EXTRACTS
FROM
THE WORKS
ISAAC AMBROSE,
Some time Minister of Garatang, in Lancashire,
CONTINUED.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS,
IN HIS
ASCENSION, SESSION, BLVD MISSION OF
HIS SPIRIT.
THE SEVENTH BOOK.
CHAP. 1:
SECT. 1: Of CHRIST's Ascension.
THUS far we have traced JESUS in his
acting for us, "until the day in which he was taken up." That which
immediately follows, is his ascension, session at GOD’s right hand, and mission of his Holy Spirit; in prosecution
of which particulars, as in the former, I shall first lay down the object;
and secondly, direct you how to look upon it. The object is threefold. 1.
He ascended into heaven. 2. He sat down at GOD’s
right hand. 3. He sent down the Holy Ghost.
The ascension of CHRIST; this was a glorious event,
and of absolute necessity to the salvation of our souls. In prosecution of
this subject, I shall show, That he ascended: How he ascended: Whither he
ascended: Why he ascended.
1. That he ascended. (1.) The prophets
foresaw it; I saw in the night visions," said Daniel, “and behold one
like the Son of Man, came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient
of Days, and they brought him near before him, and there was given him dominion,
and glory,. and a kingdom." (2.) The evangelists relate it, "He
was received tip into heaven-he was carried up into heaven." (3.) The
eleven witness it; "For while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud
received him out of their sight." (4.) The holy angels attest it; "
For while they looked steadfastly towards heaven, as he went up, behold two
men stood by them in-white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same JESUS, which
is taken up from you into heaven, shall come in like manner as ye have seen
him go into heaven."
2. How he ascended. (1.) He ascended
blessing his apostles; "While he blessed them, he was parted from them,
and carried up into heaven." It is some comfort to CHRIST's
ministers, that though the world hate them, CHRIST does bless them; yea, he
parted with them in a way of blessing; as Jacob, leaving the world, blessed
his sons; so CHRIST, leaving the-world, blessed his apostles, and all the
faithful ministers of CHRIST, unto the end of the world. (2.) He ascended
visibly in the view of the apostles " While they beheld, he was taken
up;" he was not suddenly snatched away, as Elijah was; nor secretly and
privitly taken away, as Enoch was; but in the presence
of them all, both his apostles and disciples, he ascended up into heaven.
(3.) He ascended principally by, the mighty power of his Godhead: thus never
any ascended up into heaven but JESUS CHRIST; for though Enoch and Elijah
were assumed into heaven, yet not by their power; nor by themselves, it was
GOD’s power by which they ascended, and it was by
the help and ministry of angels. (4.) He ascended in a cloud; "While
they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight."
Hereby he spewed, that he was Lord of all the creatures; he had already trampled
upon the earth, walked upon the sea, vanquished hell or the grave, and Plow
the clouds receive him; and the heavens are opened to make way for this King
of Glory to: enter in. And when he ascended, “He led captivity captive, and
gave gifts unto men." 1. He led them captive who had captivated us.
Death was led captive without a sting; hell was led captive as one that had
lost her victory; the serpent's head being bruised, was led before him in
triumph, as was Goliath's head by David, returning from the victory. 2. He
gave gifts unto men; this was as the shutting up and finishing part of CHRIST's
triumph, in his ascension to heaven. What these gifts were, we shall speak
in the mission of the Holy Ghost.
3. Whither he ascended, the gospel
tells us "into heaven;" only Paul says, that " He ascended
far above all heavens." But the meaning is, he went above all those visible
heavens, into those heavenly mansions, where the angels and the spirits of
the just have their abode.
4. Why he ascended, the reasons are,
(l.) On CHRIST's part, that through his passion
he might pass to glory. " Ought not CHRIST to have suffered these things,
and so to enter into his glory?" (2.) On our part: 1. That in our stead
he might triumph over sin, death, and hell. In his resurrection he conquered,
but in his ascension he led sin, death, and the devil in triumph at his chariot
wheels. Arid the meaning of the Psalmist, and of the apostle, "When he
ascended up on high, he led captivity captive," is, he vanquished and
triumphed over all our enemies; he overcame the world, he bound the devil,
he spoiled hell, he weakened sin, he destroyed death, and now he makes a public
triumphal show of them in his own person. It is to the same purpose that the
apostle speaks elsewhere, " Having spoiled principalities and powers,
he made a spew of them openly, triumphing over them in himself;" it is
a manifest allusion to the manner of triumphs after victories amongst the
Romans: first, they spoiled the enemy upon the place, before they stirred
off the field; and the same was done by CHRIST on the cross; and then they
made a public triumphal chew; they rode through the streets in the greatest
state, and had their spoils carried before them, and the kings and nobles
whom they had taken, they bound to their chariots, and led them as captives;
and the same did CHRIST at his ascension; " Then he openly triumphed,"
e' aura, " in himself," that is, in his own power and strength.
2. That he might lead us the way, and open to us the doors of glory. 3. That
he might assure us, that now he had run through all those offices which be
was to perform here on earth for our redemption. First, he was to act as our
Surety, and then he was to ascend as our Head, our Advocate, as the First-fruits,
the Captain, the Prince of life, the Author of salvation, the Forerunner of
his people. 4. That he might thoroughly convince believers of his perfect
righteousness, and of their justification through him; "The Spirit, when
he comes," (says CHRIST,) "shall convince the world of sin, and
righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they believe not on me; of
righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more." If
CHRIST had not fulfilled all righteousness, there had been no -going to heaven
for him, nor remaining there; but his ascension to heaven proclaims openly,
1. That he has completely finished the work he had to do for us here. 2. That
GOD was well pleased with him, and with what he had done and suffered for
us. 3. That we have our share in heaven with him; he went not up as a single
person, but virtually, or mystically, he carried up all believers with him
into glory. 4. That he had a new design to be acted in heaven for us: He was
taken up into glory, that he might accomplish gloriously the second part of
our righteousness; I mean, that he might apply it, and send down his Spirit
to convince us of it. Three great things CHRIST acts for us now in glory.
First, he is in place of an advocate and intercessor for us: "He lives
to intercede for us." Secondly, he is the great Provider for us: he is
laying in a stock of glory for us against we come there; "In my Father's
house are many mansions;--I go to prepare a
place for-you." Thirdly, He sends down his
Spirit to convince us, that CHRIST's righteousness
is ours. Indeed, the means of procuring this, was the life and death of CHRIST.;
but the means of applying this righteousness are those following acts of CHRIST's
resurrection, ascension, session, intercession. By his death he obtained righteousness
for us, but by his ascension he applies righteousness to us, or confers it
upon us.
SECT. 2:
Of GOD’s right Hand, and of CHRIST'
Ascension there.
For the session of CHRIST at GOD’s
right hand, I shall examine, 1. What is GOD’s right
hand, and what it is to sit there? 2. According to what nature CHRIST sits
there. 3. Why is it that he sits at the right hand of God.
1. What is this right hand of God?
I answer, The right hand of GOD is the majesty, dignity, dominion, power,
and glory of God. "The right band of the Lord is exalted, the right-hand
of the Lord does valiantly." "Thy right hand, O Lord, is become
glorious in power; thy right hand, O Lord, has dashed in pieces the enemy:"
Now his being said to sit at GOD’s right hand does
not imply any corporal session there; which Stephen contradicts, saying,
" I see the heavens opened, and the- Son of man standing on the right
hand of God." The words sitting, or standing, are both metaphorical,
and borrowed from the custom of kings, who place those they honor, and to
whom they commit the power of government, at their right hand. But more particularly,
this sitting at GOD’s right hand implies two things.
(I.) His glorious exaltation. (2.) The actual administration of his kingdom.
(3) CHRIST is exalted: "Wherefore GOD also has highly exalted him, and
given him a name above every name, that at the name of JESUS every knee should
bow." This session is the supreme dignity and glory, given by the Father
unto CHRIST after his ascension; it-is the peerless exaltation of the Mediator
in his kingdom of glory. But how was CHRIST exalted? I answer, 1. In the regard
of his Divine nature; not really, or in itself: for it was impossible that
the Divine nature should receive any intrinsical
glory, because all fullness of glory essentially belonged unto it; but declaratorily,
or by way of manifestation; so it was, that his divinity; during the time
of his humiliation, lay hidden and overshadowed; but now in his session, that
divinity and glory which he had always with his Father, was showed forth-ant(
declared " He was declared to be the- Son of GOD with power," both
at his resurrection, and at his session. 2. In regard, of his human nature;
and yet that must be understood soberly,- for I cannot think that CHRIST's
human nature was at all exalted in regard of the grace of personal union;
or in regard of the habitual perfections of his human soul, because he possessed
all these from the beginning; but in regard: of those interceptions of the
beams of the Godhead and Divine glory, and in respect of the restraints of
that sense and sweetness, and feeling operations of the heatifical
vision, during his humiliation; in these respects CHRIST was exalted in his
human nature; and had all the glory from the Deity communicated to it which
possibly in any way it was, capable of.
