Mount Ebal levell'd: or redemption from the curse. Wherein are discovered, 1. The wofull condition of sinners under the curse of the law. 2. The nature of the curse, what it is, with the symptomes of it, in its properties, and effects. 3. That wonderful dispensation of Christs becoming a curse for us. 4. The grace of redemption, wherein it stands, in opposition to some gross errors of the times, which darken the truth of it. 5. The excellent benefits, priviledges, comforts, and engagements to duty, which flow from it. By Elkanah Wales, M.A. preacher of the Gospel at Pudsey in York-shire.

Sect. 1. The third Conclusion, What Re∣demption is.

THe third Conclusion or Doctrine, is the marrow and summe of the Text.

Christ, by being made a Curse for us, hath re∣deemed us from the curse of the Law.

This is the result, the issue, the fruit of the Lord Christs becoming a curse for us, that hereby we are redeemed from the curse of the Law, under which we were held. This Truth may receive proof from the consent of other Scriptures. Let us hear but two or three of the fullest testimonies, that thereby it may be established, Gal▪ 4, 5. God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made un∣der the Law, to redeem us, &c. Tit. 2.14. He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us, &c. Heb. 9.11, 12. Christ, by a greater, and more perfect Tabernacle than that under the Law, and by his own blood — hath ob∣tained eternal Redemption for us. Observe here, that this Redemption followeth upon, and floweth from Christs becoming a Curse for us, two wayes.

1 In the intention, and purpose of God and Christ. God the Father in his eternal counsel, did propound unto himself this end of giving Christ, and Christ in the fulness of

time, did set before his eyes the same, and in giving himself to become a curse, that poor inthralled sinners might be redeemed there∣by from the curse of the Law.

2 In the effect, and event of the thing. Look what the Lord did intend to work, and to bring about by Christs undergoing the curse for us, the same was, and is throughly wrought, and brought about to the full. The thing is done, as to the making of a plenary satisfaction to Divine justice, and so obtain∣ing the benefit of Redemption, on the be∣half of all those, for whom the Lord hath appointed it in his eternal purpose.

But for a more particular clearing, and beating out of this Doctrine, I shall endea∣vour,

1 To shew what this Redemption is, and wherein it stands.

2 To give some arguments or grounds of Scripture-reason, for the confirmation of it.

For the former, the Scriptures of the New Testament afford us several words to express the nature of this benefit. The most general word is rendred [Deliverance] and notes out a setting one free by any means whatsoever, as in the Lords Prayer [Deliver us from evil] Mat. 6.13. & 2 Pet. 2.9. [T••e Lord knoweth how to deliver, &c.] This word is used to express the work of Redemption, 1 Thess. 1.10. [Who delivereth us from the wrath to come.]

There is another general word of the

same signification, Luke 12.58. properly it im∣ports a changing from, or an alienation. It is used once (and but once that I know) in this argument, to wit, Heb. 2.15.

There be some other words of a more re∣strained signification, one which is sometimes rendred [Delivering] as Act. 26.17. but pro∣perly notes a taking away by force, or by an act of justice, as 1 Cor. 5.13. & Act. 12.11. The Apostle Paul in mentioning this benefit, ma∣keth use of this word, Gal. 1.4. [That he might deliver us, &c.]

There be other two words more frequent in Scripture, which signifie a setting free, by paying of a price. The former is in re∣ference to Captives or Prisoners, who being in bondage to others, are set at liberty by the payment of a Ransome. This is called Re∣deeming, or redeeming from, Luke 1.68. and Rom. 3. We are all in slavery, under sin, the Law, Satan, &c. Christ comes, and by lay∣ing down his life for us, payes our ransome, and so delivereth us out of their hands. The latter word is borrowed from the Condition of such persons, as having been abridged of their former liberty, or of such things as having been alienated from their first owners, and so being under the power of others, are now brought out from that condition, and brought into a state of freedome.

