Sweet and Soul-Persuading Inducements Leading Unto Christ, Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
CHriſt came not as the falſe prophets of old, in his owne name, he had his calling and commiſſion from above. kHeb. 5.4. Chriſt commeth in the name of the Lord in 6. reſpects.No man (ſaith the Apoſtle) ſpeaking of Chriſt) taketh this honour to himſelfe, but ſuch an one as is called of God as Aaron was; and this is the ſecond particular in the firſt generall part of theſe words, Chriſts Calling and Commiſſion. He came in the name of the Lord; Chriſt is ſaid to come in the name of the Lord. 1. Ordination.1. In reſpect of Ordination. Chriſt as Mediator was appointed of old to miniſter ſalvation to Gods choſen; l1 Pet. 1.20. Rev. 13.8.fore-ordained (ſaith Saint Peter) before the foundation of the world, but was manifeſt in theſe laſt times: A lambe ſlaine from the foundation of the world ſaith Saint John, ſlaine from the foundation of the world in the eternall preordination of God, in the promiſe of the ſeed of woman to breake the ſerpents head, in the legall ſacrifices, in the faith of the fathers; and in the ſufferings of his members, in whoſe ſufferings Chriſt ſuffered, their ſufferings then ſhadowing Chriſts ſuffering to come.2. Preparation. 2. In reſpect of preparation, Chriſt as Man and Mediator is prepared and furniſhed with all abilities to execute and accompliſh his office; it pleaſed the Father (ſaith Paul) that in him ſhould all mCol. 1.19.fulneſſe dwell; fulneſſe of wiſedome, power, grace, righteouſneſſe, and worth to miniſter to his Church, whatſoever appertained to the ſalvation, welfare, or peace thereof,Ioh. 3.34. he having the Spirit poured out upon him above meaſure. 3. Calling.3. In reſpect of Calling, deſignation, and inveſtiture into his office. The Lord (ſaith Chriſt as Mediator) hath nIſa. 49.1.called me from the wombe, from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name; and I (ſaith God the Father unto Chriſt) will preſerve thee, and give thee for a Covenant of the people to eſtabliſh the earth; and when Chriſt was baptized and ſolemnly entred upon his calling: He was confirmed by a voice from heaven, ſaying, This is my oMat 3 17.Beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed. 4. Doctrine.4. In reſpect of the doctrine which he taught, no private, nor humane doctrine, but the doctrine of God his Father. I am come (ſaith Chriſt) in my Fathers pIoh. 5 43.name, declaring his truth, and ſeeking his glory, and ye receive me not, if another ſhall come in his owne name, preaching his owne invention, exalting and magnifying himſelfe; him ye will receive, to him ye will adhere, him you will admire and adore. And againe elſewhere, I have not qIoh. 12.49, 50.ſpoken of my ſelfe (ſaith Chriſt) but the Father which ſent me; he gave me a commandement what I ſhould ſay, and what I ſhould ſpeake; and I know that his commandement is life everlaſting; whatſoever I ſpeake therefore even as the Father ſaid unto me, ſo ſpeake I. 5.5. Benediction. In reſpect of benediction, Chriſt is come in the name of the Lord, accompanied with the fulneſſe of all bleſſing from God: In thy ſeed (ſaid God to Abraham, ſpeaking of Chriſt) ſhall all the kindreds of the earth be rAct. 3.25, 26.bleſſed, unto you firſt ſaith Peter, God having raiſed up his ſon Jeſus ſent him to bleſſe you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities;Eph 1.3. 6 End. and God (ſaith Saint Paul) hath bleſſed us with all ſpirituall bleſſings in heavenly places in Chriſt. 6. In reſpect of the end which Chriſt propoſed to himſelfe, his Fathers glory; he came in the name of the Lord, not ſeeking his owne, but his glory who ſent him. I ſeeke not mine owne ſIoh. 8 50, 54.glory (ſaith Chriſt) I honour my Father, if I honour my ſelfe, my honour is nothing. And thus Chriſt came in the name of the Lord; ordained, prepared, called of the Lord, declaring his Fathers will, accompanied with the fulneſſe of his Fathers bleſſing, intending and ſeeking his Fathers glory: The whole ſhewing, That,
Chriſt is furniſhed with authority and all divine abilities to minister all peace and ſalvation to Gods ſervants. Doct.This was tipyfied in tGen. 37.13. Mat. 9 15.Joſeph; Joſeph was ſent of his father to viſit his brethren in the wilderneſſe; Chriſt was ſent of God his Father to viſit mankinde, ſinfully ſtraying in the wilderneſſe of the world; Joſeph was ſet over the whole land of Egypt, and over the Kings houſe, by Pharaoh King of Egypt. Joſeph was furniſhed with wiſedome, underſtanding, and the Spirit of God to rule the people, and with all the ſtore and fulneſſe of Egypt, to miniſter to the neceſſities of the people. Chriſt is ſet by God his father, the King of Kings, over the whole uZach. 14 9.world in generall, over the wPſal. 