LOOKING UNTO JESUS,
IN HIS LIFE.
THE FOURTH BOOK.
I JOHN 1. 2.
For the life was manifested, and we have seen it.
CHAP. 1:
SECT. 1: Of the Beginning of the Gospel.
IN this piece, as in the former, we
must first lay down the object, and then direct Thou how to look to it. The
object is JESUS carrying on the work of man's salvation during the time of
his life. Now in all the transactions of this time, we shall observe them
as they were carried on successively in those three years and an half of his
ministerial office. For the first year, the evangelist Mark begins thus u
The beginning of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, the.
Son of God;" q. d. the beginning of that age of the world which the prophets
pointed out for the time of good things to come; or the beginning of the completion
of that gospel, which, in respect of the promise, was from the beginning of
the world. That the beginning of the gospel was now, appears, in that baptism
(which was only used among the Jews for the admission of heathens to their
church,) is now proposed to the Jews themselves; skewing, that now they were
to be transplanted into a new profession; that the Gentiles and they were
now to be knit into one church and body. Indeed the doctrine of John was of
a different strain, from the literal doctrine of the law, in the sense of
the Jews, for that called all for works; " Do
this and live." But John called for repentance, and for the renewing
of the mind, and for belief in him, that was coming after, disclaiming all
righteousness by the works of the law. Hence one observes that the evangelist
Luke points out this year in a special manner; it was the "fifteenth
year of Tiberius Caesar; at which time, (said he,) Pilate was governor of
Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, Philip was tetrarch of Iturea,
Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, and Annas
and Caiaphas were high priests. And then, even then, the word
of GOD came unto John, the Son of Zacharias, in
the wilderness." See how exact the evangelist is, that so remarkable
a year of the beginning of the gospel might be made known to all
the world. I shall begin the first year of CHRIST's
life with the beginning of John's preaching, which was six months current
before the ministry of CHRIST.
SECT. 2:
Of the preaching of John the Baptist.
Now was it that the gospel began to
dawn, and John, like the morning-star, springing from the windows of the east,
foretels the approach of the Sun of Righteousness,
Now was it that he laid the first rough stone of the building in mortification,
self-denial, and doing violence to our natural affections. I read not that
ever John wrought a miracle, but good works convince more than miracles themselves.
To this purpose, I suppose, John, the Baptist spent his time in prayer,.
meditation, and colloquies with GOD, eating locusts
and wild honey in the wilderness, that he might be made a fit instrument of
preparation of the gospel of CHRIST.
John's sermons were to those of JESUS
as a preface to a discourse. His usual note was repentance, the axe to the
root, the fan to the floor, the chaff to the fire. As his raiment was rough,
so was his tongue; and thus must the way be made for CHRIST into obstinate
hearts. Pleasing of the flesh is no fit preface to regeneration. If the heart
of man had continued upright, CHRIST might have been entertained without contradiction;
but now violence must be offered to our corruptions, ere we can make room
for grace. If the great way-maker do not cast down bills, and raise
up vallies in the bosoms of men, there is no passage
for CHRIST; never will CHRIST come into that soul, where the herald of repentance,
either in one motive or other, has not been before him. Shall we hear that
sermon that John preached in his own words? " Repent
ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." These are the words when he
first began to preach the gospel of CHRIST; and indeed we find CHRIST himself
does preach the same doctrine in the same words, "JESUS began to preach
and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand." Oh! how seasonable is this sermon
to Christians! has not the kingdom of heaven approached
unto us? Take the kingdom of heaven for the kingdom of glory, are we not near to the door of glory, to the confines
of eternity? "What is our life but a vapor that appears for a little
time, and after it vanisheth away?" We know
not but ere the sun has run one round, our souls may be in that world of souls,
and so either in heaven or hell. Or take the kingdom of heaven for the church of CHRIST, and what expectation have we now of the flourishing state
of CHRIST's church here upon earth? "
Then shall the children of Israel and Judah be gathered together, for great shall be the day of Jezreel,"
Hos. 1: 11. A time is at hand, that Israel and Judah shall be called together, that the fullness of the Gentiles
shall come in; and what is this but the great day of Jezreel?
Then what manner of persons ought we to be? How spiritual? how
heavenly minded? " Arise, arise, shake off thy dust, for thy light is coming,
and the glory of the Lord is rising upon thee. But I will not dwell on this:
my design is to consider JESUS, and of the transactions of JESUS in reference
to our souls' health. Now John's sermons were only aa preparative to the manifestation
of JESUS.
SECT. 3:
Of the Baptism of JESUS.
He that formerly was circumcised, would
now be baptized. He was circumcised to sanctify his church that was, and
he was baptized to sanctify his church that should be: we, find him in both
testaments opening a way into heaven. This was the first appearing of CHRIST
in reference to his ministerial office. He that lay hid in the counsel of
GOD from all eternity, and that lay hid in the womb of his mother for the
space of forty weeks, and that lay hid in Nazareth for the space of thirty
years, now at last begins to show himself to the world: " He comes from
Galilee to Jordan, to John, to be baptized of him." Now was the full
time come that JESUS should take his leave of his mother, and his trade, to
begin his Father's work, in order to the redemption of the world. For the
clearer understanding of CHRIST's baptism, we shall
examine, 1. What reason CHRIST had to be baptized? 2. How it was that John
knew him to be CHRIST. And, 3. Why it was that the Holy Ghost descended on
him. 1. What reason bad CHRIST to be baptized? We find John himself wondered
at this: " I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest
Thou to me?" Many reasons are given for CHRIST's
baptism: 1. That he might bear witness to the preaching and baptism of John,
and might reciprocally receive a testimony from John. 2. That by his own baptism
he might sanctify the water of baptism to his own church. 3. That he might
" fulfill all righteousness;" not only moral, but figurative, ceremonial,
and typical. Some think, that the ceremony, which our Savior
looked at in these words, was their washing of the priests in water, when
they entered into their function: "Aaron and his sons Thou shall bring
to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall wash them with
water." And surely-this was the main reason of CHRIST's being baptized, that by this baptism he might be
installed in the ministerial office.
2. How did John know him to be CHRIST?
The Baptist speaks expressly, " I knew him not, but he that sent me to
baptize with water, the same said unto me, On whomsoever Thou shall see the
Spirit descending, and abiding on him, the same is he that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." Now this descent of the
Holy Ghost was not till after baptism; how then did he know him to be CHRIST?
To this it may be answered, it is not unlikely that John knew CHRIST at his
first arrival by revelation. Thus Samuell knew Saul;
and thus John might know CHRIST. That knowledge he had after CHRIST's baptism, was a further confirmation of the knowledge
he had before his baptism, and that not, so much for his own sake, as for
the people's; " I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."
3. Why was it that the Holy Ghost descended
on JESUS I answer, for these reasons, 1. That John the Baptist might be satisfied;
for this token was given John, when he first began to preach, "That upon
whom he should see the Spirit of GOD descending and remaining on him, the
same was he who should. baptize with the Holy Ghost." 2. That CHRIST
himself might be anointed to his function: "The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the
meek. As Aaron and his sons were anointed with material oil, when they entered
into their offices, so CHRIST was, by the Spirit (as it were,) anointed, that
so he might receive this consecration and institution for the office that
he was to enter on, viz. the preaching and ministry of the gospel.
4. Why in the form of a dove, rather
than some other form?' Perhaps, 1. To show CHRIST's innocency, purity, and
love. 2. To answer the figure in Noah's flood; for as a dove at that time
brought tidings of the abating of the waters, so now it brings tidings of
the abating of GOD’s wrath upon the preaching of
the gospel.
Observe, the baptism we use, and the baptism of
John, are in nature and substance one and the same. 1. John " preached
the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." They have therefore
the same doctrine, and the same promise. 2 The baptism ministered by John
pertained to the "fulfilling of all righteousness." And Luke testifies,
that the publicans and people being baptized of John, they "justified
God. But the Pharisees rejected the counsel of GOD against themselves, and
were not baptized." Only herein lies the difference, that John baptized
in CHRIST that should die and rise again; but we baptize in the name of CHRIST
that has died, and risen again. It is a difference in respect of circumstance,
but not of the substance. Oh! take heed of throwing away the baptism of water,
upon the pretence of baptism only with fire! CHRIST (we see) has joined them
together, and let no man separate them asunder: CHRIST himself was baptized
with fire; and yet CHRIST himself was baptized with water:
SECT. 4:
Of the. Fasting and Temptation of CHRIST.
No sooner is CHRIST come out of the
water of baptism,, but he enters into the fire of temptation. No sooner is
the Holy Spirit descended upon his head, but he is led by the same Holy Spirit
to be tempted in the wilderness. No sooner does GOD say, "This my Son;"
but SATAN puts it to the question, " If Thou be the Son of God? All these
are but CHRIST's preparatives to his prophetical office. In the former, CHRIST
was prepared by a solemn consecration; now he is further prepared by SATAN's temptation. In the same method as the evangelist
lays it down, Matt. 4: 1-12, 1 shall proceed. " Then was JESUS led up
by the Spirit into the wilderness, to by tempted of the devil." In the
whole, we may observe these several branches: First, the place where the temptation
was, the' wilderness; Secondly, the cause of CHRIST's
going into the wilderness, the Spirit's leading; Thirdly, the end of the Spirit's
leading CHRIST into the wilderness, "to be tempted of the devil;"
Fourthly, the time and occasion of the devil's onset, at the end of forty
days fast, and "when he was an hungered;" Fifthly, the temptations
themselves, which are in number three; to which are added as many victories,
which CHRIST bad over the tempter; who therefore "left him, and so the
angels came, and ministered unto him." I shall begin first with the place
where the temptation was; to wit, in the wilderness.
