A Supplement to Knowledge and Practice, Part 1 · Chapter 3 · Section 1
SECT. I. Of the Titles of the Mediator.I believe in Ieſus Chriſt his only Son our Lord.
JEſus Chriſt the only Son of God is the Mediator of the Covenant of Grace. Concerning whom we ſhall inquire 1. What his Titles are by which he is called. The Titles given him in the ancient Creed are four. Jeſus, Chriſt, the only Son of God, our Lord; of all which I ſhall ſpeak in order.
1. Jeſus; Jeſus.which ſignifies a Saviour. God by an Angel gave him that name, Matth. 1.21. He was deſigned by God the Father to perform for the Children of Men whatſoever is implied in his name. Jeſus denotes the work and buſineſs for which he came into the World. The Angel told the Shepherds, Luke 2.11. unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour, who is Chriſt the Lord, ſo 1 Tim. 1.15. This is a faithful ſaying and worthy of all acceptation, that Jeſus Chriſt came into the World to ſave Sinners, and here let us conſider how Jeſus is a Saviour, and why truly and properly ſo called. This will more particularly appear, if we conſider the great evils he ſaves us from, and the great benefits he hath purchaſed for us.
1. He ſaves us from the guilt of ſin. By his exact Obedience to the Law, and by his Sufferings and Paſſion he hath made ſatisfaction to the Juſtice of God for our ſins. He hath trod the Winepreſs of his Fathers Wrath for us. Rev. 19.15. He hath born our ſins in his own body on the tree. 1 Pet. 2.24.
2. From the dominion of ſin, we have a promiſe, Rom. 6.14. that ſin ſhall not have dominion over us, becauſe we are not under the Law as a Covenant of Works exacting perfect obedience, and miniſtring no ſtrength to perform it; but under a Covenant of Grace in Chriſt which miniſters ſtrength to reſiſt ſin and overcome it. So Tit. 2.14. The Apoſtle tells us, that Chriſt gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himſelf a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
3. From Satan. He reſcues us, 1. from his power and dominion. The Seed of the woman, Gen. 3.15. deſtroys the power of the old Serpent the Devil. And therefore the Apoſtle tells us, Acts 26.18. that he was ſent to preach the Goſpel to the Gentiles that thereby he might open their eyes, and turn them from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they might receive forgiveneſs of ſins, and inheritance among them that are ſanctified. 2. From his Temptations. By Faith in Chriſt we are inabled to quench the fiery darts of the Devil, Eph. 6.16. And the Apoſtle tells us, 1 John 5.18. that whoſoever is born of God keepeth himſelf that the wicked one toucheth him not; that is, tactu qualitativo (as Cajetan ſaith) ſo as to leave an impreſſion of his own Deviliſh nature upon him. 3. From his Accuſations, Rev. 12.10. I heard a loud voice ſaying in heaven, now is come Salvation and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of Chriſt, for the accuſer of our brethren is caſt down, which accuſeth them before God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, &c.
4. From the curſe of the Law. He came not to take away the Law as a rule of life, but to free us from the curſe of it. He hath redeemed us from the curſe of the Law, by being made a curſe for us, Gal. 3.13.
5. From death. The laſt enemy is Death. But Chriſt will raiſe our bodies to a glorious life and ſo deſtroy Death, 1 Cor. 15.26, 54.
Thus Chriſt is an All ſufficient Saviour, able to ſave to the uttermoſt. Heb. 7.25. able to ſave both ſoul and body and that for ever, Heb. 5.9. He is the author of eternal Salvation to all that obey him. And therefore Epheſ. 5.23. He is ſtiled the Saviour of his myſtical body.
All the three Perſons ſave, but in a different manner.
The Father ſaves by the Son.
The Son by paying the price of our Ranſom and Redemption.
The Holy Ghoſt by perſwading the heart ſavingly to cloſe with Chriſt for the obtaining this Salvation.
