The Presence of Christ in His Ordinances

<’ BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK.” Rev. 3: 20.

Having pondered Christ’s solemn preface to his earnest suit, the next thing which comes under our consideration, is the person soliciting and pleading for admission into the hearts of sinners, which is Christ himself.

“Behold, I stand.” The only difficulty here is rightly to apprehend the manner of Christ’s presence in gospel administrations; for it is manifest that the person of Christ was at this time in heaven: his bodily presence was removed from this lower world above sixty years before this epistle was WTitten to the Laodiceans. John’s banishment into Patmos is, by Eusebius, out of Irenseus and Clemens Alexandrinus, placed in the fourteenth year of the reign of the emperor Domitian, and under his second persecution, which was about the ninety-seventh year from the birth of Christ.

Yet here he saith, “Behold, I stand;” not my messengers and ministers only, but I by my spiritual presence among you; I your sovereign Lord and owner, who have all right and authority by creation and redemption to possess and dispose of your souls; it is I that stand at the door and knock, I by my Spirit, soliciting and moving by the ministry of men. You see none but men; but believe it, I am really and truly, though spiritually and invisibly, present in all those administrations: all those knocks, motions, and solicitations, are truly mine; they are my acts, and I own them, and so I would have you to conceive and apprehend them. Hence the second doctrine is this:

Jesus Christ is truly present with men in his ordinances, and hath to do with thein, and they with him, though he he not visible to their carnal eyes.

Thus runs the promise: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18: 20. The middle place in the Jewish assemblies, was the seat of the president, where he might equally hear and be heard of all. So, saith Jesus, will I be in the midst of the assemblies of the faithful, met together in my name and by my authority, to bless, guide, and protect them. Hence the church is called the place of his feet, Isaiah 60: 13; a manifest allusion to the ark, called God’s footstool. Psalm 99: 5. And agreeably hereunto, Christ is said to walk among the seven golden candlesticks. Rev. 2:1. There are the spiritual walks of Christ; there he converses and communes with men. And this presence of Christ was not the peculiar privilege of the first churches, but is common to all the churches of the saints to the end of the world, as appears by that glorious promise so comfortably extended to the church from first to last: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Matt. 28: 20. This promise is the ground of all our faith and expectation of benefit from ordinances; and the subjects of it are not here considered personally, but officially; to you, and all that succeed you in the same work and office; not to you only as extraordinary, but to all the succeeding ordinary standing officers in my church. As for the apostles, neither their life nor their extraordinary office was to continue long, but this promise was to continue “to the end of the world.”

Nor is this promise made absolutely, but conditionally; the connection of the promise with the command enforces this qualified sense: “The Lord is with you, while ye be with him.” 2 Chron. 15:2. Ignorant, idle, unqualified persons cannot claim the benefit of this gracious grant.

Once more, this promise is made to every hour and minute of time. I am with you “all the days,” as it is in the Greek text; in dark and dangerous, as well as peaceable and encouraging days: and it is closed with a solemn amen, so be it, or so it shall be.

To open this point distinctly, we are to consider that there is a threefold presence of Christ.

1. There is a corporeal presence of Christ, which the church once enjoyed on earth, when he went in and out among his people. Acts 1:21; when their eyes saw him, and their hands handled him. 1 John, 1:1. This presence was a great consolation to the disciples, and therefore they were much dejected when it was about to be removed from them. But after his work was finished on earth, this bodily presence was no longer necessary to be continued in this world, but to be removed to heaven, John 16:7; as indeed it was, and must there abide until the time of the restitution of all things. Acts 3:21. And in this respect he tells the disciples, “I leave the world, and go to the Father.” John 16: 28.