This wilderness was not that same wilderness
wherein John the Baptist lived, Matt. 3: 1; for that wherein John lived was
a place inhabited. There were in that place cities and towns, and a number
of people, to whom John preached; but this wilderness was devoid of men, fall
of wild beasts. So says Mark, " He was tempted of SATAN, and was with
the wild beasts." As Adam, in his innocency lived with wild beasts, and they hurt him not: so
CHRIST, the second Adam lives here in' a wilderness with wild beasts, and
has no hurt at all. He is Adam-like in his safety and security; above Adam
in the resisting of temptations. Probably, during his forty days abode here,
CHRIST was continually exercised in prayer and fasting; for he knew he had
the great work of redemption to promote; and therefore his conversation for
this interval must have been preparatory to it: in this respect, I know not
but the wilderness might he an advantage to CHRIST's
design. In this solitary place he could not but breathe out more pure inspiration.
Heaven. usually is more open, and GOD usually is more familiar in his visits
in such places.
2. The cause of CHRIST's
going into the wilderness was the Spirit's leading: "Then was JESUS led
of the Spirit into the wilderness." CHRIST was led by the good Spirit,
to be tempted by the evil spirit. O wonder! that same Spirit which was one
with the Father and the Son;. that same Spirit whereby CHRIST was conceived,
now drives him or leads him into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
CHRIST himself would not go into the combat uncalled; unwarranted; how then
should we poor weaklings presume upon any abilities of our own? Who dares
grapple with the devil in his own Strength? Oh! take heed! If we are to pray
not to be led into temptation; much more are we to pray not to run into temptation
before we are led; and yet for the comfort of GOD’s
people, if it be so that we are led; if by Divine permission, or by an inspiration'
of the Holy Spirit, we are engaged in an action, or in a course of life that
is full of temptations; let us look upon it as an issue of Divine providence
in which we must glorify God.
3. The end of the Spirit's leading
CHRIST into the wilderness was either immediate or remote. The immediate
end was, " to be tempted of the devil." To this purpose was CHRIST
brought thither, that SATAN might tempt him. One would think it a very strange
design that the Son of GOD should be brought into a wilderness to be set on
by all the devils in hell; but in this also, GOD had another remote end, 1:
e. his own glory and our good. 1. His own glory appeared in this; had not
SATAN tempted CHRIST, how Should CHRIST have overcome SATAN? Herein was the
power of CHRIST exceedingly manifested; the devil having the chain let loose,
assaults CHRIST with all his might; and CHRIST both overcomes him, and triumphs
over him. And herein were the graces of CHRIST exceedingly manifested. How
was the faith, patience; humility; zeal, and valour of CHRIST set forth, which they could not have been,
if. he had always lain quietly in garrison; and never had come into the skirmish?
2. As it was for his glory, so also for our good. Now we see what manner of
adversary we have, how he fights, and how he is resisted, and how overcome;
now, we see the dearer we are to GOD, the more obnoxious we are to temptation,
Now we see that the best of saints may be tempted or allured to the worst
of evils, since CHRIST himself is solicited to infidelity, covetousness,
and idolatry: now we see that " we have not an high priest that cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but such a one as was in all
things tempted in like sort,. yet without sin; and
therefore we may go boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy,
and find grace in time of need."
4. The time and occasion' of the devil's
onset.; it was at the end of forty days' fast, and when he was all hungered.
Moses fasted forty days at the delivery of the law; and Elias fasted forty
days at the restitution of the law; and to fulfill the time of both these
types, CHRIST thinks it fit to fast forty days at the accomplishment of the
law, and the promulgation of the gospel. In fasting so long, CHRIST manifests
his almighty power; and in fasting no longer, CHRIST manifests to truth of
his man, hood, and of his weakness; to show that he was man as well as GOD,
and so a fit Mediator between GOD and Iran, he would both feed and fast; make
use of the creature; and withal suffer hunger.-And now our Savior is an hungered.
This gives occasion to SATAN to set upon, him with his fierce temptations.
He knows well what baits to fish withal,, and when, and bow to lay them. He
considers. the temper and constitution of the person he is to tempt. And
he observes all exterior accidents, occasions, and opportunities.
5. The temptations themselves are in
number three whereof the first was this:, " If Thou be the Son of GOD,
command that these stones be made bread." What an horrible entrance is
this. “If Thou be the Son of God? No question, SATAN had heard the glad tidings
of the angel, he saw the star, and the Journey, and the offerings of the sages,
he could not but take notice of the gratulations of Zachary, Simeon, Anna. And of late, he saw
the heavens open. and heard the voice that came down from heaven, " This
is my beloved Son in whom I am Well pleased." And yet, now that he saw
CHRIST fainting With hunger, as not comprehending how infirmities could consist
with a Godhead, he puts it to the question, " If Thou be the• Son of
God." Here is a point ill which lies all our happiness. How miserable
were we, if CHRIST were not indeed the Son of God? SATAN strikes at the root
of this supposition. Surely, all the work of our redemption, and all the work
of our salvation depend upon this; that JESUS CHRIST is the Son of God. If
CHRIST had not been the Son of GOD, how should he have ransomed'the
world? How should be have done, or how should he have suffered that which
was satisfactory to his Father's wrath? If CHRIST be not the Son of GOD, we
are all undone, we are lost, we are damned for ever. Farewell glory, farewell
happiness, farewell heaven. If CHRIST be not the Son of GOD, we must never
come there, Fell, SATAN, Thou beginnest thy assault
like a devil indeed. " If Thou be the Son of God;" but what then?
" Command that these, stones may be made bread." He knew JESUS
was hungry; and therefore he invites him to eat bread only of his own providing,
that so he might refresh his humanity, and prove his Divinity. There is nothing
more ordinary with our spiritual enemy, than by occasion of want, to move
us to unwarrantable courses; " If Thou art poor, then steal: if Thou
can not rise by honest means, then use indirect means." I know CHRIST
might as lawfully have turned stones into bread, as he turned water into wine;
but to do this in a distrust of his Father's providence, to work a miracle
of SATAN's choice, and at SATAN's bidding,
it could not agree with his being the Son of God. And hence JESUS refuses
to be relieved. He would rather deny to manifest the Divinity of his person,
than he would do any act which had in it the intimation of a different Spirit.
O Christians! it is a sinful care, to take evil courses to provide for our
necessities. Come, it may be Thou have found a way to thrive, which Thou couldst
not do before. O take heed; was it not of the devil's prompting, to change
stones into bread? Sadness into sensual comforts? If so, then SATAN has prevailed.
Alas, he cannot endure Thou should live a life of austerity, or self-denial,
or mortification; if he can but get thee to satisfy thy senses, and to please
thy natural desires, he then has a fair field for the battle. It were a Thousand
Mimes better for us to make stones our meat, and tears our drink, than to
swim in ill-gotten goods, and in the fullness of voluptuousness.
6. But what was CHRIST's
answer? " It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceeds out of the -mouth of God.'•' 1. " It is, written."
He easily could have confounded SATAN by the power of\ his Godhead; but he
rather chooses to vanquish, him by the sword of the Spirit. Surely this was
for our instruction. By this means he teaches us how to resist, and to overcome.
Nothing in heaven or earth can beat the forces of hell, if the Word of GOD
cannot do it: O then, how should we pray with David,: " Teach me, O Lord,
the way of thy statutes, and take not from me the words of truth, let them
be mysongs in the house of my pilgrimage ---so shall I make answer
to my blasphemers." 2. " Man shall not live by bread alone. Whilst
we are in GOD’s work, GOD has made a promise of
the supply' of all provisions necessary for us. JESUS was now in his Father's
work, therefore he was sure to be provided for according to GOD’s
word. Christians! are we in GOD’s service? GOD will
certainly give us bread; and till he does, we can live by the breath of his
mouth, by the light of his countenance, by the refreshment of his promises,’°
by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Every word of GOD’s mouth can create a grace,, and every grace can supply
two necessities, both of the body and of the spirit. I remember one kept straightly
in prison, and sorely threatened with famine he replied, "That if he
must have no bread, GOD would so provide that he should have no stomach."
If our stock be spent, GOD can lessen our necessities; if a tyrant will take
away our meat, GOD our Father knows how to alter our faint, and feeble, and
hungry appetites.
The second temptation is not so sensual.
The devil sees that he was too low for CHRIST, and& therefore he comes
again with a temptation something more spiritual; " He sets him on a
pinnacle of the temple, and says unto him, if Thou be the Son of GOD, cast.
thyself down: for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning
thee. He that was content to be led from Jordan into• the wilderness, yields to be led from the wilderness
to Jerusalem. The wilderness was fit for a temptation. arising
from want, and Jerusalem for a temptation arising from vain-glory. Methinks itt
is a sweet contemplation of an holy divine; he supposeth
as if he had seen CHRIST on the highest battlements of the temple, and SATAN
standing by him with this speech in his mouth: " Well, then, since in
the matter of nourishment Thou wilt needs depend upon thy Father's providence;
take now a further trial of that providence, in thy miraculous preservation
Cast down thyself from this height; and if Thou be the Son of GOD, now the
eyes of all men are fixed upon thee, there cannot be devised a more ready
way to spread thy glory: and for danger, if thon be the Son of GOD, there
can be none: what can hurt him that is the Son of God?" Come, cast thyself
down, says SATAN, But why did not SATAN cast him down? He carried him up thither;
and was it not more easy to throw him down thence? O no, the devil may persuade
us to a fall, but he cannot precipitate us without our own act; his malice
is infinite, but his power is limited'; he cannot do us any harm, but by persuading
us to do it ourselves; and therefore says he to CHRIST, °C Cast thyself down."
