N00187:212
The harmony of the Gospels, in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings of Jesus Christ, from his incarnation to his death and burial. / Published by John Eliot, teacher of the church in Roxbury. ; [Two lines from Acts]
printed by John Foster, 1678
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.
4. Because it was too far beneath the dignity of his blessed person, to be at the will and command of a frail man, which his godly Parents were considerate of, knowing his Divine Offspring he was subject to them by his own voluntary obedience to the fifth command of God, but never needed to put forth any parental power of command over him.
5. It was Infinite humility in him to condescend to the lowest order of men, in taking the form of a Servant, though he did not stoop down to the lowest degree of that order, especially considering that it would have hindered him from doing the will of the Father that sent him.
5. It was Infinite humility in him to condescend to the lowest order of men, in taking the form of a Servant, though he did not stoop down to the lowest degree of that order, especially considering that it would have hindred him from doing the will of the Father that sent him.
Quest. But why did Jesus Christ stoop so low as to take the form of a Servant.
Quest. But why did Iesus Christ stoop so low as to take the form of a Servant.
Answ. 1. Jesus Christ took the form of a Servant to satisfy Divine justice in submitting himself to bear the punishment due to the sin of man. Sin stripped man of his dignity, dominion, Lordship and Rule, and cast him into a state of servitude, the sting & curse of this punishment Christ suffered purely perfectly, and meritoriously, to the full satisfaction of divine justice, & thereby hath took out the sting & curse of servitude, he bore that in his own person, to bear it off, and heave it away from us. This is one part of his passive obedience to bear the punishment of servitude, this is one part of his passive obedience which did run through the whole course of his life, and especially in the whole course of his private life, for it was otherwise in some respects in the time of his public Ministry.
Answ. 1. Iesus Christ took the form of a Servant to satisfie Divine justice in submitting himself to bear the punishment due to the sin of man. Sin stripped man of his dignity, dominion, Lordship and Rule, and cast him into a state of servitude, the sting & curse of this punishment Christ suffered purely perfectly, and meritoriously, to the full satisfaction of divine justice, & thereby hath took out the sting & curse of servitud•, he bore that in his own person, to bear it off, and heave it away from us. This is one part of his passive obedience to bear the punishment of servitude, this is one part of his passive obedience which did run through the whole course of his life, and especially in the whole course of his private life, for it was otherwise in some respects in the time of his publick Ministry.
2. Because hereby he sanctified the state of Service for us, that it might be medicinal and wholesome for us, to humble us, sanctify us and do us good. The curse being removed, it is become a Gospel rod, and a yoke which we have need of, especially in our youth, and Jesus Christ hath fitted it to do us good.
2. Because hereby he sanctified the state of Service for us, that it might be medicinal and wholsome for us, to humble us, sanctifie us and do us good. The curse being removed, it is become a Gospel rod, and a yoke which we have need of, especially in our youth, and Iesus Christ hath fitted it to do us good.
3. Jesus Christ took the form of a servant, that he might perform that active obedience to the Law of God, which that order doth owe unto the Law, and thereby merit that reward, that part of the Inheritance which was by the covenant of works, due unto the perfect observation of those Laws. And this merit of Jesus Christ is imputed to us that believe, by the covenant of grace. So that by taking the form of a servant Jesus Christ performed both active & passive obedience to God, the fruit whereof is made ours by the Gospel. Jesus Christ did fulfil all righteousness. Mat. 3.15. whereof this is no small part, in his obedience to the fifth commandment.
3. Iesus Christ took the form of a servant, that he might perform that active obedience to the Law of God, which that order doth owe unto the Law, and thereby merit that reward, that part of the Inheritance which was by the covenant of works, due unto the perfect observation of those Laws. And this merit of Iesus Christ is imputed to us that believe, by the covenant of grace. So that by taking the form of a servant Iesus Christ performed both active & passive obedience to God, the fruit whereof is made ours by the Gospel. Jesus Christ did fulfil all righteousness. Mat. 3.15. wherof this is no small part, in his obedience to the fifth commandment.
4. Jesus Christ took the form of a Servant, and did both suffer and do all the duty that belonged thereunto, to purchase Gospel freedom for us, that through faith in Jesus Christ we may be freed from the evil of servitude, and be made free Servants of God through Jesus Christ. But we must remember that Jesus Christ freeth us from the evil of servitude, not from the state of servitude, 1 Cor. 7.21, 22, 23. art thou called, converted, being a Servant, a bond Servant for life, care not about ⟨p. 46⟩that, do the duty of thy place, it shall be but as medicine to thy Soul, and though thou be a Servant to men, yet thou art a Freeman of Jesus Christ, and if Christ make you free, you are free indeed in a supereminent free estate, Onesimus was Philemons Servant, but he was being converted, a Freeman of Christ. ver. 16.
