CHAPTER 3
Of Christ's States of Humiliation and Exaltation.
Christ's Person, God-man, is manifested, and his offices are executed, in his two states of humiliation and exaltation. It behoved him to pass through the former into the latter. In the first he fulfilled his meritorious service, and in the last he receives his glorious reward, Luke 24:26; Phil 2:6-11; Ps 22; Isa 53. His mere possession of manhood implies infinite condescension, but is not properly a part of his humiliation, as he still retains it in his glorified state, Acts 3:21; Acts 7:56; Rev 1:7-18. But he was humbled in taking flesh of a sinful and mean stock, and in the low and afflicting circumstances of his conception, birth, life, death, and burial, Phil 2:6-8; Isa 53:2-12; Ps 22; Ps 69; Matt 12:40; Matt 1 through John 19.
In these several steps of his humiliation, it may in general be observed, that he was made under the law as our Surety, and
had all its demands required from him, without the least pity or abatement, Gal 4:4; Matt 3:15; Matt 5:17; Luke 24:26.—From all eternity he had engaged himself for our debt; but while he remained merely God, the law could not fix upon him to demand its due. But he no sooner began to assume our nature, than it took fast hold of him, and made his very conception in the form of a bondservant, and in the likeness of sinful flesh, Phil 2:7; Rom 8:3. He was made under the judicial law, and hence early enrolled a descendant of David. He was made under the ceremonial law, and hence was early circumcised, and presented at the temple, and afterward attended the sacred festivals, and required the lepers, whom he healed, to perform their ceremonial purifications, Luke 2; Matt 8:4; Luke 17:14. But he was more properly and immediately placed under the moral law, as a broken covenant of works: Under this, all his elect, whom he came to redeem, are by nature, Rom 3:10-20; and from this they are redeemed by his fulfilment of it in their stead, Rom 8:2-4; Rom 10:4; Rom 7:4; Rom 6:14; Gal 4:4-5. And he was under the judicial and ceremonial laws, only as they were grafted into this moral law. 1. The Most High God, the great Lawgiver, and Lord of all, was made under the commands of this broken law, requiring him to perform perfect, personal, and perpetual obedience, under the infinite weight of its curse, Matt 5:17-18; Matt 3:15; Heb 5:8; John 8:29; Isa 42:21; Dan 9:24. 2. The infinitely happy God, blessed for ever, was made under the curse of this broken law, which the transgressors represented by him had incurred, Gal 3:13. This curse, 1. Laid him under the power of legal death, and retained him under it from the moment of his conception till he had finished his humbled service, and was justified in his resurrection. 2. It shut him up to undergo the wrath of God, in every thing about him, which it could affect, and from every quarter, and agency of every kind.
He underwent the execution of this curse, in, 1. His soul, Isa 53:10. It was often tempted, Matt 4:1-11; John 14:30; Heb 2:17-18; Heb 4:15;—was grieved with the reproaches cast on himself, and with the sins and miseries of others, Ps 69:19-20; Ps 22:6-7; Heb 12:3; Mark 3:5,21; Matt 11:19; Matt 12:24; Matt 26:59-74; Matt 27:29,39-49; John 8:48,52; Luke 19:41-42; John 11:35;—and burdened and tormented with the hidings of his Father's face, and the fears and impressions of his wrath, Matt 27:46; Matt 26:39; Luke 22:43; Heb 5:7; John 12:27; Ps 22:1-2,14,21; Ps 69:1-2. 2. In his body,—in circumcision, Luke 2:21; in labour, Mark 6:3; in hunger, Matt 4:2; in thirst, John 19:28; in weariness, John 4:6-7; in repeated dangers of death, Matt 2:16; Luke 4:18-29; Mark 3:6-7; Luke 13:31;
John 5:16; John 7:1,32,44; John 8:59; John 10:39; John 11:53-54; in bloody sweat, Luke 22:44; in apprehension and bonds, Matt 26:50; Matt 27:30; in being shamefully spitted on by vile miscreants, Isa 50:6; Isa 52:14; Matt 26:67; Matt 27:30; in being buffeted, scourged, and his hair plucked out, Isa 50:6; Mic 5:1; Matt 26:67; Matt 27:30; John 19:1; in being crowned with thorns, and having his garments painfully torn from his bloody and wounded body, Matt 27:29,34-35; John 19:2; in receiving gall and vinegar for drink, Ps 69:21; Matt 27:34,48; and in dying the most shameful, lingering, and universally tormenting death of the cross, Luke 23:28; John 19:17; Ps 22:17; Mark 15:24-25. 3. In his reputation he was loaded with the most abusive railing and calumny, Matt 11:19; Matt 12:24; John 8:22,24,48,52; John 7:20; John 10:33; Mark 3:7,21; Mark 14:63-64; Ps 49:19-20; Ps 22:6; the most false accusations, Matt 26:59-67; Matt 27:12; Luke 23:2; John 19:7; and the most ignominious ridicule, Ps 22:6-8; Ps 40:15; Ps 69:7,12; Matt 26:68; Matt 27:47; Luke 15:2; John 7:35. 4. In his outward lot. He sprang of a very debased, though once royal family, Isa 11:1; Isa 53:2; was conceived by a woman of low estate, Luke 1:27-28; in Nazareth, a wicked and infamous city, John 1:46; John 7:52; born in Bethlehem, a mean place, Mic 5:2; Matt 2:1-6; in a stable, and laid in a manger,—thus rendered like to a beast, to punish our original hearkening and continued conformity to beasts, instead of God, Luke 2:7. He, for a time, lived an exile in Egypt, the land of cruel bondage, Matt 2:14-15; and long dwelt and laboured as a mean carpenter in profligate Nazareth, Matt 2:23; Luke 2:51; Mark 6:3. He was oppressed with poverty, especially while he preached the gospel, and went about healing all manner of diseases, 2 Cor 8:9; Matt 8:20; Luke 9:58; Ps 69:29; Ps 40:17. 5. Though his Godhead could not be affected with sufferings of any kind, yet his person being under the curse, Gal 4:4; Gal 3:13, his divine glory was concealed under the likeness of sinful flesh, Rom 8:3; and subsisted in personal union with a manhood, continually affected with sufferings, and was, by that means, exposed to the vilest contempt and insults, Acts 20:28; Acts 3:15; 1 Cor 2:8; Ps 22:6.
