Section 472
II. As the things promised are here mentioned, which are "borders of gold with studs of silver"
So the persons who promise to make these, are intimated in those words, "we will make thee," etc. It is not the chorus of virgins, or the daughters of Jerusalem, who here speak; nor angels, who are both incapable of and unfit for such an undertaking; nor is God introduced here speaking regio more, in the manner of kings who sometimes use to speak in the plural number, when they only mean themselves; but a trinity of persons is, no doubt, here intended, even "the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, which three are one," and are jointly concerned in all the works of grace, as they were in the works of creation: it is a way of speaking much like that in Genesis 1:26. R. Solomon Jarchi paraphrases it thus, "I and my house of judgment," as he also does Genesis 19:24. Now the ancient Jews by this speech meant a trinity of persons, though the modern unbelieving ones, as Ainsworth observes, are ignorant of it; yet still retain the phrase, and use it as the forementioned Rabbi does, in those places where a trinity of persons manifestly appears: for the house of judgment never consisted of less than three persons. Now this work may very well be ascribed to them; for, 1st, The ordinances of the gospel are the institutions of all the three persons; divine adoration is given to them in all; and they are enjoined on believers, and are regarded by them, as being all equally concerned in authorizing them, and in sharing the glory which arises from them; thus for instance, baptism is required to be performed "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," (Matthew 28:19) and accordingly is performed in this manner, 2dly, The gospel itself is the work of all the three persons; God the Father is the author of it, and therefore it is called the "gospel of God," (Romans 1:1), and so is Christ, hence it is also called his, verse 16. and so is the Spirit, and therefore it is called "the ministration of the spirit," (2 Corinthians 3:8). The grace of all the three persons is discovered by it, and the glory of them all concerned in it; the Father sends it, Christ is the sum and substance of it, and the Spirit powerfully applies it. 3dly, The work of grace upon the soul is performed by all the three persons; thus the regeneration and quickening of a sinner, "dead in trespasses and sins," is ascribed to God the Father, 1 Peter 1:3 to the Son, John 5:21, and to the Spirit, John 3:5. 4thly, The increase of grace, which seems to be the thing here intended, is owing to them all; thus grace and peace, that is, a larger measure of them, is wished and prayed for by John for the seven churches of Asia, from all the three persons (Revelation 1:4, 5). 5thly, All that glory which saints shall have hereafter, is procured and prepared by them all; the Father, he has prepared the kingdom for them from the foundation of the world, and it is his pleasure to give it to them; the Son he has opened the way to it with his blood, and is gone to prepare a place for them; and the Spirit, he is the earnest and pledge of it, he discovers the invisible glories of it to them, and will never leave them till he has made them meet for, and brought them into the enjoyment of them. So that all the three persons, in all these senses, may be very well understood as promising to make for the church these "borders of gold with studs of silver:" which shews, 1. That believers should have a great value for the gospel, and the ordinances thereof; seeing they are not only so valuable in themselves, being preferable to gold and silver, and are so useful and ornamental to the church, but are also the work of all the three persons, 2. That the work of grace upon the heart of a sinner, and the carrying it on to perfection, is done by an almighty power, and is the work of the eternal Three; the renewing of men requires the same power, and is effected by the same hands, as the first making of them did; those who said at the creation of man, "Let us make man," say at this new creation, and in the carrying on and perfecting of the work, "We will make thee borders of gold," etc. as they were all jointly concerned in the one, so they are in the other, which shows the greatness and glory of it. 3. That all these "borders of gold studded with silvers," are made for the comfort, glory, and happiness of the church, "We will make thee, or for thee," etc. the whole gospel, with all its doctrines and promises, are given for their instruction and consolation; all the ordinances thereof, for their comfort and improvement, as well as for God's glory; all the grace which is provided in Christ, wrought by the Spirit in their hearts, as well as the glory which is laid up in heaven; all, I say, is to make them "a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing."