Declaration of the Glorious Mystery of Christ the God Man, Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX.
The Exaltation of Christ; with his present State and Condition in Glory during the continuance of his Mediatory Office.
THE Apostle describing the great Mystery of Godliness, God manifest in the flesh; by several degrees of ascent, he carrieth it within the Vail, and leaves it there in Glory, foreign, 1 Tim. 3.16. God was manifest in the flesh, and received up into Glory. This Assumtion of our Lord Jesus Christ into Glory, or his Glorious Reception in Heaven, with his state and condition therein, is a principal Article of the Faith of the Church, the great Foundation of its Hope and Consolation in this World. This also we must therefore consider in our Meditations on the Person of Christ, and the use of it in our Religion.
That which I especially intend herein, is his present State in Heaven in the discharge of his Mediatory Office before the consummation of all things. Hereon doth the Glory of God and the especial concernment of the Church at present depend. For at the end of this dispensation he shall give up the Kingdom unto God, even the Father, or cease from the Administration of his Mediatory Office & Power, as the Apostle declares, 1 Cor. 15.24, 25, 26, 27. Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the Kingdom unto God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all Rule, and all Authority and Power. For he must raign until he hath put all Enemies under his feet. The last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted who did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself, be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
All things fell by sin into an enmity unto the Glory of God, and the Salvation of the Church. The removal of this enmity, and the destruction of all Enemies, is the work that God committed unto his Son, in his Incarnation and Mediation, Ephes. 1.10. This he was variously to accomplivh in the Administration of all his Offices. The enmity between God and Us immediately, he removed by the blood of his Cross, whereby he made Peace, Ephes. 2.14, 15, 16. Which Peace he continues and preserves by his Intercession, Heb. 7.26. 1 John 2.2. The enemies themselves of the Churches eternal welfare, namely, Sin, Death, the World, Satan and Hell, he subdues by his Power. In the gradual Accomplishment of this work; according as the Church of the Elect is brought forth in successive Generations, (in every one whereof the same work is to be performed) he is to continue unto the end and consummation of all things. Until then, the whole Church will not be saved, and therefore his work not be finished. He will not cease his work whilst there is one of his Elect to be saved, or one enemy to be subdued. He shall not faint nor give over until he hath sent forth Judgment unto victory.
For the discharge of this work, he hath a Soveraign Power over all things in Heaven and Earth committed unto him. Herein he doth and must raign. And so absolutely is it vested in him, that upon the ceasing of the exercise of it, He himself is said to be made subject unto God. It is true, that the Lord Christ in his Humane Nature is alwaies less then, or inferiour unto God, even the Father. In that sense he is in subjection unto him now in Heaven. But yet he hath an actual exercise of Divine Power, wherein he is absolute and supreme. When this ceaseth, he shall be subject unto the Father in that Nature, and only so. Wherefore when this work is perfectly fulfilled and ended, then shall all the Mediatory Actings of Christ cease for evermore. For God will then have compleatly finished the whole design of his Wisdom and Grace, in the constitution of his Person and Offices, and have raised up and finished the whole fabrick of eternal Glory. Then will God be all in all. In his own immense Nature and Blessedness he shall not only be All essentially and causally, but in All also; he shall immediately be All in and unto us.
This state of things, When God shall immediately be All in All, we can have no just comprehension of in this life. Some refreshing notions of it may be framed in our minds, from those apprehensions of the Divine Perfections which reason can attain unto; and their suitableness to yield eternal Rest, Satisfaction and Blessedness in that enjoyment of them, whereof our Nature is capable. Howbeit of these things in particular, the Scripture is silent; however it testifies our eternal Reward and Blessedness to consist alone in the enjoyment of God.
But there is somewhat else proposed as the immediate object of the Faith of the Saints at present, as unto what they shall enjoy upon their departure out of this world. And Scripture Revelations extend unto the state of things unto the end of the world, and no longer.
Wherefore Heaven is now principally represented unto us as the place of the Residence and Glory of Jesus Christ in the Administration of his Office; and our Blessedness to consist in a participation thereof, and communion with him therein. So he payes for all them who are given him of his Father, that they may be where he is to behold his Glory, Joh. 17.24. It is not the Essential Glory of his Divine Person that he intends, which is absolutely the same with that of the Father: But it is a Glory that is peculiarly his own; a Glory which the Father hath given him, because he loved him. My Glory which thou gavest me, for thou lovedst me. Nor is it meerly the glorified state of his Humane Nature that he intendeth; as was before declared in the consideration of the fifth verse of this chapter, where he prayeth for this Glory. However this is not excluded. For unto all those that love him, it will be no small portion of their blessed refreshment, to behold that individual Nature wherein he suffered for them, undergoing all sorts of reproaches, contempts and miseries, now unchangeably stated in incomprehensible Glory. But the Glory which God gives unto Christ, in the phrase of the Scripture, principally is the Glory of his Exaltation in his Mediatory Office. It is the All Power that is given him in Heaven and Earth; the Name that he hath above every Name, as he sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high. In the beholding and contemplation hereof, with holy Joy and Delight, consists no small part of that Blessedness and Glory which the Saints above at present enjoy, and which all others of them shall so do who depart this life before the consummation of all things. And in the due consideration hereof consists a great part of the exercise of that Faith, which is the evidence of things not seen, and which by making them present unto us, supplies the room of sight. This is the ground whereon our Hope doth anchor; namely, the things within the vail, Heb. 6.19. which directs us unto the Temple Administration of the Mediatory Office of Christ. And it is for the strengthening of our Faith and Hope in God through him; that we do, and that we ought to enquire into these things.
