1 Timothy 3:16 Sermons: Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: He was revealed in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

I. THAT THE SCHEME OF GODLINESS IS GREATLY MYSTERIOUS WITH REGARD TO ITS CONTRIVANCE. Thus, how the case of man's fall was to be met, and how his salvation was to be wrought out in perfect harmony with all the Divine attributes, remained a profound secret, until God Himself was pleased to announce it to the world. Even angelic intelligence was inadequate to its contrivance.

II. THAT THE SCHEME OF GODLINESS IS GREATLY MYSTERIOUS WITH REGARD TO ITS MODE OF DEVELOPMENT. That, in fact, its main and most important truths should have been so long concealed from the world, or only he darkly shadowed forth by types and figures; that their revelation should have been so gradual, and so late in reaching its consummation may well be reckoned a mystery. Why did He suffer so many millions of the race for whose benefit it was designed, and for whose salvation a knowledge of it seems necessary, to die without even having heard of it?

III. THAT THE SCHEME OF GODLINESS IS GREATLY MYSTERIOUS WITH REGARD TO THE NATURE AND MODE OF ITS OPERATIONS. We gather from the words of our Lord, that the operations by which the Holy Spirit regenerates men through the system of evangelical truth would be inscrutable. "The wind bloweth where it listeth," etc. How, for instance, does this system of truth illuminate the mind, convey conviction to the judgment, awaken and alarm the conscience, gain the assent of the understanding, fill the sinner with penitence and godly sorrow, win his affections, subdue his whole soul to God, and transform him, a guilty and polluted spirit, into a new creature in Christ Jesus? What is the nature of those unseen, impalpable operations by which man is enlightened, pardoned, and born again? How is celestial light produced in the sin-darkened mind?

IV. THAT THE SCHEME OF GODLINESS IS GREATLY MYSTERIOUS WITH REGARD TO ITS TRIUMPHS. The external means and agency by which these triumphs are secured may be plain and obvious enough as facts; but then they seem altogether inadequate to achieve them.

V. THAT THE SCHEME OF GODLINESS IS GREATLY MYSTERIOUS WITH REGARD TO ITS CONSUMMATION. Its character is thus uniform from the beginning to the end. This grand drama of truth and mercy was opened by the most mysterious resolutions and stupendous acts; it is sustained and carried on by the sublimest evolutions and agency; and it will close amid the most transcendent and ineffable scenes of grandeur and bliss. All the dead are to be raised. Men and devils are all to be arraigned before the judgment-seat of Christ. The old heavens and earth are to pass away. A new heaven and earth of surpassing beauty and holiness are to be created for the reception of the redeemed.

1. This subject teaches us the necessity of implicit faith in all the truths and doctrines which God has revealed in His Word. This, indeed, we shall often find to be necessary. Mysterious facts which baffle our reason, demand our faith. In His darkest utterances, God must be implicitly credited.

2. This subject teaches us the necessity of cherishing the spirit of patience and humility. This, too, we shall find to be all-important. We cannot anticipate the end, nor rush to its disclosures before the time appointed by the Father.

3. This subject teaches us that we ought most gratefully to receive the unspeakable and eternal benefits which this grand and mysterious scheme of godliness was designed to confer on redeemed men. To refuse them, or even to be unconcerned about them, is surely the blackest and most hateful ingratitude, and must form the very climax of rebellion and guilt!

(S. Lucas.)

I. A MYSTERY is something kept secret, locked up from the view of men. This sense of it agrees to the doctrines of Christianity upon a threefold account.

1. As they were concealed from former ages.

2. As they are yet so from the greatest part of the world.

3. As they continue so in some degree to God's own people.The temple of God is not to be opened till we get to heaven, and there we shall see the ark of His covenant. Upon these accounts it may be said our gospel is hid; it was so to the Jews, it is so to those that are lost; and, in part, it is so to the believer him self; and therefore it may be called a mystery.

1. It is called a mystery from its importance.

2. It is called a mystery because it never could have been known but by revelation.

3. A mystery is something above the comprehension of our reason. The things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. And this leads me to —

II. SHOW THAT THE MYSTERY OF ANY DOCTRINE DOES NOT HINDER IT FROM BEING TRUE.

1. The difficulty or easiness of a doctrine does not make it the matter of our faith, but we go entirely upon the sufficiency of the evidence.

2. This obtains in every part of life, and it is strange we should exclude it from religion.

3. It is no way unaccountable that the nature and the designs of God should be" incomprehensible to us.

4. It is necessary that our understanding should honour the revelation of God by a subjection, as well as our wills by a compliance.

5. These are not mysteries of man's forging, but we have them in the Book of God.

6. They are not concealed by any party or tribe among us, but lie open to be seen and read of all men. Therefore —

7. The design of preaching them is not to set up the tyranny of priests, but to lead people to a veneration for their God, a dependence upon Him, and an application to Him.

III. WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF HAVING MYSTERIES IN THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION? Why could not our lawgiver have done as others did, only laid before us a set of rules, and distributed them under the several heads of practice, without ever engaging our faith in any speculations at all? When the law is established by faith, it gets a firmness and an influence that it could never have had any other way.

1. By the mysteries of the gospel we are led to an esteem for the salvation itself that God has given us, because thus we see that it was the contrivance of infinite wisdom.

2. We have the best arguments for our duty from the incarnation, satisfaction, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3. We have the noblest example of all practical holiness from God's being manifest in the flesh.

4. We are in particular inclined and encouraged to the duty of prayer, by this new and living way that is consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. (Hebrews 10:20).

5. We have the best hope of succeeding in the whole work of our duty, from the redemption that is now established.

6. By these mysteries the principles of all practical religion are enlarged and encouraged. It is in a meditation upon these that we stir up the grace of God that is in us.

7. We are by this means kept low in our own eyes; as we find there are things above the reach of nature, and beyond the comprehension of faith.

8. This shows us the necessity of depending upon the Spirit for illumination, as well as upon Christ for acceptance.

9. This teaches a greater value for the revelation God has made of Himself.

10. This draws out our desires towards heaven, without which there can be neither the purity nor the comfort of religion. We long to be where the veil is taken off from the object, and the fetters from the faculty.

IV. When the apostle calls this A GREAT MYSTERY, I SUPPOSE HE DOES IT IN A WAY OF PRE-EMINENCE to what is contained in other religions, more especially these two.

1. The mysteries of the heathen.

2. There were mysteries in the Jewish religion. (Psalm 111:4; Psalm 48:9), in the midst of His temple, and He was terrible out of His holy places.(1) The mystery of godliness is in this respect greater than any among the heathen in that we learn it at once. Here are no years thrown away in a tedious preparation. There is no keeping of people in a preparatory dulness.(2) This mystery is about matters of more importance to our final happiness. This is life eternal, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. (John 17:3).(3) These mysteries were given us by God Himself.(4) These mysteries are to be diffused and made known.

2. There were undeniable mysteries among the Jews,(1) Our mysteries are distinguished from those that God gave to the Jews by their continuance.(2) Our mysteries refer us to themselves. The Jews had a respect to something else.(3) Our mysteries come in a nobler way, in a method more agreeable to the lofty nature of a rational soul.(4) This mystery is attended with a greater influence, both as to purity and peace. It is further said that this mystery is great without controversy.

1. It does not mean there should be no dispute about it. The natural man never did, and never will receive the things of the Spirit of God; they are foolishness to him.

2. This mystery is without controversy to all the ages of God's people.

3. This mystery is without controversy to those whom the grace of God has brought from the darkness of infidelity.

4. This is a mystery without controversy, because it still continues to be a mystery after all the ways that men have taken to explain it.A few practical directions about the use that should be made of mysteries in religion.

1. If you would treat Christianity or any particular article as a mystery, be careful to separate the doctrine from all the mixtures that curiosity or superstition have brought into it.

2. Read the Scriptures diligently, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

3. Attend the ordinances of the gospel. He that walks with wise men shall be wise.

4. Pray for the Spirit.

5. Take care of quarrelling about these mysteries, and becoming vain in your imaginations.

6. Be more concerned about the improving of a mystery than the explaining it.

(T. Bradbury.)

A. Mursell.

I. Let us inquire WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF MYSTERY WHICH BELONG TO THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION.

1. It is a mystery if we consider the subjects of that redemption.

2. There is mystery in the mode of this redemption.

3. There is mystery in the magnitude of the accruing consequence of this redemption. The feud between heaven and earth has been adjusted by it.

4. It is a mystery, because no human wisdom could ever have devised it. It is a gem of grace dug from the deepest mine of the Divine intelligence, and lifted from the profoundest recess of the Divine compassion.

5. It was a mystery which baffled the malignant wit of devils to explain.

6. And if it passed the understandings of the dark confederacy of hell, it equally exceeded the capacity of angels to unravel its intent.

7. It is a mystery which will need eternity to explore it.

II. Observe THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE PHRASE — "the mystery of godliness."

1. It is so, because it reveals the only basis of godliness.

2. By a belief in this we become entitled to all the blessings of godliness.

3. By its influence on heart and life it leads to the practice of godliness.

4. Because the whole redounds to the honour and glory of God. From this mystery we may learn to raise our appreciation of the greatness and sublimity of the Christian revelation.

(A. Mursell.)

The important mystery of the Incarnation

A. Gray.

I. THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS ITSELF.

1. The fact that God was manifest in the flesh.(1) The manifestation affirmed is the manifestation of God. It is the manifestation of Jehovah — of the Creator, Preserver, and Lord of all — of Him to whom all worship is due, and all dominion and glory belong. This much lies upon the very surface of the text. Is there nothing more to tell? There is more. God is One. But the Persons of the Godhead are three. And this is not the manifestation of the First, or of the Third, Person of the Godhead, but of the Second. It is the manifestation of God the Son.(2) As to the other question — the nature of this manifestation — we remark that it was personal. There are many manifestations of God — manifestations of Him in the world and in the Church, in His works, and in His Word. But these are manifestations of character and perfections. A manifestation of the Divine wisdom, and power, and holiness, and love, is a manifestation of God; but it is not a personal manifestation. It is a manifestation of the attributes and glory of God, and of the attributes and glory of the Persons in the Godhead; but it is not a manifestation of the Persons themselves. There is a manifestation of the Father in those who are His children; there is a manifestation of the Son in those whom He is not ashamed to call His brethren; and there is a manifestation of the Spirit in all whom He regenerates and sanctifies. Yea, doubtless, the Divine Persons are thus manifested. But, though the. manifestation be a manifestation of Persons, it is not a personal manifestation of them. They are manifested mediately, not immediately — as the worker is manifested by his work. There is no immediate personal manifestation of God, which has been afforded to man, except that manifestation of Him which constitutes the mystery of godliness. We do not overlook the manifestations of God that were enjoyed by the patriarchs — such as that which Abraham had in the plains of Mature, and that which Jacob had at Peniel. These were foreshadowings of that mystery of godliness which the fulness of time disclosed. The personal manifestation of God is highly to be prized. We may judge of it by the desire which is felt to see the sage or philosopher who has enriched the stores of our knowledge by his speculations and discoveries. We may have read the great man's history again and again; we may be familiar with what he has achieved; we may have seen the fruits of his genius, his toil, his valour; we may possess his portrait too; but the effect of it all will be, not to diminish, but to increase, the desire to behold his person, and to see himself. Just so it is in the case before us. The knowledge of God's ways and doings, the light east upon His character and glorious perfections by the teachings of Scripture and the experience of the Church, will never quench the desire for the vision of God Himself. We must further remark, with respect to the nature of this manifestation of God, that it was a manifestation "in the flesh." "God was manifest in the flesh." We read of the Holy Ghost coming down in a bodily form, like a dove. But the Holy Ghost was not a dove. He took, for the occasion, the visible form of a dove; but there was no real dove in the case, any more than there is in the image or likeness of a dove which the pencil of the artist may create. God the Son, however, was man. He was Man as truly and really as He was God. Had He come with no more than the figure or likeness of a man — that likeness being temporarily assumed — it could not so well be said that God was manifested. It may serve to open up still farther this manifestation of God in the flesh, if we explain a little, as we can, and as Scripture enables us, how the manifestation was brought about. This much we are in a condition to say — that God was manifested in the flesh by the assumption into His Person, on the part of the Son, of the human nature, as consisting of a true body and a reasonable soul. The Son assumed human nature into His Person. He assumed it into His Person so that God the Son and the man Christ Jesus were not two Persons, but one. It was not that a new Person was constituted out of two Persons previously existing. His human nature never existed by itself, or as a person; and the Person of the Son was eternal. Into that Person the human nature was taken, or assumed, as has been said — the identity of the Person remaining unchanged. There was no conversion of the Divine into the human nature. Had that been the case, He must have ceased to be God by becoming man. Nor was there any mixture of the natures. The two natures did not become one nature, combining their attributes. There was a union, however, between the two natures. But this union was not like other unions with which we may be acquainted. It was unlike the union between the soul and body of man. It was unlike it in this — that body and soul make but one nature between them. It was unlike the union between Christ and believers; for that is a union where distinct personality is preserved. And it was unlike the union among the Persons in the Godhead. The cases, indeed, are completely in contrast. There, we find distinct Persons, and one nature. Here, we find one Person, and distinct natures.

2. Passing now from the fact declared, that God was manifest in the flesh, we come to the reason of it. The reason was no other than the salvation of sinful man. A created nature was necessary, because a created nature alone could suffer, and on a created nature alone the stroke of wrath could fall. He took not, however, the nature of angels. The human nature was necessary, to connect Him more closely with our broken covenant, on the one hand, and with us who broke it, on the other. It was flesh that He took, because He was to be the second man, the last Adam; and, in that capacity, to magnify the law and make it honourable, and bruise the serpent's head. But a finite nature must have failed by itself. It need not have failed in purpose, or for want of will; but it must have failed in sufficiency, and for want of strength.

II. THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COMMEND THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS TO OUR FAITH AND ADMIRATION.

(A. Gray.)