Wouldſt thou (therefore O ſinner) have Chriſt to be thy Saviour; then 1. break off thy ſi…s by Repentance, and ſurrender thy ſelf up to him to be pardoned in his blood, and ſanctified by his ſpirit. For though Chriſt be able to ſave and willing to ſave, yet they that remain impenitent and diſobedient have neither part nor portion in him.
2. Labour to ſtir up in thy heart a high love to Chriſt who has done ſo much for thee, 1 Cor. 16.22. If any man love not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſays the Apoſtle, let him be Anathema, Maranatha. So much of his firſt Title Jeſus.
The ſecond Title of our Saviour is Chriſt, Chriſt.which ſignifies anointed, now He was anointed by the Spirit of God to three Offices.
To be our
Prophet.
Prieſt.
King.
Meſſias and Chriſt ſignifie the ſame thing, Joh. 1.14. we have fo…nd the Meſſias which being interpreted is the Chriſt.
Among the Jews after the Babyloniſh Captivity, the name Meſſiah was very frequent and familiar. In the Chaldee paraphraſe *The Chaldee Paraphraſe was not an Expoſition word for w…rd of the Hebrew Text, but it took in the general ſenſe of the learned Jews by way of Comment.now extant there is expreſs mention of the Meſſiah in above ſeventy places.
The Jews expected a Meſſias to come of their own Nation, of the Tribe of Judah, and of the Family of David. And ſo was Chriſt our Lord.
In the old Teſtament three ſorts of perſons were anointed, Kings, Prieſts, and Prophets. To theſe three Offices was Jeſus annointed, and took them all on him for our benefit. For a threefold miſery lay upon men that were to be ſaved; 1. Ignorance and blindneſs of mind. 2. Guilt, which we were not able to ſatisfie for. 3. Depravation, and corruption of nature, Bondage and Captivity to Sin and Satan, which we were not able to free our ſelves from. Suitable to theſe three neceſſities, Chriſt is Anointed to a Threefold Office, of Prophet, Prieſt, and King: He was a Prophet to teach us, a Prieſt to make Atonement for us, and a King to govern us, and defend us. Of theſe his Three Offices I ſhall ſpeak in order.
1. He took on him the Office of a Prophet. Chriſt was a Prophet.Anointing with Oyl was a Ceremony uſed in the Old Teſtament, whereby three ſorts of perſons, viz. *1 Kings 19.16.Prophets, *Lev. 8.2.12.30.Prieſts, and Kings were inaugurated into their Office. And their Ʋnction ſignified, 1. Their call to their Office. 2. A collation of gifts to fit them for their Office.
As Oyl does revive and refreſh, ſo the effuſion of the graces of the Spirit of God makes Perſons fit and apt for the work to which they were called. Thus Chriſt though he were not materially, yet he was really Anointed by God to this Threefold Office, with the gifts*Hae duae part…s Unctioris Chriſti ſi… differunt, quod donorum collatio ad humanam naturam tantum, ordinatio ad officiū, ad utram que naturam pe…tinet. and graces of the Holy Ghoſt, which quickned and made him joyful in all his undertakings for our Redemption. Which Anointing or effuſion of grace into his humane Nature, he received not in meaſure, John 3.34. But abundantly, above what was ever imparted either to Angels or any of the members of his myſtical Body. This may appear from Pſal. 45.7. compared with Heb. 1.9. Thou haſt loved Righteouſneſs and hated iniquity, therefore God even thy God hath Anointed thee with the Oyl of gladneſs above thy fellows. And from Iſa. 61.1. compared with Luke 4.18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me becauſe he hath Anointed me to preach the Goſpel to the poor, &c. Acts 10.30. God hath Anointed Jeſus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghoſt and with Power, &c. And the Apoſtle tells us, Acts 3.22, 23. That Moſes had Propheſied of this great Prophet commanding he ſhould be heard and obeyed in all things. Deut. 18.15.18, 19. Now our Saviour executed his Prophetical Office by making known the will of God to the Children of men, and by revealing to them the way of Salvation.
His teaching was of Two ſorts,
Outward.
Inward.
For his Out-ward teaching.
