4, This stipulation and engagement of his, God accepteth of, and withal, as the sovereign lord and ruler of all, prescribeth the way and means whereby he should make atonement for sin, and recon- ciliation with God thereon. And this was, that “he should make his soul an offering for sin,” and therein “bear their iniquities,” Tsa. li. 10, 11.
5. The Lord Christ was prepared with a sacrifice to offer unto God, unto this end. For whereas “every high priest was ordained to _ Offer gifts and sacrifices, it was of necessity that he also should have
~ somewhat to offer,” Heb. vil. 3. This was not to be the blood of bulls and goats, or such things as were “offered according to the law,” verse 4; but this was and was to be himself, his human nature, or his body. For,—
(1.) This body or human nature was prepared for him and given unto him for this very end, that he might have somewhat of his own to offer, Heb. x. 5.
(2.) He took ct, he assumed it unto himself to be his own, for this very end, that he might be a sacrifice in it, Heb. ii. 14.
(3) He had full power and authority over his own body, his whole human nature, to dispose of it in any way, and into any condition, unto the glory of God. “No man,” saith he, “taketh my life from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again,” John x. 18.
6. This, therefore, he gave up to do and suffer according unto the will of God. And this he did,—
(1.) In the will, grace, and love of his divine nature,he offered himself unto God through the eternal Spirit.
(2.) In the gracious, holy actings of his human nature, in the way of zeal, love, obedience, patience, and all other graces of the Holy
310 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [ormap. Ix.
Spirit, which dwelt in him without measure, acted unto their ut- most glory-and efficacy. Hereby he gave himself up unto God to be a sacrifice for sin; his own divine nature being the altar and fire whereby his offering was supported and consumed, or brought unto the ashes of death. This was the most glorious spectacle unto God, and all his holy angels. Hereby he “set a crown of glory on the head of the law,” fulfillmg its precepts in matter and manner unto the uttermost, and undergoing its penalty or curse, establishing the truth and righteousness of God in it. Hereby he glorified the holi- ness and justice of God, in the demonstration of their nature and by compliance with their demands. Herein issued the eternal counsels of God for the salvation of the church, and way was made for the exercise of grace and mercy unto sinners. For,—
7. Herewith God was well pleased, satisfied, and reconciled unto sinners. Thus was he “in Christ reconciling the world unto him- self, not imputing our trespasses unto us,” in that “ he was made sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” For in this tender of himself a sacrifice to God,—
(1.) God was well pleased with and delighted in his obedience; it was “a sacrifice unto him of a sweet-smelling savour.” He was more glorified in that one instance of the obedience of his only Son, than he was dishonoured by the sin of Adam and all his posterity, as I have elsewhere declared.
(2.) All the demands of his justice were satistied, unto his eternal glory. Wherefore,—
8. Hereon Satan is judged, and destroyed as unto his power over sinners who receive this atonement; all the grounds and occasions of it are hereby removed, his kingdom is overthrown, his usurpation and unjust dominion defeated, his goods spoiled, and captivity led captive. For of the anger of the Lord against sin it was that he obtained his power over sinners, which he abused unto his own ends. This being atoned, the prince of this world was judged and cast out.
9. Hereon the poor condemned sinners are discharged. God says, “ Deliver them, for I have found a ransom.” But we must return to the text.
SECONDLY, The effect of the blood of Christ, through the offering of himself, is the “ purging of our consciences from dead works.” This was somewhat spoken unto in general before, especially as unto the nature of this purging; but the words require a more particular explication. And,—
ont ‘dee. The word isin the future tense, “shall purge.” The effect :—
1. Towards God, in making atonement for sin. This was done
blood of Christ as offered hath a double respect and —
a
VER. 13, 14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 311
once, and at once, and was now past. Herein “by one offering he for ever perfected them that are sanctified.”
2. Towards the conscrences of men, in the application of the vir- tue of it unto them. This is here intended. And this is expressed as future; not as though it had not had this effect already on them that did believe, but upon a double account :—
(1.) To declare the certainty of the event, or the infallible con- nection of these things, the blood of Christ, and the purging of the conscience; that is, in all that betake themselves thereunto. ‘ It shall do it;’ that is, effectually and infallibly.