A85428:439
Christ Set Forth
Christ set forth in his [brace] death, resurrection, ascension, sitting at Gods right hand, intercession, [brace] as the [brace] cause of justification. Object of justifying faith. Upon Rom. 8. ver. 34. Together with a treatise discovering the affectionate tenderness of Christs heart now in heaven, unto sinners on earth. / By Tho: Goodwin, B.D.Christ set forth in his [brace] death, resurrection, ascension, sitting at Gods right hand, intercession, [brace] as the [brace] cause of justification. Object of justifying faith. Upon Rom. 8. ver. 34. Together with a treatise discovering the affectionate tendernesse of Christs heart now in heaven, unto sinners on earth. / By Tho: Goodwin, B.D.
London: printed by W.E. and J.G. for Robert Dawlman, 1642
THE HEART OF Christ in Heaven, TO Sinners on Earth. › Epigraph › Section 1: §. I.
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.
Then secondly, to manifest his mind fullness of them, and of all believers else, when he should be in his glory, he tells them that when he hath dispatched that business for them, and made Heaven ready for them, and all the elect that are to come, that then he means to come again to them: So Chap. 14. ver. 3. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, which is a mere expression of love, for he if he had pleased, he might have ordered it to have sent for them to him, but he means to come for them himself, and this when he is warm (as we speak) and in the height and midst of his glory in Heaven, yet he vvill for a time leave it to come again unto his Spouse: And what is it for? 1. To see her; [I will see you again,] and your heart shall rejoice. 2. To fetch her; So John. 14. 3. I will come again and receive you to my self. He condescends to the very laws of Bridegrooms; (for notwithstanding all his greatness, no Lover shall put him down in any expression of true love) It is the manner of Bridegrooms, when they have made all ready in their Fathers house, then to come themselves and fetch their Brides, and not to send for them by others, because it is a time of love. Love descends, better then ascends; and so doth the love of Christ, who indeed is Love it self; & therefore comes down to us himself: I will come again and receive you unto my self, (says Christ) that so where I am, you may be also. That last part of ⟨p. 15⟩his speech gives the reason of it, and withal bewrays his entire affection: It is as if he had said, The truth is, I cannot live without you; I shall never be quiet till I have you where I am, that so we may never part again, (that is the reason of it.) Heaven shall not hold me, nor my Fathers company, if I have not you with me, my heart is so set upon you: And if I have any glory, you shall have part of it. So ver. 19. Because I live, you shall live also. It is a reason, and it is half an oath besides; [As I live] is Gods oath; [Because I live] says Christ; He pawns his life upon it, and desires to live upon no other terms; [He shall live to see his seed, &c. Isaiah 53.] And yet further, the more to express the workings and longings of his heart after them all that while, he tells them, it shall not be long neither ere he doth come again to them. So John 16. 16. Again a little while and ye shall see me;