(2.) CHRIST reigns, or actually administers
his glorious kingdom; and this is the principal part of CHRIST's
sitting at GOD’s right hand. So the Psalmist; " The Lord said Unto
my Lord, Sit you at my right hand, until I make thine
enemies thy foot-stool: the Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of
Zion; rule you in the midst of thy enemies. The Apostle is yet
more large;. "God set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
far above all principality, and power, and might, and. dominion, and every
name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come;
and has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things
to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth
all in. all.." Some describe-this session, at GOD’s
right hand to be all one with his reigning in equal power and glory with the
Father; but the Son has always so reigned, and the Holy Ghost has always so
reigned, who yet is not said in Scripture to sit at the right hand of the
Father; A 1 believe therefore there is something-in this session or reign
of CHRIST, which- dotl3 difference it from that reigning power and glory of
the Father, and of the Son, as only GOD, and of the Holy Ghost; and if we
would know what that is, I would call it an actual administration of his kingdom,
or an immediate executing of his power and glory over every creature as Mediator.
And this made CHRIST say, "The Father judges no man, but has committed
alljudgment unto the Son," as Mediator. You
may object, CHRIST was Mediator immediately after his incarnation, but he
did not actually administer his kingdom then. I answer, it is true; CHRIST
for a time did empty himself, and laid aside the actual administration of
his kingdom; but immediately after his ascension, the Fattier, by voluntary
dispensation, resigned it to the Son again; "Conic, now, says the Father,
"and take you power over every creature, till the time that all things
shall be subdued under thee." This right the Son relinquished in the
time of that humiliation of himself, and this right the Father conferred at
the time of the exaltation of his Son.
2. According to what nature is CHRIST
said to sit at the right hand of God? I answer, according to both natures;
first, he sits at GOD’s right hand as God; hereby
his Divinity was declared; for his kingdom is such as none that is a poor
creature cart possibly execute. Secondly,
he sits at GOD’s right
hand as man too; and hereby his humanity was exalted, and a power given to
CHRIST as man; "He has given him power to execute judgment„ in as much
as he is the Son of man."
SECT. 3:
Of the Reasons why CHRIST does sit on GOD’s
right Hand.
Why does CHRIST sit at the right hand
of God? I answer,. 1. On CHRIST's part, that he
might receive power and dominion over all the creatures. "All power is
given unto me in heaven and in earth:" he speaks of it as done, because
it was immediately to be performed; CHRIST at his session received a power
imperial over every creature.
2. On our part, for many reasons, as
(L) That he might be the head of his church, in a strict sense. As the-head
is conjoined with the body and members; so is CHRIST the head united to his
church. To this purpose he sits at GOD’s right band,
that, having now fullness of grace and glory in himself, he might be ready
to communicate the same to his church, who are as the members of his body;
that he might give them grace here, and glory hereafter; when he shall deliver
up his kingdom to his Father, and be all in all. (2.) That he might be the
object of Divine adoration; then especially it was said and accomplished,
" Let all the angels of GOD worship him: And let all men honor the Son,
as they honor the Father." After CHRIST''s
session, Stephen looked up into heaven, and saw the glory of GOD, and JESUS
standing on the -right hand of GOD, and then he worshipped, and "called
upon him, saying, Lord JESUS, receive my Spirit." It is true, the ground
of this Divine adoration is the union -of the two natures of CHRIST, and therefore
the magi worshipped him at his birth;• and as soon as ever he came into the
world, " the angels of GOD worshipped him;" but because by his session
at GOD’s right hand, the Divine nature was manifested, and the
human nature was exalted to that glory which it never had before; therefore
now especially, and from this time, was the honor and dignity of worship communicated
to him as GOD and man. GOD highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is
above every name, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, of things
in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that JESUS is Lord, to the glory of-God the Father."
(3.) That he might intercede for his saints. " Now of the things which
we have spoken, this is the sum; We have such an High-priest, who is set on
the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, and a Minister
of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not
men." He is set on the right hand of GOD, as an high-priest or minister,
to intercede for us. "For CHRIST is not entered into the holy place
made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of GOD for us." (4.) That true believers
might assuredly hope, by virtue of CHRIST's session,
to sit themselves in the kingdom of glory. CHRIST living in heaven, is the
very figure of us; CHRIST's person is the great
model and first draft of all that shall be done to his body, the saints; therefore
he is said to be the Captain of our salvation, that leads us on; he is said
to be our Fore-runner into glory. He breaks the clouds first, he appears first
before God; he sits down first, and is glorified first, and then we follow.
(5.) That he might defend the church against her enemies; and at last destroy
all the enemies of the church. (6.) That he might send down the Holy Ghost;
to this purpose CHRIST told his disciples whilst he was yet on earth, that
he must ascend into heaven, and reign there; " 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 to
you." CHRIST is now in heaven, and sits at GOD’s
right hand, that he may send us his Spirit, by whose forcible working we seek
after heaven and heavenly things, where now CHRIST sits.
SECT. 4:
Of the time when, and the Persons to whom, the Holy Ghost
was sent.
No sooner was CHRIST set down at GOD’s
right hand, than he sends down the Holy Ghost. It was in use amongst I the
ancients, in days of great. joy and solemnity, to give gifts, and to send
presents unto men: thus CHRIST, in the day of his majesty and inauguration,
in that great solemn triumph, " when he ascended up on high, led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men. " When the day of Pentecost was fully
come, they were all with one accord in one place; and' suddenly there came
a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting; and there appeared unto
them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat
upon each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Out
of these words, I shall observe these particulars: the time when, the persons
to whom, the manner how, the measure what, and the reasons why the Holy Ghost
was sent.
1. For the time when the Holy Ghost
was sent, it is said, "When the day of Pentecost was fully come;"
this teas a feast of the Jews, called *, because it was ever kept on the fiftieth
day after the second of the Passover. Fifty dayswere the appointed time of the Jews' harvest;, their harvest
being bounded as it were with two remarkable days, the one being the beginning,
and the other the end thereof; the beginning was *, the second of the Passover;
the end was WEV r9lxoS7l, the fiftieth after, called Pentecost; upon the former,
they offered " a sheaf of the first-fruits of their harvest." Upon
the Pentecost they offered two wave loaves; the sheaf being offered, all the
after-fruits throughout the land were sanctified; and the two loaves being
offered, it was a sign of the harvest being ended;- and now we find, that
as there were fifty days between the second of the Passover and the Pentecost,
so there were fifty days between CHRIST's resurrection
and the coming down of the Holy Ghost. As on the day of Pentecost, the Israelites
came to mount Sinai, and received the law; so the very same day is accomplished
that prophecy, "Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of the
Lord from Jerusalem,; now was the promulgation of the gospel called by James,
a The royal law," as given by CHRIST our king; and written in the hearts
of his servants, by this Holy Ghost; it seems to shadow out the great difference
between the law and the gospel; the law is given with terror, in lightning
and thunder; but the gospel is given without terror; there was no lightning
and thunder now: no,, the Holy Ghost slides down from heaven, and with joy
sits on the heads and in the hearts of his saints.
2. For the persons to whom the Holy
Ghost was sent; it is said, "to all that were with one accord in one
place;" who they were, it is not here exprest; yet from the former chapter we may conjecture, they
were " the twelve apostles, together with Joseph, called Barsabas, and the women, and Mary, the mother of JESUS, and
his brethren;" these all continued with one accord in one place; for
so uas CHRIST's command, " that
they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,
which, says he, ye have heard of me." It was the great promise of the
Old Testament, that CHRIST should partake of our human nature; and it was
the great promise of the New Testament, that we should partake of his Divine
nature; he was clothed with our flesh, according to the former, and we are
invested with his Spirit, according to the latter promise. For this promise
the apostles and others had long waited, and for the accomplishment they were
now fitted and disposed. 1. They had waited for it from the ascension-day,
till the feast of Pentecost. He told them, at the very instant of his ascension,
that he would send the Holy Ghost, and therefore bid them stay together till
that hour; upon which command they continued waiting until the day of Pentecost
was fully come.
He that believeth shall not make haste," says
Isaiah. But, 2. As they waited for the Spirit, so they were rightly disposed
to receive the Spirit, for " they were all with one accord in one place."
To those that accord is the Spirit given; where is discord, jars, divisions,
factions, there is no Spirit of God; for the Spirit is the Author of
concord, peace, unity, and amity; and can we imagine
that essential unity will enter but where there is unity? Can the Spirit of
Unity come, or remain, but where there is unity of spirit? Verily there is
not, there cannot be a more certain disposition to make us meet for the Spirit,'
than that quality in us that is likest to his nature;
and that is unity, love, concord. Do we marvel that the Spirit does scarcely
pant in us? Alas, we are not all of one accord; the very first point is wanting
to make us meet for the coming of the Holy Ghost upon us.
SECT. 5:
Of the Manner how the Holy Ghost was sent.
For the manner how he was sent, or
how he came to these apostles; we may observe these particulars:
1. He came suddenly; which either shows
the majesty of the miracle that is gloriously done, which is suddenly done,
or the truth of the miracle; there could be no imposture or fraud in it, when
the motion of it was so sudden; or the purpose of the miracle, which was to
awake and affect them to whom it came: usually sudden things startle us, and
make us look up. We may learn to receive those holy motions of the Spirit,
which sometimes come suddenly, and we know not how. I am persuaded the man
breathes not amongst us who are true. Christians, that sometimes feels not
the stirrings, movings, breathings of the Spirit
of God. O that men would take the wind while it blows, and the water while
the angel moves it; as not knowing when it will, or whether ever it will blow
again.
2, He came from heaven. The place seems
here to commend the gift; as from earth, earthly things arise; so from heaven,
heavenly, spiritual, eternal things.
