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A SERMON Preached on Easter-Day.
REV. I. 18.I am he that liveth, and was dead: and behold, I am alive for e∣vermore, Amen, and have the keyes of Hell and of Death.
WE do not ask, Of whom speaketh S. John this? or, Who is he that speaketh it? For we have his chara∣cter drawn out in lively colours in the verses going before my Text. The Divine calls him a voyce, ver. 12. when he meaneth the man who spake it; I turned to see the voyce that spoke with me; and in the next verse telleth us he was like to the Son of man in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks, governing his Church,* 1.1 setting his Tabernacle amongst men, not abhorring to walk amongst them, and to be their God, that they might be his people. Will you see his robes and attire? Clothed he was with a garment down to the foot, v. 13. which was the garment of the High Priest:* 1.2 And his was an unchangeable Priesthood. He had also a golden girdle, or belt, as a King: For he is a King for ever, and of his kingdome there shall be no end. Luk. 1.33. Righ∣teousness shall be the girdle of his loyns, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins, Isa. 11.5. His head and his hairs were white as woll, and as white as snow, v. 14. his Judgment pure and uncorrupt, not byassed by outward respects, not tainted or corrupted by any turbulent affection, but smooth and even as waters are when no wind troubleth them. His eyes as a flame of fire, piercing the inward man, searching the secrets of the heart: nor is there any action, word, or thought, which is not manifest in his sight. His feet like unto fine brass, v. 15. sincere and constant, like unto himself in all his proceedings, in every part of his Oeconomy. His voyce as the sound of many waters, declaring his Fathers will with power and authori∣ty, sounding out the Gospel of peace to all the world. And last of all, out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, v. 16. not onely dividing asunder the soul and the spirit,* 1.3 but discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart, and taking vengeance on those who persecute his Church. His Majesty dazled every mortal eye; his countenance was as the Sun shineth in his strength. And now of him who walketh in the midst of his Church, whose Mercy is a large robe reaching down to the feet, who is girt with Power, and clothed with Justice, whose Wisdome pierceth even into