2dly. The signification of the word is known from the use of it, and what it signifies among men ; so that no question can be made of its sense and importance, though it be but once used : and this on any occasion removes the difficulty and danger, rHv a-ra^ Xsyof^svuv. Sdly. The thing itself intended is so fully declared by the apostle in this place, and so plentifully taught in other places of the Scrijoture, as that the single use of this word may add light, but can be no pre- judice unto it.
Something may be spoken unto the signification of the word 'iyyuog, which will give light into the thing intended by it. TvaXov is " vola manus," — the '■ palm of the hand ;" thence is syyvog, or ug rh yvaXov, — to " deliver into the hand." 'Eyyvnr-^g is of the same sig- nification. Hence being a surety is interpreted by striking the hand, Prov. vi. 1, " My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger." So it answers the Hebrew ^"IJ?, which the LXX. render lyyudoj, Prov. vi. 1, xvii. 18, xx. 16; and by dnyyvdu, Neh. V. 3. ^IJ^ originally signifies to mingle, or a 'inix- tiire of any things or persons; and thence, from the conjunction and mixture that is between a surety and him for whom he is a surety, whereby they coalesce into one person, as unto the ends of that suretiship, it is used for a surety, or to give surety. And he that was Cr did ^l^, a surety, or become a surety, was to answer for liim
182 ON JUSTIFICATION.
for whom he was so, whatsoever befell him. So is it described, Gen. xliii. 9, in the words of Judah unto his father Jacob, concerning Benjamin, ''^^"ij?^ '•^jiix^ — "I -will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him." In undertaking to be surety for him, as unto his safety and preservation, he engage th himself to answer for all that should befall him ; for so he adds, " If I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, let me be guilty for ever." And on this grovmd he entreats Joseph that he might be a servant and a bondman in his stead, that he might go free and return unto his father, Gen. xliv. 32, 83. This is required unto such a surety, that he undergo and answer all that he for whom he is a surety is liable unto, whether in things criminal or civil, so far as the suretiship doth extend. A surety is an undertaker for another, or others, who thereon is justly and legally to answer what is due to them, or from them ; nor is the word otherwise used. See Job xvii. 3 ; Prov, vi. 1, xi. 15, xvii. 18, xx. 16, xxvii. 13. So Paul became a surety unto Philemon for Onesimus, verse 18. 'Eyyujj is " sponsio, expromis- sio, fidejussio," — an undertaking or giving security for any thing or person unto another, whereon an agreement did ensue. This, in some cases, was by pledges, or an earnest, Isa. xxxvi. 8, ^^^ ^^i?^'!', — " Give surety, pledges, hostages," for the true performance of condi- tions. Hence is f^^lV., appaQuv, " a pledge," or " earnest," Eph. i. 14. Wherefore syyvog is " sponsor, fidejussor, proes," — one that voluntarily takes on himself the cause or condition of another, to answer, or undergo, or pay what he is liable unto, or to see it done ; whereon he becomes justly and legally obnoxious unto performance. In this sense is the word here used by the apostle ; for it hath no other.
In our present inquiiy into the nature of this suretiship of Christ, the whole will be resolved into this one question, — namely, whether the Lord Christ was made a surety only on the part of God unto us, to assure us that the promise of the covenant on his part should be accomplished ; or also and principally an undertaker on our part, for the performance of what is required ; if not of us, yet with re- spect unto us, that the promise may be accomplished ? The first of these is vehemently asserted by the Socinians, who are followed by Grotius and Hammond in their annotations on this place.
The words of Schlichtingius are : " Sponsor foederis appellatur Jesus, quod nomine Dei nobis, spoponderit, id est fidem fecerit, Deum foederis promissiones servaturum. Non vero quasi pro nobis spoponderit Deo, nostrorumve debitorum solution em in se receperit. Nee enim nos misimus Christum sed Deus, cujus nomine Christus ad nos venit, fcedus nobiscum panxit, ej usque promissiones ratas fore spopondit et in se recepit ; ideoque nee sponsor simpliciter, sed foederis sponsor nommatur ; spopondit autem Christus pro foederis
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divini veritate, non tantum quatenus id firmum ratumque fore verbis perpetuo testatus est ; sed etiam quatenus muneris sui fidem, maximis rerum ipsarum coraprobavit documentis, cum perfecta vitse innocentia et sanctitate, cum divinis plane quae patravit operibus ; cum mortis adeo truculenta3, quani pro doctriuge suse veritate subiit, perpessione." After which he subjoins a long discourse about the evidences which we have of the veracity of Christ. And herein we have a brief account of their whole opinion concerning the mediation of Christ. The words of Grotius are, " Spopondit Christus; id est, nos certos promissi fecit, non solis verbis, sed perpetua vitse sanctitate, morte ob id tolerata et miraculis plurimis;" — which are an abridgment of the discourse of Schlichtingius. To the same pur- pose Dr Hammond expounds it, that he was a sponsor or surety for God unto the confirmation of the promises of the covenant.