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and in proportion to the degree of their faith and grace, they ascend and reign with Christ, in the nature of their joys and the temper of their hearts. Thus they are prepared, whenever they leave this world, to share that "fulness of joy, and those pleasures, which are "at God's right hand for evermore."

As our risen Redeemer ever liveth and reigneth in heaven, to manage all the concerns of his people, and make all ready for their reception; we may adopt with exulting joy the apostle's words: "If when we "were enemies we were reconciled to God by the "death of his Son; much more being reconciled, "we shall be saved by his life.*" "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? it is God that

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justifieth, who is he that condemneth? it is Christ "that died, yea, rather, is risen again; who is even "at the right hand of God; who also maketh inter❝cession for us.-Who shall separate us from the "love of Christ ?" Surely our Friend, who died, and rose again for us, will take care that none shall pluck us out of his hands, and will come at death to "receive us to himself, that where he is, there we may be also."

Finally, as Christ is risen from the dead, he is "become the First-fruits of them that slept."-"The "hour cometh, when all that are in the graves shall "hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have "done good to the resurrection of life: and they that "have done evil to the resurrection of damnation. ^^ At that awful period, he will ascend his tribunal, fi

v. 10, Rom. viii. 33-35.

nally to separate his people from his enemies: and "these shall go away into everlasting punishment, "but the righteous into life eternal." The bodies of the wicked will be rendered incorruptible, and capable of enduring the vengeance reserved for them, "where their worm dieth not, and their fire is not quenched.*" And those of the righteous will be raised spiritual and immortal, and fitted to participate the holy joys of heaven. "The Saviour, the Lord Je“sus, shall change our vile body, that it may be "fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to "the working whereby he is able even to subdue all "things unto himself." In this prospect, the believer, when strong in faith, may adopt the apostle's words, and say, "O Death, where is thy sting? O “Grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death " is sin, and the strength of sin is the law: but thanks "be unto God, who giveth us the victory through "our Lord Jesus Christ."

III. We conclude with a few hints by way of application.

It may be useful, especially to young persons, to contemplate the prevailing scepticism and infidelity of, the age, in connexion with the subject we have been considering. God hath vouchsafed us a revelation of himself, and of his will concerning us, authenticated in the most unanswerable manner, most beneficial in its nature and tendency, and exactly suited to our circumstances: yet this revelation is opposed, revi

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led, or ridiculed, by numbers who pretend to virtue; and affirm that unbelief, at most, can only be a harmless error, neither very criminal nor dangerous.-But the scripture speaks a very different language. We read of "an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from "the living God." Our Lord says, "How can ye "believe who seek honour one of another?"-"Light "is come into the world, and men love darkness ra"ther than light, because their deeds are evil." Unbelief therefore is the offspring of ambition, love of sin, and dislike to God and holiness. It rejects the remedy, which everlasting wisdom and mercy have provided for our miseries; it makes God a liar; it despises his grace, and defies his power and justice; and is therefore inseparably connected with eternal damnation." Let no man deceive you with vain words." Men oppose the scripture because it opposes their favourite pursuits; and denounces an awful sentence against all who do not humbly repent, believe the gospel, and become the faithful subjects of the holy Jesus. They do not in reality need more evidence; but a more unprejudiced, teachable, and spiritual mind. "If they believe not Moses and the prophets," or the apostles and evangelists; "neither would they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Beseech the Lord therefore to remove from you all 'hardness of heart, and contempt of his word and 'commandment;'"to open your understandings "that you may understand the scriptures;" and "to 'give you repentance to the acknowledging of the "truth; that you may recover yourselves out of the

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"snare of the devil, who takes sinners captive at his "will."

But beware also of a dead faith; which may keep men in the way of instruction, but is wholly unavailing to salvation. The faith demanded by our Lord is a living active principle: it receives him for all those purposes, which he came into the world to effect; it applies to him, depends on him, and follows his directions and "working by love," "purifying the heart," and" overcoming the world," it produces unreserved obedience to Christ, and careful imitation of his most perfect example.

The subject before us is peculiarly suited to the burdened conscience and desponding heart of those, who are "poor and of a contrite spirit, and tremble "at God's word." Did the Son of God so love and pity proud obstinate rebels and enemies, as to give himself a sacrifice on the cross for their sins? And will he, now on his glorious throne, refuse to stretch forth his powerful arm, to rescue the humble penitent who earnestly supplicates his mercy? No, my brethren, he delights to save. Come to him, wait on him, wait in the appointed means, and you shall soon know the power of his resurrection, the depth of his condescension, and the riches of his grace.

But if we have tasted that the Lord is gracious: and can rejoice in having such a Representative and Advocate, to manage our concerns in heaven: let us remember, that we are honoured to be his representatives on earth; to shew the excellency of his religion by our example; to be useful to his redeemed people, and to promote his cause in the world. Let VOL. II.

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us then ask ourselves whether Paul, when constrained by the love of Christ, would have declined any service, as too mean, laborious, self-denying, expensive, or perilous, which the command and honour of his Lord called him to perform? And whether he would not have more fully improved even our talents and advantages, than we have hitherto done? Let us review our conduct, and consider what ability or opportunity we have of honouring Christ among men ; let us reflect on our obligations and prospects; and see to it, that our lights be burning and our loins girded, that when he cometh we may be found watching, and employed in a proper manner.-And " may "the God of peace, who brought again from the dead "the great Shepherd of the sheep; through the blood "of the everlasting covenant; make us perfect in every good work to do his will; working in us "that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ. To whom be glory for ever and ever. "Amen."

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