that is, not only verbally, by prayers and supplications, beg mercy,
to my justice for their sins; I will give them unto you, John 17:2, 6, 11,
to take care of them, and to bring them up to my kingdom, for the
manifestation of the glory of my grace.
"Well," says Christ, "I am content, I will do all you require with all
my heart, and so the agreement is made between you and me." This
may be gathered from these scriptures. [Psalm 2:7-9, and 40:6-8.]
Christ the Son speaks in both places. In the first he publishes the
decree or ordinance of heaven, concerning himself, and brings in the
Father, installing him into the priesthood or office of mediator; for so
the apostle applies that text, Heb. 5:5, "You are my son," etc., and
also states this covenant and agreement in the two main parts of it.
1. First, What CHRIST must do, as mediator, "He must ask of God;"
that is, not only verbally, by prayers and supplications, beg mercy,
pardon, righteousness, and salvation for poor lost sinners; but also
really, by fulfilling the righteousness of the law, both in doing and
suffering; and so by satisfaction and merit, purchasing acceptance
for them at his hands. [Consider Christ in the capacity of a mediator,
for so only he covenanted with the Father, for the salvation of
mankind.] The Father engaged so and so to Christ, and Christ
reciprocally engaged so and so to the Father; a considerable part of
the terms and matter of which covenant is set down: Isaiah 53:10,
"When you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his
seed," etc. The Father covenants to do thus and thus for fallen man;
but first in order thereunto, the Son must covenant to take man's
nature, therein to satisfy offended justice, to repair and vindicate his