1. He taught by the Patriarchs and Prophets that lived before his coming in the Fleſh, 2 Pet. 1.21. For Propheſie came not in Old time by the will of man: But Holy men of God ſpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghoſt.
2. He taught himſelf in Perſon for the ſpace of about Three years and a half. John 12.49. For I have not ſpoken of myſelf, but the Father which ſent me, he gave me a commandment what I ſhould ſay, and what I ſhould ſpeak, Eph. 4.21. The Apoſtle tells the Epheſians they would not give themſelves up to Licenciouſneſs, if ſo be they had been taught by him, as the truth is in Jeſus; that is, had received the Divine truth as it was preached by Chriſt himſelf, and is delivered in his Goſpel. John 15.15. All things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you, John 8.26. I have many things to ſay, and he that ſent me is true, and I ſpeak to the Word thoſe things which I have heard of him. And Verſ. 28. Then ſaid Jeſus unto them, when ye have lift up the Son of man, then ſhall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of my ſelf; but as my Father hath taught me, I ſpeak theſe things.
Here let us obſerve.
1. The Matter he taught which (in general) was what he had heard and received of his Father. John 7.16. My Doctrine is not mine but his that ſent me. Joh. 17.8. For I have given unto them the words which thou gaveſt me, and they have received them, and have known ſurely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didſt ſend me. In particular he taught both Law and Goſpel.
The Law he vindicated from the corrupt gloſſes of the Phariſees, who placed the obſervance of it in outward acts. But he ſhews that the Law forbids not only outward acts but in-ward luſts alſo. And beſides the Law, he preached alſo the Goſpel; as you may ſee, Joh. 6.40. And this is the will of him that ſent me, that every one that ſeeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlaſting life, and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day. And John 3.16. God ſo loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life.
2. Let us obſerve alſo the places where he taught.
1. In the Synagogues, Mark 6.2.
2. In the Temple, Matth. 26.55.
3. In the Cities and Villages, Mark 6.6. Luke 8.1.
4. By the Sea-ſide, and out of a Ship, Mark 4.1. Matth. 8.2.
5. In Houſes and Streets, &c. John 13. & Chap. 14. Chap. 15. & Chap. 16. Luke 13.26.
6. On the Mount, Matth. 5. & Chap. 6. & Chap. 7.
3. Let us obſerve the manner of his teaching which was frequently by Parables and Similitudes; and he ſpake with Authority.
4. Let us obſerve how he confirmed his Doctrine with ſundry Miracles, which were real, plain, open, and viſible to Multitudes of Spectators, and Witneſſes, Matth. 11.4, 5.
3. He taught alſo by his Apoſtles, Evangeliſts, and Miniſters, giving them extraordinary gifts and ſtirring up ſome of them to write Books by the inſpiration of his Holy Spirit, for the Churches uſe, Eph. 4.11, 12.
4. He now teaches outwardly by thoſe Paſtors and Teachers and Miniſters of his word, whom in all ages he raiſes up for that purpoſe. And thus much of his outward Teaching.
As for his inward Teaching, he performed that of Old, and ſo does alſo now by his Holy Spirit, 1 Pet. 1.10, 11. Of which Salvation the Prophets have enquired and ſearched diligently, who Propheſied of the grace that ſhould come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Chriſt which was in them did ſignifie, when it teſtified beforehand the ſufferings of Chriſt, and the glory that ſhould follow. John 16.13, 14. Howbeit, when he the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he ſhall not ſpeak of himſelf; but whatſoever he ſhall hear that ſhall he ſpeak: and he will ſhew you things to come. He ſhall glorifie me: for he ſhall receive of mine, and ſhall ſhew it unto you.
It remains now that we conſider what improvement we are to make of this Doctrine that Chriſt is a Prophet. Let us learn theſe Leſſons from it.
1. If Chriſt be ſo great a Prophet, and teaches now by his Miniſters, then they ſhould be liſtned to as Diſpenſers of his Myſteries, 1 Cor. 4.1, 2. Let a man ſo account of us, as of the Miniſters of Chriſt, and Stewards of the Myſteries of God, &c.
