Discourse of the Gospel of Peace, Tract 1 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
SECT. I.
On what Foundation the Peace of the Gospel is laid.
1st, THE Foundations of the Peace of the Gospel are laid in the eternal Counsels, Purposes, and good pleasure of God, and more especially of the Father. He is therefore said to beEph. 3. 9, 11. The God of Peace that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jesus Christ. This Gospel of Peace was first laid in the eternal purposes [of God] which he purposed in Christ, and hid in God. It was a Sceret that was formed in his own Bosom, and reserved to himself, till due time for its Manifestation. When this Counsel of God was revealed in its new Testament-dispensation, the Apostle refers all to Gods purpose, as the Original and Rule of it. Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to Eph. 1. 8. 10.his good pleasure, which he had purposed in himself. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him, who worketh all things after the Counsel of his own will.
Here is enough, and that which is clear enough to an indifferent, impartial understanding, for the proof of what is asserted. The Foundation of our Peace, and the Gospel methods of it, were not laid in Faith foreseen: Were not laid in the Ideas, Imaginations or Contrivances of Man or Angel; none of these ever thought of, or proposed, or were his instructors in this great and momentous matter. It was begun in Gods counsel and purpose, before Mans fall; yea, before Men or Angels had a being. There was nothing before this Counsel and Purpose either in order of time or causality. In short, the eternal Thought and divine Grace conceived it in God himself; there was the first beginning, the first cause of the Gospel of Peace.
Secondly, It had its foundation in that agreement that was made between God the Father, and God the Son, before the World was.
The order wherein the Persons in the Divine Being were concerned in carrying on this Gospel of Peace: The Father proposed to the Son, the Son consented to the Father, what should be done and suffered by the Son, in the Name, and by the Authority of the Father. This is commonly call'd, The Covenant of Redemption. In this Covenant the Father and the Son were the Foederati, or parties to the Covenant.
According to this Covenant, the Son voluntarily submitted himself to the Law, and Subjection to his Father. And he said, It is a light thing that Isa. 49. 6.thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the Tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my Salvation to the ends of the earth. These words may sufficiently determine who and what the Prophecy in this Chapter concerns; and that it is the Redemption of Sinners, Jews and Gentiles, by Jesus Christ; according to the Capitulation between the Father and the Son, here expressed.
As the result of this Covenant and Law, to which the Son of God submitted: The Son of God makes profession of the Pleasure he took in the Execution of his Engagement to his Father. In the volume of the Book, it is written of me, Lo, I come Psal. 40. 6, 7, 8.to do thy will, O God; yea, thy Law is within mine heart. The 8th of the Proverbs, expresses the same things, with the great Contentment the Son took in the Prospect and Contemplation of his Converse with the Sons of Men, when he should become the Immanuel, God with us. I will add only the depositing…rov. 8. 2, to 38. these promises of eternal Life, and other subordinate Blessings of the new Covenant, in the hands of the Son of God, upon this Covenant of Redemption, which (to me) is the only Sense these words are capable of; viz. In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the World Tit. 1. 2.began. And on this account many were actually saved, before Christs actual purchase.
The third foundation of the Gospel of peace was laid, in the Son of Gods actually performing his part of the Covenant of redemption, and the improvements of it.
By that part of the Covenant of Redemption, which the Son of God had by his consent unto, and agreement with the Father ingaged to discharge, I mean his taking, or assuming the human nature, more especially the seed of Abraham; and in that nature, not only to fulfil personally and actively the Law of nature as a man, and also the Jewish Positive and Ceremonial Law as a Jew, and under the obligation of a member of that Church: But also to suffer and take upon him all that affliction, and misery that filled up his state of humiliation, from his Conception to his Ascension.
I add also the improvements of this performance, because his being invested in the Kingly, Priestly, and Propheti…al Offices in and to his Church, and in a more large sense to the whole world, is both a reward to his merit, centring in his own person; and necessary to carry on this Gospel of Peace to the full ends for which it was intended by God, upon all the Sons and Daughters of peace.
This humiliation of the Lord Jesus, was it that reconciled the justice of God to his mercy▪ and both to us. This made way for Christs Ascension, and entring into the Holy of Holies, There to appear in the presence of God for us. This obedience both active and passive, was rewarded to Christ by his Exaltation to Gods right hand; whereby he not only gives Laws and Pardons to his people, but is authorized to conquer their hearts to himself, and to defend them from all their enemies. But unto the Heb. 1. 8, 9.Son he saith, Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever, a Scepter of Righteousness is the Scepter of thy Kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore, God even thy God hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the Angels, for the suffering of death, Crowned with glory and honour, that he by the Heb. 2. 9, 10.grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through sufferings.
