Lectures Upon Philippians, Lectures · Chapter 2 · Lecture 29
LECTƲRE XXIX.
PHILIP. 2. Verſe 9.10.
Wherefore God hath alſo highly exalted him, and giuen him a name aboue eueryevery name; that at the name of Ieſus, &c.
IT remaineth now that we proceed from the deſcription of Chriſt his humility, vntounto the deſcription of his exaltation into glorie after his humiliation here on earth, ſet downe in theſe words:
Wherefore God hath alſo, &c.] In which words the Apoſtle 1. in generall ſetteth downe Chriſt his exaltation into glory as a conſequent, or effect following his humiliation, and obedience vntounto the death, when he ſaith, Wherefore …od hath alſo &c. Him, euen Ieſus who was crucified, him …ath God raiſed vntounto life, ſet him at his right hand, and made …im both Lord, and Chriſt. 2. The Apoſtle ſetteth downe a …ore particular ſpecification, and explication of Chriſt his ex…tation into glorie, 1. when he ſaith, and giuen him a name, &c. Whereby is meant, that God hauing raiſed him from the …ead hath giuen him ſuch maieſtie, and glorie in the heauenly …aces, that he hath appointed him Lord ouer all things, and …ade him head vntounto the Church, which is his body. 2. When …e ſaith, that at the name, &c. Whereby is meant, that God …ath made all things ſubiect vnderunder his feete, and that all crea…res ſhall confeſſe that Ieſus Chriſt is the Lord vntounto the glo…e of God the Father. It is then as if the Apoſtle had thus …d: Chriſt when he was God humbled himſelfe to be man, …nd being God and man he humbled himſelfe, and became o…edient vntounto the death for vsus; therefore God hath highly ex…lted him that thus humbled himſelfe, and hath crowned him …n the heauenly places with glory and honour farre aboue all …rincipalitie, and power, and might, and domination, and e…ery name that is named; ſo that all creatures now doe, and …hall caſt downe their crownes, and fall downe before him, …nd ſay, praiſe, and honour, and glorie be vntounto him that ſet…eth vponupon the throne, and vntounto the lambe for euermore. And …et this be ſpoken touching the order, and the meaning of …heſe words in generall. Now let vsus a little looke vntounto the …enerall ſcope of them, and ſee what leſſons we may learne …rom them.
Wherefore God hath &c.] The generall ſcope and drift of …he Apoſtle in theſe 3. verſes is, by the conſequent and good …nto which God giueth vntounto humility, further to perſwade vsus …nto humilitie, and lowlineſſe of minde, that ſo if the exam…le of Chriſt his humiliation cannot preuaile with vsus, to moue vsus vntounto humilitie, yet the excellencie of that dignity where…nto he was exalted after, and for his great humility may per…wade vsus thereunto. Whence I gather theſe three obſeruati…ns for our inſtruction.
1. Hence I note the gracious goodneſſe of our mercifull God, who ſeeketh eueryevery way to win vsus vntounto that which he requireth of vsus. Somtimes he threatneth, that ſo for feare of … iudgments we may walk in the law that he hath appointed for vsus: ſometimes he puniſheth, for that in our affliction we ſee… him diligently as the Prophet Hoſea ſpeaketh, & ſomtimes … promiſeth,Hoſ. 5.15. 2 Pet. 1.4. that by his promiſes we may be partakers of the d… uine nature, as Peter ſpeaks. 1. that ſo we may be drawn from the corruptions which are in the world through luſt, as the ſame Apoſtle there expoundeth himſelf. In this place hauing preſſ… vsus with the example of Chriſt his humiliation vntounto humility, he ſetteth downe the excellencie of that dignitie whereunto Chriſt was exalted after his humiliation, that ſo ſeeing the reward, or at leaſt the conſequence which followeth humilitie we may embrace this holy vertue which hee requireth of vsus. A man would hauehave thought that this ſhould hauehave beene enough to perſwade vsus, to ſet before vsus the example of Chriſt Ieſus. And we when we hauehave vſed any reaſon to ſuch, or ſuch purpoſe, we thinke we hauehave done well, and bidde him whom we ſpeake vntounto looke to the afterclappes if he hearken not vntounto vsus. But ſuch is the mercy of our good God, that hee leaues not with a little, but he heapeth reaſon vponupon reaſon, and addeth motiue vntounto motiue, and rather then he will not preuaile with vsus, he will doe with vsus as we do with little children, by moſt great and precious promiſes hee will perſwade vsus vntounto that he requireth of vsus. O let vsus take heede how we hearke… not vntounto the voice of ſo good and gracious a God!