The consideration of the present State of Christ in Heaven, may be reduced unto three Heads.
1. The Glorification of his Humane Nature; what it hath in common with, and wherein it differs in kind from the Glory of all Saints whatever.
2. His Mediatory Exaltation; or the especial Glory of his Person as Mediator.
3. The Exercise and Discharge of his Office in this State of things; which is what at present I shall principally enquire into. I shall not speak at all of the Nature of Glorified Bodies, nor of any thing that is common unto the Humane Nature of Christ, and the same Nature in glorified Saints; but only what is peculiar unto himself. And hereunto I shall premise one general Observation.
All perfections whereof Humane Nature is capable, abiding what it was in both the essential parts of it, Soul and Body, do belong unto the Lord Christ in his glorified state. To ascribe unto it what is inconsistent with its Essence, is not an Assignation of Glory unto its state and condition, but a destruction of its Being. To affix unto the Humane Nature Divine Properties, as Ʋbiquity or Immensity, is to deprive it of its own. The Essence of his Body, is no more changed, than that of his Soul. It is a fundamental Article of Faith, that he is in the same Body in Heaven, wherein he conversed here on Earth; as well as the faculties of his rational soul are continued the same in him. This is that Holy Thing which was framed immediately by the Holy Ghost in the Womb of the Virgin. This is that Holy One which when it was in the grave saw no corruption. This is that Body which was offered for us, wherein he bare our sins on the Tree. To fancy any such change in or of this Body by its Glorification, as that it should not continue essentially and substantially the same that it was, is to overthrow the Faith of the Church, in a principal Article of it. We believe that the very same Body wherein he suffered for us, without any alteration as unto its Substance, Essence, or integral Parts, and not another Body of an aetherial, heavenly structure, wherein is nothing of flesh, blood or bones, by which he so frequently testified the Faithfulness of God in his Incarnation, is still that Temple wherein God dwells, and wherein he administers in the Holy Place not made with hands. The Body which was pierced is that which all Eyes shall see and no other.
On this Foundation I willingly allow all perfections in the glorified Humane Nature of Christ, which are consistent with its real form and essence; I shall therefore only in some instances enquire into the present Glory of the Humane Nature of Christ, wherein it differs either in kind or degree from the Glory of all other Saints whatever. For even among them I freely allow different degrees in Glory, which the eternal Order of things, that is, the Will of God in the disposal of all things unto his own Glory, doth require.
1. There is that wherein the present Glory of the Humane Nature of Christ, differeth in kind and nature, from that which any other of the Saints are partakers of, or shall be so after the Resurrection. And this is;
1. The Eternal Subsistence of that Nature of his, in the Person of the Son of God. As this belongs unto its Dignity and Honour, so it doth also unto its inherent Glory. This is and shall be eternally peculiar unto him, in distinction from, and exaltation above the whole Creation of God Angels and Men. Those by whom this is denied, instead of the glorious Name whereby God doth call him Wonderful, Counsellour, the Mighty God, &c. do call him Icabod, where is the Glory, or there is none that is peculiar unto him. But the Mystery hereof according unto our measure, and in answer unto our design we have already declared. And this Glory he had indeed in this World, from the first instant of his Incarnation or conception in the Womb. But as unto the demonstration of it, he emptied himself, and made himself of no Reputation under the form of a Servant. But now the Glory of it is illustruously displayed in the sight of all his Holy Ones. Some enquire whether the Saints in Heaven do perfectly comprehend the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. I do not well understand what is meant by perfectly comprehend. But this is certain, that what we have now by Faith, we shall have there by Sight. For as we live now by Faith, so shall we there by Sight. No finite creature can have an absolute comprehension of that which is infinite. We shall never search out the Almighty to perfection in any of his works of Infinite Wisdom. Wherefore this only I shall say; there is such a satisfactory evidence in Heaven, not only of the Truth, but also of the Nature of this Mystery, as that the Glory of Christ therein is manifest as an eternal Object of Divine Adoration and Honour. The enjoyment of Heaven is usually called the Beatifical Vision. That is, such an intellectual present view, apprehension and sight of God and his Glory, especially as manifested in Christ, as will make us blessed unto eternity. Wherefore in the contemplation of this Mystery doth a great part of our Blessedness consist. And farther our thoughts cannot attain. This is that wherein the Glory of the Humane Nature of Christ, doth essentially excel and differ from that of any other blessed Creature whatever. And hereon other things do depend. For,
2. Hence the Ʋnion of the Humane Nature of Christ unto God, and the Communications of God unto it, are of another kind, than those of the blessed Saints. In these things, namely, our Ʋnion with God, and his Communications unto us, doth our Blessedness and Glory consist.
