The Morning Exercise Methodized, Sermon 15
CHRISTS EXALTATION.
Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11.
Wherefore God alſo hath highly exalted him, and given him a Name which is above every Name:
That at the Name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth:
And that every tongue ſhould confeſs that Jeſus Chriſt is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
THE former Verſes-ſpeak of the deep humiliation of Jeſus Chriſt; theſe words contain the Doctrine of Chriſts moſt glorious Exaltation.
If you view Chriſt in the words before going, you will behold the Sun of righteouſneſs ecclipſed; but in this Text you will ſee him ſhining forth in his ſtrength and ſplendour.
The Doctrine of Chriſts Humiliation leads you to Mount Calvary, but this Doctrine will lead you to Mount Tabor, to Mount Olivet.
There you may ſee Chriſt ſtanding at the Bar, but here you ſee him ſitting on a Throne of Majeſty and glory.
The former Doctrine ſhews you the Son of man in the forme of a ſervant, but this repreſents Chriſt to you the Son of God like himſelf, in the glorious eſtate of Triumphant Majeſty.
You have heard how Christ died for our ſins, Rom. 4.25. Rom. 5.10.and how we are Reconciled by his death; and now you ſhall heare how he roſe for our juſtification, and how we are ſaved by his life.
In his Humiliation there was neither form, nor beauty, Iſa. 53.2. Heb. 1.2.nor comlineſs did appear; but now you will ſee him in the excellency and brightneſs of his Fathers glory.
In Chriſts Humiliation you heare how he was reproached in his Perſon, Name, Doctrine, Miniſtry, and Miracles; but he is now exalted, and hath a name given him above every name.
And whereas in his Humiliation his enemies bowed the knee in ſcorne to him, yet in his Exaltation they muſt bow the knee with fear and trembling. Then they cried after Chriſt, Crucifie him, crucifie him; but God hath exalted him ſo, as every tongue muſt confeſs that Jeſus is the Lord, to the glory of God.
And thus Contraries are illuſtrated by their contraries; the ſufferings of Chriſt (like a dark ſhadow to a curious picture,Contraria …juxta ſe poſita magis eluceſcunt. or a black vaile to a beautiful face) do make the glory of his Exaltation the more glorious.
The height of Chriſts Exaltation, is beſt known by conſidering the depth of his humiliation; the Croſs of Chriſt (as one ſaith) being the beſt Jacobs ſtaff to take the height of this morning Star, or rather Sunne of Righteouſneſs, breaking forth moſt gloriouſly from under a dark Cloud.
In theſe three verſes we have theſe Particulars conſiderable.
1. The Connexion between the Humiliation and Exaltation of Chriſt in theſe words, foreign, Wherefore alſo God hath exalted him.
2. The Doctrine of Chriſts Exaltation laid down, God hath highly exalted him.
3. The end of Chriſts Exaltation, it was for the glory of God the Father.
Before we come to the Doctrine of Chriſts Exaltation, we will a little conſider the connexion of theſe three Verſes with the three preceding Verſes, viz. 6, 7, 8.— where it is ſaid, that Jeſus Chriſt being in the forme of God, and thought it not Robbery to be equal with God, but made himſelf of no Reputation, and took upon him the forme of a ſervant, and was made in the likeneſs of men, and being found in faſhion as a man, he humbled himſelf, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Croſs; wherefo…e God alſo hath highly exalted him, &c.
It is a Queſtion amongſt Divines, whether the Humiliation of Chriſt be the Meritorious cauſe, or only the Antecedent of his Exaltation; and yet they that diſpute this, do all agree in this, That Jeſus did not by his Humiliation and ſufferings merit ſuch things as he was inveſted withal before he ſuffered; for that which is meritorious, muſt alwayes precede the reward; and therefore it cannot be ſaid, that Chriſt did merit the perſonal union of his Divine and Humane Nature, nor the happineſs of his ſoul, nor his Habitual Graces, which He had from the firſt Moment of his Incarnation.
Chriſti humiliatio eſt exaltationis meritum; & ejus exaltatio eſt humiliationis praemium Aug. Hac enim particula foreign (ſeu propter quod) meritum Chriſti denotat quibus & ſibi ſuam exaltationem & nobis totam ſalutem promeruit. Zanch. in loc.Firſt, There are ſome Divines who interpret the particle foreign as a cauſal; and ſo hold that Chriſt by his Humiliation, did merit his Exalta…ion; and of this opinion was Auguſtine, who calls Chriſts Humiliation the meritori…us cauſe of his Exaltation; and his Exaltation the r…ward of his Humiliation. The Popiſh wr…ters go generally this way. I find alſo amongſt Proteſtant Writers, the Learned Zanchy of this Opinion, who upon this Text hath this Note. By this Particle foreign (wherefore) The Apoſtle notes the merits of Chriſt, whereby he hath merited his own Exaltation, and our Salvation.
And that which favours this Explication, is that ſaying of the Apoſtle concerning Chriſt;Heb. 12.2, That for the joy that was ſet before him, he endured the Croſs, and deſpiſed the ſhame, as if having an eye to the Recompence of the Reward, enabled Chriſt to perſevere with more patience, when he became obedient unto death, even the death of the Croſs.
Neither doth it derogate from the freeneſs of Chriſts ſufferings, that he was rewarded for them; for even that glory that Chriſt hath in heaven, is for our good and comfort. Nor was it out of indigence and neceſſity, that Chriſt accepts of glory in a way of Reward of his obedience; but herein he commended his love the more to us, that would ſo far condiſcend, and ſo far even in his Exaltation humble himſelf, to receive glory in the way of obedience, which he might have challenged by vertue of his perſonal union. Even as a Prince, who though he hath right to a Kingdom by Inheritance and Succeſſion, yet he will accept of it as a Reward of his Obedience, and Conqueſt over its enemies.
2. But others underſtand the foreign in the Text, not as ſignifying the Humiliation …f Chriſt to be the meritorious cauſe, but only the Antecedent of his Exaltat…on; and ſo they make this particle to be not cauſal, but connective only; and ſo I find ſome of the Ancient Tranſlations, as the Aethiopick Verſion doth only ioyn the Humiliation and Exaltation of Chriſt together; Humilavit ſeipſum & magnificavit eum Deus. — And for this may be rationally urged,
1. That in the whole wo…k of our Redemption effected by Chriſt, Jeſus Chriſt had a reſpect no… unto himſelf, but unto us. It is for us, that he humbled himſelf to the Death of the Croſſe, for us men, and our Salvation.
2. Jeſus Chriſt had right to all the Honour, Glory, and Majeſty, which now he is poſſeſſed of in Heaven, by vertue of his being the Sonne of God; and the glory which he hath now in Heaven,John 17.5. he had with God before the world was.
3. The freeneſs of Gods love in giving Chriſt, and of Chriſts in giving himſelf for us, was ſuch, that the main intention of God, was, that not Chriſts, but our eſtate might be bettered;John 1.…18. Rom. 9.5. if the Son of God had never left the boſome of the Father, he had been for ever God bl ſſed in himſelf. But ſuch was the love of the Father, that he gave his only begotten Son that we might not periſh,Joh. 3.16. who believe, but might have everlasting life.
4. It is fit to be conſidered, that the glory which Chriſt hath in Heaven, in ſitting at the right hand of God, is ſuch, that it cannot be merited by the ſufferings of the Humane nature of Chriſt. And therefore it is ſaid, foreign, he hath fr…ely given him a name above every name.
This laſt interpretation of the Particle foreign, is that to which moſt of our Proteſtant Divines do incline.
I will not here undertake to determine the Queſtion; I find it the judgement of ſome of our Learned Divines,Dr. Featly. Mr. Anthony Burgeſſe. That there need be no Controverſie about this thing, for the Particle foreign notes order; but whether the order of cauſality or antecedency, or both, may be conſiſtent with the Analogy of Faith.
1. For if we look upon Jeſus Chriſt as rewarded for his ſufferings for us, we may thence be aſſured, that our ſufferings for him (though of another nature) ſhall be eternally rewarded.Pſal. 58.11.
2. Or if you note the order only, that Jeſus Chriſt was firſt humbled, and then exalted, we may thence learn that before honour is humility, Prov. 18.12. 1 Pet. 5.6.and that if we Humble our ſelves under the mighty hand of God, in due time he will exalt us.
