-20 Chapter 20. Of Satisfaction.

1-20 Chapter 20. Of Satisfaction.

1. There are two parts of redemption: the humiliation of Christ as our Mediator, and his exaltation [chap. 23].
2. HUMILIATION is that by which he is subject to the justice of God, to perform all those things which were required for the redemption of man. Php_2:8, Being found in shape as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death.
3. This humiliation was not properly of the Divine nature or person, as considered in itself, but of the Mediator God-man.
4. Therefore taking on the human nature, considered simply and in itself, is not a part of this humiliation, because it was the action of God only. But that condition of a being a servant which accompanied the Divine nature, was the prime and proper reason for the humiliation. Yet in respect to this condition, by a relation redounding from there, the Divine person is rightly said to be of no reputation, Php_2:7. This is because the Divine nature existed in that form which for a time was void of all glory and Divine Majesty; for the Divine Majesty suppressed and hid itself throughout all that space of humiliation, so that it did not constantly exercise that dignity which afterward appeared in the exaltation.
5. The end of this humiliation is satisfaction and merit.
6. It is called SATISFACTION, as it is ordered to the honour of God by a certain recompence for the injury done to him by our sins. Romans 3:25, Whom God has set forth to be a reconciliation by his blood, to show this righteousness. This is shown in all those places of Scripture in which Christ is said to be dead for us; for that efficiency is set forth in this phrase (i.e. satisfaction), which cannot be attributed to Paul or Peter in their death, Romans 1:13;317 this satisfaction is what takes away condemnation, Romans 8:34;318 and it finally brings with it reconciliation unto salvation, Romans 5:10.319
7. Satisfaction is also the same thing signified where it is said that he was made sin for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21. For he could in no other way be made sin than either by inward pollution, or outward reputation. But he was most of all free from pollution; nor did the imputation of sin agree to him in any other way than that he might undergo for us the punishment due for our sin.
8. In the same respect, it is said that he bore our iniquities, Isaiah 53:4. Nor does that phrase signify a bearing of patience;320 for by bearing, he took away the sins of the world, John 1:29. Nor does it only declare a power of taking away sins, for he bore our sins in his body upon the Cross, 1 Peter 2:24.
9. Of like force is that form by which Christ paid the price of redemption for us, Matthew 20:28. For a mere delivering is not set forth by that phrase, nor every means of it, because the price itself is named; and it is intimated that it has the respect of a payment of silver or gold for vendible merchandise, 1 Peter 1:18,321 and the application of this price is also added: Hebrews 9:13-15,322 Blood sprinkling those that are unclean; and Hebrews 10:22, Our hearts are purged from an evil conscience by sprinkling. So that Christ himself is therefore a Mediator because he has given himself as a price of redemption, 1 Timothy 2:5-15; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; 1 Timothy 5:1-25; 1 Timothy 6:1-21 And we are therefore made partakers of that redemption, because Christ has given himself for us, Galatians 2:20. And we believe in him, John 1:12; and by him we believe in God, 1 Peter 1:21. 324
10. In the same sense also, he is called an offering and sacrifice for our sins, Ephesians 5:2. 325 He gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice of sweet-smelling savour to God. For he was so true and proper a sacrifice for sin, that all other sacrifices which went before, were but shadows of this. And after this, all sacrifice is finished; it is neither necessary nor lawful to offer any other, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:14.326
11. But this whole mystery depends on this: that Christ is made such a Mediator that he is also a surety, Hebrews 7:22,327 and the common root of those that are to be redeemed, just as Adam was the root of those that are created and lost, Romans 5:16-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22.328
12. There was also merit in the same humiliation of Christ, as it is ordered to our benefit, or to obtain some good for us in the way of reward. This is shown in all those places of Scripture in which he is said by his obedience to have procured righteousness for us: Romans 5:19,329 many are made righteous; to procure the favour of God for us: Romans 5:10;330 we have been reconciled to God by the death of his Son; and to procure eternal life for us: Romans 6:23,331 eternal life by Jesus Christ.
13. The MERIT and SATISFACTION of Christ do not differ in the thing itself, so that they should be sought in sundry and different operations; but in a diverse way, they ought to be acknowledged in one and the same obedience.
14. Nor should any part of that obedience which is found in the humiliation of Christ, be excluded from that dignity and use.
15. But the EXALTATION of Christ, although it is an essential part of his mediation, does not pertain to his merit or satisfaction.
16. This Satisfaction, as touching the substance of the thing, was perfect in the rigour of justice; yet it presupposes grace, whereby Christ was called to perform the work, and whereby being performed, it was accepted in our name and for our good; lastly, whereby what is performed by covenant rewarding, is that which was required in this Satisfaction. John 3:16, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. Rom 3.34, We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption made in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15, The grace of God, and gift by grace, is of that one man Jesus Christ.
17. Hence greatest justice and greatest grace are manifested and work together in man’s redemption. Romans 5:17, They receive abundance of grace, and the gift of righteousness, so that all the fruit of this Satisfaction are together rightly called the fruits and effects of the grace and mercy of God.332
18. This Satisfaction had sufficient worth, and in some respect, infinite worth. First, from the person of the one that offered, who was God. Secondly, from the dignity and excellence of the thing that was offered, for he offered himself, God and man. Thirdly, from the manner of the offering, in which there was a certain divine perfection by reason of the personal Union.
19. For as the greatness of the injury grows from the dignity of the person offended, because it is the worth of the offended person that is hurt, so the worth of him that makes satisfaction grows from the dignity of him that makes Satisfaction, because here the yielding of honour is looked to, which depends on the dignity of the one who yields the honour.333
20. Also in satisfaction, not only the act or suffering, but also the person acting or suffering, is voluntarily subjected to the obedience of the one to whom that honour is yielded; also, the manner of working always flows from the one who works, in proportion.
21. This is also to be observed: that a substantial dignity such as was in Christ, more properly confers dignity to the work than an accidental dignity, as in some other men.
22. From this dignity of the person, it comes to pass that the satisfaction of Christ was sufficient as touching the substance; and it was superabundant as touching certain circumstances which did not at all agree to Christ.334