A85428:600
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 3 › 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.
yet in another respect, (namely, his relation to us, and office for us) they are his perfection. As he is our Head, (which he is as he is a man) it is his glory to be truly and really (even as a man) sensible of all our miseries; Yea it were his imperfection if he were not.
And 4. let me add this for our comfort, that though all such affections as are any way a burden to his spirit, or noxious to his body, be not now compatible to him; and though that passionate frailty and infirmity which did help him here to pity and relieve men in misery, out of a suffering hurtful to himself; though these be cut off: yet in those workings of affections and bowels, which he hath now, (which for substance are the same) there is (instead of that passionate frailty) a greater capaciousness, vastness, and ⟨p. 130⟩also quickness in his affections now in heaven, so to make up a compensation; & so no less effectually to stir and quicken him to relieve us, then those former affections did. For it is certain, that as his knowledge was enlarged upon his entering into glory; so his humane affections of love & pity are enlarged in solidity, strength, and reality, (as true conjugal love useth to be, though more passionate haply at first.) They are not less now, but are only made more spiritual. And as Solomons heart was as large in bounty and royalty, as in knowledge; so Christs affections of Love are as large as his Knowledge or his Power: They are all of a like extent and measure. So far as Gods intention to show mercy doth reach, (and who knows the end of those riches?) so far doth Christs disposition to bestow it. Ephes. 3. 19. The Love of Christ, God-man, passeth knowledge. It hath not lost, or been diminished by his going to heaven. Though God in his nature be more merciful then Christs humane nature; yet the act and exercise of Christs affections is as large as Gods purposes and decrees of mercy are. And all those large affections and mercies are become humane mercies; the mercies of a Man unto men.
And 4. let me adde this for our comfort, that though all such affections as are any way a burthen to his spirit, or noxious to his body, be not now compatible to him; and though that passionate frailty and infirmity which did help him here to pity and relieve men in misery, out of a suffering hurtfull to himselfe; though these be cut off: yet in those workings of affections and bowels, which he hath now, (which for substance are the same) there is (instead of that passionate frailty) a greater capaciousnesse, vastnesse, and