A47437:201
Christ alone the way to Heaven, or, Jacob's ladder improved containing four sermons lately preached on Genesis XXVIII, XII : wherein the doctrine of free-grace is displayed through Jesus Christ : also discovering the nature, office, and ministration of the holy angels : to which is added one sermon on Rom. 8, 1 : with some short reflections on Mr. Samuel Clark's new book entitled Scripture justification / by Benjamin Keach.Christ alone the way to Heaven, or, Jacob's ladder improved containing four sermons lately preach'd on Genesis XXVIII, XII : wherein the doctrine of free-grace is display'd through Jesus Christ : also discovering the nature, office, and ministration of the holy angels : to which is added one sermon on Rom. 8, 1 : with some short reflections on Mr. Samuel Clark's new book intituled Scripture justification / by Benjamin Keach.
London: printed by Benja. Harris, 1698
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This is done in him, even in Christ alone, none but he hath done it, or could do it. God by him, who stands at the top of the Ladder, comes down to us, as well as we go up to God; it is by Christ that God comes down to us in a way of Mercy, Peace, and Reconciliation; and it is by Christ we go up to God in a way of Faith, and dependence. Beloved,1 God and poor Sinners meet together on this Sacred Ladder (or blessed Medium and contrivances of infinite Wisdom) in Christ, we who were Strangers and Enemies, meet with a holy and just God, with joy and comfort: You that were sometimes alienated, and enemies in your Minds by wicked Works, 2hath he reconciled in the body of his Flesh, through Death. 3When we were Enemies we were reconciled unto God by the Death of his Son. Now this is done by Christ as a Priest in dying; But
This is done in him, even in Christ alone, none but he hath done it, or could do it. God by him, who stands at the top of the Ladder, comes down to us, as well as we go up to God; it is by Christ that God comes down to us in a way of Mercy, Peace, and Reconciliation; and it is by Christ we go up to God in a way of Faith, and dependance. Beloved,1 God and poor Sinners meet together on this Sacred Ladder (or blessed Medium and contrivances of infinite Wisdom) in Christ, we who were Strangers and Enemies, meet with a holy and just God, with joy and comfort: You that were sometimes alienated, and enemies in your Minds by wicked Works, 2hath he reconciled in the body of his Flesh, through Death. 3When we were Enemies we were reconciled unto God by the Death of his Son. Now this is done by Christ as a Priest in dying; But
Secondly, He is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder, as our High-Priest also,1 by his Intercession now in Heaven.
1. He intercedes with God for us in Heaven also.
1. He interceeds with God for us in Heaven also.
2. He intercedes by his Spirit in us:1 By his Intercession in heaven he prevails with God for the Blessings of his Atonement; and by his Spirits intercession in us, all those Blessings are applied, and so made effectual to us. By virtue of his Satisfaction, God is brought near to us; and through Application of his Blood, by his Spirit, we are brought near unto God: And thus is Christ, the blessed Medium or Way, by which Peace is made between Heaven and Earth, or God and Sinners.
2. He interceeds by his Spirit in us:1 By his Intercession in heaven he prevails with God for the Blessings of his Attonement; and by his Spirits intercession in us, all those Blessings are applyed, and so made effectual to us. By vertue of his Satisfaction, God is brought near to us; and thro Application of his Blood, by his Spirit, we are brought near unto God: And thus is Christ, the blessed Medium or Way, by which Peace is made between Heaven and Earth, or God and Sinners.
Moreover, by this glorious Medium we have free access unto God, which is the effects of Christ's Priestly Office.
Moreover, by this glorious Me•ium we have free access unto God, which is the effects of Christ's Priestly Office.
Christ is the Way of our Union with God, and also of our Communion: All that divine and blessed intercourse that passeth between God and us,1 is in and by Jesus Christ; Seeing then we have a great High-Pri••t, 2t••t is passed into Heaven, let us therefore come •oldly to the Throne of Grace, &c. Again he saith, Having therefore, Brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
Christ is the Way of our Union with God, and also of our Com•union: All that divine and blessed intercourse that passeth between God and us,1 is in and by Jesus Christ; Seeing then we have a great High-Pri••t, 2t••t is passed into Heaven, let us therefore come •oldly to the Throne of Grace, &c. Again he sai•h, Having therefore, Brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
1Secondly, Christ is exalted as he is a King, and also as King, he is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder; and in this respect wonderfully exalted: Him hath God exalted at his Right-hand, to be a Prince, 2and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel, and remission of Sins. Christ is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, the only Potentate; It is by him Kings reign, and Princes decree Judgment. He pulls down one, and sets up another as it pleaseth him.3 [1.] Christ, my Brethren, is the Father's Heir, his First-born. [2.] He is also qualified with all Princely Wisdom, and so fit to reign over all; Angels Men and Devils are subject unto him. [3.] He is chosen-King. [4.] He is by the Father anointed King with the Oil of gladness above his Fellows. 4[5.] And he is proclaimed King for ever. [6.] He has the Government on his Shoulders;5 he rules in us, and subdues all our Enemies; he bows and bends our ⟨p. 45⟩Spirits and stubborn Wills to submit to his Sovereignty; he mortifies all our Corruptions, and brings us out of the Prison-house,6 and spoils the strong Man armed: he has conquered the World,7 Sin, and Devils for us, and doth, and will also subdue them i• us; he is both King of Saints, and King of Nations.
1Secondly, Christ is exalted as he is a King, and also as King, he is the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder; and in this respect wonderfully exalted: Him hath God exalted at his Right-hand, to be a Prince, 2and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel, and remission of Sins. Christ is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, the only Potentate; It is by him Kings reign, and Princes decree Judgment. He pulls down one, and sets up another as it pleaseth him.
Thirdly, Christ as he is a Prophet, 1is also the Antitype of Jacob's Ladder; and as thus considered he is exalted.
1. He received his Doctrine from Heaven, and brings it down to Earth. He is said to speak from Heaven, and yet he spake on Earth; and when he spake on Earth as Man, he was in Heaven as God: And thus the Foot of the Ladder was on Earth, and the Top reached to Heaven. Moreover, by his Speaking he makes such Hearts of men as were earthly▪ to be heavenly, and lifts us up in our Desires, Meditations, and Affections from earth to heaven.
Christ is lifted up and exalted as a Prophet, and higher in Glory than all the Prophets of God.
1. All the Prophets of God besides him, were inspired by him
2. They received the Spirit but by Measure; but he without Measure.
3. Other Prophets only could speak to the Ear, he speaks to the Heart.