Leaving therefore this Queſtion, I proceed to the Doctrine of Chriſts Exaltation, as it is laid down in this Text.
Doct. It pleaſed God the Father for his own glory, that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, after he had been deeply humbled, ſhould be highly exalted.
Thus it pleaſed God, that he who had humbled himſelf to the death of the Croſs,Heb. 7.26. Phil. 2.7. Acts 3.15. 1 Cor. 2 8. Acts 2.36. Heb. 2.16. 1 Pet. 3.22. ſhould be made higher than the Heavens; and he who had taken on him the form of a Servant, ſhould now appear in Heaven like himſelf, the Prince of life; and he that made himſelf of no reputation, ſhould now be in Heaven the Lord of Glory; and the ſame Jeſus who was crucified, God hath made both Lord and Chriſt; and He who took not on him the nature of Angels, but took on him the ſeed of Abraham, is exalted above Angels, being gone into Heaven, and is on the Right Hand of God; Angels, and Authorities, and Powers, being made ſubject unto him.
There is a word in the Text that is very Emphatical, which is foreign, he hath highly exalted. The Elegancy of the Greek tongue is ſingular; The Apoſtle hath a notable word, Epheſ. 3.8. foreign,Eph. 3.8 foreign. Minimorum minimus. Beza. Minor minimo. Cor. a Lap. foreign Emphaticus eſt hic notandus Pleonaſmus. q. d. Super omnem altitudinem exaltavit, ſuper-exaltavit. Ambroſ. Multiplicavit ſublimitatem ejus. Syr. Sublimitate ſublimavit eum. Arab. Inſigniter extulit. Juſtinianus. leſſe than the leaſt of Saints; and here we have a no leſs remarkable word, foreign, he hath highly exalted him; God hath exalted Jeſus Chriſt above all Exaltation; the Exaltation of Jeſus Chriſt, was ſuperſuperlative. The Latine Verſion of the word foreign, Exaltavit eum, he exalted him, is too low to expreſs the ſublimity of the Greek word. We have here an elegant and an emphatical Pleonaſme, which the Greek tongue borrows of the Hebrew, as is frequently uſed in the New Teſtament, as it is ſaid of the Magi, when they ſaw the Star, they rejoyced with great joy; Mat. 2.10. foreign.and ſo when Chriſt came to Celebrate his laſt Paſſeover, he ſaith to his Diſciples,Luke 22.15. foreign. With deſire have I deſired to eat this Paſſeover. So it is ſa…d here, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt was very highly exalted; he was exalted with all Exaltation. Jeſus Chriſt in his Reſurrection was exalted; in his Aſcenſion he was highly exalted; in his ſitting at the right hand of God, he was very highly exalted above all Exaltation. Chriſt in his Reſurrection, was exalted above the Grave; in his Aſcenſion, above the Earth, and in his Seſſion at Gods right hand, he was exalted above the higheſt Heavens.
It is very Remarkable how the ſteps of Chriſts Exaltation did punctually anſwer to the ſteps of his Humiliation.
There were three ſteps by which Jeſus Chriſt deſcended in his voluntary Humiliation.
Heb. 2.16. 2 Cor. 5.21. Gal. 3.13. Gal. 4.4. Heb. 7.22. 1 Cor. 5.7.Firſt, His Incarnation, by which he was made of a woman, and ſo became man; he was made ſinne, and ſo became out Surety; he was made a Curſe, and ſo became our Sacrifice. This was the largeſt ſtep of Chriſts Deſcenſion and Humiliation; for it was more for the Son of God to become the Son of man, than for the Son of man to die, and being dead, to be buried, and being buried, to continue in the ſtate of the dead, and under the power of death untill the Third Day.
Anſwerable to this degree of his Humiliation, was his Reſurrection; for as by his Incarnation he was manifeſt in the fleſh,Rom. 1.3, 4. the ſon of man, made of the ſeed of David according to the fleſh, ſo by his Reſurrection from the dead, he was declared to be the Son of God, with power according to the Spirit of holineſs. The Reſurrection of Chriſt was the firſt ſtep of his Exaltation, He was declared to be the Son of God. Clarificatio Chriſti ab ejus reſurrectione ſumpſit exordium. Aug.He was alwayes the Son of God, even during the dayes of his fleſh; but then he was openly declared to be the Sonne of God, that he could by his own Almighty Power, raiſe up the Temple of his Body, which the Jewes had Deſtroy'd.
The ſecond ſtep of Chriſts Humiliation, was his poor, painful, and contemptible life, and his painful, ſhameful, and curſed death of the Croſs;Heb. 5.7. He was found in the form of a Servant. He was deſpiſed in his Perſon, Miniſtry, and Miracles in the dayes of his fleſh; that is, whilſt he lived here upon earth. He was poor in estate, followed by the poor; he had not where to lay his head, Mat. 11.5. Mat. 8.20.he was reproached, and counted a Sabbath-breaker, a wine-bibb r, an enemy to Caeſar, a Blasphemer, he was counted every thing but what he was.
Anſwerable to this great Exinanition of Chriſt, is his aſcenſion into Heaven, and ſitting at the right hand of God. Man did not ſo deſpiſe and diſparage, but God hath honoured him, to ſit on the right hand of God; note the great honour that Jeſus Chriſt is inveſted withal; as he was man,Pſal. 8.5. ſo he was lower than the Angels; But in that he hath ſaid unto him, Sit thou on my right hand, he hath e xalted him above the Angels; for to none of the Angels hath he ſaid at any time, Pſal. 110.1.Thou art my Sonne, Sit thou on my right hand.
To ſit at Gods right hand, is to be next in dignity and honour unto Almighty God; and this is that which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, ſhowing how God raiſed Jeſus Chriſt from the dead, and ſet him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places, Heb. 1.13. Eph. 1.20, 21, 22.far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but alſo in that which is to come, and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church.
Thus all the diſhonour and reproach that was caſt upon Chriſt in his life, and the ignominy of his ſhameful, painful, and curſed death of the Croſs is now taken away by Chriſt his aſcending up into heaven, ſitting at Gods right hand,Heb. 1.6. and all the Angels of God worſhipping him.
And thus our Lord Jeſus was exalted from a death of ſhame, to a life of glory, and that not to a temporary, but an eternal life. Chriſt was raiſed up, not as Lazarus to die againe, but Chriſt died but once, but lives for ever at the right hand of God to make Interceſſion. So ſpeaketh Chriſt of himſelf,Rom. 6.10. Heb. 7.25. Rev. 1.18. I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.
Thus he that deſcended in his burial into the loweſt parts of the earth, is the ſame alſo that aſcended up far above the Heavens.Eph. 4.9, 10. foreign.
3. His coming to judge the world, anſwers his being judged in the world, and by the world.Mat. 25.31, 32 Veniet judicaturus qui venit judicandus. As Chriſts Exaltation began at his Reſurrection, ſo it ſhall be compleated when he ſhall come in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him; then ſhall he ſit upon the Throne of his glory, and before him ſhall be gathered all Nations. He that came at firſt to be judged, ſhall come the ſecond time to judge the world. We have in the Scriptures ſeveral deſcriptions of Chriſts glorious coming to judge the world; but when he ſhall come indeed, he will make known his power and glory to all the world.Joh. 5.22, 27. 1 Cor. 1.8. 2 Cor. 5.10. 2 Tim. 4.1. 1 Cor. 11.26. 2 Theſ. 1.8. Acts 10.42. God hath given the judgement of all things and perſons into the hands of his Son Jeſus Chriſt; the day of judgement is therefore called the Day of Chriſt; and the Judgement-ſeat, is the Tribunal of Chriſt; the appearing, the coming, the revealing of Jeſus Chriſt the judge of quick and dead.
The Apoſtle gives you the firſt and laſt part of Chriſts Exaltation in one Text; and make the firſt part of it as an aſſurance of the laſt; God (ſaith he) hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteouſneſſe, Acts 17.31.by that man whom he hath ordained, wher…of he hath given aſsuranc… unto all m…n, in that he hath raiſed him from the dead. John 5.22, 23.Whence we may believe, that as certainly as Chriſt did riſe, ſo certainly ſhall he come to judge the world. God hath given us aſſurance of the one by the other. And this committing all judgement to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is that he might be glorified; the Father hath committed all judgement to the Son, that all men ſhould honour the Son, as they honour the Father.
