of the nails, and thrust his hand into his side. (a) Our sins were the cruel hands, the pointed nails, the bitter scourges, which pierced and wounded the Lamb of God, and therefore it is said of repenting believ ing sinners, They shall look upon him whom they pierced, and shall mourn for him. (b) Our life is from his death; our health from his sickness, our ease from his pain, and our high exaltation from his humble abase

ment.

ous.

3. This adorable hero had not only been in battle, but he came off gloriously victoriHe is neither weary nor faint, he travels in the greatness of his strength; still mighty to save. Though he had none to second him, yet he rises victorious; he is glorious in his apparel: and speaking in the martial stile, he tramples on his enemies in his fury, and their blood is sprinkled upon his garments. He looked, and there was none to help; he wondered, and there was none to uphold; therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him.

"Alone the dreadful race he ran,
"Alone the winepress trod

"He dies and suffers, as a man,
"He rises as a God."

He dieth no more; death hath no more. dominion; even his human soul was not

(a) John xx. 27.

K

(b) Zech. xii. 10.

*

confined in the grave, nor did his flesh see corruption. All that the care and forecast of his enemies could do, to keep him prisoner in the grave, only tended to announce his resurrection more largely, and to put it beyond a doubt: all that the powers of hell could do, only made his triumph more conspicuous, and their confusion more awful. I am he that was dead, and behold, take notice of it. I am alive for evermore; and have the keys of hell and death. Glorious exultation. And in another place he says to his servants, Because I live ye shall live also.

THUS is our all-conquering Immanuel risen from the dead, and is become the first fruits of him that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all died, so in Christ shall all be made alive.

4. BUT he has not yet done: He must go from conquering to conquer; he must reign till all his enemies become his footstool. Like the small stone cut from the mountain without hands, which not only smote the image, but became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. (a) The war in the church, is now carrying on between Michael and the dragon, till the dragon is finally cast out of the church, and the saints shall shout victory through the

(a) Dan. ii, 35.

blood of the Lamb. Victory did I say? nay, more than victory! more than conquerors! the heavenly echo is; but it is through him that loved us.

Now the bold challenge is, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.". No wonder that an innumerable company of adoring angels sing with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, by which he strengthens all his followers; riches, by which they are enriched for ever; wisdom, by which they are made wise to salvation; strength, by which they are strengthened in the inner man, and can do all things; honour, that they may be honoured, and had in everlasting remembrance; glory, that they may be confessed before his Father and the holy angels; blessing, that they may be blessed with the divine favour here, and hear the soul ravishing sentence, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. O they shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, even as the stars for ever. The honour of all this is justly ascribed to the ever adorable Lion, of the tribe of Judah; the ever blessed Jesus, King of kings, and Lord of lords.

IV. I SHALL in the fourth place con

sider the design of his coming forth in this triumphant manner.

1. UNDOUBTEDLY it is to conquer all opposition which may come against his church, let it arise from what quarter soever. There is a world of snares and diffi culties, and the spirit which is in it is full of enmity against our Lord, and also against his followers. To his carnal friends he said, The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth; because I testify that its deeds are evil (a)

To his disciples he said, If ye were of the world, the world would love his own, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore, for that reason, the world hateth you. (b) We cannot but notice the fidelity of our blessed Lord, when enlisting his soldiers, he did not swell their hopes with a variety of tempting prospects in this world, No, he apprizes them of trials, persecutions, hatred and contempt, even death itself. But still he promises to be their kind friend, and neverfailing benefactor. In the world says he, ye shall have tribulation; but in me ye shall have peace; be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (c) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me; and because I live, ye shall live also. (d): Ye shall live also!

(a) John vii. 7.

(b) John xv. 19.
(d) John xiv. 19.

(c) John xvi. 33.

Precious promise! a promise, big with all necessary consolation. Nor shall the flesh, corrupt sinful nature, prevail against the champions of the cross. I know it will struggle hard for victory; but like him that was born after the flesh, it shall bow down and yield to the younger. That is, nature shall bow down to grace. If we be dead with Christ, we shall live with him.

LET us be willing that our old man should be crucified, that the body of sin may not prevail; that being risen with Christ, we may seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand; so that being dead to sin, the world, the curses of the law; our divine and spiritual life, may be hid with Christ in God, as the sap in winter, is hid in the tree.

AND shall satan, with his rebellious crew, prevail ? No, says the apostle, I am persuaded that neither principalities nor powers shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

2. HE comes forth to display his divine majesty and power. And his appearance to John was highly expressive of the same. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow; his eyes were as a flaming fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in the furnace; and his voice as the sounding of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: