16. 10, &c. with Acts 13. 28. to 38. 7. This Jesus is that Anointed of the Lord, against whom the heathen raged, and the people imagined a vain thing, The Kings of the Earth stood up, and the Rulers took Counsel together, Psal. 2. 1, 2, 3, &c. with Acts 4. 25. to 29. Thus Jesus is the Scope and Mark at which the Promises and Prophecies of old do peculiarly aim: and therefore he alone is the very Christ.

3. From the Lineal descent of Christ, according to the Flesh. For This Jesus, and he alone, did Lineally and Naturally descend according to his Humanity, of Abraham, and David, by a Virgin, according to the Scriptures: As is evident in the Genealogy of this B. JESUS described by Luke, Luke 3. 23. to the end. This being the Natural Line of Christ, as hath been formerly noted, though the Name of the virgin Mary his mother be not expressed, but her husbands instead of hers, according to the custom of the Jews, who draw down Genealogies by men and not by women, as is observed by P. Galatinus, and others.

4. From the complete and exact accomplishment of the Scriptures of the Old Testament. They are most admirably fulfilled and accomplished in all Particulars touching the Messiah, in this Jesus Christ: As is most evident in all the four Evangelists Hystories, and the Acts. This being one Principal intent of the four Evangelists Histories of Jesus Christ, to prove that this Jesus is the Christ. — These are written that ye might believe that JESUS is THE CHRIST the son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name. Hereupon Piscator hath very appositely digested into a Syllogism the Predictions touching Christ in the Old Testament, and the acomplishments there of in this Jesus according to the History of those four Evangelists▪ Those in the Major, These in the Minor of a Syllogism▪ thence Concluding, That this Jesus is the very Christ. Let the learned Consult him diligently.

5. From Jacob's Prophecy, and the accomplishment thereof. The Prophecy; The Scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Law giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the People be. By Judah, we are here to understand not the Person of Judah, one of Jacob's sons, but the Tribe of Judah so denominated from him. By Scepter we are generally to understand the Political Rule, Regiment, or Government of the Common-wealth. It cannot be restrained to Kingly Rule; for that was taken away by Nebuchadnezzar from Zedekiah, as was foretold, Ezek. 21. 26, 27. Nor to Princely Government, by Princes and Governors, who governed after the Captivity, for that is confessed by learned men to be injuriously translated by the Assamanaei (or Maccabees ) Levites and Priests to the Tribe of Levi, and so propagated in that Tribe. But to be extended also to such Magistrates and Judges, as the Greek calls 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Council, which the Jews corruptly styled Sanhedrin: A grand Council at Jerusalem, Governing the Common-wealth. After Judah became a distinct Kingdom, it was not destitute of Civil Government, either by Kings, or by Princely Governors, or by the Council, till Shiloh came: Although this grand Council was extremely weakened, and divided into lesser Councils, by the Romans, as Josephus confesseth; Yet it was not wholly taken away and demolished till Shiloh came, for then the Jewish Common-wealth would have been wholly dissolved. By Shiloh its generally agreed that Christ is intended, though the proper signification of the Hebrew word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shiloh is much controverted. So then, till Jesus Christ came, the Government in one kind or another remained in Judah: but after he was come, the Scepter quickly departed, and that Jewish Common-wealth was utterly dissolved to this day; And therefore this Jesus must needs be the Shiloh, the true Christ here intended.

6. From Daniel's Weeks. Daniel Positively determines the time when the Messiah should be cut off, but not for himself, to finish transgression, make an end of sins, and bring in everlasting righteousness; viz. 70. Weeks of years. There is some small difference among learned men about the beginning and end of these 70. years, by reason of several Commands that went forth to restore and build Jerusalem. Hence, some place the Messiah's death in the year of the woe •… ld 3960. Some in the year 3952. Helvicus in the year 3983. As the Late large English Annotations note there was a fourfold Commandment, Decree or Precept went out for re-building of Jerusalem, mentioned in Ezra and Nehemiah, to some of which the beginning of these 70. weeks must be referred, and to the ending of which the cutting off of Jesus Christ the Messiah doth exactly agree. Not to enter now into that intricate dispute, which of them it was: It is plain on all hands against the Jews, that the Promised Messiah is already come and cut off, and that Daniel's weeks had their particu lar accomplishment in this JESUS CHRIST.

