3. For the nature and manner of this speaking, when and how God said it, four things seem to be intended in it:—(1.) The eternal decree of God concerning the exaltation of the Son incarnate. So David calls this word the “decree,” the statute or eternal appoint- ment of God, Ps. ii. 7. This is Adyog évdstderog, the internal and eternal word, or speaking of the mind, will, and counsel of God, referred unto by Peter, 1 Epist. i. 20. God said this in the eternal purpose of his will, to and concerning his Son. (2.) The covenant and compact that was between the Father and Son about and con- cerning the work of mediation is expressed also in this saying. That there was such a covenant, and the nature of it, I have elsewhere declared. See Prov. viii. 30, 31; Isa. lili. 10-12; Zech. vi. 12, 13; John xvii. 4-6. In this covenant God said unto him, “Sit thou at my right hand;” which’he also pleaded in and upon the discharge of his work, Isa. 1. 8,9; John xvii. 4, 5. (3.) There is also in it the declaration of this decree and covenant in the prophecies and promises given out concerning their accomplishment and execution from the foundation of the world, Luke i. 70; 1 Pet. 1. 11, 12; Gen. iii. 15. He said it “ by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.” And in this sense David only re- counts the prophecies and promises that went before, Luke xxiv. 25-27. And all these are comprised in this speaking here men- tioned,—thus “the LorD said unto him;” and all these were past when recorded by David. (4.) But he yet looks forward, by the Spirit - of prophecy, unto the actual accomplishment of them all, when, upon the resurrection of Christ, and the fulfilling of his work of humilia- tion, God actually invested him with the promised glory, (which is the fourth thing intended in the expression,) Acts ii. 33, 56, v. 51; 1 Pet. i. 20, 21. All these four things centre in a new revelation now made to David by the Spirit of prophecy. This he here de-
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clares as the stable purpose, covenant, and promise of God the Father, revealed unto him: “The Lorp said.”
And this also gives us an account of the manner of this expres- sion, as to its imperative enunciation, “Sit thou.” It hath im it the force of a promise that he should do so, as it respected the decree, covenant, and declaration thereof from the foundation of the world. God, engaging his faithfulness and power for the effecting of it in its appointed season, speaks concerning it as a thing instantly to be done. And as those words respect the glorious accomplishment of the thing itself, so they denote the acquiescence of God in the work of Christ, and his authority in his glorious exaltation.
4. The thing spoken about, is Christ’s sitting at the right hand of God. Wherein that consists hath been declared on verse 3. In brief, it is the exaltation of Christ unto the glorious administration of the kingdom granted unto him, with honour, security, and power; or as in one word our apostle calls it, his reigning, 1 Cor. xv. 25; concerning which we have treated already at large.
And herein we shall acquiesce, and not trouble ourselves with the needless curiosity and speculation of some about these words. Such is that of Maldonate on Matt. xvi., before remarked on verse 3. Saith he, “Cum Filius dicitur sedere ad dextram Patris, denotatur comparatio virtutis Filii et Patris, et potentia Filii major dicitur ratione functionis officii et administrationis ecclesia, Paterque vi- detur fecisse Filium quodammodo se superiorem, et donasse illi nomen etiam supra ipsum Dei nomen, quod omnes Christiani tacitd significant, cm audito nomine Jesu detegunt caput, audito autem nomine Dei, non item;”—than which nothing could be more pre- sumptuously nor foolishly spoken; for there is not in the words the least intimation of any comparison between the power of the Father and the Son, but only the Father’s exaltation of the Son unto power and glory expressed. But, as was said, these things have been already considered.
5. There is in the words the end aimed at in this sitting down at the right hand of God; and that is, the making of his enemies the footstool of his feet. This is that which is promised unto him in the state and condition whereunto he is exalted. For the opening of these words we must inquire,—(1.) Who are these enemies of Christ; (2.) How they are to be made his footstool; (3.) By whom.
(1.) For the first, we have showed that it is the glorious exaltation of Christ in his kingdom that is here spoken of; and therefore the enemies intended must be the enemies of his kingdom, or enemies unto him in his kingdom,—that is, as he sits on his throne carrying on the work designed and ends of it. Now, the kingdom of Christ may be considered two ways ;—first, In respect of the internal, spi- ritual power and efficacy of it in the hearts of his subjects; “mel
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With respect unto the outward, glorious administration of it in the world. And in both these respects it hath enemies in abundance, all and every one whereof must be made his footstool. We shall consider them apart.