2 6.Church of God in ſpeciall; Chriſt is furniſhed with xCol. 2 3.treaſures of all wiſedome, to guide the people; and with all divine and heavenly yIoh 10.fulneſſe to miniſter to the ſeverall neceſſities of Gods ſervants, to fill them with all ſpirituall fulneſſe. This was alſo figured in Joſuah. Joſuah was confirmed in his calling by the dividing of the waters in Iordan, at the preſence of the Arke, ſtanding therein, Chriſt was confirmed in his calling by the opening of the heavens, and the Spirit deſcending in the forme of a Dove upon him, when he was baptized in Iordan; Moſes being dead, Joſhuah was made the Captaine of Gods people, Moſes leading them to the land, Joſhuah entring them in the land; the Law ceaſing, and the Ceremonies thereof vaniſhing. Chriſt is appointed the Captaine of Gods Church and people, the Law leading to Chriſt, Chriſt by his death and conqueſt, giving men entrance into the heavens. Joſhuah overcame the enemies of Iſrael, and going before them, brought them into the land of Canaan, allotting to each one their portion: Chriſt hath overcome the enemies of his Church, and is aſcended into heaven before us, there to prepare for all the Lords ſervants: It is not the Law, but Chriſt that miniſters ſalvation to the Lords people: Chriſt Ieſus is the authour of our ſpirituall conqueſt, there is no way for man to heaven, but onelyonly by Chriſt, who came from heaven: Chriſt is the Iacobs ladder, by whom God deſcends to us in his grace, and through whom we aſcend to God by our faith. This was likewiſe typified in David, David was anointed King and Ruler over Iſrael, Chriſt is anointed King and Ruler over Gods Church. David delivered Iſraell from the great Goliah, he ſlew him with his owne weapon, Chriſt overcame the infernall Goliah the Devill, and brought deliverance to Gods choſen; Chriſt by zHeb. 2 14.death, Satans weapon, deſtroyed him that had the power of death: The power of all oppoſers is meere weakneſſe to the power of Chriſt Jeſus. Such is the tranſcendent fulneſſe of Chriſts abilities, that he turnes the inſtruments of mans deſtruction, to further mans ſalvation; this calling, preparation, and miſſion of Chriſt, was prophecyed by the Pſalmiſt, His dominion aPſal 72.ſhall be from ſea to ſea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. There is Chriſts univerſall jurisdiction and kingdome over men of every nation: I will give thee (ſaith the Lord by the Prophet, for a bIſa. 42 6.Covenant of the people, a light of the Gentiles. There is Chriſts ordination to be the publiſher of the Covenant of peace, the Author of reconciliation between God and man, the revealer of the myſtery of mans ſalvation, and cIſa. 6….1.the Spirit of the Lord (ſaith the Prophet in the perſon of Chriſt) is upon me, and he hath anointed me to preach glad tidings to the meeke: There is the calling, the preparation, unction, and full furniſhing of Chriſt with all abilities to execute his Mediatory office; and in this reſpect Chriſt is ſometimes termed by the Prophets a dIſa. 42.….ſervant for his calling and obedience to his fathers will, an eMal. 3.1.Angell for his miſſion being ſent of God, and for his publication of the tydings of ſalvation; a fIſa. 28 16.ſtone, a tryed ſtone, a precious corner ſtone, a ſure foundation, for his ſtrength to ſuſtaine them that are built upon him; a noble gIer 30.21.Ruler for his ſacred preſcription, and gracious adminiſtration of Gods Church and kingdome; a hZach. 13.1.fountaine for his efficacy to purge out ſinne, and for his fulneſſe to ſatisfie the thirſty ſoules of all beleevers; a iMal. 4.3.Sun of righteouſneſſe for the fulneſſe of the light of knowledge and comfort which he diſpenſeth, and for his bleſſed influence into the ſoules of his ſervants: The Sunne doth not ſhine more clearly in the ſtarres, then the authority and ability of the Sunne of righteouſneſſe to ſave us, doth ſhine in theſe Propheticall predictions; and this calling, miſſion, full and through preparation of Chriſt to this office of mediation between God and man, is plainly declared by the Evangeliſts and Apoſtles. Saint Mathew ſpeaks of Chriſt as of a kMat. 15.…4. Mar. 9 37.Shepheard ſent to gather the ſheep which are loſt. Saint Marke as of an Embaſſador ſent with tydings of peace, as of an heire ſent to rule over us,Luk. 4.18, 43. to be honourably entertained by us. Saint Luke, as of a Phyſitian ſent to heale us, as of a ranſomer ſent to free us, and to reſtore ſpirituall liberty to us. And Saint Paul ſaith plainly, When the fulneſſe of time was come, lGal. 4.4, 5.God ſent forth his ſonne made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeeme them that were under the Law, Col. 2.9.that we might receive the adoption of ſons, and in him dwelleth the fulneſſe of the Godhead bodily, and he filleth all in all.
And the authority, calling, preparation and fulneſſe of Chriſts abilities to ſave us is very manifeſt.
