Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q1. What do you understand by Christ's exaltation?
A. Not the conferring of any new glory upon his divine person, which is absolutely unchangeable; but a manifestation, in the human nature, (which had eclipsed it for awhile,) of the same glory, of which he was eternally possessed as the Son of God, John 17:5 - "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."
Q2. Why does Christ's exaltation immediately follow his humiliation?
A. Because it is the proper reward of it, Phil. 2:8, 9 - "He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; wherefore God also hath highly exalted him."
Q3. What is the consequence of Christ's exaltation with respect to himself?
A. That the ignominy of the cross is thus fully wiped off, Heb. 12:2.
Q4. What is the design of it with respect to us?
A. "God raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that our faith and hope might be in God," 1 Pet. 1:21.
Q5. What are the several steps of Christ's exaltation mentioned in the answer?
A. They are, his rising again from the dead; his ascending up into heaven; his sitting at the right hand of God; and his coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q6. What is the FIRST STEP of Christ's exaltation?
A. His rising again from the dead on the third day, 1 Cor. 15:4.
Q7. What day of the week did the third day fall upon?
A. Upon the first day of the week, which is ever since, called the Lord's day, Rev. 1:10; and is to be observed to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath, Acts 20:7.
Q8. How can the day of Christ's resurrection be called the third day, when he was not two full days in the grave before?
A. It is usual in scripture to denominate the whole day from the remarkable event that happens in any hour of it: thus, Christ being crucified and buried on the evening before the Jewish Sabbath, and rising early in the morning after it, is said to rise again, "the third day according to the scriptures," 1 Cor. 15:4.
Q9. How may the truth Of Christ's resurrection be demonstrated?
A. From its being prefigured and foretold, and from its being attested by unquestionable witnesses and infallible proofs, Acts 1:3.
Q10. How was the resurrection of Christ prefigured?
A. By Abraham's receiving Isaac from the dead as a figure or representation of it, Heb. 11:19.
Q11. Was his resurrection foretold in the scriptures of the Old Testament?
A. The apostle Paul expressly affirms that it was, Acts 13:32-35 - "The promise," says he, "which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written, in the Second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; and that he raised him up from the dead, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David, (Isaiah 55:3). Wherefore he saith in another Psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption, (Psalm 16:10)."
Q12. Did not Christ foretell his own resurrection before he died?
A. Yes; for he said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," meaning the temple of his body, John 2:19, 21; and directed his disciples, before his death, to meet him in Galilee, after his resurrection, Matt. 26:32 - "After I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee."
Q13. By whom was the resurrection of Christ, attested?
A. By angels, by the disciples, and many others who saw him alive after he was risen.
Q14. What testimony did the angels give to his resurrection?
A. They said to the women who came to the sepulchre, "He is not here, for he is risen, as he said," Matt. 28:6.
Q15. How did the disciples attest the truth of his resurrection?
A. They unanimously declared, that "God raised him up the third day, and showed him openly, not to all the people, but unto the witnesses chosen before of God, even to us," says Peter, "who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead," Acts 10:40, 41.
Q16. Did Christ confirm the truth of his resurrection by frequent bodily appearances after it?
A. Yes; for on the very day he rose, "he appeared first to Mary Magdalene," Mark 16:9; then he appeared to her in company with the other Mary, Matt. 28:1, 9; afterwards he showed himself to the two disciples going to Emmaus, Luke 24:13, 15; then to Simon Peter alone, ver. 34; and "the same day at evening, being the first day of the week," he appeared to all the disciples, except Thomas, John 20:19, 24; after eight days, he appeared to all the apostles, when Thomas was with them, ver. 26; "After these things Jesus showed himself again to his disciples, at the sea of Tiberias," John 21:1; then we read of his appearing to the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee, Matt. 28:16; at which time, it is probable, he was seen of the five hundred brethren at once, mentioned, 1 Cor. 15:6, after that he was seen of James, ver. 7; and, lastly, on the day of his ascension, he appeared to all the disciples on Mount Olivet, Acts 1:9, 12.
Q17. For how long time did Christ show himself alive, to his disciples, after his resurrection?
A. Forty days, Acts 1:3.
Q18. Why did he continue so long with them?
A. That they might be fully convinced of the truth of his resurrection, by his appearing frequently in their presence, and conversing familiarly with them, Acts 10:40, 41, and that they might be instructed in the nature and government of his kingdom, chap. 1:3.
Q19. How may we be sure, that the testimony of the disciples, who were witnesses of the resurrection of Christ, may be depended upon as an infallible proof of it?
A. Because they testified of his resurrection, as a thing of which they had certain and personal knowledge, and proclaimed it in a most public and open manner, in the very place where that remarkable event happened, Acts 3:15, and that under the outward disadvantages of being imprisoned, beaten, Acts 5:18, 40, and persecuted to death itself, for publishing and defending such a doctrine, Acts 12:2, 3.
Q20. By whose power did Christ rise from the dead?
A. Although the resurrection of Christ be frequently ascribed to the Father, as in Eph. 1:20; yet, in opposition to the Socinians, and other enemies of the Deity of Christ, it is to be maintained, that he rose also by his own divine power, as is evident from Rom. 1:4.
Q21. How may it further appear, that he rose by his own divine power?
A. He expressly affirms, that he would raise up the temple of his body on the third day, John 2:19; and that he had power to lay down his life and to take it again, chap. 10:18.
Q22. In what capacity did he rise from the dead?
A. In the capacity of a public person, representing all his spiritual seed; and as having their discharge in his hand, Rom. 4:25.
Q23. What was the necessity of Christ's resurrection?
A. It was necessary in respect of God, in respect of Christ himself, and in respect of us.
Q24. Why was it necessary in respect of God?
A. Because, since he is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, it was necessary that he should not be the God of a dead, but of a living Redeemer: for he is "not the God of the dead, but of the living," Matt. 22:32.
