as, and on this wise showed he himself," John 21:1. In these apparitions, the evangelist useth one and the same method: as in the former, so here again is set down the time, the place where, the persons to whom, the manner how he appeared; not one of these circumstances must be wanting, to show the evidence and certainty of his resurrection.

1. The time, after these things; after the three former apparitions, he comes to a fourth, and he concludes with this, as therein making some mention of himself, with which he concludes the whole book, "This is the disciple which testifieth these things, and wrote these things, and we know his testimony is true," verse 24.

2. The place, at the sea of Tiberias," or at the lake of Genezareth, where he had called them to the apostleship, there now he appears to these apostles; they were at first fishers, and now they are at their calling upon the sea, Christ standing upon the shore.

3. The persons to whom he appears, they were disciples, their names are in the next verse. All Christ's apparitions were to the disciples of Christ; we read not that ever he showed himself after his resurrection to any but his followers; he showed himself openly, "not to all the people, but unto witnesses, chosen before of God, even to us who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead," Acts 10:41. Strangers to Christ must be no witnesses of Christ's resurrection, and this was his meaning, "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more, but ye see me," John 14:19.

4. For the manner of his apparition, "on this wise showed he himself.” 1. He showed himself; so it is in this verse twice repeated, "After these things Jesus showed himself, and in this wise showed he himself." "Christ now was not seen or known to the bodily eye, (for his body was immortal) unless by dispensation he condescended thereto." I deny not, but that glorified bodies are ever actually seen of bodies that are glorified; but of mortal men, who are yet in this vale of tears, those glorious creatures cannot be actually seen, except there be some peculiar and divine dispensation. As the air is too subtile to be seen, or as the sun is to glorious for a weak eye to behold, so are glorified bodies too subtile, too splendid for a mortal eye to pierce; our Saviour tells us, that the bodies of the saints "do shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father," Matth. 13:43. and that they are as the angels, Matth. 22:30. And the apostle tells us, that their bodies are spiritual bodies," there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body," 1 Cor. 15:44. Now without dispensation, we cannot see spiritual things. And hence it is, that when Christ showed himself to the two disciples at Emmanus, it is said, Thất "their eyes were opened, and that they knew him, and he vanished out of their sight," Luke 24:31. Mark, first their eyes were opened; why, no question but their eyes were opened before, they did not walk with him, and talk with him, and sit with him, and eat with him, but their eyes were then opened; ay, but now their eyes were opened in another manner, as it is said of Elisha's servant, that at the prayers of Elisha, "the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold the mountain was full of horses, and chariots of fire round about Elisha," 2 Kings 6:17. in like manner their eyes were so opened, that they knew Jesus. And then, 2. He vanished out of their sight; in a strange unusu al manner they lost his sight, and they could not tell what was become of him; in a moment he was invisible to them whose eyes he had opened, it

Chrys. hom. 86. in Joh.

plainly shows that glorified bodies, as corpulent, and commensurable, may be seen of mortals, but as they are subtile, and spiritual, they cannot be seen actually without dispensation. Christ appeared, (saith Damascene) not by necessity, but by his own free will; not by the law of nature, but by way of dispensation." It was his mere condescension and permission that he would show himself at any time unto his disciples.

2. He shewed himself on this wise, "there were together, Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus," &c. John 21:2,3,4, &c. In the whole narration we may abserve, 1. The occasion, and 2. The apparition. In the occasion, we have a council among the apostles what to do: and it is concluded they would go a fishing; they did so, though to no purpose; for they fished" all night, but caught nothing," verse 3. In the apparition. 1. Christ is unknown, he stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus," verse 4. In this condition we have Jesus speaking, and then working a miracle; he bids them "cast the net on the right side of the ship, and then draw, but they were not able to draw for the multitude of the fishes," verse 6. 2. Hereupon Christ is known," therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved, saith unto Peter, it is the Lord;" the alarm given, now all the disciples bestir themselves. 1. Peter," he casts himself into the sea," verse 7. 2. The other disciples, they came in a little ship to the land, and there they dine, and commune with Jesus, which is the end of the history, and so ends this book of our evangelist John.

Thus far we have propounded the object; our next work is how to direct you to look unto Jesus in this respect.

CHAPTER II.

SECT. 1. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great work of our Salvation in his Resurrection.

THAT in all respects we may look on Jesus.

