CHAPTER II. THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST OR THE ANOINTED.* CHAP. II. BEFORE the first appearing of CHRIST, long experience had proved, that no redemption from the nature and effects of the fall, had yet been wrought among the human race. No law, however severe against sin, had ever yet saved the soul from its reigning power. Heb. ii. 14, 15. 2. From Adam to Moses, and from Moses to Christ, the true cause of virtue and freedom was unknown. Sin, through the instrumentality of Man, had continued to corrupt the world. Oppression, civil and religious, had still continued to pervade the earth, and destroy the peace and happiness of mankind. 3. As the whole posterity of fallen man, had thus continued to bring forth the fruits of unrighteousness, the produce of an evil nature; and, instead of being reclaimed from the depravity of the fall, the world had waxed old in wickedness, it was necessary that the axe should be laid to the root of that corrupt tree, before the cause of sin could possibly be removed, or the effect cease. 4. As sin entered into the world by the first man's disobedience, and all his posterity, in the same nature of rebellion, continued to follow his example, by which the whole became separated and fallen from God, it required a life and example directly contrary to theirs, in order to their recovery. 5. And as the very nature of man was corrupt, and stood in direct enmity against God, it was impossible for him to find redemption, except through that Mediator, the LORD JESUS, who possessed the same nature and enmity, and thereby was united to the fallen race, that he might crucify that nature, and slay the enmity, in order to become "the Captain of their salvation." 6. Hence it is written, "Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them, who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage." 7. It is evident, from the Scriptures, that the man JESUS, who was ordained and anointed of God to become the Saviour of mankind, was not begotten after the flesh; or in other words, Luke, i. 35, by the works of natural generation; but he was made by the power of the Highest, and the agency of the Holy Spirit, through Mat. i. 25. Greek, Christos, Anointed. the medium of a woman, who with the rest of mankind, was un- CHAP. II. der the law of a corrupt nature. 5. 8. For verily he was not formed of the nature of angels, but Gal. iv. 4, of the seed of Abraham, for he was "made of a woman,' a descendant of Abraham; "made under the law;" and in this he became united to mankind in their fallen state; the Word [original, Divine Intelligence] was manifested in flesh, that is, in Jesus, and dwelt among men, that he might redeem them from the power and dominion of sin. 9. It is certain that, if JESUS had been begotten and conceived after the corrupted order of sexuality, descending from fallen man, he never could have had the pre-eminence above the first Adam, nor have been in a condition to have received the anointing power, or heavenly dove, that enabled him to become the Redeemer and Lord of the new creation-a new and heavenly order. Heb. ii. 16, 17. 18. 10. But before JESUS CHRIST came into the world, there was no judgment in the earth; there was no man who could bring salvation, for the joining of the human race to the orders above, had been cut off by transgression. And the Lord saw it, and it Isa. lix. 15, displeased him that there was no judgment. 66 And he saw that 16. there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore his own arm brought salvation." 11. After man had once lost the image of God, and his very nature stood at enmity against God, had his life been prolonged to succeeding millions of ages, it would have been impossible for him to have recovered from his fallen state, without an entire new order of things, properly called the adjusting of a new age, or a new creation. 12. And, from generation to generation, while man remained. in the order of the first creation, as it stood after he fell, it was justly said of him, that when he multiplied, The wickedness of man was great in the earth. For, instead of subduing and replenishing the earth, he corrupted it, and brought it under a double condemnation. 13. Therefore it was, that JESUS was not begotten after the order of natural generation, according to the will of man; nor made an high priest over the household of God, after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. Heb. vii. For that which was carnal, was, by him, and in him, verily dis- 16, 18. annulled and made void. 14. For if he had been begotten after the order of that creation which had waxed old in wickedness, he could not have been the medium of salvation, nor the beginning of a new creation. Rev. iii. 14. Neither could he have been the head and first born of many brethren. The first Adam, who was of the earth earthy, must still have had the pre-eminence. Rom. viii. 29. CHAP II. 1 Cor. xv. 47. Luke, ii. 46-49. 15. But in Christ Jesus was the Divine quickening Spirit, the real Son of God, having the eternal life and light of Heaven; therefore he could reveal the way, and dispense the power by which souls could rise into the elements of the heavenly state. This quickening Spirit was manifested in Jesus, as the "Second Adam," with the power to propagate eternal life. In this the distinction was made plain between the first heads of the old and new creation. 16. It is evident from the history of JESUS, that from his infancy, he possessed that wisdom and understanding which was superior to any other of the human race. When twelve years of age, he questioned with the learned doctors, who were astonished at his understanding and answers; and, in answering his parents, who had sought him, he said, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?” 17. JESUS, in the first stages of his life, fulfilled the law of nature he was subject to his parents. He fulfilled the moral law, by the purity of his life and manners: his flesh saw no corruption by reason of sin. Hence he put an end to the external ceremonies of the law, and nailed them to his cross of selfdenial. 