A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 43
Christ the Captain of our Salvation.
Heb. 2.10.
To make the Captain of our Salvation perfect through Sufferings.
THis is a military Term, the Greek foreign, a Captain, being derived from foreign, which signifies to lead; and foreign also a Captain, derived from foreign, which signifies Beginning, Chief, or Government, denoting in a borrowed sense from Military Commanders, the Rule, Dominion and Principality of Christ over all, and that he leads his Spirtual Militia safe through all Perils in their Christian Warfare. Being to enter upon a Military Subject, and the chief of that Rank, we shall consider Captain in a threefold respect.
In respect of his
1. Qualifications.
2. Place and Office.
3. Progress or Actions▪
METAPHOR.
I. A Captain is supposed to be a Man qualified for his Place, to which there are these things necessary. 1. That he be free and willing to take that Work and Office upon himself; it is not meet he should be forced to do it. 2. It behoveth him to be one faithful in all things to his Soveraign. 3. A Captain must be valiant and couragious, not easily dismaied, tho he meet with never such hard and difficult Service. 4. He ought also to be well skill'd in the Work and Duty of his Place and Office.
II. A Captain is made so by his Commission, which is his Authority to act in that Capacity.
III. A Captain hath the Power of listing Souldiers under his Command, to serve in the King's War.
IV. A Captain by virtue of his Place and Office doth nominate his Officers, and appoint them their proper Work, gives out his Orders, beyond which they are not to venture.
V. A Captain hath the keeping of Muster-Rolls, wherein all the Names of his Under-officers and Souldiers are entred, by which he calls them over, and knows them all by Name.
VI. A Captain leads his Souldiers out into the Field to be exercised and disciplin'd, to be made fit for Service against the day of Battel.
VII. A Captain makes a Speech to his Souldiers to encourage them in the way of their Duty, and shews them the dangers of Neglect and Remisness.
VIII. A Captain hath Power to casheer, can take in or shut out, as he seeth Cause.
IX. A Captain is the Head of a Company, Commander over a Band of Men.
X. A Captain when he hath taken his Place, marches in the Head of his Company, runs the greatest Hazard, deserts not his Men for fear of Danger.
XI. A Captain gives the Word of Command to his Souldiers, which they are carefully to learn and observe.
XII. A Captain by his Place is engaged to War, both offensive and defensive as occasion shall require.
XIII. A Captain meets with Enemies to try his Skill and Courage.
XIV. A Captain makes use of Armor and Weapons, of which there is no small need in the day of Battel.
XV. Captains are commonly stout Men, and will make good their Ground against an Enemy, scorn to yield till they die.
XVI. A good Captain takes care for his Men to preserve and secure them, whether he lives or dies himself.
XVII. A Captain hath the power to prefer his Men to Office, that he approves of to be fit and worthy.
XVIII. A wise Captain puts the best Men into the greatest Service; he makes not young and unexperienc'd Men, Commanders of Companies, and Leaders of Parties, lest the Work should miscarry in their hands.
XIX. A Captain in weighty Affairs is joined with the Council of War, without whom there is nothing of grand Importance transacted.
XX. A Captain's place is a place of Honour, where the Subject is justly worthy of it, and the Army legally raised.
XXI. A valiant and Noble-hearted Captain offers terms of peace to the Enemy, before he falls upon them and fights them, to prevent effusion of Blood if possible.
XXII. Captains when their Favour is refused, put Men to the Sword, and make slaughtering work in the World.
XXIII. A Captain doth not only come off a Conquerour, but improves his Conquest and Victories to many degrees of Advantage. 1. To the discouragement of Advarsaries. 2. In spoiling their Forts and Strength. 3. In the erecting Trophies. 4. In disposing the Prey, to gratify, and reward his Souldiers that engaged with him in the War.
Parallel.
