^ Qu. 'amazeth' ? — Ed.
470 A PRACTICAL EXIOSITION UPON [ISA. LIII. 12.
ns up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus/ Conquerors enter after the spoil into the secure possession of their kingdoms ; so did Jesus Christ, and so shall we.
5. Great comfort accrueth and redoundeth to us by it ; the very exaltation of Christ is a great comfort to us. We are happy in the success of our Prince, and we have interest in a great conqueror, in Michael, the great prince, Dan. xii. 1. As Joshua i)ut his feet upon the necks of the kings. Josh. x. 24 ; so our Joshua, our Jesus, calleth to the captains and men of war with him, to come and set their feet upon the necks of their enemies. Nay, the apostle seemeth to express it, as if he did invest us in a surplusage of privileges: Rom. viii. 37, 'We are more than conquerors, through him that loved us;' and 2 Cor. ii. 14, ' Now thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ.' AVe have such a glorious Saviour as can help and stead his followers. Therefore, you may be always boasting.
6. There is this fruit and effect of Chi-ist's conquest ; it is a token, earnest, and pledge of our victory. Everything is first done in Christ, then in us ; he died, rose, and conquered as our common joerson : John xvi. 33, ' Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.' What is that tons? Christ hath overcome, and that is a sign you shall overcome too : 1 John v. 4, ' For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world ; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.' First Christ, and then your faith. There will something be done proportionably in your souls. God chose him, therefore he is called his ' Elect servant,' Isa. xlii. 1. And he hath chosen us, John XV. 16, ' But I have chosen you.' He calleth him. Christ took this honour when called, then we ; Christ dieth, and we die ; he was justi- fied in the Spirit, then he riseth and ascendeth, so do we ; he con- quereth, so do we.
7. What Christ did in this conquest, he did it for our sakes. He will have nothing but we shall share in it. If God give him a portion with the great, he will divide it with the strong: Luke xxii. 29, ' I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.' Mark, Christ would have you have the same privileges as he hath : John xii. 30, ' This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.' Christ eyed us in his actions : John xvii. 22, ' And the glory which thou gavest me, I liave given them, that they may be one, even as we are one.' Christ would have you come and ride with him in his triumi)hant chariot, and spoil principalities and powers.
8. Another benefit is usefulness and serviceableness of all that befalls us. Christ doth so effect it that all things work together for good, liom. viii. 28. The crooked sticks help to make the faggot the more decent. You do not only get a prey from Satan and your sins, but they yield you some good, and you may glory in infirmities, and desire to close with him, and cleave to him.
Use. I did liere and there interpose matter applicative, but now I shall come to it more formally. The uses concern the people of God, or the adversaries of Christ.
1. To the people of Christ: Beliave yourselves towards him as a conqueror.
[1.] Get an interest in him. Oh, who would not strive to get an in-
ISA. LIII. 12.] THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH. 471
terest in Christ, that he may have a share in his spoils? Who would not be one of the angels and followers of Michael, the great prince? ' He preserveth the souls of his people,' Ps. xcvii. 10. There is safety under the shadow of his wings. Therefore, apply your souls to this matter. You that think of Christ for a Lord, get your interest cleared. The soul is encumbered with fears for want of clearing up its right in Christ, and entertains these comforts with a loose heart for want of that. The soul is apt to say, Oh, if I were Christ's, then the matter were at end, and therefore, get it cleared up. How sweetly then can you reason and argue. This is my Christ, this is he that died for me : whilst others must be persuaded to seek Christ, and to cleave to him. We all desire to be of the strongest side : consider it, Jesus Christ is a glorious conqueror.
[2.] Believe in him, and depend on him to possess your souls of these glorious privileges. Luther saith, carnal men hear these comforts quasi somniantes — like golden dreams, rare things, but presented to fancy rather than faith. Oh, stir up the large and sure apprehensions of faith. These things require a wakeful and believing soul, to see Christ conquering, triumphing, and spoiling the powers of darkness. Spiritual conquests must be discerned with a spiritual eye : Luke viii. 10, ' To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom.' Other men may hear them, but you know the mysteries. Oh, it is a great privilege vouchsafed, that when others only hear the voice, you see the glory ; you see him leading captivity captive. It is in your eye that the powers of darkness are put to an open shame. You see the conqueror coming from Bozrah, the blood of his garments that cutteth off his enemies ; all this is easily made out to your faith. Oh, there- fore, depend upon him in all your assaults and straits ; do not think to help and relieve yourselves by your own wit and parts ; put forth endeavours, but do not rest in them ; disclaim your own strength : Isa. XXX. 15, ' For thus saith the Lord Grod, the Holy One'^of Israel, In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and in confidence sliall be your strength.' The less the creature bustles, and the more it believeth, the more safe. Pray and wait in quietness and confidence that you are safe. The Philistines placed much confidence in their Goliah : oh ! what hopes will you pitch upon Jesus Christ, the great conqueror !