Now the Resurrection of Christ is the argument and claim of our happy Resurrection. For God chose and appointed him to be the Example and Principle from whom all Divine Blessings should be derived to us. Accordingly he tells his Disciples in a fore-cited Scripture, Because I live, ye shall live also. Our Nature was raised in his Person, and in our Nature all Believers: Therefore he is called the first-fruits of them that sleep; because as the first Fruits were a pledge and assurance of the following Harvest; and as from the condition of the first Fruits being offered to God, the whole Harvest was entitled to a Consecration; so our Saviour's Resurrection to the Life of Glory is the earnest and assurance of ours. He is called the first-born among the Dead, and owns the Race of departed Believers ⟨p. 64⟩as his Brethren, who shall be restored to Life according to his Pattern. He is the Head, Believers are his Members, and therefore shall have Communion with him in his Life. The effect is so infallible, that now they are said to be raised up together, 1and made to sit in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus. If his Victory over our Enemies had been imperfect, and he had saved himself with difficulty and hazard, [as it were by Fire] in the Apostle's expression, our Redemption had not been accomplished: But his Passion was triumphant; and is it conceivable, that he should leave the Saints, his own by so many dear titles, under the power of Death? If Moses, the Deliverer of Israel from the Tyranny of Pharaoh, 2would not suffer any thing of theirs, not an hoof to remain in the House of Bondage; Will our great Redeemer be less perfect in his Work? Shall our last Enemy always detain his Spoils, our Bodies, in the Grave? This would reflect upon his Love and Power. 'Tis recorded, to confirm our Hopes, how early his Power was displayed in forcing the Grave to release its chained Captives: And many Bodies of Saints which slept arose, ⟨p. 65⟩3and came out of the Graves after his Resurrection, and went into the holy City, and appeared unto many. What better Earnest can we have, that the strength of Death is broken? From what he has done to what he is able to do, the Consequence is clear. The Apostle tells us, He will raise our vile Bodies, 4and change them like unto his glorious Body, by that Power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.
Now the Resurrection of Christ is the argument and claim of our happy Resurrection. For God chose and appointed him to be the Example and Principle from whom all Divine Blessings should be derived to us. Accordingly he tells his Disciples in a fore-cited Scripture, Because I live, ye shall live also. Our Nature was rais'd in his Person, and in our Nature all Believers: Therefore he is called the first-fruits of them that sleep; because as the first Fruits were a pledg and assurance of the following Harvest; and as from the condition of the first Fruits being offered to God, the whole Harvest was entitled to a Consecration; so our Saviour's Resurrection to the Life of Glory is the earnest and assurance of ours. He is called the first-born among the Dead, and owns the Race of departed Believers ⟨p. 64⟩as his Brethren, who shall be restored to Life according to his Pattern. He is the Head, Believers are his Members, and therefore shall have Communion with him in his Life. The effect is so infallible, that now they are said to be raised up together, 1and made to sit in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus. If his Victory over our Enemies had been imperfect, and he had saved himself with difficulty and hazard, [as it were by Fire] in the Apostle's expression, our Redemption had not been accomplish'd: But his Passion was triumphant; and is it conceivable, that he should leave the Saints, his own by so many dear titles, under the power of Death? If Moses, the Deliverer of Israel from the Tyranny of Pharaoh, 2would not suffer any thing of theirs, not an hoof to remain in the House of Bondage; Will our great Redeemer be less perfect in his Work? Shall our last Enemy always detain his Spoils, our Bodies, in the Grave? This would reflect upon his Love and Power. 'Tis recorded, to confirm our Hopes, how early his Power was displayed in forcing the Grave to release its chained Captives: And many Bodies of Saints which slept arose, ⟨p. 65⟩3and came out of the Graves after his Resurrection, and went into the holy City, and appeared unto many. What better Earnest can we have, that the strength of Death is broken? From what he has done to what he is able to do, the Consequence is clear. The Apostle tells us, He will raise our vile Bodies, 4and change them like unto his glorious Body, by that Power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.
- 1Ephes. 2.6.
- 2Exod. 10.26.
- 3Mat. 27.52, 53.
- 4Phil. 3.1.
