Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of Jesus as carrying on the great work of mans salvation from first to last / by Isaac Ambrose ...

SECT. III. Of desiring Jesus in that respect.

3. LEt us desire after Jesus carrying on the great work of our salvation for us in his re∣surrection. What desire is, we have opened before; some call it the wing of the soul, whereby it moveth, and is carried to the thing it expecteth, to feed it self upon it, and to be satisfied with it.

But what is there in Christ's resurrection, that should move our souls to desire after it?

I answer. 1. Something in it self. 2. Something as in reference unto us.

1. There is something in it self; had we but a view of the glory, dignity, excellen∣cy of Christ, as raised from the dead, it would put us on this heavenly motion; we should fly as the Eagle that hasteth to eat. The object of desire is good, but the more excellent and glorious any good is, the more earnest and eager should our desires be; now Christ as raised from the dead is an excellent object; the resurrection of Christ is the glorifying of Christ; yea, his glorifying took its beginning at his blessed resurrection; now it was that God highly exalted him, and gave him a name above every name, &c. and in this respect how desirable is he?

2. There is something in reference unto us; As, 1. He r••se again for our justifi∣cation; I must needs grant, that Christ's death, and not his resurrection is the merito∣rious cause of our justification; but on the other side Christ's resurrection, and not

his death is for the applying of our justification, as the stamp adds no vertue, nor matter of real value to a piece of gold; but only it makes that value which before it had actually appliable and currant unto us: so the resurrection of Christ was no part of the price or satisfaction which Christ made to God, yet is it that which applies all his merits, and makes them of force unto his Members. Some I know would go fur∣ther, Lucius a learned Writer saith, that Justification is therefore attributed to Christ's resurrection, because it was the compleat, and ultimate act of Christ's active obedience: and from hence inferreth, that remission of sin is attributed to his passive obedience; and justifi∣cation, or imputation of righteousness, to his active obedience: Goodwin no way inferiour to him, faith, that justification is put upon Christ's resurrection with a rather, who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again; not but that the matter of our justification is only the obedience and death of Christ; but the form of our justification, or the act of pronouncing us righteous, by that his obe∣dience and death depends upon Christ's resurrection; for then it was that Christ him∣self was justified, and then he was justified as a common person, representing us there∣in, so that we were then justified with him, and in him; and we are said to be risen with him, and to sit with him in heavenly places. Burges, one admirably judicious, saith, that justification is given to Christ's resurrection, as a priviledge flowing from its efficient cause; Indeed Christ's death is the meritorious cause of our justification, but Christ's resurrection is in some sence (saith he) the efficient cause; because by his rising again, the Spirit of God doth make us capable of justification, and th••n bestoweth it on us. I know there is some difference amongst these Worthies, but they all agree in this, that the resurrection of Christ was for our justification, and that by the resurrection of Christ all the merits of his death were made appliable unto us. As there was a price and ransome to be paid by Christ for the redemption of man, so it was necessary that the fruit, effect, and benefit of Christ's redemption should be applied, and conferred; now this work of application and actual collation of the fruit of Christ's death, be∣gan to be in fieri upon the resurrection day; but it was not then finished, and per∣fected; for to the consummation thereof, the Ascension of Christ, the Mission of the holy Ghost, Apostolical preaching of the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles, the Do∣nation of Heavenly grace, and Christ's Intercession at the right hand of God were ve∣ry necessary. O the benefit of Christ's resurrection as to our justification! If Christ be not risen again, ye are yet in your sins, and your faith is in vain. Remission of sin (which is a part of our justification) though purchased by Christ's death, yet could not he applied to us, or possibly be made ours without Christ's resurrection; and and in this respect oh how desirable is it!

2. He rose again for our sanctification. So the Apostle, He hath quickened us toge∣ther with Christ, and hath raised up together with Christ. Our first resurrection is from Christ's resurrection; if you would know how you that were blind in heart, uncircumcised in spirit, utterly unacquainted with the life of God, are now light in the Lord, affecting heavenly things, walking in righteousness; it comes from this blessed resurrection of Jesus Christ; we are quickened with Christ; it is Christ's resur∣rection that raised our souls, being stark dead, with such a resurrection as that they shall never die more. Whence the Apostle, Reckon your selves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are dead to sin, and alive unto God by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; we may reckon thus for our selves, that if we be in Christ, there comes a vertue from Christ, an effectual working of Christ by his Spirit into our hearts, and it is such a work as will conform us to Christ dead, and to Christ risen; why reckon thus, saith the Apostle; go not by guess, and say, I hope it will be better with me than it hath been; no, no, but reckon, conclude, make account, I must live to God, I must live the life of grace, for Christ is risen. To the same purpose he speaks before, Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Christ rose again to a new life, and herein his resurrection differed from the resurrecti∣on of those others raised by him, as of Lazarus, Jairus Daughter, the Widow of Naims Son; for they were but raised to the same life, which formerly they lived; but Jesus Christ was raised up to a new life; and according to this ex••mplar we should now walk in newness of life: this is the end of Christ's resurrection, that we should be new creatures, of new lives, new principles, new conversations; he rose again for our sanctification.

