The Fountain of Life, Sermon 6
The SIXTHSerm. 6. SERMON.Shews the Authority by which Christ as Mediator acted.
JOH. VI.XXVII.
For him hath God the Father Sealed.
YOU have heard Christs compact or agreement with the Father, in the Covenant of Redemption. As also what the Father did in pursuance of the ends thereof; in giving his Son out of his bosom, &c. Also what the Son hath done towards it in assuming Flesh. But though the glorious work be thus far advanced, yet all he should act in that assumed Body, had been invallid and vain, without a due call, and Commission from the Father so to do. Which is the import of the words now before you.
This Scripture is a part of Christs excellent reply to a selfended generation, who followed him, not for any Spiritual excellencies that they saw in him; or Soul advantages they expected by him, but for bread. Insteed of making his service their meat and drink, they only served him that they might eat, and drink. Self is a thing may creep into the best hearts, and actions; but it only predominates in the Hypocrite. These people had sought Christ from place to place, and having at last found him, they salute him with an impertinent complement, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? vers. 25. Christs reply is partly disswasive, and partly directive. He disswades them from puting the secondary and subordinate, in the place of the principal, and ultimate end. Not to prefer their Bodies to their Souls. Their fleshly accommodations, to the glory of God. Labour not for the meat that perisheth. Wherein he doth not take them off from their lawful labours, and callings: but he disswades them, first, from minding these things too intently, and secondly, he disswades them from that odious Sin of making Religion but a pretence for the belly.
And it is partly directive, and that in the main end and business of Life. But labour for that meat which endures to Eternal Life. To get bread for your Souls, to live Eternally by. And that he might engage their diligence in seeking it to purpose, he shews them not only where they may have it, [Which the Son of Man shall give you] but also how they may be fully satisfied that he hath it for them; in the clause I have pitched on, For him hath God the Father Sealed.
In these words are three parts observable.
First, The Person Sealing, or investing Christ with Authority and Power. Which is said to be God the Father. Though all the Persons in the Godhead are equal in nature, dignity, and power: yet in their operation there is an order observed among them. The Father sends the Son, The Son is sent by the Father, The Holy Ghost is sent by both.
Secondly, The Subject in which God the Father lodges this Authority [Him] that is the Son of Man. Jesus Christ he is the foreign first receptacle of it. And he must here be understood exclusively. God the Father hath so Sealed him, as he never Sealed any other before him, or that shall arise after him. No name is given in heaven or earth, but this name by which we are Saved, Acts 4.12. The government is upon his shoulders, Isa. 9.
Thirdly, Here is farther observable; the way and manner of the Fathers delegating and committing this Authority to Christ. And that is by Sealing him. Where we have both a Metonymie, the Symbal of Authority, being put for the Authority it self. And a Metaphor, Sealing which is a humane act, for the ratifying and confirming an Instrument or grant; being here applied to God. Like as Princes by Sealed Credentials, confirm the Authority of those that are sent by them. As the Dutch Annatators well express the meaning of it. Hence we Note.
DOCT. That Iesus Christ did not of himself undertake the work of our Redemption,Doct. but was solemnly Sealed unto that work, by God the Father.
When I say he did not of himself undertake this work, I mean not that he was unwilling to go about it; for his heart was as fully and ardently engaged in it as the Fathers was: so he tells us, Psal. 4.7. Loe I come to do thy will O God, thy Law is in my heart. But the meaning is, he came not without a due call and full commission from his Father. And so it is to be understood in opposition to intrusion, not voluntary susception. And this is the meaning of that Scripture, Ioh. 8.42. I proceeded and came from God, neither came I of my self but he sent me. Nihil aliud posse…x dicto Apostoli elici, nisi ho…; Christum ab eo vo…atum esse ad munus m…diatorium, à quo genitus est Cameronis Myrothec. p. 317.And this the Apostle plainly expresseth and fully clears, Heb. 5.4, 5. And no man taketh this honour to himself, but he that is call'd of God as was Aaron; so also Christ glorified not himself, to be made an High-Priest: but he that said unto him thou art my Son. And on the account of these Sealed Credentials he received from his Father he is called the Apostle and High-Priest of our profession, Heb. 3.1. (i. e.) One called and sent forth by the Fathers Authority. Our present business then is to open Christs commission, and view the great Seal of Heaven, by which it was ratified.
