A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle general of St.…A commentary upon the three first chapters of the first Epistle generall of St.…

Concerning the resurrection of Christ, as it may here be considered of, • propound four things. 1. In what sense it is here to be understood. 2. How his resurrection hath relation to us, in that our new birth is here ha••ed upon it. 3. I answer a question or two, which here may be moved: and then I make use of all.

Concerning the resurrection of Christ, as it may here be considered of, • propound foure things. 1. In what sense it is here to be understood. 2. How his resurrection hath relation to us, in that our new birth is here ha••ed upon it. 3. I answer a question or two, which here may be moved: and then I make use of all.

For the first: Some have understood by the resurrection of Christ here synecdochically, the whole work of redemption: Some understand the words, of his spiritual resurrection in our hearts by faith through the operation of the spirit of grace: for as he dyeth in us by infidelity; so he riseth in us by faith, But I •ake it here, as it is commonly taken, even for the resurrection of his own person, even for that work, by which he did shake off the power of death, and quicken his dead body restoring the soul to it, and receiving to himself in his humane nature, a blessed, celestial, and glorious life. In the belief of this we differ from Pagans: They can believe, that he dyed; but we must believe, that he rose again. This was solemnly foretold by ^sDavid, and foreshowed by ^tJonah; manifested by an ^uAngel; recorded by the Evangelists; published by the Apostles; and demonstrated by ^*six several apparitions.

For the first: Some have understood by the resurrection of Christ here synecdochically, the whole worke of redemption: Some understand the words, of his spirituall resurrection in our hearts by faith through the operation of the spirit of grace: for as he dyeth in us by infidelity; so he riseth in us by faith, But I •ake it here, as it is commonly taken, even for the resurrection of his own person, even for that work, by which he did shake off the power of death, and quicken his dead body restoring the soule to it, and receiving to himselfe in his humane nature, a blessed, celestiall, and glorious life. In the beleefe of this we differ from Pagans: They can beleeve, that he dyed; but we must beleeve, that he rose againe. This was solemnly foretold by ^sDavid, and foreshewed by ^tIo•ah; manifested by an ^uAngell; recorded by the Evangelists; published by the Apostles; and demonstrated by ^*six severall apparitions.

1. sPsal. 16.10.
2. tMat. 12.40.
3. uMar. 16 6.
4. *1 Cor. 15.5. &c.

Now for the second: The resurrection of Christ i• • fountain of singular benefits unto us: For from thence flows, 1. our glorification: for he went away to provide a place for us,¹ even to prepare ^ythose heavenly mansions for us. 2. The resurrection of our bodies: for the spirit that raised Christ from the dead, hath thereby given us assurance, that he will raise our ^zmortal bodies also. 3. The confirmation of our faith, and that in divers things: For his resurrection assures us that he is the promised Messiah, and ^aSon of God: and that our debt is payed, and that he hath discharged the uttermost farthing (for else he had not been let out of prison,) and that he hath vanquished all our spiritual enemies, and utterly foiled and disarmed them, in that they could not keep him down, when they had him in the grave: but he hath triumphed over them. 4. Our justification, and regeneration: for so the Apostle shows in the 4. to the Romans, that ^bhe rose again for our justification, and here it is expressly said, that we are begotten again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now for the second: The resurrection of Christ i• • fountaine of singular benefits unto us: For from thence flowes, 1. our glorification: for hee went away to provide a place for us,¹ even to prepare ^ythose heavenly mansions for us. 2. The resurrection of our bodies: for the spirit that raised Christ from the dead, hath thereby given us assurance, that he will raise our ^z

1. 1Quest.

Answ. For answer hereunto,¹ we must consider in the resurrection of Christ two things: 1. The act of his resurrection, and 2. the virtue of it: we are not regenerate by the act of his resurrection:² and for the virtue of it, Faith could receive it, aswell as the act was to come, as now in us it doth the act being past: Christ was risen in the old Testament three ways: ⟨p. 38⟩1. In the counsel of God. 2. In the word of prophecy. 3. In the efficacy of it.

Answ. For answer hereunto,¹ wee must consider in the resurrection of Christ two things: 1. The act of his resurrection, and 2. the vertue of it: we are not regenerate by the act of his resurrection:² and for the vertue of it, Faith could receive it, aswell as the act was to come, as now in us it doth the act being past: Christ was risen in the old Testament three wayes: ⟨p. 38⟩1. In the counsell of God. 2. In the word of prophesie. 3. In the efficacie of it.

