…Intention of his Death, (however Devils and Men themselves against themselves, have done their uttermost to frustrate it) and with and above this, his own concerns, fully to uncover and declare his Father to be Love throughout, and to be that Light in whom there is no Darkness at all.
CHAP. XIII. – A further clearing of the foregoing Argument, from the great advantages Christ has to accomplish this Work in his second Appearance.
This will be much clearer if we consider that Christ hath a Second part of his Mediatory Office to perfect at his next coming; which is the greater part, viz. the most Powerful, though not the most costly or painful to himself: For so the First part was, being performed thro’ great Sufferings and Death, in a State of Humiliations: But now he comes as a King, not to intreat but to Command, and to put Life into his commands by that All-sufficiency of Power he is invested with.
That this is the greatest part even toward his own saved ones, viz. the Elect, that are the First-fruits of his Creatures, appears, because even they are Saved in hope till then, as the Apostle shews, Rom. viii. and hope that is seen is not hope, therefore faith the Apostle Gal. v.5, We thro’ the Spirit wait for the hope of Righteousness thro’ faith: Tho’ we be Justified Persons in the present Time; yet the glorious Fruit of our justified State appear but in…