And to preserve a clear Method in the explication of this great truth, into which your Faith and comfort is resolved; I shall
First shew what was the work and office to which the Father Sealed him.
Secondly, What his Sealing to this work doth imply.
Thirdly, How, and by what acts the Father Sealed him to it.
Fourthly, Why it was necessary that he should be thus Sealed, and authorized by his Father. And then improve it, in its proper Uses.
What was that office or work to which his Father Sealed him? I answer more generally, he was Sealed to the whole work of mediation for us, thereby to recover and save all the elect, whom the Father had given him. So Ioh. 17.2. It was to give Eternal Life to as many as were given him. It was to bring Iacob, again to him, Esa. 49.5. Or as the Apostle expresses it, Pet. 3.18. That he might bring us to God. More particularly in order to the sure and full effecting of this most glorious design, he was Sealed to the offices of a Prophet, Priest, and King; that so he might bring about and compass this work.
First, God Sealed him a commission to Preach the glad tidings of Salvation to sinners. This commission Christ opened, and read in the audience of the people, Luk. 4.18, 19, 20, 21. And when he had opened the Book, he found the place where it is written; the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath annointed me to Preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to Preach deliverance to the Captives, and the recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised. To Preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the Book, &c. And he began to say unto them, this day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.
He also Sealed him to the Priesthood, and that the most excellent. Authorizing him to execute both the parts of it, viz. Oblatory, and intercessory. He call'd him to offer up himself a Sacrifice for us. I have power (saith he) to lay down my Life, this commandment have I received of my Father, Joh. 10.18. And upon that account his offering up of his Blood, is by the Apostle stiled an act of obedience, as it is, Phil. 2.8. He became obedient unto death. He also call'd him to intercede for us, Heb. 7.21, 24, 25. Th…se Priests were made without an Oath, but this with an Oath; by him that said unto him, the Lord Sware and will not repent; thou art a Priest for ever. Because his Sacrifice is vertually continued in his living for ever to make intercession. As it is vers. 24. Yea he call'd him to his Regal office he was set upon the highest throne of Authority by his Fathers commission, as it is, Matth. 28.18. All power in heaven and earth, is given to me. To all this was Christ Sealed and Authorized by his Father.
What doth the Fathers Sealing of Christ to this work and office imply? There are divers things implyed in it. As
First, The validity and efficacy of all his mediatory acts. For by vertue of this his Sealing, what ever he did was fully ratified. And in this very thing lies much of a believers comfort and security. For as much as all acts done without commission and authority, (how great or able so ever the person that doth them is) yet are in themselves null and void. But what is done by commission and authority, is Authentick and most allowable among men. Had Christ come from heaven and entred upon his Mediatory work, without a due call, our Faith had been stumbled at the very threshold, but this greatly satisfies.
Secondly, It imports the great obligation lying upon Jesus Christ to be faithful, in the work he was Sealed to. For the Father in this commission devolves a great trust upon him; and relies upon him for his most faithful discharge thereof. And indeed upon this very accompt, Christ reckons himself specially obliged to pursue the Fathers design and end, Ioh. 9.4. I must work the works of him that sent me. And Joh. 5.30. I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which sent me. S…ill his …ye is upon that Work, and Will of his Father. And he reckons himself under a nec…ssity of punctual and precise obedience to it. And as a faithful servant will have his own will swallowed up in the Fathers will.
