cont’d
(5:) Be like Christ in HOLINESS of life. Was Christ incarnate? Was he made like us? Let us be made like him in holiness of life. No temptation could fasten upon him. "The prince of this world comes, and has nothing in me." John 14:30. Temptation to Christ, was like a spark of fire upon a marble pillar, which glides off. Christ’s life, says Chrysostom, was brighter than the sunbeams. Let us be like him in this. "As the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct." 1 Peter 1:15. "We are not," says Augustine, "to be like Christ in working miracles—but in a holy life." A Christian should be both a magnet and a diamond; a magnet—in drawing others to Christ; a diamond—in casting a sparkling luster of holiness in his life. Oh let us be so just in our dealings, so true in our promises, so devout in our worship, so unblamably in our lives—that we may be the walking pictures of Christ! Thus as Christ was made in our likeness, let us labor to be made in his.
(3.) If Jesus Christ was so abased for us; if he took our flesh, which was a disparagement to him—a mingling dust with gold; if he abased himself so for us—let us be willing to be abased for him. If the world reproaches us for Christ’s sake, and cast dirt on our name—let us bear it with patience. The apostles departed from the council, "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ’s name!" That is—that they were graced to be disgraced for Christ. That is a good saying of Augustine, "those who take away a saint’s reputation, shall add to his reward." While they make his reputation weigh lighter—they will make his crown weigh heavier. Oh, was Christ content to be humbled and abased for us, to take our flesh, and to take it when it was in disgrace? Let us not think much to be abased for Christ. Say as David, "If this is to be vile—I will yet be more vile!" "If to serve my Lord Christ, if to keep my conscience pure—if this is to be vile—I will yet be more vile!"
Use three: Of COMFORT. Jesus Christ, having taken our flesh, has ennobled our nature. Our nature is now invested with greater royalties and privileges, than in time of innocence. Before, in innocence, we were made in the image of God; but now, Christ having assumed our nature, we are made one with God; our nature is now ennobled above the angelic nature. Christ taking our flesh, has made us nearer to himself, than the angels. The angels are his friends; believers are flesh of his flesh—his members. Ephesians 5:30, Ephesians 1:23. The same glory which is put upon Christ’s human nature, shall be put upon believers!
7. Christ’s EXALTATION "God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name." Php 2:9.
We have before spoken of Christ’s humiliation; we shall now speak of his exaltation. Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse, and shining in its full glory. "God exalted him to the highest place;" "Above all exaltation."
Question 28: What does Christ’s exaltation consist of?
Answer: In his rising from the dead, his ascending into heaven, and his sitting at the right hand of God the Father, etc. In what sense has God exalted Christ? Not in respect of his Godhead, for that cannot be exalted higher than it is: as in his humiliation, the Godhead was not lower; so in his exaltation, the Godhead is not higher: but Christ is exalted as Mediator, his human nature is exalted.
How many ways is Christ exalted?
Five ways. God has exalted Christ, 1. In his titles.
2. In his office.
3. In his ascension.
4. To his right-hand.
5. In constituting him judge of the world.
I. God has exalted Christ in his TITLES.
[1] He is exalted to be a LORD. "The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." He is a Lord in respect of his sovereignty; he is Lord over angels and men. "All power is given to him." Christ has three keys in his hand, the key of the grave, to open the graves of men at the resurrection; the key of heaven, to open the kingdom of heaven to whomever he will; the key of hell, to lock up the damned in that fiery prison. "I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave." Revelation 1:18. To this Lord all knees must bow. "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." Name is here put for person; to that holy Jesus, to the scepter of that divine person, every knee shall bow. Bowing is put for subjection. All must be subdued to him as sons or captives, submit to him as to the Lord or Judge. Psalms 2:12, "Kiss the Son" with a kiss of love and loyalty. We must not only cast ourselves into Christ’s arms to be saved by him—but we must cast ourselves at his feet to serve him.
[2] Christ is exalted to be a PRINCE. "At that time Michael the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up." Some think it was a created angel—but it was Christ the angel of the covenant. He is a great prince. "The prince of the kings of the earth." Human kings hold their crowns by immediate tenure from him; his throne is above the stars, he has angels and archangels for his attendants. Thus he is exalted in his titles of honor.
II. God has exalted Christ in his OFFICE. God has honored him to be Salvator mundi—the Savior of the world. "Him has God exalted with his right hand, to be a prince and a Savior." It was a great honor to Moses to be a temporal savior; but what is that, compared to the Savior of souls? "He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David." Luke 1:69. He saves from sin, Matthew 1:21; from wrath, 1 Thessalonians 1:10. To save, is a flower belonging only to his crown. "Neither is there salvation in any other." Acts 4:12. What an honor is this to Christ! How did it make heaven ring with the praises of the saints! They sing hallelujahs to Christ their Savior. "And they sang a new song—You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you redeemed men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Revelation 5:9.
III. God has exalted Christ in his ASCENSION; for if he is ascended, then he is exalted. The Scripture plainly says he ascended into heaven. Luke 24:51 and Ephesians 4:10. "Far above all heavens;" therefore above the skies. He is ascended into the highest part of the empyrean heaven, which Paul calls the third heaven. Concerning Christ’s ascension, two things may be observed:
[1] The MANNER of his ascension. When Christ ascended he blessed his disciples. "He lifted up his hands, and blessed them, and while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Luke 24:50-51. He did not leave them houses and lands—but he left them his blessing.
He ascended as a conqueror, in a way of triumph. "You have led captivity captive." He triumphed over sin, hell, and death; and his triumph is a believer’s triumph. He has conquered sin and hell for every believer.
[2] The FRUIT of Christ’s ascension. His ascension to heaven causes the descension of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. "When he ascended up on high, he gave gifts to men." Having ascended up in the clouds, as his triumphant chariot, he gives the gift of his Spirit to us; as a king at his coronation bestows gifts liberally on his favorites.
IV. God has exalted Christ to His right hand. "After the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat upon the right hand of God." "He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." Ephesians 1:20-21.
What is meant by Christ sitting at God’s right hand?
God really has no right-hand or left; for being a Spirit, he is void of all bodily parts. This is a metaphor taken from the manner of kings, who were accustomed to advance their favorites next to their own persons, and set them at their right hand. Solomon caused a seat to be set for the queen his mother, and placed her at his right hand. So for Christ to sit at the right hand of God, is to be in the next place to God the Father in dignity and honor. The human nature of Christ, being personally united to the divine nature, is now set down on a royal throne in heaven, and adored even by angels! By virtue of the personal union of Christ’s human nature with the divine, there is a communication of all that glory from the Deity of Christ of which his human nature is capable. Not that the manhood of Christ is advanced to an equality with the Godhead—but the divine nature being joined with the human, the human nature is wonderfully glorified, though not deified. Christ as mediator is filled with all majesty and honor, beyond the comprehension of the highest order of angels. In his humiliation he descended so low—that it was not fit to go lower; and in his exaltation he ascended so high—that it is not possible to go higher. In his resurrection he was exalted above the grave; in his ascension he was exalted above the starry heavens; in his sitting at God’s right hand he was exalted far above the highest heavens, "Far above all heavens."
V. God has exalted Christ in constituting him JUDGE of the whole world. "The Father has committed all judgement to the Son." At the day of judgement Christ shall be exalted supereminently. "He shall come in the glory of his Father." He shall wear the same embroidered robes of majesty as the Father; and he shall come with all his holy angels. Matthew 25:31. He who was led to the bar with a band of soldiers, shall be attended to the bench with a guard of angels. Christ shall judge his judges, he shall judge Pilate who condemned him; kings must leave their thrones and come to his bar. And this is the highest court of judicature, from whence is no appeal.
Use one: Of INFORMATION.
