BOOK 5. THE MESSAGE.
CHAPTER 1.
5.1.5. Of the First Manifestations of Christ.
Of the First Manifestations of Christ.
For the first manifestation of Jesus by his several witnesses; now It was time that "the Sun of righteousness should arise," and shine in the view of the world; and (because of unbelief which had blinded the world) that some special witnesses should be chosen out, both to anoint our eyes, and to point to the light, saying, "This is he of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph" John i. 45. To this purpose we read much of the manifestations of Jesus; "God was manifest in the flesh" 1 Tim. iii. l6. and Christ "verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifested in these last times to you," 1 Pet. ii. 20. In that first miracle that ever he wrought this is written upon it, "He manifested forth his glory," John ii. 11. And John the divine in his setting out of Jesus, he tells us, that "the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us," 1 John i. 2.
And there is reason for this manifestation;
1. Because every manifestation was an approbation of his mission and divinity.
2. Because, in the manifestation of Christ, there was a manifestation of the grace of God; and this was the will of God, that he would not only act free grace, but he would have it known, and published to all the world: this is the glory of grace, and sets it out; and therefore, saith the apostle. Tit. ii. 11. "The grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men." At the opening and discovery of Jesus Christ, Tit. iii 4. "The kindness, and pity, and love of God our Saviour towards men appeared."
3. Because this manifestation hath something in it of the removal of sin; it is the voice of Christ unto such as are in sin, Isa. lxv. 1. "Behold me" the first step towards the remission of sins is the beholding of Christ: now, we cannot behold him that will not come into view; and therefore, saith the apostle, 1 John iii. 5. "Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins."
4. Because this manifestation has something in it to the overthrowing of Satan; for the while that Christ hid himself, Satan blinded the minds of men, but when once "Christ the image of God shone forth," then Satan, like lightning, fell down from heaven, 1 John iii. 8 "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
5. Because this manifestation tends to our believing in Christ, and by consequence to our salvation through Christ, John ii. 30, 31. "Many signs Christ did in the presence of his disciples which are not written; but these are written (saith John) that ye might believe that Jesus is Christ the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through his name."
Well, but wherein was the first manifestation of Jesus? I answer, in those several witnesses that held him forth, John viii. 1. "It is written in the law (saith Christ) that the testimony of two men is true" but to manifest Christ were many witnesses. As: --
1. From heaven the Father is witness, for see, saith Christ, John viii. 18. "The Father that sent me beareth witness of me:" and the Son is witness, for so saith Christ, John viii. 14. "I am one that bear witness of myself, and though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true, for I know whence I came, and whither I go; and the Holy Ghost is witness, so saith Paul, Heb. x. 19. "The Holy Ghost also is a witness to us and to that purpose he descended like a dove, and lighted upon him.
2. On earth John the Baptist is witness, for so saith Christ, John v. 33. John i. 7. "Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth, -- He came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through Christ might believe." No sooner was John confirmed by a sign from heaven, that Jesus was the Christ, but he immediately manifests it to the Jews; and first to the priests and Levites sent in legation from the sanhedrim, he professed indefinitely, in answer to their question, that himself was not the Christ, nor Elias, nor that prophet, whom they by a special tradition expected to be revealed, though they knew not when; and secondly to all the people he professed definitely, wheresoever he saw Jesus Christ. "This is he;" yea, he points him out with his finger, John i. 29. "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Then he shows him to Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, and then to another disciple with him, "who both followed Jesus, and abode with him all night." Andrew brings his brother Simon with him, and Christ changes his name from Simon to Peter, or Cephas, "which signifies a stone," ver. 42. Then Jesus himself finds out Philip of Bethsaida, ver. 43. and bade him follow' him; and: Philip finds out Nathaniel, and bids him, "come and see," ver. 45. for the Messiah was found; when Nathaniel came to Jesus, Christ saw his heart, and gave him a blessed character, ver. 47. "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile." Thus we see no less than five disciples found out at first, which must be as so many witnesses of Jesus Christ.
3. And yet we find more witnesses, "The works (saith Christ) that I do, in my Father's name, they bear witness of me," John x. 25. These works or miracles of Christ were many, but because we are speaking of his first manifestation, I shall instance only in his first work, which was at a marriage in Cana of Galilee. The power of miracles had now ceased since their return out of the captivity; the last miracle that was done by man till this very time, was Daniel's tying up the mouths of the lions, and now Christ begins. He that made the first marriage in paradise, bestows his first miracle upon a marriage feast; O happy feast where Christ is a guest! I believe this was no rich or sumptuous bridal; who ever found Christ at the magnificent feasts or triumphs of the great? The state of a servant (in which state Christ was) doth not well agree with the proud pomp of the world. This poor needy bridegroom wants drink for his guests; and as soon as the holy virgin hath notice of it, she complains to her son; whether we want bread or water, or wine, necessaries or comforts, whether should we go but to Christ, Psal. xxiii. 1. "The Lord is my shepherd," and if that be so, it will surely follow, "I shall not want," John ii. 4. "But Jesus answered her, woman what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." This shows that the work he was to do, must not be done to satisfy her importunity, but to prosecute the great work of divine designation: in works spiritual and religious, all outward relation ceaseth: matters of miracle concerned the Godhead only, and in this case, "O woman, what have I to do with thee?" We must not deny love and duty to relations; but in the things of God natural endearments must pass into spiritual, and, like stars in the presence of the sun, must not appear. Paul could say, 2 Cor. v. 16. "Henceforth we know no man after the flesh, yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more."
