A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Part 1 · Chapter 35

A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament · Part 1 · Chapter 35

p. 259CHAP. XXXV. Of Chriſt's Reſurrection.

p. 260HAving diſcourſed upon, and diſpatched the Burial of Chriſt (which was the loweſt ſtep of his ſtate of Humiliation, and the very turning ſtep as before, ſo he deſcended not into Hell, into the place of the Damned, but only into the Grave, for the Horrour of Hell, had been before upon him, both in his Agony and on the Croſs, in the three hours Darkneſs, &c.) now come we to ſpeak of his ſtate of Exaltation, 'tis ſaid, [Him hath God Exalted, &c.] Phil. 2.7, 8. The Degrees whereof be four. Firſt, His Reſurrection. Secondly, His Aſcenſion. Thirdly, His ſitting down at the Right Hand of God. And Fourthly, His Interceſſion there for us till he come to Judgment.

Firſt, of the Firſt, His Reſurrection. In the General, this Excellent Truth Ariſes from the Connexion of theſe two States, that as Chriſt had his time of Humiliation, and then his time of Exaltation, ſo alſo have Chriſtians both in a Literal and in a Myſtical ſenſe, a time of ſcattering and of caſting down, and a time of Gathering and of Liſting up, Job 22.29. There is a time for all things, Eccleſ. 3.1, 2, 3, to 9. and theſe ſeeming caſualties and contingencies to Man are all over-ruled, and ordered by the Wiſdom and Providence of the only Wiſe God. He hath ſet the one over againſt the other, Eccleſ. 7.14. that we may not ſurfeit of the one, nor deſpond in the other, as the Church has her time of Burial, ſo ſhe ſhall of her. Reſurrection, Iſa. 55. ver. 7.8. More particularly of Chriſt's Reſurrection, which hath alſo theſe three Grand Remarks. (1.) Its Antecedents. (2.) Its Concomitants. And (3.) Its Conſequents and the effects thereof.

The Firſt Grand Remark is, The Antecedents of it, the firſt whereof was the terrible Earth quake. This is this ſecond time that the Earth paid her Homage to her Lord and Creator, as before at Chriſt's Death, Mat. 27.51, 52. ſo now again at his Reſurrection, Mat. 28.2. The former Earth quake was to declare what power there was in his Death (though it ſeemed to be nothing elſe but weakneſs) and ſo diſtinguiſh the extraordinary vertue of it. While mighty Monarchs do live, they may do great matters, but when they die, all their might dieth with them, they can then do nothing, they cannot command the Clouds to cover the Face of the Firmament, the Earth trembles not, the Stones ſtir not, the Graves open not at their Deaths, as all theſe did at the Death of Chriſt, for All Power in Heaven and Earth was given to him, Mat. 11.27. & 28.18. And He hath the Keys of Hell and Death, Rev. 1.18. So that Death had not taken away any of the Power of Chriſt, ſeeing, when he gave up the Ghoſt he could cauſe the Earth to ſhake, Rocks to Rend (as well as the Vail) and Graves to open: But now when this Lord of Heaven and Earth, had lain three nights and three days in the Bowels of the Earth, there was greater cauſe of the Earth's Trembling again, no wonder if there were ſtrange Tormina and Horrible Concuſſions in her Belly by the Almighty Power of her Creator, whom ſhe had now incloſed. Neither Death nor the Grave had abated or diminiſhed the leaſt part of the Power of Chriſt. But he ſwallows up both theſe (while they ſwallowed up him) in Victory. 1 Cor. 15.54.55. This ſhould teach us (poor lumps of Earth) to tremble at his Preſence, eſpecially at our Keeping Chriſt down as buried in our Earthly Hearts, when he hath been Riſing in our Hearts by the Motions of his Spirit, and ſtill we labour to ſuppreſs him, and keep him at under. Did the Dumb-Earth Tremble for keeping Chriſt under but three days, How much more we for ſo doing, not only for three, but for many days, yea many years.

The Second Antecedent is, The Apparition and Operation of an Angel: Thoſe cruel Kill Chriſts thought it not enough to have Chriſt buried in a Grave, and a great Stone rolled upon the Grave's Mouth, but to keep him ſure in his Sepulchre, they put the Magiſtrate's Seal upon the Stone, and ſet a guard of Souldiers to watch it. Notwithſtanding all thoſe projects for ſecuring their purpoſe, and keeping him down in the Tomb. The Lord ſends an Angel to Miniſter unto Chriſt the Lord of Angels, this Angel rolls away the Stone, frights away the Souldiers, and comforts the Good Women, who came to ſee the Sepulchre. So fooliſh an undertaking it is either in Men or Devils to fight againſt God, the Church is called Chriſt Myſtical; 1 Cor. 12.12. her Adverſaries may think they have made ſure work of her, cut her down, caſt her p. 261into a Grave, and roll'd a great Stone upon the Mouth of it. ſo that they are Cock ſure, Religion ſhall never be able to riſe any more. Therefore they rejoice together with mad Merriments, and ſend gifts one to another, Rev. 11.10, 13. yet for all this oppoſition, ſo ſure as Iſrael came out of the Thraldom of Egypt, the Jews out of the Bondage of Babylon, and Chriſt out of his confinement in the Grave, ſo ſure ſhall his Church and Goſpel riſe again, maugre the Malice of Men and Devils, though the great Gates of Hell lay upon it, yet ſhall not prevail againſt it, Mat. 16.18. This burdenſome Stone will break their backs that would lift the Church out of her place. Zech. 12.3. and no Weapon that is formed againſt Sion ſhall proſper, Iſa. 54.17. And though the Buſh may be burning, yet is it not conſumed. Exod. 3.2.3. for the Good Will of God is in the midſt of the Buſh, Deut. 33.16 either to conſolidate the boughs, or to reſtrain the flames, or both. The Good Will of God, and a Flame of Fire from Man may conſiſt together in the ſame ſubject. This Text [Behold there was an Earthquake, for the Angel of the Lord deſcended from Heaven, and Rolled back the Stone from the Door, and ſat upon it,] Mat. 28.2. may ſerve to comfort us ſundry ways if well conſidered.

As 1ſt, Suppoſe we have not an Holy Man on Earth to Roll away the Stone, and raiſe us up with Salvation (for it may be with us as with them, Jer. 5.1. where not one Man was found to ſtand in the Gap) yet hath God an Holy Angel in Heaven to ſend down to ſave us, as he did Lot out of Sodom (the Angel took Lot by one Hand, and his Wife by the other, and led them from the deſtroying Flames) as he did Hezekiah from Senacherib's Army (the Angel ſmote an hundred fourſcore and five thouſand of them. As he did Daniel in the Den of Lions (the Angel ſhut up their Mouths, &c.) and as he did Peter out of Priſon, Acts 12. God ſent his Angel (at the Church's Prayer for Peter). who brought him forth and ſet him in ſafety. And ſhould not God ſend his Angel now, yet hath he promiſed that his own Arm ſhould bring Salvation, when neither the Arm of a Man can, or of an Angel doth it, Iſa. 51.18.59, 16. & 63.5.

2dly, May we be but found in Union with Chriſt, then are we in League with Angels, and that Angel which kept fallen Adam from returning into Paradiſe, with a drawn Sword in his Hand, ſhall be Reconciled to thoſe that are renewed by the Second Adam, and all the Angels ſhall be imployed to Roll away the Tomb-ſtones of the Saints, and to remove the Mould that is laid upon their Bodies or Bones, and will gather them from all the quarters of the World, Mat. 24.31. and ſhall hand them into a better Paradiſe than that which Adam loſt.

3dly, God makes his own Uſe, and Works his own Glorious ends, by all ſorts of his Creatures according to his own pleaſure. He makes uſe of wretched Miſcreants to Crucifie Chriſt, of two good Men (Joſeph and Nicodemus) to Bury him, and of an Angel to Roll away the Stone at his Reſurrection. The only Wiſe God Acts ſeveral Ways by ſeveral Inſtruments, and all according to the Counſel of his own Will.

The Third Antecedent was the Approach of Holy Women to ſee into the Sepulchre, and Imbalm Chriſt's Body with ſweet Odours, probably not knowing that Joſeph and Nicodemus had done it before them, or however being Ignorant, that God would not ſuffer his Holy One to ſee Corruption: Theſe Women Matthew names Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary, the Wife of Cleophas, the Mother of James the leſs and Joſes, and Siſter to the Virgin Mary: Mark adds Salome to the two, and Luke adds Joanna, but John names Mary Magdalen only, as being the moſt notable, the ringleader of the reſt, and having the largeſt love to her Lord, (Luke 7.47.) She laid out the moſt Money for the Imbalming Ointments, yea moſt early ſtirring both to come from Bethany, and to call out the other Women from their Homes, &c. which might take up all the time betwixt its being very Dark, and the Riſing of the Sun, and which (well conſidered) will reconcile the differing terms, that the Evangeliſts expreſs the time of their coming to this Sepulchre-work▪ They came to ſee what the Phariſees had done to the Lord's Body the Day before, (hearing they had been tampering with Pilate, &c.) not knowing what was done, for as they were in the Way thither, their thoughts were only troubled about rolling away the Stone, but not a word of who ſhall remove the Watch, or who ſhall break open the Seat for us. When the Women came to the place, they find all thoſe Remora's (both thoſe thought on and thoſe not thought on) removed, the Watch was fled, being frighted away by the Earth-quake, fearing to be buried Alive (as Korah's Conſpirators were) while they watched the Buried Body of Chriſt leaſt his Diſciples ſhould ſteal it away. The Imperial Seal they find broken up, and the great Stone rolled from the Door by glittering p. 262and glorious Angel, whom they ſaw ſitting upon the Stone on the Right Hand of their entering in, and when they were entered into the Sepulchre they ſaw another Angel, both which told them, that the Lord was Riſen before they reached the place. &c. thus Matthew and Mark (who ſpeak but of one Angel) may be reconciled to Luke and John who ſpeak of two, the two other Evangeliſts thinking it enough to mention that principal Angel only (which ſome ſuppoſe to be Gabriel that brought the firſt Tidings of the birth of Chriſt, Luke 1.26. &c.) who ſpake moſt to theſe Women, and becauſe they aſſumed the Bodies of Young Men (ſeeing Spirits are Inviſible) therefore are they called ſo.

This Hiſtory teacheth theſe remarkable Myſteries.