Sedebit Judex qui st…tit ſub judice; damnabit vere reos, qui falſo factus est reus. Aug.Then ſhall our Saviour appear in his glory, and judge thoſe wicked ones that judged him. We read how the Jews by the help of Judas and the Souldiers, took him and bound him, and led him to the High Prieſt, and afterwards to Pilate, and how baſely he was betrayed, falſely accuſed, unjuſtly condemn'd, and cruelly murthered.
But there will be a day, when Judas and the wicked Jews, when Herod, Demonſtrabit in judicio potentiam, qui ostendit in cruce patientiam. Acts 17.31. Iſa. 53.10.and Pontius Pilate, and the Souldiers, and all his enemies ſhall be drag'd into his preſence; and then the Lord Jeſus who before ſhewed his patience, will ſhew his power; and he who was ſo unjuſtly condemned, ſhall judge the world in righteo…ſneſs; and he that was numbred amongſt Tranſgreſſours, ſhall at that great day judge and puniſh all tranſgreſſours.
And thus as Chriſt humbled himſelf in his Incarnation, in his Life, Death, and Burial, ſo God the Father hath exalted him in his Reſurrection, Aſcenſion, Seſſion at the right hand of God, and in conſtituting him Judge of quick and dead.
Jeſus Chriſt by his Reſurrection overcame all his enemies,Heb. 2.14. Col. 2.15. death, and him that had the power of death, the Devil. By his Aſcenſion, and ſitting on the right hand of God, he hath Triumphed openly over them; and by his being appointed Judge of all, he will avenge himſelf of all his enemies, when all muſt appeare before that High Court of Juſtice, from which there is no appeal. So that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt by his Reſurrection, Quanto humilius ſeſe dejecit, tanto ſublimius exaltatus eſt. Brent. in loc.is exalted above the grave; by his Aſcenſion, above the earth; by his ſitting at Gods right hand, he is advanced above the heavens; and by being the Judge of all, he is Exalted above Angels, Principalities, and Powers; and as he was abaſed more than others, he is Exalted above all others.
Thus in part the glorious Exaltation of Chriſt hath been ſet forth in the ſeveral degrees thereof. For the further Demonſtration of the Doctrine of Chriſts Exaltation, let us conſider the particulars thereof, as they are contained in this Scripture, and they are theſe three.
1. God hath given him a name above every name.
2. That every knee, of things in Heaven, and things on the earth, and things under the earth, ſhall bow to the Name of Jeſus.
3. That every tongue muſt confeſs that Jeſus Chriſt is the Lord.
For the firſt of theſe we will enquire,
1. What we are to underſtand by the Name given unto Jeſus Chriſt?
2. How this Name is a Name above every Name?
3. How we are to underſtand this, that God hath given foreign to Chriſt, a Name above every Name?
In Anſwer to the firſt.
Firſt, Some by this Name do underſtand the Name Chriſt Jeſus, and ſo take it literally; but neither Jeſus nor Chriſt is a name above every name.
1. Not Jeſus, for that was the name of Joſhua the Son of Nun; the famous Captain of Iſrael, called Jeſus by the Apoſtle, Hebrews 4.8. And of this Name was the High Prieſt Joſhuah, the Son of Joſedek, Haggai 1.1.
1 Sam. 24 7. foreign Unctus ſive Christus Domini. Iſa. 45.1. Nomen ſupra omne nomen non intelligendum eſt de aliquo externo cognomine vel Jeſu vel Chriſti. Brent. Heb. 1.4, 5.2. Neither is Chriſt a name above every name, for Saul is called the Lords anointed, Chriſtus Domini. And ſo alſo the Prophet ſpeaking of Cyrus, calleth him the anointed of the Lord. We cannot therefore underſtand this of any name, either of Jeſus or Chriſt; for Paul is here ſpeaking not what the name of our Saviour was, but of the Honour, Dignity, Power, and Majeſty, to which Chriſt was advanced.
Secondly, Others, as Hierome and Theodoret do think, that in, that Chriſt was called the S nne of God, he had therein a name above every name; and this Expoſition is gathered from that paſſage of the Apoſtle, that Jeſus Chriſt was much better than the Angels, as he hath by Inheritance obtain'd a more excellent name than they; for unto which of the Angels ſaid he at any time, Thou art my Sonne, this day have I begotten thee?
But though this be true, that to be the eternal Son of God, is a Name above every Name, yet this cannot be meant here, for it is ſpoken of that which Chriſt was exalted to after his Humiliation; but from Eternity he was the Sonne of God, and did not ceaſe to be ſo by his Incarnation and Humiliation.
Thirdly, By Name therefore we are to underſtand that Power, Dignity,Per nomen poteſtas & dignitas ſignificatur. Calvinus. Gen. 6.5. foreign Viri nominis. 1 Chron. 5.24. foreign Viri nominum. John 1.14. and Authority which Chriſt was inveſted withal, after the dayes of his fleſh, and Sufferings were finiſhed.
1, Sometimes in Scripture-phraſe, Name is put for glory and Renown. So we read of men of Renown, it is in the Hebrew, Men of Name, and of famous men, Heads of the Houſe of their Fathers. What we read famous men, is in the Hebrew, Men of Names; and thus the glory which Chriſt is inveſted withal, is the Glory of the only begotten of the Father.
2. By Name in Scripture-phraſe, is meant power, and Authority, and the Soveraignty by which Chriſt is King of Nations, and King of Saints; and thus the Scripture ſpeaks; The works (ſaith Chriſt) that I do in my Fathers Name, John 10.25.they beare witneſs of me; in my Fathers Name, i. e. by the Power of God.Acts 3.6. Acts 4.7. Thus P…ter ſpeaks to the Criple In the Name of Jeſus Christ of Nazareth ariſe and walk, i. e. by the Power of Chriſt; for ſo it is expreſſed; when the Council queſtioned them for this thing, they are asked, By what power, or by what name have you done this?
So then, we are to underſtand by Name, that Honour, Authority, and Dignity, which Chriſt now enjoyes in Heaven, of which he ſpake when he was aſcending into Heaven, All power is given me in Heaven and Earth; Mat. 28.18.and the Glory of Chriſts Name is ſuch, that it ſhall be celebrated through all the Ages of the World; Heaven and Earth ſhall Ring with the praiſes of his Name, as the Angels praiſed his Name at his Birth; Behold I bring you good tydings of great joy, Luk. 2.10, 11, 13, 14.which ſhall be unto all people; for unto you is borne this day in the City of David, a Saviour, which is Chriſt the Lord; and ſuddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Hoſte, praiſing God, and ſaying, Glory be to God in the higheſt, on earth peace, good will towards men.
So they do now praiſe him and worſhip him in Heaven,Heb. 1.6. Rev: 5.12. ſaying, Worthy is the Lambe to receive Power, and Riches, and Wiſdome, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Bleſſing.
Secondly, How hath Chriſt obtained a Name above every Name?
This Nomen ſuper omne nomen, a Name above every Name, is a demonſtration of Chriſts Super-Exaltation, and it notes four things.
Firſt, This is a Name above every Name, that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be the only Saviour of the World, that his Name ſhould be the Only One Name by which we are ſaved.
Of this the Apoſtle, The ſtone which the builders refuſed, Acts 4.11, 12.is become the Head of the Corner, neither is there any Salvation in any other, for there is none other Name under heaven given amongſt men, John 4.42. foreign.whereby we must be ſaved. He is indeed the Chriſt, the Saviour of the World; which we may underſtand not only emin…ntly, but excluſively; He is the Saviour, there is none beſides him. We read that God did raiſe Saviours to his people; Iſrael ſo acknowledged the Levites in their ſolemn Faſt-day;Nehem. 9.27. Thou (O Lord) deliveredſt thy people into the hands of their enemies who vexed them, and in the time of their trouble, when they cryed unto thee, thou heardeſt them from heaven, and according to thy manifold mercies, thou gaveſt them Saviours who ſaved them out of the hand of their Enemies. Such a Saviour was Moſes to the Iſraelites from the Egyptians, Joſhua from the Canaanites, Gideon from the Midianites, Jeptha from the Ammorites, and Sampſon from the Philiſtims; but all theſe were but partial, petty, and temporal Saviours. Theſe ſaved the body from miſery, and that but for a time; Chriſt ſaves our ſouls from our ſins, Mat. 1.21.and that for ever. All theſe Saviours ſtood in need of the Saviour. Joſhua himſelf had eternally periſhed, had it not been for Jeſus
Jeſus Chriſt was the only Saviour, to whoſe moſt precious and ſaving Name, all the Old Teſtament pointed at. He was the Saviour in whom all the Promiſes were performed, all the Types accompliſhed, and all the Propheſies fulfilled.