The curse of the broken covenant of works having thus set him up, in all that pertained to him, as a butt of God's indignation, drew sufferings upon him from every quarter. His father, who loved him infinitely, acting as a righteous judge toward him as our Surety charged in law with our sins, deserted him,—hid his face from him,—was wroth with him,—and executed upon him just vengeance, by himself, by devils, men, and other creatures, as his instruments, Isa 53:2-12,
Matt 27:46; Zech 13:7; John 18:11; John 19:11; Acts 2:23-24; Acts 4:27-28.—While holy angels, shut out by the curse, stood aloof from him, devils permitted, and as it were empowered by it, did tempt and harass him, Matt 4:1-11; John 14:30.—Of men, his kinsfolk reproached, rejected, and plagued him, Mark 3:21; John 7:1-10; his neighbours of Nazareth attempted to murder him, Luke 4:28-29; his hearers cavilled at his words, and blasphemed him, Luke 11; Luke 14; Mark 3; Mark 5; John 5-10; his disciples vexed him with their ignorance, unbelief, presumption, contention, ambition, and unconcern, Luke 5:8; John 14:5-9; John 16:31; Matt 14:31; Matt 16:22-23; Matt 17:4,17; Luke 22:23,46. Judas, one of them, in the most treacherous manner, for a pitiful reward betrayed him, Ps 41:9; Ps 55:13-15; Ps 109:4; Matt 26:15,21,25,47-48. Contrary to his most solemn promises, Peter, upon the slightest temptations, thrice denied him, cursed and swore that he had never known him, Matt 26:33,35,69-74; the other ten forsook him and fled, Matt 26:31,56; John 16:32. His avowed enemies persecuted him in every form. Herod I. attempted to murder him in his infancy, and for his sake slew all the babes about Bethlehem. Herod II. sought to kill him, when a preacher; and with his men of war abused and contemned him.—After they had for several years persecuted him, the Jewish rulers, priests, scribes, and pharisees apprehended him, procured his crucifixion, and during it, in the vilest manner insulted and abused him. The common people, who had just before loudly extolled him as the promised Messiah, preferred to him a most notorious robber and murderer; insisted for his crucifixion, and abused him under it. Pilate, the Roman governor, condemned him; his heathen soldiers scourged and crucified him, and parted his garments, Ps 2:1-4; Ps 22:6-21; Ps 69:1-22; Matt 2; Matt 26-27; Luke 13:31-32; Luke 23:7-11; Mark 3; John 5; John 7-8; John 10-11; John 18-19; Luke 22-23. And, by slanderous accusations, the Jewish rulers attempted to imprison him in his grave, Matt 27:63-66.
The humiliation of Christ was necessary, 1. To execute the purpose of God and the covenant-engagements of Christ, Acts 2:23-24; Acts 4:27-28; Ps 40:6-8. 2. To fulfil the manifold types and predictions of the Old Testament, Lev 1-16; Num 15; Num 19; Num 28-29; Ps 22; Ps 69; Isa 53; Zech 9:9; Zech 13:7. The troubles of Abel, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David, and all the sacrifices, with the lifting up of the brazen serpent, prefigured this, Col 2:17; Heb 10:1. 3. To satisfy the broken law of God, and purchase eternal redemption for us, Isa 53:4-6,8,10-12; Heb 9:12,15; Heb 10:10,14; 1 Pet 1:18-19; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Pet 3:18; Rev 5:9. 4. To
give the redeemed an unspotted pattern of holiness and patience under suffering, 1 Pet 2:20-24; Eph 5:2,25.
Reflection. Turn aside, my hell-hardened heart, and behold this great sight, the bush of Jesus' manhood burning in the flames of Jehovah's wrath, and not consumed! Behold the power of men's enmity against God, that made them thus hate, reproach, and murder his only begotten Son,—their Saviour, whose instructions had been so edifying, his life so virtuous, and his unnumbered miracles so benevolent! Behold the dreadful punishment,—and in that punishment the heinous nature of sin! What is a deluged world,—a burning Sodom,—a plagued Egypt,—an opened hell,—and all the torments of the damned, when compared with this,—the Son of God cursed,—troubled in soul, till he knew not what to say,—amazed and very heavy,—sorrowful even unto death,—roaring under the hidings of his Father's face,—groaning and dying under the weight of his wrath!—Behold with awful dread, what must quickly be my condition, if I be and continue an unbelieving and impenitent sinner,—a graceless preacher!—Betrayed by Satan, by the world, and my own treacherous, but much trusted heart! Accused by the fiery law! Fast apprehended by a stinging death! Condemned by God, and consigned to be an everlasting butt of his infinite vengeance, and a derision of wicked angels and men! Upbraided by the curses of those whom my careless ministrations, my carnal or trifling converse, and untender example, have seduced towards hell!—But listen, my soul!—how,—by every reproach,—by every wound,—every groan,—every tear,—every drop of blood, Jesus, the Son of God, invites and obtests me to come to him and be saved!—Dare I,—can I, contemn or resist such calls from him who loved me, and gave himself for me!—Behold! how completely my debt is paid,—my happiness is purchased,—my peace with God procured and confirmed! Behold a fulfilled, an everlasting righteousness, a finished transgression, an ended sin, a wasted curse, a vanquished death, an extinguished hell, a fulfilled, a magnified, a smiling law, an espousing God! and all for me!—Behold, the mighty debt of love which I owe to Christ and his Father!—Let me prize, prize more than ten thousand worlds, the Man, God's fellow, who, for me, was sold for thirty pieces of silver. Let me cleave with full purpose of heart to my once forsaken Lord. Let me boldly confess my thrice denied Redeemer. Let my heart and soul entertain him who, for me, had not where to lay his head. Let me with hosannas in the highest exalt my once contemned, reproached, but now glorified Christ. Let me take up my cross and follow him.—If I forget thee, O Jesus!
let my right hand forget her cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.—But, ah! my sins! shamed, detested, crucified, and destroyed let them be.—Nay, lothed and detested be my soul, if I follow,—if I preach Jesus Christ, not from love, but for filthy lucre.