1ſt, The Battel (ſaith Solomon) is not alway to the Strong. Here the weaker Sex Women excel the ſtronger Sex Men: Not only in ſo much as Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, Salome and Joanna ſtick cloſe to Chriſt Living and Dying, and when Dead too, ſo that (as 'tis ſaid of Boaz, Ruth 2.20.) they leſt not off to ſhew kindneſs to Chriſt both while he was Living and when he was Dead, whereas his Men-Diſciples became Cowards, and hid their Heads in Holes, not daring to own him now either Living or Dead: But alſo when thoſe deſperate Roman Souldiers ran away as Daſtards, being daunted at the terrour of the Earth-quake, and with the ſplendour of the Angel. Even then thoſe Holy Women dare ſtand it out, in their Attendence upon a Dead Saviour, and like true Daughters of Faithful Sarah. They are not afraid with any Amazement, 1 Pet. 3.6.

2dly, 'Tis Prudent Piety ſo to moderate our outward expreſſions of our Inward love to, and zeal for Chriſt, as not to neglect any known commanded moral Duty: Thus theſe Holy Women dare not neglect the ſanctifying of their Sabbath, but ſtayed till the Duties thereof were ended, before they came forth to Imbalm Chriſt's Body. They began not their Preparations till [in the end of the Sabbath,] Mat. 28.1. whereas thoſe Prieſts (who had ſo oft accuſed our Lord falſly for a breaker of the Sabbath) do not ſtick to do ſervile work on their Holy Sabbath-day, in going to Golgotha to make Chriſt's Sepulchre ſure, Sealing the Stone, and ſetting a Watch, Matth. 27.62, 66. And now on that Day they ſeemed to Dance upon his Grave, as thinking themſelves cock-ſure of him. Though▪ but a little before this, they pretended great Reſpect for the Sabbath, in not permitting the Bodies of Chriſt and of the Thieves to Hang on the Croſs upon that Day, for fear (for ſooth) of polluting it, John 19 31. &c. yet now themſelves do pollute it by doing this drudgery work.

3dly, So Gracious is our God, as he is pleaſed to paſs by our well-meant weakneſſes when he Heart is ſincere and upright, as in thoſe good Womens preparing ſweet Spices for Imbalming Chriſt's Body, which was a ſuperfluous zeal, and whereof there was no need, nor uſe, yet God Accepts of the Will for the Deed, and 'tis Recorded for their Eternal Honour.

Theſe Three Antecedents, are the Introduction of that moſt prodigious Act of Chriſt's Reſurrection, the preciſe Time or Hour, wherein he Roſe, is unknown (as Jerome ſaith) to all Men, for none of all the Evangeliſts make any mention of the moment thereof only they give an Account that Chriſt was Riſen before thoſe Holy Women were got to the Sepulchre, for when they entred in, they ſound not the Body of the Lord Jeſus, Luke 24.3. and the Angel told them (about the Riſing of the Sun) He is Riſen, he is not here. Mark 16.2, 6.9. & Mat. 28.6. So that it may undoubtedly be affirmed, that our Lord Roſe as theſe good Women were in their way to the Garden, the Sun of Righteouſneſs aroſe about the time when the Sun of the Firmament, was preparing to Riſe, and to come out of his Chamber, Mal. 4.2. Pſal. 19.5. And his Reſurrection muſt be in the midſt of the Earth-quake, which opened all obſtructions early in the Morning of the Firſt Day, and was a ſignal Symbol of Chriſt's Victory over the Devil, Death, Sin and the Grave: Some ſay, the Earth-quake was cauſed by the Deſcending Angel, who, when he came to ſit down upon the great Stone, he had rolled away from the Sepulchre, made the whole Earth to ſhake, like a mighty Man, when he ſits down upon a Bench, makes the whole room ſhake under him: But 'tis more probable the Deſcending of this Angel was not the Cauſe but the Conſequence of the Earth-quake, for Chriſt himſelf was the cauſe thereof, who, no ſooner began he to ſtir in the Grave, but he ſhakes the Foundations of the Earth, ſo that the Earth was in pain, the pangs of a Travelling Woman was upon her (as the word [foreign] Acts 2.24. ſignifies) till ſhe was delivered of him and the bonds, wherewith Death had bound him in the Grave, He, by the Power of his Divine Nature, more eaſily broke aſunder, than Sampſon (his Type) did the New Cords (wherewith the Philiſtins manacled him) p. 263when the Spirit of God came upon him: As this was a Triumphal Sign of Chriſt's Power over the Earth and Hell, and over all the Powers of both: So, that it may be demonſtrated He was Lord of Heaven (as well as of Earth and Hell) He commands the Holy Angels from thence to come and do him Homage, hence that Angel (which was the chief Speaker to the good Women) calls Chriſt [The Lord,] See the place where the Lord lay, Mat. 28.6. intimating that he was not only your Lord, the Lord of Saints, but alſo our Lord, the Lord of Angels too, therefore he ſtiles him [the Lord] Abſolutely, for at his Reſurrection did Chriſt begin his Kingdom, whereunto Angels as well as Saints do belong as Subjects, Ephiſ. 1.19, 20, 21, &c. Moreover the Syriack reading ſaith here, that this Gabriel called Chriſt [Our Lord] to the Women, which ſhews, that Chriſt was truly and properly God.

In this ſenſe ſome ſay, that the Angel (which rolled away the Stone) was ſent as an Officer to let his Lord out of Priſon without the Keepers conſent, and that he ſat down upon the Stone, in contempt of all the Weapons that the Souldiers (who watched the Sepulchre) held in their Hands, and which indeed did fall out of their Hands, at their woful ſight of this glorious Angel, who, though he appeared in Humane ſhape, did by his ſplendour appear to be more than a Mortal Man, the Majeſty of his Viſage ſhewed his mighty power, as his Habit did his Innocency and Holineſs, which raiſed an Heart quake in the Bodies of the Keepers, when the Earth-quake had been ſhaking the Pillars of the Earth. 'Tis no wonder, that the luſtre of this Angel did drive the Watchmen into the Paroxyſm of a ſhaking Ague, being now made ſenſible that they had been bearing Arms againſt Almighty God, and were now become obnoxious to his Irreſiſtible and Unavoidable Wrath: 'Tis a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living God, Heb. 10.31. How great muſt be the Majeſty of our Lord Jeſus (a beam whereof He put forth at his Transfiguration) when this Angel's (but our Lord's Servant's) Countenance was like Lightening, and his Garments white as Snow. And if the ſplendid Appearance of but one Holy Angel, did ſo Affright a company of Couragious Souldiers (ſuch as the Roman Armies, which had now Conquered the World, conſiſted of.) How then ſhall Wicked Men ſtand in Judgment at the laſt Day, when the Lord of Angels ſhall come with whole Myriads of glorious Angels to Judge the World. Oh the unſpeakable Akings and Quakings of Conſcience, and the unconceivable convulſions of Heart, that ſhall then ſeize upon and ſurprize them in that dreadful day, when the World is all of a light fire about their Ears, &c.

Nor may we think that Chriſt ſtood in need of this Angel to help him out of the Priſon of the Grave, by rolling away the Stone, for ſuch was the Almighty Power of his Divine Nature, that nothing could reſiſt his naked Nod, and thereby could as eaſily Ariſe out of the Grave, when the Stone was unrolled away, as he did Appear in the Room among his Diſciples when the Doors were ſhut, without any penetration of Diameters as the School-men phraſe it, John. 20.19, 26. but more of that in its place afterward.

This Uſhers in the 2d Grand Remark, concerning the Concomitants of Chriſt's Reſurrection, in reſpect of its Time, Manner, and Manifeſtation.

Firſt, The Time when, the preciſe point whereof is not recorded in Scripture (as is aboveſaid) but the Day (whereon it was) is by all the four Evangeliſts, to wit, the firſt day of the week, and not without intimation that it was Early in the Morning of that day, when the Earth-quake was, for as the Earth had ſhook at Chriſt's Paſſion, becauſe it could not bear his Suffering, ſo now again it ſhakes at his Reſurrection, to ſhew that it could not hinder his Riſing, and (as Hilary hath it) Hell it ſelf ſhaked alſo as much as the Earth did, becauſe he who was Lord of all, Acts 10.36. and had the Keys of Hell and Death, Roſe from the Dead in Deſpight of all the Infernal Spirits, who therefore, then fall into a trembling Fit, &c. As the time of Chriſt's Riſing from the Grave was [Oriente Sole] when the Sun was about Riſing, but yet did not appear in its ſhining luſtre above the Earth, for it was meet (according to the rule of Good Manners) that the Sun of Righteouſneſs (who was the Creator) ſhould have the preeminence of Riſing before the Sun of the Firmament (called Shemeſh which ſignifies but a Servant) it being but Chriſt's Creature. So in this ſenſe is our Lord called the Bright and Morning Star, Rev. 22.16, as well as the Day-Star, 2 Pet. 1.19. which ſhineth brighteſt of all the Stars, betwixt the Dawning of the Day and the Riſing of the Sun, betwixt thoſe two terms (it may well be ſuppoſed) our Saviour Aroſe from Mat. 28.1. Mark 16.1. Luke 24.1. & John 20.1. In all which four Quotations, no mention is found concerning the Hour (much leſs the Minute) of Chriſt's Riſing, it being enough for us to know the Day and the Morning of that Day: Wherein All the p. 264Evangeliſts do concur in their fourfold Teſtimonies, which is one above the threefold Cord, that cannot eaſily be broken.

Here Inquiry is made, Why our Lord roſe on the firſt day of the Week?

Anſwer, The Reaſons are, 1ſt, The ſame Day of the Week, that the firſt and old Creation began with, the ſame day muſt the ſecond and new Creation begin with alſo: Now this was the firſt day (of all the ſeven) which the Lord made, Pſal. 118.24. with ver. 22, 23. All which are applied to Chriſt and his Reſurrection, Acts 4.11. 1 Pet. 2.7, &c. As God on the firſt Day of the Week drew the World out of that confuſed Chaos, as well as out of that abhorred eſtate of nothing, and brought Light out of Darkneſs, Gen. 1.2, 3, 4, 5, &c. Even ſo did Chriſt (upon the ſame Day) draw his Redeemed People out of that horrible Tohu Va-Bohu or confuſion through the Fall, out of an eſtate worſe than nothing, and brought Life and Immortality to light by the Goſpel, 2 Tim. 1.10. By the Power of his Reſurrection, revealed therein.

The 2d Reaſon was, to transfer the Legal Sabbath of the Seventh Day, to the Evangelical on the Firſt Day, becauſe, (1.) The Old Creation-Sabbath could not hold congruity with this New Creation by Chriſt, who came now to Create New Heavens and a New Earth, ſo, as the former ſhould not be remembred, nor come into mind, Iſa. 65.17. 2 Pet. 3.13. Yea to make all things new, Rev. 21.5, &c. (2.) Nor could it ſeem any other than Incongruous that this Day of our Lord's Reſurrection, which began a New Kingdom, to wit, Chriſt's Kingdom of the Goſpel, ſhould paſs away into the Old Sabbath, that had for its Baſis or Foundation, the Remembrance of the World's Creation, as well as of Iſrael's Deliverance from Egypt, &c. And (3.) It muſt be judged very convenient, that a peculiar Sabbath ſhould be given to Chriſtians, that they might be diſtinguiſhed from the Jews, as they were by their peculiar Rites from the Pagans.

The 3d Reaſon was, We read in Scripture of four Terrible Earth-quakes, the firſt at the promulgation of the Law of Moſes, Exod. 19.18. the ſecond was at the Death of our Redeemer, the third was at his Reſurrection, and the fourth ſhall be at the Day of Judgment, when the Law (before given) ſhall then be required. How can it rationally be rejected, that this double Earth-quake at Chriſt's Death and Reſurrection (within three days each of other) to ſignifie the ſhaking of the whole World (in both Judaiſm and Paganiſm) by the Kingdom of the Goſpel, ſhould not ſhake the Sabbath from off its old foundation upon a new one, eſpecially conſidering how 'tis ſaid, [I will once more ſhake not only the Earth (as at the giving of the Law, Exod. 19.18. but alſo the Heavens, Hag. 2.6. Heb. 12.26. So that there ſhould be a wonderful change both in Church and State, and as the Earth-quake at Chriſt's Death did rend the Vail of the Jewiſh Temple from top to bottom, (whereby the Sabbath, ſo far as it was Jewiſh, as well as Sacrifices and Ceremonies were all unbottomed) ſo the Earth-quake at Chriſt's Reſurrection did ſhake it again unto, and upon a new bottom in reſpect of the Morality and Perpetuity of it. For 'tis more than probable that as the firſt famous Earth-quake at God's giving the Law by the Hand of Moſes, and by the Diſpoſition of Angels, (Acts 7.53. Gal. 3.19.) made ſuch a mighty change, and the laſt at Chriſt's judging the World by the Law and by the Goſpel too, will make the greateſt change of changes. Even of this preſent evil World into that to come. So the two middle Intervening famous Earth-quakes (eſpecially being ſo contiguous, touching almoſt each other as it were, and being within the ſpace of thirty ſix hours one of another, ſo that the Earth had got but a very ſhort reſt from the firſt Convulſion, but preſently it falls into another quaking fit) muſt neceſſaily produce this wonderful Alteration, ſeeing they did ſo nearly conjoin their influences to effect it.

The 4th Reaſon of this change of the Sabbath is, that Chriſt's Reſurrection was the firſt Degree or Step of his ſtate of Exaltation, whereby he became (from the form of a Servant) to be an Exalted Prince, Phil. 2.7, 8, 9. Acts 5.30, 31. The Lord of All, Acts 10 36. and Lord over All, Rom. 10.12. yea more particularly the Lord of the Sabbath, Mat. 12.8. Though the Son of God by his Incarnation became the Son of Man, yet did not this diminiſh his Divine Authority, as he was the Second Perſon of the God-head, and therefore wanted no power to maintain the Authority of the Fourth Command, and to appoint any one day of the ſeven according to the pleaſure of his Soveraign Will, for the obſervation of the Command touching Sabbath-Day Duties, ſeeing he is Lord even of the Sabbath, and the Moral neceſſity lies in this point, that one day of the ſeven muſt be ſanctified duly to the Lord, and ſure I am it only is the Soveraignty of this Lord of the Sabbath, to chuſe his own out p. 265of the ſeven days for his Service, that the Son may be honoured with the Religions Remembrance, and Holy obſervation of his firſt Reſurrection day, as the Father (till then) had been honoured with the like Devotion upon his firſt Reſting day, from the work of Creation, and he that thus honoureth not the Son (by deſpoiling him of his due day and duty) himſelf ſaith, Honours not the Father at all, John 5.23.

The 5th Reaſon is, The Emphaſis and Extraordinary Accent, that the Holy Scriptures put upon Chriſt's Reſurrection, as of higheſt Importance to Man's Salvation: For the Great Truth of Chriſt's Reſurrection (upon which the obſervation of our Lord's Day is grounded) the word of God gives greater confirmation of, than of other Goſpel Truths.

As 1ſt, 'Tis confirmed by Figures and Significant Types; to wit,

(1.) By Adam ſleeping while Eve (the Mother of all the Living) was formed ex ejus latere, and taken out of his ſide▪ then the Man awaked: So the Second Adam fell aſleep, and out of that large Wound in his ſide came forth the Church (the Mother of us all, Gal. 4.26.) then He, as God Man awakened.

(2d) By Iſaac, who was bound upon the Altar to be burnt as a Sacrifice, but freed from Death by the Angel, and reſtored to his Father, who reckoned God raiſed up his Son as from the Dead, Heb. 11.19. Accordingly it was with our Iſaac Jeſus, &c.

(3d) By Joſeph, who was ſhut up in Priſon, where the Iron entered into his Soul, Pſal. 105.18. as the old Tranſlation reads it, and then by a mighty hand of God he was reſtored to his Father with great Joy. So it was with Jeſus, this Joſeph our Brother, &c.

The 4th Figure was, By Samſon, whom the Philiſtines thought they had ſecured ſafe enough, when they had him incloſed in Gaza, a City with Walls and Gates, but he roſe up before it was day light, plucks up the Poſts and Gates of the City, and carried them away upon his Shoulders to the top of an Hill, Judges 16.3. Even ſo it was with our Saviour, whom the Chief Prieſts thought they had faſt enough in a ſealed and guarded Sepulchre. But he (ſtronger than Samſon) raiſed himſelf up, and by his Irreſiſtible power removed all obſtructions, carrying the Gates of Death and Hell (which could not prevail againſt him, Mat. 16.18.) away with him, &c.

The 5th Figure is by Jonah (a figure that Jeſus made of himſelf as to his Reſurrection) who was raiſed up out of the Whale's Belly, which Jonah calls the Belly of Hell, Jon. 2.2. So our Jeſus was raiſed out of the Belly of the Earth, his Grave and with Jonah was caſt upon dry ground, Mat. 12.40. and Preached after, &c. Theſe are the five figures or types of our Lord's Reſurrection, even in the Old Teſtament times, long before his Incarnation. This great truth of Chriſt's Reſurrection is ſecondly confirmed, as by thoſe aforeſaid Figures, ſo by Teſtimonies of two ſorts, 1. The foregoing, and 2. The following Teſtomines.

1ſt, The foregoing, ſuch as were long before Chriſt came into the World, as well as the Figures afore-related, and theſe were the Prophecies of our Lord's Reſurrection, ſuch as,

(1.) That of Moſes, Gen. 3.15. [The Seed of the Woman ſhall break the Serpent's Head,] to wit, in conquering Sin, Death, Hell and the Devil, which Chriſt could not have conquered, unleſs he roſe from the Dead.

(2.) That of David, Pſal. 16.10. [Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Sheol or Grave, nor ſuffer thine Holy one to ſee Corruption.] This David could not Prophecy concerning himſelf, becauſe (as the Apoſtle ſtrenuouſly argueth, Acts 13.35 36, 37.) David ſaw Corruption, but Chriſt the Son of David, did not ſo and therefore it was an Error in thoſe Good Women, who would have embalmed his Body to preſerve it from Corruption: The like arguing is found in Acts 2.29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36. All grounded on this Prophecy of David.

(3.) That of Iſaiah, Iſa. 53.12. [He ſhall divide the ſpoil with the Strong,] which the Father promiſes to the Son as a reward of his Sufferings: The Adjective [Strong] muſt be ſupplied with its Subſtantive thus, ſtrong Sin, ſtrong Death, ſtrong Grave, and ſtrong Devil: He ſhall ſpoil all principalities and powers, Col. 2.15. and take the ſpoil of all theſe as a Victorious Conquerour doth of his Conquered Enemies▪ (which he could not have done, had he not riſen again) this was the promiſed Wages for his performed Work, in the Great Service of the World's Redemption: He ſhall ſpoil all thoſe ſpoilers, and take their Booties and Treaſures from them, Luke 11.21, 22. yea and leave them empty of Prey.

(4.) That of Hoſea, [Oh Death I will be thy Plagues, Oh Grave I will be thy Deſtruction, &c.] Hoſ. 13.14. which the Apoſtle Interprets that the Death of Chriſt was the p. 266Death of Death, ſwallowing it up in Victory, and giving the Conqueſt over both Death and the Grave unto us by his Reſurrection, 1 Cor. 15.54, 56. Thus the Enigmatical Emblem of the Phenix in the Fable [Dum parit perit, & Dum perit parit,] while ſhe brings forth her Young, ſhe dies her ſelf, and when ſhe dies her ſelf, ſhe brings forth her Young. Thus did our dear Redeemer, by his own Death he brought Life to his Church and Children, and by his own Burial, he ſo ſwallowed up thoſe two ſwallowers up of him (Death and the Grave) that neither of them ſhould ſwallow us up forever, becauſe he is Riſen: When the Head riſeth, it raiſeth up gradually all its Members. There be more Prophecies in the other Prophets (as Dan. 9.24, &c.) might be added here, were it not too voluminous, &c.

The Second ſort of Teſtimonies were the following Signs (as the above-mentioned were the fore-going Prophecies) thoſe ſigns following Chriſt's Reſurrection were,

1ſt, The Earth quake, whereby the Earth declared a ſtronger power had Conquered it, and therefore ſhe muſt yield and vomit up Chriſt's Body out of her Belly, as being too hot a Mouthful, and too heavy a Belly-full for her to hold any longer, Acts 2.24. & John 16.21. and Acts 26.23.

