The Sum of Christian Religion, Catechism · Part 2 · creed · Question 31
ON THE 12. SABBATH.Queſt. 31. Why is he called Chriſt, that is, Annointed?
Anſw. Becauſe he was ordained of the Father, and annointed of the holy Ghoſt,aPſal. 45.8. Heb. 1.9. Eſay 61.1. Luke 4.18. the chiefe Prophet and Doctor,bDeut. 8.15. Acts 3.22 & 7.37. Eſay 55.4. who hath opened unto us the ſecret counſell, and all the will of his Father concerning our Redemption:cJohn 1.18. & 15.15. and the high Prieſt,dPſal. 110.4. who with that one only ſacrifice of his body hath redeemed us.eHeb. 9.12, 14, 28. & 10.12, 14. and doth continually make interceſsion to his Father for us:fRom. 5.9, 10. & 8.34. Heb. 9.24. 1 Joh. 2.1. and a King, who ruleth us by his word and ſpirit, and defendeth and maintaineth that ſalvation which he hath purchaſed for us.gPſal. 2.6. Zach. 9.9. Matth. 21.5. & 28.18. Luk. 1 33. Joh. 10.28. Revel. 10. & 12. & 16.
The Explication.
What is ſignified by the name of Chriſt.THe name of Jeſus doth rather ſummarily than expreſly note the office of the Mediatour: and is as it were a proper name deſigning rather a certain perſon. But the word, Meſsias, or Christ, or Annointed, is properly an Epitheton of the office, which being adjoyned to the former, doth more ſignificantly declare the proper and certaine office of the Mediatour: For it expreſſeth metonymically the three parts thereof, namely, to be a Prophet, a Priest, and a King. For theſe three were wont to be annointed, and ſo to be deſigned to theſe functions. Object. But it may be that Chriſt was annointed but to one of theſe functions only. Anſ. Hee is called in the Scripture a Prophet, a King, and a Prieſt: And further, Chriſt was ſignified by annointed perſons, whereof thoſe three ſorts were in the Old Teſtament. And hence it cometh to paſſe, that theſe two names, Jeſus Chriſt are often joyned. For it is not enough to beleeve, that there is a Saviour, and that he is exhibited; but wee muſt further alſo certainly be perſwaded, that this Jeſus, born of the Virgin Mary, is that Saviour and Chriſt, promiſed in the Old Teſtament. Furthermore, concerning the office of the Mediatour, as it is deſigned by his name Christ, which ſignifieth Annointed, foure things eſpecially offer themſelves to be conſidered:
1. What the Ʋnction or Annointing of Chriſt is, or in what ſenſe he is called Annointed.
2. What is Christs Propheticall function.
3. What his Prieſthood
4. What his Kingdome.
1. What Chriſts Ʋnction or Annointing is.
ANnointing in the Old Teſtament was a Ceremony, whereby, according to Gods ordinance, Prophets, Prieſts, and Kings were annointed, either with ſome ſpeciall, or common oyle: that it might ſtand for a teſtimony, to thoſe who were rightly annointed, that they were called of God to the adminiſtring of one of theſe functions, and that they ſhould be furniſhed from God with gifts neceſſary for the performing of that whereunto they were called. For annointing ſignified, 1. The calling and ordaining of any to the office either of a Prophet, or of a Prieſt, or of a King. 2. It ſignified the promiſe and beſtowing of gifts neceſſary thereto: For, to whom God committed any office, and whom he cauſed to be annointed, to theſe alſo he ſubminiſtred the gifts of the holy Ghoſt neceſſary for the diſcharging of it, as knowledge, wiſedome, ſtrength, fortitude, induſtry, authority, and ſuch others. 3. It ſignifieth the fragrantneſſe, or ſweet ſavour of the labours imployed in that vocation: that is, it was a teſtimony that the labours were gratefull and acceptable to God, and that hee would proſper ſuch labours, as the Annointed ſhould with a true faith, and cheerfully undergo in executing the function committed unto them of God. We are unto God the ſweet ſavour of Christ in them that are ſaved. 2 Cor. 2.15. … Cor. 15.5…. The analogie or proportion between the ſigne and the thing ſignified.Your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Further, the out ward annointing did, as a ſigne, repreſent the inward, that is, the gifts of the holy Ghoſt, as the things ſignified, by reaſon of a correſpondent Analogy and proportion. For, as oyle maketh the dry parts, being annointed therewith, lively, agill, and able or fit to do their duty, and beſides, to ſend forth a ſweet ſavour: So the holy Ghoſt furniſhing them with neceſſary gifts, which are ordained to a function, giveth them ſtrength and power, whereby they, being of themſelves unfit to doe any good, are made fit and able to work, and accompliſh things gratefull unto God: that is, the holy Ghoſt cauſeth them to diſpatch readily, and with dexterity, the parts of that duty which is injoyned them, and to doe things acceptable to God, and availeable for the preſervation of the Church.
Now, the anncinting of Jeſus Chriſt is, 1. The ordaining of the Son of God to the office of the chiefe Propher, Prieſt, and King of the Church. 2. The ſpeciall communicating of the gifts of the holy Ghoſt neceſſary for his office. 3. Gods approbation and proſpering of this office. The Lord would breake him, Eſay 53.10.and make him ſubject to infirmities: when he ſhall make his ſoule an offering for ſinne, be ſhall ſee his ſeed, and ſhall prolong his daies, and the will of the Lord ſhall proſper in hid hand: Hee ſhall ſee of the travell of his ſoule, and ſhall be ſatisfied: by his knowledge ſhall my righteous ſervant juſtifie many; for hee ſhall beare their iniquities: Therefore will I give him a portion with the great, and he ſhall divide the ſpoyle. Jeſus then, the Son of God and Mary,Two cauſes why Jeſus was alſo called Chriſt, that is, Annointed. is called Meſſias, or Chriſt, or Annointed: 1. Becauſe hee was appointed of his Father from everlasting, the Mediatour, that is, the chiefe Prophet, Prieſt, and King of the Church. This is confirmed by this reaſon: Hee that is to be a Prophet, a Prieſt, and a King, and is called Annointed, hee is in reſpect of thoſe three called Annointed. But the Mediatour, which was called Meſsias, or Annointed, was to be the chiefe Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church: Therefore hee is in reſpect of thoſe three, called Annointed, or Chriſt. Againe, the ſame is ſhewed by many places of Scripture.Joh. 7.28. & 6.38. I came not of my ſelfe, &c. I came down from heaven, not to doe mine own will, Heb. 5.5.but his will which hath ſent me. Chriſt took not to himſelfe this honour to be made the High Prieſt; but hee that ſaid unto him, Thou art my Son, this day begate I thee, &c. The Lord ſwore, Pſal. 11.4. Heb. 13.8. Rev. 13.8. 1 Cor. 1.30.thou art a Prieſt for ever, after the order of Melchiſedeck. Jeſus Chriſt yeſterday, and to day, the ſame is alſo for ever. The Lambe ſlain from the beginning of the world. Chriſt is made of God unto us, wiſedome, and righteouſnes, and ſanctification, and redemption. So he is often called the Angel of the covenant, ſent of old unto the Church. 2. He is called Annointed, in reſpect of the gifts of the holy Ghoſt, which were poured on him thick, abundantly, and moſt perfectly; that is, all the gifts and graces, whatſoever are in all the bleſſed Angels and Men, and thoſe in the moſt excellent and high degree, that he might be ſufficient for the reſtoring, ruling, preſerving of his Church, and for adminiſtring of the government of the whole world, and for the directing thereof to the ſafety and ſalvation of his Church. God giveth him not the ſpirit by meaſure. Wherefore God, John 3.34. Heb. 2.9. Eſay 61.1.thy God, hath annointed thee with the oyle of gladneſſe above thy fellowes. The Spirit of the Lord is upon mee: Therefore hath the Lord annointed mee. The annointing therefore is of the whole perſon, yet with this difference, That it is ſo applied to both natures, as it ſignifieth the ordaining of them to the Mediatourſhip. For he is Mediatour according to both natures, who was alwaies preſent with his Church,Chriſt is annointed in reſpect of his humanity, not of his Godhead: in reſpect whereof he is annointer even before the fleſh was born: But as his annointing deſigneth the communicating of the gifts of the holy Ghoſt, ſo his humane nature only is meant to be annointed. For his Godhead, becauſe it is alwaies in it ſelfe goodneſſe moſt perfect, and paſſing meaſure, is not annointed, but annointeth and filleth with gifts and graces both his owne humanity, which his Godhead doth perſonally inhabit, as alſo the Elect and choſen. Wherefore one and the ſame Chriſt, in reſpect of his divers natures, is both annointed and annointer, as raiſer, and raiſed. For the Father annointeth with the holy Ghoſt, but by the Lord: So that Irenaeus ſaith pretily,Lib. 3. cap. 20. That by the name of annointing was compriſed and underſtood the three perſons of the Godhead; The annointer, the Father: the annointed, the Son: and the annointing, which is the holy Ghoſt. Ob. But it is nowhere read, Chriſt annointed ſpiritually.that Chriſt was annointed. Anſ. Chriſt was not annointed typically, ceremonially, or ſacramentally: but really, and ſpiritually, that is, hee received the thing it ſelf, which was prefigured and ſignified by the ceremoniall annointing, which was the holy Ghoſt: as it is ſaid, Wherefore God, thy God, hath annointed thee with the oyle of gladneſſe above thy fellowes. Pſal. 45.8. Heb. 1.9. Eſay 61.1.The ſpirit of the Lord is upon me: Therefore hath the Lord annointed me. As therefore it was meet that Chriſt ſhould be a Prophet, a prieſt, and a King, not typicall, but the very ſignified and true, that is, the great and high Prophet, Prieſt and King: ſo it was neceſſary that he ſhould be annointed not with typicall oyle, but with the ſignified and true oyle, which was the holy Ghoſt: For ſuch as the office was, ſuch ſhould the annointing be. But the office was not typicall, but the very thing it ſelfe: Therefore ſuch alſo ſhold the annointing be.
Hence we learne and underſtand theſe two things: 1. That Chriſt hath his name not from the ceremoniall annointing, Chriſt hath his name, not from the ceremoniall annointing, but from the thing thereby ſignified.but from the thing it ſelfe, which was thereby ſignified: becauſe hee is that chiefe and high Prophet, Prieſt, and King, whom as types, the Prophets, Prieſts, and Kings of the Old Teſtament, which were wont to be annointed with externall oyle, did repreſent. The name therefore of the ſigne or type, that is, annointed, is transferred to the thing it ſelfe, even to the High Prieſt, Prophet, and King, Jeſus. 2. That there is a great difference betweene this Jeſus Annnointed, and the Annointed of the Old Testament. Three differences between Chriſt annointed, and the annointed of the Old Teſtament.For, 1. They were onelyonly certaine types, and ſhadowes of this only chiefe and true Chriſt, that is, of this King, Prophet, and Prieſt. Wherefore neceſſary was it, that they ſhould yeeld and give place to him being once exhibited. For the thing it ſelfe being come and exhibited, the types ceaſe. 2. The annointing, that is, the communicating of the gifts of the holy Ghoſt in the typicall Annointed, was imperfect and weake. But in Jeſus Chriſt it is perfect and exceeding great. For in him dwelleth the fulneſſe of the Godhead perſonally, ſo that hee is both the Annointed,Coloſ. 2.9. and Annointer. 3. Hee onelyonly hath received all the gifts of the holy Ghost, and thoſe many waies more excellent than they are found in all the Angels and Men: becauſe he had them in the higheſt, both number and degree. Of his fulneſſe have all we received. John 1.16. 1 Cor. 12.11. Epheſ. 4.7.But the Annointed of the Old Teſtament received neither all the gifts, neither in the higheſt degree, but divided, and according to the meaſure of the gift of Chriſt, ſome more, ſome fewer, and ſome greater gifts than ſome; much leſſe were they able by their own power and vertue to work the ſame in others. Object. God cannot be annointed. Christ is God: Therefore hee could not be annointed, no not with the prefigured or ſignified oyle. Anſw. In ſome reſpect wee grant this whole reaſon.Why God cannot be ſaid to be annointed. For Chriſt, as touching his Godhead, cannot be annointed with the gifts of the holy Ghoſt: 1. Becauſe not one jot of the gifts of the holy Ghoſt can be added to the Godhead, becauſe of the exceeding perfection thereof. 2. Becauſe the holy Ghoſt by whom the annointing is immediately administred, is the proper ſpirit of Chriſt, no leſſe proceeding from him, than from the Father: Wherefore he, as he is God, hath not any thing from the holy Ghoſt, neither doth he receive him, which is already his owne, from any other, but giveth him unto others, whom it pleaſeth him. As alſo no man can give thee thy ſpirit which is in thee, becauſe that which thou already haſt, cannot be given unto thee. Repl. According to which nature Chriſt is annointed, according to the ſame hee is a Mediatour, that is, the Prophet, Prieſt, and King of the Church. But according to his humane nature onelyonly hee is annointed: Therefore according to that onelyonly hee is Mediatour. The Minor is thus proved: To be annointed, is to receive the gifts of the holy Ghoſt: But according to his humane nature only he received theſe gifts: Therefore according to that only hee is annointed. Anſw. The Major of the former reaſon is made of a bad and faulty Definition; becauſe the Definition is of too ſtraight and narrow a Compaſſe: For, to be annointed, is not only to receive the gifts: In what ſenſe Chriſt may be ſaid to be annointed according to his Godhead.but alſo to be deſigned to ſome certaine office. In the former ſenſe Chriſt is annointed according to his humanity only: in the later, according to both natures, Or we may anſwer, that the whole reaſon is faulty, becauſe of an ambiguity in the word Annointing. For in the Major, it is taken either for the whole annointing, or for that part, which is an ordaining to an office: but in the Minor it is taken for the other part only, which is the participation of the gifts of the holy Ghost. Now then, according to which nature Chriſt is not annointed (that is, neither ſeverally by a deſignement to an office; neither by both a deſignement to an office, and a receiving of the gifts of the holy Ghoſt:) according to that nature, he is not Mediatour. Chriſt according to his Godhead is not annointed, both with a deſignment to an office, and a receiving of gifts: yet is he, according to his Godhead, annointed by an ordaining or deſignment to an office: Therefore he is a Mediatour alſo according to his Godhead.
