A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 94 (Question 26 cont.)
SERMON XCIV.
I. WE proceed to inquire. Way it was Neceſſary that Chriſt ſhould be King, … uſuſtain this Office …? For, by th… we are pe… in mind of God's great kind …ſs to us, in giving us a Mediator ſo inveſted as to anſwer all our wants. Now, though …s neceſſary may be read in the conſideration of the …ave of the Office yet we may ſee it farther confirmed to us in the following concluſions
1. THAT the condition of God's Elect before Converſion calls for it. that converſion, or regeneration is neceſſary in order to the Salvation of Sinners, is w… eſſed to us by Chriſt himſelf, Mar. 18.…. …spand…. 2. F…r as a main part of man's miſery formally conſiſt, a his …ful ſtate, ſo is his re wa…i…n eſſential to his happineſs, unto the effecting of which this Office of our Mediator is neceſſary, as appears in theſe things,
(1.) THAT all God's Elect are in … in n…t… r…l eſtate, his enemies, and held under the … or of a corrupt nature. The firſt poſſe…ſ…o… of the heart is held by the ſtrong man whether by him we underſtand Satan, who is called the God of the world, and rules in the Children of diſobedience; or the bo…y, of death, or the corrupt nature in man. Such was their natural condition, Eph. 2.2.3. And we may gather this out of the deſcription given us of the natural man, Rom. 3.12, &c.
(2.) THAT this power of Satan and natural Corruption, muſt be vanquiſ…d in the work of Converſion. Converſion is properly the turning the Soul from Sin and Satan unto God, as we have it deſcribed, Acts 26.18. It is the ſubverting of the dominion of other lords, and bringing the ſinner into obedience to God; it is the tranſlating of the man from darkneſs into God's marvellous light. Theſe with divers other parallel expreſſions uſed in Scripture to ſet forth this great work of Converſion, do intimate thus much: for as long as we are the ſervants of ſin, we cannot be the ſervants of God. Mar. 6.24. There is n… communion between light and darkneſs, no ſe… with God and Ech…l.
(3.) THAT this …rk exceeds the power of men and means to of…l, in and of there ſilves. A ſinner cannot convert himſelf, for a ſtare of ſin is a ſtare of ſpiritual death, Eph. 2.1 And you hath be quickned who were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins. And what power hath a dead man to do any thing towards his own Reſurrection? Corrupt nature is bee… me a lamp of enmity, Rom. 8.7. Becauſe the carnal mand is enmity againſt God's for it is not ſubject to th… a…e of God, neither indeed can be. And how ſhould it change its own temper? Ang…lle m… cannot convert a ſinner by his good will, and utmoſt …e dea…uts; he may deſire it, he may pray for it, he may take a great deal of pa… for it, and he uſed by the Spirit as an inſtrument in the treating with the ſinner about it, but effect it he cannot, when he hath done all, Job. 1.13. The Ordinances of the Goſpel though they are the ſanasti…y…d means for the end, and the Spirits of God is want to come in and with them to do this work, yet alone and by themſelves they are not effectuals for it they were, why are not all that ſit under them converted by them, as well as ſome? Yea, why are the muſt obſtinate, and the moſt unlikely pr…v…i…ed …ver by them, w…e… the letter as men eſteem, and more eaſy natures, feel not their v…rtue, but remain after all under the d…n…on of ſin. And what elſe is the meaning of that, 1 Cor. ….6. I have phanted, Apollo wanted: but God g…e the in…re…ſ….