3. He rose again for our resurrection to eternal life; Christ is the patern, and pledg, and cause of the resurrection of our bodies; for since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead: for as in Adam all dye, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. There is a vertue flowing from Christ to his Saints by which they shall be raised up at the latter day; as there is a vertue flowing from the head to the members, or from the root to the branches, so those that are Christ's shall be raised up by Christ. Not but that all the wicked in the world shall be raised again by the power of Christ as he is a judg, for all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and they shall come forth; yet with this difference, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. In this respect the Saints shall have a peculiar resurrection; and therefore they are called the Children of the resurrection, because they shall obtain a better resurrection, as the Apostle calls it. And is not Christ's resurrection desirable in this very respect; if we should think, these bodyes of ours being dust, must never return from their dusts, it might discourage; but here is our hope, Christ is risen, and therefore we must rise; it is the Apostles own argument against those that held, there was no resurrection of the dead; why, saith the Apostle, if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is not Christ risen—If the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised—But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that sleep: he argues plainly that Christs resurrection is the principal efficient cause of the resurrection of the just; I am the resurrection, and the life, saith Christ, (i.e.) I am the Author, and worker of the resurrection to life. As the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will; and hence it is that Christ is called a quick∣ning Spirit; Christ is the head and stock of all the Elect, Christ is the Author, procurer, conveyor of life to all his off-spring, by the communication of his Spirit; Christ is a quickening Spirit, quickening dead souls, and quickening dead bodies, the Author both of the first and second resurrection. And is not this desireable?—

He rose again for the assurance of our justification, sanctification and salvation. This is the reason why the Apostle useth these words to prove the resurrection of Christ, I will give you the sure mercies of David; none of Gods mercies had been sure to us if Christ had not risen again from the dead. But now all is made sure; his work of redemption being fully finished, the mercy which thereupon de∣pended was now made certain, (and as the Apostle speaks) sure unto all the seed.

Methinks a thought of this object in respect of it self, and in respect of us, should put our souls into a longing frame; is it not a desirable thing to see the King in his beauty? were not the Daughters of Zion glad to go forth, and to be∣hold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith his Mother Crowned him in the day of his espousalls? If Christ incarnate, and in humane frailty was the desire of Nations, how much more is Christ exalted, and in his glory? if it was Augustines great wish to have seen Christ in the flesh, how should we but wish to see Christ as risen again from the dead? he is altogether lovely; or, he is altogether desireable; desireable in the womb, desireable in the cratch, desireable on the Cross, even when despised, and numbred with thieves; desireable in his resurrection; yea all desirable, yea above all desirable, as risen, exalted, glorified; in this consideration we cannot fathom the thousand, thou∣sand part of the worth, and incomparable excellency of Jesus Christ. Or if Christ's resurrection in it self will not stir up our lazy desires; as it not desirable as in reference unto us? what, that he should rise again for our justification? that by vertue of his resurrection thy soul should appear righteous before the judgment seat of God? O what a ravishing word is that, what a triumphing challeng? who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that dyed, yea rather that is risen again. O the stings that many have, saying, what shall I do when I dye, and go down to the dust? may not the Lord have something against me at the day of reckoning? why no poor soul, if thou art in Christ, it is he that dyed, yea rather that is risen again for thy justification; by his resur∣rection he hath cleared all reckonings, so that now who shall condemn? not sin, Christ hath took it away; not the law, Christ hath fulfilled it for us; not Sa∣tan, for if the Judge acquit us, what can the Jaylor do? O my soul, that thy portion may be with theirs who hath right and title to this blessed resurrection of Jesus Christ. But thou sayest again, what is it to me; if I be justified in Christ,

and yet my heart remain unholy, and unsubdued to Christ? it is true, thou findest a wofull sinful nature within thee, cross and contrary to holiness, and leading thee day∣ly into captivity; yet remember it is Christ that dyed, yea rather that is risen again; and by vertue of his resurrection he hath given thee a new nature; another nature, which makes thee wrestle against sin, and shall in time prevail over all sin. But thou sayst again, what if I be justified, and sanctified, if after death I shall not be raised to life? why fear not O my soul, for if Christ be risen thou shalt rise, and rise to eter∣nal life; I am the resurrection and the life, not only the resurrection, but life is in him originally, as water is in the fountain, and from him it is derived to us; because I live ye shall live also. But thou sayst again, O that I were assured of this! many doubts and jealousies are upon me from day to day. Sometimes indeed I have a comfortable hope of my justification, sanctification, salvation; and sometimes again I am forced to cry, Lord why ca••test thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? O consider of the ends of Christ's resurrection; was it not to give thee the sure mercies of David? was it not to apply the merits of Christ's active, and passive obedience, and to bring them home to thy soul? was it not to confirm, and to ratifie thy faith, else were it in vain? O the Person of Christ! and O the priviledges of Christ as being raised from the dead! O my soul, that thou wert on the wing in thy desires after Christ! O that thy motions were as swift as the Eagles that hasted to eat! O that feelingly thou knew∣est him, and the power of his resurrection! that thou wert resolved to give no sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eye-lids, until thou couldst say, Christs resurrection is mine! why Lord, that I should long after vanities, trifles, toyes, pleasures, profits, earthly contentments; that I should long like some women with Child for a deal of bag∣gage coles, or ashes, very lothsome food; and yet that I should feel no pantings, breath∣ings, hungerings, thirstings after Christs resurrection to feed upon it, and to be satis∣fied with it! come, here's a blessed object; here's delights; O stir up thy appetite, suck and be satisfied, drink ye, drink abundantly, O my beloved!

Notes

• Heb. 1.8.
• Phil. 2.9.
• Rom. 4.25.
• Rom. 8.34.
• 1 Cor. 15.17.
• Eph. 2.5, 6.
• Rom. 6.11.
• Rom. 6.4.
• 1 Cor. 15.21, 22
• 1 John 5.28, 29.
• Luke 20.36. Heb. 11.35.
• 1 Cor. 15.12, 13, 16, 20.
• John 11.25. John 5.21.
• 1 Cor. 15.45.
• Acts 13.34.
• Rom. 4.16.
• Cant. 3.11.
• Cant. 5.16
• Rom. 8.33, 34.
• John 14.19.
• Psal. 88.14.
• 1 Cor. 15.17.