Chriſt Mediatour according to both natures.Chriſt therefore is a Mediatour, that is, the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church, in reſpect of both natures: For unto the office of a Mediatour doe more actions concurre, whereof ſome he executeth by his Godhead, ſome by his Fleſh; yet ſo, that they are done and performed together, the properties of both natures being as it were communicated. Wherefore, that wee erre not here, nor conceive amiſſe,Two rules to be obſerved. theſe two rules are to be obſerved: 1. The properties of the one nature in the Mediatour, are attributed to the other in the concrete, that is, to the perſon; yet ſtill in reſpect of that nature whoſe properties they are: As, God is angry, God ſuffereth, God dieth, to wit, according to his humanity. Againe, The man Christ is omnipotent, everlasting, every-where preſent, namely, as concerning his Deity. This is called the communicating of the properties, and is a certaine kind of Synecdoche. 2. The names of the Mediatourſhip are attributed to the whole perſon in reſpect of both natures, yet reſerving ſtill the properties of each nature, and the differences of actions: For, to the performing of the Mediatourſhip, the properties, or faculties and operations, both of the divine and of the humane nature are required: ſo that each performeth his proper function with communion of the other.
2. What is Chriſts Propheticall function.
HAving examined in the former queſtion what Chriſts Annointing may import and ſignifie, it remaineth that wee proſecute in briefe his three-fold office, or the three parts of the office of the Mediatourſhip, whereunto Chriſt is annointed. Where were are to obſerve the Definitions of a Prophet, Prieſt, and King: which are deduced out of the ſeverall functions which each of theſe executed from all antiquity. The word Prophet, cometh from the Greeke word foreign,The ſignification of the name, Prophet. which ſigni…ieth to publiſh abroad things either preſent, or to come. A Prophet in generall is, A perſon called of God, who publiſheth and expoundeth unto men the will of God, concerning things either preſent, or to come; which, without ſome revelation from God, remaine unknowne to us: as being ſuch, to the knowledge whereof men were not able by themſelves to come. A Prophet is either a Minister, Two kindes of Prophets. Two kindes of miniſteriall Prophets. What the Prophets of the Old Teſtament were.or the head and chiefe of the Prophets, which is Chriſt. Of miniſteriall Prophets, ſome are of the Old, ſome of the New Teſtament. Of the New Teſtament, ſome are ſpecially ſo called, ſome only in generall. The Prophets of the Old Teſtament were perſons immediately called and inſtructed of God himſelfe, either by inſtinct, or by dreames, or by divine viſions, or by ſpeeches had by God with them, that they ſhould declare to men, to whom they were ſent, the true doctrine concerning God and his Worſhip, and cleanſe and cleare it from errours and corruptions; that they ſhould recount and illuſtrate the promiſe of the Meſsias to come, and his kingdome and benefits, or remiſsion of ſinnes, and eternall life, by and for him to be given to all Beleevers; that they ſhould fore-tell future events, good and bad, and rewards and puniſhments; that they ſhould guide, and adminiſter, and order many counſels and offices, publicke or civill, having divine and certaine testimonies to warrant them, that they could not erre in ſuch doctrine, precepts, and counſels, as they propounded in the Name of God. Thoſe teſtimonies were eſpecially theſe: 1. The continuall conſent of the Prophets in Iſrael, of Moſes and the Patriarkes, both one with another,Foure teſtimonies of t…e truth of the doctrine delivered by the Prophets of the Old Teſtament. and with thoſe firſt divine revelations, which were given at the Creation in Paradiſe. 2. Miracles certainly coming from God. 3. The events of things exactly anſwering to the ſacred Oracles, and Predictions of the Prophets. 4. The teſtimony of the holy Ghoſt, throughly perſwading and convincing mens mindes concerning the truth of Propheticall doctrine. Such Prophets were Adam, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob, Joſeph, and others, and afterwards Moſes, and they who ſucceeded him among the people of Iſrael. A Prophet of the New Teſtament ſpecially ſo called is a perſon immediately called of God, What a Prophet of the New Teſtament is. Acts 11.28 & …1.11. Acts 21.4. 