Christ a Prophet

    CHRIST A PROPHET

    "A Prophet is not without honour, save in his own country," Mt 13:57.

    "And they glorified God, saying, that a great Prophet was risen among them," Lu 7:16.

    "The woman said unto him, Sir, I perceive thou art a Prophet" Joh 4:19.

    "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me," &c. Ac 3:22.

    IT is a common and received principle among all that are truly godly, that Jesus, the Son of the Highest, stands in a capacity of King, Priest, and Prophet to his Church, and so he is to be received by all that will on good grounds receive benefit by him. Having spoken somewhat of his Kingly and Priestly office, somewhat relating to him in respect of his Prophetical office, is hinted in the following.

    METAPHOR

    1. A Prophet is a mouth to others, to speak forth what is the sense and mind of God to them: "And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a God unto Pharaoh, and Aaron thy brother shall be thy Prophet, and speak unto Pharaoh," Ex 7:1.

    PARALLEL

    I. Jesus Christ is the mouth of God, who speaks forth his mind and will unto the sons of men. "God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son," Heb 1:1-2. "The words which I speak are not mine, but the Father's that sent me," Joh 14:24.

    METAPHOR

    II. A Prophet speaks hot of himself, but the word of God comes to him, to teach him what he shall say; "For when David was up in the morning, the word of the Lord came unto the Prophet Gad, David's seer, saying," &c.

    PARALLEL

    II. Jesus Christ speaks not of himself, (as he was man,) but the word of God came to him, to direct him what he should speak: "I speak not of myself," Joh 12:49. "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things that must shortly come to pass," Re 1:1.

    METAPHOR

    III. A Prophet doth anoint others, and install them into office, as Samuel did Saul, and as Nathan did Solomon, 1Sa 10:1; 1Ki 1:25.

    PARALLEL

    III. Jesus Christ doth anoint others, and install them into office, of whom it is said, "we have received an unction from the Holy One, that teacheth all things," 1Jo 2:20. "I thank Jesus Christ, who hath put me into the ministry."

    METAPHOR

    IV. A Prophet gives direction for cleansing from uncleanness, or leprosy. "The servants of Naaman, came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he says unto thee, wash and be clean," 2Ki 5:13.

    PARALLEL

    IV. Jesus Christ gives direction for cleansing from all uncleanness, both in respect of body and soul; "he said to the leper, I will, be thou clean," &c. Mt 8:3-4. "And when he saw the lepers, He said unto them, go, show yourselves to the priests; and it came to pass, that as they went they were cleansed." "Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken to you," Joh 15:3. He doth not only direct, but giveth cleansing: "Having washed us from our sins in his own blood," Re 1:5.

    METAPHOR

    V. A Prophet was to pray for the people, as the proper work of his place; hence Samuel saith, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you," &c., 1Sa 12:23.

    PARALLEL

    V. Jesus Christ did eminently answer the work of a good Prophet, in praying for the people.

    1. For his friends: "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter," Joh 14:16. (1.) That they may be kept from evil. (2.) That they may be sanctified through the truth. (3.) That they may be brought to an inseparable union, Joh 17:9,15,17,21. Nay, more than this,

    2. He prayeth for his enemies; "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

    METAPHOR

    VI. A Prophet, though ever so good or great, is slighted by his own neighbours and people; he is without honour in his own country, Mt 13:57.

    PARALLEL

    VI. Jesus Christ, though he was the greatest and best of Prophets that ever was sent to the children of men, yet was he slighted by his own people, and rejected by his near neighbours: "He came unto his own, and his own received him not," Joh 1:11. "Is not this the carpenter's son, whose father and mother we know," &c.

    METAPHOR

    VII. A true Prophet is ordained of God, is sent forth to do that work and business: "Before thou camest out of the womb, I ordained thee to be a Prophet unto the nations," Jer 1:5.

    PARALLEL

    VII. Jesus Christ was ordained, and sent of God to do the work and office of a Prophet: "I came not of myself, but the Father sent me." "He was faithful to him that appointed him, as Moses also was," Heb 3:2.

    METAPHOR

    VIII. A Prophet is anointed to do and perform the work proper to his place; as it is said, "Elisha, the son of Shaphat, thou shalt anoint to be a Prophet," 1Ki 19:16.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. Jesus Christ is anointed to be a Prophet, and to perform the work proper to his place; as it is said, "Because thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity, therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows," Heb 1:9. "The Lord God hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor," &c. Lu 4:18.

