burial, his glorious resurrection and ascension. Great and glorious will be the number of his ransomed race, like the innumerable and pure drops of dew from the womb of the morning. (a)

THE term Bozrah has been observed to signify, not only a vintage, but also a fortress, or fortified place, and may import the strong hold in which poor sinners were held, fast bound in iron and misery. But the almighty Saviour entered those dreadful territories, to deliver the wretched captives who lay in darkness and in the shadow of death; and bring them from the horrible pit, and from the miry clay, and set their feet upon a rock, and make their goings sure. . Awful indeed was this work, and none but himself durst engage in it. He was appointed for this important work, and was duly qualified for it; and therefore entered the strong holds of the enemy, and brought forth the prisoners out of the pit in which there was no water.

BUT if the term ra is derived from 18 as some think, then it must signify distress, trouble, or anxiety, and is very applicable to the life of martyrdom and distress which he endured, when he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and especially at last when it is said he began to be sore amazed, and heavy, and cried out, My

(a) Ps. cx. 3.

soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death. And especially that last cloud of inconceivable anguish which extorted the bitter cry, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? But now having done and suffered all that was appointed him, he bursts the barriers of the tomb, and comes forth a glorious conqueror, an almighty deliverer, having conquered death and the prince of darkness, he sits enthroned at his Father's right hand, till all his enemies become his footstool.

SERMON VIII.

ON THE RESURRECTION,

Isa. lxiii. 1.

IN

WHO IS THIS THAT COMETH FROM EDOM, WITH DYED GARMENTS FROM BOZRAH? THIS THAT IS GLORIOUS IN HIS APPAREL, TRAVELLING THE GREATNESS OF HIS STRENGTH? I THAT SPEAK IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, MIGHTY TO SAVE.

HAVING

AVING considered the glorious person of our Immanuel in his redeeming capacity, having laid down his life for our offences, and resuming it again for our justification; having overcome the sharpness of death, having paid the dreadful penalty for our offences.

I AM in the third place to consider the awful form he wears; and that is no longer the form of a servant; no more the prisoner

at the bar of an unjust judge; no more as the criminal on the cross; no more in expiring agonies; dying groans; strong cries and tears; no:

1. HE comes forth with dyed garments. This indicates him to be a warrior, and as such, he is frequently represented in scripture. Thus Moses describes him thus: The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power; thy right hand O Lord, hath dashed the enemy in pieces. (a) The prophet Isaiah, saith, The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar, he shall prevail against his enemies. (b)

IN the minor prophets, he is frequently described under very awful characters. Who can stand before his indignation? And who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? His fury his poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. (c) I saw, and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer. (d) He had an awful conflict in his own person, it has been observed, and he has a warfare still to carry on in his militant church, as we see in the twelfth chapter of Revelation, where, under

(a) Exod. xv. 3, 4.

(b) Isa. xlii. 13. (c) Neh. i. 61. (d) Rev. vi. 2.

the title of Michael, he wars with the dragon. For the war there spoken of in heaven, is in his church, in her militant state, and therefore is now carrying on, until the grand adversary shall be finally cast down. Dreadful indeed will be the case of such as continue to fight against him. Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth; but woe to him that striveth with his maker.

2. His dyed garments indicate that he had been in battle; and that he was sprinkled with the blood of his enemies. Nor had he escaped wounds himself; for he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, that with his stripes we are healed. It even pleased the Lord to bruise him. The shepherd was smitten that the sheep might be healed. The scars of a conquering hero are much to his honour, especially when he has received them in the defence of the injured and helpless. The glorious captain of our salvation, even now, appears in the midst of the throne as a lamb newly slain. (a) After his resurrection, when he appeared to his doubting disciples, to dispel all their fears, he shewed them his hands and his feet. He bid unbelieving Thomas, reach his hands and put his fingers into the prints

(a) Rev. v.