LOOKING UNTO JESUS,

IN HIS RESURRECTION.

THE SIXTH BOOK. CHAP. 1:

SECT.. Of the Time and Reasons of CHRIST's Resurrection.

THE sun, that went down in a ruddy cloud, is risen again with glorious beams. In this piece, as in the former; we shall first lay down the object, and then give directions how to look upon it. The object is JESUS, carrying on the great work of man's salvation in his resurrection, and during the time of his abode on earth after his resurrection. Now in the transactions of this time, I shall only take notice of these two things; his resurrection, and his appearance. The Scripture tells us that he arose again the third day. On this point I shall show, 1. Why he arose. 2. How he arose. For the former, we have these reasons.

1. That he might powerfully convince or confound his adversaries, notwithstanding their care, their watch, their seal, their making all as sure as possibly they could. For at the very time he foretold, he broke the bars of death, and made the gates of brass to fly asunder.

2. That he-might confirm the faith of all. his followers. " If CHRIST be not risen, Your faith is vain," says the apostle. CHRIST's resurrection both confirms our faith, as to his person and his office. For his person; this speaks him to be the "Eternal Son of God;" and for his office; this speaks him to be the promised Messiah, the King and Savior of his church.

3. That it might appear he had fully satisfied the justice of GOD for sin. So it was, that GOD laid the forfeiture of the bond on CHRIST; he arrested him; brought him to the prison of the grave; and there he was till the debt was paid to the uttermost farthing; and then, that it might clearly appear the bond was cancelled, he arose again from the dead.

4. That he might conquer sin, death, and the devil and hence the apostle cries Victory, upon the occasion of CHRIST's resurrection; "O Death, where is thy sting O grave, where is thy victory" Now was the time when he spoiled principalities and powers, that he trod on the serpent's head, that he came upon him, took from him his armor wherein he trusted, and divided his spoils.

5. That he might "become the first-fruits of them that slept." CHRIST is called the first-fruits in a double respect. (1.) In respect of the day whereon he arose; Paul was an excellent critic: the very feast carried him to the word; as the day of his passion was the day of the Passover, and the apostle thence could say, " CHRIST is our Passover," 1 Cor. 15: 7; so. the day of CHRIST's rising was the day of f the first-fruits, and the apostle thence could. say, "CHRIST is our first-fruits." Concerning this feast of the firstfruits, we read, Lev. 23: 1O, 11. It was their first harvest of their basest grain, barley; the full: harvest of their best’ grain of wheat was not till Pentecost. Now upon this day, the morrow after the Sabbath, the beginning of their first harvest, when the sheaf of their first-fruits was brought unto the priest, and waved before the Lord, CHRIST arose from the dead, and in this respect Paul calls.him the "first-fruit first-fruit of them that sleep," of all the saints.

He arose on this day, for the full harvest is not till the general resurrection-day. (2.) He is called the first-fruit in respect of them whom he thereby sanctified: for as an handful of the first-fruits sanctified the whole field of corn that was growing, so JESUS CHRIST, the first-fruits of the dead, sanctifies all those who are lying in the grave to rise again by his power, even when they are in the dust of death. "If CHRIST be not risen," (says the apostle,).’lye are yet in Your sins. But now is CHRIST risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that sleep."

6. That being formerly abased as a servant, and crucified as a sinner, he might thus be declared to be the Son of GOD, and exalted to be a Prince and Savior; and so his name might be glorified of all the world. It was of necessary consequence that he that was so humbled, must be thus exalted; "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he has poured out his soul unto death." Of all the reasons of CHRIST's resurrection, we must look upon this as the main; for, as he has made all things for his own glory, "so CHRIST was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father;" by the glory, or to the glory, or for the glory, of himself and of his Father.

SECT. 2:

Of the Tanner of CHRIST's Resurrection.

How he rose; the manner of his resurrection we may consider in these particulars: 1. That CHRIST rose again as a common person, who stood in our stead.: Adam, we know, was reckoned before his fall as a common person, not standing singly for himself, but as representing all mankind to come of him; so JESUS CHRIST is reckoned-to us, both before his death, and in his death, and after his death, as a common person; not living, dying, or rising again, singly for himself, but as representing all the believers in the world. As among all the sheaves in the field, there was some onee sheaf that, in the name of all the rest, was lifted up and waved before the Lord; so when all were- dead, CHRIST, as the first-fruits, rose again from the dead. Let this ever be remembered, that CHRIST rose again as the first-fruits as an head, as a common person.

2. That CHRIST rose again by his own power; this he meant when,he said, " Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." He says not, Destroy Thou, and some other shall raise it up; no, but I, even I myself, will do it; yea, and by my own power. Here is a plain proof of the Divine nature of CHRIST, for none ever did, ever could do that but GOD himself. It is true also that the Father raised him, and yet this contradicts not the declaration that he raised up himself; for "whatsoever the Father doth, I do," says CHRIST. CHRIST's resurrection is the indivisible work of the blessed Trinity; it is a work common to all the three Persons; there is but one power of the Father and of the Son; so that of both it is true, the Father raised him, and the Son raised himself.

3. That CHRIST rose again with an earthquake_: "And behold there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven." The earth shook at his death-, and now it trembles at his resurrection.; plainly speaking that it could neither endure his suffering, nor hinder his rising.

4. That in his resurrection, angels ministered to him. "An angel came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." CHRIST's power was not only exerted in the grave, but extended to heaven and to the hosts therein. However the chief priests and pharisees conspired together to confine him in the earth; sealing the stone, and setting a watch; yet the angels of heaven were ready to wait on him as their Sovereign Lord. An angel descending to roll away the stone; not that CHRIST was unable to do it himself; he shook the earth, and could not he lift a stone O yes! but thus he would manifest his power, by declaring his authority over the mighty angels: He need but to say to the angel, Do this,, and he Both it.

5. That CHRIST rose again, accompanied with others "And the graves were opened, and many bodies of saints which slept, arose, and came out of their graves after. his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." It may be the graves were opened when CHRIST was laid down in his grave; yet the spirits came not into the dead bodies till CHRIST's resurrection; the text is plain that they came not out of their graves till CHRIST was raised. CHRIST "is the beginning," (says the apostle,) " the first-born from the dead," both in time and efficacy. 1. In time, he rose to eternal life the first of all men. 2. In respect of efficacy, CHRIST rose first, that by his power all the rest might rise. It is a question what became of those bodies which now rose: some think they died again; but it is more probable that, seeing they rose to manifest the quickening virtue of CHRIST's resurrection, they were also glorified with CHRIST; and as they rose with CHRIST's rising, so they ascended up into heaven with CHRIST's ascending.

6. That CHRIST rose again with a true, perfect, incorruptible, powerful, spiritual, agile, and glorious body. (l.) He had a true body, consisting of flesh, and blood, and bone; so he told his disciples, when they supposed him a spirit; " Handle me, and see," (said he,) " for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." I know this body, after his resurrection, was comparatively a spiritual body; yet for all that, he never laid aside the essential properties of a true body. (2.) He.had a perfect body; however he was cut and mangled before his death, yet after his resurrection, all was perfect. (3.) He had an incorruptible, immortal body. The apostle is express; "CHRIST being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death has no more dominion over him." Consonant hereunto is that of CHRIST; " I am he that lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen." (4.) He had a powerful body. Luther could say of the glorified saints, that they had a power so great as to toss the greatest mountains in the world like a ball: and Anselm has an expression not much unlike, "They have such a power, as they are able to shake the whole earth at their pleasure," How much more could CHRIST cause that great earthquake at the rising of his. body (5.) He had a spiritual body; it needed not meat, drink or refreshment, as it did before. It is true, that the disciples "gave him a piece of a broiled fish and of a honey-comb, and be took it, and did eat before them;" but this he did only to confirm their faith; he eat out of power, and not out of necessity.

(6.) He had an agile body; it was in his pleasure to move as well upwards as downwards, as it may appear by the ascension of his body into heaven; which was not caused by any effort, or violent motion, but was a property agreeing to all bodies glorified. Augustine has. an-expression. concerning the glorified saints, "That they can move to any place they will, and as soon as they will;" they can move up and down like Thought; how much more may it be said of the body of CHRIST

(7.) He had a glorious body; this appeared in his transfiguration, "when his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as light;" but especially after his resurrection and ascension, when "his head and his hair were white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire, and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace." It is true, that from his resurrection until his ascension, his body appeared not thus glorious unto them that saw it. But whether his glory was delayed, during his forty days' abode upon earth; or whether he so far condescended, for his disciples' sake, as to keep in his glory, that it might not dazzle them, is hard to determine. I am apt to think, that he might draw in the beams of his glory, and yet that he was not entered into that fullness of glory as after his ascension; and so some expound those words of CHRIST to Mary, " Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father;" q. d. Fix not thy Thoughts so much upon my present condition, for I have not yet attained the highest pitch of my exaltation, nor shall I until I ascend unto my Father.

