Sermon 1

Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

We hope it shall not be needful to insist in opening the scope of this chapter, or in clearing to you of whom the prophet means, and is speaking: It was once questioned by the Eunuch, Acts 8:32, when he was reading this chapter, Of whom does the prophet speak this, of himself, or of some other man? And it's so clearly answered by Philip, who, from these words, began and preached to him of Jesus Christ, that there needs be no doubt of it now: To Christians these two may put it out of question, that Jesus Christ and the substance of the Gospel is comprehended and summed up here. 1. If we compare the letter of this chapter with what is in the four Evangelists, we will see it so fully, and often so literally made out of Christ, that if any will but read this chapter, and compare it with them, they will find the Evangelists to be commentators on it, and setting it out more fully. 2. That there is no Scripture in the Old Testament so often and so convincingly applied to Christ as this is, there being scarce one verse, at least not many, but are by the Evangelists or Apostles made use of for holding out of Christ.

If we look then to the sum of the words of this chapter, they take in the sum and substance of the Gospel; for they take in these two: 1. The right description and manifestation of Jesus Christ, and 2. the unfolding and opening up of the Covenant of Redemption. Where these two are, there the sum of the Gospel is; but these two are here, therefore the sum of the Gospel is here. First, Jesus Christ is described: 1. In his person and natures, as God being eternal, as Man being under suffering. 2. In all his offices, as a priest offering up himself as a sacrifice to satisfy justice, as a prophet venting his knowledge to the justifying of many thereby, and as a king dividing the spoil with the strong. 3. In his humiliation, in the cause of it, in the end of it, in the subject of it, in the nature and rise of all, God's good pleasure. And 4. In his exaltation, and out-gate promised him on the back of all his sufferings and humiliation.

2. The Covenant of Redemption is here described and set out: 1. In the particular parties of it, God and the Mediator. 2. As to the matter about which it was, the seed that was given to Christ, and all whose iniquities met on him. 3. As to the mutual engagements on both sides, the Son undertaking to make his soul an offering for sin, and the Father promising that the efficacy of that his satisfaction, shall be imputed and applied for the justification of sinners, and the terms on which, or the way how this imputation and application is brought about, namely, by his knowledge; all are clearly held out here.

This is only a touch of the excellence of this Scripture, and of the materials (to say so) in it, as comprehending the substance and marrow of the Gospel; we shall not be particular in dividing the chapter, considering that these things we have hinted at, are interwoven in it.

The first verse is a short introduction to lead us in to what follows. The prophet has in the former chapter been speaking of Christ as God's servant, that should be extolled and made very high, and before he proceed more particularly to unfold this mystery of the Gospel, he cries out by way of lamentation, Who has believed our report? Alas (would he say) for as good news as we have to carry, few will take them off our hand, such is men's unconcernedness, indeed, malice and obstinacy, that they reject them. And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? to point at the necessity of the power of God to accompany preaching, and even the most lively ordinances, to make them effectual; how few are they, that the power of God captivates to the obedience of this truth?

For the first part of this verse, Who has believed our report? To open it a little, you shall take these four or five considerations before we come to the doctrines:

Consider 1. The matter of this report in reference to its scope; it's not every report, but a report of Christ, and of the Covenant of Redemption and of Grace: In the original it is, Who has believed our hearing actively, that is, that which we have proposed to be heard; and the word is turned tidings, (Daniel 11:44) and rumor, (Jeremiah 51:46). It's the tidings and rumor of a suffering mediator, interposing himself between God and sinners; and it may be, hearing is mentioned, to point out the confidence which the prophet had in reporting these news, he first heard them from God, and in that was passive, and then actively, he proposed them to the people to be heard by them. 2. Consider that the prophet speaks of this report, not as in his own person only, but as in the person of all that ever preached, or shall preach this gospel; therefore this report is not peculiar to Isaiah, but it's our report, the report of the prophets before, and of these after him, and of the apostles and ministers of the gospel. 3. Consider that Isaiah speaks of this report, not only in respect of what he met with in his own time, but as foreseeing what would be the carriage of people in reference to it in after-times, therefore [reconstructed: John 12:38] and Romans 10:16, this same place is alleged to give a reason of the Jews' unbelief, because Isaiah foretold it long before. 4. Consider, that when he complains of the want of faith to the report and tidings of the gospel, it is not of the want of historical faith, as if the people would not give Christ a hearing at all, but it is of the want of saving faith, therefore John 12:37-38, it is said, though he had done many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him; and this prophetic Scripture is subjoined as the reason of it, that the saying of Isaiah might be fulfilled, who said, Lord who has believed our report? — applying the believing spoken of here, to that saving faith whereby folk believe and rest upon Jesus Christ. 5. Consider that though there be no express party named to whom the prophet complains, yet no doubt, it is to God, therefore John 12:38 and Romans 10:16, when this Scripture is cited, it is, Lord who has believed our report? So it is the prophet's complaint of the little fruit himself had, and that the ministers of the gospel should have in preaching of the gospel, lamenting and complaining of it to God as a sore matter, that it should come to so many, and so few should get good of it, so few should be brought to believe and to be saved by it.