2. Hence I note the dulneſſe of our mindes vntounto eueryevery good motion of the ſpirit, vnleſſe the Lord doe, as it were draw vsus with the cords of louelove, and euen force vsus by multiplying his mercies towards vsus. There muſt be precept vntounto precept, line vntounto line, reaſon vntounto reaſon, and after all this promiſe, or hope of reward, or elſe bee the motion neuer ſo good, yet we will not hearken vntounto it. VntoUnto pride and vaine-glory, vntounto contention and oppreſſing one of an other wee runne apace, and neede no ſpurre to ſet vsus forward, nay not any reaſon here ſhall rule vsus, but runne we will after our owne vnbridled affections. But to preuaile with vsus, to put on tender merciemercy, kindneſſe, meekneſſe, humbleneſſe of minde; to perſwade vsus to be curteous one vntounto an other, and to ſubmit …r ſelues one vntounto an other there muſt be exhortation vponupon …hortation, the example of Chriſt Ieſus muſt be propoſed …to vsus, and beſides all this there muſt bee certaine hope of …ory after humility, and well if all this can perſwade vsus vntounto …mbleneſſe and lowlineſſe of minde: Such is our backward…ſſe, and ſo ſlow are wee to hearken vntounto the things that be…ng vntounto our peace. We ſhould louelove our God, euen for him…fe, becauſe he is good and goodneſſe it ſelfe; wee ſhould …epe his commandements, becauſe they are his, and good …d righteous altogether; we ſhould embrace humilitie, be…uſe we ſhould be conformable to the image of Chriſt Ieſus. …ut to ſtirre vp our ſlacknes, and dulneſſe vntounto theſe, and the …e duties he hath giuen vsus moſt great and precious promiſes, …d aſſured vsus that the performance of theſe duties ſhall not … in vaine in the Lord. Let vsus not ſtill harden our hearts as … the day of ſlaughter, let vsus not ſtill ſtoppe our eares at the …ice of the Charmer charme hee neuer ſo wiſely; but if no…ing elſe will preuaile with vsus, yet let his promiſes perſwade … vntounto our duties, and let the ſure hope of glory ſtirre vsus vp …nto humility.
3. Hence I note, that the high-way to be exalted into glo…y, is to decke our ſelues inwardly with lowlineſſe of minde. Which is not only prooued by this example of our Sauiour, …e conſequent of whoſe humility was an eternall weight of …lory, as here we ſee, but by many other places of Scripture …oe. Our Sauiour Chriſt ſaith, Whoſoeuer exalteth himſelfe …all be brought lowe, and whoſoeuer humbleth himſelfe ſhall be ex…lted. Salomon ſaith, the reward of humility, and the feare of God, Pro. 22.4.…riches, and glorie, and life. And in an other place, the feare of …he Lord, is the inſtruction of wiſedome, 15.33.and before honour goeth …umilitie. The reaſon is giuen by the ſame Salomon in an other …rouerbe, where hee thus ſaith,3.34. with the ſcornefull the Lord …corneth, but he giueth grace vntounto the humble: which the Apoſtles Paul, Peter, and Iames doth thus read, God reſiſteth the proud, …nd giueth grace to the humble. How humble and lowly min…led Dauid, and Salomon were the Scriptures do witneſſe, as al…o how high the Lord exalted the throne of their glorie. The like might be ſaid of many others mentioned in holy Scriptures, which I willingly now paſſe ouer, becauſe I hauehave her… tofore preſſed this point. Only in a word with Saint Iames, … exhort you to cast your ſelues downe before the Lord, and hee ſha… lift you vp. Pro. 29.23The pride of a man ſhall bring him lowe, but the humble in ſpirit ſhall enioy glory. Swell not therefore with pride one againſt an other whatſoeuer bleſſings you hauehave of wiſedome wealth, or honour one aboue an other. Let nothing be don… among you through contention or vaine-glory, but let eueryevery man in meeknes of mind eſteem other better then himſelfe: … the ſame mind be in you that was in Chriſt Ieſus, & this know for a ſurety that as here in Chriſt he was firſt humbled & ther exalted,18.12. ſo before glory goeth lowlineſſe & humilitie. And le this ſuffice to be obſerued out of the originall ſcope and dr… of the Apoſtle in theſe words. Now let vsus a little more neerly look into them, and ſee what further vſe we may make of them and firſt of theſe where the Apoſtle ſetteth downe in genera… Chriſt his exaltation into glory, ſaying:
Wherefore God hath &c.] In which words I obſerue 1. The cauſe of his exaltation, or rather the ſequell of his croſſe 2. Who exalted him. 3. In what ſenſe he is ſaid to hauehave h… exalted. Touching the firſt, the word, wherefore, here vſed may either ſignifie a cauſe, or a conſequence; ſo that we may vnderſtand the Apoſtle either thus, that becauſe Chriſt th… humbled himſelfe, and became obedient vntounto the death, euen the death of the croſſe, therefore God highly exalted him: or thus, that Chriſt firſt humbled himſelfe, and taſted of the ſorrowes of death for vsus, and afterwards God highly exalted him. After this latter ſort doth the Apoſtle ſpeake where he ſaith,Heb. 2.9. that Chriſt was made a little inferiour to the Angells to the end that he might ſuffer death, and ſo was crowned with glory and honour. After this ſort alſo doth Chriſt himſelfe ſpeak vntounto the two Diſciples which were going toward Emma…, ſaying,Luc. 24.26. ought not Chriſt to hauehave ſuffered theſe things, and to enter into his glory? In both which places, the Apoſtle, and our Sauiour himſelfe ſpeaketh of his crowne of glory and honour as a conſequent of his croſſe, not as cauſed by the croſſe, as following his croſſe, but not as merited by his croſſe. And if we follow this ſenſe, hence wee may gather this very profitable …ſſon, that if wee deſire to raigne with Chriſt in glory, then …uſt wee be content to beare his croſſe in this life, and with …m to ſuffer affliction in this vale of miſerie.Pſal. 110.7 He firſt drunke the brooke in the way, as the Prophet ſpeaketh, and then hee …t vp his head: firſt hee had his croſſe, and then his crowne; …ſt hee did weare a crowne of thornes, and then a crowne of …ory. So wee if wee will be made like vntounto his image, wee …uſt ſuffer with him, that wee may bee glorified with him; …ee muſt through our ſufferings and croſſes be driuen euen ſhed teares, if wee will hauehave all teares wiped from our eyes. …e diſciple is not aboue his maſter, nor the ſeruant aboue his Lord. … hee hath chalked the way, ſo muſt we walke, euen through …flictions and troubles, through ſorrowes and croſſes, vntounto …at inheritance immortall and vndefiled, reſerued in heauen …r vsus.
Let not then thy ſoule be troubled or caſt downe at whateuer trouble, ſorrow, need, ſickneſſe, croſſe or perſecution. …et not loſſe of goods, loſſe of friends, the reproaches of the …cked, the contempt of the world, the miſerie of thy life, or the maner of euill things which can be ſaid or done againſt …ee for Chriſt his ſake, trouble or diſmay thee. Nay in the …iddeſt of all thy croſſes and afflictions, comfort thy ſelfe …th theſe things: Firſt, afflictions and troubles are that ſtrait …d narrow way which leadeth vntounto life,Act. 14.22. for we muſt through …any afflictions enter into the kingdoms of God. Secondly, by …r ſufferings and afflictions we are made like vntounto the image Chriſt, who being the Prince of our ſaluation, was conſe…ated through afflictions. Thirdly, by croſſes and aduerſi…s we are brought to acknowledge our ſinnes vntounto the Lord, …d to reforme the wickedneſſe of our wayes. And therefore …auid ſaid, It is good for mee that I hauehave beene in trouble, Pſ. 119.67.71.that I …ght learne thy ſtatutes: and againe he ſaith, Before I was trou…ed, I went wrong, but now I keepe thy word. And the Lord by …ſea ſaith, In their afflictions they will ſeeke mee diligently. …urthly, in all our afflictions Chriſt ſuffereth with vsus: and …erefore Paul calleth his afflictions which he ſuffered by ſea land, of friends or enemies, in body or in ſpirit, the afflictions of Chriſt. In eueryevery croſſe he ſuffereth with vsus, and eueryevery croſſe ſealeth his louelove vntounto vsus. Laſtly, our afflictions are b… for a little while, and after them is glory for euer; as it is wr… ten, Heauineſſe may endure for a night, but ioy commeth in the morning. Why art thou then ſo ſad, O thou diſtreſſed ſoule, and why doe thoughts ariſe in thine heart? Comfort thy ſelfe in this, that thine afflictions conforme thee vntounto Chriſt his image, and ſet thee in the plaine and right way to ſaluation and glory. Thou art chaſtiſed of the Lord, but becauſe th… ſhouldeſt not be condemned with the world; thou lamente… and weepeſt, but that Chriſt may wipe all teares from thi…e eyes; thou dieſt with Chriſt, but it is that thou maiſt liue for euer; thou here eateſt the bread of teares, and drinkeſt the water of affliction, but the Lord hath reſerued for thee li… and ioy for euermore:2 Tim. 2.11.12. for it is a true ſaying, If wee bee de… with Chriſt, we ſhall alſo liue with him; and if we ſuffer with Chriſt wee ſhall alſo raigne with him. And let this ſuffice to be not… from this ſenſe.