From this resurrection of CHRIST, how are we informed that CHRIST is the Son of God Thus Paul speaks, He was " declared to be the Son of GOD with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." And how are we informed that CHRIST is Lord over all things " For to this end CHRIST both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living." And how are we informed that CHRIST rose again for us "But now is CHRIST risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that sleep." And how are we informed that by his resurrection we are justified "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." And by his resurrection at the last day we shall be raised; for " the Spirit of him that raised up JESUS from the dead shall also quicken our mortal bodies." And by his resurrection finally we shall be saved; for after we are raised, "we shall not die any more, but be equal unto the angels, and be the children of GOD, being the children of the resurrection."

SECT. 3:

Of the arguments of CHRIST's Resurrection.

CHRIST, after his passion, showed himself alive by many infallible proofs. And so he had need to persuade men to "the faith of so strange a truth. If we consult primitive times, or later times, never was matter attended with more scruple, and slowness of belief, with more doubts and difficulties than was this truth of CHRIST's resurrection. Mary Magdalen saw it first, and reported it. "But they believed her not," Mark 16: 1O. The two disciples who went to Emmaus, saw it also, and reported it, but " they believed them not," Luke 24: 37. Divers women together saw him, and came and told the disciples,, but "their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not;" Luke 24: 11. They all saw him, and even seeing him, " yet they believed not for joy, but wondered," Luke 24: 41. When the wonder was over, and the rest told it but to one that happened to be absent, Thou know how peremptory he was; that "except he saw in his hands the print of his nails, and put his fingers into the print of the nails, and thrust his hands into his side, he would not believe, John 20: 25. In after-times the whole world stopped their ears at this report of the resurrection of CHRIST. It was with the Grecians at Athens a very scorn; "When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked," Acts 17: 22. It was with Festus, the great Roman, pavla, a plain frenzy; "Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, Thou art beside thyself, much learning does make thee mad," Acts 26: 24, But come we to our own times, the resurrection of CHRISTis to this day as much opposed by Jews and Atheists, as any one article of our creed. And surely we had need to look to it; for "if CHRIST be not-risen, (as the apostle argues,) then is our preaching vain, and Your faith is also vain," 1 Cor. 15: 14. If CHRIST be not risen, "ye are yet in Your sins; and they which are fallen asleep in CHRIST are perished," 1 Cor. 15: 17, 18. Of all the precious truths in the book of GOD, we had need to be well skilled in the defending this of the resurrection of CHRIST.

I mean not to enter into controversies; only I shall declare those clear demonstrations, that substantially prove CHRIST to have risen again; namely, the several appearances that CHRIST made to others after his resurrection. 1. He appeared unto Mary Magdalen apart. As a woman was the first instrument of death, so was a woman the first messenger of life. 2. He appeared to all the Maries together, as they returned homewards from the sepulchre. Never any truly sought for CHRIST, but with these women, they were sure to find CHRIST. 3. He appeared to Simon Peter alone; he first went into. the sepulchre, and he -first saw him that was raised thence. 4. He appeared to the two disciples journeying towards Emmaus, the name of the one was Cleopas; and probable it is the other was Luke, "who out of modesty concealed his own name," says Theophilact. 5. He appeared unto the ten apostles, when the doors were shut. 6. He appeared to all the disciples, when Thomas was with them; and then spewed them his wounds, to strengthen the weak faith of his wavering servants. 7. He appeared to' Peter,. and John, and James, and Nathanael, and Thomas, and two other disciples, when they were fishing at the sea of Tiberias; where he proved the verity of his Deity by that miracle of the fishes; and the verity of his humanity by eating meat with them. 8. He appeared unto more than five hundred brethren at once; of this we read not in the evangelists, but the apostle Paul records it. 9. He appeared unto James, the brother of the Lord; 1: e. the cousin-german of CHRIST, according to the flesh, called James the Just, in regard of his upright life. 1O. He appeared to the eleven disciples, on mount Tabor in Galilee. And this Matthew intimates, when JESUS bade the woman tell his brethren that he was risen, and that they should go into Galilee, and there they should see him; and accordingly in that mountain where JESUS had appointed them, they saw him, and worshipped him. 11. He appeared to all his apostles and disciples upon mount Olivet, by Jerusalem, when in the presence of them all he ascended up into heaven. 12. He appeared unto Paul traveling unto Damascus. My meaning is not to speak of all these appearances in order, but of the most considerable.

SECT. 4:

Of CHRIST's Appearing to Mary Magdalen.

On the first day were many appearances: but I shall speak only of one or two, as related by the evangelist John.

1. CHRIST appeared unto Mary Magdalen apart; "The first day of the week comes Mary Magdalen, early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and sees the stone taken away from the sepulchre; she came whilst it was yet dark; she departed from- home before day, and by that time she came to the sepulchre the sun was about to rise. Being come thither, she finds the stone rolled away, and the body of JESUS gone. Upon this she runs to Peter and John, and tells them, " They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him." Then- Peter and John ran to see, they looked into the sepulchre, and not finding the body there, they presently returned. By this. time Mary Magdalen was come back, and howsoever the. disciples would not stay, yet she was resolved to abide by it, and to see the issue.

“We find this appearance, for our farther assurance, attended with each needful circumstance: here is the time when, the place where, the persons to whom, the manner how he appeared, together with the consegtxents after his appearance. 1. For the time when he appeared; cc Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning." It was the first day of the week, the next day to their Sabbath;’ and it was very early in the morning; the appearance was early, but Mary's seeking CHRIST was so early that it was yet dark. She sought him early, whom she loved entirely; they that will not seek CHRIST until they have given over seeking other things, may justly fear to miss CHRIST. 2. For the place where he appeared; it was in the garden, where CHRIST was buried. 3. For the person to whom he appeared; it was Mary Magdalen; she that sometime lived a sinful life, that was no better than a common curteaan*, now is first up to seek our Savior. Let never any despair of mercy. Here There is no proof of this from the Scriptures. They who think thus of her confound her with the sinful woman mentioned Luke 8: 37, &c. But Mary Magdalen, or Mary of Magdala, appears to have been an entirely different person. See Doddridge on Luke viii. 2. Love to CHRIST appears, at this time, " But Mary stood without at the sepulcre, weeping; and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre."

(1.) " Mary stood at the sepulchre;" she stood by the grave of CHRIST; it signifies her great love. Mary chooseth CHRIST's tomb for her best home, and his dead corpse for her chief comfort; having lost that light of the Sun of Righteousness, she desired to dwell in darkness, in the shadow' of death. (2.) But "Mary stood at the sepulchre weeping." This was love indeed; see how every word is a degree of love. She cannot think of JESUS as lost, but she weeps; she weeps for having lost him whom she loved; at first she mourned for the departure of his soul out of his body, and now she laments the taking his body out of the grave. (3.) "And as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre." She did so weep that she did seek withal; her weeping hindered not her seeking; she sought, to what purpose that CHRIST is not in the tomb her own eyes have seen; the disciples hands have felt; and yet for all this she will be stooping down, and looking in; she would rather condemn her own eyes of error,, she would rather suspect all testimonies for untrue, than not to look after him whom she had lost.

For the manner how he appeared; it was first by his angels, and secondly by himself. 1. There was an apparition of angels, " she sees two angels - in white; sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of JESUS had lain. For this appearance of angels was not only a preparation to CHRIST's appearance. In this appearance we see further, a question and answer: the angels question Mary, "Woman, why weepest Thou She says unto them, because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." Here was the cause of Mary's tears; she knows not whither to go to find any comfort; her Lord is gone, his life is gone, his soul is gone, his body is gone; yea, gone, and carried she knows not whither.

2. After this CHRIST appears; but first as unknown, and then as known. First, As unknown, " She turned herself back, and saw JESUS standing, and knew not that it was JESUS. JESUS says unto her, Woman, why weepest Thou whom seekest Thou She supposing him to be the gardener," &c. In this apparition of CHRIST unknown, I shall only take notice of CHRIST's question, and Mary's inquiry. His question is in these words; " Woman, why weepest Thou whom seekest Thou" (1.) `1 Why weepest Thou" As if he had said, there is no cause of weeping now, lo, I am risen from the dead, and become the first-born of them that sleep! (2.) " Whom seekest Thou" She seeks CHRIST, and CHRIST asks her, whom she seeks. A shower of tears comes between her and him, and she cannot see him, or it may be, " her eyes were holden that she should not know him;" or it may be he appeared in some other shape, such as resembled the gardener, whom she took him for.

