yet remember it is Christ that dyed, yea rather that is risen again; and by virtue of his resurrection he hath given thee a new nature; another nature, which makes thee wrestle against sin, and shall in time prevail over all sin. But thou sayest again, what if I be justified, and sanctified, if after death I shall not be raised to life? why fear not O my soul, for if Christ be risen thou shalt rise, and rise to eternal life;1 I am the resurrection and the life, not only the resurrection, but life is in him originally, as water is in the fountain, and from him it is derived to us; because I live ye shall live also. But thou sayest again, O that I were assured of this! many doubts and jealousies are upon me from day to day. Sometimes indeed I have a comfortable hope of my justification,2 sanctification, salvation; and sometimes again I am forced to cry, Lord why ca•test thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? O consider of the ends of Christ's resurrection; was it not to give thee the sure mercies of David? was it not to apply the merits of Christ's active, and passive obedience, and to bring them home to thy soul?3 was it not to confirm, and to ratify thy faith, else were it in vain? O the Person of Christ! and O the privileges of Christ as being raised from the dead! O my soul, that thou wert on the wing in thy desires after Christ! O that thy motions were as swift as the Eagles that hasted to eat! 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, Christs resurrection is mine! why Lord, that I should long after vanities, trifles, toys, pleasures, profits, earthly contentments; that I should long like some women with Child for a deal of baggage coals, or ashes, very loathsome food; and yet that I should feel no pantings, breathings, hungerings, thirstings after Christs resurrection to feed upon it, and to be satisfied with it! come, here's a blessed object; here's delights; O stir up thy appetite, suck and be satisfied, drink ye, drink abundantly, O my beloved!
yet remember it is Christ that dyed, yea rather that is risen again; and by vertue of his resurrection he hath given thee a new nature; another nature, which makes thee wrestle against sin, and shall in time prevail over all sin. But thou sayst again, what if I be justified, and sanctified, if after death I shall not be raised to life? why fear not O my soul, for if Christ be risen thou shalt rise, and rise to eternal life;1 I am the resurrection and the life, not only the resurrection, but life is in him originally, as water is in the fountain, and from him it is derived to us; because I live ye shall live also. But thou sayst again, O that I were assured of this! many doubts and jealousies are upon me from day to day. Sometimes indeed I have a comfortable hope of my justification,2 sanctification, salvation; and sometimes again I am forced to cry, Lord why ca•test thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? O consider of the ends of Christ's resurrection; was it not to give thee the sure mercies of David? was it not to apply the merits of Christ's active, and passive obedience, and to bring them home to thy soul?3 was it not to confirm, and to ratifie thy faith, else were it in vain? O the Person of Christ! and O the priviledges of Christ as being raised from the dead! O my soul, that thou wert on the wing in thy desires after Christ! O that thy motions were as swift as the Eagles that hasted to eat! 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, Christs resurrection is mine! why Lord, that I should long after vanities, trifles, toyes, pleasures, profits, earthly contentments; that I should long like some women with Child for a deal of baggage coles, or ashes, very lothsome food; and yet that I should feel no pantings, breathings, hungerings, thirstings after Christs resurrection to feed upon it, and to be satisfied with it! come, here's a blessed object; here's delights; O stir up thy appetite, suck and be satisfied, drink ye, drink abundantly, O my beloved!
- 1John 14.19.
- 2Psal. 88.14.
- 31 Cor. 15.17.
