gotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us "." St. Paul is still more particular in tracing the connection between the same two events; saying, "Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept." Jesus rose as our first fruits, and we in our season shall follow him. "For," says the Apostle in another place, "if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first "." But I need not multiply proofs of this doctrine; it is sufficient for you to know that Christ declared that this would be the case; and that his inspired apostles added their testimony to the same. There remains no rational ground for doubt upon the subject.

But as in the days of the apostles, a question arose as to the nature of the resurrection; some one asking "with what body do they come?" so now it is not unnatural for us to entertain some curiosity on the sub1 Cor. xv. 20.

1 Peter i. 3.

P 1 Thess. iv. 14.

ject. In answer to which question let it be observed, that no reasonable person can deny that the power which created us out of dust at the beginning, has the means of collecting from every corner into which their particles may be scattered, the bodies which are laid in the grave, and of raising them up entire at the last day. The question then is not concerning the Creator's POWER, but whether such be his design; and on this ground St. Paul meets it. From his beautiful reasoning, in the fifteenth chapter of his first epistle to the Corinthians, we may, I think, collect, that the body which is raised will be, in the main, the same which drops into the grave; but that it will undergo certain changes. As the grain of wheat which sprouts out, and sends forth first the stalk and then the ear, is the same grain which was thrown into the ground at seed time; so the body of man which shall be raised at the last day is the same body, although it be changed from a corruptible to an incorruptible body-Why, otherwise, is it said that "the sea shall give up the dead that are in it; and death and the grave shall deliver up the dead that are in them; and they that sleep in the dust of the earth shall hear the voice of Christ and rise." The power of God will be shewn in raising these very

9 Rev. xx. 13.

6

Of

bodies; that of Christ will be displayed, by changing this vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body '.' that glorious body we may form some notion from the account of Christ's transfiguration; where his face is described as having "shone like the sun, and his raiment as having become shining, exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller on earth could white them "."

This glorious change clears away all difficulties as to our future existence in a spiritual state. A body we shall have; but it will be a spiritualized body; and although we can no more comprehend its nature than we can understand how body and soul are united at present, we have the strongest of reasons for believing that such will actually be the case; and are therefore bound to live here as those who are destined for a more exalted condition in another world. Let us therefore consider the natural influence which this doctrine should have upon our conduct.

If it were to follow from the doctrine we have been explaining, that all men would arise to a state of perfect bliss, then indeed we should have but little need to trouble ourselves about our lot hereafter; we might proceed to "eat, drink, and be merry, and take our ease."-But since this is not

Phil. iii. 21.

s Matt. xvii. Mark ix.

exactly the case; since at the resurrection of the dead a trial will take place; and those only who have "DONE GOOD" shall enter on a state of blessedness, it behoves all who value their eternal happiness to use all diligence to be among that number. "The hour is coming," says St. John, "in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, they that HAVE DONE GOOD, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have DONE EVIL, unto the resurrection of damnation."-These words, my brethren, you must admit are very plain and very decisive. You can no longer be in any doubt, as to the consequences of your actions; and you are in them furnished with a rule by which you may determine whether you are likely, when you die, to be carried to the bosom of Abraham, or to be sent to the regions of Satan. The beloved apostle of Christ assures us, that it is by doing good-all the good in our power whilst in this world, that we are to purchase glory in the world to come. And that there may be no difficulty as to what is meant by "doing good," the precepts of Christ are delivered in the plainest words, as the rule and guide of our lives, whilst his example is held up as a pattern to us in our intercourse with one another.

You know when you yourselves receive an

John v. 28, 29.

injury, or when you are denied a favour; and therefore you cannot but know what it is to injure others, or to refuse them a kindness.

Christ set you an example of piety towards God, and of purity of manners. These are also included in 66 doing good." It implies honouring God, and keeping his commandments; carefully abstaining from every thing, from every word and every action which we know will be displeasing to Him: in exercising the powers both of body and mind, which he hath given us, in ascribing glory to God, and promoting the peace and happiness of our fellow-creatures.

Go, then, dearly beloved in the Lord, and endeavour by such a line of conduct to prepare yourselves to enter upon a more glorious and more happy state, when the trump of God shall call you from your graves, and summon you to jugdment. And I beseech

you, brethren, to consider seriously the consequences of omitting to lead a godly and Christian life. Your resurrection will be a resurrection to "damnation."-Your souls will be banished for ever from the presence of Him, at whose right hand is pleasure for ever; and will be delivered over to the cruel dominion of that foul spirit, who has sought your ruin, and sought it with success.-Consider this often and seriously, and avoid those acts which must end in this dreadful destruction of soul