    METAPHOR

    IX. A Prophet is the leader and guide of the people, as it is said, by a Prophet, "the Lord led Israel out of Egypt.

    PARALLEL

    IX. Jesus Christ is the Leader or Guide of his people, called the Forerunner and Captain of our salvation. "He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd, and gently lead those that are with young," &c., Isa 40:11. "Behold, I have given him for a Witness to the people, a Leader and Commander to the people," Isa 55:4.

    METAPHOR

    X. A true Prophet ought to be believed: "Believe his Prophets, so shall you prosper," 2Ch 20:20.

    PARALLEL

    X. Jesus Christ ought to be believed. God commands all men to hear him, and unless they believe in him, they shall die in their sins. "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me, him shall ye hear in all things he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul that will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people," Ac 3:22-23.

    METAPHOR

    XI. A Prophet bears witness to the truth: "To him give all the Prophets witness," Ac 10:43.

    PARALLEL

    XI. Jesus Christ did bear witness to the truth; he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate, and is called the "Faithful and true witness, and first-begotten from the dead."

    METAPHOR

    XII. A Prophet is a man of God, a Servant of God, and knows his secrets, Jer 44:4; Eze 38:17; Da 9:6; Am 3:7.

    PARALLEL

    XII. Jesus Christ is a man of God indeed, a Servant of God, whose meat and drink it was to do his will, and one who knew all the Father's secrets: "No man hath seen God at any time, save the only begotten Son of God, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him," Mt 11:27.

    METAPHOR

    XIII. The Prophets of God laid a foundation for the Church to build upon, in respect of faith and doctrine: "And that the Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and Prophets," Eph 2:20.

    PARALLEL

    XIII. Jesus Christ hath excelled all that went before him in this respect. He was not applauded by the people only, who said he was a teacher come from God; that "He taught like one that had authority, and never man spake like him," Mt 7:29: but he was commended as one fit to be heard by God himself, and that with an audible voice from heaven, "This is my beloved Son, hear ye him," Mt 3:17.

    This great Prophet of the Most High hath, in pursuit of his prophetical office, laid a fair foundation for the Church to build upon, in these great and most important points:

    I. He hath set forth God in the excellency of his nature, and perfections. He hath told us, we are to have faith in him, to love him with all our whole soul, and with all our strength, and to worship him in spirit and in truth.

    2. He hath set forth himself as Mediator, the immediate object of faith, and to followed in his life and doctrine: "Another foundation can no man lay," 1Co 3:11.

    3. He hath confirmed the Holy Scriptures, as the rule of worship, directing men to them for the regulation of their hearts and lives. "Search the scriptures," Joh 5:39. "It is written in your law," &c. And to the young man, that would know what he should do to inherit eternal life, he said, "How readest thou?" &c.

    4. He hath set forth the world to come, in the glory of it, as the reward of worship, telling them that there is a kingdom to be given, and, "The pure in heart shall see God."

    METAPHOR

    XIV. The work of a true Prophet is, to perfect the work appertaining to the Church, as well as to lay the foundation of it: "He gave some Prophets, &c., for the perfecting of the saints," &c., Eph 4:11-12.

    PARALLEL

    XIV. Jesus Christ hath not only, as the Author of our faith, laid a sure foundation for us to build upon; but, as the Finisher thereof, hath store of gifts and graces to bestow, which he hath promised to give down; and hath also proposed such examples and precepts touching all the particularities of our duty, which, if followed, cannot miss of perfecting, and making the Church complete. "Be merciful, as---be ye perfect, as---your heavenly Father is perfect." "Love one another: walk as you have me for an example; and what you would that men should do to you, that do unto them: this is the law and the Prophets."

    METAPHOR

    XV. Prophets are to be examples to others: "Take my brethren, the Prophets for an example," Jas 5:10.

    PARALLEL

    XV. Jesus Christ was the most perfect copy to write by, the best example to conform our lives unto, that ever our eyes beheld, or that ever appeared. 1. In this unparalleled meekness, humility, self-denial, and contempt of this world. 2. His unwearied patience under afflictions and sufferings. 3. His zeal and forwardness to do good, even to the worst of his enemies.

    METAPHOR

    XVI. Prophets gave forth scripture by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, for men to have recourse to at all times, for quickening, comfort, and instruction in righteousness: as it is written in the Prophets. "According to the scriptures of the Prophets." "The prophecy came not in old time," &c., Ac 7:41; Ro 16:26.

    PARALLEL

    XVI. Jesus Christ hath given forth scripture by the glorious power of the Holy Ghost, which are the four Evangelists, and all the Epistles; and as to the book of the Apocalypse, he hath so confirmed it, that he hath made it damnation to any that shall add to it, or diminish from it, Rev. 23:18,19.

