The practical believer, or, The articles of the Apostles Creed drawn out to form a true Christian's heart and practice in two parts.

CHAP. III. Of the Resurrection of Christ, and his sitting at God's Right-Hand.

The Contents.

An Account how Christ may be said to have been three days in the Earth. His Resur∣rection proved. The necessity of it. He

ascended to Heaven. What is meant by his sitting at the Right-Hand of God. There he, 1. Intercedes for us, as our Priest. This intercession not vocal, by Words and formal Pleas, but by presenting himself, and his own meritorious Sacrifice. He intercedes only for Covenant-Mercies, and on Cove∣nant-Terms. He is an Intercessor of abso∣lute Power with God, and truest Affection for us. One part of his intercession, is to hand and present our Prayers to God. There∣fore whensoever we pray for any thing, 'tis both our duty, and wisdom to apply by him. 2. Governs his Church, as a King. In what Acts this consists. 3. Instructs his Church, as a Prophet, by sending to it the Holy Ghost. Christ's Body having now taken up its fixt abode at God's Right-hand, we are not in any Ordinances to expect his Bodily Presence, but only a Presence by his Spirit, which is more to be desired. Some Inferences from Christ's sitting at God's Right-hand.

Quest. How long did Jesus Christ abide in the state of the Dead; till his Body was corrupted?

Answ. No, he staid not so long. God did not suffer his Holy one to see Corruption, Acts 13. 35, 36, 37. but reunited his Soul and Body, and raised him from the dead on the third day, before the time▪ Corruption usually seizes the Bodies of dead men.

Quest. Christ said of himself, as the Jews

told Pilate, That after three days he would rise again, Mat. 27. 63. And as Jonas was three days, and three nights, in the Whales Belly: so, says he, shall the Son of Man be three days, and three nights, in the heart of the Earth, Mat. 12. 40. But if he died as we commemorate his death, upon Good-Friday, and rose † early on Easter-day in the mor∣ning, there were only part of two days, and one entire day between.

Answ. That is, three days, according to common computation of days, both Anci∣ent and Modern, and particularly in Scrip∣ture reckoning. Thus Lazarus is said four days dead, though the fourth day, whereon Jesus raised him up, was one of them, Joh. 11. 39. And eight days are said to be accomplished, for Christ's Circumcision; but the day of his Birth, and Circumcision too, went both in to that Reckoning, Luk. 2. 21. And the Priests in their courses were ap∣pointed, and † reputed, to Minister before the Lord eight days, though the time of Entrance, and Release, was † every Sab∣bath day morning. And accordingly, what in the currant way of expression, is thus sometimes termed three days, our Saviour speaking more exactly at other times, ex∣presses by on the third, or within three days. Jesus shewed his Disciples, he should rise a∣gain the third day, Mat. 16. 21. and 17. 23. and 20. 19. And, destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up, Joh. 2. 19. or, within three days, as the Jews, who other∣where

call it after three days, related it, Mark 14. 58.

Quest. How doth it appear, that Christ was raised again from the dead?

Answ. It might appear to any, who had the curiosity to look into the Sepulchre; for they would see he was gone.

Quest. What said the Watch, who stood to guard him?

Answ. They knew it full well, for when the Angel, with a Countenance like Lightning, descended in an Earth-quake, to roll back the Stone, the Keepers saw it, and shaked, and became as dead men, Mat. 28. 2, 3, 4. But the Jewish Rulers bribed them, to say, his Di∣sciples came by night, and stole him away while they slept, v. 11, 12, 13, 14. which was a foolish lie, and bore along with it its own Confutation.

Quest. How so?

Answ. Because, if they were asleep, how could they tell any one stole him? If they had any thoughts of what others did then, it could be only in a Dream; unless they would pretend to sleep with their Senses a∣wake, and their Eyes open.

Quest. But this saying, saith St. Matthew, is commonly reported among the Jews, and pas∣ses for a Truth with them, Mat. 28. 15. And by what other ways can you convince them, that Christ is risen?

