A history of the work of redemption. Containing the outlines of a body of…

Indeed Christ's resurrection, and so his ascension, was part of the success of what Christ did and suffered in his humiliation. For though Christ did not properly purchase redemption for himself, yet he purchased eternal life and glory for himself by what he did and suffered; and this eternal life and glory was given him as a reward of what he did and suffered, Phil. ii.8.9. "He humbled himself, and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him." It may be looked upon as part of the success of Christ's ⟨p. 182⟩purchase, if it be so considered, that Christ did not rise as a private person, but as the head of the elect church; so that they did, as it were, all rise with him. Christ was justified in his resurrection, i. e. God acquitted and discharged him hereby, as having done and suffered enough for the sins of all the elect: Rom. iv.25. "Who was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification." And God put him in possession of eternal life, as the head of the church, as a sure earnest that they should •ollow. For when Christ rose from the dead, that was the beginning of eternal life in him. His life before his death was a mortal life, a temporal life; but his life after his resurrection was an eternal life: Rom. vi.9. "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him." Rev. i.18. "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen,"—But he was put in possession of this eternal life, as the head of the body; and took possession of it, not only to enjoy himself, but to bestow on all who believe in him; so that the whole church, as it were, rises in him. And now he who lately suffered so much, after this is to suffer no more for ever, but to enter into eternal glory. God the Father neither expects nor desires any more suffering.

Indeed Christ's resurrection, and so his ascension, was part of the success of what Christ did and suffered in his humiliation. For though Christ did not properly purchase redemption for himself, yet he purchased eternal life and glory for himself by what he did and suffered; and this eternal life and glory was given him as a reward of what he did and suffered,