God was manifest in the flesh

The mystery of the incarnate God

I. I AM TO ILLUSTRATE THE DOCTRINE OF GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH. It is an undoubted truth, that the perfections and glory of God the Father were manifested in the Incarnation, life and death of His only begotten Son. If these, in one respect, veiled the Divine glory, they gave, in another, a new and fuller view of its brightness. The Scripture conceals not the reasons why God was thus manifest in the flesh. Perhaps, some may inquire, how can it be said that God was manifest in the flesh? Did not the nature He assumed, and the purposes of humiliation and suffering for which He assumed it, obscure, rather than manifest, His Deity? If, however, some circumstances of Christ's incarnation indicated meanness and abasement; in others, Divine majesty and greatness were manifested. Heaven and earth, angels and devils, kings and subjects, friends and enemies, unite to do honour to His birth. Let me now direct your attention to the practical improvement of this subject. Judge not the opinions or character of any man, or society of men, by their outward circumstances. Despise not, for His birth, His poverty, or mean appearance, the man who teaches an excellent doctrine, or who exhibits an eminently virtuous example. Just ideas, and a correspondent behaviour, not wealth or indigence, are the true tests of worth. Think how wretched and forlorn thy circumstances, which required so great and astonishing means of deliverance. Admire and improve this amazing condescension. Let the warmest gratitude inflame every breast while contemplating the love which gave rise to this condescension. Labour that He who was manifested in your nature may also be manifested in your persons: or, as Paul expresses it, "That the life of Jesus may be made manifest in your body" (2 Corinthians 4:10). Reflect how highly human nature is dignified and ennobled by the incarnation of the Son of God. Improve and exult in the foundation laid, by God manifest in the flesh, for the encouragement of faith. Sink not under thy doubts and fears; for to rescue sinners from destruction He, who was in the bosom of the Father, pledged His heart as their ransom that, as their Advocate, He might approach to God and successfully plead their cause.

II. Paul describes this doctrine as a MYSTERY. The word "mystery" is borrowed from the secret religious rites and exercises among the heathen, to which only a few, after trial of their secrecy, were admitted by the Hierophant or Mystagogue. Hence, it is transferred to the incarnation of Christ, and its important causes and consequences, which could be discovered only by the Spirit, not by our senses, imagination, or intellectual powers. To men, who have no other guide than nature's light, the wonders of redeeming love were wholly unknown: and unknown they must have for ever remained, had not the first stewards of the mysteries of God learned them by inspiration, and been authorized to teach them. Under the Old Testament the Jews had only dark types and obscure prophecies of those good things to come. The wisdom of God in a mystery was a hidden wisdom, which none of the princes of this world knew; for, had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. Again, the gospel is a mystery; for to few who enjoy the external dispensation of the gospel is its native beauty and Divine energy inwardly revealed. Saints alone are divinely enlightened to perceive its certainty and glory.

III. THE DOCTRINE OF OUR LORD'S INCARNATION, AND OF ITS CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES, IS, WITHOUT CONTROVERSY, A GREAT MYSTERY. It has not only been confirmed by the fullest evidence; but it is without controversy to all to whom Jesus hath manifested the Father's name. Well, too, may this doctrine be termed great. It exhibits truths in their own nature transcendently excellent. All this, however, wilt not excuse our stumbling at this wisdom of God in a mystery, or these deep things of God.

IV. THE DOCTRINE OF OUR LORD'S INCARNATION IS A MYSTERY OF GODLINESS. It is allowed that truths altogether unknown, and doctrines perfectly unintelligible, can be no motives to piety. But, notwithstanding this, motives to piety may be derived from that, in a mystery, which is known and understood. Though I cannot comprehend the doctrine of the Trinity, or the Divinity and Sonship of Christ, I may understand enough of the love of the Father, in sending His Son to be the Saviour of the world, and of redemption being purchased by His blood, to influence my temper and conduct. Articles of natural religion deeply affect us which yet are obscurely and imperfectly known. Now, all this was revealed that we might be sanctified through the truth. The view which it exhibits, both of the justice and goodness of God, affords the strongest motives to reverence of God's authority, value for His favour, trust in His mercy and obedience to His laws.

V. THE DOCTRINE OF THE INCARNATION IS THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH: NOT OF TRUTH, OR EVEN RELIGIOUS TRUTH IN GENERAL, BUT OF THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF OUR SALVATION, IN WHICH THAT PLAN OF REDEMPTION IS PUBLISHED: WHICH REASON COULD NEVER HAVE DISCOVERED. The original word, rendered ground, occurs nowhere else in the sacred writings. But it evidently signifies that upon which anything firmly rests. Here, therefore, where it relates to a building, and is joined to the word "pillar," it means foundation. A pillar only supports part of a fabric. A foundation bears the weight of the whole building. The metaphor intimates that the doctrine of the Person and Incarnation of Jesus is necessary to the support of the whole doctrine of redemption; and that, if the doctrine of the Incarnation were taken away, the whole doctrine of redemption would fall to the ground. Every other article of faith rests upon, and derives stability from, its connection with this. If the Son of God did not assume a true body and a reasonable soul, He was not the "Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world." The first thing in a building is the laying the foundation; and the first thing peculiar to Christianity which the apostles taught was the incarnation of Jesus, and His redeeming us to God through His blood: though to pave the way for this truth being received, they also inculcated the principles and obligations of natural religion, and the evidences of Christianity, from prophecy and miracles (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). And now, what is the conclusion of the whole matter? Think it not strange that the gospel often meets with bad entertainment, that some pronounce the mysteries of its foolishness, and others account the godliness these mysteries tend to produce an insupportable yoke. Learn from this subject to distinguish true religion and genuine piety from counterfeit appearances. Heathenism and popery have their mysteries; but they are mysteries of iniquity. Entertain this doctrine in a manner suitable to its nature. It is a mystery. Affect not to be wise above what is written. Admire and adore what thou canst not fully comprehend. It is a mystery of godliness. By indulging ease and security, while profligate and immoral, act not as if it were a mystery of iniquity. Remember that mere speculative knowledge will condemn, not save thee. It is the pillar and ground of truth. Prize that gospel which has published to thee a doctrine so transcendently glorious and important.

(J. Erskine, D. D.)

The Mystery of godliness

A. Rowland, LL. B.

The greatness and importance of the truth which the Church was to maintain is given as a motive to fidelity on the part of Christians.

I. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN FLESH AND SPIRIT. "He was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit." For it is not what appeals to our natural observation, to our sensuous nature, or to our purely intellectual faculties, which awakens the conviction that He is our Lord, but it is His Divine touch, felt upon heart and conscience, which leads us, like Thomas, to fall at His feet and say, "My Lord and my God."

II. THE SECOND SUGGESTED CONTRAST IS BETWEEN THE ANGELS AND THE NATIONS. "He was seen of angels and preached unto the Gentiles." These are again natural opposites. Angels are the blessed inhabitants of a higher sphere; Gentiles are the most corrupt and debased inhabitants of this lower world. And it is His glory that His claims have been admitted by opposing and divergent nationalities, by the most varied types of men, as rightful King of all the world.

III. THE LAST CONTRAST DRAWN HERE IS BETWEEN THE EARTHLY AND THE HEAVENLY. "He was believed on in the world, received up into glory." What a contrast between the celestial brightness and purity in which He is enshrined, and the disease, the death, and the sin prevailing in the world. I know not how we Christians could still work hopefully if it were not that Jesus, the Almighty purifier, the one Saviour, can be believed on, and is believed on by us in the world — as One able and willing to bring salvation to the lost and degraded.

(A. Rowland, LL. B.)

The fountain opened

1. Godliness is either the principles of Christian religion, or the inward disposition of the soul towards them, the inward holy affection of the soul. The word implieth both: for godliness is not only the naked principles of religion, but likewise the Christian affection, the inward bent of the soul, suitable to Divine principles. There must be a godly disposition, carrying us to godly truths. These blessed truths of the gospel, they require and breed a godly disposition; the end of them is godliness; they frame the soul to godliness. Thus we see the truths themselves are godliness, carrying us to God and holiness.Hence follows these other truths briefly.

1. First of all, that no truth breeds godliness and piety of life but Divine truths; for that is called "godliness," because it breeds godliness. All the devices of men in the world cannot breed godliness.

2. Again, hence, in that Divine truth is called godliness, it shows us, if we would be godly we must be so from reasons of Christianity; not, us I said, by framing devices of our own, as graceless foolish men do. But if we will be godly, it must be by reasons and motives from Divine truth. That breeds godliness.

3. Again, hence we may fetch a rule of discerning when we are godly. What makes a true Christian? When he nakedly believes the grounds of Divine truth, the articles of the faith, when he can patter them over — doth that make a true Christian? No. But when these truths breed and work "godliness." For religion is a truth "according to godliness," not according to speculation only, and notion. Religious evangelical truth is "wisdom"; and wisdom is a knowledge of things directing to practice. A man is a wise man when he knows so as to practise what he knows. The gospel is a Divine wisdom, teaching practice as well as knowledge. It works godliness, or else a man hath but a human knowledge of Divine things. Therefore a Christian hath godly principles out of the gospel, and a godly carriage suitable to those principles. Now this godliness is "a mystery." What is a mystery?The word signifies a hidden thing.

1. A mystery is a secret, not only for the present, but that it was a secret, though it be now revealed; for the gospel is now discovered. It is called a mystery, not so much that it is secret, but that it was so before it was revealed.

2. In the second place, that is called a mystery in the Scripture which, howsoever it be clear for the manifestation of it, yet the reasons of it are hid. As the conversion of the Gentiles, that there should be such a thing, why God should be so merciful to them, it is called a mystery.

3. In the third place, a mystery in Scripture is taken for that that is a truth hid, and is conveyed by some outward thing. Marriage is a mystery, because it conveys the hidden spiritual marriage between Christ and His Church. So, then, the whole evangelical truth is a mystery.For these reasons: —

1. First of all, because it was hid and concealed from all men, till God brought it out of His own bosom: first to Adam in paradise, after the Fall; and still more clearly afterwards to the Jews; and in Christ's time more fully to Jews and Gentiles. It was hid in the breast of God. It was not a thing framed by angels or men. Christ brought it out of the bosom of His Father.

2. Again, it is a mystery; because when it was revealed, it was revealed but to few. It was revealed at the first but to the Jews — "God is known in Jewry," etc. (Psalm 48:3). It was wrapped in ceremonies and types, and in general promises, to them. It was quite hid from most part of the world.

3. Again, when Christ came, and was discovered to the Gentiles, yet it is a mystery even in the Church, to carnal men, that hear the gospel, and yet do not understand it, that have the veil over their hearts. It is "hid to them that perish" (2 Corinthians 4:3).

4. In the fourth place, it is a mystery, because though we see some part and parcel of it yet we see not the whole gospel. We see not all, nor wholly. "We see but in part, and know but in part." (1 Corinthians 8:9.)

5. Yea, and it is mystery in regard of what we do not know, but shall hereafter know. but is the doctrine of the gospel itself only a mystery? No. All the graces are mysteries, every grace. Let a man once know it, and he shall find that there is a mystery in faith; that the earthly soul of man should be carried above itself, to believe supernatural truths, and to depend upon that he sees not, to sway the life by reasons spiritual; that the heart of man should believe; that a man in trouble should carry himself quietly and patiently, from supernatural supports and grounds, it is a mystery. That the carriage of the soul should be turned universally another way; that the judgment and affections should be turned backward, as it were; that he that was proud before should now be humble; that he that was ambitious before should now despise the vain world; that he that was given to his lusts and vanities before should now, on the contrary, be serious and heavenly minded: here is a mystery indeed when all is turned backward. In Christ all is mystery: two natures, God and man, in one Person; mortal and immortal; greatness and baseness; infiniteness and finiteness, in one Person. The Church itself is a mystical thing. For under baseness, under the scorn of the world, what is hid?A glorious people.

1. Is it so that religion is a mystery? Then, first of all, do not wonder that it is not known in the world: and that it is not only not known, but persecuted and hated. Alas! it is a hidden thing. Men know not the excellency of it.

2. Again, if it be a mystery, then it should teach us to carry ourselves suitable to it. Nature taught even the heathens to carry themselves reverently in their mysteries; Procul este profani, "Away begone all profane." Let us carry ourselves therefore reverently toward the truth of God, towards all truths, though they be never so contrary to our reason.

3. Again, are these things mysteries, great mysteries? Let us bless God, that hath revealed them to us, for the glorious gospel. Oh, how doth St. Paul, in every Epistle, stir up people to be thankful for revealing these mysteries!

4. Again, it is a mystery, Therefore it should teach us likewise not to set upon the knowledge of it with any wits or parts of our own, to think to search into it merely by strength of wit and study of books, and all human helps that can be. It is a mystery, and it must be unveiled by God Himself, by His Spirit. We must not struggle with the difficulties of religion with natural parts. It is a mystery. Now, therefore it must have a double veil took off: a veil from the thing, and the yell from our eyes. It is a mystery in regard of the things themselves, and in regard of us. It is not sufficient that the things be light-some that are now revealed by the gospel, but there must be that taken from our hearts that hinders our sight.

5. Again, being a mystery, it cannot be raised out of the principles of nature, it cannot be raised from reasons. But hath reason no use, then, in the gospel? Yes. Sanctified reason hath to draw sanctified conclusions from sanctified principles. Thus far reason is of use in these mysteries, to shew that they are not opposite to reason, They are above reason, but they are not contrary to it, even as the light of the sun it is above the light of a candle, but it is not contrary to it. Here it is the greatest reason to yield reason to faith. Faith is the reason of reasons in these things, and the greatest reason is to yield to God that hath revealed them. Is not here the greatest reason in the world, to believe Him that is truth itself?

6. Again, seeing it is a mystery, let no man despair. It is not the pregnancy of the scholar here that carries it away. It is the excellency of the teacher. If God's Spirit be the teacher, it is no matter how dull the scholar is.

7. It is a mystery, therefore take heed of slighting of Divine truths. The empty shallow heads of the world make great matters of trifles, and stand amazed at baubles and vanities, and think it a grace to slight Divine things. This great mystery of godliness they despise. How shall we come to know this mystery as we should, and to carry ourselves answerable? We must desire God to open our eyes, that as the light hath shined, as the apostle saith, "The grace of God hath shined" (Titus 2:11); as there is a lightsomeness in the mysteries, so there may be in our eye.Now, the Spirit doth not only teach the truths of the gospel, but the application of those truths, that they are ours.

1. Again, if we would understand these mysteries, let us labour for humble spirits; for the Spirit works that disposition in the first place.

2. And bring withal a serious desire to know. with a purpose to be moulded to what we know; to be delivered to the obedience of what we know; for then God will discover it to us. Wisdom is easy to him that will. Together with prayer and humility, let us but bring a purpose and desire to be taught, and we shall find Divine wisdom easy to him that will. None ever miscarry in the Church but those that have false hearts.

3. And take heed of passion and prejudice, of carnal affections that stir up passion; for they will make the soul that it cannot see mysteries that are plain in themselves. As we are strong in any passion, so we judge; and the heart, when it is given up to passion, it transforms the truth to its own self, as it were. Even as where there is a suffusion of the eye, as in the jaundice, or the like, it apprehends colours like itself; so when the taste is vitiated, it tastes things, not as they are in themselves, but as itself is. So the corrupt heart transforms this sacred mystery to its own self, and oft-times foreeth Scripture to defend its own sin, and the corrupt state it is in. It will believe what it list.Therefore it is of great consequence to come with clean hearts and minds to the mysteries of God. "Great mystery."

1. That is the adjunct. It is a "great mystery" And here I might be endless; for it is not only great as a mystery — that is, there is much of it concealed — but it is a great and excellent mystery, if we regard whence it came, from the bosom of God, from the wisdom of God.

