Gospel Truth Stated and Vindicated, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII. Of the Exalting of Christs
I Do observe, that the Pretence for these Opinions, is, That they exalt Christ, and Free Grace. Under this shadow Antinomianism set up in Germany. This was the great Cry in England above fifty years since. The Synod of New-England expose this as one of the Speeches of them whom they call Autinomian: Here is a great stir about Graces, and looking to Hearts; but give me Christ: I seek not for Graces, but for Christ: I seek not for Promises, but for Christ: I seek not for Sanctification, but for Christ: Tell not me of Mediation and Duties, but tell me of Christ. P. 19. Dr. Crisp very often bears upon this Point, as if all he said were to advance Christ and Grace: I shall therefore enquire, Whether the Opinions of Dr. Crisp, or the Truths I have stated, do most exalt Christ and Free Grace.
It were enough to say, That I have proved his Opinions to be Errours; and what I have laid down, to be Truths: Then Christ is more exalted by these Truths. He needs no Lyes to advance his Praise, and knew how to provide the best for his own Glory, by what he hath revealed. But for farther Evidence, I shall insert,
1. How Christ is said to be exalted, according to the Gospel. It is not what we fancy, will Exalt him; but what he declares conducive to his Praise, that he will accept for Glory: He that will not allow Men to worship him in a way they think most devout, but binds them to his own Rule, to exceed which, is Superstitious; will less venture his Glory to our ignorant Methods, whereby we are apt to diminish his real Glory, when we conceit he is exalted. It's an Honour becoming his Person and Offices, which is his Honour, and not what seems dazling to our blind Affections. His Divine Glory cannot be added to, but only declared: It's only the Glory of Christ, as Mediator, that I shall speak of. As to this, Christ is exalted, when every Knee bows to him, Phil. 1. 11. VVhen made a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance, and remission of sin, Act. 2. 23. VVhen his Kingdom is enlarged, Ifa. 49. 4, 5, 6. VVhen his People are filled with the fruits of Rightcousness, Phil. 1. 11. VVhen their Grace is perfected, 2 Thes. 1. 11, 12. VVhen they suffer and act vigorously for him, Phil. 1. 20. VVhen we own his Priestly and Kingly Office; relying on the first, as that whereby Satisfaction is made, and all the Blessings for Sinners purchased; yielding to the Kingly Office, as that whereby he applieth the Effects of his Merits, Zech. 6. 13. VVhen we submit to the VVord, as it brings every Thought into subjection … Christ, 2 Cor. 10. 5. Are guided by his Teachings, Eph. 2. 20. VVe are the Glory of Christ, when we labour in his VVork, and walk worthy of his Name, 2 Cor. 8. 23. He is all in all, when Jews and Gentiles put on the New Man, which is created after him in righteousness, and true holiness, &c. Col. 3. 11, 12. VVhen we live and die to him, as our Supreme Lord; and submit all our Actings to his Glory, as our End, Rom. 14 11, 12. These places express, that Christ is hereby Exalted; consult them, and thou wilt find it so.
2. The Truths I have stated, do tend to the Exaltation of Christ in this manner; and none can doubt but they lead to his Glory, as he is King. All that can be objected, is, Whether I do exalt him enough, as Priest? To which, I say, I have spoken as the Word directs; and I am willing to own any thing that lays Man low, and exalts Christ as the only Atonement, the only Purchaser of all our Blessings, the only Procurer of our Acceptance, the Author and Finisher of all Grace: Nothing can add to his Satisfaction or Fulness; Pardon, Peace, Life, all are the Effects of his sole Merits: We must do all in his Name, act in his Strength, daily live on him for all Supplies, and look to him for Acceptance; without whose Incense, the best Man, and the best Action, were an Abomination. What I contend for, is, his Government, so wisely contrived to apply his Blessings to Men in a state of Tryal.
3. The Opinions of Doctor Crisp, as opposed to these Truths, cannot exalt Christ; yea, by the above Description, every one of them cast a Reproach upon Christ. I'll ask thee, Is Christ exalted, when he is made the very Blasphemer, and loaded with the filth of Sin, and thereby odious to God till he sweat it out P. 51, &c. Is he exalted, in making Sin so Innocent to the Elect, when they commit it, that though they do the Fact, yet the filthy Form of it is not theirs, but Christ's; and therefore they are not defiled thereby, but are as holy as Christ, as lovely as Christ, even when they Murther? &c. Is Man debased, and Christ exalted, when there is a Change of Person between Christ and them; we as Righteous as Christ, and he as Loathsom as we; and we should not charge our selves with Sin, when the greatest Enormities are committed? Is Christ exalted as King, when all his Commands are made mere Counsels? He is a King, but hath neither Promises nor Threats annexed to his Laws: He hath no Right to Chastize for Sin: He offers Blessings on Terms, pleads earnestly, sends his Spirits and Ministers to strive; but all this while, his Spirit nor Word do nothing to save us; our Compliance with his Calls, yields no Benefit; our Rejection of them, puts no Hindrance; our grossest Villanies should not be bewailed, in order to Pardon; nor himself believed in to that end. Our Sins can do us no harm at all; nor is Holiness, though so oft urged by him, a jot of our way to Heaven? Is Christ exalted as a Head, that hath actual Members oft sixty years Slaves to the Devils, Enemies to himself, and Life, and People, without his Spirit, or a Line of his Image; and publick Curses? &c. Is he honoured as Mediator, that Men are invested in all his Covenant-Blessings, washed and adopted, before they so much as own that God to whom he is a Way, or renounce his Enemy the Devil, or confess their Sin, purpose any amendment, see their need of him, or desire to fear or love him; yea, do resolve the contrary? Is Christ exalted as a holy Redeemer, by being represented so intent on our mere Impunity, as to contrive so little for our Holiness; he repents and believes for us, and requires no such things from us as a Means of Benefits; the Holiness he here improves the best to, is but Dung and Filthiness; though he pretends to encourage, expostulate and reprove; yet indeed he governs his Elect as Brutes, neither Hope nor Fear must influence them; he hath no Rule to Judge them, but the Decree of Election; though he warns us so oft of the Solemnities of the Last Day. No Man must intend his own good, in any Duty he performs; though he speaks so much of his Reward, yet they have no respect at all to what we do, they will be as much ours for the greatest neglects. The Comforts of Assurance it self depends on no Signs of Renovation; but concluding in our selves upon an inward Voice, that our Sins are pardoned, and this, all that Faith which the Gospel speaks so much of. How many more might I instance which represent Christ inglorious, and reflect on the Truth, Wisdom, Holiness and Justice, of his nature? The Platform of his Government, the Divineness of his Purposes in Redemption, and the Substance and Scope of his Word and Gospel.