1 Cor. 14 4, 5, 29.who, by divine instinct, and through ſpeciall revelation of the holy Ghoſt, doth certainly fore-ſee and fore-ſhew things to come: As were the Apoſtles, and Agabus, and the Diſciples, telling Paul through the ſpirit, that he ſhould not goe up to Jeruſalem, &c. A Prophet of the New Testament, l…g n…rall, is c…lled a…y, whoſoever hath the gift of underſtanding, expounding and applying the prophecies and writings of the Prophets, who are properly ſo called, to the preſent uſe of …h… …hurch. So is this word uſed, 1 Corinth. This function and gift of prophecying, that is, of expounding and applying the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apoſtles to the uſe of the Church, is at all times neceſſary: That other of fore-telling things to come, not ſo: and therefore it is but temporary, and for a time.
Chriſt a prophet from the beginning of the Church … all c…tyThe great and chiefe Prophet, which is Chriſt, is a perſon immediately ordained of God, even from the beginning and cradle of the Church in Paradiſe to all eternity, ſent of the Father to declare the will of God towards mankinde, to inſtitute and appoint a miniſtery▪ to teach by the Word and Sacraments, the holy Ghoſt working together with him and laſtly in the fl…h to preach the Goſpel, and to make knowne in his fleſh by his doctrine and workes, that he is the Some, conſubſtantiall, and of the ſame ſubſtance with the Father, and auth… of the Evangelike doctrine, giving by it the holy Ghost, and kindling faith in the hearts of men ſending Apoſtles, and gathering unto himſelfe a Church …t of mank…de, of which he may be heard, invocated and worſhipped: Wherefore the Pro… call function of Chriſt is,There pa… C…ſt, … 1. To open and declare unto Angels and men, God and his …, which could not be knowne but by the Son, and by ſpeciall revelar… …. The …m, which is in the boſome of the Father, hee hath declared him. The things th… ▪ have heard of the Father, M… … 5 … 1…. & 6 10.thoſe ſpeake I to the world: Likewiſe to refine and pu… the Law, and worſhip of God from corruptions. 2. To inſtitute or ordaine, and to maintain the miniſtry of the Goſpel, to raiſe up and to ſend Prophets, Apoſtles, and other miniſters of the Church, to beſtow on them the gift of proph…cie, and to furniſh them with gifts neceſſary to their miniſtery He (that is,… 11. Chriſt) hath given ſome Apoſtles▪ ſome Prophets, and ſome Doctors, &c. Therefore ſaid the …ſ…ome of God I will ſend them Prophets and Apostles, &c. I will give you a mouch …a wiſedome, where againſt all your adverſ…ries ſhall not be able to ſpeake, nor reſist. So the ſpirit of Chriſt is ſaid to have ſpoken by the Prophets. 3. To be through his miniſtery effectuall in the hearts of the heaters; that is, to teach us within our hearts by his ſpirit, to lighten our mindes, to move our hearts to beleeve and obey the Goſpel. Hee ſhall baptiſe you with the holy Ghoſt, and with fire. Then opened hee their underſtanding, Mat. 3 11. … 24.4…. 2 phe… 5 …0. …ke 10.9. … ….14. & 2….5.that they might underſtand the Scriptures. Chriſt gave himſelfe for the Church, that he might ſanctifie it, and cleanſe it by the waſhing of water through the word. They went forth and preached every where, and the Lord wrought with them, and confirmed the word with ſignes that followed The Lord opened the heart of Lydia, that thee attended unto the things which Paul ſpake. The Lord gave teſtimony unto the word of his grace. Briefly, the parts of Chriſts propheticall office are theſe three: 1. To reveale his Fathers will. 2. To ordaine a Miniſtery. 3. To teach the hearts of men, or to be effectuall by his miniſtery. And theſe three things Chriſt doth and did performe even from the beginning of the Church, and will performe to the end of the world, and that by his owne authority, power, and efficacy: and therefore Chriſt is called the Word, Why Chriſt is called …not onelyonly in reſpect of the Father, of whom in cogitation beholding himſelfe, and conſidering the image of himſelfe not vaniſhing, but ſub…ſting, conſubſtantiall, co-equall, co-eternall to the Father himſelfe, hee was begotten: but alſo in reſpect of us, becauſe hee is that perſon, which ſpake to the Fathers, and brought forth the living and quickning word or Goſpel out of the boſome of the Father.
