ISA. LIII. 12.] THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH. 467
salem there shall be written, holiness to the Lord.' All this is done so clearly to the eye of faith, that they do even see Christ triumphing : Isa. Ixiii. 1, 'Who is tliis that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrali ? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness^ of his strength ? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.'
3. Sucli a victory as endeth in a solemn triumph ; as conquerors in public view carried their spoils and their enemies tied to their chariots, so Christ would expose them to open shame. Therefore, it is said, Eph. iv. 8, ' He led captivity captive,' as it were in triumph, as you do manacled prisoners. So Col. ii. 15, ' He made a show of them openly ;■■ he put them to open shame. How so ? — before Grod and the eyes of be- lievers. We may see the triumphant chariot of Christ, and Satan, hell and death, and the world haled after it. As soon as the soul is possessed of Christ, and beginneth to have some interest in him, it feels this bene- fit, and seeth how these things are captivated by the death. Spirit, and ])ower of Christ. Christ doth, as it were, call upon your souls, Come, look ! here is Satan disarmed, death unstinged, hell shut up, and I have the keys ; sin is manacled, wrath satisfied, the law's curse and rigour taken out of the way, heady enemies despoiled and discouraged, the world subdued and brought to my obedience, or forced to serve my glory. So that you see the conquest is full and absolute.
Object. But you will say, I feel none of these things ; why are these enemies so busy and cumbersome about my soul, if totally dissipated by Christ ? ^
I answer briefly in these considerations : —
1. It is true in faith, though not in sense and feeling, that these adversaries received their death's wound at the death of Christ. This was done in the merit of Christ, and in Grod's decree and ordination. Christ was possessed of this promise of having a portion with the great, and to divide the spoil with the strong ; all things were put under his feet. The crown was put upon the head of Jesus Ciirist, though it be not effectually made out to sense. There is the objection from sense : Heb. ii. 8, ' But now we see not all things put under him.'
2. Though it be so that these things are left for a while, it is partly to exercise our souls, and to draw forth the life of our graces. Opposition keeps the soul humble and wakeful. Paul had a thorn in the flesh, and a messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest he should be ex- alted above measure, 2 Cor. xii. 7. It is partly to prove us, to see if we will enter into the battle, and powerfully maintain it, and combat against the enemies of Christ ; and partly to make us the more thank- ful for our deliverance by Christ. Christ was tempted like us, that he might be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and that we might be touched with a feeling of Christ's sufferings, and the great- ness of Christ's love to us. Experience maketh us the more sensible how it would have been with us, if we had not been freed by the Son of Grod. Oh, when we are a little scorched with wrath, when we tug with sin, Ave may begin to think what it is to dwell with everlasting burning. How would it have been if Christ had not died for us ? So when there are difficulties abroad, what should we have done with these mountains; if it had not been for our Zerubbabel ? Experience givetb
4G8 . A PRACTICAL EXPOSITION UPON [ISA. LIII. 12.
US the best sense of things, therefore the Lord saw fit to continue these things for a season. As it is said of Daniel's beasts, Dan.^vii. 12, that their ' dominion was taken away,' though tlieir ' lives was prolonged for a season.' So their power to hurt or endamage our salvation is gone : 1 Peter iii. 13, ' And who is he that will harm you ? ' Nothing ' shall separate you from the love of God,' Rom. viii. 33. Neither death, nor hell, nor sin, shall ])rejudice the salvation of the elect ; Satan can- not ruin, death cannot disannul it ; hell hath no right, and sin hath no reign ; the world may kill us, but they cannot conquer us.
3. Though continued, they cannot harm us, rather they may do us good. Even sin and Satan may give us cause to glory in infirmities, 2 Cor. xii. 10, to boast of our weakness : they may occasion such supplies and comforts from God ; but certain we are they cannot hurt our souls nor hinder our salvation.
4. The work will be thoroughly and completely done ere long ; our comforts and hopes in Christ will prove sure : Eev. xii. 11, ' They over- came by the blood of the Lamb.' ' We do not as yet see all things put under him,' Heb. ii. 8. Mark, that as yet implies it is at hand. We do not as yet see the god of this world fully cast out and falling as light- ning from heaven ; we do not as yet find sin fully mortified, Satan subdued, Christ exalted among all the nations ; none of these things are as yet completely done. But here is the comfort of believers : Rom. xvi. 20, ' The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.' All this will be done, and will not you tarry a little while ? As the church saith, Micah vii. 8, 9, ' Rejoice not against me, 0 mine enemy ; when I fall, I shall arise ; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, be- cause I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me : he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall be- hold his righteousness.' Times will be better and hearts better.