A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 87 (Question 23 cont.)
SERMON LXXXVII.
We have conſidered the great Office that Chriſt was Anointed unto; under which there are ſeveral Offices unto the execution whereof he was inaugurated; which will be after conſidered. We may now take a brief account.
II. OF the Anointing it ſelf: By which he was more immediately fitted to the diſcharge of the great work of Redemption. This work being, in reſpect of the Subject redeem'd, a work of meer Grace, both in Chriſt's performance, and the Fathers acceptance, there needed ſomething more than his bare Incarnation to fit him for the effectual going thro' that work. There having therefore been an eternal Covenant about it, it was meet that, when the Son of God was incarnate, he ſh…uld be inaugurated and confirmed in that Office; that ſo he might perform the buſineſs with Authority. And for that end he was to have all ſuch Offices under this as were needful f…r the accompliſhing of it. This inveſtiture is that which is called his Und…on or Anointing. This was fore ſpoken of in the Old. Teſtament. Pſal. 2. …. T… have I ſet …y King upon my holy all of Zior. Pſal. 2…. …. Th… God both anointed thee with the …l …f gladneſs-b…ve thy fell us. And we have a particular deſcription of it in, Iſai. 61. beg…n. which Chriſt applies to himſelf, …ak. 4.…8. He was therefore pointed at and looked for in the days of the law, under the denomination of the M…ſſiah, which ſignifies the Anointed we; and is, in the days of the Goſpel, called Chriſt; which is of the ſame import. Anointing was of frequent uſe under the Ceremonial law; they anointed the High Prieſts: and there was an Oyntment of Conſecration appointed for the ſame purpoſe. Lev. 6.…0. …h. 16 32. Their Kings alſo were anointed; and hence called the Lord's anointed, 1 Sam. 24.10. So in like manner the Prophets, 1 Kin. 19.16. Now Chriſt in his ſeveral functions was typified by theſe things; theſe were ſhadows which pointed to him as the ſubſtance. And there were two things more eſpecially aimed at in the ceremony of anointing, both of which are conſiderable, and applicable to Chriſt, in the preſent caſe.
1. THIS Unction was a ſ…lenm & ſacred Rice, whereby the perſon anointed, was ſeparated from other men, and conſecrated to ſome ſpecial office work, by which a… he was declared to be called of God to it. Anointing was a ſignal conſecration; it was a r…ual ſanctification of the perſon to his employment. Hence all the Veſſels of the Sanctuary were anointed, and ſo ſanctified. Lev. 8.10 11. Thus all believers are ſaid to be anointed, 1. Joh. 2.20. but ye have an unction from the holy One, and ye know all things. Being all of them made unto God ſpiritual Kings & Prieſts. 1 Pet. 2.9. Rev. 5.10.
2. THE ceremonial Anointing was alſo a Type of thoſe ſuitab…e gifts of the Spirit, which were p…ted …ut upon the perſons ſo …n…inted. It ſignified their being furniſhed with abilities for the execution of the ſervice to which they were ſignally ſeparated in their anointing. In this regard, the anointing which believers have, is ſaid to teach them, 1 Joh. 2.27. Beſides, we know that all ſacred Ceremonies had ſome ſpiritual meaning; and the anointing with oyl, typified the giving of the Spirit. It muſt therefore denote the fruits of the Spirit, which were eſpecial gifts fitting me… for office; which gifts were ſometimes beſtowed where ſaving Grace was not conferred, and ſo Intimates Office Giſts. We read of Soul, that after his anointing, he had another heart, 1 Sam. 10.1, 9. Both of theſe things are to be take… notice of in the explication of the Unction of Chriſt. THAT Chr… …ver received the Ceremonial Unction we … …he…e …ad. For he, being the A…t…pe, was to have the things ſignified accompliſhed in him. And though, ſo far as he was under the ceremonial law, he attended the ceremonies of it: hence he was cit… cited, a…d there was an offering for him, &c. yet becauſe he was not a Levitical Prieſt, … was his Kingdom of this world. He received no ſuch ceremonies for his inſtalment, b… that wh… was ſignified by them, that he received. There are then two things to be conſidered of in the illuſtration of the Doctrine of Chriſt's Unction. 1. His Vocation … the Office work o… Redemption. 2. The Spiritual endowments with which he was furniſhed for the compleat execution of this Office.
