A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 108 (Question 28)
SERMON CVIII.
QUESTION XXVIII.
WHerein conſiſts CHRIST's Exaltation?
ANSWER.
CHRIST's Exaltation conſiſts in His …ng again from the Dead on the Third Day, in aſcending up to Heaven, and in ſ…ting at the Right Hand of GOD the Father, and in coming to Judge the World at the laſt Day.
WE have been taking a View of the firſt Part of Chriſt's Redemption, conſiſting in His Humiliation, in which he made Satisfaction to the Law and Juſtice, in his life and Death. We proceed now to the ſecond Part of it, which is His Exaltation. This is wont to be called a Part of Redemptions; not becauſe there was any thing now to … in point of Payment for us, for that was compleatly done in the former; but becauſe in it, not only did the Lord Jeſus … high Advancement in his Perſon, with reſpect to his Humane Nature, but alſo becauſe therein he did accompliſh ſome nece…ry Circumſtances of out Redemption, which will be taken notice of in the Sequel.
THAT we may take a more full & diſtinct account of this great Article in the Chriſtian Religion, and wherein ſo much of the comfort of God's Children is concerned, I ſhall in the firſt place ſpeak to it more generally, and then proceed to lay it out in the ſeveral parts of it.
IN the general Conſideration of it we may obſerve,
1. The Order.
2. The Neceſſity.
3. The Nature of it.
I. TOUCHING the Order of Chriſt's Exaltation; two things,
1. IT was upon, and after his finiſhing his work of Redemption. This order the Apoſtle takes notice of, Phil. 2 7, 8, 9. And the Hiſtory of the four Evangeliſts confirms it: He was firſt Humbled, and then Exalted; firſt brought down into the duſt, and made as low and contemptible as the curſe of the Law, armed with Divine Juſtice, could make him; and then he was taken from the Pit, and Priſon, and ſet above Principalities and Powers.
2. IT was when, in & by his Humiliation he had wrought out compleat Redemption for us. For this end he was humbled, and this was the reſultancy of it. It was as our Surety that he fell into the hands of revenging Juftice, and was made a prey unto Death, and therefore he could not be ſet free from theſe bonds till he had made full Satisfaction for us. The Exaltation of Chriſt as He was out Redeemer, was the Reward of his great Work; it muſt therefore firſt be finiſhed and perfected by him, before he could receive the Recompence. And that work could not be compleated, till the whole price of Redemption was paid to the laſt farthing, Mat. 5.18. For verily I ſay unto you, Tili heaven & earth paſs, one jot or one title ſhall in no wiſe paſs from the …, till all be fulfilled. But now, He hath fully accompliſhed it; and his Father remembers the promiſe he had made unto him, and moſt gloriouſly exalts him; He exalts him above all Exaltation, & every conceivable Excellency; as the word in Phil. 2.9. intimates. And we have a parallel expreſſion in Act. 2.33. The word ſignifies heightned and extolled. He was lifted up to the higheſt pinnacle of honour and dignity. And this is it which Chriſt himſelf made his demands of, upon his finiſhing of his work, in that Prayer of his, Joh. 17.4, 5. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finiſhed the …k which thou gaveſt me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own ſelf with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
II. AS to the Neceſſary of His Exaltation, or why it was requiſite that Chriſt, after he had humbled himſelf, ſhould be thus Exalted: There are theſe grounds of it,
1. FROM the Covenant Agreement, or Contract that paſſed between God the Father and Son about it. His Father promiſed him, that if he would ſuffer and ſarisfy for Man, he ſhould have a glorious Recompence, Iſai. 53.10. That if he would drink of the torrent in the way, he ſhould lift up his head on high, Pſal. 110. ult. And the Man Chriſt had an eye to this in all his Sufferings, and bore up his Spirits from ſinking under them, by the conſideration of it, and his confident expectation to receive it. Heb. 12.2. As God the Father engaged his Son to dye, and it was therefore needful that he ſhould dye, that he might do his part in this Everlaſting Covenant, ſo he engaged to him a Crown of Glory for dying, and it was as requiſite that he ſhould beſtow it upon him.
