The True Dignity of Pauls Elder in the Life of Owen Stockton, Part – Publishers advertisement

The True Dignity of Pauls Elder in the Life of Owen Stockton · Part – Publishers advertisement

p. 165Believers are Victorious over Death.

Object. But ſaith Natural Carnal reaſon, Is not this a great Paradox? who will believe it? One Enoch indeed was tranſlated that he ſhould not ſee Death; and Elijah went up to Heaven in a fiery Chariot. But elſe the Patriarchs, and Prophets, and Apoſtles, and all the Saints in their Succeſſive generations have yielded up to Death. And doth not every day bear witneſs? Are we not all here this day lamenting a very holy and Eminent Saint, and Servant of Jeſus Chriſt fallen by the ſtroke of Death? Where then is the Victory? And How is Death overcome?

Anſw. Notwithſtanding all this, yet Verily Death is overcome. Not ut ne ſit, but ut ne p. 166obſit. Not that it ſhould not be, but that it ſhould not be hurtful to believers, and this Victory conſiſts in four things.

1. Death is diſarmed to believers, that it cannot ſting them. When death cometh it finds no ſin in them unpardoned, no guilt remaining as an obligation unto puniſhment. He is overcome whoſe armour is taken from him wherein he truſted, Luk. 11. 22. Thus it is with Death. Where Sin hath no dominion, Death hath none; for Death reigneth by Sin. Now as for the ſins of believers, God (to whom belongeth the forgiveneſs of ſins) ſaith, Iſa. 44. 22. I have blotted out as a thick cloud, thy tranſgreſons, and as a cloud, thy ſins. Jer. 31. 34. I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their ſin no more. Numb. 23. 21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he ſeen perverſneſs in Iſrael. Mic. 7. 18, 19. Who is a God like unto thee? that pardoneth iniquity, and paſſeth by the tranſgreſſion of the remnant of his heritage? Thou wilt Caſt all their ſins into the depths of the Sea. Act. 10. 43. whoſoever believeth in him ſhall receive remiſſion of Sins. What God ſaid to repenting and believing David, that he ſaieth to all believers. 2 Sam. 12. 13. The Lord hath put away your ſin ye ſhall not die. Ye ſhall not die by the venemous ſting of Death. This indeed is in effect the whole victory over death. This is the fatal mortal wound given to Death, and will in time be the very Death of Death; and therefore p. 167the Apoſtle triumpheth over it on that account verſ. 55. O Death, where is thy ſting? What Luther ſometimes ſaid to God, that may every Believer ſay to Death, Feri Domine, ſaid he; Strike Lord. Feri, mors, feri, may they ſay, Nam a peccatis abſolutus ſum. Strike, Death, ſtrike, for my ſins are pardoned. Thou mayeſt kill me, but thou canſt not hurt me.

2. Death is overcome to Believers in that it cannot amaze them with deſpairing terrors. However it be to others, it is not to them the King of Terrors. Believers are freed from the bondage of the tormenting fear of Death. Heb. …. 15. Though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death (ſaith David) Pſal. 23. 4. I will fear no evil. Elijah makes requeſt for himſelf that he might die. 1 King. 19. 4. The three Children valiantly yielded their bodies to the fiery fornace Dan. 3. 16. 28. Lord, now letteſt thou thy Servant depart in peace, ſaith good old Simeon. Luk. 2. 29. Paul and Barnabas willingly hazarded their lives. Act. 15. 16. Paul had a deſire to be diſſolved. Phil. 1. 23. Thoſe worthies Heb. 11. 35. would not accept deliverance. The Primitive Martyrs would haſten to the ſtake. Such Victory had they gotten of the fear of Death. The grant of their Pardon, and their diſcharge from Condemnation which God hath Sealed to them; The peace of a good Conſcience which they carry about with them; Their apprehenſions that their bodies are the Temples of the Holy p. 168Ghoſt, which he will never deſert or neglect; Their aſſurance of the faithfulneſs and power of God, into whoſe hands they commend their Spirit; The fore-taſts of the ſweetneſs of Communion with God, and Jeſus Chriſt to be fully enjoyed in the other world; Their faith, and hope of a bleſſed Reſurrection to Immortality; Their Evidences for Heaven: Theſe are powerful Arguments which they improve againſt the fear of Death, and by the ſtrength whereof they Triumph over it.

Object. But for all this. Are not Believers afraid to die? Was not Abraham afraid when he thought he ſhould be ſlain? Gen. 20. 11. Did not David complain, The terrors of death are fallen from me. Pſ. 55. 4. Did not Hezekiah weep ſore when it was ſaid to him, Thou ſhalt die. Iſa. 38. 1. And who almoſt is not afraid?

Anſw. 1. There is a Natural fear of death, as it is the diſſolution of the Compoſitum, a ſeparation of Soul and Body which are ſo intimately united, which is not ſinful. Believers are not free from this. Grace doth not deſtroy Nature. Nature will be Nature, and act its part even in the beſt of Saints. They who have the ſureſt hope of Eternal life, and cleareſt p. 169Evidences of their Salvation, yea, and have an unfained longing and deſire after the Heavenly ſtate, have yet a natural averſneſs unto Death, and do rather endure than deſire it. St. Paul ſaith for himſelf and other Believers, that though they knew, that if their Earthly houſe of this Tabernacle were diſſolved, they had a building of God, an houſe not made with hands eternal in the Heavens; and groaned earneſtly, deſiring to be clothed upon with their houſe which is from Heaven; yet they had a natural Love of life, and abhorrence of death, and their groaning was not that they would be unclothed. 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2, 4. yea, our Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelf in whom was no ſin, being found in faſhion as a man, when he humbled himſelf and became obedient unto death, experienced this fear as the proper expreſſion of his humane Nature. When his hour was come Mar. 14. 33, 34. He taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and began to be ſore amazed, and to be very heavy, and ſaith, my Soul is exceeding ſorrowful unto death.

