Sermons Volume 2, 2 Corinthians 5 · Sermon 30
☞That which follows, being Printed Sermon XXX. is the Conclusion of this 29th Sermon.SERMON XXX.
2 Cor. 5.15.
—But to him that died for them, and rose again.
2. WE come to speak of the respect that is between this life and Christs resurrection.
I Answer; Christs Resurrection is,
1. An Example and Pattern of it.
2. A Pledge of it.
3. A Cause of it.
1. An example of it. There is great likeness and correspondence between Christs rising from the grave, and a Christians resurrection from the death of sin.
1. Christ died before he rose, and usually God killeth us before he maketh us alive. First we find the word a killing letter, before we find it a word of life. This is Gods method. Paul saith, Rom. 7.9. The commandment came, and sin revived, and I died. A man is broken in heart with an apprehension of sin, and Gods eternal wrath, before he is made alive by Christ, Gal. 2.19. I through the Law am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God. He must be himself a dead man. The Law must do the Law-work, before the Gospel doth the Gospel-work. So, Rom. 8.2. But the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin, and death. He is under the Law of death, and sin, as it convinceth of sin, and bindeth over to death.
2. The same Spirit of holiness, or power of God, that quickened Christ, quickeneth us. 'Tis said, Rom. 6.4. That as Christ was raised from the dead, by the Glory of the Father, even so should we be raised to newness of Life: That is, by his Glorious Power, 2 Cor. 13.4. For tho he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the Power of God. What is there said to be done by the Power of God, is said else where to be done by the Spirit of Sanctification, Rom. 1.4. And declared to be the Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. So are believers quickened by the same Spirit, Rom. 8.11. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Jesus from the dead, shall also quicken your Mortal Bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you: Christ will quicken us by his grace, as he did his own dead body. The same quickening Spirit, that is in Jesus Christ, doth also quicken us.
3. Again, Christ being raised from the dead, dyeth no more: As the Apostle telleth you, Rom. 6.9. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, dyeth no more: Death hath no more dominion over him. His Resurrection instated him in an Eternal Life, never more to come under the Power of Death again: He might have been said to be alive after Death, if he had performed but one single act of life, or lived only for a while, but he rose to an Immortal, Endless Life, a Life Co-eternal with the Father: So is a Christian put into an unchangeable state; sin hath no more dominion over him: Should not, shall not, as the Apostle proveth there, applying it to the Christian. When Christ telleth he is the Resurrection, and the Life, he asserts two things, John 11.25, 26. That he that believeth on him, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and shall never die? Tho formerly dead in sin, he shall live the life of grace, and when he liveth it once, shall never die Spiritually and Eternally; otherwise how shall we make good Christs Speech?
4. Christ in that he liveth, he liveth with God, and liveth unto God. Rom. 6.10. That is, with God, at his right hand: And to God, that is, referring all things to his Glory; for, Phil. 2.10, 11. all that Jesus Christ doth as Mediator, is to the Glory of God the Father. So a Christian liveth with God, & unto God. With God, not at his right hand now, but yet in a state of Communion with him, 1 John 1.3. And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. And he liveth to God, as in the Text: Not to our selves, but to him that died for us, and rose again: That is, no longer to our own lusts, and desires, nor for our own ease, profit, and honour, but according to the will, and for the service and honour of God, as more fully hereafter. Well then, that new state, into which Christ was inaugurated at his Resurrection, is a pattern, and example of our new spiritual life.
2. How 'tis a Pledge of it. Christ was our Common Person, and we make one Mystical Body with him, and therefore his resurrection and life, was not for his own person, and single self alone, but for all those that have interest in him. As he died, so he rose again in our name, and in our stead, as one that had satisfied the Justice of God, and procured all manner of grace for us, and as a Conquerour over all our Spiritual enemies. And therefore he is called the first fruits from the dead, 1 Cor. 15.20. As a little handful of the first fruits blessed the whole harvest, and sanctified it unto God. It blessed not the Darnel, and the Cockle, but blessed and sanctified the Corn. Christs quickening after death, was a sure pledge, that every one who in time belongeth to him shall in his time be quickened also; first Christ, and then they that are Christs, every one in their own order. We must not think that when Christ was raised, that it was no more than if Lazarus or any other single person was raised. No, his resurrection was in our name, therefore we are said to be raised with Christ, Col. 3.1. And not only so, but quickened together with Christ, Col. 2.13. And Eph. 2.4, 5. Though we were quickened a long time after Christs Resurrection, yet then was the pledge of it 'Twas agreed between God and Christ, that his Resurrection should be in effect ours: And in the moment of our regeneration the vertue of it should be communicated to us. The right was before saith to all the elect, but when faith is wrought, the right is applied by vertue of the covenant of Redemption; he rose in the name of all the redeemed, and they are counted to rise in him, and we are actually instated in this benefit, when converted to God.