Thirdly, It imports Christs compleat qualification or instumental fitn…ss, to serve the Fathers design and end in our recovery. Had not God known him to be every way fit and qualified for the Work, he would never have Sealed him a commission for it. M…n may, but God will not Seal an unfit or incapable person for his work. And indeed what ever is desirable in a servant, was eminently found in Christ. For faithfulness, none like him. Moses indeed was faithful to a Pin, but still as a Servant: but Christ as a Son, Heb. 3.2. He is the faithful and true witn…ss, Rev. 1.5, For Zeal, none like him. The Zeal of Gods house did eat him up, Ioh. 2.16, 17. He was so intent upon his Fathers work, that he forgat to eat bread, counting his work his meat, and drink, Ioh. 4.32. Yea, and love to his Father carryed him on through all his work, and made him delight in the hardest piece of his service. For he served him as a Son, Heb, 3.5, 6. All that ever he did was done in love. For wisdom, none like him. The Father knew him to be most wise, and said of him before he was imploy'd, Behold my Servant shall deal prudently, Isa, 52.13. To conclude, for self-denial, never any like him; he sought not his own glory but the glory of him that sent him, Ioh. 8.50. Had he not been thus faithful Zealous, full of love, prudent, and self-denying; he had never been imployed in this great affair.
Fourthly, It implys Christs sole authority in the Church, to appoint and enjoyn what he pleaseth. And this is his peculiar prerogative. For the Commission God Sealed him in the Text, is a single, not a joynt Commission he hath Sealed him, and none beside him. Indeed there were some that pretended a call and commission from God, but all that were before him, were Thieves and Robbers, that came not in at the door, as he did,Omnes ante me (id est me…non mi…tente, ultrò cum no… fueri …t mi…si cucu…erunt se p…o messia venditâru…t) s…nt fu…es, & latrones; latro…um mo…e adul…rino quaepiam ostia caeli co…m …ti su…t & per ca homines in aeternae damnationis spelu…cam precipitâr…nt. Dietericus. Ioh. 10.8. And he himself foretels, that after him some should arise, and labour to deceive the world, with a feigned Commission and a counterfeit Seal, Matth. 24.24. There shall arise false Christs, and false Prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders: insomuch that if it were possible, they should deceive the very Elect. But God never commissionated any besides him, neither is there any other name under heaven, Acts 4.12. Thus you see how the validity of his Acts, his obligation to be faithful. His compleat qualifications, and sole Authority in the Church, are imported in his Sealing.
Next, Let us enquire how God the Father Sealed Jesus Christ to this work, and we shall find that He was Sealed by four acts of the Father.
First, By Solemn designation to this work. He singled him out and set him apart to it,foreign and therefore the Prophet Isaiah cap. 42. vers. 1.Electus (i. e.) e…imius, praestans, Excellens. Calls him Gods Elect. And the Apostle Peter, 1 Pet. 2.4. Chosen of God. This word which we render Elect, doth not only signifie one that in himself is eximious, worthy, and excellent; but also one that is set apart and designed, as Christ was for the work of mediation. And so much is carryed in Ioh. 10.36.Vide Dutch Anno… in …o…. Where the Father is said to sanctifie him (i e.) to separate, and devote him to this Service.
Secondly, He was Sealed not only by Solemn designation, but also by Supereminent, and unparalell'd Sanctification. He was annointed, as well as appointed to it. The Lord filled him with the spirit, and that without measure, to qualify him for this Service. So Isa. 61.1, 2, 3. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath annointed me to Preach, &c. Yea, the spirit of the Lord was not only upon him,A Christo Christiani dicuntur (…. e) u…ctionis sanctae foreign: non …im titulu… gerunt si…e re, sed qui dicuntur verè Christiani foreign etiam obtinent. Glassius. Dona ista absolutè & in se finitae fuere, sicut & ipsa Christi natura f…ita est; nostri tame… respectu sunt abs que m…nsura Dr. A…t. Explicat. Cat. pa…s 2. p. 170. but he was full of the Spirit, Luk. 4.1. And so full as never was any beside him. For God annointed him with the oyl of gladness, above his fellows. Psal. 45.7. Believers are his fellows, or copartners of this Spirit. They have an annointing also; but not as Christ had. In him it dwelt in its fullness, in them according to measure. It was poured out on Christ our head abundantly, and ran down to the hem of his garment. God gave not the Spirit to him by measure, Ioh. 3.34. God filled Christs humane nature to the utmost capacity, with all fulness of the Spirit of knowledge, wisdom, love, &c. Beyond all Creatures; for the plenary, and more effectual administration of his mediatorship. He was full extensively, with all kinds of grace. And full intensively, with all degrees of grace. It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell, Col 1.19. As light in the Sun, or water in a Fountain, that he might not only fill all things, as the Apostle speaks, Eph. 1.22. But that he might be prompt, expedite, and every way fit to discharge his own work, which was the next and mediate end of it. So that the holy oyl that was poured out upon the heads of Kings and Priests, whereby they were consecrated to their offices;Exod. 3….23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32. was but Typical; of the Spirit by which Christ was consecrated, or Sealed to his Offices.
