Thus he is at once represented in all his offices. Rev. v. 6, " And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spkits of God sent forth into all the earth." The whole representation of the glory of God, with all his holy attendants, is here called his " throne ; " whence Christ is said to be in the " midst" of it. And this he is in his kingly glory ; with respect also whereunto he is said to have " seven horns," or perfect power for the accomplishment of his will. And with respect unto his sacerdotal office, he is represented as a " Lamb that had been slain;" it being the virtue of his oblation that is con-
HIS MEDIATORIAL OFFICE IN HEAVEN. 253
tinually effectual for the salvation of the church. For, as the " Lamb of God/' — in the offering of himself, — he " taketh away the sin of the world." And as a prophet he is said to have " seven eyes," which are "the seven Spirits of God;" or a perfect fulness of all spiritual light and wisdom in himself, with a power for the communication of gifts and gxace for the illumination of the church.
The nature of these offices of Christ, what belongs unto them and their discharge, as was before intimated, I have declared elsewhere. I do now no farther consider them but as they relate unto the present state and condition of the person of Christ in heaven. And because it would be too long a work to treat of them all distinctly, I shall con- fine myself unto the consideration of his priestly office, with what de- pends thereon. And with respect thereunto the things ensuing may be observed.
1. The Lord Christ entered into heaven, the place of the residence of the glory of God, as into a temple, a tabernacle, a j^lace of sacred worship. He did so as the high priest of the church, Heb. ix. 24. He " is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear ia the
•presence of God for us." He is entered into heaven, as it was figured by the tabernacle of old; which was the place of all sacred and solemn worship. And therefore is he said to enter into it " through the veil," Heb. vi. 19, 20, x. 19, 20; which was the way of entrance into the most holy place, both in the tabernacle and temple. Heaven is not only a palace, a throne, as it is God's throne. Matt. v. 34 ; but it is a temple, wherein God dwells, not only in majesty and power, but in grace and mercy. It is the seat of ordinances and solemn worship. So is it represented, Rev. vii. 1 5, 1 7. It is said of the whole number of the saints above that have passed through the tribulations of this world, that they are " before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them;" and "the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and lead them unto living fountains of water." See also chap. viii. 1-4. The worship of the church below may also be herein comprised ; but it is by virtue of communion with that above. This is that heaven which the souls of believers do long for an entrance into. Other apprehensions of it are but uncertain speculations.
2. In this temple, this sanctuary, the Lord Christ continueth glo- riously to minister before the throne of grace, in the discharge of his office. See Heb. iv. 14-16, ix. 24. As the high priest went into the holy place to minister for the church unto God, before the ark and mercy-seat, which were types of the throne of grace ; so doth our High Priest act for us in the real presence of God. He did not enter the holy place only to reside there in a way of glory, but to do temple-
254 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
work, and to give unto God all that glory, honour, and worship, which he will receive from the church. And we may consider, both — (1.) What this work is, and (2.) Hoiv it is performed.
(1.) In general; herein Christ exerteth and exerciseth all his love, compassion, pity, and ca7-e towards the church, and every member of it. This are we frequently called unto the coasideration of, as the foundation of all our consolation, as the fountain of all our obedience. See Heb. ii. 17, 18, iv. 15, 16, v. 2. Thoughts hereof are the relief of believers in all thejj distresses and temptations; and the effects of it are all their supplies of grace, enabling them to persevere in their obedience. He doth appear for them as the great representative of the church, to transact all their affairs with God. And that for three ends.
Fi7'st, To ma,ke effectual the atonement that he hath made for sin. By the continual representation of it, and of himself as a " Lamb that had been slain," he procures the application of the virtues and bene- fits of it, in reconciliation and peace with God, unto their souls and consciences. Hence are all believers sprinkled and washed with his blood in all generations, — in the application of the virtues of it unto them, as shed for them.