2. There is a ſlaviſh, inordinate, ſinful fear of death, which Believers overcome, and from which they are freed. It was one end of Chriſts death, that he might deliver his redeemed from fear of death, to which they were holden in bondage. Heb. 2. 15. To which yet ſome Believers are ſubject, yea, it may be All at ſometimes, more or leſs. This ariſeth from weakneſs of Faith, from want of aſſurance, from p. 170Conſcience of lapſes and contracted guilt, from neglecting to ſearch their own hearts, from miſapprehending and miſ-judging their Spiritual ſtate, from inordinate love to this life, and world, &c. for which they muſt blame themſelves. Believers as ſuch, ſo far as they are Believers, are victorious. Did they walk cloſe with God, improve grace received, examine their own ſtate wiſely, and judge thereof rightly; Did they take hold of the Covenant of God, live by Faith, meditate on the Promiſes, and apply them as their Portion, (which becometh Believers) they might and would get above the ſlaviſh fears of Death. In this method they might be ready to die, and fear no evil. When the Chriſtian can ſay with David, Pſal. 23. The Lord is my Shepherd; he maketh me to lie down in green paſtures; he leadeth me beſides the ſtill waters, he reſtoreth my Soul, he leadeth me in the paths of righteouſneſs; He will then add alſo, Though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death I will fear no evil.

3. There is a deſpairing fear; The preſumptions of Hell, the pre-occupation of Torment, the fore-taſts of the wrath of the Almighty, the ſcorchings of the Lake that burneth with fire and Brimſtone, that driveth the ſinner paſt all hope, and overwhelms the Soul in hideous darkneſs, and horrible Confuſions. Have there not been inſtances of ſome wretched guilty Souls going out of the body as the Devil out of the Demoniack Mar. 9. renting, and taring, and wallowing, and foming, and raging, p. 171and roaring again. And were it not for the Atheiſm, ignorance, infidelity, blindneſs, hardneſs, ſearedneſs, flattery, and deluſions that are in the hearts of ſinners, ſuch inſtances would not be rare; but it would be a wonder how any ſinner could die in his ſin, and in his wits too, from ſuch a fear as this Believers are delivered. Though they may and do experience ſome meaſure of fears, yet God doth always ſupport with ſome degree of hope, that they let not go all their hold of the Covenant of God. In a word, Believers are ſo far victorious over the fear of death, that if they underſtand their caſe aright they have no cauſe to be afraid of death, & when they are, they are more afraid than hurt. The Hornet having loſt its ſting, may threaten with its humming noiſe, but cannot prick the fleſh: ſo death, where ſin is pardoned, which is itsſting, may afright with its horrid aſpect, but cannot hurt.

3. Death is overcome to Believers in that it cannot hold them by its power. It is indeed the unalterable Law of Heaven that all muſt die: And accordingly Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, and all the Patriarchs; Moſes and Samuel, and Iſaiah, and all the Prophets; Peter, and James, and John, and all the Apoſtles; yea, all the Saints from Adam to this generation are fallen aſleep, and ſhut up in their Graves. But ſhall the Grave always contain them? Are they there kept in an everlaſting Priſon under locks, and bars that cannot be opened? Did making the Sepulchre ſure, Sealing the ſtone, p. 172and ſetting a Watch forbid Chriſts Reſurrection? No, ſurely. I went down (ſaith Jonah, a Type of the Reſurrection.) to the bottoms of the Mountains the Earth with her bars was about me for ever; yet haſt thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God. Jon. 2. 6. And though after my skin worms deſtroy this body, yet in my fleſh ſhall I ſee God: whom I ſhall ſee for my ſelf, and mine eyes ſhall behold, and not another, though my reins be conſumed within me, ſaith Job. ch. 19. 26, 27. Though the Saints be deſcended to the depths of the ſea, and hid in the bowels of the Earth, and their bodies reſolved into the fartheſt duſt, and that duſt diſperſed to the four Winds, yet ſhall they be recovered and riſe again. The Sea ſhall not contain the dead that are in it, nor the Graves the dead that are in them. Their ſcattered atoms ſhall be recollected and reared up again to a goodly body. Behold, there ſhall be a ſhaking, and their dry bones ſhall come together, bone to his bone, and lo, the ſinews and the fleſh ſhall come up upon them, and the skin ſhall cover them above; And thus ſhall the Lord God ſay, Come from the four Winds, O breath, and breath upon theſe ſlain that they may live; and the breath ſhall come into them, and they ſhall live, and ſtand up upon their feet. Ezek. 37. 7, 8, 10. This is it which the Apoſtle aſſerts here throughout the Chapter, concluding that then ſhall be brought to paſs the ſaying that is written, Death is ſwallowed up in victory.

p. 173Object. But what more victory is this, than what unbelievers ſhall have, for they alſo ſhall riſe again?

