A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 111 (Question 28 cont.)
SERMON CXL.
WE have taken a brief view of the firſt …ep of Chriſt's taking Poſſeſſion of the …dom, by aſcending into Heaven. We … paſs over to the ſecond, which is his … as the Right Hand of God; which is … ſtep of his Exaltation, and that … he is advanced to, and ſettled in … Glory. This great and procions … is felly aſſerted in the Goſpel Mar. 16.1…. Heb. 10.1…. and elſewhere.
IN the clearing of this Truth, we may firſt … the manner and meaning of the Ex…, and then the nature of the Thing.
1. TOUCHING the manner and meaning of …preſſion, let it be obſerved, That ſitting … Hand of God is an improper and … …eech, and not to be underſtood after … manner. For as to God, he cannot … be ſaid to have Hands. in as much as …e is repreſented …ous as a Spirit, Joh. 4.24. Gol… Spirit. And a Spirit hath neither … bones, nor limbs; and hence he can … right Hand. And as for the Man …, it is not for us to think that he ſpends … in the poſture of a bodily fitting; … that were the only Site that he is … the Heavenly Kingdom. We muſt … look for a metaphorical & ſpiritual … of this. Now a right Hand is in … attributed to God in dives reſpects. … more eſpecially, take notice of two … Scriptures in which it is uſed Pſal. … The right hand of the Lord is exalted; … hand of the Lord doth valiantly. … it evidently intends the high & lofty … of himſelf, or the diſcoveries of … glorious power & majeſty. In Pſal. … At thy right hand there are pleaſures … more: It ſignifies the conferting of … favour and good will. In Deat… … ſhall open thine hand wide unto him: … enlarged liberality. And accord… …en the phraſe is uſed concerning … ſometimes points to the greateſt ſtate …. …ly Eſth. 1.7. According to the ſtate (or … king. Sometimes the moſt intimate … and communion. As, Gol. 2.9. … to me and Barnabas the right bands of … Sitting alſo, when in Scripture it … …atively, mainly intends two things, … Confirmation, ſecurity, immobility: … the moſt fixed poſture that a … put himſelf in. And ſo it is uſed … Pſal. 29.10. The Lord ſuteth upon the … the Lord ſuteth king for ever. …tion or contentment in one's condi… perſon is in motion, till he finds that … ſeeks, and his deſire is anſwered, … he fits down ſatisfyed, having his … ſo did the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Heb. …
…AS to the nature of the thing; we may … up in the following Deſcription. Chriſt's Seſſion at the Fathers Right … it the perſection of his Exaltation, wherein his Father entertains him with and eſtabliſherth him in the higheſt Glory he is capable of, is his perſect ſatisfaction. Or It is Chriſt's Settlement by his Father, on his Media…ial Throne. The opening of this Deſcription in the parts of it, may help to give us a ſhort glimpſe of this part of Chriſt's Glorification. Obſerve then.
1. THE general nature of it. It is the perfection of his Exatration, as it is one ſtep or degree of it, ſo it is in order the laſt and higheſt. His Reſurrection and Aſcenſion were but motions in order to this, and leading of him hither. But here be arrived at the perfection of happineſs. Compleat happineſs conſiſts in the full fruition of God, and reſting in that fruition. Chriſt was but in the way to it, in his riſing and aſcending; but whee once he came to ſit down on the Right Hand of his Father, he was then fully poſſeſſ of all his Glory. And this is his own peculiar and perſonal or mediatorial Glory. Believers are ſaid to be joynt-heirs with him of the Kingdom. And there is the ſame glory for kind which they participate with him in. We are not only ſharers with him in his Reſurrection and Aſcenſion, but we are made to ſit together with him in heavenly Places. But he hath attained to a more excellent degree, than all either Angels o… Saints. So Phil. 2.9. Eph. 1.20, 21. Pſal. 45 7. There are others that fit at Chriſt's Right Hand, but it is his alone prerogative to fit at his Father's Right Hand.
2. IN the Conſideration of the ſpecial nature of it, there are three things obſetvable in it, viz. The Welcome he gave him into Heaven, and the Coronation which he there beſtowed upon him, and the Content he takes in it.