Acts 10.43. Gen 49.10. Pſal. 110.1. Iſa. 7.14. Jer. 23.5. Dan 9.29. Hag. 2.9. Mat. 12.21.It was unto this only Name, the Saviour, that all the Prophets bare witneſs. He, he it was, that was Jacobs Shiloh, Davids Lord, Iſaiahs Immanuel, Jeremies Branch, Daniels Meſſiah, and Haggie's deſire of all Nations. It is in his name, and his Name alone that all Nations ſhall truſt, and that for ſalvation.
Secondly, Jeſus Chriſt hath a Name above every Name, in that he is exalted to ſit at the Right hand of God, which is a Name or honour which never the Angels nor Arch-Angels had. This I prove from that paſſage of the Apoſtle in his Epiſtle to the Hebrews, where it is ſaid concerning Chriſt; Who having purged our ſinnes, is ſate down on the Right hand of the Majeſty on high, Heb. 1.3, 4. foreign.being made ſo much better than the Angels, as he hath by Inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they; for to which of the Angels ſaid he at any time, Sit on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy Foo…-stoole?Heb. 1.13.
Thirdly, He hath a Name above every Name, becauſe it is through this Name, that the Name of God becomes a comfort unto us. The Attributes of God, are the Name of God; Now without an Intereſt in Chriſt, we ſhall have no comfort in any Attribute of God.
To a Chriſtleſs ſinner, all the Attributes of God are againſt him; as for inſtance,
1. God is wiſe; that's the worſe for a wicked man; for he knows all that wickedneſs thine own heart is privy to, and much more evil by thee,Jer. 17.10. 1 Joh. 3.20. than thine own heart knoweth.
2. God is holy, and therefore he muſt needs hate thoſe that are Filthy, Being of purer eyes than to behold iniquity.
3. God is juſt; and if the righteouſneſs of Chriſt do not Skreen thee, the wrath and vengeance of God muſt needs break out upon thee for thy guilt.Hab. 1.13.
4. God is Almighty; and how ſhall the Potters Veſſel endure the leaſt touch of his hand? how ſhall the chaffe ſtand before the Whirl-wind of his wrath? how ſhall the ſtubble dwell with everlaſting burnings? and ſuch are all Sinners out of Chriſt.
All the thoughts of God muſt needs be terrible to all thoſe ſouls that are out of Chriſt.
But the Name of Chriſt, is that which makes the Name of God a Sanctuary and ſtrong Tower; the face of God ſhines upon us in the face o… Jeſus Chriſt.Prov. 18.10.
As Moſes when he was hid in the Rock, could with delight hear the Name of God proclaimed; ſo how ſweet,2 Cor. 5.6. … Exod. 33.21, 22. 1 Cor. 10.4. and lovely, and comfortable, are all the Attributes of God to all thoſe that are in the Rock, the Rock Christ Jeſus!
1. God is a wiſe God, the more is my comfort,Pſal. 73.24. Mat. 6.32. may a Believer ſay, for he knows how to guide me; he knows what I want, and how to ſupply it.
2. God is a holy God, and thats a comfortable Attribute, for in Chriſt he is our ſanctification.1 Cor. 1.30.
3. God is a merc…ful and gracious God, ſo he is in himſelf; but in Chriſt Jeſus he is moſt merciful, gracious, and full of compaſſion to pity and pardon his children, Even as a Father pitieth his Children, Pſal. 103.13.ſo the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
4. He is an Almighty God, mighty in power, and thus his Name,Prov. 18.10. Rom. 8.31. through the Lord Jeſus is a ſtrong Tower, the righteous fly unto it, and finde ſuccour; and through Chriſt a believer can ſay, If the Lord be for us, it matters not who are againſt us.
5. Laſtly, Even the Juſtice of God through the Lord Jeſus Chriſt becomes an Attribute of comfortable Conſideration; for becauſe God is juſt, therefore he will not condemn thoſe for whom Chriſt hath ſatisfied.Rom. 8.1. Mal. 3.17. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jeſus; God will not condemn thoſe that are in Chriſt, but for his ſake will ſpare them, as one spar…th his Son that ſerves him.
And thus the Name of Chriſt is a Name above every Name, becauſe through his Name, it is that the Name and Attributes of God become comfortable unto us.
Fourthly, And Laſtly, The Name of Chriſt is a Name above every Name, becauſe his Name ſhould be moſt precious and powerful in his Church throughout all Generations; thus all the Aſſemblies of the Church ſhould be in the Name of Chriſt;Matth. 18.20. John 14.13. 1 Cor. 5.4. they muſt meet in his Name; all Prayers are to be made in the Name of Chriſt; All Church-Cenſures are to be in his Name;Mat. 28.19. Miniſters muſt Preach and Adminiſter the Sacraments in the Name of the Lord Jeſus; and thus he hath a Name above every Name.
3. The third thing propounded, is, How are we to underſtand the word foreign God hath given him a Name, &c.
I anſwer, This muſt be underſtood of Chriſt; as Mediatour, for ſo conſidered, and ſo only he was capable of Exaltation.
1. There are ſome that hold, that Chriſt as God was exalted; that now in Heaven the glory of the God-head, which lay hid, and was vailed in the Tab…rnacle of his fleſh, John 1.14. foreign.is now exerted, and ſo exalted. But the manifeſtation of the Deity, is no exaltation of the Deity. When the Sun ſhines out of a dark night, the ayre is illustrated, but the light of the Sunne is not encreaſed. The Lord Jeſus was exalted in that Nature in which he was humbled, and that is his Humane Nature.foreign. Greg. Nyſſ. As the Divine Nature could not ſuffer, neither can it be exalted.
God being the highest, cannot be exalted. It was the Humane Nature of Chriſt that is thus exalted.
If we look upon the Divine Nature of Chriſt,John 10.30. Phil. 2.6. Non nová indigeb at exaltatione à Patre, qui aequalis erat Patri. Calv. Non ea accepit Christus quae non prius habebat, ſed accepit ut homo, quae habebat ut Deus. Theod. In qua forma crucifixus e, ſtin ipſa exaltatus est. Aug. ſo he was one with the Father, and equal to the Father; and thus it muſt not be thought that Chriſt could be capable of Exaltation.
When God gave him a Name; Theodoret excellently unfolds this great Myſtery thus, Chriſt (ſaith he) did not receive that which he had not before, but he did receive that as man, which from all eternity he had as God.
2. But we anſwer that the foreign of the Text, hath Relation unto Chriſt as Mediatour God-man; not as God, ſo he could not be exalted at all; nor as a meer man, for ſo he could not be capable of ſo great Exaltation. The Humane Nature of Chriſt being a Creature, cannot be capable of Divine Worſhip, or of ſitting at the right hand of God. But the Humane Nature of Chriſt by the perſonal inſeparable union it hath to his Divine Nature, is thus advanced.
Having finiſhed the firſt particular of Chriſts Exaltation, that God hath given him a Name above every Name; I now proceed,
Secondly, Another particular of Chriſts Exaltation, is this, That at the Name of Jeſus every knee ſhould bow; In the handling of which, I will endeavour to reſolve theſe Queſtions.
Queſt. 1. What are we to underſtand here by bowing the knee?
