which is contrary both to Scripture and sound reason: but whereas formerly we lay under wrath deserved by sin, now we are received into favour and friendship with God. For reconciliation is a transient act, done in time, which inferrs a change in the creature reconciled, a change of state, not of qualities, and followes the obedience of Christ, as the effect the cause, and which God imparteth to believers. Reconciliation, as the Scripture speaks of it, imports not any change in God, nor the externall good will or love of God, which remains in himselfe, and worketh not any change in the creature: but a blessing granted to us in time, that we who were the children of wrath by nature, should be the Sons of God by grace; we who were enemies, and hated in respect of the effects of wrath, and desert of sin, should be made friends and deare to God, the enmity being taken away by the bloud of Christ. And from hence we may learne how the new Covenant in many things hath the prerogative above the old. For wherein Moses mediated it was by the power of Christ, but Christ was that one Mediatour, who mediated from his owne authority and immediate power. Moses was called by God and the people, but an imperfect Mediatour, as not a right middle person: but Christ was a fit middle person both God and man, partaking the nature both of the offending and offended party, and so a middle person not only in office, but in nature, willing and fitting to mediate. Moses by reason of his weaknesse, was neither powerfull with God, nor yet fully compassionate and powerfull with the people: But Christ was man for the whole body of his brethren to prevaile for them: and man with his brethren, to be fully sensible and compassionate, Heb. 2. 17. Againe, he was man with God to present a perfect ransome or price of reconciliation: and he was God with man to bow them sufficiently to accept the reconciliation offered. Moses stood in need to mediate for himselfe, as for the people: but Christ having no controversie for himselfe, mediated only for the people, and hath perfected, wherin Moses wanted. For he fully bowes and circumciseth the hearts of his brethren to seeke attonement and to walke sutably: He doth remove the guilt of sin fully from the conscience of the offending brethren, Heb. 9. 14, 15. He is potent with God to satisfie revenging justice by presenting his bloud to removeGal. 3.13,14. the curse of the Law, that those which are called might receive the inheritance. He alonehath