2. If we regard the end of it, to bring together God and man — man that was fallen, to bring him back again to God, to bring him from the depth of misery to the height of all happiness; a "great mystery" in this respect.

3. Again, it is "great," for the manifold wisdom that God discovered in the publishing of it, by certain degrees: first, in types, then after he came to truths; first, in promises, and then performances.

4. Again it is a great mystery, for that it works. For it is such a mystery as is not only a discovery of secrets, but it transforms those that know it and believe it. We are transformed by it to the likeness of Christ, of whom it is a mystery; to be as He is, full of grace. It hath a transforming, changing power.

5. If we consider any part of it — Christ, or His Church, or anything — it is a mystery, and "a great mystery." It must needs be great, that the very angels desire to pry into (1 Peter 1:12).

6. If we regard those that could not pry into it; as it is 1 Corinthians 2:6, 8 that the wise men of the world understood nothing of it.

7. Again, it is a great mystery, because it makes us great. It makes times great, and the persons great that live in those times. What made John Baptist greater than all the prophets and others in those times? Because he saw Christ come in the flesh. Let us take heed, therefore, that we set a higher price on religion. It is a mystery, and a great mystery; therefore it must have great esteem. It brings great comfort and great privileges.

8. Again, it is a great mystery, if compared to all other mysteries. Creation was a great mystery for all things to be made out of nothing, order out of confusion; for God to make man a glorious creature of the dust of the earth, it was a great matter.But what is this in comparison for God to be made man?

1. First of all, learn hence from blessed St. Paul how to be affected when we speak and think of the glorious truth of God; that we should work upon our hearts, to have large thoughts and large expressions of it. St. Paul thought it not sufficient to call it a mystery, but a great mystery. He doth not only call it riches, but unsearchable riches. Out of the riches and treasure of the heart the mouth will speak.(1) And that we may the better do this, let us labour to have as deep conceits in our understandings as we can of that mystery of sinfulness that is in us, and that mystery of misery.(2) Again, if we would have large and sensible thoughts and apprehensions of these things, such as the blessed apostle, let us set some time apart to meditate of these things, till the heart be warmed; let us labour to fasten our thoughts, as much as we can, on them every day; to consider the excellency of this mystery of religion in itself, and the fruit of it in this world and in the world to come. It is a good employment; for from thence we shall wonder at nothing in the world besides. What is the reason that men are taken up with admiration of petty mysteries, of poor things? Because their thoughts were never raised up to higher considerations.

2. Let us bring great endeavours to learn it, and great respect towards it, and great love to God for it. Let everything in us be answerable to this "great mystery," which is a "great mystery." "Without controversy." It is so under the broad seal of public confession, as the word in the general signifies; by the confession of all, it is "great." It is a confessed truth, that the "mystery of godliness is great." As if the apostle had said, I need not give you greater confirmation; it is, without question or controversy, a great mystery.(1) First, in itself, it is not to be doubted of. It is a great grounded truth, as lightsome and clear as if the gospel were written with a sunbeam, as one saith. There is nothing clearer and more out of controversy than sacred evangelical truths.(2) And as they are clear and light-some in themselves, so they are apprehended of all God's people. However it be controverted by others, yet they are not considerable. All that are the children of the Church, that have their eyes open, they confess it to be so, and wonder at it as "a great mystery." They without all doubt and controversy embrace it. Things are not so clear in the gospel that all that are sinful and rebellious may see whether they will or no.

1. I will only make that use of it that a great scholar in his time once did upon the point, a noble earl of Mirandula. If there be no calling these things into question, if they have been confirmed by so many miracles, as they have been in a strict sense, why then, how is it that men live as if they made no question of the falsehood of them? What kind of men are those that live as if it were "without controversy," that Christian truths had no truth at all in them? Men live so carelessly and profanely, and slight and scorn these great mysteries, as if they made no question but they are false.

2. Again, in that he saith, "without controversy," or confessedly, "great is the mystery of godliness": here we may know, then, what truths are to be entertained as catholic universal truths, those that without question are received. Now we come to the particulars of this great mystery. "God manifested in the flesh." This, and the other branches that follow, they are all spoken of Christ. Indeed, the "mystery of godliness" is nothing but Christ, and that which Christ did. Christ was "manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory." So that from the general we may observe this, that "Christ is the scope of the Scripture." Christ is the pearl of that ring; Christ is the main, the centre wherein all those lines end. He begins here with this, "God manifested in the flesh"; not God taken essentially, but taken personally. God in the Second Person, was manifested. All actions are of persons. The Second Person was incarnate. The Three Persons are all God; yet they were not all incarnate, because it was a personal action of the Second Person.And why in that Person?

1. Because He was the image of God. And none but the image of God could restore us to that image. He was the Son of God, and none but the natural Son could make us sons. By "flesh," here, is meant human nature; the property of human nature, both body and soul. And by "flesh" also is usually understood the infirmities and weakness of man, the miserable condition of man. In that God, the Second Person, appeared in our nature, in our weak and tainted disgraced nature after the Fall; from hence comes —

1. First of all, the enriching of our nature with all graces in Christ, as it is in Colossians 2:3.

2. The ennobling of our nature. In that God appeared in our nature it is much ennobled.

3. In the third place, hence comes the enabling of our nature to the work of salvation that was wrought in our nature. It came from hence, "God was in the flesh."

4. And hence comes this likewise, that whatsoever Christ did in our nature, God did it, for God appeared in our nature. He took not upon Him the person of any man, but the nature.

5. Hence comes also the union between Christ and us. Whence is it that we are "sons of God"? Because He was the "Son of Man," "God in our flesh." There are three unions: the union of natures, God to become man; the union of grace, that we are one with Christ; and the union of glory.

6. Hence likewise comes the sympathy between Christ and us; for Christ is said to suffer with us.

7. Hence likewise comes the efficacy of what Christ did, that the dying of one man should be sufficient for the whole world.It was, that "God was in the flesh." The apostle may well call this, "God manifest in the flesh," a "mystery," and place it in the first rank.

1. And shall we think that so great a mystery as this was for small purpose? that the great God should take upon Him a piece of earth? Oh what boldness have we now to go to "God in our flesh"!

2. Again, from this, that God was "manifest in our flesh," let us take heed that we defile not this flesh of ours, this nature of ours. What? Is this "flesh" of mine taken into unity with the Second Person? Is this "flesh" of mine now in heaven, "sitting at the right hand of God?"

3. Likewise, it should teach us to stoop to any service of Christ or our brethren. What! Did the love of God draw him into the womb of the virgin? Did it draw Him to take my nature and flesh on Him? Take heed of pride. God Himself emptied Himself, and wilt thou be full of pride? He became of "no reputation" (Philippians 2:7), and wilt thou stand upon terms of credit?

4. Lastly, let us labour that Christ may be manifested in our particular flesh, in our persons. As He was God manifest in the flesh in regard of that blessed mass He took upon Him, so we would every one labour to have God "manifest in our flesh." How is that? We must have Christ as it were born in us, "formed in us," as the apostle speaks (Colossians 1:27).

(R. Sibbes.)

R. W. Hamilton, D. D.

The Christian system is a great and holy mystery, presenting an important function for the maintenance of Divine truth. Mystery may only be a secret, and comprise nothing difficult in itself. When broken the secret may be the plainest thing. The calling of the Gentiles was such a concealment. But there are many who deride this view, who speak of mystery as incompatible with the purport of a revelation. Now this objection surely goes too far and urges too much. For it would then be inconsistent for any religion to pretend a Divine authority. Religion must, in addressing us, though its information be most scant, tell us of Deity, insisting on spiritual relations and eternal issues. The poorest pretext of any religion must be a theism. "Who can by searching find out God?" So vainly empty is the adage, Where mystery begins, religion ends l Nor less light is the remark, that ere a proposition be believed all its terms must be appreciated. There is something in every term of knowledge which defies this rigid perception. Others diversify the objection by taking for granted that revelation can only be an appeal to our reason, and that it will therefore contain no mystery; nothing but what is intelligible to reason. We cheerfully subscribe that reason must judge its evidence, that reason must ascertain its scope. The mystery is no object of our faith apart from the testimony which avouches it, and from the fact in which it consists. The proper notion for us to form of a revelation is that its essentials shall entirely exceed our powers of discovery. The light of reason has become so common a phrase that it may seem hazardous to call its correctness in question. But it is unmeaning. Reason can boast no light. It is only a capacity to judge upon any subject presented to it. It finds a general analogy of its function in the bodily eye. That does not impart the elemental light, but receives it, together with the impression of those images which it unveils. It is nothing more than an organ to be exercised upon things without. Reason is no more the source of knowledge than corporeal vision is that of day. A moral sun and a spiritual world are as much needed by the one as the physical sun and material world are for the other.

1. The ancient mysteries were only affectations of the wonderfulness ascribed to them. They surrounded themselves with a purposed reserve. They included nothing which might not readily be apprehended. If there was difficulty, they contrived it. If the course of revelation was slow, they made it slow. If the curtain was laboriously raised, they had hung it heavily that so it might be raised. All was intended to excite curiosity, to produce impression, to strike the aspirant with artistic effects. It was the scenery of a theatre. Unlike this wilful perplexity, this ample drapery to cover nothing, the mystery of godliness was really transcendent. It muffled itself in no fold, it was abhorrent from all disguise. It spoke in no swelling words of vanity. It encircled itself with no seeming of doubt and amazement. The cloud which was upon it was of its own glory.

2. The effect which initiation in the ancient mysteries wrought upon the mind of the candidate was generally that of disappointment and aversion. The man of intelligence, though he came to them a believer, could not go forth from them with any assurance. Indignation at the banded impostors was his first feeling. Contempt of the mummeries, however splendid, practised upon him would quickly follow. They had spoken "lies in hypocrisy." Their "deceit was falsehood." If any particle of the truth was in their possession, they had "held it in unrighteousness." But they who have "knowledge in the mystery of Christ" rise in every sentiment of gratitude and satisfaction with every step of that knowledge. Nothing has failed of their expectation. Nothing has sunk in their esteem. It is marvellous in our eyes!

3. Much delay attended the probation of those who sought enrolment among the enlightened in the ancient mysteries. Their trials were protracted. Before the profession was attained there was every harassing and tedious ceremonial. Lustration followed lustration, each power of endurance was tasked to the utmost, subterranean chambers reverberated to each other, there was a prison-house and escape from its horrors was not sure, panic congealed the stoutest frame, all extremes of sensation were combined, and the whole service was fenced round with every caution against eager impatience or inquisitive haste. But the mystery of godliness knows no such suspicious restrictions. "Learn of Me" is the language of its Founder. A docile temper is the exclusive condition. We haste and delay not.

4. The most awful vows of secrecy were exacted of those who received the supposed purgation of these mysteries. A universal execration fell orb the betrayer. "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." "We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak." "To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery." They "used great plainness of speech."

5. The whole arrangement of this singular discipline was invidious. It looked unfavourably on the great mass of our race. Selfish in its aims, destitute of any noble philanthropy, it intended the perpetual thraldom of the multitude in ignorance and degradation. It was the most cruel and potent auxiliary of priestly device and political despotism. In contradistinction to this haughty insolence, this vile contempt, with which the Mystagogues spurned and branded the species, Christianity surveys our nature in its broadest features, its truest intimacies, its grandest generalities. If it be marked by a partiality, it is toward the poor. It says: "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" It says: "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted!" Among its brightest; evidences, crowning all its miracles, is this attestation: "To the poor is the gospel preached." Its mercies are unto all. We may suppose that the inspired writer of the text, in styling the mystery of God indubitably great, bore in mind the common separation of the less and the greater ceremonies through which the respective postulants were called to pass. These were deemed alone worthy of the epithet, and alone capable of justifying it. Now the greater mysteries of the Pagan world pretended to solve religious difficulty. They promised that a great portion of the popular credulity might be simplified. They construed facts into allegories. They stripped the fable of its accessories, and exposed the moral which was couched in it. But the mystery of godliness was a grand interpretation. It was a key to cyphers. It was the substance of shadows. It was the fulfilment of visions. It gave light and meaning to "the dark sayings of old." Those greater mysteries boasted of a predominant doctrine. We do not with certainty know what that was. Whether the unity of the Divine nature or the immortality of the soul has been questioned, we think that we may conclude, with perfect confidence, that it was neither the one nor the other. Now, the mystery of godliness has its cardinal truth. It is the Incarnate Word. All connected with this manifestation is like itself. It is sin-offering and propitiatory sacrifice. We receive the atonement. A form of doctrine is declared to us. It is the glorious gospel of Christ. Those greater mysteries commanded a powerful influence. The chambers of imagery would not be soon forgotten, even if its import was explained. Terror sometimes prevailed, or it yielded to joy and repose. Some felt an immitigable dread, others a calm relief. The mystery of godliness is power. Christ dwells in the heart by faith. All the springs of our being are moved. His love constraineth us. Those greater mysteries claimed to impart an inward life. The spirit was supposed to emerge from a mystic death, to acquire new powers, and to occupy new relations. The regimen of its novitiate was called its birth. The man who had passed through these exercises was publicly hailed as endued with an existence higher than intellectual. He was of a privileged class. This new birth is to holiness. It is regeneration, a making of us again. It is renewing, a making of us afresh. With a marked description is this mystery announced; it is the mystery of godliness. This mystery is characterised by its attributes of purity and pious excellence. They belong to it. It has a tendency to inspire them. They are its ever-present glories and its invariable emanations. But here rebuke is dealt. Those arcana to which the mystery of holiness is opposed, were the scandal of the ages through which they survived. They were "works of darkness." But the proposition of the text is not exhausted. It asserts a particular use which the mystery of godliness subserves in relation to the truth. How is the mystery of the Incarnation the pillar and ground of the gospel? Its importance to the whole scheme of redeeming mercy is thus declared, and that importance is easily vindicated.

(R. W. Hamilton, D. D.)

The Incarnate God vindicated

R. W. Hamilton, D. D.

I. THE FACT OF A DIVINE INCARNATION IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST. The proposition is complex, and we will, in the first instance, reduce it to its parts.

1. The manhood of Messiah.

2. That Messiah always possessed the Divine nature while He has assumed our own. Though there may be none who argue from His Godhead against the reality of His Manhood, however it is to be feared that too many extenuate it, it is most common to argue from His Manhood against His Godhead.(1) Titles of Divinity and Manhood are given to Him. He is the Son of God and the Son of Man.(2) Attributes of infinity and limitation are ascribed to Him.(3) Representations of self-sufficience and dependence are assigned to Him.

