A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 28
Christ an Apostle.
Heb. 3.1.
Consider the Apostle and High-Priest of your Profession, Christ Jesus.
AN Apostle signifies in the Greek one sent; and it hath something peculiar to it, to distinguish the Office from other Offices, appertaining to the Gospel, and the Church: for tho John Baptist was one sent, with many others, yet were they not called Apostles, but dignified by some other Names, Titles, or Epithets; as Fore-runner, Disciple, and Servant of the Church, &c. Now inasmuch as one Rank and Order of Men have this Title given them, and by it are distinguished from others concerned in Divine Service, we may suppose it to signify their Commission and Qualification for their designed Work; which Commission, Qualification, and designed Work, seems to be comprehensive of these three things, viz. 1. Immediatly sent; 2. Marvellously inspired; 3. The Master-Builders of the Gospel-Foundation for the Christian Religion. That all these are declared and set forth concerning Jesus Christ, is evident. Therefore in that Christ is here called an Apostle, it must or may signify, that He was sent after a higher and more extraordinary manner than common Messengers.
An Apostle.
I. AN Apostle was immediatly sent by Christ.
II. The Apostles, In pursuit of their Commission, went up and down preaching the Gospel, &c.
III▪ The Apostles had Christ always with them in their Work, in an extraordinary manner.
IV. An Apostle was to bear witness to the Truth, and to Christ's Name.
V. The Apostles were to open Mysteries that had been kept hid.
VI. The Apostles were endued with Divine Power to do Wonders and mighty Works.
VII. The Apostles were to take care of the Church whilst they lived, and after their Decease Paul had the Care of all the Churches upon him: He sent for the Elders, Acts 20.and gave them charge, &c. St. Peter took care, that after his Decease the Churches might be secured from Danger.
VIII. The Apostles had a Dispensation committed to them, from which they were not to depart. A Dispensation of the Gospel is committed to me. 1 Cor. 9.17Wo is me, if I preach not the Gospel. They also ordained other Ministers.
IX. The Apostles went through good and evil Report unweariedly,2 Cor. 6.8. till they had finished their Course, and then committed themselves to Him that judgeth righteously, in expectation of a Crown of endless Glory: Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, 2 Tim. 4.&c.
Parallel.
I. CHrist Jesus was immediatly sent by God: He came not of himself, but the Father sent him.
II. Christ Jesus went about preaching the Gospel, doing Good,Acts 10.38. and healing all that were oppressed.
III. Christ Jesus was not alone,Joh. 8.16. but the Father was with him. God was with him in an extraordinary manner, beyond what he ever was with any Mortal.
IV. Christ, as the great and chief Apostle, bore witness to the Truth: For this cause came I into the World, Joh. 18.37.&…
V. The Lord Jesus came, as the chief Apostle,Luk. 4.18. to open Mysteries that had been kept hid.
VI. Christ Jesus had not the Spirit by measure,Joh. 3.34. but was filled with the Spirit to do and speak mighty things.
VII. Christ more especially took care of his Church before he left them. He forewarned them of Evils to come, he cautioned them against Fears and Apostacies, and committed them to the Care of his Father: Keep through thy Name those that thou hast given me.Jo…. 17.…
VIII. Jesus Christ, as the great Apostle, had a Dispensation committed to him: The Work that my Father gives me to do, shall I not do it? Joh. 9.4.I must work the Works of God. Tell that Fox, Luk. 13.32I do Miracles this day, to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. He had Power also to ordain other Officers and Ministers.
IX. Christ suffered great Contradiction of Sinners against Himself, H…b. 12.3.fought as the Captain of our Salvation, with all Difficulties and Enemies, till he had finished his Work, and could say, Father, it is finished, into thy hands I commend my Spirit. He for the Joy that was set before him, Heb. 12.2.endured the Cross, despised the Shame, and is sate down at the right hand of God.
An Apostle.
I. THe Apostles were but meer Men, whose Original was from the Dust.
II. The Apostles had but small measure of the Spirit, and were not without Sin and Infirmities.1 Cor. 3.9
III. The Apostles were but Fellow-Servants,1 P…. 5.3. and not Lords over God's Heritage; not like some we have had since their Time.
IV. The Apostles did but shew and direct to a Saviour, to Salvation, and eternal Life; they were not able to save, nor could they give Salvation to any: Was Paul crucified for you? &c.
Disparity.
I. CHrist was Emanuel, the eternal Son of God, God, v…ry God,Isa. 7.14. of God, Lord of all, whose Descent was from Heaven: I came down from Heaven. M…t. 1.23. 1 Cor 15.47. Joh 1.1….The second Man was the Lord from Heaven.
II. Christ had the Fulness of the Divine Spirit dwelt in him, and rested upon him.Jo…. 3.34. Heb. 9 14. Joh 14.30 Heb. 7.26. God gave not the Spirit to him by measure. Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself to God without spot. The Prince of this World came, and found nothing in him. He was holy, harmless, and undefiled, separate from Sinners.
III. But Christ is Master, Head, Lord, Ruler, and Governor, a compleat Prince and King, as well as Priest, and Prophet, and Apostle. He is Lord of all, over all, God blessed for evermore. Rom. 9.5.Which made Mary say, They have taken away my Lord; and Thomas say, My Lord, and my God.Joh. 20.28
IV. But Christ did more than shew and direct to a Saviour: He was that Saviour himself, and the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him. He had Help laid upon him,Heb. 5.9. Psal. 78.19 Luke 2.11. being mighty to save; was born a Saviour: To you is born in the City of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And that great Salvation is not to be neglected without eminent Danger: How shall we escape that neglect so great Salvation?Heb. 2.3.
Inferences.
I. BEhold the great Goodness of God to the Church and World! that he should send so great an Apostle, so wise an Ambassador, to treat with Souls, and for Souls, and to settle, govern, and establish the Church.
II. What great Love Christ had to Sinners, that he should leave his Riches and Glory above, to come down to be an Apostle, a Fellow-Servant,… Cor. 8.9 for our sakes. He that was rich became poor, that we through his Poverty might be made rich.
III. What need have we of the Pope and his Cardinals, seeing God hath been so kind, to give us Christ to be our Apostle and High-Priest? We own none but Christ to be the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession, who can do all things for us by his Word,Heb. 3.1. Spirit, and Ministers. Away therefore with that grand Antichrist, and vile Impostor, whom they call His Holiness, with all his Antichristian Crew.
IV. This may serve to inform us, that we ought to listen to him, and be taught by him, for there is great reason for it.
1. God sent him: I came not of my self, the Father sent me.
Joh. 7 46.2. He spake so as never Man spake. No Man ever yet, nor ever will speak like the Man Christ Jesus. He spake like one that had Authority,Mat. 7.29. and not like the Scribes, learned Doctors, and wise Men among the Jews. Many were astonished at his Understanding and Answers in his tender Age.
Mat. 17.5.3. God commands us to hear him: This is my beloved Son, hear him.
4. God threatens us if we do not hear him; 'tis dangerous to refuse to hear him:Heb. 11.25 How shall we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from Heaven?