EXPLANATION.

Obs. 122.-Jesus Christ was exalted in consequence of his humiliation.

Christ took upon himself the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, not that he might be kept in this humble condition, but that he might be raised up again, and exalted to the most inconceivable glory. Phil. ii. 8, 9.- "He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every

name.

Christ's exaltation respects his manhood or his human nature alone; for as God, he cannot be exalted. Nor can any addition be made to his glory, as he is God; for as such, he was, is, and shall continue to be the same, without any variableness or shadow of turning.

The steps of Christ's exaltation are these :-His resurrection from the dead on the third day; his ascension into heaven; his session at the right hand of God the Father; and his coming to judge the world at the last day. From each of these much may be learned, connected with the salvation of sinners and the glory of Christ himself.

Obs. 123. Jesus Christ was exalted by his resurrection from the dead on the third day.

This is a special article of the faith of believers; and on this, in a great measure, rests the Gospel Church.

It may here be remarked, that the divine and human natures of Christ were not separated at death, for they are inseparable. By death, his soul and body were actually separated (see Luke xxiii. 46); but all the time that he lay in the grave, his two natures were most closely united. And when he rose from the dead, he only resumed that life which he had voluntarily laid down for his people.

The resurrection of Christ is abundantly evident from Scripture.

1. It was foretold in ancient prophecy.-See Psal. xvi. 10; Job. xix. 25, and many other places.

2. It was typified in various ways. Joseph's deliverance from prison may be considered as typical of Christ's resurrection from the grave, which is called a "taking from prison." -Isa. liii. 8. Abraham's receiving Isaac from the dead in a

figure, may also be typical of Christ's resurrection. And Jonah's coming out of the whale's belly is an eminent type of this truth.

3. We have the most direct proofs that it actually took place, and that the very same Jesus who had been crucified,arose from the dead. See Matt. xxviii.; Mark xvi.; Luke xxiv., and John xx.

4. Christ himself, after his resurrection, appeared to many at different times, and by many infallible proofs; and in 1 Cor. xv., we are told that he appeared to 500 at once.

5. We have strong proof of this truth in the conduct of Christ's disciples after his resurrection; for nothing could prevent them from publishing what they had seen, and what they had full authority to make known.

6. If the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, according to Christ's promise, be considered as a proof of his ascension, it must also be deemed a proof of his resurrection.

In the resurrection of Christ, all the divine persons in the Godhead concurred. See Acts ii. 24; John ii. 19, &c.; 1 Pet. iii. 18.

It was the same body that was laid in Joseph's tomb, which arose again with all the properties which it formerly possessed. See Luke xxiv. 39.

The time of Christ's resurrection was the third day after his burial; and it was very early in the morning of that day, to show, perhaps, that he is "the bright and morning star," "the day-spring from on high," and "the sun of righteousness," who arises on his people with healing in his rays.

At the resurrection of Christ there was an earthquake: an angel shook the place; and majesty appeared all around. This intimated that all was now done which Christ had engaged to do; and that nothing more was necessary on his part, than to take possession of the joy which was set before him.

Obs. 124.-Jesus Christ was exalted by his ascension to heaven. This is another grand article of the Christian faith. That Christ ascended to heaven is evident from Scripture.

1. It was foretold in prophecy.—See Psal. xxiv. 7–10, and xlvii. 5, and lxviii. 18.

2. There were very striking types of it. Enoch was trans

lated to heaven, soul and body, without tasting death; which was, under the patriarchal dispensation, evidently typical of Christ's acension. Elijah, under the law, was also translated in a glorious manner; which typified the same. And when the priests of old carried the blood and incense into the most holy place, it prefigured the ascension of Christ to his Father's right hand, when he appeared in the most holy place not made with hands, where he presents the infinite value of his atoning blood as a propitiation for sin.

3. We have many evidences that he really ascended.—See Luke xxiv. 50, 51; Acts i. 9–11, and vii. 55, and ix. 3-5; Rev. i. 10-18. See also John xvi. 7.

It was necessary that Christ should ascend, for the following reasons:

1. That he might send the Holy Spirit to his disciples, to lead them into all truth, and to bring all things to their remembrance.

2. That he might carry on the work of redemption, in making continual intercession for his people.

3. That he might, in his people's name, take possession of the blessings which he had obtained for them.

After his resurrection, Christ remained on earth forty days, in order that he might give his disciples every possible proof of his resurrection, and that he might instruct them in things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And at the end of the forty days he ascended from Mount Olivet,—the place where he began his sufferings, where he was sore amazed, and where his soul was exceeding sorrowful; thus testifying to his disciples, that his sufferings were now ended, and that the same place may be to a gracious soul both the scene of sorrow and the scene of joy.