Seven differences between Chriſt & other Prophets.By theſe things which have been now ſpoken, is alſo underſtood, what difference there is between Chriſt, and other Prophets both of the Old and New Teſtament: and why he is the chief Prophet and Doctor. The difference and eminence conſiſteth in his nature and office. Chriſt …Chriſt is the very Son of God, and God and Lord of all, and doth immediatly utter the word of the Father, and is the Embaſſadour and Mediatour ſent of the Father. Other Prophets are only men, and his ſervants, called, and ſent by him. Chriſt authour of the doctrine: they preachers only of it. John 1.16.Chriſt is authour and revealer of the doctrine; and therefore the prince of all Prophets: Others are ſignifiers of that which they have received from Chriſt: For whatſoever knowledge and propheticall ſpirit is in them, all that they have from Chriſt revealing and giving it to them: Therefore is the ſpirit of Christ ſaid to have ſpoken in the Prophets; neither hath hee opened onelyonly to the Prophets the doctrine which he teacheth, but alſo to all the godly.John 1.18. Of his fulneſſe have we all received, that is, all the Elect, even from the beginning of the world unto the end. No man hath ſeen God at any time: the onelyonly begotten Son, which is in the boſome of the Father, he hath declared him. Chriſts gifts infinite: theirs finite.His propheticall wiſdome is infinite, and perfect, and therefore in all gifts he excelleth others, even according to his humanity. Chriſt giveth gifts and receiveth not, they receive and give not. John 10.14.This Prophet Chriſt appointeth the miniſtery, ſendeth and ordaineth Prophets and Apoſtles, he giveth the holy Ghoſt, and gifts neceſſary for the Prophets, Apoſtles, and all Miniſters of the word, to the performing of their duty. He ſhall receive of mine, and ſhall ſhew it unto you. He ſhall lead you into all truth. Chriſt principally moveth mens hearts: they inſtrumentally.Chriſt himſelf is not only the authour of the doctrine, and erecter and maintainer of the external miniſtery, but alſo, by his own and other Prophets voice and outward miniſtery, hee preacheth effectually to men inwardly through the vertue and working of the holy Ghoſt. Others are only the inſtruments of Chriſt, and that arbitrary, and at his diſpoſition and direction. Chriſts doctrine full and cleere: theirs dark & defective.The doctrine of Chriſt, which being made man, he uttered by his own and by his Apoſtles mouthes, is much more cleere and full, than the doctrine of Moſes, and the Prophets of the Old Teſtament. Chriſt is authoriſed by himſelfe: they by Chriſt.Chriſt therefore hath authority of himſelf; others from him: if Chriſt ſpeake we must beleeve him of him ſelfe: others, becauſe Chriſt ſpeaketh in them. Theſe things are expreſly proved by theſe places of holy Writ: At ſundry times, and in divers manners God ſpake in the old time so our Fathers by the Prophets: in theſe laſt dayes he hath ſpoken unto us by his Son. Heb 1.1. & 3.3. John 10.14. Mat. 17.3. Luke 10.16.This man is counted worthy of more glory than Moſes; inaſmuch as hee that buildeth the houſe, hath more honour than the houſe. The ſpirit of truth, which I will ſend you, ſhall receive of mine, and ſhall ſhew it unto you. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed, heare him. He that heareth you heareth me: and he that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me: and he that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me.
3. What Chriſts Prieſt-hood is.
A Prieſt, in generall, is a perſon ordained by God to offer for himſelfe and others, oblations and ſacrifices: to pray for others, and to inſtruct. A Prieſt in generall.Under prayer is comprehended bleſſing, which is to wiſh them good from God. There is one Prieſt which is ſignifying or typicall, another ſignified. Atypicall Prieſt.The typicall Prieſt was a perſon appointed by God, 1. To offer typicall ſacrifices. 2. To make interceſsion for himſelfe and others. 3. To declare to the people the doctrine of the Law, and the promiſe of the Meſsias, and true ſacrifice which was to come. Such were all the Prieſts of the Old Teſtament; of whom one was the High-Priest the reſt inferiour Prieſts▪ and theſe three properties which we have reckoned, were common to the High-Prieſt with the other inferiour Prieſts. But ſome things the High-Prieſt had proper and peculiar to himſelfe: 1. That he alone entered into the Tabernacle, called the Holiest of all, The High-Prieſts prerogatives under the Law.or Sanctuary, and that but once every yeere, not without blond, which he offered for himſelf and the people, burning incenſe there, and making interceſsion for the people. 2. That his raiment was more gorgeous. 3, That he was ſet over the reſt. 4. That he onelyonly was conſulted of queſtions or matters doubtfull, weighty, and obſcure, whether appertaining to Religion, or to the Common wealth, and did returne the anſwers of God for the Princes and the people. 5. And therefore did govern and order ſome counſels and offices of the State and Kingdom, and did ſee that all things were lawfully adminiſtred. The inferiours were all the other Prieſts of the Old Teſtament: whoſe office it was, To ſacrifice, to pray, to teach the doctrine of the Law, and the promiſe of the Meſsias to come, and to make interceſsion for themſelves and others: Wherefore, though the Leviticall Prieſts were a type of Chriſt; yet the moſt notable type was the High-Prieſt, for that he in moe things repreſented Chriſt out very true, celeſtiall, and perpetuall High-Prieſt. Obj. 1. But it was the Prophets office to teach: Therefore the Priests differed nothing from the Prophets. Anſ. Both of them both the Prophets and the Prieſts, did teach the people: and it might ſo fall out alſo, that the ſame was both a Prieſt and a Prophet; as it is read of Jeremy. But this was not perpetuall,Three differences between the prieſts and Prophets in the Old Teſtament. but accidentall: Becauſe, 1. The Prieſts were ordained mediatly by men out of one certain Tribe, namely, the Leviticall; but God immediately, and by himſelf raiſed up Prophets out of any Tribe. 2. There is a great difference found betwixt them, as touching their function of teaching. For the Prophets were raiſed extraordinarily and immediately by God himſelfe, and ſo received from him the doctrine which they were to declare unto men. 3. They were ſo guided by the ſpeciall motion of the holy Ghoſt, that they could not erre in that doctrine, which they uttered unto men in the name of God. But the Prieſts, as Prieſts, 1. Were ordinary Miniſters of the old Church. 2. Were appointed by men. 3. Were tied to the doctrine of Moſes & the Prophets, which they learned, not from God immediatly, but mediatly by men. 4. They might erre in doctrine & counſell, and did erre often, when they departed from the law, and were reprehended of the Prophets. Wherefore, as touching their function of teaching, the Prophets differed from the Prieſts of the Old Teſtament, after the ſame ſort, as in the New Teſtament, the Apoſtles from other Miniſters and Teachers of the Church.
The ſignified, and true, and only High Prieſt is the Son of God, immediately ordained by …od the Father himſelfe,Chriſt the true and prefigured High-Prieſt. and annointed by the holy Ghoſt, to reveale unto us the ſecret will of God, and his counſell towards us, and by aſſuming humane nature, offer himſelf a ſacrifice propitiatory for the ſins of all mankinde: to obtain for us, by his interceſſion unto the Father, remiſſion of ſins and eternall life: and laſtly, to apply effectually his ſacrifice unto us, both by imputing it, and alſo by illightening and moving the Elect, by his Word and Spirit, to receive it with a true faith; having this teſtimony, that hee is certainly heard of his heavenly Father, for all thoſe for whom he maketh interceſsion: and withall, having power to collect and gather his Church. Wherefore, there are foure principall parts of Chriſts Prieſthood. 1. To teach men both outwardl., ſpeaking to their eares by his voice, and the voice of his Miniſters; and inwardly, ſpeaking to their hearts by the efficacy of his Spirit. 2. To offer himſelfe a ſacrifice and ranſome, full, ſufficient, and acceptable unto God for the ſinnes of the world. Chriſts interceſſion.3. To make continuall interceſsion for us unto the Father. For this interceſsion is proper unto the Son not onelyonly becauſe himſelfe, living on earth, in the time of his fleſh, was made a ſuppliant and a ſacrifice for us unto his Father; but alſo becauſe hee earneſtly and deſirouſly will, according to both natures, that the Father, for his ſacrifice once accompliſhed on the Croſſe, remit unto us our ſins, and reſtore unto us righteouſneſſe and life: and the Father, looking upon the ſacrifice and will of his onelyonly beloved Sonne, receiveth all Beleevers into his grace and favour: Wherefore the Sonne, in reſpect both of his merit, and will to ſave us, and of his Fathers continuall beholding and looking thereon, hath from everlaſting made interceſſion, and alſo doth now and for ever in heaven, appearing before his Father, make interceſſion for all the Elect and Choſen. To pray for the people, is a thing common to all Prieſts: but, To make interceſsion both in heaven and earth unto the Father for us, that our ſinnes may be pardoned us, is onelyonly belonging to this high and onelyonly Prieſt.Chriſts applying of his merit unto us. 4. To apply his ſacrifice unto all thoſe, for whom hee prayeth. And he applyeth it: 1. When he procureth, by prayer, the Father to impute it unto us, that is, to receive us for it into favour, and for it to love us. 2. When himſelf alſo, for the ſame ſacrifice ſake, John 17.19.doth receive us into favour. Father, for their ſakes ſanctifie I my ſelfe. 3. When he indueth us with true faith, whereby we alſo may apply his ſatisfaction unto our ſelves, that is, may be aſſured, and think that it is our righteouſneſſe, whereby we may ſtand in the preſence of the Lord.
Foure differences between Chriſt & other Prieſts.Hereby alſo it is cleare, in what other Prieſts differ from Chriſt. 1. Theſe teach onelyonly by their outward voice, and not by the inward working alſo of the holy Ghoſt. 2. They do not make continuall interceſsion, neither do they alwaies obtaine what they aske. 3. Theſe apply their benefits unto no man. 4. They offer not themſelves a ſacrifice for the ſins of others. For all theſe things can be and are performed by Chriſt alone.
4. What is Chriſts kingdome.
A King in generall.A King is a perſon ordained by God, to governe in a people, and beare rule alone, according to honeſt lawes, and to have power to reward the good, and puniſh the bad, and to defend his ſubjects against their enemies, having no ſuperiour Governour above him. The King of Kings, Chriſt, is a perſon immediately ordained of God, to gather and rule by his word and Spirit his Church, purchaſed by his bloud; and to defend her, Chriſt a King of Kings,being ſubject unto him, and ſerving him, againſt all her enemies both corporall and ſpirituall, and to reward her with eternall rewards but to caſt her enemies into everlaſting paines and torments. His name is called the word of God.Rev. 19.12, 16. Chriſts kingdom. And hee hath upon his garment and upon his thigh a name written, The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Wherefore Chriſts royall office is, 1. To rule by his word and Spirit his Church, gathered out of all Nations, from the beginning of the world. For, that it may goe well with us under this King, it is not enough, if he outwardly teach us, what he would have us, his ſubjects to performe; unleſſe alſo by his Spirit he move our hearts and cauſe us to be obedient to his commandement. 2. To defend and preſerve this his Church in this life, againſt all both inward and outward, domesticall and forraine foes: which alſo hee doth performe, while not only by his powerfull hand he is ever preſent with us, but furniſheth us alſo with thoſe weapons, wherewith our ſelves alſo may conſtantly and happily …nter the combat, againſt our moſt mighty foes, and utterly vanquiſh and diſcomfit them. This ſacred harneſſe and warlike furniture is deſcribed Eph. 6.13. 3. To make his Church partaker of the bleſſings of his kingdome, and to adorne her, raiſed up from the dead, with everlaſting glory and bliſſe. 4. To overcome and rule his enemies by his might and power, and at length to thruſt them down, being fully overcome and conquered, into eternall torments.
We are in this place to obſerve the difference of the Propheticall, Prieſtly, and Royall office, both of them who were in the old teſtament, and of Chriſt, and of our ſelves. In the old reſtament, they were types, or typicall Prophets, Prieſts, and Kings. Chriſt is indeed the true Prophet, King, and Priest, which they prefigured: wee are Prophets, Kings, and Prieſts, by participation, as having Chriſts dignities communicated unto us. Now then, let us ſee what is our Propheticall, Prieſtly, and Royall office.