The 2d Sign was. The great Stone rolled away by the Hand of a Mighty Angel, who, when he had ſo done, ſat down upon it as a Conquerour in deſpite of all the Chief-Prieſts Guards, who ran away as Cowards at his Appearance) yet ſtood he as a Porter before the Door of Chriſt's Sepulchre, to let in the Good Women, whoſe coming he waited for, while he ſat upon the Stone. Thus though our Lord's Death (while he ſuffered the puniſhment due to us for our ſins) was in its own nature notoriouſly ſhameful, yet his Reſurrection for our Juſtification was wonderfully glorious, being thus attended by this glorious Angel.

3dly, The empty Sepulchre. Thus the Angel ſaid to the Women, [He is not here, he is Riſen, come ſee the place where he lay,] Mat. 28.6, &c. Chriſt's Body after his Reſurrection retained the natural properties of a Body to be circum-ſcribed in one place at one time, the Scripture knoweth no Ubiquity of his Body, as the Doctrine of Tranſubſtantiation deviſeth. If his Body be Riſen out of the Grave, then 'tis not here in the Grave, ſaith the Angel, if ye will not believe him nor me, believe your own Eyes [come ſee an empty Sepulchre,] 'tis a ſufficient Argument to prove that Chriſt's Body is not preſent in ſuch or ſuch a place, when our ſenſes do not perceive it to be preſent, for thus the Angel argueth (otherwiſe than the Romaniſts for their Real Preſence) proving that Chriſt was not in the Sepulchre, becauſe he was Riſen out of it, and they ſaw he was not there, John believed Chriſt was not in the Tomb, becauſe he ſaw it empty, John 20.8.

4thly, The Grave-cloaths were left behind and in order, John 20.5, 6, 7. This the Evangeliſt mentions as a clear evidence of Chriſt's Reſurrection, and this alone (beſide other Arguments) were enough to detect that Damnable lye, which the Prieſts taught the Souldiers to tell, [Say ye, his Diſciples came by night and ſtole him away, while we ſlept, Mat. 28.13, 14, 15. how could a louder lye be well told even by the Father of Lies, for theſe following reaſons.

1ſt, If it were ſo, the Governour might juſtly ſay, you kept a good Watch the while, you ſhall all be ſlain, becauſe you were all aſleep.

2dly, If you all ſlept, who told you, his Diſciples ſtole him away?

3dly, But ſuppoſe the whole Guard of Souldiers were all ſleeping at once (which is Improbable enough) could they all be ſo faſt aſleep as none of them to be awaked, either by the great Stones rolling away, or at leaſt by the horrible Earth-quake?

4thly, Was it probable that Chriſt's few and fearful Diſciples ſhould now become ſo fool-hardy as to undertake this exploit in deſpite of the Guard of ſo many ſtout Roman Souldiers, but ſuppoſe all theſe Souldiers were faſt aſleep.

5thly, It muſt be concluded, that as this was more than thoſe timorous Diſciples (when they came out of their lurking Holes together) could expect, ſo they muſt make but little noiſe in accompliſhing this great work, that none of the Guard could hear their Actings to Accompliſh the ſtealth.

But 6thly, It had been more convenient for thoſe Diſciples, to have taken away the Body as they found it wrapped up in the Grave-cloaths, for they could not but be too fearful of the Souldiers (though all aſleep) as to take up ſo much time, in ſtripping off the Winding Sheet, and untying the Napkin that was about his Head, yea and in laying and leaving them all in good order. Notwithſtanding this ſix-fold unlikely-hood of this loud Lye, yet is this Grand Impoſture of the Prieſts (who had given Pilate ſome hint of it before, Mat. 27.64.) is commonly believed for a Truth among the p. 267Jews until this day, Mat. 28.15. They are given up to believe this groſs Lye, becauſe they received not the Truth in love, that they might be ſaved, 2 Theſ. 2.10. and thus the Chief Prieſts and Elders gave a large round ſum of Money (though they ſold the Saviour of the World for the Trifle of thirty pieces) to bribe that Nation into unbelief, among whom this moſt ſublime and vileſt piece of Knavery finds belief with Misbelievers.

The reſult of all this Diſcourſe is, That ſeeing 1ſt, Chriſt's Reſurrection hath ſo many famous and memorable Remarks, as all thoſe abovementioned, put upon it:

2dly. Seeing Chriſt came not out of his Grave, as Lazarus came out of his, [faſt bound about with his Grave cloaths,] and therefore Chriſt when he raiſed him from Death to Life) ſaid, [Looſe him, and let him go,] John 11.43, 44. He roſe up with his Hands, Feet, and Head bound faſt with thoſe bands of Death, becauſe he roſe not up as Victor or Conquerour, but roſe to die again, and remained bound above ground, until Chriſt commanded his releaſe: But Chriſt, as a Conquerour releaſeth himſelf, (having the power of laying down his Life, and taking it up again in his own hands, John 10.18.) and looſed off his own Grave cloaths, wherewith he was bound, laid them in that due order (mentioned in Scripture) and left them behind him in his Sepulchre, &c.

3dly, Seeing the Great Apoſtle, in relating his full Cheſt of comfort, wherewith he makes his challenge againſt all condemning Powers, Rom. 8.33, 34. He puts a moſt remarkable [Rather] upon the Head of Chriſt's Reſurrection, as the chiefeſt Box of all his other Spiritual Cordials.

4thly, Seeing Chriſt himſelf Hands in this very conſideration [I was dead, and am alive again,] as a Cordial to the Church of Smyrna, in a time when thoſe Aſian Churches were under ſome ſad Apoſtacy, as the Apoſtle Imports, ſaying, [All them of Aſia are turned from me,] 2 Tim. 1.15. and ſome of them had a name to Live and were Dead, Rev. 3.1. Hereupon Chriſt comes in with this ſeaſonable and ſuitable comfort, behold I, who was dead, but am alive again, Rev. 2.8. will make thee who art now in a dead and dedolent diſpoſition, to be alive again, and to become lively for God and Godlineſs: I am the firſt, and the luſt (ſaith Chriſt to ſweet ſmelling Smyrna) who out-live and out-laſt all mine and thine Adverſaries: Therefore ſhould we be oft ſearching in this Box that ſo abounds with comfort.

And the reſult (I ſay) of all theſe premiſes is, that therefore the Day of Chriſt's Reſurrection (having all theſe moſt eminent Remarks upon it) doth moſtly require the uppermoſt Room in our Remembrance above all other days. See more of this point in my Chriſtian Walk upon the Lord's Day. And more hereof here when we come to Chriſt's Manifeſtation.

Secondly, Having thus diſcourſed upon the time When, the next point is the manner How this Reſurrection of Chriſt was managed, wherein, conſider,

1ſt, By what Power Chriſt Roſe again? This was not done by any Extrinſick, Forreign, or Borrowed Power, as was the Reſurrection of Lazarus (ut Supra) but Chriſt Roſe again by his own Intrinſick, Innate, and Congenial Power, and that in deſpite of Death, Men and Devils: Becauſe he was the Son of God, ſo it was hot poſſible that any bands of Death or Devil could hold him down, Acts 2.24. and his riſing again after this manner, did declare-him to be no leſs than the Son of God, Rom. 1.4. Therefore if the manner of Chriſt's Riſing be more particularly inquired into: It muſt be Anſwered, that as the Angel of the Lord (whom ſome ſuppoſe to be the Son of God, who loved to be oft among the Sons of Men, long before his Incarnation, Prov. 8.30, 31.) did wonderfully in Manoah's Sacrifice, Judg. 13.18, 19. ſo undoubtedly our Lord herein did wonderfully; As our Lord died wonderfully in dying willingly, and not of coaction (though it was of neceſſity in reſpect of God's Immutable Decree, Acts 2.23. & 4.28.) therefore when he gave up the Ghoſt, he cried with a loud Voice, which ſhews (as is aboveſaid) that his Vital Spirits and Strength was not ſpent at that time, but he might have retained his Life longer, if he would, and thereupon the Centurion concluded him to be the Son of God, Mark 15 39. ſo and much more than ſo, muſt our Lord riſe again wonderfully, for his Reſurrection hath an Apoſtolical [rather] put upon it, Rom. 8.34. and this act above all other acts in his ſtate of Humiliation did declare him to be the Son of God, Rom. 1.4. It being the firſt ſtep of his ſtate of Exaltation. The Centurion did but ſuppoſe him to be ſo by the Miraculous Manner of his Death, but all the Saints are aſſured of it by the Miraculous Manner of his Reſurrection; which indeed was the more Miraculous, if we take it for granted that Chriſt conveyed his own ſelf-quickened Body, through the Great Grave ſtone that lay upon his Tomb. But ſome may object againſt this opinion, p. 268ſaying, [what need we grant this, ſeeing 'tis expreſly affirmed by the Evangeliſts, that the Angel of God rolled away the ſtone.

Anſwer, None of the Evangeliſts do ſay, that the Angel did this to let Chriſt out of the Sepulchre, for Chriſt was riſen indeed in the Earth-quake before the Stone was rolled away, and that great thing was done; not to let Chriſt out (who was gone already) but to let the Good Women in, to be the firſt Witneſſes of this great Truth of his Reſurrection, for ſo ſoon as the Angel had rolled away the Stone, he ſat down upon it, expecting the Women (who were now at hand, and were ſaying one to another, Who will roll away the Stone for us? Mark 16.3.) that he might be as Chriſt's Gentleman-Uſher to hand them into the empty Sepulchre: The Angel did not roll away the Stone out of any neceſſity our Lord had for its removal, in order to his own Reſurrection (for he by the Power of his Godhead could riſe without it) but it was from a neceſſity for the Good Women, without which they could not enter into the Sepulchre: It was only for Chriſt's honour to have ſuch an Heavenly Herald, for the firſt ſolemn Proclamation of his Glorious Reſurrection. Learn hence to cry with theſe Holy Women. (1.) Who will roll away the Stone of an Hard Heart. (2.) Of the Curſe of the Law, which was Writ in Tables of Stone, not only to ſhew its duration, but alſo our obduration. (3.) Of the Darkneſs of the Durus Sermo or Hard ſaying, John. 6.60. which we meet with here and there in Chriſt's Word, that needs an Interpreter. (4.) And Laſtly, Who ſhall roll away this Stone of Offence, for the Churches Inlargement, that in this Valley of Achor (or trouble) a door of hope may be opened: All theſe are only done by an Heavenly Hand.

But again it may be Objected; If the Angel rolled not away the Stone to let the Lord out of the Tomb, how could he get out? Did the Lord's Body penetrate and paſs through the Body of the Stone? A penetration of Diameters thus, is againſt all Rules of Philoſophy.

