my Brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and to your Father and to my God and your God Christ did promise that hee would ascend Iohn 16.5 7. But now I go my way to him that sent mee and none of you asked me whither goest thou Neverthelesse I tell you the truth it is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you Iohn 16.16 A little while and yee shall not see mee and againe a little while and yee shall see mee because I goe to the Father I could quote you many Scriptures that Christ promised hee would goe away Fourthly the Doctrine of Christs going up to Heaven is confirmed by the Testimony of the Apostles who were Eye-witnesses of Christs Ascension Gerrard notes saith he Jesus Christ did rise invisible none saw him Rise the Scripture telleth you that the Souldiers that watched were asleepe yet Christ gathereth all his eleven Apostles that they might be Eye witnesses of his Ascension that they saw him ascend to Heaven Acts 1.9 10. And when hee had spoken these things while they beheld hee was taken up and a Cloud received him out of their sight And while they looked stedfastly towards Heaven as hee went up behold two men stood by them in white apparell and so the Apostle Peter in the 1 Peter 3.22 Who is gone into Heaven and is on the right Hand of God Angells and Authority and Powers being subject unto him So Paul tells you in Ephesians 4.10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up farre above all Heavens that hee might fill all things So in Hebrewes 9. the Author of that Booke tells you that Jesus Christ is not gone into the holy place but is gone into the Heaven it selfe In vers 24. For Christ is not entred into the Holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into Heaven it selfe now to appeare in the presence of God for us 1 Tim. 3.16 And without controversy great is the mystery of Godlinesse God was manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seene of Angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the World received up into glory And in Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them hee was received up into Heaven and sate on the right hand of God I take the more paines to prove this because of what Ancient Heresies there have been to overthrow this great comfortable Doctrine of Christs going bodily into Heaven having our flâ—sh in Heaven this very day Fifthly it may be proved by the Concurrent Testimonies of the Angells who were witnesses of this truth Acts 1.10 ve And while they looked stedfastly toward Heaven as he went up behold two men stood by them in white apparell These two men were Angells the Angels did give in their concurrent Testimonies that Jesus Christ did goe into Heaven and the same Jesus Christ that did go shall come againe Beloved I know not any one poynt in all the Bible that is so proved and strengthned as Christs personall and Bodily going up to Heaven and thus much for the strengthning of you in the proofe of the poynt I lay that for the Foundation because if the proof of it be not well grounded then the fruit of it will not be well regarded Secondly what is the reason that Christ must have his Body goe up to Heaven and not his Soul as other mens First Christ in his bodily presence must go to Heaven lest his Disciples should be taken too much with his bodily presence and never looke after the Communication of his Spirit Therefore they aske Christ Lord when wilt thou restore the Kingdome to Israel they expected that Christ would take away the Roman Emperour which was a heathen and expected that hee would bee King himselfe Acts 1.6 When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore againe the Kingdome to Israel It is for this reason say Interpreters because the Disciples should not dote on Jesus Christ as to looke on him as a temporall King and looke on him for a temporall Kingdome so that was one reason why hee would not leave his body with them but that they might looke after the Kingdom where he is therefore Paul hath a passage in 2 Cor. 5.16 Wherefore henceforth know wee no man after the flesh yea though we have known Christ after the flesh yet now henceforth know we him no more As if hee should say it may be those that lived in Christs time that knew him according to the flesh as a lovely person but saith Paul wee know him in a spirituall way to looke after Heaven by Christ to looke after Salvation by Christ Secondly Christ must be taken up into Heaven in his body to make a compensation and a recompence to himselfe for his sufferings in his Body to make a compensation to him for his bodily sufferings hee must go to Heaven Phil. 2.8.9 And being found in fashion as a Man hee humbled himselfe and because obedient unto Death even the Death of the Crosse Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name Therefore God did exalt Christ and raise him from the dead and bring him to Heaven because hee obeyed the death of the Crosse and took on him the forme of a servant Psal 110. last Vers He shall drinke of the brooke in thy way therefore shall hee lift up the Head Because thou dyedst and sufferedst therefore thou shalt lift up thy head therefore thou shalt ascend up to Heaven Heb. 2.9 But we see Jesus who was made a little lower then the Angells for the suffering of Death crowned with glory and honour that hee by the grace of God should taste death for every man For suffering of Death hee was crowned with Glory and Honour to translate him bodily into heaven that is a second Argument Thirdly Christ was taken up bodily to heaven it was to manifest to the World that Christ was God as well as man to manifest the God head of Jesus Christ therefore taken up bodily to heaven Eph. 4.9 10. Now that hee ascended what is it but that hee also descended first into the lower parts of the Earth Hee that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things There the Apostle proves that Christs going up to heaven it was an argument that Christ came downe from heaven So in John 6.62 What and if yee shall see the Sonne of man ascend up where hee was before That shews that Christ was in heaven before therefore must bee God Coequall and Coeternall with God the Father and thus you have the second poynt dispatched to you shewing the reasons why Jesus Christ must go bodily into heaven The third point is I but what benefit and comfort