4. Grounds of Chriſts authority and ability to miniſter ſalvation. 1. Power.1. In regard of the power communicated unto Chriſt as Mediator. All power both in heaven and in earth is given unto him; power of vivification, he quickneth whom he will, as he raiſed Lazarus out of the grave; power of illumination, he openeth, and no man ſhutteth, as he opened the eyes of him that was borne blind; power of ſanctification, he purgeth away all ſinne, as he cleanſed the leproſie from the uncleane; power of remiſſion, as Lord and King he forgiveth ſinne, he blotteth out ſinne as the Sun the cloud; power of pacification, as he appeaſed the winds, and waters; power of adminiſtration, as the high Steward of Gods family, the ſupreme Pilot over the ſhip, which is the Church of God, as the great Centurion over the Lords army, and chiefe Juſtice in Gods Kingdome; power of ſubiugation, caſting downe and breaking in pieces all oppoſing forces, as the stone out of the mountaines burſt Nebuchadnezzars Image; power of protection and ſuſtentation in all troubles, as Noahs Arke ſuſtained him in the deluge, and Chriſt ſafe guarded the three children in the fiery furnace. The miraculous and mighty acts of Chriſts power are cleare and manifeſt declarations of his calling and commiſſion, and of his ability to miniſter ſalvation.
2. Exaltation.2. In regard of Chriſts exaltation…. He is exalted above all mEph. 4.21.principalities, he is exalted above all the common creatures, as the Creator and workman above the worke, as the Lord above his loweſt ſervants; he is exalted above all Angels, as the Prince above the Nobles, as the ſon above the attendants; he is exalted above all devils, as the Conquerour above the captives; he is exalted above all the Saints of God, as the head above the members, as the King above the ſubjects, as the bridegroome above the bride: He is nHeb, 1.3.ſet at the right hand of God, an exaltation whereof no meere creature is capable. Chriſts Majeſty, dignity, glory, and exaltation, doth even infinitely ſurpaſſe the dignity and honour of man and Angell; oHeb. 7.1….He is made higher then the heavens, others aſcend into heaven, have their dwelling in heaven; but Chriſt is made higher then the heavens, being God and man in one perſon, having an exaltation above all Saints and Angels, the inhabitants of heaven, all that is in heaven and in the earth being put under him, Chriſts ſitting in his Fathers throne. Chriſts exaltation above all creatures fully declared his ability to ſave his choſen from all evils.
3. In regard of Chriſts impletion and filling of all. 3 Impletion.He aſcended farre above all heavens that he might pEph. 4.10.fill all things: Chriſt filleth all things with his power, and common and generall operation, as the Sunne fils all the earth with his influence; with his abſolute authority and dominion, as a King fils his kingdome with his common gifts and mercies; as the Maſter of the houſe fils all the perſons of the houſe; Chriſt filleth the Devils and damned men with his juſtice, wrath, vengeance, but he filleth his Church and children with his ordinances, as a teacher fils his ſchoole with books and rules of inſtruction, as a nurſe fils the childe with her breaſts, and the Maſter of the feaſt his gueſts with food; theſe he filleth with knowledge, as the Sun the aire with light; with ſpirituall life, ſence and motion, and all heavenly graces, as the head the members, as the root the branches, as the Sun the ſtarres; ſweet and comfortable, excellent and gracious is that fulneſſe which Chriſt miniſters to his members, and by his filling of his faithfull ſervants, he verefies his Fathers miſſion and preparation of him to accompliſh mans ſalvation.
4. In regard of his propoſing of his Fathers glory, 4. Propoſing Gods glory.and referring all to his Fathers praiſe, as the ſupreme and ultimate end of all his ſervice and undertakings; an ingenuous ſon preferres his fathers honour above his owne honour; a good ſervant his Maſters profit, above his owne profit; a loyall Embaſſador the Kings will, meſſage, advantage, and renowne above his owne will, errant, benefit, or credit. Chriſt as Mediator was both a ſonne, a ſervant, and Gods great Embaſſador, preferring his fathers will, pleaſure and praiſe above his owne: I qIoh. 5.30.ſeeke not mine owne will (faith Chriſt) but the will of him that ſent me; and againe, he ſought not his owne glory, but the glory of him that ſent him, and to the father Chriſt thus ſpeakes of himſelfe: I have glorified thee on earth, Ioh. 7.18.I have finiſhed the worke which thou gaveſt me. rIoh. 17.4.He glorified his father on earth, by declaring his fathers will and counſell, by making his father appeare glorious in the eyes of the people, by aſcribing all his miraculous and mighty works to his fathers power, by fulfilling his Law by his obedience, by ſatisfying his fathers juſtice by his ſufferings, by gathering home the ſoules of men to God his Father, to know his Fathers will, to adore his Fathers name, to obey his Fathers precepts, to beleeve his Fathers promiſes, to love his Fathers truth, to glorifie his …athers name, and every way to conforme themſelves and their doings to his Fathers teſtimonies; and by his full intendment, and glorious accompliſhment of his Fathers honour, he compleatly demonſtrated his ordination and preparation, his comming in the name of his Father to be mans Saviour.