1. 1Answ.
2. 2Christ risen in the old Testament 3. ways.Christ risen in the old Testament 3. wayes.

²Quest. But how doth it follow, that we are regenerate, because Christ is risen?

1. 2Quest.

¹Answ. I answer: Christ must be considered two ways: first naturally as man: secondly mystically as head. If Christ be considered barely as a man, it doth not follow; but if he be considered in the mystical union with his members, as he sustaineth their person, and was surety for them it will follow, he rose again to this end, that he might receive power to raise our souls by the first resurrection, and our bodies at the last day. Or more plainly thus: Our regeneration depends upon the resurrection of Christ three ways: 1. As his resurrection was a pledge, and assurance, that he would raise us; he showed his power, that he could do it, he laid down his body before our eyes, and quickened it again before our faces, and gave us that sign to assure us, of what he could do focus. 2. As by his resurrection, he merited ours. 3. The spirit of Christ applies the virtue of Christs resurrection for the quickening of us, and the accomplishment of our whole vivification, and new obedience.

¹Answ. I answer: Christ must be considered two wayes: first naturally as man: secondly mystically as head. If Christ be considered barely as a man, it doth not follow; but if he bee considered in the mysticall union with his members, as he sustaineth their person, and was surety for them it will follow, he rose againe to this end, that he might receive power to raise our soules by the first resurrection, and our bodies at the last day. Or more plainely thus: Our regeneration depends upon the resurrection of Christ three wayes: 1. As his resurrection was a pledge, and assurance, that he would raise us; he shewed his power, that he could doe it, he laid downe his body before our eyes, and quickned it againe before our faces, and gave us that signe to assure us, of what he could doe fo•us. 2. As by his resurrection, he merited ours. 3. The spirit of Christ applies the vertue of Christs resurrection for the quickening of us, and the accomplishment of our whole vivification, and new obedience.

1. 1Answ. How our regeneration depends upon Christs resurrection.

¹The uses of Christs resurrection are both for consolation, and instruction. It may comfort us against all the accusations, or temptations of Satan, or the censures of the world; who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? who shall condemn them? Is not Christ dead or rather risen again, and sitteth at the right hand of God, and maketh request for us? hath he not paid our debt? hath he not fully triumphed over death, sin, and hell? Again: would we have a sign, that in Christ all the promises of God shall be yea and Amen? we need no other sign, then this, that as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so the Son of man was three days in the heart of the earth, and the third day rose again. Finally, why should we now be afraid of death, or any other spiritual, or terrible enemy? why should those last things dismay us? hath not Christ had a most glorious […] them in a most terrible monomachy, when they did the worst they could? and therefore we may solace our selves in the conquest, and say insultingly: O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Is not death swallowed up into victory? thanks be to God, which hath given us victory also through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹The uses of Christs resurrection are both for consolation, and instruction. It may comfort us against all the accusations, or temptations of Satan, or the censures of the world; who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? who shall condemne them? Is not Christ dead or rather risen againe, and sitteth at the right hand of God, and maketh request for us? hath hee not paid our debt? hath he not fully triumphed over death, sinne, and hell? Againe: would we have a signe, that in Christ all the promises of God shall be yea and Amen? we need no other signe, then this, that as Ionas was three dayes and three nights in the belly of the whale; so the sonne of man was three dayes in the heart of the earth, and the third day rose againe. Finally, why should we now be afraid of death, or any other spirituall, or terrible enemy? why should those last things dismay us? hath not Christ had a most glorious 〈…〉 them in a most •e•rible m•nomachy, when they did the worst they could? and therefore we may solace our selves in the conquest, and say insultingly: O death where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Is not death swallowed up into victory? thankes be to God, which hath given us victory also through Iesus Christ our Lord.

But if we would have benefit of Christs resurrection, we must then seek the virtue of it to our selves, as the Apostle shows in his own practise, Phil. 3.9.

But if we would have benefit of Christs resurrection, we must then seek the vertue of it to our selves, as the Apostle shewes in his owne practise, Phil. 3.9.

¹Quest. But how may we extract virtue out of Christs resurrection?

¹Quest. But how may we extract vertue out of Christs resurrection?

1. 1Quest.

