Works, Sermon · Verse 3
Verſ. 36. The which word he declared, or ſent, to the children of Iſrael, preaching peace by Jeſus Chriſt, which is Lord of all.
OF all other readings I follow this, not only as the plaineſt, but becauſe it moſt aptly knitteth this verſe with the former, as a clear proof of it. For having ſaid, that now he knew that whoſoever, whether Jew or Gentile, did now purely worſhip God, according to the preſcript of his Word, the ſame is accepted of him: he proveth this to be a truth, becauſe it is the ſelf ſame thing which God himſelf had of old publiſhed to the Iſraelites, when he declared unto them, that peace and reconciliation was made between God and man by the means of Jeſus Chriſt, who is Lord, not of any one people or Nation, but Lord of all.
For the Apoſtle doth not ſecretly oppoſe the miniſtery of Moſes, and of Chriſt: Moſes was a Miniſter of the Law to the Jews only, but Chriſt himſelf, and the Goſpel, is the power of God to ſalvation to every beleever, firſt to the Jew, and then to the Grecian: and now God is not the God of the Jew only, but even of the Gentiles alſo, according to that heavenly ſong of the Angels, when Chriſt appeared to throw down that partition wall which ſtood between the Jew and Gentile; wherein they aſcribed not only all the glory unto God, but proclaimed peace to all the earth. In one word, that Jeſus Chriſt is our peace, and Lord of all, is the ſcope of this whole Sermon, and of all the Prophets, as after remaineth to be ſhewed in verſ. 43.
The former part of this verſe hath two general points to bee explained: the former, touching the peace here ſpoken of: the latter, concerning the preaching or declaring of it. By peace what is meant.In the former muſt be conſidered, 1 What this peace is: 2 How it is by Jeſus Chriſt. Firſt, by peace, among the Hebrews and Greeks, is meant all proſperity and happineſſe; for both of them in their ſalutations (though with ſome difference) prayed for peace to the parties ſaluted, that is, all good ſucceſs from God the fountain of mercy. And includeth in it, 1 Peace with God: 2 Peace with man, both with a mans ſelf, and others: 3 Peace with all the creatures of God, ſo farre forth as that none of them ſhall bee able to hurt him further than God thinketh good for his exerciſe; and in this peace ſtandeth true happineſſe.
2 It muſt be conſidered how this peace is by Jeſus Chriſt, namely, according to the former branches of it.
1 Peace with God by three things.Firſt he wrought our peace with God, from whom our ſin had ſundered and ſeparated us, three ways. 1 By interpoſing himſelf between his Fathers anger and us, who durſt not come near him, 2 By ſatisfying in our ſtead all his juſtice through his bloud; thereby removing all enmity, cancelling all handwritings which might have been laid againſt us; and beſtowing on us a perfect righteouſneſſe in which God is delighted to behold us. 3 By appearing now for us in Heaven, and making requeſts for us: in all which hee cannot but be heard, being the Son of his Fathers love in whom he is well pleaſed, and, for him, with us his members.
2 Peace with men. 1 Others.Secondly, he wrought peace between man and man, 1 By demoliſhing and caſting down the wall of ſeparation, whereby Jew and Gentile might not accord or meddle one with another; his death rent down the veil, that both Jew and Gentile might look into the Sanctuary, that of two he might make one people, one body, yea one new m…n unto himſelf, Eph. 2.13, 14.
2 By changing the fierce and cruel diſpoſition of men, who are now become the ſubjects of his Kingdom, that of Lions, and Cockatriſes, they become as meek and tractable as Lambs, and little Children: having peace ſo far as is poſſible with all men: with the godly for Gods Image ſake, and that they are members of the ſame body with them: and with the wicked for Gods Commandements ſake, and becauſe they may become members of Chriſt as well as they: they ſeek peace even with the worſt, and ſhall obtain it ſo farre as God ſeeth good: who when a mans ways pleaſe him, doth ſo over-rule his enemies hearts, as they ſhall become friendly unto him.
3 By ſetting every Chriſtian at peace with himſelf who before had no peace, 2 With a mans ſelf.but now hath obtained 1 Peace of Conſcience; when his Conſcience being p…rſwaded of his reconciliation with God through Chriſt, it ceaſeth to wound, and accuſe, and beginneth to excuſe, and comfort; and ſo bringeth quietneſſe and tranquillity of minde into the ſoul, which paſſeth underſtanding. 2 Peace in his will and affections, which by grace ceaſe to be rebellious, and become daily more pliant to the Commandement, and obedient to the mind enlightned by the Spirit. 3 Peace in Chriſtian combate; in that grace getteth daily victory, corruption receiveth daily foyls and conſumption, and ſo the heart every day more quiet than other from the power, and moleſtation of it.
