First , What Jesus Christ is , that the Prophet doth here so comfort himself in , and rejoice and make his boast of .

First , He is glorious in his Person , a very glorious person he is , not one like him in Heaven nor in Earth ; what is said concerning Saul in the 1 Sam. 9.2 . we may in allusion apply unto Christ , that he was a choice young man & a goodly , there was not among the Children of Israel a goodlier Person then he , from the shoulders upward he was higher than any of the People . I only allude to it .

Jesus Christ is a most choice excellent one , a very goodly , and a very lovely Person , he is higher both by head and shoulders than any of his Brethren ; a Person all glorious , a Person all over lovely and beautiful , in Can. 5.16 . His mouth is most sweet , yea , he is altogether lovely , this is my beloved , &c.

But I shall descend into particulars , and shew you wherein Jesus Christ is such a sufficient ground of rejoycing , and of comfort to the believing Soul that hath an interest in him in all conditions , and I shall here shew you wherein it appeareth , that the glory of Christs Person is such a ground of rejoycing to us at all times ? And that will appear in his Mediatory Constitution , as God-man in one Person ; Jesus is a Mediator , a days Man , an umpire between God and Man , one that hath come between God and Man to make peace for us , and the glory of his Person lies in his mediatory constitution , as he is God-man , so he is a most glorious Person . Now this Title of Mediator is often given him in Scripture , in Heb. 8.6 . he is called the Mediator of a better Covenant , & Heb. 9.15 . the Mediator of the New Testament , and Heb. 12.24 . To Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant , and to the blood of sprinkling . So 1 Tim. 2.5 . This was such a one as Job wished for , in Job 9.33 . Neither is there any days-man between us that might lay his hand upon us both . Now there are two things that are requisite for the compleating and accomplishing of a Mediator .

First , He must be equally related to the Persons between whom he comes .

Secondly , He must be impartial and faithfully indifferent ; now both these are found in Jesus Christ .

First , A Mediator , I say must be equally stated between , and related to the Persons , that he comes to reconcile . A Mediator must be a middle Person that must not be related more to one Person than to another , that he comes between , but there must be an equal proximity or nearness in him unto the parties , that he comes to mediate for , or to make peace between . Now Jesus Christ was such a Person in whom there was an equal proximity or nearness to both parties that he had to do with , for he was both God and Man ; as he was true Man , he stood in a nearness unto man , and as he was true God , so he stood in a nearness unto the Father that he had to do for ; he was by the Divine Nature as near unto the Father , as by the Humane Nature he was near unto man ; and he was as near unto man by his Humane Nature , as he was unto the Father by his Divine Nature , so as he is equally stated between , and related unto the persons that he came to reconcile .

