A Scripture-Map of the Wilderness of Sin, Treatise · Part 4 · Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. How Chriſt was prepared to be the ſtrength and ſtay of weake and weary ſoules, by his eſtate of exaltation.
2ly. In his eſtate of Exaltation, he was alſo prepared hereunto.BUt alas! what encouragement were this to weak and weary ſoules to leane upon Chriſt, if he were onelyonly made weak and weary? you'l ſay the leſs helpe is there for us, if he were ſo too: and indeed had Chriſt laid down onelyonly his ſtrength, and forſaken for us his Fathers boſome, his reſting place and had not repoſſeſſed and taken them up againe, I ſhould not be ſo ſtrongly perſwaded to plead with you to lean upon him. But this I know, that Chriſt is dead; yea, rather that he is riſen again: his ſtrength was laid down, but 'tis taken up again, his reſting place was a while as it were quitted by him, but is now reſtored unto him, and in him, unto them that lean upon him; for becauſe he lives, they ſhall live alſo: becauſe he is ſtrong, they ſhall be ſtrengthned: becauſe he is at reſt, they ſhall be refreſhed: for he hath therefore prayed the Father, that where, and in what ſtate he is, they may be alſo. Therefore
2ly, Chriſt was prepared to become a ſutable ſupport unto the weak and weary, by being lifted up unto his Crown, and by the ſtate of his exaltation. I ſhall lay down theſe three Propoſitions.
Three Propoſitions explayning this.1. That exalted Chriſt took up all ſtrengrh and refreſhment, as well as when Crucified, he ſtooped down to weakneſſes and wearineſſes.
2. That that ſtrength and reſt was taken up in our behalfe, for our ſakes and intereſt, as well as his own.
3. That therefore, herein we may take exceeding encouragement to lean upon him both as to the one, and the other.
Firſt,1. That Chriſt glorified hath received ſufficient ſtrength. There is ſtrength and reſt enough with Chriſt glorified, and triumphant for all believers militant.
Firſt, For ſtrength, read Ephe. 1.19, 20, 21. and tell me poore heart, what thou wouldeſt have more then is there expreſt? Its ſaid, the mighty power of God wrought (and in whom?) in Chriſt Jeſus, (and when?) when he raiſed him from the dead (and to what end?) that he might ſet him at his own right hand in the heavenly places: (this was the exaltation of him who was crucified through weakneſſe) and what followes?) Where are thoſe places, of what rank are they? Why? far above all principalities, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, &c. and hath put all things under his feet, (except himſelfe, who put them under, as the Apoſtle elſe where argues) ſo that, Chriſtian, name what name thou canſt, here's a name, one name that may revive thee more then all they need diſcourage thee. Think of what power thou canſt, or what might thou wilt, here's ſtrength above all ſtrength, might beyond all might, as himſelfe ſaith, Look, and be ſaved: ſo ſay I, lean and be ſtrengthned. How ſaiſt thou now? doth the name of Devill diſturbe thee? doth the Principality Satan ſcare thee? doth the power of legion affright thee? thou dareſt not begin to wreſtle with theſe, or if thou haſt begun, thou dareſt not hold on; why? whileſt a fearful heart names theſe, or any of theſe, let a faithful heart name Chriſt in ſtead of all, and it will more then anſwer all; for him hath God exalted; yea, highly exalted, Phil. 2.9. and given him a name above every name: yea, far above every name, whether it be principality, or might, or power, preſent or future (that is to day, or can poſſibly be to morrow) yea, in this world, or in that which is to come.
2ly. Reſt for all that leane upon him.2ly, For Reſt. You heard in the laſt, that God ſet him at his own right hand, ſo Heb. 1.3. He ſat down on the right hand of the Majeſtie on high. Now ſitting, you know, imports Reſt, eſpecially ſitting in Majeſtie, and then [on high] there's power and reſt together. This glorious reſt of Jeſus Chriſt, after all his labours, travells, and ſoules-wearineſſe, is that which we properly and particularly commemorate, in that which the Holy Ghoſt calls the Lords day, that Chriſtian Sabbath wherin Chriſt hath reſted from all his labours (that is wearying labours) wherefore he bleſſed the Lords day, and ſanctified it.
