HEAVEN.

CHAP. I..

The Saviour described before and under the law by various prediction and types to prepare the world for his reception-The text applied by the apostle to Christ's resurrection and ascension, and glory in heaven-The divine presence is the supreme felicity of the saints-The happiness of heaven illustrated by sensible representations.

THOU

WILT SHEW ME THE PATH OF LIFE; IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY, AT THY RIGHT HAND ARE PLEASURES FOR EVERMORE.

PSALM XVI. 11.

THE divine wisdom and goodness was pleased, before and during the legal dispensation, by various predictions and types to delineate the person and work of our Redeemer, in order to prepare the minds of men for his reception at his coming into the world. All the evangelical prophecies recorded in the Old Testament, like so many dispersed rays,, are conspi

HEAVEN.]

Christ's second coming.

[CHAP. t.

cuously united in him the Son of righteousness; and as in a curious piece of Mosaic work, each stone according to its natural vein and colour is so exactly disposed, and with that proportion joined to another, that the lively figure of the human body results from the composure; so by a variety of types, the entire image of our Saviour's life is represented from his first appearing on earth, to his ascending to heaven.

Comparing and observing the harmonious agreement between the prophecies and types of the old testament, and the history of the new, is a powerful means to produce and establish a true lively faith in the blessed Jesus as the promised Messiah; for it is an infallible proof of the divine providence in so disposing times and things as that the oracle should be verified in the event, and the mysterious figures substantially exhibited in the manifestation of the Son of God. It is true his miracles raised admiration, and argued the concurrence of power truly divine; for the exercise of an absolute domiuion over the order of nature is a royalty reserved to God; but that his miraculous operations were foretold, added more authority to his person and efficacy to his doctrine. Therefore our Saviour himself, in answer to the public question sent from John the Baptist, whether he were the expected Saviour of the world, commanded the messengers to tell him what they heard and saw. • The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised

CHAP. I.]

Christ's second coming.

[HEAVEN.

up.' These healing miracles were foretold by the prophet as the clear and distinguishing characters of the Messiah; and of the fulfilling of God's word by the works of Christ, of which there was sensible evidence, was an irrefutable testimony that his miracles were true, and performed for the confirmation of the truth.

Of all the chosen saints who foretold the coming of Christ, the new law of grace and the new kingdom of glory which he should reveal and establish; of all that represented him in various particulars, concerning his person and offices, there was not a more illustrious type than David; who by prophetic words and actions so clearly described him. In this psalm composed by him, there is a mixture of history and prophecy. Some things in the literal and immediate sense refer to David. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.' Our being at God's right hand implies the highest honour; his being at our right hand implies present and sure protection and defence; and of this David had the infallible promise of God to secure his hope, notwithstanding all his unrighteous and implacable enemies. The following verses are applicable to David, but in a lower sense and by a remote metaphor; and have their literal and principal accomplishment in our Saviour. Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,' that is, in the state of the dead; nor suffer thy holy One to see corruption; that is, the body of our

T

HEAVEN.]

Christ's second coming.

[CHAP. I

Saviour should be exempted from the corrupting power of the grave, and be restored to life on the third day. In this perfect sense the prophecy is applied by St. Peter to our Saviour alone; for David died and saw corruption, and his body still remains under the dominion of death. Acts ii. 27-29. The last verse of the text is applied by the apostle of Christ's resurrection and ascension to heaven, and sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Thou wilt shew me the path of life; that is, introduce him into the kingdom of glory, and by experimental fruition make him a partaker of it. In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.'

In these words the causes and excellencies of the heavenly life are expressed. The causes are the glorious presence of God, the intimate application of his presence, and the discovery of his peculiar love to the saints. This our blessed Saviour had respect to as the complete reward of his sufferings;

Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.' And his right hand' implies his bounty that dispenses, and his power that secures our happiness. The excellencies of it are fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore.'

From the words I shall observe one proposition; namely, that the enjoyment of the divine presence in heaven, is the supreme and everlasting felicity of the saints.

Here we shall consider, First, the place wherein

1