(1.) See the different states of Christ—when he was on earth—and now that he is in heaven. Oh how is the scene altered! When he was on earth, he lay in a manger; now he sits on a throne! Then he was hated and scorned of men; now he is adored by angels! Then his name was reproached; now, "God has given him a name above every name." Then he came in the form of a servant, and as a servant, stood with his bason and towel, and washed his disciples’ feet; now he is clad in his princes’ robes, and the kings of the earth cast their crowns before him. On earth he was a man of sorrows; now he is anointed with the oil of gladness. On earth was his crucifixion; now his coronation. Then his Father frowned upon him in desertion; now he has set him at his right hand. Before, he seemed to have no form or beauty in him; Isaiah 53:2; now he is in the brightness of his Father’s glory. Hebrews 1:3. Oh what a change is here! "Him has God highly exalted."
(2.) Was Christ first humbled and then exalted? Hence learn, that the way to true honor is humility. "He who humbles himself shall be exalted." The world looks upon humility as that which will make contemptible—but it is the sure way to honor. The way to rise is to fall; the way to ascend is to descend. Humility exalts us in the esteem of men, and it exalts us to a higher throne in heaven. "Whoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." He shall have a greater degree of glory in it.
(3.) Christ first suffered—and then was exalted. See here, that sufferings must go before glory. Many desire to be glorified with Christ—but they are not content to suffer for him. "If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him." The wicked first reign—and then suffer; the godly first suffer—and then reign. There is no way to heaven—but through sufferings. There is no way to the crown—but by the cross. Jerusalem above is a pleasant city, streets of gold, gates of pearl; but we must travel through a dirty road to it, through many reproaches and sufferings. Acts 14:22. We must enter into glory as Christ did; who first suffered shame and death—and then was exalted to sit at God’s right hand.
Use two: Of COMFORT.
(1.) Christ, being so highly exalted, has ennobled our nature, crowned it with glory, and lifted it above angels and archangels. Though, as man, he was made a little lower than the angels—yet as the human nature is united to the divine, and is at God’s right hand—so the human nature is above the angels. If God has so dignified our nature, what a shame is it that we should debase it! God has exalted the human nature above the angels, and the drunkard debases the human nature below the beasts!
(2.) Christ being exalted at God’s right hand, the key of government is laid upon his shoulders; he governs all the affairs of the world for his own glory. Do you think that when Christ is so highly advanced, and has all power in heaven and earth in his hand, he will not take care of his elect, and turn the most astonishing providences to the good of his church? In a clock, the wheels move contrary one to another—but all make the clock strike. Just so, Christ being at his Father’s right hand, will make the most contrary providences tend to the salvation of his church.
(3.) Christ being at God’s right hand, we may be assured he has now finished the work of man’s redemption. "This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God." If Christ had not fully expiated sin, and satisfied God’s law, he would not have sat down at God’s right hand—but had still lain in the grave; but now he is exalted to glory; which is an evident token that he has done and suffered all that was required of him, for working out our redemption.
(4.) Though Jesus Christ is so highly exalted in glory—yet he is not forgetful of us on earth. Some, when raised to places of honor, forget their friends; as the chief butler, when restored to his place at court, forgot poor Joseph in prison. But it is not so with Christ; though exalted to such glory in heaven, he is not unmindful of his saints on earth. Our high priest has all the names and needs of his people written upon his breast-plate. Are you tempted? Though Christ is in glory, he knows how to pity and support you. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15. Do you mourn for sin? Christ, though in a glorified state—hears your sighs, and bottles your tears!
(5.) Christ being exalted at God’s right hand is for the comfort of believers—that they will one day be exalted to that place of glory where he is! Christ’s exaltation is our exaltation. He has prayed for this. "Father, I will that all those, whom you have given me, be with me where I am." "There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14:2-3. Christ is called the head, and the church is called the body. Ephesians 1:22-23. The head being exalted to honor, the mystic body shall be exalted also. As surely as Christ is exalted far above all heavens—so surely will he instate believers in all that glory with which his human nature is adorned. "I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are." John 17:22. As he here puts his grace upon the saints, so shortly will he put his glory upon them! This is comfort for the poorest Christian. Perhaps you have scarcely a house to put your head in—yet you may look up to heaven, and say, "There is my house, there is my country; I have already taken possession of heaven in my head, Christ! He sits there, and it will not be long before I shall sit there with him; he is upon the throne of glory, and I have his word for it—I shall sit upon the throne with him" "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne." Revelation 3:21.