'Tis true, perhaps will your ſoules ſay, we know indeed, that there are enough refreſhments, and ſtrength to ſpare in the Lord, and with his Sonne Jeſus Chriſt: but alas, what is that to us? we ſee in the world that others are rich, but that is little to us, when we are poore: others ſtrong, and healthfull, but that is little to us, when we are ſick: Oh! what is his ſtrength and reſt to us?
Poore ſoule, much every way. I had almoſt ſaid, as much as to himſelfe. Have you heard what Chriſt ſaid in the dayes of his infirmity? For your ſakes ſanctifie I my ſelfe; could you but heare him ſpeake from the ſeat of his Majeſtie on high, his voyce would be, For your ſakes have I thus glorified my ſelf: yea, ſuch hath his voyce already, and often been, and I have believed it, therefore have I ſpoken. This therefore which is the
2d. Propoſi. That the ſtrength and reſt he hath received, he hath received for us. Proved. 1. From expreſs Scripture teſtimony:Second Propoſition, will abundantly appeare. 1. If you conſider expreſs teſtimony of Scripture. 2. The Scripture Character of Chriſts receiving this ſtrength, and reſt. 3. Of ours received from, and through Chriſt. 4. Of Chriſts, untill we have received ours.
1. For expreſs teſtimony of Scripture. A three-fold Cord ſhall I make uſe of, to bind up your faith cloſe unto this truth: Predictions that went before him, the very words that came from, and together with him; the report that after him,1. The Scriptures before Chriſt. is born of him.
1. The Scriptures that told the Believers of old of a Meſſiah, or Chriſt to come, and of the returning of this King to ſit down on the Majeſtie on high, aſſured them alſo of their intereſt, and concernment herein. Thus the Pſalme which Paul interprets of Chriſt, Pſal. 68.18. Thou haſt aſcended up on high, thou haſt led captivity captive, (there's Chriſts glorious exaltation, and what followes?) thou haſt received gifts, (that is ſtrength, and abilities, and ſpirituall refreſhments, and for whom were theſe received?) for men, yea, for the rebellious, that God might dwell among them. And ſure where God dwels, there dwels ſtrength; ſurely there are reſting places in his dwelling Houſe. The Lord Chriſt, you ſee, is foreſpoken of as exalted for our advnatage, and receiving his Throne for our ſakes, as well as for his own glory. You heare what the Prophets witneſſe of Chriſts receiving in truſt for ſoules.
Obſerve Secondly, Christs own confeſſions, both of what, 2ly. Scriptures taken from his own mouth.and for whom he hath received. Mind his words, in the dayes of his fleſh, Jo. 14.2. In my Fathers houſe are many Manſions, (that's Reſting-places.) I go to prepare a place (ſaith he, for himſelf? no, but) for you: there's for reſt, and then for power, ſee verſ. 12. of the ſame Chapter, Verily he that believeth (that is, he that leaneth) on me, the works that I do, thoſe ſhall he do, and greater works then theſe, becauſe I go to the Father: that is, upon my aſcenſion, and glorification, the ſtrength that I had in the dayes of my fleſh, ſhall you have; yea, the power that I ſhall farther receive, ſhall you receive alſo: this precious promiſe cannot (without injurie) be confined to the Apoſtles, with reſpect to their works of miracles, which Chriſt himſelfe hath ſet as an open doore to every beleever.
Thirdly,3ly, Scriptures recorded after Chriſt, by his Apoſtles. Behold what teſtimony his Apoſtles bare here unto in their own experiences. 1. As to his power, as Ephe. 2.19, 20. What is the exceeding greatneſſe of his power to us-ward, who believe (that is, to leaning ſoules) according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Chriſt when he raiſed him, &c. and ſet him on high above all powers. I muſt not amplifie, for more fully I cannot ſpeak: The power that worketh in the Beleever, is the ſame exceeding great and mighty power of Jeſus Chriſt, &c.
2ly. For Reſt. He is ſaid expreſly, Heb. 9.24. To appeare in the preſence of God for us, that is ſay, in our behalfs. Now you have aſſuredly heard, that all refreſhings are from that preſence.2ly. From the notions under which Scriptures repreſent Chriſt receiving them.
2ly, Remark under what Notions the Scriptures repreſent Chriſt as receiving this ſtrength, and Reſt. Such as theſe, a Captain, a fore-runner, an Ausband, an Head, &c.
