A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 110 (Question 28 cont.)
SERMON CX.
WE proceed form the firſt ſtep of Chriſt's Exaltation, conſiſting in his Reſur…tion, to the next, which is, his taking … of the Kingdom.
THERE were two things which Chriſt, as of Sarety, was to do for us, viz. To pay our … by making ſatisfaction for our offences; … purchaſe our forfeited Inheritance of …. Both of theſe he fully accom… in his ſtate of Humiliation, the one … paſſive, the other by his active Obe… thus complying with all the demands … Covenant. But to make all this … us, there was ſomething more to be … him on our account, as out Attorney, … take out an Acquittance upon the … of the Obligation, and to take … of the Inheritance which he had …; and this was retained for his …. The former of theſe he did in … …ection, in which regard, as hath … o…erved, he is ſaid to riſe for our Juſti… the latter he did in taking poſſeſſion of the Kingdom, which is under our preſent …ion. And of this there are two … or degrees, viz. His After ſ…on up to … and his Seſſion at the right hand of … …d we have them both aſſerted, Mar. … then after the Lord had ſpoken unto … received up into heaven, and ſat … band of God. The former of theſe … …nder our preſent enquiry.
… dyed, ſo he roſe again; as he … the Grave, ſo he aſcended …; ſo that in theſe points, his … correſponds with his Humiliation. …CHING the Aſcenſion of Chriſt we … this brief Deſcription of it; Is … that whereby he left the Faith, as to his Man…l; and was carr…ed by vertue of his God head, Into the higheſt Heavens. Aſcenſſion in propriety of ſpeech, fignifies a w…tion. from the center towards the circumference; and ſuch was this of Chriſt. He went away from this Earth, which is ſuppoſed to be the Worlds center, in which he was born, and where he abode till he had gone through the whole be fineſs of his Humiliation, and where alſo his Reſurrection had been accompliſhed; and he went to Heaven, which is in the Worlds circumference. He went from the Earth which is beneath, to the Heaven which is above, and that not to the lower Heavens, but the higheſt, which is in Scripture cailed the third Heaven. So we are told, Luk. 24.51. And it came to paſs, while be bleſſed them. he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. I ſhall not here curiouſly Diſcourſe about this Aſcenſion; but only give this account of it in the following Remarks.
1. WE may conſider that the Perſon aſcending, was Jeſus Chriſt, God Man, with reſpect to his Humane Nature. That he was God that aſcended, the Scripture teſtifies, Pſal. 68.18. which the Apoſtle applies directly hereto, Eph. 48. Wherefore be ſaith, When he aſcended up on high, be led captivity captive, and gave giſts unto men. But, though the divine Nature, which was veiled, and obſcured in his ſtare of Humiliation, ſo as to be little obſerved by men, did break forth with radiant beams of Glory, as in his Reſurrection, ſo in his Aſcenſion to Heaven; whence it may improperly be ſaid, as to ariſe, ſo to aſcend; yet, in propriety of ſpatch, his Divinity is Omnipreſent, and therefore can neither aſcend not deſcend, but it then filled all Heaven, with its glorious manifeſtations of it ſelf, all the while that his Humanity was in this World diſguiſed under the greateſt obſcurity. So that the Nature truly and properly aſcending was only the Humane, for this only was capable of local motion, or going from place to place, being a finite and circumſcribed being; and had been doing of the work allotted for it here upon the Earth, which being accompliſhed, he went away from hence, to the place of his everlaſting abode. Extraordinary types & fore runners of this Aſcenſion, were Enoch, in the times of the old World, before the flood; and Elies afterwards, under the diſpenſation of the Law, or Moſaical Paedagogy; and the more ordinary and Ceremonial, was the High Prieſts going once a year into the Holy of Ho…ies, afted that he had offered up Sacrifices without at the brazen Altar. Thus was God pleaſed to feed the faith of his People beforehand, in this precious Article
