52 CHRIST ER4LTED AND THE SPIRIT GTVSN., [SERM. TV. yet being designed to continue forty days on earth, he was not raised in a glorified body ; Luke xxiv. 39. He pronounces his " body to be flesh and bones, and bids his disciples handle him," but St. Paul assures us ; 1 Cor. xv. 50. " That flesh and blood cannot inherit the king- dom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption ;" and therefore the bodies of the saints at the resurrection must be all changed into spiritual and incorruptible, that is, such as are fit for the services of a glorified spirit, and for an immortal life. Such a change passed upon the flesh and bones of our blessed Lord, when thebright cloud received him out of the sight of his disciples, and conveyed him upward to the mansions. of light and im- mortality. Acts i. 9. II. I might also take notice in the next place. That it is part of the exaltation of Christ to be delivered from all possible sorrows and pains and temptations, to which he was exposed in our world to be placed above the reach of the malice of earth and hell, as well as to be delivered from 'all mortal infirmities, and to be filled With inward satisfaction and joy unspeakable. He is exalted to " the right-hand of God, where there are pleasures for ever more ;" Ps. xvi. 11. His holy soul, which once endured such terrible conflicts and agonies, now sits triumphant in eternal peace, never, to be ruffled and disquieted again. IIe now enjoys those sweet and sacred satisfactions 'of heart, which arise from the review of his own finished labours and sufferings; tiresome "labours indeed, and tremendous sufferings, but never more to be repeated ! He is now for ever drinking in fuller.. pleasures from the indwelling godhead, from the smiles of his Father's face, and shall never more com- plain, " My God why hast thou forsaken me? Mat. xxvii. 4G. He, for the joy that was set before him, en dured the cross, and despised the shame ;" lieb. xii. 2. and these are the joys which he is now possessed ofas a just and divine recompence. III. He has authority given him by the Father, to govern the world as long as it stands, and to judge'it at the last day. " He is exalted to be both a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to men and forgiveness of sins ;" Acts v. 31. He calls those who are given him out of the world, and makes them parts of his church
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=