Use three: Of EXHORTATION. Has God highly exalted Christ? Let us labor to exalt him. Let us exalt, (1.) His person. (2.) His truths.
(1.) Let us exalt Christ in our hearts—believe, adore and love him! We cannot lift him up higher in heaven—but we may lif him higher in our hearts. Let us exalt him in our lips; let us praise him. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, our tongues must be the organs in these temples. By praising and commending Christ, we exalt him in the esteem of others. Let us exalt him in our lives, by living holy lives. This is true true religion—when men strive to live blameless lives. Not all the doxologies and prayers in the world so exalt Christ—as a holy life! It makes Christ renowned, and lifts him up indeed, when his followers walk worthy of him.
(2.) Let us exalt Christ’s truths. The nobles of Polonia, whenever the gospel is read—they lay their hands upon their swords, intimating by that they are ready to maintain the gospel with the hazard of their lives. Let us exalt Christ’s truths; maintain the truths of Christ—against error; maintain the doctrine of free grace—against merit; maintain the Deity of Christ—against Socinianism.
Truth is the most orient pearl in Christ’s crown. Let us contend for the truth, as one would for a large sum of money, that it should not be wrested out of his hand. Christ takes it to be exalting him—when we exalt his truths, wherein his glory is concerned.
8. Christ The REDEEMER Question 30: How does the Spirit apply the redemption purchased by Christ to us?
Answer: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. In this answer, there are two things. It is implied that Christ is the glorious purchaser of our redemption, in the words, "The redemption purchased by Christ". And it is declared that the Spirit applies to us this purchased redemption, by working in us faith, etc. The thing implied is—that Jesus Christ is the glorious purchaser of our redemption. The doctrine of redemption by Jesus Christ is a glorious doctrine; it is the marrow and quintessence of the gospel, in which all a Christian’s comfort lies. Great was the work of creation—but greater the work of redemption; it cost more to redeem us than to make us. In creation, there was but the speaking of a word; in redemption, there was the shedding of blood. The creation was but the work of God’s fingers. Psalms 8:3. Redemption is the work of his arm. Luke 1:51.
"Having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 9:12. Christ’s purchasing redemption for us implies that our sins mortgaged and sold us. Had there not been some kind of mortgaging there had been no need of redemption. When we were thus mortgaged, and sold by sin, Christ purchased our redemption. He had the best right to redeem us, for he is our kinsman. The Hebrew word for Redeemer, Goel, signifies a kinsman, one who is near in blood. In the old law the nearest kinsman was to redeem his brother’s land. Ruth 4:4. Thus Christ being near akin to us, "Flesh of our flesh," is the fittest to redeem us.
How does Christ redeem us? By his own precious blood. "In whom we have redemption through his blood." Among the Romans, he was said to redeem another, who laid down a price equivalent for the ransom of the prisoner. In this sense Christ is a Redeemer; he has paid a price. Never was such a price paid to ransom prisoners. "You are bought with a price; and this price was his own blood." So, in the text, "by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." This blood being the blood of that person who was God as well as man, is a price sufficient for the ransom of millions. From what does Christ redeem us? From sin. To be redeemed from slavery is a great mercy—but it is infinitely more to be redeemed from sin. There is nothing that can hurt the soul but sin. Affliction cannot hurt it, it often makes it better, as the furnace makes gold the purer; but it is sin that damnifies. Now, Christ redeems us from sin. "Now, once in the end of the world has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." But how are we redeemed from sin? Do we not see corruption stirring in the regenerate? Do we not see much pride and unmortified passion?
Redemption is either begun—or perfect. Sin cannot stand with a perfect redemption; but here on earth, redemption is only begun, and sin may stand with an imperfect redemption. There may be some darkness in the air at the sun’s first rising—but not when the sun is at the full meridian. While our redemption is but begun, there may be sin; but not when it is perfect in glory. In what sense has Christ redeemed justified people from sin?
