we see the exceeding greatness of his power? Is it in the creation of the world, in fixing the seven stars and Orion, in the strength of the Behemoth, or in the power of the Leviathan? No. Is it in drowning Pharoah and his host, in pulling down Nebuchadnezzar like Lucifer from the political firmament? No, no; but it is that power which he wrought in Christ, when? in healing the sick and casting out devils? No, it was when he raised him from the dead, and set him on his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.

Also the resurrection of Christ has a powerful effect on the resurrection of the souls of men from the death of trespasses and sins. It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead that quickeneth them; and the life which is given them is of the same nature, as the life which Christ had laid down and taken up again.The life of faith by which the saints live, is a spring of water that flows from the resurrection, and shall never dry; or a spark that descended from the sun of the resurrection that can never be quenched. And

Finally we might observe that the resurrection of the Lord Jesus has an effect on the resurrection of the bodies of the saints, as the same power that raised him will raise them. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. The bodies of the saints shall raise on the likeness of their head. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural

body; it is raised a spiritual body. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. When death is swallowed up in victory, and the saints exclaiming O death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory! But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ever since the fall in Eden mankind are born to die. They eat and drink, sleep and awake out of sleep to die. Death is before us, it stands between us and happiness. The Son of God created the world to die therein; he was born in Bethlehem to die on Calvary; he was made under the law that he should be bound to die; and he lived thirty three years without sin that he might die for the sins of men: but on the morning of the resurrection he went before death, and left the monster behind him. I that was dead and am alive is the chorus to day. All that believe in him, shall triumph over death in the morning of the general resurrection, and leave it at an infinite distance behind them, and it shall never, no, never be able to overtake them.

The spiritual operations on the minds of the saints sometimes run on ahead before death. We believe, love and hope to live. We eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man.

We attend to the means of grace, as praying, sing praises, and follow the Lamb to live.— Though we have not left the death of the body behind us as yet. We look forward with some degree of confidence to that happy period when we shall put on immortality; when we also, like our glorious head, shall go before and leave death far behind us, nor to fall into the hands of the tyrant any more. I recollect reading in the works of Flavel something like the following "That the souls of the saints in heaven have a strong inclination to be united to their bodies that they

ever fear

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left behind them in the world, on the face of the waters of death, and that they are anxiously expecting their arrival with the tide of the resurrection, to meet them in the harbour of immortality." Our vile bodies shall be changed and fashioned like the glorious body of Christ. We know not what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. While in this world the motions of sin are working in our members, but in the resurrection the whole spirit, soul and body shall be blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; and the seeds of afflic tions and death shall be ieft behind in the grave. ses shall no longer be slow of speech, Jacob no longer lame, Job and Lazarus shall be troubled no longer with sore boils, and Timothy shall complain no more of a weak stomach. The glory of the body of Christ is far above our present conceptions, but we know that when he was transfigured on Mount Tabor, that his face shined like the sun in his meridian brightness, and that such was the excellent glory then manifested, that his. raiment was white as the light; and those that awake to everlasting life shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

I recollect that I promised to notice,

II. The majestic and glorious appearance of the angel; yet his tender and affectionate mode of address to his hearers. But we must hasten to conclude.

The day on which the angel preached his sermon was the third day-the first day of the week,—the most notable of all the days of the earth, the day on which the second Adam appeared with the keys of hell and of death, the feast day of the Jubilee of the redeemed. The stone that was on our Saviour's grave was the angel's pulpit, from which he preached the resurrection to few

pious women of Galilee. How astonishing! The angel making death's castle door his throne or seat of honor, to preach to the daughters of Salem. The preacher's garment was white as snow, and his countenance like the lightning which terrified the watchmen so that they fell to the ground, and became as dead men. This was the first preacher after the battle of Calvary; but the preacher with the white raiment and lightning countenance had to preach only once, and that to few women. Peter, the fisherman of the sea of Galilee, was the preacher in the great assembly on the day of Pentecost, when men of sixteen languages were hearing, and five thousand of them converted to God.

The angel, though clad with heavenly majesty and glory, was yet very meek and affectionate in his address to the women. Having delivered the doctrine of the resurrection, Fear not, says the heavenly messenger,— fear not to-day, for I know that ye are seeking Jesus.—、 If you only knew the importance of the work that was completely finished to-day, you would neither fear the world, death, nor the grave. This is the most joyful day that Jesus hath seen since he was born in Bethlehem. He realizes this day fulness of joy. Let hell and its allied powers tremble; the Jubilee of Jesus and his friends has commenced to-day.

The angel calls our blessed Redeemer, Jesus that was crucified. Men generally receive their titles from some exploits they have made. Why did not the angel say, ye are seeking Jesus who created the world?-who dwelt in the fiery bush ?—and gave the law to the children of Israel on Sinai ?-that would have been true.But Jesus' character is higher in the estimation of angels on account of what he has done on the cross than all the works of Creation and Providence, for the angels are ever looking with the greatest astonishment, and

most profound reverence upon the wonders of the cross. Who would not pity those men who call themselves Philosophers, who take a vast deal more delight to dig in the lead mines opened by Plato and others, than in searching for imperishable gold, invaluable pearls, and precious stones, which Prophets and Apostles, and millions more have sought and found, that would make them also eternally rich.

The angel said, come, see the place where the Lord lay. Who is this Lord? The God of Israel himself, whose majestic train filled the temple,-who was born of a virgin,—laid in a manger.—immersed in Jordan, -and who was buried in Joseph's new grave,-but is risen to-day for the justification of sinners. Go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and behold he goeth before you into Galilee; and then shall ye see him, lo! I have told you. My hearers listen for a moment! hear this, go quickly!-the King's business requires haste. You that know the Lord make haste, go quickly,-and tell to sinners round what a dear saviour you have found; tell them that you have found the Messiah, the true and promised Messiah, to whom Moses and the Prophets bear record, which is being interpreted the Christ, the annointed of the Father; the way, the truth and the life; the only saviour of lost, and perishing sinners; who died on the cross for our sins, and is risen again for our justification. Sinners, the religion of Christ requires haste; do you ever intend to repent of your sins, and believe in the Lord Jesus, to deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow the Lord through evil and good report.

O, do not halt between two opinions! Procrastination is dangerous. Go quickly to Jesus-believe in himtrust in him-and rely upon him, and his righteousness alone, as the ground of your acceptance before God.