(4.) HENCE, if ever a Soul be Converted, t…e …l v…rtue pr…ceed from Chirſt the d…g ſ…l. There is nothing leſs than Om…p…e ev…t…on … to the bringing this about, and therefore the word of God compares it to ſuch w…ks as outbids the works of nature, a d…a…e truly miracles: the opening the eyes of ſuch as are born h…nd, the …i…pping the … of … naturally dea… the … ating of a world, and the raiſing of the dead and nothing muſt be too hard for him, who can do all this. Chriſt alone hath power over an hard heart to ſoften it, over a will that is filled with all malice, and reſolutely bent to ſin, to ſubdue it. Converſion therefore is repreſented as ſuch a work, Eph. 1. 18, 19. The eyes if your underſtanding being en igh…ned: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the ſaints: And what is the exceeding greatneſs of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Now it was Chriſt that raiſed himſelf by his own power: ſo it is by the very ſame power, and nothing ſhort of it, that he converts the Sinner.
(5.) THE diſpenſation of this power properly belongs to his Kingly Office. For though he hath this power in him eſſentially as he is God, yet the authority of exerting it as Mediator, for the conquering the luſts and the corruptions in us, and the delivering us out of the hands of our ſpiritual adverſaries, and making us to yield cordial obedience unto him, is of his Office, and can be aſcribed to no other but his Kingly; by vertue whereof he hath authority, to marage the conqueſt that he gains over our hearts, to the making us his voluntary ſubjects, and taking us into the Coverant of peace, and priviledging us with all the benefits of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is therefore annexed to the proclamation of him to be his Fathers King, Pſal. 2.6, 8, 9, and, 45.4, 5. In a word, all thoſe that remain in their natural rebellion againſt God muſt needs periſh, Pſal. 92.9. As all would do if Chriſt did not conquer them by his power. In ſum, if he were not King to get himſelf ſubjects, he would loſe the great deſign of his Prieſthood, and none of his redeemed would ever obtain Salvation, by reason of their deſpiſing of the offers of grace, through their natural rebellion, which he only as a King overcomes in them, by his royal efficacy.
2. THE ſtate of the Church militant, or of Believers after Converſion d…th alſo require this Office The Church of Chriſt and Believers in it, could not continue in this World, without the Government of ſuch a King. The Church militant would never arrive to be a Church triumphant, if he did not ſway the Scepter, and govern both it and the World. I ſhall not draw this out at length, but only offer ſomething very briefly which may ſhow us the truth we enquire after, and that both in reſpect to every true Believer perſonally, and to the Church in general.
(1.) BELIEVERS could never hold on in the way of Peace, and get ſafe to the end of it, did not Chirſt manage this Office for and over them. We do not paſs immediately from Regeneration to Glorification; but there is a work to be done, a race to be r…n, a courſe to be finiſhed: and we need the ſame powerful conduct to carry us through the narrow way: th… we had to bring us in at the ſtrait gaze. The ſame hand that beg…n, muſt perfect the work, Phil. 1.6. The children of God need Go… ment, and cannot do without it; and they are altogether unable to govern themſelves Jer. 10.23. They would certainly to wrong if He did not guide them Their Gra…e … be both preſerved in being, and maintained in exerciſe; but they cannot do it of themſelves. He muſt keep them alive, or they would dye; He muſt uphold them, or they would fall; He muſt influence them, or they can do nothing, Job. 15.5. Every Believer … a warfare which he is engaged in, Eph. 6.12. And his life is concerned in it, and there are many and potent enemies lying in wait ſee is, and ſeeking all advantages that they … devour it; whereas his Grace is a w… creature; and what is it to ſuch a multituded If there were not an Almighty power to p… ſerve it, it would not hold out ſo much as one barrel, how much leſs through the whole ſpiritual warfare. 1. Pet. 1.5. There is indwelling ſin within him, thoſe remains of the body of death, or the natural corruption, which was born with him that is ſo ſtrong as that it often brings him into Captivity, and Chirſt only can give him deliverance from it. Rom. 7. 23, 25. A man's own luſts wo…l… quickly ſwallow up all his Graces, if Chriſt did not with his royal Power maintain them. And there are the powers of Hell: there is Satan that devouring Adverſary, who, as he hath a peculiar ſpite againſt the Saints, ſo is indefatigable in his attempts to do them all the miſchief he can. 1 Pet. 5.8. Be ſober is vigilant: becauſe your adverſary the devil, is as a roaring lion walking about ſeeking … be may devour. And both his policy and power would eaſily undo the Believer, if Chriſt did not take care of him, and a…d him ſeaſonable and ſufficient ſuccour; and therefore all the ſtrength that we have againſt theſe potent enemies, is in the Lord J… Chriſt, and his mighty power, Eph. 6.10. There are many ſnares and pits in the World, and he would on all occaſions be entrapped in them, if he had not the conduct of this great Prince; ſo that there is his ſafety. Pſal. 73.24. Thou ſhalt guide me with thy counſel, and afterward receive me to glory. And it is certain, that the immutability of a believe…s Grace, the not failing or dying of his Faith, his abiding in Chriſt, and perſevering in … lineſs are all from the vertue which proceeds from Chirſt, as King of Saints; without the conſtant emanations whereof, he would never paſs the pikes, or get through an evil world, to the Kingdom of Glory, but would fail in his way, and fall ſhort of his end.
