The reason is taken from the posture of the words in the context ; this disposition, whatever it be, is an effect of the new nature, of the love of Christ, and a branch of not living to ourselves.
(1.) The new nature : ver. 17, ' If an)^ man be in Christ, he is a new creature.' A new creature hath a new judgment of things ; when a man is changed, his judgment of thhigs is altered.
(2.) Of the love of Christ, ver. 14. He that loveth Christ as Christ, will love Christ in any dress of doctrine, plain and comely, or learned or eloquent, in any condition of life in the world, high or low ; is not swayed by external advantages.
(3.) A branch of the spiritual life, ver. 15. The faithful, being born again of the Spirit, do live a new and spiritual life. Now this is one part of this life, not to know any man after the flesh ; to be dead to things of a carnal interest, not moved with what is external and pleas- ing to the flesh. Let the carnal part of the world please themselves with these vain things — pomp of living, external rank, possession of the power of the church, &c.
Use is that of the apostle ; James iv. 1, 'My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with resj)ect of persons ; ' that is, do not esteem things that are religious for those things which have no affinity with or pertinency to religion. His reason is couched in the exhortation. Christ is the Lord of glory, and puts an honour upon all things which do belong to him, how despic- able soever otherwise in the world's eye ; not external things, but religion, should be the reason and ground of our affection.
Secondly, We come to the conclusion restrained to the instance of Christ — ' Yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.'
Doct. 2. A mere knowing of Christ after the flesh ought to cease among christians that have given up themselves to live to him, as dying and rising again for their sakes.
1. I shall prove to you that knowing Christ after the flesh was not that respect that he looked for when he was most capable of receiving love in this kind, namely, during his personal abode in the world. Even then an outward, ceremonious respect to his person was not so pleasing to him as a serious attention to his doctrine and counsel, and ever met with a correction and reproof from Christ, rather than appro- bation and acceptance with him ; at least, Christ aimed at some higher thing, which was of more value and esteem with him. Search all his life. You read of some that desired to see him, John xii. 20-23 ; some Greeks that had a curiosity to see his person, and be more familiarly acquainted with him. Now Christ teacheth that the true means to know him to salvation was not to see with the eyes of the body, but by faith, in the spirit, as lifted up ^to glory. They impar- tially propound the matter to Philip, and he consults with Andrew, and both of them present their request to Christ ; but he diverts to
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the doctrine of the cross, and the glory that should ensue, to teach them to lay aside doting on his bodily presence, and to think of communion with him in his sufferings, and the duty that belonged to his exalta- tion. They came to see a man lately cried up by popular applause, and to gaze on him who was made so famous in the late triumph. So Avhen some depended upon their hearing of him, and resort to his doctrine, he telleth them this would not do without other things : Luke xiii. 26, ' Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.' Yet if there be no more but kind converse, or an outward resort to his ministry as to an ordinary man — ' I know you not ; ' this acquaintance is disclaimed. Some that not only heard, but commended him, as that forward woman : Luke xi. 27, 2S, ' And a certain woman lift up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.' Yea, rather ; it is a reproof. Oh no, woman ; that is a blesssd thing to hear the word of God, and keep it ; that is not the use to applaud the person, but obey the doctrine. Still he calleth for a more spiritual respect. When they told him that his kindred, his mother and brethren, stood without to speak with him. Mat. xii. 47-50, Chiist saith, ' Whosoever doth the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, sister, and mother.' Believing in Christ, and obeying God's will, rendereth us more acceptable than it we did touch him in blood and kindred. Augustine saith of the Virgin Mary, Beatior Ifaria percipiendo Jidem Christi quam concipi- endo carnem Christi ; Materna jpropinquitas, kc. — that she was more happy in carrying Christ in her heart than conceiving of him in her womb. So Mark v. 18, 19, when Christ had cured a man that was pos- sessed of a whole legion of devils, ' he prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit, Jesus suffered him not, but bid him go home to his friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.' Our love to Christ is better shown, not in our human and passionate affections to his bodily pre- sence, but in performance of those religious services he requireth of us ; he lingered after his bodily presence, but Christ expected not the offices of human conversation, but duty and obedience to his commands from him. So there is a famous instance of Christ's entertainment at Bethany, Mark x. 38-52. There were two sisters, severally employed ; Martha busied in the ministries and services of the outward entertain- ment, ' but Mary sat at Chi-ist's feet (the posture of disciples) and heard his word;^ the one careful to entertain Christ in her heart, the other into her house. Christ, wherever he came, was willing to improve the opportimity, and to leave some spiritual blessing behind him. He came not to be feasted, but to refresh souls. Martha com- plaiueth of Mary, as if her devotion had been unseasonable, to leave the burden of the household affliirs to her alone ; but Christ showeth Mary's respect was more pleasing to him than Martha's, hearkening to his word rather than making provisions for his person. Many would seem to gratify Christ with an outward and carnal respect, but do not hearken to his gracious words. So in other things ; weeping for him when he went to suffer : Luke xxiii. 28, ' Weep not for me, ye daughters