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When Martha wept for her lost brother, what was our Saviour's remark to her?" Thy brother shall rise again:" by which word it is clear that he intended to console her in the only way suited to the cause and removal of her grief; and that was, by assuring her that the sacred and severed relationship of brother and sister should again be renewed at the resurrection of the just. I admit that this declaration of our Lord may have had an immediate reference to the miracle he was then about to perform upon Lazarus. But as the answer of Martha shows that she understood it as referring to the general resurrection, and Christ seems to speak of himself in his general character also, I am the resurrection and the life,' it may, I think, fairly be adduced as an argument in favour of so pleasing and consolatory a doctrine. The recognition of Dives, who in "hell lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom," seems not so proper an argument as the former, inasmuch as the persons in the latter instance are represented as in different states,

The words of the Apostle, however, are express as to the general character of that state which awaits the saints in light. "We look for

its consummation. Then shall it be seen and felt to all eternity, that "as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

Our duties in the mean time are clearly pointed out. If "righteousness" and truth constitute the character of that God with whom we have to do; if "righteousness" shall be the essen tial nature of future blessedness; if none but the righteous shall be found worthy to obtain that kingdom, then the nature and character of our lives here on earth is determined.

For true it is, my brethren, that neither the joys nor the righteousness of our future inheritance can be either anticipated or realised, but by labouring in this state of trial and probation to acquire those pure, and holy, and self-denying qualities which shall belong to that state. We must labour to become "new creatures in Christ Jesus," "old things must pass away, before all things can become new." We must be purged from our old sins; not a taint or spot of our leprosy must adhere to us, or we shall not pass the scrutiny of our high priest. Our souls must

be daily undergoing that renovating process, assuming that new nature which it is the office of God's holy spirit to produce, carry on, and perfect in us. This world is a school wherein we are to be trained, and purified for heaven. The change must take place, the process must commence here. In this world all is progress. The mind pushes on its discoveries in intellectual matters. Its powers, by cultivation, are enlarged and expanded. And these powers and capabilities, shall hereafter be perpetually increasing in the contemplation of objects suited thereto. The more they are cultivated and improved here, the more exalted and sublime will be their exercise hereafter. In like manner, the soul, and the moral faculties must be disciplined and improved in a manner analagous to the progress of the mind. Every day, therefore, the Christian is making new advances in faith and holiness. Let us reflect, my brethren, that we are fallen creatures. That we are endued, nevertheless, with power to correct our depravities, and to prepare for another world. Nor does it lessen our power nor diminish our responsibility, that the Gospel represents eter. nal life as the gift of God in his son Jesus Christ, since nothing can render us meet for the enjoyment of that infinite reward, but our own

endeavours, assisted by his grace, to be "

pure as

he is pure, and holy in all manner of conversation." Salvation, from first to last, is of grace: but grace was never yet imparted to that man who refused to use it, and to grow in the knowledge and performance of God's will.

Finally, let me draw your attention to that glorious vision of the inheritance of the saints in light which was vouchsafed by the spirit to St. John, and which he describes in such glowing and affecting colours, in the twentyfirst chapter of Revelation. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more. sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

PRINTED BY F. C. BAKEWELL, CHRONICLE OFFICE, BATH.

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