Thirdly, whereas ſo long as God himſelf is our enemy, 3 Peace with the Creatures.all his Creatures are armed againſt us, to take his part, and revenge their Creators wrong upon us; by Chriſt even this curſe is alſo removed: and it is an expreſſe branch of the New Covenant, that the Lord will work our peace with the Creatures, Hoſ. 2.18. And in that day will I make a Covenant, for them, with the wild beaſts, and with the fowls of the heaven, and with that which creepeth upon the earth: For God being in league with us, even the ſtones in the field, and the beaſts in the field ſhall be at league with us alſo, Job 5.23. And the reaſon is, becauſe as then the Creatures rebelled againſt man, when hee became a rebel againſt God: ſo when men by Chriſt are reconciled unto God, and become his ſons by adoption and grace, then is their ancient right and rule over the Creatures (loſt by the fall) reſtored in part, ſo as his children never receive hurt from them, but ſuch as the Lord ſanctifieth, both for the furtherance of his owne glory, and their ſalvation, which are the main ends which God reſpecteth in all his ways with his elect. Thus we ſee what is this peace, and how Jeſus Chriſt procureth it us: whence wee may obſerve ſundry profitable points of doctrin.
Obſerv. 1. That there is no ſound peace without Chriſt; he is the Prince of peace, his doctrin is the meſſage of peace, and himſelf the Meſſenger of the great Covenant of peace. There can be no peace with God by Moſes, nor by the works of the Law (whatſoever dotages Popiſh teachers hold to the contrary) only the obedience and merit of Chriſt, is the matter of it: which made the Apoſtles always pray, not for peace from merit, but for mercy and peace, or grace and peace: becauſe it only floweth from the grace and mercy of God in Jeſus Chriſt.
Secondly, it is as clear as the former, That there can be no peace to the wicked man, Iſa. 57.21. becauſe he is out of Chriſt. 1 No inward peace in his Conſcience, the which howſoever it may ſlumber for a while, or become feared, benummed, and paſt feeling; yet like a wild beaſt will it haſtily waken and purſue him, and make him reſtleſſe, as Cain, and fly when none purſues him. 2 No true outward peace: for although their houſes may ſeem peaceable and without fear, and all things paſſe according to their hearts deſire, yet this i… but a truce for a time, or rather a reſpite of a condemned perſon, who, where ever he goeth, carrieth his ſentence of death with him: and woe muſt needs be the end of that peace, that maketh men moſt quiet, when their ſins cry the loudeſt for vengeance in the ears of God.
Thirdly, this point affordeth ſome main differences between true and falſe peace, Difference between true and falſe peace.by which every man may be helped in the examination of his eſtate. For, 1 sound Chriſtian peace is always a fruit of righteouſneſſe, and by unrighteouſneſſe is unſetled and diſquieted: but the peace of the wicked is for moſt part a fruit of iniquity, and by it is never diſturbed; but for the time, the more ſin, the more peace, as in a number of ſinners might bee inſtanced.
2 Peace by Chriſt ariſeth from ſorrow for ſin: whence our Saviour counteth mourners bleſſed: but worldly peace, from the fruition of ſome worldly delight or other.
3 The former is rooted in the heart, and ſtabliſheth it: the latter is a rejoycing in the face, not in the heart, 2 Cor. 5.12. in the midſt of ſuch laughter, the heart is heavy, or may well bee ſo; it being not unlike the laughter of the theef upon the gallows.
4 As none can give the former, ſave the Spirit of God; ſo none can take it away; it hath no end, becauſe hee that is the Prince of it, is alſo Father of eternity, Iſa. 9. neither can it bee but laſting, having ſuch ſoundneſs in it ſelf, but eſpecially in reſpect of that infallible promiſe, my peace ſhall none take from you. Whereas the latter, though never ſo fai… for the time, is as unlaſting as unſound. Job compareth it to a dream, Job 20.5. Solomon to the crackling of Thornes under a Pot, Eccl. 6 7. God ſnatcheth it ſuddainly from them, and as Baltaz…r was taken at his banquet, ſo God maketh their Sun fall even at noon day, and darken them in the clear day, Amos 8.9. And, which addeth to the miſery of the wicked, their earthly happineſs, not onelyonly endeth, but the end of it is fulneſs of woe, and heavineſſe it ſelf, Prov. 14.13. the iſſues of ſuch pleaſing waies are death, according to that of the wiſe man, Prov. 9.17. Stoln waters are ſweet, but they know not that the dead bee there.