II. This great mystery of godliness, God the Son taking our nature, is entitled A MANIFESTATION. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is in the face of Jesus Christ. To know the only true God is to know Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent. As we cannot understand God, who is a Spirit, God is manifest in the flesh. It is the sensible copy, the transparent mirror, by which He will be known. A manifestation is a making clear of that which is difficult and obscure. It is of frequent occurrence when the later Scriptures speak of Christ. "The life was manifested, and we have seen it, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested unto us." Now there were works which He was to do as well as revelations to unfold. Nor let us suppose that this manifestation was always unperceived and unappreciated. He was actually recognized. "In the beginning of miracles He manifested forth His glory, and His disciples believed on Him."

(R. W. Hamilton, D. D.)

The mystery of Godliness

1. It agrees to the main design of godliness.

2. It has a tendency to promote it.

3. It has the best influence upon it.

1. There is nothing in the mysteries of religion inconsistent with holiness to God, and beneficence to men.

2. The doctrines of Christianity have a tendency to promote all godliness.

3. The mysteries of religion have not only a tendency to promote godliness, but they give the best influence to it.

I. WHAT IS THE GODLINESS HERE MENTIONED? Looking into this will give us an argument for those doctrines that promote it.

1. One article of godliness, and indeed the chief of them is, that we should bow down, and worship, before the Lord our Maker.

2. Our likeness to God. Godliness is God's likeness.

3. Godliness consists in a communion with God, which is the exchange of love between Him and us.

4. This same godliness takes into it our expectation from God.

5. Godliness takes into it our regard to the Divine institutions.

6. Godliness takes into it our love to godly people.

7. Our usefulness to those who are yet without, is no small part of religion.

II. WE SHALL NOW INQUIRE HOW THIS GODLINESS, AS IT COMPREHENDS OUR DUTY TO GOD AND OUR BENEFICENCE TO MAN, IS PROMOTED BY THE MYSTERIES OF RELIGION.

1. Were it not for these mysteries we could not have had an open way to the throne of grace.

2. Another principle of godliness which the mysteries of religion do improve, is a reverence of the Divine Majesty.

3. It is in the belief of these doctrines that we feel the principles of our love to God, which are but the rebound of His to us.

4. We find by experience that this makes the worship of God our delight and pleasure.

5. In this revelation we have the greatest and best examples of our duty.

6. By this they were inspired with hope.

7. This has given good people a principle of charity to those that differ from them, and the truest value for those for whom they are agreed.I will close what you have heard with a short application.

1. If these are mysteries of godliness, then you see the true spring of the opposition that is made to them, not because they are above reason, but because they are against corruption, and hide pride from man.

2. Let us improve the doctrines of religion to this purpose, to make us better as well as wiser.

(T. Bradbury.)

God manifest in the flesh

S. Martin.

I. JESUS CHRIST WAS FLESH — A REAL MAN. This has been denied. Some have said that Jesus was a mere phantasm or phantom — that men felt they saw a body like our own, but it was a spectre, a vision — the eyes with which they beheld were the eyes of imagination. Others have said He was more than an airy appearance, but not flesh; that the nature of Christ was a special material manifestation, say, a cloud acted upon by Divine power and made to appear a human body. Some have said that the flesh was heavenly substance, and not of the earth earthy; something ethereal which ultimately became absorbed in the sun. Others, again, have held that in the body of Jesus there was no common principle of life and no human soul. Jesus Christ was flesh — real man — flesh — and bones and blood spirit and soul and body.

II. JESUS CHRIST WAS GOD MANIFEST IN FLESH. In this one Being we may see real Man and true God. He is not a godly Man, but God-man. A double life — higher and lower is indicated by many circumstances. He is born of a woman and conceived by the Holy Ghost. From Bethlehem to Olivet, and from Olivet to the great white throne, God is manifest in Jesus Christ's flesh.

III. THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOD MANIFEST IN FLESH IS A PROFOUND MYSTERY. The fact is declared, but the explanation is withheld. The manifestation of God in Jesus is proclaimed — the mode is hidden. Christian philosophers have, through centuries, tried to penetrate this manifestation; it is mystery still.

IV. THIS MYSTERY IS GREAT. Not a sham and a trick, not puerile and ridiculous, not useless and injurious as the mysteries of the ancient heathen and of corrupt churches, but real and magnificent, momentous, solemn, and blessed in intent. The incarnation does not exist for the mystery, but mystery necessarily enshrines the fact. And the fact, although great in wonderfulness, is equally great in wisdom and in power, in goodness and in love.

V. BUT THIS GREAT MYSTERY IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS. The mysterious fact, not the mysteriousness of the fact, is God's means of working godliness in us, and our means of working godliness to ourselves. Knowledge of God is essential to godliness; and this mystery is God manifest. The reality of God, His positive existence, His independence, His truth, His might, His wisdom, His knowledge, all the attributes that constitute Him the true God, are shown forth by Christ. The grace of God, His affection for His children, His graciousness to the penitent, these are revealed by Christ. A true and merciful God is manifested by the God-man. Faith in God is essential to godliness. Submission to God is essential to godliness; and this the mysteriousness of the incarnation secures. Love to God is essential to godliness. And to this the great mystery especially appeals. So that Jesus Christ as God manifest in flesh is a means of our knowing God, of our believing in God, and submitting to God, and loving God. This leads to devotion, entire consecration to God. This produces piety, the performance of every duty to God. The foundation of true religion is hereby laid bare, the object of religion is hereby disclosed, the nature of pure religion is hereby taught, the blessedness of godliness is hereby revealed, and godliness is hereby actually produced.

VI. GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS WITHOUT CONTROVERSY. That is, by the consent of all, God manifest in flesh is a great mystery. How many use the light of day without holding any theory as to its nature, or even knowing that theories have been formed! How many breathe the air in ignorance of its component parts and unable to comprehend the explanation which science can give! A knowledge of the chemistry of food and of the physiology of digestion is not essential to nutriment; and a man may live by his labour without having an idea of the philosophy of toil. Now here is spiritual light in which, mystery although it be, we may walk. And here is a moral atmosphere which, mystery though it be, we may breathe. And here is a sphere of godly life in which, mystery though it be, we may move and act. God manifest in flesh is the great mystery of godliness. The lessons hereby taught are these: —

1. To be godly we must respond to God-manifest. God cannot be correctly and adequately known except through Christ; and knowledge of God is essential to real religion.

2. To receive God-manifest we must bow to mystery.

3. If we have received this mystery let us do our duty by it.

(S. Martin.)

I. THE PERSON THAT HE SPEAKS OF IS GOD.

II. The great mystery of godliness tells us that this God was MANIFESTED. The revelation he has made of Himself is the ground of all our religion.

1. One manifestation that God has made of Himself is in a character that gives us our most early concern with Him, that He is the former of all things.

2. He is manifested as the object of universal worship. This flows from the former as a practical inference.

3. Another manifestation that we have of God, and in which the gospel exceeds all that went before, is that He is a lawgiver.

4. The gospel gives us a manifestation of the great God under the character of a judge.

5. God is manifested to us as one whom we have dishonoured; the offended party.

6. When God manifests Himself, it is as the author of our reconciliation.

7. God is manifested to us as the author or contriver of that righteousness in which we are justified.

8. God is manifest as the author and fountain of those graces by which we are wrought into his image.

9. God has manifested Himself as the great example and pattern of all our holiness.

10. Another manifestation that we have of God is, as He is the author and giver of those joys that are laid up for us in another world.

III. We are now to consider that particular MANIFESTATION of God which the text has led us to, and this is said to be IN THE FLESH.

1. He has manifested Himself in voices: He used to speak out to the world.

2. He manifested Himself by dreams and visions of the night (Job 33:15, 16).

3. He used to manifest Himself by raising up eminent persons, either as prophets to teach His people, or as saviours to defend them.

4. He manifested Himself in miracles.

5. He manifested Himself in a written law.

6. He manifested Himself by several ordinances.

7. He also manifested Himself by appearing frequently to them. The angel of His presence saved them (Isaiah 63:9).

8. The last and greatest manifestation that we have of God is in the flesh.(1) His being manifest in the flesh exceeds all the other manifestations that He gave of Himself, as it is more familiar.(2) This manifestation of God is most certain and convincing. Many times they could not tell whether it was God who spake to them or no.(3) This manifestation in the flesh is most expressive of our union to Him (Psalm 68:20).(4) This manifestation in the flesh was for the" working out of a great atonement (Hebrews 2:17).(5) By this manifestation in the flesh He gave the best instructions in the matter of our duty.(6) This gives us the greatest assurance of our happiness, because He has carried His body up with Him to heaven: Thither Jesus our forerunner is for us entered (Hebrews 6:20).(7) This shows the goodness of God our Saviour towards men (John 3:16).

IV. THE NOBLE CHARACTER THAT IS HERE GIVEN OF IT, AS A MYSTERY OF GODLINESS. Under this head there are two parts.

1. That it is a mystery.(1) Is it not a mystery that He who dwells in that light to which none can approach became visible to us?(2) Another thing mysterious in this doctrine is, that He who has prepared His throne in the heavens should dwell among men.(3) Another part of the mystery is, that He who has derived no being from a man should be born of a woman.(4) He who was Lord of all takes upon Him the form of a servant. This carries the wonder a little deeper.(5) He who was eternally holy came in the likeness of sinful flesh.(6) He whose kingdom rules over all is a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.(7) It is another mystery, that He who is blessed for ever should become a curse for His people.(8) It is another part of this mystery that the Prince of Life should be obedient to the death of the cross.

V. This is A MYSTERY OF GODLINESS, AND HAS A HAPPY INFLUENCE UPON ALL PRACTICAL RELIGION. People are the better for believing it.

1. This doctrine is a great argument of our duty to God.

2. The belief of God's being manifest in the flesh is raised upon our value for the revelation He has given us; and denying it carries the most dangerous conclusion against the best dispensation that ever a people were under.

3. This doctrine is the chief ground of our hope, and without that I am sure there can be no religion.

4. This doctrine is apparently the concern of good men, such as work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

5. There is no practical inconvenience in believing that God was manifest in the flesh; it does no harm to our seriousness in any one article of piety or comfort.

6. It is certainly a thing very desirable, and to be wished for, that He who was manifest in the flesh should be God.(1) It will be easily owned that for a God to be manifest in the flesh is infinitely more kind and condescending than for the highest creature that ever was formed.(2) In this we have a greater proof of the satisfaction that He has made.(3) In this doctrine we have a better ground for our dependence upon Him.Application:

1. Hence we see it is quite wrong to pretend any explication of this doctrine, because that is the way to destroy all the mystery. There are two glories in the article: First, that it is true; and secondly, that it is too great for the comprehension of human reason; and I am sure it is no service to the former if we are striving to lay aside the latter.

2. If it is a mystery there is no knowing it without the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10).

(T. Bradbury.)

Christ, the manifestation of God

W. H. Green.

We have no faculty by which to obtain an immediate perception of the Great Supreme. The King eternal, immortal, invisible, is by all unseen; and in His existence, His perfections, His purposes, He is to all beings a profound secret, except as He voluntarily discloses Himself to them. With what angels may know of God, or with what devils may know of God, we are not now particularly concerned. The text speaks of a manifestation of God to man. Man was not created to eat, and drink, and die; to pass his earthly existence absorbed in carnal pursuits, and earthly cares, and transitory pleasures. He was made to have communion with God, to serve Him, to contribute to His glory. But a God unknown and unrevealed cannot be worshipped nor obeyed. "God was manifest in the flesh." I do not feel it necessary to prove to you now that this actually took place at the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It is as plain as it can be upon the face of the passage, that this is the event to which the sacred writer refers. We wish to consider the Incarnation as a manifestation of God. It does appear as though God, whose it is to bring good out of evil, and to make the wrath of man to praise Him, had made the guilty trespass of man which needed the Incarnation in order to its atonement, the occasion of bringing Himself nearer to His creatures, and laying Himself more open to their astonished and admiring gaze, than He could have done, had not that which He abhors presented the occasion. We mean not to imply, of course, that God was wholly unknown in the world before the Incarnation, and that no other way existed or was possible than this, of arriving at a knowledge of His existence and attributes. There is a light in nature which reveals God, and there are lessons respecting Him spread out before the eyes of all men. But revelation has surpassed nature. We speak not now of its meeting those new necessities which the apostasy has introduced, and for which nature has not the semblance of a remedy; but of this one particular, which is now before us — the making known of God. Prophet and priest fulfilled each their course to teach the people knowledge; psalmists added their heaven-born strains; the Spirit of God, Himself the Author of these various lessons, taught them to the heart illumined by His grace. And here, again, if we knew not, from the actual fact, what was yet in reserve, we might be ready to ask what farther could be added to these teachings, so abundant, so comprehensive and so explicit of the Word of God, to make Jehovah better known? And yet, though the language of inspired communication may leave nothing untold which words can convey, and nothing farther to be desired, nothing even possible, in the way of description of the nature and perfections of the Most High; still it would introduce us to a nearer acquaintance with this dread Being if, instead of merely distantly hearing about Him, we should be made witnesses of His acts, and be permitted to gaze direct upon positive exhibitions of those attributes of power, and justice, and grace, of which we had been told. Here is another advance in the presentation of the knowledge of God. Thus, the fearful overthrow of Sodom, the plagues sent on hardened Pharaoh, the judgments on murmuring Israel, speak more impressively than any language, the holiness, the justice, and the dreadful vengeance of our God. So the various interpositions of God on behalf of His people, for their deliverance from danger and for their rescue from their foes, the magnificence of His descent on Sinai, the food He vouchsafed them in the desert, the guidance of the pillar of cloud and of fire, give a more vivid conception of God, and let us more into the beatings of His gracious heart, and show us more of the glory of His nature than any words can express. And now one might, with strong appearance of reason, conclude that the various modes of revealing God must be complete, and that nothing more can be imagined to be added to those already recited. And still the wisdom of God has shown us that it was not yet exhausted, that there was something yet possible, superior to them all. We would have pronounced it incredible had it not actually occurred. It is for the invisible God to make Himself visible, and assume a habitation among men, to be born, and live, and die. This, which was in appearance forbidden by His spirituality, His omnipresence, and His eternity, was nevertheless accomplished by God being manifested in the flesh. The unseen, eternal, omnipotent God dressed Himself in a human form, and gave Himself a local, temporal, tangible existence, so as to bring Himself within reach of our corporeal senses; He came down to dwell among us, not by a mere symbol of His presence, but really, personally, visibly. And thus He disclosed Himself to man, not at second hand, through the ministry of His servants, nor by occasional and momentary displays of His own dread power and magnificence, but by a life of intimate, uninterrupted converse in their midst. And now we ought, for the proper presentation of our subject, to go in some detail regarding the various perfections of the Divine nature, and show how, in respect to them all, our knowledge receives new confirmation and additional clearness by this manifestation of God in the flesh; and how, in the case of many, it receives large accessions above all that was previously known, or could, apart from the Incarnation, be known regarding them. And here be it observed, that we are not now speaking of Jesus as a teacher. The very existence of God receives new confirmation here. Indeed, some have referred to the miracles of Jesus as affording to their minds the only argument which was absolutely irrefragable, that there is an intelligible Being, the Author and the Lord of Nature. The unity of God is also freshly demonstrated both against the thousand deities of an idolatrous Paganism, and the two independent principles of good and evil of the Persian superstition, by the unlimited authority which Jesus freely exercised, commanding obedience in the kingdom of darkness as well as that of light. But we cannot delay on these and similar points. We pass to the holiness of God. This was set in a light by the Incarnation in which it never appeared before, and in which (without designing to limit the wisdom or power of God) we may say that, as far as we can judge, it could not have appeared without it. Our proof of this is drawn not from the fact, melancholy as it is, that the idea of holiness is entirely lost among the heathen, to whom God has not made Himself known. And thus it is with all the attributes of God. They all gather fresh lustre from the mystery of the Incarnation; and when they are viewed in the face of Jesus Christ, they appear with an impressiveness which they never before assumed. Where was the long-suffering of God ever so exhibited as we see it in Jesus? If He had given proofs before of His regard for the human race, what a nearness does this induce beyond anything else that is conceivable, that He should come and live among us and wear a human nature, become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, partake of our infirmities and weaknesses, that He might deliver us from them, and take our nature with Him to glory. We would like to have pointed out to you how the feelings of man's natural heart toward God were exhibited here likewise, in their treatment of God manifest in the flesh; how perfect goodness and celestial excellence raised against Him the malice which betrayed, condemned, and crucified Him; and how it is the same enmity of the natural heart still which leads so many to side with His persecutors, and if they do not madly cry, "Away with Him!" nevertheless to show by their lives as well as by their professions, that they will not have this Man to reign over them.