¹Answ. We may get out the virtue of his resurrection by meditation, seriously thinking of it, and of the end of it; by found contemplation, pondering of it, and by prayer begging the working of the spirit therein; but especially laying hold upon it by faith, and glorifying God by believing, that it shall be according to Gods promise effectual unto us: And we must also attend to the motions of the spirit, yielding our selves over to be framed by them, and we must not think much to suffer the labours of Gods messengers to work upon our stony hearts, as the Angels of God rolling away the stone that lieth sealed upon our hearts by nature. And thus much of the resurrection of Christ, and of the first argument of our consolation. Now the second follows in the fourth verse.

¹Answ. We may get out the vertue of his resurrection by meditation, seriously thinking of it, and of the end of it; by found contemplation, pondering of it, and by prayer begging the working of the spirit therein; but especially laying hold upon it by faith, and glorifying God by beleeving, that it shall be according to Gods promise effectuall unto us: And we must also attend to the motions of the spirit, yeelding our selves over to bee framed by them, and we must not thinke much to suffer the labours of Gods messengers to worke upon our stony hearts, as the Angells of God rowling away the stone that lyeth sealed upon our hearts by nature. And thus much of the resurrection of Christ, and of the first argument of our consolation. Now the second followes in the fourth verse.

1. 1Answ. How we may get virtue from the resurrection of Christ.Answ. How we may get vertue from the resurrection of Christ.

Verse 4. To an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us, or for you.

This argument is taken from our glorification, which is here generally described to be the inheritance of the Saints, which is amplified four ways. First, by the properties of it, and they are three: For it is 1. incorruptible. 2. undefiled. and 3, immarcessible, or that withereth not. Secondly, by their present interest in it; it is not now possessed, it is held only in title, being laid up for them. Thirdly, by the persons, that shall inherit, and they are you, that is you that are begotten again. Fourthly, by the place, and that is heaven, the best place. For it much commends an inheritance, if it lye in convenient and commodious places.

THis argument is taken from our glorification, which is here generally described to be the inheritance of the Saints, which is amplified foure wayes. First, by the properties of it, and they are three: For it is 1. incorruptible. 2. undefiled. and 3, immarcessible, or that withereth not. Secondly, by their present interest in it; it is not now possessed, it is held only in title, being laid up for them. Thirdly, by the persons, that shall inherite, and they are you, that is you that are begotten againe. Fourthly, by the place, and that is heaven, the best place. For it much commends an inheritance, if it lye in convenient and commodious places.

Incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not, &c.

Three things are here said in the praise of this inheritance, which I purpose in the doctrine of them to handle together.

The first thing affirmed of this inheritance is, that it is incorruptible, ¹and so it is in four respects. 1. because there we shall need none of those means of preservation, which of necessity are requisite in this corruptible world; neither for the body, nor soul. For our bodies, we shall need no air, food, sleep, heat, or cold, apparel, or the light of the Sun, or Moon, or marriage, or physic. And^a for our souls, we shall need no sabbaths, sacraments, temple. 2. Because our happiness shall not be annoyed with any thing, that might corrupt it either without us, or upon us, or in us. There shall be no^b war, no unquietness, no violence, no fraud, no sickness, pain, weakness, old age, no terrors, no sorrow. 3. Because this happiness shall never expire, it is immortal, there is no death there; hence the word is rendered by some immortal. 4. Because it is an estate of all perfection and blessedness, and so some think it is the genus to the two other words.

The first thing affirmed of this inheritance is, that it is incorruptible, ¹and so it is in foure respects. 1. because there we shall need none of those meanes of preservation, which of necessity are requisite in this corruptible world; neither for the body, nor soule. For our bodies, wee shall need no aire, food, sleep, heat, or cold, apparell, or the light of the Sunne, or Moone, or mariage, or physicke. And^a for our soules, wee shall need no sabbaths, sacraments, temple. 2. Because our happinesse shall not bee annoyed with any thing, that might corrupt it either without us, or upon us, or in us. There shall be no^b war, no unquietnesse, no violence, no fraud, no sicknesse, paine, weaknesse, old age, no terrors, no sorow. 3. Because this happinesse shall never expire, it is immortall, there is no death there; hence the word is rendred by some immortall. 4. Because it is an estate of all perfection and blessednesse, and so some thinke it is the genus to the two other words.