Thirdly, Christ was Sealed by the Fathers immediate testimony from Heaven, whereby he was declared to be the Person whom the Father had solemnly designed and appointed to this work. And God gave this extraordinary testimony of him, at two remarkable seasons. The one was Just at his entrance upon his Publique Ministry,Caryll. in Job 1.7. Matth. 3. ult. The other but a little before his sufferings, Matth. 17.5. This voice was not formed by such Organs and Instruments of speech as ours are, but by creating a voice in the air, which the people hear sounding thereby this God owned, approved, and as by a Seal ratified his work.
Fourthly, Christ was Sealed by the Father, in all those extraordinary miraculous works wrought by him, in which the Father gave yet more full and convincing testimonies to the world, that this was he whom he had appointed to be our Mediator. These were convictive to the world, that God had sent him. And that his Doctrine was of God. God annointed Iesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power, who went about doing good; and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil; for God was with him, Acts 10.38. And so Ioh. 5.36. I have a greater witness than that of John, for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. Therefore he still refer'd those that doubted of him, or of his Doctrine, to this Seal of his Father: even the miraculous works he wrought in the power of God. Matth. 11.3.4, 5. And thus the Father Sealed him.
Lastly, We will enquire why it was necessary Christ should be Sealed by his Father to this work. And there are these three weighty reasons for it.
First, Else he had not corresponded with the Types which prefigured him, and in him it was necessary that they be all accomplished. You know under the Law, the Kings and High-Priests had their Inaugurations, by solemn unctions; in all which this consecration, or Sealing of Christ to his work, was shadow'd out. And therefore you shall find, Heb. 5.4, 5. No man taketh this honour to himself, but he that is call'd of God, as was Aaron; so also (mark the necessary correspondency betwixt Christ and them) Christ glorifi'd not himself to be made an High-Priest, but he that said unto him thou art my Son.
Secondly, Moreover hereby the hearts of believers are the more engaged to love the Father, in as much as it appears hereby that the Fathers love and good will to them, was the Original and Spring of their Redemption. For had not the Father Sealed him such a Commission, he had not come; but now he comes in the Fathers name, and in the Fathers love, as well as his name: and so all men are bound to ascribe equal glory and honour to them both. As it is Ioh. 5.23.
Lastly, And Especially, Christ would not come without a Commission, because else you had no ground for your Faith in him. How should we have been satisfied that this is indeed the true Messiah, except he had opened his Commission to the world, and shew'd his Fathers Seal annexed to it? If he had come without his Credentials from heaven, and only told the world that God had sent him; and that they must take his bare word for it: Who could have rested his Faith on that Testimony? And that is the true meaning of that place, Ioh. 5.31. If I bear witness of my self, my witness, is not true. How so? You will say doth not that contradict what he saith, Ioh. 8.14. Though I bear record of my self, yet my record is true. Therefore you must understand truth, not as it is opposed to reality; but the meaning is, if I had only given you my bare word for it, and not brought other evidence from my Father, my Testimony had not been Authentick, and valid, according to humane Laws. But now all doubtings are precluded. Let us next improve this.
Inference 1.