1. THE Welcome which his Father gave him, when he entred into the Heavenly Palace. We may ſafely conclude, that the Man Chriſt, did no ſooner ſet his feet within the door of that City, but his Father gave him all the tokens and reſtimonies of his gracious acceptance. He who ſo often teſtifyed of him, when he was here engag'd in the great work which he ſent him about; that he was his beloved Son, and that he was well pleaſed in him: now let him know how unconceivably great that Love was, which he entertained in his heart for him, by the moſt eminent and glorious expreſſions of it: It being to be an e…e…latting Witneſs that he had compleated his Work, and that it had not failed in his hands. Heaven never had a more joyful Day than this. God the Father meets him at th… threſhold of that Houſe, and beſtows on him the moſt endearing embraces, in the arms o… his moſt glorious Attributes: His Love …ncircl…th …i…m, and breaths itſelf out in th… moſt glorious diſcoveries: He takes him int… his boſom, and graſps him with infinite end…aredneſs: His Wiſdom bequeaths itſelf, an imparts its precious treaſures to him: Hi… Righteouſneſs acknowledgeth him; and H… Power devolves itſelf upon him; His Majeſty and Greatneſs communicate their dignity and glory to him. All theſe glorious Attributes met him on his firſt entrance into the Kingdom, and having been ſatisfyed in, and glorified by him, they preſented themſelves to him as his portion. And on this account it is that we find ſuch expreſſions as theſe in the Scripture, Rev. 5.12. Worthy is the Lamb that was ſtain, to receive power & riches, and wiſdom, and ſtrength & honour, and glory and bleſſing. Prov. 8.14. Counſel is mine, and ſound wiſdom: I am underſtanding, I have ſtrength. Col. 1.19. And 2.9. For in him …lleth all the fulneſs of the God-head holily. The holy Angels alſo now paid him their homage, and renewed their allegiance to him; fell down and worſhipped him. If they did ſo at his I carnation, when he was born in a very low condition, (Heb. 1.6.) How much more then now?
AND what Joy do we think it was to the redeemed Souls in Paradiſe; and with what Acclamations may we conceive that they received their King and Saviour, when having perfected the whole work of their Redemption, he came to take up his everlaſting abode among them? I am ſure it is in the ſight and enjoyment of Him, that P…l placed all his felicity, and for a participation wherein he was willing & deſirous to be gone, Pſal. 1.23.
NOR did God only royally Entertain him, but be alſo Crowned him. This was Chriſt's Coronation Day. God the Father now ſet an immortal Diadem of Glory upon his Head, Heb 2.7, 8, 9. This Crowning of Chriſt is alſo a metaphorical expreſſion; and among men there are two things ſymbolized, by the Crowning of a Perſon, was Honour & Power. And this was as it were, the double Crown that was ſet upon the Head of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
(1.) HE had a Crown of Honour, and that Royal or Kingly. His Father exalted him to the higheſt diguity, Act. 2.36. Therefore let all the houſe of Iſrael know eſſuredly, that God hath made that ſame Jeſus, whom ye have cr…cified, both Lord & Chriſt. He filled him with all Glory. He glorifyed his Body with the moſt eminent beauty and perfection. Hence the glory of our bodies, is in a ſimilitude to his, Phil. 3.21. Who ſhall change our vile body, that is may be faſhioned like unto his glorious body. The Body of Chriſt is the moſt beautiful and aſtoniſhing viſible thing in all Heaven. He alſo glorifyed his Soul with all ſpiritual Ornaments, all the Graces of the Spirit, in a ſuper-tranſcendent perfection: All his intellectual and moral perfections, were beyond meaſure, having all fulneſs, Col. 1.19. For it pleaſed the Father, that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell. He glorifyed his whole humane Nature with a royal influence upon all his Mediatorial Offices. His Prieſtly; ſo that he now no more comes into his Father's preſence, on his bended knees, with his humble Supplications, Prayers, and Tears, but he moſt boldly pleads the Cauſe of … Redeemed with him. Hob. 9.24. We … a ſpecimen of it in that interceſſory … of his, Job. 17.24. Father, I will … alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with … I am, that they may behold my glory … haſt given me: for thou loveſt me … foundation of the world. His Propher… … opening to him all the treaſures … Counſels, and affording him his Spi… … fulneſs to pour out upon his People. … operate with his Meſſengers, in … up his Choſen out of the World, … ſerving them to the end of it. Mat. … And now this great Prophet knows … and hour of the Great Judgment, … Man Chriſt tells us he did not know … he was here. And his Kingly; in … the royal Adminiſtration of all the … his whole Kingdom into his Hands, … impowering him to govern all Cro… … the good of his people, Joh. 5.22, 23. … 15.25. And in his whole Perſon; … honoured the Perſon of Chriſt, ſo … God in our nature is made the Object … Adoration. Saints and Angels are … to fall down and adore him, Heb. … 5.11, 12. In a word, as there are … Glory in Heaven, ſo Chriſt obtains the … of them, and ſuch as do exceed … beyond any compariſon. Angels have … deal, and glorifyed Saints have a gre… and indeed, ſo great it is, that … preſent are not able throughly to … or fathom it; but Chriſt, as the, … Angels, and of his Church, hath a … dent Glory conferred upon him, ab… … weighty crown of honour than … being the firſt born, and the ſurpa… … belonging to him, Pſal. 45.7. … thy God, hath …i…ted thee with the … … neſs above thy fellows.