Q25. Why was the resurrection of Christ necessary with respect to himself?
A. Because, having fully paid the debt for which he was incarcerated, justice required that he should "be taken from prison and from judgment," Isaiah 53:8; and that, since he purchased a kingdom by his death, he should rise again to possess it, Rom. 14:9.
Q26. Why was it necessary with respect to us?
A. Because, "if Christ be not risen, our faith is vain, and we are yet in our sins," 1 Cor. 15:17.
Q27. Did Christ rise with the self-same body in which he suffered?
A. Yes; for, says he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing," John 20:27.
Q28. What remarkable circumstances accompanied the resurrection of Christ?
A. It was accompanied with a great earthquake, the attendance of angels, and such terror upon the keepers, that they "did shake, and became as dead men," Matt. 28:2, 4.
Q29. In what manner did the high priest and elders vainly attempt to smother the truth of his resurrection?
A. They bribed the soldiers to say, "his disciples came by night, and stole him away, while we slept," Matt. 28:12, 13.
Q30. How does the falsehood of this ill-made story appear at first sight?
A. From this: that it is not to be supposed the whole company of soldiers, who guarded the sepulchre, would be all asleep at once, especially considering the great earthquake that accompanied the rolling away the stone, and the severity of the Roman military discipline, in like cases, Acts 12:18, 19; and if they were really asleep, how could they know that the disciples came and stole him away?
Q31. What does the doctrine of Christ's resurrection teach us?
A. That he must needs be a God of peace, who "brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus," Heb. 13:20; that death and the grave are unstinged and vanquished, 1 Cor. 15:55; and that his resurrection is a certain pledge and earnest of the resurrection of his members at the last day, he having "become the first fruits of them that slept," ver. 20.
Q32. What is the SECOND STEP of Christ's exaltation?
A. His ascending up into heaven, Psalm 68:18.
Q33. Does not Christ's ascending up into heaven, presuppose his descending thence?
A. Yes; for so argues the apostle; "Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth," Eph. 4:9.
Q34. Did Christ, when he is said to descend, bring a human nature from heaven with him?
A. By no means; for the human nature was made of a woman, on this earth, by the overshadowing power of the Holy Ghost, Luke 1:35; but his descending signifies his amazing condescension, in assuming our nature into personal union with himself, Phil. 2:6, 7.
Q35. How is the ascension of Christ expressed in scripture?
A. By his going away, John 16:7; his being "received up into heaven," Mark 16:19; and his having "entered once into the holy place," Heb. 9:12.
Q36. As to which of his two natures is he properly said to ascend?
A. Although Christ ascended personally into heaven, yet ascension is properly attributed to his human nature, as the divine nature is every where present, John 3:13.
Q37. From what part of the earth did Christ ascend into heaven?
A. He ascended from Mount Olivet, which was nigh to Bethany, Luke 24:50, compared with Acts 1:12.
Q38. What is worthy of consideration in this circumstance, that he ascended from Mount Olivet?
A. In the Mount of Olives was the place where his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death; and where he was in such an agony, that "his sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood falling down to the ground," Luke 22:39, 44; and therefore, in that very place, his heart is made glad by a triumphant ascension into that fulness of joy, and those pleasures for evermore, that are at God's right hand, Psalm 16:11.
Q39. Whither did Christ ascend, or to what place?
A. He ascended up into heaven, Acts 1:10, 11.
Q40. When did Christ ascend into heaven?
A. When forty days after his resurrection were elapsed, Acts 1:3.
Q41. Who were the witnesses of his ascension?
A. The eleven disciples were eye witnesses of it; for, "while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight," Acts 1:9.
Q42. What was he doing when he parted from them?
A. He was blessing them, Luke 24:51 - "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."
Q43. What was his parting word?
A. "Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," Matt. 28:20.
Q44. In what capacity did Christ ascend?
A. In a public capacity, as representing his whole mystical body: hence he is called the Forerunner, who "is, for us, entered within the veil," Heb. 6:20.
Q45. With what solemnity did he ascend?
A. With the solemnity of a glorious triumph: for, having vanquished sin, Satan, hell, and death, he ascended up on high, leading captivity captive, Eph. 4:8.
Q46. Who went in his retinue?
A. Thousands of angels, sounding forth his praise, as a victorious conqueror, Psalm 68:17.
Q47. What evidence did he give from heaven, of the reality of his ascension?
A. The extraordinary effusion of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, within a few days after it, Acts 2:1-4.
Q48. Why was this remarkable down-pouring of the Spirit delayed till after Christ's ascension?
A. That he might evidence his bounty and liberality, upon his instalment into the kingdom, by giving "gifts unto men," Eph. 4:8.
Q49. For what end did Christ ascend up into heaven?
A. That he might take possession of the many mansions there, and prepare them for his people, by carrying in the merit of his oblation thither, John 14:2, 3; and likewise, that he might make continual intercession for them, Heb. 7:25.
Q50. What does the ascension of Christ teach us?
A. That he has brought in an everlasting righteousness, because he has gone to his Father, John 16:10; and to believe that he will come again to receive us to himself that where he is, there we may be also, John 14:3.
Q51. What is the THIRD STEP of Christ's exaltation?
A. His sitting at the right hand of God the Father, Eph. 1:20.
Q52. What is meant by the right hand in scripture?
A. The place of the greatest honour and dignity, 1 Kings 2:19.
Q53. What is meant by sitting?
A. It implies rest and quietness, Micah 4:4 - "They shall sit, every man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid:" and likewise power and authority, Zech. 6:13 - "He shall sit and rule upon his throne."
Q54. What then are we to understand by Christ's sitting at the right hand of God the Father?
A. The quiet and peaceable possession of that matchless dignity, and fulness of power, with which he is vested, as the glorious King and Head of his church, Eph. 1:19-22.
Q55. For what end does he sit at the right hand of the Father?
A. That he may there represent his people, and make his enemies his footstool.
Q56. How does it appear that he represents his people at the right hand of God?