2. We ſhould pray to Chriſt that he would pleaſe to teach us inwardly by his holy Spirit.*The Spirit teaches by inlightning the minde, and inclining the heart, and bowing the will to obey.
3. We ſhould labour to be humble. For the humble he will teach.
2. Chriſt was a Prieſt.Chriſt was a Prieſt.
There are Two parts of his Prieſt-hood
Oblation.
Interceſſion.
1. Oblation. We were all liable by reaſon of our ſins, to eternal puniſhment, from which we could not be freed except our ſins were remitted. Now without ſhedding of blood there was no remiſſion, Heb. 9.22. It was therefore neceſſary that Chriſt ſhould appear to put away ſin, by the Sacrifice of himſelf, Heb. 9.26.
2. When Jeſus had offered up himſelf a Propitiatory Sacrifice for our ſins. He aſcended up on high, and entred into the Holy of Holies to make interceſſion for us, Rom. 8.34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh interceſſion for us. Heb. 7.25. He ever liveth to make interceſſion for us.
In the time of the Old Levitical Prieſt-hood the High-Prieſts Office had two Parts.
1. Oblation to offer up Sacrifice.
2. Preſentation of it in the Holy of Holies with prayer and interceſſion unto God to accept it for the ſins of the People. See Levit. 16 from 11, to 17.
Now in anſwer to this Type there are two diſtinct parts of Chriſts Prieſt-hood.
1. The offering up himſelf a Sacrifice on the Croſs for us, Heb. 9.26. which anſwers to the killing of the Sacrifice without the Holy of Holies.
2. He carried this his Blood virtually into the Holy of Holies, namely into Heaven, Heb. 9.12. where he appears and there alſo prays and intercedes for us in the virtue and merit of that Blood. And the Type of thoſe prayers was the Cloud of Incenſe made by the High Prieſt. Both theſe parts of his Prieſthood the Apoſtle mentions, 1 Joh. 2.2. Where he calls Chriſt a Propitiation or a Propitiatory Sacrifice for our ſins, and an Advocate to the Father for us. Chriſt therefore offered a Satisfactory Sacrifice to God for us on the Croſs, and now intercedes for us in Heaven.
The virtue of Chriſts Prieſt-hood began with the firſt ſinner that was pardoned. By him alone all that are pardoned are accepted, and without him none ever were, or will be accepted. His blood was reputed by God as ſhed from the time that the firſt Promiſe of the Covenant of Grace was made; namely, that the Seed of the Woman ſhould bruiſe the Serpents Head, Gen. 3.15. And therefore Chriſt is ſaid, Rev. 13.8. to be a Lamb ſlain from the beginning, that is, in Gods Decree; So that the Fathers that lived before he was offered, injoyed the benefit of his Death and Sufferings. They were ſaved merito pretii praeſtandi, as we are ſaved merito pretii praeſtiti. And of this Prieſthood of our Saviour there is no end in regard of the virtue and efficacy of it. And thus we ſee how Chriſt was our Prieſt and how he made atonement for our ſins by his perfect obedience and ſufferings. His Perſon God-man was the Prieſt. The Sacrifice was his humanity, the Lamb of God without blemiſh. The Altar which conſecrated this Sacrifice and added merit to the ſufferings of his humanity was his God-head. And thus he made himſelf a Sacrifice for our ſins. Three things Chriſt hath done for us as our Prieſt.
1. He hath obeyed the Law perfectly.
2. He hath offered up himſelf a Sacrifice for our ſins.
3. He now lives to make interceſſion for us.
From all that hath been ſaid we ſhould learn theſe leſſons.
1. That Chriſts active and paſſive obedience is of ſufficient value, worth and merit, to ſatisfie Gods Juſtice for all our ſins. For in that he voluntarily took on him our humane nature, and ſo voluntarily put himſelf under the obligation of the Law, his very active obedience becomes meritorious.