For Mary's inquiry, " She supposing him to be the gardener, said, Sir, if Thou have borne him hence, tell me where Thou have laid him, and I will take him away." Her words are not much unlike the answer she gave the angels; only she seems to speak more harshly to CHRIST than she did to the angels; to them she complains of others; "They have taken away my Lord;" but to CHRIST she speaks as if she would charge him with the fact. But love, as it fears where it needs not; so it suspects very often where it has no cause. When love is at a loss, he, or any that comes but in our way, has done it, has taken him away. Something she spoke now to CHRIST, which she had not mentioned to the angels. She said not unto them, "Tell me where he is, and I will take him away" There is no effort too hard for love; she speaks without fear, she promises without condition, she makes no exception, as if nothing were impossible that love suggested.

Secondly. CHRIST appears as known; "JESUS says unto her, Mary; she turned herself, and says unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master." " Sorrow may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." She that hitherto had sought without finding, and wept without comfort, and calledwithout answer; even to her CHRIST now appears; and at his appearance this passes between them first,_ hie speaks unto her, and then she replies unto him. 1. He speaks unto, her, " Mary!" It was but. a word, but O what life what spirit what quickening and reviving was in the word The voice of CHRIST is powerful; " If the Spirit of CHRIST come along with the word, it will rouse hearts, raise spirits,. work wonders." And at this word her tears are dried up, no more tears now, unless they be tears for joy. Observe the way how Thou may know the voice of JESUS CHRIST; if it be effectual, it usually singles a man out; yea, Though it be generally spoken by a minister; yet the voice of CHRIST will speak particularly to the very heart of a man, with a marvelous kind of majesty and glory stamped upon it, and shining in it. Take a broken, drooping spirit, he hears the free offer of grace, the precious promises of GOD in CHRIST; but he casts by all promises; but when the Lord comes in, he speaks particularly to his heart, he meets with all his objections, so that he thinks, "This is the Lord, and this is to me." 2. " She said unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master." As she was ravished with his voice, so impatient of delay, she takes his talk out of his mouth, and to his first and only word she answered but one other, "Rabboni, which is to say, Master." A wonder that in this verse but two words should pass between them two; but some give this reason, that "a sudden joy rousing all her passions, she could neither proceed in her own, nor give him leave to go forward in his speech."

For the consequents after this appearance, "JESUS says unto her, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go unto my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and to Your Father; and to my GOD, and Your God." "Touch me not." Mary is not satisfied to see her Lord, nor is she satisfied to hear her Lord, but she must touch him, embrace his feet, but on a sudden he checks her forwardness; as if he had said, O Mary, fix not thy Thoughts so much upon my present condition, inasmuch as this is not the highest pitch of my exaltation; I have not as yet attained to that, nor shall I attain to it until I ascend. The degrees of my exaltation are, 1: My resurrection. 2. My ascension. 3. My session at GOD’s right hand; but that is not yet. " But go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto nay Father, and Your Father, and to my GOD, and Your God;" this was the command of CHRIST; instead of touching him, she must go with a message to his apostles; and this was more beneficial both to her and them.

But what means he to speak of the ascension, when as yet we are but upon the resurrection I suppose this was to prevent their mistake, who might have Thought if CHRIST were risen, then they should have his company again as heretofore. No, says CHRIST, I am not risen, to make any abode with Thou; my rising is in reference to my ascending. But whither will he ascend "To his Father, and our Father; to his GOD, and our GOD," O blessed message! This is the voice of a Father to his Son; "All that I have is thine." Now if this Father be also GOD, and if all that is GOD’s be also ours, what can we desire more But here is the question, whether his Father and GOD be also ours That he is CHRIST's Father, and CHRIST is GOD, is without all question. But that his Father should be our Father; and that his GOD should be our God; this were gospel indeed. O then what a gospel is this! " Go to my brethren, and say unto them, that our relations and interests are all one; the same Father that is mine is theirs, and the same GOD that is mine is theirs."

SECT. VI

Of CHRIST's Appearance to his ten Disciples.

On this day some reckon five appearances; but I shall now duly take notice of the last. " Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week; when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came JESUS, and stood in the midst, and says unto them, Peace be unto Thou; and when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his feet." In these words we have the appearance of CHRIST with all its circumstances. As, when he appeared; where he appeared; to whom he appeared; how he appeared. So necessary was it to confirm this point, that not a needful circumstance must be wanting. And first is laid down tklre time; "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week." 1. It was the same day, that is, the very day of rising; the same day that he appeared to Peter, to the two disciples going to Emmaus, to the women coming to the sepulchre, and to Mary Magdalen; the very same day he appears to the ten. 2. It was the same day at evening. Both at morn, noon, and evening, _CHRIST showed himself alive by many infallible proofs. Early in the morning he appeared to Mary, and presently after to the three Maries, who touched his feet, and worshipped him. About noon he appeared to Simon Peter; in the afternoon he traveled with two of \his disciples almost eight miles, to the castle of Emmaus; and in the evening of the same day, he returned invisible from Emmaus to Jerusalem. At all times of the day, CHRIST is prepared, and preparing grace for his people. 3. It was the same day at evening, " being the first of the week."

When Joseph showed himself unto his brethren, he would not do it at first, and yet be dealt very kindly with them; but CHRIST's kindness is far above Joseph's; for pn the first day of the week, the very same day that he rose from the dead, he appears unto them. Secondly. The place is specified in this passage,

is where the disciples were assembled." The evangelist Luke speaks expressly it was in Jerusalem; but in what house of Jerusalem is unknown; only some conjecture that it was in the house of some disciple, wherein was an upper room. This upper room, according to the manner of their buildings at that time, was the most large and capacious of any other, and the most retired and free from disturbance. CHRIST came in when the, doors were shut, either causing the doors to give place, the disciples not knowing how; or else altering the very substance of the doors, that his body might pass through them without destruction. I know not but he that thickens the waters to carry his body, might also attenuate the doors, to make way for his body.

Thirdly. The persons to whom he appeared were his disciples; they that were shut up, not daring to step out of doors for fear of the Jews. It is CHRIST's usual course to appear to them who are full of fears and griefs, and most in dangers; "when Thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. "

Fourthly. For the manner how he appeared. " He stood in the midst: he said, Peace be unto Thou: he showed unto them his hands and his side." 1. "He stood in the midst." O what comfort it is here to see JESUS CHRIST stand in the midst; now may the disciples behold him as their blessed Peace-maker, their Mediator, as one that has slain the enmity; not only that enmity between men and men, Jews and Gentiles; but also between GOD and men. This he did by his death, and now he declares it at his resurrection, "having slain the enmity by his- cross, he came and preached peace." 2. " He said, Peace be unto Thou." A seasonable salutation; for now were the disciples in fear and trouble; they had no peace with GOD, or man, or with their own consciences; and therefore a snore welcome news could not have come.

(I.) It speaks their peace with God. Sin was it that brought a difference between GOD and man. Now this difference JESUS CHRIST had taken away by his death, cc Behold the Lamb of GOD which takes away the sins of the world." This was the great design of CHRIST's coming, to make peace between GOD and man; his Father imposed this office upon him, and JESUS CHRIST undertook it, and discharged it, and he proclaims it, in the first place to his disciples, "Peace be unto Thou."

(2.) It speaks their -peace with man. I know no reason why we should exclude civil peace out of CHRIST's wish; many a promise and precept we have in the word, scattered here and there, to this purpose, "And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall he down, and none shall make Thou afraid."-" Follow peace and holiness, without which no man shall see God." Orbem pacatum was ever a clause in the prayers of the primitive church, that "the world might be quiet;" I am sure it is CHRIST's command, " If it be possible, as much as lies in Thou, live peaceably with all men."

(3.) It speaks their peace among themselves, peace one with another; such is, or should be, the condition of the church. " Jerusalem is built as a city that is at.unity within itself;"' the apostle dwells on this unity,," there is one body, and one spirit, and one hope, and one Lord, and one faith, and one baptism, and one GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in Thou all." The church is a court, whose very pillars are peace. The building of Christianity knows no other material to work upon. If we look upon the church itself, "there is one body:" if upon the very soul of it,

there is one spirit:" if upon the endowment of it, there is one hope:" if upon the head of it, " there is one Lord:" if upon the life of it, " there is one faith:" if upon the door of it, "there is one baptism:" if upon the father of it, " there is one GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in Thou all." It was sometimes CHRIST's command unto his apostles, " Have salt in Thourselves, and have peace one with another." And as a blessed effect of this salutation, (for I look upon them as words full of virtue,) the apostles and churches of CHRIST kept a most sweet harmony, “the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul."

(4.) It speaks peace within, peace of conscience. The apostles had exceedingly fallen from CHRIST; one had betrayed him, and another denied him, all left him alone in the midst of his enemies; and yet to them he speaks, " Peace be unto Thou." I know not a better ground for comfort of poor humbled sinners than this is; it may be Thou have dealt very unkindly with JESUS CHRIST; Thou have forsook him, denied him, forsworn him; O but consider, all this hindered not CHRIST's appearing to his apostles; he comes unexpected, and quiets their spirits: he stays not till they had sued to him for mercy, but of his mere love he stills the waves, and calms their troubled spirits, working in them according to his word, " Peace be unto Thou.