(1.) AS to his Vacation to the Office work of Redemption let theſe things be taken notice o….
1. THAT Jeſus Chriſt did not intrude him ſelf; into this Office and Work of his own head. He did not aſſume to himſelf the honour of a Redeeming Mediator without a clear call, and manifeſt introduction into it. The Scripture makes much of this poſition, as of a thing … be well obſerved. The Apoſtle therefore n…geth it in Heb. 5.4. And there is great reaſon for it: for, biſides that the law requiring fu… ſatisfaction for offence given it by the ſin of man, there muſt be a ſufficient price paid for the buying him out of the hands of the law; there is alſo the grace, or free-favour of God appearing in the accepting of … exchange and being ſatisfied in the obedience and ſufferings of another, upon the account of th…ſe who were the tranſgreſſors, and had given the offence. So that meer ſuitableneſs & ſufficiency could not be enough for the making him actually our Redeemer, without a compact or agreement, in which he was deputed by God, and conſented of himſelf, to undertake in this affair. God had elſe been under no obligation, to diſcharge us on his account.
2. THERE was a deputation or aſſignment of Chriſt to this work from eternity: And that by a mutual compact or agreement between the Father and the Son, in which this was ratified and confirmed between them; and the God was therewithal inveſſed with all authority from his Father to this buſineſs; which is that we call the Covenant of Redemption: Of which hath been already treated. Which deputation, though it may in a ſenſe anſwer the notion of Unction in the firſt conſideration; yet it is not that we are now looking upon; for this work was not eternal, but in time, and was done when God brought his Son into the world. It was performed in Jeſus Chriſt incarnate, and for that reaſon it preſuppoſeth his Incarnation; but yet here the foundation of it was laid.
3. THAT there was an actual inſtalment of Chriſt into his Office, when he entred upon the diſcharge of the work of Redemption. For he could not properly be ſaid to receive the Spirit till then. That required his being man; on which nature it was to be poured; the ſecond Perſon did only improperly receive it before, viz as it was by Covenant engaged …o his humanity, when it ſhould be ſo aſſumed by him. David in this was a Type of Chriſt, that he was twice anointed, and therein deputed and conſecrated to be King of Iſrael: the one was ſecretly by Samuel, 1 Sam. 16. anſwering, or repreſenting the deputation of Chriſt in the Covenant of Redemption: The other was by all Iſrael, 2 Sam. 5.3. which was typical of this whereof we are now diſcourſing.
NOW concerning this Unction of Chriſt, if it be inquired, what it was, or when it was done? It may be replied to the former, that we have it ſet forth to us in Act. 10.38. How God …med Jeſus of Na…areth, with the holy Ghoſt, & with power. Where we are to obſerve. The Author of it, who is God; and here eſpecially points us to the Father, by whom he is ſo often in Scripture ſaid to be ſent; which implies his being authorized to what he one about. The thing it ſelf, is, God …ed him, i. e. He did that to him that anſwered the Type, and was ſignified by it. The nature of it is, that he did it by the Holy Ghoſt and with power. Some underſtand is to be an Hebraiſm and to ſignify, by the moſt powerful Spirit. Others ſuppoſe it to intend the deſcent of the Spirit upon him, & the gift of …acles which he had thereby. But doubt… it includes in it, both the vertue which he received for his diſcharging his work, intimated by the Spirit, and the Authority he received … that vertue for the ends of it, expreſſed by power. As to the latter, this …ting was diſcovered in and by all thoſe … manifeſtations that God was pleaſed as make of himſelf in the confirmation of Chriſt in this work: many whereof are re… in the Goſpel: but the principal, and … obſervable of theſe was at his Baptiſon, … the Spirit of God deſcended viſibly … him, and a voice from Heaven publiſhed the divine approbation of him in the great work he was engaged in, and upon the public purſuance whereof he was now about to enter, recorded in, Math. 3. latter end. And in this reſpect the Unction belongs to the perſon of Chriſt, God-man, properly; for it was according to both his natures that he was confirmed by his Fathers approbation, Mat. 2.17.
