wish to know whither he was going? he was going" to his Father's house, wherein are many mansions:" he was going thither for the express purpose of preparing a place for them; and when his mediatorial work was completed, he purposed to come again to his sorrowing church, and take his people away to himself, that where he now is there they also might ever be! First, then, we learn from this passage, whither our blessed Lord went when he departed out of this world, and also where he now is, viz. "IN HIS FATHER'S HOUSE." As he himself declared towards the close of his discourse, "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world; again I leave the world, and go unto the Father."* And where is his Father's house? It is in heaven, And where is heaven? This question none can answer; revelation alone could declare it, and if God have hid it from us it is presumption to inquire. Let us be contented to know that wherever God is, there is heaven; that in heaven, at the right-hand of God, sitteth our blessed Redeemer; and that where he now is in his glorious body, there we, who believe in him, shall for ever be, after the morning of the resurrection! The present exaltation of the Lord Jesus is revealed in many passages of Scripture St. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, spoke of him as at the right-hand at the right-hand of God exalted,

* xvi. 28.

VOL. II.

X

and pouring forth those miraculous gifts of the Spirit which were then manifested.* The dying martyr, Stephen, beheld him enthroned in glory beside the everlasting Father: and St. Paul exhorts us to "set our affections on things above, WHERE Christ sitteth at the right-hand of God."† And again, the same apostle declares that the Father having raised up Jesus from the dead, "set him at his own right-hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come."‡ Thither to his Father's house our blessed Lord has departed.

In that house he further teaches us to believe, that " THERE ARE MANY MANSIONS." The popular use of the word MANSION has led many to misunderstand this passage: neither in the original nor in the English version does it mean a great house, or palace, nor does it refer at all to the size, quality, or dignity of the building; but simply to its durability; a mansion is an abiding place, a permanent dwelling, a rest, a secure abode, that cannot be disturbed. § In this it is

*Acts ii. 33. + Colos. iii. 1-3.

Eph. i. 20.

§ Nothing is more common than to hear this text quoted in support of the opinion that there are different degrees of happiness in heaven. But without denying that this may be a doctrine of Scripture, it may be safely affirmed, that it is not taught in this passage. The popular error has arisen from

that the heavenly dwelling so far excels that which is earthly; this is frail, perishing, transitory-that is imperishable and eternal. "We have no ABIDING city here, we seek one yet to come;" even "a city which hath foundations, whose maker and builder is God."* This idea filled the mind of the apostle, when he exclaimed, "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." This house which we now inhabit is only a tabernacle or tent, which may be struck in a moment; it is but a temporary dwelling-that is eternal in the heavens. And our gracious master assures us that in his Father's house there are many such safe and quiet residences. Had he wished to have consoled only his own immediate disciples, it would have been sufficient had he said, "there are eleven mansions;" but he affirms that there are MANY, in order that each feeble, penitent believer may be persuaded that there is one for him! Yes, many peaceful and blessed mansions are there-enough for all who are

some confusion of the words "HOUSE" and " MANSION." Neither from the original, nor from the translation, when correctly understood, is any thing further to be gathered than this assurance, that in the eternal state there are MANY quiet resting places for God's weary people, and therefore abundance of room for them all.

*Heb. xi. 10.

† 2 Cor. v. 1.

effectually called, and who have been chosen in him before the foundation of the world. Every abode shall have its occupant; and every one of his children shall be found there at last-" Those whom thou gavest me," said he to his holy Father, "I have kept, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled."*

The present occupation of the Son of God in his heavenly dwelling, is NEXT described. Not only does he assure his people that there are many safe and quiet mansions in his Father's house, and that "if it had been otherwise he would have told them;" but he adds, "I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU!" Behold the mediatorial work still continued in heaven! Jesus is indeed now absent from his church; we cannot see his glorious countenance, nor hear his voice of love; but how should it endear the memory of our absent Lord to reflect that he does not for a moment forget us; but even there, in that distant world of glory, he is employed for our benefit; "He is "He is gone to prepare a place for us," to make it ready and secure for us; he is our forerunner, who for us hath entered into the holiest by virtue of his own blood. He is gone, as St. Paul saith,† "into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." "He ever liveth to make inter+ Heb. ix. 24.

* John xvii. 12.

cession for us:" he is our friend, and pleads for us at the bar of God. Many a time should we have forfeited our resting-place, had he not borne our names upon his heart before the Lord: as it is written again, “If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins."* It is thus that now in heaven itself the Lord Jesus is preparing a place for each of his redeemed people; he preserves it for them, and he upholds them by his grace and faithfulness even unto the end; as St. Peter declares," an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."+

But as if even these exceeding great and precious promises were not enough to console his sorrowing bride, the church, in the absence of her heavenly bridegroom, her Lord yet further adds another promise; "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also."‡ As he subsequently said; "I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." This delightful assurance is doubtless partially realized at the death of each individual believer: Christ then comes to the

* 1 John ii. 1.

+ 1 Peter i. 4, 5.

Ver. 3.