Anſ. 1ſt, This Queſtion may well be anſwered by asking other queſtions of the ſame Nature: This way of Anſwering is well warranted by our Lord's own Example, Mat. 21.23. &c. Mark 11.28, &c. & Luke 20.2, &c. when Aſſaulted with Cavillers, he doth Nodum Nodo Diſſipare, Untye one Knot with another, and Anſwers one Queſtion by Asking another, in ſtead of giving a direct Anſwer. So here, I ask (1.) How Chriſt paſſed through the Womb of that Virgin Woman (his Mother Mary) yet ſhe ſtill retained her Virginity? (2.) How he paſſed through the Doors which were ſhut, and ſtood in the midſt of the Room, where his Diſciples were Aſſembled? And (3.) How his Body paſſed through the Body of the Heavens (which ſome ſay are as ſolid as Braſs) at his Aſcenſion into Heaven?

The 2d Anſwer; If Chriſt in his ſtate of Humiliation (while his Fleſh was mortal) could miraculouſly make the fluid Waters to bear the weight of his ſolid Body, when he walketh upon the weak Waves of the Sea, as upon the firmeſt Pavement, then no doubt need be made of this now in his ſtate of Exaltation, but that he could by the ſame miraculous power make his now glorified Body to paſs through this great Stone? 'Twas a greater Work that Chriſt by his Creating Power wrought, when he did hang the Ponderous Body of the whole Earth upon nothing, Job. 26.7. Ponderibut librata ſuis. Hanging like a Ball in the midſt of the Thin Air, which compaſſeth it round about. Chriſt the Creator, John 1.3. did this Father: Jerom (who ſaid, the Manner of Chriſt's riſing is not revealed to any mortal, as before) yet ſaith in this point that Aſſuredly the Creature did yield to the Creator; though we know not the diſtinct manner how, Modern Divines ſay, it was by Rarefaction and Attenuation, for now he, being declared to be the Almighty Son of God, Rom. 1.4. might eaſily ratifie his own Body, or Attenuate and Dilate the great Stone, what cannot the Omnipotent Power of Chriſt the Creator do? Common experience demonſtrates that the Sun of the Firmament can pierce (in his Beams) through a Glaſs Window, &c: How much more may this Sun of Righteouſneſs (when Riſen in Power) make his glorified Body to paſs through a ſolid Stone, and that with as much eaſe, as our Mortal bodies do paſs through the Air or through Water, and none but Atheiſts do doubt that ſuch Bodies as are buried in an Iron Coffin, ſhall be made able to riſe through ſuch Coffins at the general Reſurrection: Undoubtedly ſuch is the Power of a Glorified Body that it may paſs through thoſe Bodies that are ſolid. Natural Philoſophy is no Rule for Super-natural Divinity: Chriſt's Divine Nature did effect this for his Humane.

The 3d Anſwer, Seeing the Romaniſts do miſimprove thoſe aforeſaid Motions for palliating their Doctrine of the Real Preſence, though to no real or convincing purpoſe (for Chriſt appeared in his own form viſibly to Mary Magdalen, &c but ſo he doth p. 269not in the Popiſh Maſs) therefore we ſay, that Chriſt by the mighty Divine Power (wherewith he raiſed up his Body, Epheſ. 1.19.) might raiſe up the Great Stone, open the Grave, and ſhut it again: This is the more probable, becauſe a Created Angel could open the Priſon-Doors (always of great ſtrength and weight) and ſhut them again with all ſafety (as if they had not been opened at all) for releaſing the Apoſtles, Acts 5.19, 23. and another Angel made the Iron-Gate to open on its own Accord for Peter's releaſe, Acts 12.7, 8, 9, 10. How much more might the Lord of Angels do this, as he came in among his Diſciples, when the Doors were ſhut, John 20.19. (no Doors can keep Chriſt out from his) which the Popiſh Doctor (diſputing with Mr. Robert Smith Martyr) urged to prove Chriſt's preſence in the Bread, becauſe he could paſs through the Doors to his Diſciples. But the Holy Martyr gave the Doting Doctor this ſmart Repartee, ſaying, [Although it be ſaid, that, when Chriſt came to his Diſciples, the Doors were ſhut; yet have I as much to prove, that the Doors opened at his coming, as you have (Mr. Doctor) to prove that he paſſed through the Door; I know (ſaith Job) thou canſt do every thing, Job 42.2.

2dly, As the Manner of Chriſt's Reſurrection was wonderful in reſpect of the Almighty Power, by which he raiſed himſelf, Epheſ. 1.19, 20. where we have a moſt emphatical heap of moſt Divine, and Significant words, to expreſs that which can never be fully expreſſed, no nor ſufficiently comprehended in any humane conceptions. A ſix-fold Gradation the Apoſtle uſeth, to ſhew what a prodigious power God putteth forth, in quickening the Heart by Faith (ſo that he uſeth more than a meer moral ſwaſion, contrary to the Arminian Aſſertion) even the ſame Almighty Power, that he put forth is raiſing his Son Chriſt from the Dead: So it was wonderful alſo in reſpect of its Singularity. Though Chriſt was not the firſt that was raiſed from the Dead, yet was he firſt that ever was raiſed up in ſo ſingular a manner, not only by his own Intrinſick Divine Power, but alſo by putting off his own Grave-cloths (wherewith Joſeph and Nicodemus had wrapped his dead Body, John 19.40.) and leaving them folded together, and laid in their proper places, behind him, John 20.7. we read of many others in Scripture, who were indeed raiſed up from Death to Life, both in the Old Teſtament and in the New. (1.). In the Old (omitting other Inſtances) the Man, whom the Iſraelites (in a fright) caſt into Eliſha's Sepulchre, to lie buried there, upon the touch of the Prophet's Bones, and the Dead Corpſe indeed revived and ſtood upon his feet, 2 Kin. 13.21. but we read not of any Power the Revived Man had to untye his own Winding-ſheet, or the Napkin that tyed up his fallen Chaps. (2.) In the New Teſtament we read of three dead perſons raiſed up to Life, one in the Chamber of Death, to wit, the Ruler's Daughter, as ſhe lay newly dead in the room of her dying Bed, Mat. 9.24, 25, &c. Another that had been dead ſome due time, and was carried forth upon a Bier, towards the place of his Burial, this was the Widow's Son, Luke 7. v. 12, 15. and a Third who had been Dead ſome time, and even buried four days, ſo upon the Borders of Putrefaction, namely Lazarus, John 11.39, 44. yet as none of theſe Three had any power to raiſe or revive themſelves, ſo nor to looſe off their own Bands (wherewith Death had bound them) when revived. As the Moral, or Myſtery of that one Inſtance in the Old Teſtament Hiſtory, was not only to ſignifie that double Spirit of Elijah which reſted upon the head of this his Succeſſour Eliſha (who prayed for a double portion thereof, 2 Kin. 2.9. and it was granted him, whereby he wrought ſixteen Miracles, whereas Elijah, his predeceſſor wrought but eight, and that while he was alive, but this raiſing up the Man to Life, was wrought by Eliſha even when he was dead, but alſo it was a double ſign of the vertue of the Death of Chriſt, whereby both that the old Church of the Iſrael of God ſhould be raiſed up from their preſent Dead eſtate, and thoſe dry Bones ſhould be made to live again, Ezek. 37.12, &c. And that the Saints of the new Goſpel Church ſhould be revived through a touch of Chriſt's Body by the way of Faith. So the Myſtery of the Hiſtory of thoſe three Inſtances in the New Teſtament may be this, to ſhew that Chriſt raiſeth up to Spiritual Life all ſorts of Sinners that are dead, dead in Sin, according to the ſeveral Degrees therein. The Pſalmiſt David moſt divinely denotes, there be three degrees of evil Perſons, evil Actions, and evil States or Conditions, Pſalm 1.1. where we have a moſt elegant climax, or gradation, going lower and lower towards Hell and Damnation. 1ſt, There is (1.) The Ungodly. (2.) The Sinners, and (3.) The Scornful Perſons. 2dly, As to Actions, there is, (1.) Walking, (2.) Standing, and (3.) Sitting, All theſe are worſe and worſe. So 3dly, As to States, there is, (1.) The Counſel of the Ungodly. (2.) The Way of Sinners, and (3.) The Seat of the Scornful, or the Chair of Peſtilence. All theſe were a deſcending lower p. 270and lower, and by every ſtep nigher the Mouth of the bottomleſs Pit. As it is worſe to be an Habitual Sinner, than to do an ungodly Act, and to ſtand (as reſolved) in an evil way, than only to walk or take a turn (which may have a return) in Evil Counſel. So 'tis worſt of all to ſit down in the Scorner's Seat, as the Obſtinate do, even hating to be Reformed, and refuſing to return, though God call and knock by the Hammer of his Word, and by the Hand of his Spirit, theſe ſeem to be given up to a Reprobate ſenſe. Thus alſo our Lord the Son of David (who was his Father and Figure) tells us of three ſorts of Sinners. 1. Such as ſtand Idle in the Market-place of the World, only till the Third Hour of their Lives. 2. Others till the Sixth and Ninth. And 3. Yet others till the Eleventh, where juſt expiring, Mat. 20.3, 5, 6. Chriſt calls and quickens dead Sinners at all theſe three tearms of time. 1. Such as are found newly dead in the Chamber of Sin, as Jairus's Daughter was found dead in the Houſe when Chriſt came to raiſe her up to life, Mat. 9. &c. So ſuch Sinners as are dead in ſin by conſent only: As Solomon's Tempted Youngſter to caſt in his lot of conſent with the Tempters, Prov. 1.10, 13. If thoughts beget delight, and contemplative delight do beget conſent as in him, whoſe Will complied to go along with the Flattering Harlot, Prov. 7.21. Such an one (if Chriſt find him with a time of love before the Act, and pluck him as a Brand out of the Fire) is indeed found dead in ſin, yet ſtill in the Houſe or Chamber, not yet carried out, &c.

2dly, Such Sinners, on whom corrupt conſent begets and brings forth the curſed Act of Sin, wherein a Dart ſtrikes through the Liver of the Actor, Prov. 7.23. are (with the Widow's Son, Luke 7.) born out upon the Devil's Bier, towards a Burial in the Suburbs of Hell, if Chriſt meet them not in the Way to ſtop and quicken them, theſe are carried out of the Chamber and out of the Houſe, in order to be Buried.

