Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation.
Q1. Is Christ expressly called a Prophet in scripture?
A. Yes; as in Acts 3:22; where Peter applies the words of Moses to him, "a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, of your brethren, like unto me," &c.
Q2. Why does he bear this name?
A. Because he has made a full revelation of the whole counsel of God, concerning the salvation of lost sinners of mankind, John 15:15.
Q3. By what other names is Christ described, with relation to this office?
A. By the names of an Apostle, Heb. 3:1; of a Witness, Isaiah 55:4; and of an Interpreter, Job 33:23.
Q4. Why is he called an Apostle?
A. Because he is the great Ambassador of Heaven, sent to declare the will of God to men, John 3:34; hence called "the Messenger of the covenant," Mal. 3:1.
Q5. Why called Witness?
A. Because being a son of Adam, Luke 3:38, he was the more fit to attest the will of God to men; and being the eternal Son of God, was therefore liable to no error or mistake in his testimony: hence called "the Amen, the faithful and true Witness," Rev. 3:14.
Q6. Why is he called an Interpreter?
A. Because the mystery of godliness lies so far beyond the reach of our natural understanding, that we could never savingly comprehend it, unless "the Son of God gave us an understanding, that we may know him that is true," 1 John 5:20.
Q7. What was the necessity of his bearing this office of a Prophet?
A. Because there could be no knowledge of the things of the Spirit of God, without a revelation of them, 1 Cor. 2:14; and there could be no revelation of these things, but through Christ, John 1:18.
Q8. By what means does Christ reveal to us the will of God?
A. He reveals it to us outwardly by his word, and inwardly, by his Spirit, 1 Pet. 1:11, 12.
Q9. To whom does he reveal the will of God outwardly in his word?
A. To his church, which, on this account, is called "the valley of vision;" Isaiah 22:1.
Q10. Did he reveal the will of God to his church under the Old Testament?
A. Yes; for the Spirit of Christ was in the Old Testament prophets, 1 Pet. 1:11; he is said, in the days of Noah, to have preached unto the spirits now in prison, 1 Pet. 3:19; and to have spoken with Moses on Mount Sinai, Acts 7:38.
Q11. Does he still continue, under the New Testament, to be the prophet and teacher of the church?
A. Yes; and is therefore said to speak from heaven, in his word and ordinances, Heb. 12:25 - "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh; for, if they escaped not, who FISHER'S CATECHISM - WHAT MAN IS TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven."
Q12. In what manner did he reveal the will of God under both Testaments?
A. Both immediately, in his own person; and mediately, by the intervention of others.
Q13. How did he reveal the will of God immediately in his own person?
A. By voices, visions, dreams, and divers other manners, under the Old Testament, Heb. 1:1, and by his own personal ministry, while here on earth, under the New, Heb. 2:3.
Q14. How does he reveal the will of God mediately, or by the intervention of others?
A. By inspiring the prophets under the Old Testament, and his apostles under the New, to speak and write "as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," 2 Pet. 1:21; and by commissioning ordinary pastors to teach all things whatsoever he has commanded; and in so doing, promising to be with them, "alway, even unto the end of the world," Matt. 28:20.
Q15. Wherein does Christ excel all other prophets and teachers whatsoever, whether ordinary or extraordinary?
A. They were all commissioned by him as the original Prophet, Eph. 4:11; none of them had ever any gifts or furniture, except what they received from him, John 20:22; and none of them could ever teach with such authority, power, and efficacy, as he does, John 7:46.
Q16. What will become of those who will not hear this prophet?
A. They "shall be destroyed from among the people," Acts 3:23.
Q17. May not a people enjoy a faithful ministry, have the word purely preached to them, and yet not profit by it?
A. Doubtless they may; as was the case of many of the Jews in Isaiah's time, Isaiah 53:1; and of Chorazin and Bethsaida, under the ministry of Christ himself, Matt. 11:21.
Q18. What is the reason why the word purely preached does not always profit?
A. Because it is not "mixed with faith in them that hear it," Heb. 4:2.
Q19. What commonly follows upon people's not profiting by the word preached?
