Christ All and in All, Sermon 22
1 PET. 2. 8.
A ſtone of ſtumbling, and a rock XXIII. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth. Lon. March 13. 1652.of offence.
THe Apoſtle having in the former Verſe declared what Chriſt is to beleevers; doth in this verſe proceed to ſhew what he is to unbeleevers; he is to them a corner-ſtone, ſanctified and appointed of God, to ſupport and bear them up againſt all ſhakings from within, and aſſaults from without; he is to theſe, through their diſobedience and incredulity, a ſtone of ſtumbling, and rock of offence, upon which they daſh themſelves to pieces without recovery. Here are two words uſed, but they denote one and the ſame thing, onelyonly they are doubled, to ſhew the certainty and reality of the thing threatned.
foreign do not much differ in this place. foreign may denote a ſingle ſtone, foreign a multitude of ſtones. And then for the other words,
foreign & foreign, Though they do ſomething differ in their Etymologies, yet as to the ſenſe and meaning in this place they do not differ, as is well obſerved by Eſtius and other learned men.
foreign is from foreign, to daſh againſt a thing, it ſignifieth a ſtone or any other impediment caſt in a mans way, againſt which he daſheth his foot, and ſo ſtumbleth or falleth. And then for the other word,
foreign, it comes from foreign to halt, and is uſed for any thing which is an occaſion of raine. Stephanus obſerves, that it is a word peculiar to Scripture, never uſed in any prophane Author. It ſignifies properly, as learned men obſerve the bridge in the trap, which by its falling down catches, the creature in the ſnare, and ſo ruines it; and from thence is uſed to denote any thing which is occaſion to others of ſtumbling or falling in the wayes of God.
Now, offence or ſcandal is twofold. It is either Scandalum Datum, or Acceptum. Activè, or Paſſivè. Offence given, or offence taken.
1. Offence given, or Active ſcandal, is, when the errour or fault is on his part, which layes the ſcandal. This is twofold, Scandalum, Contristationis, Or Lapſus.
Scandalum Contriſtationis. An offence or ſcandal of grief when any thing is done or ſaid which gives juſt occaſion of ſorrow unto our brethren. Of this the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Rom. 14. 21. and v. 15.
Scandalum lapſus. An offence or ſcandal of falling is, when any thing is ſpoken or done whereby an occaſion of ſinning is given to our brethren. Of this the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Cor. 8. 9, 10, 11. This is done either by evil counſel, Mat. 16. 23. Rom. 16. 18. Rev. 2. 14. By evil example, Eſay 9. 16. Mat. 15. 14. Or by abuſe of Chriſtian liberty, in the uſe of things indifferent, Rom. 14. and 1 Cor 8.
2. Offence taken, or paſſive ſcandal, is, when things or words which are both good and ſeaſonable, are by ſiniſter and perverſe malignity of minde made an occaſion of offence. Thus the doctrine of Chriſts crucifying was an offence and ſcandal to the Jewes, 1 Cor. 1. 23. It was fooliſhneſſe to the wiſe ſelf-conceited Greeks, and it was a ſtumbling block to the malignant Jews.
Now when the Apoſtle ſaith, Chriſt is a ſtone of ſtumbling and rock of offence. We are to underſtand it paſſively, not Actively. Chriſt Jeſus, nor any thing of Chriſt, is no juſt occaſion of offence to any; he lived and died without giving juſt offence to any. His counſel was good, his example was holy, his whole converſation was ſo ordered, that none could juſtly be offended at him. And yet through the wickedneſſe of their hearts, many did then, and do ſtill, to their own ruine, take offence at him. The Obſervation is this, viz.
Doct. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt is to wicked men a ſtone of ſtumbling and a rock of offence. Though Chriſt be in himſelf a precious corner-ſtone of Gods own appointment and chuſing, yet do wicked men make him to be unto themſelves a ſtone of ſtumbling, and a rock of offence. It's very common and ordinary for wicked men to be offended, and to ſtumble at Jeſus Chriſt. Many places of Scripture do make mention of the offence which the wicked ſhould take at Chriſt. See Eſay 8. 14, 15. Though theſe words be not ſpoken directly, yet they are ſpoken typically of Chriſt. Adumbratus fuit Chriſtus, qui non inſtar arcis, ſed offendiculi potius Iſraelitis futurus erat, ſaith Calvin upon the place. Though Chriſt be in himſelf a Sanctuary, and be ſo to the elect, yet to the ungodly and carnal, he is both a ſtone of ſtumbling, and a rock of offence. As, many are gathered and ſaved by him, ſo ſhall many be broken, and ſnared, and taken becauſe of him. To this agrees that old prophecy of Simeon concerning Chriſt, Luke 2. 34. Behold, ſaith he, this childe is ſet for the fall and riſing againe of many in Iſrael, and for a ſigne which ſhall be ſpoken againſt. And as it was foretold of him, ſo we read in the Goſpel, that it was fulfilled concerning him; many were cauſleſly offended at him. In the handling of this point, I ſhall open theſe two things.