(2.) THE Church it ſelf had never ſtood … this day, if it had not had ſuch a King … i… as Chriſt is. Hitherto it owes its entire acknowledgment of its preſervation. He th… ſhall but conſider what enemies the Church hath ever had, ſince the new Covenant hath been diſpenſed to fallen man, and what deſign theſe enemies have been contriving and …ſning againſt them, from the beginning to …is very day, muſt needs confeſs, that it is …e of the greateſt wonders that have been …ard of, that it hath ſtood out, and weather'd … theſe deſigns and attempts; and muſt …feſs a divine Sovereign Wiſdom & Power … have been wonderfully exerted herein. …e not all the powers of the Kingdom of …rkneſs been up in Arms againſt the Church? …ve not the Kingdoms and Powers of the …rld been united in conſpiracy and combination to ſubvert it? Have they not laid their …lels in the dark, and contrived them with …e greateſt s…ill, and utmoſt policy, whereof …y have been ready to ſay, none ſhall with…d of prevent us? Hath not the greatred …gon …omited our mighty floods to drown …? Have not the B…aſt and the falſe Prophet …yned their heads and hands, with all their …ed forces to blow it up, or break it in …eces? See how theſe conſultations are deſcribed, Pſal. 83.3, &c. And is there a Church … God in the World ſtill for all this? whe…er ſhall we aſcribe it? What would have become of it long before this day, it Chriſt …d not been its King? Well may we apply …e confeſſion of the people of God, Pſal. 124 … this contemplation. And it is becauſe he … King, and well remain ſo to be, till all the affairs of his Church are accompliſhed, & he …ath trodden down all the adverſe Powers that ſet themſelves againſt it. Therefore it is that it hath ſtood and ſhall ſtand, to their own admiration, and aſtoniſhing confuſion of their Adverſaries. It is he who looks on, and …gh… at their conſultations, and hath them in der…ſion, Pſal 2.4. It is he that breaks all their plots and deſigns in pieces, Iſai. 8.9, 10. it is …e who ſlumbers not nor ſleeps, therefore are they not ſurprized. He marcheth in the head of this Army, therefore it is not routed, … do the gates of hell prevail against it. And this is it that extorts that confeſſion from them after all, Pſal. 58. ult. So a man ſhall ſay, Verily there is a reward for the righteous; …th …e is a God that …udgeth in the earth. Verifying that in, Prov. 21.30. There is no wiſdom nor underſtanding, nor counſel againſt the …rd.
II. IT follows that we take a brief account of … Excellency of the Kingly Office of Chriſt; that he is a moſt glorious King, tranſcending all earthly Potentates whatſoever, whoſe Kingdom and power is but a dark ſhadow of … and is infinitely ſurpaſſed by it in all reſpects. And this will appear,
1. IN regard of its Univerſality. And that,
(1.) IN all the Ages …f the World. The mediat…ly Kingdom of Chriſt was ſet up and co…nced immediately upon man's fall, and is to continue till the great Judgment be …r, for the management of that belongs unto it, 1 Cor. 15.25. In the diſpenſing of which Judgment he ſhall appear gloriouſly upon his Throne, and make thoſe to know him to be a great King, who have ſomtimes fa…l, th…t this man ſhall not re…gn over ….