A. Because they are said to "sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus," which can only be meant of their sitting representatively in him, as their glorious Head, Eph. 2:6.
Q57. How are the enemies of Christ made his footstool?
A. By the triumphant victory which is obtained over them, Psalm 72:8, 9; and the extremity of shame, horror, and confusion, with which they shall be covered, Psalm 132:18.
Q58. When shall his enemies be made his footstool?
A. He has already triumphed over them in his cross, Col. 2:15; but he will make his final conquest conspicuous to the whole world at the last day, Rev. 20:10-14.
Q59. How long will Christ sit at the right hand of God the Father?
A. For ever and ever, Psalm 45:6 - "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever."
Q60. Will Christ's mediatory power and authority, at the right hand of God, be the same in the church triumphant in heaven, as it is in the church militant on earth?
A. It will be the same as to the essence or substance of it, but different as to the manner of its administration.
Q61. In what consists the essence of Christ's mediatory power and authority in heaven?
A. In the relation in which he stands to the members of his body: he will continue for ever to be the King, Head, and Husband of the church triumphant, the fountain of all blessing and happiness to them, and the bond of their perpetual fellowship and communion with God, Psalm 48:14; Hos. 2:19; Rev. 7:17.
Q62. What is the difference between the manner of the administration of his mediatory power here and hereafter?
A. The administration of his kingdom on this earth, is, by the ministry of the word, the dispensation of the sacraments, and the exercise of ecclesiastical government and discipline: but in heaven, there will be no use for any of these, Rev. 21:22 - "I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple of it."
Q63. What is meant then by Christ's delivering "up the kingdom to God, even the Father?" 1 Cor. 15:24.
A. The meaning is, Christ having completed the salvation of his church, will present all and every one of them to his "Father, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing," Eph. 5:27, saying, "Behold! I, and the children which God hath given me," Heb. 2:13.
Q64. What is meant by Christ's putting down all rule, and all authority, and power, in the above passage, 1 Cor. 15:24?
A. The meaning is, he will have no occasion to exercise his power and authority, in such sort as he did before; as there will be no more elect to save, and no more enemies to conquer, Rev. 19:8-20.
Q65. In what sense will the "Son also himself be subject to him that put all things under him" as it is said, ver. 28?
A. The Son, as Mediator, being the Father's servant in the great work of redemption, Isaiah 42:1, shall then be "subject to him that put all things under him," in so far, as having finished his mediatorial service, in bringing all the elect to glory, he will render up his commission, as his Father's delegate, not to be executed any more, in the former manner, as ruling over his church in the midst of enemies; for he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet, 1 Cor. 15:25; Heb 10:13.
Q66. In what respect is it said, that God shall then be all in all?
A. The glory of the Three-one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, will then be most clearly displayed, and no more a seeing "through a glass darkly, but face to face," 1 Cor. 13:12, and a seeing him as he is, 1 John 3:2.
Q67. What may we learn from Christ's sitting at the right hand of God?
A. That we ought to "seek those things which are above," where Christ is; and to "set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth," Col. 3:1, 2.
Q68. What is the FOURTH STEP of Christ's exaltation?
A. His coming to judge the world at the last day, Rev. 1:7; John 12:48.
Q69. How do you prove that there will be a general judgment?
A. The scripture expressly asserts it; and the justice and goodness of God necessarily require it.
Q70. Where is it expressly asserted in scripture?
A. In many places; particularly Acts 17:31 - "He hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained," &c. See also 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude, ver. 6; Rev. 20:11-13.
Q71. Why do the justice and goodness of God require a judgment?
A. Because they necessarily require that it be well with the righteous and ill with the wicked; that every man be rewarded according to his works, which not being done in this life, there must be a judgment to come: "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven," 2 Thess. 1:6, 7.
Q72. Who is to be the Judge?
A. The Son of man, the man Christ Jesus, Matt. 25:31; Rom. 14:10.
Q73. How will Christ, as God-man, be Judge, when it is said, (Psalm 50:6) that God is Judge himself?
A. The Three-one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is Judge, in respect of judiciary authority, dominion, and power; but Christ, as God-man, Mediator, is the Judge, in respect of dispensation and special exercise of that power, John 5:22 - "The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son."
Q74. Why is the judgment of the world committed to Christ as mediator?
A. Because it is a part of that exaltation, which is conferred upon him, in consequence of his voluntary humiliation, Phil. 2:8-10.
Q75. When will Christ come to judge the world?
A. At the last day, John 6:39, 40.
Q76. Why is it called the last day?
A. Because, after it time shall be no more; there will be no more a succession of days and nights, but one perpetual day of light, comfort, and joy, to the righteous, Rev. 21:23; and one perpetual night of utter darkness, misery, and wo, unto the wicked, Matt. 25:30.
Q77. In what manner will Christ come to judge the world?
A. In a most splendid and glorious manner: "for he will come in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory," Matt. 24:30; "In the glory of his Father, with the holy angels," Mark 8:38.
Q78. Will the world be looking for him when he comes to judgment?
A. No; his coming will be a fearful surprise to the world; for "the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night," 2 Pet. 3:10. See also Luke 17:26-31.
Q79. What is the difference between his first and second coming?
A. In his first coming, "he was made sin for us, though he knew no sin," 2 Cor. 5:21; but "he shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation," Heb. 9:28.
Q80. Is the precise time of his second coming known to men or angels?
A. No; it is fixed in the counsel of God, but not revealed to us, Mark 13:32.
Q81. What will be the forerunner of his second coming?
A. The preaching of the gospel to all nations, Matt. 24:14; the downfall of Antichrist, Rev. 18:21; the conversion of the Jews, Rev. 16:12; and yet, after all, a general decay of religion, and great security, Luke 18:8.
Q82. What are the qualities of the Judge?
