The greatnes of the mystery of godlines;: opened in severall sermons by Cuthbert Sydenham teacher to a Church of Christ at Newcastle upon Tine.

SERMON VI.

1 TIM. 3.16.

Justified in the spirit, &c.

HAving spoken of the first and great mystery of god∣linesse which the Apostle reckons up in this verse, that God was manifested in flesh: Another presents it selfe before our eyes to be admired; In the things of the Gospell you go from glory to glory; you can no sooner come out of one roome of blessednesse, but you step into another as glorious; every step to heaven is a new opening of Gods glo∣ry; What would a soule expect more than a manifestation of God, and in flesh so fitly for his good? Who would not sit

down under the shadow of this happinesse and go no farther; but yet this is not all, this God is set forth in another mystery, as, Justified in the spirit; before one is able to go to the bottome of one mystery he is led into the bosome of another; so thick and fast doth the glory of God break in upon the poore soule, as he is not able to keep his eye fast on one thing, but another as glorious comes to be presented. Bre∣thren, what a blessed thing is it to live in God, to be viewing the mysteries of god∣linesse? Seeing God himselfe is laid out before your eye as in manifold manifesta∣tions of his own glory; Saints may do nothing else but ravish their hearts with the diversity of heavenly light which breakes forth from the bosome of God.

One would thinke there needed no o∣ther mystery to take up the thoughts of a Saint but this, that the blessed God is ma∣nifested in flesh; Who is able to reach the fulnesse of this discovery? But yet you have another mystery as great and amazing springs out before your eyes, to astonish you, that this God was justified in spirit.

The first respects his humiliation in our flesh: The other the beginning of his exaltation; and yet these are only vari∣ous expressions of Jesus Christ our Me∣diatour.

There was two great things to be done for the salvation of sinners: Satisfaction, and Justification; God now, in regard of these two considerations, manifests himselfe as in two form as: First, in flesh, as abased and humbled, that in our own nature he might satisfie for our sins, and lay a ground-worke of eternall commu∣nion with us; and then as a testimony of the reality of this satisfaction he was ju∣stified by or in the spirit. So that you have Christ set out in these two conside∣rations, as standing in our own flesh to beare the guilt, and charge, the misery, and punishment of our sins, and as discharged and justified from all these by the spirit.

There be these things to be opened.

• 1. What it is to justifie.
• 2. What meant by spirit.
• 3. How God is said to be justified in spirit.

For the first, to justifie, or to be justi∣fied, are words though commonly spoken, yet much mistaken; Bellarmine, and the Jesuits take it ever in a Physicall sence, for the infusing habituall principles of grace in the heart, and so make it all one with Sanctification, that so by that they might have a way of setting up their own righteousnesse equall with, if not above, the righteousnesse of Christ; and yet it is not to be denied but sometimes this word signifies to make just. But the com∣mon and usuall signification is, first, to pronounce or declare one just; So (Luke 16.15.) Wisdome is justified of her chil∣dren, that is, all the sons of wisdome will vindicate her from all the false aspersions cast on her by the sons of folly in the world, and pronounce her righteous, that there are the issues of life in her waies.

That thou mayest be justified by thy sayings, Rom. 3.4. that is, declared to be just. So in Mat. 12. saith Christ, out of thy words thou shalt be justified or condemned; that is, pro∣nounced just according as thy words are good.

Secondly, It is taken sensu forensi, in a legall sense, for the acquitting or absol∣ving a Malefactor from the guilt and punishment of the Law; Esa. 5.23. he which justifies the wicked, and condemns the righteous is an abomination to the Lord; speaking of the Rulers, and these which sit in judgement, that is, he which laies guilt on an honest man, but acquits a wicked man.

How is a man said to be justified this way?

1. When as he is falsely accused, and is declared by the Judge not to have done the fact, but to be righteous, then he is justified from that act.

