First, The chief qualification of an apostle or ambassador is, that he be faithful. God’s apostle is the chief steward or dispenser of his mysteries, and it is principally “required
in stewards, that a man be found faithful,” 1 Cor. iv. 2. *Améororog zy o/xw, an “apostle in the house” is o/xévowog, the steward and dis- penser of all things in and unto the house. This, therefore, the apostle expresseth in the first place, and that absolutely and compa- ratively. He was “faithful,” and “faithful as was Moses.” His faith- - fulness as a high priest, and wherein that faithfulness did consist,
Woroy oven.
VER. 1, 2.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 513
we have declared, chap. ii.17,18. Here, though that expression, wordy évra, being “ faithful,” is annexed unto the mention of two offices, apostolical and sacerdotal, yet, as appears from the ensuing dis- course, it relates only unto the former.
Now, the fidelity of a legate, ambassador, or an apostle, consists principally in the full revelation and declaration of the whole mind and will of him by whom he is sent, as to the end for which he is sent, and nothing in his name but what is so his mind and will. Thus, our apostle, to declare his faithfulness in his office apostolical, affirms that he had “kept nothing back” from them to whom he was sent, “that was profitable unto them,” Acts xx. 20, nor “shunned to declare unto them all the counsel of God,” verse 27.
There are two things in faithfulness ;—first, trust; and, secondly, the discharge thereof. Faithfulness respects trust. Our Lord, there- fore, must have a trust committed unto him, wherein he was faith- ful: which also he had, for it pleased the Father to lay up in him “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” Col. ii. 3,—to commit unto him the whole mystery of his will and grace,—and so sent him to declare himself, John i. 18; and his “name,” John xvii. 6,—to make known the last full declaration of his mind and will, as to his worship, with the obedience and salvation of the church, Heb. i. 1, 2, and therewithal to “ seal up vision and prophecy,” Dan. ix. 24, that no new or further revelation of the will of God should ever be made or added unto what was made by him, Rev. xxii. 18,19. Being in- trusted with this work, his authority for it is proclaimed, the Father giving command from heaven unto all to “hear him,” Matt. xvii. 5, who was thus sent by him. And therein “he received from God the Father honour and glory,’ 2 Pet. i. 17, being declared to be that great prophet whom all were obliged to hear on pain of utter exter- mination, Deut. xviii. 18, 19; Acts ii. 22, 23.
This was the trust of the Lord Christ in this matter, and in the discharge hereof did his fidelity consist. And this he manifested in three things:—1. In that in this great work he sought not his own glory, but the glory of him that sent him, John viii. 50; de- claring that he came not in his own, but in his Father's name, John y. 43. He turned not his message unto his own advantage, but unto the advantage or honour of him that sent him. 2. In that he declared his word or message not to be his own, that is originally or principally, but his Father’s: “The word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me,’ John xiv. 24, 3. In that he declared the whole will or word of God that was committed unto him, for the end mentioned: “I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me,” John xvi. 8; witnessing therein a good confession, 1 Tim. vi. 13, sealing the truth with his blood, which he came into the world to bear wit-
VOL. XX. 33
514 AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. III.
ness unto, John xviii. 37. And greater faithfulness could not be expressed. ;
Secondly, This faithfulness he discharged towards “him that ap- pointed him.” The apostle mentioning the offices of Christ distinctly, addeth unto every one of them his designation or appointment to them: unto his kingly office, Heb. i. 2,—‘ He was appointed heir, or lord of all; unto his sacerdotal, chap. v. 5, —‘ He took not on himself the office of a priest, without the call of God;’ and here, as to his apostolical or prophetical office,—‘ He was appointed of God’ And this he doth for two ends;—first, To evidence that the Lord Christ took not any thing upon him in the house of God without call or authority; secondly, That we might see the love and care of God, even the Father, in the mediation of the Lord Christ, as appointing him to his whole office and work.
“To him that appointed him.” This appointment of Christ, or his being made the apostle of God, con- sists in a fivefold act of God in reference thereunto :—
1. In his eternal designation of him to his work and office; for as he was in general xpoeyvwomévos apd xuraCorns xoomov, 1 Pet. i. 20, “fore-ordained before the foundation of the world,” so was he in particular designed of God to be his apostle for the instruc- tion of his church, Isa. xlviii. 16; Zech. vi. 18; Prov. viii. 22-31. Hence that eternal life which he was to manifest, 1 John i. 2, and to bring to light by the gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 10, is said to be “ pro- mised before the world began,” Tit. i. 2, even because of this pur- pose of sending the Son to declare it; on which account also it is said to be with the Father before it was manifested by him, 1 John i, 2. And herein lies the foundation of the appointment of Christ unto his office.