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VERSE 8. Now I say that Iesus Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision, for the truth of God, to confirme the promises made vnto the Fathers.
THat Christ hath receiued vs all, is here proued in this and in the verses following.
The Argument is taken from a Distribution: thus,
Hee that receiueth Iewes and Gentiles, receiueth all: for all men may be so distributed. But Christ hath receiued Iewes and Gentiles. Therefore, &c.
That he receiueth the Iewes is proued in this Verse; and
that hee receiueth the Gentiles, in those which follow.
The Argument whereby he proueth the assumption of the Iewes, is taken from the destinate end of his humiliation, which was, to confirme the truth of God, and the promises of the Fathers: thus,
Hee who became the minister of Circumcision to con∣firme the truth of God, and the promises of the Fa∣thers, assumeth the Iewes. But for such end was Christ the minister of the Circum∣cision. Therefore, &c.
In this Verse are two parts: a Description of the humilia∣tion of Christ, and the end thereof.
The humiliation of Christ in these words; Iesus Christ was a minister of Circumcision: not that he administred the Sacrament of Circumcision, as neyther did he baptise; but because by his comming he sanctified Circumcision, and all other Shadowes and Ceremonies, and made them effectuall, as a learned man expounds: which sense if it be admitted, it affords this Obseruation.
If the Sacraments be effectuall vnto vs, [Obser.] to confirme vs in grace, and to worke vs vnto a power against sinne vnto god∣linesse; it is a signe that wee are receiued: but if wee being baptised, and comming to the Lords Table, are not so en∣abled, it is a signe we are not receiued.
But there is another more apt interpretation, which the most doe follow, and that is, to take Circumcision for the Circumcised, the Abstract for the Concrete; meaning the Iewes, to whom that Sacrament and Ceremony was com∣manded. So often with Paul, as Rom. 4.12. Gal. 2.7.8.
The Minister of Circumcision: implying a meane and labo∣rious seruice, as our Sauiour speakes of himselfe, The sonne of man came not to be ministred vnto, but to minister, and giue his life a ransome for many.
For the truth of God, to confirme, &c. In these words is the end of his humiliation; which is double: the vtmost end, for the truth of God; the next, to confirme the promises made vnto the Fathers.
For the truth of God. That God might be iustified in his sayings and promises.
To confirme the promises made to the Fathers; of his com∣ming, and of the effect thereof; to make good vnto them eternall life. And so the New Testament is a fulfilling of the Old.
These Promises were made to Adam, Noah, Abraham, and to the Iewes, that Christ should bee the saluation of the world: and hee came in the fulnesse of time to make them good. Not but that the promises were of vertue and force to Adam; but the Action or Passion from whence such vertue came, was performed at the comming of Christ.
All this is amplified by Pauls asseueration: Now I say.
Christ came in the flesh to make good the truth of God, [Doctr.] and to confirme his promise to the Iewes, for their saluation. Luke 1.68. & seq. The first part of the Song of Zachary is to blesse God for visiting & redeeming his people by the comming of Christ, As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, &c. To performe the mercy promised to our Fathers, &c. Matth. 15.24. I am not sent but to the lost sheepe of the house of Israel, Acts 13.46.
The tenure whereby Abraham and the Iewes held eter∣nall life, was by the free promise of God. Reade Deut. 7.7.8. [Obser.] None are saued by merit.
Christ was a Minister not in name and title onely, [Ʋse 1] but most painfully hee discharged his calling, by praying, preaching, watching, fasting, doing good, and adorning his ministery with a most holy life.
Let no man therefore contemne the Calling of the Mini∣stery; though we be vnworthy, yet it must be also acknow∣ledged that there is no person on earth worthy enough to beare that office: Let Archippus take heed to the Ministery that hee hath receiued in the Lord, that he fulfill it. For if our Lord Christ did all the daies after his inauguration most painfully labour, and to much and often wearinesse in fulfilling his of∣fice; let all Ministers be ashamed, especially to take the ho∣nour and maintenance of their places and callings, and to neglect the worke.
Let hearers see they profit by our labours: If wee labour, and they profit not, the losse is theirs; yea the more we labour, the more and greater their losse.
Many account it a great blessing, and so it is, to haue a learned, faithfull, and painfull Teacher; But they must know that if Christ himselfe were their Minister, it would be no aduantage to them, vnlesse they beleeue and obey his doctrine. Christ was the Minister of the Iewes, but he con∣uerted but few of them, and yet neuer man spake as he did. It may be some comfort to Ministers, who by all their paynes cannot turne the hearts of drunkards and other wicked li∣uers; but it shall be the greater condemnation to such hea∣rers, that haue receiued the word in vaine.
Euen Moses that famous Prophet of whom the Iewes boasted, shall accuse them to God because they beleeued him not: So shall thy famous Teacher accuse thee, because thou amendest not by his teaching.
It is our happinesse to be receiued, [Ʋse 2] which we are not, if the promises bee not confirmed vnto vs. Let vs then pretiously account of the Word and Sacraments, which are the seales to assure vs of the loue of God. What shall become of our consciences without these? It will be hard to stand in the day of affliction: attend vnto these, that the promises may be confirmed vnto thee
The truth of God is of great waight: [Ʋse 3] for that Christ was faine to come in the flesh.
If thou beest a drunkard, a blasphemer, &c. thou knowest what the word of truth saith of thee, and the Scripture cannot be broken.
Consider, Gods truth is deare vnto him: If God be true, in what estate art thou? He spared not his owne Sonne our Lord Iesus, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, and that his truth might appeare: and shall he be vntrue, and the Scripture vn∣fulfilled to spare thee? The promise of life shall be made good to the comfort of his Children, though it cost the abasing of the Sonne of God: and so the sentence of damnation shall be executed vpon hypocrites and vnrepentant sinners, cost what it shall.
Christ came in the flesh, and suffered in the flesh, for the truth of God: and for the truth of God he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead; that God may be true in sauing the godly, and in damning the vngodly which repent not.
Iohn 4.2.
Faius.
Mat. 20.28.
Colos. 4.17.
John 5.45.
John 10.35.