3. He came like a wind; the comparison
is most apt? Of all bodily things, the wind is least bodily; it is invisible,
and comes nearest to the nature of a spirit. It is quick collared active,
as the Spirit is. Again, the Holy Ghost is colored to wind, in respect of
its free actings; u the wind bloweth where it listeth,"
and so the Spirit bloweth where it listeth. Grace makes no' gain of man's work; free-will may
indeed move and run, but if it be also good, it must be moved, driven, and
breathed upon by GOD’s free-grace.
4. He came like "rushing mighty
wind." As the wind is sometimes of that strength that it rends in sunder
mountains and rocks, it pulls up trees, it blows down buildings; so are the
operations of the Holy Spirit; it carries down all before it. It made a conquest
of the world, beginning at Jerusalem, and spreading itself over all the earth.
5. He filled all the house where they
were sitting; there were none there that were not filled with the Holy Ghost;
all the men and women (an hundred and twenty) in this room were visited from
on high; for the Holy Ghost came upon them, and dwelt in them; a it filled
all the house where they were sitting;" to signify, that all the other
houses of Jerusalem felt none of this mighty rushing wind. Have we not sometimes
experience of this in our very congregations? One sound is heard, one breath
does blow; and it may be, one or two, and no more, hear the sound, or feel
the breath inwardly, savingly; it may be, one here, and another there, shall feel
the Spirit, shall be touched with it sensibly; but twenty on this side of
them, and twenty on that side of them may all be becalmed, and go their way
no more moved than when they came into GOD’s presence.
O that this Spirit of the Lord would come daily and constantly into our congregations!
O that it would blow through them, and through! O that it would fill every
soul in the assembly with the breath of heaven! u Come, Holy Spirit! awake,
O north wind, and come, you south, and blow upon our gardens, that the spices
thereof may flow out."
6. He came down in the form of tongues.
The apostles were not only inspired for their own benefit, but they had gifts
bestowed on them to impart the benefit to more than themselves. But why did
the Holy, Ghost appear like tongues., I answer, The Tongue is the chief instrument
of spreading knowledge, which conveys the same from man to man. Though the
soul be the fountain from whence all wisdom springs, yet the tongue is the
channel where by this wisdom and knowledge is communicated. In the like manner,
the Holy Ghost is the sole teacher of all truth; though CHRIST be the wisdom
of GOD, yet the Holy Ghost is the-Teacher of this wisdom to men. And hence
it is, that the Holy Ghost appeared in the form of tongues.
And yet not merely in the form of tongues,
but 1. They were -cloven tongues; to signify that the apostles should speak
in divers languages. If there must be. a calling of the gentiles, men must
needs have the tongues of the gentiles wherewith to call them. If they were
debtors not only to the Jews, but to the Grecians; nor only to the Grecians,
but to the Barbarians also, then must they have the tongues not only of the
Jews, but of the Grecians and Barbarians, to go and teach all nations.
2. They were fiery tongues; to signify,
that there should be an efficacy or fervour in their speaking; the world was so overwhelmed with
ignorance and error, that the apostles' lips had need to be touched with,
a coal from the altar. Tongues of flesh would not serve the tuna, no words
of air, but there must be fire put into the tongue, and life into the words
they speak. O that we of the ministry had these fiery tongues! O that the
Spirit would put live coal into our speeches! May we not fear that the Spirit
is gone while the people are dead, and we are no more lively in our ministry?
It is said of Luther, that when he heard one preach very faintly, " Cold,
cold," says he; "this is cold preaching; here is no heat at all
to be gotten." O, when the Spirit comes, it comes with a tongue of fire;
instead of words, sparks of fire will fall from us on the hearts of hearers.
3. These cloven tongues sat upon each
of them, to sigriif f their constancy and continuance;
they abode still; they continued steady, without any stirring or starting.
SECT. VI
Of the Measure of the Holy Ghost now given, and the Reasons
why he was sent.
For the measure, what or how much of
the Spirit was now given? This question is necessary, because we bring in
the Spirit's mission after CHRIST's ascension, as
if the Holy Ghost had not been given before this time. That this was the time
of the Coming of the Holy Ghost, is very plain; but that the Holy Ghost was
not given before this time, we cannot say; certainly the prophets spoke by
him, and the apostles had him, not only when they were first called, but more
fully when "he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy
Ghost." So that if ye study the reconciliation of these things, I know
not any way better, than to put it on the measure, or degrees of the Spirit.
Here was the difference; before this the Spirit was but sprinkled (as it were,)
upon them, but now they were all blown upon with a mighty wind.
3. At first he was sent only in drops.
and dew, but now he was poured out in showers and abundance: "The Holy
Ghost (says Paul,) was shed on us abundantly." As there are degrees in
the wind, a breath, a blast, a stiff gale; we cannot deny degrees in the Spirit;
the apostles at CHRIST's resurrection received the
Spirit, but now they were filled with the Spirit of CHRIST.
4. For the reasons why the Holy Ghost
was sent, they are several: 1. That all the prophecies concerning this mission
might be accomplished. Isaiah speaks of a time when " the Spirit should
be poured upon them from on high, and the wilderness should be a fruitful
field." And Zechariah prophesies that " in that day GOD would pour
upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplication." And Joel prophesies
yet more expressly, "It shall come to pass, says GOD, that I will pour
out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy:
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also
upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days I will pour out my
Spirit, and they shall prophesy." But of all the prophecies concerning
the mission of the Holy Ghost, our Savior gives the clearest and most particular;
“I will pray the Father, and he shall, give you another Comforter, that he
may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth. Behold, I send the
promise of my Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,
until ye be endued with power from on high. 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." It was of necessity that all these
prophecies and promises should be accomplished, and therefore was the Holy
Ghost sent upon them.
2. That the holy apostles might be furnished with
gifts and graces suitable to their estates, conditions, stations, places.
To this purpose, no sooner was the Spirit sent, but "they were filled
with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave
them utterance. They were filled with the Holy Ghost; not that they were before
empty, but now, they were more full of the Spirit than ever; and they spoke
with other tongues; other than ever they had learned; probably they understood
no tongue but the Syriac, till this time, but now
on a sudden they could speak Greek, Latin, Arabic, Persian, Parthian, and
what not? The wisdom and mercy of GOD is very observable herein, that the
same means of diverse tongues, which was the destroying of Babel, should be
the means conferred on the apostles to effect the building of Sion;
that confusion of tongues sho j d be united to GOD’s glory. 3. “That he might fill the hearts of all the
saints, and make them temples for the Holy Ghost; " Know you not that
your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have
of God: and ye are not’ your own?" It is said, that, after the mighty
rushing wind and cloven fiery tongues, “they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues."
First, they were filled with the Holy
Ghost, and then they spoke with other tongues; the Holy Ghost begins inwardly
and works outwardly; it first alters the mind before it change the speech;
it first works on the spirit before on the phrase of utterance; this. was
the first work of the Spirit; it filled them. And thus for the daily ministration,
such must be appointed as were fall of the Holy Ghost. And Stephen is said
to be " full of the Holy Ghost;" and Barnabas is called a good man,
and "full. of the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost is usually said to
fill the saints; only whether it be the Person of the Holy Ghost, or the impressions
of the Holy Ghost, is a very great question; for my part, I am apt to. incline
to their mind, who say, not only the impressions of the Spirit, the qualities
of holiness, the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost, but the Holy Ghost himself
does fill, and dwell, and reign in the hearts of all regenerate men.
CHAP. 2:
SECT. 1: Of knowing JESUS as carrying on the great Work of
our Salvation in his Ascension, Session, and the Mission of the Spirit.
LET us know JESUS carrying on the great
work of our salvation in his ascension into heaven, in his session at GOD’s
right hand, and in his mission of the Holy Ghost; these are points of great
use; if these transactions had not been, where had we been? Here is an object
of admiration indeed, the very angels at the sight of it stood admiring and
adoring; it took up their heart, and astonished their understanding. Come
then; and, O my soul, do you take a view of that which they admire; the design
concerns thee in particular;. and therefore study close this argument, and
know it for thyself. Study first the ascension of CHRIST, how, and whether,
and why he ascended. Secondly, study the session of CHRIST at GOD’s
right hand; O the riches of that spiritual, heavenly knowledge
3. Study the mission of the Holy Ghost; not a circumstance
in it but deserves thy study; what endeavors have there been to dive into
the secrets of nature; what volumes have been written of physic, metaphysics,
mathematics? And is not this. subject CHRIST? Is not every one of these subjects,
CHRIST's ascension, CHRIST's mission
of the Holy Spirit, of more value and benefit than all those? Home study that
piece of the Bible wherein these are written, there is not a line or expression
of CHRIST in the Scripture,, but it is matter enough for a whole age to comment
on; ’you needest not to leave old principles for
new discoveries, for in these very particulars you might find successive sweetness
unto all eternity.
SECT. 2: Of considering JESUS in that Respect.
Let us consider JESUS carrying on this
work of our salvation in these particulars: and to take them in order, 1.
Consider CHRIST's ascension into heaven. What, shall
he ascend, and shall not we in. our contemplations follow after him? Gaze,
O my soul, on this wonderful object, you needest not fear any check from GOD or angel, so that thy
contemplation be spiritual and divine. No sooner had CHRIST finished his work
of redemption here on earth, but on the mount called Olivet he assembles with
his disciples, where having given them commands, he begins to mount; and being
a little lifted up into the air, presently a cloud receives him out of their
sight. Here' is a clear demonstration of Godhead; clouds are us all in Scripture
put for the house, or temple, or receptacle of GOD himself. How often is
it said, that " the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud?" And
that r' he came to Moses in a thick cloud?" And that " he called
unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud?" And that " the Lord descended
in the cloud?" Are not the clouds GOD’s own chariot? “Behold the Lord rideth
on a swift cloud!" "O my Lord, my GOD, you art very great,"
says David; great indeed, and he proves it thus, " who makes the clouds
his chariot." JESUS CHRIST, in his ascension to heaven, enters by the
way into a cloud; this was his chariot, led by ten thousands of his angels.
