Christ and the Covenant, Sermons · Sermon 2
Chriſt Crucified the object of our Faith. SERMON II.
1 Cor. 2.2.
For I determined not to know any thing among you, ſave Jeſus Chriſt, and him crucified.
HAving ſpoken of the Perſonall Excellencies of Chriſt, the object of your Love, there is a neceſſity upon me, of ſpeaking ſomething concerning Chriſt crucified, the object of your Faith, that your Love and Faith may go together; and therefore have made choice of theſe words, onelyonly for this time.
Wherein the Apoſtle Paul doth give an account of the reaſon of the plainneſſe of his Preaching: And I, Brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of ſpeech, or of wiſdome: for, ſaith he, I am to Preach Chriſt crucified. A gallant eloquent ſpeech, excellency of words, and pleated ſentences, don't become a crucified Chriſt. If I ſhould ſpeak at that rate, my ſpeech would not be ſuited unto the ſubject that I have in hand: for I Preach Chriſt crucified, ſaith he, For I determined not to know any thing among you, ſave Jeſus Chriſt, and h…m crucified. Some Books read it, I deſire not to know any thing among you; but rather, I judge it, I decreed, I determined not to know any thing among you.
Not to know any thing among you.] Not to make any think known unto you: I would Preach, as if I knew nothing elſe but Chriſt, and him crucified. Chriſt, and him crucified, is the great thing I deſire to make known, and that ye ſhould know. So that plainly then the Obſervation is this.
Obſ. The knowledge of Chriſt crucified, is the most deſirable thing in the world. The knowledge of Chriſt crucified, is the moſt deſirable knowledge, and the moſt deſirable thing in the world.
That which the Apoſtles taught, and the Churches learned, muſt needs be the moſt deſirable. Now this is that the Apoſtles taught, and this is that the Churches learned, and therefore this knowledge of Chriſt crucified is the moſt deſirable. But for the opening and proſecuting hereof,
1. We muſt a little enquire, what it is to know Chriſt crucified, and when a man may be ſaid to know Chriſt crucified.
2. That it is our great work and buſineſſe in the world, to know Chriſt crucified.
3. What there is in Chriſt crucified, that is ſo deſirable to be known.
4 Whether a man may live under the Goſpel, and not know Chriſt crucified.
5. What are the benefits that we do get, or gain by the knowledge of Chriſt crucified. And then
6. What we ſhould do, that we may know Chriſt crucified in a right manner. And
7. In caſe we do know him, what is our duty that flowes from hence.
Firſt of all, If you ask what it is to know Chriſ… crucified, or when a man may be ſaid to know Chriſt crucified.
I anſwer ſhortly. A man is ſaid to know a thing nakedly and barely, —or elſe effectually and truly. Barely and nakedly a man knowes God and Chriſt, when he doth underſtand that there is a God, and Chriſt a Saviour of the world: ſo the Devil ſaid, I know the… whom thou art, the holy one of Iſrael.
But truly and effectually a man is ſaid to know Chriſt crucified, when he doth know the mind and will of God the Father in Chriſt crucified, having a diſpoſition and affections ſuitable thereunto. Words of knowledge note an affection; and words of affection in Scripture note an effect: accordingly therefore in Scripture phraſe, a man is ſaid to know, when he doth go round about a buſineſſe, doth conſider of it, and look well into it; and ſo Chriſt ſaith, Behold me, behold me: and ſaith the Apoſtle, Conſider the High Prieſt of your profeſſion.
This knowledge of Chriſt crucified, is not a bare knowledge of Chriſt crucified in the hiſtory; but it is a ſerious looking into the myſtery thereof. In Scripture phraſe a man is ſaid to know, when he doth approve; approbation is put for knowledge: ſo at the laſt Chriſt ſhall ſay, Depart from me, for I never knew you, that is, I never approved of you; knowledge being put for approbation. And ſo a man is ſaid to know Chriſt crucified, when he doth underſtand and know the mind and will of God the Father, in that great myſtery, and doth approve thereof.
In Scripture phraſe again, a man is ſaid to know God, or know Chriſt, when he doth believe, or repoſe in Chriſt: ſo, This is life eternall, to know thee, and him whom thou haſt ſent, that is, to believe, knowing being put for believing.
And in Scripture phraſe a man is ſaid to know, and to know Chriſt, when the power, and the efficacy of the Death of Chriſt is ſhed abroad into his heart, and upon his life; and ſo Paul ſpeaking to the Philippians ſaith, I account all things droſſe for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt, that I may be conformed to his ſufferings. So that I ſay, look when a man doth not onelyonly underſtand, but doth ſeriouſly look into, and conſider this great myſtery of Chriſt crucified, approve thereof, reſt and repoſe upon this crucified Chriſt, having the power and efficacy of his Death ſhed abroad into his heart and life, then he is ſaid for to know Chriſt crucified truly and effectually. B…t then
2. How may it appear, that it is our work, our great work, to know Chriſt crucified.
Why if it be the work, and great work of Preachers of the Goſpel, to Preach Chriſt crucified; then it is our work, our great work, to know Chriſt crucified. Now ſaith the Apoſtle, in 1 Cor. 1. We preach Chriſt crucified, (that's our work ſaith he) the power of God, and the wiſdome of God. When our Saviour Chriſt wrought any miracle, he ſaid unto them, Go and ſee thou telleſt no man; —but when he died and roſe again, Go preach the Goſpel, ſaith he. And what doth the Goſpel hold forth but Chriſt crucified? what is the Goſpel but a dead Chriſt? and what is Chr…ſt but a living Goſpel? Now I ſay, that if it be the work of the Preachers, their great work, to Preach Chriſt crucified, then 'tis our work, and our great work, to know Chriſt crucified.