Whoſoever then would not bee deceived in his peace, let him not own any out of Chriſt, let him look that his joy bee helped out of ſorrow, that it bee a fruit of righteouſneſs, and rooted in the heart; for then it is laſting for ever, and ever comfortable. But let thy peace bee never ſo great, and the light of God ſhine never ſo bright upon thy habitation, and yet thou haſt never been troubled with the ſight of thy ſin (as many profeſs they never were) if it can dwell with iniquity, as many jolly fellows who make bold Covenants with Hell and Death, if it ſtabliſh not the heart with aſſured hope and comfort in all well doing; all this is but a brawn of heart, a laughing madneſs and frenzy; and even in the crying of this peace commeth deſtruction, 1 Theſſ. 5.3. and let all that fear to bee at war with God, beware of this ungodly and diſhonourable peace; which is the moſt general peace in the world at this day: the guiſe of which is, then to laugh and rejoyce moſt, when Chriſt is departed, as himſelf witneſſeth, Joh. 16.20.
The beſt way to come by peace in the want of it.Fourthly, In the want of peace, wee are by this Doctrin directed to the beſt and onelyonly means to come by it; namely, to make our peace firſt with God through Jeſus Chriſt; and then, if the Conſcience ſting, or accuſe, and terrify, look upon this brazen Serpent, and that wound ſhall bee cured. Some being wounded in ſpirit, uſe means to forget their grief; now the muſick, merry company, with ſundry ſports, muſt bee called in; all which enlarge the wound, but are far from working any cure: the only Phyſician in this caſe, is Jeſus Chriſt: he calleth, Come to mee all that are heavy laden, and I will eaſe you: onelyonly in him canſt thou finde refreſhing for thy weary ſoul. Doeſt thou perceive God frowning againſt thy ſin? there is no way f…r thee but to get him to behold thee in the face of his annointed, Pſal. 84.9. no merits, no works, no good intentions, no gifts can clear his countenance, to make it ſhine upon thee; onelyonly hee is well pleaſed in his Chriſt, and with ſuch as …e b…holdeth in him, and no other. If men bee at oddes with thee, the next way to bee at one with them, is not by raging and ſtorming againſt them to drive thy ſelf further from God: but to draw neer unto him in Chriſt, …y whom reconcile thy ſelf unto him; and then as thine own minde ſhall bee more compoſed unto peace and love; ſo will hee alſo make thine enemies thy friends if hee ſee it good; at the leaſt, reſtrain them, ſo as they ſhall not hurt thee. For if hee pitch a Covenant for us with the brute beaſts of the field, that they ſhall not hurt us, much more will hee ſhelter us from the malice of men, bee they never ſo brutiſh and unreaſonable. So much of this peace by Jeſus Chriſt.
Now in the ſecond place, Chriſt was preached to Iſrael, two waies.wee are to conſider the Preaching of it to the children of Iſrael. Where two things are to bee explained: 1 How Chriſt was preached unto the Iſraelites. 2 Why hee was ſo preached unto them. Concerning the former, Chriſt was Preached to Iſrael two waies: 1 by the word, or promiſe. 2 by deed, or type.
For the firſt, the main promiſe of all concerning this truth, was that which (after it was by Gods own mouth once delivered unto Adam in Paradiſe, The ſeed of the woman ſhall bruiſe, &c.) was ſo often repeated to Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, In thy ſeed ſhall all the Nations of the Earth be bleſſed, Gen. 12.3. The ſame promiſe in ſubſtance Moſes maketh to the whole people of the Jews, Deut. 18.15. Alſo all the Prophets (ſaith Peter) from Samuel, and thenceforth ſo many as have ſpoken, have likewiſe foretold the ſame thing, Act. 3.24. and in this regard the Jews are called, the Children of the Prophets, and of the Covenant which God made to the Fathers; where the very ſame Promiſe made to Abraham, is repeated, verſ. 25. And the Apoſtle Paul is as expreſs, Gal. 3.8. The Scripture foreſeeing that God would juſtify the Gentiles through faith, preached before the Goſpel to Abraham, ſaying, in thee, that is, in thy ſeed, ſhall all the Gentiles be bleſſed.
