Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

3. Consider of the manner of Christ's resurrection; 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. O the privilege of this communion with Christ's resurrection! if I believe this truly, I cannot but believe the resurrection of my body, and the life everlasting; why, Jesus Christ hath led the dance, and though of my self I have no right to Heaven or Glory, yet in Christ my Head I have as good right to it as any heir apparent to his lands.—2. He rose by his own power; and so did none but Jesus Christ; from the beginning of the world it was never heard that any dead man raised himself; Indeed one Instance we have that a dead mans Corps should raise up another dead man, They cast the man into the Sepulchre of Elisha, ¹and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood up on his feet; dead Elisha raised up a dead man from the grave, but dead Elisha could not raise up himself from the grave; only Christ arose himself, and at the same time he raised many others; and here was the argument of his God-head,² I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again; how should we but trust him with our life, who is the resurrection and the life? He that believeth in him though he were dead, yet shall he live. O my soul, he was able to raise himself, much more is he able to raise thee up; only believe, and live for ever.—3. He rose with an earthquake; O the power of Christ in every passage! what ailed thee O earth to skip like a Ram? was not the new Tomb hewn out of a Rock? and was not a great stone rolled to the door of the Sepulchre? the ground wherein he lay was firm and solid,³ and shall the rock be removed out of his place? O yes; the Lord reigneth, and therefore the earth is moved; Oh what a rocky heart is this of mine? how much harder is it than that rock; that moves not, melts not at the presence of God, at the presence of the God of Jacob? the Sun (they say) danced that morning at Christ's resurrection; the earth (I am sure) then trembled; and yet my heart is no way affected with this news;