7. From the General agreement of all the Types to this JESUS, as the Body and Center of them all, Col. 2. 16, 17. Heb. 10. 1. John 1. 17. There were many Types and shadows, Personal and Real, Ordinary and Extraordinary, &c. But this JESUS, Godman, is the Truth and Substance of them all. He is the true Adam that justifies and quickens all his supernatural Seed, as the First Adam condemned and killed all his Natural Seed. He is the true Melchizedek, First King of Righteousness, and then King of Salem, that is, King of Peace: without Father according to his manhood, without Mother according to his God-head, without beginning of Days, or end of Life. He is the true Passover that is sacrificed for us. He is the true bread of life, that true mannah that came down from Heaven▪ whereof a man may eat and not dy. He is the true Rock that affords living water indeed to his Church in the wilderness of this world. That Rock that followed them was Christ. And that Manna and water are called Spiritual meat and drink, because they were Types and Sacraments representing Christ unto them. He is the True Serpent lifted up in the wilderness to heal the mortal stings of the Old Serpent the Devil, that whosoever believeth in him, looks up to him by the eye of Faith, may not perish but have eternal life. He is the true Prophet, like Moses, to be hearkened to in all things, &c. He is the true Joshua that brings his Israel, all true believers, into the eternal Rest. He is the true Seed of David, that r •… s over the house of Jacob for evermore. And what shall I say, He is the Mystery and Substance of all the Levitical Ceremonies, They all intended him, shadowed out him, as I have already manifested at large in opening the Sinai-Covenant. Now he that is the Body and Substance of the Types of Old, must needs be the MESSIAH, the very Christ: For those Figures and Types were God's way of Revealing Christ unto his People, till he was exhibited.

8. From the Testimony of John the Baptist. John the Baptist was the Elias that was to come, in the power and spirit of Elias, as the Harbinger of Christ, to Prepare his way before him. And he began to preach a little before Christ began his Public Ministry. Now he pointed out Christ as with the Finger. Behold the lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. And John Baptist confesseth; I knew him not▪ but •… e that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, upon whom thou s •… lt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy-Ghost. And I saw and bare Record, that this is the son of God. And after he tells the Jews plainly, I am not the Christ, but sent before him: Not the Bridegroom that hath the Bride the Church, but the Bridegrooms friend, rejoicing to •… e •… the Bridegrooms voice. He must increase: but I must decrease, &c.

9. From God's Authorizing, Constituting, Ordaining and establishing this Jesus to be THE CHRIST. None can be the Messiah, or Christ, but whom God calls, annoints, seals and appoints thereunto. Now God hath Constituted and ordained this JESUS, God-man, and him alone to be the Christ, the Mediator and Savior, the Judge of quick and dead, &c. God sent his son into the world,—that the world through him might be saved. — God sent his son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law. — Labor for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, which the son of man will give unto you: for him hath God the father Sealed. — Christ glorified not himself to be made an High Priest: but he that said unto him, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee, &c. — God anointed JESUS of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, &c.— and he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify, that it is he, which was ordained of God to be the judge of Quick o •… d Dead. Hence, God furnished him with all authority, power and ability for his Mediatory office, Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. John 5. 21, 22, 23. & 3. 34, 35. Col. 1. 19. and 2. 9, 10.