2. FROM the reference which Chriſt had, in his ſtate of Humiliation, to the Law of Juſtice. He was in it, a Surety for his People; and it was on the account of his being under that Obligation, that Juſtice had arieſted him as on Offender, charging on him the guilt of all our ſins, and made a demand at his hands of full Payment and Satisfaction, reſolving not to let him go, till it had received it in full. When therefore he had anſwered all that could righteouſly be claimed of him, and Juſtice had received from him to the utmoſt of what is required; when it had triumphed over him with the greateſt ſtate, and could not require any thing further of him, it was all reaſon that he ſhould receive an acquittance from it, and be honourably diſcharged: that it might as manifeſtly appear, that he had Satisfyed, as that he had before made himſelf a Debtor. And … that which is intended, in that reaſon … the Apoſtle giveth for it, in Act. 2.24. … God hath raiſed up, having looſed the … death: becauſe it was not poſſible that he … he bolden of it.
3. IT was alſo needful for the help of … Faith of the Children of God. The reaſon … we believe in Chriſt for Juſtification, … Salvation, is becauſe he did, in his Satisfaction, and Merit, procure for us, Pardon and P… Our hope of Life is founded upon his D…: and the Exaltation of Chriſt is the very … why we believe on his Death: It is becauſe he once was dead, and now lives; was … in the power of Juſtice to recover its own of him, and is now ſet at liberty. And therefore when he recommends himſelf to … Faith of his People, he doth it on ſuch a conſideration, Rev. 1.18. I am he that liveth, … was dead: and behold, I am alive for … Amen, and have the keys of hell and of … And but for this Exaltation of his, we … never have known that his Sacrifice was accepted, and his Father well pleaſed in i… but when we ſee the Glory that he is adva… to by his Father, this puts all out of do…, and our Faith is helped to triumph on the conſideration of it. Rom. 8.34.
III. LET us now make a general Enquiry … the Nature of this Exaltation of his. For … full underſtanding whereof, let us take account of this Deſcription of it: It is that gl… Triumph which our Lord Juſus Chriſt made, … his and our Enemies, after he had gained a p… fect Conqueſt of them. It was a cuſtom among the Romans, to beſtow a Triumph upon their Generals, who had compleated any War, in bringing into entire ſubjection any People, with whom they had been in hoſtility; wherein they were made to ride through the City in a Chariot, attended on by the … Nobility and Senate, Crowned with L… Garlands, and the chief of their Captives being carried before them in Chains; the whole City mean while clapping their hands, and in the ſhouts applauding them; and … attended to the Capitol, where they hungry the Trophies of their Victory, to be kept … remembrance of it. To this cuſtom the Spi… of God alludes, in ſpeaking of Chriſt's … tation, Col. 2.15. And having ſpoiled principalities and powers, he made a ſhew of them ap… triumphing over them in it. The Exaltation of Chriſt was not the Victory if ſelf, for that he accompliſhed on his Croſs, but it was the Triumph follwing upon it: it was d declaration and manifeſtation of the Victory, … the Deſcription obſerve,
1. SOMETHING of the Victory it ſelf which he hath obtained. And here we may … notice of,
1. THE Subject on which it was gotten, … His and our Enemies. Now we had by … procured, and incenſed againſt us, theſe … Enemies, (1.) THE Law. And this is out great… …y, inaſmuch as we had made it to be ſo … Sin, on account whereof, it had a ter… quarrel againſt us, as being Covenant…kers. And hence being armed with … Revenge, it purſues us to Death, be… mortally incenſed againſt us. (2) DEATH: As it is envenomed by Sin, … fiery Serpent putting forth its deadly …, beating the nature of a Puniſhment. … it is the very penalty threatned, Gen. 2.17. And it is both bodily and ſpiritual. … called an Enemy, 1 Cor. 15.26. The … …y that ſhall be deſtroyed is death. (3.) SATAN: As he bears the denomination of a Jaylor, and Executioner, into whoſe … the finning creature is delivered up, …, by the righteous Judgment of God: … is therefore ſaid to rule over ſuch, Eph. 22 & 6.12. (4) THE World: As it is an Inſtrument in the hand of Satan, to hold the Sinner …, and keep him at a diſtance from God, by its blandiſhments and ſnares. We therefore … of a Victory over the World, 1 Job 5.4.