" The chariots of GOD are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels;
the Lord is among them in Sinai in the holy place: you has ascended on high,
you has led captivity captive; you has received gifts for men."
But stay not thy contemplation in the
cloud; he ascends yet higher, through the air, and through the clouds, and
through the heaven of fixed stars, nor stood he still till he carne to the
heaven of heavens. In all this triumphant march, some tell us of an heavenly
harmony made by the lalessed angels; and that this
is the meaning of the Psalmist, " GOD is gone up with a shout, the Lord
with the sound of a trumpet." In this meditation pass not over thy duty,
which immediately follows, " Sing praises unto GOD, sing praises; sing
praises unto our King, sing praises: sing unto GOD, sing praises unto his
name, extol him that rideth upon the heavens, by
the name * and rejoice before hint." You has cause, O my soul, to praise
him, and to rejoice before him, especially if you considerest
that CHRIST ascended not for himself, but for thee. It is GOD in our nature
-that is gone up to heaven, CHRIST as a public person ascended up to heaven;
thy interest is in this very ascension of JESUS CHRIST, and therefore dost
you consider thy head as soaring up? O let every member praise his name! And
yet stay not by the way, but consider further; CHRIST being now arrived at
heaven's gates, those heavenly spirits that accompanied him began to say,
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift up yourselves, ye everlasting
doors, and the King of Glory shall conic in!" To whom some of the angels
that were within, not ignorant of his person, but admiring his majesty and
glory, said again, a Who is the King of Glory?" And then they answered,
"The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle;" and thereupon
those twelve gates of the holy city, of the new Jerusalem, opened of their
own accord, and JESUS CHRIST, with all his ministering spirits, entered in.
O my soul, how should this heighten thy joy, and enlarge thy comforts in
that CHRIST is now received up into glory! Livery sight of CHRIST is glorious,
_ and in every sight you shouldst wait on the Lord
JESUS CHRIST for some glorious manifestations of himself. Come, live up to
the rate of this great: mystery; view CHRIST as entering into glory, and you
wilt find the same sparkles, of glory on thy heart.
2. Consider CHRIST's
session at GOD’s right hand; no sooner was CHRIST
entered into heaven, but he was brought before his heavenly Father; and a
dominion was given him above all creatures, above the hierarchy of all the
angels. O the glory of CHRIST at his first entrance into glory! immediately
all the angels fell down and worshipped him, immediately his Father welcomed
him with the highest grace that ever was shown. " Come," says he,
" sit you at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool." O my soul, meditate on
this session of CHRIST at GOD’s right hand, and
thence draw some virtue into thyself. What! was CHRIST exalted? Had he a name
given him above every name Walk then as becomes those that have so glorious
a head: O defile not that nature which in thy CHRIST was so highly honored
3. Consider the mission of the Holy
Ghost: " When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave
gifts unto men." He gave gifts, or the gift of gifts, the gift of the
Holy Ghost. O my soul, consider this princely gift of CHRIST T Such a gift
was never before,. but when GOD ve his Son; "
GOD so loved the world, that he gave his Son;" and CHRIST so loved the
world, that he gave his Spirit. But consider especially to whom this Spirit
was given; the application of the gift is the very soul of thy meditation;
" Unto us a Son is given," said the prophet; and, "Unto us
the Holy Ghost is given," says the apostle. And yet above all, consider
the reasons of this gift in reference to thyself; was it not to make thee
a temple of the Holy Ghost? Stand awhile on this! admire, O my soul, at the
unspeakable love of CHRIST in this! It was infinite love to come down into
our nature; but this is more to come down into thy heart by his Holy Spirit;
he came near to us then, but he comes nearer now; for now he unites himself
unto thy person; now he comes and dwells in thy soul by his Spirit. Come here
is that which will content thy vast desires; CHRIST is in thee by his Spirit;
will not this content the utmost capacity of thy heart? Surely he is too
covetous whom GOD himself cannot suffice; if you has CHRIST, you has all things;
and if you has the Spirit of CHRIST, you has CHRIST himself, not notionally,
but really, essentially, substantially, by his Spirit. It is the very Spirit
of CHRIST, the Spirit itself, the Holy Ghost itself in his own person that
is united to thee, and dwells in thee. Nor only comes he in person, but he
brings along with him all his train; has be not endowed thee with gifts? has
he not divided a portion to thee in thy place and calling? Observe it and
be thankful, if you has a gift of prayer, of wisdom, of knowledge, it flows
from this Holy Spirit: " Unto every one of us is given grace according
to the measure of the gift of CHRIST." Or according to the measure of
the Spirit; who is the gift of CHRIST. And " all these works that one
and the same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." But
besides a gift, has he not endowed thee with his grace, has he not planted
in thy soul the power, the principle of grace? Have you not felt the quickenings,
stirrings of the Spirit of GOD, commanding thy faith, love, zeal, and other
graces? has he not many a time, at some mighty strait, at some prevailing
temptation, when you wast even ready to yield to
SATAN, come in as between the bridge and water, and given thee grace to help
in time of need? O the sweet incomes of the Spirit of God! As he is a Holy
Spirit, so he makes holy hearts; and if there be holiness in thy heart, what
is, it but au emanation of the Spirit of God? Have you not sometimes felt
the joy unspeakable and full of glory? A drop of heaven's joy as the earnest
of thy inheritance? Why, all these are but the workings of the promised Comforter:
" I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that
he may abide with you for ever." Another effect is the seal of the Spirit
stamped on thee. I will not say this is absolutely necessary, but has you
not sometimes been assured of thy salvation by an irradiation of the Spirit
on thy graces P Sometimes the Spirit is pleased to shine with its bright,
and glorious, and heavenly beams into our souls, and then we are assured:
hence the apostle prays for the Ephesians, CQ that they might have the Spirit
of revelation." If the Spirit shine upon our graces, then it seals. O
consider this shining sealing work, and leave not till the Spirit dart in
a spiritual light, and give thee a revelation, knowledge, and persuasion
of thy effectual calling.
SECT. 3:
Of desiring JESUS in that Respect.
Let us desire JESUS carrying on the
great work of our salvation in these particulars. Who, seeing CHRIST to ascend
into heaven, would not be glad to ascend up with him? Who, seeing CHRIST scatter
his gifts and graces amongst his saints, would not cry, CO Come, Holy Spirit
O CHRIST, give me thy Spirit: you that givest gifts unto men, come and bestow these gifts on me!
even upon me?" The believing soul cannot hear of CHRIST in any true discovery
of his grace and glory, but it must needs send out many breathings after him,
"O that CHRIST were Mine! O that I had any interest in this transaction!’
It is true, these transactions are past, but the virtue of there continues
still; and accordingly the virtue, power, and influence of these transactions
must be the object of our desires; now what is the virtue of CHRIST's ascension, but that we might ascend? And what the
virtue of CHRIST's session, but that we might sit
down with him on his throne? And what the virtue of the mission of his Spirit,
but that we might partake of the Holy Ghost? O let these be the objects of
our desires; let us pant and breathe after these things!
1. Let us see CHRIST ascending, and
so desire to ascend with him. When CHRIST ascended, it was not merely for
himself, but also in our stead. He ascended as a common person. As the high-priest,
ascending into the holy of holies, carried all the names of the twelve tribes
on his breast; so JESUS CHRIST, ascending into heaven, carried the names of
all believers in the world on his breast, thereby spewing that they were likewise
to cone after him; in this case how should we long after him, and cry after
him, as Elisha after Elijah, when he saw him ascending,
" My father! my father! the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof!" How should we cry after
him, " O my Lord and my GOD, see that my name be written on thy breast;
O that virtually I may ascend with thee, and that really and bodily I may
at last ascend after thee!" A desire after CHRIST, and his ascension,
is the way to heaven. If you wilt ascend after CHRIST, set thy desires upon
CHRIST. If you wilt arrive at true glory, breathe after CHRIST ascending up
into his glory. O when will it once be that by the virtue of CHRIST's ascension I shall ascend!
2. Let us see CHRIST sitting down at
the right hand of GOD, and so desire to sit with him. When CHRIST sat down,
it was not jn his own right simply, as it is his
inheritance, but with relation to his members; " He has quickened us
together with CHRIST, and has raised us up together, and made us sit together
in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS." • He sat down- as a common person,
thereby showing that we were to sit down with him in our proportion, 11 To
him that overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I overcame,
and am set down with my Father on his throne." O my soul, desire this,
for this is worthy of thy desire. This is a great thing, an high exaltation,
another manner of honor than any this world affords; only take heed of apprehending
it after a carnal way. This very exaltation consists in the image of GOD,
and communion with God; whatever you givest or deniest,
Lord give me this, and I have enough for ever.
3. Let;us see CHRIST's mission of his
Holy Spirit, and desire a share in that gift. We cannot expect to sit with
CHRIST, but we must first have the Spirit of CHRIST. Consider, O my soul,
all things here below are either temporal or spiritual; and of things spiritual.
this is the sum, the indwelling of the Spirit. O Lord, give me thyself, and
that contains all gifts; O-give me thy Spirit, and you can not but with him
give me all things. O what longings! O what' pantings
and gaspings should there be in thy spirit after
this Spirit! Come, Holy Spirit, O come and dwell in my soul! I know you wilt
make the place of thy feet glorious; if I have but thy presence, I shall be
all glorious within.
