-19. Chapter 19. Of the Office of Christ

1-19 Chapter 19. Of the Office of Christ Thus far of the Person of Christ; his office follows

1. The OFFICE of Christ is that which he undertook, that he might obtain salvation for men. 1 Timothy 1:15, This is a sure saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the World to save Sinners.
2. Those who deny that the proper end propounded by God and Christ in this misery was the salvation of men, deprive God and Christ of their honour, and men of their comfort.
3. In this office, two things are to be considered: the calling to this office, and the office itself. Hebrews 5:4-6, None takes this honour to himself, except the one who is called by God, as was Aaron; so also Christ, etc.
4. The calling is an action of God, especially of the Father, whereby a special covenant being made, he ordained his Son to this office.291
5. This covenant is expressed in Isaiah 53:10, that if Christ would make himself a sacrifice for sin, then he would see his seed, he would prolong his days, and the delight of the Lord would prosper by him.
6. This calling therefore contains in itself, choosing, foreordaining, and sending. Isaiah 42:1, My elect; 1 Peter 1:20, Which was foreknown before the foundation of the world; John 3:17, God has sent his Son into the World. It is called in the Scriptures, Sealing, John 6:27; Sanctification, John 10:36; Anointing, Isaiah 61:1; Psalms 45:7; Hebrews 1:9; and Giving, John 3:16.
7. Choosing respects the end; foreordaining respects the means; sending respects the execution itself; it is of mere grace, without any foreseen condition either in men or in Christ himself.
8. All things which Christ either did or suffered, even touching all the circumstances, were foredetermined. Luke 22:22, The Son of man goes as it is appointed. Acts 4:28, That they might do whatever your hand and your counsel had before determined to be done.
9. But this calling was instituted in an ordinary manner; it was confirmed with a solemn oath to confirm the excellence and eternity of it. Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:24.292
10. The office itself to which Christ was called is threefold: that of a Prophet, Priest, and King.
This number and order of offices is shown,
11. First, by men’s NECESSITY, grievously labouring under ignorance, alienation from God, and a disability to return to him; the first of these is healed by the Prophecy of Christ, the second by his Priesthood, and the third by his Kingdom.
12. Secondly, the order of CONFERRING salvation shows this number also which should first be unfolded, then obtained, and then afterward applied; the first is the part of a Prophet, the second of a Priest, and the third of a King.
13. Thirdly, the same order also appears by the solemn manner of EXECUTING it, whereby Christ first taught others, declaring the Will of God to them; then he offered himself; and afterward he entered into his Kingdom.
14. The prophecy of Christ is that by which he has perfectly revealed the whole Will of God that brings salvation; this is why in Scripture he is called not only a Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22); and a Doctor (Matthew 23:7); and the Apostle of our profession (Hebrews 3:1); and the Angel of the Covenant (Malachi 3:1); but also the very wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24); and the treasure of wisdom and understanding (Colossians 2:3).
15. This prophecy was in Christ as the principal cause; it was in others, whether angels or men, as his instruments: 1 Peter 1:11, The Prophets searched what or what manner of time the foretelling Spirit of Christ which was in them should declare, etc. And 1 Peter 3:19, By which, going to the spirits which are in prison, he preached. It was in Christ by way of habit,293 so that he might, when he pleased, reveal all the secrets of God. But in others it was by way of act, and flashing or coruscation,294 so that they could not exercise prophecy except at certain times when he pleased. Jeremiah 42:7, After ten days, the Lord came to Jeremy.
16. That he might be such a prophet, it was necessary that he be God, John 1:18; John 3:13.295 And along with this also, that he should be man, Acts 3:22 with Deuteronomy 18:15.296 For unless he had been God, he would neither have perfectly understood the Will of God, 1 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Corinthians 2:16;297 nor would he have been able to reveal it throughout all ages; and unless he had been man, he could not have fitly unfolded it in his own person to men, Hebrews 1:1.298
17. The priesthood of Christ is that whereby he has purged the sins of men by sacrifice, and obtained the favour of God for them, Colossians 1:20-22; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 5:10.299
8. This priesthood was not legal or temporary, but according to the order of Melchizedek, Hebrews 7:17; it was not by a carnal commandment, but by the power of an endless life, ibid. Hebrews 7:16; it was not by an order that is weak and lame, but stable and perfect, ibid. Hebrews 7:18-19; it was not for a time, but forever, ibid. Hebrews 7:24. Finally, it allowed for no successor or Vicar, but it was perpetual and proper only to Christ, the one that ever lives, ibid. Hebrews 7:24-25.
19. In this office, Christ himself was the Priest, Sacrifice, and Altar. He was PRIEST according to both natures, Hebrews 5:5-14; Hebrews 6:1-20 He was a SACRIFICE most properly according to his human nature; this is why in the Scriptures this is usually attributed not only to the person of Christ, but to his body, Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 2:24; Colossians 1:21-22;301 to his blood, Colossians 1:20;302 and to his Soul, Isaiah 53:10; Matthew 20:28.303 Yet the chief force whereby this sacrifice was made effectual, depended on the nature of God — namely, that the Son of God offered himself for us, Acts 20:28; Romans 8:3.304 He was the ALTAR properly speaking, according to his Divine nature, Hebrews 9:14, etc.; Hebrews 13:10, Hebrews 13:12, Hebrews 13:15.305 For it belongs to the Altar to sanctify what is offered on it; and so it ought to be of greater dignity than the sacrifice itself, Matthew 23:17.306 But Christ, by his divine nature, in a certain manner sanctified himself according to his human nature, John 17:19.307
20. Therefore it also appears from this how necessary it was that Christ the Mediator, should be both God and man; for unless he had been man, he would not have been a fit sacrifice; and unless he had been God, that sacrifice would not have been of sufficient virtue.
21. The Kingdom of Christ is that by which he dispenses and administers with power and authority, all things which pertain to the salvation of man, Psalms 2:6; Daniel 2:44; Luke 1:36.308
The properties of this Kingdom are as follows:
22. First, it is universal, 1. In respect to all ages, Matthew 22:43-45.309 2. In respect to all kinds of men, Daniel 7:14; Revelation 17:14 310. 3. Also in respect to all Creatures, as they in any way pertain to the furthering or beautifying of men’s salvation, Ephesians 1:21-22.311
23. Secondly, it is over the very soul and consciences of men, Romans 14:17.312
24. Thirdly, it dispenses life and death eternal, Revelation 1:18.313
25. Fourthly, it is eternal, Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:14.314
26. Fifthly, it brings great peace and perfect felicity315 to those who are its heirs, Isaiah 9:6; Ephesians 2:16; Hebrews 7:2.316
27. Hence everywhere in the Scriptures, and in the places cited above, this Kingdom is called the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of peace and glory; the Kingdom of light and glory, the Kingdom of Heaven; and the world to come (Hebrews 2:5).
28. And hence it also appears how necessary it was that Christ the Mediator should be God and man; for unless he had been God, he could not be the spiritual King of our souls, dispensing life and death eternal; and unless he had been man, he could not have been a head of the same kind with his Body.
29. Christ in all his offices had types; in the Prophetic office, he had men so subordinate to himself that they also were called prophets; but his Priesthood and Kingdom do not allow for such subordination; nor was there ever anyone who was a spiritual Priest or King by office besides Christ alone.
30. The reason for the difference is because the declaration of the will of God to men, which is the office of a Prophet, may in some manner be performed by a mere man; but purging sins by sacrifice before God — which is the duty of a priest — and government over the souls and consciences of men — which is the part of a King — cannot be done at all by a mere man.
31. The kings of the nations are not properly subordinate to Christ in their authority, but to God.