Christ Crucified, Sermon 1
SERMON I.
ISAIAH LIII.I.
Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
WE hope it ſhall not be needful to inſiſt in opening the Scope of this Chapter, or in clearing to you of whom the Prophet meaneth, and is ſpeaking: It was once queſtioned by the Eunuch, Acts 8.32. when he was reading this Chapter, Of whom doeth the Prophet ſpeak this, of himſelf, or of ſome other man? And it's ſo clearly anſwered by Philip, who, from theſe words, began and preached to him of Jeſus Chriſt, that there needs be no doubt of it now: To Chriſtians theſe two may put it out of queſtion, that Jeſus Chriſt and the Subſtance of the Goſpel is compended and ſummed up here. 1. If we compare the Letter of this Chapter with what is in the four Evangeliſts, we will ſee it ſo fully, and often ſo literally made out of Chriſt, that if any will but read this Chapter, and compare it with them, they will find the Evangeliſts to be Commentators on it, and ſetting it out more fully. 2. That there is no Scripture in the Old Teſtament ſo often and ſo convincingly applyed to Chriſt as this is, there being ſcarce one Verſe, at leaſt not many, but are by the Evangeliſts or Apoſtles made uſe of for holding out of Chriſt.
If we look then to the ſum of the words of this Chapter, they take in the ſum and ſubſtance of the Goſpel; for they take in theſe two, 1. The right deſcription and manifeſtation of Jeſus Chriſt, And 2. the unfolding and opening up of the Covenant of Redemption. Where theſe two are, there the ſum of the Goſpel is; but theſe two are here, therefore the ſum of the Goſpel is here. Firſt, Jeſus Chriſt is deſcribed, 1. In his Perſon and Natures, as God being Eternal, as Man being under Suffering. 2. In all his Offices, as a Prieſt offering up Himſelf as a Sacrifice to ſatisfie Juſtice, as a Prophet venting his Knowledge to the juſtifying of many thereby, and as a King dividing the ſpoil with the ſtrong. 3. In His Humiliation, in the Cauſe of it, in the End of it, in the Subject of it, in the Nature and Riſe of all, God's good pleaſure. And 4. In His Exaltation, and Out-gate promiſed Him on the back of all His Sufferings and Humiliation.
2. The Covenant of Redemption is here deſcribed and ſet out, 1. In the particular Parties of it, God and the Mediator. 2. As to the Matter about which it was, the Seed that was given to Chriſt, and all whoſe iniquities met on him. 3. As to the mutual Engagements on both ſides, the Son undertaking to make his Soul an offering for Sin, and the Father promiſing that the efficacy of that His Satisfaction, ſhall be imputed and applyed for the juſtification of Sinners, and the terms on which, or the way how this Imputation and Application is brought about, to wit, By His Knowledge; All are clearly held out here.
This is only a touch of the Excellency of this Scripture, and of the Materials (to ſay ſo) in it, as comprehending the ſubſtance and marrow of the Goſpel; we ſhall not be particular in dividing the Chapter, conſidering that theſe things we have hinted at, are interwoven in it.
The firſt Verſe is a ſhort Introduction to lead us in to what follows. The Prophet hath in the former Chapter been ſpeaking of Chriſt as God's Servant, that ſhould be extolled and made very high, and before he proceed more particularly to unfold this Myſtery of the Goſpel, he cryes out by way of regrate, Who hath believed our report? Alace (would he ſay) for as good News as we have to carry, few will take them off our hand, ſuch is Mens unconcernedneſs, yea, malice and obſtinacy, that they reject them. And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? to point at the neceſſity of the Power of God to accompany preaching, and even the moſt lively Ordinances, to make them effectual; how few are they, that the Power of God captivates to the obedience of this Truth?
