(2.) As an intercessor. He is in heaven dealing with God in our behalf. He hath not cast oft' his relation or affection to his people upon his advancement : Heb. viii. 2, ' A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.' In all his glory he is the church's agent, appearing for us as our attorney in court, Heb. ix. 24 ; pleading for us, and answering all accusations as our advocate : 1 John ii. 1, ' And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.' And main- taining a correspondency between us and God, as an ambassador between two states, promoting our desires and prayers : Eev. viii. 3, * And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer ; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.' And obtaining all necessary graces for us.
[2.] His work with men, as a prophet and king.
(1.) As a prophet, and so as a messenger of the covenant, Mai. iii. 11. He showeth us the way how we may be reconciled with God, persuading us also to be so reconciled to God. For we are ignorant and obstinate, loath to part with sin and submit to God's terms ; therefore he revealeth, and persuadeth us to accept, the conditions of the new covenant, and to cast away all our rebellion against God, and enter into his peace : 2 Cor. v. 20, 'Now then we are amba.ssadors for Christ; as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.' They plead in his name, and by virtue of his power.
264 SERMON UPON 1 CORINTHIANS VIII. &
(2.) As a king and lord ; so he maketh these terms part of the new law for the remedying of lapsed mankind : Heb. v. 8, ' Though he were a son, yet he learned obedience by the things he suffered.* And not only so, but he subdueth us to himself,' Luke xi. 21 ; by strong hand rescueth us out of the power of the devil, and giveth us grace to serve him acceptably, Heb. xii. 28 ; and taketh us into his care, and ruleth us and protecteth us, till we enter into everlasting life. His lordship is a great part of his mediation.
III. The comforts and duties thence resulting, namely, from Christ's being constituted as mediator, as they are laid forth in the text.
1. I observe, that the Father's honour and glory is still secured, and preserved safe and entire, notwithstanding the giving the glory to Christ as the Lord of the new creation. The glory of the Mediator doth no way impair and infringe the Father's glory. That is apparent, partly because all the good we have is from the Father, but only by Christ ; for when the Father is spoken of, it is said, ' From him are all things ; ' but when the Mediator, then it is said, ' By him ; ' which notes a subordinate operation or administration, as lord- deputy under the Father; and therefore, in the subjection of the creature unto Christ, the glory of the Father is expressly reserved : Phil. ii. 11, * That every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father.' Again, it is apparent, because it is said, ' We are to him,' or ' for him.' The Mediator does not lead us off from God, but to him. Therefore both our love to God and subjection to him must still be preserved.
[1.] Our love. You must not think of the Father that he is all wrath, severe and inexorable, and his favour not to be gained but upon hard terms. No ; if he himself had not loved us, we could never have had Christ for our Kedeemer. All things are of him, not only in a way of creation, but redemption ; and one great end of sending Christ was to show the amiableness of the divine nature. Christ himself was sent by the Father : John iii. 16, ' God so loved the world, that he sent his only-begotten Son ; ' 2 Cor. v. 19, ' God -was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them ; ' Eom. viii. 32, ' God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.'
(2.) Our subjection and obedience : Ktv. v. 9, * Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.' His ancient right in us is not disannulled, but promoted. We are redeemed to his service and obedience. See 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20, ' Which are God's,' viz., by a right beneficial, as a further obligation. God is the efficient and final cause of all things ; therefore, still our subjection to God and love to God must be pre- served.
2. I observe, that the expressions here used imply returns as well as receipts. Look to the expressions in both clauses, either concerning the one God or the one Mediator. The one God : ' From him are all things, and we by him,' or ' for him.' As from his bounty and good- ness, so for his honour and service : Prov. xvi. 4, ' God hath made all things for himself ; ' 1 Cor. x. 31, ' Whether ye eat or drink, or what- soever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Whether it be in a way of