An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 132
SERM. CXXXII.
Of the ſpiritual anointing which Believers receive from God.
2 COR. 1. 21.
And hath anointed us, &c.
THat which the Apoſtle called Confirmation and Eſtabliſhment, the great and precious worke of God upon the hearts of his people, is metaphorically declared under three ſimilitudes. The firſt is anointing, foreign, becauſe the Prieſts in the Old Teſtament uſed by anointing to be inaugurated into their Office, and ſometimes the Prophets alſo; as we reade of Eliſha, 1 King. 19. 16. Hence Beza doth interpret this place, of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, as if by us, were meant us Miniſters. For (ſaith he) he is aſſerting the dignity and excellency of the Miniſtry, in oppoſition to thoſe calumnies that were caſt upon Paul, and his Colleagues. This interpretation of Beza's, Stapleton doth greedily catch at, and maketh uſe thereof to oppoſe Calvin, who doth underſtand it of believers in the general. But firſt Beza, though he thinketh the Apoſtles meaning is principally of Church-officers, yet he doth not gain-ſay, if any ſhall underſtand it of believers, comparing that place of Peter with this, where Chriſtians are ſaid to be a Royal Prieſthood, 1 Pet. 2. 9. Neither doe I meet with any Popiſh Commentator, but Stapleton, that doe expoundit of Miniſters only. From this word foreign, to prove the Oyle or Chriſme that is uſed in Popery, when they baptize children, is ridiculous; but we may ſpeak more to that in the next verſe, where ſealing is ſpoken of.
The Text of it ſelf is plain; whereas in the Old Teſtament Kings and Prieſts were ſet apart for their Office, by an external anointing, which did externally repreſent ſome inward power and virtue of God poured out upon them: In the New Teſtament, this is applied to the efficacy of Gods Spirit, that is upon believers; they have all, though not a material one, yet an inviſible and ſpiritual anointing, which is the grace of Gods Spirit in the ſoul: for they are to the ſoul, what oyl was to the body in the ſeveral effects thereof. So that we obſerve,
All true believers have a ſpiritual anointing from God.All true believers have a ſpiritual anointing from God.
They are Gods anointed ones. Thus Pſal. 105. 15. Touch not mine anointed, and doe my Prophets no harme. Yea (Habak. 3. 13.) all the people of God are called his anointed, which cauſed Grotius, though very abſurdly to underſtand the foreign, ſpoken of Hebr. 11. 26. where Moſes is ſaid, To eſteeme the reproaches of Chriſt greater riches than the treaſures of Aegypt; Not of Chriſt, but the people of Iſrael; as if they were the Chriſt, or anointed one in that Text: This will much gratifie the Socinian. In the New Teſtament we have a notable place to confirme this Doctrine, 1 John 2. 20. But ye have an unction from the holy one, and ye know all things. And verſ. 27. The anointing which you have received of him, abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you. Here is the anointing or ointment, as ſome underſtand, becauſe anointing (ſay they) is a tranſient action, and ſo paſſeth away; whereas the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of ſomething permanent in us, we may comprehend both. Now it is good to mark the oppoſition; for the Apoſtle having before ſpoken of the Antichriſtian party, how that deluded many by ſpecious pretences, he cometh with an adverſative, But ye have the unction; by that you are enabled to diſcerne betweene falſhood and truth: Yea ſo farre it worketh in you, that ye need not any man ſhould teach you; that is (ſay ſome) not excluſively, but comparatively; for ſo a negative expreſſion is ſometimes uſed: If there be not this unction from God, all humane teaching is in vain. So that as Calvin, and others well obſerve, he doth not ſpeak here againſt the uſe of the Miniſtry, as Illuminatiſts, and others pretend. For then why ſhould the Apoſtle teach them in this Epiſtle, while he ſaith, They need no man to teach them? Again, the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of the fundamentals and eſſentials of Religion; as if he had ſaid, You are not ſo rude and ignorant, as to be taught the principles; for ſo all Chriſtians growne up, ſhould not need a Miniſtry for plantation, and a foundation, but edification and further inſtruction. Therefore becauſe the Hebrewes were negligent herein, how ſeverely doth the Apoſtle reprove them, Hebr. 5. and Chap. 6? Further, the meaning may be, Ye need not any other man, that is of the heretical way, ſhould teach you, you have received the truth of God from us, you need not goe to them to be inſtructed. Thus the Orthodox may ſay, We have informed you in the ſound knowledge of God, you need not to go to Papiſts, to Socinians for more light and truth.