2. When a man is really accused, and yet for, and in consideration of some other thing is acquitted and absolved from the guilt and punishment of that which was laid to him, then he is said to be justified also.

For the second thing; what is meant by Spirit?

This word is likewise taken divers waies in Scripture: Sometimes for the

soule and life of a man; Into thy hands I commend my spirit, Psal. 31. Christ cried, and gave up his spirit, Mat. 27. that is, his life departed from him. But especial∣ly it is taken these foure waies.

1. For the whole divine Nature, or the God-head. God is a spirit, that is, the Nature of God is spirituall, unknown to flesh.

2. It is sometimes taken for the divine Nature of Christ; so the Lord is that spirit, that is, Jesus Christ is that spirit, which is opposed to all the outward and fleshly ordinances of the Law.

3. It is taken for the Holy Ghost, or third person of the Trinity, as distinct from the Father and the Sonne. There be three that beare witnesse in Heaven; the Father, the VVord, and the Spirit. 1 John 5. It is the spirit which beares witnesse, for he is truth. I will send the Comfor∣ter, even the spirit of truth, Iohn 14. And I will pray the Father for it. Iohn 3.

4. Taken for the product, or work of the Spirit; what is borne of the Spirit is Spirit, that is of the same Nature with

the Spirit it selfe. So that now, for God to be justified in the Spirit, is not meant as if he had any righteousnesse infused in him, which he had not before, but that he was justified, that is, declared to be righteous, one who had no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, and that he was absolved from all that charge of the guilt and punishment of sin, which was laid upon him, and one who had fi∣nished his course, and done his worke compleatly, both satisfyed the law, and the justice of God; and that in or by the Spirit, that is, his God-head, or by the vertue and merit of his divine Nature, which made all he did, efficacious and satisfactory, the Spirit it selfe bearing witnesse of it, and fully discharging him from what was laid upon him.

For these words, (as one saith) to be brought in answer to an objection, which might be made on this, that Christ was God manifest in flesh, that is, humbled and abased, or else he could not have suf∣fered; why hence, the world thought he was a deceiver, that he was not such

a one as he pretended, took upon him as a malefactor, and used him so; why, but he was not so; for though he was mani∣fested in that base and low way, and so united and clouded in flesh, yet he was justifyed in the spirit; they saw not that inward glory and power which was in Christ's Nature, but what ever men e∣steemed of him, yet the spirit it selfe ju∣stified him.

But seeing this is so great a mystery, set in the second ranck of the deep things of God, we had need look more narrowly into it, and see what the Scripture saith concerning this; how Jesus Christ may be said to be justified.

This is to be premised in generall, that it is spoken in opposition to his humilia∣tion or manifestation in flesh, for in that he seemed to be condemned to walke up and downe as a sinner, one which was the shame of the world; and therefore he is said to be justified in the spirit; that is,

1. Internally, what ever he was with∣out, yet within he had a spirit of glory,

his outside was meane, but his inside bles∣sed.

2. Externally, he was notwithstan∣ding all the visible actings of him in the world, and the misapprehensions of wic∣ked men, yet the spirit did still justify him, and cleer him, and declare him to be righteous.

Two things were laid on Christ, which he had need to be justified from.

1. The false aspersions which the world laid on him; they lookt on him as a deceiver, a friend of Publicans and Sinners; one which blasphemed, when he said he was the sonne of God, one which had a Devill, and wrought all his miracles by the Devill.

2. The state he stood in under our sins, have had the guilt and the punishment of them laid on him, whereby he stood as a visible malefactor, and under the visi∣ble sentence of condemnation.

For Christ was really charg'd with the satisfaction of our sins, and was lia∣ble to all that the Law could say to us for them. Now he had need to be justi∣fied

from this, by having an acquittance and absolution by the spirit of God.

Now, in both these wayes may Christ be said to be justified.