Hence we infer the Vnreasonableness of Infidelity, Infer. 1.and how little the rejecters of Christ can have to pretend for their so doing. You see he hath opened his Commission in the Gospel, shewn the world his Fathers Hand and Seal to it, given as ample satisfaction as reason it self could desire or expect: yet even his own received him not, Ioh. 1.11. And he knew it before hand, and therefore complain'd by the Prophet Isa. 53.1. Who hath believed our Report? &c. Yea, and that he is believed on in the world, is by the Apostle put among the great mysteries of godliness, 1 Tim. 3.16. A man that well considers with what convincing evidence Christ comes, would rather think it a mysterie that any should not believe. But O the bruitish obstinacy and Devilish enmity that is in nature, to Jesus Christ! Devilish did I say, you must give me that word again, for he compell'd their assent. We know thee whom thou art. And it is equally as wonderful to see the facility that is in nature to comply (mean while) with any, even the most foolish imposture. Let a false Christ arise, and he shall deceive many. As it is Matth. 24.24. Of this Christ complains, and not without great reason, Ioh. 5.43. I am come in my Fathers name, and ye receive me not. If another come in his own name, him will ye receive. q. d. You are incredulous to none but me. Every deceiver, every pitiful cheat that hath but wit, or rather wickedness, enough to tell you the Lord hath sent him; though you must take his own single word for it: He shall obtain and get Disciples: but though I come in my Fathers name, (i. e.) sh…wing you a Commission Sign'd and Seal'd by him; doing those Works that none but a God can do, yet ye receive me not. But in all this we must adore the Justice of God, in permitting it to be so; giving men up to such unreasonable obstinacy, and hardness. It is a sore plague that lies upon the world, and a wonder that we all are not ingulphed in the same Infidelity.
Inference 2.
Infer. 2.If Christ were Sealed to his Work by his Father, then how great is the sin of those that reject, and despise such as are sent and Sealed by Iesus Christ: for look as he came to us in his Fathers name, so he hath sent forth by the same Authority, Ministers in his name. And as he acts in his Fathers, so they in his Authority. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world, Haec Apostolorum à Christo …issio is formula, …atis evidenter comprobat, Apostolici mu…ris aig…itatem in Apostolorum authoritate, & potestate quae fuit Summa; & incomparabilis. Cameron.Joh. 17.18. And so Ioh. 20.21. As my Father hath sent me, so have I sent you. You may think it a small matter to despise, or reject a Minister of Christ, (a sin in the guilt whereof I think no Age hath been plunged deeper than this) but hear, and let it be a warning to you for ever; in so doing you despise and put the slight both upon the Father that sent Jesus Christ, and upon Christ that sent them. So that it is a rebellion that how ever it seems to begin low, in some small piques against their persons, or some little quarrels at their parts and Utterance, Tones, Methods, or gestures: yet it …ns high: even to the Fountain head of the most supream Authority. You that set your selves against a Minister of Christ, set your selves against God the Father, and God the Son, Luk. 10.16. He that heareth you, heareth me…; and he that despiseth you, despised me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me. God expects that yon behave your selves under the word spoken by us, as if he himself spake it. Yea, he expects submission to his word in the mouths of his Ministers, from the greatest on earth. And therefore it was that God so severely punished Zedekiah, U… si herus …amulo praescribat prim…m quid debeat praescribere àgend…m in familia, tum subjurgeret, qui te audit, me audit; non inde se queretur fieri non posse ut ille famulus discedat ab he…i praescripto: aut sic ubi descesserit …i esse pa…a…dum. Camer. Myro. p 130.because he humbled not himself before Jeremiah the Prophet, speaking from the mouth of the Lord, 2 C…on. 36.12. God was angry with a great King, for not humbling himself before a poor Prophet. Yet here you must distinguish both of Persons, and of Acts. This reverence and submission is not due to them as men, but as men in Office. As Christs Embassadours: and must involve that respect still in it. Again, we owe it not to them, commanding or forbiding in their own names, but in Christs. Not in venting their own Spleen, but the terrors of the Lord. And then to resist is an high rebellion, and affront to the Soveraign Authority of Heaven. And by the way, this may instruct Ministers, that the way to maintain that veneration, and respect that is due to them in the consciences of their hearers, is by keeping close to their Commission.
Inference 3.
Hence also we infer,Infer. 3. How great an evil it is to intrude into the Office of the Ministry, without a due call. It's more than Christ himself would do. He glorified not himself. The honours and advantages attending that Office, have invited many to run before they were Sent. But surely this is an insufferable violation of Christs order. Our Age hath abounded with as many Church-Levellers, as state-Levellers. I wish the Ministers of Christ might at last see and consider, what they were once warned of by a faithful watch-man.Mr. Strong. I believe (saith he) God hath permitted so many to intrude into the Ministers calling, because Ministers have too much medled with, and intruded into other mens callings.