Secondly , A Mediator must be impartial and faithful , indifferent in and about the interest of the parties that he hath to do for . Jesus Christ being made God-man , was not only in a nearness to man , and to the Father , but he was thereby unbiassed , and carried out upon equal terms impartially , to manage the Concerns of the Interest of both Parties ; he was both God and man , and was not only as so , in a nearness to both Parties , but he was equally concerned honourably to manage the Interest of both Parties that he came between and had to do for , and was engaged in this nearness that he stood in unto both ; he was engaged thereby equally to manage the Concerns of both Parties ; being God , he was engaged in point of honour to give satisfaction to his Father ; and being Man , he was engaged in point of faithfulness to work out the whole business and concern of our Salvation , and to make peace for Sinners ; he was faithfully indifferent , and equally concerned in the Interest of both Parties , having the Divine Nature and the Humane united together in one Person ; both Natures do constrain him to have an equal and right aspect into both Interests ; if he should look more unto God's side , than unto man's side , the Humane Nature would speak ; and if he should look more unto man than unto God , the Divine Nature would speak ; he had both Natures , and therein was unbiassed , and carried out with an impartial spirit to manage the Concerns of both Interests , and to bring them into one ; and it was requisite that Jesus that was to be a Mediator , should be thus constituted ; for indeed , had he undertook the work , and had not been thus constituted , it would not probably have been so impartially managed , neither could Jesus Christ have been compleat for the work of his Mediation , but under this constitution ; for if he had been God only , then he had been too high for the work ; for he must make satisfaction ; he must suffer and die for Sinners ; he must be made sin for Sinners , and be substituted in the room of sinners . Now God absolutely considered , cannot be thus : And if he had been man only , he had been too low for the work ; for there could not have been that dignity in his sufferings , as to give a value and worth to all his layings out , and layings down for us : He must therefore be God-man , and as so , he was neither too high , nor too low , but equally stated between both , and so compleated for the work ; and thus was Jesus Christ constituted ; and thus do the Scriptures set him forth to us as Mediator , Joh. 1.14 . The Word , that is , the Second Person was made flesh ; there is Jesus becoming Immanuel , God with us ; and 1 Tim. 3.16 . God was manifest in the flesh , &c. and Luk. 1.31 , 32. And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb , and bring forth a Son , and shalt call his name Jesus . And Rom. 1.3 , 4. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord , which was made of the seed of David , according to the flesh , and declared to be the Son of God with power , &c. So as you see he was constituted God-man ; The Word was made flesh . Now being thus constituted God-man , he had his nearness to God the Father , and his nearness to the Sons of men , for whom he came and appeared in the flesh . You may see his nearness unto the Father , Zech. 13.7 . Awake O Sword against my Shepherd , and against the man that is my fellow , saith the Lord of Hosts . So as Jesus Christ he is , and he was the fellow and the companion of the Lord of Hosts . So Phil. 2.6 . Who being in the form of God , thought it no robbery to be equal with God , &c. Here you see he hath his nearness to the Father , and also his nearness to the Sons of men , for whom he appeared in the Flesh , Heb. 2.14 . For as much then as the Children are partakers of flesh & blood , he also himself likewise took part of the same , &c. and in Isaiah 9.6 . For unto us a Child is born , unto us a Son is given , &c. and Luke 1.35 . The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee , and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee , therefore also that holy thing that shall be born of thee , shall be called the Son of God ; he thought it no robbery to be equal with God ; there was his nearness to the Father , and he was born of the Virgin , and so clothed with our flesh , and therein he was near a kin unto man , and hence is he called Immanuel , that is , God with us ; now as thus constituted , did he undertake the work of his mediation , for thus he suffered , and thus he satisfied , his sufferings hereby came to be satisfactory as he was God , he died as man , and he overcame death , and arose again from the Grave , by the power of his God-Head .

Quest. But you will say this indeed is a great mystery , worthy of all admiration , that the Eternal Son of God should become man , that he should be God and Man , that there should be a union of the two natures in one Person , but what is this to us , as a standing constant ground of rejoycing to us in all saddening , sinking providences whatsoever ?

Ans. I answer much every way , and this would be clear to you , should I enter upon , and open to you the glory of his Person as thus constituted . The glorious excellencies of Heaven that are shining in both natures , or upon his Person under its constitution in the union of both natures , and there may be a greater matter of rejoycing to our Souls in the exercise of faith in our contemplating upon his personal glories . It may be a matter of greater rejoycing to our Souls , than ever there was satisfaction to the heart and mind upon any object whatsoever it did behold with a bodily eye ; but I shall not go that way , nor enter upon such a prolix discourse , but shall only give you some particulars wherein there is a standing ground of rejoycing for us in Christ Jesus upon this his personal constitution , as God-man to be a Mediator for us ; and here , First , We have dignity . Secondly , Tranquillity . Thirdly , Sanctity . Fourthly , Stability . And Fifthly , Familiarity given to us , or brought in upon us .

