1. By way of Declaration. It belongs unto a Forerunner to carry Tidings, and to declare what is the success that hath been obtained in the Affair which he giveth an account of. The Lord Christ entering into Heaven makes an open declaration, that he hath led Captivity Captive, spoiled Principalities and Powers, triumphed over them, that he hath obtained his Portion, and divided the spoil with the strong, Isa. 53. 12. that he hath rescued his Church from the Power of Sin, Satan, Death and Law. And there were two parts of the Triumphant Declaration made by this Forerunner of the Church. (1) That he had discharged his Original Engagement for the Salvation of Believers under the Old Testament, on the Faith whereof they were accepted with God, and saved. Hence upon his entrance within the Veil, they also join in that doxology, Rev. 5. 9, 10, 11, 12. And he was their Forerunner also. For although I have no apprehension of the Limbus Patrum fancied by the Papists, yet I think the Fathers that died under the Old Testament had a nearer Admission into the Presence of God, upon the Ascension of Christ, than what they enjoyed before. They were in Heaven before, the Sanctuary of God; but were not admitted within the Veil, into the most holy place, where all the Counsels of God in Christ are displayed and represented. There was no entrance before either as to Grace or Glory within the Veil, Heb. 9. 8. For as I said, within the Veil are all the Counsels of God in Christ laid open, as they were typed in the Holy place. This none could or were to behold, before his own entrance thither. Wherefore he was their Forerunner also. (2) To declare the Redemption of all the Elect that were to follow him in their several Generations. This is Triumphantly declared in Heaven, Psal. 47. 5, 6, 7. Psal. 68. 18, 24, 25, 26.
1. By way of Declaration. It belongs unto a Forerunner to carry Tidings, and to declare what is the success that hath been obtained in the Affair which he giveth an account of. The Lord Christ entring into Heaven makes an open declaration, that he hath led Captivity Captive, spoiled Principalities and Powers, triumphed over them, that he hath obtained his Portion, and divided the spoil with the strong, Isa. 53. 12. that he hath rescued his Church from the Power of Sin, Sathan, Death and Law. And there were two parts of the Triumphant Declaration made by this Forerunner of the Church. (1) That he had discharged his Original Engagement for the Salvation of Believers under the Old Testament, on the Faith whereof they were accepted with God, and saved. Hence upon his entrance within the Vail, they also joyn in that doxologie, Rev. 5. 9, 10, 11, 12. And he was their Forerunner also. For although I have no apprehension of the Limbus Patrum fancied by the Papists, yet I think the Fathers that died under the Old Testament had a nearer Admission into the Presence of God, upon the Ascension of Christ, than what they enjoyed before. They were in Heaven before, the Sanctuary of God; but were not admitted within the Vail, into the most holy place, where all the Counsels of God in Christ are displayed and represented. There was no entrance before either as to Grace or Glory within the Vail, Heb. 9. 8. For as I said, within the Vail are all the Counsels of God in Christ laid open, as they were typed in the Holy place. This none could or were to behold, before his own entrance thither. Wherefore he was their Forerunner also. (2) To declare the Redemption of all the Elect that were to follow him in their several Generations. This is Triumphantly declared in Heaven, Psal. 47. 5, 6, 7. Psal. 68. 18, 24, 25, 26.
