A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 8
Christ a Door,
John 10.9.
foreign, — I am the Door, &c.
AMongst the many Metaphors that our Blessed Saviour is expressed by in the Holy Scripture, certainly this of Door must carry some Emphasis and Signification, for Use and Improvement; otherwise He that was wiser than Solomon, and spake as never Man spake, (for excellency of Matter and Form) would never have likened himself to a Door. And therefore whatever may be imagined concerning a Door, in point of Excellency and Usefulness, in respect of Appointment and Necessity to the Children of Men, according to the Scope of the Text, that (even that) by way of Eminency is the Son of God unto Sinners. For the better understanding of which, we shall distinctly consider the Subject, and run the Parallel as followeth.
Metaphor.
I. A Door is of the same substance with some part of the House, to which it is purposed or intended as an useful Part.
II. A Door is fitted, by the Power and Wisdom of him who is concern'd to do it, for a premised End.
III. A Door is set a part or assign'd to a proper Place and Service, which other parts of a House are not fit for.
IV. A Door is of necessity; who can be without it, that is of human Race, whose dwelling is with Men?
V. A Door is as really the Propriety of the Owner of the House, as any other part or parts of the House besides.
VI. A Door lets into possession; if Men hire or purchase, and take possession, the Door is the Entrance thereto.
VII. A Door is under the Command of the Master that owns it; 'tis he that shuts and opens it at his own pleasure.
VIII. A Door is the place of legal Entrance; no Men are allowed by Law to climb up to Windows, or break down any part of the Walls for entrance.
IX. A Door is the common Passage for the Family and Strangers, for Children and Servants, for Friends and Enemies.
X. A Door is of use to all, even to Emperors and Kings, as well as meaner Men and Cottagers.
XI. A Door is not only for the convenient Entrance of Men and Women, whether of the Family or not, but for the bringing in of other things, that the Master likes of, and requires to be brought in.
XII. By the Door admittance is given to view the inward Excellencies of the House; who can see what there is within, if they are without the door?
XIII. A Door lets into the best Parts and Privileges of a House; into the Dining-Room for Meat, into the Cellar for Drink, into the Wine-Cellar for Wine, into the Wardrobe for Cloaths, into the Treasury for Cash, into the Closet for Books, &c.
XIV. The Door is the Privilege-place for the Poor, where they often meet with good Gifts and Refreshments.
Parallel.
I. JEsus Christ, the Spiritual Door, was of the same substance in respect of his human Nature, that Men are, even like to them in all things, Sin only excepted. In as much as Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood, Heb. 2.14.he himself took part of the same; therefore very often in Scripture called a Man.
II. Jesus Christ is fitted by the Power and Wisdom of Him, who hath laid a most worthy Platform and Contrivance, and premiseth all things to his own most wise and admirable Ends.Gal. 4 4. Heb. 10.5. He sent forth his Son made of a Woman. A Body hast thou prepared me.
III. Jesus Christ is sanctified, or set apart by God the Father,1 Tim. 2.5 to be a Mediator and Saviour, which no other besides himself is fit for:Joh. 10.36 Whom the Father hath sanctified (or set apart) and sent into the World. And there is no Name under Heaven given, Acts 4.12.by which Men can be saved, but by him.
IV. Jesus Christ is of such absolute necessity, that none can be happy without him, that have immortal Souls to save. Whoso findeth me, findeth Life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. He that hates me loves Death. Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall (abide without, viz.) die in your Sins.Prov. 8.35▪ 36. Joh. 8.24.
V. Jesus Christ is truly and really God's Propriety, as the Church, and each particular Believer, or Member thereof; therefore in Scripture is called his own Son. All is yours, ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.Rom 8.32 1 Cor. 3.23
VI. Jesus Christ has the Honour and Office of letting all true Believers into the possession of that eternal Inheritance purchased by his own Blood for them; 'twas he that gave the poor Thief entrance into Heaven, Luk. 23.43.
VII. Jesus Christ is under the Command of God the Father, as Man; and he receives in, and shuts out, according to his pleasure; acts even so, and speaks even so, as he receives Commandment from the Father.
VIII. Jesus Christ is the legal way of Entrance, whether into the visible Church, or into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever shall attempt to enter into either of these, otherwise than by Christ, will be look'd upon as Thieves and Robbers.
IX. Jesus Christ is the common Passage to the Mercy of God,Joh. 10.1. to the Privilege of Children, to the Fellowship of the Sheep, and to eternal Life; all are admitted through him: No Man comes to the Father, but by me.
X. Jesus Christ is useful to all,Joh. 14 6. even to Emperors and Kings, to mean Men and Cottagers; none of them can by any means deliver his Brother, or give to God a Ransom for him, &c. Riches profit not in the day of Wrath. Psal. 49.7, 8.He is the only Saviour of all Men that are saved; neither is their Salvation in any other.Acts 4.12.
XI. Jesus Christ is not only for the acceptance and entrance of Men and Women to God the Father, but for the acceptance of their Works and Services, as Prayer, Thanks-giving, &c. Their Services and Performances are accepted in and through the Beloved, as well as their Persons: Thy Prayers and Alms are come up.Acts 10.4.
XII. Jesus Christ gives an inspection into the Excellencies of the Father, and the World to come: For no Man hath seen the Father, save the Son, and he to whom the Son reveals him. 2 Tim. 1.10.'Twas He that brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel. How can we see things that are within the Vail, but by and through Christ? Who was it told us of a Kingdom above, and an immortal Crown, sitting upon Thrones, and walking in white Robes, but Christ? 'Tis he that opens to the Holy of Holies, where the King sits in Majestick Glory.
XIII. Jesus Christ lets the Souls of Men into the best Parts and Privileges of Heaven, of Glory, and Blessedness it self. 'Tis through him they come to the King's great Feast, to the Waters of Life, the Streams of that River that makes glad the City of God. Psal. 46.4.'Tis through him they come into the King's Wine-Cellar, to drink of the Wines, the refreshing Influences of the Spirit, the precious Promises, the Consolations of God, which are not small.2 Pet. 1 4. 'Tis through him that Men have an imputed Righteousness for a Wedding-Garment, the white Robes, that render all fair, and without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. 'Tis through Him, that Men receive Riches and Treasures of Grace, to help in time of Need. 'Tis through Him that we come by that excellent Book, which informs about all Affairs, and gives a true and full account of that Estate which belongs to us in the World to come. It is through Him that all things are enjoyed, whether Grace here, or Glory hereafter.Joh. 20.31 Act. 10.43. Act. 13.38. Rom. 5.1. Eph. 2.7. All are yours, you are Christ's. Life is through his Name, Remission of Sins through him, eternal Life through him, Justification through him, Riches of Grace and Glory through him.
XIV. Jesus Christ is the Door where the Poor have privilege to come without molestation or controul; here they meet with Relief; they never come and lose their Labour. As he calls, so he gives when they come, and the best sort of Alms too, the Bread of Life, the Water of Life; He gives Help and Healing, as well as Bread and Nourishing;Mal. 4.2. the Deaf receive their Hearing, the Dumb their Speech, the Blind their Sight, &c. 'Tis through this Door God's bountiful hand is stretched forth, to disperse abroad to them that are in Necessity. Blessed are they that wait at the Posts of this Door.Prov. 8.34.
Corollaries.
1. HEre is Wisdom and Goodness appears on God's part, in making such an useful, convenient, and necessary Door.
2. Here is great encouragement for all to seek, to find, especially the Poor, and them that have a real mind to be happy.
3. Here is the Folly of them discovered that slight it, and the Misery of all that miss it; they lose Heaven, and all its Privileges.