SECT. 4:
Of hoping in JESUS in that Respect.
Let us hope in JESUS, carrying on the
great work of our salvation in these particulars; this was the apostle's prayer
" Now the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that
ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost." Could we
abound in hope that CHRIST's ascension, session,
and mission of his Spirit did belong to us, we should never be ashamed; O
then let us look to our hope, and be sure that it be of the right stamp; which,
in reference to each of these passages, we may examine thus:
1. If CHRIST's ascension be mine, then am I ascended with CHRIST.
For we may ascend into heaven by faith and love' though for the present we
are on earth; " If ye be risen with CHRIST, seek those things which are
above, where CHRIST sitteth at the right hand of
God; set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth."
If CHRIST our Head be ascended, then we that are his members must follow after
him in our affections CHRIST tells us, "Where our treasure is, there
will our hearts be also." If CHRIST, our treasure, be ascended into heaven,
our loves, our affections, our hearts will follow after him; and if our hearts
be in heaven, no question but we ourselves, both souls and bodies, shall at
last ascend.
2. If CHRIST's session be mine, then am I set down with CHRIST in
heavenly places; I mean not bodily, but by faith, which faith makes it as
sure to my soul as if I had a foot already in heaven; " Faith is the
substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen."
By faith I now sit in heavenly places, in that I verily believe I shall do
it one day; my hope is now certain, in that I am as sure of that I look for,
as I am of that I have already received. The apostle said of CHRIST, "We
see not yet all things put under him;" but he presently answers, "
We see JESUS, who was made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory
and honor," and so we maybe sure the thing is as good as done; for if
he be above, all must come under; in like manner we see not ourselves in present
possession, but we see CHRIST crowned, and ourselves sitting with him virtually;
and therefore at last we shall see ourselves actually crowned; and sitting
together with CHRIST in heavenly places.
3. If CHRIST's Spirit be mine, and sent to me, then have I both
the person and train of the Spirit of CHRIST. It is the having the Spirit,
and the working of the Spirit in me, that is my evidence for the Spirit's
mission; I look upon this as the greatest question and the weightiest case
of conscience that can be propounded, whether the Spirit of CHRIST does reside
in us? Or whether we have a well-grounded hope to say of ourselves that we
have the indwelling of the Spirit of God? " Know ye not that ye are the
temple of GOD, (says the apostle,) and that the Spirit of GOD dwells in
you?" And again, " Know ye not that your bodies are the temples
of the Holy Ghost?" In this he seems to put it out of question that true
Christians know the Spirit of GOD dwells in them; if we know not this, we
cannot know that we have any part in CHRIST; because the Holy Spirit is the
principal bond of our union. If we know not this, we cannot know that we are
justified, for we have nothing to do with CHRIST's
righteousness by which we are justified, until, by our spiritual union, CHRIST
is made ours. If we know not this, we cannot know that we are the adopted
children of GOD, for it is by the Spirit of adoption that we cry in our hearts,
Abba, Father. If we know not this, we cannot know that we are sanctified,
for it is the Spirit which is the Beginner and Perfecter
of our sanctification.- If we know not this, we cannot know that our prayers
are heard, for it is " the Spirit that helps our infirmities, and that
makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot
be uttered." If we know not this, we cannot know whether we are in error
or truth; or whether our religion be true or false, for it is the Spirit who
enlightens and leads us into all truth. If we know not this, we cannot know
our own comforts, for he is the only true Comforter. Come, then, and put we
ourselves to the trial; let us search whether we have the Spirit of CHRIST;
which we may resolve (if we will not deal deceitfully with our own hearts,)
by these following signs:
1. The Spirit of CHRIST is the Spirit
of illumination.. If he dwell in us he will enlighten our eyes, reveal to
us those saving truths of GOD as they are in JESUS; " But the Comforter,
which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach
you all things.""Ye have an unction from
the Holy One, and ye know all things."-" The anointing which ye
have received of him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you,
but as the same anointing teaches you all things"' and hence it is that
this Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge
of God."
2. The Spirit of CHRIST is a Spirit
of prayer. " I will pour upon’the house of
David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of'grace and supplication."-Likewise
the Spirit also helps our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray
for as we ought, but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings
that cannot be uttered." It is not said that the Spirit teaches us words,
and fluent phrases, but it teaches us to pray in the heart with sighs and
groans.
3. The Spirit of CHRIST is a spirit
of sanctification. The apostle having told the Corinthians that they had been
notorious sinners, says further, that " they were washed and sanctified
by the Spirit of God. Hence the Holy Spirit is called " The Spirit of
holiness;" because he makes us holy. If we have this Spirit, it inclines
our hearts to things above, it mortifies our lusts, it brings us nearer to
God: the Spirit therefore that is impure and encourageth men in sin, and cries up carnal -liberty, is certainly
not the Spirit of CHRIST; and by this one sign many carnal pretenders of our
times may be convicted.
4. The Spirit of CHRIST is a Spirit
of love. " GOD is love, and he that dwells in love, dwells in GOD, and
GOD in him;" as the Spirit is love, so it begets love in the hearts of
his people: " The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." All these graces
are the fruits of the Spirit, but the first grace in the link is love. By
his Spirit we are taught to love GOD, not only for his benefits, but in respect
of his nature; for his goodness, justice, holiness; by his Spirit we are taught
to love any thing that has the stamp and image of GOD upon it " But as
touching brotherly love, ye need not I write unto you, for ye yourselves are
taught of GOD to love one another."
5. The Spirit of CHRIST is a witnessing
Spirit. "The Spirit itself bears witness with our Spirit that we are
the children of God:" and," every one that believeth has the witness
in himself." This witnessing is an office of the Spirit, whereby it works
the soul into a knowledge, persuasion, or conclusion of its acceptance with
GOD in CHRIST. But it may be asked, How does the Spirit thus witness? I answer,
1. Immediately. 2. Mediately.
1. Concerning the immediate testimony
of the Spirit, there is some controversy. Antinomians would have no other
testimony but this; all other evidences, (say they) are deceiving evidences;
or if not deceiving, yet to make use of them were but to light a candle to
the sun: for what are the graces of the Spirit in comparison of the Spirit's
own testimony. And it may be the running into this extreme has caused others
absolutely to deny any such testimony; or at last to say, " For these
enthusiasms, or inspirations; let them boast of them that have them, we know
no such thing." Methinks a middle between these is most consonant to
truth: for neither can I reject the graces of our assurance; neither dare
I deny that there is something of the work of the Spirit's testimony, which
is an immediate work. Certainly there is a work wherein the Spirit acts as
in illumination, and infusion of good motions into. us, wherein by a secret
influence upon the heart, he quiets and calms the troubled soul concerning
its condition by his own immediate power, without any grounds from Scripture
outwardly, or graces within.
There is a threefold work of the Spirit,
says Mr. Caryl; 1. To convey and plant grace in
the soul. 2. To help us to exercise the graces which are planted there. 3.
To shine upon and enlighten those graces: this last work the Spirit fulfils
two ways; 1. By arguments and inferences, which is a mediate work. 2. By presence
and influence, which is an immediate work; this the apostle calls, "
witness bearing; there are three that bear witness on earth, the Spirit, and
water, and blood;" the Spirit brings ’in the witness of water and. blood,
which is a mediate work; but besides and above these, he gives a distinct
witness of his own, which is his immediate work, and is in a way of peculiarity
and transcendency, called witness of the Spirit.-As
it is with the motions of the Spirit, many a time the Spirit excites a man
to such or such duties, by laying his hand immediately upon the heart, and
thereby inclining it to obey those motions; so in this case when a poor soul
sits in darkness, and sees no light, sometimes it is, as it were, taken up
into the third heaven; and this is in such a way, that though the spirit of
a man is immediately calmed by it, yet it cannot tell how it came to pass.
But for fear of mistakes, in this case
observe we these rules. (1.) That although the Spirit may immediately testify
without express or formal application of the word, yet he never testifies
but according to the word. If a man that never felt sin a burden, that throws
away all duties of religion, that never prays, reads, hears, or meditates,
shall say, that he is filled with joy, peace, and the assurance of GOD’s
word, it is certain the Holy Spirit is not the author of this, because the
promise of peace belongs to none of his stamp; see Matt. 11: 28, Isaiah lvii.
15. (2.) That ordinarily the Spirit brings in his testimony either in duty,
or after duty. " I have seen his ways, and I will heal him; I will lead
him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners; I create the fruit
of the lips, peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near,
says the Lord, and I will heal him." I know there may be a case of grievous
temptations, and at such time the Spirit of GOD may come in by a sudden irradiation,
and cheer the soul wonderfully, though it knows not how; yet usually the Spirit
brings in his testimony either in duty, or not long after duty. (3.) That
such testimonies of the Spirit beget only an actual assurance during the present
exigency, or in order to some present design that GOD is working thereby.
2. The Spirit witnesseth
immediately; and that eitherwithout, or with argumentation.