A. He will be a visible Judge, "every eye shall see him," Rev. 1:7; an omniscient Judge, "all things will be naked and opened unto his eyes," Heb. 4:13; a most just and righteous Judge, 2 Tim. 4:8; and an omnipotent Judge, able to put his sentence into execution, Rev. 6:17.
Q83. Who are the parties that shall appear?
A. All mankind, called all nations, Matt. 25:32; and likewise, "the angels which kept not their first estate," Jude, verse 6.
Q84. What summons will be given to the parties?
A. "The voice of the archangel and the trump of God," 1 Thess. 4:16.
Q85. Will any of them be able to contemn the summons?
A. By no means: "all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ; and every one shall give account of himself to God," Rom. 14:10, 12.
Q86. Where will be his throne of judgment?
A. In the clouds, or aerial heavens; for we read of being "caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air," 1 Thess. 4:17.
Q87. By whom shall all mankind, great and small, be gathered to the bar of the Judge?
A. By the angels, who shall gather together all the elect, Mark 13:27, and likewise the reprobate, Matt. 13:41.
Q88. Will the elect and reprobate stand together, in one assembly, to be judged?
A. No; they shall be "separated one from another, as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats," Matt. 25:32.
Q89. How will they be assorted and separated, the one from the other?
A. The elect, who are called the sheep, being "caught up together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air," 1 Thess. 4:17, shall be set on his right hand; and the reprobate, being the goats, are left on the earth, (Matt. 24:40,) upon the Judge's left hand, Matt. 25:33.
Q90. What kind of a separation will this be?
A. It will be a total and final separation, never to meet or be fixed with one another any more, Matt. 25:46.
Q91. Will any man be a mere spectator of these two opposite companies?
A. No,:surely: every man and woman must take their place in one of the two; and shall share with the company, whatever hand it be upon, Matt. 25:33.
Q92. What will be the subject matter of the trial?
A. Men's works, "for God shall bring every work into judgment," &c., Eccl. 12:14; their words, "every idle word that men speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment," Matt. 12:36; and their thoughts, for he "will make manifest the counsels of the heart," 1 Cor. 4:5.
Q93. Why are books said to be opened at this solemn trial? Rev. 20:12.
A. Not to prevent mistakes in any point of law or fact for the Judge has an infallible knowledge of all things, but to show that his proceeding is most accurate, just, and well-grounded in every step of it, Gen. 18:25.
Q94. What are these books that shall be opened, and men "judged out of these things, which are written in the books?"
A. The book of God's remembrance, Mal. 3:16; the book of conscience, Rom. 2:15; the book of the law, Gal. 3:10; and the book of life, Rev. 20:12.
Q95. What is the book of God's remembrance?
A. It is the same with his omniscience, by which he knows exactly every man's state, thoughts, words, and deeds, whether good or bad, John 21:17 - "Lord, thou knowest all things."
Q96. For what will this book serve?
A. It will serve for an indictment against the ungodly: but with respect to the saints, it will be a memorial of all the good they have ever done, Matt. 25:35-41.
Q97. What kind of a book is that of conscience?
A. It is just a duplicate of God's book of remembrance, so far as it relates to ones own state and case, Rom. 2:15.
Q98. What is the book of the law?
A. It is the standard and rule of right and wrong, Rom. 7:7; and likewise of the sentence that shall be passed upon those who are under it, Gal. 3:10.
Q99. Why will this book be opened?
A. That all on the left hand may read their sentence in it, before it be pronounced, Ezek. 18:4.
Q100. By what law will the heathens be judged?
A. By the natural law, or the light of nature, which shows that "they who commit such things (as they shall be convicted of) are worthy of death," Rom. 1:32.
Q101. By what law will Jews and Christians be judged?
A. By the [written] law, Rom. 2:12 - "As many as have sinned in the law," - that is, under the written law, - "shall be judged by the written law."
Q102. Whether will Christians or Heathens be most inexcusable?
A. Beyond all doubt, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon and other heathen countries, at the day of judgment, than for those who enjoyed the light of the gospel, and despised it, Matt. 11:22, 24.
Q103. Will the book of the law be opened for the sentence of the saints?
A. No; for being, in this life, brought under a new covenant, they are no more "under the law, but under grace," Rom. 6:14; and therefore another book must be opened for their sentence.
Q104. What is that other book out of which the saints shall be judged?
A. It is the book of life, Rev. 20:12.
Q105. What is registered in this book?
A. The names of all the elect, Luke 10:20 - "Your names are written in heaven," Rev. 3:5 - "I will not blot his name out of the book of life."
Q106. Why is it called the book of life?
A. Because it contains God's gracious and unchangeable purpose, to bring all the elect to salvation, or eternal life, "through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth," 2 Thess. 2:13.
Q107. In whose hands is the book lodged?
A. In the hands of the Mediator, Christ Jesus, Deut. 33:3 - "All his saints are in thy hand."
Q108. What is the ground of the saints' acquittal, according to this book?
A. The book of life being opened, it will be known to all who are elected, and who not: Christ will, as it were, read out every man's and woman's name recorded in this book, Rev. 3:5 - "I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
Q109. Whether will the cause of the righteous or the wicked be first discussed?
A. As "the dead in Christ shall rise first," (1 Thess. 4:16,) so it appears from Matt. 25:34, and 41, compared, that the judgment of the saints, on the right hand, will have the preference.
Q110. What is the blessed sentence that shall be pronounced upon the saints?
A. "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," Matt. 25:34.
Q111. For what reason will this sentence be pronounced first?
A. Because the saints are to sit in judgment, as Christ's assessors, against wicked men and apostate angels, 1 Cor. 6:3, 4.
Q112. Upon what footing or foundation will this sentence pass?
A. Upon the footing of free grace alone, reigning through the imputed righteousness of the Surety, unto eternal life, Rom. 5:21.
Q113. Is it not said, Rev. 20:13, that they are "judged every man according to their works?"
