It may still however be asked, what are his tri- umphs to tis ? I answer. He is not entered within the vail for himself only, but " for us ;" that he may " appear in the presence of God for us^," and secure
^ Heb. xi. 10, 14, 16, 26, 85. ' John xix. 11.
" Isai. 1. 7—9. ^ Heb. xii. 2. >' Heb. ix. 24,
to us the same blessed rest which he himself has attained. Whilst we are casting our anchor within the vail, he, by his grace, enables us to do it, and keeps the anchor itself from losing its hold. And, whilst we are confiding in the promises of God, and pleading them at a throne of grace, he is pleading for us, as our Advocate, before the throne of glory : he is pleading the covenant which the Father has made with him, in behalf of all the members of his mystical body. Thus is he there engaged, on God's part, as it were, to afford us all needful support ; and on our part, to remind the Father of his engagements, and to see them all fulfilled.
But there is yet a further connexion between these things, which must by no means be overlooked. The Lord Jesus is entered into heaven, not as our Advo- cate merely, but as our Head and Representative : so that we may be not unfitly said to be already " sit- ting with him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus^" We are one with him, as our federal head^; yea, we are one with him also by a vital union, as members of his body^: we are even "one spirit with him'':" " our life is hid with Christ in God :" he is " our very life" itself: and hence it is that neither earth nor hell can ever prevail against us ; according as it is written, " Our life is hid with Christ in God ; and therefore when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we also shall appear with him in glory '\"
Now this subject may well shew us,
1. What is the proper and legitimate use of the deeper doctrines of our holy religion.
Whilst, by some, the doctrines of predestination and election are made for the display of their contro- versial skill, and are brought forward on all occasions as if they were the very milk of the Gospel, fit indis- criminately for the contemplation of all ; to others, the very mention of the words sounds almost as blas- phemy. But these doctrines are true, and capable of
2 Eph. ii. 6. a 1 Cor. xv. 22. ^ John xv. 1, 2.
c 1 Cor. vi. 17. '^ Col. iii. 3, 4.
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the most valuable improvement ; though, it" entered upon with an unhallowed and contentious spirit, they may prove as injurious as they are to the humble mind truly beneficial. " The godly consideration of them," as our Seventeenth Article states, " is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons ;
as well because it doth greatly establish and
confirm their faith of eternal salvation, to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God : but, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have conti- nually before their eyes the sentence of God's pre- destination, is a most dangerous downfall, whereby the devil doth thrust them, either into desperation, or into wretchlessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation." The true use of them, is to compose the mind with a humble affiance in God, as unbounded in mercy and unchangeable in his promises. They lead us to refer every mercy to God, as " the Author," and to look to him for the continuance of it, as '^ the Finisher," of our salva- tion ^ A just view of these doctrines, at the same time that it teaches to put away all carnal hopes, tends to raise us also above carnal fears. It shews us, that, in the whole work of man's salvation, the creature is nothing, and God is all : it furnishes us with a consolation which nothing can destroy, and with a strength which nothing can overcome. In a word, it is " an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast." It is quite a mistake to imagine that the possession of this anchor supersedes the necessity of care on our part : we must be as diligent in the use both of the chart and compass, as if we had no such means of safety on board. It will never justify us in running needlessly amidst rocks and quicksands ; nor do we ever find such an use made of it amongst the saints of God. Its use is, to keep us steadfast in a time of need : and, if improved to that end, it will be found of incalculable advantage to the believing soul.