2. That Chriſt did intend his obedience and ſufferings for this end and purpoſe.
3. That God has accepted of what Chriſt has done and ſuffered as a ſufficient price for our Redemption.
4. We ſhould learn from hence highly to prize Chriſts Sacrifice. 'Tis the great relief we have againſt ſin. He has made ſatisfaction to Divine Juſtice, ſo that God is now reconcilable to fallen Man in and through him.
5. This ſhould teach us to have a great care of our precious ſouls. The great price paid to ranſom them ſhould teach us their worth. We are wont to be exceeding careful to keep things that coſt dear. Never any thing coſt more than the ſoul.
6. Seeing Chriſt was Crucified for our ſins, we ſhould learn from him to crucifie ſin in our ſelves, Gal. 5.24. They that are Chriſts have crucified the fleſh with its affections and luſts.
7. Seeing Chriſt ſuffered ſo much for us, we ſhould be content, yea ready to ſuffer for him when ever he calls us to it.
8. From the conſideration of Chriſts interceſſion and the conſtancy and prevalency of it, we ſhould encourage our ſelves to go to God in and through him for help in all our needs. He is a powerful advocate.
9. The Conſideration of Chriſts oblation of himſelf once for us, and his continual interceſſion ſtill performed in heaven for us, ſhould inflame our hearts with intire love to him. He deſerves our beſt, our moſt inlarged affections. We can never love him enough. I come now to Chriſts third Office.
3. Chriſt was a King. Chriſt was a King.God ſpeaking of his Son, Pſal. 2.6. ſays, I have ſet my King upon my holy hill of Zion. Zech. 9.9. Rejoyce greatly, O daughter of Zion; ſhout O daughter of Jeruſalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is juſt, and having Salvation, lowly, and riding upon an Aſſe, and upon a colt, the fole of an Aſſe. This is applied to our Saviour, Mat. 21.5. The Prophet Iſaiah fully atteſts this. Iſa. 9.6, 7. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the Government ſhall be upon his ſhoulder: and his name ſhall be called, Wonderful, Counſeller, the mighty God, the everlaſting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increaſe of his Government and Peace there ſhall be no end; upon the Throne of David, and of his Kingdome ſhall he ſit, to order it, and to eſtabliſh it with Judgment and with Juſtice, from henceforth even for ever: the zeal of the Lord of Hoſts will perform this. And Luke 1.33. 'Tis ſaid of Him, He ſhall reign over the houſe of Jacob for ever, and of his Kingdom there ſhall be no end. To which we may add Rev. 17.14. Theſe ſhall make War with the Lamb, and the Lamb ſhall overcome them: for he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. Now there is a twofold Kingdom belonging to Chriſt.
1. Regnum Eſſentiale, an eſſential Kingdom which belongs to him as God.
2. Regnum Vicarium or a deputatory Kingdom and dominion which God gave him as Mediator. This Kingdom Chriſt adminiſters and his Kingly Office he executes ſeveral ways, and by ſeveral royal Acts.
1. By gathering to himſelf a People out of the ſeveral Kingdoms and Nations of the Earth, and making them willing (by infuſing his grace into their hearts) to ſubmit unto him.
2. By giving them Laws by which they are to walk.
3. By appointing to them Officers and Cenſures. Eph. 4.11. And he gave ſome Apoſtles and ſome, Prophets: and ſome Evangeliſts: and ſome Paſtors and Teachers. V. 12. For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Miniſtry, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt. And ſo for cenſures, and diſcipline, he has appointed how an offending Brother ſhould be dealt with. 1. He ſhould be privately admoniſhed, then in the preſence of two or three. And if he ſhall neglect to hear them, then they muſt tell it unto the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, then he muſt be unto them as an Heathen man, and a Publican. Mat. 18.15, 16, 17.
4. By reſtraining, and curbing, and ſubduing His and His Churches enemies. Particularly,
1. Sin, that it ſhall not have dominion over thoſe that are His.
2. The World, with its baits and allurements.
3. Satan, delivering them from his temptations and wiles.
4. Wicked and ungodly men. Thus he executed his Kingly power in bringing deſtruction upon the Jews by the Roman Armies; and that deſtruction is called his coming in his Kingdom. Mat. 16.28. Verily, I ſay unto you, There be ſome ſtanding here, which ſhall not taſte of death till they ſee the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.
