John 1:50–51

In the last place, we have Christs entertaining of this Convert, in commending his believing on so easie termes, and promising further grounds of confirmation; And particularly, he promiseth unto him and all of them, a sight of heaven opened, and of Angels ascending and descending on him; This Promise may indeed have an allusion to Jacobs vision of the ladder, Gen. 28. as accomplished in Christ, who is the Opener of heaven, and the way to it; who reacheth to heaven in his divine Original, and to earth in his manhood, and whom Angels serve. But it seemeth more safe to take it literally, for some signes of his glory manifested to some, that by their Ministry, it might be published to all; And as before this, heaven had been opened at his Baptisme, Matth 3. And Angels ascended and descended as he had service for them, and particularly, at the publication of his birth, and in the time of his tentation in the wildernesse, so afterward heaven was in a sorr opened at his Transfiguration and Ascension, and Angels ministred to him in his Agonie, Resurrection and Ascension; We may also safely conceive, that this might have been yet more literally accomplished, according to the Promise, though the accomplishment be not recorded, as many other particulars were not, John 20.30, 31. Doct. 1. Christ is really well pleased with the faith and conversion of any, and would have them to look on it as no common benefit; And he is the better pleased the more easie termes we beleeve upon, when we beleeve though we see not, or against sense; or close with him, notwithstanding manifold difficulties; for, saith Christ, admiring and commending his own grace in him, because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, beleevest thou? 2. As Christ hath still more and more proofs of himself, to give for confirmation of our faith, as we need; So they who are willing to beleeve on lesse apparent grounds, shall be more and more confirmed, and see still greater cause of beleeving; for, this is Christs promise to Nathaneel; Thou shalt see greater things then these. 3. The encouragements allowed by Christ to particular beleevers, are intended and recorded for the comfort of all beleevers in the like need, and following the same way; for, so is this promise given, he said unto him, I say unto you, that is, to all then present. Even particular extraordinary promises made to particular persons, do allow general comfort to all beleevers in an ordinary way, though they are not to expect what is extraordinary: So much appeareth from Josh. 1.5. compared with Heb. 13.5. 4. Christs promises would be looked on as sure and infallible; being not onely promised by him, who cannot lie, but most gravely asserted for our confirmation. And we ought to be humbled for our infidelity, which so readily mistrust; him, and to admire his indulgent condescendencie to satisfie our weaknesse; Therefore, Christ prefixeth to this promise, verily, verily I say unto you, a grave and vehement asseveration putting the matter beyond all doubt and controversie. Not that this maketh the promise any surer on his part; but that our weaknesse and unbelief needeth it, and he condescends unto it, and having given this assurance, expects absolute and entire credit to what he saith. 5. The sight of Christs glory is the great encouragement and ground of beleevers confirmation, as being all for them and their good, and letting them see what excellency there is in him to be relied upon; Therefore is there a promise of Nathaneels confirmation by seeing more of Christs glory. 6. Christ our Mediator is approved from heaven, and he by whom heaven, formerly shut against sinners, is opened; for, it is a part of Christs glory, that heaven is open with relation to him, testifying an approbation of him, and his acceptance for him and his. 7. It doth also illustrate Christs glory, and further confirme beleevers faith, that Christ is Lord of Angels even in his state of humiliation, and hath them ready at his call, as he or his people shall need their service; for, it is also promised they shall see the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man; or, moving from earth to heaven, and from heaven to earth as he required. 8. All this glory of Christ is further comfortable, when he is found dwelling in our nature with it, yea and delighting in this his condescendence, and to be our kinsman, for, it is promised they should see all this upon the Sonne of man, shewing that the Son of God was also the Sonne of man, and that he delighted to be so, and therefore doth so often take this title to himself.