3. 'Tis a cause of it. That Spirit of power, by which Christ was raised out of the grave, is the very efficient cause of our being raised, and quickened, or of our new birth; for the vertue purchased by Christs death is then applied to us by him, who is now alive, and liveth for evermore for that end and purpose. Therefore 'tis said, 1 Pet. 1.3. That God hath begotten us to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Christ. By vertue of that power which he now hath, as risen from the dead. And, Eph. 1.19, 20. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in Heavenly places. The same power worketh in believers, which wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead. The same power which wrought in and towards Christs exaltation is ingaged for Believers to work grace, and carry on the work of grace in them. Christ risen, and living in Heaven, is the Fountain of life in all new creatures. He is the great receptacle of grace, and sendeth it out by his Spirit: A vital influence to all such as belong to him. And therefore our life is made dependant upon his, John 14.19. Because I live ye shall live also. The life of believers is derived from Christs life, who is our quickening head, communicating vertue to all his members. There is a vertue in his life to quicken us, so that we do not live so much as Christ liveth in us, Gal. 2.20. I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. As the root in the branches, and the head in the members.
USE 1. Information. It teacheth us three things in point of use.
1. The Suitableness between Christ and Believers. Consider him as God, or Mediator As God; Christ hath life communicated to him by eternal Generation; so by Regeneration we are made partakers of the Divine Nature. As Mediator he subsists in his life, as man by vertue of the personal union with the God-head. So do we live by vertue of the mystical inhabitation or union with Christ, by his Spirit; for our spiritual life floweth from the gracious presence of God in us, by his Spirit. Christ as man had first a frail life, subject to hunger, cold, and sufferings; so have believers a Spiritual life consistent with many weaknesses, and infirmities. But now Christ liveth gloriously at the Fathers right hand; so we shall one day bear the Image of the Heavenly, and be one day freed from all weaknesses; thus are we conformed unto Christ, and partake of the same life he doth.
2. It informeth us in what way this life is conveyed, and continued to us: By Vertue of Christs death, and resurrection, by the Spirit through faith, his death is at the bottom of it; for he died, that we should live together with him, 1 Thes. 5.10. Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. His resurrection is the pattern, pledge, and cause of it. For, Rom. 5.10. If we were reconciled by his death, much more being reconciled shall we be saved by his life. After he had rescued us from the power and danger of our sins, by his rising from the dead he is in a greater capacity to send out that Spirit, by which he was raised to raise us up to a new life. Then the Spirit is the Immediate worker of it, for Christ maketh his first entry, and dwelleth in the hearts of believers by his Spirit; for we are renewed and born again by the Spirit, John 3.5. That which is born of Flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Without which we are not capable of it. The Spirit worketh Faith, and then there is an habitation fit for Christ in the Soul, Eph. 3.17. That he may dwell in your hearts by faith. Then he liveth in us, as the head in the members. Col. 2.19. And the root in the branches, John 15 1. 'Tis by faith that the union is compleated, John 1.12. To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God. And then a vertue and power floweth from this union to inable us to do those things, which are spiritually good, and acceptable to God. which is nothing but that which we call life. Without him we can do nothing▪ John 15.5. With him, and by him, all things, Phil. 4.13. I can do all things, through Christ which strengthneth me. Namely by the influence of his Spirit received by faith.
3. It informeth us. 'Tis not enough to believe that Christ died for you, unless also you permit Christ to live in you. 'Tis not enough for your faith, 'tis not enough for your love, the Apostle mentions both, and we must look after both: As to have our old offences expiated, so to live a new life in Christ, Rom. 6.5. For if we have been planted together into the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. We are branches of that tree whereof Christ is the root. We must have communion with Christ, living as well as with Christ dying, and not only freed from the damning power of sin, but quickened to a new life.
Use 2. is exhortation; to press you to several duties.
