§. 144. Of Christs last comming without sin.
IT is said of Christs last comming, that it shall be a 1.1 without sin. Hereby this second comming is distinguished from Christs first comming into the world, and appearing therein. The difference lyeth herein.
He came at first to be a surety for sinners, and to bear the sins of many, as was* 1.2 shewed, §. 139.
But now shall he appear in another estate.
- 1. Not bearing a burden, but bringing a discharge; not as a surety, to discharge a debt, but as a pay-Master that hath discharged it.
- 2. Not as a sheep to the slaughter, or a sufferer, but as a Conquerour and delive∣rer from all sin and punishment.
- 3. In no manner of businesse, meannesse, or weaknesse, occasioned by sin, but in glory, and Majesty, as triumphing over sin, death, and devil.
- 4. Not with a body subject to any affliction, but an impassible and glorious body.
- 5. Not in his own person only, but in his whole mystical body, full and com∣pleat in all the members thereof, without sin; even without spot or wrinckle, as Eph. 1. 27.
Thus it appears that as Christs glorious comming to judgement, the utter abo∣lishment* 1.3 of sin shal be manifested. He shal appear without sin. This is further evi∣dent by Christ then destroying the last enemy, which is death, •…•… Cor. 15. 26. For then wil he cast death it self into the lake of fire, Rev. 20. 14. The destroying of death presupposeth an utter abolishing of sin. This utter abolishing of sin, is effected by the perfection of Christs Sacrifice and intercession. By the Sacrifice full satisfaction is made, by his intercession, a sufficient application thereof to every one of the elect, the number of whom shall be then fully accomplished.