A. The word of the Lord slays them, Hos. 6:5; and proves the savour of death unto death to them, 2 Cor. 2:16.
Q20. Seeing the external dispensation of the word has so little influence upon the generality, what else is necessary to make it effectual?
A. The inward teaching of Christ by his Spirit, John 6:63, and 14:26.
Q21. How does this great prophet teach inwardly by his Spirit?
A. He opens the understanding, and makes the entrance of his words to give such light, Psalm 119:130, that the soul is made to see a divine beauty and glory in the gospel-method of salvation, 1 Cor. 2:10-12, and powerfully inclined to fall in with it, 1 Tim. 1:15.
Q22. Does Christ, as a prophet, make all welcome to come and be taught by him?
A. Yes; for, in the outward dispensation of the gospel, he opens the door to every man and woman, saying, "Come unto me - and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart," Matt. 11:28, 29.
Q23. At what schools does Christ, as a prophet, train up his disciples?
A. At the school of the law, the school of the gospel, and the school of affliction.
Q24. What does he teach them at the school of the law?
A. The nature and desert of sin; that by it they are "without Christ - having no hope, and without God in the world," Eph. 2:12.
Q25. What does he teach them at the school of the gospel?
A. That he himself is the great doer of all for them, and in them, Mark 10:51; and that their business is to "take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord," Psalm 116:13.
Q26. What does he teach them at the school of affliction?
A. To justify God, Ezra 9:13; to set their affections on things above, 2 Cor. 4:17, 18; and to pray that their affliction may be rather sanctified, than removed without being so, Isaiah 27:9.
Q27. How may persons know if they have profited under this great Prophet and Teacher?
A. Such will follow on to know him more and more, Hos. 6:3; they will delight in his company, Psalm 27:4; grieve at his absence, Job 23:3; and hide his word in their heart, Psalm 119:11.
Q1. What does Christ's prophetic office imply?
A. It implies man's natural blindness and ignorance; 1 Corinthians 2:14. But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Q2. What else does it imply?
A. That Christ is the original and fountain of all that light which guides us to salvation; 2 Corinthians 4:6, 7. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Q3. How does Christ teach men the will of God?
A. He does it by external revelation of it; Acts 3:22. For Moses truly said to the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me, him shall you hear, in all things, whatever he shall say unto you. And by internal illumination; Luke 24:45. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scripture.
Q4. What need then of man's ministry?
A. Very much; for Christ has instituted ministers as instruments, by whom he will teach us; Ephesians 4:11, 12. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists and some pastors, and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Acts 26:18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins.
Q5. Can no man savingly know the will of God without the teachings of Christ?
A. No; though common knowledge may be obtained in a natural way, yet not saving; Matthew 11:25. At that time Jesus answered, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord, of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes.
Q6. How appears it that Christ is appointed to this offiice?
A. We have the written word for it; Acts 3:22. 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 you hear in all things, whatever he shall say unto you.
Q7. What is the first instruction from hence?
A. None need be discouraged at their natural weakness, if Christ be their teacher; Matthew 11:25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes. Psalm. 19:7. The testimonies of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.
Q8. What is the second instruction?
A. That it is a dreadful judgment to be spiritually blinded under the gospel; 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4. But if our gospel be hiden, it is hidden to them that are lost; in whom the God of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Q9. What is the third instruction?
A. That prayer is the best expedient to obtain saving knowledge; James 1:5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.
Q10. What is the last instruction?
A. Learn hence the transcendent excellency of the knowledge of Christ above all other knowledge; Philippians 3:8. Yes, doubtless, I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. Of Christ's Priesthood
Q1. Does Christ execute the office of a Prophet?
A. Yes: We know that thou art a Teacher come from God, John 3:2.
Q2. Does God speak to us by him?
A. Yes: He hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son, Heb. 1:2.
Q3. Were there prophets under the Old Testament?
A. Yes: God sent his servants the prophets, Jer. 25:4.
Q4. But was Christ above them all?
