ISA. LIII. 8.] THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH. 349
by his own power. He so laid down his life, that he might re-assurae it again by his own power. It is said, 2 Cor. xiii. 4, that ' though he was ciucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God ; i'or we are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power ot' God toward you.' And it is very like that expression of St Peter, 1 Peter iii. 18, ' Put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.' The apostle's scope in that place of the Corinthians is to prove that Clu-ist and Christians are both alike in some respects: there is visible weakness, and inward power ; he died through visible weakness. Tliat which you could see in him was man's form, and so he was crucified ; that which was not seen was his divinity, tiirough the power of which he liveth. His resurrection was a glorious instance and manifestation of his own Godhead.
Secondly, For what end Christ was raised. And here, that I may show believers the fountain of their comfort, why it ought to be that Christ should be raised from the dead, since all the comfort of the soul de- pendeth upon his getting above the grave, and shaking the powers of death, I will here a little refresh your spirits with the water of this well-spring of salvation ; I will draw it up and pour it forth in three considerations. In regard of a moral necessity which I call conve- niency, the good that we attain by Christ s getting the upper hand of the grave, and the confirmation of our souls in all the benefits of his purchase ; for without his resurrection they had been nothing to us.
1. Generally the resurrection is made to be the chiefest ground of comfort to Christians in the scripture ; and therefore you shall find in scripture that this is made the great article : Rom. x. 9, 'If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.' Mark, that is put as the main thing of Christianity, that God hath raised him from the dead : 2 Tim. ii. 8, ' Eemember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel' Above all truths we must clearly preach that, and press that as if it were the life of all religion. Remember Christ is raised from the dead; and therefore it was a usual salutation among the Christians, The Lord is RISEN. The apostle maketh the triumph of faith chiefly to arise from this, Christ's resurrection : Rom. viii. 34, ' Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again.' If Christ had not risen, there would be but poor comfort to believers: 1 Cor. xv. 14, ' If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.' All would be to no purpose without this great seal and confirmation. It is a point of so great importance, that it is generally made the corner-stone in religion, the main hinge upon which gospel comfort hangs.
2. More particularly to show you the benefits of it.
[1.] All your spiritual enemies are subdued : Eph. iv. 8, ' When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive ; ' that is, those things that usually captivate the spirits of Christians, they were forced to set ofi" the triumph of Christ's ascension ; he seized upon the spoils at his resurrection, and rode in triumph at his ascension to glory. Death is unstiuged ; death shall be served as Hainan, when it thiuketh to hurt
350 A PRACTICAL EXrOSITION UPON [TsA. LTII. 8.
believers, .ind shall honour them as he did Mordecai. You may die, but you are saved from death: 1 Cor. xv. 55, ' 0 death, where is thy Bting? 0 grave, where is thy victory?' It foUoweth, ' Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ/ you can no more be held of the grave than Christ could be holden thereby. Hell is unarmed and subdued, and the powers of darkness triumphed over. Though the devil mustereth temptations against you, you can see all conquered by faith in Christ's resurrection : * Your life is hid with Christ.' Then for sin, that is subdued : Christ gave it its death-wound upon the cross, and at his resurrection got above it. Then for the world, remember what Christ says, John xvi. 33, 'Fear not, little flock,' 'I have overcome the world ;' that is, so conquered and triumphed over the world that it shall not hurt them. As for the devil, he trode him underfoot, and so shall Christians shortly : Eom. xvi. 20, ' The God of peace shall tread Satan under our feet shortly.'
[2.] All s})iritual blessings are procured for us. The blessedness of a Christian lieth in these three things : in pardon, grace, and glory ; in justification, sanctification, and glorification. And all these are confirmed by Christ's being risen, and taken from prison and from judgment.
(1.) For pardon or justification. If any one sin had remained un- satisfied for, Christ could not have risen ; every sin must be expiated with death : Rom. vi. 23, ' The wages of [every] sin is death ; ' and Christ would fulfil every tittle of the law. Mat. v. 18. But seeing he is got free, you may be sure he hath paid the wages of every sin : 1 Cor. XV. 17, ' If Christ be not risen, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins.' While the surety is in prison, it is a sign the debt is not satisfied ; but your surety is taken from prison and from judgment. Be of good comfort, all is paid : Rom. iv. 25, ' Who was delivered for our oft'ences, and was raised again for our justification.' God had him to prison for the debt of the creatures, and took him from prison and from judgment for their comfort, and that they might be persuaded of his satisfaction.