(5). " He showed unto them his hands and his side." I look upon this as a true and real manifestation of his resurrection. CHRIST's body yet remaining on earth was not entered into that fullness of glory; and therefore he might then retain some scars, or blemishes, to manifest the truth of his resurrection unto his disciples. O the wonderful condescensions of CHRIST! what helps does he continually afford to beget in us faith If we are ignorant, he instructs us; if we err, he reduceth us; if we sin, he corrects us; if we stand, he holds us up; if we fall, he lifts us up again; if we go, he leads us;_ if we come to him, he is ready to- receive us; there is not a passage of CHRIST between him and his, but is an argument of love, and a means either of begetting, or of increasing faith.

CHAP. 2:

SECT. 1: Of knowing JESUS as carrying on the great Work of our Salvation in his Resurrection.

THAT in all respects we may look orr JESUS. 1. Let us know JESUS carrying on the great work of salvation in his resurrection, and during the time of hiss abode upon the earth after his resurrection. This is worth the knowing.; on it depends our justification, sanctification, salvation; for a if CHRIST be not risen, we are yet in our sins, and our faith is in vain, and our hope is in vain." " O my soul, study this point; many take it up in gross, they can run over this article of their creed, "The third day he rose again from the dead;" but for a particular understanding of it, in respect of the time, or the end, or the manner, or the certainty, how many are to seek I shall appeal to thyself, are not many discoveries already made, which before Thou. never tookest notice of! and if Thou wouldst but study this point, how much more might yet appear, especially to thine own good It is not enough to know CHRIST's resurrection, unless Thou- know it for thyself. Be sure Thou have this in mind, " That CHRIST rose again, but what is that to me" Saving knowledge is ever joined with a particular application. If CHRIST be my head, then he could not rise but I rose with him, and in him; and thus, O my soul, look on CHRIST; and thus search into every particular of CHRIST's resurrection. Come, study when he rose; study the arguments that make out CHRIST's resurrection sure and certain; study all the appearances. of JESUS CHRIST.. O! what delightful studies are these! Hadst Thou been with them to whom CHRIST appeared, would not thy heart have leaped with joy Come, study it closely, for the benefits of these appearances- extend to thee. Know this for thyself.

SECT. 2:

Of considering JESUS in that Respect.

Let us consider JESUS carrying on this work of our salvation in his resurrection. 1. Considet.the time when CHRIST rose again. As CHRIST had his three days,, and no more, so must Thou have the same three days like unto his; the first day was called the day of preparation; the second was the sabbath-day; and the third day was the resurrection day; so thy first day is a day,of preparation, a day of passion, wherein Thou. must strive against sin and SATAN, wherein Thou must suffer all their darts till Thou diest; and thy second day is a day of rest, wherein thy body must he in the grave, and thy flesh rest iru hope; wherein Thou shall " enter into peace; and rest in thy bed," until the trumpet sound, and bid thee, " Arise, and come to judgment;" and thy third day is a day of resurrection.

2. Consider the reasons why CHRIST arose; Was it not to confound the Jews They could not endure to hear of CHRIST's resurrection, and therefore when Peter and the other apostles preached that point, " They were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them." Again, was it not to confirm the faith of CHRIST's followers Till he was risen, their faith was weak; but after he had spewed himself alive by many infallible proofs, they could then cry out, " My Lord, and my God." Again, was it not to evidence, that he had fully satisfied all our debts The apostle tells us, that CHRIST was our surety; at his death he was arrested, and_ cast into prison, whence he could not come till all was paid; and therefore to hear that CHRIST is risen, is aa clear evidence that GOD is satisfied. Again, was it not to conquer sin, death, and the devil Now he took from death his sting, and from hell its standard; now he seized upon the hand-writing that was against us, and nailed it to the cross: now he spoiled principalities and powers, and carried away the keys of death and hell; now he came out of the grave as a mighty conqueror, saying, as Deborah did in her song,

“O my soul, Thou. have trodden down strength, Thou have marched valiantly." Again, was it not to become the first-fruits of them that sleep CHRIST was the first that rose again to die no more; and by virtue of his resurrection, (as being the first-fruits,) we must rise again; "As in Adam all die, even so in CHRIST shall all be made alive; every man in his own order, CHRIST the first-fruits, and afterwards they that are CHRIST's at his coming." Again, was it not that he might be declared to be the Son of God Was it not that he might be exalted and glorified This is the main reason of all; see Thou to this! O give him the glory of his resurrection; so meditate on and consider this transaction, as to ascribe to his name all honor and glory. What, is he risen from the dead has GOD "highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name" O then " let every tongue confess, that JESUS CHRIST is Lord, to the glory of GOD the Father."

3. Consider the manner of CHRIST's resurrection. (l.) He rose as a common person; in which respect his resurrection concerns us no less than himself. We must not think that when CHRIST was raised, it was no more than when Lazarus was raised; his resurrection was the resurrection of us all; it was in the name of us all, and had in it a seed-like virtue, to work the resurrection of us all. (2.) He rose by his own power; and so did none but JESUS CHRIST from the beginning of the world. O my soul, he was able to raise himself, much more is he able to raise thee up. (3.) He rose with an earthquake. O the power of CHRIST! What ailed thee, O earth, to skip like a ram "The Lord reigneth, and therefore the earth is moved." O what a rocky heart is mine How much harder than that rock, that moves- not, melts not at the presence of GOD, the presence of the GOD of Jacob

4. An angel ministered to him at his resurrection; "An angel came, and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." Angels were the first ministers of the gospel, the first preachers of CHRIST's resurrection; they preached more of CHRIST than-all the prophets did; they first told the women, that CHRIST was risen; and they did the first service to CHRIST at his resurrection,. " in rolling the stone from the tomb's mouth." O my soul, that Thou wert but like these blessed angels! How is it that they are so forward in GOD’s service, and Thou art so backward One day Thou expectest to be equal with the angels, and art Thou now so far behind them Many of the bodies of the saints arose out of their graves at his resurrection; as the angels ministered to him, so the saints waited on him; look upon them as the fruit of CHRIST's resurrection, and as an earnest of thy own. CHRIST rose again with a true and perfect body, with an incorruptible and powerful, body, with a spiritual and agile body, with a glorious body, brighter than the sun in his utmost glory; "and he shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." O consider it, till Thou feelest the influence, and comest to the assurance of this blessed change.

5. Consider the several appearances of JESUS CHRIST. (1.) Muse on his appearance to Mary Magdalen. Oh the grief before he appeared! And, oh the joy when he appeared! 1. Before she apprehended- nothing but that some or other had taken away her Lord. These were all the words she uttered; "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." 2. After he appeared she was filled with joy: when nothing else would satisfy, JESUS himself appears. At first he is unknown, she takes him for the gardener; but within awhile he utters a voice' that opens both her ears and eyes. " JESUS says unto her, Mary." It was the sweetest sound that ever she heard; hereby the cloud is scattered, and the Sun of Righteousness appears; this one word lightens her eyes, and cheers her heart. I know not in all the book of GOD a soul more depressed with sorrow, and lifted up with joy. O meditate on this! If CHRIST be absent, all is night; but if CHRIST appear, he turns all again., into lightsome day. (2.) Muse on his appearance to the ten disciples. " When the doors were shut for fear of the Jews, then came JESUS, and stood in the midst, saying to them, Peace be unto Thou." Before his appearing, sorrow and fear possessed their spirits; sometimes they walked abroad, and were sad; and sometimes they kept within, and shut the doors upon themselves, as being exceedingly afraid. In this condition JESUS CHRIST (that knows best the times and seasons of grace and comfort,) comes and stands in the midst of their assembly; he comes in, they know not how; and no sooner he is in, but he salutes them, " Peace be unto Thou."

This was the prime of all his wishes; no sooner is he risen, but wishes peace to all his apostles;: no sooner meets he with them, but the very opening of his lips was with these words. They are the first words, at the first meeting, on the very first day. A sure sign that peace. was in the heart of JESUS CHRIST; howsoever it is with us, peace, or war, there is the commonweal where CHRIST is king; and there is nothing but peace. Come, examine. Art Thou, O my soul, a member of this body a subject of this commonweal has the influence of CHRIST's peace (wrought and declared at his resurrection) any force on thee Have Thou peace with God and peace within and peace without Dost Thou feel that ointment poured upon Aaron's. head, and running down the skirts of his garments Does the Spirit assure thee, that CHRIST, the Prince of Peace, has made peace and reconciliation between GOD and thee.. " O how beautiful upon the mountains would the feet of him be, that should publish peace, that should bring these good tidings, that Thou art a citizen of that Jerusalem where GOD is King, and CHRIST the Prince of Peace Where all the buildings are compact together, as a city that is at unity within itself!"