But 3dly. Such Sinners, in whom delight brings forth conſent, conſent the action, and the action cuſtom, and ſo (by conſequence) a neceſſity of Sinning, are truly ſaid to be (with Lazarus) Rotting and Stinking in the Grave of Sin: Yet even theſe (thus far gone) Chriſt can quicken and raiſe up to newneſs of Life as he did Lazarus. He can bring Sinners back from the very Gates of Hell to Heaven.

Thirdly, As the Manner of Chriſt's Riſing was wonderfully Singular, in his leaving behind him (in the Grave) all the Ornaments of Death in Order, all the Signatures of Mortality (which never was done by any other, and which ſhould alſo teach us, when we are raiſed up from prophaneneſs to a profeſſion of Religion, to put off the Old Man, &c. Epheſ. 4.24. Retain none of our Grave-cloaths, but leave all (as he did) behind us, not one Rag of Sin unrepented of, whereby the Devil may keep poſſeſſion of us, &c. So Chriſt's Riſing was in a wonderful manner, in reſpect of the company that roſe with him, though he died alone (as in point of time, &c.) yet did he not riſe alone, for many Saints Roſe with him, Mat. 27.52, 53. To ſhew he roſe not again as a Private, but as a Publick Perſon, that we might know his Reſurrection appertains to us, and though we die, yet by the Power of Chriſt we ſhall all riſe again. What the Evangeliſt Matthew ſaith here of the Saint's Riſing, it is ſpoke by Anticipation, for relating the whole ſtory of them at once, for they roſe not, till Chriſt was riſen. The firſt Earth-quake at Chriſt's Death opened their Graves only, but it was the ſecond Earth-quake at his Reſurrection, which revived their buried Bodies, and brought them forth alive, &c. Six Inquiries are to be Anſwered in this Hiſtorical Relation.

The 1ſt is, What ſort of Men were then raiſed? Anſwer, 'Tis ſaid they were Saints in the General, not one Wicked among them, for they have no part in the firſt Reſurrection, Rev. 20.6. and no part in the Reſurrection of Chriſt, who is not their Head, Chriſt indeed will raiſe them at the laſt Day, by the Power of a Juſt and Almighty Judge, not by the vertue of a Redeeming and Riſen Jeſus. Chriſt is the Head of the Saints only, and they are his Members. As the Head, being got above the Waters, draws up the whole Body, and leaves not ſo much as a little Toe behind. So Chriſt, being lifted up out of the Den of Death, draws up all his Saints to him, John 12.32. The Saints Riſe with Chriſt (who is therefore called a quickening Spirit, 1 Cor. 15.45.) by vertue of their Union with Chriſt their Head, but the Wicked riſe by the Almighty Power of God, with Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Herod, Judas and with the reſt of that Wicked Rabble. Oh then what a bleſſed thing it is to be a Saint, a ſanctified Godly Soul, ſuch and ſuch only are Intereſted in all the benefits of Chriſt's Reſurrection. And how deplorable is the ſtate of the Wicked, &c.

p. 271The 2d Inquiry is, How many roſe; Anſw. A multitude, [Many Bodies of Saints (ſaith the Evangeliſt) he doth not ſay All, but many only, for it was a Special, not the Univerſal Reſurrection, yet ſo many as might be ſufficient by their Reſurrection to Teſtifie and Demonſtrate the Vertue and Power of the Death and Reſurrection of Chriſt, nor may we think that theſe Bodies Roſe without their Souls to Animate them: Theſe many were raiſed, both to ſhew the Amplitude of Grace in the Efficacy of Chriſt's Reſurrection, as Mat. 8.11. and alſo that this fundamental point of Faith might be the more confirmed by the Mouths of many Witneſſes.

The 3d Inquiry is, Who they were?

Anſw. 1ſt, Some ſay they were Adam, Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob and Joſeph with the the reſt of the Patriarchs, who therefore were ſo careful to be buried in Canaan, where the Meſſiah was to be buried, becauſe they expected ſo much the ſooner their Reſurrection by the Power of Chriſt's.

Anſw. 2d, Others, out of the like Curioſity, do ſuppoſe thoſe to be the Bodies of ſome of the Holy Kings and Prophets, which were famous in Old Teſtament times, yet nearer the time of Chriſt's Incarnation, than were the Holy Patriarchs, &c.

Anſw. 3d, Other Authors do rather think they were the Bodies of Old Simeon, the Juſt and Devout Man. Luke 2.25, &c. of Annas the Propheteſs, of Zacharias the Baptiſt's Father, of Lazarus now Dead, and of other Saints lately dead, whoſe Bodies were not yet putrified into duſt in their Graves, &c.

Anſw. 4th, But ſeeing the Scripture (which is the Wiſdom of God, Luke 11.49.) hath not a Mouth to ſpeak [Who they were,] we ſhould not have a Tongue to Ask the Queſtion. 'Tis enough for us to know they were the Bodies of the Saints (whether of the Old or of the New Teſtament, and that there were many of them, to Teſtifie the Reſurrection of their Lord and Head, being not of the Wicked, who riſe with Judas not with Jeſus.

The 4th Inquiry is, at what time they roſe? Anſw. At our Lord's Reſurrection, not at his Death, though then their Graves were opened, and Matthew relates the whole ſtory together, yet with this caution, that their riſing was after Chriſt's Reſurrection, Mat. 27.52, 53. for Chriſt muſt be the firſt fruits of the Reſurrection from the Dead to die no more, 1 Cor. 15.20. Col. 1.18. Rom. 8.29. Rev. 1.5. And thoſe Saints who roſe with our Saviour were as the Basket of Firſt-fruits, that both Sanctified and Aſſured the whole Harveſt, Deut. 26.2, 3, 4. This was but an handful (though they were many) of the General Reſurrection, and was no more but a pledge to aſſure us of it, and therefore we need not ſay with Hymeneus and Philetus, 2 Tim. 2.17, 18. (and after them the Marcionites, yea and ſome Wanton Wits in our Times) that the Reſurrection is paſt already, as if the Soul only ſhould Ariſe, and not the Body at the laſt Day. Now if theſe many Aroſe as ſoon as their Lord was Riſen, what a ſhame it is, that we riſe not with Chriſt in our Affections, Col. 3.1. A good Servant will bluſh to lie in Bed when his Maſter is up. Much more, when once up to go to Bed again, as Carnal Profeſſors (minding only Worldly Matters) do the former ſhameful thing, ſo Backſliding Apoſtates do the latter, thoſe once ſeemed to be got out of their Graves, and to have eſcaped the Pollution, &c. but become again Intangled as a Bird in a Gin: ſeven worſe Spirits enter, and make their latter end worſe, Matth. 12.45. 2 Pet. 2. ver. 19, 20, 21, 22.

The 5th Inquiry is, What they did when Riſen? Anſwer, 'Tis not to be doubted that they were true and real Bodies, not Spectrums or Phantaſms, for, that it might not be thought ſuch mere walking Ghoſts, They went into the Holy City, and appeared unto many, Mat. 27.53. not to converſe with Men as formerly, but to Attend on Chriſt into Heaven, as well as to be both Companions and Witneſſes of Chriſt's Reſurrection. Jeruſalem is called the Holy City here, not becauſe it was now ſo, but becauſe it had been formerly ſo, though now it was degenerated into a Den of Thieves and Murderers of Holy Jeſus. It was ſtill Holy, de jure, (retaining ſtill the Temple and the Worſhip of God) but not now de facto, thus it was called the Holy City, Mat. 4.5. though now notoriouſly debauched into a polluted place, where the Devil could play his pranks, in ſetting our Lord upon a Pinnacle of the Temple. That City (ſaith Chryſoſtom) was comparatively Holy now, having ſtill the Old Inſtituted Worſhip of God, when other places were polluted with downright Idolatry: Therefore though God's Worſhip was much corrupted, yet in the vulgar manner of ſpeaking, it ſtill for diſtinction ſake was called the Holy City, and that the Reſurrection of thoſe Saints Bodies might be judged real, they went to it (we muſt ſuppoſe they had been Buried without the City, as was the Jewiſh manner, Luke 7.12, &c.) to convince p. 272the Murdering Jews of the madneſs of their Mocking at Chriſt, for his not coming down from the Croſs, at their Prepoſterous and Diabolical call. Now to ſhew that he could have ſaved himſelf, though he would not, he now raiſed up both his own Body, and thoſe many Bodies of his Saints and Servants, by a much more redundancy and ſuper-abundancy of Power, for if it were an Argument of Divine Power to raiſe up ſuddenly thoſe many that had been long dead before this: And the truth of their Reſurrection was made evident, by their exhibiting themſelves to be ſeen of many, to wit, of the Holy Apoſtles and other Believers, to whom they did declare their Teſtimony of Chriſt's Reſurrection and Glory. For as Moſes and Elias appearing at Chriſt's Transfiguration, did diſcourſe of Chriſt's Deceaſe, Luke 9.31. ſo thoſe raiſed Saints here, did undoubtedly diſcourſe of our Redeemer's Reſurrection. From this whole Queſtion Anſwered, theſe few Inferences do Ariſe.

1ſt, So long as Means of Holineſs and Men of Holineſs abide in a place, it may be called an Holy place, as this City was, which was called Holy rather in reſpect of God (whoſe Sacrifices and Service remained in it) than in reſpect of Men: For ſew holy men were found in it, they had not their Bill of Divorce as yet, Jer. 3.1, &c.

2dly, Seeing ſome Saints (and not all) roſe only now, the Patriarchs, Prophets, &c. that roſe not, but ſtill are in their Graves, are bleſſed pledges that the Reſurrection is not paſt already, but yet to come, for thoſe here raiſed were but the firſt fruits of them that ſlept. The whole Harveſt ſhall be, when Adam ſhall behold all that innumerable number of his Nephews and Neices, that have lived in all the parts of the Earth, and in all the Ages of the World.

3dly, Thoſe Saints raiſed from the Dead, and appearing unto many, yet would not, nay could not all this convince the obſtinate Kill-Chriſts of their Iniquity, no more than Lazarus did, who, being raiſed alſo from the Dead commonly converſed among them, therefore was it truly ſaid to the Rich Glutton by Abraham, [If they hear not Moſes and the Prophets, neither will they be perſuaded though one roſe from the Dead,] Luke 16.30, 31. How can they believe the Creature, who will not believe the Teſtimony of the Creator himſelf, revealing his Will to Moſes, &c.

