in all our necessities as is to be found in his Ascension We may now pray and not fear our Mediator is gone before our Advocate is with the Father Be now wholly confident that thou shalt be heard in that thou fearest weak Duties cannot hinder acceptance when Christ is above to further it When thou dost pray thou goest to a God that hath thine Advocate at his Right-hand He that is of God's Counsel is thy Counsel This the Apostle thinks is enough to give a Man a bold and confident face in that holy Presence 4 Heb. 14 16. Seeing then that we have an High Priest that is passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace Never fear Christ is above Who would not come boldly into the Court when he knows he hath such a Person to present his Petition The eldest Son to the King is of thy side what needest thou fear some would take off Prayer from being now a Duty because we live in the days of the Gospel Days say they of a high Dispensation 't is ill being too high for Duty No my Brethren pray now if ever for now thine Advocate is in Heaven and therefore thou shouldst now be always sending up Petitions thither 2. Christ ascended to Heaven that he might make a full Conquest over all his Peoples Enemies And this we are told by the Author to the Hebrews Ch. 10.12 13. This man sat down at the right hand of God expecting till his enemies be made his footstool That is till they are fully conquered and in the 4 Eph. 8. When he ascended up on high he led Captivity captive That is he led those captive which had before kept his People in captivity as we may see to be the meaning of the Phrase in the 5 Judges 12. An allusion to the Custom of the Romans who after their Victory led their Captives in triumph So Christ's ascending up to Heaven it was his getting into his Triumphal Chariot leading his own and his Peoples Enemies captived at his Chariot-wheels as it were and so saith Paul 2 Colos 15. Having spoiled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is he did in height of confidence make them a publick Example of fcorn and shame 'T is true Christ strook the last stroke and won the day on his Cross Then the Devil and Sin and Death received their mortal wound But at the Resurrection he seized the Prey laid hold on those he had subdued and by his Ascension dragged them as it were at his Chariot-wheels to be trampled upon by all those that are Members of his Body which makes the Victory of God's poor People certain Oh what a comfort is this my Brethren that Christ by going up to Heaven doth manifest to all the World that all their Enemies lie bleeding at his Feet That he hath overcome the Grave Death the Devil and Sin They may bark they can bite no more the Serpent may put out his Sting but cannot hurt They now lie all as Captives chained in the Stocks till the King's Pleasure How are we hereby armed against the fear of Satan I confess these spiritual Powers are great in their own nature But they are not now what they were They are disarmed Devils they are Devils but they are naked Devils Devils they are but wounded Devils conquered Devils Devils led captives Devils in Chain no fear of a chained Enemy if you come not within his reach 2. Again what Encouragement have we here to hold out in all our Encounters against these Enemies They may foam but they cannot fight they are Prisoners Captives chained up from doing hurt Christ our Lord doth hold them pinioned that they cannot stir they think they may do what they please but no more then a Goal-bird in Irons they are held with Irons of Guilt and in Chains of Providence we would all say that that Man hath a base low Spirit who when he was well appointed and well-guarded should rear a naked Enemy We have our Weapons with us our Captain with us our Enemies naked and bound Let us be strong then in the might of him that strengthens us to look upon Satan now as loose is to deny Christ's Ascension He is a Devil still but a chained Devil 3. Here 's an Encouragement for our Faith too keep that eye clear that thou mayest see thy Victory and thou art safe there 's no more required then that thou see thy Captain triumphing Give Glory unto Christ that he hath done this for thee and he will apply it to thee Doth the Devil hold hard Fear not one look of Christ's will make his Weapons fall out of his hands Is Sin strong Yea but the Sting is gone Christ hath the Victory look to thy Saviour let but thy Faith mount into his Triumphal Chariot and thine Enemies are all under thy feet also You know 't is a mighty Encouragement to a Souldier to fight when he sees his Commander go on beating down his Enemies before him We should fear our Enemies less and prevail more if we would eye Christ's Conquest more frequently having such a Friend in Heaven we need not fear any on Earth nor Friend in Hell 3. He ascended on