1.1 And first for his Ascending; consider these two things in it which may uphold our confidence. 1. That the great end and purpose of that his Ascending, ⟨p. 103⟩the errand,2 the business he Ascended for, was to prepare and provide a place for us, and to make way for our coming thither. This he assures his Disciples of, John 14. 2. In my Fathers house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you: as Joseph was secretly sent before by Gods intendment to prepare a place in Egypt for his Brethren, whom Gods providence meant to bring after him: so more openly doth Christ Ascend to Heaven, professedly declaring that to be his business; [I go to prepare a place for you] and it is my Fathers house (saith he) where I can provide for you and make you welcome. You heard before, what welcome God gave Christ, when he first arrived there; and what he said to him, and Christ said (as it were) again to God: I come not alone, I have much company, many of my brethren, and followers to come after (for it was the declared and avowed end of his coming to prepare a place for them) I prayed when I was on earth, that where I am they might be also; (John 17.) and now I am come hither, my train must come in too; I am not complete without them, If you receive me you must receive them also, and I am come to take up lodgings for them. Thus the Captain of our salvation, (being made perfect through sufferings, and then crowned with glory and honour, in bringing of many Sons to Glory; as Heb. 2. 10.) of which company he was Captain) is brought in saying to God, ver. 13. Behold I and the Children which God hath given me, (he speaks it, when brought to glory) I am their Captain, and they ⟨p. 104⟩must follow me; Where I am they must be: Lo I am here, and am not to come alone, but to bring to glory, all the Children which thou hast given me. They shall be all welcome (says God) there is room enough for them: [many mansions] so that we need not fear, nor say in our hearts doubting and despairing, Who shall ascend up to Heaven for us, to bring us thither? (as Rom. 10.) Christ hath done it, That is the first thing, but that is not all.
1.1 And first for his Ascending; consider these two things in it which may uphold our confidence. 1. That the great end and purpose of that his Ascending, ⟨p. 103⟩the errand,2 the businesse he Ascended for, was to prepare and provide a place for us, and to make way for our comming thither. This he assures his Disciples of, Iohn 14. 2. In my Fathers house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you: as Ioseph was secretly sent before by Gods intendment to prepare a place in Egypt for his Brethren, whom Gods providence meant to bring after him: so more openly doth Christ Ascend to Heaven, professedly declaring that to be his businesse; [I go to prepare a place for you] and it is my Fathers house (saith he) where I can provide for you and make you welcome. You heard before, what welcome God gave Christ, when he first arrived there; and what he said to him, and Christ said (as it were) again to God: I come not alone, I have much company, many of my brethren, and followers to come after (for it was the declared and avowed end of his comming to prepare a place for them) I prayed when I was on earth, that where I am they might be also; (Iohn 17.) and now I am come hither, my traine must come in too; I am not compleate without them, If you receive me you must receive them also, and I am come to take up lodgings for them. Thus the Captain of our salvation, (being made perfect through sufferings, and then crowned with glory and honour, in bringing of many Sons to Glory; as Heb. 2. 10.) of which company he was Captain) is brought in saying to God, ver. 13. Behold I and the Children which God hath given me, (he speakes it, when brought to glory) I am their Captain, and they ⟨p. 104⟩must follow mee; Where I am they must be: Lo I am here, and am not to come alone, but to bring to glory, all the Children which thou hast given me. They shall be all welcome (saies God) there is roome enough for them: [many mansions] so that we neede not feare, nor say in our hearts doubting and despairing, Who shall ascend up to Heaven for us, to bring us thither? (as Rom. 10.) Christ hath done it, That is the first thing, but that is not all.
- 1By considering,
- 21. That the great end of his Ascending and entering Heaven, was to prepare a place for us and bring us thither.1. That the great end of his Ascending and entring Heaven, was to prepare a place for us and bring us thither.