(W. H. Green.)

The mystery of the incarnate God

Why did God become incarnate

I. IN IT WE HAVE DISTINCTLY ANNOUNCED THE REDEEMER'S SUPREME AND ESSENTIAL DIVINITY. "God was manifested in the flesh." This is affirmed of Christ, of the Son.

II. THESE WORDS ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER'S PERFECT MANHOOD. Flesh here means our common humanity. You need not be told that it does not mean corrupt human nature; nor yet does it mean the body as distinct from the spirit; but human nature in its entireness as distinct from the Divine nature. "For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren." He did not merely seem man, nor merely assume the human shape, as He did when He appeared to the patriarchs and prophets previous to His Incarnation; but He was really and truly man, having flesh and blood, and body and spirit, and every element and characteristic of our common humanity.

III. The third important doctrine announced in the text is, THE UNION OF TWO DISTINCT AND WIDELY DISSIMILAR NATURES IN ONE PERSON. "God was manifest in the flesh." The doctrine of Scripture plainly is, that He is perfect God and perfect Man in one Person. The two natures were united, not blended: the human nature could not absorb the Divine, nor did the Divine absorb the human.

IV. The text affirms, THAT THIS MYSTERIOUS PROCEDURE RESULTED IN A SPECIAL AND PECULIAR DISPLAY OF THE GODHEAD. "God was manifested in the flesh." It does not merely mean that Deity became incarnate in our nature; but that through this mysterious event and others which were consequent upon it, the will, nature, attributes, and character of Jehovah were especially unfolded to the world, and made palpable to human observation and intelligence. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." He is "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person." "God was in Christ"; and Christ is manifested God. The representation is accurate, full, perfect, and, in most condescending and attractive form, supplies the identical vision of paternal Deity. "I and My Father are one." Nor is the manifestation confined to earth. In the person and work of the God-man, Jehovah stands forth revealed to angels as well as to men. The manifestation is made on a higher stage, on a wider theatre, and before intelligence more penetrating and lofty. What a wonderful and condescending method to teach us how to look on God!

V. THE GREAT OBJECTS WHICH THIS MYSTERIOUS EVENT WAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMPLISH. They were doubtless such as call for these wonderful means, and as required and justified their adoption. The vast and mysterious display of condescension and love furnished by God manifest in the flesh would not be made to secure trifling ends, nor for purposes which might have been accomplished by means lest costly and extraordinary. The objects contemplated, in short, are infinitely important. "God was manifested in the flesh" to teach us the Divine will and character, — to furnish a perfect Example for our imitation; that He might die to make a full atonement for our sins; that He might make an ample provision for our pardon and sanctification; that He might become our faithful and merciful High Priest, our sympathizing Friend, and powerful Advocate with God: that He might destroy the works and power of the devil.

1. We learn from this subject, that the Saviour provided for us is pre-eminently suited to His office.

2. We learn from this subject how confidently we may commit ourselves to this Saviour, and trust in Him for acceptance and life.

(S. Lucas.)

John Hall.

I. GOD INTENDED THEREBY TO REVEAL HIMSELF MORE CLEARLY AND LOVINGLY TO MAN.

II. THAT HE MIGHT UNITE CREATED BEINGS TO HIMSELF BY THE CLOSEST TIE, AND GIVE THE MOST AFFECTING PROOF OF HIS REGARD TO CREATED INTELLIGENCES LIKE OURSELVES.

III. THAT HE MIGHT IN OUR NATURE, AND AS ONE OF OURSELVES, GIVE THE MOST DISINTERESTED AND DECISIVE TESTIMONIES THAT HE WAS IN THE RIGHT.

IV. THAT HE MIGHT THEREBY GIVE THE STRONGEST EVIDENCE THAT THE DIGNITY AND HAPPINESS OF CREATURES WAS NOT ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH A STATE OF SUBJECTION, BUT THAT IT REALLY CONSISTED IN AN ENTIRE CONFORMITY TO THE DIVINE WILL.

V. THAT GOD MIGHT SHOW MORE HATRED TO SIN BY PARDONING THE TRANSGRESSOR THAN BY PUNISHING HIM.

VI. THAT HE MIGHT AFFORD THE FULLEST SECURITY OF HIS PEOPLE'S SALVATION.

(John Hall.)

The divinity of Christ

R. S. Barrett.

Like a coronation crown robbed of its jewels, so is the gospel divested of the divinity of Christ. It is true there is pure gold left in the moral teaching and the matchless precept, but gaping cavities show where once the chief glory shone. Nor is the gospel alone mutilated by denying the divinity of Jesus. The character of Jesus as a man is brought down from a calm, consistent teacher to a sincere, insane enthusiast. From divinity to insanity — that is an awful descent! But there is no alternative. Not only is the gospel and the character of Jesus mutilated by a denial of His divinity, but my relation to Him is desolated. I find that I cannot touch the divinity of Jesus without touching my respect for His person. I might respect Him if He were a prophet like Moses or Elijah, or if He were a hero like Charlemagne or Luther. But as one who made the claims that He made, as one who demands my whole heart and my adoration, I must give Him that or nothing — or at most a tear. Without Christ's divinity my life's light dims, my love chills, my hope fades, the sunlight dies out of the spiritual landscape, and all things lose their clearness in the universal shadow.

(R. S. Barrett.)

The incarnation of God

R. S. Barrett.

Paganism is misplaced incarnation. Some of these fancied incarnations are very revolting, and some of them are really sublime. The Egyptian's cat and crocodile are gross forms for God to take. The horrid fetiches of the Dark Continent are even worse. The Greek mythologies are classic and beautiful: There is something imposing in the fire-worship of the Parsecs, and the Indian's river-god moving in majesty. But when God did really come to dwell among us, He came as a human child, an infant in its mother's arms. This is at once the most mysterious, the most beautiful, and the most universal form God could take, as far as we can think. The most mysterious, because Darwin and Huxley acknowledge no more baffling mystery than that of mother and child. The most beautiful, because Raphael and Murillo attempted to paint nothing more beautiful than a child in its mother's arms. The most universal, because the traveller who encircles the earth hears no voice which declares the brotherhood of man like the voice of an infant. It is a universal language, always the same, whether the plaintive cry come from the Indian papoose hanging from the bending bow, or from the Italian bambino among the sunny hills of Tuscany. The same one touch of nature, whether coming from Laplander's furs, or Hottentot's booth, or Hindoo's bungalow, or Turk's kiosk, or Arab's tent, or the silken curtains of a palace, or the squalid poverty of a garret. Mysterious! Beautiful! Universal!

(R. S. Barrett.)

Of Christ's humiliation in His Incarnation

T. Watson.

Why was Jesus Christ made flesh?

1. The especial and repulsive cause was free grace; it was love in God the Father to send Christ, and love in Christ that He came to be incarnate. Love was the intrinsical motive.

2. Christ took our flesh upon Him that He might take our sins upon Him. He took our flesh that He might take our sins, and so appease God's wrath.

3. Christ took our flesh that He might make the human nature appear lovely to God, and the Divine nature appear lovely to man. As when the sun shines on the glass it casts a bright lustre, so Christ, being clad with our flesh, makes the human nature shine and appear amiable in God's eyes. As Christ, being clothed with our flesh, makes the human nature appear lovely to God, so He makes the Divine nature appear lovely to man. Now we need not be afraid to look upon God, seeing Him through Christ's human nature. It was a custom of old among the shepherds, they were wont to clothe themselves with sheep-skins to be more pleasing to the sheep; so Christ clothed himself with our flesh that the Divine nature may be more pleasing to us.

4. Jesus Christ united Himself to man "that man might be drawn nearer to God." God before was an enemy to us by reason of sin; but Christ taking our flesh doth mediate for us, and bring us into favour with God. If Solomon did so wonder that God should dwell in the temple, which was enriched and hung with gold, how may we wonder that God should dwell in man's weak and frail nature? Behold here a secret riddle or paradox, "God manifest in the flesh." The text calls it a mystery. That man should be made in God's image was a wonder; but that God should be made in man's image is a greater wonder. From hence, "God manifest in the flesh, Christ born of a virgin," a thing not only strange in nature, but impossible, learn that there are no impossibilities with God. He would not be our God if He could not do more than we can think. He can reconcile contraries. How apt are we to be discouraged with seeming impossibilities! How do our hearts die within us when things go cross to our sense and reason! What will it profit us, that Christ was born into the world, unless He be born into our hearts: that He was united to our nature, unless He be united to our persons? Be like Christ in grace. He was like us in having our flesh, let us be like Him in having His grace.

(T. Watson.)

Justified in the spirit.

The Incarnate God vindicated

R. W. Hamilton, D. D.

Flesh and spirit are opposed to each other as terms. The spirit is not made to stand for the human soul, for that is included in the word flesh; signifying all the constituents of humanity. Nor does the spirit intend the Third Person of the Trinity, for there is antithesis, and the contrast must be found in the same person respecting whom it is affirmed. God was manifest in the flesh, in His flesh: was justified in the spirit, in His spirit. Now, then, we proceed to inquire, Is the assurance of our Lord's Divinity, its perfect evidence, the justification of all His acts and undertakings during His manifestation in flesh amongst us?

1. A manner of very original dignity and pre-eminent authority was assumed by Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus Christ was punished with death under the accusation of blasphemy.

3. Imposture was laid to the charge of Jesus Christ.

4. Jesus Christ undertook mediatorial suretyship and representation.

5. Jesus Christ bore the Imputation, and was subjected to the stigma, of human guilt.

6. The methods which the Saviour pursued for the accomplishment of His ends seemed unlikely and ineffective.

7. Certain promises were made by the Son of God to His people, which must always have tested His power to fulfil them.

8. The dispositions and exercises of mind which the Redeemer inculcated on His disciples in respect of Himself, may create a strange suspense.

(R. W. Hamilton, D. D.)

Justified in the spirit

These words are added to answer an objection that may rise from the former. He was "God manifest in the flesh." He veiled Himself. He could not have suffered else. He appeared to be nothing but a poor man, a debased, dejected man: a persecuted, slandered, disgraced man in the world. He was thought to be a trespasser. It is no matter what He appeared, when He was veiled with our flesh; He was "justified in the spirit," to be the true Messiah; to be God as well as man. "Justified." It implies two things in the phrase of Scripture: a freedom and clearing from false conceits and imputations, and declared to be truly what He was; to be otherwise than He was thought to be of the wicked world. "In the spirit." That is, in His Godhead: that did show itself in His life and death, in His resurrection and ascension. He was "justified" in a double regard.

1. In regard of God, He was justified and cleared from our sins that He took upon Him. He "bore our sins upon the tree," and bore them away, that they should never appear again to our discomfort. Now, the Spirit raising Him from the dead, showed that the debt was fully discharged, because our Surety was out of prison. All things are first in Christ and then in us. He was acquitted and justified from our sins, and then we.

2. And then He was justified by the Spirit from all imputations of men, from the misconceits that the world had of Him. They thought Him to be a mere man, or a sinful man. No. He was more than a mere man; nay, more than a holy man; He was God-man.The reason why He justified Himself to be so.

1. It was the more to strengthen our faith. All His miracles were but so many sparkles of His Divine nature, so many expressions of His Divine power; and —

2. To stop the mouths of all impudent rebellious persons. "Justified in the spirit."Then first of all —

1. Christ will at length justify Himself. This is a ground of faith. However He be now as a sign set up that many speak against and contradict, yet the time will come when He will gloriously justify Himself to all the world. That is our comfort. Now, as it were, His offices are darkened: His kingly office is darkened and His prophetical office is darkened; but at length it will appear that He is King of the Church, and all kingdoms will be Christ's. There are glorious times coming, especially the glorious day of the resurrection. Christ at length will be cleared, He will be justified. The sun at length will scatter all the clouds. Again, as Christ will justify Himself, so He will justify His Church and children, first or last, by His Spirit. His children are now accounted the offscouring of the world. Therefore in our eclipses and disgraces let us all comfort ourselves in this. How do we justify Christ?(1) We justify Christ when, from an inward work of the Spirit, we feel and acknowledge Him to be such an one as He is: Christ is God.(2) Those that have Christ illuminating their understandings, to conceive the mysteries of religion, they justify Christ to be the Prophet of His Church; because they feel Him enlightening their understandings.(3) Those that find their consciences pacified, by the obedience and sacrifice of Christ, they justify Him to be their Priest; for they can oppose the blood of Christ sprinkled on their hearts, to all the temptations of Satan, and to the risings of their own doubting conscience.(4) In a word, we justify and declare and make good that He is our King, and put a kingly crown upon His head, when we suffer Him to rule us and to subdue our spirits and our rebellions; when we cherish no contrary motions to His Spirit; when we rest in His word and not traditions, but stoop to the sceptre of Christ's Word. In particular, we justify Him, that "He rose from the dead" when we believe that we are freed from our sins, our Surety being out of prison. In the next place, for our direction; as Christ justified Himself by His Spirit, by His Divine power, so let us know that it is our duty to justify ourselves, to justify our profession, justify all Divine truth. Let us make it good that we are the sons of God, that we are Christians indeed; not only to have the name, but the anointing of Christ; that we may clear our religion from false imputations; or else, instead of justifying our profession, we justify the slanders that are against it. How shall this be? The text saith, "by the Spirit." For as Christ "justified" Himself, that is, declared Himself to be as He was "by His Spirit," so every Christian hath the "Spirit of Christ, or else He is none of His" (Romans 8:9).