(1.) A justified person is redeemed from the guilt of sin—though not the stain of sin. Guilt is the binding a person over to punishment. Now, Christ has redeemed a justified person from the guilt of sin; he has discharged his debts. Christ says to God’s justice, as Paul to Philemon, "If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account." Verse 18.
(2.) A justified person is redeemed from the power and dominion of sin—though not from the presence of sin. Sin may may rage in a child of God—but not reign. Lust raged in David, and fear in Peter—but it did not reign; they recovered themselves by repentance. "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Romans 6:14. Sin lives in a child of God—but is deposed from the throne; it lives not as a king—but a captive.
(3.) A justified person is redeemed from the curse due to sin. "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Galatians 3:13. Christ said to his Father, as Rebecca to Jacob, "Upon me, upon me be the curse; let the blessing be upon them—but upon me be the curse." And now, there is no condemnation to believers. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1. An unbeliever has a double condemnation; one from the law which he has transgressed, and the other from the gospel which he has despised. But Christ has redeemed the believer from this malediction, he has set him outside of the power of hell and damnation. To what has Christ redeemed us?
Christ has redeemed us to a glorious inheritance. "For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay!" 1 Peter 1:4.
(1.) Christ has redeemed us to an inheritance. Christ has not only redeemed us out of prison—but he has redeemed us to a state of happiness, to an inheritance. Heaven is not a lease which soon expires—but an inheritance; and a glorious inheritance; called an inheritance in light. Colossians 1:12. Light adorns and gilds the world. What would the world be without light—but a prison? The heavenly inheritance is irradiated with light. Christ, as a continual sun, enlightens it with his beams. Revelation 21:23.
(2.) Christ has redeemed us to an incorruptible inheritance. It does not moulder away or suffer dissolution. Earthly comforts are shadowed out by the tabernacle, which was transient. But heaven is set out by the temple, which was fixed and permanent, built with stone, overlaid with gold. This is the glory of the celestial inheritance; it is incorruptible. Eternity is written upon the frontispiece of it.
(3.) Christ has redeemed us to an undefiled inheritance. The Greek word for undefiled, alludes to a precious stone called Amiantus, which cannot be blemished. Such a place is heaven, undefiled, nothing can stain it; there is no sin there to eclipse its purity. For holiness and undefiledness, it is compared to pure gold, and to the sapphire and emerald. Revelation 21:19. "The sapphire has a virtue," says Pliny, "to preserve chasteness, the emerald to expel poison." These are the lively emblems of heaven, to show the sanctity of it; no fever of lust; no venom of malice; none but pure virgin spirits inhabit it.
(4.) Christ has redeemed us to an unfading inheritance. The Greek word is the name of a flower, Amarantus, which keeps fresh and green for a long time. Such is the heavenly inheritance, it does not lose its orient color—but keeps its freshness and greenness to eternity; its beauty never fades away. To this glorious inheritance has Christ redeemed the saints; an inheritance which cannot be fully described or set forth by all the lights of heaven, though every star were a sun. And that which is the diamond in the ring, the glory of this inheritance—is the eternal sight and fruition of the blessed God! The sight of God will be a most alluring, heart-ravishing object; the king’s presence makes the court. "We shall see him as he is!" It is comfortable to see God showing himself through the lattice of an ordinance, to see him in the Word and sacrament. The martyrs thought it comfortable to see him in a prison. Oh then, what will it be to see him in glory, shining ten thousand times brighter than the sun! and not only see him—but enjoy him forever! Faith itself is not able fully to comprehend this reward. All this blessedness has Christ purchased for us, through the redemption of his blood.
Use one: Of INSTRUCTION.
(1.) See into what a wretched deplorable condition we had brought ourselves by sin! We had sinned ourselves into slavery, so that we needed Christ to purchase our redemption. Says Cicero, "Slavery is the worst condition." But by sin we are in the worst slavery—slaves to Satan, a merciless tyrant, who sports in the damnation of souls! We were in this deplorable condition, when Christ came to redeem us.