Again, Chriſt was by deed or type, preached our peace in the whole Levitical Prieſthood: for all that Ceremonial Worſhip, all their Sacrifices, Oblations, Altars, yea, their Temple, Ark, and Propitiatory, reſembled, and pointed at Chriſt our peace: and yet further, their very Kings, and Kingdome, their Prieſts and Prophets, all of them not obſcurely reſembled Jeſus Chriſt, and preached him our peace; who as a King delivered his ſubjects from all the former bondage of forein power, and by his merit, and triumph, wrought out their peace: As a Prieſt, ſacrificed himſelf, and offered unto his Father a ſweet ſmelling ſacrifice of peace for them: and as a Prophet, fully delivered from his Father the whole Doctrin of peace and reconciliation. Both theſe waies was Chriſt preached to the Iſraelites; whereof for brevities ſake we will for the preſent forbear further diſcourſe.
The Second thing to bee explained is, Chriſt was preached … Iſrael, 1 b….why was Chriſt preached our peace to the Children of Iſrael firſt; and why was that Doctrin renewed to them from time to time by the hand and miniſtery of the Prophets?
Anſw. For three reaſons. 1 Becauſe they were that ſeed and certain family of whom the Meſſiah ſhould deſcend and ariſe: for which cauſe they were to obſerve an accurate diſtinction of the tribes, according to that Ordinance and Government which God had eſtabliſhed amongſt them, that they might not bee deceived in his perſon, when hee ſhould in fulneſs of time appear.
2 Becauſe God had choſen them to bee a peculiar people, hee ſet them up above all nations, not onelyonly in many other prerogatives, but in this, which was the chief of all (had they ſeen it) that the Oracles of God were committed unto them, Rom. 3.2. Hee gave his Laws to Jacob, his Covenants to Iſrael, hee dealt not ſo with every Nation, Pſal. 147.30. The Apoſtle Paul when hee had reckoned a number of the Jews advancements above the Gentiles, ſuch as were their Adoption, Covenant, Promiſes, Fathers, hee ſhutteth up all with the chief of all, in theſe words, of whom concerning the fleſh Chriſt came, Rom. 9.5. Now as that was the firſt, that hee came of them, ſo this is the next, that hee came unto them alone firſt, in the promiſes and types, then in his perſon and appearance, then in his Doctrin and miracles performed in his own perſon; adde hereto, that hee came to them in his life and death, and laſtly, hee came firſt and alone to them in the Miniſtry and Miracles of his Holy Apoſtles, who muſt not go into the way of the Gentiles, nor turn themſelves to other Nations, till the Jews by deſpiſing that Grace offered, had made themſelves unworthy of life everlaſting: the loſt ſheep of the houſe of Iſrael muſt firſt bee ſought up, and therefore (as Paul ſaid) it was neceſſary that the word of God ſhould firſt bee spoken unto them, Act. 13.46.
3 That both Jew and Gentile might know that Chriſt came not by hap, or chance, or on the ſuddain, ſo as his comming might not bee obſerved; but that hee came for the time, and for the manner, according to the Promiſes, and predictions of old, of which our Apoſtle is willing in theſe words to imply the accompliſhment.
Divinity of Scripture proved.Obſerv. 1. Whence wee may note, 1 The Divinity of Scripture, which foretelleth beforehand things which are to come to paſs many hundreths, yea, ſome thouſands of years after. The thing that foretelleth things properly to come, which have no exiſtence in any cauſe, or ſign, muſt needs bee of God. Satan indeed can gueſs at ſome events, but which have ſome grounds in nature, or experience; or can foretell a thing to come which God hath revealed to him, or himſelf is made an executioner of, as in Saul: but to foretell a thing, or event meerly to come, is proper to God. Whence it neceſſarily followeth, that the Scripture, foreſeeing that God would juſtifye the Gentiles through faith, Gal. 3.8. that is, a thing to come to paſs almoſt two thouſand years after, muſt needs bee of God.
Again, it followeth as neceſſarily, that the Prophets in preaching, and the Holy Pen-men of God, ſpake and writ as they were moved by the Spirit of God, and directed by the immediate aſſiſtance of God, and therefore could not erre in any thing: for they foretold directly ſuch things, which both for matter, and manner, came to paſs many years after. Jacob in his will foretold; that the Scepter ſhould not depart from Judah till Shiloh came: this prophecy was not accompliſhed till above ſeventeen hundred years after the prediction: for not much above twenty years afore Chriſts birth, Herod became King of Judea, killed the whole Colledge of the Jews, called the ſanhedrim, wherein was the heir apparent of the Kings blood.