A. Yes: For he is the Lord God of the holy prophets, Rev. 22:6. compare Col. 1:11.
Q5. And were they his agents?
A. Yes: It was the Spirit of Christ in them that testified, 1 Pet. 1:11.
Q6. Was Moses the great type of Christ as a prophet?
A. Yes: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me, Acts 3:22.
Q7. But was Christ greater than Moses?
A. Yes: For Moses was faithful as a servant, but Christ as a Son, Heb. 3:5,6.
Q8. And is the doctrine of Christ better than that of Moses?
A. Yes: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, John 1:17.
Q9. Was Christ completely qualified to be a Prophet?
A. Yes: For in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2:3.
Q10. Was ever any other so well qualified?
A. No: For no man knows the Father, but the Son, Matt. 11: 27.
Q11. Has Christ, as a Prophet, revealed God's will to us?
A. Yes: For he said, my doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me, John 7:16. and 12:49, 50.
Q12. Has he revealed God's will concerning our duty?
A. Yes: For he did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfil, Matt. 5:17.
Q13. And concerning our happiness?
A. Yes: For he was anointed to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, Luke 4:18.
Q14. Did Christ execute this office when he was on earth?
A. Yes: For he taught them as one having authority, Matt. 7:29.
Q15. Did he introduce his doctrine with Thus saith the Lord, like the Old Testament prophets?
A. No: But Verily, Verily, I say unto you, John 3:3.
Q16. Did he confirm his doctrine by miracles?
A. Yes: Believe me (said he) for the very works' sake, John 14:11.
Q17. Were his miracles many?
A. Yes: Many signs did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, John 20:30.
Q18. Were they profitable?
A. Yes: He went about doing good, Acts 10:38.
Q19. Did Christ teach by the example of his life?
A. Yes: That we might follow his steps, 1 Pet. 2:21.
Q20. Does he still execute this office?
A. Yes: For he said, I have declared thy name unto them, and will declare it. John 17:26.
Q21. Does he reveal God's will to us by his word?
A. Yes: For these things are written that we may believe. John 20:31.
Q22. And by his Spirit?
A. Yes: The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost: he shall teach you all things, John 14:26.
Q23. Does Jesus Christ teach his people?
A. Yes: All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, Isa. 54:13.
Q24. And does he teach effectually?
A. Yes: For the Son of man is come, and hath given us an understanding, 1 John 5:20.
Q25. And does he teach compassionately?
A. Yes: For he can have compassion on the ignorant, Heb. 5:2.
Q26. Must we learn of this Teacher?
A. Yes: Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, Matt. 11:29.
Q27. Are we to receive his doctrine?
A. Yes: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, Col. 3:16.
Q28. And must we abide in it?
A. Yes: If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, John 8:31.
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Christ the Redeemer
The person and work of Christ, and the application of redemption
Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation.
Q25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q27. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Q34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
Q35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
### 3. Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85.
Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal.
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. ‘It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called ‘the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. Fagius. ‘The Angel of the covenant.' Mal 3:3. ‘A Lamp.' 2 Sam 22:19. ‘The Morning Star.' Rev 22:16. Jesus Christ is the great Prophet of his church. The woman of Samaria gave a shrewd guess. John 4:19. He is the best teacher; he makes all other teaching effectual. ‘Then opened he their understanding.' Luke 24:45 He not only opened the Scriptures, but opened their understanding. He teaches to profit. ‘I am the Lord thy God, who teacheth thee to profit.' Isa 48:17.
How does Christ teach?
(1.) Externally, by his Word. ‘Thy word is a lamp to my feet.' Psa 119:905. Such as pretend to have a light or revelation above the Word, or contrary to it, never had their teaching from Christ. Isa 8:80.
(2.) Christ teaches these sacred mysteries, inwardly, by the Spirit. John 16:13. The world knows not what it is. ‘The natural man receives not the things of God, neither can he know them.' I Cor 2:14. He knows not what it is to be transformed by the renewing of the mind, Rom 12:2, or what the inward workings of the Spirit mean; these are riddles and paradoxes to Him. He may have more insight into the things of the world than a believer, but he does not see the deep things of God. A swine may see an acorn under a tree, but he cannot see a star. He who is taught of Christ sees the arcana imperii [state secrets], the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.