Notwithstanding the tremendous humiliation of our Redeemer, it was attended by many honourable circumstances. 1. An angel repeatedly foretold his birth, Luke 1:26-36; Matt 1:20-21. 2. John Baptist, his forerunner, when yet unborn, leaped in his mother's womb at his approach, Luke 1:41. 3. An host of angels with high shouts of praise proclaimed his birth, Luke 2:10-14. 4. An angel prevented his falling under a suspicion of bastardy; and directed the preservation of his infant life, Matt 1:19-20; Matt 2:13,19-20,22. 5. When he was presented in the temple, Simeon and Anna, by divine inspiration, proclaimed him the true Messiah, Luke 2:25-38. 6. An uncommon star directed the wise Gentiles to the place of his birth, in order to worship him, Matt 2:2,9-10. 7. Being yet a child, he disputed with the most learned doctors, Luke 2:40-50. 8. His Father by a voice from heaven repeatedly attested his divine Sonship, Matt 3:17; Matt 17:5; John 12:28. 9. The Holy Ghost, in a visible manner, descended upon him at his baptism, and rested upon him, Matt 3:16; John 1:33-34. 10. John Baptist repeatedly declared him the Messiah, John 1:29-36; John 3:24-36; Matt 3:11-14. 11. He fasted forty days in the wilderness, vanquished Satan's temptations, and angels ministered to him, Matt 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-10. 12. His body was gloriously transfigured on the mount, and he conversed with Moses and Elias, two glorified saints, Matt 17:1-14; Luke 9:28-36. 13. A voice from heaven encouraged him under his fearful apprehensions of approaching death, John 12:27-29. 14. In his agony, an angel appeared to strengthen and comfort him, Luke 22:43-44. 15. A few days before he was crucified, the solemn hosannas of the children and multitude at Jerusalem proclaimed him the Messias, Matt 21; John 12. 16. A supernatural darkness attended his crucifixion, Matt 27:45. 17. A perplexing dream of Pilate's wife attested his innocence, Matt 27:19. 18. Pilate, who condemned him, repeatedly pronounced him innocent, and, instead of a crime, resolutely marked his cross with a threefold attestation of his true Messiahship, John 18:38; John 19:4; Luke 23:4,14-15,22; Matt 27:23-24; John 19:19-22. 19. While he hung on the cross, a crucified thief and an attending centurion, being then converted, publicly acknowledged him the true Messiah, Luke 23:40-47.
Matt 27:51. 20. While he expired, an earthquake rent the rocks, and the vail of the temple, if not also opened many graves about Jerusalem, Matt 27:51-52. 21. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea, who had hitherto concealed their regard for him, now openly acknowledged him the Messiah, and procured him an honourable burial in Joseph's new sepulchre, lately hewn out of a rock in his garden; thus making his grave with the rich, after it had been appointed with the wicked malefactors in Calvary, John 19:38-42; Isa 53:9. 22. While he lay in his grave, fulfilling the sentence of the broken law, Gen 2:17; Gen 3:19; implementing the ancient types and predictions concerning him, and manifesting that he was truly dead, the Holy Ghost preserved his mangled bloody corpse from all corruption, Ps 16:10; Acts 2:27,31; Acts 13:35,37. 23. His enemies' attempt to imprison him in his grave, did but render his resurrection more glorious and manifest, Matt 27:66; Matt 28:4,11. 24. His amazing instructions, sermons, and conferences, Matt 5-7; Matt 13; Matt 20-25; Luke 4-21; John 2-16. 25. His almost unnumbered miracles, Matt 4:25; Matt 11:5; Matt 14:35-36.
His miracles were public and uncontrouled,—manifesting his power—over devils, in dislodging them from men, and granting them liberty to enter into swine, Acts 10:38; Matt 8:16; Matt 9:33; Matt 12:22-28, etc.—over men, in making the furious band who came to apprehend him, fall backward at his word, John 18:6;—over diseases, healing the most inveterate leprosies, palsies, dropsies, fevers, bloody issues, blindness, withered benumbedness, lameness, maimedness, lunacies, etc. Luke 4:40; Matt 8; Mark 1-3; Mark 5; Mark 7; Mark 9-10; Luke 14; John 5; John 9;—over death, in raising to life the deceased daughter of Jairus, the coffined son of the widow at Nain, and Lazarus, who had been dead four days, and was buried, Mark 5:36-42; Luke 7:11-15; John 11:38-44;—over irrational creatures, in cursing the fig-tree, Matt 21:19; multiplying the loaves and fishes, Matt 14:15-21; Matt 15:31-38; causing multitudes of fish to come into a net, Luke 5:4-7; John 21:6-8; and one bring money in its mouth for paying the tribute, Matt 17:27; in walking upon the sea, and making Peter walk upon it, Matt 14:25-29; in calming dreadful tempests by his word, Matt 8:26; Matt 14:32.—His working miracles differed from that by his prophets and apostles. 1. He wrought all his miracles by his own power, and in his own name, John 5:17; John 11:11; they wrought their's in his name and strength, Acts 3:6-13; Acts 4:11; Acts 9:34. 2. His power of working miracles was constant,—theirs but occasional, and by means of prayer, Matt 4:25; Matt 11:5; 1 Kings 17-18;
2 Kings 1-4; Acts 3. 3. He communicated this power to others; they could communicate it to none.—By his miracles thus performed, 1. He manifested himself to be the Son of God in our nature, producing the miracle by his divine power, and yet by a word, a touch, or the like, which respected his manhood, Matt 7:33-34; John 9:6,17. 2. He manifested in himself one distinguishing mark of the true Messiah, Isa 35:5-6; Isa 29:18; Matt 11:5,7. And this the more remarkably proved his true Messiahship, as there had been no miracles wrought in the holy land for above 700 years before, nor on earth for about 600 years before. Nor did any but himself work any miracles in the temple, the house of God, Matt 21:14. 3. He confirmed his doctrine to be of God, John 5:36; John 10:38; John 14:11; Luke 11:20; Matt 12:28-29. 4. He demonstrated his supreme power over all creatures, Matt 28:18; Eph 1:21; Ps 24:1. 5. He testified his compassion and kindness towards men, and his readiness to heal the diseases, and supply the wants of their souls, John 6:37; Luke 9:56.—During his private life, Christ wrought no miracles at all, and but one after his resurrection: nor did he ever work any for his own advantage.—He refused the devils' attestation of his miraculous powers, that he might not be suspected of any collusion with them, Mark 1:24-25.—To fulfil ancient predictions,—to shun the troublesome concourse of multitudes,—to manifest his own humility,—and not irritate the Jews to untimely conspiracies against him,—and that he might not confound them with too many miracles, he sometimes forbade them that had been healed to publish it, Matt 8:4; Matt 9:30; Matt 12:16. But he never hindered any Gentiles to publish what they had experienced; which, perhaps, prefigured his publication of his gospel among them.