Anſw. 1. Some take this literally, as the Papiſts, who in their worſhip bow the knee as often as they heare the Name of Jeſus mentioned. The Learned Zanchy is of an opinion, that ſome of the Ceremonies in uſe amongſt the Papiſts, might have an innocent Original; as their ſigning with the Croſs, to ſhow that they were not aſhamed of the Croſs of Chriſt, with which the Heathens did reproach them; and ſo the ſtanding up at the Creed, to note their reſolution to ſtrive together for the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints. So genuflection to the Name of Jeſus, was (ſay ſome) in oppoſition to the Arrians, who denyed the Divinity of Chriſt; but whether theſe things were ſo innocent at the firſt; ſeeing they are all of humane inſtitution, and have been abuſed to ſuperſtition, we have juſtly laid the uſe of them aſide. And this Text cannot be ſo underſtood; for if by Name we underſtand the power of Chriſt, then by bowing the knee, muſt be meant our ſubmiſſion and ſubjection to this power.
By bowing, therefore, to the Name of Jeſus, is underſtood that obedience and ſubjection which is due to the Soveraign power and Auhority of Chriſt. Thus when Joſeph was exalted to that Dignity and Authority in Egypt, Gen. 41.43. Joh. 5.22, 23. Mat. 28.18. Acts 3.15. 1 Cor. 2.8.that there was none greater than he, but Pharaoh himſelf, They cryed in the ſtreets where Joſeph went. Bow the knee. Thus God the Father, gave Juriſdiction and Authority to the Son, that they which honour the Father, might alſo honour the Sonne. All power (ſaith Chriſt) is given me, both in Heaven and in Earth. He is the Prince of Life, and the Lord of Glory, to whom all obedience, ſervice and ſubjection is moſt due.
Queſt. 2. Who are they muſt bow the knee to Chriſt, and be in ſubjection unto him?
Anſw. All Creatures; for the Enumeration is full; which Chryſoſtome thus Expounds;foreign. Chryſoſt. in loc. Things in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth; i. e. Angels, Men, and Devils, which Theodoret doth more clearly Explain.
1. Things in Heaven, i. e. good Angels, and glorified Saints, ſpirits of juſt men made perfect.
2. Things on Earth; all men living, both good and bad.
3. Under the Earth; foreign infernalia; i. e. Devils and damned ſpirits.
All theſe muſt bow the knee, and muſt yield ſubjection unto Jeſus Chriſt.
I. All knees in heaven ſhall bow to Chriſt voluntarily.
1. The good Angels, they did alwayes honour and obey the Lord Jeſus. It was the joy of the Angels of Heaven, to be Subject and Serviceable unto Jeſus Chriſt.
1. Before the Incarnation of Chriſt, an Angel inſtructed Daniel concerning the Meſſiah, Dan. 9.24.and how long it ſhould be before his coming.
2. When the fulneſs of time was come, an Angel comes to the bleſſed Virgin, and ſaid, Feare not Mary, for thou haſt found favour with God, Luke 1.30, 31.and behold thou ſhalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Sonne, and call his Name Jeſus.
3. As ſoon as ever he was born, an Angel brings the glad-tydings of it; and a whole Hoſte of them who ſang together, Job 38.7. Luke 2.13.and ſhouted for joy at the Creation of the world, do with a ſong Celebrate Chriſts Nativity, Glory be to God on High, &c.
4. When Jeſus Chriſt was in danger to be kill'd by Herod, an Angel warnes of the danger,Mat. 2.13. and directs his Mother to flee with him into Egypt.
5. When he was tempted by Satan forty dayes together, a little before he entered upon the work of his Miniſtry,Mat. 4.11. behold Angels came and Miniſtred unto him.
6. When he was in his Agony in the Garden, ready to take the cup of trembling out of his Fathers hand, there appeared an Angel from heaven ſtrengthening him. Luke 22.43.This bleſſed Creature out of love and duty, ſeeing his Lord and Maſter in ſuch diſtreſs, came in to ſuccour him.
7. And as the Angels gave the firſt notice of his Birth, ſo alſo of his Reſurrection; an Angel told the woman, He is not here, Mat. 28.6.he is riſen.
8. The Angels attended Chriſts Aſcenſion into Heaven, for they told the Diſciples,Acts 1.11. That as they ſaw him aſcending into heaven, ſo he ſhould come again from Heaven in like manner.
9. And with infinite delight did they welcome Chriſt to heaven, where,Heb. 1.6. upon his firſt coming, all the Angels did worſhip him.
Mat 25.31. 2 Theſ. 1.7. Mat. 24.31.10. And Laſtly, When Chriſt ſhall come at the laſt day to judge both quick and dead, he will come with all his holy Angels with him, and ſhall be Revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels; who then moſt willingly will be employed, to gather together all his Elect, from the foure Windes of Heaven.
Col. 1.16.All this ſervice the good Angels performe unto Chriſt, not only as he is their Creator (for by him were created even the things that are in heaven) But they yield him this Subjection as he is their Head and Governour; Col. 2.10. Eph. 1.21, 22.and ſo he is called the Head of all Principality and Power; i. e. Of Angels.
And this voluntary ſubjection to Jeſus Chriſt, is becauſe they have benefit by Chriſt, though not in a way of Redemption, yet they owe their Confirmation unto Chriſt.
The good Angels, though they were created good and excellent creatures,Hoc ipſum, quod ſancti Angeli, ab illo ſtatu beatitudinis in quo ſunt, mutari in deterius nullo modo poſſunt, non eſt iis naturaliter inſitum, ſed poſtquam creati ſunt, gratiae divinae largitate collatum. Aug. de fide ad Pet. Diac. cap. 23. Qui erexit hominem lapſum, dedit Angelo ſtanti ne laberetur. Bern. yet as creatures their ſtate is mutable; and they had in them a potentiality and a poſſibility to ſin and fall, as well as thoſe Angels which left their first ſtation. But this poſſibility is removed by Chriſt, who by his grace did lift up fallen man, and by his Powen, preſerves the Angels that they ſhall not fall. And therefore it is, that in a way of thankfulneſs the Angels in Heaven do bow their knee in Subjection and Service unto Chriſt.
2. As the glorious Angels bow the knee to Chriſt in heaven, ſo the spirits of juſt men made perfect; the ſouls departed do in Heaven, praiſe, adore, and worſhip the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and do yield voluntary ſubjection and obedience to him; unto which duty, they are more carried by a principle of thankfulneſs, that Chriſt hath Redeemed them: this is ſhadowed out unto us by the Viſion of Saint John; who having ſeen the Lord Jeſus taking the Book with ſeven Seales, and opening it, he heard the Saints in Heaven ſinging a new Song, and ſaying, Thou art worthy to take the Book, and to open the Seales thereof; for thou waſt ſlain, and haſt Redeemed us unto God out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and Nation; Rev. 5.9, 10.and haſt made us unto our God, Kings and Priests, &c.
This is the daily work of glorified Saints in Heaven, to caſt down their Crownes before that Throne where Chriſt ſitteth. The Saints departed,Rev. 4.10. are diſcharged from thoſe weights and clogs of corruption, which did hinder them from this duty while they were in the body,Heb. 12.1. Rom. 7.24. Rev. 4.6. and cumbred and peſtred with the body of death. They are never weary, though they never reſt day nor night, ſaying, Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And thus I have ſhewed you how things in Heaven do bow the knee, and are ſubject to the Name and Authority of the Lord Jeſus.
II. Things on earth, i. e. Good men, and Bad men.
1. Good men; Pſa. 110.3.the Children of God who by the grace of Chriſt, are made a willing people in the day of his Power; for ſuch is the heart-turning power of Gods Grace, that of unwilling, Iſal. 48.4.he makes us willing; God by degrees removes out of our necks the Iron ſinew, that hinders us from ſtooping and bowing to Chriſt.
Grace by degrees doth take away that enmity in our mindes, Col. 1.21. Rom. 8.7.and that carnal-mindedneſs, which neither is, nor can be ſubject to the Law of God.
By nature we are Children of diſobedience as well as others;Rom. 7.23. Eph. 2.3. and are willingly ſubject to no Law but the Law of our Members; nor to no will, but the wills of the fleſh; but the Grace of God removes that ſtoutneſs of heart, contumacy, and Rebellion, which is in us naturally againſt Chriſt, and ſo ſweetly and powerfully inclines their wills,Pſal. 119.6. 1 Joh. 5.3. Veniat, veniat verbum Dei, & ſi ſexcenta nobis eſſent colla, ſubmittemus omnia. that they follow the Lamb wherever he goes, and have Respect unto all the Commandments of Chriſt, and not one of them is grievous. A Child of God willingly ſubmits his Neck to the Yoke of Chriſt.