THAT he was actually King from man fall appears, becauſe then began his mediatorial diſpe ſation; then the Covenant of Grace was revealed, and began to be diſpe ſod, for the Salvation of Sinners; men God began to have a Church, and that Covenant was never without a Mediator; and there is but one real Mediator, 1 Tim. 2.5. Whereas all theſe Offices of Chriſt are the b…a…ches of his Mediatorſhip, and were conferred upon him in it. That it hath continued ever ſince, without intermiſſon, is evident, becauſe there hath been no time ſince, wherein God hath not had a Church, and thoſe who were brought into Chriſt by Converſion a…d kept in him unto eternal life, which could be by no other vertue but this. Nor is it leſs evident that it ſhall continue to the end, or to the laſt Judgment, becauſe that alſo is devolved on him, and he is to manage it, Joh. 5.27. And hath given him authority to execute Judgment alſo, becauſe he is the Son of man. And it is after that, that we are told that he will reſign it. 1 Cor. 15.28. And wh…n all things ſhall be ſubdued unto him, then ſhall the Son alſo himſelf be ſubject unto him that …ut all things under him, that God may be all in all. Whereas all other Kings here have bu… ſhort reigns, their lives are all but ſh…rt, and they are often hurried away faſter than other men; and though they ſeem to live in their Succeſſors, yet they ſometimes expire; however they give place for them and ceaſe perſonally to reign; whereas Chriſt hath no Succeſſor, not can his Throne be undermined; many attempts have been made againſt it, but they have all proved unſucceſsful, and been the ba…e of thoſe that engaged in them.
(2.) OVER all M…n. There have indeed been very large empires in this World; we read of Abaſ…erus, that he reigned over one hundred twenty-ſeven Provinces. It is reported of Alexander that he wept that there were no more worlds for him to conquer. The Roman dominion, when in its height, extended a great way; but alas! the biggeſt of theſe was but a ſmall portion of the whole. But the dominion of Chriſt reacheth to and over all the men that have been, are, or ſhall be, in the world, without exception. There have been none over whom his Scepter hath not ruled. Solomon was but a dark type, Chriſt being the antitype, of whom it is ſaid, Pſal. 72.8. He ſhall have dominion alſo from ſea to ſea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. And it is of him that the prophetical viſion is intended. Dan. 7.13, 14.
(3.) OVER all Creatures. The whole Creation are his ſubjects, the upper as well as the lower world are under his homage, and required to pay it to him, Phil. 2.10. That at the Name of Jeſus every knee ſhould b…t…, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. He is head …ver them all, and they do yield him obedience, either active or paſſive, Eph. 1.21, 22. The holy Angels do worſhip him, Heb. 1.6. They acknowledge him to be their head, are willingly at his beck, and he ſends them forth at his Will, to be employed in the adminiſtration of the affairs of his Kingdom in the world, and they attend upon it with the greateſt ſpontaneity. The Devils, thoſe rebellious legions are under his Juriſdiction; and though they neither love him, nor willingly ſerve him, yet they cannot withſtand the efficacy of his government. He hath conquered them, holds them under reſtraint, and they cannot ſo much as hurt a Swine without his permiſſion. And he will call them ere long to his Tribunal, and doom them to their eternal ſufferings. All other Creatures whether in Heaven or in Earth; Sun, Moon, Stars, Fowles, Fiſhes, Beaſts, are all at his Service, and he uſeth them as he will for his deſigns, Pſal. 8.6, &c. He therefore can engage them to be at peace with us, Job 5.22, &c. Whereas the greateſt Potentate on Earth, rules over but a few, and thoſe only ſuch as are on the ſame Earth with himſelf.
