7. The Discovery of the Invisible World, and the disposal of affairs there, have a most encouraging Aspect upon this World. For both the Discovery and the Disposal are by our Blessed Redeemer, in whom Mercy and Might are met in highest perfection. How fragrant breathings of Grace, how glorious a display of Power are there, in what he here says, Fear not! I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth and was dead, and I am alive for evermore, Amen. And I have the Keys of ⟨p. 50⟩Hades and of Death. He hath opened the Celestial Hades to our view, that it might be also open to our safe entrance and blissful inhabitation. He who was Dead, but Liveth and had made his victorious triumphant entrance before us, and for us: He who had overcome him that had the Power of Death— Conquered the Gigantic Monster at the Gate, gained the Keys, and designed herein their deliverance from the fear of Death, who were thereby Subject to Bondage, Heb. 2.14, 15. He who hath abolished Death, and brought Life and Immortality to light in the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1.10. 'Tis he who bids us lift up our Eyes, and behold the Heavens opened, and himself standing at the right hand of God. The horrid, infernal Hades, he hath discovered too, ⟨p. 51⟩only that we might fear and shun it. But yet more distinctly consider, why doth he here represent himself under this Character, He that liveth and was dead? But that he might put us in mind of that most convictive Argument of his Love, his submitting to Die for us. Greater love hath no Man — And that he might at once, put us out of doubt concerning his Power, that he yet survives, and is sprung up alive out of that Death, victorious over it: How amiable is the representation of such Power in conjunction with such Love! The same person having an heart so replenished with Love, an hand so armed with Power, neither capable of unkind design, or unable to effect the most kind. Behold him in this representation! who would not now fall ⟨p. 52⟩at his foot and adore! Who would hesitate at resigning to him, or be appalled at his disclosure of this unknown World!
7. The Discovery of the Invisible World, and the disposal of affairs there, have a most encourageing Aspect upon this World. For both the Discovery and the Disposal are by our Blessed Redeemer, in whom Mercy and Might are met in highest perfection. How fragrant breathings of Grace, how glorious a display of Power are there, in what he here says, Fear not! I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth and was dead, and I am alive for evermore, Amen. And I have the Keys of ⟨p. 50⟩Hades and of Death. He hath opened the Celestial Hades to our view, that it might be also open to our safe entrance and blissful inhabitation. He who was Dead, but Liveth and had made his victorious triumphant entrance before us, and for us: He who had overcome him that had the Power of D•ath— Conquer'd the Gigantick Monster at the Gate, gain'd the Keys, and designed herein their deliverance from the fear of Death, who were thereby Subject to Bondage, Heb. 2.14, 15. He who hath abolished Death, and brought Life and Immortality to light in the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1.10. 'Tis he who bids us lift up our Eyes, and behold the Heavens opened, and himself standing at the right hand of God. The horrid, infernal Hades, he hath discovered too, ⟨p. 51⟩only that we might fear and shun it. But yet more distinctly consider, why doth he here represent himself under this Character, He that liveth and was dead? But that he might put us in mind of that most convictive Argument of his Love, his submitting to Die for us. Greater love hath no Man — And that he might at once, put us out of doubt concerning his Power, that he yet survives, and is sprung up alive out of that Death, victorious over it: How amiable is the representation of such Power in conjunction with such Love! The same person having an heart so replenish't with Love, an hand so armed with Power, neither capable of unkind design, or unable to effect the most kind. Behold him in this representation! who would not now fall ⟨p. 52⟩at his foot and adore! Who would hesitate at resigning to him, or be appalled at his disclosure of this unknown World!