A. The sentence passes upon the saints, ACCORDING to their works, as flowing from a heart renewed and sanctified; but neither for their works, nor for their faith, as if eternal life were in any way merited by them, Gal. 3:18; for the kingdom is said to be prepared for them, they inherit it as children, Rom. 8:17; but do not procure it to themselves, as servants do their wages, Col. 4:1.
Q114. Are not good works mentioned as the ground of the sentence, Matt. 25:35, 36 - "I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat" &c.?
A. These good works are mentioned, not as grounds of their sentence, but as evidences of their union with Christ, and of their right and title to heaven in him, John 15:5, 8; even as the apostle says in another case, of the unbelieving Jews, 1 Cor. 10:5 - "With many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness:" their overthrow in the wilderness, was not the ground of God's displeasure with them, but the evidence of it.
Q115. Will there be any mention made of the sins of the righteous?
A. It appears not; "In that time, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none: and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found," Jer. 5:20. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth," &c. Rom. 8:33, 34.
Q116. What will follow upon the saints' receiving their sentence of absolution?
A. They "shall judge the world," 1 Cor. 6:2.
Q117. In what way and manner shall they judge the world?
A. As assessors to Christ the Judge, assenting to his judgment as just, Rev. 19:2, and saying Amen to the doom pronounced against all the ungodly, Psalm 149:6-9.
Q118. What will be the sentence of damnation that shall pass upon the ungodly?
A. "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels," Matt. 25:41.
Q119. How is the misery of the wicked aggravated, by the pronouncing of this sentence?
A. In as much as they are damned by him who came to save sinners, Heb. 2:3, and must undergo the wrath of the Lamb, from which they can make no escape, Rev. 6:16, 17.
Q120. Is there any injury or wrong done them by this sentence?
A. By no means: for, says our Lord, "I was a hungered, and ye gave me no meat," &c. Matt. 25:42, 43.
Q121. Are these evils no more than evidences of their accursed state?
A. They are not only evidences of their ungodly state, but they are the proper causes and grounds of their condemnation: for, though good works do not merit salvation, yet evil works merit damnation, Rom. 6:23 - "The wages of sin is death."
Q122. Why are only sins of omission mentioned in the above passage?
A. To show, that if men shall be condemned for sins of omission, James 2:13, much more for those of commission, Rom. 2:23, 24.
Q123. What will follow upon the sentence of condemnation against the wicked?
A. The immediate execution of it, without the least reprieve or delay, Matt. 22:13.
Q124. Will the devils also be judged?
A. Yes; they are "reserved unto the judgment of the great day," Jude v. 6.
Q125. How can they be said to be reserved unto the judgment of that day, when they are condemned already?
A. Though, from the first moment of their sinning, they were actually under the wrath of God, and ever since carry their hell about with them, yet their final sentence to further judgment is reserved for that day, 2 Pet. 2:4.
Q126. What is the final sentence, or further judgment, to which they are reserved?
A. It will be a most dreadful addition, and accession to their present torments, not only by the holy triumph which the saints shall have over them, as vile, vanquished, and contemptible enemies; but likewise, by the eternal restraint that shall be laid upon them, from hurting the elect any more; and that, by their being shut up, and closely confined in the prison of hell, under the utmost extremity of anguish and horror for ever and ever, Rev. 20:10.
Q127. Who will keep the field on that day?
A. Christ and his glorious company: they shall see the backs of all their enemies, for the DAMNED shall go off first; as seems to be intimated in the order mentioned, Matt. 25:46 - "These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal."
Q128. What improvement ought we to make of Christ's coming to judge the world at the last day?
A. To be diligent that we be "found of him in peace at that day," 2 Pet. 3:14, by closing with him in the offer of the gospel now: to be "looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God," ver. 12, having our "loins girded about, and our lights burning," Luke 12:35; that so, when he comes, whether at death or judgment, we may be able to say, with joy, "Lo! This is our God, we have waited for him," Isaiah 25:9.
Q1. What is the first step of Christ's exaltation?
A. His resurrection from the dead.
Q2. How does his resurrection appear?
A. By the scripture prophecies accomplished in him; 1 Corinthians 15:4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures.
Q3. Why did Christ rise again?
A. To establish our faith, and abolish our sins; 1 Corinthians 15:17. And if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.
Q4. What other end was there of Christ's resurrection?
A. To declare his divine power; Romans 1:4 and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. And to evidence the fullness of his satisfaction; John 16:10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more.
Q5. Did Christ rise in the same body he laid down?
A. It was substantially the same; John 20:27. Then says he to Thomas, Reach hither your finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither your hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing.
Q6. What does Christ's resurrection teach us?
A. The certainty of our resurrection after death; 1 Corinthians 15:20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.
Q7. What is the second step of Christ's exaltation?
A. His ascension after forty days into Heaven; Acts 1:2, 3. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit, had given commandment unto the apostles, whom he had chosen: To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Q8. Why did Christ stay so long on earth?
A. To assure the truth of his resurrection, and to settle the due government of his church, Acts 1:2, 3.
Q9. For what end did he ascend?
A. To take possession of his glory; John 17:5. And now, Question Father, glorify you me with your own self, with the glory which I had with you before the world was. And that as our fore-runner, Hebrews 6:20. Where the Fore-runner is for us entered, even Jesus, etc.
Q10. In what manner did Christ ascend?
A. Triumphantly, and magnificently; Psalm 47:5. God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Q11. What does his ascension teach us?
A. Heavenly-mindedness; Colossians 3:1, 2. If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right-hand of God; set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. And an encouragement in our Christian race; Hebrews 12:1, 2. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right-hand of the throne of God.
Q1. Is Jesus Christ exalted?
A. Yes: Because he humbled himself, therefore God also hath highly exalted him, Phil. 2:9.
Q2. Was his humiliation the way to exaltation?
A. Yes: He suffered these things, and so entered into his glory, Luke 24:26.
Q3. Was his exaltation the reward of his humiliation?
