Genesis 28:10-15 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.… The great truth, therefore, that ariseth from hence is, that Christ is our Ladder of Life and Love, by which we have communion with God upon earth, while we live, and admission unto God in heaven, when we die. This ladder hath seven excellent properties. It is — 1. A living ladder, therefore it is called a ladder of life; a ladder that hath life in it, both intrinsically and objectively. 2. A loving ladder, that will not, cannot easily let go its hold of any such as sincerely come to it, to climb upon it, and do therein take hold of it, and thereby embrace it. 3. It is a lively ladder also that will so lovingly embrace us, and so livelily both take hold and keep hold of us, and not let us go until He has brought us up to the top of the ladder, and from thence into mansions of glory. 4. It is a lovely ladder. (1) In its nature. (2) In its posture.The posture and end of its erection is for saving from hell, and sending to heaven. 5. The fifth excellent property is, it is a large ladder; there is room enough both for saints and angels upon this ladder. It is so large, that it enlargeth and stretcheth out itself into all lands, as do the great luminaries of heaven. This ladder is — (1) Extensive, as it is found everywhere, Asia, Africa, or America; whether it be in the city or in the country; whether it be in public, or in private, whether in family worship, or closet retirements; in all those places believers do find this large ladder of love let down to them, and there doth Christ give them his loves (Song of Solomon 7:11, 12). Upon which account the apostle saith, "I will that men pray everywhere," etc. (1 Timothy 2:8), whether in the fields, or in the villages, or in the vineyards, or under the secret places of the stairs (Song of Solomon 2:14). Any place, yea a chimney corner may make a good Oratory upon this ladder, whereon Christ accounteth our voices sweet, and our countenances comely. And this ladder, Christ. (2) It is comprehenensive to all persons; there is room enough upon this ladder for all the saints in all the nations of the world. 6. The sixth excellent property — it is a long and lofty ladder, so long as to reach from earth to heaven. 7. The seventh excellent property of this ladder is, it is a lasting, yea, an everlasting ladder. (C. Nose.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. |
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