A30241:2342
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, The mission or sending of Christ here spoken of, doth not relate to him, as the second Person, but as he is Mediator, for so as he is the Son of God, he is not sent but begotten, And thus the Scripture when it speaks of him in that respect, calleth him, The only begotten Son of God; but this mission is in time, and of a voluntary dispensation, whereas the other was natural and of eternity, Christ was always the Son of God, but not always sent to be the Mediator of his Church, unless in the purpose and decree of God: So that this sending of Christ respects him as God and man, and denoteth that incarnation of his, with the discharge of all those duties, that thereby he undertook.
Secondly, The mission or sending of Christ here spoken of, doth not relate to him, as the second Person, but as he is Mediator, for so as he is the Son of God, he is not sent but begotten, And thus the Scripture when it speaks of him in that respect, calleth him, The only begotten Son of God; but this mission is in time, and of a voluntary dispensation, whereas the other was natural and of eternity, Christ was alwayes the Sonne of God, but not alwayes sent to be the Mediatour of his Church, unless in the purpose and decree of God: So that this sending of Christ respects him as God and man, and denoteth that incarnation of his, with the discharge of all those duties, that thereby he undertook.
Thirdly, Gods sending of him, doth signify the authoritative Mission and calling of him to that work. The Apostle diligently presseth this, Heb. 5.5. that Christ glorified not himself, but was called by God to his Priesthood, called of God to be • Priest after the order of Melohisedech; yea Ch. 7.21. the Apostle presseth this, that he was made an High-priest by an oath, The Lord sware, and will not repent, thou art a Priest for ever: And certainly, this must needs be of great comfort to us, when we shall read that Christ was so solemnly invested with this power to forgive sins, to sanctify our natures, to procure our salvation. Things that are done by those that have not a Call, are said to be null and invalid, they have not powerful efficacy and success, but Christ was authorized by God to be thy Saviour, he had his Commission to do it, he would not take this work in hand, till he was called unto it.