A. Yes: I have glorified thee on the earth, and now O Father, glorify thou me, John 17:5.
Q4. Had he it in his eye in his sufferings?
A. Yes: For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, Heb. 12:2.
Q5. Was his resurrection the first step of his exaltation?
A. Yes: He was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Cor. 15:4.
Q6. Did he continue always in the hands of death?
A. No: For it was impossible he should be holden of them, Acts 2:24.
Q7. Did he rise to life?
A. Yes: He both rose and revived, Rom. 14:9.
Q8. Did the same body rise?
A. Yes: Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, Luke 24:39.
Q9. Is he the same Jesus still?
A. Yes: I am he that liveth, and was dead, Rev. 1:18.
Q10. Did he lie in the grave all the Jewish sabbath?
A. Yes: For he rose in the end of the sabbath, Matt. 28:1.
Q11. Did he rise the same day of the week?
A. Yes: As it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, Matt. 28:1.
Q12. Have we sufficient proof of his resurrection?
A. Yes: He showed himself alive, by many infallible proofs, Acts 1:3.
Q13. Did he rise to die no more?
A. Yes: Death hath no more dominion over him, Rom. 6:9.
Q14. Did Christ rise by his own power?
A. Yes: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up, John 2:19. and 10:18.
Q15. Was that a divine power?
A. Yes: For he was crucified through weakness, but he lived by the power of God, 2 Cor. 13:4.
Q16. Was it the great proof of his being the Son of God?
A. Yes: He was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, Rom. 1:4.
Q17. Was it the will of the Father he should rise?
A. Yes: For the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came, and rolled back the stone, Matt. 28:2.
Q18. Did the Father raise him?
A. Yes: God raised him from the dead, Acts 13:30.
Q19. Was this an evidence of the acceptance of his satisfaction?
A. Yes: For he was raised again for our justification, Rom. 4:25.
Q20. And we may plead it?
A. Yes: It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, Rom. 8:34.
Q21. Did Christ rise as a public person?
A. Yes: For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead, 1 Cor. 15:21.
Q22. Are true believers raised with him to a spiritual life ?
A. Yes: Be hath quickened us together with Christ, Eph. 2:5.
Q23. And shall they be shortly raised to eternal life?
A. Yes: Christ the first-fruits, afterward they that are Christ's at his coming, 1 Cor. 15:23.
Q24. Is the resurrection of Christ one of the great foundations of Christianity?
A. Yes: If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain, ver. 14.
Q25. Did Christ stay on earth forty days after his resurrection?
A. Yes: He was seen of them forty days, Acts 1:3.
Q26. Did he then ascend up into heaven?
A. Yes: While he blessed them he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven, Luke 24:51.
Q27. Did he ascend in a cloud?
A. Yes: A cloud received him out of their sight, Acts 1:9.
Q28. Was he welcome in heaven?
A. Yes: When the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, he came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him, Dan. 7:13.
Q29. Was it for our advantage that he ascended up into heaven?
A. Yes: It is expedient for you that I go away, John 16:7.
Q30. Did he ascend as a conqueror?
A. Yes: When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, Eph. 4:8.
Q31. Did he ascend as our forerunner?
A. Yes: As the forerunner he is for us entered, Heb. 6:20.
Q32. Is he gone to prepare a place for us?
A. Yes: I go to prepare a place for you, John 14:2.
Q33. Did he enter as our High Priest, within the veil?
A. Yes: By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, Heb. 9:12.
Q34. Did he sit at the right hand of God?
A. Yes: He is seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, Heb. 8:1.
Q35. Has he authority to sit there?
A. Yes: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Ps. 110:1.
Q36. Is he there now?
A. Yes: He is even at the right hand of God, Rom. 8:34.
Q37. Has he been seen there?
A. Yes: Stephen said, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God, Acts 7:56.
Q38. Will he continue there?
A. Yes: The heavens must receive him till the restitution of all things, Acts 3:21.
Q39. Has he the highest honour there?
A. Yes: God hath given him a name above every name, Phil. 2:9.
Q40. Has he the sovereign power there?
A. Yes: For angels, authorities, and powers are made subject to him, 1 Pet. 3:22.
Q41. Is he Lord of all there?
A. Yes: Thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands, Heb. 2:7.
Q42. Ought we therefore to have our hearts in heaven?
A. Yes: Seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God, Col. 3:1.
Q43. Will Christ come again?
A. Yes: If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, John 14:3.
Q44. Are you sure he will come again?
A. Yes: For he said, Surely I come quickly, Rev. 22:20.
Q45. Will he come in glory?
A. Yes: He shall come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, Matt. 24:30.
Q46. Will his angels attend him?
A. Yes: He shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, Matt. 25:31.
Q47. Will he come publicly ?
A. Yes: Behold he comes in the clouds, and every eye shall see him, Rev. 1:7.
Q48. Will Christ come to judge the world?
A. Yes: God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained, Acts 17:31.
Q49. Will he come to the terror of all his enemies?
A. Yes: They also which pierced him shall wail because of him, Rev. 1:7.
Q50. Will he come to the comfort of all his faithful followers?
A. Yes: To them that look for him, he will appear the second time unto salvation, Heb. 9:28.
Q51. Will this be at the last day?
A. Yes: I will raise him up at the last day, John 6:39.
Q52. Ought we to wait for that day?
A. Yes: Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Tit. 2:13.
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Christ the Redeemer
The person and work of Christ, and the application of redemption
Q21. Who is the Redeemer of God's elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
Q22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Q23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Q24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation.
Q25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
Q26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q27. Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?
A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Q30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Q31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Q32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Q33. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Q34. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.
Q35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.
Q36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Q38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
7. Christ's Exaltation
'Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, &c.' Phil 2:2.
We have before spoken of Christ's humiliation; we shall now speak of his exaltation. Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse, and shining in its full glory. ‘Wherefore God has highly exalted him;' super exaltavit, Ambrose. ‘Above all exaltation.'