What are the lessons which Christ teaches?
He teaches us to see into our own hearts. Take the most mercurial wits, the greatest politicians, that understand the mysteries of state, they know not the mysteries of their own hearts, they cannot believe the evil that is in them. ‘Is thy servant a dog?' 2 Kings 8:13. Grande profundum est homo. Augustine. The heart is a great deep, which is not easily fathomed. But when Christ teaches he removes the veil of ignorance, and lights a man into his own heart; and now that he sees swarms of vain thoughts, he blushes to see how sin mingles with his duties, his stars are mixed with clouds; he prays, as Augustine, that God would deliver him from himself.
The second lesson Christ teaches is the vanity of the creature. A natural man sets up his happiness here, and worships the golden image; but he that Christ has anointed with his eye-salve has a spirit of discerning; he looks upon the creature in its night-dress, sees it to be empty and unsatisfying, and not commensurate to a heaven-born soul. Solomon had put all the creatures into a still, and when he came to extract the spirit and quintessence, all was vanity. Eccles 2: I1. The apostle calls it a show or apparition, having no intrinsic goodness. I Cor 7:71.
The third lesson is the excellency of things unseen. Christ gives the soul a sight of glory, a prospect of eternity. ‘We look not at things which are seen, but at things which are not seen.' 2 Cor 4:18. Moses saw him who is ‘invisible.' Heb 11:17. And the patriarchs saw a better country, viz. an heavenly, where are delights of angels, rivers of pleasure, the flower of joy, fully ripe and blown. Heb 11:16.
How does Christ's teaching differ from other teaching?
Several ways.
(1.) Christ teaches the heart. Others may teach the ear, Christ the heart. ‘Whose heart the Lord opened.' Acts 16:14. All that the dispensers of the word can do is but to work knowledge, Christ works grace: they can but give the light of the truth; Christ gives the love of the truth; they can only teach what to believe, Christ teaches how to believe.
(2.) Christ gives us a taste of the word. Ministers may set the food of the word before you, and carve it out to you; but it is only Christ can cause you to taste it. ‘If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.' I Pet 2:2. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good.' Psa 34:4. It is one thing to hear a truth preached, another thing to taste it; one thing to read a promise, another thing to taste it. David had got a taste of the word. ‘Thou hast taught me: How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.' Psalm 119:902, 103. The apostle calls it the savour of knowledge. 2 Cor 2:14. The light of knowledge is one thing, the savour another. Christ makes us taste a savouriness in the word.
(3.) When Christ teaches, he makes us obey. Others may instruct, but cannot command obedience: they teach to be humble, but men remain proud. The prophet had been denouncing judgements against the people of Judah, but they would not hear. ‘We will do whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven.' Jer 44:17. Men come as it were, armed in a coat of mail that the sword of the word will not enter; but when Christ comes to teach, he removes this obstinacy; he not only informs the judgement, but inclines the will. He does not only come with the light of his word, but the rod of his strength, and makes the stubborn sinner yield to him. His grace is irresistible.
(4.) Christ teaches easily. Others teach with difficulty. They have difficulty in finding out a truth, and in inculcating it. ‘Precept must be upon precept, and line upon line.' Isa 28:80. Some may teach all their lives, and the word take no impression. They complain, ‘I have spent my labour in vain;' Isa 49:9, plowed on rocks; but Christ the great Prophet teaches with ease. He can with the least touch of his Spirit convert: he can say, ‘Let there be light;' with a word he can convey grace.
(5.) When Christ teaches he makes men willing to learn. Men may teach others, but they have no mind to learn. ‘Fools despise instruction.' Prov 1:1. They rage at the word, as if a patient should rage at the physician when he brings him a cordial; thus backward are men to their own salvation. But Christ makes his people a ‘willing people.' Psa 110:0. They prize knowledge, and hang it as a jewel upon their ear. Those that Christ teaches say, as Isa 2:2, ‘Come let us go up to the mountains of the Lord, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in them;' and as Acts 10:03; ‘We are all here present before God, to hear all things commanded.'