In this World Believers are united unto God by Faith. It is by Faith that they cleave unto him with purpose of heart. In Heaven it shall be by Love. Ardent Love with Delight, Complacency and Joy, from a clear apprehension of Gods infinite Goodness and Beauty now made present unto us, now enjoyed by us, shall be the principle of our eternal Adherence unto him and Union with him. His Communicarions unto us here, are by an external efficiency of Power. He communicates of himself unto us in the effects of his Goodness, Grace and Mercy, by the Operations of his Spirit in us. Of the same kind will all the Communications of the Divine Nature be unto us unto all Eternity. It will be by what he worketh in us by his Spirit and Power. There is no other way of the Emanation of vertue from God, unto any Creature. But these things in Christ are of another Nature. This Union of his Humane Nature unto God, is immediate in the Person of the Son; ours is mediate by the Son as cloathed with our Nature. The way of Communications of the Divine Nature unto the Humane in his Person, is what we cannot comprehend; we have no Notion of it; nothing whereby it may be illustrated. There is nothing equal to it, nothing like it in all the Works of God. As it is a Creature it must subsist in eternal dependance on God; neither hath it any thing but what it receives from him. For this belongs essentially unto the Divine Nature, to be the only independant eternal Spring and Fountain of all Being and Goodness. Nor can Omnipotency it self exalt a Creature into any such condition, as that it should not alwaies and in all things depend absolutely on the Divine Being. But as unto the way of the Communications between the Divine and Humane Nature in the Personal Union, we know it not. But whether they be of Life, Power, Light or Glory, they are of another kind, than that whereby we do or shall receive all things. For all things are given unto us, are wrought in us, as was said, by an external efficiency of Power. The glorious immediate Emanations of vertue from the Divine unto the Humane Nature of Christ, we understand not. Indeed the actings of Natures of different kinds, where both are finite in the same Person one towards the other, is of a difficult apprehension. Who knows how directive Power and Efficacy proceeds from the Soul, and is communicated unto the Body, unto every the least minute action, in every member of it; so as that there is no distance between the direction and the action, or the accomplishment of it; or how on the other hand the soul is affected with sorrow or trouble in the moment wherein the Body feeleth pain, so as that no distinction can be made between the Body's sufferings, and the Soul's sorrow? How much more is this mutual Communication in the same Person of divers Natures above our comprehension, where one of them is absolutely infinite? Somewhat will be spoken to it afterwards. And herein doth this eternal Glory differ from that of all other glorified creatures whatever. And
3. Hence the Humane Nature of Christ, in his Divine Person, and together with it, is the Object of all Divine Adoration and Worship, Rev. 5.13. All Creatures whatever do for ever ascribe Blessing, Honour, Glory and Power, unto the Lamb, in the same manner as unto him who sits on the Throne. This we have declared before. But no other Creature either is, or ever can be exalted into such a condition of Glory, as to be the Object of any Divine Worship, from the meanest Creature which is capable of the performance of it. Those who ascribe Divine or Religious Honour unto the Saints or Angels, as is done in the Church of Rome, do both rob Christ of the principal flower of his imperial Crown, and Sacrilegiously attempt to adorn others with it, which they abhor.
4. The Glory that God designed to accomplish in and by him, is now made evident unto all the Holy Ones that are about the Throne. The great design of the Wisdom and Grace of God from Eternity, was to declare and manifest all the Holy Glorious Properties of his Nature, in and by Jesus Christ. And this is that wherein he will acquiesce, with which he is well pleased. When this is fully accomplished, he will use no other way or means for the manifestation of his Glory. Herein is the End and Blessedness of all.
