The following sermon is read from Volume 5 of the six-volume set entitled Puritan Sermons 1659-1689 being the morning exercises at Cripplegate. This complete six-volume set of Puritan sermons is available from Stillwater Revival Books on Kalmanism Bookshelf CD Volume 1 in SWRB's 3 for 1 CD Super Sale at swrb.com. This set is also available from SWRB in printed format at SWRB.com. Stillwater's Revival Books makes thousands of classic Puritan books and sermons available, free and at great discounts in print, audio and video formats at SWRB.com. If you would like to join our email list to stay up to date about all the new, free and discounted Puritan and Reform resources we make available, please send an email to swrb at swrb.com with the word add in the subject line. For more information about the Puritan Publishing Ministry of SWRB, please email us at swrb at swrb.com. Welcome to Sermon 15, Christ's Exhortation, Part 2. This is a continuation of the reading. 1. The devils and wicked men shall be forced at the last to acknowledge the power of Christ, whose authority they have always reveled against. And as Pharaoh and the Egyptians cried out, Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fighteth against us. Exodus 14.25. So shall the spoutest hearts of sinners one day flee from the presence of Christ. and call to the mountains to shelter them from the wrath of the Lamb Revelation 6.16 and all the implacable enemies of Christ they shall be forced through spite and rage to gnaw their tongues and gnash their teeth and say as that cursed apostate Julian thou hast overcome me O Galilean All the saints and angels shall with one consent own, acknowledge, and praise Jesus Christ as the Lord, and as their Lord. They shall acknowledge him to be the Lord, their Maker, and their Saviour. And so shall they cry Hosanna to him, and they shall acknowledge him to be their Lord and Sovereign. And so they shall cast down their crimes at his feet, and with everlasting hallelujah sing. worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. Revelation 5, 12, 13. 3. There will be but one thing more to be opened in this scripture, and that is the end of Christ's exaltation, which was to the glory of God the Father. 1. some by Ais Doxan, to understand that Jesus Christ is exalted unto the same glory with the Father in heaven, being now set down at his right hand, and so they make these words to signify not the end why, but the end whereunto Christ was exalted. And that's the Arabic and the Vulgar Latin. And though I believe that there is a truth in this, namely that Jesus Christ after he had overcome his enemies, sat down in his father's throne, Revelation 3.21, yet I cannot see how the Greek shall bear this interpretation. Two, we shall therefore take these words, unto the glory of God the Father, as signifying the great end of Christ's humiliation and exaltation, to wit, the glory of God. As God had no motive without himself, so he had no end beyond himself, in giving of Christ. God gave Christ for us because he loved us, John 3.16. And wherefore did he love us? That because he loved us, Deuteronomy 7.7.8. And the main end of all this was that all might be to the praise of the glory of his grace, Ephesians 1.6. Thus Christ's occultation was for the honouring of God the Father. Jesus Christ prayed Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." John 12, 28. As if God the Father had thus answered Christ, Son, I have glorified my name in thy humiliation, and I will glorify it again in thy exultation. God the Father glorifies his Son, that he might glorify his own name. He that despises Christ despiseth God that sent him, Luke 10, 16, in he that honoureth the Son honoureth the Father, John 5, 22, 23. Application Having spoken of the exaltation of Christ, as the Apostle handles the doctrine of it in these verses, I shall conclude all with the improvement and application thereof. Use 1. Of information If Christ was first humbled and then exalted, we may learn from hence that as Christ first suffered and entered into his glory, Luke 24, 26, even so must we through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of God, Acts 14, 22, as it was with the head. So may we expect it will be with the members, the crown of thorns before the crown of life, John 19.2 and Revelation 2.10, the cross of shame before the throne of glory, humiliation before exaltation. Christ got not the crown, he swept drops of blood for it. Luke 22.24. And we cannot expect an easier or shorter way to glory. Our way to heaven is like that of the Israelites to Canaan, which was through fire and water into a wealthy place. Psalm 66, 12. This is a faithful saying. If we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him. 2 Timothy 2, 11, 12. First suffer, and then reign. We pass through Marah unto Elim, through bachor, to barachar, through bitterness, to blessedness. Use two of exhortation. Is Jesus Christ thus exalted? Then let us, our tongues, our knees, our hearts and our