2. There is a represented presence of Christ in ordinances. As the person of a king is represented in another country by his ambassadors, so is Christ in this world by his ministers: “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5: 20. Christ is engaged in other work for us in heaven, but we stand in his stead on earth. And this shows the great dignity of the ministerial office: whatever abuse or contempt is cast on ministers, it reflects upon Christ: “He that despiseth you, despiseth me.” Luke 10: 16. It also teaches us whence is the validity of gospel administrations. Christ ratifies and confirms them with his owTi authority. It also instructs us how wise, spiritual, and holy, ministers should be, who represent Christ to the world. A drunkard, a persecutor, a sensual worldling, is but an ill representative of the blessed and holy Jesus.

3. Besides these two, there is a sinritual iweseiice of Christ in the churches and ordinances; and this presence of Christ by his Spirit, who is his vicegerent or representative, is to be considered as that from which all gospel ordinances derive their beauty and glory, their power and efficacy, their awful solemnity, and their continuance and stability.

(1.) From the presence of Christ by his Spirit, the ordinances and churches derive their beauty a7id glory: “To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.” Psalm 63: 2.

As the beauty of the body results from the soul which animates it; and when the soul is gone, the beauty of the body is gone also; so the beauty and glory of all ordinances come and go with the Spirit of Christ, which is the very soul of them. The churches are indeed golden candlesticks, but the candlestick has no light but what the candle gives it; hence that magnificent description of the new temple is closed up in this expression: “The name of the city from that day shall be. The Lord is there.” Ezek. 48: 35.

(2.) From this spiritual presence of Christ, gospel-ordinances derive all the power mid efficacy which is by them exerted upon the souls of men, either in their conversion or edification. This power is not inherent in them, nor do they act as natural, necessary agents, but as instituted means, which are successful or unsuccessful according as Christ by his Spirit cooperates with them: “So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Cor. 3: 7. That is, they are nothing to the accomplishment of men’s salvation, without the concurrence of the Spirit of Christ. For when the apostle makes himself and Apollos, with all other ministers, nothing, we must understand him as speakmg comparatively and relatively; they are necessary m their places, and sufficient in their kind for what they are appointed to, else it would be a reflection on the wisdom of God that instituted them: but in themselves they are nothing; as a trumpet or wind instrument is nothing as to its use, except breath be inspired into it, and that breath modulated by the skill of the inspirer; like EzekieFs wheels, that moved not but as the Spirit that was in them moved and directed their motions. If ordinances wrought upon souls naturally and necessarily, as the fire burns, they could not fail of success on all that come under them. But it is with them as %ith the waters of the pool at Bethesda, whose healing virtue was only found at the season when the angel descended and troubled them.

(3.) This spiritual presence of Christ gives the ordinances of the gospel the awful solemnity which is due upon that account to them. The presence of Christ in them commands reverence from all that are about him. “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in rcTcrence of all them that are about him,” Psalm 89: 7; hence is that solemn caution or threatening, “If ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me, then will I also walk contraiy unto you.” Bev. 26: 23, 24. The Hebrew word signifies to walk rashly with God, without considermg with whom we have to do, and what an awful majesty we stand before. And the punishment is suitable to the sin: I also will walk at an adventure with you, making no discrimination in my judgments between your persons and the persons of the worst of men. 0 that this were duly considered by all that have to do with God in gospel-institutions,

(4.) It is the spiritual presence of Christ in his churches and ordinances which gives them their continuance and stability. Whenever the Spirit of Christ departs from them, it will not be long before they depart from us; or if they should not, their continuance will be little to our advantage. When the glory of the Lord descended from between the cherubims, when that sad voice was heard in the temple, “Let us go hence,” how soon were both city and temple made a desolation; and truly Christ’s presence is not so fixed to any place or ordinances, but the sins of the people may banish it away. Rev. 2:5. “Who will tarry in any place longer than he is welcome, if he have anywhere else to go?

But more particularly, let us here discuss these two points: How it appears Christ is thus spiritually present with his churches and oiinances; and why it is necessary he should be so.

I. By what evidence does it appear that there is such a presence of Christ wdth his churches and ordinances? And this will appear by two undeniable evidences.

