A85428:559
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 2: §. II.
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.
And when Christ says, That my joy may remain in you, it is as if he had said, that I may even in heaven have cause to rejoice in you, when I shall hear and know of you, that you agree and are loving each to other, and keep my Commandments. The joy which he there calls His joy, [My] joy, is not to be understood Objectivè, of Their joy in Him, as the object of it: but Subjectiè, of the joy that should be in himself, and which he should have in them. So Augustine long since interpreted it. Quodnam (sayes hee) est illud gaudium Christi [in nobis,] nisi quod ille dignatur gaudere [de nobis?] what is Christs joy in us, but that which he vouchsafeth to have of and for us? And it is evident by this, that otherwise if it were their joy which he meant in that first sentence, then that other that follows, [And your joy shall be full] were a Tautology. He speaks therefore of his joy and theirs, as of two distinct things: and both together were the greatest motives that could be given to encourage and quicken his Disciples in obedience. Now take an estimate of Christs heart herein, from those two holy Apostles Paul and ⟨p. 103⟩John, who were smaller resemblances of this in Christ. What (next to immediate communion with Christ himself) was the greatest joy they had to live upon in this world, but only the fruit of their Ministry appearing in the graces both of the lives and hearts of such as they had begotten unto Christ? See how Paul utters himself, 1 Thes. 2. 19. What is our hope, (says he) or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Ye are our glory and our joy, ver. 20. And in the 3. Epist. of JOHN, ver. 3. John says the like, that he greatly rejoiced of that good testimony he had heard of Gaius: For (says he) I have no greater joy then to hear that my children walk in the truth, ver. 4. Now what were Paul and John but instruments by whom they believed and were begotten? and not on whom: Neither of these were crucified for them; nor were these children of theirs the travail of their souls: How much more then unto Christ, (whose interest in us and our welfare is so infinitely much greater) must his members be his joy and his crown? And to see them to come in to him for grace and mercy, and to walk in truth, rejoiceth him much more; for he thereby sees of the travail of his soul, and so is satisfied. Certainly what Solomon says of Parents, Prov. 10. 1