2. Look what that is, that all the Ceremonies, Sacrifices, and Types of the Old Teſtament, and all the Ordinances of the New Teſtament do hold forth, that are we to know eſpecially. Now what do all the Sacrifices, all the Types of the Old Teſtament hold forth, but Chriſt crucified? and what do all the Ordinances of the New? What doth Baptiſme? what doth Preaching? what doth the Lords Supper hold forth, but Chriſt crucified? Surely therefore this is our great work to know. But
3. If Chriſt crucified be the great and proper, and next object of our Faith, then certainly it muſt needs be our ſpeciall work and duty for to know Chriſt, and him crucified. Now Chriſt crucified is the proper object of our Faith, and being opened and Preached, will both beget and increaſe our Faith. It is the object of our Faith, and therefore, ſaith the Apoſtle, R…m. 3.25. Whom God hath ſet forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood: The Blood, and Death, and S…fferings of Chriſt, is the next and immediate object of our Faith. Four things there are that do bid for our Faith, which men do ordinarily think we are to truſt unto: the power of God, the promiſe of God, the perſonall excellencies and fulneſſe of Chriſt, and their own graces. But though we do reſt upon the power and all ſufficiency of God, yet if you look into Scripture, you ſhall find, that the immediate object of our Faith is Chriſt crucified: God is the u…timate, Chriſt the immediate object, Ye believe in God, believe alſo in me, Joh. 14.1. in me nextly and immediately, and in God ultimately: and though we may and do reſt on the promiſe or word of God, yet we do ſo far reſt on it, as we do cloſe with Chriſt therein: The promiſes are …ut the veins of Chriſt, whereby his blood is carried into all his body: it is with the promiſes as it is with the …eals, or Sacraments; for what are the Sacraments, but ſo many reall promiſes made to the eye? now you do not reſt on the Sacrament it ſelf, but you reſt on Chriſt which the Sacrament doth exhibit: ſo for the promiſe, though it ſtay up your heart, as it is the word of God; and though it be objectum quo, the object by which you do it, yet Chriſt, and a crucified Chriſt is the objectum quod, the object which you do reſt upon. And as for the perſonall excellencies, and fulneſſe of Chriſt, though thoſe excellencies do draw out your love unto Chriſt, yet it is a crucified Chriſt that doth draw out your Faith: The perſonall excellency of Chriſt makes him a fit ſubject for you to reſt on, but it is Chriſt crucified that you build and lay the weight of your ſoul upon. The brazen Serpent did not cure the Iſraelites by virtue of it's excellent metall, but as lift up; ſo, ſaith Chriſt, ſhall the Son of man be lift up on the Croſſe, and as lift up on the Croſſe he is the object of our Faith: and though our graces are, and may be a good help to confirm our faith of aſſurance, yet they are not the object of our faith of reliance: for God doth therefore ſometimes put the ſentence of death upon our graces, that we may not truſt to, or reſt on them: Chriſt and Chriſt alone, and that as dying and crucified, is the object of our faith. And it is not with this object as it is with other objects: take another object, and though it be never ſo cleary ſpread before the organ or faculty, yet it cannot cauſe, or beget the Act. Suppoſe the moſt excellent colour be laid before the eye, will that cauſe the blind eye to ſee? no: Or ſuppoſe the moſt excellent ſound, or noiſe of Muſick be laid before the ear, can that cauſe the deaf ear to hear? no; yet ſound is the object of the ear hearing; and colour the object of the eye ſeeing; but if the true object of faith, Chriſt crucified, be opened and laid before an unbelieving heart, it will cauſe it to believe: yea, and it will increaſe faith; and therefore if you look into the Book of the Hebrews, you ſhall find, that the great deſign of that Book, is to raiſe and increaſe faith, as appears by the Therefore that are in that Book, Wherefore let us draw near wit… full aſſurance of faith, &c. But how doth the Apoſt… labour to raiſe and increaſe our faith? He doth i… by opening the Priesthood and ſufferings of Chriſt; an… without doubt there is no ſuch way to raiſe, beget and increaſe our faith, as to open and ſpread Chriſt crucified before the ſoul. Now it is the great wor… of a Miniſter, to be ſerviceable to the faith of God… people; ſurely therefore it is his work, and grea… work, to make known Chriſt crucified: and accordingly Paul ſaith here, I determined to know nothing among you, but Christ, and him crucified.
Obj. But the Apoſtle ſaith, Henceforth know we n… man after the fleſh, no not Chriſt himſelf: and though w… have known him after the fleſh, yet henceforth know we hi… no more, 2 Cor. 5.16. and if we are not to know Chriſt after the fleſh, how is this true, that it is our great work to know, and make known Chriſt crucified?
Anſw. Yes very well; for the Apoſtle doth not there ſpeak of the knowledge of Chriſt crucified, neither doth he ſay, that we ſhould not know the body and fleſh of Chriſt ſtill: there have been indeed a generation of men, (and ſtill are) who thought, that when Chriſt died, roſe, and aſcended, his body was ſwallowed up of his Deity, and that he hath now no body, but is all ſpirit: but the Apoſtle ſpeaks the contrary; for, ſays he to the Philippians, Who ſhall change our vile body, that it ſhall be like to his glorious body: Chriſt then, though in heaven, hath a body ſtill, and this we are ſtill to know. And in this Verſe he ſaith, Henceforth know we no man after the fleſh, are we therefore to think, that men have no bodies of fleſh here on earth? the ſame is ſaid of Chriſt, that therefore cannot be the meaning of theſe words: but we are not to know Chriſt after the fleſh, that is (ſay ſome) upon any fleſhly or carnall account, or in any fleſhly or carnall manner; but I rather think, that the Apoſtle here ſpeaketh in reference to the Jews: times were, when we thought, that the Meſſiah, and ſalvation by him, did belong to the Jews onelyonly; but now (ſaith he) we know, that God was in Chriſt, reconciling the world to himſelf, not the Jews onelyonly, but the Gentiles alſo, ver. 19. and that Chriſt did not die onelyonly for the Jews, but for the Gentiles; and he died for all, that they which live ſhould not live unto themſelves, but unto him that died for them, and roſe again; wherefore (ſee how it comes in) henceforth know we no man after the fleſh; though we have known Chriſt after the fleſh, yet now henceforth know we him no more, therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, whether he be a Jew or a Gentile, 'tis all one to us whatſoever he be, if he be in Chriſt he is a new creature, wherefore now know we no man after the fleſh, no not Chriſt himſelf, upon any ſuch Jewiſh and reſtrained account, for he died for all, one as well as another, wherefore henceforth know we no man after the fleſh, no not Chriſt himſelf. And thus this Scripture being opened, the one place is not contrary, but a light to the other. And ſo much in anſwer to that objection, and for the ſecond thing, namely, that it is our great work and buſineſſe, to know Chriſt crucified.
