wonderful event: and because St. Paul had not enjoyed the same advantage as the other apostles, he was favoured with a vision of his Lord long after his removal from the sight of all other mortals, in order that he, as well as the others, might be able to testify of it from ocular demonstration. In the words before us he speaks of Christ's resurrection I. As an accomplishment of prophecy The passage quoted by the apostle is very properly applied to this subject [The Psalms were in the apostle's days arranged in the same order as they now are. And the scope of the second Psalm is to declare the triumph of Jesus over all his enemies. by means of his resurrection from the grave, and of his consequent exaltation to the right hand of God. And he might well be said to be "begotten" in the day of his resurrection, because he was then formed anew, as it were, from the earth.] It is confirmed also by many other passages that pre-. dict the same truth a [As it was foreordained by God, so it was foretold in a variety of ways. Sometimes it was exhibited in types, and sometimes in prophecies. In one scripture, not quoted indeed in this place, but cited no less than six times in the New Testament, this marvellous event was predicted in terms so plain that none could misunderstand it, who did not obstinately shut their eyes against the truth.c] We must not however suppose this to be an uninteresting fact: for the apostle further speaks of it a Isaac being put to death, as it were, by his own father, was received again from the dead in a figure, Heb. xi. 19. Jonah was raised again on the third day from the belly of a fish, Matt. xii. 39, 40. The living bird that was let loose after having been dipped in the blood of the bird that had been slain, represented Jesus as ascending to heaven with his own blood, Lev. xiv. 51, 53. with Heb. ix. 12. b Ver. 34, 35. with Isai. lv. 3. which certainly must include the resurrection of him that was to be "the leader and commander;" and Ps. xvi. 10. which is so largely commented upon by St. Peter, Acts ii. 26-31. c Ps. cxviii. 22. with Luke xx. 17. II. As glad tidings to the soul To the disconsolate disciples the tidings of Christ's resurrection were doubtless exceeding joyful. But they ought to be no less so to us, since that event ascertains 1. The virtue of his sacrifice [Had he not risen, his death had been in vain. We could have had no evidence that our debt was discharged, if our surety had not been liberated from the prison of the grave. But his resurrection clearly proved that he had satisfied the demands of law and justice, and it thereby affords us a ground of assured hope, and triumphant exultation.] 2. His sufficiency for our help [If he were still dead, it would be in vain to look to him for help. But, when he has raised up himself,f and spoiled all the principalities and powers of hell, and been exalted on purpose that he might be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins, what may we not expect at his hands? Surely he is declared thereby to be the Son of God with power, and to be able to save us to the uttermost. Let us only seek to know him in the power of his resurrection; and nothing shall be impossible unto us."] 3. The certainty of our own resurrection [Our resurrection depended altogether upon his: if he had not risen, neither should we have risen: but because he rose, we shall rise also. Christ is the first-fruits, which, while it sanctified, assured also the whole harvest." He is our forerunner, who is gone to heaven to prepare places for us, and will come again to raise us to the possession of them." We therefore may consider death and the grave as vanquished for us, and look forward to the complete triumph which we ourselves shall have over them in the last day. Because he liveth, we may be sure that we shall live also.] As a further IMPROVEMENT of this passage, permit me to observe di Cor. xv. 14, 17, 18. f John x. 17, 18. Acts v. 31. k Heb. vii. 25. m Mark ix. 23. ve Rom. iv. 25. and viii. 34. 8 Col. ii. 15. i Rom. i. 4. 1 Phil. iii. 10. n 1 Cor. xv. 20. • Heb. vi. 20. John xiv. 2, 3. p 1 Cor. xv. 53—55. John xiv. 19. 1. How deeply are we interested in the writings of the Old Testament! [In them are promises of which we receive the accomplishment. The word of God is not of private interpretation," as though it belonged only to this or that individual. Many parts doubtless had a peculiar reference to those to whom they were spoken; but none an exclusive reference. Let us then embrace the promises as spoken to ourselves, and expect the fulfilment of them to our own souls.] 2. What enemies are they to themselves who despise the ministry of the gospel! [Many, when the gospel is preached to them, are ready to say, like the devils, We beseech thee, torment us not.t Yes, they look on faithful ministers as the troublers of Israel." But the scope of our ministry is to "declare glad tidings,”. even to proclaim a crucified, and an exalted Saviour. Let any one contemplate the foregoing subject, and see whether it do not afford matter for rejoicing. Let men only forsake their sins, and we have not a word to utter which will not administer to them an occasion of joy.] 3. What a near relation subsists between believers in all ages! [They are our fathers, and we their children. We are all of one family, all united to one head, and all heirs of the same glory. Let us enjoy this thought, and look forward to the time when we shall sit down with all the patriarchs and prophets in the kingdom of our God."] Ps. lxviii. 