1. From their luonderful iwe?>ervation; for it is wholly inconceivable, how the churches, ministers, and ordinances should be supported and preserved without it, amidst such hosts of powerful and enraged enemies. If Christ were not among them, they had certamly been swallowed up long ago. It is he who holds the stars in his right hand. Rev. 2:1. His walking among the seven golden candlesticks is their best security. The burning bush is a rare emblem to open this mystery; the bush burned with fire, but was not con- •^umed. Exod. 3:3, The bush was a resemblance of the church of God ui Egypt, the flames upon it were their terrible persecution; the wonder, that no ashes appeared as the effects of those terrible flames; the reason whereof was, God was in the bush — Jesus Christ was m the midst of his people.

By virtue of his presence we are here this day, in the enjoyment of gospel liberty, no society of men in the world have such security as the church has on this account. The mightiest monarchies have been overturned, no policies nor human power could preserve them ,- but the church and ordinances are still preserved, and shall ever be, by virtue of that gracious promise, “For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee.” Jer. 30: 11. Babylonian, Persian, and Grecian monarchies have destroyed and ruined one another, but still the church of Christ lifts up its head, and beholds their ruins.

2. This presence of Chj-ist in and with his ordinances, is undeniably evinced from their supeniatural effects iqjon the souls of men. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” 2 Cor. 10:4. The Spirit of Christ gives them their success and efficacy; the sword of the gospel has its pomt and edge, but it is imj)ossible that the heart of a stupid, hardened sinner should ever be wounded by it, if the Spirit of Christ do not direct it. When sinners fall down convinced under the authority of the word, they feel and readily acknowledge that God is in it of a truth. 1 Cor. 14: 25. E,uffi.nus reports, that at the council of Nice, a godly man of no great learning was the instrument of converting a learned philosopher, whom the bishops, with all their arguments, could not persuade; of which the philosopher himself gave this remarkable account: “While you reasoned with me,” said he, “against words I opposed words, and what was spoken I overthrew by the art of speaking; but when instead of words power came out of the mouth of the speaker, words could no longer withstand truth, nor man resist the power of God.”

And this, indeed, is the true and just account of all those marvellous and gracious changes made on the souls of men ‘by the preaching of the gospel. Can the vanishing breath of a dying man, think you, inspire spiritual and eternal life into the souls of other men? Can he search the conscience, break the heart, and bow the will at this rate? No, this is the power and operation of Christ; and of that presence,

2# says Mr. Burgess, we must say as Martha did to her Saviour concerning the death of her brother Lazarus, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11: 21. So say I, if that presence and power of Christ were felt by all, which has been certainly experienced by many, they would not remain in the state of spiritual death as they do. But though there are thousands under ordinances who never felt this power of Christ upon them, yet, blessed be God, there are also multitudes of M’itnesses and evidences of this truth, that there is a real, spiritual, energetic presence of Christ in his oM’n appointments; which was the first thing to be evinced.

IL We inquire into the reasons, or the uses and ENDS which make such a presence of Christ necessary. And they are,

1. To 2)?“ese7*rc and suj)2wrt his ministers and churches amidst such hosts of pou-ei’fid and enraged enemies. This presence of Christ is as a wall of fire round about them. The divine presence with Jeremiah was as a life-guard to him against the rage of the princes and nobles of Israel: “■ I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall; and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.” Jer. 15: 20, 21.

It was easier for the Roman army to scale the walls and batter down the towers of Jerusalem, than for all the enemies in that city to destroy the prophet of God, thus guarded by the divine presence. Athanasius and Luther had the I power of the empire engaged against them, yet the presence I of Christ was their security. The witnesses could not be slain till they had finished their testimony. Rev. 11:7. To this presence alone the faithful witnesses of Christ owe their marvellous preservation at this day; had not Christ said, “Lo, I am with you,” you had not said at this day, “Behold, our ministers are still with us.”