10. From the Testimony of Father, Son and Holy Ghost. He must needs be the Mediator, Messiah and Christ, whom Father, Son and Holy Ghost testify and declare to be such. Now this JESUS hath the Testimony of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I. The Father testifieth twice by voice from Heaven; this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Hence God the Father is said to have sealed him. And Christ h •… reupon said; The Father himself which hath sent me, hath born witness of me. And the Fathers Testimony of him, hath special respect to his Mediatory Person and office. The Father bare record to Christ, Sealing and Approving him, at his Baptism, and at his Transfiguration. 1. At his Baptism; and that three ways, viz. ( ¹ ) By opening of the Heavens unto him. ( ² ) By sending down his Spirit in likeness of a Dove upon him. ( ³ ) By voice from heaven, this is my well beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased. 2. At his Transfiguration also, and that three ways, viz. ( ¹ ) By the Heavenly Glory put upon Christ, to encourage him against his Passion approaching. ( ² ) By the appearance of Moses and Elias, talking with him about his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem, according to the Law and Prophets, which meet in Christ and bear witness to him. ( ³ ) By his voice from Heaven, This is my beloved son, in whom I am wellpleased, hear him. II. The Son himself testifieth, by his works and Miracles that he was the CHRIST, sent of God. The works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do bear witness of me that the Father hath sent me. And therefore when John in Prison heard of the works of Christ, and sent to him, saying: Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them. Go and show John again the things which ye do hear and see: The •… ind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And blessed is •… e whosoever shall not be offended in me. As if he had said; my Works, my Miracles are an evident demonstration that I am the Christ. III. The Holy Ghost testifieth that this Jesus is the Christ: Partly, By his descending and resting upon him in a visible shape of a Dove, when Jesus was baptized, and began solemnly to enter upon the public execution of his Mediatory office. Partly, By his plentiful and miraculous falling upon the Apostles, Acts 2. 2, 3, 4▪ 32, 33, 36. and Primitive Christians, Acts 10. 43, 44, 45, 46, &c. Partly, By his effectual attestation to our Hearts and Consciences, 1 John 5. 6. to 12. Who can experimentally discern and feel the efficacy of the Spirit of Jesus upon his heart, Inlightning, Converting, Sanctifying, Comforting, Attesting, Sealing, &c. and not conclude that this Jesus who gives such a spirit into us must needs be the Christ?

These, among many other arguments, may suffice to Convince any sober mind; That this JESUS, God-man, and he alone is the Promised MESSIAH, The Christ. And that there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we may be saved.

Position III. That, JESUS CHRIST, God and man, is the only True, fit and Sufficient Mediator, Testator and Surety of the New Covenant betwixt God and Man. This I shall evidence in two branches, viz.

I. That Jesus Christ is the Mediator, Testator, and Surety of the New Covenant. This is clear in all these three branches.

1. Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant. — For there is one God, and one Mediator betwixt God and Men, the Man CHRIST JESUS. — He is the Mediator of a better Covenant, which was stablished upon better Promises. — And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament, &c. — But ye are come unto Mount Zion,—And to JESUS the Mediator of the New Covenant. The Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in all these places, doth most Properly signify, A Mediator; or, a Midler (that I may so express it:) because he is, Both a Middle Person, and a Middle of ficer betwixt God and man, to reconcile and reunite God and man. This of all other, is the most proper and genuine signification of this name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Jesus Christ is the Middle, that is, the Second Person in the Trinity, betwixt the Father and the Holy Ghost. He is the only Middle Person betwixt God and man, being in one person God-man. And he is the Middle Officer, intervening, or interposing, or coming between God and man by office▪ Satisfying God's justice to the full for Mans sins by his Obedience to the Death, and Continually interceding for his Elect: To whom he Reveals and effectually applies this his satisfaction, intercession, redemption, &c. for their actual Reconcilement unto God. Hence (as one observes) Jesus Christ as a true Mediator, is still found, in Medio, in the Middle. He was born, as some think from Wisd. 18. 14▪ about the Middle of the Night; He suffered in the Middle of the world, that is, at Jerusalem, seated in the Middle of the Earth; He was crucified in the midst between the two thieves; He died in the air on the Cross, in the midst between Heaven and earth; He stood after his Resurrection in the midst of his disciples, John 20. 19. He promiseth, where two or three are gathered together, to be in the midst of them, Mat. 18. 20. He walks in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks, the Churches, Rev. 1. 13. And He, as the Heart in the midst, distributes spirit and virtue to all the parts of his mystical body. So he. Thus Jesus Christ is the Mediator betwixt God and man; Middle in Person, and Middle in Office. Yea Jesus Christ is Mediator of the New Covenant, and that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 more peculiarly and eminently then of any other Covenant. Moses was a Typical Mediator under the Old Covenant, he went betwixt God and Israel, He typed out Christ the only true Mediator, 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 13. 8. Gal. 3. 19, &c. But Christ is the true Mediator of the New Covenant, the better Covenant most eminently and singularly; For, 1. He dedicated and established the New Covenant in his own blood. The best blood that ever was shed, for Covenant▪ Sanction, in the world. 2. He ratified and confirmed this New Covenant with the Sacramental Tokens of his blood, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 3. He obtains for us all New Covenant Blessings from God, by his Merit fully satisfying God's justice for all our sins and debts: And enables us to all New Covenant Duties to God by his Spirit. 4. He brings God and man into this blessed New Covenant, as confoederates in him: To which end he manageth all the Mysteries and affairs of this New Covenant, as Prophet, Priest, and King most advantageously and effectually.