(2.) See in this, as in a transparent glass, the love of Christ to the elect. He came to redeem them; and died intentionally for them. It would be great love for a king to pay a great sum of money to redeem a slave. But if the king should willingly become a prisoner in his stead, and die for his ransom—this would be a matter of astonishment! Jesus Christ has done all this, he has written his love in characters of blood! It would have been much for Christ to speak a good word to his Father for us—but he knew that was not enough to redeem us. Though a word speaking made a world—yet it would not redeem a sinner. "Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin."
Use two: Of TRIAL. If Christ came to purchase our redemption, then let us test ourselves—to see whether or not we are the people whom Christ has redeemed from the guilt and curse due to sin. This is a needful trial; for there is only a certain number whom Christ has redeemed. "Oh," say sinners, "Christ is a redeemer, and we shall be saved by him!" Beloved, Christ came not to redeem all, for that would overthrow the decrees of God. Redemption is not as large as creation. I grant there is a sufficiency of merit in Christ’s blood to save all; but there is a difference between sufficiency and efficiency. Christ’s blood is a sufficient price for all—but it is effectual only to those who believe. A plaster may have a sovereign virtue in it to heal any wound—but it does not heal any, unless applied to the wound. And if it is so, that all have not the benefit of Christ’s redemption—but only some—then it is a necessary question to ask our own souls, "Are we in the number of those who are redeemed by Christ, or not?"
How shall we know that?
(1.) Such as are redeemed are RECONCILED to God. The enmity is taken away. Their judgments approve of God, and their wills are inclined to God. Colossians 1:21. Are they redeemed—who are unreconciled to God, who hate God and his people, who do all they can to disparage holiness? Are they redeemed who are unreconciled to God? Christ has purchased a reprieve for these; but a sinner may have a reprieve, and yet go to hell. John 5:6.
(2.) Such as are redeemed by Christ are redeemed from the WORLD. "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver (or redeem) us from this present evil world." Galatians 1:4. Such as are redeemed by Christ—are risen with Christ, Colossians 3:1. As birds that land upon the ground to pick up a little seed, immediately fly up to heaven again; so the redeemed of the Lord use the world, and take the lawful comforts of it—but their hearts are presently off these things, and they ascend to heaven. They live here—and trade above. Such people as Christ has died for, are "dead to the world." They are dead to its honors, profits, and preferments. What shall we think of those who say they are redeemed of the Lord—and yet are lovers of the world? They are like the tribes who desired to have their portion on this side Canaan. "They mind earthly things." They pull down their souls—to build up an estate. They are not redeemed by Christ—who are not redeemed from the world.
Use three: Of COMFORT to such as are redeemed. You are most blessed—the lot of free grace has fallen upon you! You were once in the devil’s prison—but God has freed you from that prison! You were once bound in the chains of sin—but God has begun to beat off your chains, and has freed you from the power of sin, and the curse due to it. What a comfort is this! Is there any consolation in Christ? It is shine. Is there any sweet fruit growing upon the promise? You may gather this sweet fruit. Are there any glorious privileges in the gospel? They are yours— justification, adoption, glorification. Is there any glory in heaven? You shall shortly drink of that river of pleasure. Have you any temporal comforts? These are but a pledge of more. Your meal in the barrel is but a meal by the way, and a pledge of that angels’ food which God has prepared for you. How may you be comforted in all worldly afflictions, though your fig-tree does not flourish! Death itself has lost its sting. Death shall carry you to your Redeemer! Do not fear dying, since you cannot be perfectly happy but by dying.
Use four: Of EXHORTATION. Long for the time when you shall have a full and perfect redemption in heaven—an eternal jubilee—when you shall be freed not only from the power but from the presence of sin! Here a believer is as a prisoner who has broken prison—but walks with a fetter on his leg. When the banner of glory shall be displayed over you, you shall be as the angels of God! You shall never more have a sinful thought; nor pain nor grief, nor aching head nor unbelieving heart. You shall see Christ’s face, and lie forever in his arms! Long for that time, when you shall put off your prison garments, and change your raiment, and put on the embroidered garment of glory! Oh long for it! Yet be content to wait for this full and glorious redemption, when you shall be more happy than you can desire! "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.
