BOOK 8. THE ASCENSION.
CHAPTER 2.
8.2.8. Of Calling on Jesus in that Respect.
Of Calling on Jesus in that Respect.
Let us call on Jesus; I mean, --
1. Let us pray that we may have our part in these transactions; or let us pray for more and more assurance thereof unto our souls: for though we do believe, yet we may not be without our doubts, and in case of doubts, What better means than prayer? "I believe, Lord help my unbelief: Lord strengthen my faith, till I come to that plerophory, or full assurance of faith, that I may know my interest in the ascension of Christ, and session of Christ, and in the mission, of Christ's Holy Spirit." And if once we are but assured, then,
2. Praise God for these great transactions of his Son: are they not mercies like mountains lying one upon another, and reaching up to the very heavens? Did not love break out at first in a direct line? And as it went along, hath it not wound up itself, in such a variety of unthought of discoveries, as that it amazeth men and angels? What, that Jesus Christ should not only act for us here on earth, but also ascend for us in heaven, and sit down there at God's right hand above the heavens. What, that all this should be for us and our salvation. And to that purpose, that he should send down his Spirit into our hearts, to fit us, and prepare us for his glory; "Now bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name, bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits," PsaL ciii. 1, 2. -- "I will extol thee my God, O King, and I will bless thy name forever and ever," Psal. cxlv. 1. "Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name forever and ever," verse 2. -- "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts," verse 4. "I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wonderous works," verse 5. -- "I will utter the memory of thy great goodness, and will sing of thy righteousness," verse 7. -- "Thy saints shall bless thee," verse 10. -- "They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power," verse 11. -- "And make known unto the sons of men thy mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of thy kingdom," verse 12. -- "Thy glory is above the earth, and heaven, thou also exaltest the horn of thy people, the praise of all thy saints, and people near unto thyself," Psal. cxlviii. 13, 14. O that my soul were but in David's temper, thus to breathe out the praises of Jesus, and to bless his name.