For the firſt part of this Verſe, Who hath believed our report? To open it a little, ye ſhall take theſe four or five Conſiderations ere we come to the Doctrines:
Conſider 1. The Matter of this Report in reference to its ſcope; it's not every report, but a report of Chriſt, and of the Covenant of Redemption and of Grace: In the Original it is, Who hath believed our hearing actively, that is, that which we have propoſed to be heard; and the word is turned tydings, Dan. 11.44. and rumour, Jer. 51.46. It's the tydings and rumour of a ſuffering Mediator, interpoſing himſelf betwixt God and Sinners; and it may be, hearing is mentioned, to point out the confidence which the Prophet had in reporting theſe News, he firſt heard them from God, and in that was paſſive, and then actively, he propoſed them to the People to be heard by them. 2. Conſider that the Prophet ſpeaketh of this Report, not as in his own Perſon only, but as in the Perſon of all that ever preached, or ſhall preach this Goſpel; therefore this Report is not peculiar to Iſaiah, but it's our Report, the Report of the Prophets before, and of theſe after him, and of the Apoſtles and Miniſters of the Goſpel. 3. Conſider that Iſaiah ſpeaketh of this Report, not only in reſpect of what he met with in his owntime, but as foreſeeing what would be the carriage of People in reference to it in after-times, therefore John. 2.38. and Rom. 10.16. this ſame place is alledged to give a reaſon of the Jews unbelief, becauſe Iſaiah foretold it long before. 4. Conſider, that when he complaineth of the want of Faith to the report and tydings of the Goſpel, it is not of the want of hiſtorical Faith, as if the People would not give Chriſt a hearing at all, but it is of the want of ſaving Faith, therefore Joh. 12.37, 38. it is ſaid, though he had done many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him; and this propherick Scripture is ſubjoyn'd as the reaſon of it, that the ſaying of Iſaias might be fulfilled, who ſaid, Lord who hath believed our report? applying the believing ſpoken of here, to that ſaving Faith whereby folk believe and reſt upon Jeſus Chriſt. 5. Conſider that though there be no expreſſe Party named to whom the Prophet complaineth, yet no doubt, it is to God, therefore Joh. 12.38. and Rom. 10.16. when this Scripture is cited, it is, Lord who hath believed our report? ſo it is the Prophet's complaint of the little fruit himſelf had, and that the Miniſters of the Goſpel ſhould have in preaching of the Goſpel, regrating and complaining of it to God as a ſore matter, that it ſhould come to ſo many, and ſo few ſhould get good of it, ſo few ſhould be brought to believe and to be ſaved by it.
Though theſe words be few, yet they have four great things in them, to which we ſhall reduce them, for ſpeaking more clearly to them. 1. That the great ſubject of Preaching, and Preachers great errand is, to report concerning Jeſus Chriſt, to bring tydings concerning Him. 2. That the great duty of Hearers (implyed) is, to believe this Report, and by vertue of it, to be brought to reſt and rely on Jeſus Chriſt. 3. That the great, though the ordinary ſin of the generality of the Hearers of the Goſpel, is unbelief, Who hath believed? that is, it's few that have believed; it's a rare thing to ſee a Believer of this Report. 4. That the great complaint, weight, and grief of an honeſt Miniſter of the Goſpel, is this, that his Meſſage is not taken off his hand, that Chriſt is not received, believed in, and reſted on; this is the great challenge Miniſters have againſt the generality of People, and the ground of their complaint to God, that whatever they report concerning Chriſt, He is not welcomed, His Kingdom thrives not.
That we may ſpeak to the firſt, conſidering the words with reſpect to the Scope, we ſhall draw five or ſix Doctrines from them: The firſt whereof is more general, that the diſcovery of Chriſt Jeſus, and the making him known, is the greateſt News, the gladeſt Tydings, and the moſt excellent Report, that ever came, or can come to a People, there is no ſuch thing can be told them, no ſuch Tydings can they hear; this is the Report that the Prophet ſpeaks of by way of eminency, a Report above, and beyond all other Reports; theſe are News worthy to be carried by Angels, Behold, ſaith one of them, Luke 2.20. I bring you good tydings of great joy; which ſhall be to all people: And what are theſe Tydings ſo prefaced to with a Behold? for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Chriſt the Lord: theſe are the good Tydings, that Jeſus Chriſt is come, and that he is the Saviour by Office. We ſhall not inſiſt on this, onelyonly 1. We will find a little view of this Subject in the following words, which hold forth clearly Chriſt, God and Man in one Perſon, ſo compleatly qualified, and excellently furniſhed for His Offices. 2. It's alſo clear, if we look to the excellent effects that come by His being ſo furniſhed, as His ſatisfying of Juſtice, His ſetting free of Captives, His triumphing over Principalities and Powers, His deſtroying the works of the Devil, &c. there cannot be more excellent works or effects ſpoken of. 3. It's clear, if we look to Him from whom this Report cometh, and in whoſe Breaſt theſe News bred, (if we may ſpeak ſo) they are the reſult of the Counſel of the God-head; and therefore, as the Report here is made in the Lord's Name, ſo He is complained to, when it is not taken off the Prophet's hand. And 4. it's clear, if we look to the myſteriouſneſs of theſe News, Angels could never have conceived them, had not this Report come; theſe things tell that they are great, glorious, and good News, glad Tydings, as it is in the end of the former Chapter, That which hath not been told them ſhall they ſee, and that which they have not heard ſhall they conſider.
