N00342:326
The mystery of Christ opened and applied. In several sermons, concerning the person, office,…The mystery of Christ opened and applyed. In several sermons, concerning the person, office,…
The mystery of Christ opened and applied. In several sermons, concerning the person, office, and glory of Jesus Christ. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in N. England. ; [Twelve lines of quotations]The mystery of Christ opened and applyed. In several sermons, concerning the person, office, and glory of Jesus Christ. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in N. England. ; [Twelve lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by Richard Pierce for Joseph Browning, 1686
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.
5. Christ as man is the Head of the Elect. 1. Pet. 2. 6. Behold I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Christ is the elect corner stone in Zion. The Man Christ Jesus is as truly an Object of Election as any other man. He verily was fore-ordained before the Foundation of the world. Chapt. 1. 20. Only He is the Head of the elect-world which is a Glory not to be affirmed of any other. When God from Eternity resolved to choose some to be the Subjects of his Grace and Glory for ever, the man Christ Jesus was first in his View, and others as members belonging to that Head. Therefore the Apostle •aith, God hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world. Eph. 1. 4. The Meaning of which is not, that Christ is the meritorious cause of Election; for indeed there was no cause of that but the mere Grace and Pleasure of the Infinite MAJESTY, who saw good to single out some to become his Favourites; but ⟨p. 197⟩when we: […] to be chosen in Christ, in implieth that Christ is the Head of the Elect. He is not in time, but in Order of Nature the First Elect; though not the Cause of Election. Hence he was able to speak as in Joh. 17. 9. I have manifested Thy Name to the men Thou gavest me out of the world; Thine they were and Thou gavest them me. Hence Christ does become an •ead not only by way of Eminency, but of real Union to all elect called ones. All true Believers are actually united to Him, as members of the Body are to the Head. Now this is a most wonderful Glory. To this sense Some interpret that Scripture. Eph. 1. 22. And gave him the head over all things to the Church; The words may be read thus, And gave […] above all to be Head to the Church: as if the Apostle should say, God has given Christ to be above Principalities and powers, but above all the rest, there's this Dignity conferred upon him, that he is made Head of the Church. However, it is a Truth, that this is a fare greater glory than to be Ruler of the whole world besides.