rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures. 1 Cor. XV, 3, 4. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us. 1 Thess, v, 9, 10. What happened at the time? Various prodigies and signs took place. Matt. xxvii, 51 to 54. When does our Church commemorate the Crucifixion? How solemn a season ought this to be with us! How deeply should we mourn those sins which crucified our Lord! Why did Christ thus suffer? To put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. He hath made him to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor. v, 21. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Gal. iii, 13. The Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Gal. iii, 22. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts. Gal. v, 24. Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Gal. vi, 14. Blotting out the hand writing, &c.--nailing it to his cross. Col. ii, 14. Christ hath once suffered for sins--that he might bring us to God. 1 Pet. iii, 18. Mention some of the principal types of this offering up of our Lord Jesus. The offering up of Isaac, Gen. xxii, compared with Rom. viii, 32. The Paschal Lamb, Exod. xii, compared with John i, 29, and 1 Cor. v, 7. The Brazen Serpent, Numb. xxi, 8, 9, compared with Isa. xlv, 22, and John iii, 14, 15. What became of the body of Jesus after he was dead? It was buried honourably by night, by Joseph of Arimathea, who begged it of Pilate. Matt. xxvii, 57 to 60. Nicodemus also assisted at the interment. John xix, 39, 40. Those who were crucified by the Romans, were generally exposed to the fowls of the air; and a guard was set to prevent pitying friends from burying their bodies. Matt. xxvii, 65, 66. What next do we believe respecting Jesus Christ? Hell, or Hades, has various significations in the Scriptures. 1. The Grave. Out of the belly of hell cried I. Jonah ii, 2. 2. The state of future torment. In hell he lift up his eyes, being in torment. Luke xvi, 23. Bishop Pearson, in his Exposition of the Creed, supposes our Saviour descended,-" Probably not into hell, the place of torment. There is a worm that never dieth, which could not lodge within his breast. Remorse of conscience for what the soul hath done, he could not feel. The grief and horror he felt before his crucifixion, referred to the sins and punishment of men, and were quite different from the sting of conscience in souls condemned to eternal flames. An essential part of hell torments is a present and constant sense of the everlasting displeasure of God, and an impossibility of obtaining favour and avoiding pain, and complete despair of any better condition. If a damned soul had an assurance from God, that it should be released after ten thousand years, it could not be said to feel all the hell the rest are sensible of." "When his sufferings were finished on the cross, and his soul separated from his body, though his body were dead, his soul died not; yet it underwent the condition of the souls of such as die; and as he died in the similitude of a sinner, his soul went to the place where the souls of men are kept who die for their sins, and so did wholly undergo the law of death. But because there was no sin in him, and he had fully satisfied for the sins of others, which he took upon him, therefore, as God suffered not his Holy One to see corruption, so he left not his soul in hell, and thereby gave sufficient security to all those who belong to Christ, of never suffering in the flames prepared for the devil and his angels." Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell. Ps. xvi, 10; Acts ii, 27. Having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Acts ii, 24. E S His soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Acts ii, 31. He descended into the lower parts of the earth. Eph. iv, 9. Why did Christ thus descend into hell? That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil. Heb. ii, 11. Where was the soul of the Redeemer while his body remained in the grave? In Paradise, where the souls of the righteous, separated from their bodies, remain till the day of resurrection. To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke xxiii, 43. What is the meaning of the title CHRIST? The Anointed One. The Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. John i, 41. Why is he called the Anointed? Because he was anointed or set apart by God the Holy Ghost, to be the Prophet, Priest, and King of his people; to each of which offices persons were anointed under the law. He was both foretold and typified in these characters. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost. Acts x, 38. Anointing oil was used on these occasions by the Jews. This shall be holy anointing oil unto me. Exod. xxx, 51. Prophets were anointed. Elisha shalt thou anoint to be prophet. 1 Kings xix, 16. Christ was anointed to be a Prophet, whose office was to make known the will of God. He teaches by his word, his ministers, and his Spirit. Men had despised all other prophets, (Matt, xxi, 37,) so God sent his Son. He bath anointed me to preach, &c. Isa. Ixi, 1; Luke iv, 18. And thou shalt anoint them,---that they may minister unto me in the If the priest that is anointed, &c. Lev. iv, 3. Christ was anointed as a Priest. We are guilty, and Christ has atoned for us by the sacrifice of himself, and by his intercession alone we are able to appear before God. He only could offer an acceptable sacrifice, and appease his Father's wrath. Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedec. Ps. cx, 4. Christ hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God. Eph. v, 2. This priest was made with an oath. Heb. vii, 21. Who needeth not daily--to offer up sacrifice--for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Heb. vii, 27. Every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices, wherefore it is of necessity, that this man have somewhat also to offer. Heb. viii, 3. Kings were anointed. Saul, 1 Sam. xv, 1. David, 1 Sam. xvi, 12. Hazael, 1 Kings xix, 15. Christ is described as a King. We are by nature enslaved to our spiritual enemies; but Christ has become our King to deliver us from them, and to reign over our hearts by his grace. He furnishes us with strength to conquer our enemies, and to live a holy life. His is a spiritual and eternal, not a worldly kingdom. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. Ps. ii, 6. The Prince of Peace-upon the throne of David, and upon bis kingdom, to order it and to establish it. Isa. ix, 6, 7. Behold, thy King cometh unto thee. Matt. xxi, 5. Matt. xxvii, 37. This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever. i, 32, 33. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Rev. xix, 16. Lake Offend not then his majesty, and slight not his love; but receive the Christ of God in his various characters, as your Prophet, your Priest, and your King. Come to him, and let him, as a Priest, wash you from your sins by the blood of sprinking, and apply his atonement to your soul. Let him, as a Prophet, teach you the things which belong to your peace, and instruct you in all spiritual knowledge. Let him as your King, reign without a rival in your heart, and bring not only every action and word, but even every thought into subjection to him. On the Creed. No. 3. ON THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. Jesus Christ has been considered as the Saviour, and as the Anointed of God; we must now consider him as The Only Son of God, and as Our Lord. What evidence have we that Jesus Christ is God's only Son? 1. We have the witness of men. Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. Matt. xvi, 16. We beheld his glory, as of the only begotten of the Father. John, i, 14. I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God. John i, 34. I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God. John xi, 27. Art thou the Son of the Blessed? and he said, I am. Mark xiv, 61, 62. He that believeth not is condemned, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John iii, 18. The Son of God-is he that talketh with thee. I said, I am the Son of God. John x, 36. John ix, 35, 37. 3. We have also the witness of God the Father. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Ps. ii, 7; Acts xiii, 33; Heb. i, 5; Heb. v, 5. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matt. iii, 17; That holy thing shall be called the Son of God. Luke i, 35. The Lord said unto my Lord, &c. Ps. cx, 1; Matt. xxii, 44. Who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. 1 Tim, vi, 15; Rev. xvii, 14; xix, 16. Remember, that he that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. John v, 23. And think not to honour him with your lips, and call him Lord, Lord, while you do not the things which he commands you. Luke vi, 46. Join in the confession, "Thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father;" and while you believe that Jesus is God, and has "made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world," pray that you 66 may receive forgiveness of your sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in him." Acts xxvi, 18. In order that our faith in him may be strengthened, let us examine the proofs of his Divinity. |