Answ. By those that saw him, and con∣versed with him after his Resurrection. For he appeared for the space of † forty days to

his Apostles, and to satisfie them he had a real Body, eat and drank with them after he was risen, Acts 10. 41. Luk. 24. 43. He appeared to Thomas, who searched the holes the Nails had made in his Hands, and thrust his Finger into his Side, where the Spear had pierced it, before he would believe him, Joh. 20. 27, 28. To five hundred Brethren all at one time, 1 Cor. 15. 6. To Stephen in a bright Glory from Heaven, at his Mar∣tyrdom, Acts 7. 56. and to Saul, at his Conversion, Acts 9. 3, 4. Yea, after he was risen, and gone to Heaven, he sent down the Holy Ghost upon his Apostles and followers, which shewed, not only that he is alive again, but also that he lives in Power.

Quest. The Apostles seem extraordinary careful, to confirm the Resurrection of Christ, and call the ordaining one to be an Apostle, ordaining him to be a witness of it, Acts 1. 22. Was it necessary that Christ should rise from the dead?

Answ. Yes, to shew the debt he died for was discharged, and that his satisfaction was accepted. He died as a Sacrifice, to sa∣tisfie for our sins; and till God raised him up again, it did not appear that he was sa∣tisfied with what Christ had done for us. If Christ be not risen, ye are yet in your sins, 1 Cor. 15. 17.

Quest. But was not his death a full pay∣ment, and, on the Cross, did he not relate to that, when he said it is finished, Joh. 19. 30?

Answ. It was so indeed, the price of Re∣demption then was fully paid. But till he raised him up again, God had given no publick Acquitrance, nor done any open Act, to shew we were discharged by it. So that by his Resurrection, we are said to be justi∣fied, that is, declared to be so. He died for our sins, and rose again for our Justificati∣on, Rom. 4. 25. and who is he that condemn∣eth? it is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Rom. 8. 34.

Quest. Was his Resurrection necessary on any other Accounts?

Answ. Yes; for, 2. In virtue of his death, he was to be our Mediator, to intercede with God for us; and our Saviour and De∣liverer, to protect and rescue us from our Spiritual Enemies: And these great works suppose a live man, and are not to be per∣formed by a dead person. And being thus necessary to discharge his continual care of us; it must be equally so, to support our Faith and Trust in him. When men are dead, we expect no service, or succour from them: And therefore were he still in the Grave, we should not fix our Hope and Trust in, or make our Addresses to him.

Quest. Was it necessary, to shew him to be the Messiah, and to prove his Religion?

Answ. Yes, for he had appealed to it, as a sign of his being a true Prophet, Mat. 12▪ 38, 39, 40. And therefore by the way of tryal which God † prescribed the Jews, viz. the accomplishment of predictions,

he had appear'd to be a false Prophet, had he failed in it. So that if Christ be not risen, saith St. Paul, your Faith is vain, 1 Cor. 15. 14.

Quest. In his Death and Resurrection, methinks we have a plain and palpable in∣stance of the immortality of Humane Souls, and of a future Life beyond the Grave, where God may reward or punish us?

Answ. So we have. For his Soul mani∣festly did exist apart from his Body, during the time of their Separation, till on the third day it was reunited again. So that mens Souls can subsist without, as well as in their Bodies, and when they depart hence, go into another place, where they are capable of being called to account for all they have done in this life. On which account, as well as others, St. Paul might well say, That God hath given assurance of a future Life and Judgment, by raising Christ from the dead, Acts 17. 31. And St. Peter, That God hath begotten us to the hope of an Eternal Inheri∣tance, thro' the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead, 1 Pet. 1. 3, 4.

Quest. We read of several others, that rose from the Dead, as well as Christ; had he any thing singular in his Resurrection a∣bove them?

Answ. Yes, he raised himself by his own power, but they were all raised by him; he was not only the first that rose, but as the First-Fruits, and all the World besides rise as the ensuing Crop, which depends

upon him. Destroy this Temple, saith he, and in three days I will raise it up, Joh. 2. 19, 21. I lay down my life, and take it up again, Joh. 10. 18. He is the first-born from the Dead, Col. 1. 18. Rev. 1. 5. As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive: but every man in his own order, Christ the First∣fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming, 1 Cor. 15. 22, 23.

Quest. But did not Lazarus rise before Christ, John 11. 44. and Jairus's Daughter, Luk. 8. 55. and the Widows Son of Nain, Luk. 7. 12, 14, 15. and how then is he said to be the first of the Dead, that returned?