King Cyrus was named by the Prophet Eſaiah, an hundred years before hee was born, Iſaiah 44.28. and of him propheſied, that hee ſhould build the Temple. The worthy King Joſiah, with his facts, were declared three hundred fifty nine years before he was born, 1 King. 13.2. The Apoſtle Paul propheſyed of the deſtruction of the Romane Empire, and thereby the riſing of the Antichriſt, which was not accompliſhed till about the year four hundred ſeventy five after Chriſt. For whereas the Roman Empire was divided into Eaſtern, and Weſtern, the Weſtern which onelyonly hindred the revelation of Antichriſt was in that year quite overthrown, and Rome it ſelf taken by the Gothes, Joh. Funct. in …no praedicto.and after this, never had any Romane Emperour his ſeat of Authority in Rome. Theſe and the like, neither man nor Angel could ever of themſelves foretell, and therefore the Author and Director of them muſt needs be God.
Obſerv. 2. Secondly, from hence alſo note The Antiquity of the Goſpel, in that it was Preached by the Prophets to the ancient Iſraelites; and known for the ſubſtance of it, not onelyonly to the Apoſtles, and ancient Chriſtians, and beleevers, but to the Patriarks and Prophets, yea, even to Adam in Paradiſe, to all whom Chriſt was preached the Lord of all, and that bleſſed ſeed in whom all the Nations of the earth were to bee bleſſed. This Doctrin, although it bee called a new Teſtament, Our religion is the oldeſt religion, and Popery but a novelty.is no new Doctrin. Let the Papiſts make a vain brag of Antiquity, and charge us with a new religion, the truth is, whereas the body of their doctrin was not known to the Prophets, nor Apoſtles, nor Beleevers for many hundred years after Chriſt; our doctrin is, that which God ſent to the children of Iſrael, and therefore is moſt ancient and true. And to prove this that I ſay, we will goe no further than our text. That doctrin which preacheth peace by Jeſus Chriſt, is the doctrin which was ſent to Iſrael; which we profeſſe at this day: but ſo is not Popiſh doctrin, which preacheth peace not by Chriſt, but by our ſelves, our merits, and ſatisfactions, and peace by the Popes Pardons, Bulls, and Abſolutions, and Indulgences; now theſe, with other dependences thereon, being the main points and pillars of their doctrin, were never preached to the children of Iſrael, by any Prophet, nor ever by any of the Apoſtles, to the Church of God; but have crept in one after another many hundred years ſince Chriſt and his Apoſtles. Let their own rule ſtand in force therefore with good will; if we cannot plead antiquity, we will lay no claim to the truth.
Obſerv. 3. Thirdly, hence we note, That there is but one way to ſalvation, But one way to ſalvation.and this was declared to the Children of Iſrael for ſubſtance as well as to us, who went to Heaven by the ſame way which wee doe-There is but one Chriſt, one precious Faith, one and the ſame Goſpel common to all times, one common Salvation preached by the ſame Chriſt, who is the ſame yeſterday, to day, and for ever, Heb. 13.8. who is the Lamb ſlain from the beginning, not actually, but by the efficacy of his Sacrifice, the vertue of which to come they laid hold on to ſalvation, as wee do upon it paſt, and accompliſhed already.
Thus Abel beleeved, and received teſtimony that he was juſt before God, Heb. 11.4. Thus Noah was made heir of the righteouſneſſe which is by faith, Heb. 11.7. Every religion will not ſave thr profeſſors: there is but one way, and that a ſtrait one that leadeth to life. Wee come into the world one way, we depart many ways; ſo there is but one way to find life everlaſting, but many ways to loſe it: only Chriſt is the way, by his Doctrin, by his Merit, by his example, even the new and living way; his bloud is ever freſh, ever trickling down, and ever living: it quickneth them that walk in it, and refreſheth them with new ſtrength: never any rent the veil but he: never any but he made a high way into the Holy of Holies in the higheſt Heaven: never any came to the Father, but by him, neither was peace ever preached in any other name but his, who is Lord over all, bleſſed for ever.
Which is Lord of all.]