3. The third thing is, what is there in Chriſt crucified, that is ſo deſirable to be known?
I anſwer, There is the Conjunction of all the Attributes of God: The Power, the Wiſdome, the Juſtice, the Mercy, and Righteouſneſſe of God. In the day that you know Chriſt crucified, that day doth all the Attributes of God paſſe before you, which is the Glory of God.
2. There alſo, in Chriſt crucified, you may ſe… the wealth and riches, not onelyonly of the Saints, bu… of the World: Chriſts Sepulchre is our Treaſury … And have made his Grave with the Rich, Iſa. 53. Glaſſi… reads it, He hath placed Riches in his Grave: For th… wealth and riches of the Saints lie in the grave an… ſufferings of Chriſt.
2. There, in Chriſt crucified, you ſee the condeſcending love of God in the heighth thereof; the greateſt condeſcenſion of divine love. There are two Travells of Chriſt that we read of: Chriſt once travelling in the greatneſſe of his ſtrength, in the 63. o… Iſaiah, and that is for the deſtruction of his Enemies, and the deliverance of the Churches. Another travell which you read of in the 53. of Iſaiah, He ſhal… ſee the travell of his ſoul and be ſatisfied, and that is, Chriſt travelling in the greatneſſe of his affections, in the day of his ſufferings: ſo that when you know Chriſt crucified, then you ſee him, and know the greateſt condeſcenſion of Divine love that ever was.
4. There alſo you may ſee the greatneſſe, and the vileneſſe, and the miſery of ſin: for which Chriſt, the Lord of Life and Glory died.
5. There you may ſee the greateſt Sacrifice for ſin, that ever the world did ſee. Four things, ſaith A…ſtin, concurre to a Sacrifice, — The thing ſacrificed, —the Sacrificer, —the perſon ſacrificed unto, —and thoſe that he ſacrifices for; —I will adde a fifth, the Altar: And all theſe meet in one in Chriſt upon the Croſſe. —He himſelf the Sacrifice, —the Sacrificer, —the Perſon ſacrificed to, as God; and as Man, the Perſon for whom was the Sacrifice, and the Altar: ſo that here's the greateſt Sacrifice that ever the world ſaw.
6. There you may ſee our great High-Prieſt in all his Robes and Garments rol'd in blood.
7. Therein Chriſt Crucified, you may behold and ſee the Covenant ſealed, and all the Promiſes confirmed, all the Promiſes being Yea and Amen in Chriſt.
8. There you may ſee your Reconciliation with God begun, and the day-break of your eternal happineſs: This is eternall Life to know thee, and him whom thou haſt ſent.
9. There you may ſee your Right and Title unto all your Priviledges, and the root of all your Injoyments. As the man being ſhown a Table full of Silver, ſtill had his eye under the Table to ſee the root of it; and being led to another Table of Gold, ſtill he lookt under the Table to ſee the root of it: So here, ſee but Chriſt crucified, and you ſee your Title to all the Ordinances, and the …oot of all your Enjoyments.
10. There you may ſee all your Afflictions ſan…ified, all your Curſes turned into Bleſſings upon he Croſs of Chriſt.
11. There you may ſee the gates of Paradiſe …pened afreſh: This day ſhalt thou be with me in …aradiſe, ſaid Chriſt upon the Croſs.
12. There you may ſee the Ladder that the An…els aſcend and deſcend upon for your miniſtry, as …n the firſt of John and the laſt.
13. There you may ſee your deſire upon all your …piritual Enemies, Law, Sin, and Satan. It is not …ely a promiſe, that you ſhall have your deſire …on your Enemies, but you ſhall ſee your deſire …on your Enemies; look upon Chriſt crucified, …d you ſee your deſire upon all theſe Enemies.
14. There you may ſee the foundation of you… Union and Communion with God the Father.
15. There you may ſee again, the accompliſhment of that great contrivance between God th… Father and Chriſt, in reference to our Salvation.
What ſhall I ſay, there in Chriſt crucified yo… may ſee a full anſwer to all your wants, to all you fears, to all your doubts. — What do you wan… but you may ſee it in Chriſt crucified? Do yo… complaine of your own unworthineſs? Oh! I a… a poor unworthy Creature; Do but look on Chr… crucified, you ſee him ſuffering without the Gat… Why, ſaith Auſtin, did he ſuffer without t… Gates? not onelyonly to fulfill the Scripture, He w… numbred among tranſgreſſors: But he ſuffered wit… out the Gates, not in the Holy City, becauſe … ſuffered for the Gentiles as well as the Jews; … ſuffered for the ungodly, for the unworthy. No… look upon Chriſt crucified, and there you ſee h… ſuffering without the Gates for the moſt unworthy▪
Or will you inſtance in your own ſin and gui… why, do but look upon Chriſt crucified, and y… ſee that ſacrifice for ſin, that the world never ſ… the like, and that before your ſin was committed▪
Will you inſtance in the dominion of ſin, a… your bondage under it? look but upon Chriſt c… cified, and there you ſee your Ranſome: Who g… himſelf a ranſome for many, in whom we have … demption through his blood.
