Christ All and in All, Sermon 19
1 PET. 2. 6.
Chriſt the chief corner ſtone, elect, and XX. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth. …ond. Jan. 16. 1652.precious.
I Proceed to the properties of this Corner-ſtone, Firſt, it is an Elect ſtone. Secondly, 'tis a precious ſtone.
For the firſt, Elect. This word hath a double ſignification. It ſignifies choice, excellent. And it ſignifies elected, or choſen. Gerhard thinks foreign, in this place is uſed not participially for elect or choſen, but nominally for excellent and precious. But I rather conceive that it is here uſed participially, for elected or choſen. This ſignification have our Tranſlators given it. I am induced to think it is ſo uſed here for two reaſons.
1 Otherwiſe this and the next word foreign, would ſignifie one and the ſame thing. And it's not probable that the holy Ghoſt in ſuch ſhort ſpeeches ſhould uſe two words to ſignifie the ſame thing.
2. Becauſe ver. 4. of this Chapter, where the ſame words are uſed, this word ſignifies not choice, but elected o… ch…n, for ſo it's ſaid foreign. Now this Text is but a recapitulation of what is there ſaid. It refers to the act of God in chuſing Chriſt for the corner ſtone of the Church. The point is this.
Doct. That Ieſus Chriſt is choſen by God for the corner ſtone or foundation of the Church. God the Father hath elected him for this ſervice.
Here are two things to be opened.
1. What this election hath reference to.
2. Why Chriſt was thus elected.
1. For the former. This election referres to foure of acts God concerning Chriſt.
1. To his eternal deſignation of Chriſt to this work. The everlaſting determination of God was, that Chriſt ſhould perform this office in and for his Church. Of this our Apoſtle ſpeaks, in 1 Pet. 1. 20. foreign.
2. To his publick miſſion. As he was foreordeined before all time, ſo he was publickly ſent in the fulneſſe of time, Gal. 4. 4, 5. The Scripture often mentions the miſſion of Chriſt, Eſay 61. 1. he hath ſent me, &c.
3. To the divine unction. God hath anointed the humane nature, filled it with all grace and with abundance of grace for this work. The Prophet ſpeaks of this unction, Eſay 61. 1. and more fully, Eſay 11. 2, 3, 4. This is that which our Saviour calls, Gods ſealing of him, John 6. 27. This ſealing refers to two things.
Firſt, the ſolemne appointment of God. God hath authorized him publickly under his broad ſeale for this work.
Secondly, God hath furniſhed him for the work, by communicating to him the fulneſſe, the unmeaſurable fulneſſe of his Spirit. For the Spirit is not given to him by meaſure, John 3. 34.
4. To the publick teſtimony given by God to Chriſt. God hath given very ſolemn Teſtimony and approbation to Chriſt.
(1) By audible voices from heaven, once at his baptiſme, Matth. 3. 17. A ſecond time at his tranfiguration, Mat. 17. 5.
(2) By ſerious recommendation of him in the Goſpel to men, that they ſhould rely upon him. The Evangeliſt makes mention of this 1 Iohn 5. 10, 11.
2. For the latter. The great moving cauſe is, his meer mercy to his Elect. No other was able, Chriſt was ſufficient to diſcharge this great work. Out of his rich love did God chuſe him, upon this hinge all turns, Iohn 3. 16.
But if the reaſons be demanded why Chriſt ſhould have ſuch ſolemne election, &c. Theſe may be conſidered.
1. The offices which Chriſt undertook, did call for this divine Election; he was to be Prophet, Prieſt, King, fit therefore it was that he ſhould be thus ſolemnly ſet out. Prophets muſt be ſent, elſe they are none of Gods, Ier. 23. 21. Chriſt was a Prophet, therfore he would have a formal Authorization from him whoſe Prophet he was, Deut. 18. 18. Chriſt was a King Pſalme 2. 6. Therefore fit he ſhould be ſufficiently authorized, hence is that, Pſalme 110. 1. Chriſt was a Prieſt, therefore he muſt be lawfully conſecrated, Heb. 5. 4, 5, 6. no man taketh this honour, &c.
2. Elſe that which Chriſt did would not have been accepted of God, nor would it have been meritorious for his Church. It would have been ſacriledge for Chriſt to have made himſelfe a corner ſtone, if God had not choſen him for the work. This is my well beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleaſed, Matth. 3. 17. God would not have been well pleaſed with Chriſt, if he had not elected him for the work he undertook. And then
3. For the comforting of Chriſt, in undergoing that which he was to ſuffer for the carrying on of this work. He muſt endure the wrath of God, the contradiction of ſinners, before he could be the corner ſtone. Divine appointment comforts a man in the hardeſt ſorrows, Gen. 31. 9. Thou ſaidſt, return to thy country. The conſideration of this, ſtrengthned and comforted Chriſt in all he ſuffered, John 18. 11.
The Uſes of this.
1. The Father and holy Ghoſt have a hand in the work of mans ſalvation, as well as Chriſt, we ſcarce take notice of the Father in the work of redemption, as if he only did look on and approve what Chriſt did, he acts in it as well as Chriſt; he choſe Chriſt, he ſent out Chriſt, he fitted Chriſt for this great work. Though the ſecond perſon was he that was incarnate, yet both the firſt and third perſon concurre and contribute to the work. The divine election is the firſt wheele that moves in this work.
2. That the work of our ſalvation by Chriſt, is not a raſh work. 'Tis not a work of inconſideration, or precipitancy, but a ſerious work. There was much deliberation, and conſultation about it. Here is mention of electing Chriſt. It's a work of infinite and unſearchable wiſdom. The myſtery of godlineſſe the Apoſtle calls it, 1 Tim. 3. 16. The manifold wiſdom of God, Epheſ. 3. 10. here is depth of wiſdome in this work.
3. That the Elects ſalvation by Chriſt is a work well pleaſing to God. It's called the pleaſure of the Lord, Eſay 53. 10. It is a great contentment to God to ſee it carried on; it cannot be otherwiſe, when he himſelf hath elected Chriſt to it. That which a man chuſeth and contrives, he is pleaſed when it is carried on. God that hath choſen Chriſt for the foundation, will carry on the work in his hand.
4. Why Chriſt is called Gods Elect and Gods Servant, Eſay 42. 1, 2. not as if he were inferior to God in regard of his divine nature, Zech. 13. 13. Phil. 2. 6. but becauſe he is choſen of God to be the foundation; He is choſen to be the head of the Election, all the Elect are choſen.
5. Let us with confidence caſt our ſelves on Chriſt. Can we chuſe better then God hath choſen? 'Tis an undervaluing, not onelyonly of Gods love, but of his wiſdom to chuſe another foundation. God will take it ill if we reject his choice. Adventure on him you may. Believe and truſt in him without doubting. He that hath elected Chriſt, will not reject thoſe that accept and relie on Chriſt. The Election of God will mightily aggravate the refuſal of Chriſt. Encourage faith by this, He that beleeveth in him ſhall not be aſhamed.
6. Very great comfort to them that have built on Chriſt. God doth not chuſe mouldring ſtones, but firme ſtones. If God have any wiſdome to chuſe, Chriſt is ſufficient to beare all their weight. He hath laid help on one that is mighty, Pſalme 89. 19. Let what blaſts will come, this Elect ſtone will hold.