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COMPARISON BETWEEN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE CONVERSION OF A SINNER.

ROM. vi. 5.

-The likeness of his resurrection.

What tho 'once we perish'd all,
Partners of our Parents' fall;
Second life we now receive,
In our heavenly Adam live.
Hail the Lord of earth and heav'n!
Praise to thee by both be giv'n!.
Thee we greet triumphant now,
Hail: the Resurrection-Thou.

J. R.

THE Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a fact against which the enemies of Christianity have levelled their most virulent artillery. No wonder, therefore, that with equal ardour, Christians employ themselves in the research of those positive and presumptive evidences on which this great fact is founded; and from thence draw their fortitude of soul and hope of immortality. To know Jesus, and the power of his resurrection, was the ardent wish of St. Paul. He did know them in a degree, but wished to penetrate them more deeply, and feel their efficacy more sensibly. Indeed, to know the power of the resurrection of Jesus, what it is in itself, as proving his character, evincing the completeness of his ransom, and destroying our enemies; to know and feel the power and influence of that resurrection upon the heart; and to be taught the exertion of that power upon the bodies of saints at the close of time; these enter very materially into the marrow of Christianity.

I purpose, in this discourse, to show you THE LIKENESS BETWEEN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS AND THE CONVERSION OF A SINNER.

1. JESUS was declared to be the Son of God, with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by his resurrection from the dead. God hath fulfilled his promise, in that he hath raised up Jesus again, as it is written in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. When Jesus entered public life, it was in the character of the Son of God; but the Jews denied him that claim, and charged him with blasphemy. Satan, in the wilderness, levelled all his temptation against the sonship of Jesus. And many of his followers frequently doubted of his character, and said unto him, If thou be the Christ, the Son of God, tell us plainly. But, when Jesus arose from the dead, it established his claim AS THE SON OF GOD; and after his appearance to his disciples, their faith was sufficiently confirmed, and they were filled with exceeding great joy !—As with Jesus, so with converted sinners. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. First risen with Christ, as Head and Redeemer, and then, by virtue of that secret union, his people are brought into a visible relation to him as the sons of God, by the regene ration of the same Spirit of holiness that raised him up from the dead. We may call ourselves the sons of God, be either esteemed or denied such by others; but unless we have experienced the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, by the regeneration of our souls, our claim to the character is vain. Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,

Abba, Father. See, therefore, the connection, and the analogy, between the resurrection of Jesus and our regeneration. As Christ was delivered for our offences, and rose again for our justification; so, we can have no greater evidence of interest in him, than by being raised by grace from a state of moral death and corruption, to walk in newness of life.

2. Jesus said, I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again. He did lay down his life, attended with tears, with sorrow, and with blood, as the ransom of his flock; but, when he took it up again, though essentially the same life, it was freed from every possible degree of anguish; he wept no more; for in that he died, he died unto sin once; but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. The risen Jesus now declares, I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for Evermore. Jesus is now made a PRIEST. for ever, after the power of an endless life; and ever lives to make intercession for us. In this instance also, we trace the likeness of his resurrection, to the conversion of a sinner. Christ is our life; our life is hid with Christ in God. His new and glorified life is communicated to his members. Because I live, ye shall live also. With this life, whoever hath it, like the risen Jesus, they live unto God; and as the life of Jesus, so the new and spiritual life of his people shall never see death. I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. With what satisfaction and gratitude should Christians look on their new life! and what strong consolation must this afford in prospect of the grave!

3. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was

his first step to the mansions of bliss. And, certain it is, the conversion of a sinner is his first step to the mansions of glory. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. But those who are born again shall surely see the kingdom of God. It is indeed their first step. While lying in the grave of iniquity, there can be no hope; but when the soul, dead in trespasses and in sin, is quickened by Christ, and the stony heart, like the door of his sepulchre, is in any way removed, the actions of spiritual life are produced, and liberty, unknown before, is most charmingly enjoyed! The Lord giveth grace and glory. There is an inseparable connection between these two gifts. He that bestows regenerating, sanctifying life upon a sinner, as the fruit of grace, will eventually crown that life with glory. Jesus is our fore-runner. As sure as he took his first step from the grave, and then ascended up on high, crowned with glory and majesty, so assuredly shall the living members of his spiritual body unite with him their Head, and be glorified together. For this he incessantly prays, and this shall certainly be accomplished. Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, to behold my glory. Can Jesus plead in vain? Impossible! Let us then rejoice in in hope of the glory of God.

4. The last view we shall take between the likeness of the resurrection of Jesus, and the conversion of a sinner, is the assemblage of the DIVINE ATTRIBUTES in producing them. Christ was raised up by the glory of his Father. Not so much by the attendance of the bright Angels who were sent to witness the resurrection of Jesus, as the display of the divine perfections in that glorious event. The WISDOM of God in devising the plan of redemption; his OMNIPOTENCE in raising Jesus from

the dead, when he personated his numberless people, and bore their still more numerous transgressions; his FAITHFULNESs in accomplishing the many prophecies and promises made unto the fathers in various ages concerning the incarnation, death, and resurrection of his Son; his JUSTICE, receiving from Christ, our adored surety, complete satisfaction to his law, in precept and penalty; and, with these, his MERCY and his LOVE, shine with more radient lustre than the meridian sun in its brightness! The application of these attributes is made to the conversion of sinners. As Christ was raised up by the glory of the Father, so we also walk in newness of life. Paul wished the Ephesians to know, what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead. The same power of Jehovah which raised Jesus from the sepulchre, is not only necessary, but is evidently exerted in raising a sinner from the grave of iniquity, by regeneration and conversion. And, however easy some may imagine it to believe, to the saving of the soul, we learn from the above quoted text, that the faith of God is wrought in the soul, and supported by the exceeding greatness of his power. This is the grand reason why he that believeth shall be saved. Paul being raised by the power of God, from a state of ignorance, carnality, and implacable enmity, to a life of obedience, zeal, and ho nour in the cause of Emmanuel, gave this testimony concerning the temper of the disciples towards him; they glorified God in me. The wisdom, goodness, mercy, power, and love of God, manifest in the resurrection of Jesus, was proportionably displayed in the conversion of Paul; and is likewise displayed in the regeneration of every sinner in every age.

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