Chriſt may be ſaid to be Lord of all two ways: 1 More generally, hee is with the Father and Holy Ghoſt Lord of all things, unto whom all Creatures by right of Creation, even the very Devils are ſubject. Thus he ruleth in the very midſt of his enemies, diſpoſing of the wicked and their malice, to his own glory. In this reſpect he is both owner and poſſeſſor of all things, Bagnal. Ado….and a ſuſtainer and maintainer of all things, and that by his word, Heb. 1.3.
2 More ſpecially, he is Lord of all men, whether Jews of Gentiles, beleeving in his name, even a Lord of his Church; and in this latter ſence, Chriſt Lord of his Church.Chriſt is called Lord of all in this place.
1 Now Chriſt is Lord of his Church, conſiſting of Jew and Gentile: Reaſons. 1 Becauſe God hath given the Church unto him for his inheritance, Pſal. 2.8. I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance: which being a Prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles, implieth, that the kingdom of grace, whereof Chriſt is appointed King in Sion, conſiſteth of all Countries and peoples, and is not bounded or bordered but with the ends of the earth; and ſheweth further, that all theſe his ſubjects are given him of God to become his ſervants, Joh. 17.2. As thou haſt given him power over all fleſh, that he ſhould give eternal life to all whom thou haſt given him.
2 They are ſo given unto him, as he muſt win them before hee can enjoy them. He winneth partly by …onqueſt, partly by ranſom: hee both conquereth and caſteth out the ſtrong man that held them captive, ſpoyleth him of his armour, and weakneth his arm for ever: as alſo he payeth a precious ranſome for them to God his Father: ſo as being now redeemed, and bought with a price, they are no longer their own, but the Lords that bought them. 1 Cor. 6.20.
3 Becauſe when he hath thus dearly purchaſed his Church, he contracteth himſelf in ſpiritual Marriage with her, and ſo becometh her Lord, Hoſ. 2.18. I will marry thee for ever unto my ſelf: yea, I will marry thee unto me in righteouſneſſe, in judgement, in mercy, and in compaſſion, Epheſ. 5.23. As the husband is the wives head, ſo is Chriſt of the Church. So as if a man bee a Lord of that which is given him; of that which he hath redeemed and ranſomed; of her whom he had married into his boſome; in all theſe regards by as good right is Jeſus Chriſt the Lord of his Church, and every member of it.
Object. But how can Chriſt be a Lord and a ſervant too? Iſa. 42.1. Behold my ſervant, I will lea…e upon him: and hee took upon him the form of a ſervant, Phil. 2.7.
Anſ. Chriſt conſidered as Mediator, is after a ſpecial manner both his Fathers ſervant, and yet the Lord of his Church. In all the work of mans Redemption he ſerved and obeyed his Father, being ſent of his Father for this end, he was ſubject to the death, he prayed unto him, gave him thanks, learned obedience by the things he ſuffered, not as God equal to his Father, but as our Mediator and Surety: and yet by all theſe things he became our Lord, and the King of his Church. And herein the Apoſtles travel as in their main ſcope, to prove that Jeſus Chriſt, whom the Jews put to death, hath ſhewed himſelf the Lord of glory, and the true Meſſias, Acts 2.34. Let all the houſe of Iſrael know aſſuredly, that God hath made that Jeſus, which they crucified, Lord and Christ.
Object. But how can Chriſt be the Lord of all, ſeeing many, yea the moſt will not obey him?
Anſ. Doth a King ceaſe to be the Lord of all his Country, becauſe ſome which were his ſubjects are gone out in rebellion againſt him? beſides, howſoever it ſtandeth with his glory and grace, to ſuffer with patience the veſſels of wrath; yet at length he ſhews his power againſt them, in bringing forth his whole diſpleaſure upon them.
Vſe. Hence in that Chriſt is in general Lord of all, we learn that all Creatures are his, and therefore we muſt never uſe any of them without leave from him, or without return of praiſe and thanks unto him: none of them are ſanctified to our uſe, without the Word and Prayer. And if wee have leave from him, we ought in ſobriety to uſe them, 1 Cor. 10.26. Eat whatſoever is ſold in the ſhambles, making no queſtion for conſcience ſake. Hence followeth it alſo, that he having an abſolute power over all, hee may doe with his own what he will: who ſhall hinder a Potter to frame one veſſel to honour, another to diſhonour? which I ſpeak, becauſe many cannot endure to hear of a decree of reprobation, who muſt frame their judgement to his will who cannot but be juſt and good, and leave off to reaſon with God. Hence alſo he may make one rich, another poor, at his pleaſure: The rich and poor meet, this Lord maketh them both.