Now if wee follow the other ſenſe, and vnderſtand the Apoſtle thus, that becauſe Chriſt humbled himſelfe, and bec… obedient vntounto the death, euen the death of the Croſſe, therefore God hath highly exalted him, then wee are further hence … note, that Chriſt his exaltation into glory for vsus, was not only a conſequent of his death and paſſion, but his death and p… ſion was a cauſe of his exaltation into glory for vsus; ſo that by his death and paſſion he deſerued exaltation into glory. I do… not here diſpute the queſtion, which commonly hence is moued, whether Chriſt by his death and paſſion deſerued this exaltation into glory for himſelfe, or onelyonly for vsus. The whol… tenor of the Scripture running thus, that Chriſt became m… for vsus, fulfilled the Law for vsus, was tempted for vsus, was clothe… with infirmities for vsus, taſted of ſorrowes for vsus, made hi… ſoule an offering for vsus, died for vsus, roſe againe for vsus, an… whatſoeuer he did, did all for vsus; I vnderſtand the Apoſtl… thus, that by his death and paſſion hee merited and deſer…e… exaltation into glory for vsus. My obſeruation then hence i…, that by the merits of Chriſt his death and paſſion is purchaſed ſaluation and glory to all them that obey him: for by … bloud hath hee obtained eternall redemption for vsus, Heb. 9.12.and entred in …ce into the holy place, that is, into heauen for vsus. Yea euen by …he merits of his death doe wee pleade and ſue for that inheri…nce, immortall and vndefiled, reſerued in heauen for vsus. A …riuiledge only proper vntounto Chriſt, that by his ſufferings hee …ould merit at all, either for himſelfe, or for others. For of all …ur afflictions and ſufferings, that is to be ſaid which Paul ſaith …f his afflictions:Rom. 8.18. I account (ſaith hee) that the afflictions of this …reſent time are not worthy of the glory which ſhall be ſhewed vntounto …. Where the Apoſtle plainly renounceth all merit of life …nd glory vntounto his ſufferings and afflictions. And our Sauiour …hriſt likewiſe plainly telleth vsus, that when wee hauehave done all …hat wee can, euen all that is commanded vsus, wee muſt ſay, …ee are vnprofitable ſeruants, Luk. 17.10.wee hauehave done onelyonly that which …as our dutie to doe. If when wee hauehave done all that we can, …ee are vnprofitable ſeruants, if when wee hauehave done all that commanded vsus, wee hauehave only done our dutie, then what …aime can wee make by merit or deſert? Nay if wee looke …nto our merits, wee ſhall finde that eternall life is the gift of …od through Ieſus Chriſt, and that wee hauehave onelyonly deſerued …eath and euerlaſting condemnation.Iam. 2.10. For whoſoeuer keepeth …e whole Law, and yet faileth in one point, he is guiltie of all, and …f the condemnation due to the breach of them all. Now cer…ine it is, that in many things wee offend all, and that our beſt …ghteouſneſſe is but as the menſtruous clothes of a woman, …uen the beſt thing that wee doe is ſtained with ſinne, and full …f vnrighteouſneſſe: ſo that if wee ſtand vponupon our owne me…ts, wee ſee wee muſt needs periſh all. Wee muſt then flie …rom our ſelues, and renouncing our owne merits, reſt our …elues wholly & only on the merits of Chriſt Ieſus, by whoſe …eath and paſſion wee hauehave an entrance into glory. For his …aſſion being the paſſion of the Sonne of God, was both a …ll ſatisfaction vntounto Gods iuſtice for vsus, and worthily deſer…ed the glory which hee hath purchaſed for vsus, and giuen …nto vsus. And let this bee ſpoken touching the ſequele of Chriſt his paſſion, or the cauſe of his exaltation into glory. …t followeth:
Wherefore God &c.] The ſecond thing which hence I obſerued, was, who exalted him, and that is here ſet downe, when it is ſaid, God hath highly exalted him. Chriſt then hauing humbled himſelfe, and beene obedient euen vntounto the death, God euen the Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt raiſed him from the dead, and ſet him at his right hand in the heauenly places.Act. 2.31. So Dauid had ſaid long before, ſaying, Th… ſhalt not leaue my ſoule in graue, neither ſhalt thou ſuffer thine holy one to ſee corruption. Which Peter auoucheth to be ſpoken of God raiſing vp Ieſus from the dead: To this likewiſe giuegive all the Scriptures witneſſe, that God raiſed vp Ieſus our Lord from the dead: the Father by the Sonne, and the Sonne by the eternall Spirit that was within him. Here then is our comfort, that he who hath looſed the ſorrowes of Chriſt his death, and raiſed him vp by his power, will alſo giuegive a good end vntounto all our troubles, and raiſe vsus vp alſo by Ieſus, and ſet vsus with him Many are the troubles of the righteous, Pſal. 34.18.but the Lord deliuereth him out of all. And if it be ſo, that thou ſee not the fruit of this promiſe in this life, but goeſt to thy graue in mourning vnde… the croſſe, yet know this, that hee which hath raiſed vp the Lord Ieſus, ſhall raiſe thee vp alſo by Ieſus, and ſet thee with him, and there wipe all teares from thine eyes, and couer thee with the garment of gladneſſe. But withall let mee giuegive you this caueat;1 Pet. 4.15 16 Let none of you ſuffer as a murtherer, or as a theefe, or as an euill do…r, or as a buſie body in other mens matters: But if any man ſuffer as a Chriſtian, pouertie, ſickneſſe, perſecution, impriſonment, or what croſſe elſe ſoeuer, let him not be aſhame…, but let him glorifie God in this behalfe. For Chriſt hath alſo ſuffered once for ſinnes, the iuſt for the vniuſt, that hee might bring vsus vntounto God, and God for our momentanie and light afflictions in that day will giuegive vsus an eternall weight of glory. Wherefore, as the Apoſtle doth, ſo I exhort you, Let him that ſuffereth, 1 Pet. 4.19what croſſe ſoeuer it be, according to the will of God, commit his ſoule to God in well-doing, as vntounto a faithfull Creator, and hee that looſed the ſorrowes of death from Chriſt, ſhall giuegive in his good time a good end to all his troubles. And thus much touching the ſecond point, to wit, who exalted him. It followeth:
Wherefore God hath alſo highly exalted him.] Where wee are to ſee in what ſenſe Chriſt is ſaid to hauehave beene exalted, and not onelyonly ſo, but highly exalted, which was the third thing which I propoſed hence to be obſerued. 1. Therefore Chriſt was exalted, when he was raiſed from the dead, when his bodie which was ſowen in diſhonor was raiſed vp in glory. 2. He was highly exalted, when aſcending into heauen he was ſet in the heauenly places, farre aboue all principalitie and power, and might, and domination, and eueryevery name that is named, not in this world onelyonly, but alſo in that that is to come. Thus God exalted …nd highly exalted Chriſt Ieſus whom the Iewes had crucified. Here then firſt we hauehave the teſtimonie of the Apoſtle for that …oint of our faith, the reſurrection of Chriſt Ieſus. He made his graue with the wicked, as the Prophet had propheſied. He was buried, and the pit had ſhut her mouth vponupon him, Eſay 53.9.euen the …ombe of the earth had encloſed him in: but God the third day ex…lted him, raiſing him from the dead, and not ſuffering his body to …ee corruption. If I thought it needfull further to proue the reſurrection of Chriſt Ieſus vntounto you, his ſundry appearances …fter he roſe againe from the dead, firſt vntounto Marie Magdalen, …hen vntounto the two Diſciples that went to Emmaus, then to Pe…er, then to all the Diſciples together, ſaue Thomas, then to all …he Diſciples, then to moe then fiue hundreth brethren at …nce; theſe I ſay his manifold appearances, and many other …eſtimonies of holy ſcripture might at large proue the ſame …nto you. But my deſire rather now is to leſſon you in ſuch …hings, as Chriſt his reſurrection may teach vsus.