inequall manner in the Life to come as thou hast gone beyond some Men in graces so thou shalt bee beyond some Men in glory in being present in enjoying the bodily presence of Jesus Christ thou shalt know all the bodies of all thy well-beloved friends that thou knowest here in the World this most Divines doe concurre in Bolton is very strong for it all our Moderne Authors are for it and some of the Antients too I onely give it as a probable advantage and eomfort when a Man shall say Here is the Child that I sought God for and may the Minister say Here is the People that I have Preached to and the people say here is the Minister now in Heaven that I have heard take these probable grounds for it First that the wicked knew the godly in Heaven Dives in Hell knew Lazarus in Heaven Then wee reade likewise in Luke 13.28 There shall bee Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth when yee shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome of God and you your selves thrust out Now the damned in Hell shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of God and why shall not the Godly know one another there Then againe Peter James and John knew Moses in the transfiguration Mat. 13. Then againe the godly they knew the damned in Hell Therefore certainly they may know one another in Heaven It is said in Mat. 8.11 And I say unto you that many shall come from the East and West and shall sit downe with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of Heaven I doe not give you this for certaine I am loth in things controversall tossed to and fro by learned Men but there are strong Hints and Foundations at best to build hopes on that in thy knowing of Christ in Person that when the bodies of the Elect shall bee raised thou shalt know the bodies of thy elected Friends Boulton here thinkes it should detract much from the happinesse of every Saint in Heaven if every Saint should not know one another which knew one another here upon the Earth this addes much to this happinesse in that they shall have a sociable Communion in being with Christ in Person where hee is And thus much for the Adjuncts of this Condition that where Christ is there yee may bee also Vse The use then If it be so that where Jesus Christ is that place where hee is gone to Heaven there you shall bee also then I Inferre O take it well at Christs Hand suppose thou livest here in a smoaky Cottage Suppose thou hast not a place to put thy Head in O thinke what a place Christ is gone to prepare for thee why hee is gone to prepare no worse a place for thee then Heaven Nay bee content with a Prison be content with a Dungeon O the place in Heaven shall make a recompence for all the obscure places in the World Suppose thou beest as Christ was in the World that the Foxes have holes and the Birds of the Ayre have nests but the Sonne of Man hath not whereon for to lay his Head but hee hath a House in Heaven a House not made with hands a building of GOD hee hath his Fathers House in Heaven there you may goe you must bee patient though the places you dwell in are not so comfortable as you may desire but you shall be where Jesus Christ is Secondly if it be so that it is the great benefit of Christs coming againe to take us to himselfe to be in the same place where hee is O then take heede that thou beest not foolish to lose a place in Heaven for worldly profits and preferments for Earth to lose Heaven it is the great Bayte and Engine of these times to have places and Preferments and Advantages take heede they doe not make you to lose the place in Heaven where Christ is Historians that write of Tiberius they stigmatize him for a very foole that would for a drop of drinke sell his Kingdome and so was called of Tiberius Biberius O there are many such Biberius's in the world that for a draft of Drinke will venture the danger of Drinking downe shovells full of Fire to their owne damnation many in the World that will rather then lose their Places and Possessions here upon Earth they will venture the losing of that place to bee even where Jesus Christ is Thus I have in ten Sermons finished Five maine Poynts of Religion And if I goe and prepare a place for you I will come againe and receive you unto my selfe that where I am there yee may bee also FINIS An Alphabeticall TABLE to the first Part of the Saints advantage by Christs Ascension c. A. THe Ascension of Christ an advantage to the Saints the whole scope of the Booke Ascension of Christ the manner how page 33 Antichrist troubled the Church when the Roman Emperour did not p. 98 The Athenians question the Doctrin of Christs coming to Judgement 113 Anathema the meaning of the word p. 126 Abrahams bosome what p. 139 Adam in innocency how instated p. 170 B. The bodily presence of Christ in Heaven a singular benefit to Saints on Earth p. 6.21 Bodies three only in Heaven p. 34 The benefit of Christs Ascension p. 35 Bernards and Brightmans Opinion with the Authors of the phrase of living and