18. And, when about thirty years of age, he went to John, acknowledged his mission to be of God, and fulfilled it. And, being baptized with water, the heavens were opened unto him; and the Holy Spirit descended in bodily shape as a dove and abode upon him; and lo, a voice! saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Thus, having received by the anointing Spirit of Christ an abiding power from on high, which was not given him by measure, Jesus Christ went forth to do the will of his Father; to teach mankind, by precept and example, the way to the Fountain of true felicity and eternal life. 19. In his public discourses, he unfolded to the multitude, that divine wisdom which he had received from God, the Father of all wisdom and goodness. By the spirit of truth and love, he found access to the hearts of the sincere, and fixed that conviction in their minds which human wisdom can never inspire nor dissolve. 20. JESUS CHRIST knew, by that divine wisdom which dwelt in him, that very few were disposed to hear, much less to obey, what he was commissioned to teach; and therefore he frequently retired to the mountains and deserts, from the cabals and clamors of the chief priests and rulers, who kept the people under bondage and fear. 21. To such as wished to hear, and were honestly seeking for salvation, he taught the Gospel of his kingdom, and no others received it. To those who followed him, he first opened the little narrow way of self-denial, and laid before them those characters which are truly blessed, namely, the poor in spirit, the mourner, CHAP. II. the seeker after righteousness, the meek, the merciful, the pure Matt. v. 2in heart, the peacemakers, and such like. 22. Long experience had proved, that this blessedness was not to be attained by the external rights of the Law; it was therefore necessary that he should show them a more excellent way. 23. He bore a swift testimony against every kind of vice, and against tyranny in every form. He manifested the truth of his testimony to the world, by his example of piety and virtue. He strictly observed and kept all the commandments of God his Father, taught others to do the same by following his example; and confirmed the truth of his Divine mission by his miracles, and by the purity of his life. 12. Mat. v. 17 48. 24. Although JESUS came to fulfil the true intent of the law, he knew that his testimony would be perverted, "for he knew John, ii. 24. what was in man," and therefore said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, (which is of the law,) ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." 25. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment." 26. "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Mat. v. 27. Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee: For it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." &c. 27. Again: "Ye have heard that it hath been said by them Mat. v. 33, of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all. Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil." 28. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you; that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." 29. Thus the life and ministry of JESUS, both by precept and CHAP II. example, was that which never before had either been understood or practised by mankind. The true intent of the Law was wholly unknown, and the letter itself was but the sayings of those of old Heb. vii. 6. Like, xvii. 25. 31. time. 30. Who then, of all the human race, ever fulfilled the law of God until JESUS fulfilled it? He was the first who kept his Father's commandments. By him the Divine perfections of the GREAT FIRST CAUSE were first taught. 31. In him were found the treasures of true wisdom and knowledge. In him was the example of patience, meekness, long-suffering, universal benevolence and love, and every practice that became the Son of God, the Prince of Peace. And such an one it behooved to be the Saviour of mankind, who was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners." 32. It is evident, from the sacred writings, concerning the life and ministry of JESUS, that he became the ANOINTED of God, to bring salvation to man; that he came to redeem the souls of men from under the bondage of sin, and from oppression of every kind. 33. And it is further evident, that JESUS CHRIST was the beginning of a new creation, the first foundation and chief cornerstone of a spiritual kingdom, which had no connexion with the generation, population, increase, or government, of this world, but merely as it respected the redemption of mankind. 34. JESUS knew that his testimony would cost him his life; but seeing that for the cause of righteousness he came into the world, he, for the benefit of mankind, willingly suffered and died in the accomplishment of that design. 35. He foretold, to his disciples, that he must suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation, and of the elders, Mark, viii. chief priests, and scribes, [or writers;] that they would put him to death, and that he should rise again the third day. In all such sufferings, his followers would be included, according to his saying, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." John, xv. 20. 36. And accordingly, being put to death in the flesh, through the envy of the chief priests and rulers, he rose again the third day; and, by many infallible proofs, shewed himself alive unto his disciples," after his passion," that is, showed that he lived in spirit, the same being whom they had known as Jesus. These he had instructed during the time of his ministry, and chosen to be witnesses of his name; and now he appeared to them forty days, speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 37. And having, through the Holy Spirit, given commandment to his Apostles, to teach all nations in his name, beginning Luke.xxiv. at Jerusalem, he charged them to tarry there until they should be endued with power from on high; and having led them out as 47-52. |