2. The presence of Christ is necessary to assist his ministers hi their work, for it is a work quite above their own strength. It is well that we are workers together with God, else we should soon faint under our labors. When Moses objected, ‘’ I am not eloquent,” the Lord told him, “I will be with thy mouth.” Exod. 4: 10, 12. When God guides the tongue, how powerful and persuasive must the language be. When the apostles, illiterate men, were sent out to convert the world, Christ promised to give them “a mouth and wisdom,” Luke 21: 15 — a mouth to speak, and wisdom to guide that mouth; and then their words were demonstrations; all their adversaries could not resist the spirit and power by which they spoke. Empires and kingdoms full of enemies received the gospel; but the reason of this wonderful success is given us: “They went fojth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them.” Mark 16: 20. It is sweet and prosperous workmg in fellowship with Christ; the Spirit of Christ gives a manifold assistance to his minister.? in their work; it is he who directs their mind in the choice of those subjects wherein they labor with such success to their hearers. He dictates the matter, influences their affections, guides their lips, and follows home their doctrine with success. This is a special use and end of Christ’s presence with his ministers and ordinances.

3. The spiritual presence of Christ is necessary for the ‘p-eparation and oj)e7iing of the people’s heart to receive and embrace the gospel to salvation. Not a heart will open to receive Christ till the Spirit of Christ unlock it. Paul and Timothy were extraordinarily called to preach the gospel at Philippi, and there Lydia was converted. But how? Not by their skill or eloquence, but by the Spirit’s influence; the Lord opened the heart of Lydia. Acts 16: 14. The church could not be increased without conversion; conver-

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sipn could never be wrought without Christ’s influence and spiritual presence. So that this presence is of absolute necessity; the church cannot subsist, nor the great ends of ordinances be attained without it.

Inference 1. Is Christ really present in all gospel admhiistrations? Jiow atcfidly solemn, then, is every jMrt of gosoel ivorshi’p. “We have to do with Christ himself, and not with men only, in gospel ordinances. Happy were it if, under this consideration, all our people received the word we preach as the Thessalonians did, not as the word of man but as the word of God. 1 Thess. 2: 13. Then it would work effectually in us as it did in them. But alas, we have low apprehensions of the word; we come to judge the gifts of the speaker, not to have our minds informed, our consciences searched, our lusts mortified, and our lives regulated. But 0 that men would realize the presence of Christ in ordinances, and seriously consider that word of his, “All the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” Rev. 2: 23.

How would this lead vain and wandering hearts to holy seriousness. 0 if men would consider that they are before the Lord Jesus Christ, as Cornelius and his family did: “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all thmgs that are commanded thee of God,” Acts 10: 33; if they would consider the word as the executioner of God’s eternal decrees, which returns not in vain, but accomplishes that whereunto God sends it, Isa. 55: 11, and eventually proves the savor of life or death eternal to them who sit under it, 2 Cor. 2:16; in a word, were it but considered as the rule by which its hearers shall be judged in the great day, John 12: 48, then how would men tremble at the word.. What mighty effects would it have on their hearts. How would it run and be glorified. But alas, as Job speaks, “He goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.” Job 9:11. Few realize the spiritual presence of Christ in ordinances.

2. If Christ be really present with his churches and ordinances, lioiv vain are all attempts of etiemies to subvert and destroy them. That promise, Matt. 28: 20, supposes the continuance of a gospel and church-mhiistry to the end of the world, else there would be a promise without a subject: as there ought to be a church, so there $1iall be a church with ministers and ordinances, let Satan and antichrist do their worst. I do not say this promise secures this or that particular church or nation, for the presence of Christ may cease to be realized in any one place; but still, the church is safe. And there are three things which secure it against all hazards.

(1.) The invaluable treasures God has lodged in the church, namely, his truths, his worship, and his elect; such a precious cargo secures the vessel which carries it, whatever storms or tempests may befall it.

(2.) The covenant and promise of God with tJie church is its abundant security: “Upon this rock will I build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16:18. The faithfulness of God is pledged for his people’s security. If the church fail, his faithfulness must fail with it.

