world to come, dividing the world into three periods: the first before the law; the second under the law; the third the world to come, or the days of the Messiah. "For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak," Heb. ii. 5.

5. The next difficulty that appears to me in this text is, the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of man. The elect angels never sinned. God and they were never at a distance; nor were they ever at enmity, so as to stand in need of a mediator; nor are they included in his mediation; and it is certain that Christ took not on him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham, Heb. ii. 16. "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." He, by his blood, is the new and living way, which he hath new made for us, and the redeemed shall walk there, Isaiah xxxv. 9. The office of Christ as mediator, and his whole work of mediation, being appointed for men, and confined to men, it appears strange to me to find the angels ascending and descending on the Mediator, or in that way which is consecrated for us.

It is true, every spiritual blessing from God the Father comes to us through Christ, and every acceptable sacrifice goes up from us to God the same way, and no other; but then the angels do not go and come on the Son of man in this work; for it is not angels, but the Holy Ghost, that brings every promise and blessing through Christ

to us. Some say the sense is, that there would be immediately made such clear discoveries of his person and grace by his ministry, and such miracles would be wrought in confirmation of it, that it would look as if heaven was open, and the angels of God were continually going to and fro, and bringing fresh messages, and performing miraculous operations; as if the whole host of them were constantly employed in such service. But their bringing messages, and performing operations, is what I do not understand. And their saying that it would look as if heaven was open, &c. that If, and that Look, or mere appearance, does not seem to require the double asseveration of Verily, verily, I say unto you. Besides, the Lord does not say that it shall look as if it were so and so, but Verily, verily, you shall see heaven open, &c.

The heavens opening at certain times is what we often read of, as in Ezekiel. He tells us first that the heavens were opened to him, and that he saw visions of God. In which vision he saw a whirlwind, the emblem of the Holy Spirit of God, and a fire enfolding or catching itself in after every breaking forth; which fire represented the word and grace of God, which are to inflame the souls of God's saints as the Holy Spirit is pleased to communicate them; and upon the back of every breaking forth there succeeds a catching in; and this every child of God knows and laments. Out of the flames came four living creatures,

quickened and inflamed by the Holy Ghost; which were hieroglyphical representations of gospel ministers, burning and shining lights. Read Rev. v. 11, 12. On the sides of the living creatures were wheels, prefiguring the churches of Christ, called Gilgal, or rolling, and because they were spiritually circumcised, and their guilt and the reproach of it were rolled away from them, Josh. v. 9; and so, being disburdened of their sins, and fired with love, they were like the cha riots of Amminadib, the chariots of my willing people, Song vi. 12. These living creatures being inspired by the Spirit of life and love, the spirit of these living creatures was in the wheels; hence they move in concert; if one went, the other went; if one rose, the other rose; they rise and fall together, as all ministers and churches do, if they are of God's spiritual family; for, if the eye of the body mystical be single, the whole body will be full of light; and, if the preacher be a hypocrite, so will his followers; for "there shall be, like people, like priest." Above all these there is a throne exhibited, and upon the throne a man in a fiery appearance, which was the Son of God on a throne of glory, attending the church with his presence. And all this was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the heavens were opened by Christ's sacrifice and satisfaction, and by his mediation and intercession; when the Holy Ghost descended like a rushing wind and a cloven tongue, and abode upon all the apostles. Then was

the Lord seen over them; the arrows of his quiver went forth like lightning, and pierced the hearts of rebels. The great trumpet was then blown to call perishing sinners to the sacrifice; and he went forth with whirlwinds of the south, which heavenly gale is for the regeneration of his own elect, read Zech. ix. 14. Thus are the heavens opened, and a new and living way consecrated through the veil into the holiest of all; which way was not made manifest while the first tabernacle was standing, Heb. ix. 8.

2. By the heavens being opened is signified a glorious breaking forth of gospel light and power, after a long eclipse of darkness, deadness, errors, and heresies, which often obscure the church, and almost bring her into the smoke and smother of ignorance and confusion, and make her look like the chaff and stubble of carnal and outer-court worshippers. But when it pleases God to pour down his Holy Spirit, and to revive his cause, and raise up his poor oppressed family, he shines into their hearts, opens the heavens to them, and shows them afresh the mysteries of his covenant. "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings," &c.

3. The heavens are said to be opened to Peter, when in vision he saw a large vessel knit at the four corners, and filled with beasts, fowls, and reptiles, representing God's elect among the Gen

tiles; and he was bid to Arise, kill, and eat, Acts

X. 11.

4. The same opening of the heavens appeared to Stephen, when the sentence of death and the execution of it was coming upon him: "And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." This was to inform the martyr that the heavens, the holiest of all, were opened to him, and that his Lord was ready to receive him, and that he should commit his departing soul to him, as to a faithful Creator, his covenant God, and his Saviour. "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Something of this sort appears to every convicted sinner upon his conversion; for, while he is labouring under the legal bondage of the law, the heavens over him appear to be brass, and the earth that is under him iron; so that he can neither ascend to God in prayer, nor hide himself from his terrible majesty. And it is as sensibly felt and enjoyed by the poor sinner, when God rends the heavens, and comes down and makes the mountains to flow down at his gracious presence, Isaiah lxiv. 1. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together: I the Lord have created it."

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But this opening the heavens, in my text, signifies the new and living way, which was