2. THE Manner ho… Chriſt overcame theſe. … this was done after a diverſe manner, …ding to the different Conſideration on which theſe are our Enemies. And here, (1.) HE overcame the Law by obeying and ſ…ying it. By his active and paſſive Obe… he gat a Victory upon it; and that … by making it a Friend, which we had … our Enemy; by fulfilling of the Righ…eſs which it required of us, and bearing the penalty which it had devoted us unto; … …opped its mouth, He delivered us … …e dominion of it, Rom. 6.14. For ſin … have dominion over you: for ye are not … law, but under grace. By being made … for us, he ſo redeemed us from the …f the Law that was out againſt us. … …3. He ſtood between, &c. (2) HE overcame Death by ſuffering it for …, Death being armed by the Law, and … its power by Sin, according to 1 Cor. … could be no otherwiſe reconciled to … by his taſting of it in our room. He …we by bearing the puniſhment of ſin, and …aining the wrath of God for fin, took … the ſting of Death, and turned it into a … his People, according to ver. 54. (3) HE overcame Satan, by ſpoiling him of … …cipality, and taking of his Prey out of … He came upon him by force, a… …k him Captive, Col. 2.15. diſpoſſeſs'd … …g man, Mat. 12.28, 29. And this he … his Death, Heb. 2.14. (4) He overcame the World, by making all unto ſerve for the Good of his People. There … a Curſe fallen upon the creature, Gen. … And every thing here was become to … a ſeare and a trap; but Chriſt by dying … that Curſe, and hath made both Pr…ry and Adverſity to ſerve them that a… …called, and turn to their real advantage. Joh. 16.33. and Rom. 8.28.
2. WE may conſider the Excellency of this …y, in two things,
1. IT is the greateſt Victory that was ever beard of. This will appear, if we confider the Subject of it, or what he overcame. There is the World, which neither Alexander, nor any of the fame is Conquerors, who raiſed the Monarchies, could ever accompliſh. But this Chriſt did, and by vertue of his Conqueſt, hath enabled his People alſo ſo to do. 1 Joh. 5.4, 5. For whatſoever is born of G…d, overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our ſaith. Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jeſus is the Son of God? And there is the God of this World, ſo is the Devil called, 2 Cor. 4.4. Theſe powers of darkneſs which are inſuperable by man; but he hath trampled upon them; yea and bruiſed them under the feet of his People. Rom. 16.20. And there is the Empire of Death, that great Conquerour, which leads the whole World captive, and triumphs over the whole progeny of fallen man; He hath the dominion over it, Rev. 1.18. And have the keys of bell & of death. And he helps his people to make that triumphant challenge, 1 Cor. 15.55. O death, where is thy ſting? O grave, where is thy victory? And there is the ſtrength of the Law, which no created power is able to cope withal; but he hath diveſted it of the Curſe, ſo far as reſpects his Redeemed ones; ſo that by ve… tue hereof, they are free from it. Rom 8.2. For the law of the Spirit of life, in Chriſt Jeſus, hath made me free from the law of ſin & death.
2. IT was the moſt perfect Conqueſt. Though thoſe Enemies were great and ſtrong, yet he gained an entire Victory, ſo that they are not only diſarmed, but are ſo ſcattered, that they ſhall never recover their power and force again, ſo as to get the Victory over his People. He hath broken Satan's head, Gen. 3.15. His plot, with reſpect to the choſen of God, is …tterly daſht. Death hath now no more dominion over him. Rom. 6.9. Knowing that Chriſt being raiſed from the dead, dieth no more, death bath no more dominion over him. And therefore it cannot hurt his. The Law is fully pacifyed, and his People are forever free from the Curſes of it, Rom. 8.1. And the World is at his Command, and he poſſeſſeth it in the right of his Victory, Pſal. 2.8. This was his Victory, which though gotten on the Croſs, yet was gloriouſly manifeſted in his Exaltation. Pſal. 68.1.
2. NOW let us conſider the Triumph it ſelf which followed on his Victory; Which is properly his Exaltation. For, though Chriſt triumphed on his Croſs, as in a field of Conqueſt, he therefore dyed with that exclamation. Joh. 19.30. When Jeſus therefore had received the vinegar, he ſaid, It is finiſhed: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghoſt. q. d. The Buſineſs is accompliſhed, the Enemies are vanquiſhed, the Redemption of God's Elect is compleatly obtained: Yet the open ſhew of it was reſerved for his Exalvation, in which he rode into the Great City not made with hands, in a Triumphal Chariot, leading Captivity Captice; which is pointed to Pſal. 60.18. Compare, Eph. 4.8.