This Exaltation of the Lord Jesus, makes highly for our peace, in all the parts of its administration. But the merits of our peace, in whatever methods it derives to us, is in the active and passive obedience of Christ; tho ordinarily ascribed to his sufferings: As our Justification to his blood: his bearing our sins in his body on the Tree; our being healed by his stripes; his soul being made an offering for sin.
It is disputed what need there is of Christs active obedience, for laying the foundation of merit of this Gospel of peace, and the blessings contained therein; seeing his passive obedience was sufficient to discharge us from the punishment of sin, of which the pana damni, or that of loss was a part.
1. I answer, that his active obedience was necessary to qualifie him for the merit of his passive. Had he not been a Lamb without spot himself, he could not have been a meet sacrifice expiatory for others.
2dly, Both active and passive obedience as they were voluntary on his part; he undertaking them not by any necessity of nature, but by consent, was made under the Law; both of them had the nature of a free act in them, and as such were meritorious.
3dly, As Jesus Christ is the Head and Father of the Faithful, and they his members and posterity; whatever he merited for himself as Mediator, Godman in one person (which alone was capable of a reward, or an accession of any felicity it had not before) is communicated to them, which is a strain of happiness beyond what was, or could be lost by the transgression of the Law of Works. And this may be a sufficient proof that the Saints enjoy a greater happiness by the second, than they lost by the first Adam.
SECT. V.
The various methods and progress of the revelation of the Gospel of peace.
It is certain that not the least iota of the Gospel, or remedying Law, could arrive to the knowledg of man, by any mere natural light, or help. As the nature of it is wholly of absolute Soveraign Divine pleasure, so its knowledg must be derived to us by supernatural divine light. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him: But God hath revealed 1 Cor. 14. 15, 16.them to us by his spirit. For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him? so the things of God knoweth no man, but the spirit of God. Man in his integrity had a natural light, whereby he could discern his whole duty (except that which concerned the Tree of Knowledg, which was of positive obligation) and also what he might expect from God, as the reward of his obedience, or disobedience. But farther in that state, he neither had nor needed.
Therefore, as to all things that concern our new Covenant-state, we are said to be built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ Eph. 2. 20.himself being the chief corner-stone. i. e. Our knowledg of the Gospel, or Medicinal new Covenant, is built on what was revealed by God to the Prophets and Apostles; and by them to us, but especially by Jesus Christ himself. This renders the whole of the Gospel (as such) to be rather the object of faith than knowledg.
The first step of the revelation of the Gospel, was by s…m… sh…rt and more dark hints of promises and prophesies.
The first dawning of this blessed day-light was, in those words, It (scil. the seed of the woman) shall bruise thine head. The head of the Serpent; by whichGen …. 15. is to be understood the Devil. The seed of the woman should give him a mortal wound, spoil his designs, destroy the works of the Devil. It is to be noted as a special expression of the favour of God, that there was but a very short space of time betwixt the breach of the peace between God and his creature man, and the revelation of the means of reconciliation, betwixt the deadly wound and the application of an effectual remedy. This circumstance expresses the Divine bowels of compassion and grace, to be suitable to that of his nature, which is essential abstracted love. God is love. And it is to be observed that this was said by God (not to our first Parents, but highly concerning them) before there was any expression, or appearance of their repentance, that we read of.
The next Gospel-revelation we read of was in the sacrifice of Abel, which we may presume was in compliance with some Divine express obligation, and perhaps its ends explained. For it is said that by faith Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain. Heb. 11.We have also the Typical representation of Christ, by Noah's Ark; and the saving of some therein, when the far greater number perished by the universal deluge. I will instance but in two more of this kind. The Covenant with Abraham, that in his seed all the Nations of the earth should be blessed. AndGen. 12. 3. Circumcision the token of the Covenant, which signified that Gospel-sanctification, and separation to God, from sin, and the ungodly world, which by faith wrought in the heart and life, is the condition of the Covenant of Grace on our part, and gives a right to Justification and Salvation.
These were short and enigmatical discoveries of Gospel-grace: the first dawnings which shined in the Old Testament brighter and brighter, until the perfect day of the New Testament Meridian-glory, according to those words, God who at sundry times, and divers manners, spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son,—the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.
Secondly, The Gospel was revealed in Types, shadows and figures, all of Gods appointment.
This was the next step, which tho wholly Hieroglyphical, and therefore dark, yet the order and number of them were such as gave an account in their language of Jesus Christ in all his Offices; the New Testament Church in its order and purity in a good degree, but especially of its Sanctification, and separation from the world, by a real difference. But above all, of a Crucified Christ, and his Priestly Office. So that it might well be called Evangelium velatum; and indeed it was so to the Jews, for when they read, to this day the vail is upon 2 Cor. 3. 16, 17.their heart. Ʋnto this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament.
Thirdly, By large and express Prophesies.
Somewhat we have of this by Jacob in the blessings of his Sons, but not much, till Moses time. Jacob tells us of Shilo's coming; Balaam (tho a bad man) a Prophet of a great good, The Star that should arise out of Jacob. Moses speaks of a Prophet like unto him, that God would raise up. But David and the rest of the Prophets after him (especially Isaiah) do speak with that clearness of Jesus Christ, and the Grace that is by him, that in many places they might be thought to have written Histories rather than Prophesies.
Fourthly, This Gospel of peace was revealed in the greatest clearness and perfection that we are capable of in this world, by Jesus Christ and his Apostles, in the matter contained in the New Testament.
Herein it was not only more fully declared, but its Doctrines and Ordinances stript of those dresses and masks under which they were shadowed. Herein it appeared open and naked in its simplicity, its proper beauty and glory. As it was under the Old Testament Evangelium velatum; so it is under the New, Evangelium revelatum. But we all with open 2 Cor. 3. 18.face beholding in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
This was such a revelation, such a clear and barefaced representation of that life and immortality designed by the New Covenant; such a noon-day brightness, that which preceded was comparatively but a night enlightned by some lesser Stars: No glory by reason of this which so much excelleth. And well may this be esteemed the day-light of the Gospel, the Sun of Righteousness himself being risen upon us.
Fifthly, By the Ministry of the Word and Ordinances, in the hands of those whom Jesus Christ hath graced, gifted, and called to that venerable imploy.
The matter of the Gospel revealed in the New Testament, would have been comparatively but a dead stock, a sealed Book without this Ministry. Most men might say of it, as the Eunuch of the Prophesie he read, How can I understand unless some one should guide me? To the preaching of this New Testament-revelation in the due sense, construction and application of it, our Lord Jesus promised to beMat. 28. 18, 19, 20. with his Ministers successively to the end of the world. The Apostles lived but the common age of men, yet sufficient to lay and leave us the foundation, and by their Preaching and Miracles to give the Gospel a considerable entrance into the world, and interest in the hearts of multitudes. But the standing continuing Ministry is necessary to continuate and carry on the efficacy of that stock of truth derived from those master-builders. These are now (especially the fixed Pastors of particular Churches) theRev. 1. Stars in Christs right hand, the Ambassadors Liegier of the Prince of Peace, to expound his mind, to prosecute the instructions of his Word, to promote his interest in the heads, hearts, and lives of men. And as they are accountable to the great Shepherd and Lord of his Church, of their manage of that great trust; so are all others with whom they have to do, of their carriage towards them, and improvement of their Ministry. Remember them Heb. 137, 17.which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.—Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unproptable for you.
SECT. III.
Sixthly, This Gospel of peace is yet farther revealed, by the Ministry of the Spirit accompanying that of the Word. The matter of Gospel-revelation, is in the Scriptures so entire, and compleat, as admits of nothing new; but it doth admit of such a revelation of its sense, and genuine consequence, as is new to us; but especially of a new and farther efficacy upon the souls of men, another taste, relish, and power than that which is contained in the bare letter.
This revelation by the Ministry of the Spirit, hath two parts.
1. Assisting to the enlightning the mind and understanding to the knowledg of the sense of the written Word.
2dly, Working by the Word, to the opening the heart to its truths and obligations, prevailing on it to embrace Gospel-truths effectually and savingly.
For the first of these, the natural abilities may go far, and acquired learning may help it on much farther, without any special assistance of the Spirit of God; yet the assistance of the Spirit in its common work may and does so mend the market, that they that are blessed therewith, may pierce much deeper, and with much more ease into the sense of Gospel-truths than those under the same circumstances otherwise, can do without it. And if the genius and skill in those far lower things, scil. of Gold, Silver, Brass, was imputed to the instructionsExod. 31. 2, 3, 4. of the Spirit of God, much more doth it by its assistance advance the intellect in what is more sublime, and doth more properly belong to it. And therefore we are directed to pray to God for the increase of this understanding, both for our selves, and Ministers. And this doth imply that we need a spirit more active, and penetrating than our own, to reach the sense of Divine Truths. Tho yet (as I said before) it may be obtained by the Spirits common assistance in a great degree.