    METAPHOR

    XVII. Prophets do not only expound and show what is past, and already fulfilled, but foretell and predict things to come, (which they all did more or less) as a proper part of their work.

    PARALLEL

    XVII. Herein Jesus Christ hath completed his work as a Prophet. He did expound to his disciples what was written in the law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, concerning himself, And not only so, but he foretold them things that were yet to come to pass; as the destruction of Jerusalem, and the captivity of the Jews. He did not conceal, but plainly told, that there should be a day of distress, such as had not been since they were a nation. And soon after his ascension, sent his angel to signify to his servant John, for the teaching all his churches, many things that are, and shortly should come to pass, Lu 21., Mt 24., Mr 13., Re 1., as,

    1. The rise, reign, and ruin of the last beast.

    2. The suffering of the Church in the wilderness, during his reign.

    3. The glory, grandeur, horrid wickedness, and fearful overthrow, of mystical Babylon.

    4. The going forth of the everlasting Gospel into all the world.

    5. And lastly, his own coming in glory, with the New Jerusalem, the holy angels, ai all saints, to solemnize the last and dreadful judgment.

    METAPHOR

    I. ALL other Prophets, besides Christ, were inspired by Christ. The Prophets searched what manner of time the Spirit of Christ was in them, 1Pe 1:11, by which he "Preached to the spirits in prison." 1Pe 3:19.

    DISPARITY

    I. JESUS Christ received not the Holy Spirit by measure, but hath the fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him. "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," Col 2:9.

    METAPHOR

    II. Other Prophets pointed at Christ, as the scope of their prophecies; they testified before-hand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that was to follow.

    DISPARITY

    II. Jesus Christ came as the sum of their prophecies, to fulfil them, and complete what they foretold. "This is he, of whom Moses in the law, and the Prophets did write," Joh 1:45.

    METAPHOR

    III. Other Prophets did but begin the holy books, that were to be the perpetual rule of faith and practice; they told us of divine things but in part.

    DISPARITY

    III. Jesus Christ did finish and complete the holy books, which are to be the perfect and complete rule of faith and practice to the end of the world. He showed plainly of the Father. He is that Prophet that all men are to hear, upon the penalty of being destroyed from amongst the people. He that hears not his voice, and believes not his Gospel, shall not see life, but perish in his sins. "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, confirmed by signs and wonders?" Heb 2:3.

    METAPHOR

    IV. Other Prophets spake of God by private inspiration, and the intelligence of angels, and few of them confirmed their words by miracles.

    DISPARITY

    IV. But Jesus Christ spake of the Father, as he had seen him, and conversed with him, heard his words, and was in his bosom, before he came down among us in the likeness of man, and confirmed his doctrine by many immediate and mighty miracles. "No man has seen God at any time, but the only-begotten Son, that is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him," Joh 1:18; Mt 11:27. "The things that I have heard of him, I speak unto you," "If I had not done amongst them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father," Joh 15:24.

    METAPHOR

    V. Other Prophets have left their work, and are all gone: "Your fathers, where are they? And the Prophets, do they live for ever?" Ec 1:5. "What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? Abraham is dead, and the prophets,"'' &c., Joh 8:52.

    DISPARITY

    V. Jesus Christ abides in his Prophetical office still, that is of like continuance with his Kingly and Priestly office; as he abides a Priest continually, so a Prophet. He is with his Church, to lead it, and guide it, to the end of the world, as himself saith, "And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world," Mt 28:20.

    INFERENCES.

    I. WE may infer from hence, that God hath been exceeding good unto the world in sending such a Prophet, after the great abuse of others that went before: a good Prophet, a great Prophet; none like him that went before him, or should come after him: "The Son of God, Emmanuel, God with us," Mt 1:23.

    II. This informs us also, how exceeding useful our Lord Jesus Christ, as a Prophet, is to his Church; having completed what others left undone, showing the riches, glory, and duration of the world to come; and indeed, in declaring the whole counsel of God, and bringing life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

    III. Moreover you may see the absolute necessity the Church has of such a Prophet, without whom the people would have sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and have been left to stumble upon the dark mountains.

    IV. From hence we infer the infallible certainty of what he has declared, for it could not be that such a Prophet should deceive the world: These things are true and faithful."

    V. Behold the strong and forcible obligation that is upon the world to believe his doctrine where it is preached, and to reject all doctrines that are repugnant to it.

    VI. How inexcusable will all those be, who reject his Gospel and despise his ministers: it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for them," Mt 10:15.

    VII. Let the Christian Church from hence learn to hold fast what she hath received; for the truth, as it is in Jesus, had a great and faithful witness, who confirmed it by mighty miracles, and sealed it with his own blood.