But both from the word. (1.) without argumentation, and that is when the Spirit
applies some suitable word to the soul, and without more ado enables the soul
to close with that word. As for instance, you art burdened for sin, and you
has prayed earnestly for pardon of sin, and even then a secret whisper of
the Spirit casts that word into thy heart, " I will heal thy backslidings,
and love thee freely;" or such a voice as that, " Come unto me all
ye, that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Now this
is a direct testimony; only I dare not leave it without a caution.--Some can
relate extraordinary passages of providence attending the coming in of such
and such a word As that they did not know there was any such a Scripture,
nor did they know where it was-. and yet in opening the book, it was the very
first place they cast their eye upon; or they wanted a book, and in the use
of some other means unexpectedly a word was spoken, or remembered, so suited
to the case, as if it had been a message from heaven. Certainly the Spirit's
hinting of words thus, is very observable; yet a bare suggesting of a word
is no warrant that it comes from the Spirit, unless the soul come up to some
end which the word itself pointeth at; as the ends
it aimeth at, such as quickening, comforting, supporting,
exercising of some graces, or such like; and by this we may know that the
testimony is true, and proceeds from the Spirit of God.
(2.) With argumentation, and that is
when the Spirit brings in the testimony of blood and water, I may call it
a testimony of graces, written in our hearts, and brought out by the Spirit
in a way of argument; as thus-" He that believeth has everlasting life;
but I believe, therefore I have everlasting life." The first proposition
is the Gospel, and in this way it is the first work of the Spirit to open
our eyes, for the understanding thereof. The second proposition is thy case,
or my case; and here the Spirit enlightens the soul to see itself under that
condition. But I believe, in all cases, the assurance that the Spirit gives,
maintains a soul in a way of reliance and dependence, when it sees no reason
why he should do so, or it may be when he sees reason why it should not he
so; as it is said of Abraham in another case, that he " believed in hope
against hope." Faith told him there was hope that he should be the father
of many nations, when reason told him there was none. Again, the assurance
that the Spirit gives, is attended with an high esteem for, prayer, duties,
ordinances; and in the. issue, (which is the most sure mark,) it purifies
the soul, " he that has this hope purifies himself, even as he is pure."
He is ever washing himself from sin, and watching against sin, and taking
all possible care to keep himself pure and unspotted in this world. It keeps
the soul humble and lowly, it being impossible that such a testimony of the
Spirit, and so intimate a converse with GOD, and the light of his countenance,
should not reflect low thoughts upon a man concerning himself. Such a man
cannot but say, "Lord, what am I that you have brought me hitherto? What
for such a peevish, unbelieving, impatient_ soul as mine, to be carried in
thy arms, and cheered with thy smiles, and to enjoy the comforts of thy Spirit?
O what a wonderful, merciful, gracious GOD have I?"
O my soul, try now the hope of the
Spirit's indwelling by these several signs. Art you enlightened savingly
in the knowledge of GOD and of CHRIST? Have you a spirit of prayer and supplication?
A spirit of sanctification? A spirit of love? Have you ever had the immediate
testimony of the Spirit without any argumentation? Have you unexpectedly
lighted on some places of Scripture that have satisfied thy soul as with marrow
and fatness? Or if not so neither, have you the immediate testimony of the
Spirit with argumentation? Can you argue thus: " He that believeth shall
be saved, but I believe, therefore I shall be saved." Or if any doubt
be made of the assumption; can you prove it by such other graces as accompany
faith, and are the' fruits of faith? Can you say, by the help and shinings
of the Spirit, that these and these graces are in me, I love GOD and CHRIST,
I repent of my sins, surely then thy hope is well grounded; thou has the indwelling
of the Spirit; it is thine, even thine,
SECT. 5:
Of believing in JESUS in this' respect.
Let us believe on JESUS, as carrying
on the great work of our salvation in these particulars; many scruples are
in many hearts, "What? Is it possible that I should have any share in
CHRIST's ascension, CHRIST's session, CHRIST's mission
of his Spirit? Was it ever in GOD’s heart that I
should partake with CHRIST in all these glories?
What is this that earth should go up to heaven, that men should ascend to
God? Yea, that nmy soul with CHRIST, and by CHRIST,
should ascend to GOD, and sit. down with GOD in heavenly places? That my soul
should have for its inmate the very same Spirit that CHRIST himself has? O
1 cannot, I dare not believe." Scrupulous souls, be not faithless but
believing; there is not one of these particulars for which we have not a warrant
out of the Word of God; and. therefore believe.
I shall lay down, 1: Some directions,
and 2. Some encouragements for faith. For the former, observe as before these
particulars.. 1. Faith must directly go to CHRIST. 2. Faith must go to CHRIST
as GOD in the flesh. 3. Faith must go to CHRIST as GOD in the flesh made under
the law. 4. Faith must go to CHRIST, not only as made under the directive
part of the law by his life, but under’the penal part of the law, by his death. 5. Faith must
go to CHRIST not only as " put to death in the flesh, but as quickened
by the Spirit." 6. Faith must not only go to CHRIST as quickened by the
Spirit, but as going into glory, as sitting down at GOD’s
right hand, and as sending the Holy Ghost. Faith should eye CHRIST as. far
as he goes; if he be ascended; so should faith; if he go into glory, and sit
down there, and act there for his people, so should faith; and so should we,
in a way of believing, follow after him, and take a view of all his transactions
where he is. We have heard before how faith should go to CHRIST as dying,
and as rising again; but yet faith is low, while it does not go within the
veil, and see him in glory. It is not enough to have only a faith of justification,
we must also have a faith of glorification. O come let us see CHRIST in heaven,
and we can have no less than a glorious faith! how many are there that never
yet came to CHRIST as a glorified CHRIST? We are still in the lower form.
Many of us take in no more of CHRIST than what was done on the cross; we seldom
follow CHRIST into heaven, to see what he is doing there for us. O my soul!
O my faith! mount up, and be upon the wing. CHRIST is gone up to heaven, CHRIST
has sat down at GOD’s right hand; CHRIST has sent
down his Holy Spirit. He gave the gift of gifts, even the gift of the Holy
Ghost himself. What? Art not you a partaker of this gift? O then look up unto
JESUS in reference to all this, set him before thee: CHRIST in all these particulars
is a right object for thy faith. 7. Faith in going to CHRIST, in his ascension,
session, and mission of the Holy Spirit, is principally to look to the design
of CHRIST, in each of these particulars. CHRIST did nothing but he had an
end in it for our good; and here is the life of faith, to eye the meaning
of CHRIST in all his doings. Now the ends of CHRIST's
ascension, session, and mission of his Spirit were several; I shall instance
only in these few.
(1.) CHRIST ascended that we might
ascend. Look whatever GOD acted on CHRIST's person, that he did as on our behalf, and he means
to act the same on us. Was CHRIST crucified? so are we: is CHRIST risen again?
so we are risen with him: is CHRIST gone up into glory? So are we: heaven
is now opened and possessed by JESUS CHRIST for us, and at last we shall ascend
even as he ascended. How should faith pry into this? As we must go through
all ordinances and creatures, till we come to CHRIST, so through all conditions
of CHRIST until we come to glory.
(2.) CHRIST Sat down that we might
sit with him in heavenly places; for what is the end of CHRIST’s
session, but that he might invest all his saints with the same privilege?
In this height of glory, CHRIST is the pattern of what we shall be. Surely
this is the very top of heaven; CHRIST is exalted above the heavers, that
we might in our measure be exalted with CHRIST; it was CHRIST's
prayer, that his Father, and he, and we, might be one, " As You, Father,
art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us." O how should
faith stand and gaze on CHRIST in that respect? What? Is he at GOD’s right hand? Arid is he there preparing a mansion for
my soul? What? shall I sit at the right hand of CHRIST? Admire, O my soul,
this aim of CHRIST, the meaning of his exalting himself, if it was to exalt
thee; and the meaning of his exalting thee on this manner, is to manifest
to all the world, what the Son of GOD is able, to do, in raising so poor a
creature to so rich a glory.
(3.) CHRIST sent clown the Holy Ghost,
that he might dwell in our souls, endow us with gifts and graces; that he
might comfort usy seal us unto the day of redemption;
fit us for glory. Amongst,the many ends for which
CHRIST sent down his Holy Spirit, I shall insist only oil these two: 1. That
he might enable us to cry Abba Father and make us come boldly to the throne
of grace, as children to a father; It is the Spirit that takes us by the
hand, and leads us to the Father, when others stand at a distance, and cannot
come near: Though others are kept out, yet the adopted child, who has received
the spirit of adoption, can say, " Let me come to my Father; guards are
appointed to keep out strangers, but not sons.".2. That he might guide
us into all truth; I mean into all necessary, fundamental, saving truths:
in this respect we have need of the Spirit. He it is that dictates to us what
the true religion is. He it is that transcribes upon our hearts, that which
was before only written in our books.
He it is that not only reveals truth
from without, but imprints it also upon- the soul, as a man does a seal by
impressing it on the wax. As the written word i!* the testimony without us, so are these impressions of
the Spirit the testimony within us, by which we may know every necessary truth
as it is in JESUS. Unbelievers have a testimony without them, but believers
have a double testimony; one without, and one within; and this witness within
us will go with us and accompany us through all straits and difficulties.
Men may take from us our bibles, teachers, friends; or imprison us where we
cannot enjoy them: but they cannot take from us the Spirit of CHRIST. This
witness within is a permanent, settled, standing witness. O what an excellent
help is here to a poor Christian, beyond all the furniture of the most learned
men, that want this testimony of the Spirit of CHRIST! Surely this advantage
will exceedingly furnish us against all temptations to any error, that is
plainly contrary to the essentials of religion.