1. He was justified in the spirit, from all those wicked imputations his enemies laid on him; none were accounted of so vile, as Jesus Christ; all the reproaches that could be invented, were laid on him, they called him a Devill commonly. Now see how he was justified in the spi∣rit, that is; first, how cleer he was with∣in in his spirit, no guile was found in his mouth.

2. By his Godhead, what bright sparklings of God, was in the face of Je∣sus Christ, to the conviction of his ene∣mies? many times when they came to catch him, they were catch'd by the beau∣ty of his glory, and faine to confesse he was a righteous one, and that never any spake or acted like him: in all that ever he did in the acts of his humiliation, he was justified in it, God clearing it up, that he was the true Messias and Saviour of the world; when he was borne, wise

men came by the spirit to see him and worship him, when he was baptized, the spirit came downe visibly on him, and proclaim'd from Heaven, that he was the beloved Son of God, with him he was infi∣nitely well pleased. Nay, come to the uttermost degree of his humiliation, when he hung on the Crosse between two thieves, by his spirit, he converted one of them, and made them acknowledge he was the righteous man, and they only the sinners; In a word, what ever he did or spoke, the spirit did act it in him, and justified him in it. I speak not of myselfe, but God testifyes of me, Iohn 6. He was be∣gotten in the wombe by the spirit, led up and downe in the spirit, offer'd up by the eternall spirit, raised from the dead by the spirit. That place in the Romans, 1.3. cleers up this; He was declared to be the Sonne of God with power, by the spirit of ho∣linesse in his Resurrection. It is a place which answers this; He was of the seed of David as concerning the flesh, but declared to be the Sonne of God in the spirit, when he did rise againe; as much as to say, he was

God manifest in flesh, that is, in weakness, and yet he was justified by the spirit of holinesse, to be the sonne of God. Christ would often call himselfe the son of God, and for that, he was called a blasphemer, and for that, they sought to put him to death, as if they had said, we will try that, thou canst not dye if thou be the Son of God: And so when he was put to death, they were confirmed, that he was a deceiver; But now, when he rose againe of himselfe, then he was declared with power, to be the son of God, that is justifyed by the spirit of holinesse, or the holy spirit; that spirit did declare, that he was full of holinesse: But this was the least part of Christ's justification.

2. Christ stood under the charge of all the sins of the Elect, as a common person, and so was by God himselfe con∣demned; he bore our sins on the Tree, in his owne body, that is, was really char∣ged with the guilt, and the punishment of it, and though he was not guilty of any sinne, yet was punished as the greatest malefactor, standing as our surety.

Christ may seem to be condemned, even by God himselfe, and he must come off cleer, or else lye under the punishment of it for ever; for once the charge was laid on Christ, the law looks to him.

Now Christ that was thus visibly con∣demned, he is justified in the spirit, not only that he was appointed to satisfie; but that he had satisfied, and took away these sins; and it was reason, that if God did charge him with the debt of our sins, that after he had paid it, he should be acquitted and declared just, and the Ju∣stifyer of these, for whom we undertook: Now this is the great meaning of this phrase; that whereas Christ was mani∣fest as God in our flesh, and so stood un∣der the guilt of our sins, he was justified in his spirit, and cleered by God, that he had fully satisfied him.

That whereas God was manifested in flesh, that is, as the Apostle saith, Rom. 8. To condeme sin in the flesh, that same God-man was also justified in the spirit, that is, freely and fully acquitted by his God-head from all these sins, and so taken

up into glory. And Christ himselfe in a Prophesie, when he was to dye, and be judged as a condemned man, he com∣forts himselfe with the thoughts of this; He is neer that justifies me, who shall con∣demne? Esa. 50.8, 9. So likewise the Apo∣stle speaking of Christs Resurrection, he was put to death in the flesh, but quickned in, or by, the spirit, 1 Pet. 3.18. a place fully paralell unto this, Paul saith, he was justifi∣ed in the spirit; and Peter, that he was quickned in the spirit; both meane one and the same thing, viz. that new life which Christ had from the dead when he left all our sins behind him and rose a∣gaine; and by spirit is meant his God-head or divine nature, whereby he was both raised from the grave, and the guilt of sin together, he was quickned and ju∣stified; as a Malefactor, by an absoluti∣on receives a new life after the sentence of death: and this worke of justifying Christ is especially laid on Christs resur∣rection; who when he dyed was as a con∣demned man, but when he rose againe appeares as a righteous man, which had

