212 ~ Ser. XVII. ~ An Expojition of the epiJUe -:----"--=----- SERMON XVII. EPHES. l. 6. 6. .And bath raifed U5 up together, and made U5 fit together in hea-venly places i11 (hrift JeJU5. FO R the opening ofthefc Words, I en?ea':oured .to !hew two things the !aft Otfcourfe, and fpem moft ofthe ttme mcleanng the Difficulties of the Text. 1 . That the R.efurrection here mentioned, it is diftina: from that of quickning and referreth to that great Benefit, which at the latter day !hall be coaununicated to us. 2. How that all thefe are faid to be already done in Chrifr. Thefe were indeed but Generals to the Words. I !hall now !peak fomething to each Particular, for the opening ofthem. There are you fee here, two degrees of our exaltation in theWorld to come. 1. Our riling again. 2. Our fitting in heavenly places. And the one is the preparation to the other. And herein there are to be con– iidered. I. The things themfelves. Raifed 1•p, andfitting in huunly pkces. - If. The Adjuntls of them. As, 1. That both tbcfe are faid to be done already ; He hath raifed IH "P : and He IMth made tH (it in Heavenly places. 2. That vie are raifed together, and fit together. And, 3· In Cf..rifl Jejit<. IlL The Greatnels ofthis Mercy, and Love ofGod in both thefe. To lhew forth which, isindeed the Apoltle's Scope, both in the Words before, theexceed– ing Creatncfs of his Love towards uS, in quiclming us, in railing us, in fetting us in heavenly places, in Ch,·ifl : and in the Words that follow, at the 71h verfe, T. jbewforth the exceeding Ricf..u ofhn Grace. I fholl begin to fpeak to the firft, the things themfelves raifed Hp, and jtting il! lxavcnf.y places. • When I opened the Word• before, I told you, that all that God be!tows upon m, both ofGroce and Glory, it is bu~Life, oppofed here to Death: For Jefus Chrill: he is appointed to be our Life. Now ofthis Life there are feveral Degrees, fcvcral Parts of it more eminent. The one is that of <!]Uickning: the otb~r the Hefurret\ion and Union ofSoul and Body at the latter day. And the la!t IS the fitting in heavenly places. So that indeed that Life which God intends to be!tow upon us, you fee it is perfeCted by Degrees. He begins with dealingwith the Soul here
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