1. Our great Prophet hath revealed unto men the will of God variously ; not holding one even and constant tenor in the mani- festations of the Father's will, but as the apostle speaks, ^oXv/mpu^ jttti Tokvloorru;, at sundry times, and in divers manners, Heb. i. 1. Sometimes he taught the church immediately, and in his own per- son, John xviii. 20. He declared God's righteousness in the great congregation, Psal. xxii. 22. And sometimes mediately, by his ministers and officers, deputed to that service by him . So he dis- pensed the knowledge of God to the church before his incarna- tion ; it was Christ that in the time, and by the ministry of Noah, went and preached to the spirits in prison, as it is 1 Pet. iii. 19 ; that is, to men and women then alive, but now separated from the body, and imprisoned in hell for their disobedience. And it was Christ that was with the church in the wilderness, instructing and guiding them by the ministry of Moses and Aaron, Acts vii. 37, 58 ; and so he hath taught the church since his ascension. He cannot now be personally with us, having other business to do for us in heaven ; but, however, he will not be wanting to teach us by his officers, whom, for that end, he hath set and appointed in the church, Eph. iv. 11, 12.
2. He hath dispensed his blessed light to the church gradually. The discoveries of light have been coXu/^wc, that is, in many parts or parcels ; sometimes more obscure and cloudy ; as to tlw? Old- Testament believers, by visions, dreams, Urim, Thummim, vocal oracles, types, sacrifices, &c. which, though comparatively, were but a weak glimmering light, and had no glory compared *to that which now shines, 2 Cor. iii. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. yet it was sufficient
124 THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. SERM. IX.
for the instruction and salvation of the elect in those times ; but now is light sprung up gloriously in the gospel-dispensation : " And " we all with open face, behold as in a glass, the glory of the " Lord." It is to us not a twilight, but the light of a perfect day ; and still is advancing in the several ages of the world. I know more (saith Luther) than blessed Austin knew ; and they that come after me, will know more than I know.
3. Jesus Christ, our great Prophet, hath manifested to us the will of God plainly and perspicuously. When he was on earth himself, he taught the people by parables, and " without a parable " he spake nothing,1' Matt. xiii. 3, 4. He clothed sublime and spiritual mysteries in earthly metaphors, bringing them thereby to the low and dull capacities of men, speaking so familiarly to the people about them, as if he had been speaking earthly things to them, John iii. 12. And so (according to his own example) would he have his ministers preach, " using great plainness of " speech," 2 Cor. iii. 12. and by manifestation of the truth, " commending themselves to every man's conscience," 1 Cor. iv. & * Yet not allowing them to be rude and careless in expresssion, pouring out indigested, crude, unmethodical words ; no, a holy serious, strict, and grave expression befits the lips of his ambas- sadors : and who ever spake more weightily, more logically, per- suasively than that apostle, by whose pen Christ hath admonished us to beware of vain affections and swelling words of vanity ? But he would have us stoop to the understandings of the meanest, and not give the people a comment darker than the text ; he would have us rather pierce their ears, than tickle their fancies ; and break their hearts than please their ears. Christ was a very plain preacher.
4. Jesus Christ discovered truth powerfully ; speaking " as one " having authority, and not as the Pharisees,,, Matt. vii. 29. They were cold and dull preachers, their words did even freeze betwixt their lips ; but Christ spake with power ; there was heat as well as light in his doctrine : and so there is still, though it be in the mouth of poor contemptible men, 2 Cor. x. 4. " The wea- " pons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, " to the casting down of strong holds : it is still quick and powerful, (i sharper than a two edged-sword ; and piercing, to the dividing " asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,1' Heb. iv. 12. The blessed apostle imitated Christ; and being filled with his
* But the apostle does not design by this apology, that teachers should take the liberty to throw out every low, sordid expression, or whatever comes into their heads, without sense, method, solidity and judgment ; for who a greater awakener of men's consciences than he ? or who a stronger convincer of their judgments by the weight of his arguments ? who, with a sweet, but heavenly power, captivates the affections. Reynold.
SERM. IX. THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. 1%$
Spirit, spake home and freely to the hearts of men. So many words, so many claps of thunder, (as one * said of him) which made the hearts of sinners shake and tremble in their breasts-. All faithful and able ministers are not alike gifted in this particular ; but, surely, there is a holy seriousness and spiritual grace and ma- jesty in their doctrine, commanding reverence from their hearers.
5. This Prophet, Jesus Christ, taught the people the mind of God in a sweet, affectionate, and taking manner : his words made their hearts burn within them, Luke xxiv. 32. It was prophesied of him, Isa. xlii. 2. " He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his " voice to be heard on high. A bruised reed he shall not break, " and smoking flax he shall not quench. He knew how to speak a " word in season to the weary soul,1' Isa. lxi. 1. " He gathered the " Lambs with his arms, and gently led those that were with young," Isa. iv. 11. How sweetly did his words slide to the melting hearts about him ! he drew with cords of love, with the bands of a man : he discouraged none, upbraided none that were willing to come to him : his familiarity and free condescensions to the most vile and despicable sinners, were often made the matter of his re- proach. Such is his gentle and sweet carriage to his people, that the church is called the Lamb's wife, Rev. xix. 7.
6. He revealed the mind of God purely to men ; his doctrine had not the least dash of error to debase it ; his most enviously observant hearers could find nothing to charge him with: he is " the faithful and true witness," Rev. i. 5. and he hath com- manded his ministers to preserve the simplicity and purity of the gospel, and not to blend and sophisticate it, 2 Cor. iv. 2.
7. And lastly, He revealed the will of God perfectly and fully, keeping back nothing needful to salvation. So he tells his disciples, John xv. 15. " All things that I have heard of my Father, I have " made known unto you." He was " faithful as a Son over his " own house," Heb. iii. 6. Thus you have a brief account of what is implied in this part of Christ's prophetical office, and how- he performed it.