2. WE may obſerve the Time of his Aſcenſion, which was, after he had …e all the Work, that he had to do here below. Chriſt's Reſurrection was one ſtep to his Glory, and he was to go to enjoy the fulneſs of it by his Aſcenſion; But he was not ſo haſty to go and take his eternal Crown, as to leave any thing undone that was neceſſary before he went. He would not riſe from the Grave, till, not only the buſineſs of Satisfaction was finiſhed, but he had leſt a clear Evidence of his being really dead, that the faith of his People need not be at a loſs in this point. So when he did riſe, he would not immediately go from the Grave to his Kingdom, but his Churches concern, which brought him into the world to redeem them, kept him forty days out of Heaven, after he aroſe; which time he ſpent in confirming his Diſciples faith about himſelf, giving them direction what to do, and how to manage the works of their Miniſtry, for the gathering in of finful men to him and leaving of his promiſe of bleſſing on them. Thus we ſee, that not only Chriſt humbled, but alſo Chriſt exalted, was full of ſelf-denial for his redeemed's ſake. Hence that, Act. 1.3. To whom alſo he ſhewed himſelf alive after his paſſion, by many infallible pro…ſs, being ſeen of them forty days, and ſpeaking of the things of the kingdom of God. He adjourned his Coronation ſo long, becauſe the weakneſs of his Diſciples faith, and the weight of the work, to which he appointed them, called for it, and when this was done, he went to Heaven, to make it appear, that he did not riſe to an earthly felicity or kingdom, which good men were led too much away with the opinion of, but an Heavenly, to which he muſt aſcend.
3. THE ter… of his Aſcenſion from which he went, was in general, the lower World, or the Earth on which he had lived, and when he had done the whole work which his Father had ſent him about in purchaſing our Redemption. And having nothing more to do there by his bodily preſence, he now left it; according to Job. 17.4, 5. But we are alſo acquainted with the particular place, which he was pleaſed to make choice of for the manifeſtation of this his glorious Aſcenſion in; and that was the Mount Oliver, Act. 1.12. It is to be obſerved, that this was the place where he entted upon the laſt act of his Humiliation; here was the Garden in which he began his laſt Sufferings, in his Agnoy, and where Judas with his hand of Ruffians arreſted him, Luk. 22.39, &c. And if it be asked, why Chriſt choſe this place rather than any other, for this glorious acto of his? we muſt acknowledge that where Scripture in ſilent, we can but conjecture: And yet we are to think, that the naming of this place, is not for nothing. Poſſibly then it was,
(1). BECAUSE he had ſanctifyed this place to himſelf, by frequent Praying in it. This was a place which he had often made uſe of, for his ſecret retirement into, for the offering up of his prayer to his Father, Job. 18.2. And to be ſure, that pathetical prayer in his agony was here Hither therefore he comes to receive the benefit and returns of his prayer. And God many time anſwers his Children in the very place, where they have poured our their Souls to him.
(2) TO make it appear, that his H… was the ground of his Exaltation. That … he humbled himſelf to the Death, the… his Father highly exalted him; according … Phil. 2.7, 8, 9. As here he Suffered, ſo … aſcended into his Glory. How often … God turn the valley of Ach…r, into a … of Hope to his own?
(3.) TO declare that his Humiliation … Exaltation aimed at one & the ſame thing. They had one centre in which they met: Th… to one end, and were both parts of the … work, viz. the bri…ging about the Salv… of his Choſen, and ſo to encourage as … with freſh and holy boldneſs, to an ex… and aſcended Saviour.
