fjB'REAT and long preparations bespeak the solemnity and greatness of the work for which they are designed ; A man that had but seen the heaps of gold, silver and brass, which Da- vid amassed in his time, for the building of the temple, might easily conclude before one stone of it was laid, that it would be a magnificent structure. But lo, here is a design of God as far transcending that, as the substance doth the shadow. For, in- deed, that glorious temple was but the type and figure of Jesus Christ, John ii. 19, 21. and a weak adumbration of that living, spiritual temple which he was to build, cementing the lively stones thereof together with his own blood, 1 Pet. ii. 5, 6. that the great God might dwell and walk in it, 2 Cor. vi. 16. The pre- parations for that temple were but of few years, but the consul- tations and preparations for this were from eternity, Prov, viii. 31. And as there were preparations for this work (which Christ dis- patched in a few years) before the world began ; so it will be mat- ter of eternal admiration and praise, when this world shall be dis- solved. What this astonishing glorious work is, this text will in- form you, as to the general nature of it : it is the work of media-
SERM. VIII. THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. 107
tion betwixt God and man, managed by the sole hand of the man Christ Jesus*.
In this scripture (for I shall not spend time to examine the words in their contexture) you have a description of Jesus the Me- diator : and he is here described four ways, viz. by his work or office, a Mediator ; by the singularity of his mediation, one Medi- ator ; and by the nature and quality of his person, employed in this singular way of mediation, the man ; and lastly, his name Jesus Christ.
1. He is described by the work, or office he is employed a- bout Mstf/nj;, a Mediator, a middle person. So the word imports a fit, indifferent, and equal person, that comes between two per- sons that are at variance, to compose the difference and make peace. Such a middle, equal, indifferent person is Christ ; a day's man, to lay his hand upon both ; to arbitrate and award justly and give God his due, and that without ruin to poor man.
2. He is described by the singularity of his mediation, one Mediator, and but one. Though there be many mediators of reconciliation among men, and many intercessors in a petitionary way, betwixt God and man ; yet but sig Ifcrmg, one only media- tor of reconciliation betwixt God and man : and it is as needless and impious to make more mediators than one, as to make more God.s than one. There is one God, and one Mediator betwixt God and men.
He is described by the nature and quality of his person, a/fywroc, yjttog, &c. the man Christ Jesus. This description of him by one nature, and that the human nature also (wherein, as you shall see anon, the Lord especially consulted our encouragement and com- fort) ; I say, his being so described to us, hath, through the corrup- tion of men, been improved to the great dishonour of Jesus Christ, both by the Arians and Papists.-f The former took occasion from hence to affirm, that he was but ^iXog av^pwrog, a mere man.
The latter allow him to be the true God, but on this weak ground affirm, that he performed not the work of mediation as God, but only as man. Thus what the Spirit ordered for our comfort, is wickedly retorted to Christ's dishonour ; for I doubt not but he is described by his human nature in this place ; not only because in this nature he paid that ransom (which he speaks of in the words immediately following) but especially for the
* God is most holy, Man a lump of iniquity. Extremes meet not but by their middle ; sinful man can never have communion with, or enjoyment of God, but in, and by a Mediator.
f Wherefore, think ye, has he added the term, man: but to express that na- ture, whereby Christ is mediator. Bdlarmine on the Mediation of Ckristt book V. chap. 3. vol. 2.
108 THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE SERM. VIII.
drawing of sinners to him ; seeing he is the man Christ Jesus, one that clothed himself in their own flesh; and to encourage the faith of believers, that he tenderly regards all their wants and miseries, and that they may safely trust him with all their concerns, as one that will carefully mind them as his own, and will be for them a merciful and faithful High Priest, in things pertaining to God.
4. He is described by his names ; by his appellative name Christ, and his proper name Jesus. The name Jesus, notes his work about which he came ; and Christ, the offices to which he was anointed ; and in the execution of which he is our Jesus *. " In the name " Jesus, the whole gospel is contained, it is the light, the food, " the medicine of the soul," as one speaks. The note from hence is,
Doct. That Jesus Christ is the true and only Mediator betwixt God and men.
" Ye are come to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant," Heb. xii. 24. " And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New " Testament," Sfc. Heb. ix. 14. I might shew you a whole vein of scriptures running this way ; but to keep a profitable and clear method, I shall shew,
First, What is the sense of this word Metfirjjs, a Mediator, f
Secondly, What it implies, as it is applied to Christ.
Thirdly, How it appears that he is the true and only Mediator betwixt God and men.
Fourthly, In what capacity he performed his mediatory work.
First, What is the sense and import of this word Ms<rirr,c, a Me- diator ? The true sense and importance of it, is a middle Person, or one that interposes betwixt two parties at variance, to make peac? betwixt them. So that as Satan is medium disjungens, a me- dium of discord ; so Christ is medium conjungens, a medium of con- cord and peace. And he is such a Mediator, both in respect of his person and office ; in respect of his person, he is a Mediator ; i. e. one that hath the same nature both with God and us, true God, and true man ; and in respect of his Office or work, which is to interpose, to transact the business of reconciliation between us
* Ic nomine JESU totum latet Evangelium ; hoc nomen est lux, cibus, et medicina aninuE. Glassius.
f We call one, a Mediator, who interposes either between parties at variance, or in some degree only united, so as to reconcile the one, and unite the other more strictly by a new covenant. The name of mediator, in its proper signification, is ijot tiie name of a substance, but the name of an office or employment ; wherefore, the substance and execution of tbe office do not constitute two kinds of mediation, but one and the same. Ames, BcUarm, Enerv. lib. V. p. 117.
SERM. VIII. THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. 109