(2.) HE had a Crown of Power, … pre… and Sovereign, beſt word on … Power in Heaven and Earth was … him. Mat. 28.18. And this is … had a Power of Authority, and … Power of Vertue or Might to exe… Authority irreſiſtibly. [1.] HE was crowned with great … large and univerſal. He is adv… the higheſt Sear and Dignity. … …ties and Powers are ſubjected to … all things in the whole Creat… … under his fo…, Eph. 1.22. Col. 2.10. … is no ſecond Being, though exalted … ſo high a Pinacle, that can … equality to him, or an examption … under his Juriſdiction. He is the … tentare: there is written on his … on his thigh, KING OF KING … LORD OF LORDS. The Man-… Chriſt in his humane Nature, is … … nity and Authority to the moſt glor… … Being, Col. 1.18.1 Cor. 3.22, 23 … Yea, God hath given him abſolute … reign Dominion over all things, to … … Government over them, and that … Would b… accountable to him, receive … from him, and be liable to his … he hath full liberty to do his … with them, and is under no Obliga… … give them an account of what he ſo … …ence that, Rev. 1.5. And from Jeſus … is the faithful wa…neſs, and the firſt … the dead, and the Prince of the kings …: unto him that loved us, and … our ſ…es in his … blood. He is like … in Phara…h's houſe, of whom we …, …ccount, Gen. 41.40.44. Pſal. 103.21, 22. … …ority is from the Father, and un…able. [2.] … was i…ſted with great Might and …. God gave him vertue anſwerable … …ority. Authority without Force, … grow into Contempt, and be trod… by the foot of Pride and Inſolency. … Chriſt, at his Father's right hand, … potent and efficacious Power, and it … itſelf to the adminiſtration of the … Affair of his Kingdom, in all the reſ… it. He can ſend the Holy Ghoſt, and … forth upon whomſoever he pleaſeth. … 26. But the Comforter, which is the …, whom the Father will ſeed in my … …e can make uſe of the Di…ine At… and employ them as he ſees occaſion, …. He hath a plenary power over … co-ercive over evil Angels, and can … their moſt impetuous rage, and ſo tie … that they can do nothing. He led … …rive at his Aſcenſion, and now holds … …ins, ſo that they cannot ſtir one … beyond his permiſſion. He can … and ſand forth the good Angels, … neither can, nor will diſobey him, … ever preſt frit his Service, to come … according to his bidding. He hath … efficacy over all the World: He … and keep them all under, and when … …eth, he can, with his iron Rod, … …outeſt of them, like ſo many … Pſal. 2.9. His book in their … hold faſt the greateſt Leviathans, … can when he will, give Dragons … for his People. Yea, he can power… … the rebellious hearts of his own … them in ſubjection to him, and … powerfully home to Glory. Pſal. … people ſhall be willing in the day of …. Yea, he can conquer to himſelf a … of the World, deſtroy their enmity, … them to fall down before him, and … Crowns and Scepters at his feet, and … to be both Lord, and Chriſt. This … …ertainment with his Father; and … …ſhed him for ever in his Throne: … him there, he ratifyed & confirmed … and dignity to him. See, Pſal. … …5.6. He is ſettled unmoveably; all … of earth and hell, though com…uſt him, cannot diſturb of interrupt … that his Glory which he is now poſſeſt … …changeable Glory, as to the eſſence …
3. AS for the Contentment that Chriſt taker in his Entertainment, o… the Satisfaction that be ſ…ads … it, this is ſignified to us, in his fitting, his reſting, and his rejoycing in it. This was the perſonal reward which his Father had indented with him, to confer upon him, upon his accompliſhment of the great work which he had undertaken. It was that Joy which was ſet before him, the contemplation, and fore-expectation whereof, bore him up under, and made him to deſpiſe all the contradiction and reproach that he met withal in the World, Heb. 12.2, 3. And therefore the fulfilment and fruition of it, could not give him leſs than full content, for it was in the event, nothing leſs than was promiſed, and equalled the expectation he had about it. Nay, it was the greateſt glory that he was capable of as Man; it was every way ſatisfying, he could not have a greater, the Father had not one bigger to beſtow on him: and therefore needs muſt it fulfil his