2. Jesus Christ is the Testator of this New Testament. As this New Covenant is a Federal Tastament, or a Testamental Covevenant: So Jesus Christ, Mediator of this New Covenant is a Mediatory Testator, or a Testatory Mediator. Hence in the same context Christ is styled, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A Mediator, And 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A Disposer, or Testator. And for this Cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of Death, &c. they which are called might receive the Promise of the Eternal inheritance. For where a Testament is, there must also of Necessity be the death of the Testator. How fitly is Jesus Christ counted the Testator of this New Testament, of this his last will and Testament. For, 1. Jesus Christ confirmed and made of force this his New Testament by his blood and Death as Testator. 2. All the blessings promised in this New Testament, are as so many bequests and Legacies of Christ the Testator, that was dead, and is alive, to his Church and members in this his last Will. 3. The Scripture, the written word of Christ, is the Instrument, or evidence. 4. The Prophets, Apostles, and Holy Penmen of Scripture, were the Notaries or Scribes that wrote his will. 5. The Sacraments are the Seals annexed to this New Testament. 6. The witnesses, are three that bare record in Heaven▪ the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: And three that bear witness on Earth, The Spirit, and the water, and the blood. 7. The Executor of Christ's last Will and Testament is Jesus Christ himself by his Spirit, effectually applying it and the benefits of it to all his members. And to this end though he Dyed to ratify his Testament, yet he Revived and rose again to Execute it, and behold he is alive for evermore. But of these things I have already spoken heretofore.

3. Jesus Christ is Surety of this New Covenant. By so much was JESUS made Surety ( 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ) of a better Covenant. Our English Translation hath it, Of a better Testament; but not so fitly, because properly a Testament neither useth to have, nor needeth to have a Surety; as a Covenant doth. Beza therefore justly blameth both Erasmus and the Vulgar Translation for rendering it Testament▪ For that A Surety is not added in Testaments, and should he be added, How can the same be both a Testator and a Surety? So that this word Surety hath reference properly to A Covenant, and Not to A Testament. The Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Sponsor, Fidejussor, Praes: A Surety, a Pledger, &c. is very significative: being derived, as some think, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 An Hand, as it were 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In hands, because the Security, or Pledge is given in hand. Or as Soudas and others, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Earth, because the Earth is the most firm and stable of all the Elements. A Surety, is properly one that willingly promiseth and undertakes to pay and discharge the Debt, if the Debtor fail and be not able to make satisfaction himself. Thus Paul willingly and spontaneously, from the love that he had to his Converted Onesimus, promised and undertook to make satisfaction to Philemon for any wrong that Onesimus had done to him; If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account. I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repayit. Hence Jesus Christ being called, Mediator of a Better Covenant, Heb. 8. 6. and Surety of a better Covenant, Heb. 7. 22. viz. So a Mediator, As a Surety; and So a Surety, as a Mediator: This may clearly let us see▪ what Manner of Mediator Christ is. For, one of these words is to be explained by the other, viz. Mediator, by Surety. So that Jesus Christ is not only such a Mediator, as is a Legate Ambassador, or Messenger, only betwixt God and men, as that dangerous heretic Socinus pretends: but properly an Intercessor, a Pacifier, an Attoner, a Satisfier; because Christ the Mediator, is Surety of the New Covenant, that is, Our Satisfier, our Pacifier, our Appeaser, our Intercessor, &c. with God. How? Its expressed, 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. by giving himself ( 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ) A Ransom for us; & Heb 1. 3. by purging our sins by himself; & Heb. 2. 17. by making reconciliation for the sins of the people as a merciful and faithful High Priest, & Heb. 7. 27. & 9. 12, 14. by offering up himself once for the sins of the people to God the father, by the eternal spirit, having obtained eternal Redemption for them; & 2. Cor. 5. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Heb. 10. 10, 12. by being made sin for us, bearing our sins (that is, the Punishment and curse of our sins) upon his own body on the tree, even by offering one Sacrifice for sins forever, the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Thus Christ, as our Mediator was our Surety, and as our Surety, fully paid all our debt, setting us perfectly free forever.