To this CHRIST answers, Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God." Though
it it is true, that GOD must be trusted in, yet
he must not be tempted; if means be allowed, we must not throw ~hem away upon
a pretence of GOD’s protection, CHRIST knew well
enough that there were ordinary descents by stairs from the top of the temple,
and therefore he would not so tempt GOD to throw himself headlong. All the
devils in hell could not so tempt CHRIST as to make him tempt his God.
The third temptation is yet more horrid;
the temple was not high enough, so that SATAN takes him up to the top of an
" exceeding high mountain, and shows him all the kingdoms of the world,
and the glory of them, saying, All these will I give thee, if Thou wilt fall
down and worship me." In this temptation the devil, by an angelical
power, drew into one centre all the kingdoms and glories of the world, and
made an admirable map of beauties, and represented them to the eyes of JESUS.
He Thought ambition more likely to ruin him, because he knew it was that which
prevailed upon himself, and therefore, "Come," says SATAN, "
all these will I give thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me." How?
GOD worship the devil? Was ever the like blasphemy since the creation? The
Lamb, of GOD, that heard all the former with patience, could by no means endure
this: he commands him away, and tells him, " It is written, Thou shall
worship the Lord thy GOD, and him only shall Thou serve." Now was the
devil put to flight, and in his stead the angels came and ministered unto
JESUS, 1: e. after his fast they minister such things as his necessities required.
O Christians! what shall we say to
this? If CHRIST was thus tempted by SATAN, what may we look for Sometimes
it cheers my heart to think that CHRIST was tempted, because thereby he knows
how to succor those that are tempted; and sometimes it affrights my soul to
think that SATAN durst be so bold with JESUS CHRIST. Oh what may he do with
me! how easily may he prevail against my soul! When he came to tempt CHRIST,
he found nothing in him to join with him in the temptation, but in my heart
is a world of corruptions, and, unless tho Lord prevent; I am quickly gone.
SECT. 5:
Of the first Manifestation of CHRIST.
To manifest CHRIST were many witnesses.
As, 1. From heaven the Father is witness: for see, says CHRIST, " the
Father that sent me, bears witness of me:" and the Son is witness; for
so says CHRIST, " I am one that bear witness of myself;" and "Though
I bear record of myself, yet my record is true; for I know whence I came,
and whither I go:" and the Holy Ghost is a witness so says Paul, "
The Holy Ghost also is a witness to us;" and to that purpose he descended
like a dove, and lighted upon him. 2. On earth John the Baptist is witness;-.(Pr
so says CHRIST, " Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth;
he came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through
CHRIST might believe." No sooner was John confirmed by a sign from heaven
that. JESUS was the CHRIST, but he immediately manifested it to the Jews,
and first to the priests and Levites sent from the Sanhedrim; and secondly,
to all the people he professed, wheresoever he saw JESUS CHRIST, " This is he:"
yea, he points him out with his finger, " Behold the Lamb of GOD, that
takes away the sins of the world." Then he skews him to Andrew, Simon
Peter's brother, and then to another disciple with him, " who both followed
JESUS, and abode with him all night." Andrew brings his brother Simon
with him. Then JESUS himself finds out Philip of Bethsaida,
and bade him follow him; and Philip finds out Nathanael,
and bids him come and see, for the Messiah was found. Thus we see no less
than five disciples found out at first, which must be so many witnesses of
JESUS CHRIST.
And yet we find more witnesses: "
The works," says CHRIST, " that I do in my Father's name, they bear
witness of inc." These works or miracles of CHRIST were many; but because
we are speaking of his first manifestation, I shall instance only in his
first work, which was at a marriage in Carla of Galilee. The power of miracles
had now ceased since their return out of captivity; the last miracle that
was done by man till this very time, was Daniel's tying up the mouths of the
lions; and now CHRIST begins. He that made the first marriage in paradise,
bestows his first miracle upon a marriage-feast. O happy feast, where CHRIST
is a guest t I believe this was no rich or sumptuous bridal. Who ever found
CHRIST at the magnificent feasts or triumphs of the great? The poor bridegroom
wants drink for his guests; and as soon as the holy virgin has notice of it,
she complains to her Son: whether we want bread, or wine, necessaries, or
comforts, whither should we go but to CHRIST? " But JESUS. answered her,
Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is no.t
yet come." This shows, that the work he was to do must not be done to
satisfy her importunity, but to prosecute the great work. In works spiritual
and religious, all outward relation ceases: matters of miracle concerned the
Godhead only; and in this case, "O woman, what have I to do with thee?"
We must not deny love and duty to relations; but in the things of GOD, natural
endearments must pass into spiritual; and like stars in the presence of the
sun, must not appear. Paul could say, " Henceforth know we no man after
the flesh; yea, Though we have known CHRIST after the flesh, yet now henceforth
know we him no more."
At the command of JESUS, the water-pots
were filled with water, and the water by his Divine power is turned into wine;
where the different dispensation of GOD and the world is highly observable:
" Every man sets forth good wine at first, and then the worse."
But CHRIST not only turns water into wine, but into such wine as at the last
draught is most pleasant. These were the first manifestations of JESUS. Thou
see he had several witnesses to set him forth; some from heaven, and some
on earth. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost witness from heaven. The Baptist,
disciples, and his works witness on earth; and there is no disagreement in
their witness, but all bring in this testimony of JESUS, That he is the Messiah;
u that is, being interpreted, the CHRIST."
But what are those manifestations to
us? or to that great design of CHRIST in carrying on our souls' salvation?
Much every way. For either must CHRIST be manifested' to us even by these
witnesses, in the preaching of the gospel, and manifested in us by that one
witness, his Holy Spirit, or we are undone for ever. 1. CHRIST must be manifested
to us in the preaching of the gospel. This mercy we have this day; nay, Thou
see every Sabbath-day all the witnesses speak in us. What do we, but in GOD’s
stead, in the Baptist's stead, in the disciples' stead,, manifest CHRIST to
Thou in every sermon P It is the commission which CHRIST has given us. of
the ministry; "Go, preach the gospel to every creature," 2. CHRIST
must be manifested in us by his Holy Spirit. Christians! look to Your hearts;
what manifestations of CHRIST are there? When Paul speaks of the gospel in
general, he adds in particular; that " it pleased GOD to reveal CHRIST in me." And when
Peter speaks of the word of GOD, he adds, that "we take heed thereunto,
until the day dawn, and the Day-star (that is, CHRIST, Rev. 22: 16,) •"
arise in our hearts;" till then, Though we be circled with gospel discoveries;
our hearts will be full of darkness; but when CHRIST, whom the prophet calls
"the Sun of Righteousness," and Peter the "Day-Star,"
shall arise within us, we shall be full of light.
Sect 6:
Of CHRIST's whipping the Buyers and Sellers out of the Temple.
Concerning CHRIST's
whipping the buyers and sellers out of the temple, we read in the gospel,
that "the Jews' passover being at hand, JESUS
went up to Jerusalem." Thither, if we follow him, the first place that we
find him in is the temple; where, by the occasion of the national assembly,
was an opportune scene for CHRIST's transactions.
In that temple
CHRIST first espies a mart; there were divers merchants and exchangers of money, that drought beasts
thither to be sold for sacrifice against that preached to all; but for the
power and fruit of his preaching, it was only received by the poor in spirit.
In the following particulars, his office is set out still in an higher tenor,
" To heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance
to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind;" or, as it is
lp Isaiah lxi. 1, "The opening of the prison to them that are bound."
A sad thing to be in captivity, but sadder to he bound in chains, or locked
up in a prison there; but it is most sad of all to be imprisoned, having one's
eyes put out, as was the case of Sampson and Zedekiah. Now the evangelist,
willing to render the prophet to the highest sense that might be, uses an
expression that meets with the highest mystery; that is, when a man is not
only shut up in a prison, but himself also has his eyes put out; to such CHRIST
should preach not only deliverance to the captives, but also `1 recovering
of sight to blinded persons." 5. Now it was that he delivered the admirable
sermon, called the sermon upon the mount. It is a breviary of all those precepts
which are truly called Christian; it contains in it all the moral.precepts
given by Moses, and a more severe exposition than the scribes and pharisees had given; it holds forth the doctrines of meekness,
poverty of spirit, Christian mourning, desire of holy things,. mercy and purity, peace and patience, and suffering of injuries;
he teaches us bow to pray, how to fast, how to give alms, how to contemn the
world, and how to seek the kingdom of GOD and its appendant righteousness.
And thus CHRIST, being entered upon
his prophetical office, in these and the rest of his sermons, gives a clear
testimony that he was not only an interpreter of the law, but a Law-giver;
and that this law of CHRIST might retain some proportion, at least, to the
law of Moses, CHRIST, in his last sermon, went up unto a mountain, and from
thence gave the oracle. I cannot stand to paraphrase on this, or any other
of his sermons; but seeing now we find CHRIST in the exercise of his prophetical
office, let us observe f. his titles in this respect. 2. The reasons of his
being a prophet. 3. The excellency of CHRIST above
all other prophets.