SECT. 3:

Of desiring JESUS in that Respect.

Let us desire JESUS carrying on the great.work of our salvation in his resurrection. But what is there in CHRIST's resurrection, -that should move our souls to desire it 1 answer, 1. Something in itself. 2. Something in reference to us.

1. There is something in itself. Had we but a view of the glory, dignity, and excellency of CHRIST, as raised from the dead, it would put us on this heavenly motion; we should " fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat." The more excellent and glorious any good is, the more eager should our desires be. Now. CHRIST raised from the dead, is an excellent object; the resurrection is the glorifying of CHRIST; yea, his glorifying took its beginning at his blessed resurrection; now it was that " GOD highly exalted him, and gave him a name above every name."

2. There is something in reference unto us; as, (1.) "He rose again for our justification." I must needs grant, that CHRIST's death, and not his resurrection, is the--meritorious cause of our justification; but on the other side, CHRIST's resurrection, and not his death, is for the applying of our justification. As the stamp adds no virtue, nor matter of real value to a piece of gold, but only it makes that value which before it had, actually appliable and current unto us; so the resurrection of CHRIST was no part of the price or satisfaction which CHRIST made to GOD, yet it is that which applies all his merits, and makes them of force unto his members. " If CHRIST be not risen again, ye are yet in Your sins, and Your faith is in vain." Remission of sin, (which is a part of our justification,) Though purchased by CHRIST's death, yet could not be applied to us, or be made ours without CHRIST's resurrection; and in this respect, oh how desirable it is! (2.) He rose again for our sanctification. So the apostle, " He has quickened us together with CHRIST, and has raised us up together with CHRIST."

If Thou would know how Thou that were blind in heart, uncircumcised in spirit, utterly unacquainted with the life of GOD, are now light in the Lord, affecting heavenly things, walking in righteousness; it comes from this blessed resurrection of JESUS CHRIST; we are quickened with CHRIST; it is CHRIST's resurrection that raised out souls. Whence, " Reckon Thourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto GOD through JESUS CHRIST our Lord."

This is the end of CHRIST's resurrection, that we should be new creatures, of new lives, new principles, new conversations: he rose again for our sanctification. (3.) He rose again for our resurrection to eternal life: CHRIST is the pattern, and pledge, and cause of the resurrection of our bodies; " For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead." There is a virtue flowing from CHRIST to his saints, by which they shall be raised up at the latter day: not but that all the wicked shall be raised again by the power of CHRIST, as he is a judge; for " all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and they shall come forth;" yet with this difference, " they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (4.) He rose again for our assurance of our justification, sanctification, and salvation. This is the reason why the apostle uses these words to prove the resurrection of CHRIST, " I will give Thou the sure mercies of David:" none of GOD’s mercies had been sure to us if CHRIST had not risen again from the dead. But now all is made sure; his work of redemption being fully finished, the mercy which thereupon depended was now made certain, (and as the apostle speaks) " sure unto all the seed."

Methinks a Thought of this object, in respect of itself, and in respect of us, should put our souls into a longing frame. Is it not a desirable thing to see the king in his beauty If CHRIST incarnate was the "desire of nations," how much more is CHRIST in his glory If it was Augustin's great wish to have seen CHRIST in the flesh, how should we wish to see CHRIST risen from the dead In this consideration we cannot fathom the Thousand, Thousand part of the worth and excellency of JESUS CHRIST. Or if CHRIST's resurrection in itself will not stir up our desires, is it not desirable in reference unto us What, that he should rise again for our justification That by virtue of his resurrection, our souls should appear righteous before the judgment-seat of God! O, my soul, that thy portion may be with theirs who have right and title to this blessed resurrection of JESUS CHRIST! O that Thou wert on the wing in thy desires after CHRIST! O that feelingly Thou knewest him, and the power of his resurrection! that Thou wert resolved to give no sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eye-lids, until Thou couldst say, " CHRIST's resurrection is mine!"

SECT. 4:

Of hoping in JESUS in that Respect.

Let us hope in JESUS, as carrying on the great work of our salvation in his resurrection. We may examine the firmness of our hope in CHRIST's resurrection by these signs 1. If CHRIST's resurrection be mine, then is CHRIST's death mine; the fruits or effects of CHRIST's death and resurrection cannot be severed: " If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be in the likeness of his resurrection." 2. If CHRIST's resurrection be mine, then is CHRIST's Spirit mine, yea, then I am quickened by the Spirit of CHRIST. " If any man have not the Spirit of CHRIST, he is none of his:-But if the Spirit of him that raised up JESUS from the dead dwell in Thou, then he that raised up CHRIST from the dead, shall also quicken Your mortal bodies," (and I may add Your immortal souls,) " by his Spirit that dwells in Thou." CHRIST's Spirit (if CHRIST's resurrection be ours) will have the same effect in our souls, that it had in his body; as it raised up the one, so it will raise up the other; as it quickened the one, so it will quicken the other. But how shall we know whether we have received this quickening Spirit Many pretend to the Spirit, but how may we be assured that the Spirit is ours I answer,

(1.) The Spirit is a Spirit of illumination; here is the beginning of his work, he begins in light; as in the first creation, the first. born, of GOD’s works was light. "God said, let there be light, and there was light;" so in this new creation, the first work is light; GOD, " who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined into our hearts; to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST." There is a light in the mind, and a light in the heart, of those who have the Spirit of CHRIST; not only to know the truth, but to love it, believe it, embrace it. Consider whether any of this new light of JESUS CHRIST has shined into thy heart; take heed, deceive not thyself, Thou may have a great deal of wit and knowledge, and yet go to hell; this light is a light shining into thy heart; this light is a CHRIST-discovering light; this light is a sin-discovering light; this light will cause thee to find out thy hypocrisy, deadness, dullness in spiritual duties; if Thou has not this light, Thou art near to eternal burnings; darkness is one

of the properties of hell, and without this light, inward darkness will lead to utter darkness, where is " weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth."

(2.) The Spirit is a quickening Spirit, a Spirit of sanctification; such was the Spirit whereby CHRIST was raised. " He was declared mightily to be the Son of GOD, according to the Spirit of sanctification by the resurrection from the dead." That Spirit which raised up JESUS CHRIST, was the same Spirit which sanctified his human nature; and such is that quickening Spirit to all in whom it dwells; it is a Spirit of holiness, and it works holiness, _changing the heart, and turning the bent of it from sin to holiness. " If any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new." O, my soul, try thyself by this sign, dost Thou find such an inward change wrought in the soul Dost Thou find the law of GOD, a law of holiness written on thy heart Dost Thou find a law within thee contrary to the law of sin, commanding with authority that which is holy and good If so, surely this is no other "but the law of the Spirit of life in JESUS CHRIST;- or the law of this quickening Spirit, communicated from CHRIST unto the soul.

(3.) If CHRIST's resurrection be mine, then am I "planted together in the likeness of CHRIST's resurrection;" then I am made conformable to CHRIST in his resurrection; now if we would know wherein that resemblance is, the apostle tells us, " That like as CHRIST was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Our mortification is a resemblance of CHRIST's death, and our vivification is a resemblance of CHRIST's resurrection. In this ground of our hope concerning our interest in the resurrection of CHRIST, I shall propound these questions: 1. Whether our souls are vivified 2. Whether we grow in our vivification. For the first, the truth of our vivification will appear by these rules:

1. True vivification is general, both in respect of us, and in respect of grace. In respect of us, it is diffused throughout the whole man; " The very GOD of peace sanctify Thou wholly," (says the apostle.) Anti, in respect of grace, it is in every grace. Indeed, some Christians are eminent in some graces; and some in others; some have more love, and some more knowledge, and some more patience, and some more self-denial; but all that are true Christians have each of these graces, in some measure; if vivification be true, there is a whole work in the heart and life; as the light in the air runs through the whole hemisphere, so grace runs through the whole man.

2. True vivification is a new life acting upon a new principle of faith. " The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God." Paul's life is a spiritual life, and the spring of his life is the Son of God. JESUS CHRIST is essentially, fundamentally life itself; and by his incarnation, passion, resurrection, he is life for his saints; they live in him, and by him, and for him, and through him; he is the heart of their spiritual life. O, my soul, dost Thou live this life of faith on the Son of God Can Thou make use of CHRIST in every condition Dost Thou look up to JESUS, and desirest no more good name, repute, or honor than CHRIST will afford thee Or, in case of death, dost Thou, like Stephen, resign thy soul to CHRIST Dost Thou see death conquered in the resurrection of CHRIST Dost Thou look beyond death Dost Thou over-eve all things between thee and glory O the sweet of this " life of faith on the Son of God!" If Thou knows what this means, then may Thou assure thyself of thy vivification.