2. Evil men, they alſo muſt bow the knee to Jeſus Chriſt; and though their ſubjection be not voluntary and ingenuous, yet bow they muſt, and bow they do; and partly through the awakening of a natural conſcience, partly by a ſpirit of bondage, and fear of wrath, they are as it were compelled to render many unwilling ſervices and ſubjections unto Chriſt.
Non peccare metuit, ſed ardere. Aug.Which compulſory ſubjection ariſeth not from a fear of ſinne, but from a fear of Hell.
All theſe becauſe they do not willingly bear the yoke of Chriſt, they ſhall unwillingly become his foot-stool.Mat. 11.29. Pſal. 110.1.
And they do not ſo much honour Chriſt, as Chriſt may be ſaid to honour himſelf upon them. The wicked do give honour to Chriſt as unwillingly as ever Haman cloathed Mordecai, and proclaimed before him,Heſter 6.11. Thus ſhall it be done to the man whom the King will honour.
III. And Laſtly, The Devils in Hell are forced to yield ſubjection unto Jeſus Chriſt; and ſo foreign, things under the earth, infernalia, things in hell do bow their knee unto him. For if in the dayes of Chriſts Humiliation, he hath exerciſed power over the damned ſpirits, and they have acknowledged him, and his Soveraign power over them, much more are they ſubject to him now in the dayes of his Exaltation.
I ſhall not need to ſhow you how often the Devils crouched to Chriſt whilſt he was here on earth. The Devils were not only ſubject to his Perſon, but to thoſe that commanded them in his Name; for ſo the ſeventy Diſciples returning, gave Chriſt an account;Luke 10.17. Lord (ſay they) even the Devils are ſubject unto us through thy Name.
In one ſtory we finde that the Devils did three times proſtrate themſelves at the feet of Chriſt. Saint Luke relates the Story of the man poſſeſſed with a Legion of Devils.
1. Firſt one of the Devils in the name of all the reſt, thus ſupplicates Chriſt,Luke 8.28. What have I to do with thee, Jeſus, thou Sonne of God Moſt High? I beſeech thee Torment me not.
2. When Chriſt commanded the uncleane ſpirits to come out of the man,Ver. 31. they beſought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep, that is, into Hell.
Ver. 32.3. The Devils a third time beſought Chriſt that they might go into the Herd of Swine.
Thus thoſe proud and rebellious ſpirits were forced to bow, even in the dayes of Chriſts fl…ſh.James 2.19.
And therefore much more now Chr…ſt is exalted, do the devils tremble; We read that Chriſt spoiled principalities and powers, Col. 2.15.and made a ſhew of them openly, Triumphing over them; In which Scripture we may obſerve, that Chriſt hath diſarm'd, and triumph't over Satan. The word foreign, alludes to the manner of the Conquerour, who diſarm'd the Captives, and afterwards they led their Captives in chaines, when they made their Triumphant entrance; ſo the words, foreign, do ſignifie, alluding to the Romane Conqueſts and Triumphs.
Thus the Lord Jeſus Chriſt by his death overcame the Devil, Heb. 2.14. Eph. 4.8. Duo in cruce affixi intelliguntùr: Christus viſibiliter, ſponte ſua, ad tempus; Diabolus inviſibiler, invitus, in perpetuum. Orig. Miſſilia Triumphalia.and by his Aſcenſion he led Captivity Captive, and gave gifts; alluding ſtill to the manner of the Romane Triumphs, when the Victor in a Chariot of State, aſcended up to the Capitol, the Priſoners following his Chariot; or elſe drawing it, with their hands bound behind them; and there were pieces of gold and ſilver thrown amongſt the people, and other gifts and largeſſes beſtowed upon the friends of the Conquerour.
The Devil ever ſince the death, Reſurrection, and Aſcenſion of Chriſt, hath been overcome and spoiled. For by the death of Chriſt, the Devil was unarmed, and ſhackled; but preſently after he was gag'd and ſilenc'd, and all his Oracles ſtruck dumb and ſpeechleſs; and ſo the Devils diveſted of their long-enjoyed power, and they forced to bow, though unwillingly to Jeſus Chriſt.
Hence it is ſaid that the Devils tremble, Jam. 2.19.becauſe they know Chriſt as their Judge, but not as their Saviour. They muſt bow, becauſe they cannot help it.
But it may be objected.
Object. If all the Devils in Hell, and all the wicked men here on earth, do bow the knee to Chriſt, how comes it then to paſs, that the Devil and his inſtruments do continue their Rebellion and miſchief againſt Chriſt and his Church.
1. To this is anſwered, that even the Devils of Hell are bound to bow the knee unto Jeſus Chriſt, though like wicked Rebels they have refuſed to do it. And ſo much we gather from that Anſwer of Chriſt to the Devil, who when he had the impudence and audaciouſneſs to bid the Son of God fall down and worſhip him; Mat. 4.9, 10.Chriſt ſaid, Get thee behind me Satan, for it is written, Thou ſhalt worſhip the Lord thy God, and him only ſhalt thou ſerve. The Devils are bound to bow, though they refuſe.
2. The Devil Rebels, and wicked men do not bow to, but blaſpheme the Name of Chriſt; and yet Jeſus Chriſt hath and doth exerciſe Authority over them,
1. In limiting them.
2. In puniſhing them.
1. In that he doth limit them. The Devil could not take away either Jobs Cattle, Job 1.11, 12. Luke 8.32.Servants, Children, or Health, but as far as Gods permiſſive Providence was pleaſed to lengthen the chain; and though God doth lengthen the chain, yet he alwayes keeps the chain in his hand.
The Devils could not go into the Herd of Swine, till they had firſt ask't leave of Jeſus Chriſt.
And ſo perſecuters, they are limited too; the Devil and his inſtruments they are limited. The Devil ſhall caſt ſome of you into Priſon, that you may be tried, and you ſhall have tribulation ten dayes. Thus the Devil and his inſtruments are bounded.
1. As to the Perſons, whom they ſhall perſecute; the Devil ſhall caſt ſome of you, not all into Priſon.
2. As to the kind of trouble, the Devil ſhall caſt you into Priſon, not into hell.Rev. 2.10.
3. As to the time, you ſhall have tribulation ten dayes, and not for ever.
2. God will puniſh them, and ſo they ſhall be Subject to Chriſt.
1. In this life; for though the patience of God be long-ſuffering, yet it is not alwayes ſuffering; 2 Pet. 2.8. Luke 18.7. Pſal. 110.11. Luke 19.27.and though he do beare long, yet he will avenge his elect.
2. At the laſt day. The unjuſt are reſerved to be puniſhed at the day of judgement; then will Chriſt put all his enemies under his feet; and then Chriſt will ſay, As for thoſe mine enemies that will not that I ſhould reign over them, bring them forth, and ſlay them before my face; the total, final ſubject on of the Devil and Wicked men, of all the enemies of Chriſt unto him, ſhall be at the laſt day; then ſhall all knees bow before God. Thus the Lord ſpeaks in the Prophet. I have ſworne by my ſelf, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteouſneſs, Iſa. 45.23.and ſhall not return, that unto me every knee ſhall bow, every tongue ſhall ſweare. To this Scripture it is that the Apoſtle alludes in this place; and if you ask when ſhall this vniverſal ſubjection be unto Chriſt? the Apoſtle will anſwer you in his Epiſtle to the Romanes. To this end Chriſt both died, and roſe, and revived, Rom. 14.9, 10, 11▪that he might be Lord both of dead and living; but why doſt thou judge thy Brother? or why doſt thou ſet at naught thy Brother? we ſhall all ſtand before the judgement Seat of Chriſt; for it is written, As I live, ſaith the Lord, every knee ſhall bow to me, and every tongue ſhall confeſs to God.
And ſo I am come to the third and laſt particular of Chriſts Exaltation; viz. Every tongue ſhall confeſſe that Jeſus is the Lord. In the handling of which, I ſhall reſolve theſe Queſtions.
Queſt. 1. What are we to underſtand by every tongue?