5. Death it ſelf, 1 Cor. 15. He will deſpoil the Grave and make it give up all its Captives.
By judging the quick and dead at the laſt day. And then this his Mediatory Kingdom He will render up to his Father. 1 Cor. 15.24. Then cometh the end, when he ſhall have delivered up the Kingdom to God even the Father, when he ſhall have put down all rule, and authority, and power.
6. By ſupporting thoſe that truly believe in him in all their afflictions here.
7. By rewarding them in a moſt royal manner hereafter.
And thus much of the ſeveral ways whereby our Saviour executes his Kingly Office.
Now as to the quality of his Kingdom, we are to know, it is not of this World, it is a Spiritual Kingdom. John 18.36. Jeſus anſwered, My Kingdom is not of this World: if my Kingdom were of this World, then would my Servants fight, that I ſhould not be delivered to the Jews: But now is my Kingdom not from hence. Rom. 14.17. For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteouſneſs, and peace, and j…y in the Holy Ghoſt. In the Kingdom of Chriſt,
1. The King is Spiritual, the Lord from Heaven.
2. The Subjects are Spiritual, thoſe that are regenerated.
3. The Laws are Spiritual, reaching the inward man.
4. The Priviledges are Spiritual. Juſtification, Adoption, Sanctification, Glorification.
Now Chriſt's ſolemn inauguration into this His Kingly Office was at his Aſcention into Heaven, and ſitting on the right hand of the Father. Not but that he was a King by right before; but he entred on the ful and publick execution of this his office, when God raiſed him from the dead, and ſet him at his own right hand in heavenly places far above all Principalities and Powers, Eph. 1.20, 21. Then He whoſe name is the word of God, had on his veſture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Rev. 19.13, 16.
Let us now conſider what improvement we ought to make of this Article that Chriſt is a King.
1. If Chriſt be a King, we ſhould daily pray that his Kingd…m may come, that is, His Kingdom of Grace into the hearts of men. We ſhould all earneſtly deſire and pray that he may reign in our hearts, and the hearts of others by his holy Spirit.
2. This may ſhew us the bleſſedneſs of thoſe that are his Subjects. They are under a powerful Protector.
3. We ſhould all examine our ſelves whether his Kingdom beſet up in us or no. Chriſt is ſometimes called the Head of the Church, Eph. 1.22, 23. Let us ſeriouſly conſider whether we are guided and governed by him as the members of the body are by the Head? and whether we do receive life and influence from him.
4. If Chriſt be a King, then we may aſſure our ſelves that he is able to defend his Church, and ſubdue the enemies of it, though they be never ſo ſtrong or ſubtil.
5. If Chriſt be a King, then we ſhould acknowledge his Soveraignty. The Apoſtle tells us, Phil. 2.10 11. That at the name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow, of things in Heaven, and things in Earth, and things under the Earth: And that every tongue ſhould confeſs, that Jeſus Chriſt is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. To bow at the name of Jeſus is to confeſs his Soveraignty, to ſubmit to his power, and to humble our ſelves before him.
6. If Chriſt be a King? We ſhould pray that the Kingdoms contrary to his Kingdom, may be ſubverted, viz. the Kingdom of Sin, Satan, and Anti-Chriſt.
And thus much of Chriſts three-fold Office. We come now to ſpeak of the third Title given him in the antient Creed which is, His only Son, Chriſt is the only Son of God. Thus Nathanael the true Iſraelite makes his confeſſion of him, John 1.49. Rabbi thou art the Son of God, thou art King of Iſrael. Thus Martha expreſſes her Faith concerning him, John 11.27. I believe that thou art the Chriſt, the Son of God, which ſhould come into the World. This was the famous confeſſion of Peter, John. 6.69.His only Son. We believe and are ſure that thou art that Chriſt, the Son of the living God, Mat. 16.16. And Simon Peter anſwered and ſaid, Thou art Chriſt the Son of the living God. And the Goſpel of John was written that we might believe that Jeſus is the Chriſt, the Son of God, John 20.31. Now Chriſt is ſo the Son of God as no other is, or was, or ever can be. He is his only Son, his only begotten Son.