1. Hereby is the nature of man raised unto unspeakable honour and glory , in that Jesus Christ the Second Person hath assumed our nature , and taken it into union with his own divine nature in his Person , & therein does he now reign upon the Throne in Heaven , at the right hand of God , herein is the nature of man most unspeakably advanced and dignifyed . The nature of man was very low before ; Man was made of the earth , of a little red earth , man was before but a contemptible Creature , but now what honour is put upon it , that Jesus Christ hath taken our nature , and united it unto the Divine nature , that nature that was despised before , is now honoured , honourable and worthy . It hath glory and dignity from the Lord Jesus put upon it , saies the Apostle , 1 Cor. 15.43 , 44. The body of man , or the nature of man it is both born , and it dies in dishonour , ay , but it is raised in glory . The body of Man is a corruptible body , 't is a dying body . It hath a sentence of death that hangs over it as soon as ever it hath a being ; but now though it be sown in dishonour , yet it shall be raised in glory ; there is glory that waits upon the body of man , or upon mans whole nature , Phil. 3.21 . Who shall change our vile body , that it may be fashioned like to his own glorious body , &c. So as there is unspeakable honour that is given unto our nature , in that Christ Jesus hath taken it so near unto himself , and advanced it upon the Fathers Throne in Heaven ; we are here under the contempt and disgrace of men , but it matters not ( Christians ) they cannot take away your glory . The glory of your nature is not laid in the breath of men , but it is founded here in Christ Jesus's assumption of our nature , and uniting it to the divine nature ; and if indeed the enemies of the Lords people could take our nature from Christ Jesus , then they might take away our glory , and our honour ; but he hath inseparably and everlastingly united our nature unto his divine nature , therefore our honour is such , as can never be taken away ; it is counted a great honour for an Ambassadour to be sent forth in the name of some great Prince to personate him in another Country , but my friends what is it for Jesus Christ to assume our nature , and to personate man before his Father in Heaven ; this is a greater honour that is put upon us , than if God had made man the Lord of all the Angels in Heaven , therefore let this satisfy you under all the reproaches and contempts that you meet withall here in the world by one and another , though despised , and though contemned here and there by a few , yet your honour in the Lord , that abides .

2. In and upon the appearance of Jesus Christ as Mediator for us , there is a full , firm and lasting peace made between God and us . Jesus Christ he came as a Mediator between two to reconcile both , and make them one , and this he hath done by the blood of his Cross , Col. 1.20 . and 21. Jesus hath reconciled God and Man together , he hath taken away the wrath that the law of God had to denounce against man , he hath slain the enmity of our natures , he hath brought these two enemies together , and made them one in his own mediatory hand , so as now you may look unto God , and be at peace with him , you may see Heaven , and all the powers of Heaven reconciled to you , Rom. 5.1 . Therefore being justified by saith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ , and not only so , v. 11. But we also Joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have received the attonement : here is the blessing mentioned in the Text , I will rejoice in the Lord , I will Joy in the God of my Salvation , but how must I consider him ? why , consider this Lord as Mediator , making peace through the blood of his Cross , and then Christians you may Joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ , because it is by him that you have received the attonement , Jesus Christ hath satisfied and reconciled God to you , he hath appeased God , he hath brought over the heart of God to the sinner , that now he may take comfort and encouragement in him , and go to him as to a Father in Christ Jesus , Eph. 2.13 , 14. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ , for he is our peace who hath made both one , &c. Is not this a matter of rejoycing for you , that now you may go unto God as your God , you may look up to God , and see him reconciled to you , and see all the properties of his nature looking towards you in a friendly way , that you may see God over-ruling all providences & dispensations for your interest and advantage , you may go and comfort your selves in your God , you may encourage your selves in him , you may go and rejoice in the Lord as your God through the blood of the Cross of Jesus your Mediator .