(2.) AS for the ſpiritual end…tements which he was furniſhed with, for the excution of his Office, we may take up this general concluſion concerning it, That the Holy Ghoſt took up his dwelling in the aſſumed Humanity of Chriſt, filling him with an unmeaſurable ſuineſs of all ſuitable graces for the diſcharge of the work of men's Redemption. And in this he received all that which was ſignified by the anointing oyl which was poured on them of old. For the diſtinct opening of this, let theſe things be obſerved,
1. THAT it was Chriſt perſonally, or the wh…le Perſon of Chriſt God-man, who was deputed to, and ſolemnly inaugurated in the work of Redemption and Mediation. And ſo the whole Perſon of Chirſt, may be truly ſaid, as to Ordination, to be anointed to his Office by the Spirit of God. It was not only the Humanity that was engaged, but the Son of God undertook it in the days of Eternity, and he aſſumed our nature to do it in. He undertook it before he took our nature; and then he undertook to take our nature on him. This he did meerly as a divine Perſon, and was therefore conſtituted of old. Prov. 8.23. I was ſet up from everlasting, from the beginning, or eve… the earth was. The word ſet up, uſed there, denotes a ſolemn deputation and inſtalment. And it was the Son in our nature, who was in fulneſs of time thus ordained & proclaimed, Mat. 3.16, 17. And to the heavens were opened unto him, and he ſaw the Spirit of God deſcending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, ſaying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed. And indeed, there is the neceſſary concurrence of both his natures in all the works wherein our Redemption and Salvation are concerned. It was therefore meet that he ſhould be conſecrated to it according to both natures. Not is this diſagreeing with, but conſonant to the economy of the Perſons in the ſacred Trinity. As the Son is from the Father, ſo may he be deputed by him.
2. THAT the divine nature in Chriſt cannot be ſaid to be Anointed, with reſpect to any qualifications or endowments of gracious influence or aſſiſtance from the Spirit of God. The want of diſtinguiſhing the Perſon according to the two natures which are in it, and aſſigning to each of theſe natures what is proper to it, was one reaſon why the Arians denied the Divinity of Chriſt, becauſe ſuch things are aſcribed to his Perſon which cannot agree to the divine nature, and one of theſe is his receiving the graces of the Spirit. Not conſidering, that whatſoever belongs to either of his two natures, belongs to the Perſon in regard to that nature, though it be not predicable of the other nature. Now it is certain that the d…v…e nature in Chriſt, is the whole Deity in all its eſſential perfect …s, to which there can be nothing added. He is, as God …ſed for ever, and p…ſſeſſeth ſuch a fulneſs as he thinks it … to be equal with God. Ph… 2.6. As God, he is equally with the Spirit. the Author of all Grace, and his divinity influenceth and replourſheth his Humanity with all the Grace it is poſſeſſed of, and upon his account is be take to … to himself to his work. Joh. 17.19. And for them ſ… I … my … that they … be ſaid God in my use …. So that were we ſay, that Chriſt the Son of God was titled with the Spirit, and Grace, we are to underſtand it in reference to the Pert a who is the Son of God, but not while reſpect to the nature which is Divine: but as it …ally …rited to the other nature which is Humane.
3. IT is the … what is revered into the jery … S…x …f … it the … and greats, … was ac… … the S…ret. It was the Tabernacle which was hiled from end to end with the glory of God, as ſoon as it was reared up by Myes. Exed. 40.24. And this was to fignity to us, that it was the humane nature, in which the Son of God tabernacled, wh…ch had theſe fillings of the Spirit. J…h. 1.14. It was the manutureſt upon whom, when became out of the Waters, the Holy Ghoſt deſcended in the torm of a Dove. Matti. 2.16. The Son of God had undertaken to redeem and ſave us; He was not capable of performing this undertaking but by taking of out nature upon him; He could not be ſubject to the law without it; He could neither do not ſaſſer in obedience to it but in ſuch a nature. It was a wo…derful work when this nature was to be engaged in and carried through. If it had falled in it, the whole c…ntrivance of our Salvation muſt needs have been fruſtrated, and we have been left hopeleſs for ever. It muſt therefore have mighty aids and aſſistances to help it in, and carry it through this affair. It was a frail humanity in it ſelf, it needed to be supported, influenced, filled with all grace. to keep him from falling in, or ſingking u…der his work. It could not do this for it ſelf, and therefore it had it all from the eternal Spirit. He is therefore ſaid to offer himſelf of by it, Heb 9.14. This then was it which was the subject recipient of this Grace; and for that reaſon is he ſaid. t… be filled with the Spirit, Luk. 4 1.
4. WE are not to apprehend that the Holy Ghoſt dwelt perſonally in the humane nature of Chriſt. It properly belo…gs to the Sons manner of working, to dwell perſonally in that Humanity which was aſſumed. Joh. 1.14. And the word was made fl…ſi, & dwelt amo…g us. It is true, were teas the fulneſs of the God-head which dwelt in him boddth, Col 2 9. Yet this is to be conſidered as it ſubſiſteth in the Perſon of the Son of God, which, though it be a myſtery above our comprehenſion, is yet to be believed upon divine teſtimony; for though the blood that was ſhed, is called the blood of God; yet as the Father is ne…er ſaid to be Incarn…, in neither is the Holy Ghoſt ever ſaid us … man. But he may be ſaid to be in ham is you reſpects,
[1.] IT in…ing all … of great is to his … it was habitually prepared for us mark. This Humanity was to be us the eternal. Son of God to dwell … a…d to be employed by him in his wh…le median …al dure ſa… at was therefore meet that it th… be accordingly …ted: and that was by filli…g it true the conception with bother had real … which meg… reader it every was … raise its her The … which was … on the mark g… the Tabernacle … typical of th…. He is the …ly One at … and capture ledge in an humanity that … pures this humanity … is called as … young. Luk. 1.26. And this was done the ſanctification of the Spirit Pſal … Grace is … therefore … hath … ever. Iſai. 11.2, 3. … M…n had the … of God or him, … he came out of Gods ſaids, which was … thing elſe but the body of …tifying G… ſurn…ling him for obedience; ſo had the Second …, a fulneſs of this image as for humane nature in the aſſumption of it.
[2.] BY … preſ… … him, influencing and … is its what work. And this appear two reſpects,
1. BY maintaining the life if … heriance … Act. 12. … ex…xted … with the be … end with …, about … good … b…aling all this were … the around: … God was … ho…. The word, power, … Eg…ties v…gear a…d efficacy: it ti…ting … by the preſence of the Holy Ghoſt in his, that vertue which was at firſt infuſed … his humanity, was upheld and contaminate … him, ſo that he never falled, but his … abode in its ſtrengh. The humane … of Chriſt was in it ſelf a frail & murable thing it muſt therefore be preterved by and … p…wer and influence; and this was done by the conſtant adode of the Spirit on him … was this precious anointing which … him. We read that it is the anointing … believers is which keeps them from falling, … 2.26, …. And after a more glorious … was the man Chriſt ſupported by the gl… L…cium which he received. He is ſaid … for it, and to be heard, Heb. 5.7.
2. BY … has humane nature is all … actings and operati…n of thoſe principles it is a matter of greateſt admiration to … what the man Chriſt was called to go … in the performance of the buſineſs of … Redemption. What trials he met with, … ſore temptations aſſaulted him, how be … not only to combat with all the powers … earth and hell, but to ſuſtain the which weight of God's wrath which was capture ſ…ers in the curſe of the law: and yet that …e …e up under all this, and was not b…o… by it; it could be no leſs than an omnipotent Arm that ſuſtained him; and this was the vertue of the anointing of the Spirit which he received. He is therefore ſaid to … in the greatneſs … ſtrength, Iſai. 63.1. And its not arm ſuſtained …, ver. 5. And this was not his humane ſtrength, it was no created arm, but the power of the Spirit. Iſai. 42.1, 4.