Thus, Jesus Christ is Mediator, Testator and Surety of the New Covenant.

II. That, Jesus Christ is The only True, Fit and Sufficient Mediator, &c. of the New Covenant betwixt God and man. Christ is the sole and whole Mediator: Not the Blessed Virgin, not any Saint, not any or all the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, or glorious Angels, as the Papists fondly do imagine. Here consider, 1. The State of this Position. 2. The Confirmation of it.

For the State of this Position: note. Theres a twofold Mediation, viz. of Redemption and of Intercession. I. Of Redemption and Reconciliation; whereby a full Price or Ransom is paid for us, by enduring Death for our sins to the satisfying of Divine Justice. And in this sense Christ alone is Mediator: He alone Redeeming us by his Death, and Reconciling us to God by his blood. II. Of Intercession; And this again is twofold, viz. 1. Meritoria, Meritorious: by way of Merit or Desert. And so Christ only is Our Advocate with the Father, and continual Intercessor, appearing in the presence of God for us, presenting his Death and Merits before God, and so making intercession for us. 2. Petitoria, Petitory: by way of Petition or supplication; whereby, the Saints on earth more Generally, or this or that Saint more Particularly, Pray one for another in this world according to Christ's command, having in General or in Particular a Knowledge and fellow-feeling of one another's wants, miseries, temptations, &c. Thus Paul prayed earnestly for the Churches, As Heb. 13. 20, 21. Philem. 4. 1 Thes. 1. 4. Phil. 1. 4. And desired most earnestly their prayers again for himself▪ Eph. 6. 18, 19. Heb. 13. 18, 19. 1 Thes. 5. 25. Rom. 15. 30, 31, 32. This state of the Position duly improved, will easily cut asunder all the Popish Arguments made to the contrary.

For the Confirmation of this Position, thus stated, briefly consider;

1. That, The Scripture mentions only one Mediator and Surety of the New Covenant; only one Testator of the New Testament, between God and man; Only one Advocate and Intercessor with the Father; and only one Savior: viz. JESUS CHRIST the righteous, God and man. And therefore Jesus Christ and he alone, is Mediator, Surety, Testator and Savior. The Scripture Reveals no other: and we ought to receive no other. Christ was the true Mediator, even of the Old Covenant, Gal. 3. 19, 20. Heb. 13. 8. but more darkly and more imperfectly revealed, and that under the Type of Moses that stood between God and the People, Exod. 20. Deut. 5. And under the shadows of Typical Sacrifices and blood of innocent Beasts, Heb. 9. & 10. But he is Mediator of the New Covenant most eminently▪ clearly, perfectly, by his own Death and Blood, &c.

2. That, Jesus Christ, and he alone was▪ a Fit and Sufficient Person, for the Office of a Mediator of the New Covenant betwixt God and man. This his Fitness and Sufficiency, 1. As the Second Person in Trinity, the Son of God. 2. As God-man, an exact Middle Person betwixt God and man, equally near to, and interested in both God and man: hath been already declared.

3. That, JESUS God-man, and he alone, is the MESSIAH, THE CHRIST, Anointed with the Holy-Ghost and with Power, for the Mediatory office, Sealed, Commissionated, and Called by the Father to this Office, Accepted and approved in this office, As hath been abundantly manifested; and therefore Jesus Christ alone must needs be the only Fit and Sufficient Mediator of the New Covenant, able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him▪ Heb. 7. 25.

Thus, Jesus Christ is the Only Mediator, Surety and Testator of the New Covenant and Testament betwixt God and man.

Position IV. That, JESUS CHRIST is Mediator, Testator and Surety of the New Covenant betwixt God and man, as he is God-man. He is Mediator, &c. not as God only, nor as Man only, but as God-man in one Person. Here Consider, 1. The sense. 2. The grounds of this Position.

