Chapter 4: Christ as the Only Means of Redemption

That the Lord Jesus Christ is the only means of redemption and deliverance out of this estate (Ephesians 1:7). In whom we have redemption through his blood: which plainly demonstrates, that

Jesus Christ is the only means of man's redemption and deliverance out of his bondage and miserable estate. And this is the doctrine I shall now insist upon.

When the Israelites were in bondage and misery, he sends Moses to deliver them. When they were in Babylon, he stirs up Cyrus to open the prison-gates to them. But when man is in misery, he sends the Lord Jesus, God and man, to redeem him (Acts 4:12).

How does Christ redeem men out of this misery?

By paying a price for them.

(1 Corinthians 6:20) God's mercy will be manifested in saving some, and his justice must be satisfied by having satisfaction or price made and paid for man's sin.

Hence Christ [reconstructed: satisfies] God's justice.

First, by standing in the room of all them whom mercy decrees to save. A surety stands in the room of a debtor (Hebrews 7:22). As the first Adam stood in the room of all mankind fallen: so Christ stands in the room of all men rising, or to be restored again.

Secondly, by taking from them, in whose room he stood, the eternal guilt of all their sins, and by assuming the guilt of all those sins to himself (2 Corinthians 5:22). Hence Luther said, Christ was the greatest sinner by imputation.

Thirdly, by bearing the curse and wrath of God kindled against sin. God is so holy, that when he sees sin sticking only by imputation to his own Son, he will not spare him, but his wrath and curse must he bear (Galatians 3:13). Christ drinks up the cup of all the elect at one draught, which they should have been sipping, and drinking, and swilling, and tormented with millions of years.

Fourthly, by bringing into the presence of God perfect righteousness (Romans 5:11), for this also God's justice required perfection, conformity to the law, as well as (perfect satisfaction) suffering for the wrong offered to the lawgiver. Justice thus requiring these four things, Christ satisfies justice by performing them, and so pays the price.

2. Christ is a redeemer by strong hand. The first redemption by price is finished in Christ's person, at his resurrection: the second is begun by the Spirit in man's vocation, and ended at the day of judgment; as money is first paid for a captive in Turkey, and then because he cannot come to his own prince himself, he is fetched away by strong hand.

Here is encouragement to the vilest sinner, and comfort to the self-succorless and lost sinner, who have spent all their money, their time and endeavors upon these duties and strivings, that have been but poor physicians to them. Oh look up here to the Lord Jesus, who can do that cure for you in a moment, which all creatures cannot do in many years. What bolts, what strong fetters, what unruly lusts, temptations and miseries are you locked into? Behold the Deliverer is come out of Zion, having satisfied justice, and paid a price to [reconstructed: ransom] poor captives (Luke 4:18), with the keys of heaven, hell, and your unruly heart, in his hand, to fetch you out with great mercy and strong hand. Who knows but you poor prisoner of hell, you poor captive of the devil, you poor shackled sinner may be one whom he is come [reconstructed: forth]? Oh look up to him, sigh to heaven for deliverance from him, and be glad and rejoice at his coming.

This strikes terror to them, that though there is a means of deliverance, yet they lie in their misery, never groan, never sigh to the Lord Jesus for deliverance. In fact, they rejoice in their bondage, and dance to hell in their bolts. In fact, they are weary of deliverance, that sit in the stocks when they are at prayers, that come out of the church when the tedious sermon runs somewhat beyond the [reconstructed: hour], like prisoners out of a jail. They despise the Lord Jesus, when he offers to open the doors, and so let them out of that miserable estate. Oh poor creatures! is there a means of deliverance? and do you neglect, in fact despise it. Know it, that this will cut your heart one day, when you are hanging in your gibbets in hell, to see others standing at God's right hand, redeemed by Christ. You might have had share in their honor, for there was a Deliverer come to save you, but you would have none of him. Oh you will lie yelling in those everlasting burnings, and tear your hair, and curse yourself: from here might I have been delivered, but I would not. Has Christ delivered you from hell, and has he not delivered you from your alehouse? Has Christ delivered you from Satan's society, when he has not delivered you from your loose company yet? Has Christ delivered you from burning, when your faggots, your sins, grow in you? Is Christ's blood yours, that you make no more account of it, nor feel no more virtue from it than in the blood of a chicken? Are you redeemed, do you hope by Christ to be saved, who never saw, nor felt, nor sighed under your bondage? Oh, the devils will keep holiday (as it were) in hell, in respect of you, who shall mourn under God's wrath, and lament. Oh there was a means to deliver us out of it, but you shall mourn forever for your misery. And this will be a bodkin at your heart one day, to think there was a deliverer, but I wretch would none of him.