Sect. 3:
Of CHRIST's prophetical Office
First. The titles of CHRIST, in respect
of his prophetical office, were these, 1. Sometimes he is called Doctor, or
Master; "Be ye not called masters, for one is Your Master, even CHRIST."
The word *, which signifies a doctor, moderator, teaching-master, a guide
of the way. 2. Sometimes he is called a Law-giver; "There is one Law-giver,
who is able to save and to destroy," The apostle speaks of the internal
government of the conscience; in which case the Lord is our Judge: 3. Sometimes
he is called a Counselor; and " his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor:"
"Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom," says CHRIST. " I am understanding,
and I have strength." 4. Sometimes he is called the apostle of our profession;
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider
the Apostle and High= Priest of our profession, CHRIST JESUS." GOD sent
him as an Ambassador, to make- known his will; he came not unsent: the very
word imports a mission, a sending; "How shall they preach except they
be sent?" 5. Sometimes he is called the Angel of the Covenant; "Even
the Angel of the Covenant, whom ye delight in." CHRIST was the publisher
of the gospel covenant; and in this respect he is called a Prophet, Acts 3:
22, whose office it was to impart GOD’s will unto the sons of men, according unto the name, Angel.
6. Sometimes he is called the Mediator of the new covenant; " for this
cause he is the Mediator
of the New Testament," says the apostle. Now,
a me diator is such a one as goes between two parties at variance;
imparting the mind of the one to the other, so as to produce a right understanding,
and thereby to work a compliance between both. And thus CHRIST is a Mediator
between GOD and us, an Interpreter, an Inter-messenger between GOD and his
people.
Secondly. The reasons of CHRIST's
being a Prophet, were these. 1: That he might reveal
to his people the will of his Father. 2. That he might open and expound the
same, being once delivered. 3. That he might make saints understand and believe
the same. (L.) As a Prophet, he delivers to the people his Father's will,
both in his own person, and by his ministers. In his own person, when he was
upon earth, as a "minister of the circumcision;" and by. his ministers,
from the beginning of their mission till the end of the world. (2.) As a Prophet,
he opens and expounds the gospel. Thus being in the synagogue on the Sabbath-day,
he "opened the, book, and found the place where it was written, The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to
the poor," &c. and then "he closed the book, and said, This
day is this scripture fulfilled in Your ears." The gracious purpose of
GOD towards lost mankind, was a secret locked up in the breast of the Father;
and so it had been even to this day, had not CHRIST, who was in the bosom
of the Father, revealed it unto us. Hence CHRIST is called the Interpreter
of God: "No man kzioweth-the Father save the
Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him," by his interpretation.
(3.) As a Prophet, he gives us to understand and to believe the gospel. "
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the
Scriptures;" and thus was the case of Lydia, "whose heart the Lord opened." He that at first
opens scriptures, at last opens hearts: "He is that true Light which
enlighteneth every man that comes into the world."
He enlightens every believer, not only with a common natural light, but with
a special supernatural light of saving, spiritual, and effectual knowledge.
Now there is no prophet can do this save only JESUS CHRIST; he. only
is able to cause our hearts to believe, and to understand the matter which
he does teach and reveal. Other prophets may plant and water; "
Paul may plant, and Apollos may water,"
but he, and only he, can " give the increase."
Thirdly. The excellencies of CHRIST, above all other prophets,
are in these respects: 1. Other prophets were but types and shadows of this
great Prophet; even Moses himself was but a figure of him: "A prophet
shall the Lord GOD raise up unto Thou of Your brethren, like unto me,"
says Moses. These words, "like unto me,'.' plainly show, that Moses was
but an image and shadow of CHRIST. Now as substances far excel shadows, so
does CHRIST far excel all the prophets. 2. Other prophets revealed but some
part of GOD’s will, and. only at some times. "GOD," says
the apostle, " at sundry times, and in divers manners, spoke in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets;i.
e. he let out his light by little and little, till the Day Star and Sun of
Righteousness arose; "but in these last days he has spoken by his Son;"
1: e. he has spoken more fully and plainly. In this respect, with the apostle,
the heirs of life and salvation were but children before CHRIST's incarnation. As now we see but through a glass darkly,
towards what we shall do in the life to come; so did they of old in comparison
of us; their light, in comparison of ours, was but an obscure and glimmering
light. 3. Other prophets speak only to the ears of men, but CHRIST spoke,
and still speaks, to the heart; " He has the keys of David, that opens,
and no man shutteth, that shutteth,
and no man opens;" it is a similitude taken from them that keep the keys
of e city or castle, without whom none can open or shut; no more can any man
open the heart, or break in upon the spirit, but CHRIST; he only is able to
open the eyes of the mind by the secret, kindly, and powerful working of his
own Spirit. 4. Other prophets had their commission and authority from hint;
"The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters
of the assemblies, which are given from one shepherd;" 1:e. the words
of the wise are divine and heavenly instructions; the masters of assemblies
are gospel ministers, and CHRIST is that one Shepherd, from whom these words
are given, and from whom these masters have their authority.
SECT. 4:
Of CHRIST's Miracles.
The miracles of CHRIST this year were
many. No what were these miracles but a pursuance of the doctrines delivered
in CHRIST's sermons'? One calls them A verification
of CHRIST's doctrine; a signal of CHRIST's
sermons: If, we observe, we shall find him to work most of his miracles in
actions of mercy. Indeed once he turned water into wine, and sometimes he
walked upon the waters; but all the rest were actions of relief, according
to the design of GOD, who would have him manifest his power in showing mercy
to men.
1. Amongst all his miracles done this
year] now was it that at Cana where he wrought the first miracle: he does a second; "
A certain nobleman, or courtier, came to JESUS, and besought him to
come down to his house, and to heal his son, who was at the point of death."
We do not find CHRIST often attended with nobility, but here he is. This noble
ruler inquires after CHRIST in his necessity.’Happy
was it for him that his son was sick, for otherwise he would not have been
so well acquainted with his Savior. The first answer CHRIST gives is a word
of reproof, " Except ye see signs and wonders,
ye will not believe." Incredulity was the common disease of the Jews,
which no receipt could cure but wonders. " A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after signs."
The doctrine of CHRIST; and all the words that he spike, must be attested
by miracles, or they will not believe. O, what a sin is this! CHRIST's next answer is a word of comfort: " Go thy way, thy son lives." O the meekness and
mercy of JESUS CHRIST! When we would have looked that he should have punished
this suitor for not believing he condescends to him that he may believe: "Go
thy way, thy son lives." With one word does CHRIST heal two patients,
the son and the father; the stn's fever, and the
father's unbelief. We cannot but observe here the
steps of faith; he that believed somewhat ere he came, and more when he went,
grew to more faith in the way, and when he came home he enlarged his faith
to all the skirts of his family. " And the man believed the Word that
JESUS had spoken unto him, and he went his way;." and in the way one
meets him, and tells him, " Thy son lives;" which recovery he understands
to be at the same time that CHRIST had spoken those healing words, and "
himself believed and his whole house."
2. Now was it that "
a centurion came unto CHRIST, beseeching him, and saying, My servant
lies at home sick of the palsy grievously tormented." Many suitors come
to CHRIST, one for a son, another for a daughter, a third for himself, but
I see none come for his servant but this one centurion; and if we observe
CHRIST's answers to his suit, we see how well pleased
CHRIST is with his request: " And JESUS says unto him, ` I will come
and heal him.' He is no respecter of persons, but he that feareth
him and works righteousness, is accepted of him." It may be this servant
had more grace, or he had more need, and therefore CHRIST will go down to
visit this poor sick servant. Nay, says the centurion, " I am not worthy,
Lord, that Thou should come. under my roof:" q. d. Alas, Lord, I am a
gentile; an alien, a man of blood, but Thou art holy, Thou art omnipotent;
and therefore, " only say the word, and my servant shall be whole."
The centurion knew this by the command he had over his own servants; "
I say to this man go, and he goes; and to another come, and he comes; and'
to a third do this, and he does it. O, that I were such a servant to my heavenly
Master! Alas! every one of his commands says, " Db this, and I do it
not:" every one of his inhibitions says, "Do it not, and I do it."
He says, "Go from the world, and I run to it." He says, "Come
tome, and I run from him." Wo is me, this is
not service, but enmity: Oh, that I could come up to the faith and obedience
of this exemplar, and could serve my CHRIST as, these- soldiers did their
master!’ JESUS marvels at the centurion's faith. We never find' CHRIST wondering
at miracles of the prophets and of the apostles of CHRIST'; for what they
did was above nature; and all the difference between their miracles and the
miracles of CHRIST, was only in this, viz. they wrought them not in their
own name and power, as JESUS CHRIST did.
For the second, Why they are? Many
reasons are given, but this is the main; " Miracles were wrought for
the confirming of some Divine truth or doctrine at its first revelation, or
promulgation." To this purpose, miracles were as the trumpets or heralds
by which the gospel was first commended unto us; as the law of Moses was first
authorized by manifold miracles wrought at Sinai, and in the desert, which
afterward ceased when they were settled in the promised lands; so the gospel
of CHRIST was first authorized by manifold miracles, but the sound thereof
having now gone through all the world, these miracles cease.
