A85428:492
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. › Part 2 › Section 1: §. 1.
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.
For the first, God the Father hath given Jesus Christ a special command to love sinners; and hath withal implanted a merciful gracious disposition in his heart towards them. This I mention to argue it, because it is that which Christ allegeth, John 6. 37. as the original ground of this disposition of his, not to cast out those that come to him: For it is my Fathers will (says he in the following verses) that I should perform that which I came down from heaven for, ver. 38. And this lies now still upon him now he is in heaven, as much as ever: for his will also is (says he, ver. 39, 40.) that I should ⟨p. 49⟩raise them up at the last day, so as it must needs continue the same till then. And compare with this the 10. of John, from ver. 15. to 18. where having discoursed before of his care and love to his sheep, to give his life for them, to know and own them, and to bring them into the fold, &c. he concludes at ver. 18. [This commandment have I received from my Father.] It is his will, says the 6. of John, (and if a good son knows that a thing is his fathers mind and will, it is enough to move him to do it; much more if it be his express command.) And in this 10. of John he further says, that it is the command which he had received from the Father. A command is a mans will peremptorily expressed; so as there must be a breach, if it be not fulfilled: and such a command hath God given Christ concerning us. Out of both which places I observe three things to be the matter of this will and command of Gods: First, that Christ should die for his sheep; in respect to which command, he continued so to love them whilst here, as to lay down his life for them: so John 10. 15. but then he took it up again, and is ascended into heaven. Therefore those other two things commanded him, do concern him when he is in glory; namely, to receive all that come to him, which is the second; and the third, to look that he lose none of those for whom he dyed, but to raise them up. And for these his Fathers command lies as strictly on him, now he is in Heaven, as for dying for them whilst he was on earth: [This ⟨p. 50⟩command have I received from my Father, and this is his will.]