given him in Christ, before the world began, and
faith in that glorious truth produced a happiness--a divine life in
his heart, called the kingdom of God within. Let us notice these
several points.
1. First; "Christ rose again for our justification." Our justification
then exists in our resurrection state, and will _there_ in all its
reality take place. But cannot a man be justified _here_? Yes; he can
be justified _through faith_ in that truth.
2. Second; "By the which will, we are _sanctified_ through the
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Our
_sanctification_ then, by the will of God, will take place through
death. But cannot a man be _sanctified_ while _here_? Yes; he can be
sanctified _through faith in that truth!_
3. Third; Christ was "put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the
spirit." So in his resurrection he passed from death to life, and thus
revealed the truth that we shall also pass from death to life by the
power of God, and be like him who is the "first fruits." But cannot a
man pass from death to life while on earth? Yes; he can pass from
death to life _through faith in that truth_. Jesus says--"He that
heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting
life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death
unto life."
4. Fourth; our eternal life will be realized beyond death. "The things
that are not seen are spiritual and eternal." But can we not enjoy it
_here_? Yes; "He that believeth on the Son _hath_ everlasting life;"--
that is, he enjoys it faith.
5. Fifth; Christ was the "first born from the dead." So we also shall
pass the reality of the new birth by faith. But can we not enjoy it
here? John says--"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world,
and this is the victory that overcometh world _even our faith_."
Thus it is evident that a man may in this life be _justified,
sanctified_, pass from _death to life, may enjoy eternal life_, and be
_born again_ through faith in _these several correspondent facts_. His
faith, however, can make them no more _certain_; because they _must
exist_, and be solemn and unalterable facts before he can be called
upon to believe them. The truth of the above _five facts_, we
perceive, are embraced in our resurrection. If we are not, in our
resurrection, to be _justified, sanctified, born again_, and obtain
eternal life, then we cannot be _justified, sanctified or born again
here_ through faith in th
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