reigning with Christ p. 100 The bodies as well as the Soules of the godly shall be received into Heaven p. 131 Christ taken bodily up into Heaven p. 13 The bodies endowments when Christ comes to receive them p. 153 C. Christs Arguments to his Disciples when he was toleave the World Christ gone bodily up to Heaven p. 2 Proved and Confirmed By Scripture p. 6 Proved and Confirmed By Tipes Ibidem Proved and Confirmed By Prophesies p. 7 Proved and Confirmed By The Apostles p. 9 Proved and Confirmed By The Angells p. 10 Proved and Confirmed By Severall reasons p. 11 Christ gone to Heaven to prepare a place for the Elect in what sense p. 36 Christs coming againe what understood thereof p. 51 Christ's personall reigne upon earth the rise of that opinion p. 71 72 73 Christ's sitting at the right hand of God how long p. 75 Christ must reigne how long p. 76. 77 Christ at his coming to Judgement gives his Kingdome to the Father p. 77 Christ shall not become an earthly Monar p. 27 Christ's second coming not to reigne upon Earth p. 77 Christ shall not reigne personally reas why 78 Christ's comming the concomitants thereof 79 Christ's personall reigne contrary to the Tenor of the Scripture p. 79 Christ's personall reigne a disadvantage to the Saints and Angells p. 86. 88 Christ at his Birth and Resurre a King p. 89 Christians 5000 a day put to death when p. 98 Christians 1700 in one month in whose reigne Ibid. Christ shall come like a thiefe p. 103 Christs coming againe the manner how Christ shall come Certainly p. 113
of Christ is now in Heaven it were enough then that Opinion of Transubstantiation is hereby confuted Christs Body cannot be in Heaven and on the Earth both at one time Fourthly the ascension of Christ it overthrows the Opinion of the Carpocraciani that hold that onely his soule did goe to Heaven and his body perished as others And this cannot be for the Disciples said that they saw Christ ascend and this must be his Body for they could not see his soul for the soule is a spirit Now you see the reason why I spent so much time in the morning in giving you many Texts of Scripture to prove this poynt because there are so many Hereticks that doe oppugne this Doctrine of CHRISTS Ascension I now come to give you three or foure practicall deductions First is Christs body now in Heaven then I infer O thou that canst lay a grounded clayme for an interest in Jesus Christ O be not thou afrayd to die doe not thou be afrayd to die that canst lay a claime in Jesus Christ because thy Christ is in Heaven and when thou diest death is but a Trap-doore to let thee in to endlesse joy where Christ is why should wee bee as children to looke on death as a Bugbeare but looke upon death as being a passage into thy Fathers house as being a Trap-doore to let thee in where Jesus Christ is Gen. 45.25.27 And they went up out of Aegypt and came into the Land of Canaan unto Jacob their Father And they told him all the words of Joseph which hee had said unto them and when hee saw the Waggons which Joseph had sent to carry him the spirit of Iacob their Father revived Did Jacob rejoyce to see a Wagon or a Chariot that would carry him into Aegypt to see his Sonne Joseph and wilt not thou rejoyce to thinke that death is a chariot to carry thee to Jesus Christ to carry thee to Heaven O therefore let not thy heart be troubled to die because death is but a chariot to carry thee to Heaven Is Christ gone into heaven Then secondly labour thou whilst thou livest on the Earth to ascend to Christ in Divine and holy Ejaculations and Meditations Is Christ in Heaven then why should not thy heart be where thy head is why shouldst thou be grovelling on the Earth seeing thy Christ is now in Heaven It is a speech of Christ Canticles 3.6 Who is this that cometh out of the Wildernesse like Pillars of smoke perfumed with Myrrhe and Franckincense with all powders of the Merchant Thou shouldst ascend up to Christ though thou beest in trouble in the Wildernesse of this World O ascend up to Christ in holy Meditations the use the Apostle makes of it Colos 3.1 If yee then be risen with Christ seeke those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right Hand of God The argument is where Christ sits at the right Hand of God set your affections there and so in the Phil. 3.20 For our conversation is in Heaven from whence also wee looke for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Christ is in Heaven therefore our conversation must be where our head is It is a notable Text Mat. 24.28 For wheresoever the Carkeise is there will the Eagles be gathered together That Christ being in Heaven it should make you ascend in your hearts heavenward It is true there are some that wrest these words and give this sence of them that they make the carkeise to be the Jewes and the Eagles to be the Romans because the Romans diduse the Eagle in their Banner and Ensigne of War therefore they say where the Jews were the Romans should come though this was a truth yet not the scope of the Text it is generally overthrowne by most Interpreters But where the carkeise is thither will the Eagles resort Gerrard doth chiefly referre it to the day of judgement where the carkeise is thither will the Eagles resort that is where Jesus Christ is in Heaven as the Eagles doe follow after the carkeise to feed upon that so the people of God as Eagles are gathered about a carkeise the people of God shall be gathered about Jesus Christ and this I doe confesse is the chiefe scope of the place and doe believe it is the chief intendment of the holy Ghost but Gerrard hee makes another use of it too and referres it to the power and efficacy of the Gospell