1. To believe that there is such a life. 'Tis matter of faith; for when Christ had said, John 11.26. Whosoever liveth, and believeth in me shall never die, he presently addeth, Beleivest thou this? Few mind, and regard it. The general faith concerning life by Christ must go before the special application. Besides, 'tis an hidden thing; your life is hidden with Christ in God, Col. 3.3. 'Tis not visible to sense; And invisible things are only seen by faith. 'Tis hidden from sense, and therefore it must be believed. 'Tis hidden from the carnal World, as colours are from a blind man, because they have no eyes to see it. The natural man cannot see things that must be spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2.14. Besides, the Spiritual life is hidden under the natural, Gal. 2.20. The life that I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. They live in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh; 'tis a life within a life; the Spiritual life is nothing else but the natural life sublimated, and over-ruled to higher and nobler ends; spiritual men eat, and drink, and sleep, and trade, and marry, & give in Marriage, as others do, for they have not divested themselves of the interests and concernments of flesh and blood; but all these things are governed by grace, and are carried on to holy and eternal ends. Besides, 'tis hidden, because there is upon it the vail, and covering of afflictions, and outward meanness, and a basement as it was said of some, of whom the World was not worthy, that they wandred about in sheep-skins, and Goat-skins, Heb. 11.37, 38. Who would think so much worth, should lye under such a base outside? Their glory is darkened, and obscured by their condition. Besides too, this life is often hidden by reproaches, and censures, & calumnies; the people of God are represented as strange sort of people unto the World, 2 Cor. 6.8. As deceivers, and yet true. They are reputed as a company of hypocrites and dissemblers; all their experiences questioned and scoffed at; prophane and wanton wits will be spitting out their venom in every age, and Gods people will be Judged according to men in the flesh, though they live to God in the Spirit, 1 Pet. 4.6. God permitteth it; reproach is the soil and dung, whereby he maketh his heritage fruitful; but yet this is an hiding and disguising the Spiritual life. Lastly 'Tis hidden under manifold weaknesses, and infirmities; the best have their blemishes and the most of Christians shew forth too much of Adam, and too little of Jesus, and so the Spiritual life is carryed on darkly, and in a riddle. Though the old man of corruption doth not bear sway in their hearts, to command, direct, and order all their actions, as formerly it did; yet sin is not wholly gone; they feel a Law warring in their members, Rom. 7.33. And 'tis not only warring, but sometimes prevailing, that they themselves can feel little of the holy life. There are some question and life of grace others scorn and scoff at it, yet believe it, for 'tis the great truth revealed in the Scriptures, and 'tis in some measure felt by sense; yea the rays of this hidden and rejected life are often discovered to the World. For there are some who by their practices condemn the World, live in counter-motion to the corrupt sort of men, walk as those that have another Spirit than the Spirit of the World, 1 Cor. 2.12. and as those that look for an happiness else where. Therefore believe that there is such a life.
2. Value and esteem it according to its worth and excellency: I mean, with a practical esteem, as Paul doth, counting all things but dung and dross in comparison of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. What would he know in him? Phil. 3.10. That I may know him, and the power of his Resurrection. Or the vertue of raising him out of sin to the life of grace. Oh that is an excellent thing indeed. 'Tis more to be advanced to this life, than to the highest honour in the World. This is to live in God, to God, to have miracles of grace wrought in us every day. 'Tis the divine power that giveth us all things that pertain to life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1.3. Not begun, nor carryed on, without a daily miracle, or a work exceeding the power of nature, or the force of the creature; life ennobleth all things; a living dog is better then a dead Lion; to be alive to God, when others are dead in sin, what a great priviledge is that?
3. Deal with Christ about it. Come to him, he purchased it by his death, John 6.51. This is my flesh, which I have given for the life of the World. To God in sacrifice, to us for food. Look upon him as one that is possessed of the fulness of the Spirit, to work it in all those, that come to God by him, Heb. 7.25. He is able to save to the uttermost all those that come to God by him, for he liveth for ever to make intercession for them: That is, penitent believers; for by faith and repentance we come to God by Christ. He is angry that we will not come to him for this benefit, John 5.40. Ye will not come to me, that ye may have life. If you have a pressing need, why should you keep away from him? That's his Quarrel against us, that we will not make use of him for this benefit. He is best pleased, when we have most of it, John 10.10. I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly. He would have us not only living Christians, but lively. He hath appointed Ordinances to convey it to us. The word, Isa. 55.3. Hear, and your Souls shall shall live. The Sacraments, Psa. 22.26. The meek shall eat, and be satisfied, they shall praise the Lord that seek him, your heart shall live for ever. Prayer, that we cry earnestly, and express our desires of this benefit, Psa. 36.9. For with thee is the fountain of life, in thy light shall we see light David often calleth upon God, as the God of his life. Well, when we go to God he remitteth us to Christ, Christ to the Spirit, and the Spirit to the Ordinances; there we should observe his drawings, and obey his sanctifying motions, when he saith, Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light, Eph. 5.14. When more awakned than at another time.
