Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT. VIII. By the Power of his Godhead he rose again from the Dead bodily, and be∣came Victor over all the Power of Death, &c.

The Resurrection of Christ from the Dead, is that upon which the whole of Christianity depends, 1 Cor. 15. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. And yet such is the Power of Darkness; that in the very days wherein the Apostles li∣ved, the Faith of some was overthrown in this most important Article. Howbeit the truth of our Proposition is evident, Rom. 6. 4. Christ was raised from the Dead by the Glory of the Father. Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up, John 2. 19. I have Power to lay down my Life, and I have Power to take it again, John 1. 18. Which also was gloriously performed, Mat. 28. 2. For though his Adversaries covered his Sepulchre with a mighty Stone, and sealed it also, and set a Watch of Souldiers over it, yet by the Power of God the Earth was moved, the Souldiers fainted, and Christ was raised. Being attested first by the An∣gels, who said, Why seek ye the Living among the Dead? He is not here, he is risen; come see the place where the Lord lay, Luke 24. 6, 7. Remem∣ber how he spake unto you when he was in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful Men, and be Crucified, and the third

day he shall rise again. Which also came to pass, with this glorious Event, That many of the dead Bodies of the Saints arose after he was risen, and went into the Holy City, and appeared unto many, Mat. 27. 52.

The reality and certainty of the rising again of the same Body which was crucified, Christ himself confirms by many infallible proofs, Act. 1. 3. Being seen of his Disciples forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And did eat and drink with them after he was risen from the Dead; for he shewed himself alive, and that openly; not to all the People, but to Witnesses chosen before of God, Acts 10. 40. Yea, that they might be fully ascertained in this grand Point of the Christian Faith, he required them to handle him; to put the Hand into his Side, and the Finger into the print of the Nails; assuring them, that a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bone as they saw he had, Luke 24. 39.

Christ's Witnesses being thus amply assured of the truth of the Resur∣rection, did with great power give evidence thereof, as we read, Acts 4. 33. To this also Peter refers that passage in Psal. 16. 10. Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell, neither suffer thy Holy One to see corruption; and Acts 2. 32, 33. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are Witnesses. Wherefore having so sacred and so full an Evidence, I think it needless to enlarge, yet the Scriptures are very full to set forth the excellency of this Truth, and that mighty Power which was wrought in Christ when he was raised from the Dead, Ephes. 1. 19, 20.

And seeing the whole Gospel is but a trifle, yea, a false report, if this Truth fall to the Ground; we are therefore to beware of those, who un∣der specious pretences world delude the Understanding about this Point; telling of Christ being risen in them, risen in Spirit, &c. Which is no way truly applied to the Resurrection of Christ; for Christ never died in respect of his Divine Part, and therefore cannot be said to rise again in that respect: but it was his Manhood only which was capable of such a change, as to die and live again, and that so he did, hear what himself saith, Rev. 1. 18. I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore.

The veracity of Christ's Resurrection being maintained, the whole Gospel is confirmed; and that to be the most excellent Ministration in the World: for none hath had this Attestation, that the Author there∣of was Victor over Death. I conceive, could the Jews believe that he did rise from the Dead, (though their great Objection was about his God∣head) they would soon forsake Moses, or rather be directed by Moses un∣to Christ. This Miracle of the Resurrection of Christ makes all alive, as it were: It was that which begat the Apostles themselves to a lively hope, 2 Pet. 1. 3. And if we believe that Jesus died and rose again; then they also that sleep in Jesus, shall God bring with him, 1 Thess. 4. 14, &c. This is that which groundedly makes any Man contemn Death, because he knows he is a conquered Enemy: To contemn it from any other Prin∣ciple, as some Heathens and others have done, is but desperateness, fals∣ly called Courage: but the Christian Man sees his Captain gone before him, and hath abolished Death, or made it void, and brought Life and Immortality to light by the Gospel. It is Christ only, who by Death,

conquered him that had the Power of Death. It is he that brings to pass that saying; * 1.1 O Death, I will be thy Plagues; O Grave, I will be thy De∣struction. Now let the faithful Christian alwayes rejoyce and give thanks to God, who giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hos. 13. 14.