finished his worke. For justification im∣plies and supposeth a former guilt laid to ones charge of which he is acquitted. There was reason, that if Christ bore our sins, and stood as one condemned, ha∣ving done away sin, should likewise be ju∣stified from the guilt of what was laid on him, and be pronounced righteous: Christ was under the greatest attainder that ever man was, he stood publikely charged with the guilt of a world of sins, and if he had not been justified by the spirit, he had still laine under the blame of all, and been liable to the execution of all this in his own soule; therefore though he was manifest in flesh as one condemned in that flesh, yet the power of his Godhead raised him up from under the power of death, and declared him as a righteous person, one that was accepted for, and that had compleatly satisfied for poore sin∣ners. And as at first conversion we passe from death to life, that is, from an estate of death and condemnation to an estate of life and justification; So did Christ at his Resurrection, from an estate of death

and guilt which was laid on him to an e∣state of life, and glory, and justification from sin; for had there been any sin un∣satisfied for, he could not have been justi∣fied.

Use 1. Is to informe us of the greatnesse of this mystery, that God should be justi∣fied in spirit; That God should manifest himselfe is a wonder, and especially in flesh: But that we should be justified, that implies a guilt, some default; and doubt∣lesse this is one of the wonderfullest dis∣coveries of his love to soules. How can God be said to be justified? who can imagine any evill in the Almighty, who finds folly in the Angels? they are not able to justifie themselves in his sight; but the mysterie is in this, that God him∣selfe which was in our flesh, (which is none other then Christ) he is also justi∣fied for us. God in our flesh takes upon him the charge of our debts, and by his owne spirit justifies himselfe.

Oh, how are poor soules raised at these expressions. All the works of our

salvation are done by God himselfe, he taking that on him, and acting over that in the person of his Sonne, which must be particularly done in them.

Two things was to be done to save us; Satisfaction, and Justification, payment of debt, and discharge of bonds. VVhy now, God comes in our Nature, and is both punished and justified, as if he had done the offence, not we: God is justi∣fied, instead of us, and dyes when it was our condition; let our hearts not be com∣monly affected with this mystery.

2. Ʋse. This mystery raiseth againe from the dead, the hopes and joyes of poor soules, and in the midst of all their sins, and apprehension of wrath, gives the strongest ground for Faith in their ju∣stification. VVhy was God (or God in Christ) justified, he had no need of such an act in himselfe, no guile was ever found in his mouth, he was a Lambe without spot; but all this is to denote what God was for us, that he might be to us. All the acts that were to be done on us, and to us, were first done to

God in our Nature, acted on Jesus Christ; and he was but an image of what is to be personally done to us; yea, whatever consideration he passed under, it was as in our stead, and we are to rec∣kon our selves as sharers with him, yea, as really partakers with him, as if we had acted it in our own persons. When he dy∣ed, he stood under an act of attainder for sin, he acted nor was capable of none, but only stood there for us, and our very sins, on the Crosse were crucified with Christ, and satisfied for by him, as if we had paid the utmost farthing with our owne hands; so when he was justified by the spirit, we were justified. He was justi∣fied as a common person in the room of all the Elect, as he died as a common person for their sins.

In these two expressions, you have all the mystery of Redemption, and the re∣conciliation of sinners to God.