lives, acknowledge him to be our Lord. One, what the Jews and Pilate and Herod and the soldiers did in Scone, let us do in sincerity. They put a crown of thorns on his head, John 19.2. Let us cast down our crowns at his footstool, Revelation 4.10. They bowed their knee and cried, Hail, King of the Jews, John 19.3. Let us bow the knees of our souls unto him and say, Blessed be thou, O King of saints, Revelation 15.3. Whereas the cross was his throne, the nails his sceptre, his robe was made purple with his own blood, his crown was thorns, his attendants were the executioners. Say then, O blessed Saviour, thou art no more precious to my soul, because thou wast so much vilified for my sake. 2. Let us take heed that we do not violate our allegiance to him whom God hath exalted to be Lord and Christ. Sinners, do not say, who is the Lord, that we should obey his voice? Exodus 5.2 Do not say, who is Lord over us? Psalm 12.4 Do not, oh do not say, we will not have Christ to reign over us? Luke 19.27 1. Consider, Christ is a Saviour only to those that submit unto Him. He is the author of eternal salvation and to all that obey him." Hebrews 5, 9. It is a vain thing to expect the privileges and dignities that come by Christ and not to submit to the duties and services which are due unto Christ. The gospel is a message of eternal life only to those to whom it is a rule of spiritual life. Titus 2, 11 and 12. What? Will you cry to Christ to save you and in the meantime serve the devil and your lusts? But the true believer doth not only cast himself into the arms of Christ to be saved, but also cast himself at Christ's feet to serve Him, and is as willing to be ruled by Him as to be redeemed by Him. Many love Christ, but it is for their own sakes who desire to find, but will not be at the pains to seek Him. And so instead of serving the Lord Christ, they do but serve themselves upon Him. 2. Consider, O foolish sinner, that every knee must one day bow to Christ. O then what folly is it to rebel against him to whom thou must at last be forced to bow? Would the brethren of Joseph, think you, have so despised and despitefully used Joseph if ever they had thought that there would come a day that they must supplicate to him for their lives and liberties? The proudest sinner will at the last day cry, Lord, Lord, etc. Matthew 7, 21. Do not then lift up the heel against him, to whom thou must one day bow the knee. 3. Consider that the sins of Christians are far greater than those of the Jews against Christ. They sinned against Christ in the state of His humiliation. But we sin against Christ, who is now exalted at the right hand of God. The Jews put Christ to death for saying, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Matthew 26, 64. And shall we, we Christians, put the Lord of glory to an open shame? Hebrews 6, 6. Who do believe that he is set down at the right hand of the majesty on high? Hebrews 1, 3. The Jews, many of them, both rulers and people, knew not that Jesus was the Christ. They had a hand in his death. But it was through ignorance, Acts 3.17. For had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory, 1 Corinthians 2.8. But it must be horrible wickedness for us to rebel against Christ, who do believe his exaltation. 4. And lastly consider that Christ at last will be too hard for the most hard-hearted sinner. If you will not bow, you will be broken. O obstinate sinner, if thou wilt not kiss the sun, Psalm 2, 12, thou wilt lick the dust under his feet. If thou wilt not bow as a child, thou wilt be made to bow as a slave. If thou wilt not bow to his golden scepter, thou wilt be broken with his iron rod, In a word, if thou wilt not bear his yoke, Matthew 11, 29, thou shalt become his footstool, Psalm 110, 1. Use 3. Of Comfort to Believers. Great is the consolation which doth arise from the doctrine of Christ's exaltation. 1. Is Christ exalted to the right hand of God? Then we may comfortably believe. that he hath perfectly satisfied God's justice for us. We may not now rest upon Christ's righteousness that he hath accomplished fully all his undertaking, because he is gone to the Father. John 16, 10. Christ by his death overcame his enemies. By his resurrection he scattered them. By his ascension he triumphed over them. By his death he paid the debt. By his resurrection he came out of prison. and by his ascension he shows himself openly to God, the creditor, and pleads satisfaction. The humiliation of Christ confirmed and ratified the New Testament. His exaltation gives him opportunity to execute his last will and testament, for he is now exalted as a conqueror and hath the keys of death and hell delivered to him. Revelation 1.18 This comfort the Apostle urges upon the doctrine of Christ's exaltation. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5.10. Our salvation began in the humiliation, but it is completed in the exaltation of Christ. He did not undertake what he was not able to finish. for he saves his people, eisto oranteles, to the uttermost, Hebrews 7.25. 