Will you inſtance ſtill in your own miſery a… ruines? Oh we lye like the ruines of London at … day, in regard of our ſtate by Nature: Yet do … look upon Chriſt crucified, and there you ſhall the repairer of the breaches, and the reſtorer of paths to dwell in. Oh what a bleſſed thing is it then, to have the knowledge of this Chriſt crucified? Who would not know Chriſt crucified?
4. But you will ſay in the next place, Whether may a man live under the Goſpel, and not know Chriſt crucified? We all know Chriſt crucified we hope, for, Is it poſsible that a man ſhould live under the Goſpel, and not know Chriſt crucified?
Surely it is poſſible a man may live under the Goſpel, and not know Chriſt crucified as he ought to know; for as in the times of the Law, Some that were in the higheſt forms did not know God. It is ſaid of the Sons of Elias, they were Children of Belial, that knew not God, yet Prieſts, men of the higheſt form, and yet they knew not God: So now in the times of the Goſpel, men may ſit upon the higheſt form of profeſsion, and yet not know Chriſt crucified aright as they ought to know. You know how ignorant Nichodemus was, Art thou a Doctor in Iſrael, and knoweſt not theſe things? How unacquainted was he with Chriſt crucified? yea, Chriſts own Diſciples before Chriſts death, how ignorant were they of a crucified Chriſt? when he ſaid, Deſtroy this Temple, in the ſecond of John, they underſtood it not: So that poſsibly men may live under the Goſpel, and be in a very high form of Profeſsion, and yet not know Chriſt crucified is they ought to know.
And to clear it to you. If we did know Chriſt …ucified as we ought to know, why are we not …ore ſenſible of our ignorance of Chriſt crucified. … is both recorded and reported of Biſhop Ʋſher, a learned and holy man, that in the midſt of all his Learning, ſtill he would cry out of his ignorance of Chriſt. And that we know by experience, Grace will make one ſenſible of the ſin that is contrary unto that Grace. Faith will make one ſenſible of ones Unbelief, Humility will make one ſenſible of ones Pride, Sincerity will make one ſenſible of ones Hypocriſie; the knowledge o… Chriſt crucified, will make one ſenſible of ones ignorance of Chriſt; yet how many are there tha… never were ſenſible of their ignorance of Chri… crucified; why? but becauſe they do not kno… this crucified Chriſt, as they ought to know.
2. If we did indeed know Chriſt crucified a… we ought to know, why are we not more cruc… fied to the World, and the things thereof? Ga… 6. You know what Paul ſaith, God forbid that … ſhould glory in any thing, ſave in the croſs of our S… viour Jeſus Chriſt, by whom the world is crucifi… unto me, and I unto the world. Did we kno… Chriſt crucified as we ought to know, certainly w… would be more crucified to the world, and t… things thereof; but how few, even among Pr… feſſors, are crucified to the faſhions, wayes and ma… ners of the world? and why ſo? but becauſe fe… there be that do know Chriſt crucified in a ri… manner.
3. If we did know Chriſt crucified, as we oug… to know, then why do we prefer other things b… fore Chriſt, when they come in competition w… Chriſt? In the general we do chooſe for Chr… but in time of competition, how often do m… prefer other things before Chriſt, and the kno… ledge of other things before the knowledge … Chriſt? Truly ſaith Paul, I account all things but loſs; I did account, and I do account all things loſs, and droſs, and dung, for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt; not onelyonly loſs and droſs, but I account them dung, unſavory. Time was, when I gloried in my parts, and in my priviledges, but now how unſavory are all theſe things unto me, in regard of the knowledge of Chriſt! So Moſes choſe affliction with the people of God in time of competition, — Why? becauſe he eſteemed the reproach of Chriſt greater riches, then all the Treaſures of Aegypt.
4. And if we did know Chriſt crucified as we ought to know, why do we boggle, ſtartle at, and go back ſo often from the Croſs and Perſecution for the Name of Chriſt, and not rather glory in the excellencies of Chriſt when they lye under the greateſt reproach? The wiſe men worſhipped Chriſt in a manger. — The Diſciples and Children cryed Hoſannah to Chriſt riding upon an Aſs. Many will honour Chriſt in a Coach, but will not honour Chriſt upon an Aſs: Many cry up the Kingdome and the Government of Chriſt when he is upon the Throne, but not when a Crown of thorns is upon his head. Friends, it is one thing to glory in the Kingdome and Government of Chriſt when it is under Glory, and another thing when it is under Reproach. Many there are that glory in the Kingdome and Government of Chriſt when it lyes under excellency and glory, few that do glory in the government of Chriſt lying under reproach; and why? but becauſe they do not know this crucified Chriſt in a right manner.
5. If we did know Chriſt crucified as we ought to know, why are we not willing to take and receive all our mercies and bleſsings in the way that this crucified Chriſt hath purchaſed and bought for us? — What way is that? — Why, Chriſt hath bought them for us in a way of contraries, Heaven by the way of Hell, mercy by the way of miſery, glory and honour by the way of reproach, Victory over enemies, by being overcome by enemies; Chriſt overcame the world, by being overcome by the world. This is the way that the crucified Chriſt went; and if in truth, we were acquainted with Chriſt crucified, and did know Chriſt crucified as we ought to know him, why ſhould we not be contented to take our mercies and bleſsings in the way that this crucified Chriſt hath bought them for us? Joy by grief, hope by fear, and mercy by miſery, and overcoming by being overcome: But oh how many are there that are unwilling to take theſe things thus? why, becauſe few there are that do know Chriſt crucified as they ought to know. But O friends, ſhall we live thus long under the Goſpel, and not know Chriſt crucified as we ought to know?