I. JEsus Christ the Captain of our Salvation, had not only these four, but all other honourable, and necessary Qualifications, that made him fit to be a Leader. For, 1. Jesus Christ was free and ready, had no force put upon him, but came voluntarily and of his own free will to undertake this Office, &c. he looked round about, and saw that there was none to help or to undertake this Work, then said he, Lo, I come to do thy Will, O God. 2. Jesus Christ was faithful over his own House, called the faithful and true Witness, Isa. 63.5. Heb. 10.7. Heb. 3.6.he never so much as thought in the least, of betraying of his Trust. It was impossible indeed he should be unfaithful, who was without Sin, the holy and immacculate Lamb of God. 3. Christ was valiant and resolute, the danger of Death, and Threats of an ill natur'd King, could not make him retreat, when he had entred the Field, slighted his Enemies high Words and vain Florishes. Go, tell that Fox that I work Miracles this day and to morrow, the third day I shall be made perfect. Luk. 13.32. The Contempts of his Enemies, nor Perswasion of his Friends, could not at all abate his Valor, he knew he must, and resolved he would be about his Father's Business. Luk. 2.49. 4. Christ was fitted with Wisdom and Understanding, he is called the Wisdom of God.1 Cor. 1.24.
II. Christ was commissionated by God, after his qualifications did commend him to this Place: for though he offer'd freely to accept, yet he acted not of himself, but by Command and Authority from the Father. I came not of my self, Joh. 8.42.the Father sent me. I received Commandment from the Father.
III. Jesus Christ hath the Power of listing Spiritual Souldiers under his Command, to serve in the Wars of the Soul, and Battel of the Lord of Hosts. He took the Names of Nathaniel, Zacheus, Cephas, Peter, James, and John, who listed themselves under his Command; with many others we read of in the Gospel.
IV. Jesus Christ doth appoint Saints their proper Work, and gives forth his Orders, beyond which they are not to pass. He nominated the twelve Apostles to be next to himself, and gave. Orders that they should not march beyond the confines of Judea, but tarry at Jerusalem till fresh supply of Strength came in. Go not to Samaria, nor the Cities of the Gentiles, Mat. 10.5. Luk. 6.15. Acts 1.3.But tarry at Jerusalem till you are endued from on high. Add not to his Word, &c.
V. Christ hath a Book wherein the Names of his Saints and faithful Followers are recorded, called in Scripture, the Lamb's Book, or Book of Life; Rev. 21.27whose Names are in the Book of Life; the Book of Life of the Lamb, Rev. 20 …2.slain from the Foundation of the World. Joh. 10.3.He calls his own Sheep by Name, &c.
VI. Jesus Christ lead his Saints to the Sea side, to the Mountains,Mat. 5.1. Mat. 13.1. to the Desert, to exercise and make them fit for Service against the day of Battel, by which he taught their Hands to war, as it were, and their Fingers to fight against the Devil, the Flesh and the World.
VII. Christ made large Speeches to all his Followers (see his Sermon in the Mount) to encourage them in the way of their Duty, and shew them the great dangers of Neglect and Remisness.Mat. 5.4, 5, 6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Righteousness, &c. Blessed are the meek, &c. But except your Righteousness shall exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Mat. 5.20. Ye that have abode with me in my Temptations, I appoint unto you a Kingdom, &c. With a multitude of such like Speeches which are contained in the holy Gospel, which he uttered, to encourage and animate all his Disciples in their Spiritual Warfare.
IX. Jesus Christ takes in and shuts out, as he sees Cause; he cashereed Judas, Demas, Hymeneus, Philetas and Alexander, 1 Tim. 1.20.and takes in Paul, Barnabas, and Apollo into his Company.
X. The Lord Jesus is the Head of all true Christians, and Commander of the Church Militant in chief, all the Bands of the white Reigment march under his Banner; H… is the Head of his Body the Church;Isa. 55.4. Eph. 1.21, 22. Given to be a Leader and Commander to the People.