3. Hereby are our corrupt natures sanctified , and made holy unto God ; Jesus Christ becoming man , he has consecrated unto the Lord that part of humane nature , that he came of , and did belong to , he hath taken off our nature , and he hath offered it up unto the Lord , and so consecrated the whole lump that it was taken out of ; this was typed out of old by the first fruits that did consecrate the rest , Levit. 2.1 . Or of the Meat-offering ; here you see was a part taken and offered up unto the Lord , and the whole was hereby consecrated . Now Jesus Christ he comes of that part of the world that was the Elect , and the chosen of God , he did not come in General of all mankind , though in a general way God hath said , that all Nations are of one blood , yet Jesus Christ did not come so promiscuously , and in the general , but he came of that particular part of man that the Lord had chosen , and set apart for himself , and that is the Elect of the world , and as for Reprobates , he came not of them , he was not of that rank and number , as you may see , John 17.16 . They are not of the world , even as I am not of the world , and v. 19. For their sakes sanctify I my self , that they also might be sanctified through the truth . For their sakes , that is , for those that were the Chosen of God , and given to Jesus Christ by the Father , as v. 6. I have manifested thy name unto the men , that thou gavest me out of the world ; for their sakes I sanctify my self ; he takes our nature and offers it to God , and consecrates it as a part , or the first fruits of the whole , whereby the whole nature of the Elect of God are dedicated to the Lord , and sanctified and made holy , or way is made for the sanctifying of it ; I may allude unto that Scripture , in Rom. 11.16 . For if the first fruit be holy , the lump is also holy , and if the root be holy , so are the branches ; I know this is not the meaning of this Text , I only allude to it ; as the Apostle saies in that case , so I say in this case , if the first fruits be holy , the lump is also holy , and if Jesus the root be holy , then all the branches are holy , to be under a peculiar and special consecration to the Lord ; now here Christian , is a ground of rejoycing for thee , thou art born a child of wrath , and thy nature is a sinful nature , and there is by nature nothing but sin dwelling in thee ; ay , but Jesus Christ he hath taken thy nature , he hath worn it , and he hath consecrated thy nature to God , and made way for the sanctifying of it . So as now way is made through Jesus Christs appearing in our flesh for the consecrating of thee unto God , and making of thee holy , so as thou mayest rejoice , notwithstanding the remains of sin that are in thee , notwithstanding all the impurity and defilements that are to be found in thy heart ; thou hast a stained , polluted Soul , thou lookest into thy self , and thou seest thy self so spotted and defiled , that thou art ashamed of thy self ; well , but look upon Jesus Christ , and consider how thy nature is sanctified in him , he sits upon the Throne all holy , and thy nature that he did assume is holy ; why Christian , there is holiness in the root for thee , there is holiness in Christ thy head for thee , and because he is holy , thou also shalt be holy ; because he hath sanctified thy nature , therefore thy nature shall be sanctified , for your sakes , saies he , I sanctify my self , that you also may be holy ; I am holy , and you also shall be holy , Analogically , that is , in some proportion , in your degree and measure you shall be in a suitableness to my holiness , that you may be made meet for me . Saies the Apostle in 1 Thes. 5.23 . The very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; ay , it shall be so , because Jesus Christ hath sanctified himself , and your nature is sanctified in him , and therefore you shall in due time be made holy , and therefore rejoice ; though defiled and sinful for a season , yet you shall be made holy , and without spot , and blameless . Christ hath made way for this .

Fourthly , Hereby way is made for our stability , for an eternity and perpetuity for us in grace and in glory . Jesus Christ he is a Mediator for ever ; he hath taken our Nature to wear it for ever ; he will never lay aside our Nature again , no not to eternity ; well therefore , we who are consecrated by him , and reconciled to God by the blood of his Cross , have a perpetual standing in his Grace , and shall have an everlasting abiding in that state of Glory unto which we shall be advanced by him , and through him ; all Enemies cannot unthrone Christ ; Ages cannot remove Christ off from his Throne in Heaven , but there he is , and there he shall ever Rule and Sit. Now because he Sits there , thence is your state in Grace sure : Why if he keep our Nature in conjunction with his own Divine Nature , then he abides alwaies full and powerful in reference unto the Concerns that he is to manage , and the work that he is to do for you , full of strength , and powerful therein , able to make all effectual ; he Sits there in Heaven to that end . This makes him so much concerned about the bringing in , and gathering home of those that he did appear for in our flesh , Joh. 10.16 . See how Christ doth concern himself for all those for whom he was a Mediator . There are others , says he , that are not of this fold . I have some among the Jews and among the Gentiles ; I have some of all Nations , these I must gather home : Christ will not lose any : And those that are brought home , he will maintain in his Grace , because he is an ever-living , and an everlasting Mediator , and a powerful Mediator : Why , under all your temptations ( Christians ) in your way , that you meet withall to cast away your confidence , and to renounce your hope in the Grace of God : Do you glory and triumph in Christ Jesus that is our standing Mediator in Heaven ; comfort your selves in him ; for as long as he abides in our Nature , he will concern himself for us ; and as he hath his Eye alwaies upon the Glory of God , so upon the good of sinners ; and being a Mediator , he is carried on with unbiassed ends , and aims to act impartially and indifferently between both Parties ; therefore whilst Jesus Christ is Mediator , your state in Grace is certain : whilst Jesus Christ hath God's Glory to care for , your Salvation is sure ; for while he concerns himself for the Glory of God he must concern himself for the Salvation of his People . These two Interests are made one by Jesus Christ the Mediator . And then ,