Wherefore the principal work of Faith whilst we are in this World, is to behold this Glory of God, as so represented unto us in Christ. In the exercise of Faith herein, is our conformity unto him carried on unto perfection, 2 Cor. 3.18. And unto this End, or that we may do so, he powerfully communicates unto our minds a saving internal Light, without which we can neither behold his Glory, nor give Glory unto him. He who commanded Light to shine out of Darkness, shines into our Hearts to give us the Light of the Knowledge of his Glory in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 4 6. The End I say why God communicates a spiritual supernatural Light unto the minds of Believers, is that they may be able to discern the Manifestation and Revelation of his Glory in Christ; which is hid from the World, Ephes. 1.17, 18, 19. Col 2.2. Howbeit, whilst we are here, we see it but darkly as in a Glass; it is not evident unto us in its own luster and beauty. Yea the remainder of our darkness herein, is the cause of all our Weakness, Fears and Disconsolations. Want of a steady view of this Glory of God, is that which exposeth us unto impressions from all our temptations. And the light of our minds therein, is that whereby we are changed and transformed into the likeness of Christ.
But in Heaven this is conspicuously and gloriously manifest unto all the Blessed Ones that are before the Throne of God. They do not behold it by Faith in various degrees of light, as we do here below. They have not apprehensions of some Impressions of Divine Glory on the Person of Christ and the Humane Nature therein, with the work which he did perform, which is the utmost of our attainment. But they behold openly and plainly the whole Glory of God, all the Characters of it, illustriously manifesting themselves in him, in what he is, in what he hath done, in what he doth. Divine Wisdom, Grace, Goodness, Love, Power, do all shine forth in him unto the contemplation of all his Saints in whom he is admired. And in the Vision hereof consists no small part of our eternal Blessedness. For what can be more satisfactory, more full of glory unto the souls of Believers, than clearly to comprehend the Mystery of the Wisdom, Grace, and Love of God in Christ? This is that which the Prophets at a great distance enquired diligently into; that which the Angels bow down to look towards; that whose declaration is the Life and Glory of the Gospel. To behold in one view the Reality, the Substance of all that was typified and represented by the beautiful fabrick of the Tabernacle and Temple which succeeded in the room thereof; of all the Utensils of them, and services performed in them; all that the Promises of the Old Testament did contain, or the Declarations of the New; as it is the most satisfactory, blessed and glorious state that by the present light of Faith we can desire or long for, so it evidenceth a glory in Christ of another kind and nature, than what any creature can be participant in. I shall therefore state it unto our consideration with some few Observations concerning it.
1. Every Believer seeth here in this life, an Excellency, a Glory in the Mystery of God in Christ. They do so in various degrees, unless it be in times of Temptation, when any of them walk in Darkness, and have no Light. The view and prospect hereinto is far more clear, and accompanied with more evidence in some than in others, according unto the various degrees of their Faith and Light. The Spiritual Sight of some is very weak, and their views of the Glory of God in Christ are much obscured with inevidence, darkness and instability. This in many is occasioned by the weakness of their natural Ability, in more by spiritual sloth and negligence, in that they have not habitually exercised their senses to discern Good and Evil, as the Apostle speaks, Heb. 5.14. Some want instruction, and some have their minds corrupted by false Opinions. Howbeit, all true Believers have the eyes of their understanding opened, to discern in some measure the Glory of God as represented to them in the Gospel. Unto others it is foolishness; or they think there is that darkness in it whereunto they cannot approach. But all the darkness is in themselves. This is the distinguishing Property and Character of saving Faith; it beholds the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; it makes us to discern the manifestation of the Glory of God in Christ, as declared in the Gospel.
2. Our Apprehension of this Glory is the spring of all our Obedience, consolation and hope in this world. Faith discovering this manifestation of the Glory of God in Christ, engageth the soul unto universal Obedience, as finding therein abundant reason for it, and encouragement unto it. Then is Obedience truly Evangelical, when it ariseth from this acting of Faith, and is thereon accompanied with liberty and gratitude. And herein is laid all the foundation of our consolations for the present, and hope for the future. For the whole security of our present and future condition depends on the Actings of God towards us, according as he hath manifested himself in Christ.
3. From the exercise of Faith herein, doth Divine Love, Love unto God proceed; therein alone is it enlivened and enflamed. On these apprehensions doth a believing soul cry out, How great is his Goodness? how great is his Beauty? God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, is the only object of Divine Love. Under that representation of him alone, can the soul cleave unto him with ardent Love, constant Delight, and intense Affections. All other notions of Love unto God in sinners, as we are all, are empty fancies. Wherefore,
4. All Believers are, or should be conversant in their minds about these things, with longings, expectations and desires after nearer Approaches unto them, and enjoyments of them. And if we are not so, we are earthly, carnal and unspiritual. Yea the want of this frame, the neglect of this Duty, is the sole cause why many Professors are so carnal in their minds, and so worldly in their conversations. But this is the state of them who live in the due exercise of Faith. This they pant and breath after; namely, that they may be delivered from all darkness, unstable thoughts, and imperfect apprehensions of the Glory of God in Christ. After these things do those who have received the first fruits of the Spirit, groan within themselves. This Glory they would behold with open face, not as at present in a Glass, but in its own beauty. What do we want? what would we be at? what do our souls desire? is it not that we might have a more full, clear, stable, comprehension of the Wisdom, Love, Grace, Goodness, Holiness, Righteousness and Power of God, as declared and exalted in Christ unto our Redemption and eternal Salvation? To see the Glory of God in Christ, to understand his Love unto him, and valuation of him, to comprehend his nearness unto God, all evidenced in his Mediation, is that which he hath promised unto us, and which we are pressing after. See John 17. v. 23, 24.