For the third, Whether they are continued
in this great transaction of our salvation? I answer, yea; in this respect
miracles cease not; it is without controversy that JESUS CHRIST, in carrying
on our salvation, is adding miracle to miracle. There is a chain of miracles
in the matter of our salvation from first to last: as, 1, It was a miracle
that GOD, before we had a being, should have once Thought of us; especially
that the blessed Trinity should contrive that astonishing plan for the salvation
of our souls: Oh, what a miracle was this! 2. It was a miracle that GOD for
our sakes should create the world, and after our fall in Adam, should preserve
the world, especially considering that our sin had unpinned- the whole frame
of the creation; and that GOD, even then sitting on his throne of judgment,
ready to pass the doom of death for our first transgression, should give a
promise of a Savior, when justly he might have given us to the devil, and
to hell, according to his own law, " in the day Thou eatest thereof, Thou shall surely die." 3. It was a miracle
that GOD’s Son should take upon him our nature,
and that in our nature he should transact our peace; that he should preach
salvation to us all if we would believe; and to the end that we might believe,
that he should work so many signs and miracles in the presence of his disciples,
and of a world of men. 4. It was a miracle that GOD should look upon us in
our blood: O, miracle of mercies! If creation cannot be without a miracle,
surely the new -creation is a miracle indeed. So contrary are our perverse
natures to all possibilities of salvation, that if salvation had not marched
to us all the way in a miracle, we should have perished in the ruins of a
sad eternity. Indeed every man living in the state of grace, is a perpetual
miracle; in such a one his reason is turned into faith, his soul into spirit,
his body into a temple, his earth into heaven, his water into wine, his aversions
from CHRIST into intimate union with CHRIST. O what a chain of miracles is
this! Why, Lord, " if Thou wilt, Thou can make me clean." Say thus,
Thou that are yet in Your blood;"-' Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief."
CHAP. 3:
SECT. 1: Of the third Year of CHRIST's Ministry.
HITHERTO all was quiet, neither the
Jews, nor the Samaritans, nor Galileans, did as yet malign the doctrine or
person of JESUS CHRIST; but, he preached with much peace on all hands, till
the beginning of this year. I shall not yet speak of his sufferings, neither
shall I speak much of his doings, only such things as refer more principally
to the main business of our salvation, I shall touch in these particulars.
As, 1, The ordination of the apostles. 2. His reception of sinners. 3. The
easiness of his yoke, and the lightness of his burden.
SECT. 2:
Of CHRIST's Ordination of his Apostles.
In the ordination of his apostles, are many considerable
things. The evangelist Luke lays it down thus: "And miracles of the prophets
and of the apostles of CHRIST'; for what they did was above nature; and all
the difference between their miracles and the miracles of CHRIST, was only
in this, viz. they wrought them not in their own name and power, as JESUS
CHRIST did. For the second, Why they are? Many reasons are given, but this
is the main; " Miracles were wrought for the confirming of some Divine
truth or doctrine at its first revelation, or promulgation." To this
purpose, miracles were as the trumpets or heralds by which the gospel was
first commended unto us; as the law of Moses was first authorized by manifold
miracles wrought at Sinai, and in the desert, which afterward ceased when
they were settled in the promised lands; so the gospel of CHRIST was first
authorized by manifold miracles, but the sound thereof having now gone through
all the world, these miracles cease.
For the third, Whether they are continued
in this great transaction of our salvation? I answer, yea; in this respect
miracles cease not; it is without controversy that JESUS CHRIST, in carrying
on our salvation, is adding miracle to miracle.. There is a chain of miracles in the matter of our salvation
from first to last: as, 1, It was a miracle that GOD, before we had a being,
should have once Thought of us; especially that the blessed Trinity should
contrive that astonishing plan for the salvation of our souls: Oh, what a
miracle was this! 2. It was a miracle that GOD for our sakes should create
the world, and after our fall in Adam, should preserve the world, especially
considering that. our sin had unpinned the whole frame of the creation; and
that GOD, even then sitting on his throne of judgment, ready to pass the doom
of death for our first transgression, should give a promise of a Savior, when
justly he might have given us to the devil, and to hell,. according to his
own law, " in the day Thou eatest thereof,
Thou shall surely die." 3. It was a miracle that GOD’s
Son should take upon him our nature, and that in our nature he should transact
our peace; that he should preach salvation to us all if we would believe;
and to the end that we might believe, that he should work so many signs and
miracles in the presence of his disciples, and of a world of men. 4. It was
a miracle that GOD should look upon us in our blood: O, miracle of mercies
If creation cannot be without a miracle, surely the new creation
is a miracle indeed. So contrary are our perverse natures to all possibilities
of salvation, that if salvation had not marched to us all the way in a miracle,
we should have perished in the ruins of a sad eternity. Indeed every man living
in the state of grace, is a perpetual miracle in such a one his reason is
turned into faith, his soul into spirit, his body into a temple, his earth
into heaven, his water into wine, his aversions from CHRIST into intimate
union with CHRIST. O what a chain of miracles is this! Why, Lord, " if
Thou wilt, Thou can make me clean." Say thus, Thou that are yet in Your
blood; "Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief."
CHAP. 3:
SECT. 1: Of the third Year of CHRIST's Ministry.
HITHERTO all was quiet, neither the
Jews, nor the Samaritans, nor Galileans, did as yet malign the doctrine or
person of JESUS CHRIST; but, he preached with much peace on all hands, till
the beginning of this year. I shall not yet speak of his sufferings, neither
shall I speak much of his doings, only such things as refer more principally
to the main business of our salvation, I shall touch in these particulars.
As, 1, The ordination of the apostles. 2. His reception of sinners. 3. The
easiness of his yoke, and the lightness of his burden.
SECT. 2:
Of CHRIST's Ordination of his apostles.
In the ordination of his apostles,
are many considerable things. The evangelist Luke says it down thus: "And
it came to pass in those days, that he went out unto a mountain to pray, and
continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, be called unto
him his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles."
Till this time CHRIST taught alone; but, because after his ascension, he must
needs have a ministry, till the end of the world, preparatory to this, he
chooseth out some, whom he would have on purpose
to wait upon him all the time of his ministry, till he was taken up into heaven.
In this election, or ordination, here is, 1. The Person by whom -they are
chosen, JESUS CHRIST. 2. The place where they are chosen, viz. on a mountain.
3. The time when they were chosen, after his watching and praying all night.
4. The company out of whom they were chosen, they were his disciples. 5. The
number of them that were chosen, they were twelve. 6. The end to which they
were chosen, it was to an apostleship, " he chose twelve, whom he also
named apostles."
1. The person by whom they are chosen
is JESUS CHRIST. They chose not themselves, but were chosen of CHRIST; this
call was immediate, and therefore most excellent. 2. The place where they
were chosen was on a mountain. Mountains are open and in view, which showed
his ministry must be public. Again, mountains are-subject to winds and tempests,
which chewed their callings would meet with, many oppositions. 3. The time
when they were chosen, after he had "continued all night in prayer to
God;" he goes not to election, but first he watches, and prays all the
night before. This shows the singular care that CHRIST had
in this great employment. What? To set men apart
to witness his name, and to publish to the world the gospel of CHRIST? This
he would not do without much prayer. 4. The company out of whom they are chosen,
" He called unto him his disciples, and out of them he chose twelve."
A disciple of CHRIST is one thing, and an apostle of CHRIST is another thing.
Those were CHRIST's disciples that embraced CHRIST's doctrine of faith and repentance.
It was not- material to the constituting
of a disciple of CHRIST, whether persons followed CHRIST as many did, or returned
to their own homes, as others did. The man out of whom the legions of devils
were cast, "besought CHRIST that he might be with him; but JESUS sent
him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and show how great things GOD has done to
thee." I make no question but CHRIST at the election of his apostles
had many disciples both waiting on him, and absent from him; and out of them
that waited on him, his apostles were chosen; CHRIST's
ministers should be first disciples. O how unfit are any to take upon them
the ministry of CHRIST, that were never yet the disciples of CHRIST. First,
the grace of GOD must be within us, and then must that grace of GOD be discovered
by us. 5. The number of them that were chosen, they were twelve. Very probable,
the number was figured out to us, in the twelve tribes of
Israel. 6. The end to which they were chosen, it was to an apostleship;
1:e. that they might be CHRIST's legates to the
sons of men, that they might be sent up and down the world to persuade men
to salvation.
SECT. III
CHRIST's Reception of Sinners.
I cannot limit this only to one year
of CHRIST's ministry, but I shall mention it only
this year. Now this will appear, 1. In the doctrine of CHRIST. 2. In the practice
of CHRIST. 1. In his doctrine, CHRIST lays it down expressly, " Come
unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give Thou rest.
" It is no morebut come, and welcome. The gospel
shuts none out of heaven, but those that by unbelief lock the door against
their own souls. CHRIST is so willing to receive sinners, as that he sets
all his doors open, and he casts out none that will but come in. And why so?
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him
that sent me." (1.) " I came down from heaven." It was a great
journey from heaven to earth; and this great journey I' undertook for no other
purpose but to save sinners. Great actions, (as
one says well,) must needs have great ends. Now this was the greatest thing
that ever was done, that the Son of God
should come down from heaven. And what was the
end, but the reception, and salvation of sinners? " For the Son of man
is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Had not CHRIST come
down, sinners could not have gone up into heaven, and therefore that they
might ascend, he descends. (2.) " 1 came down from heaven, not to do
mine own will, but the will of hire that sent me." His Father had sent
him on purpose to receive, and to save sinners; and, to this purpose he is
called " the Apostle of our profession, who was faithful to him that
appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house." His Father
could not send him on an errand, but he was sure to do it. His Father's mission
was a strong demonstration, that CHRIST was willing to receive those sinners
that would but come to him.