Firſt therefore the reſurrection of Chriſt Ieſus may put vsus …n minde of this dutie, that as he was raiſed againe from the …raue wherein he lay dead vntounto life, ſo we ought to riſe from …he graues of ſinne wherein we lie dead vntounto newneſſe and …olineſſe of life. If yee be riſen with Chriſt, ſaith the Apoſtle,Coloſ. 3.1. …hen ſeeke thoſe things which are aboue: as if he ſhould hauehave …id; Chriſt is riſen from the dead, if yee be riſen with him, …nd lie not ſtill dead in your ſinnes, then ſeeke thoſe things …hich are aboue. Where yee ſee how the Apoſtle putteth …hem in minde of Chriſt his reſurrection, ſo to awaken them …rom the dead ſleepe of ſinne vntounto holineſſe of life. More …laine to this purpoſe is that of the ſame Apoſtle, where he thus ſaith;Rom. 6.4. We are buried with Chriſt by baptiſme into his death, that like as Chriſt was raiſed vp from the dead by the glory of the Father, ſo we alſo ſhould walke in newneſſe of life. In which words moſt plainely ye may ſee, how the Apoſtle preſſeth the ſimilitude of Chriſt his reſurrection to proue that we ought to walke in newneſſe of life. But in this place moſt worthy our conſideration it is, how the Apoſtle maketh Baptiſme a reſemblance of Chriſt his death, and reſurrection, and ſo by an argument from our Baptiſme proueth, that we ought to walke in newneſſe of life. By baptiſme, ſaith the Apoſtle, we are buried with Chriſt into his death, that at he died for ſinne, ſo we by the power of his death ſhould die vntounto ſinne: againe, in baptiſme we are baptized into Chriſt his reſurrection, that as he was raiſed againe from death vntounto life, ſo we ſhould riſe from ſinne wherein we are dead vntounto newneſſe and holineſſe of life. Want yee then motiues to perſwade you vntounto newneſſe of life? Behold Chriſt is riſen againe, behold we are baptized into Chriſt his death, and reſurrection, therefore we ought to walke in newneſſe of life. Art thou then a Chriſtian, and y… wanteſt thou proofe that thou oughteſt to walke in newneſſe of life? Looke backe into thy Baptiſme. Waſt thou not there viſibly receiued into the Church of Chriſt, and communion of Gods ſaints? Waſt thou not there ſacramentally adopted into the number of the ſonnes of God? Was not there thy name regiſtred amongſt the children of the moſt high? Diddeſt thou not there receiue preſſe money to fight vnderunder the banner of Chriſt Ieſus? Diddeſt thou not there promiſe vntounto the Lord thy God in the congregation of his Saints to forſake the world, the fleſh, the Deuill? Did not thy God there make a couenant with thee, that he would be thy God, and thou againe with him that thou wouldeſt be his childe? Waſt thou not there ſacramentally borne againe of water and of the ſpirit, as at the firſt thou waſt naturally borne of fleſh and of bloud? In a word, waſt thou not baptized into Chriſt Ieſus, euen into Chriſt Ieſus dead, and riſen againe from the dead? Waſt thou not baptized into Chriſt his death that thou mighteſt die vntounto ſinne? Waſt thou not baptize… into his reſurrection, that thou mighteſt liue vntounto God? Ye… men and brethren, if you looke backe into your baptiſme yee …hall finde eueryevery of theſe things true in eueryevery one of you. And …herefore we bring litle children to be baptized, that here they may receiue the ſeale of that great couenant whereby God is …heir God, and they his people, that here they may be viſibly …eceiued into the Church, adopted into the ſonnes of God, …egiſtred amongſt his children, and receiue as it were preſſe-money to fight vnderunder the banner of Chriſt Ieſus againſt the world, the fleſh, and the Deuill; that here they may be bapti…ed into Chriſt Ieſus, euen into the death and reſurrection of Chriſt Ieſus. And want we yet a ſufficient reaſon