5. Heaven will satisfy all those desires and expectations. To have them fully satisfied, is Heaven and eternal Blessedness. This fills the souls of them who are already departed in the Faith; with Admiration, Joy and Praises. See Rev. 5.9, 10, 11. Herein is the Glory of Christ absolutely of another kind and nature, than that of any other Creature whatever. And from hence it is, that our Glory shall principally consist in beholding his Glory, because the whole Glory of God is manifested in him.
And by the way, we may see hence the Vanity as well as the Idolatry of them who would represent Christ in Glory, as the Object of our Adoration in Pictures and Images. They fashion Wood or Stone into the likeness of a man. They adorn it with colours and flourishes of Art, to set it forth unto the senses and fancies of superstitious Persons, as having a Resemblance of Glory. And when they have done, they lavish Gold out of the bag, as the Prophet speaks, in various sorts of supposed ornaments; such as are so only to the vainest sort of mankind; and so propose it as an Image or Resemblance of Christ in Glory. But what is there in it that hath the least respect thereunto, the least likeness of it? Nay, is it not the most effectual means that can be devised to divert the minds of men from true and real apprehensions of it? Doth it teach any thing of the subsistence of the Humane Nature of Christ in the Person of the Son of God? Nay, doth it not obliterate all thoughts of it? What is represented thereby of the Ʋnion of it unto God, and the immediate Communications of God unto it? Doth it declare the Manifestation of all the glorious Properties of the Divine Nature in him? One thing indeed they ascribe unto it that is proper unto Christ, namely, that it is to be adored and worshiped, whereby they add Idolatry unto their folly. Persons who know not what it is to live by Faith, whose minds are never raised by Spiritual Heavenly Contemplations, who have no design in Religion but to gratify their inward superstition by their outward senses, may be pleased for a time, and ruined for ever by these delusions. Those who have real Faith in Christ, and Love unto him, have a more glorious Object for their exercise.
And we may hereby examine both our own Notions of the state of Glory, and our preparations for it, and whether we are in any measure made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints of Light. More grounds of this Trial will be afterwards suggested, these laid down may not be passed by. Various are the thoughts of men about the future state, the things which are not seen, which are eternal. Some rise no higher, but unto hopes of escaping Hell, or everlasting miseries when they die. Yet the Heathen had their Elisian fields, and Mahomet his sensual Paradise. Others have apprehensions of I know not what glistering Glory that will please and satisfy them they know not how, when they can be here no longer. But this state is quite of another Nature, and the blessedness of it is Spiritual and Intellectual. Take an instance in one of the things before laid down. The Glory of Heaven, consists in the full manifestation of Divine Wisdom, Goodness Grace, Holiness of all the Properties of the Nature of God in Christ. In the clear perception and constant contemmplation hereof, consists no small part of eternal Blessedness. What then are our present thoughts of these things? What Joy, what Satisfaction have we in the sight of them which we have by Faith through Divine Revelation? What is our desire to come unto the perfect comprehension of them? How do we like this Heaven? What do we find in our selves that will be eternally satisfied hereby? According as our desires are after them, such and no other are our desires of the true Heaven, of the Residence of Blessedness and Glory. Neither will God bring us unto Heaven whether we will or no. If through the ignorance and darkness of our minds, if through the earthliness and sensuality of our affections, if through a fulness of the world, and the occasions of it, if by the love of Life, and our present enjoyments, we are strangers unto these things, we are not conversant about them, we long not after them; we are not in the way towards their enjoyment. The present Satisfaction we receive in them by Faith, is the best evidence we have of an indefeasible Interest in them. How foolish is it to lose the first fruits of these things in our own souls, those entrances into Blessedness, which the contemplation of them through Faith would open unto us, and hazard our everlastasting enjoyment of them, by an eager pursuit of an interest in perishing things here below. This, this is that which ruines the souls of most, and keeps the Faith of many at so low an ebb, that it is hard to discover any genuine working of it.