(R. Sibbes.)

Justified in the spirit

Jesus justified in the spirit

There is in the words a twofold antithesis, or distinction from what went before.

1. The first is in the nature or kind of the revelation; in the flesh He was manifest, in the spirit He is justified. The former does not carry the discovery far enough for His whole glory; many saw that who were strangers to the latter.

2. The other distinction here is about the manner of the discovery. He was manifest in the flesh, He is justified in the spirit; which may be understood these three ways.(1) He was justified in the spirit, i.e., the seat of this justification, the place where it is fixed, is the soul of man. That He was manifest in the flesh we could see with our eyes; but when He is justified, that lies all within; there the mind, the conscience, the affections, take in the argument. And this is the great work of the Holy Spirit; the thing that He has in charge.(2) The nature of this justification is all spiritual. As it is delivered to the mind and conscience, so it impresses these in a way suitable to the spirit of man. His manifestation was in the flesh, by miracles, signs, and wonders, to show His power; by meekness, humility, and patience, to show his purity; by trouble, shame, and death, to declare His merit. These were external, the facts upon which He sustained His character were seen abroad, the thing was not done in a corner; but the manner of conveying this to the soul is different. The things of the Spirit of God are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14).(3) That the Spirit is the Author of this justification; it is He that works upon our souls in the manner that I have been describing.

I. We shall inquire into the sense of the words, that Christ Jesus was JUSTIFIED.

1. He had a Divine approbation, both to His character and to His actions. That He was the Messiah, the anointed of the Lord; and that what He did was right and good (John 8:29).

2. He was also praised and admired as another part of His justification (Romans 3:4).

II. ON WHAT HEADS IS CHRIST THUS JUSTIFIED?

1. As to His mission, that He was sent of God.

2. As to His personal glory.

3. As to His fitness for the undertaking.

4. As to the propriety of those methods that He used.

5. As to His claim of the great reward above.

6. As to His actual possession of it.

III. THE SCRIPTURE HAS FURNISHED US WITH SEVERAL PARTICULARS. CHRIST WAS JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT.

1. By the prophetical warnings that were given of Him.

2. By His personal furniture.

3. At the hour of His death and suffering.

4. More especially at His resurrection.

5. At the day of Pentecost.

6. In the conviction of sinners.

7. In the consolation of believers.

IV. HE WHO IS THUS JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT IS NO OTHER THAN THE MOST HIGH GOD.

V. THAT IT IS A MYSTERY OF GODLINESS.

1. It is a thing mysterious in its own nature, that He who was manifest in the flesh should be justified in the spirit.(1) One testimony given to our blessed Lord was concerning His death; and you may look upon it as a mystery that He should take such a way to carry on His design, as all mankind imagined would be fatal to it (1 Corinthians 1:25).(2) It is a mystery that He should be owned by the Father at the same time that He thought Himself forsaken.(3) Another mystery is this, that the very thing which seemed to hinder the faith of men should afterwards encourage it. I mean the death of our blessed Lord.(4) It is still further a mystery that He who appeared at His death, as if He was entirely in the enemies hands, should soon after declare His own power at the resurrection.(5) The manner of the Spirit's justifying Christ in a soul that was filled with prejudice against Him is very mysterious. Application:

1. If the justification of Christ in the Spirit is such a mystery, it is no wonder that the honour of our Lord is so much struck at.

2. This shows us how vain all the ways of promoting the knowledge of Christ will be that are not agreeable to the Spirit.

VI. You will see that it is a mystery of GODLINESS, by considering the influence it has upon the following principles.

1. By this we learn to approach with reverence to Him with whom we have to do.

2. If God is justified in our spirits it will fill us with a care to please Him.

3. This gives us humble thoughts of ourselves.

4. This inspires us with charity to others.

5. Another principle that the testimony of the Spirit has an influence upon is, that peace and hope that runs through the lives of believers.

6. It prepares him for a dying hour; he dare trust his soul to the care of a Redeemer at last. Lord Jesus receive my spirit.

(T. Bradbury.)

I. JUSTIFYING IS THE ABSOLVING FROM A CHARGE AND PRONOUNCING INNOCENT. Thus, wisdom is justified of her children. They clear her from the accusations of her enemies, and declare their sentiments of her as excellent and lovely. But from what charge was He justified? It is an important truth that, by His glorious resurrection, and the consequent effusion of the Spirit, He was declared absolved from the sins which were laid upon Him as our Surety and Substitute.

1. He was justified by His Divine nature, or by those beams of Divinity which often broke forth, and brightly shone, in His darkest nights of humiliation and suffering. He did not display His royalty by a splendid equipage, by sumptuous entertainments, or by advancing His followers to worldly honours. But He displayed it more gloriously by giving, what no earthly prince could give, health to the diseased, life to the dead, virtue to the profligate, and pardon to the guilty. When He discovered the signs of human infirmity He also discovered the attributes of Divine glory and power.

2. Jesus was justified; and the charges of enthusiasm or imposture, which ignorance or malice brought against Him, were confuted by the Holy Ghost. The character of the Messiah, which inspired prophets had delineated, fully proved that Jesus was indeed the Christ. His Spirit that was in them testified, long before His appearance, the time, place, and manner of His birth; the circumstances of His life and death, His deep humiliation and abasement; and the glory which should follow. John, who was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb, pointed Him out as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. In the meantime, let your temper and conduct justify those claims of Jesus, which others reject and condemn. Justify His claim of divinity. Did Jesus, by the Spirit, justify His claims? Under the influence of the Spirit, justify your pretensions to the character of Christians, and display the excellency of that character.

(J. Erskine, D. D.)

The vindicated Saviour

I. THE SPIRIT VINDICATED THE SAVIOUR BY DEMONSTRATING THE GODHEAD WHICH HE PROFESSED. The evidence is spread over a wide field, but it is clear and decisive. The Spirit testified of Him in the prophets, foretelling His Divine character, as well as sufferings and subsequent glory. Amid His lowest forms of abasement and reproach the prophet seers recognise in Him the full majesty of the Godhead, and all the prerogatives of the Infinite. Not less clear and decisive are the inspired statements of the New Testament. His Godhead is announced without faltering or hesitation. And that nothing might be wanting to the demonstration, the Spirit raised Him from the dead.

II. THE SPIRIT VINDICATED THE SAVIOUR BY ATTESTING HIS RIGHT TO THE CLAIMS WHICH HE PUT FORTH. These claims were of the most lofty character, embracing, in fact, the office of the Messiah, and all the prerogatives and perfections of the Most High God. He claimed to be the Light and Life of the world, the authorized Teacher of the will of God, the Head and Sovereign of the Church, and the Creator, Ruler, and Judge of all men. He challenged as His right the government and homage of the universe. These lofty claims the Spirit solemnly attested and justified.

III. THE SPIRIT VINDICATED THE SAVIOUR BY CLEARING HIM FROM ALL THE ASPERSIONS WITH WHICH HIS ENEMIES CALUMINIATED HIS PERSON AND CHARACTER.

IV. THE SPIRIT VINDICATED THE SAVIOUR BY COMPLETING THE REVELATION WHICH HE HIMSELF COMMENCED. By new or fuller revelations He finished the Divine system of truth which had already been largely unfolded by the personal teaching and history of Christ.

V. The spirit has vindicated the Saviour by bestowing the blessings which He professed to have purchased. He not only revealed the truth which Christ left partially or wholly unrevealed: but also communicated the blessings which He claimed to have procured for man by His sufferings and death.

VI. The Spirit vindicated the Saviour by displaying His glory. He has lifted and removed the veil which shrouded him, and shown us the awful splendour of the August One who tabernacled in the likeness of sinful flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. To unfold the Redeemer's mantled glory was one great object of the revelation which the Spirit inspired. It illuminated the deepest depths of His humiliation and reproach, and shone through the darkest eclipse of His Divinity. The prophets saw the Redeemer as Jehovah of hosts, with His train of ineffable glory filling the temple, and shining through heaven and earth. The Spirit, in short, led them to a height of vision whence they saw eternity and immensity filled with the majesty of His infinite Being, and flaming with the brightness of His immeasurable perfections. Then again, how did the Spirit display the Redeemer's glory through the stupendous miracles which He wrought!

(S. Lucas.)

Seen of angels

Jesus seen of angels

I. FOR EXPLAINING THIS SUBJECT, I OBSERVE —

1. Angels were witnesses of the most important events which concerned the Redeemer.

2. The angels, who beheld this amazing scene, were honoured to minister to Jesus in these His sufferings. Thus, after our Lord's temptation in the wilderness, we read, "Then the devil leaveth Him, and behold angels come and minister unto Him" (Matthew 4:11).

3. Angels behold and pry into the grand designs, for which Infinite Wisdom ordained all this scene of condescension and suffering. They not only saw God manifest in the flesh, but they saw the purposes for which He was thus manifest, for which He lived, for which He died.

4. While beholding the love which prompted the Son of God thus to condescend and thus to suffer, angels learn to love, and willingly to attend upon, and minister to the meanest of those whom the Lord of angels loved, and for whose salvation He stooped so low.

5. Angels, who saw God manifest in the flesh, were the first publishers to man of some of the most important events which they witnessed. An angel acquainted Daniel that the Messiah should be cut off, though not for Himself. An angel was the first publisher of the Saviour's birth.

II. AND NOW TO CONCLUDE WITH A FEW PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.(1) How shocking the folly and ingratitude of many! Angels desire to look into the mysteries of grace: and men, more nearly concerned in them, esteem it a disparagement to bestow upon them one serious thought. They shut their eyes, despise and scoff, while angels gaze, and wonder, and adore.(2) Imitate angels. The sufferings and glory of the Redeemer are their favourite meditation. Let them also be yours. Count all things loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.(3) Rejoice that He who was seen of angels was manifest in the flesh. Triumph, oh Christian, in that name Immanuel, God with us. In creation man was made a little lower than the angels. In redemption, the Son of God, by assuming our nature, has done infinitely greater honour to us than to them.(4) Ask your hearts, Have we ever seen the Lord? You have heard of Him with the hearing of the ear. Have you, by the eye of faith, so seen Him as to abhor yourselves, and repent in dust and ashes? Doth beholding His glory remove prejudice against Him, captivate your hearts, and transform you to His image?

(J. Erskine, D. D.)

Seen of angels

God manifested to angels by the scheme of human redemptio

The word is not altogether so fitly translated, for it is more pregnant than it is here rendered, "He was seen." It is true. But He was seen with admiration and wonderment of angels.

1. They saw Him with wonderment. For was it not a wonder that God should stoop so low as to be shut up in the straits of a virgins' womb? It was matter of admiration to the angels to see the great God stoop so low, to be clothed in such a poor nature as man's, that is meaner than their own.

2. And because He was their Head, as the Second Person, and they were creatures to attend upon Christ, their sight and wonderment must tend to some practice suitable to their condition. Therefore they so see and wondered at Him, as that they attended upon Christ in nil the passages of His humiliation and exultation — in His life, in His death, in His resurrection and ascension.

3. They saw Him so as they were witnesses of Him to man. They gave testimony and witness of Him.(1) Shall angels see and wonder at these things? at the love and mercy and wisdom of God in governing His Church, in joining together things irreconcilable to man's comprehension, infinite justice with infinite mercy in Christ, that God's wrath and justice should be satisfied in Christ, and thereby infinite mercy showed to us? Shall they wonder at it, and joy and delight in it, and shall we slight those things that are the wonderment of angels? There are a company of profane spirits — I would there were not too many among us — that will scarce vouchsafe to look into these things, that have scarcely the book of God in their houses. They can wonder at a story, or a poem, or some frothy device; at base things net worthy to be reckoned of.(2) Again, from hence, that Christ was seen and attended on and admired by angels, there is a great deal of comfort issueth to us. So we have a derivative comfort from the attendance of angels upon Christ. But surely, whatsoever they did to Him they do to us, because there is the same respect to Head and members. And hence we have the ground of the perpetuity of it, that they will for ever be attendants to us; because their love and respect to us is founded upon their love and respect to Christ. Likewise, it may comfort us in all our extremities whatsoever, in all our desertions. The time may come, beloved, that we may be deserted of the world, and deserted of our friends; we may be in such straits as we may have nobody in the world near us. Oh! but if a man be a true Christian, he hath God and angels about him alway. A Christian is a king; he is never without his guard, that invisible guard of angels.

(R. Sibbes.)

n: —

I. IN THE DEPTH OF HIS CONDESCENSION. It is probable that even angels cannot directly see God in the Person of the Father, and in His infinite essence. They see Him only in the displays of His glory. His condescension reaches to the lowest depth. They see Him reigning with the Father amid the ineffable glories of heaven, "making Himself of no reputation, and taking upon Him the form of a servant, and humbling Himself to become obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross."

II. In the scheme of godliness, GOD WAS SEEN OF ANGELS IN THE MYSTERY OF HIS INCARNATION. This event, so strange and unparalleled in its character, would awaken their deepest interest, and largely engage their attention. They would learn something of it from the first promise, although it doubtless involved much more than they at first perceived. We are not to suppose, however, that the whole mystery of His incarnation was then made known to angels.

III. In the scheme of godliness GOD WAS SEEN OF ANGELS IN THE SUPREME WISDOM OF HIS COUNCILS. In its contrivance and execution, they saw a display of intelligence which had never before impressed them.

IV. In the scheme of godliness, GOD WAS SEEN OF ANGELS IN THE SOLEMN MAJESTY OF HIS JUSTICE. Never had they seen this attribute stand out in such tremendous manifestation, as when they saw Christ made "a propitiation to declare the righteousness of God for the remission of sins that are past."

V. In the scheme of godliness, GOD WAS SEEN OF ANGELS IN THE IMMENSE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HIS POWER. They saw all power in heaven and in earth committed to the incarnate Son, and omnipotently wielded for the rescue of man, and for the overthrow of his enemies.

VI. In the scheme of godliness, GOD WAS SEEN OF ANGELS IN THE INFINITE TENDERNESS OF HIS LOVE. Here they saw the fullest manifestation of this attribute, and gathered their loftiest conceptions of its depth and height. Here they first saw its peculiar mode, mercy. They had seen it developed as goodness, as infinite benignity before, but not its peculiar form, mercy. They required no sacrifice.