Here likewise is matter of reproof, to such as seek to come out of this misery from and by themselves. If they be ignorant, they hope to be saved by their good meaning and prayers. If Civil, by paying all they owe, and doing as they would be done by, and by doing no body any harm. If they be troubled about their estates, then they lick themselves whole by their mourning, repenting, and reforming. Oh poor stubble, can you stand before this consuming fire without sin? Can you make yourself a Christ for yourself? Can you bear and come from under an infinite wrath? Can you bring in perfect righteousness into the presence of God? This Christ must do, else he could not satisfy and redeem. And if you cannot do thus, and have no Christ, strive and pray, that heaven and earth shake, till you have worn your tongue to the stumps, endeavor as much as you can, and others commend you for a diligent Christian; mourn in some wilderness till doomsday, dig your grave there with your nails, weep buckets full of hourly tears, till you can weep no more. Fast and pray till your skin and bones cleave together; promise and purpose, with full resolution to be better, no — reform your head, heart, life, and tongue, and some, no — all sins; live like an Angel, shine like a sun, walk up and down the world like a distressed pilgrim going to another country, so that all Christians commend and admire you. Die ten thousand deaths, lie at the fireback in Hell so many millions of years as there be piles of grass on the earth, or sands upon the seashore, or stars in heaven, or motes in the sun: I tell you, not one spark of God's wrath against your sin shall be, can be quenched by all these duties, nor by any of these sorrows, or tears; for, these are not the blood of Christ. No — if all the Angels and Saints in heaven and earth should pray for you, these cannot deliver you, for they are not the blood of Christ. No — God as a Creator having made a law, will not forgive one sin without the blood of Christ; no — Christ's blood will not do it neither, if you do join never so little, that you have or do, to Jesus Christ, and make yourself or any of your duties co-partners with Christ in that great work of saving you. Cry out therefore as that blessed Martyr did, None but Christ, none but Christ.

Take heed of neglecting or rejecting so great salvation by Jesus Christ. Take heed of spilling this potion, that only can cure you.

But you will say, this means of redemption is only appointed for some, it is not intended for all, therefore not for me, therefore how can I reject Christ?

It is true, Christ spent not his breath to pray for all (John 17:9), much less his blood for all; therefore he was never intended as a Redeemer of all. But that he is not intended as a Deliverer of you — how does this follow? How do you know this?

But secondly, I say; Though Christ be not intended for all, yet he is offered to all, and therefore to you. And the ground is this chiefly.

The universal offer of Christ arises not from Christ's Priestly office immediately, but from his Kingly office, whereby the Father having given him all power and dominion in heaven and earth, he commands all men to stoop to him, and likewise bids all his Disciples and all their successors to go and preach the Gospel to every creature under Heaven (Matthew 28:18-19). For, Christ does not immediately offer himself to all men as a Savior, whereby they may be encouraged to serve him as a King, but first as a King commanding them to cast away their weapons, and stoop to his Scepter, and depend upon his free mercy, acknowledging, if ever he saves me, I will bless him; if he damns me, his name is righteous in so dealing with me.

But that I may fasten this exhortation; I will show these four things.

