Looking Unto Jesus, Book 7 · Chapter 2 · Section 3
SECT. III. Of deſiring Jeſus in that reſpect.
3. LEt us deſire after Jeſus carrying on the great work of our ſalvation for us in his reſurrection. What deſire is, we have opened before; ſome call it the wing of the ſoul, whereby it moveth, and is carried to the thing it expecteth, to feed it ſelf upon it, and to be ſatisfied with it.
But what is there in Chriſt's reſurrection, that ſhould move our ſouls to deſire after it?
I anſwer. 1. Something in it ſelf. 2. Something as in reference unto us.
1. There is ſomething in it ſelf; had we but a view of the glory, dignity, excellency of Chriſt, as raiſed from the dead, it would put us on this heavenly motion; we ſhould fly as the Eagle that haſteth to eat. The object of deſire is good,Heb. 1.8. but the more excellent and glorious any good is, the more earneſt and eager ſhould our deſires be; now Chriſt as raiſed from the dead is an excellent object; the reſurrection of Chriſt is the glorifying of Chriſt; yea, his glorifying took its beginning at his bleſſed reſurrection; now it was that God highly exalted him, and gave him a name above every name, Phil. 2.9.&c. and in this reſpect how deſirable is he?
2. There is ſomething in reference unto us; As, 1.Rom. 4.25. He r…ſe again for our juſtification; I muſt needs grant, that Chriſt's death, and not his reſurrection is the meritorious cauſe of our juſtification; but on the other ſide Chriſt's reſurrection, and not his death is for the applying of our juſtification, as the ſtamp adds no vertue, nor matter of real value to a piece of gold; but only it makes that value which before it had actually appliable and currant unto us: ſo the reſurrection of Chriſt was no part of the price or ſatisfaction which Chriſt made to God, yet is it that which applies all his merits, and makes them of force unto his Members. Some I know would go further, Lucius a learned Writer ſaith, that Juſtification is therefore attributed to Chriſt's reſurrection, becauſe it was the compleat, and ultimate act of Chriſt's active obedience: and from hence inferreth, that remiſſion of ſin is attributed to his paſſive obedience; and juſtification, or imputation of righteouſneſs, to his active obedience: Goodwin no way inferiour to him,Rom. 8.34. faith, that juſtification is put upon Chriſt's reſurrection with a rather, who is he that condemneth? it is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen again; not but that the matter of our juſtification is only the obedience and death of Chriſt; but the form of our juſtification, or the act of pronouncing us righteous, by that his obedience and death depends upon Chriſt's reſurrection; for then it was that Chriſt himſelf was juſtified, and then he was juſtified as a common perſon, repreſenting us therein, ſo that we were then juſtified with him, and in him; and we are ſaid to be riſen with him, and to ſit with him in heavenly places. Burges, one admirably judicious, ſaith, that juſtification is given to Chriſt's reſurrection, as a priviledge flowing from its efficient cauſe; Indeed Chriſt's death is the meritorious cauſe of our juſtification, but Chriſt's reſurrection is in ſome ſence (ſaith he) the efficient cauſe; becauſe by his riſing again, the Spirit of God doth make us capable of juſtification, and th…n beſtoweth it on us. I know there is ſome difference amongſt theſe Worthies, but they all agree in this, that the reſurrection of Chriſt was for our juſtification, and that by the reſurrection of Chriſt all the merits of his death were made appliable unto us. As there was a price and ranſome to be paid by Chriſt for the redemption of man, ſo it was neceſſary that the fruit, effect, and benefit of Chriſt's redemption ſhould be applied, and conferred; now this work of application and actual collation of the fruit of Chriſt's death, began to be in fieri upon the reſurrection day; but it was not then finiſhed, and perfected; for to the conſummation thereof, the Aſcenſion of Chriſt, the Miſſion of the holy Ghoſt, Apoſtolical preaching of the Goſpel to Jews and Gentiles, the Donation of Heavenly grace, and Chriſt's Interceſſion at the right hand of God were very neceſſary.1 Cor. 15.17. O the benefit of Chriſt's reſurrection as to our juſtification! If Chriſt be not riſen again, ye are yet in your ſins, and your faith is in vain. Remiſſion of ſin (which is a part of our juſtification) though purchaſed by Chriſt's death, yet could not he applied to us, or poſſibly be made ours without Chriſt's reſurrection; and and in this reſpect oh how deſirable is it!
