the same language. But that these emaciated bodies shall live again, that they shall rise glorious, immortal, incorruptible; these are the points which require faith in the Almighty power, and in the unchangeable promises of God. And yet does not all nature speak the same language as Revelation. That which thou sowest is not quickened except it die. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body which shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat or of some other grain, but God giveth it a body as it pleaseth him, and to every seed his own body." Even Christ, the Great Lord of all, must in our mortal nature die and be buried, that he might rise again, and bring forth much fruit in the resurrection of his people. The plan, as established in the Providence of God, is perfect, and will assuredly be accomplished. The main point with us is a timely and a scriptural preparation for these great events.

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We are, again, certain, that in a very years we shall leave this state of being. Other persons, liable to the same maladies, will find themselves to inherit corruptible

bodies. Their confession will be, we are growing old, we are waning out. Is there nothing beyond this weak state? What then are we building upon; what is the nature of our faith, what is our daily practice? Is there nothing permanent? Do we live as those who must shortly give an account of the things done in the body?

Subjects of known importance, require at the least serious meditation. It is only the child and the idiot who trifle with things which they do not understand. On the great subject of the resurrection, we have the word and the promise of God himself, exemplified by actual evidence in the resurrection of many persons who were known to be dead, and were seen by competent witnesses alive again; and above all we have the testimony of friends, of enemies, and of angels, that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The faithless disciple Thomas might well convince other unbelievers of the certainty of a resurrection; Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into the print of the nails, I will not believe !" He is convinced and he does believe! And by his

glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints."

SERMON XI.

THE SERVANT OF CHRIST MUST FOLLOW

HIM.

ST. JOHN xii. 26.

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will Fa

ther honour.

my

THERE are certain periods of life, in which most men are ready to avail themselves of the promises of the Gospel, however unwilling they may formerly have been to think seriously on the subject of religion. In the dark night of sickness, they are not forgetful that the Lord hath said, “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will hear thee." In the hour of death, there are

faithfully, that neither bonds nor imprisonments, nor distress, nor peril, nor sword, could separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. And hath not the same Saviour left us an example, that we should follow his steps? Hath he not condescended to poverty and want for our sakes; and when he had paid the full price of our redemption, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers, did he not teach his children so to walk as he also walked; to bear affliction as he bore it, and to enter upon every trial not in their own but in his strength? What a copy of the Saviour's life does St. Paul give to Timothy, when he says, The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves." The prophet describing the character of the Messiah says, "He shall not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the street-a bruised reed shall he not break and smoking flax shall he not quench.” In all his bitter agonies and shameful indignities, Jesus answered nothing." He was meek and lowly in heart. Constantly em

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