And here,
1. FOR the matter of his Triumph, it was exceeding Glorious. For he is advanced to the moſt illuſtrious D…guity. It is therefore called, His glory, Luk. 24.26. And that is ſurpaſſing all the Golory, which either the Angels enjoy, or juſt Men made perfect are priviledged withal. See, Phil. 2.4. Pſal. 48.7. Which Glory may be diſcovered in two things.
(1.) NEGATIVE; Or, that which he laid aſide in his Advancement to it. He put off that Form of a Servant, that abject & debaſed Condition in which he appeared, during his ſtate of Humiliation, and whiles he was doing the work of it. He put off that Mortality, he laid aſide all thoſe Infirmities, which for the time he took upon him. Theſe were proper for him whiles he was anſwering the Law for us, and bearing the Wrath of God in our ſtead. But now he laid them aſide for ever; and His next Appearance will be after another manner. According to Heb. 9.28.
(2.) POSITIVE; He took upon him the higheſt p…ſections, and the moſt tranſcendent Heavenly Glories. In which obſerve, [1.] AS to his Divine Nature. it was only declarative. The Perſon of Chriſt is the Son of God, and ſo God. Now the Divine Nature enjoyes it ſelf everlaſtingly, in fulneſs of perfection, which can never be augmented. The Divine Nature of Chriſt was never abaſed and ſo could not be in it ſelf exalted; although He who is God, was in his other Nature humbled, and after that glorified. His Divinity indeed was eclipſed as to the knowledge of men, and there were but few that ſaw it, or believed that he who was under ſuch a debaſement was indeed the Son of God, and King of Iſrael, Iſai. 52.14.53.2, 3. But now it was declared moſt excellently, and he was made to appear, to be the Eternal Son of God, Rom. 1.4. [2.] AS to his Humane Nature, this was the proper Subject in which his Humiliation was acted. Gal. 4.4, 5. This therefore was that on which the Exaltation was nextly beſtowed: though ſtill , …it was not meerly the Nature, but the Perſon in this Nature, which received it. But yet it was his Humanity, that did really exchange an abject ſtate, for a glorified one. Concerning which in general obſerve, 1. HIS Humane Nature received all the Perfections, that a created Nature was capable of, in the highest degree. In his Soul there was he perfection of Grace in act & exerciſe, with the moſt compleat ſatisfaction: and his Body was glorifyed as his Soul. Hence the glory of the Bodies of the Saints, is ſaid to be after the ſimilitude of his, Phil. 3.20. He is advanced to the moſt elevated degree of happineſs; about which we have been ſpeaking. Pſal. 16. ult. Thou wilt ſhew me the path of life: in thy preſence is fulneſs of joy, at thy right hand are pleaſures for evermore. 2. THIS Glory of his is Eternal & Unchangeable. He is now ſet down in it, and … upon it. His Debaſement was but ſor… … while, and it was over, but his Ex… … for perpetuity. His Death held him … while, but his Life is endleſs. Rev. 1.1…. … 7.25. — He ever ſiveth to make In… for them. 3. BUT yet, both his Body and Soul … their own Nature and Eſſential Proper… … Humanity of Chriſt, is, and for ever … a Humanity, nor doth it in this Glory … any of the Divine Properties. Luk, … Behold my hands and my ſect, that it is … ſell; handle me, and ſee, for a ſpirit … ſ…ſh and bones, at ye ſee me have. … a ſtrain too high, who, to ſet forth th… … nity put upon the Man Chriſt, will … Body to participate in any of thoſe … ons, which the Divinity only is cap… … particularly, that of Ubiquity, on which … D…ctrines of Trans-and Conſubſtacti… … f…nded. The Man Chriſt is of that … who hath all theſe Perfections, which … ſurpaſſing honour put upon our Nat… … theſe are not transfuſed into it.