3. True vivification is a new life acting upon a new principle of hope of glory. " Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, which according to his abundant mercy, has begotten us again to a lively hope, by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fades not away, reserved in heaven for us." By CHRIST's resurrection we have a lively hope of our resurrection unto glory. Is riot CHRIST our head and if he be risen to glory, shall not his members follow after him Certainly there is but one life, one Spirit, one glory of CHRIST and his members;

`1 The glory which Thou gayest me, I have given unto them," said CHRIST. The soul that is vivified, has a lively hope of glory on several grounds. As, (l.) Because of the promises of glory set down in the word: now on these promises hope fastens her anchor; if CHRIST has promised, how should I but maintain a lively hope (2.) Because of the first-fruits of the Spirit; there are sometimes foretastes of the glory, drops of heaven poured into a soul; whence it comfortably concludes, If I have the earnest and first-fruits, surely in his time JESUS CHRIST will give the harvest. (3.) Because of CHRIST's resurrection unto glory: now he arose as a common person, and he went up into heaven as a common person; whence hope is lively, saying, Why should I doubt, seeing I am " quickened together with CHRIST, and raised up together with CHRIST, and am made to sit together with CHRIST in heavenly places" Try, O my soul, by this sign: art Thou lively in the hope of glory Does thy heart leap within at that Thought. of thy inheritance in heaven In a lively fountain the waters will leap and sparkle; so if thy hope LOOKING UNTO

be lively, Thou-wilt, have living joys, living speeches, living delights; amidst all thy afflictions, Thou Thou wilt say, These will not endure for ever; I myself shall away ere long, glory will come at last. O the sweet of this life of hope If Thou feelest these stirrings, it is an argument of thy vivification.

4. True vivification acts all its duties upon a new principle. of love to CHRIST; men not enlivened by JESUS CHRIST may do much, and go far in outward service; yea, they may come to suffering, and yet without love to CHRIST, all is lost, all comes to nothing. " Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels,-Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and knowledge,-Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor; and Though I give my body to be burnt, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing."

But how may we know that all our acting are out of love to JESUS CHRIST I answer, 1. If we act by the rule of CHRIST. " If ye love me, keep my commandments. -He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me.-If any man love me, he will keep my commandments." He that loves CHRIST, will look upon every act, every service, every performance, whether it be according to the rule of CHRIST, and then on he goes with it. 2. If we act to the honor of CHRIST. We may pray, and hear, and preach, and act ourselves more than for the honor of JESUS CHRIST; while CHRIST showed miracles, and fed his followers to the full, they cried up JESUS, and none like JESUS; but when be pressed sincerity upon them, and preparation for sufferings, " from that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." It is no news for men to fall off when their ends fail; only. they that love CHRIST, look not at these outward things: and hence it is, that in all their actings, they will carry: on the design of the Father, in advancing the honor of the Son, whatever it cost them. O my soul, apply this to thyself; if Thou livest the life of love, if in all thy actings, duties, services, Thou art carried on with a principle of love to JESUS CHRIST, it is a sure sign of thy vivification.

For the second question, whether we grow in our vivification We may discover it thus:

I., We grow, when we are led on to the exercise of new graces; this the apostle calls adding one grace unto another: " Add to Your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity." At first a Christian does not exercise all graces; Though all graces be planted in him; yet the exercise of them all is not at once,• but, as wicked men are led on from one sin unto another, and so grow worse and worse; so good men are led from one grace to another; and so increase, " Tribulation working patience, and patience experience; and experience hope.

2. We grow, when we find new degrees of the same grace; as when love grows more fervent, when knowledge abounds, and has a larger apprehension of spiritual things; when faith goes on to plerophory, or full assurance of faith. When godly sorrow proceeds from mourning for sin, as contrary to GOD’s holiness; to mourn for it, as contrary to him who loves us; when obedience enlargeth its bounds, and we abound more and more in the work of the Lord. " I know thy works," (said CHRIST to the church of Thyatira,) " I know thy works, and the last to be more than the first."

3. We grow, when the fruits and duties we perform grow more ripe, more spiritual, and more to the honor of CHRIST; it may be we-pray not more, nor longer' than sometimes we used; it may be our prayers have not more wit, or memory, are not more spiritual, and more to CHRIST's honor, than sometimes they were. Now we must know, that one short prayer, put up in faith, with a broken heart, and aiming at the honor of CHRIST, argues more growth in grace, than prayers of a day long, and never so eloquent, without the like qualifications. In every duty we should look at their ends and aims, for if we debase ourselves, in the sense of our own vileness, and emptiness, and inability; and if we aim at GOD’s honor, and praise, and glory, it is a good sign of growth; we call this the spiritual part of duty, when it is from GOD, and through GOD, and to God.

4. We grow, when we are more rooted in CHRIST; so the apostle describes it,," a growing up unto him in all things." Growth of grace is usually expressed by the growing into CHRIST; " Grow in grace,’ and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior JESUS JESUS CHRIST." As if to grow in grace without him, were nothing,. as indeed it is. Philosophers, moral men, and others, may grow in virtues, but not in CHRIST. Come, then, search and try, whether we are more rooted in CHRIST: when a young plant is new set, the roots are a small depth in the earth, one may pull them up with his hands; but as the tree shooteth up in height, so it strikes the root deeper and deeper: so it is with us; we have not so firm and near a conjunction with CHRIST at our first union; but the more we live with him, like good trees, bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, the more we strike our root downwards.

O my soul, try the growth of vivification by these few signs; art Thou led on to the exercise of new graces, adding grace to grace Dost Thou find new degrees of the same grace Is thy love more hot, thy faith more firm All thy boughs more laden and filled with the fruits of righteousness Are all thy duties more spiritual Are thy ends more raised to aim at GOD, to sanctify him, and to debase thyself Art Thou more rooted in CHRIST In all thy duties, graces, and gracious actings, have Thou learned habitually to say, " I live, yet not 1, but CHRIST lives in me" Dost Thou interest CHRIST more and more in all Thou dost Dost Thou know and affect CHRIST more and more Come, search, try; it may be little wind have formerly shaken thee; but thy root is struck lower into CHRIST; and now Thou art not so soon shaken with every wind; surely thy hope is well-grounded; Thou have a part in CHRIST's resurrection.

SECT. 5:

Of believing in JESUS in that Respect.

Let us believe in JESUS, as carrying on the great work of our salvation in his resurrection. Scrupulous souls! throw not away Your confidence; " ought riot CHRIST to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory" Was not satisfaction and justification, payment of debt, and discharge of bonds required of him, and of necessity for us O believe, and that I may persuade to purpose, I shall lay down, as before, 1. Some directions; and, 2. Some encouragements of faith.

1. For directions of faith, in reference to CHRIST's resurrection, remember,

(1.) Faith must directly go to CHRIST.

(2.) It must go to CHRIST, as GOD in the flesh.

(3.) It must go to CHRIST, as GOD in the flesh made under the law.

(4.) It must go to CHRIST, not only as made under the directive part of the law by his life, but under the penal part by his death.

(5.) It must go to CHRIST as GOD in the flesh, made under the directive and penal part of the law, and as quickened by the Spirit. " He was put to death in the flesh," (says peter,) " and quickened by the Spirit." And accordingly must be the method and order of our faith. After we have looked on CHRIST as dead in the flesh, we must go on to see him as quickened by the Spirit; " If CHRIST was not raised, or quickened, (says the apostle) Your faith is in vain;" as if he had. said, To believe in CHRIST as only in respect of his birth, life, death, and to go no farther, would be but a vain faith; therefore all the sermons of the apostles represented CHRIST, not only as crucified, but as raised. This was the way of the apostles' preaching; they related an history (I speak it with reverence) of one JESUS CHRIST, that was the Word of GOD, and that was become man, and how he was crucified at Jerusalem, and how he was

raised from the dead; and all this in a plain, simple, spiritual manner; and while they were telling those blessed truths, the Spirit fell upon the people, and they had faith wrought in them. Faith is not wrought so much in the way of ratiocination, as by the Spirit of GOD coming upon the souls of people, by the relation or representation of JESUS CHRIST to the soul. And this our Lord himself hints, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Come, then, set we before us CHRIST raised; and in that respect, we must look up to JESUS.