I. For the Sense of this Position, note; 1. There is a Conjunction and Union of two Natures Divine and Human in one and the same individual Person of the Mediator. This is by some styled, Substantial Mediation. And this is so necessary to the Office of Mediatorship; that without this (as is confessed on all hands) Christ could not have been a fit Mediator. 2. There is a Co-operation and Concurrence of these two Natures in the Person of the Mediator, unto the Acts or Works of Mediation, according to the peculiar propriety of each Nature: which Acts he performs, Divine as God, Human as Man, One and individed as Mediator; The real difference of the two Natures being still preserved distinct and entire. 〈◊〉 Papists do grant the former, viz. The Conjunction of the Divine and Human Natures in the Person of the Mediator: But they deny the latter, viz. The Co-operation of both those Natures in the Acts of Mediation. For, they hold that Christ performs the Acts of Mediatorship, not as God, but only as Man: From his Humanity, not from his Deity.

Bellarmine speaks plainly, thus distinguishing; The Principium Quod, The Principle or Beginning which did the works of Mediatorship, was not God alone, nor man alone, but both together, viz. God-man; but the Principium quo, The Principle or Beginning whereby these works were done of the Mediator, was his Human Nature, not his Divine. But the Orthodox resolve better, That Jesus Christ acts as Mediator from both his Natures, his Humanity doing what is properly Human, His Divinity what is properly Divine, both of them concurring unto one work of Mediatorship. The Worker is one Person, The Work is one Mediation, But the Formal Principles or Beginnings of this work are the two distinct Natures in that one Person of the Mediator. As the Divine and Human Nature concur to make one Person of Christ the Mediator: So the Distinct Acts of these two Natures in Christ concur to make up one and the same complete work of Mediation. Christ did his Opera Authoritatis or Magisterii, his works of Authority from his God-head: but his Opera Ministerii, his works of Ministry, from his Man-hood: But as his Natures are united in one Person: so his Acts and Operations from his two principles, are conjoined in one Mediation.

II. The Grounds of this Position, thus stated and explained, are divers. For,

1. The Holy Scriptures do frequently ascribe the Acts of Christ's Mediation to his Divine, as well as to his Human Nature. And the Holy Scriptures are our best guides in this Mystery, which is not of Natural cognizance; but only of mere supernatural Revelation. As,

(1) God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, 2 Cor. 5. 19. Therefore God in Christ, as well as man in Christ, Acted to the Reconcilement of the world, and to their Justification: Consequently to the works of Mediation.

(2) The Law (that Covenant of God at Mount Sina •… ) was ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediator, Ga •… . 3. 19, 20. Of what Mediator? Not of Moses, who was only an intervening Messenger betwixt God and Israel, in the solemn Transactions of that Sinai -Covenant, or at most but a Typical Mediator; but of Christ the Promised Messia •… , that Angel (viz. the Angel of the Covenant) which spake to Moses in the Mount Sinai, and with our Fathers, of whom Moses was but a dark Type o •… shadow. This Promised Messiah did then Act as Mediator of the Covenant and that according to his God-head, for at that time he had not assumed the Man-hood.

(3)— To Feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood, Act. 20. 28. Therefore, Jesus Christ as God hath purchased his Church with his own blood as man. The Purchase, is the Church: The Price whereby this purchase was made, was the blood of God, viz. The Human blood of Christ▪ God-man: But the Purchaser, was Christ as God, his God-head making his Human blood a price sufficient. His God-head therefore did co-operate with his Man-hood in this work of Redemption.

(4) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purge your Conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament, &c. Heb. 9. 14, 15. Here touching Christ our Mediator, note; That Christ as Priest, offered himself without spot as man, Through the eternal spirit, viz. By the power and virtue of his own God-head. As God-man, he was Priest: As Man, he was Sacrafice: As God, he made his sacrifice sufficient and prevalent for our Redemption.