The firſt Uſe is, To draw our hearts to be in love with the Goſpel, and to waken our eſtimation of it: Peoples ears are itching after Novelties, and ye are much worn out of conceit with theſe News; but is there in any News ſuch an advantage as in theſe, when God ſendeth News to Men, they muſt be great News, and ſuch indeed are theſe.
Uſe 2. Therefore be affrayed to entertain loathing of the plain ſubſtantial Truths of the Goſpel; if ye had never heard them before, there would, belike, be ſome Athenian itching to hear and ſpeak of them, but they ſhould not be the leſs thought of, that they are often heard and ſpoken of.
Uſe 3. Therefore think more of the Goſpel, ſeeing it containeth the ſubſtance of theſe good News, and glad Tydings, and think more of Goſpel-ordinances whereby theſe good Tydings are ſo often publiſhed and made plain to you.
2. More particularly, Obſerve, that Jeſus Chriſt, and what concerneth Him, the glad and good News of a Saviour, and the reporting of them, is the very proper work of a Miniſter, and the great ſubject of a Miniſters preaching; his proper work is to make Him known, or take it thus, Chriſt is the native ſubject on which all preaching ſhould run; this is the Report the Prophet ſpeaketh of here, and in effect, it was ſo to John and the other Apoſtles, and ſhould be ſo to all Miniſters; Chriſt Jeſus and what concerns Him, in His Perſon, Natures and Offices; to know, and make Him known to be God and Man; to make Him known in His Offices, to be Prieſt, Prophet, and King; to be a Prieſt, in His ſuffering and ſatisfying Juſtice; to be a Prophet, in revealing the Will of God; to be a King, for ſubduing folks Luſts and Corruptions; and to know, and make Him known, in the way by which Sinners, both Preachers and Hearers, may come to have Him to themſelves, as follows in this Chapter. This, this is the ſubject of all Preaching, and all Preaching ſhould be levelled at this mark; Paul is 1 Cor. 2.2. peremptory in this, I determined to know nothing among you, but Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified, as if he had ſaid, I will meddle with no other thing, but betake my ſelf to this; not onelyonly will he forbear to meddle with civil Employments, but he will lay aſide his Learning, Eloquence, and Humane Wiſdom, and make the preaching of Chriſt crucified his great work and ſtudy, the reaſon of this is, becauſe Chriſt ſtandeth in a fourfold relation to preaching. 1. He is the Text, to ſay ſo, of Preaching; all Preaching is to explain Him, Acts 10.43. To him give all the Prophets witneſs, and ſo do the four Evangels, and the Apoſtolick Epiſtles, which are as ſo many Preachings of Him; and that Preaching which ſtandeth not in relation to Him, is beſide the Text and Mark. 2. He is holden out as the Foundation and Ground-work of Preaching, ſo that Preaching without Him wants Foundation, and is the Building, as it were, of a Caſtle in the Air, 1 Cor. 3.10— I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon, but let every man take heed how he buildeth, for other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid, which is Jeſus Chriſt; importing that all Preaching ſhould be ſquared to, and made to agree with this Ground-ſtone. 3. He ſtandeth as the great End of Preaching, not onelyonly that Hearers may have Him known in their Judgments, but may have Him high in their Hearts and Affections, 2 Cor. 3.4. We preach not our ſelves, that is, not onelyonly do we not preach our ſelves as the Subject, but we preach not our ſelves as the end of our Preaching, our ſcope is not to be great, or much thought of, but our end in Preaching is to make Chriſt great. 4. He ſtandeth in relation to Preaching, as He is the Power and Life of Preaching, without whom, no Preaching can be effectual, no Soul can be captivate and brought in to Him; hence 1 Cor. 1.23. he ſayeth, We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a ſtumbling block, they cannot abide to hear him, and to the Greeks fooliſhneſs, but to them that are ſaved, the power of God, and the wiſdom of God.
Uſe 1. For Miniſters, which we ſhall forbear inſiſting on; onelyonly 1. Were Chriſt the ſubject and ſubſtance of our Report, were we more in holding out Him, it's like it might go better with us. 2. There is need of warrineſs, that the Report we make, ſuit well the Foundation: And 3. the neglect of this may be the cauſe of much powerleſs Preaching, becauſe Chriſt is not ſo preached as the ſubject-matter and end of Preaching, many Truths are (alace) ſpoken without reſpect to this end, or but with little reſpect to it.