II. Betwixt the death and resurrection of our Saviour, his humiliation and exaltation were conjoined. His humiliation continued in his body's lying in the grave, under the power of death, and in the breach of the union between his soul and body.—His exaltation began in the happiness of his separated soul, in the heavenly mansions. That it went thither is evident. 1. He committed his departing soul into the hands of his pacified Father, Luke 23:46. 2. It retired to paradise, and was there with the soul of the penitent thief that very day on which he died, Luke 23:43. 3. The Papists' Limbus patrum or infantum, or purgatory, are but mere fancies, into which nothing can go. 4. Neither Scripture nor common sense assign any proper end of his soul's retiring to hell after his death.—It needed not go thither to finish its part in his
sacrifice, that being completed in his death, John 19:30; Heb 10:14;—nor to triumph over devils, having done that on the cross, and being soon to do it more gloriously in his resurrection and ascension, leading captivity captive, Col 2:15; Ps 68:18;—nor to preach the gospel to the damned, their season of grace being for ever gone, Heb 3:7,13-15; Luke 16:26.—It was not then, but in the days of Noah, that he preached to the sinners of the old world, whose souls had lived in the prison of an unregenerate state, and after death had gone to the prison of hell, 1 Pet 3:19-20. And though Sheol, or Hades, sometimes means the place of the damned, Ps 9:17; Luke 16:23; yet, more frequently it means the grave or separated state of the dead, Job 21:13; Gen 37:35; Gen 42:38; 1 Kings 2:6; Ps 141:7; or, a state of terrible debasement and trouble, Isa 14:9,11,15,19-20; Ps 18:5; Ps 116:3; Jon 2:2.—Now, Christ's body, which is all that Nephesh or Psyche means in some texts, Lev 19:28; Lev 21:1,11; Num 5:2; Luke 6:9, was not left in Sheol or Hades, but raised from death and the grave, Mark 16:6,9; 1 Cor 15:4,20. Nor was his soul left in its terrible debasement, or separated from his body, but reunited to it, and exalted to glory, Ps 16:10. The lower parts of the earth into which Christ descended, was this world, reckoned lower than the heavens,—and his mother's womb, Eph 4:9; Isa 55:9; Ps 139:15.—In the grave he was in the heart of the earth, Matt 12:40; even as Tyre was in the heart of the sea, though very near the shore, Ezek 26:4.
Christ's unmixed exaltation consists in his being completely glorified, in rising from the dead, ascending to heaven, sitting at God's right hand, and coming to judge the world. In all these four steps, his person God-man is exalted, though the addition of glory be only made to his human nature.—As, in his humiliation, his person was debased in his manhood, so, in his exaltation, his person was exalted in his manhood. In his humiliation, the glory of his Godhead was eclipsed by the sufferings of his manhood. In his exaltation it shines brightly through the graces of his manhood, Phil 2:6-11; Heb 2:8-10; Isa 53:2-12; Isa 52:13-15.
I. Christ's resurrection from the dead on the third day, being a peculiar hinge of the gospel-dispensation, was not only foretold by the prophets, Job 19:25; Ps 16:10-11; Ps 22:19-21; Ps 110:7; Isa 53:8; Isa 25:8; Isa 55:3; Acts 13:34; Zech 3:8; Hos 6:2;—and typified by Noah's departure from the ark, Joseph's deliverance from prison, Samson's carrying off the gates of Gaza, Daniel's coming out of the lions' den,—the
leper's live bird flying away after it had been dipped in the blood of its fellow,—the dismission of the scapegoat, Gen 8; Gen 41:14; Judg 16:3; Dan 6:23; Lev 14:6-7; Lev 16:21-22;—and by Isaac's deliverance from death on the third day after he was divinely devoted to it; Hezekiah's going up to the house of the Lord on the third day after he received a divine sentence of death; and Jonah's coming out of the whale's belly on the third day, Gen 22; Heb 11:19; 2 Kings 20:5; John 2:10; John 1:17; Matt 12:40; 1 Cor 15:4;—but we have many, and most manifest proofs, that it actually took place. 1. The soldiers who had been appointed to watch his sepulchre, being affrighted by the earthquake, or by the angels who had appeared to roll the stone from the door of it, published the truth of his resurrection, and of the wonders which attended it, that same day in Jerusalem. Nor could their confounded masters, rulers of Judah, invent any thing to discredit it, but a most glaring falsehood, Matt 28:11-15. II. Holy angels testified that he was risen, to the women that went to visit his sepulchre, Matt 28:6-7. III. Many saints, who had been raised together with him, went into Jerusalem, and appeared unto many, Matt 27:53. IV. Christ himself manifested the truth of it, in eleven or twelve different appearances to his friends. 1. To Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre, Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18. 2. To the women returning from the sepulchre, Matt 28:9-10. 3. To Cleophas and his companion going to Emmaus, Luke 24:13-31. 4. To Simon Peter alone, Luke 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5. 5. To ten apostles in their chamber at Jerusalem, Luke 24:36-48; John 20:19-23,—all on the very day of his resurrection. 6. To eleven apostles on the eighth day after, 1 Cor 15:5; John 20:26-29. 7. To seven of them at the Sea of Tiberias, John 21:1-21. 8. To eleven apostles on a mountain of Galilee, Matt 28:16-20. 9. To more than five hundred brethren at once, 1 Cor 15:6. 10. To his eleven apostles just before his ascension, Acts 1:4-11; Luke 24:49-51. 11. To James, 1 Cor 15:7. 12. After his ascension, to Stephen, Acts 7:56;—to Paul, 1 Cor 9:1; 1 Cor 15:8; Acts 9:3-17;—and to John in Patmos, Rev 1-3; Rev 5; Rev 10; Rev 22. V. After many repeated sights of him, and much converse with him, his twelve apostles, without, nay, contrary to, every consideration of carnal interest, did, within a few weeks after he had been murdered at Jerusalem, when the very same multitudes who had procured and witnessed his death were met together, publish his resurrection to them, in the most bold, steady, and uniform manner. Nor could all the power, learning, craft, rage, and malice of their opponents produce any other refutation but
threatenings, imprisonment, and murder, Acts 2-8; Acts 12. VI. The Holy Ghost, by miraculously descending upon the apostles, and enabling them to preach in languages which they had never learned, discern spirits, and work miracles, and making their report so wonderfully successful on the hearts even of their most outrageous opposers, mightily attested Christ's resurrection, Acts 2-6; John 14:16-17,26; John 15:26; John 16:7-14; John 20:21; Acts 1:5-8.
