I. Favour, as well as his Pardon, a Title to SERM. Happiness, as well as a Release from Mifery. WHAT it further concerns us to know in Relation to Chrift Jefus the Saviour of the World, is, that the Divine Prophecies being fulfilled, and infinite Juftice amply satisfied for the Tranfgreffions of Mankind by the Death and Paffion of God's only begotten Son in their Nature, and Stead, it was not poffible for him to be detained long a Prifoner by the Powers of Darkness,----that he effectually fubdued those spiritual Enemies, by feemingly yielding to them,----that he was to fleep in the Graye, but not long enough to fee Corruption,----that as the Separation of his Soul and Body, fo was likewife the re-union of them,----that he died as our Representative, but rofe again as our Deliverer, thereby declaring himself mighty to fave, confirming his highest Pretenfions to the Meffiahfhip, and an Unity of Effence with the Father, and giving us the utmost Affurance of his Sacrifice on the Crofs being accepted, as it was offered for us,----and that, in full Proof of the Truth and Reality of his Refurrection, he continued upon Earth during the Space of forty Days afterwards, to I. SERM. to convince his Apoftles by frequent Converfations, and all other reasonable Perfons by their Testimony, that he was indeed rifen, he having firft qualified them in the best Manner for unquestionable Witneffes of this Fact,-in fuch a Manner, that they could neither be deceived themselves, nor deceive others. THESE are Objects too affecting to be overlooked in the most fuperficial Survey of the Doctrine of Chrift ;----Points fo honourable to our Redeemer and fo beneficial to us, that to difregard them is to do manifeft Injury both to him and ourselves. Nor can we apprehend Things aright, as the Truth is in Jefus, without confidering him in his State, not only of Humiliation but Exaltation, without turning our Eyes from the moft gloomy to the brightest Profpect, and beholding Mortality fwallowed up of Life: In fhort, without following our great Forerunner from, Earth to Heaven, whither he afcended in a visible and glorious Manner, after he had given Commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen (e)---where he was advanced to the highest Majefty and Honour, as Man, which he had A A (e) Acts i. 2. ever ་ I. ever an indifputable Title to, as God, and SERM. returning as it were in Triumph, on the moft fignal Conqueft and Defeat of Satan, Sin, and Death, his and our Enemies, to take Poffeffion of his Kingdom, he fat down on the Right Hand of God, on the fame Throne with the Father, to exercife perpetually, in Conjunction with him, fupreme Dominion over all, Angels, and Authorities, and Powers being made fubject unto bim (f). For God bath fet him, as fays St. Paul, at his own Right-hand in heavenly Places, far above all Principality and Power, and Might, and Dominion, and every Name that is named, not only in this World, but alfo in that which is to come. And bath put all Things in Subjection under his Feet, and gave him to be Head over all Things to the Church (g). To the Church! which he has purchased with his own Blood,---has constituted to be his myftical Body, that he may govern and difpofe of it according to his moft righteous Will, and order all Things relating thereto, fo as nothing fhall ever deftroy it, or hinder the Salvation of any of its found and living Members, nor any Creature befides themfelves be able to feparate them from the Love of God which (f) 1 Pet. iii. 2.2. (g) Ephef. i. 21, 22. is SERM. is in Christ Jefus our Lord (b). But that, I.. in Virtue of his Regal Decree, Whosoever believeth in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting Life (i). SUCH an excellent and all-powerful Redeemer have we refiding continually in the Prefence of God, who for us is able to fave them to the uttermoft, that come unto God by him, feeing be ever liveth to make Interceffion for them (k). This is his great Employment in thofe Seats of infinite Bliss and Glory, which are appointed to receive him, until the Times of Reftitution of all things, (1) and thus he perfects Above, what he had transacted Below. We are to confider Chrift Jefus, not only as crucified, but as alfo glorified, and that both for our Sakes and his own. He, who was our Sacrifice upon Earth, is our Mediator in Heaven; he is the High Prieft of our Profeffion, who, having made the Atonement by his precious Blood-fhedding, is entered into the holy Place to plead the Efficacy of it before his Almighty Father; there to prefent the Merits of his Sufferings, and plead for ever their Value on our Behalf. (b) Rom. viii. 39. (i) St. John iii. 16. (1) A&ts iii. 21. Behalf. Through his Interpofition we have SERM. Accefs to the Father, and enjoy the fancti- I. fying Influences of the Spirit: And under the Umbrage of fo potent an Advocate, we, who were afar off, are brought nigh, and become reconciled to God,---have our Sins pardoned,---our Services accepted,---our Wants supplied,---our Prayers heard,---our Souls enriched with large Portions of Grace, and both our Bodies and Souls fealed unto future Glory. THUS, as our Divine Lord loved his own in the most extenfive Degree, fo he continues to love them unto the End; when he shall come again in like manner as he was seen to go into Heaven, (m)---shall defcend from Heaven with a Shout, with the Voice of the Archangel, and with the Trump of Gcd (n). Then shall be fit on the Throne of his Glory, and before him fhall be gathered all Nations (o) on whom he is appointed to fit in Judgment, and pass a moft juft Sentence, that every one may receive the Things done in his Body, according to that he hath done, whether it be Good or Bad (p). (m) A&ts i. 11. (0) St. Matth. xxv. 31, 32. THIS (z) 1 Theff. iv. 16. |