Secondly, in that Chriſt is in ſpecial, Lord of his Church, ſundry things are to be noted: as firſt, That none can have Chriſt to be a Jeſus, that is, a Saviour, who have him not for their Soveraign and Lord: whoſoever thou art that challengeſt him for thy Saviour, ſee thou acknowledge him thy Lord.
Queſt. How may a man have Chriſt to be his Lord?
A man hath Chriſt his Lord by four things.Anſ. By the practice of four duties. 1 By preſerving in the heart a fear and reverence towards his perſon, Malac. 1.6. If I be a Lord, where is my fear? Lordſhip requires ſubjection, Pſal. 45.11. He is thy Lord, and reverence thou, or bow unto him. Now this fear muſt proceed from love; for if any man love not the Lord Jeſus, let him be accurſed: and whereſoever this love is, it muſt needs bee attended with a fear to diſpleaſe him.
2 By profeſſing him to bee thy Lord: as ſervants by their livery, or cogniſance, ſpeak, and proclaim to all men to whom they belong: ſo if Chriſt bee thy Lord, thou muſt not bee aſhamed of him; but bee ever ſpeaking of him, commending his goodneſs: thou muſt glory of ſuch a ſervice, accounting it thy greateſt honour, that thou art become his ſervant: thou muſt defend his name, where ever thou heareſt it called into queſtion: thou muſt ſuffer with him, and take part with him in affliction, 1 Pet 4.13. an unfaithful ſervant is hee, that can bee dumb in his Maſters diſhonour, but eſpecially if his Maſter be aſſaulted, and in danger, then to forſake him when hee hath moſt need of him.
3 By acknowledging thy ſelf to bee countable unto him for all thy waies, and for all thy receites: Make account to be countable of all to this Lord of allThe ſervant not being at his own hand muſt go about no buſineſs but his Maſters: whatſoever matter of truſt hee receiveth from his Maſter, it is not his own, hee is faithfully to diſcharge himſelf of it by a true and juſt account. Thus therefore muſt thou reaſon the caſe with thine own heart: what, am I now in my Maſters work, had I commandement from him, did his word or warrant ſet mee about the buſineſs which is now in my hands? Again, what gifts have I received of body, minde, wealth, authority, credit? I am to be countable for all: all the Talents I have are his: If I gain nothing, I am unprofitable: If I gain, I muſt be profitable unto him.
By abſolute obedience unto his will revealed. To this Lord only muſt be given abſolute obedience.Thus himſelf being to give his Law, beginneth thus, I am the Lord thy God, thou ſhalt do thus and thus: other Lords and Kings muſt bee obeyed in him, yea, diſobeyed for him, if they command contrary unto him; onelyonly hee muſt ever by Kings themſelves bee obeyed abſolutely in all the parts of his will revealed. Which may bee conſidered in three heads.
1 It is his will that wee beleeve in him, Joh. 6.40. The will of Chriſt reduced to three …eads.This is the will of him that ſent mee, that every one that ſeeth the Son, and beleeveth in him; not onelyonly beleeving his word to bee true, but leaning upon him only for thy ſalvation. If a Maſter ſhould promiſe a ſervant, that if hee will but beleeve him, and ſeek to pleaſe him, hee will provide for him for ever, it would adde cheerfulneſs to ſuch a ſervant, and hee would think none of his Maſters commandements burdenſome; but yet wee, having larger and ſurer promiſes, are ſlow of heart and hand, to beleeve or yield obedience.
2 It is his will that wee ſhew forth this faith of our hearts in the fruits of ſanctification, 1 Theſſ. 4.3. This is the will of God, even your ſanctification, Coloſ. 1.10. filled with the knowledge of his will, and wa…k worthy of the Lord, &c. thou muſt not only ſpeak for, but live to the credit of thy Maſter; in thy ſpeech, actions, attire, eating, drinking, and whatſoever elſe, carry thy ſelf like a Chriſtian, elſe thou diſcrediteſt thy Maſters houſe and diſhonoureſt himſelf. Were not hee a notable Traytor, that being ſworn of the Kings guard, and profeſſing all ſervice to the King, ſhould inſtead of the Kings armes and coat, wear the enemies? ſo the thing it ſelf ſpeaketh againſt him, who profeſſeth Chriſt his Lord, and yet never appears or ſheweth himſelf in the ſtreet, or abroad, but in Satans livery: his ſwearing, his covetouſneſs, his filthineſs, his lying, his whole life lead in all intemperance, bewrayeth to whom hee hath given himſelf to obey.