1. God was manifest in flesh, to bear our sins, and to be abased and humbled for them, whereby he might satisfie him∣selfe, and then in the token of acquit∣tance,

and absolution of us from all these sins, he is justified in spirit, and all the objections of unbeliefe, are answered in this. Saith the soule, how shall my sins be satisfied for? why God is manifest in flesh for that end, to lay downe an in∣finite price to his justice; But how shall I know that my sins are taken away, and that I am justified from them? why, that God was justified in spirit, that is, the spirit which speaks nothing but truth, and who knowes all things, did pub∣lickly declare that there was a compleat righteousnesse obtained for sinners, and did pronounce it to Christ, as in the name of all the Elect.

It is worthy further search into this, what Christs being justified in the spirit, amounts unto, for the comfort of poor soules, in regard of their justification, that so we may all see, what full and plenteous redemption there is in Jesus Christ, and what matter of holy triumph we have, in regard of our own justification

First, that Jesus Christ should be justi∣fied, and that for us, or in our name, as

the Atturney takes up the bond in Court for his Client; it is as good in Law, as if the party himselfe were there to re∣cieve the verdict, and see the act inrolled. And observe, it was more for Christ to be justified, a harder thing then for us, for he had the sins of the whole world of the Elect upon him, and yet Christ be∣leeved his justification; in that former place; Esa. 50. he is neer that justifies me. Well mayest thou beleeve the particular justification of thy person, seeing Christ was justified for thee before hand; he was that great surety, that stood bound to pay thy debts, and he was publiquely acquitted for thee. And this is cer∣taine, that Christ being justified at that moment, all the Elect were virtually and really justified in him; that act of God which pass'd on him, was drawne up in the name of all you; and when you be∣leeve, this Indenture is showne unto your hearts.

But secondly, in that he was justified in the spirit, our comfort is raised higher, for it was not an ordinary acquittance

which was given Christ in our name, but what was drawne up by the spirit of truth, who can speak nothing but truth; God himselfe justified himselfe in our Nature, by his owne spirit, such an in∣fallible witnesse cannot be questioned. And though by spirit be meant his God-head in generall; yet it is specially meant of that person which is the spirit. Therefore the Apostle Iohn, Iohn 1.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. reduceth all to this, that it was the spirit that beares witnesse to this, that life is in Iesus Christ; Christ came by wa∣ter and blood saith he, but Christ is the spi∣rit that beares witnesse to this.

There were two things which did ju∣stifie Christ, and both done by the spi∣rit; his resurrection and ascension into Heaven, in that he rose againe; it was cleer that he was justified, for else he could not have risen, if he had not satis∣fied, the bands of Death would have held him fast in the Grave, but that he can raise from the dead, he was declared to be the sonne of God with power, but still by the holy spirit. Rom. 1.3. And in that, he by

the spirit was carried up unto his Fathers glory, and sat downe at the right hand of God. It cleerly did shew, he was ac∣cepted, and freed by God, from that which was laid on him. Therefore Christ saith, that this shall be one of the great things which the spirit shall convince the world of, viz. Of righteousnesse, because I go to my Father. Ioh. 16. That is, that there is a compleat righteousnesse obtained, and justification, or else I had never been ad∣mitted into my Fathers presence; and all this acted by the spirit.

And as a further evidence of this, as soon as ever he was ascended, he powrs down the spirit as a flood on his Apostles, and the Saints with them, and to demon∣strate, that he was not only accepted in his owne person, and he personally ju∣stified in him, and now grace and life must necessarily run out upon them. In all these acts Christ was justified in the the spirit for the comfort of beleevers. Acts 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Now how may your soules triumph and rejoyce in your justification, in the

thoughts of this, that Christ, yea God was justified for you; and how ever you are in your selves, yet you may be justi∣fied in the spirit; beleevers have nothing to doe, but to take out the personall as∣surance of this to their owne soules; at that time when Christ was justified, you were vertually so, and yet but out of the particular discharge by the spirit to your hearts, and your justification is compleat. The great complaint of soules is in this, that they are not justified in God's eyes: But now, we are not only acquitted by the spirit in our own hearts, but God himselfe is justified in our Nature for us; there is none to offend but God, and none to be justified but sinners. But now, when God shall satisfie himselfe, and justifie himselfe in our persons, or in our stead; what strong consolation have we, God will not lay the payment on us, but himselfe, and he will justifie himselfe for us.

