A85428:465
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 3: §. 3.
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.
Thirdly, some of the Apostles spake with him since, even many years after his Ascension. Thus John, and Paul, (of which the last was in heaven with him) and they both do give out the same thing of him. Paul heard not one Sermon of Christs (that we know of) whilst on earth, and received the Gospel from no man, Apostle, or other, but by the immediate Revelation of Jesus Christ from heaven (as he speaks, Gal. 1. 11, 12.) But he was converted by Christ himself from heaven, by immediate speech and conference of Christ himself with him; and this long after his Ascension. And in that one instance ⟨p. 34⟩Christ abundantly showed his heart and purpose to continue to all sorts of sinners to the end of the world. Thus in two places that great Apostle telleth us; the first is 1 Timoth. 1. 13. I was a persecutor, a blasphemer, (says he) but I obtained mercy, and the grace of our Lord (namely, Jesus Christ) was exceeding abundant: and upon this, he declares with open mouth (as it were) from Christs own self, who spake to him from Heaven, that this is the faithfullest saying that ever was uttered, that Christ came into the World to save sinners, whereof I am chief, (says he) ver. 15. And to testify that this was the very scope of Christ in thus converting of Paul, himself; and Pauls scope also in that place to Timothy to show so much, appears by what follows, v. 16. For this cause I obtained this mercy, that in me [first] Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering for a pattern to all them that should hereafter believe on him unto life everlasting. It is express (you see) to assure all sinners, unto the end of the world, of Christ heart towards them: this was his drift: For this very cause, (says Paul.) The second place I allege in proof of this, is the story of Pauls conversion, where he diligently inserts the very words that Christ spake to him from heaven, (Acts 26. 16.) which were these, [I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a Minister and a witness,—to send thee to the Gentiles, [to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance ⟨p. 37⟩