Jesus and the resurrection justified by witnesses in heaven and in earth in two parts : the first shewing that Jesus is the Son of God, the second that in him we have eternall life / by Symon Patrick ...

I.

For the First of these, it stands upon re∣cord in so many words, that St. Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost, and loo∣king up stedfastly to heaven, saw the hea∣vens opened, and beheld the glory of God, and Jesus standing at his right hand. vii. Act. 55, 56. Thus he declares, not to some simple people, who perhaps might believe him for his confidence, but to the great Councill of Jerusalem, who he knew were very much disaffected, nay perfectly opposite, to this truth. To them he pro∣tests in open Court, when he was upon his triall, and bids them mark it, (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Behold, take notice of what I now tell you,) I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. And he said it, though he knew he stood in certain perill of his life for

this declaration. It was for no other rea∣son that Jesus himself was put to death, but because he said He was the Son of God; and that they should see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and co∣ming in the clouds of heaven. And there∣fore for him to confirm so peremptorily this odious Truth, after they had killed Him, and thereby make them guilty of in∣nocent bloud, yea of the bloud of their great King, was a Crime he might well ex∣pect they would punish with as great se∣verity as was in their power to express: which we may be confident he would ne∣ver have provoked, had he not been so sure of the Glory of our Saviour, that he could not hold his peace. For who is there so frantick, as to expose himself to death for such an unprofitable lie? It is not in the nature of man to suffer so shame∣fully as he did in his own person, merely to bring a little false honour to another. To fansy a person of his Wisedom guilty of such madness, is a kind of distraction in him that supposes it: who, were he sober, would be taught otherwise by the abhorrence he feels in himself to throw away his life for a trifle.

Since there is not the least reason then to question, but that this Holy man be∣held the glory of God, and Jesus standing at his right hand, (i. e. the gates of Hea∣ven being set open, that he might have the favour to look into the celestiall pa∣lace, the Majesty of God was there repre∣sented to him sitting on a Throne, as it used to be in the propheticall Visions; and he beheld the Lord Jesus the very next person to the Divine Majesty:) we may clearly see in this Vision both the things that St. John here asserts, viz. that Eternall Life is in Jesus the Son of God, to give to those that effectually believe on his Name.

I. As for the first, the power wherewith he is invested to give Eternall LIFE, it is visible from his standing at God's right hand: which denotes his Omnipo∣tent Virtue to effect what he pleases. For by the right hand of God Jesus himself was exalted to the right hand of power, as you reade ii. Act. 33. v. 31. and there∣fore being placed there, it signifies that he can doe for us what God hath done for him; that is, exalt us to the like glory in the heavens where he is. And as this is a clear proof of one of the

things here recorded, that LIFE is in him; so the other,

II. That God hath given the faithfull a right to this Eternall LIFE with him, and that he will bestow it on us, is no less evident from the very End of this Vi∣sion. For we can see no other reason of this glorious appearance of our Saviour to him, but to incourage him in his prea∣ching, and incite him to witness a good confession, as he himself had done before this great Councill and before Pontius Pilate; in hope that if it cost him his life, as it had done our Saviour, he should live and reign with him in that glorious place where he now beheld him. This was the purpose of the heavenly WORD's coming now to him, that he might not doubt of his promises, nor shrink in the least from what he had preached, though he should die for it; which would doe him no greater harm then to dispatch him presently to the celestiall habitations. In the very beginning of his history we reade, that he had no sooner heard the Indictment read which they had drawn up against him, but, before he spake a word for himself, the whole Council be∣hold his face as it had been the face of an

Angel. vi. Act. 15. There appeared, that is, such a bright and sweet Majesty in his countenance, as made him look like one of the celestial inhabitants, who had al∣ready prevented the glorious state to which he was going. And his Answer to their charge being ended, their barba∣rous rage was not more apparent, then it was that the heavens opened to receive his Spirit, and let it into the dwelling of God, as soon as he should put off his mor∣tality.

There he beheld Jesus standing (where∣as he is commonly represented as sitting) at God's right hand; that he might know, He was ready to meet his Spirit, and en∣tertain it into his heavenly mansions; as well as that He was coming to destroy his persecutors, and put an end to their power and nation. And he saw also the Glory of God, as the Crown he should win by his Martyrdom: which had as sensible an effect upon his heart for the confir∣ming of his faith and constancy, as if he had heard the Almighty call to him and say, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Be not faint-hearted, O Stephen, nor suffer any degene∣rous thoughts to enter into thy breast. Though there is no man to stand by thee,