4. THE Term to which Chriſt aſcended, … the higheſt Heaven. Every motion … terms, and ſo and this, and by Heaven, … 25.51. is meant this. The Scripture, … calls the air Heaven, and the fo… … the fowls of Heaven, by reaſon of their … in it. The ſtarry Region hath alſo this … Hence we read of the ſtars of Heaven. … there is a Heaven above theſe, which is uſually called the Empyrean Heaven, and … in Scripture ſtiled, the Throne of … Holineſs, the Place of his moſt glo…i… … pearance, and manifeſ…ation of himſelf, … Place appointed for the eternal ha…i… … the glorifyed; the Kingdom of which … Choſen are the appointed heirs. And … now to take poſſeſſion of it in their … Hence that, Act. 3.21. Whom the … receive till the reſtitution of all things, … not an imaginary or ubiquitary … Chriſt aſcended to, as ſome have … dreamed; as though his aſcenſion … a change of ſtate, and not of place, … to darken, and not to interpret Scrip… … went to a Heaven that is above all … Eph 4.10. Believers have a ma… … which is appointed for them, and Chriſt … before hand to prepare it for them, J… … It is the houſe of his Father to which … gone. The firſt Adam by his apoſ… … up the earthly Paradice againſt … Chriſt hath by his Redemption ope… … heavenly Paradice for himſelf and … being the ſecond …am, and more … than the firſt, 1 Cor. 15.57. Having … way anſwered the Law on our acco… … muſt receive the higheſt reward of all … only eternal Life, but the moſt glori… … with all its advantages. For this … muſt have his Glory in Heaven and … the Earth, the Glories of that Pla… … tranſcendently more excellent than any … in the lower world. And therefore … and we, muſt go to Heaven for perfect … pineſs, it being there reſerved to be … on all that are made owners of it. … this reaſon he is ſaid to be entred into … itſelf, as being the Anti…ype of the … place into which the high Prieſt was to … Heb. 9.24. For Chriſt is not entred into … places made with hands, which are the … the true, but into heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us.
5. FOR the Evidence of his Aſcenſion, is being a point of Faith, we muſt fetch it from Scripture teſtimony, in which there is a record of that which is ſufficient to confirm it. His Diſciples were faithful and poſitive eye-witneſſes, who ſaw him go up from them till he was canted our of their ſight. And the being Angeds alſo, certifyed them whither he was gone. Act. 1.9. And when he had ſpoken theſe things, while they behold, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their ſight. He did not permit his enemies to be partakers of this glorious ſight: they ſaw him no more after he was laid in his Grave; but his choſen Diſciples, who had been with, and ſeen him is his bitter Sufferings, ſaw as much as they were capable of, of this part of his Glory, and were appointed to hear their teſtimony to the World, as of his being riſen, ſo of his being aſcended to Heaven. The Goſpel therefore is very diſtinct and frequent in mentioning this Article. It was prophetically arreſted to by the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 68.18. And it is put is as one remarkable piece of the myſtery of Godlineſs. 1 Tim. 3.16.
6. IN the Order of Chriſts Aſcenſion, ſet theſe two things be remarked,
(1.) THAT in order of Nature he was the firſt Man, that ever Aſcended into Heaven: is as much as he was the original and pro…ity cauſe of the aſcenſion of all the Elect from the beginning of the World, unto this … day. So that there was none ever that …ted thither, whether in Soul, or with … Body alſo, but it was by vertue and … of his Aſcenſion. The Sin and … of man had ſhut up the Holieſt of … againſt him, and there was no entring for … thither, it being an undefiled place, and …ting of no polluting thing into it; but … this way for them. So that, but for his Aſcenſion, they had never aſcended; for though, he aſcended not, till firſt he died … caſe again, which was in the laſt days, … was according to the divine Ordination; and God had a reſpect unto it, in the extending of his favour unto them. He indeed laid the foundation for it in his Satisfaction and Obedience, by which it was purchaſed, but is was himſelf the firſt fruit of it in his …. Heb. 9.11, 12 But,
(2.) IN order of Time, all the faithful People of God, that died before his Reſurrection and …, went before him, the Souls of all … that died in the Lord. Eccl. 12.7. And … no reaſon to queſtion, but that the … too, of Enoch & Elias, did aſcend thither, … dwell there, long before his Incarnation. … the one, it is ſaid that God tranſlated him; … other that God would take him into … by a Whirlwind. That paſſage alſo … …noch is obſervable, in that it was by … Heb. 11.5. And that was no other … faith in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and at … vertually, in his Aſcenſion. And we are aſſured, that the vertue of Chriſts Death did extend to Old Teſtament Believers, ſo that they obtained pardon, and acceptance with God, and eternal Life, upon the account of it, in as much as God had accepted of it in the Covenant of Sureriſhip. And Chriſt may with like reaſon, and in the ſame ſenſe be ſaid to be aſcended, as he is ſaid to be ſlain from the foundation of the World: ſo that be aſcended myſtically in every of theſe his Members.
