Use 1. For confutation of the Lutherans, whoj to establish their doctrine of consubstantiation, make Christ's ascension to be, not a local remove, but only a change of the manner of his presence ; they say he is still corporally present, but not visibly ; as if the human nature of Christ were made invisibly omnipresent, and not locally removed and carried into heaven. This is a doctrine contrary to scriptures; for it is expressly said, Acts i. 11, that ' he was taken up into heaven.' And by virtue of this taking up he is no more in the world, no more in the earth, nor in any place thereof ; for it is said. Acts iii. 21, ' That the heavens must contain him till the time of the restitution of all things ;' there is his personal presence fixed. And therefore ' if any say, Lo here, or Lo there, believe him not.' It is flatly contradictory to scripture that Christ should be corporally present on earth till he cometh to judgment ; and it is contrary to the truth of Christ's body ; though it be glorified, it is not deified ; a body cannot be omnipresent and without quantity, for then it is no more a body. And it is a doctrine barren, and of no use ; the presence of Christ's
280 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. XIV.
"body is not so absolutely necessary to the comfort of a christian : John vi. 63, ' It is the Spirit that quickcneth, the flesh profitetli nothing.' Nearness or distance of place doth not help or hinder his presence with us or efficacy upon us. The degree of his gracious operation doth not depend upon the degree of his personal presence; as if Christ were like the sun, shining more or less hot according to the difference of his posture and situation. Christ doth not work like a natural agent, by contact, but according to his free pleasure, and the wise dispensation of his own will ; and our communion with him is wdiolly spiritual and mystical, not gross and carnal : ' The flesh profiteth nothing.' Yea, it is against our comfort. Christ hath business to do for us in heaven, and it is our advantage that he is no more in the world. If he were not in heaven, he were not a priest : Heb. viii. 4, ' If he were on earth, he could not be a priest.' And again, Heb. vii. 26, we had need of a priest ' who is made higher than the heavens ; ' that is, that is ascended into the third heaven, those aj(eipo-noirira cv^ia, ' those holy places not made with hands, now to appear in the presence of God for us,' Heb. ix. 24. But to leave this. Use 2. To press christians to look for the spiritual presence of Christ, though they do not enjoy his bodily. You may make use of Christ, now he is in heaven, as the disciples did on earth, to ask him questions, to seek his counsel, to commend your prayers and persons to God. It is no disadvantage to faith that Christ is removed out of sight, but only an occasion given whereby it may discover itself with more praise. Therefore let us believe in Christ, though we see him not ; we shall one day see him in the heavens to our comfort, and to the terror of the wicked ; in the meantime, let faith serve instead of vision. It will be your commendation, ' whom having not seen, ye love,' 1 Peter i. 8. God hath removed Christ out of sight, to make way for the exercise of faith and love ; and it is much better by faith to converse with him in heaven, than by sight to see him upon earth : John XX. 29, ' Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe.' Thomas would make his senses the judge; he must feel the wounds, and put his finger in the print of the nails, and thrust his hand into his side ; which discovered the weakness of his faith. Faith is not groimded on sense, but testimony. Be not discouraged, though you never saw him in the flesh, you shall one day see him in heaven ; though you could not hear his gracious words, yet you have whispers and counsels from his Spirit. You saw him not hanging on the cross, yet ' he is crucified before your eyes,' Gal. iii. 1. In the word and sacraments he is notably and plainly laid forth to faith. The gospel is a magical glass, as it were, wherein God will have the soul look, that we may see our absent friend, sic omdos, sic ille mamis, sic ova ferchat ; there are the very postures of Christ. Therefore let us make use of our present advantages ; you may expect as powerful influences from him as if present in person ; as the sun doth not come down from heaven, but only his influence. There is a derivation of virtue from his person ; yea, Christ is not like the sun ; the farther absent from us in body, the more powerful is his influence : Eph. iv. 10, ' When he ascended up on high, he filled all things.' Briefly then, if you have anything to do with Christ, you know wliere to seek him. Those