This I ſhall further explain by theſe particulars following.
2 Our Saviour had a real being and exiſtence before his conception here on Earth, and diſtinct from that being which he aſſumed here, John 8.58. Before Abraham was, I am. Yea he had a Being before the Flood, 1 Pet. 3.18, 19. For Chriſt alſo hath once ſuffered for ſins, the Juſt for the unjuſt, (that he might bring us to God) being put to death in the fleſh, but quickned in the Spirit: By which alſo he went and preached to the Spirits (now) in priſon who were diſobedient in the days of Noah. Yea he had a being before the World began: for the World was made by him, ſo the Apoſtle tells us, Heb. 1.2. God hath in theſe laſt days ſpoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom alſo he made the Worlds: Col. 1.17. He is before all things, and by him all things conſiſt.
2. The being which he had before his conception was not a created being, but the Divine Eſſence, he was truly God, John 17.5. And now, O Father, glorifie thou me with thine own ſelf, with the glory which I had with thee before the World was. See more in the third Section of the firſt Chapter.
3. The Divine Eſſence which he hath, was eternally communicated to him from the Father (who was always Father as well as always God;) And this is called his Eternal Generation. And therefore he is called the only begotten Son of God, John 3.16. For God ſo loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son: That whoſoever believeth in him, ſhould not periſh, but have everlaſting life. And thus he is diſtinguiſhed from the Holy Ghoſt, (who proceeds from the Father and the Son,) and from the Adopted Sons of God, being his Eternal Son by eternal and ineffable Emanation. Joh. 7.29. I know him that ſent me (ſays Chriſt) for I am from him, Joh. 1.18 No man hath ſeen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the boſom of the Father, he hath declared him. B…t ſome will (poſſibly) here object, God the Father ſays of Chriſt, Pſal. 2.7. Act. 13.30, 33. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. To which we anſwer, God ſpeaks not there of Chriſts Generation, but of the manifeſtation of it, which was accompliſhed at the time of his Reſurrection, by which he was mightily declared to be the Son of God, Rom. 1.4. And though he was then declar'd to be ſo, yet his Generation was Eternal. The Grave is as the Womb of the Earth. Chriſt, when he was raiſed from the dead was (as it were) begotten to a new life, and on this account God who now raiſed him is ſtiled his Father. But ſome will further Object. Chriſt is called The firſt Born of every Creature, Col. 1.15. How can he then be the Eternal Son of God? I anſwer, he is call'd The firſt born of every Creature, becauſe he was begotten of God as the Son of his love, antecedently to all other Emanations from him, and before any thing was framed or created by him.
And thus much for the Explication of this Article. Let us now conſider what improvement we ſhould make of it.
1. This ſhould ſhew us the excellency and dignity of the Perſon of the Meſſias, and ſhould aſſure us of the infinite value of his active and paſſive obedience.
As our offences are aggravated by the conſideration of the high dignity of the Perſon whom we have offended, ſo the value of Reparation ariſeth from the dignity of the Perſon ſatisfying. And this ſatisfaction conſiſteth in the reparation of the honour which by our ſin was cclipſed. And all honour doth increaſe proportionably as the perſon yielding it is more honourable or worthy.
2. This may ſhew us that the more worthy the Perſon of Chriſt was before he ſuffered, the greater was his condeſcention in ſtooping to ſuch great and unworthy ſufferings for our ſakes.