in this Life Christ is now in Heaven saith Gerrard that the Gospell shall be as powerfull on men in the World that it shall make men as eager to come after Christ into Heaven as the Eagle is after the prey so your Soules shall be as eager after the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven as the Eagle is after her prey Thirdly I infer hence that before you presume to apply the benefits and the comforts of Christs Ascention into Heaven labour to feele in your own hearts the efficacy of Christs Death and Ascention every man applies the Benefit of Christs Death and Resurrection and Christs Ascention before they finde the efficacy of his Death and the efficacy of his Resurrection It is the Apostles word saith hee I labour to finde the power of his Resurrection so do you labour to finde the power of his Death and the power of his Ascention before you finde the comfort of it It is to make thee less Earthly minded more passionately eager and importunely earnest after the Lord Jesus Christ dost thou feele the power of his Ascention to make thee more heavenly minded and lesse earthly minded O labour to feele the efficacy and power of it else I might say to you as Jacob said to his Mother in Genesis 27.12 My Father peradventure will feele mee and I shall seeme to him as a deceiver and I shall bring a curse upon mee and not a blessing Nay without a peradventure God will feele and try whether you are men or no that have right to a blessing that shall have any reall advantage by the benefit of Christs Death of Christs Resurrection and Ascention God will try whether you doe not seeke to deceive your owne Soules and deceive God himselfe if so you will rather have a curse then a blessing if you seeke to apply the comfort of Christs Ascention before you feele the efficacy of it on your owne hearts For those that hold Christs Ascention with us yet they doe vary about some properties about the manner of Christs going away which I give it to you in these properties First Christ went to Heaven visibly in Acts 1. It was no transcient glance of the Eye but they stedfastly beheld Jesus Christ they saw him when hee went away Againe Secondly Christ went to Heaven bodily therefore those do erre that hold that onely his Soule did goe to Heaven and his body perished as others doe Thirdly hee went to Heaven locally hee ascended locally there are some men that hold that every place is Heaven where God is
Judgement First because it is said that the time here spoken of it is when the Jewes were to be refreshed from the Lords presence v. 19 20 21. Repent yee therefore and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And hee shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you Whom the Heaven must receive untill the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the World began And they cannot be refreshed by the Lords presence till Christs coming to judgement Secondly it was the time that God did solemnly declare pardon of sinne for all the Elect Repent yee therefore and bee converted that our Sinnes may hee blotted out Thirdly it is said of which all the Prophets do beare witnesse those that doe plead for Christs personall Reigne a thousand yeares upon the Earth they cannot say that all the Prophets did speake this for Moses Daniel and others nay none of the Prophets speake of Christs Reigne a thousand yeares upon the Earth therefore this cannot have a reference to Christs Reigne for a thousand yeares upon the Earth A Second Scripture is in Psal 110.1 The Lord said unto my Lord sit thou at my right Hand untill I make thine Enemies thy Foote-stoole That Scripture tells you that Jesus Christ who is ascended into heaven and sits at Gods right Hand there that Christ shall sit at Gods right Hand how long till hee hath made all his Enemies his Foote-stoole The Apostle tells you that all Enemies to be made Christs Foot-stoole cannot be till Christs coming at the last time Will you marke that Scripture that the Apostle telleth you directly 1 Cor. 15.23 24 25 26. But every man in his owne Order Christ the first Fruits afterwards they that are Christs at his coming Then cometh the end when hee shall have delivered up the Kingdome to God even the Father when hee shall have put down all rule and all authority and all power For hee must reigne till hee hath put all Enemies under his Feets The last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death Here is the coming of Christ that hath reference to all the Just and Unjust Marke now Christ therefore must reigne in Heaven till all enemies be under his Feete now these thousand yeares all Enemies are not under his Feete why because death will be then death is not to be destroyed then for there will be thousands of Men upon the Earth but when the end comes hee must give up his Kingdome to his Father What is more cleare then this that the Heavens must keepe Christ till all things bee restored and that cannot be till the day of Judgement Againe Christ must reigne so long till the end of the World The third Scripture is in the 1 Cor. 15.23.24 But every Man in his owne Order Christ the first Fruits afterwards they that are Christs at his coming Then cometh the end when hee shall have delivered up the Kingdome to God even the Father when hee shall have put down all rule and all authority and all power This Scripture telleth you that when Christ cometh out of Heaven upon Christs coming three things must be done First every man must rise vers 23. Now that cannot be at a thousand years because they themselves hold this that there shall onely be a Resurrection of the Martyrs and here the Scripture saith that every man shall rise which cannot be till the day of Judgement Secondly when Christ comes then comes the end the Apostle tells us of his coming and the end of the World to note that Christs coming and the end of the World shall be together Thirdly hee delivers his Kingdome up to his Father whereas if Christ should reigne a thousand years here it could not be said to be the giving up of a Kingdome but to the taking of a Kingdome into possession hèe must resigne all to God the Father When the Scripture is so expresse it is a wonder that men can fancy such fantasticall thoughts that Christ must come as an Earthly Monarch to reigne here a thousand years A fourth Scripture is in Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to beare the sinnes of many and unto them that looke for him shall hee appeare the second time without sinne unto Salvation From that Scripture I will argue against Christs coming to reigne upon the Earth for a thousand yeares First it is expresly in the Scripture that Christs coming there spoken of it referres to the day of judgement in vers 27. And as it is appointed unto men once to dy but after this the judgement There Christs second coming it doth referre to the day of Judgement Now if the Scripture doth call that his second coming which is his coming to judgement then Christ cannot come before that time as to reigne upon the Earth for if hee should come to reigne upon the Earth then the Apostle must call that his third coming there was but one coming which was from Heaven to the Wombe of the Virgin and there is no other coming but a second coming that is to judgement that is his second coming Secondly it is said Christ shall come the second time to our Salvation it cannot be said to our Salvation if his coming were to reigne a thousand yeares upon the earth it were onely a worldly way but Christs comming it must referre to the last and great coming wherein the World shall be judged and the Soules of the Elect shall be saved Beloved these Scriptures are very cleare unto mee The reasons are two that Christ shall not come personally out of Heaven to reigne upon the Earth for a thousand years First because the Scripture doth manifest that when Christ comes personally out of Heaven there are such Concomitants of his coming that can be refâ—rred to no other time then his last coming to judge the World First when Christ is said to come out of Heaven the Scripture telleth you this Concomitant that the Saints shall come along with him Jude 14. And Enoch also the seventh from Adam prophesied of these saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints So that when Christ comes from Heaven hee must come with his Saints with him nay he must come with his Angels 2 Thess 1.7 And to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels These two Scriptures put together Christ must come with his Saints and Angells I but those that fancy Christs coming a thousand years they cannot prove that Christ shall come with his Saints and Angells for the Scripture that seemes to carry it that way doth not speak of Angells and Saints coming Secondly it is said when Christ comes from Heaven that good and bad shall be gathered together and all shall be judged by Jesus Christ now this cannot bee of Christs personall
is that to us that Jesus Christ is now bodily in heaven what comfort was this to the Disciples that Jesus Christ should leave them that hee must goe from them unto his Fathers house There are seven particulars that it is great ground of comfort to all the people of God that Jesus Christ is gone bodily to heaven The first ground of comfort is this Christs going to heaven bodily it assures you of Christs full Triumph and compleat conquest over all your spirituall Enemies This the Apostle lays down as a ground of comfort upon Christs Ascention Eph. 4.8 Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men That is the Devill and Sinne that carried you captive and Christ by his going up to heaven hath led them captive that is hath led your spirituall enemies that carried you captive led them captive Christ alluded to the custome among the Romans when the Roman Conquerour was to come to the Cardinall of Rome to rejoyce in his victory over his enemies the Conquerour did use to tie his Captives to the Chariot-wheeles So Christ did carry his Captives by his wheeles as it were hee led captivity captive Colos 2.15 And having spoyled Principalities and Powers hee made a shew of them openly Triumphing over them in it So that Beloved here is one great comfort that Christ by going up to heaven doth manifest and declare to all the World that hee hath overcome the Grave Death Devill and Sinne for neither could they hold Christ in the chaines thereof Secondly Christs going bodily to heaven It is a pledge to you that Christ will one day bring your bodies to heaven I goe to heaven that I may receive you to my selfe that you may be bodily in heaven where Christ is In John 14.19 Yet a little while and the World seeth mee no more but yee see mee because I live yee shall live also As if hee should say well I must leave you and I must go to heaven before you but because I live in heaven and live there bodily you shall also live with mee in heaven with your bodies Tertullian doth make this use of it to comfort the Christians in his days saith hee Jesus Christ did carry our flesh into heaven with him and hee is of our flesh and of our bone Now saith Tertullian Jesus Christ hath carried flesh into heaven this is a good pledge unto us that our flesh shall be in heaven where Christs is also Therefore O flesh and bloud doe thou rejoyce thou hast possest heaven in Christ already And Christ would