Anſw. Yes, it is more beyond all compariſon. Joh. 5. 28, 29. All that are in the graves ſhall hear his voice, and ſhall come forth, they that have done good unto the Reſurrection of life; and they that have done evil to the Reſurrection of damnation. The wicked ſhall riſe, but from death Temporal to death Eternal, to die the ſecond death. This is Death's Victory over them. The Godly ſhall riſe from Death temporal to Life eternal, to die no more. This is the Saints Victory over Death.

4. Death is ſo overcome to Believers as to be made ſerviceable, and advantageous to them. And this is the fulneſs, and perfection of Victory, when the Enemy is brought in Subjection to ſerve the Conquerour. The Apoſtle in this Epiſtle reckons Death to be part of the Saints Inventory. ch. 3. 21, 22. All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos—or Life, or Death. And elſewhere he calleth it gain, Phil. 1. 21. to die is gain. What gain? Anſw. 1. In reference to the preſent ſtate. Death is, 1ſt. The end of Sin. With the body of Fleſh the body of Sin is alſo put off, from which St. Paul longed to be delivered. Rom. 7. 24. Here the p. 174beſt of Saints have their corruptions, infirmities, imperfections; but at Death the Spirits of juſt men are made perfect. Heb. 12. 23. 2ly. The end of all Sorrows. There are no Pains, or Diſeaſes, or Griefs, or Loſſes, or Croſſes, or Perſecutions in the Grave. Job. 3. 17, 18, 19. There the wicked ceaſe from troubling; and there the weary be at reſt. There the Priſoners reſt together; they hear not the voice of the Oppreſſor. The ſmall and great are there, and the Servant is free from his Maſter. 3. Reſt from Labours. It is no light burden of works that is upon a Chriſtians hand; no ſmall labour to diſcharge the duties of his general and particular Calling. What ſaith the Scripture? Labour, work, watch, run, ſtrive, wraſtle, fight, give diligence, endure hardneſs, preſs forward, &c. But bleſſed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they reſt from their labours. Rev. 14. 13. The day of the Saints Death is his happy Jubilee, when he is ſet at liberty and goeth out free from his Service. Thus is Death gain in reference to the preſence ſtate. 2. In reference to the future ſtate. for, 1ſt. As for the Soul, it being releaſed from the body is admitted into the Heavenly Jeruſalem, to an innumerable company of Angels, to the Spirits of juſt men made perfect, and to Jeſus the Mediator of the New Covenant. Heb. 12. This day, ſaith Chriſt, to a dying Saint, ſhalt thou be with me in Paradiſe. Luk. 23. 43. St. Paul deſires to depart that p. 175he might be with Chriſt which is far better. Phil. 1. 23. 2ly. As for the body, Death ſerves to refine it, for 1 Cor. 15. 50. This I ſay, that Fleſh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God: neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Theſe bodies which we now carry are ſo groſs and corruptible, they are not meet for an heavenly ſtate. They die that they may be changed. Phil. 3. 21. They are ſown in corruption to be raiſed in incorruption; ſown in diſhonour to be raiſed in Glory; ſown in weakneſs, to be raiſed in power; ſown Natural bodies, to be raiſed Spiritual. The old decayed houſe is taken down to be built anew; and theſe weak craſie bodies are laid in the Earth to riſe afreſh. This corruptible is corrupted, that it may put on incorruption, and this Mortal dieth that it may put on Immortality. Thus is this Enemy overcome, and made to ſerve as a mean and advantage to the Believers happineſs.

This indeed is a glorious Victory over a very mighty, and formidable Enemy: So great and wonderful, that it far exceeds the hope of Nature; Fleſh and Blood cannot believe the report thereof. Paul's diſcourſe of the Reſurrection from the dead ſeemed no other than babling to the Learned Philoſophers at Athens. Act. 17. 18. And was thought incredible by Feſtus, and Agrippa, and the Captains, and Principal men of Caeſarea. Act. 26. 8. Yea, the Reſurrection ſeemed as an idle Tale at firſt to the very Apoſtles. Luk. 24. 11. and they believed it not. p. 176So great is the Glory of this victory over Death, that even Angels come down from Heaven to make report of it, and to Celebrate the Triumph. Mar. 16. Luk. 24. Tell no more then of the mighty Acts of Nimrod, or Chedorlaomer, of Sennacherib, or Nebuchadnezzar, of Cyrus, or Alexander, or of all the Caeſars, or the reſt of thoſe great Names that have filled the world with their Fame, who have ſubdued Kingdoms, and led Nations Captive, and made many glorious Triumphs. Yea, let no mention be made of the Victories of Joſhua, or Baruk, or Gideon, or Jephtha, or Samſon, or Saul, or Jonathan, or David, or of all his worthies, who have Victoriouſly fought the Battles of the Lord againſt the Arms of fleſh, and whoſe Sword returned not empty from the blood of the ſlain. Behold, the greater Glory of this Victory in the Text, which darkneth the luſtre of all their Triumphs. Their Acts were mira, but this miraculum. Their Victories were wonders, but this a Miracle. The Gates of Hell, the power of Darkneſs, the King of Terrors (before whom all theſe Triumphing Victors at laſt fell) fallen at the feet of the Saints.

p. 177Queſt. But if Believers be thus victorious, and their Victory be ſo great and Glorious which you tell us, as indeed it is, How do they obtain it? Where lieth the great ſtrength of theſe Samſons? Are they not all Clay of the ſame lump with other men? Are they not the Sons of men? Do we not know their generation? Their Parents, Brethren, and Siſters, are they not with us? Whence then have theſe men theſe mighty Works?

