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of the resurrection should be cleared from all doubt or suspicion. They went and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. But they vainly hoped to confine within the barriers of a tomb the body of Him who had "life in himself,” and "quickeneth whom he will." "It was not possible that he should be holden" of death, though he might consent to undergo its pains. And they made it clear, by their own vain precaution, that he did indeed, according to his promise, build up again the temple which they had destroyed, “the temple of his body," and on the third day raise it from the grave.

Indeed, throughout the whole history, we are reminded, by the conduct of the Jews, of the just image of the prophet, who compares the sons of Israel, vainly contending against the will of God, to the wild animal held captive in the net which has been laid for him. They struggle to prevail: but every effort only entangles them the more. They are impelled by their own bad passions: but they are compassed in by the secret power of God, beyond which they cannot move.

3

Here the chief priests examine Jesus, and accuse him under every disadvantage, even suborning witnesses: and the end is, that the judge himself declares him "a just person." They revile and scorn him, and mock his royal title and so they prove his connexion with the prophecies which had gone out concerning him: Contrary to law, they condemn him to death; and contrary to custom, that death is crucifixion. It accomplishes the

3 See Isaiah li. 20.

"determinate counsel of God" for the salvation of mankind. They allege that God, in whom he trusted, has deserted him: God attests, by supernatural signs, the interest which He is taking in the whole transaction. They set a watch over the sepulchre which contains his body; and so contribute to prove the fact of the resurrection, and seal the truth of his words.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" Let our hearts be led not to oppose that wisdom, but to be instructed by it: and to profit by the judgments, which others, by disobedience and unbelief, have drawn down upon themselves.

LECTURE LXXIII.

THE RESURRECTION.

MATT. xxviii. 1-20.

Luke xxiv.

1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward Mark xvi. the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the John xx. other Mary' to see the sepulchre.

2. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow :

The mother of James and Joses.-See ch. xxvii, 56.

D D

4. And for fear of him, the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him.

10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid go tell my brethren, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they

see me.

The conduct of the disciples, at the time of our Lord's death, appears to us very extraordinary. In stead of seeing in that event the fulfilment of all that he had foretold, they considered it as the destruction of their own hopes. They were too much dismayed at his death, to expect his resurrection. The faithful women, Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary who came to see the sepulchre, did not look to find it empty, but brought sweet spices with them that they might anoint the body. "For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead." They had prophecies which might have ex plained this. But these prophecies were still as "a light shining in a dark place." The Holy Spirit had not opened "the eyes of their understanding," that they should perceive the meaning of

2 Mark xvi. 1.

the prophecies, and apply them to the mystery of redemption. And they could not bring themselves to believe, that one whom they had seen to "give up the ghost," and whose body they had deposited in the tomb, should rise again in "his own body." His power, indeed, they had witnessed but not understanding why he died, they had no hope that as he did not employ his power to save himself from death, he would employ it to raise himself from the grave.

He did, however, so employ it. "He died unto sin once;" and "death has no more dominion over him." Neither shall it have any dominion over his disciples. They indeed, as he did, must pay the penalty which sin incurred; they must suffer what sin has brought on all men; but as Christ rose, they too shall rise; and as he lives, they shall live also. Only remember, that those who are to rise with Christ to everlasting glory, must rise with him here first, from "the death of sin, to the life of righteousness." In this sense St. Paul expects that Christians be already risen. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.""

11. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

12. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Col. iii. 1-3.

13. Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

As it was needful for the enemies of Christ to account for his other miracles; so it was also needful for them to explain away the miracle of his resurrection. This they found easy means of doing. Others would not be quick to believe what was so little expected, as hardly to be believed by his dis ciples. And this additional falsehood would not lie heavy on the consciences of those, who had plunged so deep in falsehood already. The heart is soon "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.1

18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

All things had been accomplished, which were to prepare for the establishment of the kingdom

Some doubted, not of the apostles, but of the five hundred brethren, who, as we learn from St. Paul, (1 Cor. xv.) were now assembled.

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