I. The general Function of Christ, as a Prophet, an Apostle and Minister of1 the Word of God, was to make known the will of the Father unto his people. Th• Christ did this, hath been before showed, Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 14. & Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 22, 24. & v. 12. §. 111, 112.
II. His special call to that Function was immediate from the Father. Christ th• 2saith of himself, As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you, Joh. 20. 21. Of• doth Christ make mention of this, that his Father sent him. Where Christ saith to the Jews, Ye have neither heard the Fathers voice at any time, nor seen his shape (Jo• 5. 37.) He speaketh it in an opposition betwixt the Jews and himself, and giveth them to understand that what they had not done, he had done. He had both he• his Fathers voice, and seen his shape. Therefore he thus saith, Not that any […] had seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father, Joh. 6. 46. To the same purpose tends this, No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten S• which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him, Joh. 1. 18.
III. The privileges which belonged to an Apostolical Function, and in • most eminent manner appertained unto Christ, were these eight th• follow.
1. Christ laid the foundation. For he first preached the Gospel in Paradise,3 Gen. 3. 15. Of Christs first publishing the Gospel, see Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 24. Ye• Christ himself was the very foundation, 1 Cor. 3. 11. He is also the chief cor• stone, Eph. 2. 20. There is mention made of the foundation of the Apostles a• Prophets, but that is tropically spoken, in that they were Ministers to lay […] proper foundation, which is Jesus Christ.
⟨p. 277⟩2. The whole world was Christs Jurisdiction. No limits were set to his Function. The uttermost parts of the earth were for his possession, Psal. 2. 8. He preached peace to them that were nigh, and to them that were afar off, Eph. 2. 17.
3. He had his gifts immediately by the Spirit, Isa. 11. 2. Luk. 2. 20. Not by any m•ans of man.
4. He received the Spirit more abundantly then any other. He received it not by measure, Joh. 3. 34. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge were hid in him, Col. 2. 3. Yea the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in him, Col. 2. 9. He was so full, as […] of his fullness we all receive, Joh. 1. 16.
5. He could not but have infallible assistance in that he was the very truth it self, Joh. 14. 16.
I. The generall Function of Christ, as a Prophet, an Apostle and Minister of1 the Word of God, was to make known the will of the Father unto his people. Th• Christ did this, hath been before shewed, Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 14. & Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 22, 24. & v. 12. §. 111, 112.
II. His speciall call to that Function was immediate from the Father. Christ th• 2saith of himself, As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you, Joh. 20. 21. Of• doth Christ make mention of this, that his Father sent him. Where Christ saith to the Jews, Ye have neither heard the Fathers voice at any time, nor seen his shape (Jo• 5. 37.) He speaketh it in an opposition betwixt the Jews and himself, and giveth them to understand that what they had not done, he had done. He had both he• his Fathers voice, and seen his shape. Therefore he thus saith, Not that any 〈…〉 had seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father, Joh. 6. 46. To the same purpose tends this, No man hath seen God at any time, the only beg•tten S• which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him, Joh. 1. 18.
III. The priviledges which belonged to an Apostolicall Function, and in • most eminent manner appertained unto Christ, were these eight th• follow.
1. Christ laid the foundation. For he first preached the Gospel in Paradise,3 Gen. 3. 15. Of Christs first publishing the Gospel, see Chap. 2. v. 3. §. 24. Ye• Christ himself was the very foundation, 1 Cor. 3. 11. He is also the chief cor• stone,
- 1Christ made known Gods will.
- 2Christ immediately called.Christ immediatly called.
- 3Privileges of Christs Apostleship.Priviledges of Christs Apostleship.