By this Text we ſee, that though anointing doth chiefly referre to the worke of grace, yet it alſo comprehends knowledge; for Oyle was uſed to keep up the light of their lampes; and therefore Prieſts and Prophets were anointed. So that this very expreſſion is very noble and magnificent, You are the anointed ones of God: if you doe truly believe, you have an unction from the holy one. Now how will this title be applied to ignorant and prophane perſons? Have they this choice anointing? May you not call a dunghill ſweet ointment as well?
But to enlarge this excellent point, we muſt
Firſt, Know, Who is the fountain of this ſpiritual ointment; and the Text ſaith, It is God. John ſaith, The holy one, that is, the Lord Chriſt, who 1. Who is the fountain of this ointment, even God and Chriſt.therefore hath his name Meſſias and Chriſt, becauſe he is anointed as the Head, and then (as from Aaron's head) it runneth downe to his members; he is the anointed Head, and we the anointed Members. Whether this anointing of Chriſt referreth to his Divine Nature, or Humane, needeth not to be diſputed; for it is certaine it belongeth to him as God-man. Hence Iſaiah 61. 1. Chriſt ſaith, The Lord hath anointed me to preach the Gospel. Acts 10. 38. God is there ſaid, To anoint Jeſus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghoſt, and with power. So that this anointing of Chriſt was in him, as in us, the cauſe of all that power and vertue we doe partake of. Therefore when it is ſaid (Pſalm. 45. verſ. 7.) of Chriſt, Thou loveſt righteouſneſſe, and hateſt iniquity; therefore God hath anointed thee with oyle of gladneſſe above thy fellowes. That is not an argument à priori; as if therefore Chriſt were anointed, becauſe he loved righteouſneſſe, but à…poſteriori by way of ſigne and manifeſtation; hereby it was made known, that he was the anointed of God. Thus the ſpiritual anointing of Gods people is the cauſe of all that fragrancy and ſweet ſmell that is in their lives.
Secondly, Let us compare the properties of material oyle with this ſpiritual 2. The compariſon betwixt material, and this ſpiritual oyl. They are like, 1. As oyl was uſed in the conſecration of things to God.anointing. And
Firſt, It was uſed (as you heard) in ſetting apart of Kings and Prieſts for their Office; yea moſt things in the Temple were conſecrated by the anointing of them. So that they were not afterwards to be converted to any common uſe; neither might any take of the ointment that the Prieſt was anointed with, and apply it to other matters. Now this denoteth both the Dignity and Duty of all true believers. The Dignity, they are Gods anointed ones, therefore touch them not, for God will avenge their quarrel; by this we are both Kings and Prieſts; Kings ſpiritually conquering the world, as alſo our owne luſts and ſinnes. Shalt thou who art a King over thy paſſions be a ſlave to them? And then we are alſo Prieſts, becauſe we are to offer up ſoule and body, as a Sacrifice unto God: we are not to live to our ſelves, but to him. Againe, here is our Duty, for we being thus Gods anointed ones, his conſecrated ones, we muſt not apply our ſelves to luſts and ſinnes, or defile our ſelves with the pitch that is in the world. Shall a man with this ſpiritual anointing roll himſelfe in the mire and vomit of ſinne? What pride and curioſity hath been uſed about ointments for ſmell and beauty? Inſomuch that the very Poet could ſay, Male olet, qui benè olet. May not this ſhame every godly Chriſtian, to think how much vain and proud perſons do regard ſuch precious ointments, that are for the body only, above what thou doeſt for ſoul-ointment, and the ſpiritual excellency thereof?
Secondly, Oyle was uſed to comfort the heart of a man, and beautifie 2. As it comforts the heart and beautifies the countenance.the countenance. Therefore (Pſalm. 45.) it is called, The oile of gladneſſe. Hence it was that in their Feaſts and Nuptial banquets, they anointed themſelves. The oyle of gladneſſe is oppoſed to mourning; and in this ſenſe the Spirit of God may well be compared to oyle; for he is the Comforter as well as the Sanctifier. And this is part of the meaning in the Text, at leaſt by way of conſequent. For where the Spirit of God doth witneſſe and ſeale to the true believer, that is many times accompanied with great joy and conſolation. Ointment and perfume rejoyce the heart, (ſaith Solomon, Prov. 27. 9.) How much more will thoſe inward and effectual operations of Gods Spirit? It is true, joy and reall godlineſſe are many times ſeparated from one another. The chariots of a godly ſoule, many times goe heavily for want of this oyle in the wheeles. OnelyOnly we are to know, that there is an aptitude and fitneſſe in the connexion betweene grace and conſolation, godlineſſe and delight. Pray therefore for this anointing of Gods Spirit, even to fill thy heart with joy unspeakable. For this will make thee like Elijah, goe to Heaven in a fiery Chariot. Thy duties, thy performances, theſe will have more vigour and activity in them.
Thirdly, Oyle was uſed to refreſh thoſe that were weary. The Jewes did uſe it to thoſe who travailed, by way of reſtauration (as it were) to 3. As it refreſhed the weary.them. Thus (Luke 7. 46.) that woman anointed Chriſts feet with ointment. This was done for refocillation after laſſitude. And thus alſo the Spirit of God, with his gracious effects, doth wonderfully exhilarate and cheer the heart after many weariſome labours and temptations. The body is not ſo much ſubject to wearineſſe and reſtleſneſſe, as the ſoule is. The way to Heaven is a ſtreight and narrow way. Hence the Spirit of God is like ointment to refreſh us in theſe laborious exerciſes: arguments taken from the nature of the Goſpel, from the excellency and uſefulneſſe of Gods promiſes; theſe doe adminiſter much ſpiritual eaſe and content to the ſoul.
Fourthly, Oyle was uſed to thoſe who were wounded, as being of ſpecial operation to heale their wounds. Therefore Luke 10. 34. the good Samaritane 4. As it healeth wounds.tooke oyle and poured it into the wounds of that man of Jericho. And now that man was but once wounded, whereas the godly man receiveth many wounds ſeveral wayes; ſometimes through his owne careleſneſſe, and negligence, he wounds his owne heart ſadly; ſometimes God for ſpecial ends ſeemeth to wound him with the wounds of an angry one. Oh then how bleſſed is it to have oyle poured into theſe bleeding wounds! Yet of ſuch ſuppling and mollifying efficacy is the Spirit of God to afflicted conſciences for ſinne. And if you aske, What is this oyle that is to be poured into ſuch wounds? I anſwer, It is the balme of Gilead, the oyle of the Gospel, the precious promiſes that are in Chriſt. The Spirit of God doth anoint the ſoul with this oyle, and thereby the heart recovereth of thoſe ſad and deadly wounds which the Law, and the guilt of ſinne had made upon it.
Fifthly, Oyntment hath its peculiar ſmell and fragrancy, it recreateth the noſtrils of others. Not onelyonly they that have the ointment, but others 5. In that it is delightſom to the noſtrils.that are in company partake of the ſmell thereof. Therefore we reade of the Church, (Cantic. 1. 3. Chap. 4. 10.) ſo greatly affected with the ſmell of Chriſts ointments. What is that, but onelyonly the lovelineſſe and excellency in the Lord Chriſt, which a gracious ſoul is ſo deeply affected with? For this it is, that the Virgins are ſaid to love him. By Virgins are meant ſincere and upright perſons, theſe follow Chriſt becauſe of the ſavour of his ointments. It is not any carnal advantage, or worldly reſpect, but the meere preciouſneſſe that is in him, as a Mediatour, and as the husband of the ſoule, that maketh the godly thus preſſe after him. Now as it is thus with Chriſt, ſo it ought to be with Chriſtians. As a man cannot hide the ſmell of his ointments, but others will be refreſhed with it; ſo it ought to be with a Chriſtian; all his whole life ſhould be a ſweet ſavour, and a precious odour; there ſhould be that in his converſation, which ſhould make every one that beholdeth him to be in love with him: They ſhould love to be in his company, in his preſence. As they ſay of the Dove, when it hath any precious ointment poured on it, it maketh all the reſt flocke after it. Eſpecially this ſhould make all the godly take heed of thoſe things that will make Religion to ſtinke, or their perſons to be vile and abominable before others. Solomon ſaith, A dead flie falling into a box of ointment, will make it to ſtinke, Eccleſ. 10. 1. If a dead flie, what then will a dead toad, or a piece of a dead dogge? Such carrion muſt needs make a man to be abhorred. The very conſideration that thou art anointed, ought to work upon thee ſo farre, as to do nothing that may make thee to be abhorred.
Sixthly, Oyle was uſed to mollifie and ſoften things that were harſh 6. As it mollifies.and ſtiffe. So (Iſaiah 10. 27.) the yoke is ſaid to be deſtroyed, becauſe of the anointing. Thus the graces of Gods Spirit are to the ſoule, they ſoften and mollifie the hardneſſe of thy heart. How often doth it melt thy ſtubborne ſoule, and make thee kindly relent under all that ſubbornneſſe and diſobedience which thou haſt ſhewed to God?