2. The Glory of the Humane Nature of Christ differs from that of the Saints after the Resurrection, in things which concern the degrees of it. For,
1. The Glory of his Body is the example and pattern of what they shall be conformed unto, Phil. 3.21. Who shall change our vile Body, that it may be fashioned like unto his Glorious Body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Our Bodies were made vile by the entrance of sin. Thence they became Brothers to the Worms, and Sisters unto Corruption. To Death and the Grave with rottenness and corruption therein, they are designed. At the Resurrection they shall be new-framed, fashioned and moulded. Not only all the detriment and disadvantage they received by the entrance of sin shall be removed, but many additions of Glorious Qualifications which they had not in their primitive natural constitution shall be added unto them. And this shall be done by the Almighty Power of Christ; that working or exercise of it, whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself. But of this state whereinto we shall be changed by the Power of Christ, his own Body is the pattern and example. A similitude of it is all that we shall attain unto. And that which is the Idaea and exemplar in any state, is the Rule and Standard unto all others. Such is the Glory of Christ; ours consists in conformity thereunto; which gives him the Preheminence.
2. As the state of his Body is more glorious than ours shall be, so will that of his Soul in it self be made appear to be more excellent than what we are capable of. For that fulness of the Spirit without measure, and of all Grace which his Nature was capacitated for by vertue of the Hypostatical Union, doth now shine forth in all Excellency and Glory. The Grace that was in Christ in this world, is the same with that which is in him now in Heaven. The Nature of it was not changed, when he ceased to be Viator, but is only brought into a more glorious exercise now he is Comprehensor. And all his Graces are now made manifest, the vail being taken from them, and Light communicated to discern them. As in this world, he had unto the most neither form nor comeliness for which he should be desired, partly from the vail which was cast on his inward Beauty, from his outward condition, but principally from the darkness which was on their minds, whereby they were disenabled to discern the glory of spiritual things; notwithstanding which, some then in the Light of Faith saw his Glory, as the Glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth: So now the Vail is removed, and the darkness wholly taken away from the minds of the Saints; he is in the Glory of his Graces altogether lovely and desirable. And although the Grace which is in Believers, be of the same nature with that which is in Christ Jesus, and shall be changed into Glory, after the likeness of his, yet is it, and alwaies shall be incomprehensibly short of what dwells in him. And herein also doth his Glory gradually excel that of all other creatures whatever.
But we must here draw a Vail over what yet remains. For it doth not yet appear what we our selves shall be. Much less is it evident what are, and what will be the Glories of the Head above all the members; even then when we shall be made like unto him. But it must be remembred, that whereas at the entrance of this Discourse we so proposed the consideration of the present state of the Lord Christ in Heaven, as that which should have an end at the consummation of all things: What hath been spoken concerning the Glory of his Humane Nature in it self, is not of that kind, but what abideth unto eternity. All the things mentioned abide in him and unto him for evermore.
The second thing to be considered in the present state and condition of Christ, is his Mediatory Exaltation. And two things with respect thereunto may be enquired into. (1.) The way of his entrance into that state above. (2.) The state it self, with the Glory of it.
1. The way of his entrance into the exercise of his Mediatory Office in Heaven, is expressed, 1 Tim. 3.16. He was received into Glory, or rather gloriously. And he entred into Glory, Luke 24.26. This Assumption and entrance into Glory was upon his Ascension described, Acts 1.9, 11. He was taken up into Heaven, foreign, by an Act of Divine Power; and he went into Heaven, foreign, in his own choice and will, as that which he was exalted unto. And this Ascension of Christ in his Humane Nature into Heaven is a Fundamental Article of the Faith of the Church. And it falls under a double consideration. (1.) As it was Triumphant, as he was a King. (2.) As it was Gracious, as he was a Priest. His Ascension as unto change of Place, from Earth to Heaven, and as unto the outward manner of it, was one and the same, and at once accomplished. But as unto the End of it, which is the exercise of all his Offices, it had various respects, various praefigurations, and is distinctly proposed unto us, with reference unto them.
