Watts - Houston-Packer Collection BX5207.W3 S4x 1805 v.3

brsc. rr, EXAMINED AND ESTABLISHED; lei his Father's name, vested with power, and enthroned in glory, to judge the unbelieving nations, and all the sons of infidelity. He was once unknown in this world, living and dying, but will not be so for ever; 1 John iii. 1. The great enquiry between Paul and his adversaries was about this strange person; it was of one Jesus, who is spoken of as an unknown man.' And he was so for a time, but he will not be so for ever. The world once knew him not; John i. 10. but he shall be most remarkably and illustriously manifested one day. How little mention soever was made of the death and resurrection of Christ, and especially of the doc- trines derived thence, in his own preaching in public while he lived ; yet these are evidently and continually insisted on in the preachings of his apostles, as things of the greatest moment in christianity. Let not these . things therefore be strange or unheard of in our ministra- tion of this gospel, since it is built upon them. It was not proper that Christ should too freely publish these things to the world, when they had not been actu- ally transacted among men : nor was it so fit that he should speak so particularly of the consequences and effects of them, when they were not actual facts ; yet he gave sufficient notice to the world, and much more to his disciples by way of prophecy, that they might expect them. And as he did not talk of these events freelyand publicly, so he could not so properly talk of the conse- quent blessings ofthem. This was left to be done byhis apostles, after those events were come to pass. I have yet many things to say untoyou, (says our blessed Lord) but ye cannot bear them now; John xvi. 12. 3. Let us remember, that whatever advantages or blessings we can derive from the death of Christ, they all depend on his resurrection. His being dead will be of no avail to our souls, either for pardon, or sanctifica- tion, or future happiness, unless he be risen again; 1 Cor. xv. 14, 17. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, andyour faith is also vain-ye are yet in your sins. ,Rom. iv. 25. Jesus who was deliveredfor our offences, and was raised againfor our justification. When we meditate on a dying Saviour in any of his ordinances, let us remember, the Lord is risen; he bath fulfilled that dreadful atonement for sin in his death; lie VOL. III, hi

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