7. AS to the efficient of his Aſcenſion; we obſerved in the Deſcription, that his Manhood, was carried up by the vertue of his God-head: which is one great difference between his and our Aſcenſion. The Perſon of Chriſt conſiſts of two Natures: the more glorious infinitely is his divine, whoſe place of manifeſting it ſelf moſt eminently, is in Heaven. The original place of his Manhood is this Earth, which was at firſt made for Adam and his poſterity to live upon. In his Humiliation, his God-head, did, as it were condeſcend to appear in, and ſupport his Humanity, and dwell with it here: His humiliation being ended, it is by his God-head raiſed up, and carried into Heaven. Which divine efficacy is aſcribed to the Father, as well as to the Son. And with reſpect to the Father it is called his aſſumption, or reception, 1 Tim. 3.16. Received up into glory. And in reſpect of the Son it is called his Aſcenſion, Eph. 4.8. When he aſcended on high. His Body could not aſcend by its own vertue, or inclination, natural; but being a glorified. Body, it went up by vertue of his God-head, which aided his Man-hood in its going up, and exerted a divine power therein. The Angels might, and doubtleſs did go in company with him, being preſt ever to pay him Service; but he needed none of their aſſiſtance or power to help him to his Glory. The ſame vertue which raiſed him from the dead, could carry him to his Kingdom, and that was his own, as hath been of ſerved.
8. IF it be asked why, or for what ends did Chriſt Aſcend? We may take notice of many reaſons for it, which doubtleſs he had an bye upon in it, viz.
(1.) THAT his Humane Nature, by which he had merited Glory, and was now prepared for it, might go to the Place where is wes to be poſſeſſed. It is certain, his Work was now done, in which he made ready for it; and the appointed place for perfect Glory is not Earth but Heaven; which muſt be entred into by an Aſcenſion, becauſe the Earth was the place in which he did this Work. This therefore is called his entring into his Glory, Luk. 24.26. i. e. That Glory that he had bought and paid for, and was due to him on the account.
(2.) THAT be might declare and manifeſt his Original to be from Heaven. I mean, that he was truly a Divine Perſon, who had his habitation in Heaven from the beginning, as in the Palace of his Glory, with reſpect to his Perſon, though not to his human Nature: That he was not a meer Man, and ſo could not tarry here, but muſt go to his home; according to that, in Joh. 3.13. And no man hath aſcended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
(3.) THAT he might prepare Manſions of Glory for us in his Fathers houſe. He went to make ready a Place for our welcome and happy Entertainment, when we ſhould go hence. Joh. 14.1, 2, 3. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe alſo in me. In my Fathers houſe are many manſions, if it were not ſo, I would have told you: I go to prepare a place for you. And of I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto my ſelf, that where I am, there ye may be alſo. What further preparation was needful, or what further adorning was wanted in that glorious Place, beſides what was put upon it in Creation, is hard for us to conjecture; but the Scripture aſſures us that there was ſomething to be done there, to ſit the Place for us, as well as to ſit us for the Place: and it is enough for us to conſider, that it is wonderfully enhanced by his being there to entertain and make us welcome. And it is certain, that Heaven wanted its moſt ſuitable Ornament for his Peoples's happineſs, till the Man-Chirſt came thither.