3. BY vertue of this anointing the Spirit of God … in …m in an unmeaſurable fulneſs … Ge…e. He had not only higher and more … degrees of the gracious preſence of God in and with him, to carry him through his work than the reſt of his brethren, i. e. than any other of the children of God have: which is aſſerted in Heb. 1.9. but he had the Spirit in ſuper eminent degrees, yea, above all the degrees of compariſon, as Joh. 3.34. God growth … the ſpirit by meaſure unto him. There are the well-ſprings of Grace ſpringing up i… the hearts of all the children of God …, and out of their bellies do flow rivulets … Eving waters, but there were all the Oceans of in which fell upon the man Chriſt, in a underfed ineffable, and moſt unconceivable …. Luk. ….22. And this, among many others, was one reaſon why his name was … …. Iſai 9.6. His head wanted …. His anointing is reſembled to that of A…, and was typified by it, of which, …ſal. 133.2. It is like precious cy…ens upon the … you ran down upon the heard, even Aarons …, …hat went down to the skirts of the gar…. He had enough for all the ends of his Office, both to carry him through the work of Redemption, and to ſupply all the Elect in the work of Application. All Grace is now ſ…eti…e… in him, and from that fulneſs do … his derive all that they have. Joh. 1.16. And of his fulneſs have all we received, and grace for …. This is his Unction in general. I ſhall not have deſcend to give any particular a… … of the ſeveral Graces which he received in it, and which he gave ſo glorious a de…tion of in the diſcharge of his work; in all of which be ſo demeaned himſelf as one that was to be our redeeming Mediator. The principal of theſe will be taken notice of afterwards, in the conſideration of the S…l Offices which he underwent and diſ…ged in this affair.
USE THE conſideration of Chriſts Unction, … all encouragement to ſinners to come to … for Salvation. Here is abundant relief againſt that diſtreſs of Soul, which awakened … are ready to ſink under the weight of. And let us improve it to this end. Hence …ſider,
1 THAT this was the very work that Christ … into the world for. It was to take away …, to ſave the chief of ſinners, to redeem … people from the condemnation of ſin; … for this deſign he had never come in … nature, and taken upon him to engage …. This was the reaſon of his name, Mat. 1.21. Sin had turned the world into an hoſpital, where mankind was wounded & dying. He came to be the maſter of it, to be a great Phyſician, to heal the wounds and diſtempers which ſin had procured. Mat. 9.12, 13.
2. THAT be came with full authority for this work. He did not come without a commiſſion, but was authorized to it, by a ſolemn deputation, and inauguration. His Father ſent him on this errand. There was not only his own perſonal love, but his Fathers love ſeen in it. Job. 3.16. He appointed him to it from Eternity, and he confirmed him in it, when he appeared to proſecute it in his ſtate of Humiliation. So that whatſoever he doth on this account, muſt needs be acceptable to God. He doth in it by vertue of his Office, and therefore can challenge the recompence of it; and the validity of it is indubitable. His commiſſion is to remove our miſeries, to heal our alls, to ſupply our wants; and he is commanded that he ſhall not ſend away one diſtreſſed Soul empty, that cries to him for help. Read his commiſſion, and be encouraged by it, Iſai. 61.1, 2, 3.
3. THAT He is every may compleatly furniſhed for the diſcharge of this work. He did not receive an empty title in his Unction, but he had the Spirit abundantly reſting upon him, He hath every thing given him, that is requiſite to render him a merciful and a powerful Saviour. He hath enough Grece to ſupply with the overflowings of it, all that we can ſtand in need of. He had ſtrength to undergo all that was requiſite to ſatisfy Juſtice for us, and anſwer the law in all its demands. And now he bath knowledge to diſcern our wants, wiſdom to judge what is beſt for our relief, neekneſs to bear with our f…llies, mercy to ſuccour us in our diſtreſſes, pity to have compaſſion on us in our miſeries, and power to deliver us from the hands of all our enemies. Hence he is ready to meet the fainting Soul which is making towards him, and is overwhelmed. to take it up in his arms, and and carry it home his in his boſome. Be not diſheartned; you ſee here is an Office for ſuch as you are to come to, and all ſupply to he had at it. He wants for nothing to ſave you to the uttermoſt, and his Father hath committed it to him thus to do. And certainly he will be true to his truſt, who hath told us, Joh. 6.37. Him that cometh to me I will in us wiſe caſt out. Adventure then upon it, and you ſhall without doubt be ſafe.
[SEPTEMBER 3. 1695.]