1. The Lord Jesus is offered to every particular person: which I will show thus. What have you to say against it, that you do doubt of it? It may be you will plead.

Oh, I am so ignorant of myself, God, Christ, or his will, that surely the Lord offers no Christ to me.

Yes, but he does, though you lie in utter darkness. Our blessed Savior glorified his Father, for revealing the mystery of the Gospel to simple men, neglecting those that carried the chief reputation of wisdom in the world. The parts of none are so low, as that they are beneath the gracious regard of Christ. God bestows the best fruits of his love upon mean and weak persons here, that he might confound the pride of flesh the more. Where it pleases him to make his choice, and to exalt his mercy, he passes by no degree of wit, though never so incapable.

But you will say; I am an enemy to God, and have a heart so stubborn and loath to yield; I have vexed him to the very heart by my transgressions.

Yet he beseeches you to be reconciled. Put case you have been a sinner, and rebellious against God, yet so long as you are not found among malicious opposers, and underminers of his truth, never give way to despairing thoughts, you have a merciful Savior.

But I have despised the means of Reconciliation and rejected mercy.

Yet God calls you to return; You have played the Harlot with many lovers, yet turn again to me, says the Lord (Jeremiah 3:1). Cast yourself into the arms of Christ, and if you perish, perish there; if you do not, you are sure to perish. If mercy be to be had anywhere, it is by seeking to Christ, not by running from him. In this appears Christ's love to you, that he has given you a heart in some degree sensible; he might have given you up to hardness, security, and profaneness; of all spiritual judgments the greatest. But he that died for his enemies, will in no wise refuse those the desire of whose soul is towards him. When the Prodigal set himself to return to his Father, his Father stays not for him but meets him in the way. If our sins displease us, they shall never hurt us; but we shall be esteemed of God to be, that which we desire and labor to be (Psalm 145:19).

But can the Lord offer Christ to me, so poor, that have no strength, no faith, no grace, nor sense of my poverty.

Yes, even to you; why should we except ourselves, when Christ does not except us. Come to me all you that are weary and heavy laden. We are therefore poor, because we know not our riches. We can never be in such a condition, wherein there will be just cause of utter despair. He that sits in darkness, and sees no light, no light of comfort, no light of God's countenance, yet let him trust in the name of the Lord. Weaknesses do not debar us from mercy, indeed, they incline God the more. The husband is bound to bear with the wife, as being the weaker vessel; and shall we think God will exempt himself from his own rule, and not bear with his weak spouse?

But is this offer made to me that cannot love, prize, nor desire the Lord Jesus?

Yes, to you, Christ knows how to pity us in this case. We are weak, but we are his. A father looks not so much at the blemishes of his child, as at his own nature in him; so Christ finds matter of love from anything of his own in us. A Christian's carriage towards Christ may in many things be very offensive, and cause much strangeness, yet (so long as he resolves not upon any known evil) Christ will own him, and he Christ.

Oh! but I have fallen from God often, since he has enlightened me; and does he tender Christ to me?

You must know that Christ has married every believing soul to himself, and that where the work of grace is begun, sin loses strength by every new fall. If there be a spring of sin in you, there is a spring of mercy in God, and a fountain daily opened to wash your uncleanness in. Adam (indeed) lost all by once sinning; but we are under a better covenant, a covenant of mercy, and are encouraged by the Son to go to the Father every day for the sins of that day.

If I was willing to receive Christ, I might have Christ offered to me. But will the Lord offer him to such a one as desires not to have Christ?

Yes, (says our Savior) I would have gathered you, as the hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not. We must know, a creating power cannot only bring something out of nothing, but contrary out of contrary; of unwilling, God can make us a willing people. There is a promise of pouring clean water upon us, and Christ has taken upon him to purge his spouse, and make her fit for himself.

What have you now to plead against this strange kindness of the Lord in offering Christ to you? You will say, it may be:

O! I fear time is past, oh time is past. I might once have had Christ, but now my heart is sealed down with hardness, blindness, unbelief; oh! time is now gone.

No, not so, see Isaiah 65:1-3. All the day long God holds out his hands to a backsliding and rebellious people. Your day of grace, your day of means, your day of life, your day of God's striving with you, and stirring of you, still lasts.

But if God be so willing to save, and so prodigal of his Christ, why does he not give me Christ, or draw me to Christ?

I answer. What command do you look for to draw you to Christ, but this word, Come; oh come you poor, forlorn, lost, blind, cursed, nothing. I will save you, I will enrich you, I will forgive you, I will enlighten you, I will bless you, I will be all things to you, do all things for you. May not this win and melt the heart of a devil?

2. Upon what conditions may Christ be had?

Make an exchange of what you are or have with Christ, for what Christ is or has; and so taking him, (like the wise merchant the pearl) you shall have salvation with him.

Now this exchange lies in these four things chiefly.

First, give away yourself to him, head, heart, tongue, body, soul, and he will give away himself to you (Canticles 6:3). Indeed he will stand in your room in heaven, that you may triumph and say, I am already in heaven, glorified in him. I see God's blessed face in Christ; I have conquered death, hell, and the devil in him.

Secondly, give away all your sins to Christ, confess them, leave them, cast them upon the Lord Jesus, so as to receive power from him to forsake them. And he will be made sin for you, to take them away from you (1 John 1:9).

Thirdly, give away your honor, pleasure, profit, life, for him; he will give away his crown and honor, life and all to you (Luke 18). Let nothing be sweet to you but him, and nothing shall be sweet to him but you.

Fourthly, give away your rags, forsake your own righteousness for him; he will give away all his robes and righteousness to you (Philippians 3:8-9). You shall stand as glorious in the sight of God, however you are a poor wretch in yourself, as an angel, indeed, as all the angels, because clothed with his Son Christ Jesus his righteousness.

Now tell me, will you have Christ? He is offered to you. Yes, you will all say: yes, with all my heart. But will you have him on these terms? upon these 4 conditions?

Now because men will flatter themselves, and say, Yes.

3. I will show you four sorts of people that reject Christ thus offered.

First, the slight unbeliever; that when he hears of an offer of Christ, and should wonder at the love of the Lord in doing this; he makes nothing of it, but goes from the church, and says, we must give ministers the wall in the pulpit; and, poor men, they must have something to say and preach for their living: there was a good plain sermon today, the man seems to mean well, but I think he is no great scholar; and so makes no more of the offer of Christ, than of the offer of a straw at their feet. If a good bargain be offered them, they will forget all their business to accomplish that; yet they make light of this offer (Matthew 22:5).

Secondly, the desperate unbeliever: that seeing his sins to be so great, and feeling his heart so hard, and finding but little good from God, since he sought for help, (like Cain,) flees from the presence of the Lord; like a mad lion he breaks his chains of restraining grace, and runs roaring after his prey, after his cups, harlots, lusts, etc., and so will not honor Christ with such a great cure of such great sins, that he shall never have the credit of it, nor will be beholden to him for such a kindness.

Thirdly, the presumptuous unbeliever — that seeing what sins he has committed, and it may be having a little touch and some sorrow for his sins, catches at Christ, hoping to be saved by him before ever he comes to be loaded with sin as the greatest evil, or God's wrath kindled against him as his greatest curse; and so catching at Christ, hopes he has Christ, and hoping he has Christ already, shuts out Christ for the future, and so rejects him (Micah 3:11). You shall have these men and women complain never of the want, but only of the weakness of their faith, and they will not be beaten off from there; let them hear never so much of their misery, nor see never so much of their sins, yet they will not be beaten off from trusting in Christ.