Again, " JESUS stood and cried, saying, If
any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." The very pith, heart,
and marrow of the gospel is contained in these words. The occasion of them
was thus; on that last day of the feast of tabernacles, the Jews were wont
with great solemnity to draw water out of the fountain of Siloam, at the foot
of mount Sion,, and to bring it to the altar, singing out of Isaiah, "
With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Now CHRIST
takes them at this custom, and recalls them from earthly to heavenly waters,
alluding to that of Isaiah, " Ho! every
one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Incline
Thour, ear, and come unto me, and Your
souls shall live." The, Father says come, the Son says come, the Spirit
says come; yea, " the Spirit and the Bride say come, and let him that
heareth say come, and let him that is a-thirst come,
and whosoever will, let him drink of the water of life freely." All the
time of CHRIST's ministry, we see him tiring himself,
in going about from place to place, upon no other errand than this, to cry
at the markets, " Ho! every one that thirsteth,
come ye to the waters If any sinners love life, if any will go to heaven,
let them come to me, and I will show them the way to my Father's bosom, and
endear them to my Father's heart.
2. CHRIST's reception of sinners appears yet more in his practice.
How welcome were all sorts of sinners unto him. He rejected none that acknowledged
him for the Messiah; he turned none away that gave up their souls to be saved
by him in his own way. This he manifests, 1, Parabolically,
especially in those three parables, of the lost piece of silver, of the lost
sheep, and of the lost son; I shall instance in this last, which may well
serve for all the rest. " When the prodigal was yet far off, his father
saw him, and had compassion on him, and ran, • and fell on his neck, and kissed
him." In these words observe, (1,) "His father sees him," before
he sees his father; no sooner a sinner thinks of heaven, but the Lord spies
him, and takes notice of him. (2.) The father sees him while he was yet a
great way off; he was but in the beginning of his way; his father might have
let him alone till he had come quite home to his house, and it-bad been a
singular mercy to have bid welcome then; but he takes notice of him while
yet a great way off. Sinners may be far off from GOD in their own apprehensions,
and yet the Lord even then draws near, whilst thus they apprehend. (3.) His
father had pity or compassion on him,; the Lord's bowels yearn within him,
at the sight of his returning prodigals. (4.) His father ran; there is much
in this as, 1, It had been mercy Though his father had stood sti
1, till his son had come. 2. What a mercy is this, t his father will go, and
give his son the meeting.
3. BUT above all, O what abundant mercy
call we this, that the father will not go, but run! If he would needs meet
his son, might he not have walked towards him in a soft slow pace; O no, if
a sinner will but come, or creep towards CHRIST, mercy will not go a foot-pace,
but run to meet him; bowels full of mercy, out-pace bowels pinched with hunger;-
GOD’s mercy is over all his works, and so it is
over all our needs, and over all our sins. (5.) He " ran, and fell' on
his neck;" 1: e. he embraced him; O wonder! who would not have been loath
to have touched him? was he not in his loathsome, stinking rags? we see mercy
is not nice; " When I passed by," (said GOD,) " I saw thee
polluted in thy own blood, and I said unto thee when Thou wast
in thy blood, Live;" yea, I said unto thee when Thou wast
in thy blood, Live; that very time of her blood, was the time of love. (6.)
He " ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; there is a passage Somewhat
like this, and " Esau ran to meet Jacob, and he embraced him, and fell
on his neck, and kissed him;" before, he had Thought to have killed him,
but now he kissed him; it is not to tell how dear the father was to his prodigal
son, when " he ran, and fell on his neck, and embraced, and kissed him."
The scope of the parable is this, that CHRIST is willing and glad to receive
sinners. "Turn ye, turn ye, from Your evil ways; for why will Thou die, O
house of Israel?"
CHRIST manifests this willingness in
his practice really; amonst many instances I shall
insist only on one, a notable instance of this year. One of the pharisees,
named Simon, invited CHRIST to eat with him, into whose house when he had
entered, a certain woman, that was a sinne`~, abiding there in the city, heard of it: she came
to JESUS in the pharisees house, and was no sooner
come, but she lays her burden at JESUS's feet, and
presents him with a broken heart, and weeping eye, and an alabaster box of
ointment. "She stood at his feet behind him, weeping, and began to wash
his feet with her tears, and to, wipe them with the hairs of her head; and
she kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment." 1. She stands
at his feet, a sign of her humility. O what a change!. She that before took
her liberty of pride and lust, comes in remorse and regret for her sins, and
throwing away her former pride, stoops, and waits, and humbly stands at JESUS's
feet. 2. " She stood at his feet behind him;" it comprehends a tacit
confession of her sins, she knew herself unworthy of thrist's-presence;
she durst not look him in the face; but she waits behind him; her shame speaks
her repentance. 3. " She stood at his feet behind him, weeping,"
her grief burst out in tears; she heeds not, the feast, nor feaster; but,
falling down, weeps bitterly for her sins. 4. " She began to wash his
feet with tears;" she wept a shower of tears, great enough to wash the
feet of her blessed JESUS. This was the manner of the Jews, to eat their meat
lying down, and leaning on their elbows; and in this posture -JESUS sitting
or lying at meat, this woman had the convenience to weep on his feet. 5.
" She wipes his feet with the hairs of her head;" her hair being
added to her beauty, she made it a snare for men; but now she consecrates
it to her Lord; worthy fruit of serious repentance. 6. " She kissed his
feet," in token of her new choice, and new affection; her kisses had
formerly been to wantons, but now she bestows them on the feet of CHRIST.
7. " She anointed them with ointment;" which expression was so great
an ecstacy of love and sorrow, that to anoint the
feet of the greatest monarch was long unknown, and in all the pomps
of Roman prodigality, it was never used till Otho
taught it Nero. When Simon observed this sinner so -busy, he Thought within
himself that CHRIST was no prophet, that he did not know her to be a sinner;
for although the Jews' religion did permit harlots to live, yet the Pharisees
would not admit them to the benefits of ordinary society and hence Simon made
an objection within himself, which JESUS knowing, (for he understood his Thoughts
as well as his words,)' first makes her apology, and then his own;,the
scope gives us to understand that CHRIST was not of the same superciliousness
with the Pharisees; but that repenting sinners should be welcome unto him;
and this welcome he publishes first to Simon, "Her sins which are many,
are forgiven;" and then to the woman; "Thy sins are forgiven thee,
thy faith has saved thee, go in peace."
What! is CHRIST most willing to receive sinners?
O, then, who would not come to JESUS CHRIST? Methinks now all sinners, of
all sorts, should say, Though I have been a drunkard, a swearer,
an unclean person, yet now I hear CHRIST is willing to receive sinners, and
therefore I will go to JESUS CHRIST. This is my exhortation, O come unto CHRIST,
come unto CHRIST; behold her in the name of the Lord I stand, and make invitation
to oor sinners; O will Thou not come? How will ye
answer it at the great day, when it shall be said, the Lord esus made a tender of mercy to Thou, and Thou would not accept
of it? O come to CHRIST, and believe on CHRIST; as CHRIST is willing to receive
Thou, so be Thou willing to give up Your souls to him.
SECT. 4:
Of CHRIST's easy Yoke, and light
Burden.
With respect to the easiness of CHRIST's
yoke, and the lightness of his burden, CHRIST declares it.in
these words "Take my yoke upon Thou, and learn of me, for my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light." "My yoke," 1: e. my commandments,
so the apostle John gives the interpretation, " his
commandments are not grievous." " My yoke
is easy," 1: e. my commandments are without any inconvenience; the trouble
of a yoke is not the weight, but the uneasiness of it, and CHRIST speaks suitably,
"My yoke is, easy, and my burden," 1: e. my institutions. The word
primarily signifies the freight or ballast of a ship, which cuts through the
waves as if it had no burden; and without which burden there would be no
safety in the ship.
The Christian religion and the practice
of it, are full of sweetness, easiness, and pleasantness. The reasons of this
I shall reduce to these heads: The Christian religion is most rational. If
we should look into the best laws that the wisest men of the world ever agreed
upon, we would find that CHRIST adopted the quintessence of them all into
his own law. The highest pitch of reason is but as a spark, a taper, which
is involved and swallowed up in the body of this great light that is made
up by the Sun of Righteousness. Some observe, that CHRIST's discipline is the breviary of all the wisdom of the
best men, and a fair copy and transcript of his Father's wisdom; there is
nothing in the laws of the Christian religion but what is perfective of our
spirits. Indeed the Greeks, whom the world admired for their wisdom, accounted
the preaching of the gospel foolishness, and therefore GOD blasted their wisdom;
as it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to
nothing the understanding of the prudent," 1 Cor.
1: 19. The gospel may be as foolishness: unto some, but "unto them who
are called, CHRIST is the power of GOD, and the wisdom of God."
The Christian religion is all composed
of peace: "her ways are the ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace," Prov. 3:
17. CHRIST framed all his laws in pursuance
of his design of peace; peace within, and peace at. home, and peace abroad.
1. It holds forth a certain heavenly peace and tranquility within; "Great
peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them." But
on the contrary, " the wicked are like the troubled sea, which cannot
rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt; there is no peace, says my GOD,
to the wicked." Their passions were never yet mortified; and such passions
usually rage in wicked men as are most contrary, and demand contrary things;
the desire of honor cries, Spend here; but the passion of avarice cries, Hold
thy bands; lust cries, Venture here; but pride says, No such thing, it may
turn to thy dishonor: anger cries, Revenge, thyself here; but ambition says,
It is better to dissemble. And here is fulfilled that of the Psalmist, 111
have seen violence and strife in the city." The Vulgate renders it, "I
have seen iniquity and contradiction in the self-same city." First, iniquity,
for. all the demands of these passions are unjust. And, secondly, contradiction,
for one passion cries out against another. But now, "great peace have
they that love thy law;" for by the aid of CHRIST and his grace, their
passions are subdued, and they pass on their life sweetly and calmly, without
any perturbations much troubling their spirits; they have that "peace
which passes all understanding," which " the world can neither give
nor taste of."
2. It holds forth peace at home. The
laws of JESUS teach us how to bear with the infirmities of our relatives;
and indeed, whosoever obeys the laws of JESUS CHRIST, be seeks with sweetness
to remedy all differences, be throws water upon a spark; he lives sweetly
with his wife, affectionately with his children, discreetly with his servants;
and they all look upon him as their guardian, friend, and patron. But, look
upon ann angry man, not subject to these Christian
laws, and when he enters up his threshold, it gives an alarm to his house,
every little incident is the matter of a quarrel, and every quarrel discomp
s the peace of the house, and sets it on fire, and no man can tell how far
it may burn. O the sweetness, easiness, and pleasantness of the Christian
Religion! Where that is embraced and followed, the man is peaceable, and charitable,
and just, and loving, and forbearing, and forgiving; and how should there
be but content in this blessed family?
3. It holds out peace abroad; it commands
all offices of kindness, gentleness, love, meekness, humility. It prescribes
an austere, and yet a sweet deportment; it commands all those labors of love,
to relieve the stranger, to visit the sick, to wash the feet of the poor;
it sends us upon charitable embassies to unclean prisons, filthy dungeons,
and, in the cause of CHRIST, to lay down our lives one for another. It teaches-
us how to return good for evil, kindness for injuries, a soft answer for the
rough words of an enemy. O! when 1: think of this,
I cannot but think of him who. said, "That either
this was not the Christian religion, or we were not Christians." For
my part, I am easily persuaded, that if we would but live according to the
Christian religion, one of those great plagues that vex the world (I mean
the plague of war,). would be no more.. Certainly
this was one of the designs of Christianity, that there should be no wars,
no jars, no
discontents amongst men'. And if all men that are called Christians,
were indeed charitable, peaceable, just, loving, forbearing one another, and
forgiving one another, what sweet peace should we have? How would this world
be an image of heaven, and of the society of saints and angels in glory?
Thus far I have held forth JESUS in his life, or
during the time of his ministry: and now was it that "JESUS knew his
hour was come, and that he should depart out of this world unto the Father:"
but of that hereafter. Our next business is to direct Thou in the art or mystery
how we are to look unto JESUS in respect of his life.
CHAP. 5:
SECT. 1: Of knowing JESUS as carrying on the great Work of
our Salvation in his Life.
From the object considered, that we
may pass to the act, let us know JESUS carrying on the great work of our salvation
during his life. We have many books of the lives of men, of the lives of heathens,
of the lives of Christians; and by this we come to know the generations of
old. But, above all, read over the life of JESUS, for that is worth thy knowing.
To this purpose we have four evangelists, who in blessed harmony set forth
his life these should be read over and over; "then shall we know,"
says the prophet, "if we follow on to know the Lord." Ah! my soul,
that which Thou knows of CHRIST already is but the least part of what Thou
art ignorant of. "We know but in part," says Paul of himself and
others. The highest knowledge which the most illuminated saints have of JESUS
CHRIST is but imperfect. Come, then, and "follow on to know the Lord."
Still inquire after him. Imitate the angels, who ever desire to stoop down
and to pry into the acting of CHRIST for our salvation. And for thy better
knowledge, 1. Study those passages in the first year of CHRIST's ministry; as the preaching of John, the baptism of
CHRIST, his fasting and temptation in the wilderness, his first manifestation
by his several witnesses, his whipping of the buyers and sellers out of the
temple. 2. Study over those passages in the second year of CHRIST's
ministry; as those several sermons that he preached; and because his miracles
were as signals of his sermons, study the several miracles that he wrought.
Thou have but a few instances in comparison of all his miracles, and yet how
fruitful are they of spiritual instructions? 3. Study over those passages
in the third year of CHRIST s ministry; as his commissioning his, apostles
to call sins, his readiness to receive them that would come in, an his sweetening
the ways of Christianity to them tha are come; "
for his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. O what rare matter is here
for Christian study! Some have taken such pains in the study of these things,
that they have written large volumes. Men have been writing and preaching
a Thousand six hundred years of the life of CHRIST, and they are writing and
preaching still. O, my soul, if Thou dost not write, yet study what is written.
Come with fixed Thoughts to that blessed subject, that will make thee wise
unto salvation. Paul accounted " all things but dung for the excellency
of the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS our Lord." If Thou didst truly understand
the excellency of this knowledge,. Thou couldst not but account
all things loss in comparison of it.
SECT. 2:
Of considering JESUS in that Respect.
Let us consider JESUS carrying on the
great work of our salvation during his life. It is not enough to study and
know, but we must muse, and meditate, and consider it, till we bring it to.
some profitable issue. By meditating on CHRIST, we may feel a kind of insensible
change; as those that stand in the sun for other purposes, find themselves
lightened. and heated;. therefore look further, O my soul, have strong apprehensions
of these several passages of the life of CHRIST. 1. Consider` the preaching
of John the Baptist. We talk of strictness, but show me, among all the ministers
or saints of this age, such a pattern of sanctity and singular austerity.
He had an excellent zeal, and a vehement spirit in preaching, and the commentary
upon all his sermons was his life: he was clothed in camel's hair his meat
was locusts and wild honey. He contemned the world, resisted temptations,
despised honors, and in all respects was a rare example of self-denial and
mortification; and by this means made an excellent preparation for the Lord's
coming. O, my soul, sit a while under this preacher. See what effect it works
on thy heart and life. Dost Thou feel in thee a spirit of mortification? Dost
Thou, with the Baptist, die to the world'? Dost Thou deny thy will? Dost Thou
abstain from pleasures,' and sensual complacences,
that the flesh being subdued to the Spirit, both may join in- the service
of God? O, my soul, so consider the preaching of this forerunner of CHRIST,
till Thou feelest this consideration to produce some warmth in thy heart
and influence on thy life, in order to holiness, self-denial, and mortification.
2. Consider the baptism of CHRIST.
He was baptized, that in the symbol he might purify our nature; whose stains
and guilt he had undertaken. Surely every soul that lives the life of grace,
is born of water and the Spirit; and to this purpose CHRIST, who is our life,
went down into the waters of baptism, that we, who descend after him, might
find the effects of it, pardon of sin, and holiness of life. Had not CHRIST
been baptized, what virtue had there been in our baptism? As it became him
to fulfill all righteousness, and therefore he must needs be baptized, so
he fulfilled it not for himself, but for us. CHRIST's obedience in fulfilling the law is imputed -to all
that believe unto righteousness, as if themselves had fulfilled; so that he
was baptized for us, and the virtue of his baptism is derived unto us. Therefore,
if Thou art in CHRIST, Thou art baptized into his death, and baptized into
his baptism; Thou partakest of the fruit and efficacy
both of his death, and life, and baptism, and all.
3.’Consider the fasting and temptation
of CHRIST in the wilderness. Now we see what manner of adversary we have,
how he fights, how he is resisted, how overcome. In one assault, SATAN moves
CHRIST to doubt of his Father's providence; in another, to presume on his
Father's protection; and when neither diffidence nor presumption can fasten
upon CHRIST, he shall be tried with honor. And thus he deals with us; if he
cannot give us to despair, he labors to lift us up to promption; and if neither of these prevail, then he brings
out pleasures, profits, honors, which are indeed most dangerous. O, my soul,
whilst Thou art in this warfare, here is thy condition; temptations, like
waves, break one on the neck of another. If the devil was so busy with CHRIST,
how should Thou hope to be free? How may Thou account that the, repulse of
one temptation will but invite to another? But here is thy comfort, Thou has
such a Savior as was in all things tempted in like sort.,
yet without sin. How boldly therefore may Thou go to the throne of grace to'
receive mercy, and to find grace to help in time of need? CHRIST was tempted,
that he. might succor them that are tempted. Never art Thou tempted, O my
soul, but CHRIST is with thee in the temptation. He has sent his Spirit into
thy heart, to make intercession for thee there; and he himself is in heaven,
making intercession, and praying for thee there; yea, his own experience of
temptations has so wrought it in his heart, that his love and mercy is most
of all at work when Thou art tempted most. As dear parents are ever tender
of their children, but then especially when they are sick and weak; so, Though
CHRIST be always tender of his people, yet then especially when their souls
are sick, and under temptation, then his bowels yearn over them indeed.
4. Consider. CHRIST's
first manifestations by his several witnesses. We have heard of his witnesses
from heaven, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and of his witnesses on earth,
the Baptist, his disciples, and the works that he did in his Father's name;
and all these witnesses being in a lively manner held forth in' the preaching
of the gospel, they are witnesses to us; even to this day is CHRIST manifested
to us; yea, and if we are CHRIST's, even unto this day is CHRIST manifested within us.