(4.) TO take Poſſeſſion for us in our room, and at our Repreſentative. We know that among Men, when a Purchaſe is made, Deeds are given, and Payment is ſecured; there is alſo a delivery, and entring upon Poſſeſſion follows, either by the perſon himſelf, or by his Attorney for him. This Chriſt did by Aſcending. And therefore in this reſpect, we are looked upon, to be in him there all ready, Eph. 2.6. And hath raiſed us up together, and made us ſit together in heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus.
(5.) TO ſend his Spirit, and beſtow Gifts on his People, for the calling in of his Choſen, and for the making of his Called meet to be admitted into the Inheritance. Hence that, Joh. 16.7. Nevertheleſs, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comſorter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will ſend him unto you. And, Eph. 4.8. There is a great deal ſtill to be done for the bringing his Redeemed to Glory, and he is gone thither to take care of it; where he diſpenſeth from a Throne with all power. Math. 28.18.
(6.) To give ſecurity to the Faith of his People, that they ſhall Aſcend thither in due time. Hence, he is called the firſt fruits,— 1 Cor. 15.20. He therefore left it as his Legacy, that they ſhould follow him, and be brought in the end to be with him, Joh. 17.24. This is his promiſe, Joh. 12.26. If any man ſerve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there ſhall alſo my ſervant be.
(7.) TO raiſe up our hearts & affections above the Earth, and ſet them on longing after Heaven, and Heavenly things. That, becauſe Chriſt our Beloved is there, we may not comprimize our affections and eed… any where ſhort of the Heavenly …. Col. 3. begin. Phil. 3.20.
USE. I. IS Chriſt Aſcended? … then Corporeal Communion with him …. Would you meet with him in his … his Face, hear his Voice, ſit down with … his Table, feed on his Body, and … Blood; it muſt be in ſuch a way, … bring him, who is in Heaven, and … are on Earth, together; and this … ſpiritual, and not carnal. The Heaven … received his Humanity, there to abide … the Reſtitution of all things: But he … by his Spirit, to his Houſe, to his Table … ſo applies the ſaving vertue of his Re… tion to our Souls; and we, by right ex… our faith, go out to meet him, yea, … Heaven, and fetch thence the ſtre… … and comforting vertue, which derive … Crucifyed Saviour, and live upon it … muſt then be much in the exerciſe … faith, if we would enjoy much of Chriſt his Ordinances.
USE. II. LEARN hence, not to exp… Recompence of Glory here, but to wait … for it, till we come to Heaven. Chriſt … came to purchaſe a Kingdom for us, … it had been earthly, he would have … here, and ſettled it. It is no earthly … dice that Chriſt ſettleth on his People, … Heavenly one. God did not lay the … tion of our happineſs in the firſt, but … ſecond Adam. In him we might have … conſtant felicity upon Earth, in com… with God here, but Chriſt tranſlater … ſee and enjoy God in Heaven. Let … ſay with the Apoſtle, Heb 13.14. … we have no continuing city, but we … come. Let us not then expect our … here, but wait for it, till we come, … is: mean while, be willing to … him here, that we may reign with him.
USE. III. LET Chriſt's Aſcenſion … every true Believer in the Aſſurance … ſhall one day go to Heaven too. Yea, … Conſideration make you reckon you … to be there already. Remember, Chriſt … is there, is your Head, and you … Members; and if the Head be there. Body ſhall certainly follow after. He … never be at reft till he hath gotten every of his Members to be there where he … conſider, that Chriſt is gone to take … for you, and in your name: He is … Mediator to receive the Kingdom, … you are the Heirs together with him … Aſcenſion is your ſecurity; the Kingdom delivered to him for you. Look them upon Heaven as your own; and let animate you, to bear all afflictions patient to encounter all the conflicts of the couragiouſly; to go through the World, and finiſh your courſe with undaunted reſolution. That man is out of the reach of harm in this who is ſure of poſſeſſing Heaven in the … life. This is the Portion of every Believe.
[JULY 6. 1697.]