2. IN reſpect of its Efficacy. Chriſt's Kingdom is a Kingdom of uncontroulable and irreſiſtable power; he is a King againſt whom there is no riſing up; his Throne is firm and unmoveable, though all the powers of the world ſhould join theſelves together, and Lift at it, they cannot ſhake or ſtir it, Pſal. 29.10. The Lord ſitteth upon the ſtood; yea, the Lord ſitteth King for ever. None ever reſiſted him and proſpered. Nay, it bears down before it, all that ſet theſelves to oppoſe it, and makes all the Kingdoms in the world to ſtoop to it, Dan. 2.44. Earthly Princes ſit very unſteady upon their Thrones, they are not ſecure for all their guards, fortreſſes, and utmoſt endeavours to eſtabliſh themſelves; they ſometimes meet their marches, and are overpowered; they may undertake, but are not certain to accompliſh, but are many times diſappointed. But the Kingdom of Chriſt is an all conquering Kingdom. It is Chriſt who is ſet forth, Rev. 6.2. He never attempted any thing but he brought it to paſs; the greateſt reſiſtance that the whole Creation can make againſt him, is but to render his triumphs the more glorious; if he ſaith but the word, it is done, whether in Heaven or Earth, Sea, or in the great Deep. Such is his efficacy, Pſal. 135.5, 6.
3. IN regard of its Subjects. And that which is here chiefly to be obſerved, is that it rules over the hearts and conſciences of men. And that is it, which the greateſt Monarchs in the world, could never yet make any fair pretence unto. The great Men of this world, though never ſo abſolute in their Government, have only a command over men's bodies and eſtate; but they can neither know what their minds are towards them, nor can they make any rules to bind their Conſciences, or call them to an account: they cannot reach their thoughts, not call them to an account beyond their words and outward actions; not yet inflict puniſhments on them any farther than reacheth the outward m…n: their Judgment is there limited. But Chriſt's Juriſdiction extends to the heart, and rules over the Conſcience. He gives laws to that, and binds it under the ſtroneſt obligation. And he knows what men's thoughts are … him, and will judge and puniſh them. Yes he cannot only conquer the bodies, but the hearts of men, and bring them to obedience 2 Cor. 10. …. Caſting down imaginations, … every bigh thing that exalteth it ſelf againſt the knowledge of God, and bringing into cop…i…i… every thought to the obedience of Chriſt. And if they continue in rebeltion he can read them with ſpiritual plagues.
4. IN reſpect of its Lows. Abſolute and arbitrary Government is among men, as better than tyranny. The beſt Laws are a foundation for the beſt Government, and will render it ſo, if duly adminiſtred. No…, though Chriſt hath an abſolute Dominion as God, and uſeth much of his liberty i… ruling over the world, yet he govermeth his Church by a Law, i. e. He hath given them … Rule which ſurpaſſeth all the Laws of other Kingdoms; it is the beſt, moſt ſuitable for the end of it, to guide them to life; moſt perfect, there is nothing wanting for their regulation in all caſes; and hence it is compleatly ſufficient. We have therefore that encomi… of it, Iſal. 19 7, &c. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. And the happineſs of God's Iſrael above all others is declared on account of it, Deut. 4.8. Pſal. 147.19, 20. He hath ſhewed his word unto Jacob, hi… ſtatutes and judgments unto Iſrael, He hath … dealt ſo with any nation; and as for his judgments they have not known them; Praiſe ye the Lord.