high for the pouring forth of the Graces of his Spirit that his People might also be prepared for that holy place not only that they be secured here but crowned above whence saith the Apostle Ephes 4.8 When he ascended on high he led Captivity captive and gave Gifts unto men It is an allusion to the Roman Custom that when the Conqueror rode in Triumph towards the Capitol or Palace he did not only draw the Prisoners at his Chariot-wheels but also scatter'd Money to the Spectators that saw him ride along in Triumph Why so Christ having by his Ascension spoiled Death and the Devil cast his Gifts unto Men dispenseth his Graces in a greater measure into the Hearts of his People He hath conquered his Enemies and now gives about his Favours to those that are his so that strength of Grace is the Fruit of Christ's Ascension and Acts 2.33 Being by the Right hand of God exalted he hath shed forth the Holy Ghost And therefore to comfort his Disciples at his departure shews them what they should get by the loss of his corporal Presence John 16.7 It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come to you But if I depart I will send him to you And 7 John 39. The Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Christ was not yet glorified Not that this Text or that other gives any countenance to that Socinian dotage That before Christ's Ascension there were no saving Gifts of the Spirit for that will suppose that before Christ was there none went to Heaven or that Holiness was not necessary to the seeing of God But the
Graces of God's Spirit were not given down in that full and abundant measure till after Christ's Ascension The Apostles had after Christ's Ascension as in the 2 Acts a greater measure of the Holy Ghost poured down into them they had been given to the People of old The Disciples living in the Enjoyment of Christ's corporal Presence were so hung upon that that they were less capable of his spiritual Presence and therefore Christ must be gone that way might be made for this Spiritual appearance an infinite comfort in this Age of great work and difficulties that God's People may now go with boldness to beg greater measures of Grace yea and expect them too for this was the end of Christ's Ascension That if Troubles grow and Work increase a Soul may now expect higher and more enlarged Graces Christ did ascend not only to give you Gifts to bring you to Heaven but to give you Ministers enriched with eminent Abilities to fit you for Heaven Eph. 4.10 which by the way may shew Men how ill they requite the LORD when they band themselves against him Your Graces and your Ministers were alike the Fruit of CHRIST's Ascension that oppose them is to resist the GRACE of GOD. 4. Christ ascended on high to make Intercession for his People My Brethren Christ got into Heaven not only to open a way for his People to pray but that he might himself pray for his People Heb. 9.24 He is entred into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us It was requisite that Christ should ascend into Heaven that as he executed the Office of a Priest by offering himself upon the Cross for us he might also do it by appearing before God in Heaven to make Intercession for us There is he now holding up his Blood his Wounds to the Father that poor Worms may be pardoned poor Souls saved poor Bodies raised and then both glorified 'T was such a Priest we wanted saith Paul Heb. 7.26 Such an High Priest became us who is holy made higher then the Heaven which by the way doth shew us the advantage which God's People have by Christ's absence more then they should by his Presence Christ could never have fulfilled the Office of his Priesthood by making Intercession for his People if he had not gone bodily into Heaven and therefore 't is said If he were on Earth he should not be a Priest Look on this now as an unspeakable comfort that our Saviour is now in Heaven bodily appearing before God making Suit and Intercession for his People that their Sins may be pardoned that their Prayers may be heard that their Souls may be saved that their Enemies may be disappointed this was typified under the Law in the 28 Exod. 9 10 11 12 29. Aaron the Jewish High Priest was to bear the Names of the Children of Israel in the Breast-Plate of Judgment upon his Heart when he went into the holy Place for a Memorial before the Lord continually and this Type was fulfilled in the Ascension of Christ as in Heb. 9.24 Christ is entred into Heaven to appear in the presence of God for us Thither he is gone with the Names of all his People not on his Breast but in his Heart to make Intercession for them to his Father The Comforts whereof may be gathered from the two principal Parts thereof 1. The Presentation and Tender of his own Blood to his Father which he shed for our Sins a Blood of so much worth and value as God himself cannot ask more for 't is the Blood of him that is his fellow that is as much as to say the value of it is infinite not infinite only by way of price but efficacy A Blood that dyes white that make Sins of a Crimson and a Scarlet-dye like Snow and Wool 2. A making request for us Thus did the High Priest who was a Type of Christ enter into the holy of holiest which was a Figure of Heaven not only with Blood but with Incense which did signifie his Prayers to his People that by both he might perform the Office of an Intercessor Levit. 