There is also a farther understanding of the Scriptures, by the work of the Spirit, which is not properly a speculation, or a true notion of the things themselves, but a taste, relish and sensation of them; which is not so barren as the former may be, but a kind of impression and efficacy, which strikes the spiritual sense with some experience of that goodness and …ower, and sweetness which is in Evangelical Truths. And certainly this kind of understanding which lies in a taste and sensation, as it is a work of the Spirit, beyond that of a meer dry speculation; so it is such an one as is more prevailing and lively, and that which persons may receive that are far short of others in the speculative knowledg. And it may be are no way able to express it intelligibly to others, or form any distinct conception of it to themselves. As it is with Infants and Children, who do by a sensation of the sweetness of the breastmilk understand its goodness and difference from other things, yet without any exact and distinct notions of it in the understanding. I may add for more elucidation of this truth, the notions that Book-learning hath of Countries, and the varieties of Fruits, and their as various relishes. No man will say but that the notions which they have of those Countries, and those Fruits, and their relishes, are of another kind, and far short of theirs who have seen and tasted them by their own experience.
I must say somewhat to that revelation of the Gospel, by which it is not only opened to the understanding, so as to form in it some due conceptions of it, but also by the work of the Spirit of God enlivening and animating the Truths of the Gospel, the will and affections are prevailed on to embrace and conform themselves to them; and as the Text expresses it, are changed into the same image 2 Cor. 3. 18.from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. Evangelical Grace is here called glory, of which there are degrees. And the lowest degree is so glorious, that where it is wrought in the Ministry of the Gospel, it implies no less than the Spirit of the Lord working in it and by it. And indeed when all is said, this conforming the heart to the love and prevailing practical embraces of the Gospel, as it is the most contrary and difficult to corrupted nature; so it is that wherein the more peculiar work of the Spirit of God is necessary, and doth evidence its self. How easie it is for men of quick apprehensions, refined intellects, and exercised in Theological learning, to discourse, dispute, and preach Evangelical Truths with no mean accuracy and instruction to others, and yet themselves be chained up to a worldly sensual affection and conversation, is the sad and common experience. 'Tis certainly more easie for a person so qualified, to write a Volume of Excellent Truths, than to mortifie one lust, or reconcile his affections to a delight in holiness.
The use of understanding and reason meerly natural or acquired, may go a great way in enlightning our minds to true notions of the Gospel, and may go so far in conviction on the conscience and judgment, as that we may thereby be prevailed on to approve the things of the Gospel as excellent. But to open the heart fill'd with enmity to God and Godliness, to receive the truth as it is in Jesus, to a living godly in Christ Jesus; there must be more than the will and good inclination of the best of faln men. The Gospel by its rational construction may reveal its truth to us, but it cannot rise so high without a higher spring, as to form this light into an answerable disposition in the soul, which the Scripture calls the new birth, and the new creature. Eph. 2. 10.For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. There can be no less allowed as the genuine and necessary sense of these words, than that the disposedness to Evangelical obedience, is the work of God upon and in a soul void of any principles, morally inclined to those ends. But as many as received Joh. 1. 12, 13.him, to them he gave power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. This Text needs no comment to clear its sense.
Seventhly, There is yet another degree and method of the revelation of the Gospel of Peace, and the peace of it. And this is reserved for the other world.
As the ultimate and consummate end of the Gospel, is the Salvation, and compleat and eternal happiness of the Faithful; so till they arrive to that blessed estate, their knowledg, and the means of it, is short of that perfection it shall then and there receive. The present powers and faculties of our souls are too narrow to receive, and too weak to bear those manifestations and impressions of the glory of the reconciled face of God. That new wine which they shall drink with their Lord and Head Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of their Father, would burst these old vessels. What we have here is suited to our present capacity, in a language we can understand, and in a measure we may contain, which is but an earnest of the full inheritance; a cluster of the Grapes of the Heavenly Canaan to the full vintage; a small sip to relieve our faintings, strengthen our faith and patience, and keep up our longings in the way to the promised rest.
It is reserved to that state to know as we are known, to see that God face to face, the beholding whom in such a manner and measure, will compleat our likeness to him. Now the Gospel reveals to us that we who receive Jesus Christ, are the Sons of God, but the full consequence of that relation words cannot express, nor souls dwelling in mortal flesh comprehend. Now we are the Sons of God, 1 Joh. 3. 2.and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. The Gospel is now revealed to us, as to its ultimate end, the enjoyment of God reconciled, but in dark and general expressions comparatively, to what it will be in Heaven. In this world Ministers, yea the chiefest of the Apostles know but in part, and prophesie but in part; but when 1 Cor. 13. 9.that which is perfect is come, that which is but in part shall be done away. The words and tongues of men, are too scanty to express the Grace and glory of the Gospel. We do but lisp it like Children, and chatter as swallows. All we can say, or receive of it now is, but gibberish and non-sense, compared with the perfection of Evangelical Truth. We shall be sensible in Heaven that not the half was told us of what we shall there know and sensate. The secrets of its wisdom and grace will be found more than double to that which is, or can be now revealedJob 11. 6. or received.