Anſw. Truly they are ſo. They are of the ſame Nature with other men; promiſe no more than other; nay leſs as to ſenſe and reaſon, for they are not many wiſe after the fleſh, not many mighty, not many noble. 1 Cor. 1. 26. and therefore we may well ask the queſtion, How they overcome? The remaining Text will reſolve this. They get not the Victory by their own Sword, neither do their own Arm ſave them: But,

3. The Victory is given them by God through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

We will expreſs this in three particulars.

1. Jeſus Chriſt diſarmeth Death by his ſatiſfaction.

p. 1782. He deſtroyeth Death by his Reſurrection.

3. This Victory becomes the Believers by participation and communion with him.

1. Jeſus Chriſt diſarms Death by his Satiſfaction. The ſting of Death is ſin, ſaith the context, and the ſtrength of ſin is the Law, Sin being the Tranſgreſſion of a Righteous Law hath in it a fundamentall demerit and natural obligation to puniſhment, which is moreover Confirmed by the Laws threatning, Thou ſhalt die the Death. This is the ſting of Death wherewith it is armed; from the poyſon, power, and pain whereof none can be delivered, unleſs the obligation be voided by making ſatiſfaction. This being impoſſible to meer man, Jeſus Chriſt undertook it. To which purpoſe our ſins were tranſlated on him by imputation Iſa. 53. 6. All we like Sheep have gone aſtray, we have turned every on to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was made a Prieſt that he might offer Sacrifice to expiate this guilt and to Satisfie the Law. Heb. 5. 4, 5, 6. And no man taketh this honour unto himſelf, but he that is called of God as was Aaron. So alſo Chriſt glorified not himſelf to be made an high Prieſt, but he that ſaid unto him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee, and again. Thou art a Prieſt for ever, &c. The Sacrifice to be offered up by this Prieſt for this purpoſe muſt be an humane Soul and body; for the Subjection of mans Soul and body, to the curſe of the Law was the puniſhment p. 179which the Law exacted for mans ſin, and wherewith only it would be ſatisfied. This Soul and body did Chriſt aſſume. Jo…. 1. 14. The word was made fleſh. Hebs. 10. 5. When he cometh into the World he ſaieth. Sacrifice and offering thou wouldſt not, but a body haſt thou prepared me. For the Sanctification of this Sacrifice to be offered up to God, there muſt be an Altar. Math. 23. 19. The Altar Sanctifieth the gift which Altar was his divine nature. Heb. 9. 14. Througth the eternal Spirit he offered himſelf. And Joh. 17. 19. I ſanctifie my ſelf. I, as God, ſanctifie my ſelf as man. And being thus inſtructed he actually offered up himſelf to God Eph. 5. 2. Chriſt hath given himſelf for us an offering and a ſacrifice to God. He humbled himſelf and became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the croſs. Phil. 2. 8. and ſo was made a Curſe for us, as it is written, Curſed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Gal. 3. 13. By this did Chriſt ſatisfie the Law, expiate guilt, cancelled the hand writing, the obligation to puniſhment, appeaſed the wrath of God and obtained remiſſion of ſins. Eph. 1. 7. Thus did he finiſh tranſgreſſion, & make an end of ſins, thus he made reconciliation for iniquity, & brought in Everlaſting Righteouſneſs. Thus he diſarmed death by making ſatisfaction.

2. He deſtroyeth Death by his reſurrection. By his ſatisfaction he took away the power and efficacy of Death, but by his reſurrection he deſtroyed the very Being of death, actually as to himſelf, virtually as to believers. Rom. 6. p. 1809. Chriſt being raiſed from the dead dieth no more, Death hath no more dominion over him, and v. 10. For in that he died, he died unto ſin once. Ad delendum peccatum, ut ſemel in nihilum redigat peccatum in nobis, ſaith Beza, he died once for all utterly to blot out ſin in us but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God, Apud Deum or ſecundum Deum, vita caeleſti et immortali, a life worthy of God, an heavenly and immortal life. We read Joh. 11. 44. concerning Lazarus, that he that was dead came forth. There the power of Death was ſuſpended at preſent that it could not hold him, but the Being of Death remained, for he roſe to die again, and therefore he came forth bound hand and foot, with Grave-Clothes, and his face was bound about with a Napkin. But when Chriſt roſe, both the Power and the Being of Death ceaſed as to him, and therefore he left his Grave-Clothes behind him, and carryed nothing belonging to Death with him. Joh. 20. 6. 7. The riſing body of Chriſt was not only not dead, but not mortal. His body roſe a glorious body, a ſpiritual body, an heavenly body. Not only Death but mortality is ſwallowed up by the reſurrection of Chriſt. And as by the reſurrection of Chriſt the Being of Death was deſtroyed actually as to himſelf; ſo vertually to believers, for even as to them he hath aboliſhed Death, and brought life and immortality to light. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Saith Chriſt, Rev. 1. 18. I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, p. 181Amen, and have the keyes of Hell and Death. The keyes are the Enſign of power. Chriſt by his reſurrection hath obtained authority over Death, to quicken whom he pleaſeth, to ſhut and open the grave. And his promiſe is to exerciſe this power for his people. Joh. 6. 44. I will raiſe him up at the laſt day. Hoſ. 13. 14. I will ranſome them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Notwithſtanding all the improbabilities, yea impoſſibilities in Nature, yet he ſaith to them as to Cyrus, Iſa. 54. 2. I will go before thee and break in pieces the Gates of Braſs, and cut in ſunder the barrs of Iron. On which account St. Peter begins his Epiſtle, v. 3. with thankſgiving. Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, (i. e. hope of eternal life, as v. 4.) by the reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the Dead. It is obſervable what the Apoſtle ſaith here, he hath begotten us by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt. The Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt, hath a ſecret generating influence upon the Reſurrection of the Saints, who are therefore called by our Saviour. Luke. 20. 36. The Children of the Reſurrection, which leadeth to,