Anſw. 1. Some underſtand every tongue for every Nation; and then the meaning is,Omnis linguae pro quavis Gente. Dan. 3.4. Rev. 5.9. Pſal. 67.7. Pſal. 2.8. Pſal. 72.9. Rom. 10.18. that the Name of Chriſt ſhall be acknowledged and worſhipped by every Nation; and ſo in Scripture Phraſe, Tongue, and Language, and Nation, they are foreign words of the ſame notion and import. And this is true, that before the end of the world, all the ends of the earth ſhall worſhip the Name of Christ. The Heathen ſhall be his inheritance, and the uttermoſt ends of the earth his poſſeſſion; and they that dwell in the Wilderneſſe, ſhall bow before him; and the Sunne-light of the Goſpel ſhall ſhine all the world over.
And it is very remarkable, how God did repair the confuſion of tongues by the gift of tongues.Gen. 11.7. compared with Acts 2.11. Rom. 10.10.
2. But I rather conceive, that by every tongue is meant every perſon; as by every knee, every perſon; for with the heart man believeth unto righteouſneſſe, and with the mouth confeſſion is made unto ſalvation.
Queſt. 2. What are we to underſtand here that Jeſus is the Lord?
1 Cor. 2.8.Anſw. Jeſus Chriſt is the Lord, the Lord of glory in ſeveral reſpects.
1 Cor. 8 6. Rom. 11.361. He is the Lord, as he is Creatour of heaven and earth; to us there is but one Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom are all things, and we by him. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things.
Heb. 1.4. foreign. Heb. 1.2. 2 Cor.. 4.5.2. As he was the Son of God, ſo he is the Lord, and ſo he hath obtained by inheritance, this moſt excellent Name, to be Lord and Chriſt; thus Chriſt is Lord of all; jure haereditario, as he was the Heire of all things.
Jeſus Christ is the Lord; ſo ſpeaks the Apoſtle, We preach Chriſt Jeſus the Lord.
1. Chriſt is a Lord to command us; he hath that Authority, that he hath an abſolute Soveraignty over our conſciences; men are but Servants of our Faith, Stat pro rationibus univerſis, Deus vult.but Chriſt is the Lord of our Faith and Conſciences. It is enough that Chriſt hath ſaid it, that he hath commanded it.
Heb. 7.25.2. Chriſt is a Lord to ſave us; and he hath power and ability, to ſave to the uttermoſt, all thoſe that come unto God through him. And thus as he hath the Authority of a Lord to command us, we ſhould willingly obey him; and as he hath the power and ability of a Lord to ſave us, we ſhould chearfully truſt in his Name. To confeſs that Jeſus is the Lord, is ſo to believe on him, as to ſay,Mat. 8.26. Acts 9 6. Lord, ſave us, or elſe we periſh; and ſo to obey him, as to ſay, Lord, what wouldſt thou have me to do?
Now as every knee muſt bow to the Dominion of Chriſt, ſo every tongue muſt confeſs that Jeſus is the Lord.
1. The Devils and Wicked men ſhall be forced at the laſt to acknowledge the power of Chriſt, whoſe Authority they have alwayes rebell'd againſt. And as Pharaoh and the Egyptians cryed out,Exod. 14.15. L…t us flee, for the Lord fighteth against us; So ſhall the ſtouteſt-hearted ſinner one day, flee from the preſence of Chriſt,Rev. 6.16. and call to the Mountains to ſhelter them from the wrath of the Lamb. And all the implacable enemies of Chriſt, they ſhall be forced, through ſpite and rage, to gnaw their tongues, and gnaſh their teeth, and ſay as that Curſed Apoſtate Julian, Thou haſt overcome me, foreign.O Galilean.
2. All the Saints and Angels, ſhall with one conſent, own, acknowledge, and praiſe Jeſus Chriſt, as the Lord, and as their Lord. They ſhall acknowledge him to be the Lord their Maker, and their Saviour, and ſo they ſhall cry Hoſanna to him, and they ſhall acknowledge him to be their Lord and Soveraign, and ſo they ſhall caſt down their Crowns at his feet, and with everlaſting Hallelujahs ſing, Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlaine, Rev. 5.12, 13.to receive Wiſdom, Power, and Riches, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Bleſſing.
There is but one thing more to be opened in this Scripture, and that is the end of Chriſts Exaltation, which was foreign, to the Glory of God the Father.
1. Some by foreign, do underſtand that Jeſus Chriſt is exalted unto the ſame glory with the Father in Heaven, being now ſate down at his right hand; and ſo they make theſe words to ſignifie not the end wny, but the end whereunto Chriſt was exalted.
And thus the Arabick, and the Vulgar Latine.Omnis lingua confileatur quia Dominus Jeſus Chriſtus in gloriâ est Dei Patris. Rev. 3.21.
And though I believe that there is a truth in this; viz. that Jeſus Chriſt after he had overcome his enemies, ſate down in his Fathers Throne; yet I cannot ſee how the Greek will bear this Interpretation.
2. We ſhall therefore take theſe words, Ʋnto the glory of God the Father, as ſignifying the great end of Chriſts Humiliation and Exaltation, to wit the glory of God. As God had no motive without himſelf, ſo he had no end beyond himſelf, John 3.16. Deut. 7.7.in giving of Chriſt. God gave Chriſt for us, becauſe he loved us; and wherefore did he love us, but becauſe he loved us? and the maine end of all, was,Eph. 1.6. that all might be to the praiſe of the glory of his grace. Thus Chriſts Exaltation was for the honouring of God the Father. Jeſus Chriſt prayed, Father, glorifie thy Name; then came there a voice from heaven, ſaying, I have both glo…ified it, and will glorifie it againe. As if God the Father had thus anſwered Chriſt, Sonne, I have glorified my Name in thy Humiliation, John 12.28.and I will glorifie it again in thy Exaltation. God the Father glorifies his Son, that he might glorifie his own Name;Luke 10.16. John 5.22, 23. He that despiſe…h Chriſt, deſpiſeth God that ſent him; and he that honoureth the Son, honoureth the Father.
Having ſpoken of the Exaltation of Chriſt, as the Apoſtle handles the Doctrine of it in theſe Verſes, I ſhall conclude all with the improvement and Application thereof.
I. Uſe of Information; If Chriſt was firſt humbled, and then exalted;Luke 24.26. Act. 14.22. we may learn from hence, that as Chriſt first ſuffered, and entered into his glory, even ſo muſt we, through many Tribulations enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. As it was with the Head, ſo may we expect it will be with the Members; the Crown of Thornes, before the Crown of life; the Croſſe of ſhame, Joh. 19.2. Rev. 2.10.before the Throne of Glory; Humiliation before Exaltation; Chriſt got not the Crown ſine ſang…ine & ſudore; he ſweat drops of blood for it; and we cannot expect an eaſier and ſhorter way to glory. Our way to heaven, is like that of the Iſraelites to Canaan, Pſal. 66.12.which was through fire and water, into a wealthy land.
2 Tim. 2.11, 12.This is a faithful ſaying, If we ſuffer with Chriſt, we ſhall reign with him; firſt ſuffer, and then reign; we paſs through Marah unto Elim, through Bacah to Berechah, through bitterneſs to bleſſedneſs.
II. Ʋſe of Exhortation; Is Jeſus Chriſt thus exalted? then let us, our tongues, our knees, our hearts, and our lives, acknowledge him to be our Lord.
Joh. 19. Joh. 19. Rev 4.10. Rev. 15.3.1. What the Jews, and Pilate, and Herod, and the Souldiers did in ſcorne, let us do in ſinc…rity. They put a Crown of Thornes on his head, let us caſt down our Crowns at his foot-ſtool. They bowed the knee, and cryed, Ave Rex Judaeorum, Hayle King of the Jewes; Ubi thronus Christi? ubi ſceptium, ubi Corona, ubi Pu… pura, ubi Miniſtri? Crux fuit thronus, ſceptrum clavi, purpura ſanguis, Corona ſpinae, & Miniſtri Carnifices. Aug. Tanto charior es mihi, quanto vilior factus es pro me. Bern.let us bow the knees of our ſouls unto him, and ſay, Ave Rex Sanctorum, Bleſſed be thou, O King of Saints; whereas the Croſs was his Throne, the nailes his Scepter, his Robe was made Purple with his own blood, his Crown was Thornes, his attendants were the Executioners; Say then, O bleſſed Saviour! thou art the more p ecious to my ſoul, becauſe thou waſt ſo much vilified for my ſake.
