John 14:3

The third argument of consolation is, that having done his work in heaven in their name, he will return and fetch them to glory and the full fruition of the promises. Which is not only to be understood of his fetching particular beleevers at death, but chiefly, of his coming at the great day, when he shall make one errand of all, and take up all his followers, to perfect them both in soul and body. This consolation is confirmed. 1. From his errand in departing, If he go away on their affairs, he will stay no longer then their affairs require; but when he hath done his work, he will returne. 2. (Which is also a description of that blessed estate, to the possession whereof he will take them) from his love to their society, and therefore he will have them to be with himselfe, and where he is. Whence learn, 1. The saith of the second coming of Christ ought to uphold the hearts of beleevers, during his absence; for, this another consolation, I will come againe, and receive you. See Act. 1 11. Titus 2.12, 13. 2. It is the great consolation of beleevers, that their living by faith, shall at last end in fruition; And albeit this be only beleeved for the present, yet it may make all other exercises of faith comfortable, that this is one among the rest, even that their faith, having carried them through many a tempest and dark cloud, will at last resolve in sight and enjoyment; Therefore is this consolation, of his receiving them, subjoyned to the former of faith and hope, ver. 1, 2. as that which will perfect them all, being the day of full redemption, Luk. 21.28. See 1 Cor. 15.19, 54, 55. 3. It is ample matter of encouragement to beleevers, that not only shall they be eternally glorified, but that Christ doth condescend to do all the duties, for perfecting their happiness, that can be expected by reason of his relations; for, as bridegroomes use to fetch their brides, so he will not decline to do that duty to his bride, how naughty soever she be, I will come again, and receive you. He not only knows she could never come to him otherwise, but his great love to her, and his purpose to make her glorious, doth endeare her to him, so that he will stoop to such duties. 4. It doth commend the love of Christ to beleevers, and augment their comfort, that he is so eminently active in promoving their eternal happinesse, in all the steps thereof, and taketh the whole burden of it upon himselfe, leaving them little or nothing to do; for, as it is he who descended for their behoofe, and came to seek them when they had no minde of him; so it is he who goeth up again for them, who prepareth a place for them there, ver. 2. and who after all that, commeth again and receiveth them. It is true, He hath enioyned beleevers their duty, which they must not sleight through presumptuous leaning on him: Yet not only doth not that merit any thing, but he layeth on a yoke of duty on us, that we may employ him to work all our works in us, and for us, and so he will work in us both to will and to do. 5. A right study of Christs errand to heaven, may assure us that he is engaged to come again and perfect us, and that he will return when he hath done our employment there; for, so doth he confirme this consolation; If I go and prepare a place for you, (or, when I go and shall have prepared a place for you, as the one particle is often put for the other) I will come again and receive you. This doth most clearly follow, because his love having taken on that employment, will not put it off again, nor will he be unanswerable to his trust, nor lose all the pains he hath taken to purchase and prepare a place, by not coming again to perfect his own. 6. Albeit Christ removed his bodily presence from his followers, yet his love to them and their fellowship did not cease, nor will he rest satisfied till he and they meet to enjoy his company; for, he who delighted among the Sons of men, before the world was, Prov. 8.31. who delighted to converse with his people in humane shape before his Incarnation, and who took pleasure to spend his time busily among them, while he was with them in the dayes of his flesh, Joh 9.4, 5. Even he is so tender in his love, that he hath minde of returning before he go away, and before he want their company, he will yet leave heaven for their sakes, and come again (saith he) and receive you unto my selfe, and that for this end, that where I am, there ye may be also. 7. As Christs followers are in this life called to be conforme to his image, and to partake with him in sufferings; So his love will have them at last advanced to communion in glory with himselfe, in that measure which they, as his members, are capable of: for, this is his purpose concerning them, that where I am, there ye may be also, 8. It makes the hope of heaven sweet to Saints, when they consider that there they will meet with, and fully enjoy Christ, whom they have so often delighted to look upon through a vail, and whose company hath oft-times offered them much of heaven upon earth, and in their saddest lots; and that they shall never again be separated from him: Therefore doth he propound this as their sweet encouragement, I will receive you unto my selfe, that where I am, there ye may be also. See 1 Thes. 4.17.