Christ the Way and the Truth and the Life, Chapter 11
CHAP. XI. More particularly, in what respects Christs is called the Truth.
BUt for further explaineing of this matter, we would see more particularly, in what respects it is, that He is called the Truth; and this will make way to our use making of Him. So
First He is the Truth, in opposition to the shadowes and types of Him, under the law: Hence, as the law (the whole leviticall and typicall dispensation) came by Moses; so grace and truth came by Iesus Christ Iohn. 1: 17. They were all shadowes of Him, and He is the substance and body of them all. Col. 2: 17. And this is true in these respects.
1. All these shadowes and types pointed at Him, and directed as with a finger the Israelites, who were under that dispersition, to look to Christ, the promised Messiah, and to rest, and to lay all their weight, on Him: so that the law was a shadow of good things to come Heb. 10: 1. Col. 2: 17.
2. They all terminate in Him, He putting an end, by his coming and performing his work, to all those typs, which only related to Him, and to what He was to do: the body being come, there is no more need of the shadow, and the thing typified existing, there is no more need or use of the type.
3. They are all fulfilled in Him, He answereth them all fully: so that what ever was shadowed forth by them is compleatly to be found in Him. This the Apostle in his Epistle to the Hebrewes abundantly evinceth, and Paul to the Colossians tells us, we are compleat in Him. and therefore need no more follow the shadowes.
Secondly He is the Truth in reference to the prophecies of old; all which did principally point at him, and his concearnments: his Person, Nature, Offices, Work, Kingdome, &c. and whatever was foretold in these prophecies, is perfectly fulfilled in Him, or done by Him, or shall in due time be effectuated by Him. He is that great prophet, spoken of Deut. 18: 15, 18, 19. So said the Jewes themselves Iohn. 6: 14. All the Prophets from Samuel spoke of Him, and of his dayes Act. 3. 22, 23, 24. And to Him gave all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10. 43. And whatever they prophecied or witnessed of Him, was, or is in due time, to be fulfilled in Him. Hence we finde the Euangelists and Apostles frequently applying the sayings and prophecies of the old testament unto Him, And Luk. 4: 18. himselfe said, that the prophecy of Esa 61: 1. &c. was fulfilled in him. See 1 Pet. 10: 11, 12. And Himself expounded to the two Disciples going to Emmaus, in all the scriptures, beginning at Moses, and all the prophets, all the things concerning himself Luk. 24: 27. And thus is He the truth of all the prophecies.
Thirdly He is the Truth, in reference to his undertaking with the Father, in that glorious covenant of redemption: for whatever the Father laid on him to do, that He did fully and faithfully. He was to bear our griefs and to carry our sorrows, and that He did. He was to be wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was to be upon Him, and by his stripes we were to be healed Esai. 53: 5, and so it was Rom. 4: 25. 1 Cor. 15: 3. 1. Pet. 2: 23. His soul was to be made an offering for sin Esa. 53: 10. and so it was; for he offered up himself a sacrifice for sin: yea all that He was to do, by vertue of that covenant, he did it perfectly, so as he cryed out, while hanging on the cross, it is finished. Iohn. 19: 30. and in his prayer Iohn. 17. he told the Father vers. 4. that He had glorified Him on earth, and had finished the work, which He gave him to do. So that the Father was well pleased with Him Mat. 3: 17. and 12: 18, and 17: 5. Mark. 1: 11. Luk. 3: 22.
Fourthly He is the Truth, in respect of his Offices, which He took upon him for our good: for all the duties of these offices, which He was to do, & what remaineth to be done, He will perfect in due time. Did He take upon him the office of a Prophet? He did fully execute the same, in re…aling mediatly and immediatly the whole counsell of God. Iohn. 1: 18. and 15: 15. Ephes. 4: 11, 12, 13. Act. 20: 32. 1 Pet. 1. 10, 11, 12. Heb. 1: 2. Did He take upon him the office of a Priest, so did he fulfill the same, offering up himself an expiatory sacrifice to God. Heb. 9: 14, 28. and 2: 17. and becoming a Priest, living for ever to make intercession for us Heb. 7: 25. And, did He take on the office, and function of a King, so doth He execute the same, calling a people to himself out of the world by his word and spirit Act. 15: 14, 15, 16. Esa. 55. 4, 5. Psal. 110. 3. erecting a visible Church, a company of visible professors, to professe, and declare his name, which, as his kingdom, he ruleth, with his own Officers, Lawes, and Penalties or Censures, so that the government is on his shoulders Esa. 9: 6, 7, who is the Head of the body the Church Ephes. 1: 22, 23. Col. 1: 18. and this his kingdom He ruleth, in a visible manner, by his own officers &c. Ephes. 4: 11, 12. 1 Cor. 12: 28. Esai. 33: 22. Mat. …8: 17, 18. 1 Cor. 5: 4, 5. and further he executes this office by effectually calling the elect, giving them grace Act. 5: 3. rewarding the obedient Revel. 22: 12. and 2. 10. chastiseing the disobedient Revel. 3: 19. bringing his own home at length▪ through all their temptations, afflictions, and overcoming all their enemies 1 Cor. 15. 25. Psal. 110. and at length, He shall do the part of a king, when He shall judge quick and dead, at the last day 2. Thes. 1: 8, 9. Act. 17: 31. 2. Tim. 4: 1.
