First, If Christ had not ascended, he could not have interceded, as now he doth in heaven for us. And do but take away Christ's intercession, and you starve the hope of the saints. For what have we to succour ourselves with, under the daily surprises of sin, but this, " That if any man sin, we have an advocate [with the Fa- " ther] :" mark that, with the Father ; a friend upon the place : one that abides there, on purpose to transact all our affairs, and as a surety for the peace betwixt God and us.
Secondly, If Christ had not ascended, you could not have enter- ed into heaven when you die. For he went to " prepare a place " for you,1' John xiv. 2. He was, as I said before, the first that entered into heaven directly, and in his own name ; and had he not done so, we would not have entered when we die, in his name. The Fore-runner made way for all that are coming on, in their se- veral generations, after him. Nor could your bodies have ascend- ed after their resurrection, but in the virtue of Christ's ascension. For he ascended, as was said before, in the capacity of our head and representative ; to his Father, and our Father : For us, and himself too.
Thirdly, If Christ had not ascended, he could not have been inaugurated, and installed in the glory he now enjoys in heaven. This world is not the place where perfect felicity and glory dwell. And then, how had the promise of the Father been made good to him ? Or our glory, (which consists in being with, and conformed to him), where had it been ? " Ought not Christ to suffer, and to " enter into his glory ?" Luke xxiv. 25.
Fourthly, If Christ had not ascended, how could we have been satisfied, that his payment on the cross made full satisfaction to God, and that now God hath no more bills to bring in against us ? How is it that the Spirit convinceth the world of righteousness,
* His divine power was the cause of his ascension. But that which likewise con- tributed to it, was the condition of his glorified body, which can move upwards, as well as downwards. Ames.
SERM. XL. THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE, 509
John xvi. 9, 10. but from Christ's going to the Father, and re- turning hither no more ? which gives evidence of God's full con- tent and satisfaction, both with his person and work.
Fifthly, How should we have enjoyed the great blessings of the Spirit and ordinances, if Christ had not ascended ? And surely, we could not have been without either. If Christ had not gone away, " the Comforter had not come,11 John xvi. 7. he begins where Christ had finished. For he takes of his, and shews it to us, John xvi. 14. And therefore it is said, John xvii. 39. " The Holy " Ghost was not given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." He was then given as a sanctifying spirit, but not given in that measure, as afterwards he was, to furnish and qualify men with gifts for ser- vice. And indeed, by Christ's ascension, both his sanctifying, and his ministering gifts were shed forth, more commonly and more abundantly upon men. These fell from him when he ascended, as Elijah's mantle did from him, so that whatsoever good of con- version, edification, support, or comfort you receive from spiritual ordinances, he hath shed forth that, which you now see and feel. It is the fruit of Christ's ascension.
Sixthly, and lastly, If Christ had not ascended, how had all the types and prophecies, that prefigured and foretold it, been fulfil- led ? " And the scriptures cannot be broken," John x. 35. So that, upon all these accounts, it was expedient that he should go away. It was for his glory, and for our advantage. Though we lost the comfort of his bodily presence by it, yet if " we loved " him, we would rejoice he went to the Father," John xiv. 28. We ought to have rejoiced in his advancement, though it had been to our loss ; but when it is so much for our benefit, as well as his glory, it is a matter of joy on both sides, that he is ascend- ed to his Father, and our Father : to his God, and to our God. From the several blessings flowing to us out of Christ's ascension, it was that he charged his people not to be troubled at his leaving of them, John xiv. And hence learn,
Inference 1. Did Christ ascend into heaven ? Is our Jesus, our treasure indeed there ? Where then should the hearts of believers be, hut in heaven, where their Lord, their life is f Surely saints, it is not good that your love, and your Lord should be in two several countries, said one that is now with him. Up, and hasten after your lover, that he and you may be together. Christians, you as- cended with him, virtually, when he ascended ; you shall ascend to him, personally, hereafter ; Oh that you would ascend to him, spiritually, in acts of faith, love, and desires daily. Sursum cor da, up with your hearts, was the form used by the ancient church at the sacrament. How good were it, if we could say with the apostle, Phil. iii. 20. " Our conversation is in heaven, from whence we
510 THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE. SEEM. XL.
" look for the Saviour." An heart ascendant, is the best evidence of your interest in Christ's ascension.
Inf 2. Did Christ go to heaven as a forerunner ? What haste .should we make to follow him? He ran to heaven : he ran thither before us. Did he run to glory, and shall we linger? did he flee as an eagle toward^ heaven, and we creep like snails ? Come Chris- tians, " Lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets " you, and run with patience the race set before you, looking unto Jesus, Heb. xii. 1, 2. The Captain of our salvation is entered within the gates of the new Jerusalem, and calls to us out of hea- ven to hasten to him ; proposing the greatest encouragements to them that are following after him, saying, " He that overcomes " shall sit with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and am set u down with my Father in his throne," Rev. iii. 22. How tedious should it seem to us, to live so long at a distance from our Lord Jesus !
Inf. 3. Did Christ ascend so triumphantly, leading captivity captive ? How little reason tlven have believers to fear their conquered enemies? Sin, Satan, and every enemy, were in that day led away in triumph, dragged at Christ's chariot wheels, brought after him as it were in chains. It is a lovely sight to see the necks of those tyrants under the foot of our Joshua. He made at that day, " an M open shew of them,11 Col. ii. 15. Their strength is broken for ever. In this he shewed himself more than a conqueror ; for he rrmquered and triumphed too. Satan was then trod under his feet, and he hath promised to tread him under our feet also, and that shortly, Rom. xvi. 20. some power our enemies yet retain, the serpent may bruise our heel, but Christ hath crushed his head.