3. This Victory becomes the believers by participation, and Communion with Him. They communicate with him in the value of his ſatisfaction, and they communicate with him in the vertue of his Reſurrection.

p. 1821. They communicate with him in the value of his Satisfaction, whereby the ſting of Death is taken out as to them, to wit, the guilt of ſin done away. By the Covenant of Redemption between the Father and Chriſt, it was eternally agreed that Chriſt ſhould be their Surrogate, Subſtitute and Surety to undertake for them in their nature Joh. 10. 18. No man taketh my life from me, but I lay it down of my ſelf; there is Chriſts Conſent. This Commandment have I received of my Father; there's the Fathers Conſent. So Hebr. 10. 7. Then ſaid I, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Accordingly he became man and our ſurety, and thereby one with us in the Senſe of the Law, as the principal debtor and Surety are looked upon as one perſon in Law. Thus our debt became his debt, he was bound for us, and ſaith to his Father on our behalf as Judah to Joſeph on the behalf of Benjamin. Gen. 44. 32. 33. Thy Servant became Surety for the lad unto my Father—Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy Servant abide in ſtead of the lad a bondman to my Lord, And the puniſhment due to us became his. Iſa. 53. 4, 5. Surely he hath born our greifs. and carried our Sorrows—He was wounded for our tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our iniquities, &c. And thus by vertue of the ſame Suretyſhip, when he had undergone the puniſhment and Satisfied the Law, and taken his diſcharge which was teſtified by his Reſurrection, His Satisfaction becomes our Satisfaction and his diſcharge, our p. 183diſcharge. Jer. 23. 6. He is the Lord our Righteouſneſs. Gal. 3. 13. Chriſt hath redeemed us from the Curſe of the Law being made a Curſe for us. Rom. 8. 33, 34. Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? Who is he that Condemneth? It is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen again. No Law doth demand both of the principal and the Surety too. They are bound to pay disjunctively one or the other. Therefore when Chriſt was apprehended he ſaid to the Officers that took him, Joh. 18. 8. If ye ſeek me, let theſe (my diſciples) go their way.

2. They communicate with him in the vertue of his Reſurrection. Chriſt roſe from the dead not only as a ſurety diſcharged from priſon when he had paid the debt and thereby cancelling the obligation of the principal; but alſo as a vital head to quicken and raiſe all his body, the Church. For the ſame Spirit of life which is in Chriſt and quickened his dead body, is alſo in the church and in every particular member thereof, and will certainly quicken their dead bodies. Rom. 8. 11. If the Spirit of him that raiſed up Jeſus from the dead dwell in you; he that raiſed up Chriſt from the dead ſhall alſo quicken your mortal bodies by, or becauſe of his Spirit that dwelleth in you. He ſaith not your dead bodies, but your mortal bodies, to denote this quickening to be not only from death to life but from mortality to immortality, as was the reſurrection of Chriſt. He that eateth me, ſaith Chriſt, Joh. 6. 5, 7. p. 184that is, by faith, there is union with Chriſt, even he ſhall live by me, there is communion with Chriſt as neceſſarily conſequent. And what that life is, he expreſſeth four times in that chap. ver. 39, 40, 44, 54. I will raiſe him up at the laſt day. Hence Chriſt is ſaid to be our life. Col. 3. 4. and we are ſaid to be quickened with Chriſt. Col. 2. 13. and riſen with Chriſt, Eph. 2. 6. It is from the vertue of Chriſts Reſurrection that Job argueth to his own, Job. 19. 25, 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth, &c. And though after my skin worms deſtroy this body yet in my fleſh ſhall I ſee God. And this is the argument which the Apoſtles ſo induſtriouſly improves throughout this Chapter, aſſuring the Reſurrection of believers by the Reſurrection of Chriſt. Chriſt roſe as the firſt-fruits of them that ſleep, which ſanctifieth and aſſureth the whole harveſt. ver. 20. If the firſt Adam dying derived Death to all his natural ſeed, much more ſhall the ſecond Adam riſing communicate life to all his Spiritual ſeed▪ ver. 22. yea ſuch intimate and neceſſary connexion is there between the Reſurrection of Chriſt and the Reſurrection of believers, that the Apoſtle argueth both forward and backward from the one to the other. ver. 12, 13, 16. The Saints then ſhall one day feel the quickening influences of their vital head upon their dead bodies, and experimentally know the power of his Reſurrection Recovering them from the power of the grave to riſe and live with him for ever. Which is ſo certain that the p. 185Apoſtle ſpeakes of it as already done. Eph. 2▪ 6. He hath raiſed us up.

