2d. Its truth is essentially involved in every other doctrine of the entire system of faith ; in every mediatorial act of Christ, as prophet, priest and king ; in the whole history of his estate of humiliation, and in every aspect of his estate of exaltation ; and, above all, in the significance and value of that vicarious sac- rifice which is the heart of the gospel. If Christ is not in the same person both Grod and man, he either could not die, or his death could not avail. If he be not man, his whole history is a myth ; if he be not God, to worship him is idolatry, yet not to worship him is to disobey the Father. — John v., 23.
3d. Scripture expressly declares that this doctrine is essen- tial.—.! John, iv., 2, 3.
CHAPTER XXI.
MEDIATORIAL OFFICE OF CHRIST.
1. What are the different senses of the word Mediator ', and in which of these senses is it used when applied to Christ ?
1st. In the sense of internuntius or messenger, to explain the will and to perform the commands of one or both the contracting parties, e. g., Moses, G-al. iii., 19.
2d. In the sense of simple advocate or intercessor, pleading the cause of the offending in the presence of the offended party.
3d. In the sense of efficient peace-maker. Christ, as Mediator, 1st, has all power and judgment committed to his hands, Matt, xxviii., 18, and ix., 6 ; John v., 22, 25, 26, 27 ; and, 2d, he effi- ciently makes reconciliation between God and man by an all- satisfactory expiation and meritorious obedience.
2. Why was it necessary that the Mediator should be pos- sessed both of a divine and human nature ?
1st. It was clearly necessary that the Mediator should be God. (1.) That he might be independent, and not the mere creature of either party, or otherwise he could not be the efficient maker of peace. (2.) That he might reveal God and his salva- tion to men, " For no man knoweth the Father save the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him/' Matt, xi., 27 ; John i., 18.. (3.) That being, as to person, above all law, and as to dignity of nature, infinite, he might render to the law in behalf of his peo- ple a free obedience, which he did not otherwise owe for himself, and that his obedience and suffering might possess an infinite value. (4.) That he might possess the infinite wisdom, knowl- edge, and power requisite to administer the infinite realms of providence and grace, which are committed to his hands as me- diatorial prince.
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290 MEDIATOKIAL OFFICE OF CHRIST.
2d. It is clearly necessary that he should be man. (1.) That he might truly represent man as the second Adam. (2.) That he might he made under the law, in order to render obedience, suffering, and temptation possible, Gal. iv., 4, 5 ; Luke»iv., 1-13. (3.) " In ail things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest," Heb. ii., 17, 18, and iv., 15, 16. (4.) That in his glorified hu- manity he might be the head of the glorified church, the example and pattern to whom his people are "predestined to be con- formed, that he might be the first-born among many brethren," Eom. viii., 29.
3. What diversity of opinion exists as to whether Christ acts as Mediator in one or both natures ?
The Komanists hold that Christ was Mediator only in his hu- man nature, arguing that it is impossible that God could mediate between man and himself.
The very opposite has been maintained, viz., that Christ was Mediator only in his divine nature.
The doctrine of the Bible is, that Christ was Mediator as the God-man, in both natures.
4. How may the acts of Christ be classified with reference to his two natures ?
Theologians have properly distinguished (vide Turrettin, in loco) between the person who acts and the nature or inward energy whereby he acts.
Thus we affirm of the one man, that he thinks and that he walks. The same person performs these two classes of action so radically distinct, in virtue of the two natures embraced in his single person. So the single person of the God-man performs all actions involving the attributes of a divine nature in virtue of his divine nature, and all actions involving the attributes of a human nature in virtue of his human nature.
5. How can it be proved that he was Mediator, and acted as such both in his divine and human natures ?
1st. From the fact that the discharge of each of the three great functions of the mediatorial office, the prophetical, priestly.
CHRIST THE ONLY MEDIATOR 291
and kingly, involves the attributes of both natures, as has been fully proved under question 2
2d. From the fact that the Bible attributes all his acts as Mediator to the one person, viewed as embracing both natures. The person is often designated by a term derived from the attri- butes of one nature, while the mediatorial action attributed to that person is plainly performed in virtue of the other nature embraced within it. — See Acts xx., 28 ; 1 Cor. ii., 8 ; Heb. ix., 14.