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and have been. Rejecting these delusions, avoiding these nets which Satan spreads for the unwise children of this generation, think of the future eternal world as a reality no less sure and certain than our present being: think of it, as what you are to live for now; as what you are first and mainly to pursue; as what is already created in the immutable counsels of God, for all who " by patient continuance in welldoing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality." And ever while you think of this, remember how it is to be obtained, and through whom alone it is bestowed. Martha spoke of the resurrection; but her information was necessarily imperfect and no less imperfect, though without the same excuse, is the information of too many who now speak of “the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come." But to you it is clearly revealed, as "the gift of God through Jesus Christ." He is THE LIFE, who must prepare your soul for it: he is THE RESURRECTION, who must raise you to it. He who "bore your sins in his own body," has purchased your title to it; the title of every individual here present who lives and believes in him who "being justified by faith,"

is "led by the Spirit to set his affections on things above, not on things of the earth," led to restrain his evil desires, and mortify his corrupt passions : looking for the blessed. hope" of his second glorious appearing, to make good the sacred promise and pledge, that wнo

EVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL NEVER DIE.

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EASTER DAY.

SERMON XIII.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

1 THES. iv. 14.

"If we believe that Jesus died and rose again; even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him "

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THE apostle says with truth, that " godliness has the promise of the life which now is, as well as that which is to come.' It not only gives a promise of future blessedness, but an earnest of present comfort. It doubles our joys, if we are permitted to rejoice: it lessens our sorrows, if we are obliged to mourn.

We have a lively proof of this in the comfort which the text proposes to one of the greatest human afflictions, the loss of friends by death. Some of the Thessalonians, to whom St. Paul

1 1 Tim. iv. 8.

was writing, who had been lately converted from their heathen education, had given way, on this point, to immoderate sorrow. He regulates their feelings, and corrects this fault in them by showing the glorious prospects of the Christian in the world to come. He tells them to look forward to the blessed hope set before them in the gospel, and thus console their present affliction. I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

We have been used, from our earliest days, to expect a resurrection. These Christians had not; and therefore St. Paul argues with them to prove it. Your friends, he says, have been snatched away by death; have paid that penalty of sin which God has decreed that all must suffer. And you imagine that because their bodies are dissolved and crumbled into dust, they can never live again. But remember, that this improbable thing has happened once already. You all believe that Jesus died; on this your comfortable hope is founded, for

by dying he suffered the punishment of your sins. But you also believe that he rose again, for this was the proof of his being really the Son of God. Well, then; this which seems to you so difficult, is not impossible with God. It has actually taken place in the case of the Lord Jesus. Let that persuade you that it will happen again in the case of other men; in your own case, and that of your friends. The same power which raised him, can raise us likewise. you "believe that Jesus died and rose again;" even so believe that "them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him at the great day; will change their vile body, that it may be made like unto his glorious body; and so shall they ever be with the Lord."

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Now this is a suitable comfort for all persons, and at all times; but particularly appropriate to the present solemn day, when we keep the memory of that great event, the rising of our Lord from the dead. For this fact of his resurrection, is the point of grand importance. To this we are to look as our consolation; as the ground of hope to ourselves, and those most dear to us. "If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith also is vain;

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