CHAP. IV.]

Death removed by Christ.

[DEATH.

What

appeared unto many.' Matt. xxvii. 52, 53. better earnest can we have, that the strength of death is broken? From what he has done to what he is able to do, the consequence is clear. The apostle

tells us, He will raise our vile bodies, and change them like unto his glorious body, by that power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.' Phil. iii. 1. Our redemption will then be complete, Rom. viii. 23; and all the bitterness of death past. The redemption of the soul is accomplished from sin and misery immediately after death; but the redemption of the body is the last in order, and reserved to crown our felicity at the great day. Then death shall be swallowed up in victory,' and be abolished for ever. 1. Cor. xv.

And oh the joyful reunion of those dear relatives after such a divorce; when the body that was so long detained in the loathsome grave, shall be reformed with all glorious perfections, and be a fit instrument for the soul, and partaker with it in consummate blessedness and immortality. It is said, that those who wear rich clothing are in king's houses: but what are all the robes of costly folly in which earthly courtiers appear, to the brightness and beauty of the spiritual body wherewith the saints shall be clothed, to qualify them for the presence of the King of kings, and to be in his house for ever? But oh the miserable condition of the wicked in that day! Death now divides their bodies and souls into an irreconcileable enmity, and how

DEATH.]

Death abolished by Christ.

[CHAP. IV

The soul will accuse

sad will their conjunction be. the body to have been sin's solicitor, continually tempting to sensualities; and the body will upbraid the soul for its wicked compliance. The sinner shall then be an entire sacrifice, burning, but never consumed. Now from the assurance of a blessed resurrection by Christ, the forementioned fear of death is conquered in believers. If the doctrine of the transmigration of souls into other bodies, the invention of Pythagoras inspired his disciples with a fiery vigour which encountered the most imminent dangers, being fearless to part with the life that should be restored; how much more should a Christian with a holy confidence receive death, knowing that the life of his body shall not be finally lost, but renewed in a blessed eternity?

CHAP. V.

The qualifications of those who have a right to this privilege--Union with Christ the fountain of eternal life-The vital bond of that union is the sanctifying Spirit, as the Spirit of truth and holiness -He illuminates the understanding, inspires love to God, and communicates a power to do his will.

THE fourth particular to be considered is, the per

sons that have an interest in this blessed privilege. The inquiry is of infinite moment, both for awakening the secure, who vainly presume upon their interest in the salvation of the gospel, and for conAn infallible firming and encouraging the saints. rule of trial is given by John: He that bath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son, hath not life.' 1 John v. 12. The benefits and blessings procured by our Saviour are communicated only to those who are united to him.

Particularly, justifica

tion, that great blessing of the gospel, the complete pardon of sin, that disarms death of its sting, is not common to all that are called christians. It is a privilege with limitation; there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus,' vitally united to him as their head, from whom are derived spiritual influences, and judicially as their Advocate in judgment. These are described by an infallible character, being

F

DEATH.]

Preparation for Death.

[CHAP. V.

such as walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' The blessedness after death is assured by a voice from heaven, with this precise restriction, exclusive of all others Blessed are the dead that die in the Loid; they rest from their labours, and their works follow them.' The glorious resurrection at the last day, when the bodies of the saints that now rest in hope, shall be incorruptible and immortal, is the consequence of union with him. Thus the apostle declares: As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.' 1 Cor. xv. 22. As all that were naturally in and from Adam, the corrupt fountain of mankind, are under the sentence of death; so all that are in Christ the head of the regenerate, shall partake of his blessed life. Others shall be raised by his power, as their Judge, but not as their head; raised to be more miserable than death can make them, not to be transformed into his glorious resemblance, but made more capable of suffering a never-dying death.

The bond of our union to Christ is the holy Spirit derived from him as the head of the church, and is the inward, powerful and lasting principle of holiness and new obedience in believers. He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit,' 1 Cor. vi. 17; that is, by the Spirit of holiness has a real participation of his life, and is both quickened and united to him. John vi. 36. When the prophet Elisha by applying the surface of his body to the dead child, inspired life into him, there was no real union between them; but

CHAP. V.]

Preparation for Death.

[DEATH.

Christ is by his Spirit so intimately united to believers that he lives in them, and they in him. Gal. ii. 20. The sanctifying Spirit renews the directing and commanding faculties, the fountain of moral actions, enlightens the understanding with saving knowledge, rectifies the obliquity of the will, purifies the affections, and reforms the life; so that the same mind is in christians as was in Christ, and as his conversation was, such is theirs in the world. This divine change is not wrought by natural reason, though assisted by the most powerful arguments. The breath of a man may as easily dispel a mist, or thaw a frost, as human directions and motives to virtue can renew the mind and heart, and produce a holy frame of soul towards God. Renewed christians are said to be in the Spirit,' illuminated, inclined and enabled by the Spirit to do God's will; and the Spirit of God to dwell in them, by his peculiar and eminent operations. They live in the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit. An angel may assume a body, and act by it; but the human soul enlivens it, and performs sensible operations by it. Such a principle is the holy Spirit to the soul, giving it spiritual life, activity and power for good works. By what application of the Spirit's power this is produced, is mysterious and inexplicable; but as the apostle speaks of his rapture into the third heavens, that he knew it was real, and heard unutterable. things; though how it was performed, whether in the body, or out of the body he could not tell; so when a natural man, the current of whose thoughts and