4. Iesus Christ took the form of a Servant, and did both suffer and do all the duty that belonged thereunto, to purchase Gospel freedome for us, that through faith in Iesus Christ we may be freed from the evil of servitude, and be made free Servants of God through Iesus Christ. But we must remember that Iesus Christ freeth us from the evil of servitude, not from the state of servitude, 1 Cor. 7.21, 22, 23. art thou called, converted, being a Servant, a bond Servant for life, care not about ⟨p. 46⟩that, do the duty of thy place, it shall be but as medicine to thy Soul, and though thou be a Servant to men, yet thou art a Freeman of Jesus Christ, and if Christ make you free, you are free indeed in a supereminent free estate, Onesimus was Philemons Servant, but he was being converted, a Freeman of Christ. ver. 16.
O what a comfort is this to poor slaves and Servants that believe in Jesus Christ! that Jesus Christ himself the Lord of glory, took the form of a Servant for their sakes. Jesus Christ hath set Heaven gates open for poor bond slaves, and Servants to enter in by believing. And at the great day we shall see many bond slaves, Servants, and underlings; men and women, sit down with Abraham. Isaac and Jacob in the heavenly Kingdom, but their Masters, Rulers, and such as made them slaves, cast out into outer darkness.
O what a comfort is this to poor slaves and Servants that b•lieve in Jesus Christ! that Jesus Christ himself the Lord of glory, took the form of a Servant for their sakes. Jesus Christ hath set Heaven gates open for poor bond slaves, and Servants to enter in by believing. And at the great day we shall see many bond slaves, Servants, and underlings; men and women, sit down with Abrrham. Isaac and Jacob in the heavenly Kingdome, but their Masters, Rulers, and such as made them slaves, cast out into outer darkness.
The forenamed Instances of the Sufferings of Jesus Christ did manifestly run through the whole course of his life, all the time of his youth, which were so far as we know, his most serene days that he lived in this world, & wherein he attended to his active obedience to the Law of God, yet he was always in a dark, obscure, low, suffering condition.
THe forenamed Instances of the Sufferings of Jesus Christ did manifestly run through the whole course of his life, all the time of his youth, which were so farr as we know, his most serene dayes that he lived in this world, & wherein he attended to his active obedience to the Law of God, yet he was alwayes in a dark, obscure, low, suffering condition.
The Instances of his sufferings which follow, […] more conspicuous in the course of his public Ministry, such was this point, in this Section touched on, viz. his bodily Infirmities, mentioned by Matthew, which words are recited out of Isai. 3.4. surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows, and this Text he bringeth to prove that Jesus Christ did heal all manner of diseases, and sicknesses, not as a Physician, but as a Mediator, by divine power and Authority, as God and man. He did bear all the sinless punishment of our sins in his body, 1 Pet. 2.24. himself bare our sins in his own body, that is the punishment of our sins, viz. sinless punishment, whereof our bodily infirmities, weaknesses, pains and sicknesses are a great and eminent part. And by this part of his sufferings he (so far) satisfied di•ine Justice, and thereby hath taken out the sting and curse out of our bodily infirmities, and hath rendered them only medicinal to our Souls, and hereby he hath obtained power over all diseases, to send them, and to recall them as he pleaseth; and to improve them as he will, for the good of his Church, and believing Servants, he hath such absolute power over all our sicknesses, that he saith to one go and it goeth, and to another come, and it cometh, &c.
The Instances of his sufferings which follow, 〈…〉 more conspicuous in the course of his publick Ministry, such was this point, in this Section touched on, viz. his bodily Infirmityes, mentioned by Mathew, which words are recited out of Isai. 3.4. surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows, and this Text he bringeth to prove that Jesus Christ did heal all manner of diseases, and sicknesses, not as a Physitian, but as a Mediator, by divine power and Authority, as God and man. He did bear all the sinless punishment of our sins in his body, 1 Pet. 2.24. himself bare our sins in his own body, that is the punishment of our sins, viz. sinless punishment, whereof our bodily infirmityes, weaknesses, pains and sicknesses are a great and eminent part. And by this part of his sufferings he (so far) satisfied di•ine Justice, and thereby hath taken out the sting and curse out of our bodily infirmityes, and hath rendred them only medicinal to our Souls, and hereby he hath obtained power over all diseases, to send them, and to recall them as he pleaseth; and to improve them as he will, for the good of his Church, and believing Servants, he hath such absolute power over all our sicknesses, that he saith to one goe and it goeth, and to another come, and it cometh, &c.