It was more for Christ to be justified, then for any one of us, for he had more laid on him, then can be laid on us, he

standing not under the charge of one per∣sons sins, or many, but of all the Elect; and when he was justified, a full dis∣charge was given for all that he re∣presented. This is a mystery indeed, God is offended, and God takes that on himselfe in our Nature, which lay on us, and is justified for us. When Christ was justified, there was a publick record of it; and now when we believe, we goe but to that Court, and take out the par∣ticular discharge to our own soules, Christ receiv'd the first act on himselfe in our Name, and it was as authentique as if it were formally done on our per∣sons; But when we believe, it is done personally to us. So that now beleevers, you have nothing else to doe but apply that righteousnesse, which issued forth from Christs justification, and lay hold on it as your owne: Goe to the Court, and see your owne names in the Inden∣ture, and get out the coppy of it in your owne heart; for there is a necessity, if Christ be justified, that we should be dis∣charged; therefore get holy and glorious

triumphs in your heart, over sin and Death, in that, Christ is not only dead, but alive, and that you are justified in him; get out the speciall assurance of it, by the spirit to the hearts.

3 Ʋse. If Christ were justified in the spirit, Let it be your care to justifie Christ in your spirits. God hath dischar∣ged him, so doe you.

Q. How can we justify Christ, you wil say?

S. VVhy, when you believe what he hath done for you; Christ hath done all things for you, satisfyed wrath, fulfilled the Law; God hath acquitted him, pro∣nounced him just, saith he is contented, he can desire no more; why now doe you justifie Christ in this, by saying Amen in your owne Consciences to this. Hath Christ dyed? believe that your sins shall die; Is he justified? beleeve that so are you. VVhen the surety hath paid the debt, the principall as well as the creditor, ought to give an acquittance.

Oh how are we to be blamed for our unbeliefe; what aspersions doth it cast on Christ, he hath done all things well,

but we say by unbeliefe, he hath done no∣thing. Unbeliefe professeth Christ is not dead, or at least not risen; the Law is still in force, justice is not satisfied, there is no justification procured: Every doubt in a Saint, casts a scandall on Christ; God saw cause enough to justi∣fie Christ, even by his own spirit, and to declare him in our names, to be a righ∣teous one, and we in him; but we see not cause to believe our owne justificati∣on, or the remission of our sins; what is it, but to thinke that Christ is held under the paines of death, hath not done any thing to purpose, that the wrath of God is as open to destroy us, as ever it was.

You keep Christ as it were in a prison, and under condemnation, when you be∣lieve not; Oh soules, will not you justifie Christ in all these glorious things he hath done for you.

Then you justifie Christ, when you acknowledge him to be what he is made of God to you, wisdome and righteous∣nesse, sanctification and redemption, I might goe torough all his Offices and

Acts for us; as then we justifie him in re∣gard of his death, when our hearts are satisfied with the offering up of himselfe, and that satisfaction he hath made. So in his resurrection, when we believe we are freed from our sins, our surety being risen for our justification; so in regard of the whole worke of salvation, we justifie Christ when we goe to him as a full and compleat Saviour, having our conscience quieted by his righteousnesse, and our hearts triumphing thorough his fulnesse: Oh it is sad to see how Christ is cru∣cified againe in our hearts, thorough un∣beliefe, arraigned as a malefactor; for this is certaine, if there be not enough laid in for the satisfying and inriching of soules, then Christ is not righteous, and he is under condemnation: How should we rejoyce to witnesse to Christ faithful∣nesse and righteousnesse. When we goe boldly to God by Christ, then we ac∣knowledge Christ to be a Mediator; when we find the sence of our justificati∣on in our owne hearts, then we acquit Christ, and declare he was justified from our sins.