(3.) But above all, the presence of Christ in the midst of the church, puts it out of all danger of failure. In that promise, “Lo, I am with you always,” are found all munitions and fortifications whatsoever. Here we have his eye of providence, his hand of power, and whatever else is needful to support and secure it. God accounts his presence our safety, Isa. 41: 10. The enemies of God and his people, account it so too, Exod. 14: 25; and shall it not be so in our account? Provoke not the Lord Jesus to withdraw his presence, and fear not the consultations and oppositions of hell or earth.

3. From this spiritual presence of Christ all his faithful ministers should draw encauragement, mnidst the manifold difficidties and discourageonents they daily encounter in his service. Christ is with them, and they work in fellowship with him; let them not be dismayed. The difficulties and discouragements which the ministers of Christ meet are great and manifold; and the more faithful and successful any of them are in their Master’s work, the fiercer opposition they must expect. Besides all the discouragements rising out of their own hearts, which are not a few, they must encounter the opposition of enemies from abroad, and the stubbornness of the hearts they work upon. Satan is a jealous prince, and will raise all manner of outcries and opposition against those heavenly heralds who come to proclaim a new prince in his dominions, and withdraw his miserable subjects from their cursed allegiance to him. What is it to preach the gospel, saith Luther, but to drive the fury of the world upon the head of the preacher? But this would be easily supportable, did our work but prosper upon the hearts of our hearers. But this, alas, is the killing consideration of all; we know the worth of souls, and how great a service it is to save them from death. James 5: 20. “We also know the terrors of the Lord, which excite our utmost endeavors to persuade men. 2 Cor. 5:11. We feel the compassions of Christ stirring within us, which makes us long after their salvation. Phil. 1: 8. We preach, we pray, yea, we travail again, as it were, in birth until Christ be formed in them. Gal. 4:19. And when we have done all, we find their hearts as iron and brass. Jer. 6: 28. We mourn in secret when we cannot prevail, and often our hands hang down with discouragement, and we are ready to say with the prophet, “I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name.” Jer. 20: 9. But here is our relief, under all discouragements: the work is Christ’s, the power is his, he is with us, and we are workers together with him. There was a time when three thousand souls were born to Christ during one sermon; it may be now, three thousand sermons may be preached, and not one soul be converted: yet, let us not be discouraged; a time pf eminent conversion is promised, and to be expected in these latter days, when the living waters of the gospel shall make every thing to live whither they come, Ezek. 47: 9; and when the fishers, that is, the ministers of Christ, shall not fish with hooks as they now do, taking now one, then another single convert, but shall spread forth their nets, and inclose multitudes at a draught — when they shall “fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows.” Isa. 60: 8. God now opens a door of opportunity beyond our expectation; 0 that the hearts of ministers and people were suitably enlarged, and the people made willing in the day of his power.

4, Hence, we also infer the great dignity of the ministerial office, and the suitable respect due to all Christ’s

faithful mijiisters. The Lord Jesus himself is represented by them, they stand in his stead, 2 Cor. 5: 20; his authority is put upon them: the honor and dishonor given them redound to the person of Christ. The Galatians received Paul as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Gal. 4: 14. Yet how have their persons and office been vilified and despised in this degenerate age; how many learned, pious, laborious, peaceful ministers of Christ have, in this age, been hunted up and down in the world as wild beasts, and been made the filth and offscouring of all things. 1 Cor. 4:13. The word signifies the filth which scavengers rake together in the streets, to be carried to the dunghill. No doubt but Satan designs in this to invalidate their ministry, discourage their labors, and break their hearts; but Jesus Christ will support us under all these abuses, wipe off the dirt thrown at us for his name’s sake, and resen’^e some of us for better days.