be imperfect in heaven should not the bodies of Believers come there also because he lives in heaven you shall live there also Thirdly Christs going bodily to heaven it is a ground of comfort to you in this because Christ is gone bodily into heaven to performe and accomplish his Sacerdotall Office that is as a high Priest hee is now in heaven to performe the Office of a high Priest to make intercession to God his Father in your behalfe that your sinnes might be pardoned that your Soules might bee saved that your bodies might be raised and received into heaven with him in Glory Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the Figures of the true but into heaven it selfe now to appeare in the presence of God for us Christ is entred into the very heavens that hee might appeare before God for us so in Heb. 7.26 For such an high Priest became us who is holy harmelesse undefiled seperate from sinners and made higher then the heavens It became us to have a high Priest in Heaven Therefore observe though it was a great benefit to the Disciples to have Christs Bodily presence yet Jesus Christ could never have fulfilled the office of the Priest-hood to make intercession for all the Elect if Christ had not gone bodily into heaven Will you observe one Text in Heb. 8.4 For if hee were on Earth hee should not be a Priest seeing that there are Priests that offer-gifts according to the Law Christ must goe to heaven and there hee is a Priest Now if hee were upon the Earth hee could not be a Priest for us therefore wee have great advantage by CHRISTS going into heaven O beloved then looke on this as a great comfort that our Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven in his Body Flesh and Bloud appearing before God making Intercession for all his people This was typed out under the Law Exod. 28.9 10 11 12. verses And thou shalt take two Onix Stones and grave on them the Names of the Children of Israel Six of their Names on one stone and the other six Names of the rest on the other stone according to their Birth With the worke of an ingraver in stone like the ingravings of a signet shalt thou ingrave the two stones with the names of the Children of Israel thou shalt make them to be set in Ouches of gold And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the Ephod for stones of memoriall unto the Children of Israel And Aaron shall beare their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memoriall This is a Type of Jesus Christ our high Priest who is gone not into the holy of holiest but in it selfe the holy of holiest and there he hath not onely the names of all the Elect of God throughout the world on his Breast but he hath them in his heart and there he makes intercession for them to his Father This is a Third ground of Comfort that you have of Christs going bodily into Heaven which assures you that Christ is now in Heaven A Fourth ground of comfort you have by Christs going into Heaven is this that Jesus Christ is gone into heaven to convey to you a fuller communication of the gifts and graces of his spirit then was bestowed on his people whilst hee was upon the Earth Ephes 4. ver 8. Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men It is an illusion to the Roman custome that when the Conquerour rode in Triumph towards the Capitoll he did not onely leade the Prisoners by the Charet wheeles but likewise scattered mony to the Spectators that saw him ride along in triumph so the Lord Jesus Christ having by his Ascension spoyled death and the Devill this Jesus Christ doth cast his gifts unto men dispenseth his graces in a greater measure into the hearts of his people not that we are to run into the Socinian errour because of this text they gather that before Christs Ascension into heaven there was no saving gifts of the spirit and they ground it on that text Joh. 7. ver 38 39. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water But this spake he of the spirit which they that believe
that is a truth but Heaven is a distinct place from the Earth and Hell Christ had a mutation of place from the Earth to the third heaven therefore saith he the Earth shall hold me no more Fourthly hee did ascend into Heaven powerfully Indeed other men went to Heaven bodily not by their own strength but it was by a borrowed strength Elias had a fiery charriot to carry him to heaven but Christ had none for he went to heaven by his own strength Lastly Christ went to Heaven though not singly yet hee went to heaven bodily There are three bodies in Heaven there is the body of Enoch the body of Elias and the body of Christ all in heaven else are onely Spirits Saints and Angels Enoch went to heaven bodily as a Type of Christs Ascension before the Law and Elias under the Law Christ under the Gospel Divines say that this shewes there was Salvation by Christ before the Law and there was Salvation by Christ under the Law and Salvation by Christ in the time of the Gospell but there is a difference betweene their going to heaven First Enoch and Elias went to heaven but they did not die and rise from the dead and then ascend into heaven but first Christ dyed and then Christ was raised out of the Grave and then within forty dayes hee did ascend into heaven there was one difference Againe they did not ascend to heaven by their owne strength but by the power of God they did ascend into heaven but wee have got no good by their Ascension no benefit or merit accrues unto us by their being in heaven but there is great benefit redounding to us by Christs being in heaven for saith Christ I goe to Heaven to prepare a place for you Againe Enoch went to heaven but hee could not give the