4 When we have this life, let us Improve it, and act grace in all holy obedience unto God, Eph. 5.25. If we live in the Spirit let us walk in the Spirit: If partakers of the new life of grace we must shew it in our conversations, for newness of heart is seen in newness of life.
USE 3. is to put us upon self reflection and self examination. Have we a new life communicated to us?
1. If it be so, then there is a great change wrought in us. 'Tis said of Christ he was dead, and is alive, Rev. 1.18. To him we are conformed, Luke 15.24. This my Son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. So, Eph. 2.1. You that were sometimes dead in trespasses and sins, yet now hath he quickned. Surely when a man is translated from death to life, that should be a sensible change, as if another Soul dwelt in the same body; he is another man to God, hath holy breathings after him, delights frequently to converse with him in prayer, Acts 9.11. Arise, and go into the street called straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one Saul of Tarsus, for behold he prayeth. And Zach. 12.10. I will pour upon the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and supplication. He hath a child-like love to God as a Father, Gal. 4 6. And because ye are Sons, he hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your heart, crying Abba Father. Have a Child-like reverence to him, Eph. 5.1. Be ye followers of God as dear Children. Illustrate it by that, Jer. 35.6. When they set pots of Wine before them, to drink, we dare not; Jonadab our Father commanded us saying, ye shall drink no Wine. And a Child-like dependance upon him, Matth. 6.32. Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. A Child-like hope from him. 1 Pet. 1.3. Who hath begotten us to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Zeal for him, 2 Cor. 5.10. Knowing the terrour of the Lord we perswade men. He is another man to his neighbour, he carrieth it justly and righteously to all, both as to person, name, and estate, and this not by compulsion of conscience, but inclination of heart, which the Scripture expresseth by loving our neighbour as our selves, seeking their good as our own, rejoycing in their good as our own, mourning for their evil as our own; such a Justice as groweth out of love, Rom. 13 8. Owe no man any thing but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law. But to our fellow Saints, and everlasting companions, a Christ-like love, 2 Pet. 1.7. Add to Godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity: Another man in his special relations, Philem. 11. Which in times past was unprofitable, but now profi…able to thee and me. That's the sphere of our activity. In the government of himself, he doth exercise a greater command over his passions, and affections, Gal. 5.24. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof: Alloweth no bosom sin, Psa. 18.23. I was upright before thee, and kept my self from mine iniquity. And still a constant carefulness to please God, Heb. 13.18. For we trust we have a good conscience in all things, willing to live honestly.
2. If so, there will be a solemn dedication of our selves to God, Rom. 6.13. But yield your selves to God, as those that are alive from the dead. The reason is, because the great effect of grace is a tendency towards God, and that tendency produceth a setting apart of our selves for Gods use and service, and the reality of this is seen in using our selves for God.
3. Where there is life there will be vital operations. For life is active and stirring, it cannot be hidden, but will bewray its self, in all that we do, though not at all times in a like measure; our prayers will be the prayers of a living man, our conferences and discourses such as come from those that have life in them; our whole Service of God such as hath warmth and zeal in it, Jam. 5 16. The fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man. And, Rom. 12.11. Not sloathful in business, fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord. Our addresses to God such as become feeling of wants, an appetite after, and favour of Spiritual things. And if Christians do not feel this life (for sometimes 'tis weak and obstructed) they cannot be satisfied, nor rest in this frame; when dull of hearing, or Cold in prayer, they rowse up, and stir up themselves, Isa. 64.7. There is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee. What is wanting in fervour, is made up in sense, and feeling and bemoaning their condition, so that the heart is alive, because 'tis sensible of its deadness, living, though not lively; but the chief note is a sincere desire to please, honour, and glorify God, and that by vertue of Christs Resurrection, Christians obtain the grace of a new life.