Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 10:6

6. But the righteousness which is of faith, speaketh on this wife , Say not in thine heart , who shall ascend into heaven ? that is to bring Christ down from above .

By a persopopeia (a frequent figure in scripture) he puts the person of a reasonable Creature upon the righteousness of Faith, and bringeth it in speaking and declaring its self, as followeth; or else the meaning is, That the Scripture or Moses speaketh thus of the righteousness of Faith. These words are taken out of Deut. 30.12.13. The question is, Whither Paul doth properly alleadge this place in Deut. or only allude to it; some think the Latter, That Moses directly speaks of the Law, and that the Apostle, by an Allusion, or by way of Accommodation, applies it unto Faith; Hence tis, that he doth not cite the very words of Moses, but alters and adds to them, as best served his Purpose. But Others think, That this would extenuate the force of St. Pauls Argument, if he should only allude unto this Testimony of Moses, and not confirm that which he intended by the same. Therefore their Opinion is, That these words are properly cited; and, That Moses himself, in that place; doth speak (though very obscurely) of the righteousness of Faith; yea, the foregoing words in that thirteenth Chapter of Deut. do belong to the times of the Gospel. Some of the Iewish Rabbies have confest, That Moses in that Chapter, especially the beginning of it, hath referrence to the dayes of the Messiah. He speaks there of the Isralites being driven among all Nations, and unto the utmost parts of Heaven, which chiefly hapned to them a little after the Ascention of Christ, and will abide upon them till their Conversation; of which see the 11 chap. of this Epistle, and then God will Restore them again to the Land of Promise, to that Ierusalem which is from above, the true Church of Iesus Christ; then He will Circumcise their Hearts, and the Hearts of their Seed, to love the Lord with all their Heart, and with all their Soul; then will the Lord rejoyce over them to do them good, as he reioyced over their Fathers; then according to Gods Covenant-Promise, the law of God shall be written in their hearts; It shall not be hidden, or afar off, but nigh them, in their Mouths, and in their Hearts. Thus the Apostle convinceth the Iewes by a Testimony out of Moses, in whom they Trusted.

i. e. Think not anxiously and despondingly within thy self.

i. e. To learn the Will of God there concerning our Righteousness and Salvation; and then Teach it to us: or, to see if there be any admission or room for such as I am there, and to carry me thither.

This is in effect to deny, That Christ has already come down from Heaven to Reveal it to us; and that He must now come to do it: Or else, that is, as much as to deny, That Christ hath already Descended from Heaven, to procure and purchase Salvation for us; and that he must come down again for that purpose. It were to deny the Ascention of Christ into Heaven; for he is gon thither, not as a private, but as a publick Person; He is gone thither as our Head, and thither He will bring all his Members; he is there as our forerunner, as one that is gone before to prepare a place for us. For Christians to distrust their going to heaven, is to doubt Whether Christ be in Heaven; he had never gon thither if he had not perfected our Redemption, and Salvation here.