Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…

§ 40. But, Why did not these Three Apostles tell any of this Vision till after Christ's Resurrection? Ans. Christ did forbid it them. And it was according to the Method of his Revelation. He would make himself known to the World by degrees; and more by his Works than by bare Words: And these works were to be finished, and all set together to be his convincing Witness to the World. And the chief of these were his Resurrection, Ascension, and sending down the Holy Ghost: The Apostles could not say till then, [Jesus is risen, ascended and hath given us the Seal of the Spirit: therefore he is the Son of God. ⟨p. 350⟩Christ first preached Repentance like John Baptist: And next he told them that the Kingdom of God (by the Messiah) was come and was among them. And then he taught them to believe his Word to be sent from God, and to be true: And he taught them the Doctrines of Holiness, Love and Righteousness towards men: And he wrought those Miracles which might convince them that what he said or should say, deserved their belief: But yet before his Resurrection his Apostles themselves understood not many of the Articles of our Creed; they knew not that Christ was to die for sin, and so to redeem the World by his Sacrifice; nor that he was to Rise, Ascend, and Reign, and Intercede in Glory. And yet they were then in a state of Grace and Life, such as Believers were in before Christ's Incarnation. (And sure no more is required of the Nations that cannot hear the Gospel.)

But the Resurrection was the beginning of the proper Gospel State and Kingdom, to which all before was but preparatory: & then by the Spirit Christianity was formed to its settled Consistence, and is a known unalterable thing.

But the Resurrection was the beginning of the proper Gospel State and Kingdom, to which all before was but preparatory: & then by the Spirit Christianity was formed to its setled Consistence, and is a known unalterable thing.