by Thomas Goodwin
Modernized
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Original
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The gracious disposition and tender affection of Christ in his human nature now in glory, unto his members under all sorts of infirmities, either of sin or misery.
"Though Christ is now in glory, do not let that discourage you, for he has the heart of a husband towards you, being betrothed to you forever in faithfulness and in loving-kindness. …Take this as one incentive to obedience: that if he retained the same heart of mercy towards you which he had here on earth, then to answer his love, endeavor to have the same heart towards him on earth which you hope to have in heaven."
After describing the remarkable and profound actions of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ—his obedience leading to death, resurrection, ascension to heaven, seating at God's right hand, and intercession for us, which have been thoroughly discussed—I will now present this subsequent discourse. It pertains to the heart of Christ as he presently resides in heaven, seated at God's right hand and interceding for us. It reveals how his heart is affected and filled with gracious disposition towards sinners on earth who approach him: how willing he is to receive them, how prepared he is to welcome them, and how tenderly he pities them in all their weaknesses, be it their sins or their misfortunes. The purpose and benefit of this discourse are to embolden and encourage believers to approach the throne of grace more confidently, seeking the aid of such a compassionate Saviour and High Priest. By understanding how sweetly and tenderly his heart inclines towards them, even in his glorious state, they can overcome the significant obstacle that remains unseen but impedes their path to faith. It is the notion that, since Christ is now absent and exalted to a position of immense glory, seated at God's right hand, they are unsure of how to approach him freely and with hopeful expectation to secure their salvation, as those unfortunate sinners who were once physically present with him on Earth.
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Demonstrations from Christ's Last Farewell to His Disciples
Demonstrations from Passages and Expressions after His Resurrection
Demonstrations from Passages at and after His Ascension into Heaven.
Part II: The Evil of Afflictions and the Evil of Sin
A Second Sort of Demonstration of Christ's Heart Toward Sinners
Christ's heart is touched with the feeling, of our infirmities