2. Let us take heed that we do not violate our allegiance to him, whom God hath exalted to be Lord and Chriſt. Sinners!Exod. 5.2. Pſal. 12.2. Luke 19.27. do not ſay, Who is the Lord, that we ſhould obey his voice? Do not ſay, Who is Lord over us? Do not, O do not ſay, We will not have Chriſt to reign over us.
1. Conſider, Chriſt is a Saviour only to th…ſe that ſu…mit unto him. He is the Authour of eternal life to them that obey him. Heb. 5.9.It is a vaine thing to expect the Priviledges and Dignities that come by Chriſt, and not to ſubmit to the duties and ſervices which are due unto Chriſt.Tit. 2.11, 12. The Goſpel is a Meſſage of Eternal life, only to thoſe to whom it is a rule of a spiritual life; What? will you cry to Chriſt to ſave you, and in the meane time ſerve the Devil and your luſts? But the true believer doth not only caſt himſelf into the armes of Chriſt to be ſaved, but alſo caſts himſelf at Chriſts feet to ſerve him; and is as willing to be ruled by him, as to be Redeemed by him. Many love Chriſt, but it is for their own ſakes; who deſire to finde, but will not be at the paines to ſeek him;Multi amant Chriſtum, ſed non propter Chriſtum; amant benedictionem; non juriſdictionem multi cupiunt Chriſtum conſequi, qui nolunt ſequi; deſiderant inv…nire quem nolunt quaerere. M…retricius amor eſt plus amare annulum quam ſponſum. Aug. and ſo inſtead of ſerving the Lord Chriſt, they do but ſerve themſelves upon him.
2. Conſider (O fooliſh ſinner) that every knee muſt one day bow to Chriſt; O then! what folly is it to rebell againſt him, to whom thou muſt at laſt be forced to bow! Would the Brethren of Joſeph (think you) have ſo deſpiſed, and deſpitefully uſed Joſeph, if ever they had thought that there would come a day, that they muſt ſupplicate to him for their lives and liberties? The proudeſt ſinner will at the laſt day,Mat. 7.21. cry, Lord, Lord, &c. Do not then lift up the heel againſt him, to whom thou muſt one day bow the knee.
3. Conſider, That the ſinnes of Chriſtians are far greater, than of the Jews againſt Chriſt. They ſinned againſt Chriſt in the ſtate of his Humiliation, but we ſin againſt Chriſt who is now exalted on the right hand of God. The Jews put Chriſt to death for ſaying,Mat. 26.64. Hereafter you ſhall ſee the Son of Man ſitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the Clouds of Heaven; and ſhall we, we Chriſtians, put the Lord of glory to open ſhame, who do believe that he is ſate down at the right hand of the Majeſty on High? Acts 3.17.The Jews many of them, both Rulers and people, knew not that Jeſus was the Christ; they had a hand in his death, but it was through ignorance; for had they known it, gCor. 2.8.they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory; but it muſt be horrible wickedneſs for us to rebell againſt Chriſt, who do believe his Exaltation.
Sub pedibus ejus eris, aut adoptatus aut victus. Aug.4. And Laſtly, Conſider, That Chriſt at laſt will be too hard for the moſt hard-hearted ſinner. If you will not bow, you will be broken (O obſtinate ſinner!) if thou wilt not kiſs the Son, thou wilt lick the duſt under his feet; if thou wilt not bow as a Child, thou wilt be made to bow as a Slave; if thou wilt not bow to his golden Scepter, Mat. 11.29. Pſa. 110.1.thou wilt be broken with his Iron Rod; In a word, if thou wilt not bear his Yoke, thou ſhalt become his Foot-ſtool.
III. Ʋſe of Comfort to Bel…evers; great is the Conſolation which doth ariſe from the doctrine of Chriſts Exaltation.
1. Is Chriſt exalted to the right hand of God? then we may comfortably believe, that he hath perfectly ſatisfied Gods justice for us; John 16.9.we may now reſt upon Chriſts righteouſneſs, that he hath accompliſhed fully all his undertaking, becauſe he is gone to the Father. Chriſt by his Death overcame his enemies; by his Reſurrection he ſcattered them; by his Aſcenſion he triumph't over them; by his Death he paid the debt; by his Reſurrection he came out of Priſon; and by his Aſcenſion he ſhews himſelf openly to God the Creditor, and pleads ſatisfaction. The Humiliation of Chriſt confirmed and ratified the New Teſtament; his Exaltation gives him opportunity to execute his laſt Will and Teſtament; for he is now exalted as a Conquerour,Rev. 1.18. and hath the keys of death and hell delivered to him.
This comfort the Apoſtle urgeth upon the Doctrine of Chriſts▪ Exaltation; for if when we were enemies, Rom. 5.10.we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more being reconciled, we ſhall be ſaved by his life. Our ſalvation began in the humiliation, but it is compleated in the Exaltation of Chriſt.Heb. 7.25. foreign. He did not undertake what he was not able to finiſh; for he ſaves his people to the uttermoſt.
2. This is our comfort, though Chriſt be highly exalted, yet he is mindful of us. He is not only a faithful High Prieſt in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the ſins of the people, but he is a merciful high Prieſt, Heb. 2.17, 18.to remember the ſufferings of his people, and to ſuccour thoſe that are tempt…d. The Lord Jeſus though he be ſafely landed upon the ſhore of eternal glory, yet he hath an eye to, and a care of his poor Church,Heb. 4.15. Heb. 5.2. foreign. that is toſſed with tempeſt, and afflicted. He is not only foreign, one that can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but he is foreign; he doth pro magnitudine miſeriae condolere, he bears a ſhare with us in our afflictions and temptations.
The manner of men is, that great preferments makes them forget their former poor acquaintance:Honores mutan… mores. but it is otherwiſe with Chr…ſt. He is exalted above the Heavens, and yet he is not unmindful of his Church on earth. The dayes of his Paſſion are ended, but not of his compaſſion; as Joſeph, though he was the Favourite of Egypt, yet was not aſhamed to own his Brethren who were poor Shepherds;Heb. 2 11. Heb. 6.20. foreign. 1 John 2.1. foreign. Joh. 20.17. Exod. 28.9, 10. no more is Jeſus Chriſt aſhamed to call us Brethren. Chriſt is gone into heaven as our F…re-runner, and there he is an Adv…cate for us with the Fa her. Juſt when Chriſt was going into heaven, he ſends this comfortable meſſage to his Diſciples, I aſcend to your God and my God, to your Fa her and my Fa her.
Our great High Prieſt hath all the names, and neceſſities of his people written upon his Breaſt-plate; Believers are engraven upon the palmes of his hands; Iſa. 49.16. Cant. 8.6.yea, they are ſet as a Seal upon his heart.
Videmus caput nostrum ſuper aquas. Greg.3. And laſt Conſolation is this, Chriſt is exalted to heaven, and ſo ſhall all believers in due time; the Head hath taken poſſeſſion of heaven for all his Members.
In all the ſeveral parts of the Humiliation and Exaltation of Chriſt, he acted not as a ſingle perſon, but as the Second Adam; repreſentatively, as a publick perſon; ſo that all thoſe who are in Chriſt Jeſus, have an intereſt in that Redemption he hath purchaſed for Believers.
Gal. 2.20. Rom. 6.8.Chriſt was crucified, and a believer is crucified with Chriſt; Chriſt dyed, and a believer is dead with Chriſt.
Col. 3.1.Chriſt roſe from the dead, and believers are riſen with Chriſt. Chriſt is aſcended up to heaven, and believers ſit together with Chriſt in heauenly places.Eph. 2.6.
1 Cor. 6.2.Chriſt wil come to judge the world; and the Saints, as Aſſeſſors to Chriſt, ſhall judge the world.
Rev. 3.31.Chriſt is ſate down in his Fathers Throne, and believers ſhall ſit with Chriſt in his Throne.
In a word, our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is now poſſeſt of the glory of heaven,John 14.3. Joh 16.24. will come again to fetch us to heaven, that we may be where he is, that we may not only ſee his glory, but partake of it; for when he ſhall appear, we ſhall appear with him in glory.Col. 3.4.