From hence it is evident that four things are required unto that redemption which is a deliverance by price or ransom from this state. For, [1.] It must be by such a ransom as whereby the guilt of sin as exprated; which was the meritorious cause of our captivity. Hence it is called “the redemption of transgressions,” verse 15; that is, of persons from that state and condition whereinto they were cast by sin or transgression. [2.] Such as wherewith in respect of God atonement must be made, and satisfaction unto his justice, as the supreme ruler and judge of all. [8.] Such as whereby the curse of the law might be removed; which could not be without undergoing of it, [4.] Such as whereby the power of Satan might be destroyed. How all this was done by the blood of Christ, I have at large de- clared elsewhere.
(2.) This redemption is said to be “eternal.” And it is so on
284 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. Ix.
many accounts: [1.] Of the subject-matter of it, which are things eter- nal; none of them are carnal or temporal. The state of bondage from which we are delivered by it in all its causes was spiritual, not temporal; and the effects of it, in liberty, grace, and glory, are eternal. [2.] Of its duration. It was not for a season, like that of the people out of Egypt, or the deliverances which they had afterwards under the judges, and on other occasions. They endured in their effects only for a season, and afterwards new troubles of the same kind overtook them. But this was eternal in all the effects of it; none that are partakers of it do ever return into a state of bondage. So, [3.] It endures in those effects unto all eternity in heaven ttself.
(3.) This redemption Christ obtained by “ his blood.” Having done all in the sacrifice of himself that was, in the justice, holiness, and wisdom of God, required thereunto, it was wholly in his power to confer all the benefits and effects of it on the church, on them that do believe. And sundry things we may observe from this verse.
Obs. I. The entrance of our Lord Jesus Christ as our high priest into heaven, to appear in the presence of God for us, and to save us thereby unto the uttermost, was a thing so great and glorious as could not be accomplished but by his own blood.—No other sacri- fice was sufficient unto this end: “Not by the blood of bulls and goats.” The reason hereof the apostle declares at large, Heb. x. 4—10. Men seldom rise in their thoughts unto the greatness of this mystery; yea, with the most, this “blood of the covenant,” where- with he was sanctified unto the remainder of his work, is a common thing. The ruin of Christian religion lies in the slight thoughts of men about the blood of Christ; and pernicious errors do abound in opposition unto the true nature of the sacrifice which he made thereby. Even the faith of the best is weak and imperfect as to the comprehension of the glory of it. Our relief is, that the unin- terrupted contemplation of it will be a part of our blessedness unto eternity. But yet whilst we are here, we can neither understand how great is the salvation which is tendered unto us thereby, nor be thankful for it, without a due consideration of the way whereby the Lord Christ entered into the holy place. And he will be the most humble and most fruitful Christian whose faith is most exercised, most conversant about it.
Obs. II. Whatever difficulties lay in the way of Christ, as unto the accomplishment and perfection of the work of our redemption, he would not decline them, nor desist from his undertaking, what- ever it cost him.— Sacrifice and burnt-offering thou wouldest not have; then said I, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.” He made his way into the holy place by his own blood. What was required of him for us, that we might be saved, he would not decline, though
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never so great and dreadful; and surely we ought not to decline what he requires of us, that he may be honoured.
Obs. III. There was a holy place meet to receive the Lord Christ after the sacrifice of himself, and a suitable reception for such a person, after so glorious a performance.—It was a place of great glory and beauty whereinto the high priest of old entered by the blood of calves and goats; the visible pledges of the presence of God were in it, whereunto no other person might approach. But our high priest was not to enter into any holy place made with hands, unto outward, visible pledges of the presence of God, but into the heayen of heavens, the place of the glorious residence of the majesty of God itself.
Obs. 1V. If the Lord Christ entered not into the holy place until he had finished his work, we may not expect an entrance thereinto until we have finished ours—He fainted not, nor waxed weary, until all was finished; and it is our duty to arm ourselves with the same mind.
Obs. VY. It must be a glorious effect which had so glorious a cause; and so it was, even “ eternal redemption.”