4thyl, Thoſe Dead Saints when raiſed, and appearing to living Saints, did diſcourſe about Divine Doctrines, ſuch as that of Chriſt's Reſurrection and Future Glory, in his State of Exaltation (as Moſes and Elias had done before about Chriſt's Deceaſe in his State of Humiliation as before) both which patterns do direct us to the like practice, that when living Saints meet together, their diſcourſe ſhould be of Divine Matters, as is commanded, Mal. 3.16. Though they have not attained that holy ſtate of the Reſurrection of the dead, Phil. 3.12. We ought to do what we can, though we cannot do what we ought, this is acceptable to Chriſt, Mark 14.8.

5thly, The death of the Godly is only as a ſleep of the Body, till the Morning of the Reſurrection come, 'tis ſaid they ſlept. Mat. 27.52.

6thly, Chriſt is a Saviour to Saints before his Death, as well as after, even of Old Teſtament Believers.

7th, This is a Pawn that Chriſt will raiſe our Vile Bodies, and conform them to his Glorious Body, Phil. 3. laſt.

The 6th Inquiry is, What became of thoſe raiſed Bodies, were they Mortal or Immortal Bodies?

Anſwer 1ſt, Some ſay, they were Mortal, and that they did die and diſſolve into Duſt ſo ſoon as their Work was done. Their ground for this Aſſertion are theſe.

1. They were only raiſed up for a little time, to teſtifie the Truth of Chriſt's Reſurrection, which when they had done, there was no farther Work for them, ſo they laid down their raiſed Bodies as ſoon as this was finiſhed, which may teach us a willingneſs to lay down our Bodies when we have fulfilled our Miniſtry, and finiſhed the Work our Father hath given us to work in the World, as our Lord and Maſter (as well as theſe did) John 17.3.

2. This is the more probable (ſay they) becauſe thoſe Bodies which the Angels Aſſumed (wherewith they Feaſted with Abraham, Gen. 18.8, 16. and with Lot, Gen. 19.3, &c.) were laid down again when that ſpecial Diſpenſation was Diſpatched, and ſo likely was Moſes's Body, (wherewith he talked with the Meſſias in his Transfiguration) laid aſide likewiſe, when that Glory was withdrawn. Thus by ſpecial Diſpenſation ſome are made Rich or Poor, let God Abaſe or Exalt as his Soveraignty pleaſeth, &c.

3. Becauſe theſe raiſed Bodies of thoſe Saints (ſay they of this firſt opinion) when they had given their Teſtimony to the Truth of our Redeemer's Reſurrection, muſt p. 273either lay down their Bodies again, or live an Animal Life upon Earth, or Aſcend up with Chriſt into Heaven, but they did neither the Second nor the Third, therefore they did the firſt of the Three: For as we read nothing of their living on Earth, … converſing with Men after their Reſurrection (as we read of Lazarus after his, John 12.1, 2, 3, &c.) ſave only their Appearance to many, ſo we read as little of their Aſcending into Heaven, but rather the contrary, ſeeing our Lord was ſeen to Aſcend alone, Acts 1.9, 10.

Anſw. 2d, Others more probably are of Opinion, that they were raiſed Immortal, and that they died not again as Lazarus and others (whom Chriſt in his ſtate of Humiliation raiſed up) after a while did, but were converſant with Chriſt during the Forty days he was upon Earth after his Reſurrection, and then at his Aſcenſion they did Aſcend with him in their Bodies (as he did) into Heaven, where they were to be ever with the Lord. Their grounds for this Opinion are theſe.

1. If, being raiſed, they had been Mortal and Died again, this could not have been ſo plain a proof; and ſuch an Evidencing Specimen and Document, of the ſolid Reſurrection that is to come at the laſt Day, which was the Reaſon and End of this Special Diſpenſation.

2. As the Scripture ſpeaks of a firſt Reſurrection, and of the firſt Fruits of the Reſurrection: So theſe Saints Bodies (thus raiſed here) might well be priviledged with the firſt Reſurrection (to die no more) and with being the firſt fruits of the Harveſt, to wit, of the General Reſurrection of all Chriſt's Redeemed ones.

3. As this was more comfortable to them (to die no more, but to be taken up into Heaven, &c.) So it was more Glorious to Chriſt, who, now being entered upon his ſtate of Exaltation, raiſeth Bodies up now, not to die again (as he had done in his former ſtate, in the form of a Servant) but to live for ever, and to be Attendants upon their Lord in his Triumph (which can never, without great Attendance, have its due Pomp and Magnificency) both while he ſtayed on Earth, and when he went up into Heaven. Though the Scripture be ſilent hereof, as it is in the Minute of his Riſing.

4. Had they died again, it had been only a Suſcitation rather than a Reſurrection, &c. The Romaniſts do Triffle in ſaying, that thoſe Saints wandered upon the face of the Wide Ocean, or in the remote parts of the Inhabitable Earth, &c. till Chriſt Aſcended or they tarried for him in the Earthly Paradiſe, &c. We ſay, they attended alway on their Lord.

Thirdly, The Manifeſtation (after the Time and Manner) of our Lord's Reſurrection, which Introduceth the Third Grand Remark herein, to wit, The Conſequents thereof in Chriſt's ſeveral Appearances at ſeveral times, to ſundry perſons, the Forty Days betwixt his Reſurrection out of the Earth, and his Aſcenſion into Heaven. The Evangeliſt Matthew (ſpeaking ſhort in this after his Manner) yet ſpeaks thus far of the Manifeſtation of Chriſt's Reſurrection. That 1. It was declared by an Angel to Mary Magdalen, &c: Mat. 28. ver. 1, to 9.2. That it was confirmed by thoſe Women through Chriſt's Appearing to them, v. 9, 10. And 3. That it was ratified to his Diſciples by his Appearing unto them, ver. 16, 17. to whom as a Triumphant Mediator, he gave Commiſſion, for laying the Foundation of his New Evangelical Church, ver. 18.19, 20. having now (in his ſtate of Separation) made his Triumph over Hell, the Grave and Death by his Reſurrection, wherein he ſet his Foot upon the Neck of that King of Terrors, and Terror of Kings, bringing Death under his Dominion. So that now Death is become, but a neceſſary Engine only to Tranſplant the Trees of Righteouſneſs (which are both of God's Planting and of his Watering) into the Celeſtial Paradiſe, and 'tis only a ſtrait Trap-door to let out the Saints out of this Life of Miſery, and into a Life of Glory.

Though the preciſe point of Time, (the very Inſtant and Moment thereof) wherein Chriſt roſe, be not revealed, nor likewiſe the expreſs, ſpecifical and diſtinct Manner of his Riſing is clearly recorded in Scripture, yet the demonſtration of it a poſteriori p. 274is moſt Amply Inſiſted upon by all the four Evangeliſts, who unanimouſly concur in the Manifeſtation of it, by many Witneſſes.

Th… may ſerve to comfort ſuch Chriſtians, as know not diſtinctly either the time, or the manner of Chriſt's riſing in their Hearts by that Work of Regeneration, may there be made but an after Manifeſtation of it, by undeniable Signs and Teſtimonies, 'tis enough; for it was ſo in the caſe of Chriſt's own Reſurrection, Acts 1.3. & 10.41. What Trees are of God's, and what of the Devil's Planting and Watering are known by their Fruits, Mat. 12.33. Grace is like Corn that grows we know not how, Mark 4.27.

Though we know not the time when, nor the manner how we were Regenerated and Cured by Chriſt of our Spiritual Blindneſs, yet can we but ſay in the Witneſſings of the Holy Ghoſt, Rom. 9.1. [This I know, that whereas before I was Blind, now I ſee,] This is ſufficient, John 9.25, &c. The Children of Men (while Infants) know not the time when, nor the Manner how they are conceived and born, yet have After-Manifeſtations that their firſt birth hath been effected: So may it be with the Children of God as to their New-birth, as Chriſt ſaid to Simon Peter, [What I do now to thee, thou knoweſt not, but thou ſhalt know hereafter,] John 13.7. So it may be with ſuch as the Lord effectually calleth, by a ſmall ſtill Voice, and not by mighty Storms or Heartquakes, &c. 1 Kin. 19.11, 12, 13. This is beſt known by its effects: The Penitent Thief upon the Croſs gave Infallible proofs of the Reality of his Repentance, as our Lord did of his Reſurrection: We have upon Record the Truth thereof Teſtified by many Infallible Teſtimonies, and ways of Witneſſing. The 1ſt Way was the Witneſſings of Perſons, and the 2d was of Things (as his Eating with his Diſciples, Acts 10.41. His ſhewing them his Wounds in number five, cauſing their Hearts to burn within them, while he talked with them, by his Preſence and Influence (of which we read not, while he converſed with them in his days of Mortality, &c.) to be treated upon ſeverally, and in order as they fall out in his ſeveral Appearances, during the Forty Days before his Aſcenſion. Here I ſhall confine my diſcourſe to the perſonal Teſtimony, which was either Divine or Humane. 1. The Celeſtial or Divine was that of Angels, who were ſent of God from Heaven with this high Embaſſage, to publiſh the happy Tidings firſt that the Lord was riſen indeed, and had made a compleat Conqueſt over the Grave, Death and Hell, &c. 2. The Terreſtrial or Humane is Manifold, 1. Of Women. 2. Of Men, and the Men were, 1. Some Dead, and Some Alive. 2. Some were Good, as his own Diſciples, ſome Bad, as the Pagan Souldiers. Thus was the reality of our Lord's Reſurrection proved and confirmed by all thoſe Teſtimonies, becauſe the Doctrine hereof is the Foundation of all Faith, 1 Cor. 15.20. and the principal Pillar of a Chriſtian's comfort. [Chriſt died for our Sins, but was raiſed again for our Juſtification, Rom. 4.25. His death was the payment of our debt, but his Reſurrection gives us a full Diſcharge, and a Quietus eſt or Acquittance from it. Therefore the Apoſtolical Rather is not put upon his Death, but upon his Reſurrection, Rom. 8.34. as before. There be three ſpecial fruits of it. 1. The certainty of our Juſtification, 2. Of our Reſurrection. And 3. Of our Glorification, that we (if Children of the Reſurrection, Luke 20.36. Heb. 11.35, &c.) may be where he now is, John 17.24. Therefore no wonder if it be ſo well proved by many Witneſſes.

