2. In the testimony produced there are two things to be observed — (1.) A command ; (2.) A promise.
[1.] A command, ' Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead.' In which words observe — (1.) The quality of the persons to whom the command is given; (2.) The nature of the command itself
(1.) The quality of the persons to whom the command is given. They are described by a double character, to be those that are asleep, and those that are dead in trespasses and sins. Sleep and death have a great affinity and resemblance one with another ; natural sleep is an image of death, but spiritual sleep is a true spiritual death. In our natural sleep our faculties and their functions are suspended, but yet they remain entire ; in spiritual sleep our faculties are corrupted and disabled for any office of life. Zanchy saith these words are spoken to two sorts of persons — to mere unbelievers, and to sinning believers. The last are compared to them that sleep, the other to them that are dead. Awakening is required from the one, and rising from the dead as to the other. But this is more argute than solid. Both expressions denote some persons : ' Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead.' The one expression noteth their incapacity to help themselves, the other their security and carelessness ; they do not trouble them- selves about it.
(2.) The nature of the command, 'Awake,' and 'Arise from the dead.' The things commanded are two — that they should 'awake,' and ' arise from the dead ; as in natural sleep men are first awakened, and then they rise and go about their business.
[2.] The promise, ' And Christ shall give thee light,' iTncpavcrec aroL ; he shall shine upon thee. When the gospel was first set up, the light did shine about them, but not presently into their hearts : John i. 5, ' The light shineth in darkness, but the darkness comprehendeth it not. This light shineth about us in the tenders of gospel grace, but it shineth into our hearts when we are admitted into the privileges of it, and are made partakers of this heavenly benefit. In opposition to our
^ER. 14.] SEEMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 331
natural estate it should be (we would think), Christ shall give thee life, but it is, Give thee light. Christ converts us by shining into our hearts ; we are enlightened by being baptized : Heb. x. 32, ' But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of affliction.'
From the whole observe this doctrine —
Doct. That the great intent of Christ in the gospel is to call people ■out of their wof ul estate by sin into tlie marvellous light of his salvation.
This is the great truth here represented ; and to clear it up to you —
I. Observe how woful and dangerous the present case of carnal tmregenerate men is. It is represented to us under the notions of spiritual sleep and spiritual death ; which I shall speak of both gene- rally and apart, and then conjunctly and together.
First, To speak of them generally and apart.
1. They are asleep in sin, whereas the regenerate are awakened: 1 Thes. V. 5, 6, ' Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day : we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober.' Their sleep noteth their ignorance and security ; they neither mind their duty nor their danger ; never think of God's wrath approaching, nor prepare themselves to stand before him with comfort, but go on contentedly in their sinful estate, as if the merry world would always last. Sleep- ing is either total or partial.
[1.] Total, in the unregenerate, who are senseless and mindless of their condition, or regard nothing of their misery and happiness. Their reason and natural knowledge is, as it were, laid asleep, and mseless to them. If men did improve common principles, and act as reasonable creatures, they could not so unreasonably allow themselves in such a course of sin and folly as they live in. Therefore our busi- ness is to awaken conscience, that they may show themselves men : Isa. xlvi. 8, ' Remember this, and show yourselves men ; bring it again to mind, 0 ye transgressors ! ' 0 christians ! is this a case to sleep in, w^hen men are upon the brink of hell, and the wrath of God hangeth like a sharp sword over their heads, ready to drop down upon them every moment? If reason were not laid asleep, grace would sooner do its work.
[2.] Partial, in God's people : Cant. v. 2, ' I sleep, but my heart waketh.' There is in them a double principle — the flesh inclining to sleep, and the spirit inclining to wake. We read in the parable, Mat. XXV. 5, ' While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept ; ' that is, both the foolish and wise virgins. The wise have their slumber- ing fits. The doctrines of the gospel concerning God and Christ, heaven and hell, sin and holiness, have not always alike lively influence upon their hearts. By the gleams of worldly prosperity faith is fallen asleep, and ready to give place to sensuality, and they are governed more by the desires of the flesh than by the heavenly mind. The heart is kept strange to God and heaven, because it is altogether taken up with carnal vanities.