Uſes particular for you that are Hearers, are theſe. 1: If this be the great ſubject of Miniſters Preaching, and that which ye ſhould hear moſt gladly, and if this be moſt profitable for you, we may be particular in ſome few Directions to you, which will be as ſo many branches of the Uſe. And firſt, of all Truths that People would welcome and ſtudy, they would welcome and ſtudy theſe that concern Chriſt and the Covenant of Grace moſt, as Foundation-truths, and ſeek to have them backed by the Spirit; we are affrayed there is a fault among Chriſtians, that moſt plain and ſubſtantial Truths are not ſo heeded, but ſomethings that may further folk in their Light, or tickle their Affections, or anſwer a Caſe, are almoſt only ſought after; which things (it's true) are good, but if the plain and ſubſtantial Truths of the Goſpel were more ſtudied, and made uſe of, they have in them that which would anſwer all Caſes: It's a ſore matter when folks are more taken up with Notions and Speculations, then with theſe Soul-ſaving Truths, as, that Chriſt was born, that he was a true Man, that he was, and is King, Prieſt, and Prophet of His Church, &c. and that other things are heard with more greedineſs: But, if theſe be the great ſubject of Miniſters Preaching, it ſhould be your great ſtudy to know Chriſt, in His Perſon, Natures, Offices, and Covenant, what He is to you, and what is your duty to Him, and how you ſhould walk in Him and with Him; this was Paul's aim, I count (ſaith he) all things loſs and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt, that I may know him and the power of his reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his ſufferings, &c. Phil. 3.8, 9, 10. It's my deſign, (as if he had ſaid) not onelyonly to make Him known, but to know Him my ſelf; there is little Faith in Chriſt, and diſtinctneſs in uſe making of His Offices, and folks take but little pains to know theſe things: Therefore, on the one ſide, let me exhort you, to make this more the ſubject of your enquiry; and on the other ſide, take it for your reproof, that there is ſuch a readineſs to ſnuff when plain Truths are inſiſted on, or when they are not followed in ſome uncouth or ſtrange way, which ſayes we are exceeding unthankful to God for giving us the beſt things to ſpeak, hear, and think of.
2. Think much of the Preaching of Chriſt, and to have Miniſters to preach of Him, He is the beſt News, and God hath ſent Miniſters on this errand to make them known to you; had He ſent them to tell you all the ſecret things to come that are in God's purpoſe, and all the hid works of Nature, it had not been compareable to theſe News; what would ye have been? O what would Sabbath-days, and Week-days, your lying down and riſing up, your living and dying been, if theſe News had not been? ye ſhould have had a ſinful and ſad life, and a moſt comfortleſs and terrible death; therefore think this Goſpel a thing of more worth then ye do, and count their feet beautiful on the Mountains, that bring theſe News and glad Tydings, as it is Iſa. 52. that good Report of making Peace betwixt God and Sinners ſhould be moſt thought of and prized, and counted a greater favour then we uſe to count it. 3. By this ye may know who thrives and profites beſt under the Goſpel, even theſe that learn moſt of Chriſt, which conſiſts not in telling over words. But firſt in actual improving of Him, as it is Eph. 3.20. Ye have not ſo learned Chriſt, but ſo as to improve what is in Him. 2. In an experimental finding of theſe effects in us, that are ſpoken of to come by Chriſt, which is, that the Apoſtle meaneth, Phil. 3.10. That I may know him and the power of his reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his ſufferings, that I may be conformable to his death; I am affrayed that of the many that hear this Goſpel, there are but few that know Chriſt this way: But if He be the great thing that ſhould he preached by us, and that ye ſhould learn, 1. What is the reaſon that ſo many ſhould be ignorant of Him, that the moſt part look rather like T…ks and Pagans then like Chriſtians? God help us, what ſhall we ſay of the condition of the moſt part of People, when the preaching of the Goſpel has not gained this much ground on us, as to make us know Chriſt, in His Perſon, Natures, Offices, our need of Him, and the uſe we ſhould make of Him? But 2. If we will try how he is improven, it is to be feared, there be far fewer that know h…m in this reſpect; do not many Men live as if they had never heard tell of Him? Though they hear that pardon of Sin is to be gotten through Him, and that vertue to ſubdue Sin muſt flow from Him, yet they live as if no ſuch thing were in Him: If your Conſciences were poſed, beſides the evidences that are in your practice, this would be found to be a ſad truth. And 3. If we will yet try further, what experience folk have of Chriſt, what vertue they find flowing from His Reſurrection, what fellowſhip there is in His Sufferings, what conformity to His Death, what benefite red…unds to them from His Offices of King, Prieſt, and Prophet, to the ſlaying of Sin, and quickening to holy Duties, what benefite or fruit from His Death; Alace! no more with moſt then if He had never died; what profite or real influence as to any Spiritual change do any to count upon find? and think ye all theſe things to be but words? They know Him not that feel not ſomething of the efficacy of His Death and Reſurrection in themſelves.
