(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this will we do, if God permit.
This Chapter opens in a very beautiful and striking manner. Christ is considered as the whole sum and substance of the Gospel; and as such, the Gospel is here called the doctrine of Christ. And the reason is plain. Because all the purpose, will and decree of Jehovah; in his threefold character of Person, are made known, and revealed in, and by Christ. Christ himself is Jehovah's salvation. Hence, Christ is called the Christ of God; the sent of God, the sealed of God, the Lamb of God, and the like; in all the parts of the divine word. And what is everlastingly to be kept in view, in these our contemplations of Christ is, that it is the Person of Christ, which is all along spoken of, as the great object of faith. Jesus himself, in a very blessed and comprehensive manner, sums up the whole of the principles of everlasting life, when he saith it is seeing the Son, and believing on him, John 6:40. So that it is not simply the doctrines of Christ, but Christ himself, which faith hath for its object, of hope and trust, and confidence, and joy; and which of necessity include, the doctrines of Christ as the greater include the less. And hence, this blessed Chapter opens with observing that the Church, when brought into a state of regeneration, should leave, (that is, should pass on), from what we have been taught, of the first rudiments of the word, in repentance, and the like; to study Christ. Like those, who from the first hearing of the Lord, are going on to a greater knowledge of him, who passing through the outer courts, are now introduced into the inner apartments of the king's presence, and becoming daily more and more acquainted with the Lord, in having fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, 1 John 1:3. Paul hath another beautiful train of ideas, to the same effect, when he saith; that the measure of grace, given to the several orders in the Church, is for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry; for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come, in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature, of the fulness of Christ, Ephesians 4:12-13
I know not, whether I explain myself to the Reader's apprehension. But according to my view of what the Holy Ghost here saith, it should seem, that the Lord is drawing a line of distinction, between Christ, as he is in himself; and the fullness of all things, as he stands to his people, and all ordinances whatever. Repentance, faith, doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands and the like, are all in their respective places to be suitably regarded, as means of grace; but all, and everyone of them, are but effects, and not, in the smallest degree, as any procuring cause of our salvation. Christ himself is the sole cause; and consequently ought to be the sole object of a believer's hope and trust. And therefore to seek comfort from anything beside, or to rest in anything short of centering all in Christ, is to seek the living among the dead. Let us (saith the Apostle) leave these, as the principles we began with, when first we heard of the Lord Jesus, and every other ordinance, to live upon the God of Ordinances; and be more earnest to be satisfied, with the substance, than the being amused with the shadow.
Reader! pause over this view of the subject. There is nothing more highly important, to the comfort and peace of a child of God, than a clear apprehension of having Christ, our one only portion, and living upon him. Many of Christ's little ones are unconscious of this; and therefore live below their privileges. They know the Lord, and love the Lord, and professedly are looking for salvation only in the Lord. But notwithstanding these things, they are more occupied with what are called the doctrines of Christ than Christ himself. They enjoy Christ at second hand. They look at him through ordinances, and through the exercise of their graces. Surely there is an error here. It is Christ himself; which ought to be the first object in our view, and every other concern, but as mediums, and channels, to pass through to him. It is true, indeed, that the doctrines of Christ, and the ordinances of Christ, are all valuable, as connected with him; and in having him, we have all. But for a child of God, to be more intent upon them, than upon him; to be more pleased, with some supposed gracious disposition wrought in us, than in the glorious, and complete work, Christ hath wrought for us; this is putting the effect, for the cause; and the servant in the place of his master. This is not making Christ in our view, what Christ is, in God's view; the Alpha, and Omega the first, and the last: the author and finisher of salvation. Christ is the first in all God's thoughts, and the last, and ultimate object of all God's designs. I know, that there are many of God's dear children, who would tremble if they were found, having any other views; and who would not intentially for the world, place any object before Christ, or in the room of Christ; but certainly, this is the case, when we take comfort in any grace, without eyeing Christ in the grace; and are found magnifying the effects of Christ's love, more than Christ himself. It is a sad consequence of our fallen state, and the imperfection of our faith, when the Person of Christ is bidden from our dim-sighted view, in a cloud of his own gifts.