A discourse concerning the Redeemer's dominion over the invisible world, and the entrance thereinto

And have we not reason to expect the most equal and most benign disposal of things in that unseen World: When he also declares I have the Keys, Rightful Authority, as well as Mighty Power, to reward and punish? None but who have a very ill mind can fear from him an ill management. He first became capable of dying, and then yielded himself to die, that he might obtain these Keys for gracious purposes. He had ⟨p. 56⟩them before to execute just vengeance, as he was originally in the •orm of God, and without robbery equal with God; an equal sharer in sustaining the wrong that had been done by Apostate Rebels, and an equal sharer in the right of vindicating it.

But that he might have these Keys to open the Heavenly Hades to reduced Apostates, to Penitent Believing, Self-devoting Sinners, for this it was necessary, he ••ould put on Man, be found here in fashion as a Man, take on him the fo•m of a Servant, become obedient to Death (even that servile punishment, the Death of the Cro•s, Phil. 2.7, 8. For this he is highly exalted into this Power, that every Knee might bow to him, — in hope of Saving Mercy, ver. 9, 10. compared with, Isa 45.22, 23. He had the Keys without this, ⟨p. 57⟩of the Supernal Hades to shut out all offenders, and of the infernal to shut them up for ever. But that he might have them to absolve repenting believers, and admit them into Heaven, and only to shut up in Hell implacable Enemies. For this he must Die, and live again. He was to be slain and hanged on a Tree, that he might be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance and Remission of Sin, Act. 5.30, 31. That to this intent he might be Lord of the Dead and the Living, he must both Die and Rise, and Live so as to Die no more,