3. This greatly magnifies the love of God in ſending his only begotten Son into the world to die for Sinners. This love of God is frequently extolled and admired by the Apoſtles, Rom. 8.32. He that ſpared n…t his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how ſhall he not with him freely give us all things, 1 John 4.9, 10. In this was manifeſted the love of God towards us, becauſe that God ſent his only begotten Son into the World, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and ſent his Son to be the propitiation for our Sins. What an amazing thing is this love of the Father in ſending his only begotten Son to be our Redeemer, and what an amazing thing is this condeſcention of the only Son of God to dy for ſuch worms as we are.
I come now t… Chriſts fourth Title. Our Lord.Our Lord.
After our Sav… … Relation, viz. of the only Son of God, founded upon his eternal generation, followeth his Dominion as the neceſſary conſequence of his Son-ſhip; becauſe the only Son muſt of neceſſity be Heir and Lord of all in his Fathers houſe; and all others (which bear the name of Sons, whether they be Angels or Men) muſt be looked upon as his ſervants, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Acts 10.36. He is Lord of all, Mat. 28.18. All power is given unto him both in Heaven and Earth, Epheſ. 1.20, 21, 22. God hath ſet him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and hath put all things under his feet.
The word Lord ſignifies properly Dominion, and implies a right of poſſeſſion and power of diſpoſing. This premiſed, let us conſider how and in what reſpects Chriſt is Lord?
As there are two natures united in the perſon of Chriſt, ſo there are two kinds of dominion belonging reſpectively to thoſe natures. One inherent in his Divinity; the other beſtowed on his humanity. One by which he is Lord, maker of all things. The other by which he is made Lord of all things.
Chriſt as God hath a ſupreme univerſal dominion over the Worlp. So Thomas acknowledges in thoſe words, John 20.28. My Lord and my God. But Chriſt as Mediator has ſome kind of dominion or Lordſhip beſtowed on him, and given unto him. And in this ſenſe the Apoſtle ſays, Acts 2.36. He was made both Lord and Chriſt. And one branch of this his dominion, was his power on earth to forgive ſins, Mat. 9.2, 6. He ſaid therefore to the ſick of the Palſie thy ſins are forgiven thee, that they might know that the …on of Man had power on earth to forgive ſins. And another is the right of Judicature, or Judging the World committed to him, Joh. 5.22. The Father hath committed all Judgment to the Son, and hath given him authority to execute Judgment becauſe he is the Son of Man. He will Judge the World by that man whom he hath ordained, Acts 17.31. But let us further conſider by what right Chriſt is Lord.
1. By right of Creation, Joh. 1.3. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
2. By right of ſuſtentation, and preſervation of the Creatures he hath made, Col. 1.17. And he is before all things, and by him all things conſiſt, Heb. 1.3. He upholdeth all things by the word of his power.
3. By right of donation, ordination, and the appointment of God, Acts 2.36. To him all power is given both in Heaven and Earth.
4. By right of Redemption. The ranſomer of a bondſlave was wont to be his Lord. When we were bond-ſlaves to Sin and Satan, Chriſt paid our ranſome. No bondage ſo great as ours was: no price ſo great as that which he paid; therefore no ſervice too great for us to pay unto him.
5. By right of Covenant. In our Baptiſm we bind our ſelves and Covenant to be his. Thus we ſee by how many Titles Chriſt is Lord. If any ſhall further inquire how he exerciſes this his dominion. I Anſwer, In theſe particulars.
1. In giving Laws to his Subjects and ſervants.
2. In appointing Officers in his Church.
3. In providing for, and protecting his Family.
4. In correcting his ſervants for their miſcarriages.
5. In rewarding them according to their Works and Services, both here and hereafter.
The improvement we ſhould make of this Doctrine is in ſhort this. We ſhould ſeriouſly conſider whether we do indeed take Chriſt for our Lord as well as for our Saviour. Many do like Chriſts Saviourſhip well enough, but do not like his Soveraignty. They will not have him rule over them. But let us often think by how many Titles Chriſt is our Lord [by right of Creation, Suſtentation, Redemption and Covenant] that ſo we may ſtir up our hearts to own him as our Lord, and humbly to ſubmit to him and to pay him the Homage we owe unto him, and heartily, chearfully, diligently and conſtantly to obey him even to our lives end.