3. Obſerve, That the Report concerning Chriſt, is the main ſubject and e…rand that has been, and is, and will be common to all the Miniſters of the Goſpel to the end of the World; It's our Report, it was the Report of all the Prophets, Act. 10.43. To him bear all the Prophets witneſs, that through his Name, whoſoever believeth on him, ſhould have remiſſion of ſins; they all agree, and have a joint Teſtimony in theſe. 1. In one Subject, Chriſt, and the ſame things concerning Him, as, that the pardon of Sin is to be gotten in Him, and through Faith in Him, and no other way, &c. 2. In one Commiſſion; they have all one Commiſſion though they be not all equal; all are not Apoſtles, yet all are Ambaſſadours, there is the ſame Authority for us to report and you to receive the Goſpel, as if Iſaiah or Paul were preaching; the Authority depending on the Commiſſion, and not on the perſons of Men who carry it. 3. In one common End which they all have, and in one common Object they are ſent to. 4. In this, that they all hold of one common Maſter, being Gifts of one and the ſame Mediator, Eph. 4. When he aſcended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men, to ſome Apoſtles, &c.
The firſt Uſe is, To teach you not to think the leſs of the Teſtimony, or matter teſtified, becauſe of theſe that teſtifie to you; if Iſaiah or Paul were teſtifying to you, ye would get no other Tydings, though their life and way would be of another ſort and ſtamp then ours are alace! for the moſt part, we are warranded as well as they to make Chriſt known to you; therefore take heed of rejecting this Teſtimony of this Chriſt that we bear witneſs unto; it is the ſame Chriſt that the Law and the Prophets bear witneſs to, There is not another name given under heaven whereby a ſinner can be ſaved; it's through Him, that whoſoever be- on Him may receive remiſſion of ſins; in this ye have not onelyonly us, but the Prophets and Apoſtles to deall with, yea Jeſus Chriſt, and God Himſelf; and the rejecting of us, will be found to be the rejecting of them; it's the ſame Teſtimony on the matter that it was in Iſaiah his time; and therefore, tremble and fear, all ye that ſlight the Goſpel, ye have not us for your Party, but all the Prophets, and Iſaiah among the reſt, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath ſaid, He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that deſpiſeth you deſpiſeth me; there will be many aggravations of the guilt of an Unbeliever, and this will be a main one, even the Teſtimony of all the Prophets that concur in this Truth which they have rejected; take heed to this all ye Atheiſts that know not what it is to take with Sin, and all ye Hypocrites that coin and counterfeit a Religion of your own, and all ye legal Perſons that lean to your own righteouſneſs; what will ye ſay when it ſhall be found that ye have rejected all theſe Teſtimonies? ye muſt either ſay, ye counted them falſe Witneſſes, which ye will not dare to ſay, or that ye accounted them true, and yet would not receive their Teſtimony, and the beſt of theſe will be found ſad enough; for if ye counted them true, why did ye not believe them? this will be a very pungent dilemma.
Uſe 2. For comfort to poor Believers, they have good ground to receive and reſt upon Jeſus Chriſt, there is never a Prophet, Apoſtle, or Preacher of the Goſpel but he hath ſealed this Truth concerning Chriſt; what needs any ſinner ſcar at Him or be fearful to cloſe with Him? will ye give credit to the Teſtimony of Iſaiah and of Peter, Acts 10.43. and of the reſt of the Prophets and Apoſtles? then receive their Report, and ſet your ſelves to be among the number of Believers, that their Teſtimony may be reſted on: We are perſwaded there is one of two that will follow on this Doctrine, either a ſtrong encouragement to, and confirmation of believing, and quietly reſting on Jeſus Chriſt for pardon of ſin, or a great ground of aggravation of, and expoſtulation with you for your guilt, who care not whether ye receive this Report or not. We ſhall ſay no more for the time, but God bleſs this to you.