Altogether Lovely - Christ Exalted, second post

Christ Exalted is a sermon in which Edwards outlines the major works of evil and the world and discusses the increase of those evils. From there, he describes how Christ is greatly exalted, exalted over ll the evils he has described. I thought I would use this second post on this sermon (the first can be read here)to show you the evils that Edwards mentions and then his description of how Christ is highly exalted above them.

I. Satan has highly exalted himself, and greatly prevailed. BUT, "Christ appears gloriously above all evil in what he did to procure redemption for us in his state of humiliation, by the righteousness he wrought out, and the atonement he made for sin. The evils mentioned, never seemed so much to prevail against him as in his sufferings. But in them, the foundation was laid for their overthrow. In them he appeared above Satan. Though Satan never exalted himself so high, as he did in procuring these sufferings of Christ; yet, then, Christ laid the foundation for the utter overthrow of his kingdom. He slew Satan, as it were, with his own weapon, the spiritual David cut off this Goliath’s head with his own sword, and he triumphed over him in his cross. " (70-1)
II. Guilt is another evil which has come to a great height in the world. BUT, "In this also Christ appeared gloriously above the guilt of men. For he offered a sacrifice that was sufficient to do away all the guilt of the whole world. Though the guilt of man was like the great mountains, whose heads are lifted up to the heavens; yet his dying love, and his merits, appeared as a mighty deluge that overflowed the highest mountains, or like a boundless ocean that swallows them up, or like an immense fountain of light that with the fullness and redundancy of its brightness, swallows up men’s greatest sins, as little motes are swallowed up and hidden in the disk of the sun. " (71)
III. Corruption and wickedness of heart is another thing that has risen to an exceeding height in the world. BUT, "In this [His humiliation] Christ appeared above all the corruption of man, in that hereby he purchased holiness for the chief of sinners. And Christ in undergoing such extreme affliction, got the victory over all misery; and laid a foundation for its being utterly abolished, with respect to his elect."(71)
IV. Many of the devil’s instruments have greatly prevailed and have been exalted to an exceeding height in the world. It has been so in almost all ages of the world. BUT, "When he ascended up into heaven, he rose far above the reach of the devil and all his instruments, who had before had him in their hands. And now has he sat down at the right hand of God, as being made head over all things to the church, in order to a complete and perfect victory over sin, Satan, death, and all his enemies. It was then said to him, “Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool,” (Psa. 110:1). He entered into a state of glory, wherein he is exalted far above all these evils, as the forerunner of his people, and to make intercession for them, till they also are brought to be with him, in like manner exalted above all evil. " (72)
V. Affliction and misery have also prevailed and risen to an unspeakable height in the world. BUT, "In his resurrection he appeared above all affliction. For though he had been subject to much affliction and overwhelmed in it, he then emerged out of it, as having gotten the victory, never to conflict with any more sorrow." (72)
VI. Death is an evil which has greatly prevailed and made dreadful havoc in this world. BUT, "Christ gloriously appears above all these aforementioned evils, in his glorifying the souls of departed saints in heaven. In this he gives a glorious victory over death. Death by it is turned from an enemy into a servant. And their death, by the glorious change that passes in the state of their souls, is become a resurrection, rather than a death." (73)

From Altogether Lovely (Jonathan, Edwards. Altogether Lovely Jonathan Edwards on the glory and excellency of Jesus Christ. Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1997)

Altogether Lovely - Christ Exalted

The third sermon reproduced in Altogether Lovely (Jonathan, Edwards. Altogether Lovely Jonathan Edwards on the glory and excellency of Jesus Christ. Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1997) is entitled Christ Exalted or JESUS CHRIST GLORIOUSLY EXALTED ABOVE ALL EVIL IN THE WORK OF REDEMPTION. It can be found many places online, including here.

It was delivered in 1738, and has for its text 1 Corinthians 15:25,26. The ESV renders that verse "25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death."

I find that if I can perceive and understand the structure of an Edwards work that I have a much easier time working through it. With that in mind, this first post will simply be to reveal the structure of this sermon so, in a later post, I can blog about its content.

Edwards begins with a brief introduction and 2 observations.

I. Here is one thing wherein appears the glory of that exaltation and dominion, that Christ has as our redeemer, viz. that it issues in the subjection of all enemies under his feet. It is not said all his enemies, possibly because those that shall be put under his feet are not only his enemies, but also the enemies of his Father and of his people. Their being under his feet denotes their being perfectly subdued, and his being gloriously exalted over them. It shall be thus with respect to God’s and his, and his people’s enemies universally, not one excepted; which universality is signified here two ways; all enemies — and the very last enemy: when there shall be but one enemy left, that shall also be put under his feet.

II. We may learn what is here meant by enemies by the particular instance here given as the last that shall be destroyed, viz. death. Which shows that by enemies, is not meant persons only, that set themselves in opposition to God and his people, but evils; whatever is against God and his people, and opposes Christ or his saints, whether they be persons or things.

Edwards then divides his sermon into 3 sections which are described as following:

Section 1 - How evil of all kinds has prevailed and highly exalted itself in the world. This section describes 6 evils and discusses their 'exaltation' in the world.

Section 2 - How Jesus Christ, in the work of redemption, appears gloriously above all these evils. In 6 points corresponding to the 6 above, Edwards explains how Christ is exalted still higher and more gloriously in His redemptive work.

Section 3 - The subject improved and applied. Edwards elaborates on point II above in 3 subsections.

Keep watching for further posts on Christ Exalted.