X. Christ when he was baptized by John, took his Place in the Minstry, as the Leader of his Church, and ran the greatest Hazard, yet deserted not his Followers for fear of Danger; He not only loved them to the end,Joh. 13.1. but did bear them company, and abode with them to the last, even till he suffered for their sakes, the bitter Death of the Cross, &c. Mat. 28.20And is spiritally with them all ways to the end of the World.
XI. Christ gives the Word of Command to his Saints, which they are to observe. If any Man will serve me, Joh. 12.26let him follow me. Mat. 28.20Teach them to observe all things that I command you.
XII. So is Christ by being the Captain of our Salvation for War, not originally from his own natural Disposition, for he is for Peace; but by reason of the resolved Opposition that is in the hearts of his Enemies against him. I came not to send Peace on the Earth, but to bring a Sword. Mat. 10.34.
XIII. Jesus Christ met with Enemies, not only Flesh and Blood; yea, potent Flesh and Blood,Eph. 6.12. Men in Power and high Places, such as Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the Rulers of the Jews, but Principalities and Powers, no less than Beelzebub himself, and all his Train,Mat. 4.5, 6, 7. whom he fairly engag'd with eminent Success.
XIV. Jesus made use both of Armor and Weapons; he saw no small need for it. viz. Eph. 6.14, 15, 16, 17.1. The Breastplate of Righteousness, when Satan, and wicked Men, by their Temptations would have drawn him from his Allegiance, by great Proffers of Power and Glory.See the nature of the Christian Armour under the Head of Metaphors relating to the Graces of the Spirit. 2. The Sword of the Spirit, by which he cut down the Devil, and the wicked Jews, in all their Assaults: It is written, it is written, &c. 3. The Shield of Faith, when he came to the last and most bloody Battel of all: For the Joy that was set before him, he endured the Cross, Heb. 12.2.despised the Shame, and is sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
XV. Jesus Christ, like a most valiant Captain, made good his Ground against all the Force and Artillery of Hell, in a glorious manner, even to the death of the Cross.
XVI. Christ took great care of his Saints, to preserve and secure them, how ever it fared with himself. 1. He left them good Orders to observe in his absence, the Rules of the holy Gospel. 2. He took care to send them a good Guide for their Conduct, no less than the Holy-Ghost,Joh. 14▪16. Joh. 17.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20. Joh. 17.11, 15. the Comforter. 3. He prayed for them on Earth, and he prays in Heaven, to engage the Protection of Almighty God for them: Father, keep through thine own Name those that thou hast given me, &c.
XVII. Jesus Christ prefers his Saints and Followers, whom he finds worthy: He gave some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers, Eph. 4.11.for the Work of the Ministry, &c. I thank Christ Jesus, who hath put me into the Ministry.1 Tim. 1.12.
XVIII. Christ made not Novices, and unexperienc'd Christians, Ministers and Pastors of Churches,1 Tim. 3.6▪ and Leaders of Societies; He set Peter, James, and John to be Apostles and Leaders in the first place; and Paul, Sylvanus, and Timotheus, stout and brave Commanders, to bring up (as it were) the Rear: God hath set forth us the Apostles last of all, as it were, 1 Cor. 4.9▪appointed to Death.
XIX. Jesus Christ, in all weighty Affairs, is joined with the Father and holy Spirit, the great Council of Heaven; and without Him, who is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Isa. 9.6.there is nothing of grand Importance transacted either in Heaven or Earth; nay, without him was nothing done at first; All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Joh. 1.3.When Commission was givn to Creatures of all kinds to act in their proper sphere, Christ was there. See Counsellor.
XX. Christ's place is a place of Honour, because he was Worthy; and the Army that he hath raised is not a Rebellious Army, but legally raised,Rev. 5.3, 4. and behave themselves well; they are kept under good Government and Discipline, not one debauch'd person in the Army is continued in the Muster-Rolls, but presently turn'd off, blotted out, and delivered up to Satan, when discovered by his inferior Officers to be such.1 Cor. 5.5. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: From such turn away. Deliver such over to Satan; turn him into his own Kingdom. Because thou hast loved Righteousness, and hated Iniquity, Heb. 1.9.therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows. That all Men might honour the Son, even as they honour the Father.Joh. 5.23.