2. For the encouragement of our faith
to believe in CHRIST in reference to his ascension, session, and mission of
his Spirit. 1. Considerthe excellency of this object. What is it but CHRIST? CHRIST in
his ascendant, reigning power? CHRIST in his marching, conquering, triumphing
postures? in his free, and large, and magnificent gifts? “When he ascended
on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." O the glory,
O the excellency of CHRIST in these respects! I
believe this is the top of heaven's glory, to see and wonder at the virtues
of him that sits on the throne at the right hand of God; to be filled, but
never satiated with the glory of CHRIST. Consider the power, virtue, and
influence of this object unto our soul's salvation. O what a stately tower
have we here erected to see heaven on? Faith may stand, as it were, on this
mount, and see itself in glory. O the flowings,
the rich emanations of grace and glory that come from hence! O why do we toil
in gathering sticks, when to-morrow we shall be out of this world, and go
to CHRIST. 3. Consider the suitableness of these object# to our several conditions:
" Behold he conies leaping “on the mountains, and skipping upon the hills,"
Cap! 2: 8. Gregory, that measured his leaps, thus gives them; he first leaps
from his Father's mansion to his mother's womb; from her womb to the manger,
from his manger to his cross; from his cross to his grave; from his grave
up again to heaven; great leaps indeed, that showed both his readiness to
love, and willingness to save! O believe I believe thy part in CHRIST's
ascension, CHRIST's session, CHRIST's
mission of his Holy Spirit, and you may go singing to thy grave! a lively
faith in such particulars would set a soul in heaven, even whilst on earth.
SECT. VI
Of loving JESUS in that Respect.
Let us love JESUS, as carrying on the
great work of our salvation in these particulars. Much has been said already
of CHRIST's conception, birth, life, death, resurrection;
such arguments of love as are enough to swallow up souls in love. ’But as
if all those were not enough for - GOD, see here new mines, never known in
the world before, opened in JESUS CHRIST. See! CHRIST for us and for our salvation
is gone up to heaven, is set down at GOD’s right
hand, and has sent down the Holy Ghost into our hearts. In the pouring out
of these springs of heaven's love, how should our souls but open the mouth
wide, and take in the streams of CHRIST's honey and milk; I mean his precious love-breathings?
Two things I shall instance in, which
may be as the loadstones of our love to CHRIST; the first is his glory, and
the second his bounty,
1. For his glory no sooner was he ascended, and
sat down at GOD’s right hand, but John the Divine
had a sight of him, and O what a glorious sight! " He was clothed with
a garment down to the feet, and girt about the paps
with a golden girdle; his head and his hairs were white like wool, as white
as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire, and his feet like unto fine
brass, as if they burned in a furnace, and his voice as the sound of many
waters; and he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his-mouth went
a-sharp two-edged sword, and his countenance was as the sun that shineth
in his strength.; when John saw him thus, he fell at his feet as dead. But
CHRIST, notwithstanding all his glory, holds up his servant's head, saying,
" Fear not, I am the first and the last; I am he that lives, and was
dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, amen! and have the keys of hell
and death." A glorious CHRIST is good for dying sinners would sinners
but draw near, and come and see this king in the chariot of love, and in his
beauty, he would certainly draw their souls unto him; nay, suppose that all
the. damned in hell were brought up with their fiery chains to. the door of
heaven; could we let them look in, and behold the throne, and the Lamb, and
the troops of glorified spirits- clothed in white, with crowns of gold upon
their heads, and palms in their hands, singing the eternal praises of their
king; O how would they be sweetened in their pain, and ravished with those
joys that are in CHRIST's face for evermore? O who can think of the glory thatis in this delightful One, and not be swallowed upp in. love? Who can think of CHRIST's
sitting at GOD’s right hand,' and sparkling in his
glory round about, and casting out beams of glory through East and West, and
North and South, through heaven, and earth, and hell, and not love him with
a whole heart. I remember one dying, and hearing some discourse of JESUS CHRIST:
11O, (said she) speak more of this, let me hear more of this; be not weary
of telling his praise, I long to see him, how should I but long to hear of
him?" Surely I cannot say
too much of JESUS CHRIST. O the loveliness, beauty,
and glory of his countenance! Can I speak or you hear of such a CHRIST? And
are we not all in a burning love, O my heart! how is it you art not love-sick?
How is it you dost not charge the daughters of Jerusalem as the spouse did, " I charge ye, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him I am sick of love?"
2. For his bounty: no sooner was he
ascended, and sat down at GOD’s right hand, but
he gave gifts unto mien; and sent down the Holy Ghost. I shall only weigh
two circumstances in this gift, each of which both dignifies and casts a
beam of bounty from the giver, into the heart of the receiver to move him
to love.
(1.) One circumstance is the greatness
of the giver. O my soul, how shouldst you but love
CHRIST the great emperor of heaven and earth. It was he that gave thee his
Spirit; it was he that took off the Spirit which is upon him, (so is the expression
of GOD to Moses,) and put it upon thee; and does not the person of CHRIST,
the dignity of CHRIST, enhance the value of the gift? As all gifts are signs
of love, so the love of a great personage, and the gifts issuing from such
a love, ought more to be accounted of than any gifts of any meaner person
whatsoever.
(2.) Another circumstance is, the greatness
of the gift. This argueth the greatness of the good-will;
and consequently deserveth a correspondence of
affection. Now what greater gift had CHRIST in store than to give his own
Spirit? The Spirit proceeds from him, and is of the same essence with himself;
the Spirit is the third Person of the true and holy Godhead, proceeding from
the Father and the Son, and co-eternal, co-equal, and consubstantial with
the Father and the Son; this appears by those divine attributes and properties
which are-attributed' to the Holy Spirit. As, 1. Eternity; "In the beginning
GOD created heaven and earth, and the Spirit of GOD moved upon the face of
the waters." 2. Omnipotency, because he, together
with the Father and the Son, created and preserveth all things By his Spirit he has garnished the
heavers; the Spirit of GOD has made me; and all these things works that one
and the.self-same Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as he will." 3. Omnisciency, or the
knowledge of all things, GQ For the Spirit searcheth
all things, yea the deep things of God." I might add miracles, and the
institution of sacraments and prophecies, and gifts, and graces, as the effects
of his Divinity; " I cast out devils (says CHRIST) by the Spirit of God;
and baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Holy Ghost.". And "
the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from
the faith." And "we are changed into the same image from glory to
glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." See now how the Holy Spirit
is GOD, co-eternal, co-equal, consubstantial with the Father, and the Son!
Is not this a great gift? Yea, as great a gift as possibly can be given; what
can he do more, than to give himself, and to give his Spirit? O the bonds
of love that are upon man towards CHRIST in this respect.
Come, my soul, and take a view of the
glory and bounty of JESUS CHRIST! If thy heart be not all brass and iron,
how shouldst you but choose to love? If either beauty
or bounty, if either majesty or magnificence can draw thy affection, CHRIST
will have it; for in him is all; O let him be thy all! surely if you have
any thing besides himself, he is the donor of all, he- is the beauty of all,
the sum of all, the perfection, of all, yea, he is the author, preserver,
and finisher of all.
SECT. 8:
Of joying in JESUS in that Respect.
Let us joy in JESUS as carrying on
the great work of our salvation in these particulars; there is not a particular
under consideration, but it is the object of a Christian's joy.-1. How should
it heighten my joys, and enlarge my comforts, when I consider that CHRIST
is ascended into glory? By this it is clear that CHRIST is accepted of the
Father for me, or otherwise he should never have been received into heaven:
O what joy is in this! 2. How it should heighten my joys, and enlarge my comforts,
when I consider that CHRIST is set down at GOD’s right hand. Now he has the keys of heaven delivered
into his hands; 11 All power is given unto him in heaven and in earth,"
and now he call do what he will; GOD the Father has given away (as it were)
all his prerogative unto JESUS CHRIST: " All judgment is committed to
the Son, for the Father judges no man." Now he is in a capacity of manifesting
all his love to me in the most glorious way; he is highly advanced, and thereby
he has the advantage to' advance me, and to glorify me: O what joy may enter
into this poor, dark, disconsolate soul of mine, whilst I think over these
glorious passages of CHRIST in glory! 3. How should it heighten my joys, when
I consider that CHRIST has sent down his Holy Spirit into my heart? O what
comfort is this, to know that the Spirit of CHRIST is my inmate? That my soul
is the temple, the house and dwelling of the Spirit of: God? That CHRIST is
in me of a truth, and that not only by the infusion of his grace, but by the
indwelling of his Spirit. CHRIST in his bodily presence went away, but CHRIST
in his Spirit continues still:: " Lo I am. with you always, even unto
the end of the world: he is with us, and which is more, he is in us: "
CHRIST in you the hope of glory." Not CHRIST in sermons which we hear,
nor CHRIST in chapters which we read, nor CHRIST in sacraments which we receive;
but CHRIST in our hearts by his Spirit, is unto us " the hope of glory."
And now, O my soul, spread thyself
on this great good, CHRIST's ascension, CHRIST's
session, and CHRIST's mission of his Holy Spirit.