VII. In the mystery of godliness, GOD WAS SEEN OF ANGELS IN THE PERFECT HARMONY OF HIS ATTRIBUTES.

VIII. In the scheme of godliness, GOD WAS SEEN OF ANGELS IN THE GRANDEUR OF HIS ULTIMATE PURPOSES. What a host of unparalleled events rush on their brightening view! Earth redeemed! — devils vanquished! — death destroyed! — angels established! — the universe conserved! — sin and ruin all confined to hell! — man saved! — Messiah enthroned, and crowned with all power and glory! — the whole Godhead illustrated! — the Father glorified! — and all the faithful host of God united into one great and rejoicing family for ever! What purposes are unfolded here! We thus learn that the scheme of our redemption deeply interests the whole universe.

(S. Lucas.)

Seen of angels

I. WHAT IS IT FOR THAT GOD WHO WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH AND JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT TO BE SEEN OF ANGELS?

1. We may hence collect the esteem they had for the person of our Lord.

2. The esteem the angels had for our blessed Lord appears from their care to promote the design that He came about. Christ is seen and admired of the angels in His design as well as His person because it is their care to spread the gospel.

II. The next general head is to consider it as a MYSTERY that our God should be seen of angels. Now this part of the story, that He was seen of angels, is wonderful.

1. This was a Saviour of whom they had no need, for they never sinned.

2. It farther enhances this wonder that they should pay so much regard to one who came down into a nature beneath their own.

III. I have no more to do upon this branch of the Christian religion than to show you how it is a mystery of GODLINESS.

1. The belief of this gives life and soul to our duty.

2. Another act of our duty is a courageous profession of His name.

3. From His being seen of angels, in the way that I have described, we are encouraged in our dependence upon His grace, as that which is sufficient for us.

4. Here is an argument for your care and love to the people of a Redeemer.

Preached unto the Gentiles

Preached to the Gentiles

Jesus preached unto the Gentiles

First of all, there must be a dispensation of Christ. See the equity of this even from things among men. It is not sufficient that physic be provided; but there must be an application of it. It is not sufficient that there is a treasure; but there must be a digging of it out. It is not sufficient that there be a candle or light; but there must be a holding out of the light for the good and use of others. It was not sufficient that there was a "brazen serpent," but the brazen serpent must be "lifted up" that the people might see it. It is not sufficient that there be tapestry and glorious hangings, but there must be an unfolding of them. What it is to preach.

1. To preach is to open the mystery of Christ, to open whatsoever is in Christ; to break open the box that the savour may be perceived of all. To open Christ's natures and person what it is; to open the offices of Christ. And likewise the states wherein He executed His office. First, the state of humiliation. But it is not sufficient to preach Christ, to lay open all this in the view of others; but in the opening of them there must be application of them to the use of God's people, that they may see their interest in them; and there must be an alluring of them, for to preach is to woo. And because people are in a contrary state to Christ, "to preach Christ" is even to begin with the law, to discover to people their estate by nature. A man can never preach the gospel that makes not way for the gospel by showing and convincing people what they are out of Christ. This preaching is that whereby God dispenseth salvation and grace ordinarily. And God in wisdom sees it the fittest way to dispense His grace to men by men. Why?(1) To try our obedience to the truth itself. He would have men regard the things spoken, not for the person that speaks them, but for the excellency of the things.(2) And then God would knit man to man by bonds of love. Now there is a relation between pastor and people by this ordinance of God.(3) And then it is more suitable to our condition. We could not hear God speak, or any more excellent creatures.(4) And it is more proportionable to our weakness to have men that speak out of experience from themselves that preach the gospel, that they have felt the comfort of themselves. It works the more upon us. Let us therefore set a price upon God's ordinance. There must be this dispensation. Christ must be "preached." Preaching is the chariot that carries Christ up and down the world. But then, in the next place, this preaching it must be of Christ; Christ must be "preached." But must nothing be preached but Christ? I answer, Nothing but Christ, or that that tends to Christ. The foundation of all these duties must be from Christ. The graces for these duties must be fetched from Christ; and the reasons and motives of a Christian's conversation must be from Christ, and from the state that Christ hath advanced us unto. The prevailing reasons of a holy life are fetched from Christ. Now Christ must be preached wholly and only. "we must not take anything from Christ, nor join anything to Christ. Christ must be preached; but to whom? "To the Gentiles." Here lies the mystery, that Christ, who was "manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit," etc., should be "preached to the Gentiles." But why did God suffer the Gentiles to "walk in their own ways"? (Acts 14:16). "Why did He neglect and over look the Gentiles, and suffer them to go on "in their own ways," so many thousand years before Christ came? Were they not God's creatures as well as the Jews? I answer, This is a mystery, that God should suffer those witty people, that were of excellent parts, to go on "in their own ways." But there was matter enough in themselves. He need not call God to our bar to answer for Himself. They were malicious against the light they knew. They imprisoned the light of nature that they had, as it is Romans 1:21. They were unfaithful in that they had. It is God's sovereignty. He must let God do what He will. Therefore we cannot be too much thankful for that wondrous favour which we have enjoyed so long time together under the glorious sunshine of the gospel. Hence we have a ground likewise of enlarging the gospel to all people, because the Gentiles now have interest in Christ; that merchants and those that give themselves to navigation, they may with good success carry the gospel to all people. There are none shut out now since Christ in this last age of the world; and certainly there is great hope of those western people.

(R. Sibbes.)

I. I AM TO REPRESENT IN WHAT MANNER CHRIST WAS PREACHED TO THE GENTILES.

1. The great truths which relate to Christ were declared and explained to them. Christ, therefore, was the chief, though not the only subject of the apostle's sermons, and everything else was preached in reference to Him. "What we are told of Paul's sermons at Corinth and Rome is equally true of the sermons of the rest of the apostles. What were the things concerning Christ which they taught it is impossible to say in one sermon. The undertaking of Christ in the covenant of redemption and the promises then made Him by the Father; His personal glory, both as the Equal and Fellow of the Almighty, and as anointed in His human nature with the Holy Ghost and with power; His fitness as God-man for redeeming lost mankind.

2. The apostles laid before their hearers sufficient evidence of the truths concerning Christ in which they were instructed. Thus Paul confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that Jesus is very Christ. At a synagogue in Thessalonica, as his manner was, he went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead, and that Jesus is the Christ.

3. The apostles invited and commanded their hearers to believe on Christ, to receive Him, and to rest on Him alone for salvation. Christ and the blessings of His purchase were freely offered to all, and all were invited and enjoined to accept them.

II. I am next to show IN WHAT RESPECT CHRIST PREACHED TO THE GENTILES IS A MYSTERY. It was mysterious that, for a long period, God suffered them to walk in their own ways, giving His statutes unto Jacob and His testimonies unto Israel, while He dealt not so with other nations. This, however, was a mystery of wisdom. Still, however, it remains a mystery that to the Gentiles Christ was preached when they were at the very worst. Search the inspired Epistles and tell me was Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, or Crete celebrated for sobriety, charity, justice, benevolence, and other humane and social virtues, when the apostles were sent to publish in their ears the religion of Jesus? Did they generally resemble a Socrates, an Aristides, a Fabricius, a Camillus? Alas! wisdom and goodness were far from them. What can we say to these things? How unsearchable are God's judgments, and His ways past finding out! When offers of salvation were made in the amplest manner to a generation so enlightened and yet so profligate, does not this manifest that all, however vile and unworthy, are welcome of the Saviour? The confirmation of Christianity might be another end of this mysterious dispensation. The gospel was intended to subdue sinners to Christ. God, therefore, first sends it on that design, in an age where it was to meet with the greatest opposition, that its amazing conquests might manifest its Divine original. And this leads me to observe that the effects of the preaching of Christ to the Gentiles were mysterious and amazing. When the men of Cyprus and Cyrene spoke to the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus, the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

(J. Erskine, D. D.)

The proclaimed Saviour

Preached unto the Gentiles

I. HE WAS PREACHED UNTO THE GENTILES AS THE DIVINE SON OF GOD. II. THE INCARNATE GOD WAS PREACHED UNTO THE GENTILES AS HAVING BY HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS PRESENTED AN ATONING SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.

III. CHRIST WAS PREACHED UNTO THE GENTILES AS THE HIGH PRIEST AND DAYS-MAN APPOINTED TO MEDIATE BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, AND TO RECONCILE MAN TO HIS OFFENDED CREATOR.

IV. THE INCARNATE GOD WAS PREACHED UNTO THE GENTILES AS THE GRAND CENTRE AND MEANS OF UNION TO THE WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD.

V. CHRIST WAS PREACHED TO THE GENTILES AS THE SUPREME AND UNIVERSAL JUDGE.

(S. Lucas.)

I. I am to explain the thing itself that is here said of Christ Jesus, that the God who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, and seen of angels, is now PREACHED UNTO THE GENTILES. What is the import of the expression that He was preached? The word signifies the office of a herald, or, as some think, of an ambassador.

1. To preach Christ is to declare that He is the only Mediator between God and man; and when this is preached among the Gentiles, it is to turn them from the error of their way, and the vile abominations they were got into.

2. When we preach Christ, we represent Him

as sufficient to answer all the danger that our souls are in.

3. Preaching Christ is telling these things in the plainest and most open way we can.

4. We preach Christ as One who is willing to seek and save that which is lost.

5. Our preaching of Christ signifies the pains we are at in persuading people to come to Him.

6. We assert His authority over the whole creation, and especially over the Churches; that He has the government upon His shoulder; that all power is given to Him in heaven and in earth.

7. In this preaching of Christ we have an eye to that state where His glory shall be seen and ours complete.

II. The other part of the truth contained in this text is, that He was preached unto the Gentiles; by whom we are to understand all the rest of the world, who had been, by the providence of God, a long while distinguished from one particular people.

1. You will see, by going over some historical accounts, that until the gospel came to be preached in this last and best edition, religion confined and drew in itself by every new dispensation. As, for example —(1) When God had revealed that promise, which was the blooming gospel, that the seed of the woman should break the serpent's head, as it was delivered to our first parents, so it equally concerned all their posterity.(2) After the flood, when our whole nature consisted of no more than what came out of the ark, Noah had three sons — Shem, Ham, and Japhet — and it is only the first of these among whom the true worship was maintained.(3) Here is still a farther narrowing of the Divine interest; for though Abraham's whole family were taken into an external covenant during his own days, yet one-half of them are cut off afterwards.(4) Here is a farther limitation; for though Isaac had the promise renewed to him — that in his seed should all the families of the earth be blessed — yet that is only to be understood of one-half.(5) Jacob's whole family, indeed, remain possessed of the true religion, and all the twelve tribes are brought out of Egypt; but in Jeroboam's time ten of them fall off both from their king and their God.(6) Whether the ten tribes returned with the two or not — as to me it seems probable they did — yet you find in a little time they revive the old prejudice. The Samaritans were supposed by the Jews not to be of the stock of Israel; but it is plain they always claimed it.(7) There seems to be a yet narrower distinction; for the people who lived at some distance from the temple, though there was no dispute of their lineal descent, are accounted afar off.

2. From that period the Divine mercy entered into other measures. You may then see how religion widened in pursuance of ancient prophecies.(1) Our Saviour was a Minister of the circumcision, and only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: but yet even then He gave a dawn of His being preached among the Gentiles.(2) Accordingly, at His death, He took away all that which had kept up the distinction between Jew and Gentile, and so laid the foundation for their having the gospel.(3) He gave orders to His disciples, soon after the resurrection, that they might be witnesses for Him in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and to the uttermost ends of the earth.(4) For this He gives them qualifications. They are endued with power from on high; the Holy Ghost came upon them.(5) He did it in accomplishment of His ancient prophecies. The Book of God is full to this purpose. Promises are made to those people who seemed the farthest off from mercy.

II. He who thus distinguished Himself by an honour that had not been known for many ages could be no other than the Most High God. Jehovah is to be King over all the earth; and in that day there shall be one Lord, and His name one.

1. We can preach no person to the Gentiles as the only Mediator between God and man, but one that is God as well as man.

2. In preaching Christ Jesus, we represent Him to the world as sufficient to answer all the necessities of their souls, both by way of atonement for them and of conquest over them; that He paid a full price, and that He is possessed of a complete fund. We durst not say of a creature, let him be never so glorious, that by one offering he has for ever perfected them that are sanctified.

3. I told you that in preaching Christ Jesus we are to make a public discovery of Him. We must not conceal His righteousness and His truth from the great congregation, and in that are to run all hazards; but this is more than we owe to a creature.

4. In preaching Christ Jesus we declare His willingness to save them that are lost.

5. Our preaching is persuading sinners to come to Him, that they may have life.

6. We proclaim Him as the great Head over all things unto His Church.

III. We are to consider this branch of our religion as a MYSTERY.

1. It is mysterious that the Gentiles, who were neglected for so many ages, should have Christ Jesus preached among them.

2. These Gentiles were no way prepared to receive the news of a Saviour when He came to be preached among them (Acts 14:16).

3. It is still more mysterious that the Jews should reject a Saviour who was to be preached among the Gentiles.

4. After His disgrace from the Jews, He is made the subject of our ministry.

5. That Christ should be preached to the Gentiles is what He Himself put a bar in the way of. He acted all along as a Jew, as a minister of the circumcision.

6. This was a thing never to be conceived of by the Jews.

7. It is what the apostles themselves came into very unwillingly; their thoughts were of a national cast as well as others; and this stuck by them a long time.

8. It is some part of the wonder that the preaching among the Gentiles should be put into such hands. "Are not these men that speak Galileans? and how is it that we hear among them in our own tongues the wonderful works of God"?

9. The persons He employed were no way prepared by education for that life of public service into which He called them (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

10. It is still farther a mystery in the way that God took to spread this gospel among the Gentiles; that He should raise up these men to run all manner of dangers, who might have lived secure and protected (1 Corinthians 4:9-13).

11. The great wonder of all is, that they should be qualified with the gift of tongues.

12. He called most of them to seal this truth with their blood, which was the highest testimony that nature could give to what grace had taught.

IV. I am now to show you that this branch of Christianity enjoys the same beautiful character that is given of all the rest; that it is a mystery of godliness, and promotes a pure and undefiled religion before God and our Father.

1. That minister who preaches up the Divinity of Christ, and tells the world plainly that He is no other than the Most High God, is likely to promote religion among men, because he speaks out. We see, we know what he means.

2. They who preach up Christ as the Most High God do insist upon such an object of their ministry as deserves to be so.

3. When we preach Christ as God, it answers the demand of your duty to Him.

4. This agrees to the nature of your dependence upon Him. Our gospel tells us there is salvation in no other.

5. This provides for all the comfort that we can stand in need of. The application of this is what I have but little room for; I will there. fore confine myself to these three particulars..(1) If it is God whom we preach to the Gentiles — a God manifest in the flesh — then you may be very sure we have no reason to be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.(2) Let us, upon this account, recommend ourselves to your friendship and hearty prayers.

(T. Bradbury.)

