DrsC. L EXAhfT::ED A.sfÌ) ES2AIILiSktD, t-0 such a privilege; Acts iii. 13, 15. Ye have killed the Prince ofLife, whom God hath raisedfront the dead;` whereof we are witnesses. II: Reason.. Because as his rising from the dead is the great proof of his mission, so the resurrection of Christ is the great foundation of the christian's hope which will appear in several particulars, viz. 1. This was a testimony of his having answered the end for which he died, having made a full atonement for . sin, and his being released from the hands of punishing justice ; Acts ii. 24. Rom. iv. 25. Rom. viii. 34. He tools our sins on him, he did bear the punishment of our iniquities ; 1 Pet. ii. 24. he bare our sins in his own body . on the tree, &c. And death is the wages of fin. Now when he had taken our sins on him, unless he had made full atonement andexpiation for sin, he would have lain under the power of death still; but being raised from the dead, it appears, that divine justice bath received full satisfaction for sin ; and the way is open for the justice of God to receive sinners into favour. This is the beginning of his exaltation and his power, to bestow all the blessings of the gospel, sanctify- cation, salvation, and eternal life ; as well as all the gifts of the Spirit which confirmed his religion. See Acts ii. 32, 33, 36. This Jesus bath God raised up, whereof weall are witnesses : therefore being by the right-hand ofGod exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shedforth this, which ye now seeand hear ; Therefore let all the house ofIsrael know assuredly, that Godhath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ, Acts v.31. Him hath Godexalted with his right-hand, to be a Prince -and a Saviour, för to give repentance to Israel, andforgiVe., ness of sins. His government, his intercession, his coming to judg- ment, all depend on this ; and his power to bestow hea- ven on his disciples, as well as his power to punish the wilful, and obstinate, and impenitent, who renounced or rejected his name, his gospel, and his salvation. 3. This Jesus Christ, risen from the dead is the prime foundation of our most glorious expectation, it is the;pat= tern and pledge of our final hope and blessedness:: bey Cause I live ye shall live also, saith our blessed Lord; z,3
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