Christ was raised from the dead by the concurring influence of all the three divine persons. 1. By the Father, to whom it is emphatically ascribed, Acts 2:24; Acts 3:15-16; Acts 4:10; Acts 10:40; Acts 17:31; Rom 10:9; Rom 6:4; Rom 8:11; 1 Pet 1:21; Eph 1:20; Heb 13:20.—Thus he acknowledged him his beloved Son, adjudged, and called him to his glorious reward, as well as he had done to his debased service, 1 Tim 3:16; Heb 5:4-5. And, to testify his full satisfaction for his elect, and his solemn justification as their head, he sent an angel to open the grave, his prison, Isa 53:8; Matt 28:2. 2. By the Son, John 2:19; John 10:17-18; Rom 1:4; 1 Pet 3:18; John 5:21; John 11:25. 3. By the Holy Ghost, who is perhaps on that account called the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, Rom 8:2,11; Rom 6:4.—The Father, as a fully satisfied judge, released him from prison. The Son, having finished his humiliation-work, reunited his soul to his body, both having still continued united to his person. The Holy Ghost, who dwelt in both, reestablished their natural union.
Concerning the resurrection of Christ, it must be remarked, that, 1. The very same body which he had before his death, rose again, in all its essential properties, Luke 24:39; John 20:20,27. 2. He rose from the dead very early on the first day of the week, to mark him the Hind of the morning, the morning Star, the Dayspring from on high, and the Sun of righteousness, Ps 22 title; Rev 2:28; Rev 22:16; Luke 1:78; Mal 4:2; Matt 28:1; Mark 16:9; Gen 1:5. 3. He rose again upon the third day, after he had lain dead part of the sixth, all the seventh, and a few hours of the first day of the week, Matt 12:40; 1 Cor 15:4. It was not proper that he should rise too soon, lest the reality of his death should have been doubted; nor proper that he should continue dead very long, lest his followers should have utterly fainted, and his resurrection not be timely published, when the facts were fresh in men's memories. 4. He rose again with great deliberation,—to manifest which, and that his body had not been stolen away, nor should die any more, he left his graveclothes behind him, decently wrapped together, and orderly placed, John 20:5-7. 5. He rose with great solemnity: An earthquake shook the place: an angel rolled away the
stone from the door of his sepulchre, and sat upon it: two others placed themselves on his grave: multitudes of saints rose along with him, and perhaps ascended to heaven as his harbingers, Matt 28:2; Matt 27:53; Mark 16:4-6; John 20:12. 6. He rose as a public person, representing an elect world, and, in his resurrection, received from God as the Judge, a complete legal discharge of all their debt, and took possession of eternal life in their name, Rom 4:25; Eph 2:6. 7. He rose to enjoy a state of everlasting life and happiness, Rom 6:9; Col 1:18; 1 Cor 15:23,37-38. And though he once ate with his disciples, it was not from natural appetite, but to confirm his resurrection, Luke 24:42-43; Acts 10:41.
II. Christ, in his manhood, ascended to heaven.—Not only had the translations of Enoch and Elias to heaven, soul and body,—the exaltations of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and Daniel, after their trouble and danger,—and the priests' placing the ceremonial ark in the most holy apartment of the tabernacle or temple,—and their carrying the blood and incense into the sanctuary or Holy of Holies, prefigured it, Gen 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11; Heb 11:5; Gen 37-48; Exod 2 through Deut 34; Josh 1-24; 1 Sam 16-30; 2 Sam 1-24; 1 Chron 11-29; Dan 6; Exod 40:21; Exod 30:7-8; 1 Kings 8:8-10; Lev 4:7,18; Lev 16:12-16;—and the prophets foretold it, Ps 24:7-10; Ps 47:5-6; Ps 68:18; Mic 2:13; Ps 8:1; Ezek 1:26-27; Ezek 10:18; 1 Pet 3:22. But, 1. His disciples saw him ascend to heaven, Acts 1:9-10. 2. Two holy angels testified that he did ascend to it, Acts 1:11. 3. Stephen, Paul, and John saw him in his ascended state, Acts 7:55-56; Acts 9:3-4,17; Acts 22:6-21; Rev 1:10-19; Rev 5:6; Rev 12:5. 4. The marvellous descent of the Holy Ghost, and its effects, demonstrated that he had ascended, John 16:7-14; Acts 2:33. 5. The terrible overthrow and dispersion of the Jewish nation is a standing proof of his ascension, Matt 26:64; John 8:21.—And, in this ascension, 1. His Father took him up into heaven, to acknowledge him his beloved Son, and to manifest his perfect fulfilment of all righteousness for his elect, Phil 2:9; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:11,22; Acts 2:33; Acts 5:31; Eph 1:20; 1 Tim 3:16; 1 Pet 1:21. 2. In improving his purchased glory for himself and his people, Christ went up into heaven, John 20:17; Eph 4:8-10; John 14:2-3,28; John 16:7,28; Acts 1:10-11; Mark 16:19; Ps 47:5; Ps 68:18.
Concerning Christ's ascension to heaven, it may be observed, 1. He ascended forty days after his resurrection. He continued so many days of earth before he ascended,—that he
might give many repeated proofs of his resurrection to his followers, Acts 1:3;—that he might sufficiently instruct his apostles in every thing which pertained to the abolishment of the Jewish ceremonies, with the form, order, and worship of the New Testament church, Acts 1:3; Mark 16:15-18; Matt 28:18-20;—that his disciples might have but a few days to wait for the effusion of his Spirit; and that there might be as much time between his glorious birth to immortal life and his entrance into his heavenly temple, as had been between his humbled birth and his presentation in the Jewish temple,—and as much time between his bloody baptism, the attestation of his divine Sonship, and his entrance on his heavenly ministrations, as had been between his water baptism, the attendant attestation of his Sonship, and his entrance on his public ministry on earth, Matt 3:14-17; Matt 4:1-17;—of which spaces, perhaps the long fasts of Moses and Elijah were typical. 2. He ascended from Mount Olivet, perhaps from the very spot where he had suffered his blood agony,—there displaying his power, and setting off as a triumphant conqueror, where his human weakness had chiefly appeared, and where he had sustained a terrible conflict with all the powers of darkness, Acts 1:12; Luke 24:50. 3. He was parted from his disciples while he was solemnly blessing them,—thus labouring in his redemption-work till his very last moment on earth,—shewing that he was the true seed of Abraham, in whom all nations should be blessed,—and that while he left blessings behind him, he had still many more to bestow, Acts 1:9; Luke 24:52. 4. Multitudes of angels attended him in his ascension with solemn shouts of praise, Ps 68:17; Ps 47:5-6; Dan 7:9-14. 5. In his ascension he triumphed over devils as his captives, and received gifts for sinful men, in order to promote and secure their eternal salvation, Ps 68:18.