1. What it is in Chriſt at which men ſtumble and take offence.
2. Whence it is that they do take offence.
We ſhall ſhew firſt the matter of the offence. Secondly, the occaſion of this cauſleſſe offence.
1. For the firſt. There are many occaſions of offence which men take at Chriſt, I reduce all to theſe three heads.
Firſt, ſome ſtumble and take offence at his p…rſon. I mean the meanneſſe of his perſon. This was the great ſtumbling block of the Jewes. They looked for a Meſſiah of noble birth and Parentage, that ſhould ſway the Scepter of David with much outward pomp and glory. They expected that all thoſe propheſies, which ſpeak of the glory of Chriſts perſon, ſhould have been literally fulfilled, therefore they took offence at him. His birth was mean, his parentage low and ordinary, his attendance ſmall, his education and breeding contemptible, this made them ſtumble. The Prophet foretels this of the Jews, Eſay 53. init. he ſhall grow up before him as a tender plant, &c. There is no forme nor comelineſſe in him that we ſhould deſire him. They looked for outward ſplendor, and becauſe they did not finde it, they were offended. The Evangeliſt ſpeaks fully of this, Mat. 13. 54, 55, 56, 57. Is not this, ſay they, the Carpenters ſon, &c? They did not conſider that the Son of man came not to be miniſtred unto, but to Miniſter, that he came to be a ſervant, that he was made under the law, and therefore were ſcandalized at his meanneſſe. We may adde to this his ſhameful and ignominious death which he ſuffered, this was a great offence to the Jews. They do to this day upbraid Chriſtians with that curſe, Jer. 17. 5. Curſed is the man that truſteth in man, and maketh fleſh his arme. Chriſt crucified is to this day a ſtumbling block to the Jewes.
Secondly, ſome ſtumble at his Doctrine. The Doctrine which Chriſt preached, and which by his appointment, is publiſhed, is very glorious, yet it is an occaſion of offence to the world. The Arians are offended at the Doctrine of his Divine nature. The Manichees at the doctrine of his humanity. The Socinians are offended at the doctrine of his ſatisfaction. The Papiſts at his doctrine of juſtification by faith alone. The Pelagians and Arminians are offended at his doctrine, of nullifying the power of nature in things ſupernatural. The Antinomians ſtumble at his doctrine of the ratification of the moral law, &c. The Phariſees were offended at his doctrine againſt tradition, Mat. 15. 11, 12. But to come to particulars.
1. The ſtrictneſſe of his doctrine is a ſtumbling block to many. The doctrine of Jeſus Chriſt is very ſtrict, it condemnes not onelyonly actual ſinne, but the very ſinful riſings of corruption in the heart. He that looks upon a woman, ſaith our Saviour, to luſt after her, hath committed adultery with her in his heart, Mat. 5. 28. ſo v. 29. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and caſt it from thee, &c. Duri ſermones durioris Magistri, have ſome ſaid of theſe words. They are hard ſayings of a hard maſter. If we conſider the duties of the Goſpel, they are not onelyonly barely to be performed, but they are to be performed cordially, ſincerely, elſe they are not accepted. Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy ſoul, and with all thy minde, and with all thy ſtrength. Corrupt nature would have full ſwinge and liberty, the Doctrine of Chriſt will not allow it, therefore is offence taken at it.
2. The ſpirituality of his Doctrine offends others. The Doctrine of Jeſus Chriſt in the Goſpel is a very ſpiritual doctrine, John 6. 63. The words which I ſpeak to you, ſaith Chriſt, they are Spirit, and they are life. 'Tis the honour of Chriſts Doctrine, that it is not fleſhly, but ſpiritual, and they that are ſpiritual love it, becauſe of its ſpirituality. You may ſee the ſpiritualneſſe, and efficacy of the Word, Heb. 4. 12. it's quick, and powerful, and mighty in operation, ſharper then a two edged ſword, piercing even to the dividing aſunder of ſoul and ſpirit, &c. Now becauſe men are carnal, they are offended at a ſpiritual word. The Apoſtle calls it foreign, James 1. 21. A carnal heart doth not love the word ſhould be an engraffed word. They are contented it ſhould come into their eares, but they do not love it ſhould ſink into their hearts, therefore are they offended at it.
3. The myſticalneſſe of his Doctrine, is a ſtumbling ſtone to others. The Doctrine of Chriſt in his Goſpel is a doctrine very myſterious, 1 Tim. 3. 16. 'Tis in many things above reaſon. The Doctrine of the Trinity of perſons in the unity of eſſence, is above reaſon that God ſhould be one, and yet three. The Doctrine of the the two natures in the perſon of Chriſt. Theſe and many others are above reaſon. The doctrine of ſelf-denial. The doctrine of loſing a mans life to ſave it, the doctrine of regeneration, of the reſurrection of the body, theſe are very myſterious. And becauſe they are ſo, offence is taken at them, read John 6. 51, 52. how were the Jews offended, becauſe he had preached that, except men did eat his fleſh and blood, they had no life in them? They ſtrove among themſelves, ſaying, How can this man give us his fleſh to eat? nay, not onelyonly the Jewes, but many of the Diſciples alſo were offended at this doctrine, v. 60, 61. The myſticalneſſe and height of the Goſpel, and doctrines of it do offend now to this day.
4. The ſimplicity of his doctrine is an offence to others. The Doctrine of Chriſt in the Goſpel is laid down with great plainneſſe. Though the Goſpel be ſufficiently Rhetorical, yet it is written with much plainneſſe. The pen-men of Scripture did purpoſely avoid the entiſing words of mens wiſdome, leſt they ſhould corrupt the hearts of men from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt. 'Tis the excellency of the Goſpel, that it is ſet down in plainneſſe and ſimplicity. Painting is fitter for harlots then for chaſte women. Naked truth is beſt; if other dreſſes be put upon it, it is corrupted. The wiſe Greeks ſtumbled at this ſtumbling ſtone. They thought Tully and Demoſthenes were more eloquent then the Apoſtles and Prophets. The Apoſtle ſpeaks fully to this, 1 Cor. 1. 17, 18, 22, 23. Many are to this day offended at this very thing, they think there are not thoſe ſtrains of wit in the writings of the Apoſtles as are in other writings, when as the truth is, the higheſt eloquence, is the eloquence of God in the Scriptures.
5. The ſeverity of his Doctrine is a ſtumbling ſtone to others. The Law and Goſpel do both threaten damnation for diſobedience, and impenitence. The axe is laid to the root of the tree, ſaith John, Mat. 3. 10. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen down and caſt into the fire. He that beleeveth not is condemned already, Mark 16. 16. Many are greatly offended at this. They would have ſmooth things, but they love not this ſeverity. They do not conſider that as the Goſpel is ſevere againſt ſinne, ſo is it exceeding full of comfort to all penitent ſinners. And then,
6. The conſequences of his Dactrine is an offence to others. I ſhall onelyonly mention two things which do ordinarily follow the doctrine of the Goſpel, they are theſe.
Firſt, reproaches and perſecutions. Seldom do men receive the Doctrine of Chriſt in power, but the devil and his inſtruments raiſe perſecution leſſe or more againſt them. You may trace the Goſpel by the blood of thoſe that have profeſſed it. They gnaſhed upon Steven with their teeth, ſaith the ſtory, Acts 7. 52, 54. and at laſt ſtoned him with ſtones, that he died. Quid eſt predicare (ſaith Luther) niſi furorem populi in ſe derivare? To preach the Goſpel, is to draw the fury of the world upon a mans ſelf. And to profeſſe the Goſpel in ſincerity and zeal, is to make a mans ſelf a prey to the wicked. This offends many. Our Saviour foretels this. See two texts, Mat. 13. 21. and Matth. 24. 9. 10. The preſecution which hath followed upon Chriſts Doctrine, hath made thouſands ſcandalized at Chriſt.
