[2.] The difference and controversy is taken up by the work of his redemption ; for ' God hath set him forth to be a propitiation,' or a means of appeasing his wrath, Eom. iii. 25, and to be the foundation of that new covenant wherein pardon and life is offered to us. It is not enough to our recovery that God be reconciled, but man must be renewed, otherwise we remain for ever under the displeasure of God. Kow he hath purchased the grace of the Spirit, to be dispensed by the covenant, to bring us home to God : Titus iii. 5, G, ' Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our {Saviour ; ' and Rom. viii. 2, ' For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from tlie law of sin and death.'
Use. Let us be sensible of this unspeakable mercy, that God hath provifled a Mediator for us, that we may come to God by him : lleb. vii. 25, ' Wherefore he is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make inter- cession for us ; ' that the legal exclusion is removed, and a way opened to the Father : John xiv. 6, ' I am the way, tlie truth, and the life ; no man cometli to the Father but by me ;' otherwise we could not immediately converse with God, nor trust in him.
1. We see God in our nature as near at hand, and ready to help ns ; he came down amongst us, and became one of us ; was ' bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh.' And though he hath removed his dwell- ing into heaven again, it is for our sakes; he hath carried our nature thither, to take possession of that blessed })lace in our name, if we have a mind to follow him : John xiv. 2, ' I go to prepare a place for you.'
2. Here we see the means of a})peasing God's wrath : 2 Cor. v. 19, 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.' There is a full ransom paid ; all that enter into God's peace shall have the benefit of it.
3. By him we are encouraged to come to pray for every blessing we stand in need of: Ei)h. ii. 18, 'Through liim we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father.' Libeity to appn^ach unto God is a privilege wiiich we cannot enough value; the wall of j)artition between God and us is broken down by Christ ; he halh comiiletely satisfied God's justice, Heb. x. IIJ. He is now at the right hand of
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God interceding for us : 1 Tim, ii, 5, ' There is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus ;' and remaineth witli God as the great agent of the saints: Heb. viii. 1, 2, ' We have such an liigh piiest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the mnjesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary,' &c. Perfuming their prayers with the smoke of his incense: Rev. viii. 3, 4, 'And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.'
V. Observation. Mark the distinct titles given to God and the Mediator: Christ is called our Lord, and God our Father. Let us see what these titles import, of Lord and Father.
1. Christ is represented to us as the Lord ; so he was set forth by the apostles at the first preaching of the gospel : Acts x. 36, ' We ])i-each peace by Christ Jesus, he is Lord of all ;' 2 Cor. iv. 5, ' We ]ireach Christ Jesus the Lord ;' Col. ii. 6, ' If ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.' Christ is Lord two ways : —
[1.] By that right which belongeth to him as Creator, and is common and equal to him with the Father and the Spirit. Surely the Creator of the world is the sovereign of it. This right continuetli still, and shall continue while man receiveth his being from God by creation, and the continuance of his being by daily preservation and providence,
[2.] There is novum jus dominii et imj^erii — a new right of em- l)ire and government wdiich belongeth to him as Redeemer, and this accrueth to liim : —
(].) Partly by the donation of God : Acts ii. 36, ' Let all the house of Israel know that this Jesus, whom ye have crucified, is made Lord and Christ.' This office of Lord is derivative, and cannot be supreme, but subordinate ; it is derived from God : ' AH power is given to me, both in heaven and earth,' Mat. xxviii. 18 ; and it is referred to him : Phil. ii. 11, ' That every tongue should confess that Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,' The supreme right of governing is still in God, and subjection to him is not vacated, but established and reserved.