Eph. 2.5, 6.2. He roſe again for our ſanctification. So the Apoſtle, He hath quickened us together with Chriſt, and hath raiſed up together with Chriſt. Our firſt reſurrection is from Chriſt's reſurrection; if you would know how you that were blind in heart, uncircumciſed in ſpirit, utterly unacquainted with the life of God, are now light in the Lord, affecting heavenly things, walking in righteouſneſs; it comes from this bleſſed reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt; we are quickened with Chriſt; it is Chriſt's reſurrection that raiſed our ſouls,Rom. 6.11. being ſtark dead, with ſuch a reſurrection as that they ſhall never die more. Whence the Apoſtle, Reckon your ſelves to be dead unto ſin, but alive unto God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. We are dead to ſin, and alive unto God by the death and reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt; we may reckon thus for our ſelves, that if we be in Chriſt, there comes a vertue from Chriſt, an effectual working of Chriſt by his Spirit into our hearts, and it is ſuch a work as will conform us to Chriſt dead, and to Chriſt riſen; why reckon thus, ſaith the Apoſtle; go not by gueſs, and ſay, I hope it will be better with me than it hath been; no, no, but reckon,Rom. 6.4. conclude, make account, I muſt live to God, I muſt live the life of grace, for Chriſt is riſen. To the ſame purpoſe he ſpeaks before, Like as Chriſt was raiſed up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even ſo we alſo ſhould walk in newneſs of life. Chriſt roſe again to a new life, and herein his reſurrection differed from the reſurrection of thoſe others raiſed by him, as of Lazarus, Jairus Daughter, the Widow of Naims Son; for they were but raiſed to the ſame life, which formerly they lived; but Jeſus Chriſt was raiſed up to a new life; and according to this ex…mplar we ſhould now walk in newneſs of life: this is the end of Chriſt's reſurrection, that we ſhould be new creatures, of new lives, new principles, new converſations; he roſe again for our ſanctification.
3. He roſe again for our reſurrection to eternal life; Chriſt is the patern, and pledg, and cauſe of the reſurrection of our bodies; for ſince by man came death, by man came alſo the reſurrection of the dead: for as in Adam all dye, 1 Cor. 15.21, 22even ſo in Chriſt ſhall all be made alive. There is a vertue flowing from Chriſt to his Saints by which they ſhall be raiſed up at the latter day; as there is a vertue flowing from the head to the members, or from the root to the branches, ſo thoſe that are Chriſt's ſhall be raiſed up by Chriſt. 1 John 5.28, 29.Not but that all the wicked in the world ſhall be raiſed again by the power of Chriſt as he is a judg, for all that are in their graves ſhall hear his voice, and they ſhall come forth; yet with this difference, they that have done good unto the reſurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the reſurrection of damnation. In this reſpect the Saints ſhall have a peculiar reſurrection; and therefore they are called the Children of the reſurrection, becauſe they ſhall obtain a better reſurrection, Luke 20.36. Heb. 11.35.as the Apoſtle calls it. And is not Chriſt's reſurrection deſirable in this very reſpect; if we ſhould think, theſe bodyes of ours being duſt, muſt never return from their duſts, it might diſcourage; but here is our hope, Chriſt is riſen, and therefore we muſt riſe; it is the Apoſtles own argument againſt thoſe that held, there was no reſurrection of the dead; why, ſaith the Apoſtle, if there be no reſurrection of the dead, 1 Cor. 15.12, 13, 16, 20.then is not Chriſt riſen—If the dead riſe not, then is not Chriſt raiſed—But now is Chriſt riſen from the dead, and become the firſt-fruits of them that ſleep: he argues plainly that Chriſts reſurrection is the principal efficient cauſe of the reſurrection of the juſt; I am the reſurrection, and the life, ſaith Chriſt, (i.e.) I am the Author,John 11.25. John 5.21. and worker of the reſurrection to life. As the Father raiſeth up the dead and quickeneth them, even ſo the Son quickeneth whom he will; and hence it is that Chriſt is called a quickning Spirit; Chriſt is the head and ſtock of all the Elect, Chriſt is the Author, procurer, conveyor of life to all his off-ſpring, by the communication of his Spirit; Chriſt is a quickening Spirit, quickening dead ſouls, and quickening dead bodies,1 Cor. 15.45. the Author both of the firſt and ſecond reſurrection. And is not this deſireable?—
He roſe again for the aſſurance of our juſtification, ſanctification and ſalvation. This is the reaſon why the Apoſtle uſeth theſe words to prove the reſurrection of Chriſt, I will give you the ſure mercies of David; Acts 13.34.none of Gods mercies had been ſure to us if Chriſt had not riſen again from the dead. But now all is made ſure; his work of redemption being fully finiſhed, the mercy which thereupon depended was now made certain, (and as the Apoſtle ſpeaks) ſure unto all the ſeed.