III. Having ascended up into heaven, Christ sat down at the right hand of God, which means the most honourable station, the nearest and most familiar fellowship with him, 1 Cor 15:27; Ps 110:1,5; Heb 1:3; Heb 4:14; Heb 8:1; Phil 2:9; Isa 52:13; Eph 1:20-21; 1 Pet 3:22. God the Father, in rewarding Christ for his humbled service, set him down at his right hand, Eph 1:20; Acts 2:31,33; and Christ himself, as taking possession of his glorious reward, sat down, Mark 16:19; Heb 1:3; Heb 8:1; Zech 6:13.—His sitting at the right hand of God includes, 1. The endowment of his manhood with inconceivable glory and happiness, Acts 2; Ps 16:11. 2. The high honour of his person God-man, it being the privilege of Lords to sit, Dan 7:9; 1 Kings 2:19; Esther 1:13;
Job 29:25; and the character of servants to stand, 1 Kings 17:1; Dan 7:16; Zech 3:7; Ps 134:1; Prov 22:29. Thus Christ sits as our Intercessor crowned with glory and honour; and yet, to mark his readiness to act, help, or enter into us, he is represented as standing at the right hand of God,—at the right hand of the poor,—or at the door of your heart, Acts 7:55-56; Ps 109:31; Rev 3:20. 3. His refreshful rest after his finished labours, Heb 4:10; Ps 110:1; Mic 4:4. 4. His judicial and royal power and authority, Matt 19:28; Zech 6:13. 5. The everlasting and undisturbed continuance of his happiness, honour, rest, and authority, 1 Cor 15:25; Ps 110:1,5; Ps 45:6; Heb 1:8.
IV. Christ's judging the world at the last day, is not an higher step of exaltation, than his sitting at his Father's right hand; and is by some included in it. But it is a more public and solemn manifestation of his glory, in which we may consider the preparation, the judgment itself, and the execution of the sentences.
I. In the preparation for the last judgment, are included Christ's own personal appearance, the raising of the dead, and the assembling and separation of the parties to be judged.
1. Christ will appear in the most exalted manner in his own and his Father's glory, attended by all his holy angels,—will erect his great white throne in the air;—and, in an awful manner, require all men to attend at his judgment-seat, Rev 1:7; Rev 20:11-12; Matt 24:24,29-31; Matt 26:64; John 5:28; 1 Thess 4:15; 2 Thess 1:7-10; Ps 50:1-6.
2. The dead shall be raised from their graves. This presupposes the preservation of all the essential particles of their bodies while dead, and preservation of their souls in life, in order to be reunited to them.—It includes the new formation of these particles into bodies fit for the residence of their respective souls,—and the reunion of their souls to these newly formed bodies, in order to the renewal of human life.—All the dead of mankind shall be thus raised. 1. In nature, we have manifold emblems of this resurrection. The day returns after the night.—Vegetables, which are apparently dead in winter, as well as serpents, swallows, and other animals, revive in the spring. And men, as well as brutes, awaken after sleep. 2. While reason manifests that God, by his infinite power and wisdom, is able to preserve, and anew form these particles into human bodies,—it no less clearly suggests, that men not being rewarded in this life according to their deeds, there must be some future state of retribution, in which men's bodies, which had partook
with their souls in their virtue or vice, must share with them in sensible happiness or misery, Eccles 3:16-17. 3. Every leading truth of the Christian religion requires the resurrection of the dead. If the Son of God assumed a human body in order to shew kindness to us, our bodies must be eternal partakers of his fraternal favours. If, in his body, as well as in his soul, he fulfilled all righteousness for us, our bodies must be delivered from death, and partake of his purchased eternal life. If our bodies, in a proper manner, partake of the seals of his covenant, they must share of the eternal happiness therein sealed. If our bodies be temples of Christ and his Spirit, and be washed in his blood, they must not lie in everlasting ruins, Heb 2:11-15; Heb 10:5,22; Matt 26-27; Matt 28:19; 1 Cor 10:16-17; 1 Cor 11:24-26; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Rom 8:11. 4. God hath already given almost innumerable pledges of this future resurrection of the dead,—in raising the son of the widow of Zarephath, 1 Kings 17:21; the son of the Shunammite, 2 Kings 4:35; the man cast into the grave of Elisha, 2 Kings 13:21; the daughter of Jairus, Luke 9:49-56; the son of the widow of Nain, Luke 7:15; Lazarus, John 11:44; many saints at Christ's resurrection, Matt 27:53; Dorcas, Acts 9:40; Eutychus, Acts 20:10;—but chiefly Christ himself, who is the first begotten from the dead, and the first fruits of them that slept, 1 Cor 15:13-28; Col 1:18; 2 Cor 4:14; 1 Thess 4:14; Rom 8:11; 1 Pet 1:3; Rev 1:5. 5. Scripture plentifully attests this future and general resurrection of men, good and bad, Exod 3:6; Matt 22:31-32.—Deut 32:39; 1 Sam 2:6; Job 19:25-27; (the words of which are too emphatical to mean only a temporal deliverance: nor doth Job appear to have had any hopes of such a deliverance, Job 6:8-9,11; Job 7:7-8; Job 10:20,29; Job 6:22; Job 17:1,15; Job 19:10.) Ps 16:11; Ps 17:15; Isa 25:8; Isa 26:19; Dan 12:2; Hos 13:14; Luke 14:14; John 5:28-29; John 6:39-40,44,54; John 11:24-26; John 14:19; Acts 4:2; Acts 17:18,31; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:15; Acts 26:8; 1 Cor 6:14; 1 Cor 15; 2 Cor 1:9; 2 Cor 4:14; 1 Thess 4:14-16; 2 Tim 4:1; Heb 6:2; Rev 20:12; Ezek 37:1-14.—In Luke 14:14; Luke 20:26; 1 Cor 15:23; Phil 3:11; John 6:39-47; 1 Thess 4:14; wicked men are excluded from an happy resurrection, but not from a miserable restoration to life.—All men shall be raised in the same last day; but the righteous, including the martyrs, shall be raised first in order.—And the same human bodies which were buried, shall be raised again in all their essential parts. 1. It would not be a resurrection, but a new creation, if the same bodies were not raised. 2. God's justice requires, that the same bodies which assisted in virtue or vice, should be raised to share in their respective rewards or punishments. 3. Christ, who is the pattern of our resurrection, had his very body that
was crucified, restored to life, and reunited to his soul, John 20:20,26-27; Luke 24:39; Rom 8:11. 4. The very same bodies of men which fell asleep,—which were once mortal, corruptible, weak, dishonourable, vile,—sown in death, lay in their graves, and were devoured by worms, shall be raised again, Dan 12:2; 1 Cor 15:42-54; Phil 3:21; John 5:28-29; Job 19:25-27. No possible mixture of particles can render this raising of the same body difficult to God's infinite knowledge, wisdom, and power:—and perhaps no essential particles of human bodies can incorporate with any other animal body.—Nevertheless raised bodies will be very much different in qualities from what they are now, suited to bear the happiness or misery of the eternal state, 1 Cor 15:42-44,52,54; 1 Cor 6:13.