Answ. They returned to die again; but he was the first that rose to life everlasting. He being raised, dieth no more, death hath no more dominion over him, Rom. 6. 9.

Quest. By his Resurrection, Christ got Glory and Happiness to himself, even that Joy, for which St. Paul says, he endured the Cross, Heb. 12. 2. But did he thereby acquire any Power over us?

Answ. Yes, his Death purchased, and his Resurrection invested him with an absolute Power and Dominion over us. For this end, Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord, both of the Dead and Li∣ving, Rom. 14. 9. And after his Resur∣rection, saith he, All Power is given to me, both in Heaven, and in Earth, Mat. 28. 18.

Quest. If so, his Resurrection lays an obligation upon us to obey him?

Answ. Yes; like as he rose from the dead,

so must we rise to newness of life, Rom. 6. 4.

Quest How long stay'd he upon Earth, after he was risen again?

Answ. For the space of forty days, dis∣coursing, and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God, Acts 1. 3.

Quest. Whither went he when he left it?

Answ. To Heaven, whither he was taken up in a bright Cloud, all the Apostles looking up after him, till he was taken up out of their sight, Acts 1. 3, 9. And now he is there, he sitteth at the right hand of God.

Quest. What mean you by his sitting at the right hand of God?

Answ. His advancement to the heighth of Dignity and Authority, in the presence of God. The Right-hand of a Prince, is the place of peculiar Favour, and of highest Honour and Respect: as Solomon, when he would do Honour to his Mother Bathsheba, set her at his Right-hand, 1 King. 2. 19. To be placed at hand, by the priviledge of nearness, gives opportunity for Conference and Address: And to be placed at the Right-hand, the Hand of use and business, is to be in the way, both of presenting all Offers, and receiving of Returns; whence it is a known mark of special Favour and Honour, with all Potentates. And so by Christ's sitting at God's Right-Hand, is ex∣pressed his Soveraign Honour and Power, in the presence of God. Or, perhaps, moreover his sitting in his humane shape,

on the Right-hand of that Bright Throne, or Resplendant Glory, which visibly ac∣companies, and manifests some extraordi∣nary presence of God: as he appeared to Stephen in his Vision, who saw the Glory of God, and Jesus standing on the Right-hand of God; that is, I suppose, at the Right-hand of that visible Glory, wherewith God ap∣peared, Acts 7. 55. And this, probably, is what the Scripture means, by his sitting at the Right-hand of Power, Mat. 26. 64. and on the Right hand of Majesty, Heb. 1. 3. That is, on the Right-hand of such † Glo∣ry, or bright Appearance, which is the usu∣al Symbol of God's Power and Majesty, which at other times is expressed, by his sit∣ting on the Right-hand of the Throne of God, Heb. 12. 2. or, on the Right-hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens, Heb. 8. 1.

Quest. It was most just that he should be exalted thither in recompence of his meri∣torious sufferings, as the Apostle notes, Phil. 2. 8, 9. and Heb. 12. 2. But is he gone thither, to carry on any Designs for us?

Answ. Yes, and those of the greatest im∣portance. For there, in the highest man∣ner and to the fullest effect, he exercises all his Offices in our behalf.

Quest. I pray you explain the Designs he carries on for us there?

Answ. First, The work of Intercession, as our Priest. For he stands before God to mediate on our behalf, and to obtain▪ for us, whatsoever God has promised, or he

has purchased, or we stand in need of. He is enter'd into Heaven it self, now to appear in the presence of God for us, Heb. 9. 24.

Quest. Doth he then plead with God, and move and Petition him, for all the things we gain from him?

Answ. His Intercession is not by Words, and formal Pleas, and Supplications; but by Actions; that is, by presenting of him∣self, and shewing his own Sacrificed Body before God. He intercedes, by shewing of himself, and therefore St. Paul calls his In∣tercession, his appearance in the presence of God for us, Heb. 9. 24.

Quest. And is this way as effectual, as by forming Vocal Pleas?

Answ. Yes undoubtedly. The Blood of his Sacrifice, as St. Paul says, speaks, Heb. 12. 24. It doth not only breathe out Prayers, but prefers Claims and Demands; and those too, not only in virtue of Gods Promise, but also of his own Merits and dear-bought Purchase, which is a way of moving with Power and Prevalence, beyond all expressi∣ons.