XXI. Jesus Christ offers Terms of Peace and Reconciliation, because he would prevent their Ruine, if possible, before he falls upon them and fights against them with the Sword of his Mouth. Turn at my Reproof: Prov. 1.23.how often would I have gathered thy Children together, &c. In what Place soever you enter, say, Peace, &c. I gave her space to repent of her Fornication, Mat. 23.but she repented not. Rev. 2.21. I will kill her Children with Death, &c.
XXII. Jesus Christ when his Grace and Offers of Mercy are refused, hath, and will make slaughtering work in the Earth. O what work was made upon Jerusalem! not long after the refusing the terms of Peace, and offers of Grace and Favour by Jesus Christ. See the lamentable Story in Josephus, &c. And what work will shortly be made with bloody Rome, in the day of Death. Mourning and Famine that is coming on apace, Rev. 16.5, 6.when she shall have Blood given her to drink, and shall be utterly burnt with Fire. And what Devastation will be made by this great Captain, (who is red in his Apparel, and his Cloaths as them that tread in the Wine-Press) at the Battel of Armagedon, when the vast Armies of the Beast shall be slaughtered and destroyed, by the sharp Sword that goes out of his Mouth, And Blood shall come forth to the Horses Bridles, Rev. 14.19, 20. Ezek. 39.12.for a thousand and six hundred Furlong…; The Fowls of Heaven shall be filled with their Flesh, there shall be burying work for Multitudes, seven Months. By Fire and Sword shall he plead with all Flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many. Isa. 66.15, 16.
XXIII. Jesus Christ at his first coming did weaken the Kingdom of Satan, spoil'd Principalities, set up Trophies of his Victory,Eph. 4.9. Col. 2.15. made a shew of them openly, led Captivity in Triumph, and will compleat the Work at his second Coming, will take the old Dragon and bind him for a thousand Years. And at the end of the thousand Years, cast the Dragon, the Beast, and the false Prophet, into the perpetual Dungeon. Rev. 20.2. v. 20. He will then give a Reward to all his Prophets, and Saints, both great and small, make them Rulers over Cities, over all Nations, To bind Kings in Chains, and Nobles in Fetters of Iron;Psal. 149.8, 9. and dash them in pieces like Potters Vessels; give the Upright Dominion over them in the Morning; place them upon Thrones with Palms in their Hands; make them Kings and Princes in all the Earth, to Reign with him till he deliver up the Kingdom to the Father, which puts a final End to all▪ the Wars;1 Cor. 15▪24, 28. but retains the honourable Title of being the Captain of our Salvation, for ever, even for ever, Amen.
Inferences.
I. FRom hence we may infer what great Danger Christ's Enemies are in, and the certainty of their being spoiled if they stand it out against him. The Enemies of the Lord shall be broken to pieces. 1 Sam. 2.10. the Lamb shall overcome them. Rev. 17.14.
II. That 'tis best for all Christ's Followers to keep close to their Leader, not to forsake their own Captain; they can never chuse one like him: with him there is safety, and certainty of Victory. Let us say to him, as Peter did, Whither shall we go? (Thou art on the strongest side) for thou hast the words of Eternal Life.
III. That it is the Interest of all his Enemies, to submit to him whilst Terms of Peace are offered to them, there is no standing out against him. Can thy Heart endure? can thy Hands be strong in the day that he (the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah) shall deal with thee? Many, even of the Mighty, have fallen under him, the Dragon and his Angels could not stand before him. How much less than Man, that is a Worm; and the Son of Man, which is a Worme? Job 25.6. See Metaphors, Consuming Fire, Embassador, and Man of War.