SUMMARY OF SERMON XXXI. borne up, says MARK, CHAP. XVI.-VERSE 19. PRELIMINARY observations on the text, &c. The words contain two grand points of our faith, the ascension of our Lord to heaven, and his session there at God's right hand. These points explained; their truth confirmed; their ends and effects shown; and their practical application pointed out. I. He was received into heaven: this is the first point; wherein we may observe the act, and its term: the act; he was taken up, saith St. Mark; he was carried up, and he was St. Luke; he went into heaven, says St. Peter: which phrases signify that he was, according to his humanity, translated by the divine power into heaven: that he went with a proper local motion, the term whereof was heaven. And what is meant by heaven may appear from other equivalent places in Scripture: these quoted: whence it appears this term was the inmost sanctuary of God's temple above, not made with hands; even that inaccessible light, where he dwelleth. And there he sitteth at God's right hand; the meaning of which words it is not difficult to find out: this fully investigated. Our Lord as man, in regard to his perfect obedience, being raised by God to the supreme pitch of favor and honor with him, is so at the right hand of God that all power is given him for the governance and preservation of his church; &c. which state in Scripture is called his glorification. II. The confirmation of these points may be drawn, partly from ocular testimony, partly from rational deduction, partly from their correspondence with ancient presignifications and predictions. The ascension of our Lord was testified by the Apostles, who were eye-witnesses thereof. His arriving at the supreme pitch of glory, and his sitting there, is deduced from the authority of his own word, and of his inspired disciples; and these stand on the same grounds with other points of Christian faith, which need not now be insisted on. But it may be proper and useful to consider how. they were by the Holy Spirit in the ancient prophets presignified and predicted that they were so, our Lord himself tells us; Luke xxiv. 25. 26. and St. Peter testifies the same: 1 Peter i. 11. The types of Isaac, Joseph, Joshua, David, Enoch, Elijah, considered. That of the high priest and Jewish temple. These points were also aptly signified. Instances given from the Psalms. In fine, all the many prophecies that concern the spiritual and eternal kingdom of the Messias, do in effect declare the ascension and session of our Lord; particularly those of David, Psalm ii. 6. 8.; and that of Daniel, vii. 13. 14. III. The ends and effects of these two great points are in Scripture declared to be these. Our Lord by them was invested with the complete exercise of all his offices and privileges; &c. 1. He ascended into, and resides in heaven, at the right hand of divine majesty and power; that as a king he might govern us, protect us from all danger, relieve us from all want, deliver us from all evil; &c. This enlarged on. 2. That he may, in regard to us, there exercise his priestly function; and that of intercession; whence it is, that in his name, and through him, we are injoined to present our prayers, thanksgivings, and all services. Col. iii. 17. 3. Again, our Lord tells us that it was necessary for him to depart hence and to enter into this glorious state; that he might there exercise his prophetical office, by imparting to us his Holy Spirit for our instruction, direction, and comfort: this topic enlarged on. 4. He also tells us that he went to prepare a place for his faithful servants, having entered, as our forerunner into heaven: Heb. vi. 20. It was his ascension which did unlock the gates of heaven, before shut on us by our sins; &c. Opinions of the ancient fathers on this point; &c. 5. It was indeed an effect of our Lord's ascension and glorification, that all good Christians are with him, in a sort, translated into heaven, and advanced into a glorious state. We thence become, even as men, greatly dignified; but much more, as Christians, are we elevated by our near relation to him, and our participation with him as our head. We are also advantaged, in that his being so glorified is a sure pledge of that reward which all good Christians shall receive; &c. 6. It might be added that God did thus advance our Saviour, to declare the special regard he bears to piety, righteousness, and obedience. We see him, not only as an object of our contemplation, but as a pattern of our practice, and a ground of our encouragement. IV. Practical use of considering these important points. 1. It may serve to guard us from many dangerous errors; such as that of the old Eutychians, who held that the human nature of our Lord was converted into his divinity, or swallowed up thereby; that of the German Ubiquitaries, of the Lutheran Consubstantialists, and of the Roman Transubstantiators: these enlarged on. 2. Is Christ ascended and advanced to this glorious eminency? Then let us answerably behave ourselves, rendering him the honor, worship, and service due to that his state. 3. Hence also we have great cause to rejoice that our Lord BAR. VOL. VI. I hath obtained so absolute and glorious a victory over all our cruel enemies; &c. 4. The consideration of these things may serve to cherish and strengthen all kinds of faith and hope in us. 5. Also to excite and encourage our devotion, as having such a Mediator, so near God's presence, so much in his favor. 6. It may encourage us to all kind of obedience, if we consider his glory as a pledge of like recompense to ourselves, provided we tread in his footsteps. To him that overcometh, saith our Lord, I will grant to sit with me on my throne ; &c. 7. Lastly; the consideration of these points should elevate our thoughts and affections from inferior things here, unto heavenly things; according to that of St. Paul, If ye be risen with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting, at the right hand of God. Conclusion. He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God. SERMON XXXI. MARK, CHAP. XVI.-VERSE 19. He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. OUR Lord after his resurrection having consummated what was requisite to be done by him on earth, for the confirmation of our faith, and the constitution of his church; having for a competent time conversed with his disciples, enlightening their minds with knowlege of the truths concerning him, and in right understanding of the Scriptures relating to him; establishing their faith in immovable conviction, inflaming their affections by pathetical discourse, comforting their minds with gracious promises against tribulations ensuing, and arming their hearts with courage and patience against all oppositions of earth and hell; directing and prescribing to them how they should proceed in the instruction of men, and conversion of the world to the belief of his doctrine, the acceptance of his overtures, the observance of his laws; furnishing them with authority, and giving them orders to attest the truth concerning him, to dispense the grace and mercy procured by him, and to promulgate the whole will of God to mankind; promising them spiritual gifts and aids (both ordinary and extraordinary) necessary or conducible either to the common edification or to the particular welfare of Christians; ordering them to collect and compact the society of faithful believers in him, which he had purchased with his blood;' in fine, imparting to them his effectual benediction, and a promise of continual assistance in the prosecution of those great and holy designs which he com |