5. You will ſay in the next place, Suppoſe yet that we do know Chriſt crucified as we ought to know, what ſhall we gain, or what ſhall we get thereby? what are the great benefits that we ſhall obtaine or get by knowing Chriſt crucified in a right manner? Thoſe are many.
1. Thereby you ſhall know God, — you ſhall know your ſelves,— and you ſhall know men.
You ſhall know God, God is beſt known in Chriſt: The Sun is not ſeen but by the light of the Sun. Chriſt (as one ſpeaks) came from Heaven with a Bible under his arm, to make known the will of God the Father to the Children of Men; and without Chriſt, there is no knowledge of God the Father, he doth reveal the Father, thereby you know the Father.
And thereby alſo you know your ſelves: for three things are required to the knowledge of our ſelves. — We muſt know our ſins, — our miſery thereby, — and our inability for to help our ſelves: know but Chriſt crucified, you know your ſins, — you know your miſery thereby, — and you know your inability to help your ſelves.
And thereby you ſhall know men; for the more I know the worth of a man, the more I know him; and the more I know the difference between man and man, the more I know men: know but Chriſt crucified, and you know the worth of a man; and you never know the worth of a ſoul, or of a man, but by knowing Chriſt crucified; thereby you know (I ſay) God, — and you know your ſelves,— and you know men.
2. Thereby you ſhall have your hearts drawn out and ingaged to Jeſus Chriſt: When I am lift up, I will draw all men after me. One would think that the ſcandal of the Croſs ſhould drive men from Chriſt; but there is wiſdome and power in Chriſt crucified, which draws men unto Chriſt: — Wiſdome draws; it drew the Queen of Sheba to behold Solomon: a greater then Solomon is here. — Love draws, it drew Rebecca unto Iſaac; here is love indeed in Chriſt crucified, Chriſt crucified is the moſt drawing thing in the world, where Love, and Wiſdome, and Power, and Strength, and all meet; thereby I ſay, your hearts ſhall be drawn out and ingaged to Jeſus Chriſt.
3. Thereby alſo your luſts and temptations ſhall be fully mortified and ſubdued. There are three ſorts of luſts, — the luſts of the eye, — the luſts of the fleſh,— and the pride of life, that John ſpeaks of: the Devil tempted Adam and Eve by all theſe, — by the luſt of the eye, They ſaw th… Apple that it was fair to look on: — by the luſ… of the fleſh, that the Apple was good to eat, — and by the pride of life, The Devil told them, that i… they eat, they ſhould be like unto God, and he prevailed with Adam and with Eve. And accordingly he ſets upon the ſecond Adam, and thought to have carried him too, he tempted him by all theſe. — He tempted him by the luſts of the fleſh, Tur… theſe ſtones into bread; — By the luſts of the… eye He ſhewed him all the Glory of the World; — He tempted him by the pride of life, All this will I giv… thee, if thou wilt fall down and worſhip me: but here he miſsd his prize, and ſo ſhal he do when he come… and tempts you, if you do but keep cloſe to a crucified Chriſt in the time of your temptations, for by faith we quench all the fiery darts of the Devil, and where are they quenched, but in the blood o… Jeſus? You blow out a candle, and it is eaſily ligh… again; but if you quench it in blood, it is not ſo eaſily light again: if you blow out a temptation, or a ſin by a Reſolution, it is eaſily lighted again, but quench i… in the blood of Jeſus, and it is not ſo eaſily light again.
4. Thereby alſo you ſhall dye unto all your own righteouſneſs. There is no ſuch way in the world to dye unto our own righteouſneſs, as by the knowledge of a crucified Chriſt, as in that place of the Philippians, I account all things loſs, &c.
5. Thereby alſo you ſhall be able to deny your ſelves in all things, in one thing as well as another. Poſsibly a man may deny himſelf in one thing, that he may ſeek himſelf in another: I may deny my ſelf in meats and drinks, that I may have the more money; deny my ſelf in prodigality, that I may ſeek my ſelf in covetouſneſs: It is poſsible that a man may deny himſelf in one thing, that he may ſeek himſelf in another; a man may deny his pride in one thing, that he may be proud in another: But now the ſight of a crucified Chriſt will teach us to deny our ſelves in every thing. And therefore the Apoſtle Paul preſsing the Philippians unto humility and ſelf-denyal, he opens before them the ſufferings of Chriſt.
6. By your knowledg of Chriſt crucified, you ſhall grow in Grace, in one Grace as well as in another; grow in Aſſurance, and yet in Repentance; grow in Repentance, and yet in Aſſurance. The ſight of Chriſt crucified is a friend unto your Repentance, and a friend unto your Aſſurance. Saith the Apoſtle, Grow in grace, not in this or that Grace, but Grace in the general: Grow in Grace, and in the knowledg of Chriſt: ſo that the knowledge of Chriſt crucified, is that whereby you ſhall grow in one grace as well as in another.
7. Thereby alſo your hearts ſhall be eſtabliſhed in oppoſition to all ſufferings and afflictions. It will incourage you to ſuffer, and it will inable you to ſuffer. Nichodemus came by Night when he firſt came to Chriſt; but after he had ſeen Chriſt upon the Croſs, and ſeen the ſufferings of Chriſt, how boldly did he own Chriſt then! The ſight of a ſuffering Chriſt, will both incourage to ſuffer, and inable to ſuffer. All our ſufferings are either outward or inward: — If my ſufferings and afflictions be outward, the ſight of a ſuffering Chriſt will make me ſuffer: — If my afflictions be inward and ſpiritual, what is there that will quiet the Conſcience of a poor trembling ſoul, but Chriſt crucified? Thereby (I ſay) you ſhall be eſtabliſhed in oppoſition unto all your ſufferings and afflictions, inward and outward.