Inference 4.
Infer. 4.Hence be convinced of the great efficacy that is in all Gospel-ordinances, duly administred. For Christ having received full Commission from his Father, and by vertue thereof having instituted and appointed those ordinances in the Church; all the power in heaven is engaged to make them good, to back and second them, to confirm and ratifie them. Hence, in the censures of the Church, you have that great expression, Matth. 18.18. Whatsoever ye bind or loose on earth, shall be bound or loosed in heaven. And so for the Word and Sacraments, Matth. 28.18, 19, 20. All power in heaven and in earth is given to me, God therefore, &c. They are not the appointments of men, your Faith stands not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. That very power God the Father committed to Christ, is the Fountain whence all Gospel institutions flow. And he hath promised to be with his Offices, not only the extraordinary Offices of that Age; but with his Ministers in succeeding Ages, to the end of the world. O therefore when ye come to an odinance, come not wi…h slight thoughts▪ but with great reverence, and great expectations, remembring Christ is there to make all good.
Inference 5.
Infer. 5.Again, here you have another call to admire the grace and love both of the Father and Son to your Souls. It is not lawful to compare them, but it's duty to admire them. Was it not wonderful grace in the Father, to Seal a Commission for the death of his Son, for the humbling of him as low as Hell, and in that Method to save you, when you might rather have expected, he should have Sealed your Mittimus for Hell rather than a Commission for your Salvation! He might rather have set his irreversible Seal to the sentence of your Damnation, than to a Commission for his Sons humiliation for you. And no less is the love of Christ to be wondred at, that would accept such a Commission as this for us, and receive this Seal, understanding fully (as he did) what were the contents of that Commission that the Father delivered him thus Sealed. And knowing that there could be no reversing of it afterwards.
Oh then, love the Lord Jesus all ye his Saints, for still you see more and more of his love breaking out upon you. I commend to you a Sealed Saviour this day; O that every one that reads these lines might in a pang of Love, cry out with the enamored Spouse, Cant. 8.6. Set me as a Seal upon thy heart, as a Seal upon thy arm, for Love is strong as Death; Iealousie is cruel as the Grave; the coals thereof are coals of fire, which have a vehement flame.
Inference 6.
Once more,Infer. 6. hath God Sealed Christ for you, then draw forth the comfort of his Sealing for you, and be restless till ye also be Sealed by him.
First, Draw out the comfort of Christs Sealing for you. Remember that hereby God stands ingaged, even by his own Seal, to allow and confirm, what ever Christ hath done in the business of your Salvation. And on this ground you may thus plead with God. Lord, thou hast Sealed Christ to this Office, and therefore I depend upon it; that thou allowest all that he hath done, and all that he hath suffered for me, and wilt make good all that he hath promised me. If men will not deny their own Seals, much less wilt thou.
Secondly, Get your interest in Christ Sealed to you by the Spirit, else you cannot have the comfort of Christs being Sealed for you. Now the Spirit Seals two ways, Objectively, and Effectually; the first is by working those graces in us, which are the conditions of the promises. The latter is by shining upon his own Work, and helping the Soul to discern it. Which follows the other both in order of nature, and of time. And these Sealings of the Spirit are to be distinguisht both ex parti Subjecti, by their Subject, or the quality of the Person Sealed, which always is a Believer, Eph. 1.13. For there can be no reflex, till there have been a Direct Act of Faith. Ex parte materiae. By the matter of which that comfort is made. Which if it be of the Spirit, is ever consonant to the written Word, Isa. 8.20. And partly ab effectis, by its effects, for it commonly produces in the Sealed Soul, great care, and caution to avoid Sin, Eph. 4.30. Great Love to God, Ioh. 14.22. Readiness to suffer any thing for Christ, Rom. 5.3, 4, 5. Confidence in addresses to God, 1 Ioh. 5.13, 14. And great Humility and Self-abasement. As in Abraham, who lay on his face, when God Sealed the Covenant to him, Gen. 17.1, 2, 3. This, O this brings home the sweet, and good of all, when this Seal is superaded to that.