We read in the Law of sundry persons, and things, who being under the power of others, might yet be redeemed; as servants, which had sold themselves; lands and dwel∣ling-houses,

which were sold by their own∣ners, Levit. 25.23. &c. And this Redemption was made, by paying a valuable considera∣tion, according to the number of years to the Jubilee, more or lesse, and so buying them out. This is the import of the word here used, and seems to be an Allusion to that Levitical Ordinance. We had sold our selves to the drudgery of sin, and were become Satans servants, and so liable to all that curse and wo, that attends upon that slavery; Now the Lord Jesus comes, and because our case is desperate, no revolution of years could ever have brought us a Jubilee, but we must be bond-men for ever, therefore he hath paid an infinite sum, that he might buy us out clearly from this accursed servitude, and bring us into true liberty, we are said to be ransomed, not with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ, 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. and to be bought with a price, 1 Cor. 6.20. and Christ is said to be slain, and to buy us with his blood, Rev. 5.9.

The Scripture is exact and copious in dis∣covering this great work in the particulars of it, shewing us th•• different termes. 1 From which. 2 Unto which Christ hath redeemed us.

1 From what hath he redeemed us? From sin, Mat. 1.21. From all iniquity, Psal. 130.78. & Tit. 2.14. From death, Hos. 13.14. From the power of the grave, Psal. 49.15. from the Law, Rom. 7.6. Gal. 4.5. and here, from the curse of the Law. From this present evil world, Gal. 1.4.

From the earth, and from among men, Rev. 14.3, 4. From the wrath to come, 1 Thess. 1.10. Out of the hands of our enemies, Luke 1.71, 74.

2 Unto what hath he redeemed us. To himself, Deut. 4.34. 2 Sam. 7.23. To God, Rev. 5.9. to be the first fruits unto God, and to the Lamb, Rev. 14.4. to be a peculiar peo∣ple to himself, Tit. 2.14. to serve him without fear all our dayes, Luke 1.74, 75.

Yet further, the Redemption of Man∣kinde is considerable in a double respect.

1 As it is an act and work of Christ the Me∣diator, and so the immediate product of his sufferings, thus it exists in Christ himself, as Rom. 3.24. the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ, therefore he is called the Redeemer, Isa. 59.20. Rom. 11.26. and he is said to send re∣demption to his people. Psal. 111.9. he hath laid down the price, and so effected the busi∣ness, Heb. 9.12. he hath obtained redemption. He professeth, that he came to give his soul to be a ransome for many, Matth. 20.28. and the Apostle tells us, That he gave himself a counter-ransome for all, a ransome every way equivalent and full, 1 Tim. 2.6.

2 As it is a benefit actually brought home, & applied to elect sinners by effectual calling, Jesus Christ was made a curse, and so became a sacrifice for sinners, not that they might immediately without any more ado, be made partakers of the redemption purcha∣sed thereby, or be actually redeemed upon the very offering made, but that, having

first made this benefit feasible, so that now there is such a thing to be had, which without him (neither is, nor could be) he might afterwards communicate it to the Elect, and give them the personal possession of it, that they might enjoy it for them∣selves. And this he doth by a powerful draw∣ing them to himself, and so by union to him, they have a real interest in this benefit. Therefore the Apostle sometimes speaks of it as appropriated to beleevers, Eph. 1.7. Col. 1.14. and Jehovah stiles himself the Churches Redeemer, Isa. 49.26. as often elsewhere, and Job calls him his Redeemer, Job. 19.25.

Both these considerations are here implied, as depending necessarily the one upon the other, in respect of those that shall be saved; and that they are not to be confounded, but distinguished, appears by Heb. 9.15. where we may observe a clear difference betwixt the death of the Mediator for the redempti∣on of transgressions, and receiving the pro∣mise of the inheritance. This latter being laid down as a consequent, or fruit of the for∣mer, and limited to them, that are called.

To conclude, Take the whole in this short summe, Redemption is the buying out, and delivering of sinners from the curse of the Law, and so from the guilt of sin, and the wrath of God, and the condemation of hell due thereunto by the death and satifaction of Christ the Mediator.

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