Most of the puritans had an historicist view of the book of Revelation. They saw themselves as being the persecuted ones in the book prior to Chapter 20. They looked out over the religious landscape and concluded Rome must be Antichrist. Thus the strong words in the final section. ~MTR
Section 1.14. How an Husband is His Wife's Head.
Eph 5:23.—For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body.
The place of an husband intimated in the last clause of the former verse, is more plainly expressed, and fully explained in this verse. His place is expressed under the metaphor of an head: and amplified by his resemblance therein unto Christ.
The particle of connection for shows that this verse is added as a reason: which may fitly be referred both to the duty itself: and to the manner of performing it.
The metaphor of an head enforces the duty.
The amplification thereof by the resemblance that is made to Christ, enforces the manner of performing the duty.
A wife must submit her self to an husband, because he is her head: and she must do it as to the Lord, because her husband is to her, as Christ is to the church.
The metaphor of an head declares two points:
1. The dignity of an husband.
2. The duty of an husband.
1. As an head is more eminent and excellent than the body, and placed above it, so is an husband to his wife.
2. As an head, by the understanding which is in it, governs, protects, preserves, provides for the body, so does the husband his wife: at least he ought so to do: for this is his office and duty: this is here noted to show the benefit which a wife receives by her husband: so as two motives are included under this metaphor.
The first is taken from the husband's prerogative, whence note that—
Observation 1. Subjection must be yielded to such as are over us. For this is a main end of the difference between party and party. To what end is the head set above the body, if the body be not subject to it?
The second is taken from the benefit which a wife reaps by her husband's superiority: and it shows that—
Observation 2. They who will not submit themselves to their superiors are injurious to themselves: as the body were injurious to itself, if it would not be subject to the head. [see Section 3.73]
Section 1.15. Of the Resemblance of an Husband to Christ.
The more to enforce the forenamed reason, the apostle adds the resemblance that is between an husband and Christ , as this note of comparison even as ([GK]) shows: whence it follows that—
Observation. It is meet for a wife to submit herself to her husband, as for the church to submit itself to Christ. This amplification is especially added for Christians. Heathens may be moved to subject themselves to their Governors, by the resemblance taken from a natural body. How much more ought Christians to be moved by the resemblance taken from the mystical body of Christ?
How an Husband is a Savior to His Wife
These words and he is the Saviour of the body [Eph 5:23] as they do declare the office of Christ, and the benefit which the church reaps, so they note the end why an husband is appointed to be the head of his wife, namely that by his provident care he may be as a savior to her. It is here noted rather to show the benefit which a wife reaps by her husband, than the duty which he owes: for that the apostle declares afterwards, Eph 5:25, etc. The meaning then is, That as Christ was given to be an head of the church which is his body, that he might protect it, and provide all needful things for it, and so be a Saviour to it, even so for that very end are husbands appointed to be head of their wives.
Upon this ground the apostle infers the conclusion in the next verse.
Section 1.16. Of the Resemblance Between:
The Church to Christ.
A Wife to Her Husband.
Eph 5:24.—Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let wives be to their own husbands in everything.
This conclusion sets forth not only the duty itself, but also another Reason, and another Rule to provoke and direct wives to perform their duty: and that under the pattern of the church.
The reason may be thus framed, That which the church does to Christ, a wife must do to her husband. But the church is subject to Christ. Therefore a wife must be subject to her husband.
The proposition is grounded on that resemblance which is between the church in relation to Christ, and a wife in relation to her husband: for an husband is that to his wife, which Christ is to the church; therewith a wife must be so to her husband, as the church is to Christ.
The rule notes both the manner (as {GK}) and also the extent of a wife's subjection (in everything {GK}).[2]
Question. Is mortal and sinful man to be obeyed as the Lord Christ the eternal Son of God?
Answer. This extent is to be restrained to the generality of the things in question. As in other places, where the apostle says, all things are lawful for me, [1 Cor 10:23] he means all indifferent things, for of them his speech was in that place. And where again he says, Whatsoever is set before you, eat, [1 Cor 10:27] he means, whatsoever good and wholesome meat: for of that he spake.