Spirit so Elias went to heaven but hee could not give the Spirit I but our Lord Jesus Christ he is gone bodily into heaven hee hath Ascended up on high and hath given gifts unto men Againe they went to heaven saith Polanus onely as Citizens of heaven but Christ went to heaven as the Lord of heaven who is there in his body and in his person and these are the short and transcient hints that I have given you on the first part of the Text. I now come to the second thing in the Text to the benefit that Believers have by Christs going bodily into heaven I go and prepare a place for you Doct. 1 The Observation is this That the fruit and benefit that all the Elect of God have by Christs going into Heaven is to prepare a place for them there I goe and prepare a place for you Now in the handling of this Doctrine there are three particulars First I shall shew you in what sense Christs going bodily into heaven prepares heaven for Believers Secondly I shall shew you how can this Scripture say that by Christs Ascension Heaven is prepared for us when other Scriptures say that Heaven was prepared for us from the beginning of the World Thirdly whither did the Patriarks and righteous holy men of God goe that lived before Christs Ascention into Heaven whither went they when they died therefore the Church of Rome gather from this Text that before Christ went to heaven there were none went into heaven but all went into a place called Limbus Patrum First in what sense may it be said that Christ by his going into heaven prepares a place for Believers there I answer in these three regards that Christ by going into heaven prepares a place there First by way of Representation Christ is not gone to heaven as every man as a single and private person but Christ is gone into heaven as a common and a publique person Christ is gone up to heaven with flesh and blood and with our natures hee is gone to heaven and hee is gone there as a Representer of all the Elect Jesus Christ is gone to heaven representing the persons of all the Elect of God upon the Earth Hence it is that you have a passage Eph. 2.6 And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus We are not in heavenly places wee are in earthly places but wee doe sit in heaven because Christ is now in heaven hee being gone to heaven as a common and a publique person a Representer of all the elect Heb. 6.20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered even Jesus made an high Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedec Hee did not goe there for himselfe but for us Christ did dye as a publique person representing all the Elect of God and Christ did go to heaven as a publique person and hath taken possession of heaven in our stead Christ keepes our inheritance there saith Grossius Christ is said to prepare a place for us in heaven just as a company of Travellers when they are going a journey they send one man before to be their harbinger to take up lodging in the Inne and make provision for them against they come to the Inne our Lord Jesus Christ is gone to heaven before to prepare a place for the Elect there Secondly Christ prepares a place for the Elect by way of intercession Heb. 9.24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the Figures of the true but into Heaven it selfe now to appeare in the presence of God for us That as the Priest under the Law when hee went to the holy places hee had the Names of all the Tribes on his breast so the Lord Jesus Christ our great high Priest having the Names of all the Elect not only on his breast but in his heart praying to his Father that wee might come there and by vertue of his Intercession that in another way that heaven is prepared Thirdly Christ is said to prepare heaven for us by way of Operation in us hee prepares heaven for us by preparing us for heaven and this is the sence that Austin gives of these words Jesus Christ prepares a Mansion for us in heaven when hee prepares us the Inhabitants for Heaven here is the great evidence for Heaven are your hearts prepared then you may be assured that Heaven is prepared for you Col. 1.12 13 14 Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in Light Who hath delivered us from the power of darkenesse and hath translated us into the Kingdome of his deare Sonne In whom wee have Redemption through his blood even the forgivenesse of sinnes An unconverted man is not a meet man for Heaven now when Christ makes you meete for Heaven hee then prepares a place for thee 1 Peter 1.3 4 5. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us againe unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Iesus from the Dead To an Inheritance
a Resurrection of the Dead both of the just and unjust And herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a conscience void of offence towards God and towaeds men The thoughts of Christs coming to judge the Quick and the Dead should make you have thoughts of that to have a good conscience void of offence towards God and Man 2 Pet 3.