2. AS to the form of his Triumph: … either,
(1.) EXTERNAL; Acommpanied … Trophies and Monuments of his … with honourable Titles, and glorio… … m…ums, and teſtimonies of the higheſt … Col. 2.15. And having ſpoiled pri… … and powers, he made a ſhew of them op… … umphing over them in it. Theſe are … in the Scriptures, and ſhall remain … his Praiſe ſo long as this World ſhall … Pſal. 72.17. His Name is prec… … honourable in the eſteem both of … Angels. Phil. 2.10, 11. He hath ſuper … Honour put upon him; and the … of Creatures do adore him, Hob. 2.7.9. …
(2.) INTERNAL: Which conſi… … entire ſatisfaction, which the M… … takes, in the Glorious Reward w… … Father hath beſtowed upon him. … doth or ſhall the whole intelligent … admite and ſtand aſtoniſhed at the … … vable Excellency of it; but the M… … himſelf is filled with it, rejoyceth & … in it for ever. It is that, the for… … whereof did ſo raviſh him, that it … him with abundant reſolution, th… … the hard things that he met with in … to it. Heb. 12.2. Yea, when he was … upon the Tragedy of his Laſt Suffe… … gave him inward joy, Pſal. 16.10, … doubtleſs, now he is inveſted with, … full poſſeſſion of it, he takes up c… … ſatisfyed in it. So that the heart of … Chriſt in Heaven boaſts itſelf, and … with an unconceivable Joy, in that … honour and Glory which it is exalted … beyond which, neither can its de… … fruitions extend. What this is in per… … we know but little of it; but th… … ſome Diſcoveries of it to be made … particulars, whereof the Goſpel gives … Account.
1. LET the Conſideration of the Ex… …f Chriſt. eſtabliſh the hearts of thoſe …ve in Him, against Tempration to be of any thing. that ſhould eſſer to hinder …. The ground of our Faith was … his Hemiliation; there he conquered …, …t here we have our great Encon…. Hence that amphaſis is put on it, ….34. Who is be that conde…eth? It is … died, yea rather that is riſen again, even at the right hand of God, w'o alſo intere…ſhon for us. Be not terrifyed … Laws threatnings and curſes; but ask, … hath any thing againſt you, why did … …rge him, when he ſtood to anſwer … Why did the Law acquit him, if my … which were charged upon him, had not …y ſa…yed for? Let not the appre… of Death frighten us, remembring … ſting and curſe of it tell upon him; … drank all the poyſon that was in it: … hath overcome, and gotten above it. … he lifted up his head out of the …, and corquered Death it ſelf, what … it now retain to poyſon us withal? … is one thing that he hath led Captive … Triumph, why then ſhould we be afraid … Not let us be diſcouraged, becauſe we …ch an adverſary as the Devil to cope … who is repreſented ſo formidably, as … terrily ungodly ones. Reject him, … look upon him as a captived and … …y. Look upon all his tempra… eſſays of a conquered enemy more … than powerful. Nor be diſmayed at … in the World, that offers either to … or diſhearten you, remembring that … …h overcome and triumphed upon …. Remember then, that it was for … might make us more than Conquerors.
II. LET the thoughts of Chriſts …, quicken & unimate us to an Hea… …ſation. Labour we by this Me… … have our hearts in Heaven, to ſet …ons on things above. Col. 2.1, 2. To … Treaſure there, Math. 6.20. to … a Trade there, Phil. 3.20. Is He … Let us follow him, that we may be … Let it encourage us to be faithful … …ce, patient and chearful in ſuffer… ſoever he calls us to in the courſe …es. Let us then from hence be con… our believing that we ſhall not loſe …. Chriſt once ſuffered, and then … his Glory. He was obedient in … and therefore God highly exalted … remember, that as God promiſed … …ple, that if they follow him in their … …edience here, they ſhall enjoy Glory … in the end, (Rom 2.7, 8.2 Tim. 2.12. … ſo Chriſt is in this not only the …, but is alſo entred for us, Heb. 6.20. … forerunner is for us entred; even … as he was humbled, ſo he is exalted … …unt, and therefore left that as an … …ment to perſeverance to all his diſciples and followers, Joh. 14.19. Yet … little while, and the world ſeeth me no wore: but ye ſee me: becauſe I live, ye ſhall live alſo.
[APRIL 13. 1697.]