In his Ascension as it was Triumphant, three things may be considered. (1.) The manner of it, with its Representation of Old. (2.) The Place whereinto he ascended. (3.) The End of it, or what was the work which he had to do thereon,
1. As unto the manner of it, it was openly triumphant and glorious. So is it described, Ephes. 4.8. He ascended up on high; he lead captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And respect is had unto the praefiguration of it, at the giving of the Law, Psal. 68.17, 18. where the glory of it is more fully expressed. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of Angels; the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast lead captivity captive, &c. The most glorious Appearance of God upon the Earth under the Old Testament, was that on Mount Sinai, in the giving of the Law. And as his Presence was there attended with all his glorious Angels; so when upon the finishing of that work he returned or ascended into Heaven, it was in the way of a Triumph with all that Royal Attendance. And this praefigured the Ascent of Christ into Heaven upon his fulfilling of the Law, all that was required in it, or signified by it. He ascended triumphantly after he had given the Law, as a figure of his triumphant Ascent after he had fulfilled it. Having then spoiled Principalities and Powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them, Col. 2.15. So he lead captivity captive; or all the adverse Powers of the Salvation of the Church in triumph at his Chariot-wheels. I deny not but that his leading captivity captive, principally respects his spiritual conquest over Satan, and the destruction of his Power. Yet whereas he is also said to spoil Principalities and Powers, making shew of them openly, and triumphing over them, I no way doubt but Satan the Head of the Apostacy, and the chief Princes of Darkness were lead openly in sight of all the holy Angels, as …onquered captives. The seed of the Woman having now broken the Head of the Serpent. This is that which is so emphatically expressed, Psalm 47. throughout. The ground and cause of all the Triumphant Rejoycing of the Church therein declared, is that God was gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet, vers. 5. which is nothing but the glorious Ascent of Christ into Heaven, said to be accompanied with shouts, and the sound of a Trumpet, the expressions of Triumphant Rejoycing, because of the glorious Acclamations that were made thereon by all the Attendants of the Throne of God.
2. The Place whither he thus ascended, is on high. He ascended up on high, Ephes. 4.8. That is Heaven. He went into Heaven, Acts 1.11. And the Heavens must receive him. ver. 3.21. Not these aspectable Heavens which we behold. For in his Ascension he passed through them, Heb. 4.14. and is made higher than they, chap. 7.27. But into the Place of the Residence of God in Glory and Majesty, Heb. 1.3. chap. 8.1. chap. 12.2. There on the Throne of God, Rev. 3.21. On the right hand of the Majesty on high, he sits down in the full possession and exercise of all Power and Authority. This is the Pallace of this King of Saints and Nations. There is his Royal eternal Throne, Heb. 1.8. And many Crowns are on his head, Rev. 19.12. or all Dignity and Honour. And he who in a pretended imitation of him wears a triple Crown, hath upon his own head thereby, the name of Blasphemy, Rev. 13.1. There are before him his Scepter of Righteousness, his Rod of Iron, all the regalia of his glorious Kingdom. For by these Emblems of Power doth the Scripture represent unto us his soveraign Divine Authority in the execution of his Kingly Office. Thus he ascended triumphantly, having conquered his Enemies; thus he raigneth gloriously over all.
3. The End for which he thus triumphantly ascended into Heaven, is twofold. (1.) The overturning and destruction of all his Enemies in all their remaining Powers. He rules them with a Rod of Iron, and in his due time will dash them in pieces as a Potters Vessel, Psal. 2.9. For he must raign until all his Enemies are made his footstool, 1 Cor. 15.25, 26. Psal. 110.1. Although at present for the most part they despise his Authority, yet they are all absolutely in his Power, and shall fall under his eternal displeasure. (2.) The Preservation, Continuation and Rule of his Church, both as unto the Internal state of the souls of them that believe, and the external Order of the Church in its Worship and Obedience, and its preservation under and from all oppositions and persecutions in this World. There is in each of these such a continual exercise of Divine Wisdom, Power and Care, the effects of them are so great and marvelous, and the fruits of them so abundant unto the Glory of God, that the World would not contain the Books that might be written of them; but to handle them distinctly is not our present design.
2. His Ascension may be considered as Gracious; as the ascent of an High Priest. And herein the things before mentioned are of a distinct consideration.
1. As to the manner of it, and the design of it, he gives an account of them himself, John 20.17. His design herein was not the taking on him the exercise of his Power, Kingdom and glorious Rule; but the acting with God on the behalf of his Disciples. I go, saith he, to my Father, and to your Father, to my God, and to your God; not his God and Father with respect unto eternal Generation, but as he was their God and Father also. And he was so, as he was their God and Father in the same Covenant with himself; wherein he was to procure of God all good things for them. Through the blood of this everlasting Covenant, namely, his own blood, whereby this Covenant was established, and all the good things of it secured unto the Church, he was brought again from the dead, that he might live ever to communicate them unto the Church, Heb. 13.20, 21. With this design in his Ascension, and the effects of it, did he often comfort and refresh the hearts of of his Disciples, when they were ready to faint on the apprehensions of his leaving of them here below, John 14.1, 2. chap. 16.5, 6, 7. And this was typified by the ascent of the High Priest, unto the Temple of Old. The Temple was situated on an Hill, high and steep, so as that there was no approach unto it but by stairs. Hence in their wars it was looked on as a most impregnable sortress. And the solemn ascent of the High Priest into it on the day of expiation, had a Resemblance of this ascent of Christ into Heaven. For after he had offered the Sacrifices in the outward court, and made Attonement for sin, he entred into the most Holy Place, a Type of Heaven it self, as the Apostle declares, Heb. 9.24. of Heaven, as it was the Place whereinto our High Preist was to enter. And it was a joyful ascent, though not Triumphant. All the Psalms from the 120th. to the 134th. inclusively whose Titles are foreign, Songs of Degrees, or rather Ascents or Risings, being generally Songs of Praise and Exhortations to have respect unto the Sanctuary, were sung to God at the resting-places of that Ascent. Especially was this represented on the day of Jubilee. The Proclamation of the Jubilee was on the same day that the High Priest entred into the Holy Place; and at the same time; namely, on the tenth day of the seventh month, Levit. 16.29. chap. 25.9. Then did the Trumpet sound throughout the Land, the whole Church; and Liberty was proclaimed unto all servants, captives, and such as had sold their possessessions; that they might return unto them again. This being a great Type of the spiritual Deliverance of the Church, the noise of the Trumpet was called the joyful sound, Psal. 89.15. Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound, they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenance. Those who are made partakers of spiritual Deliverance, shall walk before God in a sense of his Love and Grace. This is the Ascent of our High Priest into his Sanctuary, when he proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oyl of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified, Isa 61.2, 3. For in this Ascension of Christ, Proclamation was made in the Gospel, of Mercy, Pardon, Peace, Joy, and everlasting Refreshments, unto all that were distressed by sin, with a communication of Righteousness unto them, to the eternal Glory of God. Such was the entrance of our High Priest into Heaven, with Acclamations of Joy and Praise unto God.