8. Thereby alſo you ſhall have boldneſs in all your addreſſes unto God the Father: Wherefore, ſaith the Apoſtle, Let us come with boldneſs to the Throne of Grace,— Why? For we have an High-Prieſt: An High-Prieſt, there is the ſufferings of Chriſt; Thereby you have boldneſs in all your addreſſes to God the Father.
9. Thereby, even by the knowledge of Chriſt crucified, you ſhall be poſſeſt of Chriſt. You know many things, and yet you do not poſſeſs them by your knowledge of them: But know Chriſt crucified, and you are poſſeſt of Chriſt. Saith the Apoſtle, My little Children, of whom I travel in birth again, until Chriſt be formed in you. Chriſt formed in you, — that is, till the knowledge of Chriſt be formed in you. The knowledge of Chriſt brings one into the poſſeſsion of Chriſt.
10. Yea thereby you ſhall be furniſhed and prepared for every good word and work. — For, what is the death and ſuffering of Chriſt but Officina virtutum, the Shop of Vertues? — Do you want Faith? Chriſt crucified is the Object of your Faith, and the Cauſe of it, as you have heard. — Are you full of fears? Are you afraid becauſe of the Law, and the avenger of blood that is following you at the heels? Do but look upon Chriſt crucified, and there you ſee the City of refuge. So many wounds in Chriſt, ſo many Cities of refuge. — Are you impatient and froward? why, the ſight of a patient Chriſt will make you patient. — Are you proud? The ſpirit of an humble Chriſt, a crucified Chriſt, will make you humble. If I have gallant and brave cloaths on, and go abroad and ſwagger with them, and a man comes and tells me, Sir, you owe for theſe cloaths, its enough to take down my Plumes. So now, Though a man be proud of this or that good thing, yet if he do but ſee Chriſt crucified, he ſhall there be told, that Chriſt hath paid for all; and this will take down his pride.— Do you complain of a hard heart? The ſight of a broken Chriſt will break your heart, or nothing will. So that the knowledge of Chriſt crucified is that that will furniſh you, and prepare you to every good word and work. And therefore, O friends, who would not labour to know Chriſt crucified? Let me ſpeak a little more.
11. This is the knowledge that is the ſoul-humbling knowledge: Other knowledge puffs up; but if you know Chriſt crucified, you may glory in your knowledge without pride: Let not the wiſe man glory in his wiſdom, nor the ſtrong man in his ſtrength, nor the learned man glory in his learning. If I glory in my wiſdom, I am proud; if I glory in my ſtrength, I am proud; but if I glory in that, that I know Chriſt crucified, the more I glory in Chriſt crucified, the more humble I am; That is a ſoul-humbling knowledge.
12. This is that knowledge which is the higheſt experimental knowledge in the World. A man may have the experience of his own ſins, yet be a wicked man: Oh, I have ſuch a proud heart, ſuch a vain heart, may he ſay; why? for his ſins are within him, and he may eaſily (though a wicked man) have experience of what is within him by nature: But to have experience of a crucified Chriſt is not by nature. This is the higheſt experience in the World, Chriſt in me the hope of glory; this is the moſt true experimental knowledge.
13. This is that knowledge that will make a man wiſe indeed: Other knowledge may make a man wiſe quoad hoc, to this or that thing, but the knowledge of Chriſt crucified doth make a man wiſe at large.
And therefore I ſay, O what a bleſſed thing is it to know Chriſt crucified! and who would not labour to know Chriſt crucified in a right manner?
6. You will ſay then in the ſixth place, What ſhall we do to know Chriſt crucified in a right manner: For we have heard, men may live under the Goſpel, ſit upon the higheſt form of profeſsion, and yet not know Chriſt crucified in a right manner: What ſhall we do then that we may know Chriſt crucified in a right manner? — Somthing I ſhall ſpeak to the manner, and ſomthing to the means.
As to the manner: If you would know Chriſt crucified in a right manner, you muſt look upon him as the Great inſtitution and appoyntment of the Father. When God doth deal with us in a way of Inſtitutions, he hath not reſpect unto the ſtrength of the Means, or the worth of the Perſons. When God deals with us in a way of nature, there is reſpect had to the ſtrength of the Means, or the worth of the Perſon: As in Phyſick, God deals in a way of nature, there reſpect is had to the ſtrength of the Means. But when God deals with us in a way of inſtitution, there he hath neither reſpect to the ſtrength of means, nor to the worth of perſons. Now Jeſus Chriſt is the great Inſtitution of God the Father, and ſo if we would know him rightly, we muſt look upon him: For though the ſtung Iſraelite was cured by the brazen Serpent, yet he was not cured by the brazen Serpent in regard of the mettle of the Serpent, but as it was an appointment, and as an inſtitution: So if a man would know Chriſt to purpoſe, he muſt know him, and look upon him as the great inſtitution and appointment of the Father, Him hath God the Father ſealed. And what is the reaſon that many go to and get no good by a crucified Chriſt, but becauſe they never did to this day look upon Chriſt crucified as the great Inſtitution of the Father.
2. If you would know Chriſt crucified in a right manner, you muſt then look upon him as ſent, you muſt look upon this crucified Chriſt under the miſſion of the Father. There are three great Miſſions that you read of in the New Teſtament. — There is the miſſion of Miniſters; they are ſent out to preach. — There is the miſſion of the Holy Ghoſt, I will ſend the Comforter. — There is the miſſion of the Son ſent from the Father. Now the miſſion of Chriſt from the Father, is the original of all the … ther miſſions; and you cannot know the other miſſions rightly, if you do not know this original miſſion. If you would know Chriſt crucified in a righ… manner, you muſt know him as ſent. In the 17. … John ſaith Chriſt in his prayer to the Father, But have known thee, and theſe have known that tho… haſt ſent me. So that if you would know Chri… crucified in a right manner, you muſt know him… and look upon him as under a miſſion from the Father.