1. As his poor peoples Captaine.1. If Chriſt glorified hath received ſtrength, and refreſhment, 'tis as Generall of the Horſemen, and Chariots of Iſrael. Now if a Generall be ſaid to be ſtrengthned as ſuch, or to receive recruits, it is not as he is a private perſon, but when his Armies are ſtrengthened, when his whole body of Souldiers are refreſhed. Now what ſaith the Spirit? Heb. 2.9, 10. Chriſt ſuffered death, and was Crowned with glory, that he might through grace taſt death for every man, (how is that? every man? (that is every man that ſhall taſt of everlaſting glory, for he limits his language) verſ. 10. It pleaſed God in bringing many ſouls to glory, to make the Captain of their ſalvation perfect, &c. Put both verſes together, and you have thus much to be plainly taken up,Note. that, When Jeſus Chriſt was perfected, that is, exalted unto glory, for whom he taſted death, for them he received a Crown of glory, as their Captain, he hath received it; and as he hath received it, ſo ſhall he give even a Crown of glory, not only to Paul, but to all thoſe alſo who love his appearing, 2 Tim. 4.8.
2d. Repreſentative.2ly, Chriſt is ſaid to have received them as our Repreſentative, or fore-runner. Now a ſurrendred City, or Garriſon,Note. is then ſaid to be taken with all the ſtrength of it, when the perſons appointed by the prevailing Army, or employed as their Repreſentatives have taken poſſeſſion of it; though the whole Army (beſides their Repreſentatives ſo commiſſioned) are as yet out of it. Thus Heb. 6.20. Whither the forerunner is for us entred, viz. Jeſus, &c. Chriſt is entred, but it is as forerunner, and therefore it is for us that he is entred.
3ly,3d. Husband. Chriſt is held forth receiving them as our Husband, and therefore for our advantage. If the Husband have received a Kingdome, who ever made queſtion,Note. but that in that very hour, the Wife (though not yet actually inveſted, and crowned) is made a Queene, ſo Pſal. 45.6. Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever, (there is Chriſts reſting place) the Scepter of thy Kingdome, is a right Scepter, (there is his ſtrength, and power) now verſ. 9. At thy right hand did ſtand the Queene in gold of Ophir. The leaning ſoule makes Chriſt her Husband, and beloved, and Chriſt makes her his Queene, to ſhare with him in his exaltation, and ſuch honour have all Gods Saints. See alſo Cant. 3. you have mention of Solomons bed (that's Chriſts glorious Reſt) Threeſcore valiant men are about it holding Swords, &c. verſ. 7. (there is Chriſts exceeding great ſtrength) And for whom is the glorious Reſt, and mighty ſtrength prepared? why? verſe 10. 'Tis for the Daughters of Jeruſalem.
4ly,4. Head, yea & Chriſt is ſaid to be exalted to the glory of all the foreſaid power, and reſt, as he is the head of poore believers, Eph. 1.22. And (that is, when he had ſpoken at large of Chriſts glory before) hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to his Church. Is Chriſt glorified over all things? 'Tis for, Note.and to his Church. Now how can the Head be ſtrong, and perfect, and be at Reſt, as long as any of the Members be weak, or as long as the Body is full of wearineſſe?
I might adde, Chriſt was exalted not onelyonly as head,As their life alſo. but as the heart alſo, and very life of believers: now how can our lives be ſtrong, and freſh,Note. if we be weak and weary? Col. 3.4. When Chriſt who is our life ſhall appeare, ye ſhall appeare with him in glory. Is Chriſt glorified? 'tis as he is our life: therefore becauſe he lives in ſtrength, and at reſt, (for this is the ſum of all his glory) ſhall we live alſo, where none ſhall ſay, I am weak, nor complain, I am weary.
3ly. From the ſtyle wherein Scriptures expreſſe the reſt & ſtrength that we receive, arguing that it is the ſtrength.3ly, Obſerve how Scriptures expreſſe our ſpirituall ſtrength, and refreſhments received by us from Chriſt: and you muſt acknowledge that they are the very things received by Chriſt from the Father.
1. As for the believers ſtrength, Col. 1.11. Who are ſtrengthned with all might, according to his glorious power. Almighty ſtrength is derived from Chriſt to believers, therefore the very ſtrength unto which he is exalted, ſo Phil. 4.13. I can do all things (here's a kind of Omnipotency in a Creature, but how?) through Chriſt ſtrengthning me. Note.Let me tell the weak hearts that are among you for their comfort, that leaning can do as much as Chriſt, on whom thou leaneſt, is able to doe; and Chriſt can do as much as God can doe, for, he can doe all things, ſo (with reverence I ſpeake it) can faith in him that was once crucified through weakneſs, but is now raiſed in power, and unto power; that once being weary, ſat down on the well, but now being at reſt, ſits down on the right hand of the Majeſty on high.