no Friend on earth to assist thee in this di∣stressed season; yet I with my beloved Son behold what is a doing. A happy Rest and repose is ready for thee. The gates of Pa∣radise stand wide open to thee. Have pa∣tience a while, and, leaving this tempora∣ry life, make hast to that which is eternall. Still thou seest God is in humane Nature; a thing beyond all worldly thoughts. Thou hast been taught by the Apostles, that the Father hath a genuine beloved Son: behold, I shew him to thee, as much as thou canst bear. And he stands at my right hand; that by the very site of the place thou mayst know the dignity he hath. It was a scan∣dall heretofore to many, that God should be on the Earth cloathed with flesh. But be∣hold him now with me on high in a celestiall, supercelestiall condition, still having the form of man; to confirm thee in the belief of the gracious dispensation which is now compleated. Be not disturbed, be not de∣jected, though for his sake thou beest stoned. Beholding the Dispenser of Rewards, do not fear the combate. Forsake thy body, and despising it as an earthly Prison, as a rui∣nous house, as a potter's vessel easily broken, come, run hither, being set at liberty, to the portion and inheritance here reserved for thee. For the crown of brave atchievements

is ready and expects thee. Step over from the earth to heaven, and take it. Leave thy body to the bloudy murtherers, as a morsel to dogs. Leave the mad inraged multitude, and come to the quire of Angels.

In these words Asterius expresses the sense of this heavenly Vision, * 1.1 wherein God shewed himself to this valiant man, that he might not be struck with any fear by the greatness of the danger. For this cause he did not send an Angel to assist him, as to the Apostles in prison, nor any ministring power and fellow-servant, as he speaks; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but he pre∣sented himself; that being the first-fruits of the Martyrs, he might leave a noble example to all that followed. And indeed what could more incourage them, then to hear so holy a man departing the world with these words in his mouth, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God? This was a notable Testimony which the hea∣venly WORD gave, that he was pos∣sessed of ETERNALL LIFE; whereby he animated this blessed Martyr, from what he saw Him enjoy, to doe as He had done. Which could have no force in it to persuade him, unless his meaning had

been, that he should no sooner leave the World, but ascend up thither where he was. And so St. Stephen understood it; for as they were stoning him (the greatest punishment the Jews could inflict) he called upon our Saviour, saying, Lord Je∣sus, receive my Spirit. vii. Act. 59. He doubted not of audience, when he beheld him who is sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high, i. Heb. 3. in another posture; * 1.2 not sitting, but standing there. What was the business (to use the words of another ancient Bishop) that made him rise thus out of his Father's throne? He saw this noble Combatant in his Agony, and rose up to crown his victory. And it was as if he had said, Fear not, Stephen; there is none shall beguile thee of thy reward. I am risen out of my throne, to reach thee my right hand. Beholding me who was cruci∣fied, grapple with the danger that presents it self to thee. I am he whom thou sawest hanging on a tree: by virtue of that cruci∣fixion I will reward thee. I preside in these Combats, and deal the Crowns to Conque∣rours. Fear not therefore those that go about to stone thee; they do but rear thee a lad∣der, against their wills, to heaven. Do not fear them; the stones will be but as so many steps to that blessed place where thou seest

me. It is not for thee to fear the stones, who art built on me the chief Corner-stone; and therefore canst not fare worse then I do, who am in glory for ever and ever.

With such thoughts as these this good Man laid down his life: which is as great an argument as any of this nature can be, that Jesus both can and will give Eternall Life to his followers. For else a person so full of Wisedom that they were not able to dispute with him, (vi. Act. 10.) would not have ventured his life, and endured the worst of deaths, having nothing to comfort him in his agony but onely the hope he had from Jesus, that he would receive his Spirit. This was it that gave him such boldness and full assurance of faith. With these words in his mouth he would have died, but that he pitied those who did not see as much as he did. Which made him expire in prayer for his perse∣cutours; wishing them no worse, then that they might not be hindred by this sin from believing in Jesus, and going thither where he hoped presently to be received.

So the same Asterius rightly under∣stands those words, LORD, lay not this

sin to their charge. He doth not wish them absolute impunity, which had been openly to oppose 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Di∣vine Ordinance and constitution, and to correct the judgment and decree of the most Just, who hath appointed a deserved punishment to murtherers: but he begs of God that, notwithstanding this crime, he would give them true compunction, and bring them to repentance. It being as if he had said, Do not let them die in their uncircumcision. Draw them by re∣pentance to the acknowledgment of thee. Kindle the flame of the Spirit in their hearts. By the means of my bloud let them be converted; that being washed in the laver of thy grace and in thy bloud, they may be delivered from their iniquities. A most pious conclusion of this bloudy Tra∣gedy; one of the principal Actours in which was presently after so miraculously touched from heaven, that it was visible our Lord had heard the devout prayer of his Martyr in this particular: and there∣fore had not denied his other request, but received his Spirit also unto himself.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Encomium in Proto∣mart.
• * 1.2

  Proclus Orat. xvii.