This is that manifestative glory wherewith God satisfieth himself, until the end determined shall be. On the account hereof he doth and will bear with things in this world, unto the appointed season. For whilst the creation is in its present posture, a revenue of glory must be taken out of it for God ; and longer than that is done it can- not be continued. But the world is so full of darkness and confusion, of sin and wickedness, of enmity against God, — is so given up to villany,
266 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
unto all the ways whereby God may be dishonoured, — that there is little or no appearance of any revenue of glory unto him from it. Were it not on the secret account of divine wisdom, it would quickly receive the end of Sodom and Gomorrah. The small remnant of the inheritance of Christ is shut up in such obscurity, that, as unto visi- ble appearance and manifestation, it is no way to be laid in the balance against the dishonour that is done unto him by the whole world. But whilst things are in this posture here below, God hath a solemn honour, glory, and worship above, in the presence of all his holy ones ; wherein he resteth and takes pleasure. In his satisfaction herein he will continue things in this world unto all the ends of his "wisdom, goodness, righteousness, and patience, let it rage in villany and wickedness as it pleaseth. And so, when any of the saints who are wearied, and even worn out, with the state of things in this world, and, it may be, understand not the gi'ounds of the patience of God, do enter into this state, they shall, unto their full satisfaction, behold that glory which abundantly compensates the present dishonour done to God here below.
(2.) This state of things is continued for the glory of Christ him- self. The office of Mediator was committed by God the Father unto his only-begotten Son, — no other being able to bear or discharge it. See Isa. ix. 6 ; Rev. v. 1-5. But in the discharge of this office it was necessary he should condescend unto a mean and low condition, and to undergo things difficult, hard, and temble, Phil. ii. 6-8. Such were the things which our Lord Jesus Christ underwent in this world; — his undergoing of them being necessary unto the discharge of his office ; yea, it consisted therein. Herein was he exposed unto re- proach, contempt, and shame, with all the evils that Satan or the world could bring upon him. And besides, he was, for us and in our stead, to undergo the •'•' curse of the law," with the greatest of terrors and sorrows in his soul, until he gave up the ghost. These things were necessaiy unto the discharge of his office, nor could the salva- tion of the church be wrought out without them. But do we think that God would commit so glorious an office unto his only Son to be discharged in this manner only ? Let it be granted that after he had so accomplished the will of God in this world, he had himself entered into glory ; yet if he should so cease the administration of his office, that must be looked on as the most afflictive and dolorous that ever was undergone. But it was the design of God to glorify the office itself, as an effect of his wisdom, and himself therein ; yea, so as that the very office itself should be an everlasting honour to his Son as incarnate. Unto this end the administration of it is continued in glory in his hand, and he is exalted in the discharge of it. For this is that glory which he prays that all his disciples may be brought
HIS MEDIATORIAL OFFICE IN HEAVEN. 267
unto him to behold. The time between his ascension and the end of all things is allotted unto the glory of Christ in the administration of his office in the heavenly sanctuary. And from hence doth the apostle prove him, " as a high priest," to be far more glorious than those who were called unto that office under the law, Heb. viii. 1-3. Herein it is manifest unto angels and men, how glorious a thing it is to be the only king, priest, and prophet of the church. Wherefore, as it behoved Christ, in the discharge of his office, to suffer ; so, after his sufferings in the discharge of the same office, he was to enter into his glory. Rev. i. 18.
(3.) God hath respect herein unto those who depart in the faith, in their respective generations, especially those who died betimes, as the apostles and primitive Christians. And sundry things may be herein considered.
[1.] There are two things which believers put a great price and value on in this world, and which sweeten every condition unto them. Without them the world would be a noisome dungeon unto them, nor could they be satisfied with a continuance therein. The one is the service of Christ. Without an opportunity of being exercised herein, they could not abide here with any satisfaction. They who know it not so to be, are under the power of worldly-mindedness. The meanest service of Christ hath refreshment in it. And as to those who have opportunities and abilities for great instances of ser- vice, they do not know on just gTounds, nor are able to determine themselves, whether it be best for them to continue in their service here below, or to enter into the immediate service of Christ above; — so glorious, so excellent is it to be usefully serviceable unto the Lord Jesus. So was it with the apostle, Phil. i. 21-26 ; — so may it be with others, if they serve him in the same spirit, with the same sincerity, though their ability in service be not like unto his. For neither had he anything but what he received. Again, they have the enjoyment of Christ in the ordinances of Gospel worship. By these means do they live, — in these things is the life of their souls.