Q-28: WHEREIN CONSISTS CHRIST'S EXALTATION?
A: In his rising from the dead, his ascending into heaven, and his sitting at the right hand of God the Father, &c.
In what sense has God exalted Christ?
Not in respect of his Godhead, for that cannot be exalted higher than it is: as in his humiliation, the Godhead was not lower; so in his exaltation, the Godhead is not higher: but Christ is exalted as Mediator, his human nature is exalted.
How many ways is Christ exalted?
Five ways. God has exalted Christ, 1: In his titles. 2. In his office. 3: In his ascension. 4: In his session at God's right-hand. 5: In constituting him judge of the world.
I. God has exalted Christ in his titles.
[1] He is exalted to be a Lord. Acts 19:17. ‘The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.' He is a Lord in respect of his sovereignty; he is Lord over angels and men. ‘All power is given to him.' Matt 28:18. Christ has three keys in his hand, the key of the grave, to open the graves of men at the resurrection; the key of heaven, to open the kingdom of heaven to whom he will; the key of hell, to lock up the damned in that fiery prison. Rev 1:18.
To this Lord all knees must bow. ‘That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.' Phil 2:20. Name is here put for person; to that holy thing Jesus, to the sceptre of that divine person, every knee shall bow. Bowing is put for subjection. All must be subdued to him as sons or captives, submit to him as to the Lord or Judge. ‘Kiss the Son' with a kiss of love and loyalty. Psa 2:12. We must not only cast ourselves into Christ's arms to be saved by him, but we must cast ourselves at his feet to serve him.
[2] Christ is exalted to be a prince. ‘There shall stand up Michael the great prince.' Dan 12:2: Some think it was a created angel, but it was Angelus Foederis, Christ the angel of the covenant. He is a great prince. ‘The prince of the kings of the earth.' Rev 1:1. They hold their crowns by immediate tenure from him; his throne is above the stars, he has angels and arch angels for his attendants. Thus he is exalted in his titles of honour.
II. God has exalted Christ in his office. He has honoured him to be Salvator mundi, the Saviour of the world. ‘Him has God exalted with his right hand, to be a prince and a Saviour.' Acts 5:51. It was a great honour to Moses to be a temporal saviour; but what is it to be the Saviour of souls? Christ is called the horn of salvation. Luke 1:19. He saves from sin, Matt 1:1I; from wrath, I Thess 1:10. To save is a flower belonging only to his crown. ‘Neither is there salvation in any other.' Acts 4:12. What an honour is this to Christ! How did it make heaven ring with the praises of the saints! They sing hallelujahs to Christ their Saviour. ‘They sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and open the seals; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.' Rev 5:5.
III. God has exalted Christ in his ascension; for if he be ascended, then he is exalted. Augustine says, ‘Some, as the Hermians, were of opinion that Christ's body ascended into the orb and circle of the sun.' But the Scripture plainly says he ascended into heaven. Luke 24:4I and Eph 4:40. ‘Far above all heavens;' therefore above the firmament. He is ascended into the highest part of the empyrean heaven, which Paul calls the third heaven. Concerning Christ's ascension, two things may be observed:
[1] The manner of his ascension. When Christ ascended he blessed his disciples. ‘He lifted up his hands, and blessed them, and while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.' Luke 24:40, 51. He did not leave them houses and lands, but he left them his blessing.
He ascended as a conqueror, in a way of triumph. ‘Thou hast led captivity captive,' &c. Psa 68:18. He triumphed over sin, hell, and death; and his triumph is a believer's triumph. He has conquered sin and hell for every believer.
[2] The fruit of Christ's ascension. His ascension to heaven causes the descension of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. ‘When he ascended up on high, he gave gifts to men.' Eph 4:4. Having ascended up in the clouds, as his triumphant chariot, he gives the gift of his Spirit to us; as a king at his coronation bestows gifts liberally on his favourites.
IV. God has exalted Christ in his session at God's right hand. ‘After the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat upon the right hand of God.' Mark 16:19. ‘He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, far above all principality and power, and every name that is named.' Eph 1:10.
What is meant by Christ sitting at God's right hand?
God really has no right-hand or left; for being a Spirit, he is void of all bodily parts; but it is a metaphor taken from the manner of kings, who were wont to advance their favourites next to their own persons, and set them at their right hand. Solomon caused a seat to be set for the queen his mother, and placed her at his right hand. I Kings 2:19. So for Christ to sit at the right hand of God, is to be in the next place to God the Father in dignity and honour. The human nature of Christ, being personally united to the divine, is now set down on a royal throne in heaven, and adored even by angels.
By virtue of the personal union of Christ's human nature with the divine, there is a communication of all that glory from the Deity of Christ of which his human nature is capable. Not that the manhood of Christ is advanced to an equality with the Godhead, but the divine nature being joined with the human, the human nature is wonderfully glorified, though not deified. Christ as mediator is filled with all majesty and honour, beyond the comprehension of the highest order of angels. In his humiliation he descended so low, that it was not fit to go lower; and in his exaltation he ascended so high that it is not possible to go higher. In his resurrection he was exalted above the grave, in his ascension he was exalted above the airy and starry heavens, in his sitting at God's right hand he was exalted far above the highest heavens, ‘Far above all heavens.' Eph 4:10.
V. God has exalted Christ in constituting him judge of the whole world. ‘The Father has committed all judgement to the Son.' John 5:52. At the day of judgement Christ shall be exalted supereminently. ‘He shall come in the glory of his Father.' Mark 8:88. He shall wear the same embroidered robes of majesty as the Father; and he shall come with all his holy angels. Matt 25:51. He who was led to the bar with a band of soldiers, shall be attended to the bench with a guard of angels. Christ shall judge his judges, he shall judge Pilate that condemned him; kings must leave their thrones and come to his bar. And this is the highest court of judicature, from whence is no appeal.
Use one: Of information. (1.) See the different state of Christ on earth and in heaven. Oh how is the scene altered! When he was on earth, he lay in a manger; now he sits on a throne. Then he was hated and scorned of men; now he is adored by angels. Then his name was reproached; now, ‘God has given him a name above every name.' Phil 2:2. Then he came in the form of a servant, and as a servant, stood with his bason and towel, and washed his disciples' feet; John 13:3, 5; now he is clad in his princes' robes, and the kings of the earth cast their crowns before him. On earth he was a man of sorrows; now he is anointed with the oil of gladness. On earth was his crucifixion; now his coronation. Then his Father frowned upon him in desertion; now he has set him at his right hand. Before, he seemed to have no form or beauty in him; Isa 53:3; now he is in the brightness of his Father's glory. Heb 1:1. Oh what a change is here! ‘Him has God highly exalted.'
(2.) Was Christ first humbled and then exalted? Hence learn ‘the way to true honour is humility.' ‘He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.' Luke 14:11: The world looks upon humility as that which will make contemptible, but it is the ready way to honour; the way to rise is to fall; the way to ascend is to descend. Humility exalts us in the esteem of men, and it exalts us to a higher throne in heaven. ‘Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.' Matt 18:8. He shall have a greater degree of glory in it.
(3.) Christ first suffered, and then was exalted. See here, that sufferings must go before glory. Many desire to be glorified with Christ, but they are not content to suffer for him. ‘If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him.' 2 Tim 2:12. The wicked first reign and then suffer; the godly first suffer, and then reign. There is no way to Constantinople, but through the strait; no way to heaven, but through sufferings; no way to the crown, but by the cross. Jerusalem above is a pleasant city, streets of gold, gates of pearl; but we must travel through a dirty road to it, through many reproaches and sufferings. Acts 14:42. We must enter into glory as Christ did; who first suffered shame and death, and then was exalted to sit at God's right hand.
Use two: Of comfort. (1.) Christ, being so highly exalted, has ennobled our nature, crowned it with glory, and lifted it above angels and archangels. Though, as man, he was made a little lower than the angels, Heb 2:2, yet as the human nature is united to the divine, and is at God's right hand, so the human nature is above the angels. If God has so dignified our nature, what a shame is it that we should debase it! God has exalted the human nature above the angels, and the drunkard debases the human nature below the beasts.
(2.) Christ being exalted at God's right hand, the key of government is laid upon his shoulders; he governs all the affairs of the world for his own glory. Do you think that when Christ is so highly advanced, and has all power in heaven and earth in his hand, he will not take care of his elect, and turn the most astonishing providences to the good of his church? In a clock, the wheels move cross one to another, but all make the clock strike; so Christ being at his Father's right hand, will make the most cross providences tend to the salvation of his church.
(3.) Christ being at God's right hand, we may be assured he has now finished the work of man's redemption. ‘This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God.' Heb 10:12. If Christ had not fully expiated sin, and satisfied God's law, he had not sat down at God's right hand, but had still lain in the grave; but now he is exalted to glory; which is an evident token that he has done and suffered all that was required of him, for working out our redemption.
(4.) Though Jesus Christ is so highly exalted in glory, yet he is not forgetful of us on earth. Some, when raised to places of honour, forget their friends; as the chief butler, when restored to his place at court, forgot poor Joseph in prison; but it is not so with Christ; though exalted to such glory in heaven, he is not unmindful of his saints on earth. Our high priest has all the names and wants of his people written upon his breast-plate. Art thou tempted? Though Christ be in glory, he knows how to pity and succour thee. ‘We have not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.' Heb 4:45. Dost thou mourn for sin? Christ, though in a glorified state, hears thy sighs, and bottles thy tears.
(5.) Christ being exalted at God's right hand is for the comfort of believers, that they may one day be exalted to that place of glory where he is. Christ's exaltation is our exaltation. He has prayed for this. ‘Father, I will that all those, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.' John 17:74. And he is said to go before to prepare a place, for believers. John 14:4. Christ is called the head, and the church is called the body. Eph 1:12, 23. The head being exalted to honour, the body mystic shall be exalted too. As sure as Christ is exalted far above all heavens, so sure will he instate believers in all that glory with which his human nature is adorned. John 17:72. As he here puts his grace upon the saints, so shortly will he put his glory upon them. This is comfort for the poorest Christian. Perhaps thou hast scarce a house to put thy head in, yet thou mayest look up to heaven, and say, There is my house, there is my country; I have already taken possession of heaven in my head, Christ; he sits there, and it will not be long before I shall sit there with him; he is upon the throne of glory, and I have his word for it, I shall sit upon the throne with him. Rev 3:3I.
Use three: Of exhortation. Has God highly exalted Christ? Let us labour to exalt him. Let us exalt, (1.) His person. (2.) His truths.
(1.) Let us exalt Christ in our hearts; believe, adore and love him. We cannot lift him up higher in heaven, but we may in our hearts. Let us exalt him in our lips; let us praise him. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost, our tongues must be the organs in these temples. By praising and commending Christ, we exalt him in the esteem of others. Let us exalt him in our lives, by living holy lives: vera religio haec, sine macula vivere luctant [This is true religion, when men strive to live blameless lives]. Not all the doxologies and prayers in the world so exalt Christ as a holy life. It makes Christ renowned, and lifts him up indeed, when his followers walk worthy of him.
(2.) Let us exalt Christ's truths. Bucholcerus, in his Chronology, reports of the nobles of Polonia, that whenever the gospel is read, they lay their hands upon their swords, intimating by that, they are ready to maintain the gospel with the hazard of their lives. Let us exalt Christ's truths; maintain the truths of Christ against error; maintain the doctrine of free grace against merit; the Deity of Christ against Socinianism.
Truth is the most orient pearl in Christ's crown. Let us contend for the truth, as one would for a large sum of money, that it should not be wrested out of his hand. Christ takes it to be exalting him when we exalt his truths, wherein his glory is concerned.