14 SERMONS upon Serm,4 3. To reprefent his Satisfa &ion. The Levitical Prieft was to enter into the Sanat- ory with Blood 5 fo Both Chrift into Heaven, to thew that he had done his Work. The Ipofile hath an Exprefflon which needeth opening, Heb. 8.4 If he were on Earth, lie fbould not be a Triefi : What is the meaning? was not Chrift a Priett, when he Was on Earth ? I anfwer, Yes. Why then doth the Ipafile fay, that if he were. on Earth, he "hold not be a Prieft? that he could not difcharge the whole Office of the Prieft- hood ; for the high Prieft once a Year carried the Sacrifice through the Court before the Sanctuary, and there killed it, and there took the Blood thereof into the holieft of all; and prefented himfelf before the Lord to intercede for the People : So Chrift carried his Sacrifice out Of the City, offered it up to God, and then entred into the heavenly Sanctuary, where he liveth for ever to intercede for us, and his Blood always runneth freth : and therefore if he were on Earth, he could not difcharge the whole Office of a Prieft. So Heb. 9.24. For Chrift is not entred into the holy Places made with Hand,, which are the Figures of the true, but into Heaven it felf,now to appear in the Pref nce of God for us, ijkcpeiviN reef. As the High-Prieft entred on the behalf of the People, with the Names of the twelve Tribes on his Breaft and Shoulders : So Chrift is entred on the behalf of us all, bearing the Memorial of every Samt on his Heart. Mark, the .fpoftle faith, Now to appear, not only once : The High-Prieft flayed not within the Sanctuary, but Chrift is our conftant Leiger in Heaven, all the time front his Afcenfion unto this day, conftantly, 1E11, while it is called Now. 4. To pour out the Spirit. john 7. 39. The Hoy GhoJI was not yet given, for Chrifb was not yet glorified. When the Husband is wanting, then he fendeth Tokens : So when Chrift is glorified, then he giveth out the Spirit; as Elijah, when he afcended, let fall his Mantle. Proper A &s have their proper Fruits. Chrift in Earth ettablithed our Right, and in Heaven he puts us in actual Pofleffion; the Purchafe was by Cbriffs Eicinanition 5 the Application by his Advancement. It was not meet Chrift fhould ufe a Royal A& fill his Advancement, and till he went to the Father : he afcended then; that his Blood might not be fpilt in vain, but that he might be in ti Capacity tet execute his own Teaament 5 unlefi Chrift had afcended, we needed not this Supply. 3dly, The Fruits and Benefits of his Afcenfion. 1. It is a Rgn God bath received Satisfa&ion. His Befurre &ion was a Pledg of it, then our Surety was let out of Prifon,the Lord fent an Angel to remove the Stone; not to fupply any Power in Chrift, but as a Judg when the Law is fatisfied, fendeth an Officer to open the Prifon Doors with Power and Authority. Heb. 13.20. The God of Peace, that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jelin : Chrin was not to break Prifon.. While the Surety lyeth in Prifon, the Debtor can leave no Difcharge. But now Chrift's Afcenfion gives a further degree of Affurance. Chrill is not only taken out of Pri- fon, but taken up to God with.Glory and Honour: God path taken up our Surety to hitnfelf, and rewarded him. Chrift hath perfectly done his Work, or elfe he had never been taken out of the Grave, much leis taken up to God : God is well pleafed with him, he hath not only a Difcharge, but a Reward. Chrifi is laid not only to afiend, but to be received into Glory 5 1 Tim. 3. 16. av ße áveAí St, an active, and a paffrve Word : the one noteth the Power of his Godhead ; the other noteth the Grant of the Father. Chrift took upon him the Quality of our Surety, and he mutt pay every Farthing ere he can go to his Father. It is a fufficient Pledg; John 16. so. Of Righteoufnef,, becaufe 1 go to the Father, and ye fee me no more : thus there was an ever- lofting Righteoufnefs eftablithed, he was never to fee God's Face more, if he had not perfectly done his Work. Gen. 43. 5. re (ball not fee my Face, except your Brother be with you : He is Gods Favourite. 2. It is a Pledg of our Afcenfion. John 3. 13. No Man path afcended up to Heaven, but he that came down from Heaven, even the Son of Man that if in Heaven : Afcendit fain, fed non talus 5 Head and Members mutt be together 5 our Head being there before, the Members mutt follow after. Chrift fpeaketh as if he were not content with his own Heaven without us, Verf.24. Father, I will that they alfa, whom thou haft given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my Glory which thou haft given me. Chrift took our Fleth to Heaven, and left his Spirit, which is an Earnefh of our Glory; 2 Cor.5 5. He bathgiven unto us the Parnell of the Spirit. God never taketh any thing from his Chil- dren, but he fendeth them a better thing in the room of ir. 3. We have an Interceffor at God's Right-hand, a Favourite in the Court of Heaven 5 1 John 2. I. If any Man fin, we have an Advocate with the Father, even Jef, r
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