1. Let us know Jesus carrying on the great work of our salvation for us in his resurrection, and during the time of his abode upon the earth after his resurrection. This is worth the knowing, on it depends our justification, sanctification; "for if Christ be not risen we are yet in our sins, and our faith is in vain, and our hope is in vain:" little hope have we either of heaven, or of resurrection, if Christ be not risen; of all men we are most miserable that believe in Christ, if he whom we believe in be not risen again. O! my soul, study this points many take it up in gross, they can run over this article of their creed," the third day he rose again from the dead;" but for a particular understanding of it in respect of the time, or the end, or the manner, or the certainty, how many are to seek? I shall appeal to thyself, are not many discoveries already made, which before thou never tookest notice of? And if thou wouldst but study this point, how much more might yet appear? Especially, how much more might yet appear as to thine own good? It is not enough to know Christ's resurrection, unless thou know it for thyself. Be sure thou hast this in mind, "that Christ rose again;" but what is that to me? Saving knowledge is ever joined with a particular application, if Christ be my head, then he could not rise, but I rose with him and in him; and thus,

* (Ougoma phuseos alla tikonomas topo,) Damas. 1. 4. c. 1.

O my soul, look on Christ, and thus search into every particular of Christ's resurrection; come study when he rose, study the argumen's that make out Christ's resurrection sure and certain; study all the apparitions of Jesus Christ: Oh what delightful studies are these? Hadst thou been with them to whom Christ appeared, would not thy heart have leaped with joy? Come, study it close, for the benefit of these apparitions extend to thee, the fruit of Christ's resurrection is thine, even thine as well as theirs, "Know this for thyself," Job. 5:27.

SECT. II. Of considering Jesus in that respect.

2. LET us consider Jesus carrying on this great work of our salvation for us in his resurrection. It is not enough to know a saving necessary truth, but it is required farther that we digest truths, and that we draw forth their strength for the nourishment and refreshing of our poor souls. As a man may in half an hour chew and take into his stomach, that meat which he must have seven or eight hours at least to digest; so a man may take into his understanding more truths in an hour, than he is able to digest well in many; what good those men are like to get by sermons, or providences, who are unaccustomed to this work of meditation, I cannot imagine: it is observed by some, that this is the reason why so much preachings is lost amongst us; why professors that run from sermon to sermon, and are never weary of hearing or reading, have notwithstanding such languishing starved souls, because they will not meditate. And therefore God commanded Joshua, not only to read the law, but to consider of it, and dwell upon, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night," Joshua 1:8. Why, this is the duty that I am now pressing to, if thou knowest these things, consider, ruminate, meditate, ponder on them again and again. And because this work requires enlargedness of heart and spirit, therefore take it into parts, and consider of each of them apart by itself.

As,

1. Consider of the time when Christ rose again. As Christ had his three days, and no more, so must thou have the same three days like unto his; the first day was called the day of preparation, the second was the Sabbath day, and the third was the resurrection day; so thy first day is a day of preparation, a day of passion, wherein thou must strive and struggle against sin and Satan, wherein thou must suffer all their bitter darts till thou diest, and give up the ghost. And thy second day is a day of rest, wherein thy body must lie in the grave, and thy flesh rest in hope; wherein thou shalt "enter into peace, and rest in thy bed," Isa. 57:2. until the trumpet sound, and bid thee arise, and come to judgment; and thy third day is a day of resurrection unto glory. It is the first day of the week, or the first beginning of a never ending world. Thus consider the time of Christ's resurrection, and thence mayest thou draw down some use for thy soul's nourishment.

2. Consider of the reasons why Christ arose; was it not to confound the Jews? They could not endure to hear of Christ's resurrection, and therefore, when Peter and the other apostles preached that point, "They were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them," Acts 5:33. It is the case of them to say, "We will not have that man to reign over us." They that by their sins crucify Christ every day, cannot without horror think of his exaltation, it cuts them to the heart that Christ is risen to be their judge. Again, was it not to confirm the faith of Christ's followers? Till he was risen their faith was but a weak faith, weak in knowledge, weak in assent, weak in confidence, weak in assurance; much ado had Christ with

them, many a time had he chid them, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" But after he had shewed himself alive by many infallible proofs, they could then cry it out, "My Lord, and my God." Again, was it not to evidence that he had fully satisfied all our debts? "The apostle tells us, That Christ was our surety," Heb. 7:22. at his death he was arrested and cast into prison, whence he could not come till all was paid; and, therefore to hear that Christ is risen, and that he hath broken the bolts and fetters of the grave; it is a clear evidence that God is satisfied, and that Christ is discharged by God himself. Oh! what breasts of consola. tion are here? Again, was it not to conquer sin, death and devil? Now he took from death his sting, and from hell his standard; now he seized upon the hand writing that was against us, and nailed it to his cross; now he spoiled principalities and powers, and carried the keys of death and hell at his own girdle; now he came out of the grave as a mighty conqueror, saying as Deborah did in her song, "O my soul, thou hast trodden down Again, was it not to strength, thou hast marched valiantly," Judg. 5:21. become the first-fruits of them that sleep? Christ was the first that rose again from the grave to die no more; and by virtue of his resurrection (as being the first-fruits) all the elect must rise again, "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive; but every man in his own order, Christ the first-fruits, and afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming," I Cor. 15:22,23. Some may wonder, can the resurrection of one, a thousand six hundred years ago, be the cause of our rising? Yes, as well as the death of one, five thousand six hundred years ago, is the cause of our dying; Adam and Christ were two heads, two roots, two first-fruits, either of them in reference to his company whom they stand for. And now, O my soul! thou mayest say with Job, " I know that my Redeemer liveth; and that I shall see him at the last day, not with other, but with these same eyes," Job 19:25. If Christ live, then must I live also, if he be risen, then" though after my skin worms shall destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God," verse 26. Again, was it not that he might be declared to be the Son of God? was it not that he might be exalted and glorified? This is the main reason of all the rest: see thou to this; O! give him glory, and praise of his resurrection; so muse and meditate, and consider on this transaction, as to ascribe to his name all honor and glory; what, is he risen from the dead? "Hath God highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name?" Phil. 2:9. O! then let "every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