3 It is his will alſo, that wee obey as well in ſuffering, as in doing his pleaſure: and the reaſon is plain, he is my Lord, I am but a ſervant, if he pleaſe to buffet and blow mee, I muſt with all meekneſs ſubmit my ſelf, yea and more, be thankful for his government: 2 Sam. 15.26. If hee ſay, I have no delight in thee, let him do whatſoever ſeemeth good in his eyes, 1 Sam. 3.18. When the Lord had threatned heavy things againſt Heli his whole houſe, hee anſwered, It is the Lord, let him do whatſoever ſeemeth good in his eyes: I was dumb and opened not my mouth, ſaith David, becauſe thou LORD didſt is, Pſal. 39.9. Thus muſt wee obey Chriſt as a Lord, giving up our bodies and ſouls unto him, by living unto him, and dying unto him: and this is the Apoſtles ground, wee are the Lords, Rom. 14.7. and therefore none of us liveth unto himſelf, and none of us dyeth unto himſelf, but living and dying wee are the Lords: otherwiſe what a trifling and mockery were it onelyonly to yield him a title of Lord, or Maſter, and deny him his ſervice? Why call yee mee Maſter, Maſter, and do not the things I ſpeak? Luk. 6.46.
All which if it bee true, how few ſhall finde Chriſt a Saviour? for how few make him their Lord? few there are that eſteem this well-beloved above other well-beloveds; not a few are aſhamed of him and his profeſſion: many white-livered ſouldiers are daunted with Peter at the ſpeeches of ſilly and ſimple perſons: moſt men never look to the hands of this Lord, to acknowledge either receit of Talents, or return of accounts, feweſt of all obey him in faith, who yet are overcarried with preſumption of his favour; or in true ſanctification, though they can pretend it; or in patience, if they could get out of his hands, if it were by flying to the Devil for help. Well, if Chriſt have no more but a title of a Lord from thee, thou ſhalt have but a title of ſalvation from him, and not the thing it ſelf: and if a name that thou liveſt content thee, when thou art but dead, the time commeth, that when thou commeſt to ſeek thy name among the number that are ſaved by him, thou ſhalt finde thy name left out of that role, and ſet in the number of thoſe that ſhall dye in their ſins.
Chriſt being our Lord, no other Lord can lay … unto us.Secondly, if Chriſt bee the Lord of all, Then have wee obtained much freedome by him; both from all ſpiritual bondage, and all that tyranny which thoſe hard Lords, Sin, Death, Hell, Satan, exerciſed over us; our Lord hath paved the uttermoſt farthing, and wrought a glorious redemption for us; and hee having thus ſet us free, wee are free indeed, both from the guilt, the puniſhment, and ſervice of ſin. Wee are free alſo from all Papal bondage: for wee have but one Lord in Heaven who can ſave and deſtroy, to whom ſimple obedience belongeth, and to whom the Conſcience is only ſubject. The man of ſin indeed would bee Lord of all, and maketh laws to bind conſcience, where God hath left it free; but as the Scriptures acknowledge but one Lord, no more do wee; and ſay more, that wee cannot ſerve two Maſters commanding ſuch contrary things. Wee are alſo hence freed from the fear of all earthly Tyrants, if wee belong to this Lord: for if hee ſtand with us, who can bee againſt us? Matth. 10.28. Fear not them which can kill the body onelyonly; but him who can caſt both body and ſoul into Hell. The true fear of him will eat out all thoſe falſe fears of men.
Obſerv. 3 Thirdly, If Chriſt be Lord of all, Then wee and all beleevers are fellow ſervants, All beleevers are fellow ſervants to this Lord.and therefore ought to live and love together, making no diſſention or ſchiſm in our Maſters houſe, which is the Apoſtles reaſon, Eph. 4.4. perſwading the Epheſians to keep the Unity of faith, becauſe there is one Lord. This ſhall bee done, if all of us, who profeſs Chriſt, could learn to deny our ſelves, to follow his will, not our own or other commanders, yea, to follow his bleſſed example, learning daily of him to bee humble and meek, patient and tender-hearted one to another: forbearing and forgiving offenders: hard to exaſperate, and eaſy to bee intreated. And theſe things ſhould wee rather ſtrive in, that (according to the Apoſtles precept) the ſame minde might bee in us which was in Jeſus Chriſt, Phil. 2.5.