This Text in Math. doth hold forth that part of the Humiliation of Jesus Christ in submitting himself to bodily infirmities and diseases, which he took, and bare, he took our griefs and pains for our sakes, and bare them in our stead. It is an eminent part of his sufferings clearly held forth in the Prophesies; and testified in the Gospel History of him. it is a point of great use and comfort to the Church, that this sharp Rod is managed in the hand of a merciful, tender hearted, yea, and experienced Mediator. Jesus Christ his body was mortal, which is evident by this, that he dyed, yea, he came into the world to dye, and therefore took a mortal body, capable to perform that great service, which he came to do. The body of Adam in Innocency was capable of Immortality, but by sin he became mortal, Rom. 5.12. as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Though the person of Jesus Christ was without sin, yet he took a mortal body, that it might be a fit sacrifice for our sin, which was laid upon him by imputation, being our Mediator, his body was made as Adams ⟨p. 47⟩body was, out of preexisting matter, and was therefore mortal. After his Resurrection, his body is Immortal. His mortal hath put on Immortality, his glorious immortal body is set down at the right hand of God. And he will change our vile bodies after the Resurrection, and make them like to his glorious body, Phil. 3.21. After the Resurrection the bodies of all mankind shall be Immortal both good & bad. The power of mercy will preserve the bodies of the Elect, to be eternal monuments & objects of mercy, and Subjects where in mercy shall shine forth unto all Eternity. The bodies of the wicked shall be preserved in Immortality, to be Vessels of wrath, in which the justice of God will shine forth to all Eternity. Thus all humane bodies are capable of Immortality, and shall be made so to be by the power of mercy and justice, which Attributes of God are to be glorified in mankind for ever. This Immortality of the body of Jesus Christ, was a great and fundamental infirmity of his humane nature, and a fruit of our sin imputed to him as our Mediator, and this made him capable of such other infirmities as might accomplish his death; So that it was through the infirmity of a mortal body that he dyed,
for though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth in the power of God; his humane nature subject to our infirmities, made him mortal, Divine power maketh him Immortal. Though Jesus Christ took many infirmities, sicknesses, weaknesses incident to a mortal body, yet he dyed not by any sickness, he dyed a violent death, being in his full strength. Their cruelty and harsh usage of his mortal body forced (with his voluntary consent, Joh. 10.18.) a separation of his Soul from his body, by much and cruel whippings, they made deep and long Furrows in his back, by piercing his head with Crowns of thorns, knocked on with a staff, by abusing him all night, they gave him no rest. The Rulers had him to do till after Cocks crowing, then they went to their rest, if their malicious minds would suffer them to sleep; but they committed our blessed Lord Jesus to Soldiers and the rud• Rabble, who abused him all the night, in the morning they committed him to Pilate, who finally condemned him, and delivered him to be crucified. They oppressed his spent mortal body by bearing his cross, they nailed his hands, & stretched his body, till all his joints were loosed. At that stretch they nailed his feet, they pierced his side with a Spear, and let out his life blood All these and sundry more of the last sufferings of our Lord, shall hereafter (the Lord assisting) in their place and order be opened; this may suffice at present to show, that the body of Jesus Christ had the infirmity of mortality, and dyed with grief and pain, a violent death, he dyed not of any sickness. Furthermore in this state of his mortal body when he was in the flesh, he took many other infirmities of a mortal body, which are sinless punishments of the sin of man, which may be gathered from Gen. 3.17, 18, 19. where the commination, and infliction of them is expressed as the product of our sin. To eat in sorrow to labour with disappointment, and to labour with sweat, until these painful labours, sorrows, sweatings and disappointments have brought us to the dust, out of which we were made.
