§. 132. Christ the means of bringing all good to man.
4. THe relative ME hath reference to Christ: For it is Christ that saith, Behold I, &c. God being to make choice of a peculiar people that they might be vessels of mercy and glory, commended them to his Son, to be fitted and so brought thereunto. Where it is said God loved the world, it is added, he gave his only be∣gotten Son, &c. Iohn 3. 16. All the blessings whereof we are made partakers, are conferred upon us in and with Christ. We are chosen in Christ, made accepted i•…•… him, we have redemption in him, (Eph. 1. 4, 6, 7.) we are reconciled to God by hi•…•… (Col. 1. 20, 21.) Iustified by his blood, (Rom. 5. 9.) Called by him (1 Pet. 5. 10.) Sanctified in him (1 Cor. 1. 2.) Saved through him, Rom. 5. 9, 10. This course 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bringing men to glory by Christ, doth very much amplifie Divine mercy, and sundry other Divine properties, as hath been shewed, §. 87, 88.
Behold here the difference betwixt the execution of that part of Gods dec•…•… which respecteth mans salvation, and of that whereupon followeth mans condem∣nation. The benefit of the former is wholly out of man, and only in Christ Christ doth whatsoever is meritorious to bring the Elect unto salvation. The is•…•… of the other is altogether in man himself, who meriteth by sinne his own d•…•…∣nation.
The former is to be observed to strip man of all boasting and to make him give all the glory to God.
The later to clear and justifie God and to lay all the blame on man.