Applicat. 1. How ſad and woful is the Caſe of unbelievers! who have no ſhare in this Glorious and Bleſſed Victory, no intereſt in the ſatisfaction and Reſurrection of this Prince of life; but are left to ſhift for themſelves alone, all forlornly expoſed to the invincible Aſſaults of the King of Terrors. Do they not tremble at a diſtance, at the forethoughts▪ of that dark and diſmal hour, when this ſpoiling, deſtroying, abhorred and dreadful Enemy ſhall ſurprize them, and peremptorily require their precious life beyond all denial, or reſiſtance? But how much greater will their horror and amazement be at the near approach, and preſent appearance of this deadly Foe; when their eyes ſhall be awakened, and enlightned more clearly, and convincingly to ſee its power and Terror, and their heart more tender and ſenſible to feel the pain, and poyſon of its Mortal Sting! Can thine heart endure, or can thy hands be ſtrong in the day when thy Fleſh ſhall waſt, thy Spirits faint, thy Strength fail, the Sorrows of Death compaſs thee about, the pains of Hell take hold on thee, and Almighty wrath be renting thee in pieces like a Lion, and there is none to deliver thee? Surely, a guilty Conſcience, a curſing Law, an avenging Juſtice, and preſent Death are a weight more inſupportable than Talents of Lead, than Rocks and Mountains, enough to break the p. 186ſtouteſt heart, and will certainly damp the Courage of the moſt daring Sinner. Where ever dwelt the man, and what was his Name, who was ſo hardy and confident as not to be moved, yea, not to be ſtruck to the very heart at the ſight of the Pale Horſe coming amain upon him, the Name of whoſe Rider is Death, with Hell at his heels? What thinkeſt thou? O guilty Sinner! Is thy ſtate of ſin ſo little dangerous, that thou mayeſt ſecurely reſt in it? Is Death ſo weakly Armed, and art thou ſo ſtrongly fortified, that thou mayeſt bid defiance to its Aſſaults? Wilt thou ſin, and laugh, and ſleep, and drive away the Melancholy thoughts of thy approaching Terror by diverting to the Mirth, and Follies, and Vanities, and Pleaſures of a preſent Tranſitory and helpleſs World? Reflect upon thy heart and ways, review the number and Nature of thy multiplied and aggravated Tranſgreſſions throughout a long life, have patience to hear the Charge of thy veracious and faithful Conſcience, and ſeriouſly conſider with what a ſharp and poiſonous ſting thou haſt Armed Death againſt thine own Soul. Run not the deſperate hazard of being killed with Death. Who ever hardened himſelf againſt this Terror of the Lord, and fell not under it? The ſtouteſt hearted are ſpoiled, they have ſlept their ſleep, and none of the men of Might have found their hands. Wert thou Behemoth or Leviathan for ſtrength and Courage, were thy bones as ſtrong pieces of p. 187Braſs, or like Bars of Iron, were thy heart as firm as a ſtone, yea, as heart as a piece of the nether Milſtone, and thou a King among all the Children of pride, yet ſhall this ſword of the Lord approach thee and break thy bones; and this arrow of the Almighty, pierce thy heart, and the poyſon thereof ſhall Drink up thy ſpirit. Flatter not thy ſelf with vain hopes founded upon preſumption or infidelity. Think not the Lion to be painted fiercer then he is. When thou heareſt the menaces of Death, the words of the Curſe, bleſs not thy ſelf ſaying, I ſhall have peace.

Make no Covenant with Death, nor be at agreement with Hell: Leſt thou make lies thy refuge, and under falſhood hide thy ſelf; for thy Covenant with Death ſhall be diſannulled, and thy agreement with Hell ſhall not ſtand. Thou haſt but one method of ſafety, one courſe to take. Venture not alone in thy own ſtrength to meet and encounter with thy mortal foe. But Turn thee, Turn thee to the tents of the Conquerour, make haſt to liſt thy ſelf under the ſtandard, of the Prince of life. Thou haſt been told what is the ſting of Death, and where its ſtrength lieth. Do to it as the Philiſtines did to Sampſon. Cut off its locks, Pluck out its ſting. Break off thy ſins by repentance, and work away thy guilt by faith in the blood of the Lamb, that God may give thee Victory through Jeſus Chriſt.

