(2ly,) The ends of his Ascension, as they are declared in Scripture, plainly speak the vehemency of Christs desire to draw Souls to him. Now the declared ends of his Ascension were (1) to ⟨p. 197⟩make way for the Spirits coming, to Convince, Convert, and Comfort the Souls of all that come unto him, John 16. 7. Nevertheless I tell yon the truth, It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart I will send him unto you. And when he is come he will reprove the World of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Without the Conviction of these things no Man can come to Christ; and no such Convictions can be wrought upon the Conscience of any Man without the Spirit; and the Spirit could not come to effect these things upon Mens Hearts if Christ had not ascended, John 7. 39. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified. Thus Christ provided for the carrying on of his great design upon your Hearts when he was entering into his own Glory: The thoughts of that Glory made him not to forget his great design upon Earth. (2) Another end of Christs Ascension was to make Intercession with the Father for all and every Soul that should come unto him; that their future sins might make no breach of the bond of the Covenant betwixt God and them. A Privilege able to draw the Hearts of all sinners to him, 1 John 2. 1, 2. My little Children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not: Mark it, the intercession of Christ must encourage and embolden no Man to sin; that would be a vile abuse of the Grace of God. But if any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins. i. e. If sin surprise and deceive any gracious Soul, the bent of whose ⟨p. 198⟩Heart is against it, let him not be discouraged he hath a potent Advocate ascended into the Heavens to continue the peace betwixt God and that Soul. O what an encouragement is here to gain the consent of a sinners Heart to embrace Jesus Christ! (3) Another declared end of Christs Ascension was to lead captivity captive, as in the forecited place, Psal. 68. 17. that is, to captivate and triumph over Satan as a conquered Enemy; who led us captive in the days of our vanity: He conquered Satan upon the Cross, Col.
(2ly,) The ends of his Ascension, as they are declared in Scripture, plainly speak the vehemency of Christs desire to draw Souls to him. Now the declared ends of his Ascension were (1) to ⟨p. 197⟩make way for the Spirits coming, to Convince, Convert, and Comfort the Souls of all that come unto him, Iohn 16. 7. Nevertheless I tell yon the truth, It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart I will send him unto you. And when he is come he will reprove the World of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Without the Conviction of these things no Man can come to Christ; and no such Convictions can be wrought upon the Conscience of any Man without the Spirit; and the Spirit could not come to effect these things upon Mens Hearts if Christ had not ascended, Iohn 7. 39. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Iesus was not yet glorified. Thus Christ provided for the carrying on of his great design upon your Hearts when he was entring into his own Glory: The thoughts of that Glory made him not to forget his great design upon Earth. (2) Another end of Christs Ascension was to make Intercession with the Father for all and every Soul that should come unto him; that their future sins might make no breach of the bond of the Covenant betwixt God and them. A Privilege able to draw the Hearts of all sinners to him, 1 Iohn 2. 1, 2. My little Children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not: Mark it, the intercession of Christ must incourage and embolden no Man to sin; that would be a vile abuse of the Grace of God. But if any Man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins. i. e. If sin surprize and deceive any gracious Soul, the bent of whose ⟨p. 198⟩Heart is against it, let him not be discouraged he hath a potent Advocate ascended into the Heavens to continue the peace betwixt God and that Soul. O what an encouragement is here to gain the consent of a sinners Heart to embrace Jesus Christ! (3) Another declared end of Christs Ascension was to lead captivity captive, as in the forecited place, Psal. 68. 17. that is, to captivate and triumph over Satan as a conquered Enemy; who led us captive in the days of our vanity: He conquered Satan upon the Cross, Col.