Though these words be few, yet they have four great things in them, to which we shall reduce them, for speaking more clearly to them. 1. That the great subject of preaching, and preachers' great errand is, to report concerning Jesus Christ, to bring tidings concerning Him. 2. That the great duty of hearers (implied) is, to believe this report, and by virtue of it, to be brought to rest and rely on Jesus Christ. 3. That the great, though the ordinary sin of the generality of the hearers of the gospel, is unbelief, Who has believed? that is, it's few that have believed; it's a rare thing to see a believer of this report. 4. That the great complaint, weight, and grief of an honest minister of the gospel, is this, that his message is not taken off his hand, that Christ is not received, believed in, and rested on; this is the great challenge ministers have against the generality of people, and the ground of their complaint to God, that whatever they report concerning Christ, He is not welcomed, His kingdom thrives not.

That we may speak to the first, considering the words with respect to the scope, we shall draw five or six doctrines from them: The first of which is more general, that the discovery of Christ Jesus, and the making him known, is the greatest news, the gladest tidings, and the most excellent report, that ever came, or can come to a people, there is no such thing can be told them, no such tidings can they hear; this is the report that the prophet speaks of by way of eminence, a report above, and beyond all other reports; these are news worthy to be carried by angels, Behold, says one of them, (Luke 2:20) I bring you good tidings of great joy; which shall be to all people: And what are these tidings so prefaced with a Behold? For to you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord: these are the good tidings, that Jesus Christ is come, and that he is the Savior by office. We shall not insist on this, only 1. We will find a little view of this subject in the following words, which hold forth clearly Christ, God and man in one person, so completely qualified, and excellently furnished for His offices. 2. It's also clear, if we look to the excellent effects that come by His being so furnished, as His satisfying of justice, His setting free of captives, His triumphing over principalities and powers, His destroying the works of the Devil, etc. there cannot be more excellent works or effects spoken of. 3. It's clear, if we look to Him from whom this report comes, and in whose breast these news bred, (if we may speak so) they are the result of the counsel of the Godhead; and therefore, as the report here is made in the Lord's name, so He is complained to, when it is not taken off the prophet's hand. And 4. it's clear, if we look to the mysteriousness of these news, angels could never have conceived them, had not this report come; these things tell that they are great, glorious, and good news, glad tidings, as it is in the end of the former chapter, That which has not been told them shall they see, and that which they have not heard shall they consider.

The first use is, to draw our hearts to be in love with the gospel, and to awaken our estimation of it: people's ears are itching after novelties, and you are much worn out of regard for these news; but is there in any news such an advantage as in these, when God sends news to men, they must be great news, and such indeed are these.

Use 2. Therefore be afraid to entertain loathing of the plain substantial truths of the gospel; if you had never heard them before, there would, belike, be some Athenian itching to hear and speak of them, but they should not be the less thought of, that they are often heard and spoken of.

Use 3. Therefore think more of the Gospel, seeing it contains the substance of these good news and glad tidings, and think more of Gospel-ordinances whereby these glad tidings are so often published and made plain to you.