5. Is Christ present in his ordinances? what a strong e7igagement then lies wpoii you all to wait assiduously upon the tninistry of the word, and to bring all that are capable to wait upon Christ with you. We read in the days of Christ’s flesh, when he performed his miraculous cures upon the sick, what thronging there was after him; how parents brought their children, masters their servants, pressing in multitudes, uncovering the house to let down their sick to him. Luke 5:19; 12:1. Ah, shall men be so earnest for a cure for their bodies, and so indifferent for their souls? It is true, the Spirit of Christ is not laid under any necessity to act always with the word: he acts as a free agent, “The wind bloweth where it listeth,” John 3:8; but it is encouragement enough to wait continually upon his ordinances, that he sometimes graciously and effectually works with them. It is good to lie in the path of the Spirit; and there is a blessing pronounced upon them who wait continually at his gates. Prov. 8: 34. 0 therefore neglect no opportunity within your reach; for who knows but it may be the season of life to thy soul.

6. What a?i %inspeakdble loss is the loss of the gospel, seeing the presence of Christ conibs and goes with it. When the gospel departs, the Spirit of Christ departs with it from among men; no more conversions, in God’s ordinary way, are then to be expected: well therefore might the Lord say, “Woe also to them when I depart from them.” Hosea 9: 12. The Spirit may, in some sense, depart, while the ordinances are left standing for a time among the people; but we can then expect no benefit from them. But when God takes away ordinances and the Spirit too, woe indeed to that people. Where then are the fruits answerable to our precious means? The gospel is a golden lamp, and the graces of the Spirit communicated by it are golden oil, as in that stately vision, Zech. 4. Will God maintain such a lamp, fed with such precious oil, for men to trifle and play by? And no less ominous and portentous is that bitter enmity to the gospel and the serious professors of it, which is too often found among us; this great hatred brings on the days of visitation and the days of recompense with a swift and dreadful motion upon any people. Hosea 9:7.

7. If Christ be present by his Spirit and energy in his ordinances, there is no reason to despair of the conversion and salvation of the greatest sinners that yet lie dead under the gospel. What though their hearts be hard, their understandings dark, and their wills never so perverse and obstinate? all must give way, and open in the day of Christ’s power, when his Spirit joins himself with the word. This makes it an irresistible word; it is glorious to observe the hearts of publicans and harlots opening and yielding to the voice of Christ. Matt. 21 :31. Who were those three thousand persons, pricked to the heart by Peter’s sermon, Acts 2: 36, but the very men that, with wicked hands, had crucified the Lord Jesus? And what were the converted Corinthians but idolaters, turned from dumb idols, whoremongers, adulterers, effeminate, and such like persons? 1 Cor. 12: 2; 6:11. God has his elect among the vilest of men: the gospel will find them out, and draw them home to Christ, when the ‘Spirit animates and blesses it. Well might the apostle therefore say, that the gospel preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, is an object worthy for angels to behold with admiration. 1 Pet. 1:12. What though Satan has strongly fortified their souls against Christ with ignorance, prejudice, and enmity, the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God, to pull down these strong holds. Despair not therefore of your sinful and dead-hearted relatives; bring them to the gospel on the encouragement of these words of Christ, “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.” John 5: 25.

8. Is Christ spiritually present in his ordinances? 0 then ichat an endeared affection should every gracious soul

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hear to the ordinances of God. They are the walks of ‘Christ and of his Spirit, the appointed times and places for your meeting and communion with him; there your souls first met with Christ; there you began your acquaintance with him; there you have had many sweet interviews with him since that day; they were the means of your regeneration, 1 Pet. 1: 23, the bread of life by which your souls have been sustained ever since, and therefore to be more esteemed by you than your necessary food. Job 23: 12. Here you have found the richest cordials to revive your drooping spirits, when ready to faint under sin within you and afflictions upon you. No wonder David’s soul even fainted for the courts of God, Psalm 84: 2, and that Hezekiah desired a sign on his sick-bed, that he should go up to the house of the Lord. Isa. 38: 22. Here are the choicest comforts of the saints upon earth; all our fresh springs are in Zion. Psalm 88: 7. What a dungeon, what a barren wilderness were this world without them. Prize the ordinances, love the ordinances, wait assiduously on the ordinances, and pray for the liberty and efficacy of the gospel, that it may continue and mcrease in your days and in the days of your posterity.