2ly. Reſt of Chriſts own receiving.2ly, As for the reſt, quiet, peace, and eſtabliſhment that the ſoule hath that leanes on the Lord Jeſus, Scripture ſo phraſeth it, that if it were not the very reſt, and peace of Chriſt in glory, (I ſtill mean relatively conſidered, viz. as the head of believers) in its meaſure, it would not be able to bear ſuch Hyperboles. 'Tis not call'd only peace with God, and reſt with Chriſt: but the very quiet, and peace of God, even that peace that paſſeth all underſtanding, ſhall keep your hearts through Chriſt, Phi. 4.7. An infinite peace ſhall keep houſe in a finite Creature, a peace that paſſeth all underſtanding, ſhall keep our minds. Now add this infinite peace to almighty power, and how can you ſpeak higher of Chriſt, the Prince of peace, on whoſe ſhoulders the Government of all things in heaven and earth is laid?
Laſtly,4. From the notion in which ſcriptures repreſent Chriſts owne ſtate as Mediator, untill we have full poſſeſſion of that ſtrength and See how the ſcriptures repreſent Chriſts eſtate, as he is Mediator (though perſonally and abſolutely conſidered, he is infinitely and abſolutely God, bleſſed for ever, yet) I ſay, as Mediator, and relatively lookt upon; and it will yet more fully appeare, how that the ſtrength and reſt that Chriſt glorified hath received, he hath received in truſt for us, for till ſuch time as we all, that ever have leaned, or doe leane, or ſhall come truly to leane on him, come to be fully ſtrong in him, and at reſt with him, himſelfe is not compleat in his glory. This is the judgement of reverend men, and to me it ſeems ſufficiently to he grounded on that phraſe, Ephe. 1.22, 23. God gave Chriſt to be head over all things, to his Church, which is his body, Note.the fulnes of him that filleth all in all. Chriſt as perſonally conſidered, is God filling all in all: Chriſt relatively conſidered, as head of his Church, is not full till they be full; full of ſtrength in all grace and goodneſſe, full of reſt from all evill: ſo that in that day, that every beleever ſhall come fully to be ſaved, in that day ſhall Chriſt be fully glorified, and not till that bleſſed, looked for, long'd for day, which though it be for an appointed time, yet in the end it will come, therefore wait for it, for in the end it will come, and will not tarry. Therefore
Thirdly, Herein may leaners on this Beloved, 3d. Propoſ. Therefore may weak & weary ſoules have ſtrong conſolation and encouragement to leane on Chriſt for ſtrength & reſthave ſtrong conſolation, a ſure foundation, whereon the higheſt faith may ſecurely build. Is this a truth, that that Chriſt that was once both weak and weary, and both for thee, hath now all power, and reſt, and all for thee? Why? here lean O friends, yea, leane inſeparably, O Beloved! O let thy faith be as the Holy Ghoſt calls it, Col. 2.12. The faith of the operation of God, which he wrought in Chriſt when he raiſed him from the dead, wherein alſo you are riſen with him. Let perſecutions, watchings, wearineſſes;Note. let Principalities, powers, and Dominions; let what hath, or doth, or can come upon you, riſe up againſt you; only riſe you up againſt them, and you ſhall riſe up above them, through the faith of the operation of God, whereby he raiſed up Chriſt for his own glory, and as you have ſeen, for your advantage. Wherefore we having ſuch ſtrong conſolation, who have fled for a refuge to the hope that is ſet before us, Let us hold this hope as an anchor of the ſoul both ſure and ſtedfast (when Rain deſcends, and Winds riſe, and Waves beat) becauſe our forerunner is for us entred, even Jeſus, &c. Heb. 6.18, 19, 20. Let Iſaiahs propheſie be found true of thee, and me, Iſai. 45.24. Surely ſhall one ſay, in the Lord I have ſtrength, and righteouſneſſe. For this is his Righteouſneſs, and hereunto ſhall that ſtrength be laid forth, that, To you who are troubled there may be reſt with us, when the Lord Jeſus ſhall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels, &c. 2 Theſ. 1.7. When he ſhall render vengeance to all that trouble you: to him be glory for evermore.