O my soul, consider this above all! It is this manifestation within that concerns
thee most; " Because ye are sons., GOD has sent forth the Spirit of his
Son into Your hearts." If CHRIST be not manifested in thy heart by his
blessed Spirit, Thou art no son of God; and therefore the apostleputs thee seriously on this trial, " Examine
Thourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove Thourselves; know ye not Your ownselves,
how that JESUS CHRIST is in Thou, except ye be reprobates?" Is CHRIST
manifested in thee? Surely this is more than CHRIST manifested to thee. The
bare history is a manifestation of CHRIST unto thee, but there is a mystery
in the inward manifestation. The apostle, speaking of the saints, adds, "
To whom GOD would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery
among the Gentiles, which is CHRIST in Thou the hope of glory." O the
riches of the glory of this mystery! GOD might have shut thee up in blindness
with the world, but has he revealed CHRIST in thee? has he let thee see into
the wonders of his glory? has he given thee the light of his glory within?
This only the experimental Christian feels.
5. Consider the preaching of CHRIST.
O the admirable sermons of this great Prophet!-Read and peruse those he has
left on record. How spiritual was that sermon of CHRIST? "
Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom
of God." It may be Thou art a doctor, a master of Israel, Thou art a learned scholar, Thou art a man of parts and
abilities in other things; it may be Thou have read long in the bible, and
has heard many, very many sermons; but, ah! miserable soul, it may be all the work is to do still within.
Come, preach this sermon of CHRIST to thine own
soul: " Unless I be born again, I cannot enter
into heaven. Born again! O Lord, what is that? Was ever such a thing done
upon me? Was ever I cast into the pangs of a new birth? and
continued I in those pangs until CHRIST JESUS was formed in me Are old things
done away, and all things now become new? Is the old man, the old lusts, the
old conversation, quite abandoned and left? Are my principles new? my aims and ends new? my life and
conversation new?" Thus might I paraphrase on all the sermons; but I
i d brevity. Only consider, O my soul, as if this sermo, and all the rest, had been preached to thee; realize
CHRIST standing by thee, and opening his mouth, and teaching thee thus and
thus. Surely there is a speaking of CHRIST from heaven: "
See that ye refuse not him" (says the apostle) " that speaks
from heaven." And besides, he has his ministers here on earth, and they
are daily preaching over these sermons of CHRIST; they preach such thing's
as were first spoken by the Lord himself; they beseech and pray thee in CHRIST's stead. O, then, meditate
on these things, and give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear
to all.
6. Consider the miracles of CHRIST
in pursuance of the doctrine delivered in his blessed sermons. Here is a world
of matter to run over; such miracles as man never did before. O my soul, consider
these miracles, and believe that doctrine which was ratified with arguments
from above. How should Thou but assent to all those mysterious truths which
are so strongly confirmed by an almighty hand.
7. Consider CHRIST's
ordination of his apostles. " He chose twelve, whom he named apostles."
And what was the office of these apostles, but to "go and teach all nations."
The gospel was first preached in Jewry, but afterwards the sound of it came
unto us. O the goodness of GOD in CHRIST! What? That "
repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, beginning
at Jerusalem,_ and afterwards among all nations." Of what near concernment,
O my soil, is this to thee! What art Thou but a,
sinner of the Gentiles? Understand that term. When the apostle would express
the greatest sinners that the world had, he calls them “sinners of the Gentiles."
Why? The Gentiles knew not GOD, the Gentiles were unacquainted with CHRIST, the Gentiles
walked in nothing but sin. O then what a love is this, that GOD should ever
have Thought of good-will towards thee! How should
Thou be ravished in this one meditation? What? that the sun of his gospel,
now in these latter times, when the sun is set in Zion, where it first arose,
should make a noon with us, and shine more brightly here, for ought I know,
or yet can learn, than in any other nation, country, kingdom, throughout all
the world? " O the depth of the riches, both
of the.wisdom and counsel of God! How unsearchable
are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
8. Consider CHRIST's
reception of sinners. He sent forth his apostles to call them in; and if they
would but come, how ready was he to receive them. This was CHRIST's
errand from heaven. Ah, poor soul! why should Thou despair because of sin?
Look on CHRIST as spreading out his arms to receive thee. Look on the gracious
nature that is in CHRIST. Look on the office of CHRIST; it is an office of
saving and showing mercy, that CHRIST has undertaken; it is an office to receive
sinners; yea, " to seek and to save that which was lost;" to bring
home straying souls to God; to be the great peace-maker between GOD and man.
Certainly the devil strangely wrongeth many a poor
troubled soul; in that he can bring them to have bard Thoughts of JESUS CHRIST:
How can they more contradict the office of CHRIST? How can they more contradict
the gospel-description of CHRIST, than to think him a destroyer of his creatures,
and one that has more mind to hurt than to help then? Resolve, O my soul,
to throw thyself on him for life and for salvation. Why, if Thou wilt but
come, he has promised freely to make thee welcome. All the day long he stretcheth out his arms, and would fain gather thee and all
others into his embraces.
9. Consider the easiness of his yoke,
and the lightness of his burden. Many are willing to take JESUS as their Savior,
but they are unwilling to take him on his own terms; they imagine it an hard
task, and a heavy burden. It is otherwise with Christians; for " his
commandments are not grievous." O my soul, if Thou can but. taste, Thou
wilt find a world of sweetness in CHRIST ways; there is sweetness in the -word:
" Ho sweet are thy words to my taste, yea, sweeter an honey to my mouth?"
There is sweetness in prayer. Have Thou not known the time that Thou have
tasted the joys of heaven in prayer? There is sweetness in meditation: now,
O my soul, Thou art in the exercise of this duty, now Thou art in the meditation
of the easiness of CHRIST's burden, tell me, is
there nothing of heaven `in this meditation? O if men did but know what ravishing
sweetness there is in the ways of GOD, they could not but embrace them, and
esteem one day's society with JESUS CHRIST, better than all the gold in the
world.
1O. Consider the holiness of CHRIST's
nature, and the holiness of his life. (1.) For the holiness of his nature;
if Thou couldst but clearly see it, what work would it make in thy breast?
CHRIST's inward beauty would ravish love out of
the devils, if they had but grace to see his beauty. This loveliness of CHRIST
ravishes the souls of the glorified. How is it, O my soul, that Thou art not
taken with this meditation. But, (2.) Go from the holiness of his nature to
the holiness of his life, it maybe that will make a deeper impression on thy
spirit. Consider his charity, his selfdenial, his contempt of the world, his mercy, his bounty,
his meekness, his pity, his humility, his obedience to his Fiath. A fruitful meditation on these particulars cannot but
make me like CHRIST. O the wonder that any should disclaim the obedience
of CHRIST, as to his own justification 1 aw away with these cavils, and consider
the obedience of CHRIST in relation to thyself. “GOD sent
forth his Son made of a woman, made under the--law, to redeem them
that -were under the law; that we might receive the adoption of sons."
That is, under the whole law;, the one half of the law, which is the directive
part, he was made under that, and satisfied it by the innocency
of his life, without breaking one jot or tittle
of the law, and so he answers that part, as it might be. the principal •,
the other half of the law, which is the penalty, he was under that also, and
satisfied it by suffering a wrongful death, no way deserved or due by him,
and so he answered that part as it might be the forfeiture. But if we come
now to ask, for whom is all this? It is only for us, that -ve
might be redeemed and adopted; redeemed from all evil, and adopted or interested
into all good. If this be so, O who would for a world of gold, lose the influence
and the benefit of CHRIST's active obedience? Consider
this, O my soul, till Thou feelest some virtue to
come out of CHRIST's life into thyself.
SECT. 3:
Of desiring JESUS in that Respect.
Let us desire JESUS, carrying on the
work of salvation in his life: it is not enough to know and coI
cider, but we must desire: our meditation on CHRIST should draw forth our
affections to CHRIST: and amongst all affections I place this first of all,
a desire after CHRIST. But what is it in CHRIST's
life that is so desirable? I answer, Every passage, every thing of CHRIST
is desirable. All that concerns CHRIST in any kind whatsoever is very precious
and excellent, and necessary and profitable, and comfortable, and therefore
desirable. but to put them in order, 1. The meanest things of CHRIST are
desirable things. The very filings of gold, the dust of precious stones are
of real value. Hence we read, that one poor woman sought no more but to wash
CHRIST's feet, and to kiss them: another breathes
out these desires; " If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall
be whole." John the Baptist thinks it an honor to a unloose the latchets
of his shoes:" David to " he a door-keeper of the house of God."
Yea, he puts a happiness on the sparrow and the swallow, that may build their
nests beside the Lord's altar.
2. The more considerable actions of CHRIST are
especially desirable. O my soul, run through his life, and consider some of
his more eminent actions. (1.) To his friends, he was sweet and indulgent;
where ther as any beginning of grace, he did encourage, so was
the prophecy, " A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax
shall he not quench." And so the people that fainted, that were "
scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd"-" He was moved with
compassion on them,"
*; he was bowelled in heart, his very
bowels were moved within him. (2.) To his enemies he was kind and merciful;
many a time he discovered himself most of all unto sinners. He was never
more. familiar with any at first acquaintance, than
with the woman of Samaria, that was an adulteress. How ready was he to receive sinners?
How ready to pardon sinners? How gracious to sinners after pardon? See it
in Peter, he never upbraided him; only he looks upon him; and afterwards asked,
" Loves Thou me?" Often he was wronged
by men, but what then? Did he call for fire down from heaven? Indeed his disciples
would fain have had it so; but he sweetly replies, " Thou know not what
spirit Thou are of: the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but
to save them." Sometimes we find him shedding tears for those very persons
that shed his blood, " O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, if Thou hadst known, even Thou,
at least in this thy day, the things belonging to thy peace." Well might
they " sing in that day in the land
