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T H E By J O H N.B U N Y A N. 1659. The last book John Bunyan wrote before being placed in Bedford Prison for twelve years. |
And,
CHRIST IS THE SURETY OF THE NEW COVENANT.
IRST. His first office, after the covenant was made and concluded
upon, was that Jesus should become bound as a Surety, [His Suretyship]. and stand
engaged upon oath to see that all the conditions of the covenant that were concluded
on between Him and His Father should, according to the agreement, be accomplished
by Him; and that after that, He should be the Messenger from God to the world to
declare the mind of God touching the tenor and nature of both the covenants, especially
of the new one. The Scripture saith, that Jesus Christ was not only made a priest
by an oath, but also a Surety, or bondsman, as in Hebrews 7:21, 22. In the 21st Verse
he speaketh of the priesthood of Christ, that it was with an oath; and saith, in
the 22nd Verse, "By so much" also "was Jesus made a Surety of a better
testament," or covenant.
Now the covenant was not only made on Jesus Christ's side with an oath, but also
on God the Father's side, that it might be for the better ground of establishment
to all those that are, or are to be, the children of the promise. Methinks it is
wonderful to consider that the God and Father of our souls, by Jesus Christ, should
be so bent upon the salvation of sinners, that He would covenant with His Son Jesus
for the security of them, and also that there should pass an oath on both sides for
the confirmation of Their resolution to do good. As if the Lord had said, My Son,
Thou and I have here made a covenant, that I on My part should do thus and thus,
and that Thou on Thy part shouldst do so and so. Now that We may give these souls
the best ground of comfort that may be, there shall pass an oath on both sides, that
Our children may see that We do indeed love them. "Wherein God, willing more
abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel,"
in making of the covenant, "confirmed it by an oath: that we might have a strong
consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us"
(Heb 6:17,18; 7:21). Mark, the 6th Chapter saith, God confirmed His part by an oath;
and the 7th saith, Christ was made or set on His office also by an oath. Again, "Once,"
saith God, "have I sworn by My holiness, that I will not lie unto David,"
"nor alter the thing that is gone out of My mouth," (Psa 89:34,35) as was
before cited.
Herein you may see that God and Christ were in good earnest about the salvation of
sinners; for as soon as ever the covenant was made, the next thing was, who should
be bound to see all those things fulfilled which were conditioned on between the
Father and the Son: the angels, they could have no hands in it; the world could not
do it; the devils had rather see them damned than they would wish them the least
good; thus Christ looked, and there was none to help; though the burden lay never
so heavy upon His shoulder, He must bear it Himself; for there was none besides Himself
to uphold, or so much as to step in to be bound, to see the conditions, before mentioned,
fulfilled neither in whole nor in part (Isa 63:1-7). So that He must not be only
He with whom the covenant was made, but He must also become the bondsman or surety
thereof, and so stand bound to see that all and every particular thing conditioned
for should be, both in manner, and matter, at the time and place, according to the
agreement, duly and orderly fulfilled. Is not this grace?
Now as touching the nature of a surety and his work, in some things it is well known
to most men; therefore I shall be very brief upon it.
First. You know a surety is at the bargain's making; and so was Christ—"Then
was I beside Him" (Prov 8:30).
Second. A surety must consent to the terms of the agreement, or covenant; and so
did Christ Jesus. Now that which He did engage should be done for sinners, according
to the terms of the covenant; it was this—1. That there should be a complete satisfaction
given to God for the sins of the world; for that was one great thing that was agreed
upon when the covenant was made (Heb 10:5,17). 2. That Jesus Christ should, as aforesaid,
bring in an everlasting righteousness to clothe the saints (His body) withal (Dan
9:24,25). Here is grace. 3. That He should take in charge to see all those forthcoming
without spot or wrinkle at the day of His glorious appearing from Heaven in judgment,
and to quit them before the Judgment-seat. Again,
Third. In the work of a surety there is required by the creditor that the surety
should stand to what he is bound; and on the surety's side there is a consenting
thereunto. 1. The creditor looks, that in case the debtor proves a bankrupt, that
then the surety should engage the payment. Is not this grace? [However it is in other
engagements, it is thus in this]. 2. The creditor looks that the surety should be
an able man. Now our Surety was, and is, in this case, every way suitable; for He
is heir of all things. 3. The creditor appoints the day, and also looks that the
covenant should be kept, and the debt paid, according to the time appointed; and
it is required of sureties, as well as stewards, that they be found faithful—namely,
to pay the debt according to the bargain; and therefore it is said, "When the
fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son—made under the law, to redeem
them that were under the law," (Gal 4:4,5). Thus comes grace to saints. 4. The
creditor looks that his money should be brought into his house, to his own habitation.
Jesus, our Surety, in this also is faithful; for by His own blood, which was the
payment, He is entered into the holy place, even into Heaven itself, which is God's
dwelling-place, to render the value and price that was agreed upon for the salvation
of sinners. But I shall speak more of this in another head, therefore I pass it.
Again,
Fourth. If the surety stands bound, the debtor is at liberty; and if the law do issue
out any process to take any, it will be the surety. [Though the debtor, together
with the surety, is liable to pay the debt by the law of man, yet Christ our Surety
only by the Covenant of Grace]. And, O! how wonderfully true was this accomplished
in that, when Christ our Surety came down from Heaven, God's Law did so seize upon
the Lord Jesus, and so cruelly handle Him, and so exact upon Him, that it would never
let Him alone until it had accused Him and condemned Him, executed Him, and screwed
His very heart's blood out of His precious heart and side; nay, and more than this
too, as I shall show hereafter.
THE SECOND PART
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