3. If you would know Chriſt crucified in a righ… manner, you muſt look well unto the deſign, drif… and ſcope of the Father in the ſufferings of Chri… Then you know Chriſt when you know the Father, and you know the Father when you know… the Fathers Deſign. What is the great Deſign of t… Father in ſending Chriſt to die, but — To magnif… his love, — To ſave poor ſinners, — To juſtifie th… ungodly. Would you know Chriſt crucified arigh… be ſure you have an eye to the deſign of the Father i… the matter of a crucified Chriſt.
4. Be ſure of this, That you look as well upo… the Teſtamentalneſs of Chriſts ſufferings, as th… greatneſs of his ſufferings. Some look much at th… greatneſs of the ſufferings of Chriſt, as the Frya… and Monks, and never look at the Teſtamentalneſ… of Chriſts ſufferings. — Oh, ſay they, Chriſt death was a painful, reproachful, and a lingrin… death, and thus they aggravate (as truly the… may) the ſufferings of Chriſt; but not one wor… of the Teſtamentalneſs of his ſufferings. But Chriſt death was to ſeal the Covenant; Therefore if yo… would know Chriſt crucified rightly, you muſt a… well look upon the Teſtamentalneſs of his ſufferings as the greatneſs of his ſufferings. Thus in regar… of the manner, if you would know Chriſt rightly.
And 2. for the Means, I ſhall ſpeak two or three things.
If you would know Chriſt crucified in a right manner, for Means, Then go unto God the Father to create this knowledge of Chriſt crucified in you. All Light was at the firſt by a word of Creation, Let there be Light. And as in the old Creation, the Creation of the World, ſo in the new Creation, Let there be Light, Let there be Knowledge: God that commanded the Light to ſhine out of darkneſs, hath ſhined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. This light comes into the ſoul in a way of creation; go then to God to create this light.
And be ſure that you ſet open all your Windows that the Light may come in. There are ſome ſickly and weak, who would fain have the Light to come into their Chambers, but they are afraid of the cold Air, and ſo dare not open their windows. So here, ſome would fain have more light and knowledge of Chriſt, but they are afraid of the cold, and ſo dare not open their windows to receive the light. But pray Friends, why ſhould we be afraid of new lights? for why ſhould there not be new Lights found out in the Firmament of the Scripture, as well as the Aſtrologers find out new Stars in Heaven? Be not afraid to ſet open your Windows for any light that God ſhall make known unto you.
2. If you would know Chriſt crucified in a right way and manner, Then ſtudy much, think much upon this crucified Chriſt; meditate much, inſiſt and dwell much upon Chriſt crucified. It is not ſlight and ſuperficial thinking of Chriſt crucified that will bring in this knowledge. If I would know a man, I muſt be converſant with him: So if you would know Chriſt crucified, you muſt be converſant with him, you muſt ſit down, and conſider, and dwell upon Chriſt crucified in your thoughts and meditations. Now there are four times, wherein it will be good for you eſpecially to think of Chriſt crucified much. Four caſes. — Firſt, In caſe of ſome Revelation or Viſion that you may be under. When Chriſt was transfigured, and Peter ſaid, I… is good to be here, Chriſt turns him off, and reads a Lecture to him about his ſufferings; why, but to ſhew that in ſuch times of Raptures and Revelations, is a fit ſeaſon to think of Chriſt crucified. — 2. Another time or ſeaſon is, The time and caſe of ſpiritual pride. In caſe your heart be lifted up within you in reference unto any Priviledge, Gift, or performance, then is a fit time to think on a crucified Chriſt. The Diſciples were ſpeaking who ſhould be greateſt, That one might ſit on Chriſts right hand, and the other at his left hand; then ſaid Chriſt Are ye able to be baptized with the Baptiſme that I am baptiſed with, and to drink of the Cup that I ſhall drink of? The Son of man muſt ſuffer, ſaith he: He turns them about from thoſe thoughts to a crucified Chriſt; why, but to ſhew thus much, that when at any time our hearts are lift up upon any account, then is a fit time and ſeaſon to think on a Chriſt crucified. — 3. The time of diſſention and difference among profeſſors and Brethren, is a fit time and ſeaſon to think on a crucified Chriſt. When one Diſciple deſired to ſit at Chriſts right hand, and the other at his left, the reſt of the Diſciples took it ill, and all quarrelled one with another: Chriſt now tells them of his ſufferings; Is This a fit time for you to have differences among …ou? think of my ſufferings. Never more ſeaſo…able time to think of a crucified Chriſt, then when …rofeſſors are at variance. Times of diſſention call or thoughts of a crucified Chriſt. — Again 4. In …aſe that a man be in any great affliction or dan…er, or fear thereof, then is a good time to think …f the ſufferings of Chriſt. Nichodemus comes by …ght unto Chriſt out of fear, and Chriſt firſt …reaches to him the Doctrine of Regeneration, …nd when he had done ſo, ſaith he in Joh. 3. the 14. …erſ. As Moſes lifted up the Serpent in the Wilder…ſs, even ſo muſt the Son of man be lifted up. Ni…odemus was afraid to ſuffer for Chriſt; now Chriſt …rns him over to his ſufferings. The Son of man …uſt be lifted up; — why? but to ſhew thus …uch, that when we are afraid of ſufferings, when …e meet with afflictions and troubles, and are in …ar thereof, then is a fit time for us to think of …hriſts ſufferings. It is a good thing to think of …hriſt crucified at all times; but when you have …evelations and Viſions, — when your hearts are …ted up, — when you are in any diſſention, — …hen you are under any affliction, trouble, or in …ar thereof, then is a good time, eſpecially when …ou are under ſpiritual temptations. And thus …ow you ſee the ſecond thing; if you would know …hriſt crucified in a right manner, ſtudy and medi…te much on him, and inſiſt much thereon: But …en
3. If you would know Chriſt crucified in a right …anner, make it your work and your buſineſſe to …ow Chriſt crucified. Solomon gives you a pro…ſe in the 2 of the Proverbs and the 3. If thou cryeſt after knowledge, and lifteſt up thy voice for u… derſtanding; if thou ſeekeſt her as ſilver, and ſearch for her as for hid treaſure; Then ſhalt thou und… ſtand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge God, Prov. 2.5. How do men ſeek for hidden tr… ſures? how do men ſeek for gold and ſilver? th… digg into the bowels of the earth, and ſpare for pains: So ſaith the Lord, if you digg and ſearch … it, you ſhall have this knowledge. And you kn… how it is with thoſe that do digg for gold and … ver; though they do not meet with a Myne p… ſently, poſsibly they may meet with ſeveral ſpri… of water that may ſtand them in more ſtead t… the Myne: So digging in the Scripture, thoug… man do not preſently reach the Mine, yet he … meet with ſuch ſprings of comfort in the way, may be a refreſhment to him all his dayes. N… therefore friends, do you deſire to know Chr… and him crucified? then remember theſe th… things, — Go unto God the Father to create t… light in you; — Dwell and inſiſt much up… Chriſt crucified in your thoughts, and at ſome ti… eſpecially, — And then make it your work a buſineſs to know Chriſt crucified: Digg in … Mynes for this Knowledge.