There is not any particular here before thee, but it is fuel for joy. O what
joy was in. heaven. when CHRIST ascended, and when CHRIST sat down at GOD’s
right hand, and when CHRIST sent down the Holy Spirit? Suppose thyself to
have been in heaven, when he first entered into it, and when he first sat
down at GOD’s right hand, and sent down the Comforter
to his saints, was not heaven full off joy? Methinks the very thought of CHRIST's
bright face, and white throne, and his harpers, and heavenly troop, surrounding
the throne, and his welcome to his Father, both "for himself and all
his saints; and his carrying thy name upon his breast before his Father, should
fill thy soul as full of joy, as possibly it' can hold. O the first-fruits
of Emmanuel's land that lies beyond time and death! O the joys that were in
heaven at CHRIST's first entrance into heaven! O
my soul, why dost you not check thyself and lay aside thy sad complaints,
and forget this earth, and earthly troubles! why dost you not lookup to JESUS
CHRIST, and rejoice in him who has done all this for thy salvation? Either
the Spirit of GOD is not thy Comforter, or you can not but receive comfort
in these passages.
SECT. VIII.
Of calling on JESUS in that Respect.
Let us call on JESUS: I mean, 1. Let
us pray that we may have our part in these transactions; or let us pray for
more and more assurance thereof unto our souls. For though we do not disbelieve,
yet may we not be without our doubts; and in case of doubts, (if once we are
but assured) what better means can we use than prayer? 2. Praise GOD for these
great transactions of his Son? Are they not mercies like mountains lying one
upon another, and reaching up to the very heavens? Did not love break out
first in a direct line, and as it went along, has it not wound up itself,
in such a variety of unthought of discoveries, as
that it amazeth men and angels? What? That JESUS
CHRIST should not only act for us, here on earth, but also ascend for us into
heaven, and sit down there at GOD’s right hand,
above the heavens; that all this should be done for us and our salvation,
and to that purpose that he should send down his Spirit into our hearts, to
prepare us for his glory? Now " bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that
is within me bless his holy name; bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not
all his
benefits."
Sect. 9:
Of conforming to JESUS in that Respect.
Let us conform to JESUS in the aforesaid
respect. A serious beholding of JESUS in his ascension, session; mission
of his Spirit, is enough; to change us into. the same image from glory to
glory. It was the sweet saying of an experienced saint, " View a glorified
CHRIST, see him as in that relation and condition. and you will soon have
the sparkles of the same glory on your hearts." CHRIST is now exalted:
he is now in glory at the right hand of God: O let all our actions be glorious,
let all our walking joys, breathings, be as in glory. I shall not in this
transaction lay out many particular conformities to CHRIST, but gather all
into one, which is heavenly conversation. Seek things above, set your affection
on things above; CHRIST has gone up, and CHRIST has sat down at GOD’s
right hand; and herein if you will conform, let your hearts be in heaven,
let your affections be in heaven, let your conversations be in heaven.
In prosecution of this, I shall examine, 1. What
we mean by our conversation in heaven? 2. Why our conversation must be in
heaven? 3. By what means we may come up to this conversation in heaven?
1. By our conversation in heaven, I
mean, (1.) Our aim at heaven. As heaven is our home, so our eye is there;
whatever we do, our end, our scope is to fit us for heaven, and to' be in
heaven; " We look not at things which are seen, but at things which are
not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which
are not seen are eternal." By our conversation in heaven, I mean, (2.)
Our communion with CHRIST in heaven. " Truly our fellowship is with the
Father, and with his Son JESUS CHRIST." As it is among friends that converse
together, they act mutually for the comfort one of another; there is a communion,
or a mutual acting of the soul upon CHRIST, and of CHRIST upon the soul. I
mean, (3.) The having our affections on heaven, or on CHRIST in heaven; "
Set your affections on things above," that is, set your desires, loves,
hopes, joys, on heavenly things. Our affections are precious things, and are
only to be set on precious objects. O what a shame is it to set our affections
on the things of this life! Have we not a kingdom; a GOD, a CHRIST, a crown
in heaven, to set our affections upon? And shall we set them upon dross and
dung? Are not all our pleasure and vanities base in comparison of CHRIST?
O let us not be so base as to set our affections on earthy thirtgs, but let us rather set them on GOD and CHRIST; and
this is our heavenly conversation. And by our conversation in heaven, I mean,
(4.) That we should conduct and behave ourselves in this life as free denizens
of heaven, our city, whereof we arc citizens, and whereunto we have a right.
In this respect we trade not on trifles, as other men do, but we trade for
great things, for high things; we merchandise for goodly pearls, even for
GOD, and for CHRIST, who sitteth at the right hand
of God. We see now what is meant by our conversation in heaven.
2. Why is the conversation of the saints
in heaven? (1.) Because they know that the original of their souls, came
from GOD in heaven; the body indeed was of the dust of the ground, but the
soul was the breath of God; so it is said of the first man, " GOD breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul."
The soul had a more heavenly original than any of the other creatures that
are in the world; and when GOD works grace in the soul, and it begins to know
itself, it looks on all things here below as vile and contemptible; it then
looks upward, and begins to converse with things suitable to its original.
(2.) Because their best and choice things are already in heaven. As their
Father is in heaven, and their Savior in heaven, their husband is in heaven,
their elder brother is in heaven, and their king is in heaven; their treasure
is in heaven; their inheritance is in heaven, their hope is in heaven, their
mansion is in heaven, their chief friends are in heaven, their substance is
in heaven, their reward is in heaven, their wages are in heaven. And all these
things being in heaven, it is no marvel that their conversation should be
in heaven. (3.) Because they are going towards heaven even while yet they
are on earth.. If the nobleman do once know his condition, and begins his
journey homeward towards his father's court, will he not every morning that
he rises, converse with them that come from his father to conduct him home?.
Does it not do him good’ to hear any man speak of his father's country? Is
it not in his thoughts, in his talk, in his eye, at every step? O my soul,
if you art indeed traveling towards heaven,, how shouldst
you but have it in thy motions, affections, conversations? 3. By what means
may we come to have our conversation in heaven?
1. Let us watch opportunities for heavenly
exercises. God now by his ministers calls, " Come ye to the waters,
come buy and eat; come, buy wine and milk without money;, come to me, and
your soul shall. live." Why, " Now is the accepted time, ’behold
now is the day of salvation:" whilst ministers call, and we live under
the droppings of the word; these are opportunities from heaven. O then ire
that never prayed, led him pray; and he that never heard, let him hear; the
Lord is now near to us; CHRIST JESUS is calling, and mercy is entreating,
and love is beseeching, and he is crying after us. O let us lay hold on these
opportunities for heavenly exercises, and then we shall come to heavenly conversations.
2. Let us take heed of resting in the
formality of duties. Many souls that have enlightenings of conscience, dare not but take opportunities
for heavenly duties; but then come in the' temptations of the devil, and corruptions
of their own hearts, and then they say, " Now the duty is done, and what
needs more?" Alas! It is riot, What have we done? but where have we been?
What; have our souls been in heaven, with GOD and with CHRIST? Have we had
communion with the Father, and with the ’Son in our duties? O take heed of
formality! it will exceedingly hinder us from having our conversation in heaven!
O let us keep our,eye still upon our heart!'ask
in duty, what our affections have been? How much are we got nearer heaven
thereby? And by this means we shall come to an heavenly conversation.
3. Let us look up unto JESUS as hanging
on the cross, and as sitting on the throne: this is the apostle's rule. "Looking
unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith, to who for-the joy that was
set before hi in endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at
the right hand of the throne of God." These two are the objects of a
Christian's look, who studies an heavenly conversation, viz. CHRIST's
cross, and CHRIST's session; by the cross he is the author, and by the
throne he is the finisher of our faith. In the first is shown his love to
us, in the second our hope in him. Come then, and settle your thoughts and
looks on this blessed object. A sight of CHRIST's
cross, but especially of CHRIST's throne, is a blessed
means to wean us from the world, and to raise our affections to things above,
yea to form our conversation towards heaven.
4. Let us wait for the appearing of
JESUS CHRIST,` Our conversation is in heaven," says the apostle, "
from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord JESUS CHRIST." Where
his expectations are, there a man's conversation will be. If we expect ere
long, that the Lord JESUS will appear in glory, and that we shall see him
riot with other, but with the same eyes, the very waiting for. these things
will help our conversation to be heaven-ward. Certainly the day is coming,
when JESUS CHRIST shall come with his angels in his glory, and then shall
the bodies of the saints shine gloriously before the face of GOD and JESUS
CHRIST. O the wonders of this day! The glory of CHRIST shall then darken the
glory of the sun and moon, and stars; but my body shall not be darkened, but
rather
it shall shine like the glorious body of CHRIST
JESUS.
5. Let us observe the drawings and
movings of the Spirit, and follow his dictates.
To this purpose CHRIST ascended, and sat down at GOD’s right hand, and sent down the Holy Spirit, that being
come down, he might do his office in bringing on our souls towards salvation.
And if ever our souls get above this earth, and get acquaintance in heaven,
it is the Spirit of GOD that must be the chariot of Elijah, yea the very living
principle, by which we must move and ascend. O then let us take heed of quenching
its motions, or resisting its workings. Take we heed of grieving our guide,
or of knocking off the chariot wheels of his Holy Spirit. We little think
how much the life of grace and the happiness of souls does depend upon our
ready and cordial obedience to the Spirit of God. When he forbids us, and
we will go on; when he tells us which is the way, and we will not regard;
no wonder if we are strangers to an heavenly conversation. If we will not
follow the Spirit, how should it lead us to heaven, or bring our hearts unto
the presence of God?, O learn we this lesson, and let not only the motions
of our bodies, but the very thoughts of our hearts be at the Spirit's beck!
If we would cherish these motions, and hearken to the Spirit, O what a help
should we find to this heavenly conversation.