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men: yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell among them. WHILE some give an unbounded scope to their fancies, and view Christ in almost every passage of the Scriptures, others run into a contrary extreme, and scarcely behold him even in the most express prophecies. But there certainly are many parts of the prophetic wri tings, and particularly of the Psalms, which, to whomsoever they relate in a literal sense, have a spiritual or mystical reference to Christ: nor can we err in interpreting them of him, while we take the inspired apostles for our guides. David, having vanquished all his enemies, determined to provide a fixed residence for the ark of God, that God might dwell in the midst of his people at Jerusalem. And he penned this Psalm to be used on that occasion." But St. Paul informs us, that there was a further reference in it to the ascension of Christ; who being the true ark whereon the glory rested, went, after having triumphed over all his enemies, to his fixed abode in heaven; and, having received gifts as the fruits of his victories, gave them unto men, and provided that God should have a stated residence in his Church." With this inspired comment, we may proceed with confidence to consider I. The manner of Christ's ascension Christ, having submitted to the deepest humiliation, was now to receive a proportionable advancement, which, having already been begun in his resurrection, was now perfected in his ascension. This was 1. Glorious [In verse 17. the glory of it is described, and it is compared with the descent of Jehovah on Mount Sinai. While he was in the very act of blessing his disciples, he was taken up by a cloud, as Elijah was in his fiery chariot, to heaven. Instantly myriads of the heavenly host surrounded him with their acclamations and hosannas. They had surveyed him with astonishment from the first moment that he came into the world. When he yet lay in the manger, they sang, Glory to God in the highest. But, when they beheld him agonizing in the garden, and expiring on the cross, we may almost conceive their songs of joy to have been turned into weeping and lamentation. We doubt not, however, but at this time their joy exceeded all that they had ever felt from their first a It is thought that ver. 1-6. was sung when the ark was taken up by the Levites; ver. 7-14. while they were in their way to the hill, till they came in sight of it; ver. 15-17. while they were ascending it; and ver. 18-23. when the ark was deposited. c Luke xxiv. 51. Eph. iv. 8. creation. They now saw their Creator and their God, who had so long veiled himself in human flesh, ascending to his bright abodes, to display his glory in a light infinitely surpassing all that they had ever seen before. What must his redeemed people also have felt the very instant that he entered the portals of heaven? with what rapture and ecstasies must they have been filled!. But our imagination cannot grasp the thought. We must be in heaven ourselves before we can form the smallest idea of their felicity. Suffice it then to say with the angelic messengers, that, as he ascended up into heaven, so will he speedily come again from heaven; and that in the meantime, instead of gazing with unprofitable curiosity, we must look for his blessings, and devote ourselves to his service.d] 2. Triumphant [In his death he seemed vanquished; but in reality he overcame; and in his ascension he led captive all his enemies and ours. Sin had diffused its poison through all the descendants of Adam, and had infected all their powers both of body and soul. But Christ, having expiated its guilt, now rescued many vassals from its power. Satan, the god of this world, who had hitherto usurped dominion, and led men captive at his will, now "fell from heaven like lightning;" and his throne, shaken to its foundations, was demolished. Death also, that had reigned over all, now was vanquished in its turn; for Jesus "burst its bands:" " By death, he destroyed death, and him that had the power of death, that is, the devil:"e and now, as a mighty conqueror, that had spoiled principalities and powers, he triumphed over them openly," "f and led them captive at his chariot wheels.] From contemplating the manner of his ascension, let us proceed to consider II. The ends of it There were some ends that respected Christ himself, namely, that he might receive his reward, and carry on his work within the vail: but we must confine ourselves to those which respect the church. 1. The immediate end [As Jesus died, so he rose and ascended, in a public capacity, as our mediator with God. He had purchased blessings for us; and he now went to receive them at his d Acts i. 10, 11. f Col. ii. 15. VOL. II. e Heb. ii. 14. 3 I |