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for I am not yet ascended ; it will be some time before I shall ascend to my father . '' His disciples would have opportunities enough to satisfy themselves that he was alive again , or perhaps he was pained as well as disfigured by his crucifixion .
The resurrection of Jesus was to Mary a subject of rejoicing , because it was the restoration of a respectable and amiable friend , of one who was highly honoured ancl affectionately beloved by her . In her the light of reason had been obscured ^ perhaps extinguished , but by Jesus it had been rekindled , and with it such gratitude had been produced as disposed this most worthy woman to accompany him to Jerusalem , to attend him
to his final hour , and to purpose paying the last sad offices to his memory . Mary Magdalene attended Jesus that she might also receive instruction trom him ; what then must have been
her grief when he was crucified and laid in the tomb ? Yet what must have been her pleasure at his unexpected resurrection may partly and faintly be conceived by those w , hose friends have been brought back from the borders of the grave . Jesus , however , was not only a friend , to Mary Magdalene as well as ta the whole world , but a wise , kind , faithful instructor ,
who taught with far more light , energy , and authority , than the
scribes and pharisees . Christ ' s resurrection was made known to Mary Magdalene with the most tender caution ; too sudden a discovery might
have brought back her derangement . But though she was distinguished and honoured with the office of bringing to the th we
apostles the first account of Christ ' s resurrection ^ yet ere re with her , or at no great distance , other worthy females , with whom probably she first shared her joy . Mary ' s was a most delightful errand , which honoured the messenger , and proved her to be a most respectable and worthy character . The honour to her was doubled , by being conferred upon her , as it were , in the presence of her associates . Thus may medication and reflection discover new beauties in the
sacred history , and prepare the mind for the author ' s animated conclusion to these discourses * " Christians you need not fear for the Gospel that you love , it is of God , and the power of man cannot overthrow it * No human artifice or violence can effect its extirpation ; even the gates of hell shall not prevail against it . It may be injured by the superstition and licentious * ness of its professors as much , nay more than oy the ridicule and
virulence of its opposers . Obstructed or oppressed it may be , but never can be extinguished or overcome . This divine seed which our Heavenly - Father hath p lanted is indestructible and immortal - > though it may not always thrive and grow according to your wishes and prayers * though the tares with which it is intermingled may suppress and threaten to destroy it , yoq may trust ia God that it shall be preserved
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Cappe ' s Discourses . 97
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VOL . I . O
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1806, page 97, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1721/page/41/
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