for though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth in the power of God; his humane nature subject to our infirmityes, made him mortal, Divine power maketh him Immortal. Though Jesus Christ took many infirmityes, sicknesses, weaknesses incident to a mortal body, yet he dyed not by any sickness, he dyed a violent death, being in his full strength. Their cruelty and harsh usage of his mortal body forced (with his voluntary consent,
These infirmities of humane nature may comprehend all those infirmities usually instanced in by Divines, as hunger, thirst, weariness, sleepiness, &c. The mortal body of Jesus Christ was sustained (as our bodies be) by eating, drinking, motion, labour and rest, in all which respects our fallen estate feeleth much punishment, and the matter of sicknesses is usually contracted, by eating and drinking, by heats and colds. As these natural passions and infirmities have in them a sinless punishment of sin, which Jesus Christ suffered; So why may not we say, that the animal passions and infirmities have in them a sinless punishment of sin? ⟨p. 48⟩as anger, grief, love, Mark 3.5. he looked on them with anger, but without the least touch of sin, and was grieved, Joh. 12.36. Jesus did hide himself from them, Math. 14.13. when Jesus heard that John was beheaded he departed thence into a desert place, Joh. 20.2. the Disciple whom Jesus loved, Joh. 11, 35.36. Jesus wept, then they said behold how he loved him, Joh. 11.11. our friend Lazarus sleepeth, Joh, 11.3.5. he whom thou lovest is sick, now Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. Whether Jesus Christ suffered any sinless punishment in these animal passions, I dare not be bold to affirm. But that Christ hath sanctified them by his experience for us, that I may boldly affirm. There be infirmities of mans mortal body instanced in the Gospel, and expressed by the same word, of which sort Christ took not, as Luk. 13.11, 12, 13. a woman bowed with a Spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and Joh. 5.5. a man lying with an infirmity thirty eight years, but Jesus Christ took no such infirmity as corrupted his humane body, or disabled him from his work and service, from doing the will of the Father. But such infirmity as made him preach, pray, travail with much pain, grief and infirmity, in doing and fulfilling his Fathers work and will, that we have ground to believe; and it is a great comfort unto such servants of God as do work with much pain, that labour in the service of God with an aching head, pained limbs, feeble spirits, crazy bodies and lungs, unto such it is an unspeakable comfort, that Christ did fulfil his Fathers will, and obey his commands under much infirmity, and by experience knoweth how to pity such as do so serve the Lord.
Which is the case of most of Gods dear Children, at sometimes or other, and some constantly. It is an ancient question among Divines whether Jesus Christ did submit himself to bodily sickness? some are of apprehension he did not, and some are of apprehension he did, among whom I am; and with submission I shall be bold to offer my grounds for it.
Which is the case of most of Gods dear Children, at sometimes or other, and some constantly. It is an antient question among Divines whether Iesus Christ did submit himself to bodily sickness? some are of apprehension he did not, and some are of apprehension he did, among whom I am; and with submission I shall be bold to offer my grounds for it.
1. It is expressly affirmed in the Prophesy, Psal. 41.8, 9. an evil disease (a thing of Belial) cleaveth fast unto him (as the Viper did to the hand of Paul, Act. 28.3, 4, 5, 6.) and now that he lieth, he shall rise up no more, some such sharp distemper fell upon him as forced him to lye down, and his Enemies hoped that he should die of it, but they were mistaken; as the Barbarians were about Paul, when the Viper fastened on his hand, but an evil disease did befall him, it is not said what it was, but it was dangerous, sharp and threatening. When he had been hot and spent all day with preaching and travail, and then be all night on a mountain at prayer, what aguish or feverish fits it might expose his mortal body unto, or what aches and pains in his limbs, head, jaws, sinews, or the like discomposure of his health it might bring, we do experience in our mortal bodies often, and so might he, yea he did expose his body to more labour and hardship both by night and by day, then we do. That this Prophesy of the Psalmist is spoken of Christ is most evident; because the ninth verse which is part of the sentence addeth another aggravation unto the affliction. Yea, mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted (viz. with the bag) who eat of my bread, hath lift up his heel against me, this part of the sentence Christ himself doth apply to himself and Judas, Joh. 13.18. he that eateth bread with me hath lift up his heel against me. So that we cannot doubt that the ninth verse belongeth to Jesus Christ, then why not the eight verse? if the latter part of the sentence be spoken of Christ, why not the former part? Jesus Christ doth most perfectly know the meaning of the Scriptures, therefore by the sure Testimony of Christ, that Prophesy in the Psalms belongeth unto him, so that some ill disease befell him, so as that for the present he kept his bed upon it.