2. The Place whereinto he thus entred was the Sanctuary above, the Tabernacle not made with hands, Heb. 8.2. It was into Heaven it self, not absolutely, but as it is the Temple of God, as the Throne of Grace and Mercy Seat are in it, which must further be spoken unto immediately.
3. The End why the Lord Christ thus ascended, and thus entred into the Holy Place, was to appear in the presence of God for us, and to make Intercession for all that come unto God by him, Heb. 7.26, 27. chap. 9.24, 25.
He ascended triumphantly into Heaven, as Solomon ascended into his glorious Throne of Judgment described, 1 Kings 10.18, 19, 20. As David was the Type of his Conquest over all the enemies of his Church, so was Solomon of his glorious Raign. The Types were multiplied because of their imperfection. Then came unto him the Queen of Sheba, the Type of the Gentile-Converts and the Church. When foreign, the voluntaries of the people (those made willing in the day of his Power, Psal. 110.3.) gathered themselves to the people of the God of Abraham, and were taken in his Covenant, Psal. 47.9. But he ascended graciously, as the High Priest went into the Holy Place. Not to rule all things gloriously with mighty Power, not to use his Sword and his Scepter, but to appear as an High Priest in a Garment down to the foot, and a Golden Girdle about his paps, Rev. 1.13. as in a Tabernacle or Temple before a Throne of Grace. His sitting down at the Right hand of the Majesty on high, adds to the Glory of his Priestly Office, but belongs not unto the execution of it. So it was prophesied of him, that he should be a Priest on his Throne, Zech. 6.13.
It may be added hereunto that when he thus left this World and ascended into Glory, the great promise he made unto his Disciples as they were to be Preachers of the Gospel, and in them unto all that should succeed them in that Office, was that he would send the Holy Spirit unto them, to teach and guide them, to lead them into all Truth, to declare unto them the Mysteries of the Will, Grace and Love of God, for the use of the whole Church. This he promised to do, and did in the discharge of his Prophetical Office. And although his giving Gifts unto men was an act of his Kingly Power, yet it was for the End of his Prophetical Office.
From what hath been spoken it is evident that the Lord Christ ascended into Heaven, or was received up into Glory, with this design, namely, to exercise his Office of Mediation in the behalf of the Church until the End should be. As this was his Grace, that when he was Rich, for our sakes he became Poor; so when he was made Rich again for his own sake, he laies forth all the Riches of his Glory and Power on our behalf.
2. The Glory of the state and condition whereinto Christ thus entred, is the next thing to be considered. For he is set down at the right hand of the Majesty on High. And as his ascension with the Ends of it were twofold, or of a double consideration, so was his Glory that ensued thereon. For his present Mediatory state consists either in the Glory of his Power and Authority; or in the Glory of his Love and Grace; his Glory as a King, or his Glory as a Priest. For the first of these, or his Royal Glory, in soveraign Power and Authority over the whole Creation of God, all in Heaven and Earth, Persons and Things, Angels and Men, Good and Bad, Alive and Dead, all things Spiritual and Eternal, Grace, Gifts and Glory, his Right and Power or Ability to dispose of all things according unto his Will and Pleasure I have so fully and distinctly declared it, in my exposition on, Heb. 1.3. as that I shall not here again insist upon it. His present Glory in the way of Love and Grace; His Glory as a Priest, will be manifested in what doth ensue.