70 An Éxpofition of the inHeaven. And this is that which the Apo/He in general intimates in thefe words, that as thegreateI Honour that can be done unto any one among the Iòns of men, is for the Chieflittler to let him next himfblfon his RightHand, CO is the Son as Media- . tor, made partaker ofth'egrearrll glory that Godhath to bellow in Heaven. It is not then theEfntial Eternal Gloryofthe Son of God; that he hath equal with the Father, which in thefe words is expreffed, andwhereof theApoJlle had Ipoken before ; bist that Glory and Honour which is bellowed on him by the Father, after and upon the Sacrifice of himfelf for the Expiation of fin. So then, the Righthandof God is not here taken abfolutely, as in other places, for the Purrer andStrength ofGod, but with the adlunt$ of fitting at it, it fhadows out a place and eminency of Glory, as he is coufidetedon hisThrone of *jelly : and therefore it is heretermed thé Right hand of Majelly, andnot ofOmnipotency or Power.' Inparticular, twothings are intended in thisExptellion. Firfi, The Security ofChrill from all his Adverfaries, and all fufferings for thefuture. The Jews' knew what he fuffered from God and Man. Hereof he lets them know what wasthe reafon, it was for the purging oforerfns. And moreover declares, that now he is everlaftinglyfcured from all Oppofition, for where he is, thither his:Adver- faries cannot come ; asJob. 7. 34. He isabove their reach, beyond their power,fecure in the Throne and Pretence of God. Thus the fruit ofthe Church, being teetered from the rage and perfecution ofSathane is laid to becaughtup unto God, and tohis throne, Rev. 12. q. Hence though mendo, and will continue their malice andwrath againft the Lord Chrill to the end of the world, as though they would crucifie him afrefh; yet hedies no more, being fecure out oftheir teach at theRight handof God. Secondly, His Majeflyand Gloryinexpreffible. Alt that can begiven'of God in hea- ven. God on his Throne, is God in the full manifeJtation ofbis own Majefly andGlory; on his Right hand fits the Mediator; yea fo, as that he alto isin the midJt ofthe Thrones, Revel. 5. 6. How littlecan our weak underffandings apprehend of this Majefly ? See Phil. 2. 8. Moth. 20. zl. Rom. 8.34. Co/. 3.5. Ephee 1.20. Thefe are the thingswhich the ApoJtlrfets forth in this Expretfion. And they are plainly intimated in theContext of thePf,,fna from whence the words are taken, Pfah. 110. I. So that it is not his Ruleand Authority, buthis Safety,M'ajefly and Glory which accompany them, that are here intended. Thirdly, We are to enquire what it was that the Aponte had reflect unto in this Afcriptiori ofGloryand Majefty untoChrift in the old Church [fate of the Jews, and fo what it is that hepreferreth him above. It is thought by many, that the Apollle in theft words exalteth Chrilt above David, thechiefeft King among theJews. Ofhim it is faid, that God would make him his ftrfl-born, higher than the Kings ofthe earth, Ppd. 89. 27. His Throne was high on the earth; and his Glory above that Ofallthe Kings about him; but for the LordCbrifl, he is incomparably exalted above him alto, in that he is roe down at theRight hand of the Majefly on High. But, as was faid, theft words denote not the Rule, Power, or Authority ofChri[t, typedby the Kingdom of David ; but his Glory and Majelty, repre- fented by the magnificent Throne ofSolomon. Befides, he is not treating ofthe Kingly Power of Chrill, but ofhis SacerdotalOffice, and the Glory that enfued upon the dif- charge thereof. That therefore which in theft words the Aponte flew tohave had refpe6t unto, was the high Priefls entrance into the Holy Place, after his offeringofthe folemn anni- verfary Sacrifice ofExpiation. Then alone was he admitted into that Holy Place, or Heaven below; where was the folemn Reprefentation of the Pretence of God, his Throne and his Glory. And what did he there ? He floodwith all Humility and lowly Reverence minifiringbefore the Lord, whofe pretence was there reprefented. Hedid not go andfit down between the Cherubim', but worlhipping atthe foot-ftool of the Lord, hedeparted. It is not, faith the Apoflle, fo with Chrifi; but as his Sacrifice was infinitely more excellent, and effe$ual than theirs, fo upon the offering ofit, he en- tered into the Holy Place, or Heaven it feltabove, and into the real gloriousprefeneeof God,: not to tniniller in humility, but to a participationofthe Throne ofMarti}, and Glory. Heis a King and Prieft upon hisThrone, Zech. 6. 1,3. Thus the ApoJtle [huts up his general Propofition ofthe whole matter, which he intends farther todilate and treat upon. In this defcription of the Perlon and Offices oftheMef iiah;he coucheththefprings Of all his enfiting Arguments, andfrom thence en- forceth CHAP. L
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