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought yee to be in all holy conversation and godlinesse And thus much for the first caution that you are to look on the coming of Christ as a Doctrine serviceable as well for duty as comfort The second caution is this take heed of peremptory conclusions about this darke and obscure thing touching the Doctrine of Christs coming to judge the World There are many loose and lavish frolick wits that have bold and adventurous attempts touching the corning of the Lord in determining that which the Scripture determineth not it is not my intent to trouble you with niceâ—ies but onely check the frollick and bold attempts who goe about to determine of that which the Scripture doth no way reveale to which take heede of these things First take heede of determining the place from whence Christ shall come The Papists they are bold this way they hold you in hand that Christ shall come from the East Therefore our Churches all of them were built East and West and upon that ground that Christ would come from the East the Scripture saith that Christ shall comes as lightning from the East but that doth not shew the place from whence hee comes but as Christ shall come as Lightning it notes the visibility of Christs coming and the celerity of Christs coming Lightning it is visible and so shall Christs coming be all shall see him as yee shall see Lightning Now bold attempts it hath beene the Foundation to many Superstitious Opinions and that is the reason of bowing and cringing towards the East All rose meerely from that ground of Christs coming from the East the Scripture onely saith that hee shall come down from Heaven and the Lord shall come from Heaven but from what part of the Heaven the Scripture speaketh not Againe passe not bold attempts in determining the place where Christ shall come to judge the World many men where the Scripture is silent doe run into many strong conceits to determine that which the Scripture doth not many Books doe determine the place where Christ shall come to judge the World and that is in the Valley of Jehoshaphat and there is one Tâ—xt which seemes to carry it that way which is in Joel 3.12 Let the Heathen be a wakened and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat for there will I sit to judge all the Heathen round about Here they do conjâ—cture that Christ shall come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat and there he shall judge all the World and I shall to shew the vanity and weaknesse of these take these five Demonstrations First hee that judgeth here it is not spoken of God the Sonne but of God the Father therefore cannot have a reference to the last Judgement for Christ judgeth them Secondly the judgement here onely referres to the judging of the Heathen round about Now the generall judgement is for the judging of the righteous and the unrighteous Thirdly that it is impossible that the Valley of Jehoshaphas should containe all the men that ever were that are and that shall be in the World to be judged therefore it is not probable that this hath refetence to the last judgement Fourthly the time that this judgement here is spoken of it is limited by the Prophet himselfe for compare this verse with the second verse I will also gather all Nations and will bring them downe into the Valley of Jehoshaphat and will pleade with them there for my People and for my heritage Israel whom they have scattered among the Nations and parted my Land The time is spoken of when God shall turne againe the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem then God should judge the Babylonians and those Heathen Nations that assisted them for to undoe the people of God therefore it refers to some time after the captivity and not to the generall and last coming of the Sonne of God and thus much for taking off that Text from being a patronage of that fond conceit of Christs coming to judge the World in the Valley of Jehoshaphat and the Scripture is farre from giving you the place where Christ shall come to judgement either in the Valley of Jehoshaphat or Mount Olivet but onely in the ayre 1 Thess 4.17 Then wee which are alive and remaine shall bee caught up together with them in the clouds to meete the Lord in the Aire and so shall wee ever be with the Lord. The Scripture doth make no mention of Christs coming upon the Earth at all So much for the second caution take heede of bold attempts and conjectures about the place of Christs judgement Thirdly take heed of bold attempts about the time of Christs judgement there have beene them which have shewne abundance of weakenesse in this Gerrard doth confute the folly of such men that doe guesse at the time when Christ shall come to judge the World Austin doth make mention of some in his time that held that Christ should come to judge the World a thousand years after his Death but wee have seene their folly and shame for there is more time expired then that Another saith that some held in his time that Christ should come to judge the World 365. yeares after his Death that is a folly likewise for there is more time past then that Luther saith that there were Anabaptists which held that in the yeare 1530 Christ should come to judge the World but wee have seene their folly likewise for there is more time past then that Naples though a learned Nobleman in Scotland hee was too frolick in this way for hee doth boldly say that Christ shall come to judge the World â—n the yeare 1683. but beloved Christs coming to judge the World cannot be determined for Christ would not gratifie his owne Apostles to tell them the time when his coming should be Mat. 24. Hee would not tell them when the end of the world should be it shewes then that it is great pride of heart to passe peremptory attempts upon the period of time Christ did not thinke it meete for to tell his Apostles of the time of his coming 1 Thess 5.1 But of the times and seasons Brethren yee have no neede that I write unto you nay Angells in Heaven And Christ himselfe as hee was meere Man could not tell the time Mark 13.32 But of that Day and that Houre knoweth no man no not the Angells which are in Heaven neither the Sonne but the Father Mat. 24.36 But of that Day and Houre knoweth no Man no not the Angells of Heaven but my Father onely I onely