Thus much of the main drift of the apostle in setting before wives the example of Christ, to whom husbands are like in dignity, and the example of the church, to whom wives ought to be like in duty.
I will further consider these examples of Christ and the church more distinctly by themselves, without any relation to man and wife: and out of them note such general instructions as concern all Christians.
Section 1.17. Of the Relation Between Christ and the Church.
Eph 5:23-24.—Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Saviour of the body. The church is subject unto Christ in everything.
Behold here the mutual relation between:
Christ.
The church.
Wherein more concerning Christ,
1. His preeminence over the church, He is her head.
2. His goodness to her, He is her Savior.
Note also concerning the church,
1. Her prerogative, she is the body of Christ.
2. Her duty. In laying down whereof there is noted, 1. Wherein it consists, The church is subject to Christ.
2. How far it extends, in everything.
The title Head is given to Christ in two respects.
This union is more fully expressed afterwards, in Eph 5:30. Doctrine. The dignity of Christ is here principally intended: so as Christ is the highest in authority over the church: the titles Lord, [1 Cor 8:6] Father, Master, Doctor, [Matt 23:7-9] Prophet, [Deut 18:15] Firstborn, [Col 1:18] with the like, being by a kind of excellency and propriety attributed to Him, prove as much.
The causes hereof are—
1. The good pleasure of God His Father.
2. The dignity of His person being God-Man.
3. The merit of His sacrifice whereby He has redeemed and purchased His church unto himself.
4. The omnipotency of His power whereby He is able to protect it.
5. The all-sufficiency of Spirit, whereby He is able to give to every member all needful grace.
Use 1. Till the Pope of Rome can show so good reason for this title (Supreme head of the whole church) we will account him a blasphemous usurper thereof.
The Distinction Between Imperial and Ministerial Head Discussed
Objection. He is not accounted an Imperial head as Christ is, but only a Ministerial head.
Answer 1. This distinction is without all ground or warrant of scripture.
2. It implies plain contradiction. For to be a ministerial head, is to be an head and a minister, which is all one as an head and member in relation to the same thing.
3. Though in these two words Imperial, Ministerial they may seem to advance Christ above the Pope, yet in their own interpretation of these words they make the Pope equal to Christ, if not advance him above Christ. For they say that Christ is an imperial head to quicken the church inwardly: and the Pope a ministerial head to govern it outwardly. First let it be noted, how little congruity this exposition has with the words expounded. Does this word imperial intimate a quickening virtue? Does this word ministerial imply a governing power? Nay, is there not great incongruity in this, that Christ should be the Imperial head, and yet the Pope an head to govern? Besides, does not this rend asunder two of Christ's offices, and leaving one to Christ, give another to the Pope, and so make him equal with Christ? If the particular branches of this government which is given by papists unto the Pope by virtue of his headship be observed, we shall find that to be verified in him, which the apostle has foretold concerning Antichrist, that as God he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. [2 Thess 2:4] For they give to him the keys of heaven and hell, to shut or open the one or other as pleases him: they give him power to dispense with God's laws, to coin articles of faith, to make laws to bind men's consciences directly and immediately, to give pardon for sin, to free subjects from allegiance to their Sovereigns, to canonize saints, and what not? But to let these impious blasphemies pass, beside that this prerogative of Christ (to be head of the church) [Eph 1:21-23] is incommunicable (for thereby the apostle proves Christ to be advanced far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name, etc.) Christ needs not for the execution of his office therein any Vicar, or Deputy: for as head he filleth all in all things: and by his eternal spirit is He in heaven, earth, and every place where any of His members are, according to His promises made unto His church. [Matt 18:20; Matt 28:20]
Use. Much comfort and great confidence must this needs minister to all such as have assurance that they are of this body: for having so mighty, so wise, so merciful an head, an head so sufficient every way, who can instruct, direct, guide, govern, protect, and help them in all their needs whatsoever, what need they fear? When we are assaulted by Satan, or any way set upon by any of his instruments, or are in any distress or need, let us lift up the eyes of our faith higher than we can the eyes of our body, and in heaven behold this our head, who is invisible, and we cannot but receive from thence much comfort, and encouragement.
No comments:
Post a Comment