[75] Luke ii, 13, 14.
[76] Matthew ii, 2.
[77] Matthew xxi, 5-9.
[78] Philippians ii, 7.
[79] Matthew viii, 27.
[80] Matthew xxiv, 30.
[81] 2 Kings vi, 33.
[82] Isaiah xxx, 18.
[83] Revelation xxii, 17, 20.
§ 4. (2.) Another thing that leads to paradise is, that great work of Jesus Christ, in raising our bodies from the dust, and uniting them again unto the soul. A wonderful effect of infinite power and love! Yea, wonderful indeed, says unbelief, if it be true. What, shall all these scattered bones and dust become a man?—Let me with reverence plead for God, for that power whereby I hope to arise. What beareth the massy body of the earth? What limits the vast ocean of the waters? Whence is that constant ebbing and flowing of the tides? How many times bigger than all the earth is the sun, that glorious body of light? Is it not as easy to raise the dead, as to make heaven, and earth, and all of nothing?—Look not on the dead bones, and dust, and difficulty, but at the promise. Contentedly commit these carcasses to a prison, that shall not long contain them. Let us lie down in peace, and take our rest; it will not be an everlasting night, nor endless sleep. If unclothing be the thing thou fearest; it is that thou mayest have better clothing.[84] If to be turned out of doors be the thing thou fearest; remember, that when the earthly house of this tabernacle is dissolved, thou hast a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.[85] Lay down cheerfully this lump of corruption; thou shalt undoubtedly receive it again in incorruption. Lay down freely this terrestrial, this natural body; thou shalt receive it again a celestial, a spiritual body. Though thou lay it down with great dishonor; thou shalt receive it in glory. Though thou art separated from it through weakness; it shall be raised again in mighty power. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.[86] The dead in Christ shall rise first. Then they which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.[87] Triumph now, O Christian, in these promises; thou shalt shortly triumph in their performance. This is the day which the Lord will make, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.[88] The grave, that could not keep our Lord, cannot keep us. He arose for us, and by the same power will cause us to arise. For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.[89] Let us never look at the grave, but let us see the resurrection beyond it. Yea, let us be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as we know our labor is not in vain in the Lord.[90]