to perſwade …s vntounto newneſſe and holineſſe of life? Surely we want no …ufficient reaſon to perſwade vsus, but yet this reaſon is not ſuffi…ient to perſwade vsus and preuaile with vsus. The Miniſters of God may lift vp their voices, and cry daily,Eph. 5.14. Awake thou that …eepeſt, and ſtand vp from the dead, and Chriſt ſhall giuegive thee life: They may cry till their hearts bleede within their bodies; nay …hey may cry till the breath goe out of their bodies, Know yee …ot that all yee that are baptized are baptized into Chriſt his death, and into Chriſt his reſurrection, that yee might die vntounto ſinne …nd liue vntounto God? But who doth heare? Whoſe hearts are …o pricked that they cry, Men and brethren what ſhall we doe? Sound a trumpet in a dead mans eares, he moues not, he …eares not. And ſurely ſo dead are we in our ſinnes, that how …owde and often ſoeuer the trumpet of Gods voice ſound vntounto vsus a retrait from ſinne and wickednes vntounto newneſſe and …olineſſe of life, yet we heare it not, we are not at all moued …herewith. O my brethren, the very meditation of our bap…iſme with our ſelues, and the ſeeing of the ſame adminiſtred vntounto others, ſhould ſufficiently preach vntounto vsus mortification …rom dead workes, and ſanctification in holineſſe of life: …ſpecially baptiſme being ſo notable a reſemblance of Chriſt …is death and reſurrection, as that it doth moſt liuely repre…ent vntounto vsus, 1. our remiſſion of ſins by the death of Chriſt, …n that our ſoules are ſo clenſed by the ſpirit from the filthines …f ſinne, euen as the filth of the bodie is waſhed with water. …. our regeneration and new birth by the power of his reſur…ection, in that after the waſhing by the ſpirit wee riſe againe cleanſed by the ſame ſpirit. Let theſe things, men and brethren, ſinke deepe into your ſoules. Let the meditation of your baptiſme call to your remembrance the death, and reſurrection of Chriſt, and let all theſe ſtirre you vp vntounto ne… neſſe and holineſſe of life, that as he was exalted riſing from death vntounto life, ſo yee may be exalted riſing out of your ſ… to liue in righteouſnes and true holineſſe.
The ſecond thing which Chriſt his reſurrection may teach vsus, is that our bodies alſo howſoeuer they be turned into du…, torne of beaſts, or deuoured of fiſhes, yet ſhall riſe againe at that day. For his reſurrection is a moſt certaine and ſure pledge of our reſurrection; and therefore is he called, the firſt fruits of them that ſleepe: becauſe as in the firſt fruits which were offered by the law,1 Co. 15.20 all the reſt of the corne was ſanctified ſo in Chriſt his reſurrection we hauehave a moſt ſure pledge of our reſurrection. But yet this withall thou muſt note, that vnleſſe thou hauehave part in the firſt reſurrection, thou ſhalt neuer hauehave part in the ſecond, .i. vnleſſe thou firſt in this life riſe from ſinne in newneſſe of life, thou ſhalt neuer riſe againe after this life into glory, but onelyonly vntounto euerlaſting condemnation which is called the ſecond death. VntoUnto you therefore I ſay, as Paul ſpake to the Romanes, If the ſpirit of Chriſt that raiſed vp Ieſus from the dead dwell in you, Rom. 8.11.then he that raiſed Chriſt from the dead ſhall alſo quicken your mortall bodies. And by this yet know that the ſpirit of Chriſt dwelleth in you, if yee mortifie the deeds of the fleſh by the ſpirit, and walke after the ſpirit i… newneſſe and holineſſe of life. O ſtriue to hauehave your ſecond reſurrection into glory aſſured vntounto you by your firſt reſurrection in newneſſe of life. Bleſſed and holy is he that hath p… in the firſt reſurrection; Apec. 20.6.for on ſuch the ſecond death hath no pow…, ſuch enter not into condemnation, but hauehave their part in the ſecond reſurrection.