At the command of Jesus the water pots were filled with water, and the water by his divine power is turned into wine, where the different dispensation of God and the world is highly observable: "Every man sets forth good wine at first, and then the worse;" but Christ not only turns water into wine, but into such wine, that the last draught is most pleasant. The world presents us with fair hopes of pleasures, honours, and preferments, but there is bitterness in the end; every sin smiles in the first address, but when we have well drunk, then comes that which is worse; only Christ turns our water into wine: if we fill our water pots with water; if with David we water our couch with our tears for sin, Christ will come in with the wine of gladness sooner or later; and he will give the best wine at the last: O how delicate is that new wine, which we shall one day drink with Christ in his Father s kingdom? These were the first manifestations of Jesus. You see he had several witnesses to set him forth; some from heaven, and some on earth; the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost witness from heaven, the Baptist, disciples, and his works witness on earth; and there is no disagreement in their witness, but all bring in this testimony of Jesus, that he is "the Messiah, which is, being interpreted the Christ," John i. 41.
Use. But what are these manifestations to us? Or to that great design of Christ in carrying on our soul's salvation? Much every way. For either must Christ be manifested to us even by these witnesses, in the preaching of the gospel, and manifested in us by that one witness his holy Spirit, or we are undone forever.
1. Christ must be manifested to us in the preaching of the gospel; this mercy we have this day; nay, you see every Sabbath day all the witnesses speak in us; what do we but in God's stead, in the Baptist's stead, in the disciples stead manifest Christ to you in every sermon? It is the commission which Christ hath given us of the ministry, "Go preach the gospel to every creature," Mark xvi. 15. Observe but how open Christ's heart is towards you; he cannot contain his love, and grace within himself; he cannot keep his own counsels that are for the good of your souls, but all must be manifest, and that in the openest way, by preaching and proclaiming them to the world; Christ must be laid out to open view; Christ will have nothing of his love kept back: He wills and commands us of the ministry, in the stead of all those former witnesses, to make all known what he is, and what he hath done and suffered for you. Oh Christians! How cheap are the mysteries of the gospel to you-ward? You may know them, if you will but lend an ear, and listen to them, the word is nigh you, even in your mouths; Christ is proclaimed in your very streets; you may have him if you will, without money or money-worth, Isa. lv. 1. "Come, buy wine, and milk, without money, and without price." Do you not hear? Christ is laid open for every man's good and profit; Christ deals not under hand with you; he must be manifested that you may see what you buy; if I should tell you the meaning of the commission, which Christ hath put into our hands, he bids me say thus to your souls, "Come, poor creatures, you that stand in need of Jesus Christ, here is Christ for you, take him, and do with him in an holy manner what you will; he is of infinite use for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." What is our preaching but a manifesting of Christ in this manner? What is the sum of all our sermons, but a discovery of this, that life and light is in Christ for you, that eternal love waits and attends on you, that whatever may do you good is provided and made ready for you? Oh! will souls now refuse Christ, when thus and thus manifested? God forbid.
2. Christ must be manifested in us by his holy Spirit. Christians! look to your hearts, what manifestations of Christ are there? When Paul speaks the gospel in general, he adds in particular. That "it pleased God to reveal Christ in me," Gal. i. 16. And when Peter speaks of the word of God, he adds. That "we take heed thereunto, 2 Pet. i. 19. -- until the day dawn, and the day star (that is Christ, Rev. xxii. 16.) arise in our hearts;" till then, though we be circled with gospel discoveries, our hearts will be full of darkness; but when Christ, whom the prophet calls, "the Sun of righteousness," Mal. iv, 2. and Peter the day star, shall arise within us, we shall be full of light. Sometimes, I confess I wonder that in these days there should be such glorious discoveries of the beauties, and sweetness, and excellencies of Jesus Christ, and yet that men's hearts are generally so full of darkness; but this takes off the wonder; hearts are carnal, John i. 5. "Light shines in darkness, but darkness comprehendeth it not:" lead a blind man through a glorious city, and though there be such and such things in it, yet he tells you, he cannot prize them, he sees them not; though "Jerusalem should come down from God out of heaven," (as John saw it in his vision) "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband," Rev. xxi. 2, yet the natural man sees neither walls, nor gates, nor streets; you may tell him, "All is gold, and Jasper, and precious stones," but for all this he cannot prize them, alas, he sees them not: how many glorious objects do the unregenerate slight? They see no beauty in Jesus Christ, they feel no sweet in his ordinances; the Sabbath is a trouble, and no delight to them; and whence all this? It is because there is no light, no manifestation of Christ within them; the Spirit of Christ hath not witnessed, Christ hath not manifested Christ within their souls, and therefore they remain in darkness.