Fiftly He is the Truth, in this regaird, that He fully answereth all the titles and names, which he got▪ As he was called Iesus, so did He save his people from their sins Mat. 1: 21. As He was called Christ; so was He anoynted with the Spirit without measure Iohn. 3: 34, Psal. 45. 7. and separated for his work, and endued with all power for that effect. Iohn. 6: 27. Mat. 28: 18, 19, 20, and established to be a Prophet Act: 3: 21, 22. Luc. 4: 18, 21. a Priest Heb. 5: 5, 6. 7 and 4: 14. 15. and a King. Psal. 2. 6. Esa. 9: 6, 7. Mat. 21: 5. Phil. 2: 8, 9, 10. 11. Was He called Immanuel Esai. 7: 14. so was He indeed God with us, being God and Man in one person for ever: was he called wonderfull, Esai. 9: 6. so was He indeed, in his two distinct natures in one person, at which the Angels may wonder Ephes. 3: 10, 11. 1 Pet. 1: 12. 1. Tim. 3: 16. was he called counseller, so was He indeed, coming out from the Fathers besome, with the whole counsel of God concerning our salvation. Iohn. 1: 14, 18. and 3: 13. and 5: 20, and 15: 15. was He called the mighty God; so was He indeed Psal, 110: 1. Mat. 22: 44. Heb. 1: 13. Psal. 45: 6. Heb. 1: 8. Ier. 23: 6. and 33: 16. Mal. 3: 1. Matth. 11. 10 Psal. 83: 18. Luk. 1. 76. Iohn. 1: 1, 14. 1 Iohn. 5: 20. Tit. 2: 13. Rom. 9: 5. was He called the everlasting Father, so is He the father of eternity, being (as some interpret the word) the author of eternall life, which He giveth to all that beleeve in Him Ioh. 6. 39, 40, 47, 51. and 8: 51. and 10. 28. and 11: 25, 26. Heb. 5: 9. and 7: 25. was He called the Prince of peace, so is He the Prince of peace indeed, being our peace Mic. 5: 5. Eph. 2: 14. making up peace betwixt God and us Esa. 53: 5. and 57: 19. Eph. 2: 17. Col. 1: 20. Hence his gospell is the gospell of peace, and his Ministers embassadours of peace Esa. 52: 7. Rom. 10: 15. 2 Cor. 5: 19, 20. Eph. 6: 15. And he giveth peace to all his Zach. 9: 10. Ioh. 14 27. and 16: 33. Rom. 5: 1. and 8, 16. and 14: 17. 2. Thes 3, 17. was He called the Lord our righteousnesse Ier. 23, 6. So is He the same indeed, bringing in everlasting righteousnesse Dan. 9: 24. and being made of God to us righteousnesse 1. Cor. 1: 30. & making us righteous 2. Cor. 5: 21.
Sixtly He is the Truth, in reference to the promises, which
1. Centre all in Him, and lead to Him, as the great promise.
2. Are founded all upon Him, who is the only Mediator of the covenant of promises.
3. Are confirmed all by Him, and made yea and amen in Him 2 Cor. 1: 20. He confirmed the promises made to the fathers Rom. 15: 8.
4. are all dispensed and given out by Him; who is the executor of his own testament, and the great dispensator of all that we need; so that what we ask of the Father, He giveth it himself, Iohn. 14: 13, 14.
Seventhly He is the Truth, in that He fully answereth all the hops and expectations of his people. He shall not be found a liar unto them, whatever Satan may suggest unto them, or a misbeleeving heart may prompt them to conceive, and their Iealousie may make them apprehend; and whatever his dispensations may now seem to say. In end they shall all finde, that He is the Truth, fully satisfying all their desires: and granting all that ever they could hope for, or expect from Him. They shall at length be satisfied with his likenesse Psal. 17: 15▪ yea aboundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of his house Psal. 36: 8. and with his goodnesse Psal. 65: 4. and that as with marrow and fatnesse Psal. 63: 5. One sight of his glory will fully satisfy, and cause them cry out, enough. Ieremiah is not now saying, as once he did in the bitternesse of his soul, through the power of corruption and temptation Cap. 15: 18. will thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters, that fail?