16.12 What the High Priest did typically within the Vail Christ doth now really within Heaven And therefore he is said to enter in by his blood into the holy place Heb. 9.12 and not only so but with his incense too Revel 8.2 3. whereof it is said that much was given him that he should offer it with the Prayer of the Saints Now indeed his very Blood hath an interceding Voice and therefore it is called the Blood that speaketh Heb. 12.24 My Brethren all that is in Christ hath a Voice to beg his Peoples Pardon A happy People to have such an Advocate his Person prays his Office prays his Humiliation his Exaltation all have a Voice to beg mercy for a poor Sinner like Paul for Onesimus a Mediator for him and a Sponsor for him Philem. 9.10 A Mediator I beseech thee for Onesimus saith he and a Sponsor if he hath wronged thee or oweth thee any thing put it on mine account I will repay it Thus is Christ both a Mediator and Surety Hence he is called a Mediator of a better Covenant Heb. 8.6 And a surety of a better Testament Heb. 7.22 So that he doth not only pray for us but promise for us he doth not only beg for us but engage for us His Person that cries for Mercy The Nature that hath sinned suffered His Merits that cries for mercy The Debt which was due is satisfied His Will that cries for mercy Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am John 17.24 Thus is Christ a compleat Intercessor All in him intercedes and he intercedes for all in us For Sin to be pardoned for Sin to be purged for the Soul to be saved for the Person to be glorified hence come all our Mercies priviledges all our Hopes for 1. Hereby we come to be brought into a more familiar acquaintance with and enjoyment of God himself I pray for these saith Christ That as thou father art in me and I in thee they also may be one in us John 17.21 That God and his People are as one was the Purchase of his Blood but that they are fastened in the most uniting Bond of Love and Affection is the Fruit of Christ's Prayer 2. Hereby we come too to be furnished with all spiritual Graces for our spiritual Employments I will pray the father saith Christ and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth John 14.16 17. Every glance of God on thy Heart every motion of his Spirit in thy Soul every impression of Grace on thy Spirit is the Fruit of the Intercession of Christ 3. Hereby come all our Services to be sanctified The High Priest was to bear the Iniquity of the holy things of the Children of Israel Exod. 38.28 So doth Christ He
gone his Journey why now then let the Servants every one set to their Business to their Service now let it be known they are not Eye-servants but do what they do in Love 6. There is another special Duty that from Christ's Ascension lies upon you that is Spiritual Joy and Rejoycing My Brethren Christ's Ascension was his Triumph and if a People be loyal when their King triumphs they will rejoyce Oh let our joyful Spirits give Eccho as it were to Christ's Trumpets that while they sound a Victory and Peace on Earth we may cry glory to the Highest Christ himself made this an Evidence of his Peoples Love 14 John If ye loved me ye would rejoyce because I said I go unto the Father Hadst thou a poor Kinsman advanced to some high Place in the Commonwealth thou wert but a poor Friend if thou wouldst not rejoyce So it is our eldest Brother yea our Head is gone into Heaven and there in our Nature sitteth next in Authority under God the Father who hath put all things under him and shall not we send one Gratulation after him See the Disciples Carriage when they had seen Christ ascended a Man would have thought that they which had so sweet Converse with Christ should have been found in a sad and mourning Posture upon his Departure He gone whose Life was their Light his Words a sweet Mixture of wise Counsels solid Comfort precious Promises and he departed from us Who but would have thought he should have found his Disciples wringing their Hands and prickt at their very Hearts since they had lost the Personal Presence of him who was their Counsel and Support their very Hope and Life No such matter they rejoyced that he was gone as you may see 24 Luke 52 53. He was parted from them and they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God