The fountain of life opened, or, A display of Christ in his essential and mediatorial glory wherein the impetration of our redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded as it was begun, carryed on, and finished by his covenant-transaction, mysterious incarnation, solemn call and dedication ... / by John Flavell ...

Inference 4.

If Jesus Christ be the true and only Mediator both of re∣conciliation and meritorious intercession betwixt God and Men,* 1.1 how safe and secure then is the condition and state of Beleivers! Surely as his mediation by sufferings hath fully reconciled, so his mediation by intercession will everlastingly mantain that state of Peace betwixt them and God, and prevent all future breaches. Being justified by Faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ, Rom. 5.1. it's a firm and lasting peace, and the Mediator that made it, lies as a lidger in Heaven to main∣tain it for ever; and prevent new jarrs, Heb. 9.24. there to ap∣pear in the presence of God for us. According to the custom of Princes, and States who being confederated, have their Agents

resident in each others Courts; who upon all occasions appear in the presence of the Prince; in the name and behalf of those, whom they represent and negotiate for.

And here it's proper to reflect upon the profound and incom∣prehensible wisdom of God, who hath made an advantage to us, even out of our sin and misery. Come see and adore the wisdom of our God, that hath so improved, reduced, and dis∣posed the fall of Adam, as to make a singular advantage there∣by, to advance his offspring to a better State.* 1.2 It was truly said by one of the Antients upon this accompt, that Iob was an happier man upon the Dunghil, than Adam was in Paradice. His holiness indeed was perfect, his happiness very great; but neither of them permanent; and indefecible, as our happiness by the Me∣diator is. So that in the same sence, some Divines call Iudas his treason foelix scaelus an happy wickedness; we may call Adams fall, foelix lapsus an happy fall; because ordered, and over-ruled by the wisdom of God, to such an advantage for us. And to that purpose Austin somewhere sweetly speaks.* 1.3 Oh how happily did I fall in Adam, who rose again more happily in Christ! thus did the Lord turn a Poison into an Antidote, thus did that dreadful fall make way for a more blessed and fixed State. Now we are so confirmed, fixed, and established by Christ, in the favour of God, that there can be no more such fatal breaches, and dreadful jarrs, betwixt God and his reconciled ones for ever. The Bone that's well set is stronger where it's knit, than it was before. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Infer. 4.
• * 1.2

  soelicior Job in sterquilenio ••quam Adamus in Paridiso.
• * 1.3

  O quam foelici∣ter cecidi in A∣damo, qui post laps••m, foe••ici∣vs resurexi i•• Christo! Aug.