Christ was not unmindful of his disciples at his ascension, for he was parted from them while he was blessing them. And thus he was engaged in the work of redemption until his last moments upon earth.

Christ's attendants on this occasion were myriads of angels, who conducted the Lord of Glory to heaven with solemn shouts of praise.-See Psal. xxiv. 7–10.

Obs. 125.-Jesus Christ is now exalted by sitting down at the right hand of God the Father.

The expression, the right hand of God, is not to be understood literally, but figuratively; for God, being a Spirit, has

no bodily parts. It denotes the highest honour, power, and authority; to which Christ is now exalted, in consequence of his having humbled himself.-Phil. ii. 8, 9.

Christ's sitting at the right hand of God implies a state of rest, and continuance in that state. The days of sorrow which he had on earth shall never return. His crown shall flourish on his head, and his kingdom shall stand firm and be established.

When it is said that Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, it denotes,―

1. The accomplishment of the work of redemption; for until this was finished, he was not to return to that glory which he had with the Father before the world began.-Heb. iv. 10.

2. The great delight and satisfaction which the Father hath in Christ, on account of the glorious work which he had finished.-Psal. cx. 1.

3. The inconceivable glory and honour to which he, as God-man, is now exalted in heaven.-Heb. i. 13.

4. His being invested with sovereign dominion and supreme authority and power.-Phil. ii. 9, 10; Heb. ii. 7, 8.

The ends for which our Redeemer is set down on the right hand of God are these:

1. That, as a powerful king, he may protect and defend his church and people against all their enemies, both temporal and spiritual.-Isa. xxxii. 1, 2; Deut. xxxiii. 26, 27.

2. That he may subdue all the enemies of his kingdom and people; such as the devil, the world, and the flesh, and sin, and hell.—Psal. cx.; Acts ii. 36; Heb. x. 12, 13; 1 Cor. xv. 25.

3. That he may bestow on all his faithful subjects all those gifts which he hath purchased, and which are the necessary means of their salvation.-Acts v. 31.

4. That he may act the part of a powerful intercessor in their behalf.-Rom. viii. 34.

5. That all his friends and followers may, with himself, be advanced to the glorious state of heaven.-Eph. i. 4-6; Rev. iii. 21.

Obs. 126.-Jesus Christ will be exalted by his coming to judge the world at the last day.

This will be a more public and a more solemn manifestation of his glory with respect to us, than any of the other

parts of his exaltation; and it will strike the world of mankind with greater solemnity, inasmuch as all without exception shall witness it, and inasmuch as all shall be interested in it.

That there will be a day of judgment, is evident from the following things:

1. It is evident from Scripture that there will be such a day. See Job xxi. 30; Psal. xcvi. 13, and xcviii. 9; Prov. xxiv. 12; Eccl. xi. 9, and xii. 14; Matt. xii. 36, xiii. 40–43, 49, 50, xvi. 27, xxv. 31-46, and xxvi. 64; Acts xvii. 31, and xxiv. 25; Rom. ii. 3, 5-11, 16; 2 Cor. v. 10, 11; 1 Thess. iv. 16, 17; Heb. vi. 1, 2, ix. 27, 28, and x. 27, 31; 1 Pet. iv. 5, 7, 17, 18; 2 Pet. ii. 4, 9; Jude 6, 14, 15; Rev. i. 7, and xx. 11, 12, 15.

2. The providences of God require such a day, that they may appear to have been equal and just in the view of those who deemed them unequal and unjust; and that the ways of God to man may be fully justified.

3. Jesus Christ requires such a day, for the glory of his name and of his government.

4. The righteous require such a day, that it may appear to all, that although they were deemed the offscouring of all things, they were beloved by God.

5. The wicked require such a day, that they may receive according to their wickedness, and that vengeance may be inflicted upon them to the uttermost ; and likewise, that they may be convinced that there is a reality in those things which they despised and ridiculed.

6. There must be such a day, because to judge the world is a part of Christ's exaltation; and likewise, because he must receive from all an account of what they have done in his absence.

With respect to the person of the Judge: the Three-one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is judge, in respect of judicial power, authority, and consent; but Christ, as Mediator, is appointed Judge of all, in respect of visible management and execution.-Acts xvii. 31; John v. 22; Acts x. 42.

The universality of the judgment is evident from Scripture. Angels and all mankind shall appear before God.-Jude 6; 2 Cor. v. 10; Rev. xx. 12.

Those things respecting which all shall at last be judged, are, in general, all the deeds done in the body. But it may