(6.) When Christ teaches, he not only illuminates but animates. He so teaches, that he quickens. ‘I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall have lumen vitae, the light of life.' John 8:12. By nature we are dead, therefore unfit for teaching. Who will make an oration to the dead? But Christ teaches them that are dead! he gives the light of life. As when Lazarus was dead, Christ said, ‘Come forth,' and he made the dead to hear, for Lazarus came forth: so when he says to the dead soul, Come forth of the grave of unbelief, he hears Christ's voice, and comes forth, it is the light of life. The philosophers say, calor et lux concrescunt, ‘heat and light increase together.' Where Christ comes with his light, there is the heat of spiritual life going along with it.
Use one: Of information. (1.) See here an argument of Christ's Divinity. Had he not been God, he could never have known the mind of God, or revealed to us those arcana caeli [the secrets of Heaven], those deep mysteries, which no man or angel could find out. Who but God can anoint the eyes of the blind, and give not only light, but sight? Who but he, who has the key of David, can open the heart? Who but God can bow the iron sinew of the will? He only who is God can enlighten the conscience, and make the stony heart bleed.
(2.) See what a cornucopia, or plenty of wisdom is in Christ, who is the great doctor of his church, and gives saving knowledge to all the elect. The body of the sun must needs be full of clearness and brightness, which enlightens the whole world. Christ is the great luminary; in him are hid all treasures of knowledge. Col 2:2. The middle lamp of the sanctuary gave light to all the other lamps; so Christ diffuses his glorious light to others. We are apt to admire the learning of Aristotle and Plato; alas! what is this poor spark of light to that which is in Christ, from whose infinite wisdom both men and angels light their lamps.
(3.) See the misery of man in the state of nature. Before Christ becomes their prophet they are enveloped in ignorance and darkness. Men know nothing in a sanctified manner, they know nothing as they ought to know. I Cor 8:8. This is sad. Men in the dark cannot discern colours so in the state of nature they cannot discern between morality and grace they take one for the other, pro dea nubem [They mistake the cloud for the goddess herself]. In the dark the greatest beauty is hid. Let there be rare flowers in the garden, and pictures in the room, in the dark their beauty is veiled over; so, though there be such transcendent beauty in Christ as amazes the angels, man in the state of nature sees none of this beauty. What is Christ to him? or heaven to him? The veil is upon his heart. A man in the dark is in danger every step he takes; so man in the state of nature is in danger, at every step, of falling into hell. Thus it is before Christ teaches us; nay, the darkness in which a sinner is, while in an unregenerate state, is worse than natural darkness; for natural darkness affrights. ‘An horror of great darkness fell upon Abraham.' Gen 15:12. But the spiritual darkness is not accompanied with horror, men tremble not at their condition; nay, they like their condition well enough. ‘Men loved darkness.' John 3:19. This is their sad condition, till Jesus Christ comes as a prophet to teach them, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.
(4.) See the happy condition of the children of God. They have Christ to be their prophet. ‘All thy children shall be taught of the Lord.' Isa 54:13. ‘He is made to us wisdom.' I Cor 1:10. One man cannot see by another's eyes; but believers see with Christ's eyes. ‘In his light they see light.' Christ gives them the light of grace and the light of glory.
Use two: Labour to have Christ for your prophet. He teaches savingly: he is an interpreter of a thousand, he can untie those knots which puzzle angels. Till Christ teach, we never learn any lesson; till Christ is made to us wisdom, we shall never be wise to salvation.
What shall we do to have Christ for our teacher?
(1.) See your need of Christ's teaching. You cannot sec your way without this morning star. Some speak much of the light of reason improved: alas! the plumb-line of reason is too short to fathom the deep things of God; the light of reason will no more help a man to believe, than the light of a candle will help him to understand. A man can no more by the power of nature reach Christ, than an infant can reach the top of the pyramids, or the ostrich fly up to the stars. See your need of Christ's anointing and teaching in Rev 3:18.
