Christ Set Forth

not a word of that neither: but still his heart and his care is upon doing more; he looks not backward to what is past, but forgets his sufferings, as a woman her travail, for joy that a man-child is borne. Having now dispatched that great work on earth for them, he hastens to heaven as fast as he can to do another: And though he knew he had business yet to do upon earth, that would hold him forty days longer; yet to show that his heart was longing, and eagerly desirous to be at work for them in heaven, he speaks in the present tense, and tells them, I ascend; and he expresseth his joy to be, not only that he goes to his Father, but also that he goes to their Father, to be an advocate with him for them, of which I spake afore. And is indeed Jesus our Brother alive? and doth ⟨p. 28⟩he call us Brethren? and doth he talk thus lovingly of us? (whose heart would not this over come?)

not a word of that neither: but still his heart and his care is upon doing more; he looks not backward to what is past, but forgets his sufferings, as a woman her travaile, for joy that a man-child is borne. Having now dispatcht that great work on earth for them, he hastens to heaven as fast as he can to doe another: And though he knew he had businesse yet to doe upon earth, that would hold him forty dayes longer; yet to shew that his heart was longing, and eagerly desirous to be at work for them in heaven, hee speakes in the present tense, and tels them, I ascend; and he expresseth his joy to be, not onely that he goes to his Father, but also that he goes to their Father, to be an advocate with him for them, of which I spake afore. And is indeed Jesus our Brother alive? and doth ⟨p. 28⟩he call us Brethren? and doth he talk thus lovingly of us? (whose heart would not this over come?)

But this was but a message sent his Disciples, before he met them; let us next observe his carriage and speech at first meeting together. When he came first amongst them, this was his salutation, Peace be to you, ver. 19. which he reiterates, ver. 21. and it is all one with that former speech of his used in that his parting Sermon, [My peace I leave with you.] After this he breathes on them, and conveys the holy Ghost in a further measure into them, so to give an evidence of what he would do yet more plentifully in heaven: and the mystery of that his breathing on them, was to show that this was the utmost expression of his heart, to give them the Spirit, and that it came from the very bottom of it, (as a mans breath doth) as well as that the holy Ghost proceeds from him, as well as from the Father, (which was also the meaning of it.) And to what end doth he give them the Spirit? not for themselves alone; but that they by the gifts and assistance of that Spirit might forgive mens sins by converting them to him, [Whose sins soever ye remit, (namely, by your ministry) they are remitted to them:] His mind you see is still upon sinners, and his care for the conversion of their souls. And therefore in another Evangelist, (namely, Mark) his last words recorded are these: Go ye into all the World, and preach the Gospel unto every creature, and he that believeth shall be saved, &c. Chap. 16. 15.