2. I come now to handle these titles severally, and I begin with that of a head, and observe —
Doct. That Jesus Christ is the church's head.
I. So it is said, Bph. i. 21, ' He is head over all things to the church.' He is over all things, but head to the church ; the sovereign of the world, but in special relation to his people, as the head to the body : Col. i. 10, ' He is the head of the body, the church.' It is a simili- tude, but let us see what it importeth.
1. Oneness of nature between him and the church ; for head and members suit. It was a monstrous image that was represented to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, where ' the head was gold, the breast and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, and the legs and feet, part of iron and part of clay,' Dan. ii. 32, 33. In every regular body there is a proportion and conformity, and so it is in the mystical body of Christ ; because the brethren took part of flesh and blood, he took part of the same, Heb. ii. 14. The church hath such a head as carrieth conformity with the rest of the members. He and we have one flesh ; and so the godhead, that was at such a distance from us, is brought down in our nature that it might be nearer at hand, and within the reach of our commerce. The same godhead is a fountain of grace, but not a fountain sealed. In our natures it is a fountain opened, and ever- flowing and overflowing for our comfort and use.
2. It implieth an eminency ; for the head is the most eminent part of the body. As it is the noblest, so nature hath placed it nearest heaven. The very situation doth in a manner oblige the other parts to show their reverence. So Christ is the head of the church, infinitely of much more worth than the church, as being the only-begotten Son of God. Not man only, to carry a conformity with up, but God also, that he might be a fountain of life and grace to us : Ps. xlv. 11, 'He is thy God ; worship thou him.' Christ reigneth in heaven with his Father, and from thence vieweth all the necessities of the body, and sendeth forth those influences which are needful to every particular member.
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3. The head is the most illustrious throne of the soul ; not only the seat of nerves and senses, but of the memory and understanding ; so there is in Christ a fulness of perfection, enabling him to do all the duties of a head to such a great and necessitous body as the church is : Col. ii. 3, ' In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.' They are in our head for the use of the body.
4. It implies authority and power to govern. His excellency giveth him fitness, but authority, right to rule and govern the church ; to appoint officers, and to make laws that shall universally bind all his people. Christ pleadeth this right when he sendeth abroad his officers and ambassadors to proselyte the world, and to require them in his name to repent and believe the gospel : Mat. xxviii. 18, 19, ' All power is given to me in heaven and earth ; go therefore and teach all nations/ He giveth them a commission to make disciples among all nations. The power of disposing all things concerning the church is originally in Christ.
5. It implieth a strict union between him and the church, such as is between the head and members in the natural body ; which union is brought about externally by confederation, or visible owning the cove- nant, and professing faith in Christ Jesus our Lord : Ps. 1. 5, ' Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice ; ' and Acts viii. 37, ' See here is water ; what doth hinder me to be baptized ? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' Internally by the Spirit of Christ converting us to God : Kom. viii, 9, 11, ' If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.'
6. Thence there resulteth a communication of influences ; either — [1.] Of common gifts to the ministers of the visible church, accord- ing to that part which they sustain in the body : Eph. iv. 7, ' But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.' A common christian is to be discerned by common grace ; for there is a superficial Christianity as well as a real Christianity, disciples in name, as well as disciples in deed. All that profess the faith, and are by visible covenanting adopted into Christ's family, are under a visible administration of the covenant of grace ; and he giveth to common christians these gifts of the Spirit which he giveth not to the heathen world ; as knowledge of the mysteries of godliness, abilities of utterance and speech about heavenly things, yea, some affection to these heavenly and spiritual things : Heb. vi. 4, 5, ' For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come ; ' and the stony ground received the word with joy, Mat. xiii. 20. But either this vanisheth by impatiency of the cross, or is overmastered by sensual inclinations. If it continueth, the affection is weakened by the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life, so that it bringeth nothing to perfec- tion, Luke viii. 13, 14. This doth not prove us true christians, or really in God's special favour, but only visible and professing christians.