Eightly. He is the Truth, in opposition to all other wayes of salvation: for
1. There is no salvation now by the law of works, that covenant being once broken …annot any more save: The law cannot now do it, in that it is weak through the flesh Rom. 8▪ 3.
2. There is no salvation by the law of Moses: without Christ: hence Israel, which followed after the law of righteousnesse, did not attaine to the law of righteousnesse, because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law Rom. 9: 31, 32. They went about to establish their own righteousnesse, and did not submit themselves unto the righteousnesse of God. Rom. 10: 3.
3. There is no salvation by any thing, mixed in with Christ, as the Apostle fully cleareth in his Epistle to the Galatians.
4. There is no salvation by any other way or medium, which man can invent or fall upon, whereof there are not a few, as we shewed above: for there is not another name given under heaven, by which we can be saved, but the name of Iesus Act. 4: 12. No religion will save but this.
So that He is the true savation, and He only is the true salvation; and He is the sure and saife salvation: such as make use of Him, shall not be mistaken nor disappointed Esai. 35: 8.
Ninthly He is the Truth▪ In respect of his leading and guideing his people in the truth. Hence He is called a Teacher come from God, Iohn. 3: 2. and one that teacheth the way of God in truth Ma…. 22: 16. A Prophet mighty in deed and word Luk. 24: 19. And in this respect, He is the truth, upon severall accounts.
1. Of his personal teaching, God spoke by Him Heb. 1: 2. He revealed the Father's minde Mat. 11: 27. Iohn. 1: 18.
2. Of his messengers sent by Him, as Prophets of old, Apostles and ministers of late, whom he sendeth forth to make disciples Mat. 28: 18. and to open the eyes of the blinde Act. 26: 18.
3. Of his word, which He hath left as our rule, and which is a sure word of prophecy, more sure than a voice from he…ven 2 Pet. 1: 19.
4. Of his ordinances, which He hath established as meanes to guide us in the way of truth.
5. Of his Spirit, whereby He maketh the word cleare Iohn. 14: 26. This Spirit is sent to teach all truth, and to lead and guide in all truth Ioh. 16: 13. 1 Iohn. 2: 27. and sent by Him, and by the Father in his name Iohn. 14: 26: & 15: 16: & 16: 14▪
6. Of his dispensations of providence, within us & without us, by which likewise he instructeth in the way of truth.
Tenthly He is the Truth, in respect of his bearing witnesse to truth: and this He doth.
1. By Himself, who was given for a witnesse Esa. 55: 4. and came to beare witnesse to the truth Iohn. 3: 10. & 18: 37. and was a faithfull witnesse Revel. 1: 5. & 3: 14.
2. By his Ministers, who witnesse the tr…th of the gospel, by publishing and proclaiming the same.
3. By his Martyrs, who seal the truth with their blood, and so beare witnesse to it Revel. 2: 13. & 17: 6. Act. 22: 20.
4. By his Spirit, sealing the truth of grace in a beleever, and his interest in God through Christ, and his right to all the benefites of the new covenant. In whom also after ye beleeved, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance. Ephes. 1: 13: 14.
Eleventhly, He is the Truth, in respect that He carryeth towards poor sinners in all things, according to the tenor of the gospel, and the offers thereof: He offers himself to all freely, and promiseth to put none away that come to Him; and this He doth in truth; for no man can say, that he had a sincere and true desire to come to Jesus Christ, and that He rejected him, and would not look upon him. He giveth encouragement to all sinners to come; that will be content to quite their sins, and promiseth to upbr…id none that cometh, and is there any that in their own experience can witnesse the contrary? He offers all freely, and did He ever reject any upon the want of a price in their hand? Nay, hath not the cause of their getting no admittence, been, that they thought to commend themselves to Christ by their worth: and would not take all freely, for the glory of his grace? Let beleevers and others speak here, out of their owne experience, in truth and in uprightnesse; and it shall be found, that He was and is the Truth.
Twelvely He is the Truth, in that, in all his dispensations of the gospell, and in all his works and actions, in and about his own people, He is true and upright: all his offers, all his promises, all his dispensations, are done in truth and uprightnesse, yea all are done out of truth and uprightnesse of love, true tendernesse, and affection to them, whatever the corruption of jealousie and misbeleefe, think and say to the contrary: He is the Truth; And so alwayes the same, unchangeable in his love, whatever his dispensations seem to say: And the beleever may rest assured hereof, that He being the Truth. Shall be to him, whatever his word holdeth him forth to be, and that constantly and unchangeably.