3. The righteous and wicked shall, by the angels, be fully separated one from another,—the righteous placed at Christ's right hand in the air; and the wicked, perhaps classed according to their most remarkable crimes, shall be left assembled on the earth, Rev 20:12; 1 Thess 4:17; Matt 13:41,49; Matt 24:31; Matt 25:32-33.
II. The general judgment of all mankind will immediately follow these preparations. 1. God's not punishing or rewarding men in this world, according to their deeds, strongly suggests the certainty of some future general judgment, Eccles 3:16-17; 2 Thess 1:6-8. 2. The consciences of heathens suggest a future judgment, Rom 2:15. And hence spring their fables of Eacus, Minos, and Rhadamanthus judging men in the other world. 3. Scripture plentifully attests the reality of a future general judgment, Ps 50:1-6; Ps 96:11-13; Ps 98:7-9; Eccles 12:14; Jude 14-15; Acts 17:31; Matt 12:32,36-37; Matt 13:41; Matt 16:27; Matt 26; Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1; Rev 20:11-15; John 5:27-29; Heb 6:2.
To render men perpetually watchful, and constantly preparing for this general judgment, in which their qualities and conduct will be thoroughly tried, and their eternal happiness and misery publicly fixed, God hath perfectly concealed the precise time of it, Mark 13:32-38. But the destructive vengeance of God on the Jewish nation, and the heathen persecuting empire of Rome,—on Antichrist, and Gog and Magog, are preludes of it, Ps 21:8-12; Ps 110:5-6; Matt 24:29-51. And the general conversion of both Jews and Gentiles to Christ, and the thousand years reign of his saints, are more delightful forerunners of it, 2 Thess 2:11-13; Rev 11; Rev 16-20; Rom 11.
God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost will judge the world at the last day, Eccles 12:14; Ps 50:6; Rom 2:15-16. But Christ God-man, as the mediatorial deputy of God, will immediately act in this work, Matt 25:31-46; Matt 19:28; John 5:22;
Acts 17:31; Acts 10:42; Rom 2:16; Rom 14:10; 1 Cor 4:4-5; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Thess 4:16; 2 Thess 1:7-9; 2 Tim 4:1; Rev 1:7. Thus shall the ignominy of his debasement be publicly wiped off, and his victory over his enemies be manifested, Rev 1:7; Matt 26:64; and men shall have a visible judge, who, in the hardest circumstances, fulfilled that law by which he judges others, Rev 1:7; Matt 3:15; Matt 5:17-18; Luke 24:26; Gal 4:4; Gal 3:13; John 8:29; Isa 42:21.—The saints will not assist Christ in judging the world. But they judge others,—1. In Christ their Head, in whom they are already risen and sit together, Eph 2:6. 2. Their good works, especially when publicly mentioned in the last judgment, interpretatively condemn the wickedness of devils and men. 3. They will approve, perhaps with solemn shouts, the sentences which Christ will pass upon wicked angels and men, 1 Cor 6:2-3.—The apostles' sitting on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel,—means that gospel-hearers will be judged by those doctrines and laws which they taught; and they will have most exalted fellowship with Christ in heaven, as they had in the church on earth, Matt 19:28.
Christ will then judge, 1. All the devils, Jude 6; 2 Pet 2:4; Matt 25:41; Matt 8:29;—and all men, good and bad, 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:12; Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1. But believers shall not come into the judgment of condemnation, John 3:18; John 5:24; Rom 8:1,33-34. Nor shall wicked men stand or be justified in the judgment, Ps 1:5. 2. All the qualities, thoughts, words, and deeds of these devils and men, 1 Cor 4:5; Rom 2:15-16; Matt 12:36-37; 2 Cor 5:10; Eccles 12:14; Matt 25:34-45;—and in judging these, Christ will examine the causes, and pronounce the sentences.
Christ's trial of causes, in the last judgment, will be, 1. Most easy,—the judge being possessed of infinite knowledge, wisdom, power, equity, and majesty; and the consciences of the judged being fully awakened and impartial, will readily attest every charge, 1 Cor 4:5; Heb 4:13; Rom 2:15; 1 John 3:20-21. 2. Most exact, as if transacted by opened books,—the book of God's infinite knowledge, and exact remembrance of every quality, thought, word, and deed, Ps 139:16; Ps 56:8; Mal 3:16;—the book of men's conscience, in which the law, which is the standard of judgment, and every quality, thought, word, and deed, are divinely marked, Rom 2:15-16; 1 John 3:20-21; Acts 24:16; 2 Cor 1:12;—the book of Scripture, according to the declarations of which, the judgment shall proceed, and by which they who had it shall be judged, they who had it not, shall be judged by the law of nature, Rom 2:12; Luke 12:47-48;—and the book of God's purposes; those who are found in his purpose of election or
book of life, being through Christ's righteousness imputed to them, and his grace implanted in, and exercised by them, adjudged to eternal happiness; and those who are not, being condemned to hell, Rev 20:12; Rev 22:12. 3. Most public, every angel and man being present to witness or share in every thing transacted; and hence much different from God's judging men in this life, or at death, Rev 20:11-12; Matt 25:31-45. 4. Most regular, the righteous being first judged, as they were first raised, and must give their solemn assent to the judgment of others,—and to shew them that God delights more in acts of mercy and favour, than in those of dreadful vengeance, Matt 25:34-45. 5. Most solemn, with inconceivable grandeur and majesty, Rev 20:11-12; Rev 1:7; 2 Thess 1:7; Matt 25:34-45.