1. It is expresly affirmed in the Prophesy, Psal. 41.8, 9. an evil disease (a thing of Belial) cleaveth fast unto him (as the Viper did to the hand of Paul, Act. 28.3, 4, 5, 6.) and now that he lyeth, he shall rise up no more, some such sharp distemper fell upon him as forced him to lye down, and his Enemies hoped that he should dy of it, but they were mistaken; as the Barbarians were about Paul, when the Viper fastened on his hand, but an evil disease did befall him, it is not said what it was, but it was dangerous, sharp and threatning. When he had been hot and spent all day with preaching and travail, and then be all night on a mountain at prayer, what aguish or feaverish fits it might expose his mortal body unto, or what aches and pains in his limbs, head, jaws, sinews, or the like discomposure of his health it might bring, we do experience in our mortal bodyes often, and so might he, yea he did expose his body to more labour and hardship both by night and by day, then we do. That this Prophesy of the Psalmist is spoken of Christ is most evident; because the ninth verse which is part of the sentence addeth another aggravation unto the affliction. Yea, mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted (viz. with the bag) who eat of my bread, hath lift up his heel against me, this part of the sentence Christ himself doth apply to himself and Iudas,
This Text in Math. doth hold forth that part of the Humiliation of Jesus Christ in submitting himself to bodily infirmityes and diseases, which he took, and bare, he took our griefs and pains for our sakes, and bare them in our stead. It is an eminent part of his sufferings clearly held forth in the Prophesies; and testified in the Gospel History of him. it is a point of great use and comfort to the Church, that this sharp Rod is managed in the hand of a merciful, tender hearted, yea, and experienced Mediator. Jesus Christ his body was mortal, which is evident by this, that he dyed, yea, he came into the world to dye, and therefore took a mortal body, capable to perform that great service, which he came to do. The body of Adam in Innocency was capable of Immortality, but by sin he became mortal, Rom. 5.12. as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Though the person of Jesus Christ was without sin, yet he took a mortal body, that it might be a fit sacrifice for our sin, which was laid upon him by imputation, being our Mediator, his body was made as Adams ⟨p. 47⟩body was, out of preexisting matter, and was therefore mortal. After his Resurrection, his body is Immortal. His mortal hath put on Immortality, his glorious immortal body is set down at the right hand of God. And he will change our vile bodyes after the Resurrection, and make them like to his glorious body, Phil. 3.21. After the Resurrection the bodyes of all mankind shall be Immortal both good & bad. The power of mercy will preserve the bodies of the Elect, to be eternal monuments & objects of mercy, and Subjects where in mercy shall shine forth unto all Eternity. The bodyes of the wicked shall be preserved in Immortality, to be Vessels of wrath, in which the justice of God will shine forth to all Eternity. Thus all humane bodyes are capable of Immortality, and shall be made so to be by the power of mercy and justice, which Attributes of God are to be glorified in mankind for ever. This Immortality of the body of Jesus Christ, was a great and fundamental infirmity of his humane nature, and a fruit of our sin imputed to him as our Mediator, and this made him capable of such other infirmityes as might accomplish his death; So that it was through the infirmity of a mortal body that he dyed, 2 Cor. 13.4.
These infirmityes of humane nature may comprehend all those infirmityes usually instanced in by Divines, as hunger, thirst, weariness, sleepyness, &c. The mortal body of Jesus Christ was susteined (as our bodyes be) by eating, drinking, motion, labour and rest, in all which respects our fallen estate feeleth much punishment, and the matter of sicknesses is usually contracted, by eating and drinking, by heats and colds. As these natural passions and infirmityes have in them a sinless punishment of sin, which Jesus Christ suffered; So why may not we say, that the animal passions and infirmityes have in them a sinless punishment of sin? ⟨p. 48⟩as anger, grief, love, Mark 3.5. he looked on them with anger, but without the least touch of sin, and was grieved, Joh. 12.36. Jesus did hide himself from them, Math. 14.13. when Jesus heard that Iohn was beheaded he departed thence into a desert place, Ioh. 20.2. the Disciple whom Iesus loved, Joh. 11, 35.36. Iesus wept, then they said behold how he loved him, Joh. 11.11. our friend Lazarus sleepeth, Ioh, 11.3.5. he whom thou lovest is sick, now Iesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. Whether Jesus Christ suffered any sinless punishment in these animal passions, I dare not be bold to affirm. But that Christ hath sanctified them by his experience for us, that I may boldly affirm. There be infirmityes of mans mortal body instanced in the Gospel, and expressed by the same word, of which sort Christ took not, as Luk. 13.11, 12, 13. a woman bowed with a Spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and Ioh. 5.5. a man lying with an infirmity thirty eight years, but Jesus Christ took no such infirmity as corrupted his humane body, or disabled him from his work and service, from doing the will of the Father. But such infirmity as made him preach, pray, tra•ail with much pain, grief and infirmity, in doing and fulfilling his Fathers work and will, that we have ground to believe; and it is a great comfort unto s•ch ser•ants of God as do work with much pain, that labour in the service of God with an aking head, pained limbs, feeble spirits, crazy bodyes and lungs, unto such it is an unspeakable comfort, that Christ did fulfil his Fathers will, and obey his commands under much infirmity, and by experience knoweth how to pity such as do so serve the Lord.