Seventhly, Oyle was uſed to comfort and ſtrengthen men in their limbs. And 7. As it ſtrengthens and comforts the limbs.therefore thoſe who were accuſtomed to bodily exerciſes, did make much uſe of it. It was neceſſary to combate and conflict with enemies. Thus alſo it is here; all Chriſtians are called to a ſpiritual wartare, and that with principalities and powers in high places, as well as with fleſh and blood. They are continually to put on their armour againſt all the aſſaults of the Devil. Now this could not be done, unleſſe we had this oyle, this anointing from the Spirit of God. In the Spirit of God, we are to goe out againſt all the aſſaults and temptations of Satan. In the name of Chriſt, we are to ſet upon theſe Goliahs. How many have been overcome in this battel, even of Gods own people? becauſe they had not this eſtabliſhing grace ready at hand. Doe not thinke to get into Heaven without a ſore conflict with Anakims in the way. There muſt be a wilderneſſe and a red Sea to paſſe through, before thou canſt enter into Canaan. And therefore for this end, have we this anointing, whereby we may be the more confirmed; and having done all things, to ſtand, as it is Epheſ. 6. 13. What more is to be ſaid to this point, will come in upon the other metaphorical termes.
Therefore let us improve this. And
Firſt, We ſee what a glorious and excellent title the name of a Chriſtian is, for that ſignifieth as much as one anointed. If thou art a Chriſtian in deed, as well as in name, thou haſt this anointing and unction that is here ſpoken of. How farre then are all prophane and wretched ſinners from the reality of this name? What have they to doe with the name, who are ſo contrary to the thing it ſelf? Art thou anointed, that ſmelleſt of the very flames of hell? Thy tongue, thy actions doe all diſcover it. There are no ſonnes of Boanerges that can thunder terribly enough againſt ſuch reproaches and diſhonours, yea blaſphemies to the holy name and profeſſion of Chriſtianity.
Uſe 2. Of Inſtruction. What is a ſpecial preſervative againſt all hereſies and damnable opinions? even this ſpiritual unction. For that doth not onelyonly illuminate the minde, but ſanctifie the heart alſo. And if a man have never ſo much knowledge by education, and other meanes, if he hath not alſo this ſpiritual teaching, he is a ready prey for the Devil. OnelyOnly you muſt know, that this unction is not ſpeedily, and in an inſtant accompliſhed in the people of God, it is ſucceſſively, and by degrees. Even as it was with the Lord Chriſt, though he was anointed to be the Lord of his people, and he had the right to this even from his Incarnation, yet the actual exerciſe, and manifeſtation of this was not compleated, till his Aſcenſion into his glory. Thus the ſpiritual unction of Gods people will not be fully finiſhed, till they are made perfect in Heaven. And therefore for the preſent, both their knowledge, and their graces are but in part; which conſideration ſhould keepe us from being ſcandalized; if we ſee that even thoſe believers, who yet have all received this unction from God, if in things not fundamentall they differ from one another.
Uſe 3. Of Exhortation, To wicked men, to take heed how they perſecute, or oppoſe theſe anointed ones; how contemptible and vile they may be in thy eyes, it is no matter; you ſee how the Lord hath dignified them, he hath ſet his mark upon them: what you doe againſt them, he taketh as done againſt himſelfe; they are as the apple of his eye. David when but cutting off a piece of Saul's garment, was ſmitten in his heart, becauſe he was the Lords anointed; yet that was onelyonly an external unction, Saul had not the ſpiritual anointing. Do thou therefore take heed of reproaching, deriding and perſecuting ſuch as God hath anointed with the graces of his Spirit.
Uſe 4. Of Admonition to all the Godly, that they ſhould doe nothing unſuitably to this anointing. Hereſies and impieties doe not agree with this excellent compoſition. Thy ſpiritual ointment is to diſcover it ſelfe in all companies, in all temptations, in all exerciſes. The more, precious ointment is ſtirred, the ſweeter it ſmelleth: So the more God afflicteth thee, chaſtizeth thee, the more he doth pound thee (as it were) in the mortar, the more doth thy preciouſneſſe manifeſt thy ſelfe. We reade, (Matthew 26. 7, 13.) that when a woman poured an Alabaſter box of precious ointment upon Chriſts head, that Chriſt did ſo farre encourage her, that he ſaid, Whereſoever the Gospel ſhould be preached, there alſo ſhould this, that the woman had done, for a memorial of her. And yet when thou confeſſeſt Chriſt in the midſt of a wicked generation, when thou art ready to part with all for Chriſt, when he requireth it, thou doeſt more for Chriſt, than this woman did. Look then to thy ſelf, that all thoughts, all words and actions favour of this ointment; whatſoever is of ſinne and luſt within thee, thinke that is of the dung-hill, that is of vomit and filthy mire.