2. More particularly, observe, that Jesus Christ, and what concerns Him, the glad and good news of a Saviour, and the reporting of them, is the very proper work of a minister, and the great subject of a minister's preaching; his proper work is to make Him known, or take it thus, Christ is the native subject on which all preaching should run; this is the report the Prophet speaks of here, and in effect, it was so to John and the other Apostles, and should be so to all ministers; Christ Jesus and what concerns Him, in His person, natures, and offices; to know, and make Him known to be God and Man; to make Him known in His offices, to be Priest, Prophet, and King; to be a Priest, in His suffering and satisfying justice; to be a Prophet, in revealing the Will of God; to be a King, for subduing folks' lusts and corruptions; and to know, and make Him known, in the way by which sinners, both preachers and hearers, may come to have Him to themselves, as follows in this chapter. This, this is the subject of all preaching, and all preaching should be levelled at this mark; Paul is peremptory in this (1 Corinthians 2:2), I determined to know nothing among you, but Jesus Christ and him crucified, as if he had said, I will meddle with no other thing, but betake myself to this; not only will he forbear to meddle with civil employments, but he will lay aside his learning, eloquence, and human wisdom, and make the preaching of Christ crucified his great work and study. The reason for this is, because Christ stands in a fourfold relation to preaching. 1. He is the text, to say so, of preaching; all preaching is to explain Him (Acts 10:43), To him give all the Prophets witness, and so do the four Gospels, and the Apostolic Epistles, which are as so many preachings of Him; and that preaching which stands not in relation to Him, is beside the text and mark. 2. He is held out as the foundation and groundwork of preaching, so that preaching without Him wants foundation, and is the building, as it were, of a castle in the air (1 Corinthians 3:10) — I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon, but let every man take heed how he builds, for other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ; importing that all preaching should be squared to, and made to agree with this groundstone. 3. He stands as the great end of preaching, not only that hearers may have Him known in their judgments, but may have Him high in their hearts and affections (2 Corinthians 3:4), We preach not ourselves, that is, not only do we not preach ourselves as the subject, but we preach not ourselves as the end of our preaching, our scope is not to be great, or much thought of, but our end in preaching is to make Christ great. 4. He stands in relation to preaching, as He is the power and life of preaching, without whom, no preaching can be effectual, no soul can be captured and brought in to Him; hence (1 Corinthians 1:23) he says, We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, they cannot abide to hear him, and to the Greeks foolishness, but to them that are saved, the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Use 1. For ministers, which we shall forbear insisting on; only 1. Were Christ the subject and substance of our report, were we more in holding out Him, it is likely it might go better with us. 2. There is need of wariness, that the report we make suit well the foundation. And 3. the neglect of this may be the cause of much powerless preaching, because Christ is not so preached as the subject-matter and end of preaching, many truths are (alas) spoken without respect to this end, or but with little respect to it.

Uses particular for you that are hearers, are these. 1. If this be the great subject of ministers' preaching, and that which you should hear most gladly, and if this be most profitable for you, we may be particular in some few directions to you, which will be as so many branches of the use. And first, of all truths that people would welcome and study, they would welcome and study these that concern Christ and the Covenant of Grace most, as foundation-truths, and seek to have them backed by the Spirit; we are afraid there is a fault among Christians, that most plain and substantial truths are not so heeded, but some things that may further folks in their light, or tickle their affections, or answer a case, are almost only sought after; which things (it is true) are good, but if the plain and substantial truths of the Gospel were more studied, and made use of, they have in them that which would answer all cases. It is a serious matter when folks are more taken up with notions and speculations, than with these soul-saving truths, as, that Christ was born, that he was a true Man, that he was, and is King, Priest, and Prophet of His Church, etc. and that other things are heard with more eagerness. But, if these be the great subject of ministers' preaching, it should be your great study to know Christ, in His person, natures, offices, and covenant, what He is to you, and what is your duty to Him, and how you should walk in Him and with Him; this was Paul's aim, I count (says he) all things loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, etc. (Philippians 3:8-10). It is my design, (as if he had said) not only to make Him known, but to know Him myself; there is little faith in Christ, and distinctness in use-making of His offices, and folks take but little pains to know these things. Therefore, on the one side, let me exhort you, to make this more the subject of your inquiry; and on the other side, take it for your reproof, that there is such a readiness to take offense when plain truths are insisted on, or when they are not followed in some unfamiliar or strange way, which says we are exceeding unthankful to God for giving us the best things to speak, hear, and think of.

2. Think much of the preaching of Christ, and to have ministers to preach of Him; He is the best news, and God has sent ministers on this errand to make them known to you. Had He sent them to tell you all the secret things to come that are in God's purpose, and all the hidden works of nature, it had not been comparable to these news; what would you have been? O what would Sabbath days, and weekdays, your lying down and rising up, your living and dying been, if these news had not been? You should have had a sinful and sad life, and a most comfortless and terrible death; therefore think this gospel a thing of more worth than you do, and count their feet beautiful on the mountains, that bring these news and glad tidings, as it is (Isaiah 52), that good report of making peace between God and sinners should be most thought of and prized, and counted a greater favor than we use to count it. 3. By this you may know who thrives and profits best under the gospel, even those that learn most of Christ, which consists not in telling over words. But first in actual improving of Him, as it is (Ephesians 3:20): you have not so learned Christ, but so as to improve what is in Him. 2. In an experimental finding of these effects in us, that are spoken of to come by Christ, which is, that the Apostle means, (Philippians 3:10): That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, that I may be conformable to his death. I am afraid that of the many that hear this gospel, there are but few that know Christ this way. But if He be the great thing that should be preached by us, and that you should learn, 1. What is the reason that so many should be ignorant of Him, that the most part look rather like [reconstructed: Turks] and pagans than like Christians? God help us, what shall we say of the condition of the most part of people, when the preaching of the gospel has not gained this much ground on us, as to make us know Christ, in His person, natures, offices, our need of Him, and the use we should make of Him? But 2. If we will try how He is improved, it is to be feared, there be far fewer that know him in this respect; do not many men live as if they had never heard tell of Him? Though they hear that pardon of sin is to be gotten through Him, and that virtue to subdue sin must flow from Him, yet they live as if no such thing were in Him: if your consciences were posed, besides the evidences that are in your practice, this would be found to be a sad truth. And 3. If we will yet try further, what experience folk have of Christ, what virtue they find flowing from His resurrection, what fellowship there is in His sufferings, what conformity to His death, what benefit redounds to them from His offices of King, Priest, and Prophet, to the slaying of sin, and quickening to holy duties, what benefit or fruit from His death; Alas! no more with most than if He had never died; what profit or real influence as to any spiritual change do any to count upon find? And think you all these things to be but words? They know Him not that feel not something of the efficacy of His death and resurrection in themselves.

3. Observe, that the report concerning Christ, is the main subject and errand that has been, and is, and will be common to all the ministers of the gospel to the end of the world. It's our report, it was the report of all the Prophets, (Acts 10:43): To him bear all the Prophets witness, that through his name, whoever believes on him, should have remission of sins; they all agree, and have a joint testimony in these. 1. In one subject, Christ, and the same things concerning Him, as, that the pardon of sin is to be gotten in Him, and through faith in Him, and no other way, etc. 2. In one commission; they have all one commission though they be not all equal; all are not Apostles, yet all are ambassadors, there is the same authority for us to report and you to receive the gospel, as if Isaiah or Paul were preaching; the authority depending on the commission, and not on the persons of men who carry it. 3. In one common end which they all have, and in one common object they are sent to. 4. In this, that they all hold of one common master, being gifts of one and the same Mediator, (Ephesians 4): When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men, to some Apostles, etc.

The first use is, to teach you not to think the less of the testimony, or matter testified, because of these that testify to you; if Isaiah or Paul were testifying to you, you would get no other tidings, though their life and way would be of another sort and stamp than ours are, alas! for the most part, we are warranted as well as they to make Christ known to you; therefore take heed of rejecting this testimony of this Christ that we bear witness to; it is the same Christ that the law and the prophets bear witness to, there is not another name given under heaven whereby a sinner can be saved; it's through Him, that whoever [reconstructed: believes on] Him may receive remission of sins; in this you have not only us, but the prophets and apostles to deal with, yes Jesus Christ, and God Himself; and the rejecting of us, will be found to be the rejecting of them; it's the same testimony on the matter that it was in Isaiah his time; and therefore, tremble and fear, all you that slight the gospel, you have not us for your party, but all the prophets, and Isaiah among the rest, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who has said, He that receives you receives me, and he that despises you despises me; there will be many aggravations of the guilt of an unbeliever, and this will be a main one, even the testimony of all the prophets that concur in this truth which they have rejected; take heed to this all you atheists that know not what it is to take with sin, and all you hypocrites that coin and counterfeit a religion of your own, and all you legal persons that lean to your own righteousness; what will you say when it shall be found that you have rejected all these testimonies? You must either say, you counted them false witnesses, which you will not dare to say, or that you accounted them true, and yet would not receive their testimony, and the best of these will be found sad enough; for if you counted them true, why did you not believe them? This will be a very pungent dilemma.

Use 2. For comfort to poor believers, they have good ground to receive and rest upon Jesus Christ, there is never a prophet, apostle, or preacher of the gospel but he has sealed this truth concerning Christ; what needs any sinner be afraid of Him or be fearful to close with Him? Will you give credit to the testimony of Isaiah and of Peter (Acts 10:43) and of the rest of the prophets and apostles? Then receive their report, and set yourselves to be among the number of believers, that their testimony may be rested on: we are persuaded there is one of two that will follow on this doctrine, either a strong encouragement to, and confirmation of believing, and quietly resting on Jesus Christ for pardon of sin, or a great ground of aggravation of, and expostulation with you for your guilt, who care not whether you receive this report or not. We shall say no more for the time, but God bless this to you.