Secondly, Diviſions and contentions. Though Chriſt be the Prince of peace, and his Goſpel the Goſpel of peace, yet accidentally, by reaſon of mens corruptions it cauſes great diviſions, Luke 12. 49. I am come, ſaith our Saviour, to ſend fire on the earth, and what will I, if it be already kindled? ſo Mat. 10. 34, 35. Theſe are not the effects, but the conſequence of the Goſpel, it meets with mens corruptions, which, becauſe they will not have deſtroyed, they are inraged. This offends many. Hence ſome have profanely wiſhed that the Bible were burnt, they have looked upon it as the great make-bate, and incendiary of the world. Thus is the Doctrine of Chriſt made a ſtone of ſtumbling, and a rock of offence.
Thirdly, Some ſtumble and take offence at his Kingdome. I meane not onelyonly at his internal Adminiſtration of his Kingdome by his Spirit in the heart, but alſo at the external adminiſtration of it. I ſhall reduce all I have to ſay to theſe two heads.
1. The government of his Kingdom.
2. The ſubjects of his Kingdom.
1. For the government of his Kingdome. Multitudes are offended at this. The Officers by whom he hath appointed to adminiſter this Kingdome. Men do take much offence, though cauſleſly at theſe, decrying, reviling them as if they were not of God. Ye take too much upon you, ye ſonnes of Levi? all the Lords people are holy, Numb. 16. 3. All men are Miniſters, all may preach; there's no ſuch office as Miniſter in the Scripture. There's no ſuch thing as Ruler in the Church. The cenſures they alſo give offence to many. Admonition, Suſpenſion, Excommunication, men are greatly offended at all theſe. The government is too ſtrict, too ſevere, 'tis tyrannical, theſe are the bitter words of men. The holy Ghoſt foretold how men ſhould ſtumble at the government of Chriſts Kingdom, Pſ. 2. 2, 3. Let us break their bond… aſunder, and caſt away their cords from us. Chriſts government is a general offence.
2. For the ſubjects of his Kingdom. Men are offended at Chriſt, becauſe of his ſubjects many ways. Conſider theſe foure things.
1. Many are offended at their paucity. Though Chriſts ſubjects be many ſimply conſidered, yet comparatively they are but few. Narrow is th… way that leadeth into everlaſting life, and there are very few that finde it, Mat. 7. 14. Satan hath a hundred ſervants to Chriſts one. Caleb and Joſhuab onelyonly entred into Canaan of all the men that came out of Egypt. This cauſes many to ſtumble at Chriſt. Shall we be wiſer then others? This one man came in to ſojourne, and he will needs be a judge, ſay thoſe ſonnes of Belial concerning Lot, Gen. 19. 9. It's a great ſcandal that ſo few come in.
2. Many are offended becauſe of their meanneſſe and poverty. Few of the great men of the world ſubmit truly to Chriſt. Not many wiſe, not many noble, not many mighty hath God choſen, ſaith the Apoſtle, but the fooliſh things of the world, &c. 1 Cor. 1. 26, 27. Our Saviour did foreſee that this would be an occaſion of ſtumbling to men, therefore he layes in a caveat againſt it, Matth. 11. 4, 5, 6. Go and tell John, ſaith he, what you have ſeen and heard. The blinde receive their ſight, &c. and bleſſed is he that ſhall not be offended in me. The rich and wealthy oppoſe and reject Chriſt. Silk and Scarlet, Gold and Silver do very rarely follow Chriſt. This offends many, John 7. 48. ſay the Phariſees, have any of the Rulers beleeved in him, but this people that knoweth not the Law is accurſed.
3. The miſcarriages of which they are guilty. The beſt of Chriſts ſubjects being but ſanctified in part; and having ſuch a ſubtle divel to aſſault, do too frequently miſcarry and fall into ſinne. This cauſes many to be offended. Wicked men though they never obſerve the holy actions of the godly, yet they will obſerve their infirmities. One ſinne is more talked of then an hundred acts of holineſſe. This is a ſtumbling block to the wicked. See what God ſaith of Davids ſinne, 2 Sam. 12. 14. They that would learne nothing by Davids piety, did take offence at his ſinne. Though it be unreaſonable that men ſhould be offended at Chriſt for the failings of his ſervants, yet it is ordinary.
4. The ſad Apoſtaſie of thoſe that have profeſſed ſubjection to him. There are in Chriſts family many rotten-hearted profeſſours. The falling of theſe is an occaſion why many are offended at Chriſt. Our Saviour ſpeaks of this, Matthew 26. 56. The fall of ſuch hardens the hearts of many againſt Chriſt and his Religion, John 6. 66.
Thus much for the firſt particular, the occaſion of this offence.