As 1ſt, By an Angel, Who was that Heavenly Herald, that made that firſt Proclamation of our Saviour's Reſurrection, and that a very Glorious one, as he is deſcribed, Mat. 28.3, &c. ſuppoſed to be Gabriel, who wearied himſelf (as it were) with his ſwift flying, to certifie Daniel of his good Acceptance in Heaven, &c. Dan. 9.21. and who was ſent to certain Shepherds (not to Zachary, or Simeon, God goes a way by himſelf) with the glad Tidings of Chriſt's Birth, Luke 2.9, 10. and who here firſt publiſheth the good News of Chriſt's Reſurrection, not to the Diſciples, but to Women, and of them, not to the Holieſt of Women his Mother Mary, but to Mary Magdalen that great Sinner. Still God loves to go his own way. Thus we ſee, the firſt Preacher of the Goſpel was an Angel, a moſt Glorious Angel even Gabriel himſelf, publiſhing both Chriſt's Birth and his Reſurrection. Should God call forth Kings and Emperors to become Preachers of Chriſt's Croſs and Reſurrection, it would be no unbecoming Imploy to their Royal Grandeur, no diſhonour or diſparagement to their Thrones of Majeſty; for ſo honourable is this Meſſage, that it is worthy of ſuch an High Angel as this Gabriel, to be the Meſſenger of it: And the very Angels do not ſo much honour this Embaſſage, as they are honoured by being the Ambaſſadors of it. Who therefore is the Man, that dare think himſelf too good to be a Preacher of the p. 275Goſpel. God hath now taken this honour from the Angels, and put it upon the Miniſters, who are in Scripture called Angels, Rev. 2.1, &c. and the Angels are called Miniſters, Heb. 1.14. Though an Angel certifies, Cornelius's his Prayers were accepted, yet he Preaches not Redemption to him, but refers him to Peter, Acts 10.4, 5.

The 2d Teſtimony next to that of the Angels, (for there were two that both told the Women of Chriſt's Reſurrection, Luke 24.4, 6.) is that of the Saints, who had been Dead, but now were Raiſed, and appeared to many; for confirming this great Truth as before: The Perſons, time and place, were all well Accommodated, to make up a congruous Teſtimony in thoſe, to whom Chriſt became a quickning Spirit, 1 Cor. 15.45.

The 3d Testimony is; that of the good Women, who returned from the Sepulchre to the City, and told the Diſciples what they had ſeen, and heard at the Sepulchre from the Angels, Luke 24.9, 10. but their Teſtimony ſeemed to them, as an idle Tale; and they believed them not, ver. 11. Though they told it with great Earneſtneſs, as the word foreign ſignifies: The Angel (ſaith Mathew) ſent thoſe Holy Women away from the empty Sepulchre, to go quickly with thoſe joyful Tidings▪ to the almoſt Heart-broken Diſciples, Matth. 28.7, 8. eſpecially to Peter, (who was moſt Dejected) Mar. 16.7. for his Deſerting of Chriſt. Though it was an Holy Angel that ſent this Errand, [Lo, I have told you, Matth. 28.7.] whoſe Authority might have been a ſufficient prop to their believing this word of Faith; yet theſe Tidings ſeemed as idle Tales to the Diſciples; and Mary Magdalen her ſelf, did not at the firſt believe, that the Lord was Riſen; but that the Prieſts had only removed the Body, in order to put ſome baſe abuſe upon it, (as the Papiſts did to Bucer's Bones, which they digged out of the Grave, for that purpoſe to burn them) for ſhe told the Diſciples, (who were mourning and weeping, Mar. 16.10.) that they had taken the Lord out of the Sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him, John 20.2. and ſo ſhe ſaith likewiſe to the ſuppoſed Gardener, ver. 15. Thus did ſhe trouble them with this her Conceit, that the Lord's Body was removed by the Jews; but for what end▪ or to what place ſhe knew not; therefore is ſhe ſent the ſecond time, to aſſure them of his Reſurrection: She, and the other good Women, had been ſeeking the living among the Dead. Luke 24.5. (as we do in a dead World, Pleaſure, Treaſure, and Honour, or in dead Worſhip, &c.) hence the Angel ſaid not only, [He is not here] but alſo [He is riſen] and not removed as thou thinks, Matth. 28.4.

The 4th Teſtimony, is that of the Diſciples, thoſe good Women ran and told the tidings, (doing as they were bidden by the Angel, go quickly) Matth. 28.7, 8▪ Hereupon Peter and John run to make their Obſervations, John 20.7. and Mary Magdalen run with them, (for ſhe came twice to the Sepulchre) here is a running upon running, to find out a loſt Ieſus, would to God we could do ſo: Amor Addidit alas, love is impatient of delays, (a ready Heart, makes riddance of God's Work) and therefore giveth Wings wherewith to haſten, two ſtrange Wings were given to thoſe good Women, to wit, Fear and Joy, a wonderful compoſition of two contrary paſſions, fear for their Faithleſſneſs, and Joy for the Angels Joyful Tidings. Thoſe mingled Affections, may well conſiſt in a Sanctified Soul, Pſal. 2.11. God loves at once a fear; becauſe of his greatneſs and a Familiarity with it, becauſe of his Graciouſneſs with thoſe two Wings the good Women fly to tell the Tidings unto the Dilciples who at firſt thought them but idle Tales, though their Lord had again and again foretold, it ſhould be ſo: Learn hence, that a low Faith, ſo it be but true, is acceptable to Chriſt, and ſaving to the Soul; Theſe Diſciples could not believe, that Chriſt ſhould die, until he was dead, nor would they believe he ſhould riſe again, no not when he was Riſen indeed: However perplexed Peter, and beloved John, ran to the Sepulchre, and tries concluſions: Though John (being the younger Man) exceeded Peter in ſwiftneſs, and came firſt to the Sepulchre; yet Peter (the Elder Man) exceeded John in boldneſs; for it was he that firſt ſteped into the Tomb within the Vault: Thus the Saints ſtand in need of one another's Gifts and Graces, as Peter did of John's Swiftneſs, and John of Peter's Boldneſs; they both found an empty Sepulchre, and the Grave-clothes lying in order, they ſaw the Body was gone, and the Linnen was left; but John proves the firſt Believer, [He ſaw and Believed,] John 20.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. His ſeeing, was his Believing, he truſted his own Eyes, that the Lord's Body was not there, Misbelieving, that it was only a Removal to ſome other place, (as Mary Magdalen had told them) farther off from Calvary, for Honour's ſake, (that he might not lie buried with the wicked) and not a Reſurrection of his Body; therefore is it added in the 9th verſe, [For as yet they knew not the Scripture,] which yet was p. 276clear enough in this point, both in foregoing Figures, and Prophecies of the Old Tement afore mentioned, and in Chriſt's own plain prediction of himſelf in the New; No wonder then if Chriſt Rebuked them ſo ſharply, for being ſuch ſlow-bellies in believing work, Luke 24.25. Tit. 1.12, 13. Yea, ſo ſlow of Belief were they, that they had ſeen himſelf three times before, yet 'tis ſaid [they Worſhipped, but ſome doubted,] Matth. 28.17. even while they Worſhipped, they doubted, yet is not their Worſhip Rejected, nor the Worſhippers; for the Lord knew them to be his, 2 Tim. 2.19. and though they knew not him, yet were they all known of him, Ga…. 4.9. Therefore, though now they went to their own Home, (waiting till God ſhould farther inlighten both Organ and Object) John 20.10. which afterwards was wonderfully accompliſhed, when great Grace came upon them all, and made them Invincible Witneſſes of the Lord's Reſurrection, Acts 1.22. & 4, 33.

The Fifth Teſtimony, was that of the Watchmen, thoſe Pagan Soldiers, whom the Prieſts had procured to watch the Sepulchre, yet are made Witneſſes of this Truth againſt their Wills: God would have that great and comfortable point of the Reſurrection, well proved for our firmer Settlement, in ſo weighty a matter. The Prieſts were unworthy to hear of it, by the Hand of an Holy Angel: They ſhall therefore hear of it, (to their great Grief and Regret) by the Hands of prophane Swordmen of their own gang and conſpiracy, who come running in unto them, as Thunder ſtruck; and frighted out of that little wit they had, (as it were) and told them all: Now the confeſſion of an Adverſary, is looked on by the Law, as a double Teſtimony, And the moſt certain Demonſtration of the Truth, that can be contrived: Yet the Chief prieſts, (who were pay-maſters of this Mercenary Guard) take care to ſtop their Mouths, not only from talking any more of the Terrible Earth-quake, of the Deſcent of a Glorious Angel, of his Rolling away the great Grave Stone, of their ſeeing the Sepulchre empty, of their own fright, and flight from thence, &c. but alſo they bribe thoſe Hirelings with a round Sum of ready Caſh, paid down upon the Nail to thoſe Hungry lovers, and lackers of Money; wherewith they Taught their Tongues to ſpeak lies, as Jerem. 9.5. The Hired Soldiers hereupon do daringly Vent abroad that Notorious Lie, [of Chriſt's few and fearful Diſciples, ſtealing his Body away, &c.) which the Chief-Prieſts had Deviſed, and put into their Mouths, where we may note two things upon, Mat. 28.11. to ver. 16.

1. Concerning the Hirers, thoſe wicked Prieſts, in ſtead of a Conviction and Confeſſion of their Unparallel'd Crime, do harden their own Hearts like Pharaoh, under God's Plagues, rage more furiouſly, and make new Lies their Refuge, as Iſa. 28.15. the laſt and beſt Engine, Chriſt's Adverſaries have out of the Devil's Budget, to uſe for ſuppreſſing the Goſpel, when all their other Plots do fail.

2. Concerning the Hired, when once plunged into the Sea of Sin by wicked Maſters, Theſe Mercenary Men, are involved ſtill deeper and deeper, (through the love of Money, and Wages of Wickedneſs) into the depths of Satan, till at the laſt, they drop into the deep pit of Hell, daring to do any Villany, ſo they can but Collogue with Men; and eſcape the laſh of the Law, not dreading (moſt Atheiſtically) the Juſtice and Vengeance of the Great God: Such, as have not God in their Heads or Hearts, will not have God in their Words or Works, they can make ſale of their Tongues, Hands, and their very Conſciences, for Money; and can not only conceal Truth, but alſo ſtep farther to ſpeak againſt Truth for Gain: As here thoſe Hirelings in taking the Money, took the Bait of Sin, ſo ſwallowed Hook and all. They did as they were Taught, Matth. 28.11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

Now follow the ſeveral Appearances of Chriſt himſelf, which is the 6th, and the moſt infallible Teſtimony of the Truth of Chriſt's Reſurrection.