(6.) Faith in going to CHRIST, as raised from the dead, is principally and mainly to look to the end of CHRIST in his resurrection. The very devils may believe the history of CHRIST's resurrection, " they believe and tremble;" but the people of GOD are to look at the meaning of CHRIST, why he rose from the dead. The supreme end was GOD’s glory, and that was the meaning of CHRIST's prayer, " Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee;" with which agrees the apostle, " He rose again from the dead, to the glory of the Father." The subordinate ends were many: as, 1. That he might tread on the serpent's head. 2. That he might destroy the works of the devil. 3. That he might be the first-fruits of them that sleep. 4. That he might assure our faith, that he is able to keep that which we have committed to him against that day. 5. That he might be justified in the Spirit; as he was begotten in the womb by the Spirit, led up and down in the Spirit, offered up by the eternal Spirit, so he was raised from the dead by the Spirit, and justified in his Spirit at his resurrection. CHRIST was under the greatest attainder that ever man was; he stood publicly charged with the guilt of a world of sins; and therefore he was raised up

from the power of death, that he might be declared a righteous person. 6. That he might justify us, " As by the offence of one, judgment came upon all to condem

nation, even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came on all men unto justification."

(7.) That he might beget us anew, by his resurrection; Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again-by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead." And this he does two ways. 1. As our pattern; “Like as CHRIST was raised from the dead,-even so we also should walk in. newness of life: and likewise. reckon ye Thourselves to be alive unto GOD, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord." 2. As the efficient cause thereof, " for when we were dead in sin, he has quickened us together with CHRIST; and ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of GOD, who path raised him from the dead." O the power of CHRIST's resurrection! If we saw a man raised from the dead, how should we admire such a wonderful power; but the raising of one dead soul, is a greater work than to raise a church-yard of dead bodies.

(8.) That he might sanctify us, which immediately follows the other, " But yield Thourselves unto GOD, as those that are alive from the dead, and Your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." In our regeneration we are risen with CHRIST, it is the apostle's argument, " If ye then be risen with CHRIST, seek those things which are above,-Set Your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth." As the death of CHRIST has the special influence upon our mortification, so the resurrection of CHRIST has the special influence on our vivification, " He has quickened us together with CHRIST, and has raised us up together with CHRIST."

But how should I manage my faith, to drawn down the virtue of CHRIST's resurrection for my vivification I Answer;-Go to the well-head; look into the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST. This one act contains in it these particulars; as, 1, That I must go out of myself, to something else; this is that check that lies' upon that work of grace, to keep out pride, that faith sees the whole good of the soul in a principle extraneous, even the springs of JESUS. 2. That I must attribute wholly, freely, joyfully, all that I am, to JESUS CHRIST, and to the effectual working of his grace. " By the grace of GOD I am what I am; and I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of GOD which was with me." The life of grace springs only from the life and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, and therefore as I must deny myself, so I must attribute all to him from whom it comes. 3. I must he at his feet with an humble dependence upon him, and him alone for the supplies of grace; this was the apostle's practice " That I may be found in him, That I may know him,. and the power of his resurrection, That by any means, I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead!" CHRIST is the fountain of life, faith is the means of life; the power and original of life is entirely reserved to JESUS CHRIST; but faith is the band on our part, whereby we are tied unto CHRIST, and live in CHRIST; and thus says CHRIST himself, " I am the resurrection and the life." Is that all No, " He that believeth in me, Though he were dead, yet shall he live." And, " I am the bread of life." Is that all No, " He that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth in me shall never thirst." Therefore pray for an increase of faith; complain to CHRIST, tell him Thou can not believe as Thou wouldst, Thou can not get in so much of CHRIST into thy soul as Thou desirest. And act thy faith vigorously on CHRIST's resurrection, for a farther degree of quickening. CHRIST is an ever-flowing fountain, and he would have believers to partake abundantly of what is in him; he cannot abide that any should content themselves with a present stock of grace. CHRIST is not as a stream that fails, or as a channel that runs dry. No, CHRIST is the Fountain of life. He is the chief ordinance of life that ever GOD set up. I know there are other means of CHRIST's appointment, but if Thou wilt live at the spring, drink there, yea, drink abundantly, according to the-overflowing of this fountain.

Thus for directions. Now for the encouragement of our faith, to believe in CHRIST's resurrection. 1. Consider the virtue and influence of this object, into all that golden chain of privileges; "If CHRIST be not raised, Thou are yet in Your sins; then they also which are fallen asleep in CHRIST are perished." From the resurrection of CHRIST flow all those privileges, even from justification to salvation. The first is clear, and therefore all the rest. 2. Consider that CHRIST's resurrection and the effects of it are nothing unto us, if we do not believe. It is faith that brings down the particular sweetness and comforts of CHRIST's resurrection unto our souls. It is faith that puts us in the actual possession of CHRIST's resurrection; whatsoever CHRIST is to us before faith, yet really we have no benefit by it until we believe it. It is faith that takes hold on all that CHRIST has done for us; and gives us the actual enjoyment of it. O let not the work stick in us! What, is CHRIST risen from the dead And shall we not eye CHRIST, and take him home to ourselves by faith The apostle tells us, that " he that believeth not, has made GOD a liar, because he believeth riot the record that GOD has given of his Son." Unbelief belies GOD in all that he has done for us. O take heed of this; without faith, what are we better for CHRIST's resurrection. 3. Or if we are dazzled, hear his voice, " Fear not, I am the First and the Last, I am he that lives, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore. Amen." As if he had said, Come, cast Your souls on me; it is I that have conquered sin, death, and hell, for Thou. It is I that have broke the serpent's head, that have taken away the sting of death, that have cancelled the bond of the handwriting against Thou, that have in my hands a general acquittance of Your sins. Come, take it, take me, and take all with me; only believe in him who is risen again for Your justification.'

SECT. VI

Of loving JESUS in that Respect.

Let us love JESUS as carrying on the great work of our salvation.

1. In his appearance to Mary, JESUS says unto her, "Woman, why weepest Thou Whom seekest Thou" Were not these kind words from JESUS CHRIST How often has thy heart sighed out complaints, " O where is he whom my soul loves “ I charge Thou, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him I am sick of love”. And then, was not CHRIST seen in the mount Was not thy extremity his opportunity Did not he bespeak thy comforts with these words, " Why weepest Thou Whom seekest Thou What wouldst Thou have that I can give thee And what dost Thou want that I can give thee If any thing in heaven or earth can make thee happy, it is all thy own. Wouldst Thou have pardon Thou shall have it; I freely forgive thee all the debt. Wouldst Thou have myself Behold I am thine, thy Friend, thy Lord, thy Husband, thy Head, thy God." Were not these thy Lord's reviving words Were not these healing, quickening passages of CHRIST's love 2. In his appearance to the ten. "JESUS stood in the midst, and says unto them, Peace be unto Thou." Lo, here more words of love; in the midst of their trouble CHRIST stands in the midst, speaking peace to their souls; and has not CHRIST done the like to thee Have Thou not many and many a time been in troubles, so that Thou knewest not which way to turn thee And even then, has not CHRIST come to thy spirit with an olive-branch of peace has he not wrought wonders in the sea of thy restless Thoughts has he not made a calm And more than so, has he not filled thee with joy and peace in believing has he not sent thee away from thy prayers and complaints, with a part of heaven in thy soul

I might thus go on to' consider other passages in his other appearances; but are not these enough to draw thy love O what love was this! O what humility -was this! That CHRIST, after his resurrection, should converse with men forty days; worthy he was, after so many sorrows, sufferings, reproaches; after so cruel, ignominious, and bitter a death, immediately to have gone to glory. And for the confirmation of his disciples' faith, he might have commanded the angels to have preached his resurrection. No, he himself would stay in person, he himself would make it out by many infallible proofs, he himself would by his own example teach us a lesson of love, of meekness and patience, in waiting after suffering for the reward. Methinks a few of these passages should set all our hearts on a flame of love; " if CHRIST be risen, set Your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth." O if the love of CHRIST were in us, it would make us wholly despise this world; it would make us to forget it, as worldly love makes a man forget God. Nay, it would be so strong and ardent, that we should not be able freely to think on any thing else but JESUS CHRIST: we should not then fear contempt, or care for disgrace, we should not fear death, or the grave, or hell, or devils, but we should sing in triumph, " O death, where is thy sting O grave, where is thy victory Thanks be to GOD, which gives us the victory, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord."

SECT. 8:

Of joying in JESUS in that Respect.

Let us joy in JESUS, as carrying on the great work of our salvation in his resurrection. This is the great gospel duty, we should "rejoice in the Lord;" yea, "rejoice evermore." A Christian estate should be a joyful and comfortable estate, and have such joy as the children of Zion, " Sing, O daughter of Zion, shout, O Jerusalem, be glad and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem." A Thousand reasons might be rendered; but here is one, "CHRIST is risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that sleep." A commemoration of CHRIST's resurrection has ever been a means of rejoicing in God.