The sentences pronounced, in consequence of this trial, will be infinitely just and proper, every one receiving sentence according to the nature or desert of the works charged to their account in law, Rev 20:12; Rev 22:12; Rom 14:12; 2 Cor 5:10; Matt 12:36-37. Wicked men shall be condemned for the sinfulness of their nature and practice, and particularly for unkindness to poor saints, in which they had manifested their contempt and hatred of Christ and his Father, Matt 25:41-45. Believers shall be adjudged to everlasting life on account of Christ's fulfilment of the law in their stead, Rom 8:34; Phil 3:9; and their sentence will correspond with the nature, though not with the merit of their gracious qualities and works, particularly their kindness to poor saints, which shall be publicly mentioned as a mark of their union with Christ, filial relation to God, gracious heirship and diligent seeking of his heavenly kingdom, Matt 25:34-40. But, whether their sins will be publicly mentioned in the last judgment, is not so evident. On the one hand, 1. None of their sins are mentioned in the judicial procedure, Matt 25:34-40. 2. God casts all their sins behind his back, into the depths of the sea, and remembers them no more, Isa 38:17; Isa 43:25; Mic 7:18; Jer 31:34; Jer 5:20. 3. Christ, their judge, being also their propitiation and advocate, would not mention their sins, Rom 4:25; 1 John 2:1-2; Prov 10:12; Prov 17:9. 4. The public mention of their sins could not but affect them with shame; and could not consist with his presenting them without spot or without wrinkle, Eph 5:27. But on the other hand, 1. Every work of men, whether good or bad, is represented as brought into judgment, Eccles 12:14; 2 Cor 5:10. 2. God's justice seems to require, that both sides of a cause should be produced and heard, Gen 18:25. 3. Many of their sins are publicly-marked in Scripture. 4. By the public mentioning of their sins, the justifying virtue of Christ's blood will be illustriously manifested, Acts 13:39. 5. Many of their sins are so connected
with those of the wicked, that the one cannot be publicly mentioned without the other. 6. The belief of such public manifestation of their sins may be of great use to render them circumspect in this life. 7. Such public mention of their sins could not then affect them with disagreeable shame and confusion, as it is not their innocence, but Jesus and his righteousness, which are their comfort and glory, Eph 1:7.
III. These sentences will immediately be executed in the wicked going away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal, Matt 25:46; 2 Thess 1:8-10; Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; Rev 20:13-15; 1 Thess 4:17; Rom 2:6-10; Isa 3:10-11.—While the holy angels drive the wicked to hell, and honourably attend the saints to heaven, Matt 13:41-42,49-50, this lower world, by an universal conflagration, shall be purged of all the effects of sin, and its present form changed into one exceedingly pure and glorious, Job 14:12; Ps 102:26-27; Isa 65:17-18; Isa 66:22; Rev 20:12-15; Rev 21-22; 2 Pet 3:7-13; Rom 8:19-21.
Christ's exaltation is necessary, I. In respect of his Father. 1. That he might manifest his faithfulness and equity, in rewarding him, as Mediator, according to his deserts, and the promises made to him, Ps 19:11; Isa 53:10-12; Isa 52:13; Ps 21; Ps 22:27-31; Isa 9:6-7; Isa 40:9-10; Isa 49:1-12. 2. To mark his distinguished love to him, as the darling of his heart, in whose high honour and intimate fellowship he infinitely delights, Isa 51:13; Isa 42:1; Matt 3:17; Matt 17:5; Ps 91:14-16. 3. To manifest his infinite highness, in holding so inconceivably exalted a God-man Mediator still subject to him, John 20:17; 1 Cor 15:27-28. 4. To manifest the exceeding riches of his grace towards men, in exalting their nature in personal union with his own Son, that they may behold, receive from, and worship God, answerably to their condition. And hence perhaps his exaltation is represented as a gift, Phil 2:9. II. In respect of Christ himself. 1. That his honour might be fully and conspicuously reestablished after so remarkable humiliation, John 17:5. 2. That, notwithstanding his manhood had a right to great glory by its personal union with his divine nature, he might also enjoy it as the reward of his humbled service, as a public and everlasting mark of the perfection and acceptation of his atonement by God, Isa 49:3-4; Isa 40:10; Isa 53:10-12; Phil 2:6-11; John 16:10. 3. That in his administration of the new covenant, he might honourably execute his threefold office, take possession of eternal life, prepare heaven for his people, and, by his intercession, word, and Spirit, prepare them for it, and at last manifest his special love to them before the whole world, John 14:2-3,19; Heb 6:20.
4. That he might effectually subdue, restrain, destroy, and triumph over his and our implacable enemies, Ps 21:8-12; Ps 68:18,21; Ps 110:1,5-6; 1 Cor 15:25. 5. That, in fulfilling the ancient types and predictions, he might manifest himself the true promised Messiah, 1 Cor 15:4; Luke 24:26-27; Heb 8:4. III. In respect of his elect. 1. In his resurrection he secured their union to him, as his quickened mystical members;—secured their justification, receiving a solemn acquittance and acceptance, in their name, 1 Tim 3:16; Rom 4:25;—secured their regeneration and sanctification, Col 2:11-12; Col 3:1; Eph 2:5-6; Rom 6:4-6; Phil 3:10; Gal 2:20; and secured their resurrection to everlasting life, 1 Thess 4:14; 1 Cor 15:12-13,22-23; Col 3:3-4; Rom 8:11,13,29. 2 In his ascension he took possession of heaven in their name,—prepares it for them,—pours down his Spirit upon them,—weans their affections from things of this world, which he hath left, and attracts them to things above, where he is, John 14:2-3; 2 Cor 5:5; John 16:7; John 12:32; Col 3:1-2. 3. His sitting at the right hand of God is their relative glorification,—secures their exaltation in due time, Eph 1:20-23; Rev 3:21. It manifests the perpetual efficacy of his intercession for completing their happiness, and the destruction of their enemies, Heb 1:3; Heb 8:1-2; 1 Cor 15:24; Ps 2:4; Ps 97:1-5. It teaches them an holy reverence of him, Ps 2:12; Ps 45:11; Rev 1:13-17; an ardent love to him, and a ready opening of their heart to him, Ps 24:7-10; a contempt of earthly, and an esteem of, and desire after, heavenly things, as seen in Him, their Head, exalted to the highest, Eph 1:18-20. 4. In his coming to judgment, he will crown them with glory and honour; and instead of secret pardons, comforts, and attestations by his Spirit,—will publicly, before all angels and men, proclaim them his and his Father's righteous favourites and adopted children.
Reflection. If God so exalt Jesus Christ, why hath he not an higher,—a far higher place in my heart? Why do not all my thoughts, words, and deeds, concur in exalting him? Why is not my whole conversation in heaven, where Christ is at the right hand of God, and making continual intercession for me? Why am not I alway denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world,—and looking for the glorious appearing of the great God my Saviour,—and my being for ever with the Lord?