See my Brethren it was the very Joy of their Hearts that Christ was gone to Heaven they rejoyced at it and they continued rejoycing just like good Subjects when their King rides in Triumph they cry after him GOD save the KING GOD save the KING some such Triumphant Song should we send after our Triumphing Captain None should express more Joy in Words in Works in Carriage in Conversation in Face in Faith than God's People 'T is an undecent and unbeseeming thing that a triumphing King should have a sad and a sullen People None should be so heartily merry as Christians I do not mean toyish and idle and apish in their Carriage and their Words which to see in People of Age may be the Wonder of Fools and Laughter of Children But in a comfortable Frame of Spirit arising from the Mercies they have and the Hope they have founded on the Love of God manifested in Promises that 's Madness and not Mirth which makes Fools and Children laugh but wise Men mourn Their Leader is in his Chariot on his Throne their Enemies at his Wheels at their Feet Thanks be to God that hath given us the Victory through Jesus Christ. 7. Lastly Is Christ gone to Heaven why then make up after him as fast as thou canst ascend thither Spiritually whether Christ is ascended Corporally Is Christ in Heaven why then let thine Heart be in Heaven let thine Heart be where thy Head is let thy Desires Thoughts Meditations be like the Angels on Jacob's Ladder going up coming down hold constant Correspondence with thy Prince Remember Christ thy Head is in Heaven What hast thou to do to build Tabernacles here upon Earth thou art Travelling to thy Country to thy Husband Along in the way thou art going for Jewels do not think of taking up thy rest in thy way Doest thou believe Christ is ascended What dost thou scraping then in the Earth and rooting thy self in the Mud or tumbling with Swine in dirty Puddles of Filthy Pleasures Observe what Paul saith 3 Coloss 1. If ye be risen with Christ seek these things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God What said the Angels to those that came to seek Christ in his Sepulcher Luke 24. Why say they Do ye seek the living among the dead he is not here he is risen So why seek you Christ amongst the things of the Earth he is not here he is ascended Christ is in Heaven Why then Let our conversation be in Heaven saith the Apostle Phil. 3.20 Where the Carcase is thither will the Eagles be gathered saith Christ Matth. 24.28 The Glory of the Gospel shall with such Effect and Power be maintained in the World that it shall make Men as eager to come after Christ into Heaven as the Eagle is after the Prey See then how you can find the Power of Christ's Ascension growing upon your Hearts Whether it draws thee up to Christ makes thee most Earthly and more Heavenly Whether it makes thee more Passionately eager and more Importunately earnest after Christ in his Ordinances in his Presence in his Grace in his Members This is thy Duty and this if it be thy Work will be thy Happiness What all for Earth and Christ in Heaven Let thy Thoughts then be more working to Christ thy Words more Talking of Christ thy Life more guided by Christ thy Affection more with the People of Christ Thy Head is in Heaven Let thy Heart be in Heaven and then doubt not but thy Body will come after FINIS BOOKS Printed for John Salusbury in Cornhill THE Certainty of The Worlds of Spirits fully evinced by unquestionable Histories of Apparitions and Witchcrafts Operations Voices c. Proving the Immortality of Souls the Malice and Miseries of the Devils and the damned and the Blessedness of the Justified The End of Doctrinal Controversies which have lately troubled the Churches by reconciling Explication without much Disputing Both by Mr. Richard Baxter The Protestant Religion truly stated and justified by the late Reverend Divine Mr. Richard Baxter Whereunto is added by way of an Epistle some Account of the Learned Author never before Published By Mr. Matth. Silvester and Mr. Daniel Williams The Harmony of the Divine Attributes in the Countrivance and Accomplishment of Man's Redemption by the Lord Jesus Christ By William Bates D. D. The Changeableness of this World with respect to Nations Families and particular Persons with a Practical Application thereof to the various Conditions of this Mortal Life By Timothy Rogers M. A. The Christian Laver or a Discourse opening the Nature of Participation with and Demonstrating the Necessity of Purification by Christ By T. Cruso Earthquakes Explained and practically Improved Occasioned by the late Earthquake Septemb. 8. 1692. In London and many other Parts of England and beyond Sea With a particular Account of the Earthquake in Jamaica By Tho. Doolittle M. A. The Pastor's Care and Dignity and the Peoples Duty By G. Tross