Fourthly, the tottering doubtful unbeliever, one that is in a question whether he had best have Christ or no. He sees some good in Christ that he would gladly have him for, as, there I shall have heaven, and pardon, and grace, and peace, and yet he sees many things he dislikes with Christ; as, namely, then farewell merry meetings, pastimes, cards and dice, pleasure and sinful games; and so they totter this way and that way, not knowing whether they had best have Christ or no (James 1:6-7). These people reject Jesus Christ.

4. And now come and see the greatness of this sin.

1. It is a most bloody sin; it is a trampling under foot the blood of the Son of God (Hebrews 10:21).

2. It is a most dishonoring sin; for, as by the first act of faith, a man glorifies God by obeying all the law at an instant in Christ: so, by rejecting him you do break all those laws of God in an instant, and so do dishonor him.

3. It is a most ungrateful sin; it is despising God's greatest love, which the Lord takes most heavily.

4. It is a most inexcusable sin; for what have you to cast against Jesus Christ? Oh, my sins are so great, you will say. But take Christ, his blood will [reconstructed: wash] you from all your sins.

Oh! but my heart is hard, and my mind blind.

Indeed, but take me, and I will break your heart, open your eyes. A new heart is God's gift, and he has promised to create it in us.

Oh! but then I must forsake all my pleasures.

You will have them fully, continually, infinitely in Christ.

Oh! but I cannot take Christ.

Oh! but Christ can give you a hand to receive him, as well as give away himself.

5. It is a most heavy sin. What sin will grip so in hell, as this (John 3:19)? God the Father shall strike the devils for breaking the law of the creation, but God the Son shall strike you, and the Comforter himself shall set himself against you, for despising the means and offers of redemption. The devils might never have had mercy, but you shall think with anguish, and vexation, and madness of heart, I might have had a Christ, he was offered to me; mercy wooed this stubborn proud heart to yield. But, O rock of adamant that I was, it did not affect me. Oh, fly speedily to this city of refuge, lest the pursuer of blood overtake you.

Away then out of yourselves to the Lord Jesus. Heaven and earth leave you, and have forsaken you; now there is but one more that can do you good, and deliver your soul from endless sorrow: go to him, and take hold on him, not with the hand of presumption and love to yourself to save yourself, but with the hand of faith, and love to him to honor him.

I am well enough already, what do you tell me of Christ?

This is the damning sin of these times, when men have Christ offered to them, foretelling them else of wrath to come, they say they are well; so feeling no judgment here, they fear no wrath hereafter; so being well, they feel no need of Christ; so till they die, they never seek out for a Savior. Men will not come into the ark already made for them, before the flood arises. The world makes so much of those it nurses up, that they are unwilling to come to heaven, when they are called to come home.

But it may be Christ has not redeemed me, nor shed his blood for me, therefore why should I go to him?

It may be it is true, maybe not, yet do you venture as those (Joel 2) — who knows but the Lord may return? It is true, God has elected but few, and so the Son has shed his blood, and died but for a few, yet this is no excuse for you, to lie down and say, what should I seek out of myself for help? You must in this case venture and try, as many men among us do now, who hearing of one good living fallen, twenty of them will go and seek for it, although they know only one shall have it. Therefore say as those lepers in Samaria: if I stay here in my sins, I die; if I go out to the camp of the Syrians, we may live, we can but die however; if I go out of Christ, I may get mercy, however I can but die, and it is better to die at Christ's feet than in your own puddle. Content not yourselves therefore with your bare reformation and amending your lives, this is but to cross the debt in your own book, it remains uncanceled in the creditor's book still: but go, take, offer up this eternal sacrifice before the eyes of God the Father, and cry guilty at his bar, and look for mercy from him; sigh under your bondage, that as Moses was sent to the Israelites, so may Christ be sent into your soul. Rest not therefore in the sight or sense of a helpless condition; saying, I cannot help myself unless Christ does: sigh to the Lord Jesus in heaven for help, and admire the Lord forever, that when there was no help, and when he might have raised out of the stones children to praise him; yet he should send his Son out of his bosom to save you. So much for this particular; the fifth divine principle follows to be handled.