SECTION LXXIV.

Chap. xxviii. ver. 1–20.

CHRIST'S RESURRECTION DECLARED.

1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, caine Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

Christ did not need an angel to roll away the stone for him; but this apparition was for the information and conviction of the women.

3. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as

snow:

4. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

"Fear not ye;" who love and seek Jesus, though you are timorous women; let the stout-hearted soldiers fear ; you have no cause; Christ is your's. Fear not, believers, only say this one thing truly, I know I seek Jesus which was crucified.

6. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Where are we? Risen with Christ, or dead in trespasses and sins, and buried in the cares of a worldly life?

7. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy;

An awful fear, and great joy, may be together; nay, cannot well be separated in a holy soul.

8. And did run to bring his disciples word.

These were full of lively zeal; and every expression here made use of lays open their hearts.

9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.

From Christ's mouth, this was more than a common form of salutation. The word is, Rejoice; as if he had said, "Behold, here I am, risen from the dead, to confirm all my promises, and give effect to all your wishes." Lord, thy life, thy death, thy resurrection, all speak this word. Speak it to us in the power of the Holy Ghost, that we may rejoice in thy salvation.

9. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Know thy want of him, and thou wilt fall down at his feet, hold him fast, and worship him as thy life, thy Saviour, thy God, thy all.

10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid; go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

This was comfort indeed from his mouth. Believe in him, and take it to thyself. "Be not afraid;" you need

"Go, tell my brethren." It was great condescension in Christ to call them, and in them all believers, his brethren. Let us say to him, as Thomas said, "My Lord, and my God."

11. Now, when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

VOL. I.

EE

12. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

13. Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away, while we slept.

14. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

So Satan still supports his kingdom of darkness, and keeps men from the truth by lies and calumnies; no matter how gross. What could be more so than the testimony of men to a fact, which happened when they owned they were asleep?

16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain, where Jesus had appointed them.

This was the most important meeting, for the greatest designs, and happiest ends, that ever was in the world.

17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

That our faith might be the surer, by their not being over hasty in believing.

18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

And in consequence of this power, given to him as man and mediator, he here solemnly commissions the apostles to set up his kingdom in the world, and gives them their instructions in few words, but containing his whole gospel, all the love of God to man, and all the duty of man to God.

19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;

Teach not the Jews only, but all other nations of the world. And in virtue of these words, we of this country, as well as others, have been called into the light of the gospel. Only remember, that this light must be in the

heart as well as in the book; if it does not shine there, we are still in the darkness of heathenism, without Christ, and without hope in the world.

"Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" That is, into the belief and service of the Father sending, the Son sent to redeem mankind, and of the Holy Ghost, working faith, and making our baptism effectual. I say, all the love of God to man. is contained in these words. The God of the Christians, or trinity of persons in the Godhead, is here revealed to us in their names and offices, as jointly engaged in the work of our redemption, and equally entitled to our adoration ; and our baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is expressive of our duty, and a most sacred bond upon our souls to dedicate ourselves to the worship and service of the Holy Trinity; to embrace the salvation offered us, to live worthy of it, and rest all our hopes upon it.

20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

Whatever he gave them in charge to teach, relating either to faith or practice; therefore what they teach he teaches, and it is the same thing as if we had it from his own mouth. The doctrine is his; upon his authority we receive it, and to his power it owes all its efficacy. My dear friends, read the Bible, read for your souls. It will be vain to plead ignorance, when you have Christ's wisdom before you, the Spirit to guide you into it, and fifty-two sabbaths in a year, besides many spare hours at other times, in which to learn it.

20. And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

To bless what they taught in their preaching and writings, to that and to all succeeding generations; to bless the reading of this gospel and scripture to you; to help and save all believers.

20. Amen.

We verily believe this gospel to be the truth of God, and heartily wish it may be the power of God to our souls. Even so, blessed Lord, grant that the belief of it may operate in us to the end for which it was given, and that acknowledging the Lord Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, dying for our sins, and rising again for our justification, we may trust in him as our only and all-sufficient Saviour, submit to his teaching, die to sin, and rise again to newness of life, and be sealed by the Spirit unto the day of redemption. Amen.

END OF VOL. I.

LONDON

IBOTSON AND PALMER, PRINTERS, SAVOY STREET, STRAND.