(5) The Lord sware and will not repent, thou art a Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek.— The word of the Oath maketh the son (High priest,) who is consecrated for evermore, Heb. 7. 21, 28. If Christ be High-priest as he is the Son: then as he is God, for as he is the son when God sware, he is God. Again, if he be an eternal Priest after the order of Melchizedek, then he must be Priest as God and man: For Melchizedek is set forth, Without Father, without Mother, without Pedigree, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life. And all, that he might be a fit Type of Christ: who is without Father, according to his Man-hood; without Mother, according to his God-head; without beginning of days, according to his Divine Nature; without end of life, according to his Mediatory Person. And if Christ must needs be Priest as God and man: Consequently he must needs Act in his Priestly office, as both God and man.

(6) There is one God, and one Mediator between God & men, the man Christ Jesus: who gave himself a Ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. Here Jesus Christ is Declared, that one Mediator betwixt God and men: And his Mediatorship is described by one eminent Act thereof, his Redemption; who gave himself a Ransom for all. The Ransom-given, is himself, viz. As man: The Ransom-giver, is himself also, viz. As God, his Man-hood also Consenting. Therefore as God he acted in his Mediation, as well as Man. Ob. But its said; The man Christ Jesus: why doth he add▪ [The man,] but to express according to which Nature Christ is Mediator. Answer 1. He expresseth the Nature according to which he is Mediator, not according to which only. 2. The word [ man ] here may be taken Personally, to denote the Person of Christ, who is man as well as God, rather then Naturally to designout his Human Nature only. It being usual with Scripture to denominate the whole Person from either Nature. So Christ is called, The Lord of Glory, when his Person is understood. Thus here The Man Christ Jesus; to show that in him there was the Human, as well as the Divine Nature in one Person, and that Consequently he was a •… it middle person, or Meidiator betwixt God and man. And we have the more cause to understand this word [ Man ] here, not Naturally, but Personally; because it is not barely said The Man, but The Man Christ Jesus: Christ Jesus denoting that Person, who is God and Man. 3. This Phrase, The Man Christ Jesus, seems also to be added; partly, for our greater Consolation and Encouragement, that we may the more confidently draw near to him and to God in him, who is our elder brother, partaker of flesh and blood with us, that he might be a merciful and faithful hight-priest for us in things pertaining unto God Partly, To admonish us not to despair of the salvation of any sort of men: Christ taking unto him the common Nature of man.

2. The Scope, End or intent of the Personal Union of the Divine and Human Natures in one Christ, was that he might act and execute his Mediatory Office Compleatly according to both those Natures. Agents do act or work, according to their Essence and Form. If Christ do not act according to both his Natures, as Forms and Beginnings of his Mediatory Actions, to what end was his Person Constituted of those two Natures, when one would have sufficed? Are there not some Mediatory Actions so proper and peculiar to one Nature, that they cannot belong properly to the other? Do not divers Necessary and Essential Acts of Christ's Mediatory Office, flow from his God-head, as the immediate, proper and formal beginning thereof? 1. His Incarnation was from his God-head, assuming his Man-hood: for the Man-hood, not being, could not assume itself. 2. His manifestation of God in the flesh, was efficiently and primarily from his God-head. Instrumentally in and by his Man-hood. 3. His Delivering and Offering himself up to God by Death for us, was Actively from his God-head, through the eternal Spirit he offered up himself, — I have power to lay it down, &c. But Passively from his Man-hood. Christ's dying was an Act of Power, and an Act of weakness: that power belonged to his God-head, this weakness to his Man-hood. 4. His Resurrection from the dead, was by the power of his God-head. His Human flesh was that which did rise: but his Divine power was that whereby he did rise. 5. His Ascension into Heaven, was in his Humanity: but the Virtue or Power whereby he ascended, was from his Deity. 6. His Captivating Captivity, was in his Human Nature ascending; but from his Divine Nature, Conquering. 7. His Sitting on the right hand of God, and coming again to judge the world, belong to his Man-hood, but from his God-head, &c. These, and like Acts, which primarily and necessarily appertain to his Mediatory office, have their proper rise and original from Christ's Divine Nature. And therefore he was God and man in one Person, that he might act as God and man in one Office.

3. The Nature of the Mediatory office is such, that it could not be completely executed and fulfilled, if Christ God-man should not act therein both as God and man. This may be easily evinced in all the Primary Parts or Functions of his Mediatorship, by Induction of Particulars. As, I. In his Prophecy Jesus Christ as God, knows his Fathers will fully, reveals it Compleatly, And opens our understandings to receive it effectually: As man he Teacheth us familiarly and according to our capacity. II. In his Priest-hood, many ways. For, 1. Jesus Christ, As man, suffered: As God, supported himself under his sufferings. 2. As man, was sacrificed for us: As God, did offer up himself for a sacrifice, Heb. 9. 14. 15. 3. As man, Dyed and was Buried: As God, overcame Death, and Rose again from the Dead. 4. As man, was in his Body and blood the Price of our Redemption, and a Ransom for us: As God, he made that price and Ransom of infinite worth, dignity, value, efficacy, acceptableness, &c. 5. As man, he did bear our sins upon his body on the Tree, and the wrath of God for them: As God he sustained his man-hood from sinking, and being utterly swallowed up under the wrath of God, which no mere creature in the world could ever have undergone without being utterly overwhelmed, 6. As man, he prayed with strong cries and tears, and intercedes for us, Heb. 5. 6, 7. & 9. 24. 1 John. 2. 1, 2. Rom. 8. 34. As God, he makes his Intercession of infinite acceptance with his heavenly Father forever, Heb. 7. 21, 25. III. In his King-ship. For, 1. As man, He did conflict with his and our spiritual enemies, Sin, Satan, Death, &c. But as God he conquered them, by being in his Humanity in some sort conquered by them, Rom. 8. 3. Col. 2. 14. Heb. 2. 14. 15. 2. As man, he did triumph over them in his going up into heaven, and shall finally doom and judge them in his coming again from heaven: but As God he hath the Power and Authority of this Victory, Triumph and Judgment, Acts 10. 42. & 17. 31. Rom. 2. 16. John. 5. 22. And what shall I say? As all his Acts of Ministry and Meanness in his Mediation, have their primary and proper ri •… e from his man-hood; As, To be Conceived, Born, Circumcised, Afflicted, Scourged, Crucified, Slain, Buried, &c. So all his Acts of Magistery and Authority have their proper and primary rise from his God-head; As, To know the heart, To work Miracles, To Rise from the Dead, Ascend into Heaven, Sitdown at God's right hand▪ shed forth his Spirit, Gather and Preserve his Elect, subdue their enemies, and judge the world, &c.

4. I conclude this Position with that excellent Passage of Augustine; I (saith the Lord) will be to them a God, and my servant David a Prince in the midst of them. Why in the midst of them? Because the word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us. A Prince in the midst of them: Thence he is Mediator both of God and man, because he is God with the Father, and man with men. Not a Mediator as man besides the Deity: Not a Mediator as God besides the Humanity. Behold the Mediator. The Divinity is not Mediator without the Humanity, The Humanity is not Mediator without the Divinity: But betwixt Divinity alone, and Humanity alone, Christ's Human Divinity, and Divine Humanity is Mediator. To which I will only add the notable Testimony of Claudius Espens •… us a Sorbon Doctor among the Papists, who at large defends Christ's Mediation according to both his Natures, and hath this passage; And this is altogether a Saving and Enlivening Mediation, And the Action, Execution, Efficacy, Efficiency, and (as the Greeks speak) the Energy thereof AS SUCH, is Neither Divine only, being not of mere God, but of Godman, or made man: Nor Human only, being not of mere man, but of man Dei •… ied: But Theandrical, viz. Of God and man existing together. Let the Learned Reader for his further Satisfaction about Christ's Mediation according to both Natures, consult that learned and judicious Andr. Rivet in his Cathol. Orthodox. Tract. 2. Quest. 50. Tom. 1.

APHORISM III. Of CHRIST's Execution of his Mediatory Office, more Particularly.

THat, JESUS CHRIST, God-man, Executeth his Mediatory Office in a Prophetical, Priestly and kingly way, or, As Prophet, Priest and King; both in his state of Humiliation, and Exaltation.

For the better clearing of this Aphorism, three things are to be explained especially, viz. 1. Whence it may be evinced, that Christ executes his mediatory office these three ways. 2. Wherein the Nature of Christ's Prophecy, Priest-hood, and King-ship consists. 3. What are those two states of Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation, wherein he thus executes his Mediation betwixt God and man. I shall unfold these in three distinct Sections.