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§. 60. Of Gods crowning Christ with glory and honour.
THe point which the Apostle principally aimeth at, is the excellency of Christ▪ which he doth here set out two wayes;
- 1. Singly, in this phrase, Crowned with glory and honour.
- 2. Relatively, in this, set him over the works, &c.
To shew the ground of this exaltation of Christ, the Apostrophe to God is still continued, thus; a 1.1 Thou crownest him. See §. 55.
This Metaphor, of crowning, hath reference to a Royall dignity. To crown is properly to set a crown upon ones head, and that act declareth one to be a King: thus it is said of Solomon, Behold King Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him, Cant. 3. 12. Of Christs Royall dignity, See Chap. 1. §. 106, 111. 112.
Of Gods conferring upon Christ that Royalty whereunto he was advanced, See Chap. 1. §. 119, 149.
This Metaphor of crowning may also have reference to Christs labours and tra∣vels in his life time: and to the reward which God gave him after he had fully ac∣complished all, and gotten an absolute conquest over all his enemies. In publike undertakings, the Champion that hath well finished his task, and overcome, was, in way of recompence, crowned. Hereunto alludeth the Apostle in this phrase, They which run in a race, run all; but one receiveth the prize: They do it to obtain a cor∣ruptible crown, 1 Cor. 9. 24. 25. Thus Christ after he had run his race, and overcome, was crowned by his Father. To this tendeth that which is said of Christ, Psal. 2. 8, 9. He humbied himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Where∣fore God also hath highly exalted him.
Thus may all the members of Christ expect, after they have finished their course and overcome, to be crowned. The Apostle with strong confidence expected as much; for thus he saith, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousnesse, 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. with the expectation hereof do the Apostles incite Christians, to hold out in doing the work of the Lord (1 Pet. 5. 4.) and in enduring temptations (Iam. 1. 12.) For he that can and will perform what he hath promised, hath made this pro∣mise: Be thou faithfull unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life, Rev. 2. 10.
To amplifie that Royall dignity, these two words, Glory, Honour, are added.
Glory is oft put for the excellency of a thing (See Chap. 1. v. 3. §. 19.) so as this dignity was the most excellent, that any could be advanced unto. The b 1.2 Hebrew word, according to the notation thereof, importeth a ponderous or substantiall thing: opposed to that which is light and vain.
The c 1.3 Greek word, sets out that which is well spoken of, or is, of good report, and a glory to one.
The other word d 1.4 Honour, in Hebrew implieth that which is comely or bright. It is translated beauty, Psal. 110. 3.
The e 1.5 Greek word intendeth, that a due respect be given to such as we have in high account. Where the Apostle exhorteth to render unto others their due, he thus exemplifieth it; honour to whom honour is due, Rom. 13. 7. The duties therefore which inferiours owe to their superiours, are comprised under this word honour: as the duty of servants (1 Tim. 6. 1.) of children (Ephes▪ 9. 2.) and of subjects, 1 Pet. 2. 17. This then sheweth, that as Christ is most excellent in himself, so he is highly to be esteemed by others. Honour is due unto him, therefore honour is to be yeel∣ded to him, Psal. 45. 2, 3, 11, 17. We honour Kings crowned with gold; shall we not honour Christ crowned with glory? These are fit epithets to set out the Royall dignity of Christ. They shew him to be most excellent in himself, and to be highly esteemed by others. When the Apostle saith of Christ, God hath exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, he sets out his glory: And where he addeth, That at the name of Iesus every knee should •…•…ow, he sets out his honour. By this the ig∣nominy of the Cross is taken away.