3. Consider of the manner of Christ's resurrection; he rose as a common person; in which respect his resurrection concerns us no less than himself. We must not think that when Christ was raised, it was no more than when Lazarus was raised; his resurrection was the resurrection of us all, it was in the name of us all, and had in it a seed-like virtue to work the resurrection of us all. O! the privilege of this communion with Christ's resurrection! if I believe this truly, I cannot but believe the resurrection of my body, and the life everlasting; why, Jesus Christ hath led the dance, and though of myself I have no right to heaven or glory, yet in Christ my head I have as good right to it as any heir apparent to his lands. -2. He rose by his own power; and so did none but Jesus Christ: from the beginning of the world it was never heard, that any dead man raised himself; indeed one instance we have that a dead man's copre should raise up another dead man, "They cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha, and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha,

he revived and stood upon his feet," 2 Kings 13:21. Elisha raised up a dead man from the grave, but dead Elisha could not raise up himself from the grave; only Christ rose himself, and at the same time he raised many others; and here was the argument of his Godhead, "I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again," John 10:18. How should we but trust him with our life, who is the resurrection and the life," He that believeth in him though he were dead, yet shall he live." O my soul! he was able to raise himself, much more is he able to raise thee up; only believe, and live for ever.-3. He rose with an earthquake. O the power of Christ in every passage! what aileth thee, O earth, to skip like a ram? Was not the new tomb hewn out of a rock? and was not a great stone rolled to the door of the sepulchre? The ground whereon he lay was firm and solid. And "shall the rock be removed out of his place?” Job 18:4. O yes! "the Lord reigneth, and therefore the earth is removed," Psal 99:1; Oh! what a rocky heart is this of mine? How much harder is it than the rock, that moves not, melts not at the presence of God, at the presence of the God of Jacob? the sun (they say) danced that morning at Christ's resurrection; the earth (I am sure) then trembled; and yet my heart is in no way affected with this news; I feel it neither dance for joy, nor tremble for fear; O my soul! be serious in this meditation, consider what a posture would thou have been in, if thou hadst been with those soldiers that watched Christ; to realize this earthquake, as if thou now felt it trembling under thee.

4. An angel ministered to him at his resurrection, " An angel came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it," Matth. 28:2. Angels were the first ministers of the gospel, the first preachers of Christ's resurrection, they preached more of Christ than all the prophets did; they first told the women that "Christ was risen:" Luke 24:6. and they did the first service to Christ at his resurrection, in rolling the stone from the door's mouth; O my soul, that thou wert but like these blessed angels! how is it that they are so forward in God's service? and thou art so backward? One day thou expectest to be equal with the angels, and art thou now so far behind them? What, to be equal in reward, and behind them in service? Here is a meditation able to check thy sloth, and to spur thee on to thy duty.-5. Many of the bodies of the saints arose out of their graves at his resurrection; as the angels ministered, so the saints waited on him. In this meditation trouble not thyself whether David, Moses, Job, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were some of those saints, as some conjecture upon some grounds; it is a better consideration to look upon them as the fruit of Christ's resurrection, and as an earnest of thy own; the virtue of Christ's resurrection appears immediately, and it will more appear at the general resurrection day. As sure as these saints arose with him, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many; so sure shall thy body arise again at the last day; and (if thou art but a saint) it shall go with him into the heavenly Jerusalem, and appear before God, and his Son Jesus Christ in glory.-6. Christ rose again with a true and perfect body, with an incorruptible body, with a spiritual and an agile body, with a glorious body, brighter than the sun in his utmost glory. On these things may the soul expatiate; O! it is a worthy, blessed, soul-ravishing subject to think upon; and the rather if we consider that conformity which we believe, "We look for a Saviour (saith the apostle) the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body," Phil. 3:20,21. O my soul, that this clay of thine should be a partaker of such glory! that this body of dust and earth should