2. This is our comfort. Though Christ be highly exalted, yet he is mindful of us. He is not only a faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for sins of the people, but he is a merciful high priest. to remember the sufferings of his people, and to succor those that are tempted." Hebrews 2, 17, 18. The Lord Jesus, though he be safely landed upon the shore of eternal glory, yet he hath an eye and a care of his poor church that is tossed with tempest and afflicted. Isaiah 54, 11. He is not only doumenos sum patheisai, one that can be touched with a feeling of our perverties, Hebrews 4.15, but he is, he bears share with us in our afflictions and temptations. The manner of men is that great perverments make them forget their former poor acquaintance, but it is otherwise with Christ. He is exalted above the heavens, And yet he is not unmindful of his church on earth. The days of his passion are ended, but not of his compassion. As Joseph, though he was the favorite of Egypt, yet was not ashamed to own his brethren, who were poor shepherds, no, more is Jesus Christ ashamed to call his brethren, Hebrews 2.11. Christ is gone into heaven as our forerunner, Hebrews 6.20. and there he is an advocate for us with the Father. Paracletos hopos ton patira, 1 John 2.1. Just when Christ was going into heaven, he sends his comfortable message to his disciples. I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God, John 20.17. Our great High Priest hath all the names and necessities of his people written upon his breastplate. Exodus 28 9 10 Believers are engraven upon the palms of his hands. Isaiah 49 16 Yea, they are set as a seal upon his heart. Canticles 8 6 3 The third and last consolation is this, Christ is exalted to heaven, and so shall all believers be in due time. The head hath taken possession of heaven for all his members, and in all the several parts of the humiliation and exaltation of Christ, he acted not as a single person, but as the second Adam, representatively, as a public person, so that all those who are in Christ Jesus have an interest in that redemption which he hath purchased for believers. Christ was crucified, and a believer is crucified with Christ. Galatians 2.20 Christ died, and a believer is dead with Christ. Romans 6.8 Christ rose from the dead, and believers are risen believers, are risen with Christ. Colossians 3.1 Christ is ascended up to heaven and believers sit together with Christ in heavenly places Ephesians 2.6 Christ will come to judge the world and the saints as assessors to Christ shall judge the world 1 Corinthians 6.2 Christ is set down in his father's throne and believers will sit with Christ in his throne Revelation 3.21 In the word, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is now possessed of the glory of heaven, will come again to fetch us to heaven, that we may be where He is, John 14.3, that we may not only see His glory, John 17.24, but partake of it. For, when He shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3.4 This Reformation audio track is a production of Stillwater's Revival Books. SWRB makes thousands of classic Reformation resources available, free and for sale, in audio, video, and printed formats. Our many free resources, as well as our complete mail-order catalog, containing thousands of classic and contemporary Puritan and Reformed books, tapes, and videos at great discounts is on the web at www.swrb.com. We can also be reached by email at swrb at swrb.com, by phone at 780-450-4255, 3730 by fax at 780-468-1096 or by mail at 4710-37A Avenue Edmonton that's E-D-M-O-N-T-O-N Alberta abbreviated capital A capital B Canada T-6-L-3-T-5 you may also request a free printed catalog and remember that John Kelvin in defending the Reformation's regulative principle of worship, or what is sometimes called the scriptural law of worship, commenting on the words of God, which I commanded them not, neither came into my heart. From his commentary on Jeremiah 731, writes, God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions, since he condemns by this one phrase, I have not commanded them, whatever the Jews devise. There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions than that they are not commanded by God. For when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to His commands, they pervert true religion. And if this principle was adopted by the Papists, all those fictitious modes of worship in which they absurdly exercise themselves would fall to the ground. It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God, by performing their own superstitions. There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying His word, they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. The Prophet's words, then, are very important, when he says that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind. As though he had said, That men assume too much wisdom, When they devise what he never required, Nay, what he never knew.