2. How bleſſed and comfortable is the caſe of all true believers. There are but two evils can p. 188make a man miſerable, Sin and Death. The believer is freed from the Law of both. It is indeed the irreverſible Law and ordination of God, that Believers die as well as others, but withal It is their unſpeakable diſtinguiſhing priviledge, that their Death hath no ſting, no Curſe, no Victory over them. Their Lord Jeſus, the Captain of their Salvation who died for them, hath overcome Death, diſarmed Death, Sanctified Death, Sweetened Death, Subjected Death to them, and turned it to their advantage. Death indeed cometh after the ſame viſible manner upon the body of the Saint and of the ſinner, by Sword, or Famine, or Peſtilence, Conſumption and burning Feaver, with aches and pains, whereby the earthly houſe of their tabernacle is diſſolved—Saul and Jonathan were not divided in their Death. Ahab and Joſiah fall alike in the battle by the hand of the Archers. Stephen and Achan are both ſtoned. The good and bad thief give up the Ghoſt together upon their Croſs. But as to their Souls how vaſtly different are their Deaths in the diſpenſation of God! The one is Curſed, the other bleſſed in his Death: On dieth in his Sin, the other in the Lord: One departs under wrath, the other in peace: The Spirit of one is delivered to Satan, the Spirit of the other committed into the hands of God: The Soul of one carried by Devils into the place of torment, The Soul of the other carried by Angels into Abrahams boſome: The one paſſeth from death p. 189to death; The other paſſeth though death to Life. This is the bleſſedneſs of the dead which die in the Lord. This is the happy Victory of the Saint over Death, even in dying. Of which difference of the death of Saint and ſinner, the ſinner is ſometimes ſo convinced, that he cannot but wiſh with Balaam, Let me die the Death of the Righteous, and let my laſt end be like his. It is the Saints happineſs here, both living and dying, to have the Victory over death by faith, which is to them the evidence and preſenting of the future Reſurrection, not yet ſeen. But it will be much more their happineſs to have this Victory by ſenſe, as they ſhall in their glorious Reſurrection. Two things commend it.

1. It is the Victory over the laſt enemy. ver. 26. and ſo implieth Victory over all enemies: For if any remained, this were not the laſt. Sin, and world, and Devil, are all conquered when Death is conquered. Hold out then, O believing Soul, in thy Spiritual conflict. Be thou faithful unto Death, maintain thy Chriſtian Courage againſt Death, take hold of the ſtrength of Chriſt and overcome it, Thou ſhalt fight no mor, but there remains thee Everlaſting reſt.

2. It is the Victory of Chriſt, which the Saints have in communion with him, and ſo it is a Sure Victory. He that got it by his Almighty power will by the ſame power keep it, that it ſhall never be loſt, Chriſt being raiſed from the dead, dieth no more, and till Death can prevail over Chriſt it ſhall not prevail over p. 190the Chriſtian. Joh. 14. 19. Becauſe I live, ſaith Chriſt, ye ſhall live alſo.

3. Let Believers live and die as becomes thoſe that have the Victory, even above and beyond the fears of Death. If we have the ſame precious faith which this Apoſtle had, let us put on alſo the ſame confidence and courage, and in aſſurance of the Victory that Chriſt hath gotten for us, bid an holy defiance to this enemy. O Death where is thy ſting? O Grave where is thy Victory? Was it not the end of Chriſts conqueſt to deliver his Saints, not only from the hurt, but from the fear of Death? Would it not then be either a denial or a diſparagement of Chriſts Victory, for a Saint to live in bondage to the fear of Death? That Souldier muſt either be very ignorant, or very much a Coward who is afraid to meet his diſarmed, and conquered Enemy. Such is the weakneſs and Cowardiſe, and ought to be the ſhame of too many profeſſing Chriſtians. How far do we deſire to remove death from us? How ſad and damping are the very thoughts thereof to us? What reluctance have we againſt the very Name of Death? What trembling at the approach thereof! How do we ſay as they, Jer. 41. 8. Slay us not; for we have treaſures in the field, of wheat and of barley, and of Oil and of Honey. And with Hezekiah turn to the wall and weep ſore. But whence is all this? Is it not becauſe we look upon death only with an eye of nature, and not with the eye of faith? and that we look p. 191at our diſſolution more than at our reſurrection? Is it not becauſe of the darkneſs of our Evidence, and careleſſneſs of gaining better aſſurance of life eternal? Is it not from our inordinate affection to our worldly intereſt, our Carnal enjoyments and relations? Or is it not from the Conſcience of ſome indulged ſin, which we have not effectually mortified? Surely our Conſciences will tell the guilty, that ſome or all of theſe, are the cauſe of our averſeneſs, lothneſs and fears to die. But are theſe becoming profeſſing Chriſtians, and worthy of the faith of the Reſurrection? Oh for the honour of Chriſts Victory, for the commendation of Religion, for the Conviction of Sinners, for the comfort of our own ſouls, let us ſhake of theſe clogs, lay aſide theſe weights, and get above theſe ſlaviſh fears! Improve and encourage faith againſt ſenſe and carnal reaſon. Mortifie thy inordinate affections, hold a good Conſcience, Clear up thy intereſt in Chriſt, and in the Covenant of God, Have thy converſation in Heaven, and from thence look for the Saviour, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who ſhall change thy vile body that it may be faſhioned like unto his glorious body, and fear not. Art thou to encounter death, haſt thou apprehenſions of its approaches towards thee? And doth thy heart fail for fear hereof? Hear Chriſt rebuking thee as ſometimes he rebuked his diſciples, Why art thou fearful, thou of little faith? Let me ſay to thee for thy encouragement, if thou beeſt a p. 192Chriſtian indeed, as Deborah to Barak when he was to Encounter Siſera. Judg. 4. 14. Up, Is not the Lord gone out before thee? Hath not Chriſt diſarmed thy Enemy? and taken out its ſting? Hath not he overcome death, and opened the doors of the grave, and given thee the Victory? yea Doth not the Lord go out with thee, and ſtand by thee in this thy laſt conflict? And is not the preſence and aſſiſtance of Chriſt enough to encourage thee againſt fear? Iſa. 43. 1. 2. ſaith God to Jacob, Fear not, when thou paſſeſt through the waters, I will be with thee; and v. 5. Fear not, for I am with thee. In the ſtrength of which promiſe, ſay with David, Dſ. 23. 4. Though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow of Death, I will fear none evill, for thou art with me. Verily there is a power in faith. It is a Victorious grace. It engaged the ſtrength of him that raiſed up Jeſus from the dead. Live then by faith, and thou ſhalt die by faith, and overcome death by faith. Many witneſſes can ſet their ſeal to this as a certain truth, that a Chriſtian by the improvement of grace may, if not triumphanter yet, at leaſt patienter mori, may be content, if not rejoyce to die.