Quest. Did the High-Priest among the Jews, intercede thus?

Answ. Yes; when he went in to inter∣cede with God in the Holy of Holies, after he had slain the Sacrifice, he was not di∣rected to make any set Speeches, and vocal Supplications, but only to carry in the Blood of Expiation, and present it to God, by sprinkling it upon, and before the Mercy∣seat,

Lev. 16. 14, 15. which real exhibition of the thing it self, that was to plead for them, was more moving and effectual, than any Verbal Speech, or Vocal Prayer, he could have put up for them.

Quest. And will Christ continue thus to intercede for us; that is, to shew himself, and exhibit his Sacrifice before God in our behalf, always?

Answ. Yes, he ever lives to make intercessi∣on for us, which renders him able to save to the uttermost, them that come to God by him, Heb. 7. 25. And therefore the Heavens must receive him, till the restitution of all things, Acts 3. 21. It was enough for the Sacrificing part of his Priest-hood, which made the Purchase to be once done. But the Interceding part, which brings down the purchased Blessings to all men, in all times and places, must still be a doing. And there∣fore he continues in the presence of God, to shew himself, and intercede, to the end of the World; which will be so long, as he will exercise his Mediatory Power, or we shall stand in need of his Intercession.

Quest. What things will he move, and intercede with God for, which therefore we may make sure to speed in?

Answ. For all the Benefits he has pur∣chased, and God has promised, which are all contain'd in the New-Covenant. His in∣tercession in virtue of his Blood, is only to apply the Merits and Purchase of it. So that as at first he shed it, so now he shews

his Blood, for Covenant-Mercies, and on Covenant-Terms; but he never moves that any Person should obtain them otherwise.

Quest. Then he will never move for wicked and obdurate Sinners, that God would relax the severity of his Laws for their sakes. Nor, for slothful and careless ones, that by an over-powering and irre∣sistible Grace, he would do all for them, and work his Will in them, and so save all their Pains. Since the New Covenant offers no Pardon, but to the Penitent; nor saving Grace, but to the Sincere and Industrious?

Answ. Very Right.

Quest. By this I see, we must by no means look upon Christ at God's Right-Hand, as a Byassed, Partial Advocate, that seeks to wring what he can from God, and gain all for our side. But as an Equal and Im∣partial Mediator, who has a just Regard to both sides, and will shew himself as careful of God's Authority and Honour, by secu∣ring him of our Duty, as of our wellfare, by obtaining for us his Mercy?

Answ. Most certainly. For this cause, saith St. Paul, of purging our Consciences from dead Works to God's Service, as well, as that they who are called, may receive the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance, he is the Media∣tor of the New Testament, Heb. 9. 14, 15. In discharging this Trust, we may be sure, in the heighth of all his care for us, he will be just to God. Nay, being God's own

Son, and both intimately nearer Related to, and better pleased with him, than he is with us, were he any ways capable of being byassed, we cannot imagine it should be on ours, but on his side. So that in all the Part he acts as our Intercessor, we must not imagine, that he will in the least dis∣honour God to oblige us, or ever once aim, or attempt to make us secure, in any un∣dutifulness, and contempt of his, and our Heavenly Father.

Quest. Surely, being the most dearly Be∣loved Son of God, he must needs be an Intercessor of Great Power?

Answ. Yes, of Absolute Power, and in∣fallibly sure to gain whatsoever he moves for. For, besides his Relation and Filial nearness, he continually Represents his own infinite Merits, which can claim any Fa∣vours. Nay, for the sake of those Merits, on this Appearance to plead them before God, he is made a Royal Priest, and has all Power given unto him as a King, so that he can grant what he pleases. What∣soever ye shall ask the Father in my Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ask any thing in my Name, I will do it. Joh. 14. 13, 14.

Quest. This shews how able he is to Suc∣ceed, but is he willing, and ready to use all his Interest, and move for us?

Answ. No doubt of that. For his Love has made him shed for us his own Hearts-Blood, and therefore it can never stick at

any other Service, or procuring for us any Blessings from Almighty God. He is a Merciful, and Faithful High-Priest, both true to our Interests, and tender of our In∣firmities, having felt them in himself, Heb. 2. 17. and 4. 15. and therefore is as wil∣ling and ready, as he is able to intercede for us.

Quest. Is it particularly any part of his In∣tercession, to hand and present our Prayers?

Answ. Yes. This was the Business of the Jewish Priests. One part of their Priest∣hood was to burn Incense, which was to per∣fume the Peoples Prayers, who, as St. Luke notes, prayed without, in the time of Incense, Luk. 1. 10. presenting their Prayers to God in these sweet Smells; whence the Psalmist begs his Prayers may be set forth before God as the Incense, Plal. 141. 2. And the Vials of Odors, or Incense, in the Revelations, St. John says, are the Prayers of the Saints, Rev. 5. 8. And this accordingly, Christ our Interces∣sor in Heaven doth for us: for he is the Angel in the Revelations, who on the golden Altar before the Throne, offers the Incense, with the Prayers of all Saints, Rev. 8. 3. By him it is we must present all our Prayers; whence we are said, thro' him to have access to the Father, Eph. 2. 18. and in him to have boldness, and access with confidence, Eph. 3. 12. Nay, since the Prayers we put up, have many sinful Defects adhering to them, they are fit to come to a most holy God from the Hand of no other Mediator, but him,

who has not only the acceptableness of his Person to prefer, but the Merit of his Sa∣crifice too to atone for them.

Quest. By this it should seem, that when∣soever we pray for any thing to Almighty God, we should not seek after other Medi∣ators, but apply by him. And since he is so Powerful in Mediation, this is not only our bounden Duty, but our truest Wisdom?

Answ. So it is: For, he is our Advocate with the Father, 1 John 2. 1. the one Media∣tor between God and Man, 1 Tim. 2. 5. What∣soever, says he, you shall ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you, John 16. 23. We are sure he is now in the immediate Presence of God, to prefer any Suit; but we are not sure that Departed Saints are there, who, for ought we know, may be kept till the last Day in some inferior Place of Comfort and Refreshment; Good Souls, as I shall note hereafter, not receiving their Consummation before the last Judgment. When we address by him, we only take that way of Application God himself has prescribed; and in all Justice, and Reason, we should allow God the Direction how we shall seek his Favours, since he is the most Free and Soveraign Disposer of them. Nay, since the Prayers we put up are ut∣tered by sinful Lips, and mingled with our own Frailties and Defects, they can come worthy and pure to God from him alone, whose Blood, as I said, has Merit enough to purge, as well as his Person Favour

enough to prefer them. Tho a perfect Prayer, had not God otherwise order'd it, might in it self be presented, especially from a perfect Man, by an acceptable Me∣diator; yet a sinful Prayer, from sinful Men, doth plainly need such a Mediator, as in the same Person is both Intercessor and Redeemer. Thus the Altar of Incense among the Jews, which stood without the Vail, be∣fore the Mercy-seat, daily to perfume and present the Peoples Prayers, was once a year to be sprinkled with the Blood of Atone∣ment, plainly intimating, that the Means of presenting Prayers, must be endow'd withal with a Power of expiating them, Exod. 30. 6, 7, 8, 10. And accordingly, the Apostle mentions Christ's Mediation, as joyn'd to, and founded on his Redemption. One Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a Ransom for all, 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. And, If any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, who is also the Propitiation for our Sins, 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2.

Quest. What other Design doth Christ carry on for us in Heaven?

Answ. 2. The Care of Governing his Church as a King. He is at the Right-hand of God; Angels, and Authorities, and Pow∣ers, being subject unto him, 1 Pet. 3. 22. and all Authority in Heaven, and Earth, being put into his Hand, Mat. 28. 18. This Power he purchased by his Death; but was put in full Possession of it, when he came to claim it by his Intercession.

Quest. Wherein doth he exercise this Plenitude of Power?

Answ. In Giving Laws to his Church: For he is the one Law-giver, that is able ei∣ther to save, or to destroy, Jam. 4. 12. And since he is the Legislator in Religion, 'tis an Usurpation upon his Prerogative, for any to form to themselves a new-fangled Wor∣ship, and beat out other Paths to Heaven of their own devising.

In Protecting it from all, both outward and intestine Enemies, whether the World, the Flesh, or Men, or Devils. For he sits at God's Right-hand, till his Enemies be made his Foot-stooll, Psal. 110. 1. and Heb. 10. 12, 13. and he must reign till he hath put all Enemies under his Feet, 1 Cor. 15. 25.

And, lastly, in judging all the World, to their present Portion of the Eternal State when they leave the Body, and to the full Consummation of it at the last Day. For now, the Father judgeth no Man, but hath committed all Judgment to the Son, Joh. 5. 22. 27. Which, as it makes for the un∣speakable Comfort of all his Faithful Ser∣vants, since they are to be judg'd by their own Advocate, who has preferr'd their Ease and Happiness to his own Life; so will it be to the eternal Terrour of all those his Enemies, who would not have him to reign over them, Luk. 19. 27. And all this Power he exercises himself from Heaven, besides what he doth by his Bishops and Pastors, who are the Officers of his Kingdom, and his

Deputies and Substitutes here on Earth.

Quest. Has he any other Business to do for us at God's Right-hand, as our King?

Answ. Yes, to prepare a Place for us, and allot us Royal Habitations with him∣self. I go to prepare a Place for you, and I will come again, and receive you to my self, that where I am, there ye may be also, Joh. 14. 2, 3. The First Adam lost Paradise, and the Second Adam was to restore us to it: Who, after he had merited it for us by his Cross, ascended into Heaven, to instal our Nature there, and claim his Pur∣chase. And, discharging the mighty An∣gel, whose flaming Sword, after the Fall, was set to guard the Passage to it from our Intrusions, open'd the Kingdom of Heaven to all Believers.

Quest. What further Concern did he transact for us, by going to Heaven?

Answ. 3. As a Prophet, he sent down the Holy Ghost, to instruct his Church in his Absence, and to be with us in his stead. It is expedient for you, that I go away: For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him un∣to you, Joh. 16. 7. Being by the Right-hand of God exalted, he received the Promise of the Holy Ghost, Act. 2. 33. and sent him on his Apostles, to abide with them for ever, Joh. 14. 16.

Quest. How did the Holy-Spirit supply his Absence?

Answ. By endowing them with such mi∣raculous

Gifts, as enabled them to propa∣gate his Religion thro the World as effe∣ctually, as if he had staid with them; and with such inward Graces, as would fit themselves for those Mansions he had pro∣vided for them. Of both which, I shall say more in their proper place.

Quest. And these Gifts, you say, he ascended to bestow upon his Church?

Answ. Yes; the Holy-Ghost was not to be given, till after Jesus was glorified, Joh. 7. 39. but when he ascended up on high, he received Gifts for Men, that the Lord might dwell among them, Psal. 68. 18. and Eph. 4. 8.

Quest. Now our Saviour Christ is Ascend∣ed, is not his Glorified Body to take up its Mansion, and fixt Abode at God's Right∣hand?

Answ. Yes; as St. Peter told the Jews, the Heavens must receive him, unto the Times of Restitution of all things, Act. 3. 21. And then, as the Angel told his Apostles, he shall so come again to judge the World from Heaven, in like manner as▪ they then saw him go into Heaven, Act. 1. 1••.

Quest. If his Bodily Presence and Local Abode be at the Right-hand of God's Throne in Heaven, then we are not to expect any thing of a Bodily Presence in any Ordi∣nances here on Earth?

Answ. No; as to his Bodily Presence, it is expresly said, that he parted from his Di∣sciples, Luk. 24. 51. that he left the World, Joh. 16. 28. and is no more in the World,

Joh. 17. 11. and, tho the Poor we should, yet him we should not have always with us, Mat. 26. 11. that whilst we are in the Body, we are absent from him, 2 Cor. 5. 6. and are not to be with him, till we depart hence, Phil. 1. 23. that his Bodily Abode is in Heaven, where he is to remain till the Consummation, Act. 3. 21. and without ascending to Hea∣ven to fetch him, there is no bringing him back to Earth again, Rom. 10. 6. and when he comes to judge the World, it shall be from thence by Change of Place and Local Motion, call'd his Descending from Heaven, 1 Thess. 4. 16. and coming in the Clouds of Heaven, Mat. 26. 64. and the Saints are to be call'd up from the Earth into the Air to meet him, 1 Thess. 4. 17. All which plainly imply his Bodily Presence to be circumscri∣bed, and limited to God's Right-hand, and no longer in this World. But the way of Christ's Presence with his Church, is by his Spirit, which works the same Effects, and confers the same Graces, that he himself would, were he personally upon Earth. His Spirit is his Advocate, who was to succeed in his Place, to maintain his Cause, Joh. 15. 26. and to stay with us all the time of his absence, he shall abide with you for ever, Joh. 14. 16. And this Presence of his Spi∣rit, in all compleatness of Vertue and real. Effects, he himself judges preferable to all Ocular Manifestations of his Person or Sensible Presence; which, tho it might serve more to delight our Eyes, and enter∣tain

our Fancies, yet would signifie less to real and desirable Purposes. 'Tis expedient for you, says he, that I go away, speaking to his Disciples of his Bodily Absence: For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come; but if I depart, I will send him, Joh. 16. 7. And, It is the Spirit that quickneth, but the Flesh profits nothing, said he at ano∣ther time to the gross Capernaites, upon a like Competition of these two ways of his Presence with us, Joh. 6. 63.

Quest. What must we learn from Christ's being exalted to such Sovereign and Super∣eminent Authority, at God's Right-hand?

Answ. To render him the Reverence, and Obedience, due to so High a Majesty. For since God has thus highly exalted him, at his Name every Knee must bow, and every Tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11.

Quest. What from his being so Compas∣sionate, and Powerful an Advocate?

Answ. To come to him in every Want or Distress, with Confidence and Assurance of Faith; being fully perswaded, both of his Kindness for us, and of his Interest with God, to obtain whatsoever is necessary, or convenient for us. Having such an High-Priest, let us come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4. 14, 16. But particularly, to come with sure Hope and Expectation of the Pardon of our Sins, when we truly repent of them; and of his

Good Spirit and Grace, when we are careful to make a Diligent and Right use of them. If any Man Sin, we have an Ad∣vocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righ∣teous, who is a Propitiation for our Sins, 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2. And, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that dyed, yea rather that is risen again, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom. 3. 34.

Quest. What learn we from his Power to Subdue all his Enemies?

Answ. To trust him, as I noted above, with the care of our selves, and of his Church, and not suffer our selves to be cast into any anxious Fears, or forced upon the use of any unlawful means, by any Streights. But to believe, (let Dangers and Disorders be what they will,) that the Lord Reigns, and that we and all his faith∣ful People, are safest whilst we are doing our Duty, and are in his hands. That in∣deed, is the true way to yield present se∣curity, but especially, if thereby we hap∣pen to suffer, to make sure a surpassing Recompence of Glory. For this is a Faith∣ful saying, if we be dead with him, that is to Sin, we shall also live with him, that is in Glory: If we suffer and endure, that is, per∣severe in obeying, chiefly when we obey with Loss and Difficulty, we shall also Reign with him. 2 Tim. 2. 11, 12.

Quest. Since Christ is now in Heaven, and we profess to fix all our Hopes in him: Should not that make us think much of that

Place where he is, and of the way to come thither?

Answ. Without Question it should. If ye be risen with Christ, seek those Things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the Right Hand of God, Col. 3. 1. Here in the Body, we sojourn from the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 6. In this World we are strangers and Pilgrims, 1 Pet. 2. 11. But God above is our Father, and Jesus Christ, at God's Right-Hand, is our Lord, and the Glorified Saints are our Fellow-Citizens, Eph. 2. 19. And being thus Gods Family or Domesticks, our Conversa∣tion should be, where our Civil Relation and Society is, that is in Heaven, whence also we look for the Lord Jesus, Phil. 3. 20. Since our Treasure is with him in Heaven, there should our Hearts be also, Mat. 6. 21. So that although in passing through this World, we cannot quite neglect the things of it, yet must we always heedfully mind, and carefully seek the things above it.

Notes

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  Mar. 16. 1, 2.
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  Joseph. Antiqu. l. 7. c. 11.
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  2 King. 11. 5 7. & 2 Chron. 23. 4.
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  Act. 1. 3.
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  Deut. 18. 18, 21, 22.
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  Exod. 24. 16, 17. Ezek. 1. 27, 28.