[6.] The manner : Acts i. 9, ' When he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.' The cloud answered to God's appearance in the taber- nacle. When we look on the clouds, this was Christ's chariot ; he will come again in like manner.
[7.] In his ascension he went to heaven as a conqueror, he triumphed over his enemies, and gave gifts to his friends : Eph. iv. 8, ' When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.' As glorious conquerors lead their chief enemies fettered in iron chains. So Col. ii. 15, ' Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it,' ev avro), non sudore et scmguine cdiorum, id quo7idam tmperaiores solehant. There is some difficulty about the exposition of that place ; those seem too literally to interpret it that think there was some open pomp and show. The Papists say he went to the limbus pcdnim, and took Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other holy men of the Old Testament, along with
272 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [Ser. XIV.
liim in triumph to heaven ; but then he should have taken the devils. Zanchy thinks there was some real visible triumph, visible not to all, but to God, angels, and men, leading the devils through the air. Still it seemeth too gross, aud to be asserted without warrant. But this must be interpreted suitably to the other acts of his office; this triumph must be referred to his ascension. Christ fought for heaven, and struck the last stroke on the cross, seized on the spoil at his resurrection, led them iu triumph at his ascension, and by his quiet sitting on the throne his subjects enjoy the l)encfit,
[8.] Christ's entertainment by the angels. Some were left to com- fort the apostles : Acts i. 10, ' While they looked steadfastly towards heaven, two men stood by in white apparel.' These two men were two angels in the shape of men. When the husband is to go a long journey, he writeth to the wife from the next stage, whilst her grief is fresh and running, and giveth an account of his welfare. Christ despatcheth two messengers out of his glorious train, which message being done, they accompany him with other angels into heaven : Dan. vii. 13, ' I saw one like the Son of man, with the clouds of heaven, and they brought him near before him.^ They, that is, the angels; the Son of man, that is, Christ, as appeareth by the next verse, they wait upon him, and guard him into the presence of God. Certainly if the angels came so cheerfully to proclaim his incarnation when born, what triumph is there by that blessed company in heaven at his ascension ! Still the angels are in Christ's company ; when he cometh to judgment, the angels shall come with him. Christ coming into the presence of the Father, is royally attended ; his entrance into heaven is glorious, with glorious applauses and acclamations : Ps. xxiv. 11, ' Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the king of glory shall come in ; ' viz., at the coming of his humanity ; so Justin Martyr, Basil, Euthymius. But clearly there is an allusion to the bringing the ark into the place prepared by David for it; a figure of Christ's entrance into heaven. They applaud him as mighty in battle, as newly returned from the spoils of his enemies. The entrance of a victorious and triumphant captain is there described, and so it is proper to Christ. Once more, the blessed saints have the like applause. Isaiah describes it, Isa. Ixiii. 1-3, ' Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah ? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength ? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine- fat ? I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with me,' &c. There is a dialogue, as before, to express the saints' acclamations to Christ ; the church is brought in there wonder- ing at Christ's glorious triumph over all his enemies, as returning victorious from some bloody light, like a great commander in goodly rich robes, besprinkled with the blood of his enemies.
[9.] The last thing is his welcome from God : Ps. ii. 8, ' I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,' &c. ; Ps. ex, 1, 'The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool ; ' compared with Mat. xxii. 44. In the day of his in- auguration God will say, Welcome, Son ; sit at my right hand ; all the
VeR. 11.] SEKMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 273
kingdoms of the earth are thine. Christ doth not only enter as a conqueror, but as a favourite : Son, thy work is well done ; sit at my right hand ; that is God's first word to him ; and then, Ask what thou wilt, it is thine. It is a fashion among great princes, when they would show great affection or extraordinary liking to any, they bid them ask what they would ; as Herod to Herodias's daughter : Mat. xiv. 6, 7, ' AVhen Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod : whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.' And Ahasuerus to Esther : Esth. V. 3, ' What wilt thou, queen Esther, and what is thy request ? it shall be even given thee, to the half of the kingdom.'