defires. His Father bid him ask what he would, and he ſhould not he denied. See how it is ſhadowed, Pſal. 21.2, &c. And there can be no greater ſatisfaction, than to have all the cravings of the Soul filled to the full. What ſhall we ſay? Chriſt at the Fathers Right Hand hath all the dignity, power, delight given him that is poſſible, and ſettled upon him for perpetual duration; needs therefore muſt his Joy in it be proportionable, and incomparably tranſcending all the joys of all the glorified. On this account we have him triumphing in the thoughts of it, then when he was going to his Sufferings, Pſal. 16.10, 11. For thou wilt not leave my ſoul in bell; neither wilt thou ſuffer thine holy One to ſee corruption. Thou wilt ſhew me the path of life: in thy preſence in fulneſs of joy, at thy right hand there are pleaſures for evermore, And to reſt in it, as God did in the works of Creation, Heb. 4.10. He hath as much Glory as he asked for. Jer. 17.5. And that was the Glory which he had before the World was. By which we are to underſtand, that which was agreed on, and ſealed up to him in the Covenant of Redemption. And now he hath it in full meaſure, as the everlaſting fruit and reward of his Mediatorial Obedience, in and by which he fulfilled all that Work which he had undertaken.
USE 1. HERE … have a ſufficient Reaſon why the Church ſtands through all Ages, and is preſerved againſt all the Rage, and Fury of its moſt potent …. It is one of the great Wonders that are to be obſerved, and carries aſtoniſhing admiration in it, to ſee that this buſh hath been ſo long on a light firſt, and is not to this day conſumed. That this little Flock of ſheep hath been kept feeding in a Wilderneſs of roring Lyons, and ravenous Wolves, and yet is preſerved from them by an unſeen hand; that all the gates of Hell have combined againſt the Church, and have not prevailed: but here is that which may ſatisfy us about, this great Sight: Jeſus Chriſt, the Head and King of his Church, is exalted on the right hand of Power, and ſways the Scepter with an Almighty Arm, by which he curbs in the power of the Mighty and countermines the plots of the Wiſe, ſtops the career of the Furious, and makes all their Enterprizes to miſcarry. Chriſt in Heaven forgets not his labouring Church on Earth; but is ever employing his intereſt and authority for the good of his People. Let us then in the midſt of all the tumultuous hurries of the World, when Nations are moved, and Kingdoms enter into Combinations againſt the Church of God, when they ſay, Come and let us cut them off from being a People, &c. not be amazingly affrighted or dejected; Their Redeemer is mighty, Jeſus Chriſt is upon the Throne, and hath all power in his Hand, and it is for his elect, and he cannot fit ſtill: He is the hope of Iſrael, and will ariſe for their help, and not ſuffer them to be ſwallowed up.
USE II. IS Christ ſet down at his Father's right hand? then all the Affairs of the World are ordered with infinite wiſdom, and almighty power: and that in the beſt way, for the advancing of the glory of God, and the welſare of his People. And this is to be inferred, both as to publick and perſonal concerns. Things may look dark and confuſed to us, and we are ready to think the great Pilot is aſleep, and conclude all is gone as …o his intereſt in this world; and in reſpect of ourſelves, that this and that is againſt us. But in the mean while, we forget where Chriſt is, and what he is doing. Let us then recollect ourſelves, and believe that he rules over all, and every thing that falls out, paſſes under either his approbation or permiſſion, and he is bringing about his own glorious deſigns thereby. Let us get the faith of this into lively exerciſe, and conclude firmly upon it, that neither Devil or Evil of any ſort, ſhall hinder his work or ſpoil it. The Church ſhall be no further ther oppreſſed, than to make way to render their deliverance the more glorious and joyful. And for ourſelves in particular, there ſhall no affliction befall us, but what he will fit by, and give it its operation, and though it trouble us, it ſhall not hurt us, but work for our good, and the latter end ſhall be peace.
[AUGUST 3. 1697.]