5. IN regard of its Rewards & Puniſh…. They are poor rewards that earthly Kings have to beſtow upon their faithful and … deſerving ſubjects; ſome ſading titles of honour; ſome periſhing profits, and the like and for their puniſhments inflicted on the greateſt rebels, they are only bodily and temporary, Mat. 10.28. And fear not th… which kill the body but are not able to kill the ſoul: but rather fear him which is able to deſtroy both ſoul and body in hell. They can w…k their revenge only on the outward man, take away a dying life, put them to a ſhort … ture, and ſtigmatize them with a reproach that is ſoon forgotten. But in Chriſts Kingdom there are the moſt glorious rewards for thoſe who are true to him; there is a Crown and a Kingdom, there is Immortality and eternal Life; A Kingdom that cannot be moved, Heb. 12.28. and an eternal weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4.17. And for them that … diſobedient, there are everlaſting miſeries, unconceivable torments in the bottomleſs pit, where the ſmoak of their furnace aſcends for ever and ever, a never dying worm, and a fire that is never quenched, Mark 9.44. … a word. The Kingdom of Chriſt is called i… Scripture by way of eminency, the Kingdom of God, of Heaven, of Peace, of Glory. It is … …ingdom in which the true Subjects dwell …rety; the moſt ſecret and powerful ene… can have no ſecurity; a Kingdom in …th righteouſneſs reigns, and no wrong is …, where the meaneſt ſervice is not for…, not ſhall miſs of a bleſſed reward; …e the meaneſt member is not neglected, … abundantly taken care of; and ſo is in all …ects incomparable.
USE. IS Chirſt ſuch a King? Then,
1. SEE. here the Admirable happineſs of all … Subjects. They are every way ſafe … the preſent, and ſhall be brought to per…ct …eſſedneſs in the end. None can harm …. He is Omniſcient, and fees all the …us that are laying againſt any of his; He Omnipotent, and able to ſecure them a… all the rage of Earth and Hell. He …ly loves all that are his; they are his …ed, and be will ſuffer none to barm them, …. 15. They are as the Apple of his Eyes, … he will keep them as charily, Zech. 2.8. …hey are his favourites. and he bath pur…ed a Kingdom for them, and will with … fall bring them, to poſſeſs them of it. … 12.32. Fear not, little ſtock; for it is Father good pleaſure to give you the kingdom Hence,
2. LET is call upon us all, to renounce out the Lords, and put our ſelves under the Kingdom of Chriſt. This is no encouragement to … of civil obedience to humane Orders … are of God's appointment. But re…t. Sin, and Satan, have a dominion in … egenerate ones. Say then as they. Iſai. ….43. & Lord our God, other lords beſides thee … had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. Their Government is tyrann col, but this is ſweet and eaſy, Mat. 1…. ult Their Service is a meet ſlavery, but his is the greateſt liberty, His law is ſuch, Jam. 1.25. You will be ſoonet or later aſhamed of ſerving them; but, Pſal. 119.6. Then ſhall I not be …ſhamed, when I have reſpect unto all try commandments. Chriſt, and He only can deliver you from your enemies; God is ſo, and note but he can interpoſe, 1 Time. 2.5. The Law as ſo, and he only can ſave you from it, Act. 4.12. Satan is ſo, and none elſe can pſuck you out of his hands, Rom. 16.20. Sin is ſo, and none elſe can deliver you from it, Rom. 7.23, 24.25. You can neither find not keep in the way of peace of your ſelves. He muſt both bring you into, a…d keep you in it. Iſai. 26.3. In ſum, your even happineſs and miſery will run here. And remember, He will be your King and ſave you, or he wil as a King deſtroy you.
3. LET the People of God acknowledge Hi… for their King, by demeaning then ſelves accordingly. Yield him Obedience, live up to his Laws, ſeek to exalt the honour of his Kingdom; avold every thing that will reflect reproach upon it. Carry all your concerns to him. Go to him, to e…lighten your darkneſs, to ſubdue your corruptions ſo ſuppreſs your temptations, to overcome all your Souls enemies; and ſubject the very thoughts of your hearts to his command. And thus live chearfully in his Service, waiting upon him for that Glory which he hath promiſed to all that ſerve him faithfully.
[MARCH 17. 1695.]