4. Add for a concluſion the Apoſtles application in the text, Thanks be to God. The Victory being gotten, being given, the triumph is to be made. We read (whether they be the words of God to the Church, or of the Church to God, the ſenſe is the ſame) Iſa. 26. 19. Thy p. 193dead men ſhall live, together with my dead body ſhall they ariſe: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs; which revives them in the ſpring, after a Killing winter, and the Earth ſhall caſt out the Dead, There's the Victory. What then? awake and ſing, ye that dwell in the duſt, There is the triumph. Thus, Pſ. 30. 3. O Lord, thou haſt brought up my Soul from the grave. then, ver. 12. To the end that my glory may ſing priſe to thee and not be ſilent: O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Thus again the Pſalmiſts ſings. Pſ. 118. 14, 15, 17. The The Lord is my ſtrength and Song: And is become my Salvation. The voice of rejoycing and Salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doth valiantly &c. Why? I ſhall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Victory is always matter of rejoycing, and ſhould reflect honour upon the Conquerour. We read, 1 Sam. 17. Goliah of Gath, that monſtrous and terrible Giant, cometh forth before his camp of Philiſtins and defieth the armies of Iſrael, who fled from him and were ſore afraid, when behold, David goeth out to meet him, and encounters him all alone, and with the Giants own ſword cuts off his head and diſcomfits all his hoſt. Did they not then come out of all cities of Iſrael. Chap. 18. 6, 7. ſinging and dancing with, Tabrets and joy and inſtruments of muſick, anſwering one another as they played, and ſaying, Saul hath ſlain his thouſands, and David his ten thouſands? What p. 194is it that we ſee? Is it the Viſion, Rev. 6. 8. Behold, a pale horſe, and the Name of him that ſits on him is Death, and Hell followeth with him, and power is given unto him to kill. And at this are we ſore afraid? Why? Look again, Rev. 19. 11. &c. I ſaw Heaven opened and behold a white horſe, and he that ſate upon him doth judge and make war in righteouſneſs, and he is clothed with a Veſture dipt in blood, and his Name is called The Word of God, He goeth forth Conquering and to Conquer. He takes Death and Hell and caſteth them into the lake of fire. Come then, let us Sing the Song of Moſes, Exod. 15. 1, 2, 3. The Lord is my ſtrength and Song; He is my God I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war; The Lord is his Name I will ſing unto the Lord; for he hath triumphed gloriouſly, the Horſe and his Rider hath he caſt into the fire. This Victory was won by Chriſt tis worn by us; It was dear to Chriſt, tis cheap to us; It coſt him labour. and pain, and ſorrow, and ſweat, and blood, but it is given to us; we overcome not by expence of our own blood, but by the blood of the Lamb. What then ſhall we render to the Lord? Shall we give him leſs than a Song, a Song of thankſgiving? eſpecially when we can give no more. O ye that are the redeemed of the Lord, whom he hath ranſomed from the power of the grave, ſend out your thoughts a while into the Land of Darkneſs, and take a more exact view of the triumphs and trophies of Death, which it hath p. 195erected over the Vanquiſhed Sons and Daughters of men, that have fallen under its power: Look into the priſon of the Grave where the bodies of the ſlain are holden under Chains of Darkneſs, reſerved to the execution of the Great day. Conſider the poyſon, venom, ſharpneſs and power of the deadly ſting that is entred into their Souls, ſtrengthened with all the plagues and Curſes that are writtten in the book of the Law of a righteous, avenging, and Almighty Judge; the worm of Conſcience gnawing the Soul as well as the worm of Corruption feeding on the body. Hark, what are the hideous Cryes, and woes, and wailings, the roarings and yellings, the gnaſhing of teeth, and bitter lamentations of the wretched priſoners captivated under the inſulting Enemy; and then recall your thoughts to the ſolemn meditation of this happy word, the glad tidings of the Glorious conqueſt and Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt, in fellowſhip with whom you are reſcued from the curſed power of this Death and Hell, and made heirs of the grace of life, of life eternal. And if you have any ſenſe of the Infinite love of God, and his compaſſions towards you; of the incomparable labours, and ſufferings of Jeſus Chriſt for you; of the unſpeakable miſery from whence you are redeemed, and the glorious Immortality to which you are intituled, and whereof you ſhall be poſſeſſed. Your meditations (methinks) cannot but iſſue with the Apoſtle's in this greatful, p. 196pathetick, and triumphant doxologie. Thanks be to God, who giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jeſu Chriſt.

FINIS.

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Parents Groans, for their wicked Children by Edward, Lawrence. M. A.

Troughtons apology for the, Nonconformiſts preaching.

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End of the text · John Fairfax, The True Dignity of Pauls Elder in the Life of Owen Stockton (1681)