Believed on in the world

Jesus believed on in the world

After "preached to the Gentiles," he joins "believed on in the world," to show that faith "comes by hearing." Indeed, "preaching" is the ordinance of God, sanctified for the begetting of faith, for the opening of the understanding, for the drawing of the will and affections to Christ. Therefore the gospel unfolded is called "the Word of faith," because it begets faith. God by it works faith; and it is called the "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18), because God by it publisheth reconciliation. As preaching goes before believing, so it is the blessed instrument, by reason of the Spirit accompanying of it, to work faith. We see the excellency and necessary use of this grace of faith. How is Christ to be believed on?

1. We must rest upon no other thing, either in ourselves or out of ourselves, but Christ only.

2. And whole Christ must be received. We see here Christ "believed on in the world" — the world that was opposite, that were enemies, that were under Satan. Who shall despair, then?Now, I shall show how this is a mystery.

1. First, if we consider what the world was, an opposite and enemy to Christ; and under His enemy, being slaves to Satan, being idolaters, in love with their own inventions, which men naturally doat on; here was the wonder of God's love and mercy, that he should vouchsafe it to such wretches. It was a mystery that the world should believe. If we consider, besides their greatness and wisdom, the inward malicious disposition of the world, being in the strong man's possession, for these men to believe the gospel, surely it must needs be a great mystery.

2. Again, if we consider the parties that carried the gospel, whereby the world was subdued — a company of weak men, unlearned men, none of the deepest for knowledge, only they had the Holy Ghost to teach and instruct, to strengthen and fortify them — which the world took no notice of — men of mean condition, of mean esteem, and few in number: and these men they came not with weapons, or outward defence, but merely with the Word, and with sufferings.

3. Again, if we consider the truth that they taught, being contrary to the nature of man, contrary to his affections; to enforce self-denial to men that naturally are full of self-love.

4. Again, if we consider another circumstance, it adds to the mystery; that is, the suddenness of the conquest.

5. Again, it is a wonder in respect of Christ, whom the world "believed on." What was Christ? Indeed, He was the Son of God, but He appeared in abased flesh, in the form of a "servant." He was crucified. And for the proud world to believe in a crucified Saviour, it was a mystery.

6. Lastly, it is a great mystery, especially in respect of faith itself, faith being so contrary to the nature of man.

(R. Sibbes.)

I. THE IMPORT OF CHRIST BEING BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD. Doubtless Paul here speaks of saving faith. What that is we are told: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God." Yet faith, though it views Jesus in all His mediatorial characters, in its first acts chiefly beholds Him as purchasing for us salvation by His meritorious sufferings. And hence, in many scriptures the death and sacrifice of Christ is represented as the peculiar object of faith.

II. THE MYSTERIOUSNESS OF CHRIST BEING BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD.

1. It is a mystery that even under the most encouraging external circumstances, men savingly believe. Many are so immersed in business, or intoxicated with pleasure, that their attention is in vain courted to objects which strike not their senses. A humbled, self-condemning sinner, coming boldly to the throne of grace, for mercy to pardon, and grace to help, is indeed a wonderful spectacle. Faith is the gift of God; and no common inconsiderable gift.

2. In the apostolic age the multitude brought to believe was mysterious.

(J. Erskine, D. D.)

The accepted Saviour

I. THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL WILL APPEAR MYSTERIOUS WHEN WE CONSIDER THE THEMES WHICH THEY PROCLAIMED.

II. THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL APPEARS GREATLY MYSTERIOUS WHEN WE CONSIDER THE HUMAN AGENCY BY WHICH IT WAS SECURED: an agency, humanly speaking, the most inadequate to such success, and the most unlikely to realize it.

III. THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL APPEARS MYSTERIOUS WHEN WE CONSIDER THE NUMEROUS AND FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES ARRAYED AGAINST THEM, AND WHICH THEY HAD TO SURMOUNT.

IV. THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL APPEARS GREATLY MYSTERIOUS WHEN WE CONSIDER THE MODE IN WHICH IT WAS ACHIEVED.

V. THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL APPEARS GREATLY MYSTERIOUS WHEN WE CONSIDER ITS RAPIDITY AND EXTENT.

1. We thus learn by whom all the past success of the gospel has been achieved. That success most clearly and distinctly announces the exertion of the power of God.

2. Hence we also learn from whom we are to expect all success in future. "God giveth the increase." "Our sufficiency is of God." "It is the Spirit that quickeneth." God must be entirely depended upon, and must have all the glory.

3. We further learn, that no matter how weak the instruments are, if they are only called of God, and humbly depend upon Him, and plainly declare the truth as it is in Jesus, success will crown their efforts. But, we must ask, Have you believed in Christ?

(S. Lucas.)

Believed on in the world

I. WHAT IT IS FOR ANY PEOPLE TO BELIEVE ON CHRIST.

1. I begin with that which seems to be the lowest act of faith: and that is receiving the testimony He has given of Himself; believing that His doctrine is of God, that it came from above.

2. They that believe on Christ look upon Him as the only Saviour of a lost world.

3. Believing in Christ is relying upon the righteousness, that He has brought in for our acceptance with God.

4. Believing in Christ is deriving from His fulness the principles of a new life. The satisfaction that He has made was with a view to this.

5. Believing in Christ is growing in the spiritual life.

6. When we believe in Christ, we regard Him as our great Comforter in every time of need.

7. They that believe in Christ are obedient to Him in all manner of conversation.

8. In particular, they that believe in Christ, live in the acts of religious worship to Him.

9. Believing in Christ is trusting Him for protection to the end of life.

10. Believing in Christ is looking to Him as the finisher of our faith; as one that is to give the completing stroke to His own work.

II. I am now to open this account that is given of Him, as an argument of His DIVINITY; that He in whom the world are to believe, can be no other than the Most High God. In believing we look upon Him as the only Saviour of the world; and this cannot be affirmed of one that is not God.

III. As it is a MYSTERY. The nature of the work.

1. Believing itself is a mystery; as it is acting without the direction of sense and reason, and very often against them, and therefore in opposition to the example and practice of others. So that it must proceed from something that we feel only in ourselves.(1) Believing is acting without the direction of sense and reason; it is depending upon what we do not see, and admiring what we cannot understand.(2) Believing is oftentimes acting against these two principles, by which we are to be conducted in other things.(3) Believing is acting in opposition to the practice and example of others; and it is no easy matter to get thus high,(4) This proceeds from something within ourselves.

IV. To what is said of believing in general, we may add the circumstance of place where men are to look for it, which leads us farther into the mystery.

1. You will observe the mystery of believing in Christ, if you regard it as a thing to be met with in this world, and not in heaven. Had it been said of Him now, that He is received up with glory, we could easily come into the report, because there He is revealed with a brightness unconfined: there is no veil upon His face, no limitation to their eyes.

2. It is mysterious that He is believed on in a world where He had been refused.

3. To this you may add another consideration, which heightens the wonder, that He is believed on in a world where the greatest evidence has already proved in vain (John 3:32).

4. He is thus believed on in a world where He appears no longer.

5. He is thus believed on in a world possessed of the greatest prejudice against Him (John 15:18).

6. It is farther strange that He is believed on in a world that is under the power of His most obstinate enemy.

7. It is strange that people should believe on Christ in a world when nothing is to be got by it. I do not affirm this in the strict sense of the words, for you know godliness has the promise of all things; but my meaning is, that the soul, in the recumbence of his faith upon Christ Jesus, looks above all riches, honours, and every endearment of life.

V. I am now to show, that for the world to believe in Christ Jesus as God who was manifest in the flesh, is a means of promoting that religion that ever was and ever will be the ornament of any profession. It is a mystery of GODLINESS. This will appear if you do but consider what the great business of religion is, and to what purposes it is both recommended as a practice, and promised as a blessing. I take it to consist in these four things —

1. In subjection to Christ's authority, and a conformity to His image; this may be called inward religion, and thus I shall consider it in the principle.

2. There arises from this a duty both to God and man, which is commanded in the two tables of the moral law.

3. It is a branch of this religion to make a profession of Christ, to own Him in the world, and show forth His praises.

4. The joys and satisfaction that Christ gives to His people who thus wait upon Him may come into the general notion that we have of godliness. Now all these are begun, advanced, and extended by the belief of those mysteries that we meet with in the faith, and in particular that He is a God who was manifest in the flesh.Application: If it is part of the mystery of godliness that Christ is believed on in the world, then —

1. You see how both ministers and people do best fall in with the design of Christianity; the one by preaching up this faith, and the other by receiving it.

2. If that is one branch of religion, that Christ is believed on in the world, no wonder that Satan sets himself in opposition to it (2 Corinthians 4:4, 5).

3. How great a wickedness must theirs be who would hinder the faith of Jesus in the world!

4. What need have we to be very earnest for that faith which is of the operation of God?

5. See that this end is answered upon your souls (Colossians 1:28).

6. Be sure that in believing on Him you regard all His perfections.

(T. Bradbury.)

Received up to glory

Jesus received up into glory

Glory implies three things. It is an exemption from that which is opposite, and a conquering over the contrary base condition. But where these three are — an exemption and freedom from all baseness, and all that may diminish reckoning and estimation, and when there is a foundation of true excellency, and likewise a shining, a declaring and breaking forth of that excellency — there is glory. It will not be altogether unuseful to speak of the circumstances of Christ's being "taken up to glory."

1. Whence was He taken? He was taken "up to glory," from Mount Olivet, where He used to pray, and where He sweat water and blood, where He was humbled.

2. And when was He taken "up to glory"? Not before He had finished His work, as He saith, "I have finished the work Thou gavest Me to do" (John 17:4).

3. The witnesses of this were the angels. They proclaimed His incarnation with joy; and without doubt they were much more joyful at His ascending up to glory. Now this nature of ours in Christ, it is next to the nature of God in dignity; here is a mystery. Among many other respects it is a mystery for the greatness of it. We see after His ascension, when He appeared to Paul in glory, a glimpse of it struck Paul down; he could not endure it. In this glorious condition that Christ is received into, He fulfils all His offices in a most comfortable manner. He is a glorious Prophet, to send His Spirit now to teach and open the heart. He is a glorious Priest, to appear before God in the holy of holies, in heaven for us, for ever; and He is a King there for ever.To come to some application.

1. First of all we must lay this for a ground and foundation of what follows, that Christ ascended as a public person. He must not be considered as a particular person, alone by Himself, but as the "Second Adam."

2. In the second place, we must know that there is a wondrous nearness between Christ and us now; for before we can think of any comfort by the "glory of Christ," we must be one with Him by faith, for He is the Saviour of His body.

3. Again, there is a causality, the force of a cause in this; because Christ, therefore we. Here is not only a priority of order, but a cause likewise; and there is great reason.

4. And then we must consider Christ not only as an efficient cause, but as a pattern and example how we shall be "glorified." It is a comfort, in the hour of death, that we yield up our souls to Christ, who is gone before to provide a place for us. Likewise, in our sins and infirmities. When we have to deal with God the Father, whom we have offended with our sins, let us fetch comfort from hence. Christ is ascended into heaven, to appear before His Father as a Mediator for us; and, therefore, God turns away His wrath from us. Consider the wonderful love of Christ, that would suspend His glory so long. Hence, likewise, we have a ground of patience in all our sufferings from another reason, not from the order but from the certainty of glory. Shall we not patiently suffer, considering the glory that we shall certainly have? "If we suffer with Him we shall be glorified with Him." (Romans 8:17). Again, the mystery of Christ's glory tends to godliness in this respect, to stir us up to heavenly-mindedness. (Colossians 3:1).

(R. Sibbes.)

Consider the glory into which Jesus is received as Mediator.

1. He is invested with the glorious office of interceding for lost sinners, and thus procuring their reconciliation and acceptance with God. Never was there a priest or advocate so truly glorious.

2. Jesus is invested with the high and honourable office of imparting saving light and life to the world by the influences of His Spirit and grace.

3. Jesus is advanced to the glory of universal dominion. To Him whom men despised; to Him whom the nation abhorred; to a Servant of rulers dominion and glory and a kingdom are given, that all people, nations and languages should serve Him.

4. Christ is received into glory as the Forerunner of His people, and the Pattern of their approaching bliss.Conclusion:

1. Let our conversation and hearts be where our Lord is.

2. Let, O Christian, the majesty and greatness of thy Lord excite thee to a bold undisguised profession of thy regards to Him.

3. Debase not that nature which God hath thus exalted in the person of Christ. Our nature, in Him, is advanced above the angels, and is next in dignity to the nature of God.

4. How great the happiness of those who are admitted to heaven, and who there behold the glory of the Redeemer l

(J. Erskine, D. D.)

Received up into glory

I. HIS GLORY MAY BE CONSIDERED —

1. As He is man, He has

(1)The imperfection of our nature.

(2)Complete rest from all His labours.

(3)A glory and reputation in His person.

(4)His soul is satisfied with joys.

(5)His body is independent on all supplies. Because it is a glorious body, it is received into an immortal life, and an eternal settlement.

2. He has the office of judge; but the greatest glory is —(1) The union of the human nature to the Divine.

3. As He is mediator, His glory appears in —

(1)The stupendous union of the two natures.

(2)His separation to the work of a Saviour.

(3)His discharge of the trust.

(4)His acquittance from the Father.

(5)The union between the two natures is confirmed.

(6)In this union He receives the praises of heaven.

(7)He continues the mediation between God and man.

4. As He is God, He has the glories of the Deity.

II. BEING RECEIVED INTO THIS GLORY MAY BE CONSIDERED WITH REFERENCE TO —

1. His human nature: A cloud received Him; angels attended Him; He abides in heaven; He has received the reward.

2. His mediatorial office in the union of natures: He is owned by the Father; recognized by saints and angels; declares His resolution to continue so; proceeds in this character through all His works, of nature, of grace, of providence; He rules the Church; He will judge the world.

3. His Divine nature; the glory of this appears in throwing off the veil that was upon it, and laying that aside for ever; a fresh exposing Himself to the worship of angels; speaking the language of a God in heaven, and thus revealing Himself on earth.

4. Therefore He will keep His glory, in His authority over the Church, in His full and proper Deity, and expects we should keep it.

III. GREAT IS THE MYSTERY — God received into glory.

1. An account of mysteries in general, of this in particular. He who was destitute below has all fulness above. The object of God's wrath lives in His favour. He was deserted of men and angels, and is now their head. A suffering nature is united with an eternal.

2. A vindication of this mystery.

IV. THIS IS A DOCTRINE OF GODLINESS. It promotes —

1. Faith, by which we rest on the bare word of God, we make an honest profession of Him, we live with duty to Him.

2. Hope, by owning .His Deity, we rest upon His righteousness, we trust Him for protection, we resign to Him at death.

3. Charity, the several senses of the word. A belief of Christ's divinity teaches forbearance of one another. Union in the faith the foundation of charity.

(T. Bradbury.)

The exalted Saviour