What can be the condition of thy soul, wherein Thou may not draw comfort from CHRIST's resurrection 1. Is thy conscience in trouble for sin The apostle tells thee, " the answer of a good conscience towards GOD, is by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead." 2. Art Thou afraid of condemnation The apostle tells thee, " He was delivered for our offences, and he was raised again for our justification." 3. Dost Thou question thy regeneration The apostle says, " He has begatten us again by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead." 4. Art Thou distressed, persecuted, troubled on every side The apostle tells thee wherein now consists thy confidence, comfort, courage; to wit, in the life of CHRIST, in the resurrection of CHRIST. " We always bear about in our body the dying JESUS, that the life of JESUS might also be made manifest in our body; for we which live are always delivered unto death for JESUS' sake, that the life also of JESUS might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." 5. Art Thou afraid of death, hell, and the power of the grave Why, now, remember that CHRIST is risen from the dead, and by his glorious resurrection death is swallowed up in victory. Job was so transported with this,, that he eminently breaks out, " O that my words were now written, O that they were printed in a book! that they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, Though my reins be consumed within me." No man ever since CHRIST did speak more clearly of CHRIST's resurrection and his own, than Job did here. Observe in it, O my soul, Job's wish, and the matter wished; his wish was, that certain words which had been cordial to him, might remain to memory. 1. That they might be written. 2. That they might be registered in a book; enrolled upon records, as public instruments. 3. That they might be engraven in stone, and in the hardest stone, the rock. Records might last long, yet time might injure them, and these words he would have last for ever. Moses and Job are said to have lived at one time; now Moses wrote the law in stone, and considering that these words were gospel, there was no reason that the law should be in tables of stone, and the' gospel in sheets of paper; no, it were fit that this should be as firm and durable as that; " O that my words were now written, O that they were printed in a book!"

The matter, or words he would have written are these, ~~ I know that my Redeemer lives, and. that I shall live again." Here is, first, his Redeemer rising. 2. His own rising and his seeing God. This was the matter of his joy, his Redeemer must rise again; and he must rise too, and see his Redeemer. As CHRIST said of Abraham, " Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad." So it appears of his servant Job, he saw CHRIST's day; both his first day, and his latter day, and he rejoiced and was glad. Away, all doubtful Thoughts; consider what joys were of old, at the foresight of CHRIST's resurrection; but especially what joy was all the world over when he rose again from the dead; then came the angels from heaven, and appeared in white. " The disciples were exceeding glad when they saw the Lord;" all the primitive saints rejoiced at this news; and because of it, loved the very day on which CHRIST arose. Certainly the Lord's-day was in high esteem with the ancient church, and the principal motive was, because of CHRIST's resurrection from the dead. O that on these days we could rejoice in the Lord, and again rejoice! O spend more of this day in spiritual rejoicing, especially in commemoration of CHRIST's resurrection, (yea, and of the whole work of redemption,) or else Thou will not answer the institution of our Lord.

SECT. VIII.

Of calling on JESUS in that Respect.

1. Let us pray that CHRIST's resurrection may be ours, and that we may be more and more assured of it. Let us say with the apostle, " O that I may know him, And the power of his resurrection." O that the Spirit of Holiness, which quickened CHRIST from the dead, would, by the same glorious power, beget holiness, and faith, and love, and all other graces in my poor soul! O that CHRIST would, by his resurrection, apply his active and passive obedience to me; O that he would be to me the Lord of the living, and the Prince of life; that he would overcome in me the death of sin, and that he would regenerate, quicken, renew, and fashion me, by the power of godliness, to become like himself.

2. Let us praise GOD for CHRIST's resurrection, and for all the privileges flowing from it into our souls. CHRIST is risen, by his resurrection he has justified, sanctified, quickened, saved our souls; and therefore, "Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST;" surely GOD requires a Thousand hallelujahs, and that we should bless him upon a Thousand-stringed instrument. Here is fuel enough, the Lord kindle a great fire in every one of our hearts, to burn out all our lusts, and to inflame all our hearts with a love to JESUS CHRIST. Can we ever too much praise him for all his acting in our behalf Are not GOD’s creatures called upon to rejoice with us, and to bless GOD for his redeeming of us " Sing, O ye heavens, for the Lord has done it, shout ye lower parts of the earth, break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein, for the Lord has, redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel." This is the duty we shall do in heaven, and I believe we are never more in heaven, (whilst on earth,) than when we are in this exercise of praising GOD, and blessing GOD for JESUS CHRIST.

SECT. 9:

Of conforming to JESUS in that Respect.

In this particular I shall examine, 1. Wherein we must conform. 2. How this conformity is wrought. 3. What are the means of this conformity..

For the first, wherein we must conform. I answer, in a word, in vivification. CHRIST's resurrection was to newness of life; it was a new life, a life different from that which he lived before, and so is our vivification a new life; it is a life from a new principle; of a new income, and of a new kind.

1. It is a life from a new principle: before vivification,, our principle was the flesh; but now we have a new principle, the Spirit of God; even as the soul dwells in the body, so does the Holy Ghost dwell in the soul of a regenerate person, animating, and actuating, and enlivening it.

2. It is a life of a new income; I mean of grace, power, and light. Before vivification, there was no such income. A man before his conversion may hear, pray, and do all duties; but alas! he feels no power, no communication with CHRIST. But after this, Thou wilt, in the use of ordinances, frequently feel the saving incomes of God. In prayer Thou wilt feel the Spirit carrying thy soul above itself; in hearing the word, Thou wilt see the windows of heaven set open, and all manner of spiritual comforts showered down upon thee.. In meditation on the promises, or on Divine love, Thou, wilt find quickenings, encouragings, filling thy heart with gladness, and thy mouth with praises and songs of rejoicing. O what fountains of life are the promises to a living man! What food P what strength what life is a Thought of CHRIST, of heaven, and of GOD’s love Whereas all these glorious things of the gospel are to the natural man but as a withered flower, a sealed book, a dry and empty cistern; he has no use of them.

3. It is a life of another kind. Before vivification, we were dead in sin whilst alive: but after vivification we live a spiritual life, an heavenly life, an immortal life. " If CHRIST be in Thou, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness;" the body indeed is subject to corporal death through the remainders of sin, but the spirit is life here, and shall be life hereafter, even for ever.

That union which thereby comes to be enjoyed with CHRIST, is such an union as is fruitful in begetting a quickening power in the heart. Justification and sanctification are twins of a birth; and hence it is that vivification (which is one part of sanctification;) is wrought in the soul after the self-same manner. 1. The understanding is enlightened. 2. The will is changed. 3. All the affections are renewed. 4. The internals being quickened, there ensues the renewing of the outward actions, life, and conversation. And immediately upon this, joy is made in heaven by the angels, GOD himself applauds it, "For this my son was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found."

For the third question; what are the means of this conformity, or vivification on our parts 1. Wait upon GOD in the ministry of the word. This is a means whereby CHRIST ordinarily effecteth this vivification: and by-this means it is that dead souls are quickened. The ministry of the word is the trumpet of JESUS CHRIST; when that sounds, who knows but he may quicken the dead Hearken therefore to this word of God.

2. Exercise faith upon the Lord JESUS as to justification. As is the clearness of our souls in bottoming our-, selves on CHRIST for righteousness, so will be our quickness and successful progress in the work of holiness.

3. Trace every ordinance and every duty for the appearings of the Son of God. Be much in prayer, hearing, reading, fellowship with saints, the sacraments. Be much in secret conversings with GOD, in meditation, inquiries, searchings; and (which is a precious work,) be much in diligent watching of, and hearkening to, the movings, workings, intimations of the Spirit of God; be much in observing the methods and interpreting the meanings and language of GOD in all his secret dispensations with the soul. Certainly there will be abundance of the life of GOD conveyed to him that walks in these paths. O for a spirit of prayer and meditation! O for a spirit swallowed up in communion with God! "Thou meetest him that works righteousness, and those that remember thee in thy ways."

4. Look much at CHRIST raised, CHRIST glorified. CHRIST's resurrection was the beginning of his glory; and therein is comprehended both the glory that draws desires towards CHRIST, and the grace and power that establisbeth faith in its dependence. Could we keep our hearts in a more constant view, and believing meditation of the glory of CHRIST, our faces would certainly bring some beams of divinity with them from the mount; the very beholding of CHRIST has a mighty virtue to leave the impressions of glory upon our spirits.

5. See our own personal vivification grounded upon the resurrection of CHRIST; when we can by faith get a sight of this, it is not to speak how courageously and successfully the soul will grapple in the controversies of the Lord against the devil, and our own deceitful hearts: O that I could act my faith more frequently on CHRIST's resurrection; so that at last I could see it by the light of GOD, to be a principle of my vivification in particular What a blessed means would this be

6. Walk as we have CHRIST JESUS for an example. This example of CHRIST yields much to our vivification; who can deny, but that acting with the pattern ever in one's eye, is very advantageous Come, then, and if we would live the life of GOD, let us live- as CHRIST lived after his resurrection.

END OF VOL. VIII.