But ſuppoſe I do know Chriſt crucified, wha… my duty then?
Why then, if you do know Chriſt crucified, … tainly it doth not become you to conform unto … world, and to be uncrucified in your affections the world?
It doth not become you to be the ſervants … men, eſpecially in the worſhip of God: Ye are boug… with a price, be ye not the ſervants of men.
Certainly it doth not become you to walk proud…y: What, ſhall Chriſt humble himſelf, and ſhall we be …roud? certainly it doth not become you to walk proudly.
But what ſhall I do then?
Firſt go and reſign, and give up your ſelves to Chriſt; ſhall Chriſt give down himſelf unto us, and …all not we give up our ſelves unto him? Reſigne …nd give up your ſelves unto him.
2. And then if indeed you do know Chriſt cru…fied, take heed that you do not doubt of your …tereſt in God, or ſalvation by Chriſt; what, know …hriſt crucified, and yet doubt? Why ſaith the A…oſtle, If when we were enemies we were reconciled … the death of his Son, much more being reconciled we … all be ſaved by his life, Rom. 5. and chap. 8.32. He …at ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for … all, how, ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all …ings? If God the Father, did give his Son to …ath for you, will he deny you other things?
Go away and look no more ſorrowfull, let it ap…are that you know Chriſt, and that you know …hriſt crucified.
3. In caſe at any time, any temptation doth a…iſe upon you, Preſently turn and look wiſhly upon …hriſt crucified, and there fix. If a man be in a …eat temptation, poſsibly the temptation may be …t by, by way of divertiſement, turning to another …ject; but if that other object be ingaging, …en he is helpt thereby, not onelyonly by way of di…rtancie, but by way of aſsiſtance. Now if a tem…ation do ariſe at any time upon any of you, pre…ntly turn your eye, fix it upon Chriſt crucified, …ere ſtand, and there look, and thus ſhall you be helped, not onelyonly in a way of divertancie, but in way of aſsiſtance.
4. If you do indeed know Chriſt crucified, the why ſhould you not hold forth the vertues of th… Chriſt, the death of Chriſt, in your dying unto … things below, and ſay with Paul upon all occa… ons, Henceforth let no man trouble me, I bear abo… in my body, the marks of the Lord Jeſus. You co… to tempt me to ſuch a ſin, do not trouble me, know Chriſt crucified; henceforth let no man tro… ble me, I know Chriſt crucified; anſwer all yo… temptations thus, and be peremptory and reſolu… let no man trouble me, do not trouble me, I kno… Chriſt crucified.
5. Go away and communicate that knowled… of a crucified Chriſt unto others; your knowled… is nothing unleſs you make others to know w… you know. — There is a twofold revelation … Chriſt, — Chriſt revealed to men, and Chriſt … vealed in men, as Paul ſpeaks, When it pleaſed … Lord to reveal Chriſt IN me. When a man ha… revelation of Chriſt within him, he will com… nicate that knowledge. Ye ſee how it is with … Sun ſhining upon the wall, and with a Candle … Lanthorn; the Sun ſhines upon the wall, and … wall enlightens no body, why? becauſe the Su… not in it: but there is a Candle in a Lanthorn, a… that enlightens others; why? becauſe the Cand… within it: So when a man hath a revelation Chriſt upon him, it falls dead, as upon a mud w… and he communicates not that light unto others but if Chriſt be in me the hope of Glory, then c… tainly I ſhall communicate this knowledge of Ch… unto others alſo.
6. And to end all, if you do know Chriſt and him crucified, then go and place your ſelves before the Lord, as David did, when the Lord had made known his mind unto him; Then went King David in, and ſat before the Lord, and he ſaid, who am I, O Lord God, and what is my houſe that thou haſt brought me hitherto! &c. And what can David ſay more unto thee, for thou Lord God knoweſt thy Servant; for thy Word ſake, and according to thine own heart haſt thou done all theſe great things, to make thy Servant know them. So I ſay, go you and place your ſelves before the Lord, and ſay, What am I Lord, O what am I, poor ignorant creature as well as others, that Chriſt crucified ſhould be made known to me! O the riches and the greatneſs of the Grace of God: According to thine own heart Lord haſt thou done this, to make theſe things known unto thy poor Servant: Wherefore Glory and Honour unto God the Father, and unto the Lamb that ſitteth upon the Throne for ever.
And thus now I have ſpoken ſomething concerning a crucified Chriſt, as the Object of your Faith; the former time concerning the Excellencies of Chriſt to draw out your Love: Now then let your Faith and Love meet together; and may your Love be quickned, and your Faith ſtrengthned, I have enough.