Methinks a thought of this object in reſpect of it ſelf, and in reſpect of us, ſhould put our ſouls into a longing frame;Rom. 4.16. is it not a deſirable thing to ſee the King in his beauty? were not the Daughters of Zion glad to go forth, Cant. 3.11.and to behold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith his Mother Crowned him in the day of his eſpouſalls? If Christ incarnate, and in humane frailty was the deſire of Nations, how much more is Chriſt exalted, and in his glory? if it was Auguſtines great wiſh to have ſeen Chriſt in the fleſh, how ſhould we but wiſh to ſee Chriſt as riſen again from the dead? he is altogether lovely; or, he is altogether deſireable; deſireable in the womb,Cant. 5.16 deſireable in the cratch, deſireable on the Croſs, even when deſpiſed, and numbred with thieves; deſireable in his reſurrection; yea all deſirable, yea above all deſirable, as riſen, exalted, glorified; in this conſideration we cannot fathom the thouſand, thouſand part of the worth, and incomparable excellency of Jeſus Chriſt. Or if Chriſt's reſurrection in it ſelf will not ſtir up our lazy deſires; as it not deſirable as in reference unto us? what, that he ſhould riſe again for our juſtification? that by vertue of his reſurrection thy ſoul ſhould appear righteous before the judgment ſeat of God? O what a raviſhing word is that, what a triumphing challeng?Rom. 8.33, 34. who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that juſtifieth; who is he that condemneth? it is Chriſt that dyed, yea rather that is riſen again. O the ſtings that many have, ſaying, what ſhall I do when I dye, and go down to the duſt? may not the Lord have ſomething againſt me at the day of reckoning? why no poor ſoul, if thou art in Chriſt, it is he that dyed, yea rather that is riſen again for thy juſtification; by his reſurrection he hath cleared all reckonings, ſo that now who ſhall condemn? not ſin, Chriſt hath took it away; not the law, Chriſt hath fulfilled it for us; not Satan, for if the Judge acquit us, what can the Jaylor do? O my ſoul, that thy portion may be with theirs who hath right and title to this bleſſed reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt. But thou ſayeſt again, what is it to me; if I be juſtified in Chriſt, and yet my heart remain unholy, and unſubdued to Chriſt? it is true, thou findeſt a wofull ſinful nature within thee, croſs and contrary to holineſs, and leading thee dayly into captivity; yet remember it is Chriſt that dyed, yea rather that is riſen again; and by vertue of his reſurrection he hath given thee a new nature; another nature, which makes thee wreſtle againſt ſin, and ſhall in time prevail over all ſin. But thou ſayſt again, what if I be juſtified, and ſanctified, if after death I ſhall not be raiſed to life? why fear not O my ſoul, for if Chriſt be riſen thou ſhalt riſe, and riſe to eternal life;John 14.19. I am the reſurrection and the life, not only the reſurrection, but life is in him originally, as water is in the fountain, and from him it is derived to us; becauſe I live ye ſhall live alſo. But thou ſayſt again, O that I were aſſured of this! many doubts and jealouſies are upon me from day to day. Sometimes indeed I have a comfortable hope of my juſtification,Pſal. 88.14. ſanctification, ſalvation; and ſometimes again I am forced to cry, Lord why ca…teſt thou off my ſoul? why hideſt thou thy face from me? O conſider of the ends of Chriſt's reſurrection; was it not to give thee the ſure mercies of David? was it not to apply the merits of Chriſt's active, and paſſive obedience, and to bring them home to thy ſoul?1 Cor. 15.17. was it not to confirm, and to ratifie thy faith, elſe were it in vain? O the Perſon of Chriſt! and O the priviledges of Chriſt as being raiſed from the dead! O my ſoul, that thou wert on the wing in thy deſires after Chriſt! O that thy motions were as ſwift as the Eagles that haſted to eat! O that feelingly thou kneweſt him, and the power of his reſurrection! that thou wert reſolved to give no ſleep to thine eyes, nor ſlumber to thine eye-lids, until thou couldſt ſay, Chriſts reſurrection is mine! why Lord, that I ſhould long after vanities, trifles, toyes, pleaſures, profits, earthly contentments; that I ſhould long like ſome women with Child for a deal of baggage coles, or aſhes, very lothſome food; and yet that I ſhould feel no pantings, breathings, hungerings, thirſtings after Chriſts reſurrection to feed upon it, and to be ſatisfied with it! come, here's a bleſſed object; here's delights; O ſtir up thy appetite, ſuck and be ſatisfied, drink ye, drink abundantly, O my beloved!