(2.) Go to Christ to teach you. ‘Lead me in thy truth, and teach me.' Psa 25:5. As one of the disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray,' Luke 11: I, so say, Lord, teach me to profit. Do thou light my lamp, O thou great prophet of thy church! Give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation, that I may see things in another manner than I ever saw them before; teach me in the word to hear thy voice, and in the sacrament to discern thy body. ‘Lighten mine eyes,' &c. Psa 13:3. Cathedram habet in coelo qui corda docet in terra. Augustine. ‘He has his pulpit in heaven who converts souls.' That we may be encouraged to go to our great Prophet:
(1:) Jesus Christ is very willing to teach us. Why else did he enter into the calling of the ministry, but to teach the mysteries of heaven? ‘Jesus went about teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.' Matt 4:43. Why did he take the prophetic office upon him? Why was Christ so angry with them that kept away the key of knowledge? Luke 11:12. Why was Christ anointed with the Spirit without measure, but that he might anoint us with knowledge? Knowledge is in Christ for us as milk in the breast for the child. Oh then go to Christ for teaching. None in the gospel came to Christ for sight, but he restored their eyesight; and sure Christ is more willing to work a cure upon a blind soul than ever he was to do so upon a blind body.
(2:) There are none so dull and ignorant but Christ can teach them. Every one is not fit to make a scholar of; ex omni ligno non fit Mercurius; but there is none so dull but Christ can make him a good scholar. Even such as are ignorant, and of low parts, Christ teaches in such a manner that they know more than the great sages and wise men of the world. Hence that saying of Augustine, surgunt indocti, et rapiunt coelum; the unlearned men rise up, and take heaven; they know the truths of Christ more savingly than the great admired Rabbis. The duller the scholar the more is his skill seen that teaches. Hence it is, that Christ delights in teaching the ignorant, to get himself more glory. ‘The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.' Isa 35:5. Who would go to teach a blind or a deaf man? Yet such dull scholars Christ teaches. Such as are blinded with ignorance shall see the mysteries of the gospel, and the deaf ears shall be unstopped.
(3.) Wait upon the means of grace which Christ has appointed. Though Christ teaches by his Spirit, yet he teaches in the use of ordinances. Wait at the gates of wisdom's door. Ministers are teachers under Christ. ‘Pastors and teachers.' Eph 4:4: We read of pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. Judges 7:16. Ministers are earthen vessels, but these pitchers have lamps within them to light souls to heaven. Christ is said to speak to us from heaven now, by his ministers, as the king speaks by his ambassador. Heb 12:25. Such as wean themselves from the breast of ordinances seldom thrive; either they grow light in their head, or lame in their feet. The word preached is Christ's voice in the mouth of the minister; and those that refuse to hear Christ speaking in the ministry, Christ will refuse to hear speaking on their death-bed.
(4.) If you would have the teachings of Christ, walk according to the knowledge which you have already. Use your little knowledge well, and Christ will teach you more. ‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.' John 7:17. A master seeing his servant improve a little stock well gives him more to trade with.
Use three: If you have been taught by Christ savingly, be thankful. It is your honour to have God for your teacher, and that he should teach you, and not others, is a matter of admiration and congratulation. Oh how many knowing men are ignorant! They are not taught of God; they have Christ's Word to enlighten them, but not his Spirit to sanctify them. But that you should have the inward as well as the outward teaching, that Christ should anoint you with the heavenly unction of his Spirit, that you can say, as he in John 9:95, 'One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see.' Oh, how thankful should you be to Christ, who has revealed his Father's bosom secrets unto you! ‘No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.' John 1:18. If Alexander thought himself so much obliged to Aristotle for the philosophic instruction he received from him, oh, how are we obliged to Jesus Christ, this great Prophet, for opening to us the eternal purposes of his love, and revealing to us the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven!